Container treatment device with cleaning chamber and

Abstract

The invention relates in particular to a container treatment device (10) comprising a clean room (12), at least one device (20, 22, 24) arranged in the clean room (12) for transporting and / or treating containers, and an air guide device (30). The air guide device (30) has an air inlet (32) arranged in the clean room (12) and an air outlet (44) arranged in the clean room (12) for discharging a directed clean room air flow (R) for cleaning and / or cooling. The air guide device (30) has a fluid line (34) connecting the air inlet (32) and the air outlet (44) to each other and an air delivery unit (36) arranged in the fluid line (34).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a container handling apparatus having a cleanroom and a method for operating the container handling apparatus having a cleanroom. Background Technology

[0002] Container handling equipment is known for processing containers, such as manufacturing, filling, and sealing containers. If there are special hygiene requirements for container handling, the container handling equipment may have, for example, a cleanroom, where container handling is carried out under cleanroom conditions.

[0003] Targeted cleaning of certain components in a cleanroom, such as cameras, optical components, or sensors, may be necessary. In such cases, it is particularly important to remove particles from the relevant components. For example, these particles may be generated due to wear and tear on containers when handling them in a cleanroom. The purpose of cleaning is to prevent functional impairment or at least extend the functionality of the components to the next maintenance cycle.

[0004] Cleaning can be done, for example, by opening the cleanroom and manually cleaning the relevant parts, or by using a brush or squeegee specifically designed to contact the parts to be cleaned.

[0005] The drawbacks of these solutions are that container handling is interrupted for a relatively long time due to the opening of the cleanroom, as the cleanroom environment must first be restored within the cleanroom after it has been cleaned and closed. Furthermore, the use of brushes or squeegees may cause mechanical damage, such as scratches, to the surfaces being cleaned.

[0006] It is also possible to place components that benefit from cooling in a clean room. Summary of the Invention

[0007] The purpose of this invention is to provide an improved technique for cleaning and / or cooling in a cleanroom of a container handling facility.

[0008] This objective is achieved through the features of the independent claims. Advantageous improvements are given in the dependent claims and the specification.

[0009] One aspect relates to a container handling apparatus comprising a cleanroom and at least one (e.g., rotary) device for transporting and / or handling (e.g., tempering, manufacturing, filling, sealing, and / or assembling) containers, wherein the at least one device is arranged within the cleanroom. The container handling apparatus further includes (e.g., cleaning and / or cooling) air guiding equipment having an air inlet disposed within the cleanroom for receiving cleanroom air from the cleanroom and an air outlet disposed within the cleanroom for discharging a directional cleanroom airflow (e.g., a sterile airflow) for cleaning and / or cooling. The air guiding equipment also includes a fluid line connecting the air inlet and the air outlet to each other and an air delivery unit (e.g., a blower or compressor) disposed within the fluid line for drawing in cleanroom air from the air inlet and delivering the drawn-in cleanroom air to the air outlet.

[0010] This device advantageously allows for directional cleaning and / or cooling at desired locations within the cleanroom via directional cleanroom airflow, thus requiring only low cost due to minimal structural overhead. Advantageously, compared to cleanroom / sterile airflow generated outside the cleanroom, it eliminates the need for extensive structural measures in the form of sterile filters and long ducts for periodic sterilization. Preferably, the directional cleanroom airflow can be used to blow particles away from surfaces, achieving effective and surface-friendly cleaning. Advantageously, high scalability of the airflow is also possible without significantly affecting the cleanroom pressure within the cleanroom. Advantageously, the proposed technology also eliminates the need for additional media consumption of relatively expensive media (e.g., sterile air) and possesses self-sterilization due to its integration within the cleanroom. The proposed technology can also be used, for example, for non-sterile applications.

[0011] For example, at least one device may have a heating device for heating a preform (container blank or preform) of a container, a container manufacturing device (e.g., a container blow molding machine), a coating device for coating a container, a destacking device, a rinsing device (e.g., having a rinsing nozzle), a sterilization device for sterilizing a container (e.g., having a sterilization nozzle), a filling device for filling a container (e.g., having a liquid or paste-like filling material) (e.g., having a filling valve), a sealing device for sealing a container (e.g., having a sealing head), a labeling device for labeling a container (e.g., having a labeling unit), a printing device for printing on a container (e.g., having a printing head), a pasteurization device for pasteurizing a container, an adhesive bundling manufacturing device (e.g., having an adhesive application nozzle), a packaging device (e.g., having a packaging head or a film impactor), and / or a palletizing device (e.g., having a palletizing head, a slide, etc.).

[0012] In one embodiment, the air outlet has a nozzle portion for generating directional cleanroom airflow. Therefore, directional cleanroom airflow can be advantageously generated in a reliable and narrow manner.

[0013] In another embodiment, the air inlet is designed as a free-end conduit, and / or, the air outlet is designed as a free-end conduit. Therefore, the simple design of the air guiding device and the ability to directly draw in cleanroom air from the cleanroom and discharge that drawn-in cleanroom air directly into the cleanroom as a directional cleanroom airflow are advantageous.

[0014] In one implementation, the air outlet is oriented horizontally or downwards. This advantageously prevents the undesirable upward transport of particles from the cleanroom by directional cleanroom airflow, which could reach and contaminate, for example, the opening of a container.

[0015] In another embodiment, the air outlet is arranged to discharge a directional cleanroom airflow toward the components to be cleaned and / or cooled in the container handling equipment. The components to be cleaned and / or cooled are arranged within the cleanroom. The air outlet may preferably be arranged near the components to be cleaned and / or cooled. Alternatively or additionally, the air outlet may be oriented relative to the components to be cleaned and / or cooled, such that the directional cleanroom airflow exiting the air outlet impacts and / or passes through the components to be cleaned and / or cooled. Thus, cleaning and / or cooling of the components for removing particles from them can be advantageously achieved.

[0016] In one implementation variation, the component to be cleaned and / or cooled is a sensor device, preferably used to detect containers positioned within a cleanroom. Optionally, the sensor device can be a non-contact and / or optical sensor device, preferably comprising at least one of a camera, ultrasonic sensor, laser sensor, distance sensor, and LED sensor. Therefore, the technique presented herein can be advantageously used to clean / blow away particles from the sensor device, resulting in increased and maintained measurement accuracy / quality without requiring periodic opening of the cleanroom and interruption of operation and cleaning. Ultimately, this can advantageously increase the available operating time of the container handling equipment.

[0017] In another embodiment, the air outlet is arranged such that a directional cleanroom airflow can be discharged to flow along a container being handled and / or transported by at least one device, preferably below the container opening and / or to deflect particles dripping from the container (e.g., away from one or more components to be cleaned and / or cooled by the container handling equipment, preferably sensor devices). Thus, it is advantageous to prevent particles entrained by the guided cleanroom airflow from reaching, for example, the container opening and contaminating it.

[0018] In one embodiment, the air delivery unit is located within the cleanroom, and / or the fluid lines extend entirely within the cleanroom. Therefore, a particularly simple structure can be advantageously achieved.

[0019] In another embodiment, the container handling apparatus further includes a drive unit drivably connected to the air delivery unit. The drive unit is disposed outside a cleanroom, the outer wall of which may preferably have a sealed bushing through which a drive shaft drivably connects the drive unit to the air delivery unit. Therefore, when the drive unit is arranged inside the cleanroom, the expensive encapsulation of the drive unit can be advantageously eliminated. Furthermore, it is advantageous to maintain the drive unit outside the cleanroom.

[0020] In one implementation, the cleanroom can be subjected to overpressure and / or sterile air. Therefore, due to the existing pressure gradient, it is advantageous to prevent particles and the like from penetrating from the outside of the cleanroom into the interior.

[0021] In another embodiment, the air inlet, fluid lines, air delivery unit, and air outlet do not have sterile air filters and / or sterilization equipment for sterilizing the air. Therefore, the integration of the air inlet, fluid lines, air delivery unit, and air outlet within the cleanroom itself can be advantageously utilized, because due to this arrangement, only cleanroom air from the cleanroom is used by the air guiding equipment for cleaning and / or cooling.

[0022] In another embodiment, at least one of the following conditions is met:

[0023] - The air inlet is located in the upper half, upper third, or upper quarter of the cleanroom;

[0024] - The air inlet is located near the air supply outlet of the cleanroom air supply unit used to supply cleanroom air to the cleanroom (e.g., located in the ceiling area of ​​the cleanroom); and

[0025] - The air inlets are located in the ceiling area of ​​the cleanroom.

[0026] Therefore, air guiding devices can advantageously draw cleanroom air from areas of the cleanroom with particularly low particle levels. This area can have particularly low particle levels because, on the one hand, the particles present settle in the cleanroom due to gravity, and on the other hand, cleanroom air is advantageously supplied from above the cleanroom or, according to a top-down principle, in the ceiling area of ​​the cleanroom.

[0027] In one embodiment, at least one device has at least one container holder for holding the container, preferably a neck-handling container holder. An air outlet may be positioned substantially at the level of the at least one container holder or below it. Optionally, the air outlet may be oriented horizontally or downwards. Therefore, it is advantageous to prevent particles carried by the guided cleanroom airflow from reaching, for example, the container opening and contaminating it.

[0028] For example, container handling equipment can be configured for tempering, manufacturing, cleaning, coating, testing, filling, sealing, pasteurizing, labeling, printing, engraving, laser engraving and / or packaging containers for liquid or paste-like media, preferably beverages, liquid foods or products from the pharmaceutical or healthcare industries.

[0029] For example, containers can be implemented as bottles, cans, tubes, cartons, glass bottles (flakons), pipes, etc.

[0030] Another aspect relates to a method for operating a container handling facility, preferably as disclosed herein, having a clean room (e.g., subjected to overpressure and / or sterile air). The method includes (e.g., controlled by control equipment of the container handling facility):

[0031] - Transport and / or process containers using at least one device of container handling equipment in a cleanroom;

[0032] - The air delivery unit of the air guiding device draws in cleanroom air (e.g., sterile air) through the air inlet of the air guiding device located in the cleanroom (e.g., for cleaning and / or cooling);

[0033] - The intake cleanroom air is delivered to the air outlet of the air guiding device through the fluid lines of the air guiding device by means of the air delivery unit;

[0034] - The delivered cleanroom air is discharged from the air outlet as a directional cleanroom airflow (e.g., sterile airflow), preferably flowing towards the parts to be cleaned and / or cooled in the container handling equipment and / or along the containers being transported and / or handled; and

[0035] Cleaning and / or cooling are achieved by means of directional cleanroom airflow.

[0036] Advantageously, this method can achieve the same advantages already explained with reference to container processing devices. This also applies to the preferred embodiments of the method described below.

[0037] In one embodiment, at least one of the following is satisfied:

[0038] - Airflow in directional cleanrooms can be directed horizontally or downwards;

[0039] - Directional cleanroom airflow impacts and / or passes through components to clean and / or cool them;

[0040] - The directional airflow in a cleanroom is preferably directed to remove particles from components in a downward direction;

[0041] - Directional cleanroom airflow deflects particles dripping from containers (e.g., away from one or more parts to be cleaned and / or cooled by the container handling equipment, preferably sensor devices);

[0042] - Directional cleanroom airflow is directed to flow only below the container opening of the container being transported and / or handled;

[0043] - Inhalation, transport, discharge, and cleaning and / or cooling occur during the transport and / or handling of the container; and

[0044] - Inhalation, transport, discharge, and cleaning and / or cooling may occur continuously during the transport and / or handling of the container, or discontinuously at predetermined points in time during the transport and / or handling of the container.

[0045] In another embodiment, the component is a sensor device, preferably used to detect containers disposed in a cleanroom. Optionally, the sensor device is a non-contact and / or optical sensor device, preferably including at least one of a camera, ultrasonic sensor, laser sensor, distance sensor, and LED sensor.

[0046] In another embodiment, the method further includes:

[0047] An air delivery unit located inside the cleanroom is driven from outside the cleanroom by means of a drive unit (e.g., an air guiding device). The outer wall of the cleanroom may preferably have a sealed bushing through which a drive shaft passes, driving the drive unit to the air delivery unit.

[0048] Preferably, the term "control device" as used herein can refer to electronic equipment (e.g., designed to drive circuits or have a microprocessor and data memory) and / or mechanical, pneumatic, and / or hydraulic controllers that, depending on their configuration, accommodate control and / or regulation and / or processing tasks. While the term "control" is used herein, it may also suitably include or indicate "regulation" or "feedback control" and / or "processing".

[0049] The preferred embodiments and features of the present invention described above can be combined with each other as needed. Attached Figure Description

[0050] Further details and advantages of the invention are described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Wherein:

[0051] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a container processing device according to an embodiment is shown. Detailed Implementation

[0052] Figure 1 The container handling device 10, such as a beverage filling device, is shown purely schematically.

[0053] The container handling equipment 10 has a clean room 12, at least one device 20, 22, 24, an air guiding device 30, and optional component 28.

[0054] Cleanroom 12 can also be referred to as an insulator. Cleanroom 12 may be substantially free of or have virtually no particles (e.g., particles of all types and sizes). Aseptic cleanroom conditions may predominate in cleanroom 12. Cleanroom 12 may also be designed or specified as a sterile room or an antimicrobial room, as it is preferably substantially free of microorganisms.

[0055] The cleanroom 12 may be exposed to sterile air (cleanroom air). The cleanroom 12 may preferably be exposed to sterile air such that the air pressure inside the cleanroom 12 is greater than the ambient air pressure inside the cleanroom 12 or the air pressure outside the cleanroom 12.

[0056] Sterile air can preferably be supplied to the cleanroom 12 via a cleanroom air supply device 14. Preferably, the cleanroom air supply device 14 can supply sterile air to the cleanroom 12 from above or in the ceiling area. For example, the air supply outlet of the cleanroom air supply device 14 can be arranged in the ceiling area of ​​the cleanroom 12, through which sterile air flows into the cleanroom 12.

[0057] The cleanroom air supply unit 14 may include, for example, a sterile air source. The sterile air source can supply sterile air to the cleanroom 12. For example, the sterile air source may have at least one air filter and / or air delivery equipment, such as a blower or compressor.

[0058] Preferably, the sterile air source can be located outside the cleanroom 12 or accessible from the outside of the cleanroom 12, such that components of the sterile air source (e.g., air filters and / or air delivery equipment) can preferably be maintained, repaired, or replaced from outside the cleanroom 12.

[0059] The cleanroom 12 may have, for example, an enclosure. At least one device 20, 22, 24 and optical component 28 may be enclosed by the enclosure, for example from above and the side. The air guiding device 30 may also be at least partially enclosed by the enclosure, for example from above and the side.

[0060] Cleanroom 12 may have an inlet lock 16 for containers. A transport device can transport containers from outside cleanroom 12 into cleanroom 12 via the inlet lock. Preferably, the inlet lock 16 or upstream of it (the container) can be sterilized or disinfected. For example, for sterilization, the container can be treated with a sterilizing medium containing hydrogen peroxide, such as by spraying or atomizing, in or before the inlet lock.

[0061] Cleanroom 12 may also have an exit lock 18 for containers. Transport devices can use the exit lock 18 to transport containers from inside cleanroom 12 to outside cleanroom 12.

[0062] At least one device 20, 22, 24 can handle and / or transport containers in cleanroom 12. At least one device 20, 22, 24 is arranged in cleanroom 12. Preferably, at least one device 20, 22, 24 can be arranged downstream of the inlet lock 16 (container) and upstream of the outlet lock 18 (container).

[0063] At least one device 20, 22, 24 may include any conceivable device for handling and / or transporting containers.

[0064] For example, at least one processing device 20, 24 may be included, through which containers can be processed, for example, manufactured, filled, and / or sealed, and optionally transported. Preferably, at least one processing device 20, 24 may each have multiple processing stations for processing multiple containers simultaneously or overlapping in time. The processing stations may preferably be arranged circumferentially around a rotatable turntable of at least one processing device 20, 24, which is preferably designed as a rotary device.

[0065] For example, it may include at least one transport device 22 through which the container can be transported. During transport, the transport device 22 may support the container, for example, at the bottom, perimeter, and / or neck region (so-called neck treatment). Figure 1 As shown, at least one transport device 22 may be or have, for example, a rotary transport device 22, such as a so-called transport star. However, at least one transport device may also be or include a linear transport device (in... Figure 1 (Not shown in the image).

[0066] In each case, at least one device 20, 22, 24 may have a plurality of container holders 26 by which the container can be held during handling and / or transport. For example, the container holders 26 may each have a support plate on which the container can stand upright. Alternatively or additionally, the container holders 26 may include, for example, clips or grippers that can hold the container on its sheath, neck, and / or neck ring. For example, the container holders 26 (e.g., together with a corresponding processing station) may be distributed around the circumference of a rotatable turntable of at least one device 20, 22, 24, which is preferably designed as a rotator.

[0067] Component 28 may be arranged within cleanroom 12. Component 28 may be cleaned and / or cooled by air guiding device 30. Cleaning may be necessary, for example, because abrasion during container handling / transportation within cleanroom 12, such as during so-called neck handling, may cause particles to form in cleanroom 12 and, for example, drip from the container. These particles can contaminate component 28 and impair its function.

[0068] For example, component 28 can be a sensor device, such as... Figure 1 As illustrated in the example. For example, the container and / or component of at least one device 20, 22, 24, such as container holder 26, can be detected and monitored by means of a sensor device. The sensor device can be cleaned and / or cooled by means of an air guiding device 30, preferably to maintain the operability of the sensor device.

[0069] Preferably, the sensor device can be a non-contact and / or optical sensor device. For example, the sensor device may include a camera, an ultrasonic sensor, a laser sensor, a distance sensor, and / or an LED sensor.

[0070] Component 28 may also be, for example, an electrical or electronic component or bearing to be cleaned and / or cooled, such as a rotary bearing.

[0071] Generally, component 28 can be any component arranged in the cleanroom 12 to be cleaned and / or cooled.

[0072] It should be understood that it may also include multiple components 28, which can be cleaned and / or cooled by air guiding equipment 30 by means of a corresponding directional cleanroom airflow or a common directional cleanroom airflow.

[0073] The air guiding device 30 has an air inlet 32, a fluid line 34, an air delivery unit 36, and an air outlet 44.

[0074] An air inlet 32 ​​is disposed in the cleanroom 12 for receiving cleanroom air from the cleanroom 12. The air inlet 32 ​​may preferably be disposed within the outer shell of the cleanroom 12.

[0075] For example, air inlet 32 ​​may be located in the upper half, upper third, or upper quarter of cleanroom 12, such as in the ceiling area of ​​cleanroom 12 or its enclosure. For example, air inlet 32 ​​may be suspended in the ceiling area.

[0076] Particularly preferably, the air inlet 32 ​​of the air guiding device 30 can be arranged near the air supply outlet of the cleanroom air supply device 14, for example, within a radius of ≤2m or ≤1m from the air supply outlet.

[0077] Air inlet 32 ​​can preferably be designed as a free-line end. The free-line end can be arranged in the cleanroom 12 for directly receiving cleanroom air from the cleanroom 12. Cleanroom air can flow directly from the cleanroom 12 into air inlet 32.

[0078] Fluid line 34 connects air inlet 32 ​​and air outlet 44 to each other. Cleanroom air can be guided from air inlet 32 ​​to air outlet 44 through fluid line 34. For example, fluid line 34 can be designed as a single pipe or a piping system.

[0079] Preferably, the fluid line 34 can be kept as short as possible in length relative to the air delivery unit on both the pressure and suction sides, and the fluid line 34 can be constructed according to hygiene requirements.

[0080] The fluid line 34 preferably extends completely into the cleanroom 12. The fluid line 34 may be arranged within the outer shell of the cleanroom 12.

[0081] Air delivery unit 36 ​​is designed to deliver air. For example, air delivery unit 36 ​​may be a blower or a compressor. Air delivery unit 36 ​​may deliver air at a pressure level higher than the pressure level of the cleanroom air in cleanroom 12.

[0082] An air delivery unit 36 ​​is disposed in the fluid line 34. Cleanroom air can be drawn in from the air inlet 32 ​​by means of the air delivery unit 36. The drawn-in cleanroom air can be delivered to the air outlet 44 through the fluid line 34 by means of the air delivery unit 36.

[0083] Air delivery unit 36 ​​is preferably arranged in clean room 12, such as Figure 1 As exemplified in the example. The air delivery unit 36 ​​is preferably arranged inside the housing of the cleanroom 12.

[0084] Alternatively, for example, the air delivery unit 36 ​​may be arranged outside the cleanroom 12. Figure 1 (Not shown in the image). For example, fluid line 34 may have a portion extending to the outside of cleanroom 12. Air delivery unit 36 ​​may be arranged in this portion. This portion may be arranged downstream of air inlet 32 ​​and upstream of air outlet 44.

[0085] The drive unit 38 can be drivably connected to the air delivery unit 36. For example, the drive unit 38 is drivably connected to the air delivery unit 36, such as the delivery wheel or delivery piston of the air delivery unit 36, via a drive shaft 40. The drive unit 38 can be, for example, an electric motor.

[0086] The air delivery unit 36 ​​may operate continuously, for example, during the operation of at least one of the devices 20, 22, 24, and / or be driven by the drive unit 38, for example, controlled by the control device of the air guiding device 30. Alternatively, the air delivery unit 36 ​​may operate discontinuously, for example, during the operation of at least one of the devices 20, 22, 24, and / or be driven by the drive unit 38, for example, controlled by the control device of the air guiding device 30.

[0087] The drive unit 38 is preferably located outside the cleanroom 12. The drive shaft 40 may preferably pass through a sealed bushing 42 in the outer wall of the cleanroom 12 or the outer shell.

[0088] Alternatively, for example, the drive unit 38 may be arranged within the cleanroom 12 and, for example, be encapsulated.

[0089] Air outlet 44 is located in cleanroom 12. Air outlet 44 is preferably located near component 28.

[0090] Air outlet 44 is configured to receive cleanroom air delivered by air delivery unit 36 ​​through fluid line 34 and discharge it as a directional cleanroom airflow R for cleaning and / or cooling. For example, air outlet 44 may have a nozzle portion for generating the directional cleanroom airflow R and / or be designed as a free line end.

[0091] Preferably, the directional cleanroom airflow R can be discharged in a direction toward component 28 to cool and / or clean the component. Alternatively or additionally, the directional cleanroom airflow R can flow, for example, along the container held by the container holder 26, thereby deflecting (transferring / carrying away) particles dripping from the container.

[0092] Air outlet 44 is preferably oriented horizontally or downwards. Accordingly, the cleanroom airflow R can be oriented horizontally or downwards.

[0093] For example, air outlet 44 may be arranged on the horizontal plane of container holder 26 or below container holder 26. The directional cleanroom airflow R is preferably oriented in such a way that it flows only below the container opening of the container transported and / or handled by at least one device 20, 22, 24.

[0094] Specifically, air outlet 44 may be oriented relative to component 28 such that the directional cleanroom airflow R exiting from air outlet 44 impacts and / or passes through (flows over) component 28. For example, the directional cleanroom airflow R may pass through and / or impact the sensor window or sensor surface of component 28, which is designed as a sensor device. The directional cleanroom airflow R may remove particles from component 28 and / or cool component 28.

[0095] 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, the 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, the features of dependent claims are also independent of all features of independent claim 1, and, for example, independent of features relating to the presence and / or configuration of a cleanroom, disclose at least one device, air guiding device, air inlet, fluid line, delivery unit, and / or air outlet 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 narrower outer boundaries of the corresponding scope.

[0096] List of reference numerals

[0097] 10 Container handling equipment

[0098] 12 Cleanroom

[0099] 14 Cleanroom air supply system

[0100] 16 Entrance Locks

[0101] 18 Exit Lock

[0102] 20 devices

[0103] 22 devices

[0104] 24 devices

[0105] 26 Container Holders

[0106] 28 parts

[0107] 30 Air Guidance Equipment

[0108] 32 Air Inlet

[0109] 34 Fluid Piping

[0110] 36 Air delivery units

[0111] 38 drive units

[0112] 40 drive shafts

[0113] 42 bushing

[0114] 44 Air outlet

[0115] R refers to directional cleanroom airflow.

Claims

1. A container handling apparatus (10), the container handling apparatus comprising: Cleanroom (12); At least one device (20, 22, 24) for transporting and / or handling containers, wherein, The at least one device (20, 22, 24) is arranged in the clean room (12); as well as Air guiding device (30), comprising: - An air inlet (32) is provided in the cleanroom (12) for receiving cleanroom air from the cleanroom (12); - An air outlet (44) is provided in the cleanroom (12) for discharging directional cleanroom airflow (R) for cleaning and / or cooling; - A fluid line (34) connecting the air inlet (32) and the air outlet (44) to each other; and - An air delivery unit (36), which is disposed in the fluid line (34), is used to draw in cleanroom air from the air inlet (32) and deliver the drawn-in cleanroom air to the air outlet (44).

2. The container handling apparatus (10) according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the following is satisfied: The air outlet (44) has a nozzle portion for generating the directional cleanroom airflow (R); The air inlet (32) is designed as a free-end pipe; and The air outlet (44) is designed as a freeline end.

3. The container handling apparatus (10) according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein, The air outlet (44) is oriented horizontally or downward.

4. The container handling apparatus (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The air outlet (44) is arranged to discharge the directional cleanroom airflow (R) in the direction toward the components (28) to be cleaned and / or cooled in the container handling equipment (10); and The components (28) to be cleaned and / or cooled are arranged in the clean room (12). Preferably: The air outlet (44) is located near the component (28) to be cleaned and / or cooled; and / or The air outlet (44) is oriented relative to the component (28) to be cleaned and / or cooled, such that the directional cleanroom airflow (R) that can be discharged from the air outlet (44) impacts and / or passes through the component (28) to be cleaned and / or cooled.

5. The container handling apparatus (10) according to claim 4, wherein, The component (28) to be cleaned and / or cooled is a sensor device, preferably used to detect the container disposed in the cleanroom (12); and optionally, The sensor device is a non-contact and / or optical sensor device, preferably including at least one of a camera, an ultrasonic sensor, a laser sensor, a distance sensor, and an LED sensor.

6. The container handling apparatus (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The air outlet (44) is arranged such that the directional cleanroom airflow (R) can be discharged to flow along the container (12) processed and / or transported by the at least one device (20, 22, 24), preferably below the container opening of the container (12) and / or for deflecting particles dripping from the container.

7. The container handling apparatus (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one of the following is satisfied: The air delivery unit (36) is located in the clean room (12); and The fluid line (34) extends entirely within the cleanroom (12).

8. The container handling apparatus (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, the container handling apparatus further comprising: A drive unit (38) is drivably connected to the air delivery unit (36), wherein, The drive unit (38) is located outside the cleanroom (12). Preferably: The outer wall of the cleanroom (12) has a sealed bushing (42), through which a drive shaft (40) passes and drives the drive unit (38) to the air delivery unit (36).

9. The container handling apparatus (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one of the following is satisfied: The cleanroom (12) can be subjected to overpressure and / or sterile air; and The air inlet (32), the fluid line (34), the air delivery unit (36), and the air outlet (44) do not have sterile air filters and / or sterilization equipment for sterilizing the air.

10. The container handling apparatus (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one of the following is satisfied: The air inlet (32) is located in the upper half, upper third or upper quarter of the clean room (12); The air inlet (32) is located near the air supply outlet of the cleanroom air supply device (14) for supplying cleanroom air to the cleanroom (12); and The air inlet (32) is located in the ceiling area of ​​the clean room (12).

11. The container handling apparatus (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The at least one device (20, 22, 24) has at least one container holder (26) for holding the container, preferably a neck-processing container holder; and The air outlet (44) is substantially located at the level of the at least one container holder (26) or below the at least one container holder (26); and optionally, The air outlet (44) is oriented horizontally or downwards.

12. A method for operating a container handling device (10), preferably according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a clean room (12), wherein, The method includes: Containers are transported and / or processed by means of at least one device (20, 22, 24) of the container handling equipment (10) in the clean room (12); Air is drawn into the cleanroom through the air inlet (32) of the air guiding device (30) provided in the cleanroom (12) by means of the air delivery unit (36) of the air guiding device (30); The air intake cleanroom air is delivered to the air outlet (44) of the air guiding device (30) via the fluid line (34) of the air guiding device (30) by means of the air delivery unit (36); The delivered cleanroom air is discharged from the air outlet (44) as a directional cleanroom airflow (R), preferably flowing toward the components (28) to be cleaned and / or cooled by the container handling equipment (10) and / or along the containers being transported and / or processed; and Cleaning and / or cooling are achieved by means of the directional cleanroom airflow (R).

13. The method of claim 12, wherein at least one of the following is satisfied: The directional cleanroom airflow (R) is oriented horizontally or downwards; The directional cleanroom airflow (R) impacts the component (28) and / or passes through the component (28) to clean and / or cool the component (28); The directional cleanroom airflow (R) preferably removes particles from the component (28) in a downward direction; The directional cleanroom airflow (R) deflects the particles dripping from the container; The directional cleanroom airflow (R) is directed to flow only below the container opening of the container being transported and / or processed; Inhalation, delivery, discharge, and cleaning and / or cooling occur during the transport and / or handling of the container; and Inhalation, delivery, discharge, and cleaning and / or cooling may occur continuously during the transport and / or handling of the container, or discontinuously at predetermined points in time during the transport and / or handling of the container.

14. The method according to claim 12 or claim 13, wherein, The component (28) is a sensor device, preferably used to detect the container disposed in the clean room (12); and optionally, The sensor device is a non-contact and / or optical sensor device, preferably including at least one of a camera, an ultrasonic sensor, a laser sensor, a distance sensor, and an LED sensor.

15. The method according to any one of claims 12 to 14, further comprising: The air delivery unit (36) located in the cleanroom (12) is driven from outside the cleanroom (12) by means of a drive unit (38) located outside the cleanroom (12). Preferably: The outer wall of the cleanroom (12) has a sealed bushing (42), through which a drive shaft (40) passes and drives the drive unit (38) to the air delivery unit (36).

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