Automated production plant with cleaning device

Abstract

The invention relates to an automated production plant with at least one work unit (5, 6) comprising several movable work elements (7, 9) arranged along a line for the automated processing and / or handling of serially produced product units (3). The production plant includes a guide beam (20) with several guide elements (22) arranged along a line for guiding the work elements (7, 9) and a control unit for the automated control of the production plant. An automated cleaning device for cleaning the work elements (7, 9) is provided, comprising at least one cleaning unit (28) which includes a locking bar (25) that interacts with the guide beam (20) to lock the work elements (7, 9) between the guide beam (20).The locking bar (25) is fixed and the guide bar (20) is arranged to be movable relative to the locking bar (25), so that the guide bar (20) can be moved from a starting position located away from the locking bar (25) in a working area of ​​the work unit (5, 6) to a locking position located on the locking bar (25), in which the locking bar (25) engages the working means (7, 9) for fixation.

Description

Technical field of the invention

[0001] The invention relates to an automated production plant with at least one work unit and a cleaning device for cleaning the work unit's tools, in particular a production plant for the automated processing and / or manufacturing of serially produced product units. Specifically, the invention relates to an automated cleaning device for cleaning a filling unit of the production plant, which fills containers of a product unit with a product substance. Above all, the invention relates to an automated cleaning device for cleaning serially arranged filling tubes of the filling unit, which fill serially arranged containers with a product substance. State of the art

[0002] Many sectors of the manufacturing industry, such as the pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and food industries, are subject to strict laws and standards that must be demonstrably adhered to. Particularly regarding product purity during the production process, there are stringent requirements to ensure consumer safety. At the same time, the market demands rapid and flexible adaptation to new products and updated requirements, as well as high production efficiency.

[0003] To efficiently meet these challenges, automated production lines with multiple serially arranged work units are used, enabling the precise manufacturing of products and their exact processing. These work units include, among others, handling and / or processing units for substance feeding, container cleaning, filling, weighing, closing, labeling, packaging, etc. For example, pharmaceutical, cosmetic, or food substances are filled into individual containers, the containers are packaged, and the finished product is then marketed. Typically, the containers are automatically transported between the work units using a conveyor system, with a control unit, such as a computer, managing the individual work units and the overall process flow of the entire production line.

[0004] To maintain the purity of the substances and ensure the precise operation of the production plant, not only must the equipment that comes into contact with the product substances, such as the containers, be cleaned, but also the components of the work units themselves. Particular attention is paid to adhering to high standards for filling units, as these are where the substances are transferred to the packaging and thus to the end consumer. Traditionally, however, work units components are often still cleaned manually. Manual cleaning is especially problematic for components such as filling tubes or needles that interact with the containers. It usually requires stopping the production plant, resulting in production downtime. Furthermore, manual cleaning is time-consuming, prone to errors, and difficult to standardize. Summary of the invention

[0005] It is an object of the present invention to provide an automated cleaning device for cleaning a work unit of a production plant, in particular a production plant for the automated processing and / or finishing of serially produced product units, which only slightly impairs production, allows for fast and reliable cleaning of components of a work unit, enables efficient cleaning of work equipment, supports compliance with production standards and can preferably be easily integrated into an existing production plant.

[0006] Furthermore, it is a task of the invention to provide a production plant with work units that can be cleaned easily and efficiently, that reliably supports production standards, allows an efficient production process and is flexibly designed.

[0007] This problem is solved according to the invention by an automated production plant according to claim 1 and a cleaning device according to claim 14. Advantageous embodiments and different configurations of the invention are described in the dependent claims.

[0008] An automated production plant according to the present invention is equipped with at least one work unit for the automated processing and / or machining of serially fed product units. In the production plant, for example, several product units are fed in series so that they can be processed simultaneously by several work tools of a work unit arranged in a line within a working area of ​​the production plant. The production plant has a guide beam with several guide elements arranged along a line for guiding the multiple work tools and a control unit for the automated control of the production plant. The control unit can, for example, be a computer with control software that is electronically connected to the production plant or its work units and controls their operation.

[0009] The guide beam is designed to guide multiple work tools, which are arranged along a line on the guide beam. For this purpose, the guide beam features, for example, guide elements arranged in a line as holders, or holding and guiding devices, for the work tools. These guide elements can include, for example, a clip, a guide ring, a gripper, a suspension, a recess in the beam, or similar components. The work tool can optionally have a corresponding guide element that interacts with the guide element to guide the work tool. Alternatively, the guide element can directly engage or rest against the work tool, for example, on its outer circumference, if no corresponding guide element is provided.

[0010] The tools can be permanently or detachably held on the guide beam. In particular, the guide elements can hold the tools loosely or loosely on or in the guide beam. For example, the tools can be mounted on the guide elements so that they can pivot or slide relative to the guide beam. This allows for flexibility in positioning the tools relative to the guide beam. This is particularly advantageous when positioning the tools on product units for tasks to be performed, as will be explained in more detail later. The guide beam receives the tools on the work unit in the work area in a starting position, or the tools are already guided or received on or in the guide beam in the starting position.

[0011] According to the invention, the production plant includes an automated cleaning device for cleaning the work equipment of at least one work unit. The cleaning device includes at least one cleaning unit comprising a cleaning agent that is applied to the work equipment. In particular, the cleaning unit can be designed as a cleaning bath with a cleaning cup and fluid cleaning agent. A work equipment can be introduced into the cleaning bath for cleaning, so that the cleaning agent cleans the work equipment. The cleaning unit can also be designed, for example, as a nozzle that sprays, for example, a cleaning gas onto a work equipment as a cleaning agent. Other configurations of cleaning units are also possible, such as irradiation, brushing, etc.

[0012] According to the present invention, the cleaning device has a locking bar that interacts with the guide bar to lock the working elements between the guide bar and the locking bar. For this purpose, the locking bar is stationary, and the guide bar is movably arranged relative to the locking bar by means of a drive mechanism. The guide bar can be moved into a locking position located on the locking bar, in which the locking bar engages the working elements in a cleaning area spaced apart from the working area to fix or lock the working elements. When the working elements are locked, the guide bar and locking bar together form, for example, a clamping or locating fit or the like, in which the working elements are securely held between the guide bar and the locking bar and fixed in a locking position relative to the bars.Advantageously, the locking bar features a fixing device for each tool, which, in the locked position, forms a snug and / or clamping fit with the guide bar for the tool. In the locked position, the tools of a work unit in a production plant are held firmly in place, preventing them from shifting when the cleaning agent is applied. Should the cleaning agent exert pressure on the tools, for example, they cannot yield to the pressure and can be cleaned reliably and thoroughly.

[0013] As mentioned, the locking bar is stationary during locking, while the guide bar is movable relative to the locking bar. For example, the guide bar and the locking bar are mounted on a common support or on separate supports, such as a base, plinth, production plant, etc. During locking, the locking bar is also stationary relative to the working unit, while the guide bar is movable relative to it. The drive mechanism for moving the guide bar can also be located on the support, allowing the guide bar to move relative to both the support and the locking bar.

[0014] In summary, the guide bar, which holds the workpieces, is movable from a starting position in the work area, located away from the locking bar, to the locking position in the cleaning area, which is located near or adjacent to the locking bar. In this position, the locking bar, or its fixing devices, engage the workpieces and secure them for cleaning. Since the guide bar is positioned away from the locking bar in its starting position, it is moved away from the workpiece and towards the locking bar for cleaning. The workpieces are therefore not cleaned in the work area of ​​the production plant, but rather in the adjacent cleaning area. Consequently, the work area is not affected by the cleaning process. The control unit regulates the drive for the movement of the guide bar towards the locking bar.At least one cleaning unit is arranged or movably provided in such a way that, in the locked position, it can apply the cleaning agent to the fixed work equipment.

[0015] The cleaning device allows production equipment to be moved from its conventional or starting position to a remote cleaning position for cleaning. This ensures that the work area remains unobstructed during cleaning and can be used for other purposes. Furthermore, the locking bar ensures that the equipment is securely positioned and held in place for cleaning. This allows for a reproducible and standardized cleaning process. After cleaning, the guide bar moves the equipment back to its working position, making it available for further use.

[0016] Preferably, the production plant has a stationary support structure that carries the at least one working unit, the guide beam, and preferably also a drive for the guide beam. The cleaning unit can include a cleaning base that permanently supports the locking beam. The cleaning base can be separate from the support structure or integrated into it. The cleaning base can also be attached as a unit to the support structure of an existing production plant. The control unit automatically initiates and executes the movement of the guide beam toward the locking beam according to the structural arrangement of the beams. The cleaning base can accommodate a cleaning drive for the at least one cleaning unit.The locking bar is preferably fixed to the cleaning base in such a way that the at least one cleaning unit can be moved within the cleaning area towards the locking bar and the secured work equipment by means of the cleaning drive. The cleaning drive is controlled by the control unit to move the cleaning units towards the work equipment and initiate cleaning by the cleaning agents.

[0017] In an advantageous embodiment of the production plant according to the invention, the guide beam forms a common guide beam for the cleaning device and at least one working unit for guiding the working elements of the working unit, which are arranged along a line, for their cleaning. The guide beam and its guiding means for holding the working elements can be adapted to the requirements of the working unit for the processing and / or finishing of the product units. For example, the working elements can be loosely or movably mounted on the guide beam to flexibly accommodate the specific characteristics of the product units being processed, as already mentioned above. For example, the positioning of the working elements can be adapted to different sizes or shapes of product containers within a product unit.

[0018] In one variant, the production plant advantageously includes at least one conveying device for transporting product units along a conveying direction. With this conveying device, groups of several product units can, for example, be transported in a line to a work unit and processed simultaneously by multiple work tools. However, it is also conceivable to position the work tools manually at the production plant.

[0019] Preferably, the production plant has a stationary support structure that carries the working unit, the guide beam, and preferably also a drive for the guide beam. The cleaning unit can include a cleaning base that rigidly supports the locking beam. The cleaning base can be separate from the support structure or integrated into it. The cleaning base can also be attached as a unit to the support structure of an existing production plant. The control unit automatically initiates and executes the movement of the guide beam toward the locking beam according to the structural arrangement of the beams.

[0020] In one embodiment of a production plant according to the present invention, the guide beam is movably arranged in a transverse movement perpendicular to the line of the guide means or the working elements guided by the guide beam. That is, the movement of the guide beam has at least one transverse component to move the guide beam in the direction of the remotely positioned locking beam and to bring it into the locking position. In addition to the transverse component, the movement can also have a component parallel to the locking beam, for example, to position the guide means or working elements relative to the fixing devices on the locking beam. The transverse movement can also have a second transverse component perpendicular to a first transverse component to move the guide beam three-dimensionally.This allows, for example, the tools within the work unit's work area to be moved into the working position independently of any cleaning process. A drive with multiple axes of motion, as is generally known, can be used to move the guide beam. For example, electric or hydraulic motors with drive axes can be provided to raise, lower, and / or move the guide beam radially. The drive motors are coordinated, for example, by the control unit to move the guide beam into a cleaning position, starting position, or working position.

[0021] In an advantageous embodiment of the cleaning device, at least one cleaning unit in the form of a cleaning cup is provided, which includes an interior space for receiving the cleaning agent. Advantageously, as many cleaning cups are provided as there are guide elements on the guide beam for the cleaning tools. The cleaning cups can be located, for example, on the cleaning base or another support. The dimensions of the cleaning cup can be adapted to the design of the cleaning tools. The cleaning cups can also be interchangeable to allow for different sizes and shapes of cleaning cups for cleaning different cleaning tools. The cleaning cups are designed such that they can at least partially contain a cleaning tool within their interior space.Advantageously, at least one cleaning cup is movably mounted relative to the locking bar in order to move it into the cleaning position where it at least partially engages a tool fixed to the locking bar. For this purpose, a drive is provided, for example, at the cleaning base, which moves the cleaning cups independently or simultaneously. Preferably, the cleaning cups are movable perpendicular to the line of the tool, or to the line of the guides and fixing devices on the guide bar or locking bar. Thus, the cleaning cups are moved in the direction of the locking bar and therefore in the direction of the locked tool. The control device can, for example, automatically initiate movement of the cleaning cups as soon as the tool is in the locked position between the guide bar and the locking bar.

[0022] In one embodiment of the production plant according to the invention, the conveying device for transporting product units along a conveying direction is designed, for example, as a circulating conveying device with elongated, straight conveying sections. One or more work units can be arranged along the conveying section, which process the product units moving along the conveying section in succession. In one variant, the cleaning device is fixed next to the conveying section. In another variant, the cleaning device can be designed to be movable along the conveying section in order to be positioned opposite different work units. The conveying section, or the conveying direction, runs parallel to the work equipment of a work unit arranged in a line and through the working area of ​​a work unit.The guide beam is moved by means of the drive from its starting position, at least predominantly perpendicular to the conveying direction, into the working position, in which the product units supplied by the conveying system can be processed by the tools of the work unit. The product units are thus processed by the tools within the working area of ​​the production plant. Subsequently, the guide beam, along with the tools, is moved back to its starting position. For example, after processing of product units, the guide beam can be moved transversely to the line of the tools and the conveying system, and perpendicular to the movement, into the working position to enter the cleaning area and secure the tools to the locking beam. The locking beam is arranged parallel to and preferably horizontally offset from the conveying direction and the work unit.Advantageously, the movement into the working position is thus perpendicular to the transverse movement with which the guide beam is moved into the cleaning position or cleaning area.

[0023] According to a further embodiment of a production plant according to the invention, the working elements of a work unit have at least one fixing counterpart on their outer surface, such as a lip, groove, slot, shoulder, etc. The fixing counterpart interacts with a fixing device of the locking bar to fix the working element to the locking bar. The fixing device and the fixing counterpart can be designed to be complementary and form a mate or clamping fit. The fixing counterpart can, for example, be designed as a counter stop, projection, skirt, etc. The working elements are thereby fixed or locked against displacement and pivoting relative to the guide bar. The locking can be released by moving the guide bar in the opposite direction.

[0024] In a preferred embodiment of the production plant, it comprises a working unit in the form of a filling unit with several working elements in the form of filling tubes with a filling end from which a product substance can emerge. The filling tubes are, as is conventionally common, designed as elongated, narrow tubes or hollow needles to precisely fill an exact quantity of product substance into a product unit, such as a container with an opening at the top. The filling tubes are advantageously loosely mounted on the guide beam to allow radial and / or axial movement. This enables the filling tubes to deflect in the event of a collision with the container or container holders, for example, by moving axially upwards. Furthermore, the orientation and position of the filling tubes can be adjusted to different containers and container positions when inserted into them.

[0025] The cleaning device is particularly suitable for cleaning such loosely guided filling tubes, as these are fixed in the locking position between the guide bar and the locking bar. For this purpose, the filling tubes can advantageously each have a locking counterpart, as described above. The locking counterpart can, for example, be designed as a groove with opposing radial locking flanks, between which the locking mechanism of the locking bar engages to lock the tubes. However, the locking bar, or its locking mechanism, can also be attached to an outer surface of the filling tubes without a locking counterpart.

[0026] Furthermore, the cleaning device has several cleaning units in the form of cleaning cups which, in the cleaning position, accommodate the filling tubes at least at the filling end.

[0027] In a further embodiment of the production plant, optical sensors can advantageously be provided on the guide beam to detect the position of the working elements, in particular filling tubes, on the guide beam. A measurement signal containing position and / or orientation data of the working elements can be sent to the control unit for controlling the work unit and / or the cleaning device. Advantageously, the fixing counterpart of the working elements can serve as a reference for the optical sensors to align and position the working elements. In particular, the optical sensors can also monitor the position or orientation of a fixing counterpart on the outer circumference of a filling tube and detect its position or orientation relative to a product unit, in particular a product container. The measurement data from the sensors can then be used by the control unit to automatically fill the product containers with a product substance.

[0028] Similarly, the cleaning device can also be used to clean other work units of the production plant; for example, to clean fumigants in a fumigation unit for fumigating containers, blow-off devices such as blow-off needles in a blow-off unit, packaging materials such as glue sticks in a packaging unit, or marking materials such as printing tips in a marking unit, which are arranged along the conveyor line of the production plant. Several cleaning devices can be arranged along the conveyor at a laterally spaced distance from it. It is also possible to move the cleaning device parallel to the conveyor at a distance, for example, by means of a guide rail along which the cleaning base can be moved parallel to the conveyor by means of a drive. Different cleaning units, or...Cleaning cups will be provided, adapted to the different tools of the various work units.

[0029] While it is common practice to automatically clean product units, especially product containers, in a production plant, for example before a substance is filled, the cleaning of work units has been neglected until now. The production plant and cleaning device according to the present invention now enable efficient automatic cleaning of work unit components, thus reducing production plant downtime and reliably meeting product requirements. Brief description of the drawings

[0030] An advantageous embodiment of the automated production plant with a cleaning device for the working equipment of a work unit according to the invention is illustrated below with reference to the figures, which serve only for illustrative purposes and are not to be interpreted restrictively. Features of the invention that become apparent from the figures shall be considered individually and in any combination as belonging to the disclosure of the invention. The figures show: Fig. 1 : a three-dimensional schematic representation of a section of a production plant according to the present invention. Fig. 2 : a three-dimensional section of a cleaning device of the production plant according to the present invention Figure 1 . Fig. 3a : a view of the section of the cleaning equipment from Figure 2 in a starting position. Fig. 3b : a view of the section of the cleaning equipment from Figure 2in a locked position. Fig. 4 : the three-dimensional section of the cleaning equipment of the production plant Figure 2 in the locking position after Figure 3b . Fig. 5 : the three-dimensional section of the cleaning equipment of the production plant Figure 2 in a cleaning position after Figure 3b .

[0031] Figure 1 Figure 1 schematically shows a section of a production plant as it forms the basis of the present invention. The production plant comprises a plant support 1, which is stationary, e.g., installed in a production hall. The production plant further comprises a conveying device 2 with at least one straight conveying section that transports a series of product containers 3 (see Figure 1). Figure 2) in a conveying direction FR. On the system carrier 1, a working unit 5 in the form of a gassing unit and another working unit 6 in the form of a filling unit are arranged along the conveying path. The filling unit 6 has several working elements in the form of filling tubes 7 arranged in a line, each of which can be connected at a proximal end to a filling line through which a product substance is conveyed into the filling tubes 7. A distal end of the filling tubes 7 has an outlet through which the product substance can be discharged from the filling tube 7. In Figure 1 The filling tubes 7 are shown in a working position in which the distal ends can each be inserted into a product container 3, as in Figure 2This illustrates how product substance is dispensed into containers 3 in a filling operation step. For this purpose, the filling pipes 7 are provided in a work area of ​​the production plant that is located near the conveying device 2.

[0032] The gassing unit comprises several working elements in the form of gassing needles 9 arranged in a line. The gassing needles 9 can be connected to a common blower line, through which they are supplied, for example, with a gas such as nitrogen for filling product containers 3. Similar to the working elements in the form of filling tubes 7, the working elements in the form of gassing needles 9 have a distal end with an opening through which the gas is released to gass the containers 3, for example, to prevent oxidation of a product substance. As mentioned above, the cleaning device can also be used to clean other working units, such as a blow-off unit with blow-off needles, etc.

[0033] During operation of the production plant, containers 3 are transported along the conveyor line by means of the conveyor system 2, where they are first filled with gas by the gassing unit 5. The containers 3 are then transported to the filling unit 6 and filled there with the product substance.

[0034] In the illustrated configuration of a filling process using the production plant, six product containers 3 are grouped into a group 3' of product units. Accordingly, the working unit 5 has six gassing needles 9 arranged in a row, and the working unit 6 has six filling tubes 7 also arranged in a row. Such groups of product units are transported by the conveying device 2 along the conveying direction FR for processing by the working units 5 and 6 and, if applicable, a preceding or subsequent working unit. When the groups reach a working area of ​​a working unit, they are processed there by the corresponding working unit.

[0035] In the described embodiment of the production plant, the filling tubes 7 are arranged on a guide beam 20, which is connected to a drive for moving the filling tubes 7. The drive is, for example, provided in the plant support 1. The guide beam 20 has several guide elements 22, which in this variant are, for example, designed as through-holes that loosely receive the filling tubes 7. For example, a suspension is provided in the through-holes from which a filling tube 7 can be loosely suspended so that it can be pivoted and / or moved axially relative to the guide beam 20. The filling tubes 7 are arranged in a line along the guide beam 20. Due to their loose suspension, they can be flexibly positioned in a product container 3.

[0036] The fumigation needles 9 are mounted on an extension 21 of the guide beam 20 and are moved by the drive together with the guide beam 20. The extension 21 thus forms a guide beam for guiding the working elements in the form of the fumigation needles 9. Consequently, the guide beam 20 and the extension 21 can be considered a common guide beam for the working elements of the two work units 5 and 6.

[0037] The production plant has an automated cleaning system 8 for cleaning the equipment of a work unit. Figure 1The cleaning device 8 is positioned for cleaning the filling tubes 7 of the filling unit 6. The cleaning device has a locking bar 25 that interacts with the guide bar 20. During cleaning of the working parts 7, 9, the locking bar 25 is fixed to a cleaning base 26. In the illustrated embodiment, the cleaning base 26 is designed as a freestanding base that is fixed relative to the support structure 1 during cleaning. The guide bar 20 is movably mounted on the support structure 1 relative to the cleaning device 8, and in particular to the locking bar 25. It is also possible for the cleaning base 26 to be an integral part of the support structure 1.Furthermore, it is also possible that the cleaning base 26 with the cleaning device 8 is mounted so as to be slidable parallel to the conveyor line FR, so that the cleaning device 8 can be moved, for example, from opposite the work unit 6 to a position opposite the work unit 5.

[0038] Essentially, the locking bar 25 is arranged next to the conveying device 2. The locking bar 25 extends parallel to and offset from the conveying path of the conveying device 2 and is therefore located outside the working area of ​​the filling tubes 7 of the working unit 6. The locking bar 25, in conjunction with the guide beam 20, locks the filling tubes 7 between the guide beam 20 and the locking bar 25. For this purpose, the guide beam 20 is moved by the drive from a starting position located remotely from the locking bar, as shown in the Figure 1 and 3ashown, i.e., moved from a position in the working area of ​​the work unit 6 to a locking position located on the locking bar 25. In the locking position, the locking bar 25 engages the filler tubes 7 to fix them, as shown in the Figures 3b and 4 as shown. For example, the guide beam 20 is moved so far in the direction of the locking beam 25 that the locking beam 25 abuts the filling tubes 7, so that the filling tubes 7 held in the guide means 22 are prevented from pivoting or shifting.

[0039] Furthermore, in the illustrated embodiment, the cleaning device comprises several cleaning units 28 in the form of cleaning cups with an interior containing a cleaning agent for application to the filling tubes 7. Six cleaning units 28 are provided, each for cleaning one of the six filling tubes 7. The cleaning units 28 are arranged in a line on a horizontal cleaning plate 42. In the illustrated embodiment, the cleaning units 28 are movably mounted on the cleaning base and can be moved vertically towards the locking bar 25 by means of a cleaning drive 43. The cleaning units 28 are connected at their lower end to a cleaning agent line 41. At their upper end, the cleaning units 28 are connected to a drain 40.To clean the filling tubes 7, the cleaning agent can be flushed from the cleaning agent line 41 through the interior of the cleaning cups into the drain 40. As an alternative to movable cleaning units, stationary cleaning units could also be provided, which are, for example, positioned at the level of the working equipment when it is in the locked position.

[0040] Ultimately, the production plant includes a control unit for the automated operation of the production plant and the cleaning unit 8. The control unit is a computer-based system that electronically controls the movements of the cleaning unit. The computer-based system can be connected to the drives via cable or wirelessly via a radio network. To control the movement of the guide beam 20, the cleaning units 28, the conveyor 2, and, if applicable, other components of the cleaning unit or the production plant, the computer-based system sends control signals to the respective component or its drives. In particular, the control unit serves to automatically control the movement of the guide beam 20 towards the stationary locking beam 25 in order to move the filling tubes 7 on the locking beam 25 into a locking position.Furthermore, the control unit can control the application of the cleaning agent to the filling tubes 7 when the filling tubes 7 are in the locked position. The control unit can include software with a control algorithm that can be adapted to different requirements and specifications of the cleaning equipment and the production plant.

[0041] In the embodiment of the production plant and the cleaning device 8 according to the present invention, the drive for moving the guide beam 20 is designed as a three-dimensional drive. The drive has an axis 30 that is vertically displaceable and runs perpendicular to the conveying direction FR of the conveying device 2. A first arm 31 is pivotably mounted on the axis 30 at one end. At the opposite end of the first arm 31, the end of a second arm 32 is pivotably attached. The guide beam 20 is arranged at the opposite end of the second arm 32. The arms 31 and 32 can be adjusted in height by means of the axis 30, so that the working elements on the guide beam 20 can be lowered into a working position in the working area above the conveying device 2 and raised again to a starting position. As described in Figure 1As shown, the drive comprises two units consisting of axis 30, first arm 31, and second arm 32, which are attached to the guide beam 20 at intervals. Arms 31 and 32 form a joint that allows the guide beam 20 to be moved horizontally away from and towards the axis 30. The guide beam 20 can thus be moved in a transverse motion perpendicular to the line of the working elements, or the guide elements 22. That is, the guide beam 20 can be moved from a position in the working area above the conveyor 2 and into a locking area in the direction of the locking beam 25. Within the working area, the working elements can be lowered, for example, from the starting position to the working position in a direction perpendicular to the conveyor towards the product containers 3. Figure 2The filling tubes 7 are, for example, arranged in the working area above the product containers 3 and are ready to be lowered into them for filling. Furthermore, the working elements can be moved horizontally from the working area, perpendicular to the conveying direction, into a locking area on the locking beam. The drive variant shown is only an example. In principle, other types of three-dimensional drives can be used to enable the same range of motion for the guide beam.

[0042] In the Figures 3a and 3b The movement of the guide beam 20 into a locking position on the locking beam 25 is shown in more detail from a top view. Figure 3a The guide beam 20 with the filling tubes 7 is positioned at a distance A from the locking beam 25. The filling tubes 7 are loosely held in the guide beam 25. Figure 3bThe guide beam 20 is moved further towards the locking beam 25 by a movement of the arms 31 and 32, and the filling tubes 7 abut the locking beam 25, thus assuming a locking position. In the illustrated variant, the locking beam 25 has several fixing devices 27 for locking the filling tubes 7. The fixing devices 27 are provided as semicircular recesses on an edge of the locking beam 25 that is opposite the guide beam 20. In the locked position, the filling tubes 7 come to rest in the recesses, as shown in Figure 3b shown.

[0043] In Figure 4The cleaning device is shown in a cleaning position. The guide bar 20 is advanced towards the locking bar 25 and comes to rest just below it. The filling tubes 7 are fixed in a locking position on the locking bar 25, with the filling tubes 7 resting in a stop within the fixing devices 27 of the locking bar 25. The locking mechanism aligns the filling tubes 7 parallel to each other and prevents movement. In this locking position, the cleaning units 28, in the form of cleaning cups, are arranged below the filling tubes 7. From the lower position, the cleaning units 28 can be raised upwards over the distal ends of the filling tubes 7 into the cleaning position, as shown in Figure 5As shown, the cleaning units 28 are movably mounted on the cleaning base and can be moved by the cleaning drive 43 towards the locking bar 25, as explained above. In the cleaning position, the cleaning agent in the cleaning cups then acts on the filling tubes 7. For this purpose, the cleaning agent can be flushed from the cleaning agent line 41 through the interior of the cleaning units 28 into the drain 40. After completion of the cleaning or flushing process, the cleaning units 28 are removed downwards from the filling tubes 7, and the filling tubes 7 can be moved back to their initial position in the working area of ​​the production plant by means of the guide bar 20.

[0044] As described at the beginning, it is possible to design the cleaning base 26 with the locking bar 25 and the cleaning units 28 to be movable in such a way that they can be moved offset from the conveyor path in and against the conveying direction FR. In the example of a production plant shown, the cleaning device could, for example, be positioned opposite the extension 21, which guides the gassing needles 9 of the working unit 5. The extension 21, in its function as a guide bar, can then be moved by means of the drive towards the locking bar 25 and fix the gassing needles 9 to it, so that the needles can be cleaned by means of the cleaning units 28.

[0045] In summary, the production plant according to the invention can be flexibly designed by positioning the locking bar offset from the work unit or the conveying device. The work equipment is removed from the work area for cleaning, thus preventing any disruption to the production plant during cleaning. The cleaning device according to the invention allows the work equipment to be precisely positioned for cleaning, ensuring reliable cleaning. Reference sign

[0046] 1 Plant support 2 Conveyor 3 Product container 3', 3" Group of product units 5 Working unit gassing 6 Working unit filling 7 Filling pipe 8 Cleaning device 9 Gassing needle 20 Guide bar 21 Extension 22 Guide means 25 Locking bar 26 Cleaning base 27 Fixing device 28 Cleaning unit 30 Axis 31 First arm 32 Second arm 40 Drain 41 Cleaning agent line 42 Cleaning plate 43 Cleaning drive FR Conveyor direction A Distance

Claims

1. Automated production plant with at least one work unit (5, 6) comprising several movable work means (7, 9) arranged along a line for the automated handling and / or processing of serially produced product units (3), wherein a guide beam (20) with several guide means (22) arranged along a line for guiding the several work means (7, 9) and a control device for automated control of the production plant are provided, characterized by the fact thatAn automated cleaning device for cleaning the work equipment (7, 9) is provided, comprising at least one cleaning unit (28) with a cleaning agent for application to the work equipment (7, 9), wherein the cleaning device has a locking bar (25) which interacts with the guide bar (20) to lock the work equipment (7, 9) between the guide bar (20) and the locking bar (25), wherein the locking bar (25) is fixed and the guide bar (20) is movably arranged relative to the locking bar (25), so that the guide bar (20) can be moved from a starting position located away from the locking bar (25) in a working area of ​​the work unit (5, 6) to a locking position located on the locking bar (25), in which the locking bar (25) is engaged in a cleaning area located at a distance from the working area on the work equipment (7, 9) Fixing the work equipment (7,9) attacks, wherein the control device is designed for the automated control of a movement of the guide beam (20) to the locking beam (25).

2. Automated production plant according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that the working equipment (7, 9) is held loosely on or in the guide beam (20) so that it is pivotable and / or slidable relative to the guide beam (20).

3. Automated production plant according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by the fact that the locking bar (25) has a fixing device (27) for each working device (7, 9) which in the locking position forms a fitting and / or clamping fit with the guide bar (20) for the working devices (7, 9).

4. Automated production plant according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that the guide beam (20) is arranged to move transversely to the line of the guide means (22).

5. Automated production plant according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that at least one cleaning unit (28) in the form of a cleaning cup with an interior in which the cleaning agent is provided, wherein the at least one cleaning cup is movably mounted to receive a working tool (7, 9) in a cleaning position.

6. Automated cleaning device according to claim 5, characterized by the fact that several cleaning cups in the locking position of the guide beam (20) perpendicular to the line of the guide means (22) can be moved at least partially into a cleaning position via the working means (7, 9).

7. Automated production plant according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact thatA cleaning base (26) with a cleaning drive for the at least one cleaning unit (28) is provided, wherein the locking bar (25) is arranged so firmly on the cleaning base (26) that the at least one cleaning unit (28) can be moved by the cleaning drive in the direction of the locking bar (25).

8. Automated production plant according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that the guide beam (20) as a common guide beam of the cleaning device and at least one working unit (5, 6) is provided for guiding the several working tools (7, 9) into a working position and into a cleaning position.

9. Automated production plant according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact thatat least one conveying device (2) is provided for conveying product units (3) along a conveying direction (FR), wherein the conveying device (2) conveys groups (3', 3") of several product units (3) to at least one work unit (5, 6), wherein the conveying direction (2) runs parallel to the line of the work equipment (7, 9) through the work area and the guide beam (20) is movable by means of a drive from the starting position at least predominantly perpendicular to the conveying direction (FR) to a work position within the work area in which a group (3', 3") of product units (3) can be processed by the at least one work unit (5, 6).

10. Automated production plant according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that the locking bar (25) is arranged parallel and offset to the conveying direction (FR) of the conveying device (2).

11. Automated production plant according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that a cleaning base (26) of the cleaning device, on which at least one cleaning unit (28) is provided, is arranged parallel to the conveying direction (FR) of the conveying device (2) of the production plant.

12. Automated production plant according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that the locking bar (25) has at least one fixing device (27) and the working means (7, 9) have at least one fixing counterpart on their outside, wherein the at least one fixing device (27) for fixing the working means (7, 9) to the locking bar (25) cooperate with the fixing counterpart of the working means.

13. Automated production plant according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact thata working unit (6) is designed as a filling unit with several working means (7, 9) in the form of filling tubes with a distal filling end, and several cleaning units (28) in the form of cleaning cups are provided which, in the cleaning position, receive the filling tubes at least at the filling end.

14. Automated cleaning device for cleaning work equipment (7, 9) of a work unit (5, 6) of a production plant, wherein the cleaning device comprises at least one cleaning unit (28) with a cleaning agent for application to the work equipment (7, 9) and a control device for automated control of the application of the cleaning agent to the work equipment (7, 9), wherein the cleaning device comprises a guide beam (20) and a locking beam (25), wherein the guide beam (20) comprises several guide means (22) arranged along a line for guiding several work equipment (7, 9) and the locking beam (25) interacts with the guide beam (20) for locking the work equipment (7, 9) between the guide beam (20) and the locking beam (25), wherein the locking beam (25) is fixed and the guide beam (20) is movably arranged relative to the locking beam (25).so that the guide beam (20) can be moved from a starting position located remotely from the locking beam (25) to a locking position located on the locking beam (25), in which the locking beam (25) engages the working means (7, 9) to fix the working means (7, 9), wherein the control device is provided for the automated control of a movement of the guide beam (20) to the locking beam (25).

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