WO2021018541A1 - Treatment apparatus and method for treating containers and/or preforms under aseptic conditions - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a treatment apparatus (1) for treating containers (38) and/or preforms (2) under aseptic conditions, comprising an interior (3) delimited by at least one outer wall (4), at least one transport apparatus (5) for transporting the containers (38) and/or preforms (2) into the interior (3) and from the interior (3), at least one supply line (11) for a medium, which opens into the interior (3), for introducing at least one medium (12; 17; 19; 29) with an entry volumetric flow rate into the interior (3), and an extraction apparatus (21), leading from the interior (3), comprising at least one extraction opening (22) for extracting gas from the interior (3) at an extraction volumetric flow rate. The treatment apparatus (1) is distinguished, in particular, in that the entry volumetric flow rate and/or the extraction volumetric flow rate are/is adjustable in such a way that the extraction volumetric flow rate is greater than the entry volumetric flow rate and the treatment apparatus (1) comprises at least one secondary-air line (25), opening into the interior (3), for equalizing a pressure difference between the interior (3) and the surroundings (8). Further, the invention relates to a corresponding method for treating containers (38) and/or preforms (2) under aseptic conditions using a treatment apparatus (1).

Description

Treatment device and method for the treatment of containers and / or preforms under aseptic conditions

The invention relates to a treatment device for treating

Containers and / or preforms under aseptic conditions according to

The preamble of claim 1 and a method for treating containers and / or preforms under aseptic conditions according to the preamble of claim 11.

The invention relates to machines for treating containers and / or preforms in the beverage industry, the treatment taking place under aseptic conditions. Such a treatment machine is, for example, a machine for sterilizing preforms.

A sterile filling system is known from US Pat. No. 5,848,515 A, for example. There, the bottles to be filled are passed through a plurality of functional groups, each functional group performing a specific function on the bottles. Each functional group is arranged in a sterile room, with the sterile rooms being kept under a slight overpressure.

A method for the sterilization of clean rooms for the treatment and / or filling of containers is known from the publication WO 2008/014991 A1. Controllable ventilation units, controllable air inlets, controllable air outlets and / or controllable doors are used in order to obtain a targeted air flow inside the clean rooms.

The document EP 1 941 913 B1 describes a method for sterilizing

Plastic preforms, the preforms via an inlet opening into a

Transported protective chamber, acted upon in the protective chamber with a sterilizing steam stream and transported out of the protective chamber again via an outlet opening. Furthermore, the atmosphere is extracted from the protective chamber in order to avoid any leakage of the atomized sterilizing product. The extraction throughput is controlled through an extraction opening in the protective chamber in such a way that it is equal to the sum of the leakage throughput that penetrates through the inlet and outlet openings on the one hand and the throughput of the sterilizing steam flow minus 15% to 25% on the other hand, the 15 % to 25% of the sterilizing steam flow remains on the preforms. In practice, a satisfactory adjustment of the extraction throughput is achieved by verifying that a suitable fogging film from the sterilizing product is present on the preforms and that no condensate is on the inner walls of the

Protection chamber occurs.

The control of the extraction throughput is therefore complex and has to be done by

Operating personnel.

Based on the known prior art, the present invention is

The object of the invention is to create a treatment device for treating containers and / or preforms under aseptic conditions, as well as an associated method, in which the air supply and suction are simplified and do not require any complex control.

The object is achieved by a treatment device for treating containers and / or preforms under aseptic conditions according to the features of independent patent claim 1 and by a method for treating containers and / or preforms under aseptic conditions according to the features of the independent claim 11. The respective subclaims relate to particularly preferred embodiment variants of the invention.

A treatment device is proposed for treating containers and / or preforms under aseptic conditions. Under containers will be there

for example bottles, in particular PET bottles or glass bottles, cans and kegs, but other containers are also conceivable. Preforms, too

Preforms are called plastic bodies, in particular made of PET, which are im

Stretch blow molding processes are formed into containers. In the treatment device, for example a rotary machine, the containers and / or preforms are treated under aseptic, that is to say aseptic, conditions, which is necessary, for example, for the sterilization of preforms.

The treatment device has an interior space delimited by at least one outer wall, with at least partially aseptic conditions prevailing in the interior space. The interior space can consist of a single, fixed outer wall be limited, or by several outer walls that are partially stationary and partially movable. The transition between the individual outer walls, in particular between stationary and movable ones, is preferably designed as a labyrinth seal and / or a siphon seal.

Furthermore, the treatment device has at least one transport device which is designed to transport the containers and / or preforms into and out of the interior space. In addition, the transport device can also transport the containers and / or preforms within the interior. To transport the containers and / or preforms, the transport device has, for example, gripper and / or carrier elements with which the containers and / or preforms are gripped or carried. An example of such a

The transport device is a transport star.

The treatment device also has at least one medium supply line opening into the interior. The medium supply line (s) is / are designed to introduce at least one medium into the interior. The sum of the volume flows of the media introduced into the interior via the medium supply line (s) is referred to as the inlet volume flow. In order to suck gas out of the interior space, a suction device leading from the interior space is also provided, which comprises at least one suction opening adjoining the interior space. The volume of the gas sucked out of the interior by the suction device per unit of time is called

Suction volume flow or suction power.

According to the invention, the inlet volume flow and / or the suction volume flow can be set in such a way that the suction volume flow is greater than the inlet volume flow. The setting can take place in a variety of ways, for example by manually or electrically opening or closing a valve, by opening or closing slats, or by setting the power of the suction device. The inlet volume flow and the suction volume flow are preferably set such that the suction volume flow is approximately 10% to 20% greater than the inlet volume flow. Furthermore, the treatment device has at least one defective air line opening into the interior space for compensating one

Pressure difference between the interior and the environment. The air pressure at the end of the defective air line facing away from the interior is the same or approximately equal to the ambient air pressure. Without the defective air line, since the suction volume flow extracted by the suction device is greater than the inlet volume flow introduced into the interior by the medium supply line (s), negative pressure would result in the interior (compared to the environment). On the other hand, the missing air is sucked in via the defective air line, so that the air that prevails in the interior is removed

Air pressure will approximately equalize the ambient air pressure. The approximately equal air pressure in the interior and in the surrounding area ensures that openings in the outer wall, such as those in a labyrinth seal or in the area in which the containers and / or preforms are transported into or out of the interior, no gases from the interior get into the environment and no unsterile air from the environment gets into the interior, which is the case with

Differences in pressure between the interior and the environment would be the case. The combination of the suction volume flow, which is greater than the inlet volume flow, with the false air line is simple to design and manufacture and does not require any control or only a relatively rough control of the inlet volume flow and / or suction volume flow, which can also be done automatically without any problems. In addition, the supply of air via the defective air line ensures uniformity

Flow conditions in the interior.

It is advantageous if the media introduced into the interior are displacement air, a sterilization medium and / or drying air. Displacement air is used for this

Displacement of ambient air entering the interior, the ambient air preferably already being displaced before it enters the interior. The

Sterilization medium is used to sterilize the containers and / or preforms, but can also be used to sterilize the interior space and the devices located in the interior space or adjacent to the interior space. In particular, hot air and / or H2O2, that is to say hydrogen peroxide, come into consideration as the sterilization medium, but other sterilization media are also conceivable. The drying air is used to dry the containers and / or preforms, in particular after the containers and / or preforms have been sterilized. Both the displacement air and the drying air are preferably sterile, for example after having passed through a

corresponding filter. There can also be other media in the interior

be introduced, the volume flows of these actively introduced media add up to the inlet volume flow. The treatment device advantageously has an entry or exit area for transporting the containers and / or preforms into and / or out of the interior. The entry and / or exit area is designed in such a way that when the containers and / or preforms are transported in or out, as little sterile air as possible leaves the interior and as little unsterile ambient air as possible enters the interior. For this purpose, the entry or exit area preferably includes baffles and / or locks.

It is advantageous if the medium supply line (s) in an upper area of the

The interior open into the interior and / or the suction opening (s)

Suction device are arranged in a lower region of the interior. Then a directed air flow can develop from top to bottom. The sterilization medium and the drying air preferably act on the containers and / or preforms from above. This can be implemented, for example, in such a way that the

Sterilization medium is passed via a main line and an annular channel to a plurality of sterilization lances, through which it emerges directed downwards. The

Sterilization lances are preferably designed to be stationary and the containers and / or preforms are transported through under the sterilization lances, the sterilization medium also being introduced into the containers and / or preforms. Likewise, the drying air can be directed via a main line and an annular channel to a plurality of drying lances, via which it exits in a downward direction, whereby the containers and / or preforms transported through under the drying lances are dried. The displacement air is preferably introduced into the interior above the sterilization and / or drying lances. In order to achieve a particularly uniform displacement air curtain, a perforated plate, which acts as a diffuser, can be arranged between the mouth of the medium supply line introducing the displacement air and the mouths of the sterilization and / or drying lances.

It is advantageous if the treatment device comprises a control device for controlling the inlet volume flow and / or the suction volume flow. This means that manual setting of the inlet and / or suction volume flow can be dispensed with. The

The control device can, for example, control the suction volume flow as a function of the inlet volume flow, so that the suction volume flow can be adapted to the inlet volume flow, for example as a function of the process. The To control the inlet and / or suction volume flow, the control device can also use certain sensors of the treatment device, for example a pressure sensor in the interior or a flow sensor in the defective air line. For example, if the air pressure in the interior falls below the ambient air pressure, this means that more additional air is sucked off by the suction device than can flow in through the defective air line; in this case the suction volume flow is reduced. Conversely, the flow in the defective air line can be very low or nonexistent; In this case, not enough air is sucked out by the suction device and the suction volume flow is increased.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the setting takes place

Inlet volume flow and / or suction volume flow through the control device. That is to say, the control device is preferably set up in the operation of the

Treatment device to set the inlet volume flow and / or suction volume flow so that the suction volume flow is greater than the inlet volume flow.

Advantageously, the defective air line (s) connects or connects the interior space directly or via at least one air filter with the environment. Via the connection of the

Interior flows with the environment, there should be a pressure difference between the

The interior and the surroundings prevail, so much ambient air into the interior until the pressure difference is equalized. The air pressure in the interior is then equal to the ambient air pressure. The connection of the interior via one or more

Defective air conduction (s) with the environment is simple but very effective. A direct connection is characterized by an unobstructed flow of air. At least one air filter in the incorrect air line (s) hinders the air flow, but allows filtered or even sterile air to enter the interior.

In this context, a defective air line is also to be understood quite generally to mean one or a plurality of openings. It is therefore advantageous if the defective air ducts are a plurality of openings in the outer wall and / or the defective air duct (s) as

Labyrinth seal is formed or are. A large amount of ambient air can flow into the interior through openings in the outer wall, which are preferably evenly distributed along a circumference of the outer wall, so that a pressure difference between the interior and the environment is quickly equalized. Furthermore, a uniform air flow can be achieved through the openings in the outer wall. Is or if the defective air line (s) are designed as a labyrinth seal, possible

Suppresses or prevents turbulence and reduces the likelihood of gas escaping from the interior into the environment.

It is advantageous if the interior space is divided by a theoretical passage area into a sterile sub-space and a non-sterile sub-space, the

Medium supply line (s) opens or open into the sterile subspace, which

Faulty air line (s) opens or opens into the non-sterile subspace and the

Suction opening (s) is or are arranged in the non-sterile subspace. The theoretical passage area also depends on the flow conditions in the interior. In the area of the theoretical passage area, transition or

Form mixing zones in which sterile air mixes with non-sterile air. The containers and / or preforms are transported at least partially, preferably completely, through the sterile sub-space on their way through the interior. To the

Sterilizing containers and / or preforms, in which it is particularly important that the inside of the container and / or preforms is sterilized, at least the opening of the container and / or preforms must always be in the sterile subspace, that is, the sterile one Partial space must extend at least as far as the surface of the gripper or carrier elements of the transport device. In the event that the medium supply line (s) open into the interior in an upper area of the interior and the suction opening (s) are arranged in a lower area of the interior, the division into a sterile sub-room and a non-sterile sub-room means that the sterile sub-space is located in an upper area of the interior and the non-sterile sub-area is located in a lower area of the interior.

At least one of the medium supply lines is advantageously at least one sealing air supply line opening into the sterile subspace. This sealing air supply line introduces sterile sealing air into the interior, the sterile sealing air preventing the entry of air supplied through the defective air line into the sterile sub-space. The sealing air supply line opens into the sterile subspace in the vicinity of the theoretical passage area, so that it displaces the air supplied by the defective air line in this area. The sealing air is preferably supplied to the interior space under increased pressure so that an air sword, that is, a cutting air curtain, is formed. In order to supply the largest possible area with sealing air, the sealing air feed line is preferably in the form of a ring surrounding the interior space with a large number of openings or designed as a circumferential gap. The volume flow supplied to the interior by the sealing air is part of the inlet volume flow and is also sucked out of the interior by the suction device.

It is advantageous if the treatment device has a diffuser plate arranged in the area of the theoretical passage area to avoid a

Cross-mixing of air from the non-sterile sub-space into the sterile sub-space due to turbulence. The diffuser plate, which is designed as a perforated plate, for example, slows down the gas flows in the area of the theoretical passage area and thus achieves a more uniform gas flow from the sterile sub-space to the non-sterile sub-space. Turbulence is thus suppressed or prevented and thus the entry of non-sterile air into the sterile sub-space is made even more difficult.

Furthermore, a method for treating containers and / or preforms under aseptic conditions with a treatment device, in particular a

Treatment device according to the preceding description proposed. Containers are understood to mean, for example, bottles, in particular PET bottles or glass bottles, cans and kegs, but other containers are also conceivable. Preforms, also known as preforms, are plastic bodies, in particular made of PET, which are formed into containers using the stretch blow molding process. The container and / or

Preforms are treated under aseptic, i.e. sterile, conditions, which is necessary, for example, for the sterilization of preforms.

In the method, the containers and / or preforms are transported by means of at least one transport device into an interior space delimited by at least one outer wall, treated in the interior space and then out of the interior space again

transported. For this purpose, the transport device, for example a transport star, has for example gripper and / or carrier elements with which the containers and / or preforms are gripped or carried.

At least one medium is fed into the interior via at least one medium supply line. The sum of the volume flows of the media that are introduced into the interior via the medium supply line (s) is referred to as the inlet volume flow. Gas is also extracted from the interior by means of a suction device. The volume of the gas that is sucked out of the interior by the suction device per unit of time is referred to as suction volume flow or suction power.

According to the invention, gas from the interior with a compared to

Inlet volume flow sucked off larger suction volume flow and an existing pressure difference between the interior and the environment is compensated for by supplying air or ambient air via at least one defective air line opening into the interior. This is preferably achieved in that the suction volume flow and / or the inlet volume flow are adjusted, for example a valve being opened or closed, slats being folded in or out, or the output of the suction device being adjusted. Furthermore, a pressure difference between the interior and the environment is compensated for via at least one defective air line opening into the interior. The air pressure at the end of the defective air line facing away from the interior space is equal to or approximately equal to the ambient air pressure. Without the defective air line, the suction device would cause the suction

The suction volume flow is greater than the inlet volume flow introduced into the interior by the medium supply line (s), resulting in a negative pressure in the interior (compared to the surroundings). On the other hand, the missing air is sucked in via the defective air line, so that the air pressure prevailing in the interior is roughly equal to

Will equalize ambient air pressure. The approximately equal air pressure in the interior and in the surrounding area ensures that openings in the outer wall, such as those in a labyrinth seal or in the area in which the containers and / or preforms are transported into or out of the interior, no gases from the interior get into the environment and no unsterile air from the

Environment gets into the interior, which in the case of pressure differences between the

Interior and the environment would be the case. The combination of bigger

The process for treating containers and / or preforms is particularly simple, since there is no or only a relatively coarse control of the inlet volume flow and / or

Suction volume flow, which can also be done automatically without any problems.

It is advantageous if displacement air, a sterilization medium and / or drying air are introduced as media. From the displacement air is in the interior

Incoming ambient air is displaced, the ambient air preferably being displaced before it enters the interior. By means of the sterilization medium the containers and / or preforms are sterilized, but the interior and the devices located in the interior or adjoining the interior can also be sterilized. In particular, hot air and / or H2O2, that is to say hydrogen peroxide, come into consideration as the sterilization medium, but other sterilization media are also conceivable. The containers and / or preforms are dried by means of the drying air, in particular after they have been sterilized. Both the

Displacement air and the drying air are preferably sterile, for example after they have passed through an appropriate filter. Other media can also be introduced into the interior, the volume flows of these actively introduced media adding up to the inlet volume flow.

The inlet volume flow and / or the suction volume flow are advantageously controlled, in particular by means of a control device of the treatment device.

This eliminates, for example, the manual setting of the entry and / or

Suction volume flow. The suction volume flow can depend on the

Inlet volume flow can be controlled so that the suction volume flow is adapted, for example, depending on the process to the inlet volume flow. The inlet and / or suction volume flow can also be controlled as a function of certain parameters, for example an air pressure in the interior or a flow through the

Bad air line, these parameters e.g. from a pressure sensor or a

Flow sensor can be measured. If, for example, the air pressure in the interior falls below the ambient air pressure, this means that more additional air is sucked out through the suction device than can flow in through the defective air line, whereupon the suction volume flow is reduced. Conversely, the flow in the faulty air line can be very low or not present at all, which is the case when not enough air is sucked off by the suction device. In this case, the suction volume flow is increased.

It is advantageous if the interior is divided by a theoretical passage area into a sterile sub-space and a non-sterile sub-space, with the

Medium supply line (s) is or will be supplied to the sterile subspace of the interior, air is or will be supplied to the non-sterile subspace of the interior via the faulty air line (s) and gas is sucked out of the nonsterile subspace by means of the suction device. The theoretical passage area also depends on the flow conditions in the interior. In the area of the theoretical passage area Transition or mixing zones can also develop in which sterile air mixes with non-sterile air. The containers and / or preforms are transported at least partially, preferably completely, through the sterile sub-space on their way through the interior. In order to sterilize containers and / or preforms, where it is particularly important that the inside of the container and / or preforms is sterilized, at least the opening of the container and / or preforms must always be in the sterile subspace, that is, the sterile one Partial space must extend at least as far as the surface of the gripper or carrier elements of the transport device. If the medium supply line (s) open into the interior in an upper area of the interior and the suction opening (s) are arranged in a lower area of the interior, the division into a sterile sub-room and a non-sterile sub-room means that the sterile sub-room is in an upper area of the interior and the non-sterile sub-space is located in a lower area of the interior.

It is advantageous if sealing air is fed into the sterile partial space via at least one medium feed line designed as a sealing air feed line. Here is the sealing air

preferably sterile and the entry of air supplied through the defective air line into the sterile subspace is prevented by the sealing air. The sealing air supply line opens into the sterile subspace in the vicinity of the theoretical passage area, so that the air supplied by the defective air line is displaced in this area. The sealing air is preferably supplied to the interior space under increased pressure so that an air sword, that is, a cutting air curtain, is formed. In order to supply the largest possible area with sealing air, the sealing air feed line is preferably designed as a ring surrounding the interior space with a plurality of openings or as a circumferential gap. The one supplied to the interior through the sealing air

Volume flow is part of the inlet volume flow and is also controlled by the

Suction device sucked out of the interior.

Advantageously, by means of a diffuser plate arranged between the sterile sub-space and the non-sterile sub-space, turbulence and thus a

Avoid cross-mixing of air from the non-sterile sub-space into the sterile sub-space. The gas flows in the area of the

theoretical passage area is slowed down so that the gas flows more evenly from the sterile subspace to the non-sterile subspace. Turbulence is thus suppressed or prevented and thus the entry of non-sterile air into the sterile subspace is made more difficult.

Developments, advantages and possible applications of the invention also emerge from the following description of exemplary embodiments and from the figures. In this case, all of the features described and / or shown in the figures, individually or in any combination, are fundamentally the subject matter of the invention, regardless of how they are summarized in the claims or their reference. The content of the claims is also made part of the description.

Although some aspects have been described in connection with a device, it goes without saying that these aspects also represent a description of the corresponding method, so that a block or component of a device is also to be understood as a corresponding method step or as a feature of a method step . Analogously, aspects that have been described in connection with or as a method step also represent a description of a corresponding block or details or features of a corresponding device. Some or all of the method steps can be carried out by a hardware apparatus (or using a hardware device). Apparatus) such as B. a microprocessor, a programmable computer or an electronic circuit. With some

In embodiments, some or more of the most important process steps can be carried out by such an apparatus.

The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the figures using exemplary embodiments. It shows as an example:

1 shows a schematic longitudinal section through a treatment device,

2 shows a schematic longitudinal section through a further exemplary embodiment of a treatment device,

3 shows a schematic longitudinal section through yet another

Embodiment of a treatment device and 4 shows a schematic longitudinal section through yet another

Embodiment of a treatment device.

Identical reference symbols are used in the figures for elements of the invention that are the same or have the same effect. Furthermore, for the sake of clarity, only reference symbols are shown in the individual figures that are necessary for the description of the respective figure.

FIG. 1 shows a schematic longitudinal section through a treatment device 1 for sterilizing preforms 2 under aseptic, that is to say aseptic, conditions.

Preforms 2, also called preforms, are plastic bodies, in particular made of PET, which are formed into containers in the stretch blow molding process. With modifications familiar to the person skilled in the art, the present treatment device 1 can also generally be used for treating containers and / or preforms 2 under aseptic conditions. Containers can be, for example, bottles, in particular PET bottles or glass bottles, cans or kegs.

The treatment device 1 has an interior space 3 which is delimited by outer walls 4. Transport devices 5 serve to transport the preforms 2. Each transport device 5 has a transport element 6 attached to it

Support elements 7 on. For the sake of clarity, drives, supports and other details of the transport devices 5 have not been shown. Instead of the carrier elements 7, gripper elements or other elements that can transport the preforms 2 can also be used, for example.

By means of a first transport device 5.1, the preforms 2 are from the

Environment 8, that is to say from outside the interior 3, transported into the interior 3 via an entry area 9. The entry area 9 can be a simple opening in the outer wall 4, but it preferably comprises locks and / or baffles so that as little gas or air exchange as possible takes place between the interior 3 and the surroundings 8 via the entry area 9.

From the first transport device 5.1, the preforms 2 are transferred to transport devices 5 designed as transport stars 5.2 and finally to another

Transfer device 5.3. By means of the further transport device 5.3 the preforms 2 are then transported from the interior 3 via an exit region 10 into the surroundings 8. Like the entry area 9, the exit area 10 can be a simple opening in the outer wall 4, but it preferably includes locks and / or baffles.

A medium feed line 11.1 for a sterilization medium 12 leads into the interior 3. The preforms 2 are sterilized by means of the sterilization medium 12, in particular hot air or, preferably gaseous, H2O2. A main line 13 of the medium supply line 11.1 enters the interior 3 through an upper outer wall 4 of the interior 3. The main line 13 opens into an annular channel 14 on which downwardly directed sterilization lances 15 are arranged. The nozzles 16 of the

Sterilization lances 15 are located above the carrier elements 7 of one of the transport stars 5.2, so that water flows out of the sterilization lances 15

Sterilization medium 12 is passed into the preforms 2, so that the preforms 2 are sterilized in particular internally.

Via another medium supply line 11.2 leading into the interior 3

Drying air 17 for drying the preforms 2 is introduced. Also the

Medium supply line 11.2 comprises a main line 13 which enters the interior 3 through the upper outer wall 4 of the interior 3 and opens into an annular channel 14. Downwardly directed drying lances 18 are arranged on the annular channel 14, the nozzles 16 of which are located above the carrier elements 7 of another of the transport stars 5.2, so that drying air 17 flowing out of the drying lances 18 is guided into the preforms 2 in order to dry the preforms 2. The transport star 5.2, above which the drying lances 18 are located, is arranged in the transport direction T of the preforms 2 behind the transport star 5.2, above which the sterilization lances 15 are located.

Furthermore, a medium feed line 11.3 for displacement air 19 in the interior 3, which also enters the interior 3 through the upper outer wall 4 of the interior 3. The nozzle 16 of this medium feed line 11.3 is arranged high up in the interior 3, so that the entire interior 3 is viewed from above displacer air 19 can be applied to the bottom. The displacement air 19 serves to displace ambient air entering the interior space 3, the ambient air preferably being displaced before it flows into the interior space 3. One below the nozzle 16 of the Medium supply line 11.3 for displacement air 19 and perforated plate 20 arranged above the sterilization lances 15 and drying lances 18 acts as a diffuser for the displacement air 19, so that a particularly uniform displacement air curtain is generated.

By means of a suction device 21, gas is sucked out of the interior 3 via suction openings 22 arranged in the lower region of the interior 3. For this purpose, the suction device 21 comprises a suction unit 23 which can be adjusted in terms of its power

is designed, for example, as a fan and is connected to the suction openings 22 via a suction channel 24.

The suction unit 23 is set in such a way that the suctioned

The suction volume flow is greater than that via the medium supply lines 11 in the

Interior 3 guided inlet volume flow, which is to be understood as the sum of the volume flows of the sterilization medium 12, the drying air 17 and the displacement air 19. It is advantageous if the suction volume flow is approximately 10% to 20% greater than the inlet volume flow.

In order to avoid negative pressure in the interior 3, the treatment device also has a plurality of defective air lines 25 opening into the interior 3, which are designed as openings 26 in the outer wall 4. The defective air lines 25 thus directly connect the interior 3 with the surroundings 8, so that ambient air 27 can flow through the defective air ducts 25 into the interior 3. A pressure difference between the interior 3 and the environment 8 is thus compensated. If the pressure prevailing in the interior 3 is equal to the ambient pressure, then it is made difficult or prevented that a gas exchange takes place between the interior 3 and the environment 8, for example via labyrinth seals in the outer wall 4 or the inlet or outlet area 9 or 10 . In particular, no sterilization medium 12 can then get from the interior 3 into the environment 8 and there is no contaminated ambient air 27 in the interior 3 except via the defective air line 25. A complex regulation or control of the inlet and / or suction volume flow is not necessary, since as much ambient air 27 is always supplied to the interior 3 via the defective air line 25 as is necessary to compensate for a pressure difference between the interior 3 and the environment 8. Since the inflowing ambient air 27 is usually contaminated and therefore not sterile, the interior 3 is divided into a sterile sub-space 3.1 and a non-sterile sub-space 3.2, the non-sterile sub-space 3.2 being the area of the interior 3 that the ambient air 27 from Inflow via the defective air lines 25 up to the suction via the suction openings 22. The mouths of the defective air lines 25 and the suction openings 22 are therefore arranged in the non-sterile subspace 3.2. The

Faulty air lines 25 are also arranged in such a way that inflowing ambient air 27 preferably flows in in a downward direction, so that the ambient air flows in

Transport elements 6 of the transport devices 5 as well as the sterilization lances 15 and drying lances 18 are not reached. The medium feed lines 11 therefore open into the sterile sub-space 3.1 and the transport elements 6 are located in the sterile sub-space 3.1, so that the preforms 2 are not contaminated by the non-sterile ambient air 27.

The boundary between the sterile subspace 3.1 and the non-sterile subspace 3.2 is a theoretical passage area 28, the passage of gas from the sterile subspace 3.1 into the nonsterile subspace 3.2, predominantly but not the other way around. A formation of transition or mixed zones in the area of theoretical

However, passage area 28, for example due to turbulence, is possible.

FIG. 2 shows a schematic longitudinal section through a further exemplary embodiment of a treatment device 1. In contrast to the treatment device 1 in FIG. 1, this treatment device 1 has a further medium supply line 11. This further medium supply line 11 is a sealing air supply line 11.4 which directs sterile sealing air 29 into the interior 3 and which opens just above the theoretical passage area 28 in the sterile subspace 3.1. The sealing air 29 is preferably supplied to the interior space 3 under increased pressure, so that an air sword, that is to say a cutting air curtain, is formed just above the theoretical passage area. The sealing air 29 further prevents ambient air 27 supplied via the defective air line 25 from reaching the sterile subspace 3.1. The sealing air supply line 11. 4 comprises a ring 30 extending around the interior space 3 for distributing the sealing air 29 and a circumferential gap 31 through which the sealing air 29 enters the interior space 3. The volume flow of the sealing air 29 is part of the inlet volume flow, so that the suction volume flow must be set to a value that is greater, in particular 10% to 20% greater, than the sum of the volume flows of the sterilization medium, the drying air, the displacement air and the sealing air . In the treatment device 1 of Figure 2, the defective air line 25 is also as

Labyrinth seal 32 executed in the outer wall 4. This has the advantage that a more uniform flow of ambient air 27 into the interior 3 is achieved,

Turbulence can be suppressed and thus the probability that gas will get from the interior 3 into the environment 8 is reduced.

Figure 3 shows a schematic longitudinal section through yet another

Embodiment of a treatment device 1. In contrast to the

Treatment devices 1 of the previous exemplary embodiments, this one treatment device 1 has a diffuser plate 33 which is arranged in the area of the theoretical passage area 28. This diffuser plate 33 reinforces the separation of the sterile sub-space 3.1 from the non-sterile sub-space 3.2. The diffuser plate 33 in particular avoids turbulence which could lead to cross-mixing of air from the non-sterile sub-space 3.2 into the sterile sub-space 3.1.

Furthermore, an air filter 35 is arranged in a feed line 34 of the defective air line 25. Through this air filter 35, the ambient air 27 is of a variety of

Cleaned impurities. A small mixing of cleaned ambient air 27 in the sterile subspace 3.1 therefore only leads to a smaller contamination of the sterile subspace 3.1 than a comparable mixing with uncleaned

Ambient air 27. The supply line 34 opens into a false air ring duct 36, via which the cleaned ambient air 27 is distributed over the circumference of the interior 3.

This treatment device 1 also has a control device 37 which controls the suction volume flow via the power of the suction unit 23. This control is advantageously carried out as a function of operating parameters that the

Control the inlet volume flow. In addition, sensors can be provided, by means of which a too low or too high suction volume flow is detected and via which the control of the suction volume flow is preferably adjusted. Is the

The suction volume flow is so large, for example, that not enough ambient air 27 can flow in through the defective air line 25 to achieve pressure equalization, then the pressure in the interior 3 drops. A pressure sensor in the interior can therefore detect an excessively high suction volume flow. Is that the other way around

The suction volume flow is too low, so ambient air 27 no longer has to flow in to to achieve pressure equalization. Via a sensor that determines the volume flow of the incoming ambient air 27, a too low

Suction volume flow can be detected. The control device 37 therefore allows automatic operation of the treatment device 1, in particular also when the inlet volume flow changes over time.

Finally, FIG. 4 shows a treatment device 1 which is designed for filling containers 38 under aseptic conditions. The precise design of the filling unit 39 is not essential for the present invention and is therefore shown very schematically. Only displacement air 19 enters the interior 3, which in particular prevents ambient air 27 from penetrating into the interior 3 via the entry and exit areas 9 and 10, respectively. The suction volume flow of the suction device 21 is set in such a way that it is greater, in particular 10% to 20% greater than that

Volume flow of the displacement air 19 is and a pressure equalization between the interior space 3 and the environment 8 takes place via the defective air line 25. In this case, too, no or only a simple control of the suction volume flow is required in order to create suitable sterile conditions in the sterile subspace 3.1.

The invention was described above using exemplary embodiments. It goes without saying that a large number of changes or modifications are possible without thereby departing from the scope of protection of the invention defined by the patent claims.

List of reference symbols

1 treatment device

2 preform

3 interior

3.1 sterile compartment

3.2 non-sterile compartment

4 outer wall

5 Transport device

5.1 first transport device

5.2 Transport star

5.3 further transport device

6 transport element

7 support element

8 environment

9 Entrance area

10 exit area

1 1 medium supply line

1 1 .1 Medium supply line for a sterilization medium

1 1 .2 Medium supply line for drying air

1 1 .3 Medium supply line for displacement air

1 1 .4 Sealing air supply line

12 sterilization medium

13 main line

14 ring channel

15 sterilization lance

16 nozzle

17 drying air

18 drying lance

19 displacement air

20 perforated sheet

21 Extraction device

22 suction opening

23 suction unit

24 suction channel 25 Bad air line

26 opening

27 Ambient air

28 theoretical passage area

29 sealing air

30 circumferential ring

31 circumferential gap

32 labyrinth seal

33 diffuser sheet

34 supply line

35 air filters

36 Wrong air ring duct

37 control device

38 containers

39 filling unit

T transport direction

Claims

Claims 1. Treatment device (1) for treating containers (38) and / or Preforms (2) under aseptic conditions, having an interior (3) bounded by at least one outer wall (4), at least one transport device (5) for transporting the containers (38) and / or preforms (2) into the interior (3) and out of the interior (3), at least one medium feed line (11) opening into the interior (3) for introducing at least one medium (12; 17; 19; 29) with an inlet volume flow into the interior space (3) and a suction device (21) leading from the interior space (3) with at least one suction opening (22) for drawing off gas with a suction volume flow from the interior space (3), characterized in that the inlet volume flow and / or the suction volume flow can be adjusted in such a way that the suction volume flow is greater than the inlet volume flow, and the treatment device (1) has at least one opening into the interior (3) Faulty air line (25) to compensate for a pressure difference between the Has interior (3) and the environment (8). 2. Treatment device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the media (12; 17; 19; 29) introduced into the interior (3) displacing air (19) for displacing ambient air (27) entering the interior (3) , on Sterilization medium (12) for sterilizing the containers (38) and / or preforms (2), in particular hot air and / or H2O2, and / or drying air (17) for drying the containers (38) and / or preforms (2). 3. Treatment device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the treatment device (1) for inward and / or outward transport of the containers (38) and / or preforms (2) into or out of the interior space (3) has an entry or exit area (9; 10), wherein the entry or exit area Exit area (9; 10) preferably includes diaphragms and / or locks. 4. Treatment device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the medium supply line (s) (11) open into the interior (3) in an upper region of the interior (3) and / or the suction opening (s) (22 ) the suction device (21) are arranged in a lower region of the interior (3). 5. Treatment device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the treatment device (1) comprises a control device (37) for controlling the inlet volume flow and / or suction volume flow. 6. Treatment device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the defective air line (s) (25) connects or connects the interior space (3) directly or via at least one air filter (35) with the surroundings (8). 7. Treatment device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the defective air lines (25) are a plurality of openings (26) in the outer wall (4) and / or the defective air line (s) (25) as a labyrinth seal (32) ) is or are formed. 8. Treatment device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the inner space (3) is divided by a theoretical passage area (28) into a sterile sub-space (3.1) and a non-sterile sub-space (3.2), the medium supply line ( en) (11) opens or opens into the sterile subspace (3.1), the defective air line (s) (25) opens or opens into the non-sterile subspace (3.2) and the suction opening (s) (22) in the non-sterile subspace (3.2) is or are arranged. 9. Treatment device (1) according to claim 8, characterized in that at least one of the medium supply lines (11) is at least one sealing air supply line (11.4) opening into the sterile sub-space (3.1) for introducing sterile sealing air (29) to prevent the entry of air supplied through the incorrect air line (25) into the sterile sub-space (3.1 ), the sealing air supply line (11.4) opening into the sterile sub-space (3.1) in particular in the vicinity of the theoretical passage area (28). 10. Treatment device (1) according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that the treatment device (1) in the area of the theoretical passage area (28) arranged diffuser plate (33) to avoid cross-mixing of air from the non-sterile sub-space (3.2) in the sterile subspace (3.1) has turbulence. 11. Method for treating containers (38) and / or preforms (2) below aseptic conditions with a treatment device (1), in particular a treatment device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the containers (38) and / or preforms (2) are transported by means of at least one transport device (5) into a through at least one outer wall (4) from an environment (8) and limited interior (3) transported, treated in the interior (3) and transported out of the interior (3) again, with at least one Medium supply line (11) at least one medium (12; 17; 19; 29) with a Inlet volume flow is passed into the interior (3) and by means of a Suction device (21) gas is sucked out of the interior space (3) with a suction volume flow, characterized in that gas is sucked out of the interior space (3) with a suction volume flow greater than the inlet volume flow and an existing pressure difference between the interior space (3) and the Environment (8) is compensated for by supplying ambient air (27) via at least one defective air line (25) opening into the interior (3). 12. The method according to claim 11, characterized in that the media (12; 17; 19; 29) Displacement air (19) for displacing ambient air (27) entering the interior (3), a sterilization medium (12) for sterilizing the containers (38) and / or preforms (2), in particular hot air and / or H2O2, and / or Drying air (17) for drying the container (38) and / or preforms (2) are introduced. 13. The method according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that the The inlet volume flow and / or the suction volume flow can be controlled, in particular by means of a control device (37) of the treatment device (1). 14. The method according to any one of claims 11 to 13, characterized in that the interior (3) is divided by a theoretical passage area (28) into a sterile sub-space (3.1) and a non-sterile sub-space (3.2), wherein over the Medium supply line (s) (11) the sterile subspace (3.1) of the interior (3) media (12; 17; 19; 29) is or are fed to the non-sterile subspace (3.2) via the air line (s) (25) of the interior (3) air is or are supplied and gas is sucked out of the non-sterile sub-space (3.2) by means of the suction device (21). 15. The method according to claim 14, characterized in that in the sterile subspace (3.1) Sealing air (29) is supplied via at least one medium supply line (11) designed as a sealing air supply line (11.4) in order to prevent air supplied through the air supply line (25) from entering the sterile sub-space (3.1). 16. The method according to claim 14 or 15, characterized in that by means of a between the sterile sub-space (3.1) and the non-sterile sub-space (3.2) arranged diffuser plate (33) turbulence and thus cross-mixing of air from the non-sterile subspace (3.2) into the sterile subspace (3.1) is avoided.