Tank processing equipment and tank processing method

Abstract

The invention relates to a can processing apparatus and a can processing method. The invention relates to a can processing device (10). The can processing device (10) has a channel-type sterilization device (14) for sterilizing cans (12) and a can filling device (24) for filling a filling material into the sterilized cans (12). The can filling device (24) is arranged downstream of the channel sterilization device (14). Advantageously, the can processing device (10) enables the filling of the cans (12) in a space-saving, energy-saving, in turn cost-saving, but sanitary manner.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a can processing equipment and a can processing method. Background Technology

[0002] It is well known that beverages are filled into cans in beverage filling equipment and then sealed.

[0003] For example, DE 10 2020 116 779 A1 relates to a container processing apparatus, particularly a filling machine for filling liquid filling materials into cans or similar containers. Here, the container processing apparatus includes a first conveyor designed as a container inlet, a rotor located downstream in the processing direction, having multiple container processing stations and rotating about a machine shaft, and a second conveyor located downstream of the rotor in the processing direction and designed as a container outlet.

[0004] To improve hygiene, after filling, relatively large pasteurization equipment can be used to pasteurize the filled cans or their contents in a relatively energy-intensive manner.

[0005] The purpose of this invention is to provide an improved technology for hygienic filling of cans. Preferably, this technology should have advantages in terms of cost, installation space (footprint), and energy consumption. Summary of the Invention

[0006] This objective is achieved through the features of the independent claims. Advantageous improvements are given in the dependent claims and the specification.

[0007] One aspect of the invention relates to a can processing apparatus (e.g., beverage cans and / or food cans and / or aluminum cans). The can processing apparatus includes a tunnel-type sterilization device for sterilizing the cans (e.g., internally and / or externally), and a can filling device, preferably a rotor-type can filling device, for filling the sterilized cans with filling material (e.g., liquid or paste-like). The can filling device is arranged downstream of the (can) of the tunnel-type sterilization device.

[0008] Advantageously, can processing equipment enables hygienic filling of cans. Can processing equipment offers significant savings in installation space, energy, and cost. It is recommended to place a passageway pasteurization unit upstream of the can filling unit (cans) rather than, for example, downstream of the can filling unit (cans). Because passageway pasteurization units pasteurize both the cans and filling materials, they are relatively large (e.g., 30m or 40m long) and may require substantial energy to heat the cans and filling materials. In contrast, a passageway pasteurization unit upstream of the can filling unit can be designed to be relatively small (e.g., ≤20m long) and can operate with relatively low energy consumption, as sterilization of empty cans requires only a shorter time (e.g., using heat input and / or hydrogen peroxide).

[0009] In one embodiment, the tunnel sterilization unit and the can filling unit are directly connected to each other, preferably integrated together. Advantageously, this allows for a particularly small installation space, thereby shortening the transport distance between the tunnel sterilization unit and the can filling unit, during which the cans may still be contaminated.

[0010] In another embodiment, the outlet of the tunnel sterilization unit is directly connected to the inlet of the can filling unit. Advantageously, this also allows for a particularly small installation space, thereby shortening the transport distance between the tunnel sterilization unit and the can filling unit, during which the cans may still be contaminated.

[0011] In one embodiment, the outlet has an outlet conveyor (e.g., a basic handling type) and / or a separating device, preferably a separating worm gear, to position the cans at predetermined intervals, preferably according to the indexing of the can filling device. Alternatively or additionally, the inlet can be designed as at least one inlet star disk (rotor-type can conveyor). Thus, the aforementioned advantages in terms of installation space and short conveying distance / hygiene can be advantageously utilized.

[0012] In another embodiment, the tunnel sterilization apparatus is multi-channel or multi-track. Alternatively or additionally, the tunnel sterilization apparatus is designed to sterilize the cans (e.g., internally and / or externally) by applying hot air (e.g., 120°C-130°C) and / or hot steam (e.g., 120°C-130°C) and / or hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂). Alternatively or additionally, the tunnel sterilization apparatus has a can conveyor (e.g., a basic handling type) for conveying the cans through the tunnel sterilization apparatus, wherein the can conveyor is preferably designed to transport the cans upright through the tunnel sterilization apparatus. Advantageously, this allows for reliable sterilization of a large number of cans.

[0013] In one embodiment, the tunnel sterilization apparatus has a sterilization section (e.g., straight and / or extending along the can conveyor of the tunnel sterilization apparatus) with a length of ≤20m, ≤15m, or ≤10m, along which the cans are sterilized (e.g., inside and / or outside). Alternatively or additionally, the tunnel sterilization apparatus can be operated such that the cans are sterilized for durations of ≤8s, ≤6s, or ≤5s (e.g., inside and / or outside), respectively. As previously mentioned, by arranging the tunnel sterilization apparatus upstream of the can filling apparatus, it is advantageous to relatively shorten the length of the sterilization section and / or relatively shorten the sterilization time.

[0014] For example, the processing unit of the can processing equipment can be configured to operate a channel sterilization device (e.g., a can conveyor of a channel sterilization device) so that the cans are sterilized in the channel sterilization device for durations of ≤8s, ≤6s, or ≤5s, respectively.

[0015] The term "processing device" may preferably refer to electronic equipment (e.g., designed as a drive circuit or having a microprocessor and data memory) and / or mechanical, pneumatic and / or hydraulic controllers, which, depending on the configuration, take over control and / or regulation and / or processing tasks. Although the term "control" is used herein, it may also suitably include or indicate "regulation" or "feedback control" and / or "processing".

[0016] In another embodiment, the can processing equipment further includes a can sealing device, preferably a rotor-type can sealing device, for sealing the filled can. The can sealing device can be arranged downstream of the can filling device (can). Preferably, the can filling device and the can sealing device can be directly connected to each other, preferably integrated together. Alternatively or additionally, for example, a connecting conveyor can be arranged as the outlet of the can filling device and the inlet of the can sealing device.

[0017] In one embodiment, the can processing equipment further includes a clean chamber (e.g., one to which sterile air and / or overpressure are applied or which can be applied) in which the can filling device is arranged. Advantageously, this allows the filling material to be filled into the sterilized cans in a particularly hygienic manner.

[0018] In another embodiment, the clean chamber has a can inlet gate arranged at the outlet of the tunnel sterilizer (e.g., arranged on or integrated with the can outlet of the tunnel sterilizer, or arranged on or integrated with the outlet conveyor). Advantageously, the cans can thus enter the clean chamber directly after sterilization, thereby effectively preventing recontamination of the sterilized cans. Advantageously, the clean chamber can also be designed to be relatively small because the tunnel sterilizer itself is not arranged in the clean chamber, but can advantageously be used as part of the can inlet gate.

[0019] Preferably, the outlet of the channel sterilization apparatus and / or the outlet conveyor and / or the separator and / or the inlet of the can filling apparatus can be at least partially, preferably entirely, arranged in the clean room.

[0020] In one embodiment, the can sealing device is arranged in a clean room. Alternatively, a cap conveying device for conveying the cap to the can sealing device can also be arranged in the clean room. Advantageously, contamination of the contents of the can can be avoided before and during sealing.

[0021] Another aspect of the invention relates to a method for processing cans (e.g., aluminum cans, beverage cans, or food cans), preferably using the can processing equipment disclosed herein. The method comprises the following steps:

[0022] - Sterilizing cans (e.g., internally and / or externally) in a (e.g., multi-channel or multi-track) sterilization apparatus (e.g., during bulk transport through a passageway of a sterilization apparatus); and

[0023] - Using a can filling device, preferably a rotary can filling device, to fill sterilized cans with filling materials (e.g., liquid or paste-like) into them; and optionally...

[0024] -The filled tank is sealed by means of a tank sealing device, preferably a rotor-type tank sealing device.

[0025] Advantageously, this method achieves the same advantages described above for the can processing equipment. This also applies to the preferred embodiments of the method described below.

[0026] In one embodiment, the method further comprises at least one of the following steps:

[0027] - The sterilized cans are transferred directly from the outlet of the tunnel-type sterilization unit to the inlet of the can filling unit; and

[0028] - Before filling (e.g., at the outlet of a channel sterilizer, at the outlet conveyor of a channel sterilizer (e.g., a basic transport type), or at the inlet of a can filling device), the sterilized cans are positioned at a predetermined interval (e.g., to meet the indexing requirements of the filling device) by means of a separating device, preferably a separating worm gear.

[0029] In another embodiment, at least one of the following is satisfied:

[0030] - After sterilization, the cans pass through the can inlet gate of the clean chamber (e.g., with sterilizing air and / or overpressure) as they leave the passageway sterilization unit;

[0031] - Filling is carried out under aseptic conditions and / or in a clean room (e.g., with sterile air and / or overpressure applied);

[0032] - Performed under sterile conditions and / or in a clean room (e.g., with sterile air and / or overpressure applied);

[0033] - The can lid is delivered to the can closure device by means of a lid delivery device under sterile conditions and / or in a clean room (e.g., with sterile air and / or overpressure).

[0034] In another embodiment, at least one of the following is satisfied:

[0035] - Sterilization is carried out along sterilization sections of ≤20m, ≤15m, or ≤10m in length (e.g., internal and / or external); and

[0036] - The sterilization time for each can (e.g., internal and / or external) is ≤8s, ≤6s, or ≤5s.

[0037] In another embodiment, sterilization (e.g., internal and / or external) is hot air sterilization (e.g., at about 120°C to 130°C) and / or hot steam sterilization (e.g., at about 120°C to 130°C) and / or hydrogen peroxide sterilization.

[0038] The preferred embodiments and features of the present invention described above can be combined with each other as needed. Attached Figure Description

[0039] Further details and advantages of the invention are described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0040] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a can processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown. Detailed Implementation

[0041] Figure 1 A can processing apparatus 10 is shown. The cans 12 processed by the apparatus 10 are preferably metal cans, most preferably aluminum cans, for beverages or other liquid or paste filling materials. The cans 12 may, for example, have a cylindrical body. Preferably, the apparatus, conveyors, etc., of the apparatus 10 are capable of conveying the cans 12 through the apparatus 10 in a so-called basic handling device, i.e., with bottom support provided, and carrying out the necessary processing (e.g., sterilization, filling, sealing) in the process.

[0042] The can processing equipment 10 has a passageway sterilization device 14 and a can filling device 24. Preferably, the can processing equipment 10 may also have a can sealing device 30 and / or a clean room 34.

[0043] The passageway sterilization device 14 is used to sterilize the tank 12, preferably both inside and outside. The tank 12 passes through the passageway of the passageway sterilization device 14 and is sterilized in the process.

[0044] For example, the tank 12 can be sterilized in a passage sterilizer 14 by hot air and / or hot steam, for example, within a temperature range of 120°C and 130°C (e.g., inside and / or outside). Alternatively or additionally, the tank 12 can be sterilized in the passage sterilizer 14 by hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) (e.g., inside and / or outside), for example by spraying or misting with hydrogen peroxide.

[0045] Preferably, the channel sterilization device 14 may have multiple nozzles through which sterilization media, such as hot air and / or hot steam and / or hydrogen peroxide, can be released. Preferably, the nozzles may be aimed at the can 12 moving through the channel sterilization device 14, for example, at the can opening of the can 12.

[0046] Preferably, the tank 12 can be sterilized in the channel sterilization device 14 along a sterilization section with a length of ≤20m, ≤15m or ≤10m, and / or the sterilization time for each tank 12 can be ≤8s, ≤6s or ≤5s.

[0047] Preferably, the channel sterilization device 14 can be a multi-channel or multi-track type. For example, the tank 12 can be transported in bulk through the channel sterilization device 14 and sterilized during the process.

[0048] For example, the channel sterilization apparatus 14 may have a (channel sterilization) tank conveyor 16 and / or an outlet 18.

[0049] The can conveyor 16 can transport cans 12 through the tunnel sterilization device 14, preferably in a batch transport manner. Preferably, the can conveyor 16 can be designed to provide bottom support for the cans 12. Preferably, the can conveyor 16 can transport the cans 12 vertically through the tunnel sterilization device 14.

[0050] Preferably, outlet 18 may have an outlet conveyor 20 and / or a separation device 22.

[0051] The outlet conveyor 20 can transport cans 12 from the channel sterilization unit 14 to the can filling unit 24. For example, the outlet conveyor 20 can receive sterilized cans 12 from the can conveyor 16. Preferably, the sterilized cans 12 are transferred from the can conveyor 16 to the outlet conveyor 20 by means of a pushing device.

[0052] Preferably, the outlet conveyor 20 is capable of providing bottom support for the tank 12 during transport and transporting it in an upright position. Preferably, the outlet conveyor 20 is a linear conveyor. For example, the outlet conveyor 20 can be designed as a belt conveyor, plate conveyor, chain conveyor, or flat conveyor. For example, the outlet conveyor 20 can have a tank 12 turning device when the tank 12 must be turned after completing hot steam sterilization in the tunnel sterilization device 14.

[0053] The separating device 22 can position the sterilized cans 12 on the outlet conveyor 20 at predetermined intervals. Preferably, the separating device 22 can position the sterilized cans 12 according to the indexing of the can filling device 24 (= distance from adjacent filling valves). Preferably, the separating device 22 can be designed as at least one separating worm gear.

[0054] For example, the sterilized cans 12 can be stacked on the outlet conveyor 20 upstream of the separating device 22. Then, the separating device 22 can position the stacked sterilized cans 12 at a preset, desired spacing.

[0055] The can filling device 24 is arranged downstream of the (can) of the channel sterilization device 14. The can filling device 24 can fill the filling material into the sterilized can 12 received from the channel sterilization device 14. The filling material is preferably liquid or paste.

[0056] Preferably, the channel sterilization device 14 and the can filling device 24 are directly connected to each other, and more preferably integrated together. For example, the outlet 18 of the channel sterilization device 14 and the inlet 26 of the can filling device 24 can be directly connected to each other. In this way, the sterilized can 12 can be directly transferred from the outlet 18 of the channel sterilization device 14 to the inlet 26 of the can filling device 24. For example, the inlet 26 can have at least one inlet star disk (inlet conveyor star disk).

[0057] Preferably, the can filling device 24 is designed as a rotary can filling device. The can filling device 24 may have multiple filling valves to fill multiple cans 12 simultaneously or in overlapping time arrangements. For example, the filling valves may be arranged circumferentially on the rotary can filling device's filler turntable. Preferably, during filling, the can filling device 24 can provide bottom support for the cans 12, or they may be transported within a so-called basic handling device.

[0058] The can sealing device 30 can be arranged downstream of the can filling device 24 (can). For example, the can filling device 24 can be connected to the can sealing device 30 via a connecting conveyor 28. Preferably, the can filling device 24 and the can sealing device 30 can be directly connected to each other via the connecting conveyor 28, and preferably integrated together.

[0059] Specifically, the connecting conveyor 28 can connect the can filling device 24 and the can sealing device 30 together, preferably directly, so as to transport the filled can 12 from the can filling device 24 to the can sealing device 30.

[0060] The connecting conveyor 28 can preferably be directly connected to the can filling device 24 to receive filled cans 12 from the can filling device 24. The connecting conveyor 28 can preferably be directly connected to the can sealing device 30 to transfer the received cans 12 to the can sealing device 30. In other words, the connecting conveyor 28 can form both the outlet of the can filling device 24 and the inlet of the can sealing device 30.

[0061] The connecting conveyor 28 may also receive the can 12 not directly from the filler turntable of the can filling device 24, but for example from the outlet star disk of the can filling device 24. Similarly, the connecting conveyor 28 may also transfer the can 12 not directly to the closure turntable of the can closure device 30, but for example to the inlet star disk of the can closure device 30.

[0062] The connecting conveyor 28 can be designed to transport tanks in any manner. Preferably, the connecting conveyor 28 is a linear conveyor. Preferably, the connecting conveyor 28 has a surrounding conveying element and multiple (tank) carriers.

[0063] Preferably, the conveying element is a conveyor chain. The conveying element can be conveyed using a carrier tank.

[0064] The carriers can be cantilevered and spaced apart from each other along the circumferential conveyor element to carry the cans 12. Preferably, each carrier is capable of conveying only one can of the cans 12. The carriers can be positioned equidistantly along the conveyor element. The carriers can support the cans 12 at their backs for conveying. For example, the carriers can move the cans 12 via a fixed support surface, such as the platform of the connecting conveyor 28. Alternatively, the cans 12 can be supported at their bottom surfaces, for example, on the circumferential support element of the connecting conveyor 28, such as a belt or flat chain, wherein the carriers support the cans 12 circumferentially (cover side / back side).

[0065] The can sealing device 30 can be used to seal the filled can 12 with caps. For example, the can sealing device 30 can be connected to a capping conveyor 32. The capping conveyor 32 can convey the caps of the can 12 to the can sealing device 30 or its sealing station, for example, via a capping buffer or a capping feeder. The capping conveyor 32 may have a sterilization device to sterilize the caps.

[0066] Preferably, the tank sealing device 30 can be designed as a rotor-type tank sealing device 30. The tank sealing device 30 can have multiple sealing stations to seal multiple tanks 12 simultaneously or in an overlapping manner. For example, the sealing stations can be arranged circumferentially on the rotor-type tank sealing device's sealing turntable. Preferably, during sealing, the tank sealing device 30 can provide bottom support for the tanks 12, or transport them in a so-called basic handling device.

[0067] Cleanroom 34 can also be referred to as an isolator. Cleanroom 34 may be substantially free of particulate matter (e.g., particles of various sizes) or have a low particulate matter content. Cleanroom 34 can also be designed or referred to as a sterilization chamber or aseptic chamber, as it is preferably substantially free of microorganisms.

[0068] Preferably, sterile air can be applied to the cleanroom 34. Preferably, sterile air can be applied to the cleanroom 34 such that the air pressure inside the cleanroom 34 is greater than that of the surrounding environment of the cleanroom 34 or the surrounding environment outside the cleanroom 34.

[0069] For example, a sterilizing air source can be connected to the cleanroom 34. The sterilizing air source can supply sterilizing air to the cleanroom 34. For example, the sterilizing air source can have at least one air filter and / or air supply device, such as a blower or compressor. Preferably, the sterilizing air source can be located outside the cleanroom 34, or can be accessed from outside the cleanroom 34, such that the components of the sterilizing air source (e.g., air filter and / or air supply device) can preferably be maintained, repaired, or replaced outside the cleanroom 34.

[0070] Preferably, the can filling device 24 is arranged within the cleanroom 34. Preferably, the can filling device 24 can be designed to aseptically fill the cans 12. Additionally, the outlet 18, having the outlet conveyor 20 and the separating device 22, can be at least partially arranged within the cleanroom 34, for example. Similarly, the connecting conveyor 28 and / or the can sealing device 30 and / or the capping conveyor 32 can also be arranged within the cleanroom 34. Preferably, the can sealing device 30 can be designed to aseptically seal the cans 12.

[0071] For example, the cleanroom 34 may have a housing that can cover one or more of the components 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30, and 32.

[0072] The clean chamber 34 may have a tank inlet gate 36 and a tank outlet gate 38.

[0073] Cans 12 can be conveyed from outside the clean chamber 34 into the clean chamber 34 through the can inlet gate 36. Preferably, the can inlet gate 36 is arranged on the outlet 18 of the tunnel sterilization apparatus 14. For example, the can inlet gate 36 can be arranged directly on the can outlet of the tunnel sterilization apparatus 14, or integrated therewith. Preferably, the outlet conveyor 20 can pass through the can inlet gate 36, or can start directly from the can inlet gate 36.

[0074] The tank 12 can be conveyed from inside the clean chamber 34 to outside the clean chamber 34 through the tank discharge gate 38. For example, the tank discharge gate 38 can be arranged on the outlet / discharge port of the tank closure device 30 or downstream of the (tank) of the tank closure device 30. A conveying device can convey the tank 12 through the tank discharge gate 38.

[0075] This invention is not limited to the preferred embodiments described above. Instead, numerous variations and modifications are possible, which also utilize the concepts of this invention and thus fall within the scope of protection. In particular, this invention also claims protection for the subject matter and features of dependent claims independent of the cited claims. Specifically, each feature of independent claim 1 is disclosed independently of the others. Furthermore, features of dependent claims are also disclosed independently of all features of independent claim 1, such as features related to the presence and / or configuration of the channel sterilization apparatus and / or can filling apparatus of independent claim 1. All scope descriptions provided herein should be understood as disclosed, i.e., all values ​​falling within the corresponding scope appear to be individually disclosed, for example, preferably also as the narrower outer boundary of the corresponding scope.

[0076] List of reference numerals

[0077] 10 can processing equipment

[0078] 12 cans

[0079] 14. Channel-type sterilization device

[0080] 16-tank conveyor

[0081] 18 Exports

[0082] 20 Export Conveyor

[0083] 22. Separating device

[0084] 24-can filling unit

[0085] 26 Entrances

[0086] 28 Connecting conveyors

[0087] 30 tank sealing device

[0088] 32. Capping Conveying Device

[0089] 34 Clean Room

[0090] 36 tank feed gates

[0091] 38 tank discharge gates.

Claims

1. A can processing equipment (10), comprising: A tank (12) is sterilized using a channel sterilization apparatus (14); and A can filling device (24) for filling filling material into the sterilized can (12), preferably a rotary can filling device, wherein, The can filling device (24) is located downstream of the channel sterilization device (14).

2. The can processing equipment (10) according to claim 1, wherein: The channel sterilization device (14) and the can filling device (24) are directly connected to each other, and preferably integrated together.

3. The can processing equipment (10) according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein: The outlet (18) of the channel sterilization device (14) and the inlet (26) of the can filling device (24) are directly connected to each other.

4. The can processing equipment (10) according to claim 3, wherein, At least one of the following must be met: The outlet (18) has an outlet conveyor (20) and a separating device (22), preferably a separating worm gear, for positioning the tank (12) at a preset mutual spacing, preferably according to the indexing of the tank filling device (24); and The entrance (26) is designed as at least one entrance star disk.

5. The can processing equipment (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, At least one of the following must be met: The channel-type sterilization device (14) is a multi-channel or multi-track type; The channel sterilization device (14) is designed to sterilize the tank (12) by applying hot air and / or hot steam and / or hydrogen peroxide (H2O2); and The channel sterilization apparatus (14) has a can conveyor (16) for conveying the can (12) through the channel sterilization apparatus (14), wherein the can conveyor (16) is designed to convey the can (12) vertically through the channel sterilization apparatus (14).

6. The can processing equipment (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, At least one of the following must be met: The channel-type sterilization device (14) has a sterilization section of length ≤20m, ≤15m, or ≤10m, along which the tank (12) is sterilized; and The channel-type sterilization device (14) can sterilize the tank (12) for a duration of ≤8s, ≤6s or ≤5s respectively.

7. The can processing equipment (10) according to any one of the preceding claims further comprises: The can sealing device (30) for the sealed can (12) after filling is preferably a rotor-type can sealing device, wherein, The tank sealing device (30) is arranged downstream of the tank filling device (24); Preferably: The can filling device (24) and the can sealing device (30) are directly connected to each other, preferably integrated together; and / or A connecting conveyor (28) is arranged to serve as the outlet of the can filling device (24) and the inlet of the can sealing device (30).

8. The can processing equipment (10) according to any one of the preceding claims further comprises: Clean room (34), among which, The can filling device (24) is arranged in the clean room (34).

9. The can processing equipment (10) according to claim 8, wherein: The clean chamber (34) has a tank inlet gate (36) which is arranged on the outlet (18) of the channel sterilization device (14).

10. The can processing equipment (10) according to claim 7 and claim 8 or 9, wherein: The tank sealing device (30) is arranged inside the clean room (34); and as an option A cap conveying device (32) for conveying the cap of the can sealing device (30) is arranged in the clean room (34).

11. A method for processing a can (12), preferably using the can processing equipment (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The method comprises the following steps: The canister (12) is sterilized in a channel sterilization apparatus (14); and The filling material is filled into the sterilized can (12) using a can filling device (24), preferably a rotary can filling device; and as an option The filled tank (12) is sealed by means of a tank sealing device (30), preferably a rotor-type tank sealing device.

12. The method of claim 11, further comprising at least one of the following steps: The sterilized can (12) is transferred directly from the outlet (18) of the channel sterilization device (14) to the inlet (26) of the can filling device (24); and Using a separating device (22), preferably a separating worm gear, the sterilized can (12) is positioned at a preset mutual spacing before filling.

13. The method according to claim 11 or 12, wherein, At least one of the following must be met: After sterilization, the can (12) passes through the can inlet gate (36) of the clean room (34) when leaving the channel sterilization device (14); Filling is carried out aseptically and / or in the clean room (34); The sealing is performed aseptically and / or within the cleanroom (34); and The cap of the can (12) is delivered to the can sealing device (30) in an aseptic manner and / or within the clean room (34) by means of the cap delivery device (32).

14. The method according to any one of claims 11 to 13, wherein, At least one of the following must be met: Sterilization is carried out along sterilization sections with a length ≤20m, ≤15m, or ≤10m; and The sterilization time for each of the cans (12) is ≤8s, ≤6s or ≤5s.

15. The method according to any one of claims 11 to 14, wherein: Sterilization is performed by hot air sterilization and / or hot steam sterilization and / or hydrogen peroxide sterilization.

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