Cleaning system for cleaning a filling machine configured to fill packages with a liquid food product

Abstract

The present invention relates to a cleaning system (10) for cleaning a filling machine configured to fill packages with a liquid food product. The cleaning system comprises a cleaning module (100), a foam supply module (200), a water supply module (300) and a water pump (400). The water pump is configured to pressurize the water supplied to the cleaning module or to the foam supply module from the water supply module. The cleaning system further comprises a control unit (500) configured to control an operational state of the water pump based on a reading from a water flow meter (310) in the water supply module or on a reading from an air flow meter (230) of the foam supply module. Figure elected for publication: Fig. 1

Description

Technical field

[0001] The present invention pertains to the field of food processing and packaging, specifically addressing the cleaning processes for filling machines used in the packaging of liquid food products.Background of the invention

[0002] Filling machines are critical components in the food processing industry, particularly for packaging liquid products such as beverages (e.g. milk, juice, beer, soda, etc.), sauces, dressings, and soups. These machines automate the process of filling containers with precise volumes of liquid, ensuring efficiency and consistency in production.

[0003] Given the nature of liquid food products, which are often perishable and can be sensitive to contamination, maintaining a high standard of hygiene during the filling process is essential. The presence of residues from previous batches can lead to product spoilage, off-flavors, or contamination, posing a risk to consumer health and safety. There is a significant need for effective and efficient cleaning methods that minimize downtime and ensure machines are sanitized for the next production cycle.

[0004] Traditional cleaning practices for filling machines involve both automatic cleaning via one or more stationary nozzles located within the filling machine (often referred to as a clean-in-place system) and manual cleaning via one or more manually operated water guns. Typically, the one or more stationary nozzles and the one or more manually operated water guns are belonging to a same cleaning system having a common source of water. The cleaning system is configured to rinse the filling machine with water via the one or more stationary nozzles and / or the one or more manually operated water guns. The cleaning system is further typically configured to, alternatively to supply water, supply detergent to the filling machine. The detergent is typically supplied as a foam produced by mixing water and detergent. In order to provide a high enough pressure of water to the one or more stationary nozzles and / or the one or more manually operated water guns the cleaning system further comprises a water pump.

[0005] The water pump is a critical component in the cleaning system since it is essential for delivering the water and the foam, several issues can arise that may impact the effectiveness and efficiency of cleaning operations. Water pumps are subject to wear and tear over time, leading to mechanical failures that can halt cleaning operations. Issues such as seal leakage, bearing failure, or impeller degradation can result in decreased performance or complete pump failure. Inconsistent water pressure and flow rates can lead to uneven cleaning, leaving residues in hard-to-reach areas of the filling machine. This inconsistency may be caused by pump inefficiencies, blockages, or fluctuations in supply pressure.

[0006] Hence, addressing issues related to water pumps in cleaning systems is crucial for enhancing the efficiency and reliability of cleaning processes in liquid food product filling machines.Summary of the invention

[0007] The herein disclosed technology seeks to at least partly mitigate, alleviate or eliminate one or more of the above-mentioned deficiencies and disadvantages in the prior art. In particular, it is an object to provide a cleaning system adopted to prolong the lifetime of the water pump located therein.

[0008] The inventors of the present inventive concept have realized a new and improved way of controlling the water pump in the cleaning system in order to prolong the lifetime of the water pump.

[0009] Various aspects and embodiments of the disclosed invention are defined below and in the accompanying independent and dependent claims.

[0010] According to a first aspect, there is provided a cleaning system for cleaning a filling machine configured to fill packages with a liquid food product. The cleaning system comprises a cleaning module, a foam supply module, a water supply module and a water pump. The water pump is configured to pressurize the water supplied to the cleaning module or to the foam supply module from the water supply module. The cleaning system further comprises a control unit configured to control an operational state of the water pump based on one or more of a reading from a water flow meter in the water supply module and a reading from an air flow meter of the foam supply module.

[0011] The cleaning module comprises a cleaning nozzle arranged within the filling machine, the cleaning nozzle being configured to allow a flow of water and / or foam to be supplied to the filling machine in order to clean the filling machine. The cleaning module further comprises a manually controllable water / foam gun configured to allow a flow of water and / or foam to be supplied to the filling machine in order to manually clean the filling machine. The manually controllable water / foam gun comprises a trigger configured to allow a flow out from the manually controllable water / foam gun upon the trigger being operated by an operator. The cleaning module further comprises a plurality of supply valves, each supply valve is configured to individually control a supply of water or foam to the cleaning nozzle and the manually controllable water / foam gun, respectively. The cleaning module further comprises a water supply / foam supply switching valve. The water supply / foam supply switching valve is configured to set the cleaning system in either a water flow mode or a foam flow mode.

[0012] The foam supply module is configured to supply the cleaning module with foam. The foam supply module is configured to form the foam by mixing water, a detergent from a detergent source and pressured air from a pressured air source. The foam supply module comprises the air flow meter. The air flow meter is configured to measure a flow of pressured air flowing from the pressured air source.

[0013] The water supply module is configured to be connected to a water source. The water supply module is configured to supply the cleaning module or the foam supply module with water. The supply of water to the cleaning module or the foam supply module is controlled by the water supply / foam supply switching valve. The water module comprises the water flow meter. The water flow meter is configured to measure a flow of water through the water supply module.

[0014] The control unit is configured to control the water supply / foam supply switching valve to set the cleaning system in the water flow mode or the foam flow mode. The control unit is further configured to individually control the plurality of supply valves. This in order to set the cleaning module in an active mode in which the supply valve of the cleaning nozzle is open and the supply valve of the manually controllable water / foam gun is closed or to set the cleaning module in a manual mode in which the supply valve of the cleaning nozzle is closed and the supply valve of the manually controllable water / foam gun is open. The control unit is further configured to, upon the cleaning module being set in the manual mode, control an operational state of the water pump based on one or more of the flow of water measured by the water flow meter and the flow of air measured by the air flow meter.

[0015] By controlling the water pump in such manner a lifetime of the water pump may be prolonged. This since it is safeguarded that the operational state of water pump may be controlled based on a flow of water and / or air in the cleaning system. This is a clever way of controlling the operational state of water pump without a need to arrange a sensor at the manually controllable water / foam gun indicating if the manually controllable water / foam gun is active in ejecting water / foam or not.

[0016] The control unit may be configured to, upon the cleaning system being set in the water flow mode and the cleaning module being set in the manual mode, control an operational state of the water pump to be in an off state if the flow of water measured by the water flow meter is indicative of that there is no flow of water through the water supply module. By that the operational state of the water pump is the off state means that the water pump is not actively pumping water.

[0017] The control unit may be configured to, upon the cleaning system being set in the water flow mode and the cleaning module being set in the manual mode, control the operational state of the water pump to be in an on state if the flow of water measured by the water flow meter is indicative of that there is a flow of water through the water supply module. By that the operational state of the water pump is the on state means that the water pump is actively pumping water.

[0018] The control unit may be configured to, upon the cleaning system being set in the foam flow mode and the cleaning module being set in the manual mode, control the operational state of the water pump to be in the off state if the flow of air measured by the air flow meter is indicative of that there is no flow of pressured air flowing from the pressured air source.

[0019] The control unit may be configured to, upon the cleaning system being set in the foam flow mode and the cleaning module being set in the manual mode, control the operational state of the water pump to be in the on state if the flow of air measured by the air flow meter is indicative of that there is a flow of pressured air flowing from the pressured air source.

[0020] Accordingly, during the cleaning module being set in the manual mode, the readings from the water flow meter and / or the air flow meter may be relied upon in order to switch the water pump on or off. Such a control may be implemented by adding a software routine to the control unit. By the present invention it will be possible to avoid having the water pump always on during the manual mode, which is the standard operation of todays cleaning systems. According to the present invention, the readings from the water flow meter is used to control the operational state of the water pump in the water flow mode (may also be referred to as a rinsing mode). Further, according to the present invention, the readings from the air flow meter is used to control the operational state of the water pump in the foam flow mode (may also be referred to as a foaming mode). The controlling may be made such that the water pump is maintained on during the water / foam gun is open, when the water / foam gun is closed the water pump may be switched off. A delay, of approximately 1 minute, in the off switching of the water pump may also be implemented.

[0021] The cleaning module, the foam supply module and the water supply module are interconnected via piping. The water pump may be arranged in a pipe connecting the water supply module to the cleaning module and to the foam supply module.

[0022] The control unit may further be configured to, upon the cleaning module is set in the active mode, control the operational state of the water pump to be in an the state.

[0023] The control unit may further be configured to individually control the plurality of supply valves to set the cleaning system in an inactive mode in which all of the plurality of supply valves are closed.

[0024] The control unit may further be configured to, upon the cleaning system is set in the inactive mode, control the operational state of the water pump to be in the off state.

[0025] The manually controllable water / foam gun may be connected to a flexible and / or extendible supply line such that a direction of the flow out from the manually controllable water / foam gun is controllable by the operator.

[0026] The water supply module may comprise a filter configured to filter water supplied to the water supply module.

[0027] The water supply module may comprises a valve configured to control supply of water to the cleaning system.

[0028] A further scope of applicability of the present disclosure will become apparent from the detailed description given below. However, it should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating preferred variants of the present inventive concept, are given by way of illustration only, since various changes and modifications within the scope of the inventive concept will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed description.Brief description of the drawings

[0029] The above and other aspects of the present inventive concept will now be described in more detail, with reference to appended drawings showing variants of the present inventive concept. The figures should not be considered limiting the invention to the specific variant; instead, they are used for explaining and understanding the inventive concept.

[0030] As illustrated in the figures, the sizes of layers and regions are exaggerated for illustrative purposes and, thus, are provided to illustrate the general structures of variants of the present inventive concept. Like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout.

[0031] Fig. 1 schematically illustrates a cleaning system for cleaning a filling machine configured to fill packages with a liquid food product.Detailed description

[0032] The present inventive concept will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which currently preferred variants of the inventive concept are shown. This inventive concept may, however, be implemented in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the variants set forth herein; rather, these variants are provided for thoroughness and completeness, and fully convey the scope of the present inventive concept to the skilled person.

[0033] It will also be appreciated that when the present disclosure is described in terms of a method, it may also be embodied in an apparatus or device comprising one or more processors, one or more memories coupled to the one or more processors, where computer code is loaded to implement the method. For example, the one or more memories may store one or more computer programs that perform the steps, services and functions disclosed herein when executed by the one or more processors.

[0034] It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only, and is not intended to be limiting. It should be noted that, as used in the specification and the appended claim, the articles "a", "an", "the", and "said" are intended to mean that there are one or more of the elements unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to "a unit" or "the unit" may refer to more than one unit in some contexts, and the like. Furthermore, the words "comprising", "including", "containing" do not exclude other elements or steps. It should be emphasized that the term "comprises / comprising" when used in this specification is taken to specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, or components. It does not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, components, or groups thereof. The term "and / or" is to be interpreted as meaning "both" as well and each as an alternative. The term "obtaining" is herein to be interpreted broadly and encompasses receiving, retrieving, collecting, acquiring, and so forth.

[0035] Fig. 1 generally illustrates, by way of example, a cleaning system 10. The cleaning system 10 is configured to clean a filling machine, especially a filling machine configured to fill packages with a liquid food product. A filling machine may comprises one or more cleaning systems 10. Below one such cleaning system 10 will be discussed. The liquid food product is typically milk, such as cow's milk, goat's milk, or sheep's milk, or plant-based alternatives like almond milk, soy milk, oat milk, rice milk, hemp milk and coconut milk. However, other types of liquid food product may as well be filled in packages in the filling machine, such as juice, beer, sauce, soup, and crushed tomatoes.

[0036] The cleaning system 10 comprises a cleaning module 100, a foam supply module 200, a water supply module 300, a water pump 400 and a control unit 500. The control unit 500 is configured to communicate with the cleaning module 100 (or specific components thereof, e.g. the supply valves 114a, 114b, 114c, 124 and / or the water supply / foam supply switching valve 130), the foam supply module 200 (or specific components thereof, e.g. the pressured air source 220 and / or the an air flow meter 230), the water supply module 300 (or specific components thereof, e.g. the water flow meter 310) and the water pump 400 via wired or wireless communication.

[0037] The cleaning module 100 comprises one or more cleaning nozzles 110a, 110b, 110c. The one or more cleaning nozzles 110a, 110b, 110c are arranged within the filling machine. The one or more cleaning nozzles 110a, 110b, 110c may be stationary. Each of the one or more cleaning nozzles 110a, 110b, 110c is configured to distribute water / foam within at least a portion of the filing machine. At least some of the one or more cleaning nozzles 110a, 110b, 110c may comprise moving parts configured to redistribute an outcoming flow of water / foam from its nozzle. The one or more cleaning nozzles 110a, 110b, 110c may be part of a clean-in-place system. Hence, the one or more cleaning nozzles 110a, 110b, 110c are configured to allow a flow of water and / or foam to be supplied to the filling machine in order to clean the filling machine. Each of the one or more cleaning nozzles 110a, 110b, 110c may be configured to distribute water and / or foam to a portion of the filling machine. Such portions of the filling machine may be overlapping in order to secure proper cleaning of the filling machine.

[0038] The cleaning module 100 further comprises one or more manually controllable water / foam guns 120. Each manually controllable water / foam gun 120 is configured to allow a flow of water and / or foam to be supplied to the filling machine in order to manually clean the filling machine. Each manually controllable water / foam gun 120 comprises a trigger 122. The trigger 122 is configured to allow a flow out from the manually controllable water / foam gun 120 upon the trigger 122 being operated by an operator. In an untriggered state no water / foam is supplied out from the manually controllable water / foam gun 120. The manually controllable water / foam gun 120 is typically connected to a flexible and / or extendible supply line 126. This so that a direction of the flow out from the manually controllable water / foam gun 120 is controllable by the operator. This also so that a portion of the filling machine that may be exposed to the water / foam ejected from the manually controllable water / foam gun 120 may be controlled by the operator.

[0039] The cleaning module 100 further comprises a plurality of supply valves 114a, 114b, 114c, 124. Each supply valve 114a, 114b, 114c, 124 is configured to individually control a supply of water or foam to the respective one or more cleaning nozzles 110a, 110b, 110c and the one or more manually controllable water / foam guns 120. The cleaning module 100 further comprises a water supply / foam supply switching valve 130. The water supply / foam supply switching valve 130 is configured to set the cleaning system 10 in a water flow mode or in a foam flow mode. The water flow mode and the foam flow mode are mutually exclusive. In the water flow mode the water supply / foam supply switching valve 130 is configured to supply water to the cleaning module 100, no foam from the foam supply module 200 is supplied to the cleaning module 100 in the water flow mode. In the foam flow mode the water supply / foam supply switching valve 130 is configured to supply foam to the cleaning module 100, no water from the water supply module 300 is supplied to the cleaning module 100 in the foam flow mode. Hence, upon the cleaning system 10 is in the water flow mode it is set to supply water out from the one or more cleaning nozzles 110a, 110b, 110c or the one or more manually controllable water / foam guns 120. In other words, upon the cleaning system 10 is in the water flow mode the water supply module 300 is configured to supply water to the cleaning module 100. Upon the cleaning system 10 is in the foam flow mode it is set to supply foam out from the one or more cleaning nozzles 110a, 110b, 110c or the one or more manually controllable water / foam guns 120. In other words, upon the cleaning system 10 is in the foam flow mode the foam supply module 200 is configured to supply foam to the cleaning module 100. Typically the supply valves 114a, 114b, 114c, 124 and the water supply / foam supply switching valve 130 are solenoid valves which use an electromagnetic coil to control the opening and closing of the valve. This allow the supply valves 114a, 114b, 114c, 124 and the water supply / foam supply switching valve 130 to be controlled in an automated manner.

[0040] The foam supply module 200 is configured to supply the cleaning module 100 with foam. The foam supply module 200 is configured to form the foam in a mixing chamber 205. The forming of foam in the mixing chamber 205 is based on the venturi effect. The venturi effect may be used in cleaning systems to mix air, water, and detergent and generate foam efficiently. The air is supplied to the mixing chamber 205 from a pressured air source 220. The water is supplied to the mixing chamber 205 from the water supply module 300. The detergent is supplied to the mixing chamber 205 from a detergent source 210. This process of forming foam based on the venturi effect relies on the reduction of pressure within a fluid stream as it flows through a constricted section of a pipe, this facilitates the mixing of the components to produce foam. In more detail, as a pressurized water flows through the constricted section, its velocity increases. According to Bernoulli's principle, this increase in velocity leads to a drop in pressure in the constricted section. This drop in pressure creates suction, which can draw another fluid, detergent from the detergent source 210 in this case, into the mixing chamber 205. The detergent mixes with water in an expanding section of the mixing chamber 205, where the velocity decreases and pressure normalizes. Simultaneously, the venturi effect can also draw in air through an additional inlet. Hence, a mixture of air, water and detergent is taking place. As the three components mix, the detergent molecules stabilize the bubbles formed by the introduced air, creating foam. Further design consideration in the mixing chamber 205 may further enhance the foam's consistency by increasing turbulence or breaking the mixture into smaller, more stable bubbles. The foam supply module 200 further comprises an air flow meter 230. The air flow meter 230 is configured to measure a flow of pressured air flowing from the pressured air source 220 to the mixing chamber 205.

[0041] The water supply module 300 is configured to be connected to a water source 305. The water source 305 is typically a water mains of a district water supply system supplying water to the building in which the filling machine is arranged. A typically pressure of water supplied in district water supply system is 3 to 4.5 bar. The water supply module 300 is configured to supply the cleaning module 100 with water. The water supply module 300 is configured to supply the foam supply module 200 with water. The supply of water to the cleaning module 100 or the foam supply module 200 is controlled by the water supply / foam supply switching valve 130. The water module (300) comprising a water flow meter 310 configured to measure a flow of water through the water supply module 300.

[0042] The cleaning module 100, the foam supply module 200 and the water supply module 300 are interconnected via piping. The water pump 400 is arranged in a pipe connecting the water supply module 300 to the cleaning module 100 and to the foam supply module 200. The water pump 400 is configured to raise the pressure of the water supplied to the cleaning module 100 and to the foam supply module 200. A typically pressure of water supplied to the cleaning module 100 and to the foam supply module 200 is to be 6 to 12 bar. Hence, the water pump 400 is configured to pressurize the water supplied to the cleaning module 100 or to the foam supply module 200 from the water supply module 300.

[0043] The control unit 500 may be hardware and / or software implemented. Actually, part of the functionality of the control unit 500 may be hardware implemented and part of the functionality of the control unit 500 may be software implemented. The software implemented portions of the control unit 500 may be implemented by program code portions being executable by a processor of the control unit 500.

[0044] The control unit 500 is configured to control the water supply / foam supply switching valve 130 to set the cleaning system 10 in the water flow mode or in the foam flow mode. The control unit 500 is further configured to individually control the plurality of supply valves 114a, 114b, 114c, 124. In order to control the water supply / foam supply switching valve 130 and the plurality of supply valves 114a, 114b, 114c, 124, the control unit 500 is communicably connected to the different valves. Such connection may be wired or wireless.

[0045] The control unit 500 is configured to individually control the plurality of supply valves 114a, 114b, 114c, 124 to set the cleaning module 100 in an active mode. In the active mode at least one of the one or more supply valves 114a, 114b, 114c of the one or more cleaning nozzles 110a, 110b, 110c is open. Furthermore, in the active mode the supply valves 124 of the one or more manually controllable water / foam guns 120 are closed. Hence, in the active mode water or foam is supplied to at least one of the one or more cleaning nozzles 110a, 110b, 110c. Moreover, the control unit 500 is configured to individually control the plurality of supply valves 114a, 114b, 114c, 124 to set the cleaning module 100 in a manual mode. In the manual mode at least one of the one or more supply valves 124 of the one or more manually controllable water / foam guns 120 is open. Further, in the manual mode the supply valves 114a, 114b, 114c of the one or more cleaning nozzles 110a, 110b, 110c are closed. Hence, in the manual mode water or foam is supplied to at least one of the one or more manually controllable water / foam guns 120.

[0046] The control unit 500 is further configured to, upon the cleaning module 100 being set in the manual mode, control an operational state of the water pump 400. The control of the operational state of the water pump 400 is based on one or more of the flow of water measured by the water flow meter 310 and the flow of air measured by the air flow meter 230. Hence, the water flow meter 310 is configured to report the flow of water measured by the water flow meter 310 to the control unit 500. Moreover, the air flow meter 230 is configured to report the flow of air measured by the air flow meter 230 to the control unit 500.

[0047] The control of the operational state of the water pump 400 will now be discussed in more detail.

[0048] We start with the situation when the cleaning system 10 is set in the water flow mode and the cleaning module 100 is set in the manual mode. During this setting of the cleaning system 10 and the cleaning module 100 the control unit 500 is configured to control the operational state of the water pump 400 to be in an off state if the flow of water measured by the water flow meter 310 is indicative of that there is no flow of water through the water supply module 300 and to control the operational state of the water pump 400 to be in an on state if the flow of water measured by the water flow meter 310 is indicative of that there is a flow of water through the water supply module 300. When the operational state of the water pump 400 is in the off state, the water pump 400 is not actively pumping water. When the operational state of the water pump 400 is in the on state, the water pump 400 is actively pumping water. Hence, the water pump 400 is controlled to be on only upon water is ejected from at least one of the one or more manually controllable water / foam guns 120 otherwise the water pump 400 is controlled to be off. By this the water pump 400 control strategy, lifetime of the water pump 400 may be prolonged.

[0049] Next we continue with the situation when the cleaning system 10 is set in the foam flow mode and the cleaning module 100 is set in the manual mode. During this setting of the cleaning system 10 and the cleaning module 100 the control unit 500 is configured to control the operational state of the water pump 400 to be in an off state if the flow of air measured by the air flow meter 230 is indicative of that there is no flow of pressured air flowing from the pressured air source 220, and to control the operational state of the water pump 400 to be in an on state if the flow of air measured by the air flow meter 230 is indicative of that there is a flow of pressured air flowing from the pressured air source 220. Again, when the operational state of the water pump 400 is in the off state, the water pump 400 is not actively pumping water and when the operational state of the water pump 400 is in the on state, the water pump 400 is actively pumping water. Hence, the water pump 400 is controlled to be on only upon foam is ejected from at least one of the one or more manually controllable water / foam guns 120 otherwise the water pump 400 is controlled to be off. By this water pump 400 control strategy, lifetime of the water pump 400 may be prolonged.

[0050] We will now discuss the situation when the cleaning module 100 is set in the active mode. Regardless of if the cleaning system 10 is set in the foam flow mode or in the water flow mode, upon the cleaning module 100 is set in the active mode, the control unit 500 is configured to the control the operational state of the water pump 400 to be in the on state. This in order to secure so that the pressure at the one or more cleaning nozzles 110a, 110b, 110c is sufficient.

[0051] The control unit 500 may further be configured to individually control the plurality of supply valves 114a, 114b, 114c, 124 to set the cleaning system 10 in an inactive mode in which all of the plurality of supply valves 114a, 114b, 114c, 124 are closed. Upon the cleaning system 10 is set in the inactive mode, the control unit 500 is configured to control the operational state of the water pump 400 to be in an off state. This in order to secure so that the water pump 400 is not working in vain. This will help prolonging the lifetime of the water pump 400.

[0052] The person skilled in the art realizes that the present invention by no means is limited to what is explicitly described above. On the contrary, many modifications and variations are possible within the scope of the appended claims.

[0053] For example, the water supply module 300 may comprise a filter 320 configured to filter water supplied to the water supply module 300. Hence, it may be safeguarded so that the water supplied to the water pump 400 is free from particles that may hurt the water pump 400.

[0054] Moreover, the water supply module 300 may comprise a valve 330 configured to control supply of water to the cleaning system 10. Hence, the valve 330 may be used to switch on / off a supply of water to the cleaning system 10. Typically the valve 330 is a solenoid valve which use an electromagnetic coil to control the opening and closing of the valve. This allow the valve 330 to be controlled in an automated manner.

[0055] Additionally, variations can be understood and effected by the skilled person in practicing the claimed invention, from a study of the drawings, the disclosure, and the appended claims.

Claims

1. A cleaning system (10) for cleaning a filling machine configured to fill packages with a liquid food product, the cleaning system (10) comprising: a cleaning module (100) comprising: a cleaning nozzle (110) arranged within the filling machine, the cleaning nozzle (110) being configured to allow a flow of water and / or foam to be supplied to the filling machine in order to clean the filling machine, and a manually controllable water / foam gun (120) configured to allow a flow of water and / or foam to be supplied to the filling machine in order to manually clean the filling machine, wherein the manually controllable water / foam gun (120) comprises a trigger (122) configured to allow a flow out from the manually controllable water / foam gun (120) upon the trigger (122) being operated by an operator, a plurality of supply valves (114, 124), each supply valve (114, 124) individually controlling a supply of water or foam to the cleaning nozzle (110) and the manually controllable water / foam gun (120), respectively, and a water supply / foam supply switching valve (130); a foam supply module (200) configured to supply the cleaning module (100) with foam, the foam supply module (200) being configured to form the foam by mixing water, a detergent from a detergent source (210) and pressured air from a pressured air source (220), wherein the foam supply module (200) comprises an air flow meter (230) configured to measure a flow of pressured air flowing from the pressured air source (220); a water supply module (300) configured to be connected to a water source, the water supply module (300) is configured to supply the cleaning module (100) or the foam supply module (200) with water, the supply of water to the cleaning module (100) or the foam supply module (200) is controlled by the water supply / foam supply switching valve (130), the water module (300) comprising a water flow meter (310) configured to measure a flow of water through the water supply module (300); a water pump (400) configured to pressurize the water supplied to the cleaning module (100) or to the foam supply module (200) from the water supply module (300); and a control unit (500) configured to: control the water supply / foam supply switching valve (130) to set the cleaning system (10) in a water flow mode or a foam flow mode, individually control the plurality of supply valves (114, 124) to set the cleaning module (100) in an active mode in which the supply valve (114) of the cleaning nozzle (110) is open and the supply valve (124) of the manually controllable water / foam gun (120) is closed, and in a manual mode in which the supply valve (114) of the cleaning nozzle (110) is closed and the supply valve (124) of the manually controllable water / foam gun (120) is open, upon the cleaning module (100) being set in the manual mode, control an operational state of the water pump (400) based on one or more of the flow of water measured by the water flow meter (310) and the flow of air measured by the air flow meter (230).

2. The cleaning system (10) according to claim 1, wherein the control unit (500) is configured to, upon the cleaning system (10) being set in the water flow mode and the cleaning module (100) being set in the manual mode, control an operational state of the water pump (400) to be in an off state if the flow of water measured by the water flow meter (310) is indicative of that there is no flow of water through the water supply module (300).

3. The cleaning system (10) according to claim 2, wherein the control unit (500) is configured to, upon the cleaning system (10) being set in the water flow mode and the cleaning module (100) being set in the manual mode, control the operational state of the water pump (400) to be in an on state if the flow of water measured by the water flow meter (310) is indicative of that there is a flow of water through the water supply module (300).

4. The cleaning system (10) according to any one of claims 1-3, wherein the control unit (500) is configured to, upon the cleaning system (10) being set in the foam flow mode and the cleaning module (100) being set in the manual mode, control an operational state of the water pump (400) to be in an off state if the flow of air measured by the air flow meter (230) is indicative of that there is no flow of pressured air flowing from the pressured air source (220).

5. The cleaning system (10) according to claim 4, wherein the control unit (500) is configured to, upon the cleaning system (10) being set in the foam flow mode and the cleaning module (100) being set in the manual mode, control an operational state of the water pump (400) to be in an on state if the flow of air measured by the air flow meter (230) is indicative of that there is a flow of pressured air flowing from the pressured air source (220).

6. The cleaning system (10) according to any one of claims 1-5, wherein the cleaning module (100), the foam supply module (200) and the water supply module (300) are interconnected via piping, wherein the water pump (400) is arranged in a pipe connecting the water supply module (300) to the cleaning module (100) and to the foam supply module (200).

7. The cleaning system (10) according to any one of claims 1-6, wherein the control unit (500) is further configured to, upon the cleaning module (100) is set in the active mode, control an operational state of the water pump (400) to be in an on state.

8. The cleaning system (10) according to any one of claims 1-6, wherein the control unit (500) is further configured to individually control the plurality of supply valves (114, 124) to set the cleaning system (10) in an inactive mode in which all of the plurality of supply valves (114, 124) are closed.

9. The cleaning system (10) according to claim 7, wherein the control unit (400) is further configured to, upon the cleaning system (10) is set in the inactive mode, control an operational state of the water pump (400) to be in an off state.

10. The cleaning system (10) according to any one of claims 1-9, wherein the manually controllable water / foam gun (120) is connected to a flexible and / or extendible supply line such that a direction of the flow out from the manually controllable water / foam gun (120) is controllable by the operator.

11. The cleaning system (10) according to any one of claims 1-10, wherein the water supply module (300) comprises a filter (320) configured to filter water supplied to the water supply module (300).

12. The cleaning system (10) according to any one of claims 1-11, wherein the water supply module (300) comprises a valve (330) configured to control supply of water to the cleaning system (10).

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