Container cleaning system for cleaning containers

Abstract

Container cleaning system for cleaning containers (101), comprising a first treatment zone (110) for heating the containers by applying a first liquid (107), a second treatment zone (112) for cooling the containers by applying a second liquid (104), and a circulation device (108), wherein the second treatment zone (112) is arranged downstream of the first treatment zone (110) with respect to a transport direction (115) of the containers (101), and the first treatment zone (110) comprises at least two treatment sub-zones (116, 117), wherein the first liquid can be circulated through the at least two treatment sub-zones (116, 117) by means of the circulation device (108), wherein the circulation device (108) is connected to the second treatment zone (112) via a thermal coupling.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a container cleaning system for treating containers according to independent claim 1 and a corresponding method according to independent claim 9. State of the art

[0002] Container cleaning systems are well known from the state of the art.

[0003] Typically, at the beginning of the cleaning process, the containers are first heated in a container inlet zone, then cleaned in special cleaning tanks, and finally cooled again in a container outlet zone. Furthermore, it is known to use the heat released when the containers cool down in the container outlet zone to heat the containers in the container inlet zone, thus reducing the energy consumption of the container cleaning system. To achieve this effect, state-of-the-art container cleaning systems typically feature a water cascade, with fresh water flowing through the container cleaning system in the opposite direction to the transport direction of the containers. The fresh water is heated through the temperature-controlled containers as it flows through the container outlet zone and can then release this heat back into the container inlet zone to the containers entering the container cleaning system.

[0004] A disadvantage of the tank cleaning systems known in the prior art is that the supplied fresh water can typically only be heated to approximately 60 °C. Depending on the hardness of the fresh water, significant limescale deposits can be expected at higher temperatures in the areas through which the fresh water flows. Furthermore, the continuous flow through the tank cleaning system involves considerable fresh water consumption. Task

[0005] Based on the known state of the art, the technical problem to be solved is to specify a container cleaning system by means of which containers can be cleaned in a particularly energy- and resource-efficient manner. Solution

[0006] This object is achieved by the container cleaning system for cleaning containers according to independent claim 1 and the method for cleaning containers according to independent claim 9. Preferred developments are covered in the dependent claims.

[0007] The container cleaning system according to the invention for cleaning containers comprises a first treatment zone for heating the containers by applying a first liquid, a second treatment zone for cooling the containers by applying a second liquid and a circulation device, wherein the second treatment zone is arranged downstream of the first treatment zone with respect to a transport direction of the containers and the first treatment zone comprises at least two treatment sub-zones, wherein by means of the circulation device the first liquid can be circulated through the at least two treatment sub-zones, wherein the circulation device is connected to the second treatment zone via a thermal coupling.

[0008] The containers can be bottles, cans, or similar items used in the beverage industry. However, the container cleaning system can also be used to clean any other type of container. For example, the container can be a can, cup, tube, or any other type of container suitable for holding a liquid or pasty medium used in the healthcare, pharmaceutical, food, or beverage industries.

[0009] Applying the liquid can be understood, for example, as spraying the containers or applying a surge of the first / second liquid to the containers. For example, it can be provided that the containers are sprayed with the first liquid in the first treatment zone and sprayed with the second liquid in the second treatment zone. Furthermore, applying the liquid can also be understood as guiding the containers through an immersion bath filled with the first / second liquid. It can also be provided that the application comprises a combination of the application types just described. For example, it can be provided that the containers are sprayed with the first liquid in the first treatment zone and guided through an immersion bath filled with the second liquid in the second treatment zone. Any other combination of the application types described above is also conceivable.

[0010] The container cleaning system can, for example, be designed as a single-end container cleaning machine, in which the first and second treatment zones each comprise a spray zone. Furthermore, the container cleaning system can be designed as a two-end container cleaning machine, in which the first treatment zone comprises a spray zone and the second treatment zone comprises an immersion bath.

[0011] The first and second liquids may include or consist of water. The water may also be decalcified water. However, the first and second liquids may also be any other liquid suitable for heating or cooling a container.

[0012] By circulating the first liquid through at least two treatment sub-zones, the containers can be gradually heated during their transport through the at least two treatment sub-zones without the need for a continuous supply of fresh water. This allows for particularly energy-efficient heating of the containers. Furthermore, resources can be saved and limescale deposits prevented. Furthermore, due to the thermal coupling of the circulation system with the second treatment zone, the heat released when the containers cool down in the second treatment zone can be used to heat the first liquid, thus reducing the energy consumption of the container cleaning system.

[0013] In one embodiment, the at least two treatment subzones can be arranged along the transport direction of the containers, and the circulation device can be configured to circulate the first liquid through the at least two treatment subzones counter to the transport direction of the containers. Thus, the containers can be gradually heated in a particularly efficient manner during their transport through the at least two treatment subzones.

[0014] It can be provided that the at least two treatment subzones each comprise at least one nozzle for applying the first liquid to the containers and a collecting device for collecting the first liquid applied to the containers, and that the circulation device is designed to remove the collected first liquid from a first treatment subzone of the at least two treatment subzones and to feed it back to a second treatment subzone of the at least two treatment subzones. Thus, the first liquid applied to the containers in the first treatment subzone can be collected and applied to the containers again in the second treatment subzone.

[0015] In a further development, the first treatment subzone can be arranged upstream of the second treatment subzone with respect to the transport direction of the containers, and a first temperature of the first liquid before application to the containers in the first treatment subzone can be lower than a second temperature of the first liquid before application to the containers in the second treatment subzone. Thus, the containers in the second treatment subzone can be heated to a higher temperature than in the first treatment subzone.

[0016] In a further development of the two preceding embodiments, the thermal coupling can increase the temperature of the first liquid after it has been discharged from the first treatment subzone and before it has been fed into the second treatment subzone. Thus, even when the first liquid circulates through the at least two treatment subzones, it can be ensured that the temperature of the first liquid before it is discharged to the containers in the second treatment subzone is higher than the temperature of the first liquid before it is discharged to the containers in the first treatment subzone.

[0017] The container cleaning system can be further configured such that the thermal coupling comprises a first heat exchanger, and the first liquid can be circulated through the circulation device through the first heat exchanger. By means of the heat exchanger, a quantity of heat released in the second treatment zone during cooling of the containers can be utilized particularly efficiently to heat the first liquid circulated through the circulation device.

[0018] In a further development, the thermal coupling can comprise at least two heat exchangers and the container cleaning system can comprise a second circulation device, wherein the second circulation device can be designed to circulate a heat exchange medium through a second heat exchanger and the second circulation device can comprise a heat pump, wherein the circulation device can be thermally connected to the second circulation device via the first heat exchanger. By providing a second circulation device with a heat pump and two heat exchangers, the temperature of the first liquid circulated through the circulation device can be further increased by means of the thermal coupling compared to the embodiment with a heat exchanger, and thus a greater heating of the containers in the first treatment zone can be achieved.

[0019] Furthermore, the circulation device can comprise a filter device and / or a device for preventing the formation of limescale in the first liquid. This prevents contamination of the circulation device and the first treatment zone by dirt and unwanted limescale deposits.

[0020] According to the invention, a method for cleaning containers in a container cleaning system is further provided, wherein the container cleaning system comprises a first treatment zone for heating the containers by applying a first liquid, a second treatment zone for cooling the containers by applying a second liquid and a circulation device, wherein the second treatment zone is arranged downstream of the first treatment zone with respect to a transport direction of the containers and the first treatment zone comprises at least two treatment sub-zones, by means of the circulation device the first liquid is circulated through the at least two treatment sub-zones and the circulation device is connected to the second treatment zone via a thermal coupling.

[0021] By circulating the first liquid through the two treatment sub-zones, the containers in the at least two treatment sub-zones can be heated gradually without the need for a continuous supply of fresh water. Thus, the containers can be heated by the first liquid in a particularly energy-efficient manner, preventing limescale deposits. Furthermore, heat released in the second treatment zone can be used to heat the first liquid, thus reducing the energy consumption of the container cleaning system.

[0022] In one embodiment of the method, the at least two treatment sub-zones can be arranged along the transport direction of the containers, and the first liquid can be circulated through the at least two treatment sub-zones by means of the circulation device, counter to the transport direction of the containers. Thus, the containers can be gradually heated in a particularly efficient manner during their transport through the at least two treatment sub-zones.

[0023] Furthermore, it can be provided that the at least two treatment subzones each comprise at least one nozzle for applying the first liquid to the containers and a collecting device for collecting the first liquid applied to the containers. The collected first liquid is removed from a first treatment subzone of the at least two treatment subzones by means of the circulation device and returned to a second of the at least two treatment subzones. Thus, the first liquid applied to the containers in the first treatment subzone can be collected and applied to the containers again in the second treatment subzone.

[0024] In a further development, the first treatment subzone can be arranged upstream of the second treatment subzone with respect to the transport direction of the containers, and a first temperature of the first liquid before application to the containers in the first treatment subzone can be lower than a second temperature of the first liquid before application to the containers in the second treatment subzone. Thus, the containers in the second treatment subzone can be heated to a higher temperature than in the first treatment subzone.

[0025] In a further development of one of the two preceding embodiments, the thermal coupling can increase the temperature of the first liquid discharged from the first treatment subzone before it is returned to the second treatment subzone. This ensures that, even when the first liquid circulates through the at least two treatment subzones, the temperature of the first liquid before being discharged to the containers in the second treatment subzone is higher than the temperature of the first liquid before being discharged to the containers in the first treatment subzone.

[0026] Furthermore, it can be provided that the thermal coupling can comprise a first heat exchanger, and the first liquid is circulated through the heat exchanger by the circulation device. By means of the heat exchanger, a quantity of heat released in the second treatment zone during cooling of the containers can be used particularly efficiently to heat the first liquid circulated through the circulation device.

[0027] In a further development, the thermal coupling can comprise at least two heat exchangers, and the container cleaning system can comprise a second circulation device, and by means of the second circulation device, a heat exchange medium can be circulated through a second heat exchanger. The second circulation device can comprise a heat pump, and the circulation device can be thermally connected to the second circulation device via the first heat exchanger. By providing a second circulation device with a heat pump and two heat exchangers, the temperature of the first liquid circulated through the circulation device can be further increased by means of the thermal coupling compared to the embodiment with a heat exchanger, thus achieving greater heating of the containers in the first treatment zone. Short description of the characters

[0028] Fig. 1: Container cleaning system for cleaning containers according to one embodiment Fig. 2: Container cleaning system for cleaning containers according to another embodiment Detailed description of the characters

[0029] Figure 1 shows a container cleaning system 100 for cleaning containers 101 according to one embodiment.

[0030] According to the invention, the container cleaning system 101 comprises a first treatment zone 110 for heating containers 101 by applying a first liquid 107 and a second treatment zone 112 for cooling the containers 101 by applying a second liquid 104. According to the invention, it is further provided that the first treatment zone 110 comprises at least two treatment sub-zones 116, 117 and the second treatment zone 112 is arranged downstream of the first treatment zone 110 with respect to a transport direction 115 of the containers 101.

[0031] Pressurization can be understood, for example, as spraying the containers or subjecting them to a surge of the first / second liquid. Furthermore, pressurization can also be understood as passing the containers through an immersion bath filled with the first / second liquid. It can also be provided that the pressurization comprises a combination of the pressurization methods just described.

[0032] In connection with the Fig. 1 In the embodiment described, the first / second treatment zone 110, 112 is configured as a first / second spray zone 110, 112 and the two treatment sub-zones 116, 117 are configured as two spray sub-zones 116, 117. This type of configuration is to be understood as exemplary.

[0033] For example, it can also be provided that the first / second treatment zone 110, 112 is designed as an immersion bath zone, which comprises at least one immersion bath, and the two treatment sub-zones 116, 117 are each designed as an immersion bath.

[0034] Alternatively, it can also be provided that the containers are passed through an immersion bath in one of the two treatment zones 110, 112 and are sprayed in the other of the two treatment zones 110, 112.

[0035] It is also conceivable for the first and / or second treatment zones 110, 112 to be configured as a combined spray and immersion bath zone. In this case, for example, a first treatment subzone of the first treatment zone 110 may comprise a spray zone and a second treatment subzone may comprise an immersion bath.

[0036] Any other combination of the above-mentioned types of loading is also conceivable.

[0037] The Figure 1The container cleaning system 100 shown is designed as a single-end container cleaning machine in which the first 110 and the second treatment zone 112 comprise a spray zone.

[0038] Alternatively, for example, an embodiment of the container cleaning system 100 as a two-end container cleaning machine is also conceivable, in which the first treatment zone 110 comprises a spray zone and the second treatment zone 112 comprises an immersion bath.

[0039] The containers 101 can be bottles, cans, or the like used in the beverage industry. However, any other type of container can also be cleaned with the container cleaning system 100. For example, the containers 101 can also be cans, cups, tubes, or any other type of container suitable for holding a liquid or pasty medium used in the healthcare, pharmaceutical, food, or beverage industries.

[0040] The first 107 and the second liquid 104 may comprise water or consist of water. The water may also be decalcified water. However, this specific embodiment of the first 107 and the second liquid 104 is to be understood as exemplary, so that the first 107 and the second liquid 104 may also be any other liquid suitable for heating or cooling a container 101.

[0041] In the embodiment shown here, the first treatment zone 110 comprises two treatment sub-zones 116, 117, which are arranged along the transport direction 115 of the containers 101. The first treatment sub-zone 116 is arranged upstream of the second treatment sub-zone 117 with respect to the transport direction 115 of the containers. The type of configuration of the first treatment zone 110 described here with two treatment sub-zones 116, 117 is to be understood as exemplary. In an alternative embodiment, it can also be provided, for example, that the first treatment zone 110 comprises three, four, five or more treatment sub-zones. By increasing the number of treatment sub-zones in the first treatment zone, the container heating process can be made more efficient. A transport device 118 can be provided for transporting the containers through the container cleaning system.For example, the transport device 118 may be an endless transport means comprising a plurality of bottle cells into which the containers can be received and transported through the container cleaning system.

[0042] The first 110 and the second treatment zone 112 can comprise at least one spray device 102, 105a, 105b for applying the first 107 or second liquid 104 to the containers 101. The spray device 105a, 105b, 102 can comprise a nozzle 106a, 106b, 103 for dispensing the first 107 or second liquid 104 onto the containers 101 and can be configured to apply the first 107 or second liquid 104 to the interior and exterior of the containers. For this purpose, the spray device 105a, 105b, 102 can, for example, be designed to be movable or comprise a movable subcomponent and can be introduced at least partially through a container opening into the interior of a container 101. The type of design of the spray device 105a, 105b, 102 just described is to be understood as exemplary.In particular, the spray device 105a, 105b, 102 may also comprise more than one nozzle or any other component suitable for supplying the containers with the first liquid.

[0043] Furthermore, the first 110 and the second treatment zone 112 can comprise at least one collecting device 113, 114, 119 for collecting the first 107 or second liquid 104 applied to the containers 101 and dripping from the containers. In an alternative embodiment, it can also be provided, for example, that no separately designed collecting device 114, 113, 119 is provided in the first 110 or second treatment zone 112 for collecting the first 107 or second liquid 104 dripping from the containers, but rather the first 107 or second liquid 104 can be collected in a bottom region of the first 110 and / or second treatment zone 112.

[0044] In connection with the Figure 1In the embodiment discussed, the first treatment sub-zone 116 comprises a first spray device 105a and a first collecting device 113, and the second treatment sub-zone 117 comprises a second spray device 105b and a second collecting device 114, wherein the first 113 and the second collecting device 114 are provided for collecting the first liquid 107 applied to the containers 101 by the first 105a and the second spray device 105b, respectively. The first 113 and the second collecting device 114 can be arranged vertically below the containers transported through the first treatment sub-zone, so that the first liquid 107 dripping from the containers 101 can be collected by the first 113 and the second collecting device 114.In the embodiment discussed here, the second treatment zone 112 comprises a third spray device 102 for applying the second liquid 104 to the containers 101 transported through the second treatment zone 112 and a third collecting device 119 for collecting the second liquid 104 applied to the containers 101.

[0045] This type of design of the first and second treatment zones, or the two treatment subzones, is to be understood as exemplary. In particular, more than one spray device or more than one collecting device can be provided in the first treatment subzone or the second treatment subzone. In one embodiment, it can also be provided that the collecting device is integrated directly into the floor area of the first treatment subzone, the second treatment subzone, and / or the second treatment zone.

[0046] An optional container cleaning area 111 can be provided between the first treatment zone 110 and the second treatment zone 112. In the optional container cleaning area 111, the containers 101 can be exposed to a cleaning liquid, such as a cleaning solution, and cleaned. In one embodiment, the container cleaning area can be designed as an immersion tank, for example. For example, it can be provided that the container cleaning area 111 comprises a plurality of immersion tanks, such as two, three or more immersion tanks, which are arranged along the transport direction of the containers and through which the containers can be guided sequentially. The container cleaning area 111 can additionally comprise a spraying area in which the containers 101 can be sprayed with a cleaning liquid.

[0047] According to the invention, the container cleaning system further comprises a circulation device 108, by means of which the first liquid 107 can be circulated through the at least two treatment subzones 116, 117 of the first treatment zone 110. The circulation device is connected to the second treatment zone via a thermal coupling 109.

[0048] In the embodiment shown here, the first liquid 107 is circulated by the circulation device through the two treatment subzones 116, 117, counter to the transport direction 115 of the containers 101. Thus, a gradual heating of the containers during their transport through the two treatment subzones 116, 117 can be achieved, and a quantity of heat contained in the first liquid 107 can be used particularly efficiently to heat the containers.

[0049] Furthermore, because the circulation device 108 is thermally connected to the second treatment zone 112 by means of the thermal coupling 109, a quantity of heat transferred from the warm containers 101 to the second liquid 104 in the second treatment zone 112 when the containers 101 are supplied with the second liquid 104 can be used to heat the first liquid 107 circulating in the circulation device. Thus, the energy consumption of the container cleaning system can be reduced, since an additional heating device for heating the first liquid is not necessary.

[0050] In order to circulate the first liquid 107 through the two treatment sub-zones 116, 117, the second collecting device 114 can be connected to the first spraying device 105a via a first circulation sub-line 108a and the first collecting device 113 can be connected to the second spraying device 105b via a second partial circulation line 108b.Thus, the collected first liquid 107 dripping from the second collecting device 114 onto the containers 101 in the second treatment sub-zone 117, which can be applied to the containers by the second spray device 105b, can be conveyed via the first circulation sub-line 108a to the first spray device 105a, and the collected first liquid 107 dripping from the first collecting device 113 onto the containers 101 in the first treatment sub-zone 116, which can be applied to the containers by the first spray device 105a, can be conveyed via the second partial circulation line 108b back to the second spray device 105b. Thus, circulation of the first liquid 107 through the first treatment sub-zone 116 and second treatment sub-zone 117 of the first treatment zone 110 can be achieved.The first 108a and second partial circulation lines 108b can each comprise a pumping device for conveying the first liquid along the first and second partial circulation lines. In an alternative embodiment in which the first treatment zone 110 comprises more than two treatment subzones 116, 117, the additional treatment subzones can be configured corresponding to the first and second treatment subzones described above, so that the first liquid can also be circulated through more than two treatment subzones.

[0051] The thermal coupling 109 between circulation device 108 and second treatment zone 112 is in the context of the Figure 1discussed embodiment, downstream of the first collecting device and upstream of the second spraying device in the circulation direction of the first liquid on the second partial circulation line 108b is provided in order to temper the first liquid 107 after it has been discharged from the first collecting device 113 and before it is fed back to the second spraying device 105b. Figure 1 The specific arrangement of the thermal coupling shown is to be understood as an example. The thermal coupling can also be provided at any other position in the circulation system.

[0052] As already described above, in the container cleaning system 100, containers that are introduced into the first treatment zone by means of the transport device 118 in a non-tempered state, for example, at a temperature corresponding to the prevailing ambient temperature, are to be heated in the first treatment zone 110 by exposure to the first liquid 107. Consequently, the first liquid, before being sprayed onto the containers 101, optionally has a temperature that is higher than the temperature of the containers. By circulating the first liquid 107 through the two treatment sub-zones 116, 117 opposite to the transport direction 115 of the containers 101, the containers 101 can thus be gradually heated by the first liquid 107 during their transport through the two treatment sub-zones 116, 117.This in turn leads to the temperature of the first liquid 107 in the first 116 and second treatment sub-zone 117 gradually decreasing after the containers have been exposed.

[0053] In the second treatment zone 112, however, the temperature of the warm containers is to be lowered by applying the second liquid. Consequently, the second liquid 104, before being applied to the containers 101 in the second treatment zone, optionally has a temperature that is lower than the temperature of the containers 101 introduced into the second treatment zone 112 by means of the transport device. This, in turn, leads to the temperature of the second liquid 104 increasing after being applied to the containers due to the amount of heat absorbed by the warm containers.

[0054] The amount of heat released during the cooling of the containers 101 in the second treatment zone 112 can thus be used by means of the thermal coupling 109 to increase the temperature of the first liquid 107 in the circulation device 108 before the first liquid 107 is fed back to the second treatment sub-zone 117 and applied to the containers 101 by means of the second spray device 105b. Thus, even with continuous circulation of the first liquid through the two treatment sub-zones 116, 117, it can be ensured that the containers 101 are gradually heated during their transport through the two treatment sub-zones 116, 117, without the need for a separately designed heating device.

[0055] As already described above, in an alternative embodiment, several treatment sub-zones can be provided and the first liquid, as just exemplified by the embodiment of the Figure 1 , in which the first treatment zone comprises two treatment subzones, are circulated through the plurality of treatment subzones. In this case, it can be provided, for example, that the first liquid 107, after being discharged from a first outermost treatment subzone of the first treatment zone, is tempered by means of the thermal coupling 109 before being fed back to a second outermost treatment subzone of the first treatment zone, wherein the first outermost treatment subzone can be arranged downstream of the second outermost treatment subzone.

[0056] In one embodiment, it may be provided that the thermal coupling 109 comprises a heat exchanger. In this case, it may be provided that the first fluid is circulated through the first heat exchanger by means of the circulation device in order to control the temperature of the first fluid.

[0057] In one embodiment, it may be provided, for example, that the heat exchanger is arranged in the second treatment zone and the second circulation sub-line of the first circulation device is guided at least partially through the second treatment zone.

[0058] For example, it can be provided that the second circulation sub-line 108b of the circulation device 108 is guided at least partially through the third collecting device 119 of the second treatment zone 112, in which the second liquid 104 dripping from the containers 101 can be collected before it is, for example, conveyed back to the third spray device 102 of the second treatment zone 112 or is discharged from the third collecting device 119.In order to improve the heat exchange between the first liquid circulated through the circulation device 108 and the second liquid collected in the third collecting device 119, it can be provided, for example, that the second circulation sub-line 108b is designed as a spiral in a region in which it is in direct contact with the second liquid collected in the third collecting device in order to achieve the largest possible contact area with the second liquid and thus the best possible heat exchange. In order to improve the heat exchange between the first and second liquids, it can further be provided that the second circulation sub-line 108b comprises a thermally highly conductive metal, such as copper, in the region in which it is in direct contact with the second liquid collected in the third collecting device 119.

[0059] Alternatively, however, the heat exchanger can also be arranged outside the second treatment zone 112 and be in thermal contact with the second treatment zone 112. For example, it can also be provided that the second liquid collected in the third collecting device 119 is led into a tank, which can also be arranged outside the second treatment zone, and the heat exchanger is arranged in the tank. In this case, it can be provided, for example, that the second circulation sub-line 108b is routed at least partially through the tank.Here, too, it can be provided that a portion of the second circulation sub-line 108b, which runs through the tank, is designed as a spiral in order to increase the contact area between the portion of the second circulation sub-line and the second liquid located in the tank, thus achieving the best possible heat exchange between the first liquid and the second liquid located in the tank. Furthermore, it can be provided that the portion of the second circulation sub-line comprises a material with good thermal conductivity, such as copper.

[0060] However, it can also be provided, for example, that the second circulation sub-line 108b is at least partially in thermal contact with a discharge line, by means of which the second liquid collected in the third collecting device 119 of the second treatment zone 112 can be discharged from the third collecting device 119. The discharge line can, for example, be connected to the third spray device 102, so that the second liquid collected by the third collecting device 119 can be applied to the containers 101 again by means of the third spray device 102. Alternatively, it can also be provided that the second liquid 104 collected in the third collecting device 119 is discharged from the container cleaning system 100 by means of the discharge line, and the third spray device 102 is supplied with fresh water.For example, it can be provided that the discharge line and the second circulation sub-line 108b are at least partially in direct thermal contact with one another. For example, the second circulation sub-line can be routed as a spiral around the discharge line. The first and second fluids can flow through the second circulation sub-line 108b and the discharge line either in the same direction or in opposite directions. In this case, too, it can be provided that the second circulation sub-line 108b and the discharge line comprise a thermally highly conductive metal, such as copper, in a region in which they are in thermal contact with one another.

[0061] In a further embodiment, it can also be provided that the circulation device comprises a filter device and / or a device for preventing stone formation. The device for preventing stone formation can be designed, for example, as an ion exchanger. The filter device can be a conventional filter device, which can be designed to filter foreign substances with a specific particle size, for example greater than 5 mm, greater than 1 mm, or greater than 0.1 mm, from the first liquid circulated through the circulation device. Such foreign substances can, for example, be deposited in the containers to be cleaned and, when exposed to the at least two treatment sub-zones, can be released from the containers and pass into the first liquid.By providing a filter device and / or device to prevent stone formation, clogging of the spray device caused by lime or foreign matter can be prevented, thus ensuring trouble-free operation of the container cleaning system.

[0062] Figure 2 shows a container cleaning system 200 for cleaning containers 101 according to a further embodiment.

[0063] As already mentioned in connection with the Figure 1 described, also includes the Figure 2 The container cleaning system 200 shown according to the invention comprises a first treatment zone 110 for heating containers and a second treatment zone 112 for cooling containers, wherein the second treatment zone 112 is arranged downstream of the first treatment zone 110 with respect to a transport direction 115 of the containers and the first treatment zone comprises at least two treatment sub-zones 116, 117.

[0064] Regarding the design of the first treatment zone 110 with the two treatment sub-zones 116, 117 and the second treatment zone 112 as well as the optional container cleaning area 111 and the optional transport device 118, reference is made to the embodiment of the Figure 1 where these have already been described in detail. In particular, the Figure 2 The described embodiment of the first treatment zone with two treatment sub-zones is to be understood as exemplary, so that in an alternative embodiment the first treatment zone can also comprise three, four, five or more treatment sub-zones.

[0065] As already mentioned in connection with the Figure 1 described, is also in the embodiment of the Figure 2The first treatment zone 110 is designed as a first spray zone, the second treatment zone 112 as a second spray zone, and the treatment sub-zones 116, 117 as spray sub-zones. This corresponds to the Figure 1 described embodiment of the container cleaning machine 200 as a single-end container treatment machine.

[0066] As already mentioned in connection with the Figure 1 As described, the first or second treatment zone 110, 112 can alternatively be designed as an immersion bath zone or as a zone suitable for surge application. This also applies to the two treatment sub-zones 116, 117. Any combination of the aforementioned types of application is also conceivable. For further details, please refer to the Figure 1 made.

[0067] In an alternative embodiment of the container treatment system 200 as a two-end container cleaning machine, it can be provided, for example, that the first treatment zone 110 comprises a spray zone and the second treatment zone 112 comprises an immersion bath.

[0068] According to the invention, in connection with the Figure 2 In the container cleaning system 200 shown, a circulation device 108 is provided, by means of which the first liquid can be circulated through the at least two treatment subzones. According to the invention, the circulation device 108 is further connected to the second treatment zone 112 via a thermal coupling.

[0069] Compared to the one related to the Figure 1 The container cleaning system 100 shown in the drawings has the features associated with the Figure 2The container cleaning system 200 described above has a modified thermal coupling comprising two heat exchangers 201, 205. Furthermore, the container cleaning system 200 in the embodiment discussed here comprises a second circulation device 206, which is designed to circulate a heat exchange medium through a second heat exchanger 201 and further comprises a heat pump 204. The second circulation device 206 is in turn connected to the circulation device 108 via a first heat exchanger 205.

[0070] Through in the Figure 2 The type of thermal coupling described with two heat exchangers 201, 205 and a heat pump 204 can achieve a greater heating of the first liquid in the circulation device 108 by the thermal coupling compared to the Figure 1 discussed embodiment, in which only one heat exchanger 109 is provided.

[0071] As in the Figure 2 As shown, the second circulation device 206 can be thermally connected to the second treatment zone 112 via the second heat exchanger 201. This can be done according to one of the methods described in connection with the heat exchanger 109 of the container cleaning system of the Figure 1discussed embodiments. For example, the second circulation device 206 in the region of the second heat exchanger 201 can be thermally connected to a discharge line by means of which the second liquid from the third collecting device 119 is discharged from the container cleaning system or fed back to the third spray device, or a part of the second circulation device 206 can be arranged in the third collecting device 119. Alternatively, the second circulation device 206 can also be thermally connected to the second treatment zone 112 via a further circulation device, for example, or can be connected to an optional tank in which the second liquid discharged from the third collecting device 119 of the second treatment zone can be temporarily stored.

[0072] Furthermore, the second circulation device 206 comprises in the context of the Figure 2In the embodiment shown, a heat pump 204 with a compressor 202 for increasing the temperature of the heat exchange medium and a throttle 203 for lowering the temperature of the heat exchange medium. The compressor 202 can be arranged downstream of the second heat exchanger 201 and upstream of the first heat exchanger 205 in the circulation direction 207 of the heat exchange medium in the second circulation device 206, and the throttle 203 can be arranged downstream of the first heat exchanger 205 and upstream of the second heat exchanger 201 with respect to the circulation direction 207 of the second fluid in the second circulation device 206. The first heat exchanger 205 can be, for example, a condenser, and the second heat exchanger 201 can be an evaporator.The heat exchange medium can be selected such that the heat exchange medium is converted from the liquid to the gaseous phase upon passing through the second heat exchanger 201 and from the gaseous to the liquid phase upon passing through the first heat exchanger 205. The amount of heat released when the heat exchange medium liquefies in the first heat exchanger 205 can be transferred to the first liquid circulating in the circulation device 108 and used to heat the first liquid.

[0073] In order to achieve the best possible heat exchange between the heat exchange medium circulated in the second circulation device 206 and the first liquid circulated in the circulation device 108, a portion of the second circulation sub-line 108b can be spirally routed around the second circulation device 206 in the region of the first heat exchanger 205 in order to achieve the largest possible contact area between the circulation device 108 and the second circulation device 206 in the region of the first heat exchanger 205. Accordingly, for example, the optional discharge line by means of which the second liquid can be discharged from the third collecting device 119 of the second treatment zone 112 can be spirally routed around the second circulation device in the region of the second heat exchanger 201, or a portion of the second circulation device 206 can be spirally routed around the optional discharge line.In the area of the first 205 and second heat exchanger 201, it may further be provided that the second circulation sub-line 108b, the optional discharge line and / or the second circulation device 206 comprises a thermally highly conductive metal, such as copper, in order to increase the heat exchange between the first liquid and heat exchange medium and the second liquid and heat exchange medium.

[0074] By providing two heat exchangers in conjunction with a heat pump, the Figure 2 shown embodiment, a temperature of the first liquid by the thermal coupling with the second treatment zone compared to that associated with the Figure 1 discussed embodiment, in which only one heat exchanger is provided, can be further increased.

Claims

1. Container cleaning system for cleaning containers (101), comprising a first treatment zone (110) for heating the containers by applying a first liquid (107), a second treatment zone (112) for cooling the containers by applying a second liquid (104), and a circulation device (108), wherein the second treatment zone (112) is arranged downstream of the first treatment zone (110) with respect to a transport direction (115) of the containers (101), and the first treatment zone (110) comprises at least two treatment sub-zones (116, 117), wherein the first liquid can be circulated through the at least two treatment sub-zones (116, 117) by means of the circulation device (108), wherein the circulation device (108) is connected to the second treatment zone (112) via a thermal coupling.

2. Container cleaning system according to claim 1, wherein the at least two treatment sub-zones (116, 117) are arranged along the transport direction (115) of the containers (101), wherein the circulation device (108) is designed to circulate the first liquid counter to the transport direction (115) of the containers through the at least two treatment sub-zones (116, 117).

3. Container cleaning system according to one of claims 1 to 2, wherein the at least two treatment sub-zones (116, 117) each comprise at least one nozzle (106a, 106b) for applying the first liquid (107) to the containers and a collecting device (113, 114) for collecting the first liquid applied to the containers, wherein the circulation device (108) is designed to discharge the collected first liquid from a first treatment sub-zone of the at least two treatment sub-zones and to feed it back to a second treatment sub-zone of the at least two treatment sub-zones.

4. Container cleaning system according to claim 3, wherein the first treatment sub-zone (116) is arranged upstream of the second treatment sub-zone (117) with respect to the transport direction (115) of the containers and a first temperature of the first liquid before being applied to the containers in the first treatment sub-zone (116) is lower than a second temperature of the first liquid before being applied to the containers in the second treatment sub-zone (117).

5. Container cleaning system according to one of claims 3 or 4, wherein the thermal coupling can increase a temperature of the first liquid after it has been discharged from the first treatment sub-zone (116) and before it is fed into the second treatment sub-zone (117).

6. Container cleaning system according to one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the thermal coupling comprises a first heat exchanger (109), wherein the first liquid can be circulated through the first heat exchanger by the circulation device.

7. Container cleaning system according to claim 6, wherein the thermal coupling comprises at least two heat exchangers (201, 205), wherein the container cleaning system comprises a second circulation device (206), wherein the second circulation device (206) is designed to circulate a heat exchange medium through a second heat exchanger (205), wherein the second circulation device comprises a heat pump (204), wherein the circulation device (108) is thermally connected to the second circulation device (206) via the first heat exchanger (205).

8. Container cleaning system according to one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the circulation device (108) comprises a filter device and / or a device for preventing stone formation in the first liquid.

9. A method for cleaning containers in a container cleaning system, wherein the container cleaning system comprises a first treatment zone (110) for heating the containers (101) by applying a first liquid (107), a second treatment zone (112) for cooling the containers by applying a second liquid (104) and a circulation device (108), wherein the second treatment zone (112) is arranged downstream of the first treatment zone (110) with respect to a transport direction (115) of the containers and the first treatment zone (110) comprises at least two treatment sub-zones (116, 117), wherein the first liquid is circulated through the at least two treatment sub-zones (116, 117) by means of the circulation device (108), wherein the circulation device (108) is connected to the second treatment zone (112) via a thermal coupling.

10. The method according to claim 9, wherein the at least two treatment sub-zones (116, 117) are arranged along the transport direction (115) of the containers, wherein the first liquid is circulated counter to the transport direction (115) of the containers through the at least two treatment sub-zones (116, 117) by means of the circulation device (108).

11. The method according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the at least two treatment sub-zones (116, 117) each comprise at least one nozzle (106a, 106b) for applying the first liquid (107) to the containers and a collecting device (113, 114) for collecting the first liquid applied to the containers, wherein the collected first liquid is removed from a first treatment sub-zone of the at least two treatment sub-zones by means of the circulation device and is fed back to a second of the at least two treatment sub-zones.

12. The method according to claim 11, wherein the first treatment sub-zone (116) is arranged upstream of the second treatment sub-zone (117) with respect to the transport direction (115) of the containers and a first temperature of the first liquid before being applied to the containers in the first treatment sub-zone (116) is lower than a second temperature of the first liquid before being applied to the containers in the second treatment sub-zone (117).

13. The method according to claim 11 or 12, wherein the thermal coupling increases a temperature of the first liquid discharged from the first treatment sub-zone (116) before it is returned to the second treatment sub-zone (117).

14. The method according to any one of claims 9 to 13, wherein the thermal coupling comprises a first heat exchanger (109), wherein the first fluid is circulated by the circulation device (108) through the first heat exchanger (109).

15. The method according to claim 14, wherein the thermal coupling comprises at least two heat exchangers (201, 205), wherein the container cleaning system comprises a second circulation device (206), wherein by means of the second circulation device (206) a heat exchange medium is circulated through a second heat exchanger (201), wherein the second circulation device (206) comprises a heat pump (204), wherein the circulation device (108) is thermally connected to the second circulation device (206) via the first heat exchanger (205).

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