Method and installation for processing cans

Abstract

To provide a method for processing cans (12) in a can processing installation (10).SOLUTION: The method comprises supplying a sterilization medium into a can (12) via a sterilization apparatus (14), and internally sterilizing the can (12) by the supplied sterilization medium while transporting the can (12) to a filling station (24). The method further comprises flushing the can (12) in the filling station (24) with a flushing gas, as a result of which the sterilization medium is flushed out of the can (12), and filling the flushed can (12) in the filling station (24) with a filling material.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for processing cans with internal sterilization of the cans.The present invention further relates to a can processing installation comprising a sterilization device. [Background technology]

[0002] In can filling facilities, filled and sealed beverage cans may be heat treated in a low temperature sterilizer, which ensures the microbiological safety of the filling material, thus protecting consumers and extending the shelf life of the filling material.

[0003] Because pasteurization kills all microbiological pests that may be present, special hygienic measures are usually not taken to prevent microbiological contamination that could spoil the fill material within its minimum shelf life before pasteurization.

[0004] The disadvantage of low-temperature sterilization is that it is very safe but very energy intensive. Furthermore, the fill material may be subjected to high thermal stress during low-temperature sterilization in the can. This may have a negative effect on the taste of the fill material. Valuable ingredients such as vitamins may also be altered in the thermal low-temperature sterilization process.

[0005] The present invention is based on the object of creating an improved technology for processing cans, which is preferably faster, more effective and / or more efficient than conventional technologies, e.g. using low-temperature sterilizers. Summary of the Invention

[0006] This object is achieved by the features of the independent claims. Advantageous developments are set out in the dependent claims and in the description.

[0007] One aspect of the disclosure relates to a method for processing cans (e.g., beverage cans or food cans) in a can processing facility. The method includes supplying (e.g., blowing or injecting) a sterilization medium, preferably comprising hydrogen peroxide, into the cans by a sterilization device. The method includes internally sterilizing the cans with the supplied sterilization medium while the cans are being conveyed (preferably arriving) at a filling station (e.g., a can filling device, e.g., a can filling carousel). The method includes flushing the cans in the filling station with a flushing gas, preferably carbon dioxide, so that the sterilization medium flows out (e.g., completely) from the cans. The method includes filling the flushed cans at the filling station with a filling material (e.g., in a liquid or paste form).

[0008] Advantageously, the method does not simply allow the sterilization of the can before filling, but also advantageously allows the steps of removing the sterilizing medium from the can (blowing) and flushing the can before filling to be integrated or carried out together, i.e., before filling the can, in order to reduce the oxygen content in the can, e.g., by blowing with CO 2 Flushing with may be (further) used to flush the sterilizing medium from the canister, thereby eliminating the need for a separate step to remove the sterilizing medium within the sterilizer. That is, both oxygen-containing air and the sterilizing medium may be flushed from the canister during flushing. By combining these steps, the overall process is advantageously faster, more effective and more efficient, as described below by way of example.

[0009] The method can be particularly fast, since a separate blowing time of several seconds before the can filling device or before the filling station can be advantageously omitted. Depending on the machine performance, conveying distances of several meters can be saved. The conveying time to the can filling device and the process time in the filling station until flushing are additional exposure times of the sterilization medium. Thus, the exposure time and therefore also the conveying time in the sterilization device can be advantageously shortened, as a result of which the sterilization device can be relatively compact.

[0010] The method can be particularly effective since a relatively long exposure time is available for internal sterilization. The sterilization medium acts against microorganisms for a long time in the can (from supply to complete cleaning). The extended exposure time makes the process particularly safe and effective. Due to the long exposure time, a relatively low concentration and / or a reduced amount of sterilization medium can be used for the internal sterilization of the can. It is also advantageous to dispense with special measures for increasing the effectiveness of the sterilization medium, such as condensation and / or temperature activation of the sterilization medium inside the can.

[0011] The process may be particularly energy efficient, for example, since it may save media. By eliminating the separate process step of "blowing the sterilization medium out of the can", large amounts of sterile blowing air may be saved, depending on the machine performance. Thus, the size of the process unit for generating the sterile air may be advantageously reduced. Furthermore, for example, less sterile compressed air is required.

[0012] Preferably, flushing can be carried out indirectly, or immediately prior to filling, or immediately prior to pressurizing the can at the filling station prior to filling.

[0013] In one embodiment, the sterilization medium is gaseous or substantially gaseous during delivery and / or internal sterilization. Alternatively or additionally, the delivered sterilization medium may be delivered such that it does not condense within the canister and / or retains its gaseous state within the canister. Advantageously, the relatively long exposure time of the sterilization medium may make it possible to save on complex process techniques for activating and / or concentrating the sterilization medium.

[0014] In a further embodiment, the supplied sterilization medium remains substantially within the canister until it is flushed, which may advantageously achieve a particularly effective internal sterilization of the canister.

[0015] In one embodiment, the cans are conveyed linearly and / or upright through the sterilizer during the supply of sterilization medium. Alternatively or additionally, the cans may be conveyed upright to the filling station (e.g. by a can conveyor) during internal sterilization. This may advantageously ensure that as little as possible of the sterilization medium leaks out of the cans.

[0016] In a further embodiment, flushing gas is supplied during flushing via a preferably central flushing gas supply channel of the filling station. Alternatively or additionally, the sterilizing medium is flushed during flushing into a preferably annular flushing gas discharge channel of the filling station.

[0017] In one embodiment, the method preferably further comprises the step of aspirating sterilization medium from the cans in the filling station during flushing of the cans in the filling station.

[0018] In a further embodiment, the sterilization medium is dispensed by at least one nozzle of the sterilization device, which is advantageous since it allows precise dispensing of the sterilization medium into the canister.

[0019] In one embodiment, the at least one nozzle comprises at least one fixed nozzle, past which the canister moves during the supply of the sterilization medium, which advantageously allows for a structurally simple design of the sterilization device.

[0020] In a further embodiment, the at least one nozzle comprises at least one movable nozzle. Preferably, the at least one movable nozzle can move together with the can during the supply of the sterilization medium. This can advantageously support a particularly reliable and sufficient filling of the can with the sterilization medium. The at least one movable nozzle can advantageously ensure that even difficult-to-reach areas of the can can be reached by the sterilization medium, depending on the geometry of the can.

[0021] In one embodiment, the sterilization medium outlet rate of the at least one nozzle is constant, which is advantageous as it can minimize the effort required to control the sterilization device.

[0022] In a further embodiment, the sterilization medium outlet rate of the at least one nozzle may be adjusted (e.g. automatically by a control device) depending on the conveying speed of the cans through the at least one nozzle, which advantageously allows the cans to be sufficiently filled with sterilization medium while at the same time saving sterilization medium.

[0023] Preferably, the term "control device" may refer to an electronic system (e.g. embodied as a driver circuit or with a microprocessor(s) and a data memory) and / or a mechanical, pneumatic and / or hydraulic controller, which may take over control and / or regulation and / or processing tasks depending on the configuration. Although the term "control" is used herein, it may further include or be understood as "regulate" or "feedback-control" and / or "process".

[0024] In one embodiment, the sterilizing medium is pulsed dispensed from at least one nozzle, preferably - a pulse frequency adjusted to the number of times the can moves past at least one nozzle, and / or - a pulse duration adjusted to the conveying speed at which the can moves past at least one nozzle, and / or - 1 or more beats per can This is accompanied by:

[0025] This further advantageously allows the canister to be fully filled with sterilization medium while at the same time conserving sterilization medium.

[0026] In a further embodiment, the at least one nozzle comprises: - a nozzle (e.g. fixed or movable / moving) that supplies (e.g. blows) the sterilization medium vertically from above and into the center of the can; and / or - a nozzle (e.g. fixed or movable / moving) that feeds (e.g. blows) the sterilization medium vertically from above and off-center into the can; and / or - a nozzle (e.g. fixed or movable / moving) which supplies (e.g. blows) the sterilization medium from above into the can at an angle to the vertical axis of the can, preferably at an angle of 10° to 20° to the vertical axis, particularly preferably at an angle of 15° to the vertical axis.

[0027] This may advantageously ensure that the can is particularly well filled with the sterilization medium.

[0028] In one embodiment, the method further comprises sterilizing at least a portion of the filling station with the sterilizing medium flowing out of the can (e.g. directly during flushing from the container), preferably at least said portion comprising the filling material outlet of the filling station and / or the sealing surface of the filling station. Thus, the sterilizing medium can advantageously be used twice, i.e. primarily for internal sterilization of the container and secondarily to sterilize the portion of the filling station during flow out of the container.

[0029] In a further embodiment, the filled cans are not pasteurized in the can processing facility.

[0030] A further aspect of the present disclosure relates to a can processing installation, preferably configured to carry out the method disclosed herein. The can processing installation has a sterilizer, preferably configured to supply a sterilizing medium, preferably gaseous, containing hydrogen peroxide to the cans. The can processing installation has a can filling device (e.g. a can filling carousel) arranged downstream (in the can direction) of the sterilizer, which can filling device has at least one filling station configured to flush the cans, flush the sterilizing medium from the cans and fill the cans with a filling material. Advantageously, the can processing installation can achieve the same advantages as already described with reference to the method.

[0031] In one embodiment, the can processing facility further comprises a can conveyor connecting the sterilization device directly to the can filling device. Alternatively or additionally, the can processing facility may not comprise a pasteurizer for pasteurizing the cans after filling. Alternatively or additionally, the can processing facility may not comprise any device configured to remove the sterilization medium from the cans from the start of the sterilization device to the can filling device.

[0032] The sterilizer may preferably comprise at least one nozzle for supplying the sterilization medium to the canister.

[0033] The at least one nozzle may preferably include at least one fixed nozzle and / or at least one movable nozzle.

[0034] In a further development, the at least one nozzle is a (e.g., fixed or movable / moving) nozzle aligned, configured, and / or movable such that the sterilization medium is delivered vertically from above and centrally into each can; and / or a (e.g., fixed or movable / moving) nozzle aligned, configured, and / or movable such that the sterilization medium is delivered vertically off-center from above each can and delivered (e.g., sprayed) into each can; and / or It may include a nozzle (e.g. fixed or movable / moving) that is aligned, configured and / or movable such that the sterilization medium is delivered (e.g. sprayed) from above each can into each can at an angle relative to the vertical axis of each can, preferably at an angle between 10° and 20° relative to the vertical axis, and particularly preferably at an angle of 15° relative to the vertical axis.

[0035] Optionally, the sterilizer may include a can conveyor for transporting the cans while supplying the sterilization medium to the cans. Preferably, the can conveyor is configured to transport the cans upright and / or in a straight line through the sterilizer.

[0036] For example, the sterilizer may comprise a housing (e.g., tunnel-like or block-like) in which at least one nozzle and / or can conveyor is located.

[0037] The preferred embodiments and features of the present invention described above may be combined with each other as required. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0038] Further details and advantages of the invention are explained below with reference to the accompanying drawings. [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a can processing facility according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Diagram 2] FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective cross-sectional view of the entire sterilization apparatus. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a further schematic perspective cross-sectional view of the sterilization apparatus of FIG. 2. [Figure 4] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the area of ​​the filling station.

[0039] The embodiments shown in the drawings correspond at least in part, so that similar or identical parts are given the same reference numerals, and in order to avoid repetition, reference is made to the description of other embodiments or drawings for their description. BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THEINVENTION

[0040] 1 shows a can processing installation 10, i.e. an installation 10 for processing cans 12. The cans 12 may be, for example, beverage cans or food cans. The can processing installation 10 may be configured as a can filling installation. The cans 12 are preferably handled and transported in the can processing installation 10 with so-called base handling.

[0041] The can processing facility 10 includes a sterilization device 14 and a can filling device 22 having at least one filling station 24. The sterilization device 14 may also be referred to as a disinfection device. The can processing facility 10 may also include a can conveyor 16.

[0042] The sterilizer 14 provides a sterilization medium into the canister 12. For example, the sterilizer 14 may inject the sterilization medium into the canister 12. The sterilization medium may also be referred to as a disinfecting medium.

[0043] The cans 12 are preferably transported linearly through the sterilizer 14 during the supply of sterilization medium. The cans 12 are preferably transported upright through the sterilizer 14 during the supply of sterilization medium.

[0044] The sterilization medium provided by the sterilizer 14 is preferably gaseous, or at least substantially gaseous. The provided sterilization medium may fill the canister 12. The sterilization medium may remain within the canister 12 due to, for example, gravity and the upright orientation of the canister 12.

[0045] The sterilization medium supplied may be supplied by the sterilizer 14 such that it preferably does not condense within the can 12 and maintains its (substantially) gaseous state within the can 12. For example, the can 12 may have a temperature corresponding to the ambient temperature before, during, and / or after supply. It is possible to supply the sterilization medium to the can 12 at a temperature that prevents the sterilization medium from condensing within the can 12 and / or helps to maintain the (substantially) gaseous state of the sterilization medium within the can 12. It is also possible to preheat the can 12 and / or the sterilization medium, for example, before the sterilization medium is supplied and / or to reheat it after the sterilization medium is supplied.

[0046] The sterilization medium is preferably or may include hydrogen peroxide. The sterilization medium is preferably vaporized before delivery. The sterilization medium may be delivered to the canister 12, for example, as a mixture with air.

[0047] The provided sterilization medium internally sterilizes the cans 12 as they are transported to the filling station 24. The sterilization medium preferably remains gaseous, or at least substantially gaseous, during internal sterilization.

[0048] For example, the cans 12 may be transported to the filling stations 24 either directly or via a can conveyor 16 after being provided with the sterilization medium. Preferably, the cans 12 are transported upright from the sterilizer 14 to the respective filling stations 24.

[0049] The can processing facility 10 preferably does not have any equipment configured to remove the sterilization medium from the cans 12 for cans flowing through the can processing facility 10 from the start of the sterilizer 14 to the can filling facility 22.

[0050] The supplied sterilization medium may internally sterilize the cans 12 during transport along exposure path E. Exposure path E may extend, for example, from a location within the sterilizer 14 where the sterilization medium is supplied to each can 12. Exposure path E may extend to each filling station 24 at a location where each filling station 24 begins to flush each can 12 with flushing gas. The sterilization medium may remain substantially within the can 12 and be effective until flushed along exposure path E or within the filling station 24.

[0051] The can conveyor 16 may connect the sterilizer 14 directly to the can filling machine 22. The can conveyor 16 may be located immediately downstream of the sterilizer 14, relative to the flow of cans through the can processing machine 10. The can conveyor 16 may be located immediately upstream of the can filling machine 22, relative to the flow of cans through the can processing machine 10.

[0052] Preferably, the can conveyor 16 is capable of transporting the cans 12 upright, for example in base handling.

[0053] The can conveyor 16 may, for example, comprise a linear conveyor 18 and / or an infeed star 20. For example, the linear conveyor 18 may receive the cans 12 from the sterilizer 14 and transfer them to the infeed star 20. The infeed star 20 may transfer the cans 12, in turn, to the filling station 24. The infeed star 20 may, for example, receive the cans directly from the sterilizer 14 or from the linear conveyor 18.

[0054] The can filling machine 22 is positioned downstream (in the can direction) of the sterilizer 14, relative to the flow of cans through the can processing facility 10. For example, the can filling machine 22 could be positioned immediately downstream of the sterilizer 14. Alternatively, the can filling machine 22 could be positioned immediately downstream of the can conveyor 16, for example, which in turn could be positioned immediately downstream of the sterilizer 14.

[0055] The can filling machine 22 preferably includes a plurality of filling stations 24. Preferably, one can 12 can be processed at each of the plurality of filling stations 24. Thus, at the plurality of filling stations 24, a plurality of cans 12 can be processed simultaneously, or at least in an overlapping manner.

[0056] Preferably, the can filling machine 22 may be configured as a can filling carousel or a rotary can filling machine. The filling stations 24 may be arranged distributed around the circumference of the can filling machine 22. However, the can filling machine 22 can also be a linear can filling machine having multiple filling stations arranged, for example, one behind the other in series and / or adjacent to each other (not shown in FIG. 1 ).

[0057] The filling station 24 is configured to flush each can 12 to flush the sterilizing medium from the can 12. For example, flushing can occur immediately prior to filling or immediately prior to pressurization prior to filling.

[0058] In particular, the filling station 24 flushes each can 12 with a flushing gas so that the sterilizing medium flows out of the can 12 after internal sterilization of the can 12. During flushing, oxygen may also be flowed out of the can 12. The flushing gas is preferably the process gas of the can filling machine 22. The flushing gas is preferably carbon dioxide.

[0059] The flushing of the cans 12 at the filling station 24, i.e. the flushing of the sterilizing medium and possibly the flushing of oxygen, can be further assisted by aspirating the sterilizing medium by the filling station 24.

[0060] It is also possible for the sterilization medium flowing out of the can 12 to sterilize at least one area of ​​the filling station 24 as it flows out of the can 12. For example, on its way through the filling station 24, the sterilization medium may pass through the fill material outlet of the filling station 24 and / or a sealing surface of the filling station 24, thereby sterilizing them.

[0061] Alternatively or additionally, the effluent sterilization medium may be collected, for example by the sterilization device 14, and reused.

[0062] The filling station 24 is further configured to fill the cans 12 with a filling material. The filling station 24 fills each can 12 after flushing, e.g. immediately after flushing or after pressurizing the cans 12. The filling material is preferably a liquid or pasty filling material, e.g. a beverage or a food product. The filling station 24 can be, for example, an aseptic filling station for aseptically filling the cans 12 with the filling material.

[0063] It is also possible that the filling station 24 may evacuate each can 12, for example before or after flushing, and / or may pressurize the can 12, for example after flushing.

[0064] After the cans 12 have been filled in the can filling device 22, they can be conveyed further, for example to a closing device (not shown in FIG. 1 ). The closing device can close the filled cans 12 with a can lid. The closing device can for example comprise at least one closing head for closing the cans. The closing device can preferably be configured as a closing carousel or a rotary closing device.

[0065] Particularly preferably, it is not necessary, and therefore not provided, for the filled cans 12 to be pasteurized within the can processing facility 10. Thus, the can processing facility 10 may not include a pasteurizer for pasteurizing the cans 12 after filling.

[0066] The can processing installation 10 can comprise further can processing devices, such as a depalletizing device and / or a water flushing device (e.g. with water flushing nozzles), which can be arranged upstream (in the can direction) of the sterilization device 14. Alternatively or additionally, the can processing installation 10 can comprise, for example, the already mentioned closing device, a glued container production device (e.g. with glue application nozzles), a packaging device (e.g. with a packaging head or film wrapper) and / or a palletizing device (e.g. with a palletizing head, sliding plate, etc.), which can be arranged downstream (in the can direction) of the can filling device 22, for example.

[0067] It is also possible for the can processing machine 10 to have additional can conveyors for transporting the cans 12 through the can processing machine 10. The other can conveyors may include, for example, at least one transfer star and / or at least one straight conveyor. For example, the outlet star 26 may pick up the cans 12 filled by the can filling device 22 and transfer them to a downstream can conveyor 28, for example a straight conveyor, for further transport.

[0068] 2 and 3 show an exemplary embodiment of the sterilization device 14.

[0069] The sterilizer 14 may include, for example, at least one nozzle 30, a can conveyor 32, and / or a housing 34.

[0070] The at least one nozzle 30 may deliver sterilization medium to the can 12 or deliver / fill it into the can 12. Preferably, the at least one nozzle 30 does not descend into the respective can 12 as the sterilization medium is delivered to the respective can 12.

[0071] The at least one nozzle 30 may include at least one fixed nozzle through which each canister 12 may move while dispensing the gaseous sterilizing medium therefrom.

[0072] The at least one nozzle 30 may include at least one movable nozzle that may move with the respective canister 12 during dispensing of the sterilization medium from the movable nozzle.

[0073] The movable nozzle may be pivotable, for example, to follow each moving can 12. Alternatively or additionally, the movable nozzle may be displaceable, for example, to follow each moving can 12. A movable nozzle may, for example, move back and forth or move along a closed path.

[0074] The sterilizer 14 may comprise at least one drive, for example an electric motor, for driving the movement of the movable nozzle. The drive for driving the movement of the movable nozzle can be coupled to the drive of the can conveyor 32. It is also possible that the drive for driving the movement of the movable nozzle can also drive the can conveyor 32.

[0075] The sterilizer 14 may further include at least one guide member for guiding movement of the movable nozzle. The at least one guide member may include, for example, a pivot guide member, a linear guide member, and / or a trajectory guide member.

[0076] The at least one nozzle 30 may, for example, comprise a nozzle which sprays the sterilization medium vertically from above and into the center of the can 12. The at least one nozzle 30 may, for example, comprise a nozzle which sprays the sterilization medium vertically from above and off-center into the can 12. Additionally or alternatively, the at least one nozzle 30 may, for example, comprise a nozzle which sprays the sterilization medium from above at an angle to the vertical axis of the can 12. The sterilization medium jet issuing from the nozzle may be inclined, preferably at an angle of 10° to 20°, particularly preferably at about 15°, to the vertical axis of the can 12.

[0077] The at least one nozzle 30 may, for example, output a constant amount of sterilization medium. Alternatively, the sterilization medium output amount may be automatically adjusted, for example by a control device, depending on the conveying speed of the cans 12 or the can conveyor 32 along the at least one nozzle 30.

[0078] The sterilization medium can be dispensed by the at least one nozzle 30 in a pulsed fashion, for example, one or more pulses per can 12. The number of pulses can preferably be adjusted to the number of times the can 12 passes the at least one nozzle 30. The pulse duration can preferably be adjusted to the conveying speed (e.g., of the can conveyor 32) at which the can 12 moves past the at least one nozzle 30.

[0079] The can conveyor 32 may transport the cans 12 through the sterilizer 14. The can conveyor 32 is preferably a linear conveyor. The linear conveyor may transport the cans 12 in a linear manner through the sterilizer 14.

[0080] The cans 12 are preferably transported in an upright position by the can conveyor 32. The can conveyor 32 may transport the cans 12, for example, with base handling. For example, the can conveyor 32 may be a belt conveyor, a mat chain conveyor, or a plate conveyor.

[0081] The can conveyor 32 may transport the cans 12 through the sterilizer 14 in a single lane, multiple lanes, or in a random mass flow, for example.

[0082] At least one nozzle 30 and / or can conveyor 32 may be disposed within a housing 34 of the sterilizer 14. The housing 34 may have, for example, a tunnel shape or a block shape.

[0083] FIG. 4 shows an area of ​​one embodiment of the filling station 24 .

[0084] The filling station 24 may include, for example, a filling valve 36 , a flushing gas supply channel 50 , a flushing gas exhaust channel 54 , a seal 60 and / or a canister support 62 .

[0085] The fill valve 36 may fill the canister 12 located below the fill valve 36 with a fill material. The fill valve 36 may have a movable valve member 38 for opening and closing the fill valve 24.

[0086] The valve member 38 may be movable along a central axis M of the fill valve 36 or the filling station 24. The central axis M may be a central longitudinal axis (central vertical axis) of the fill valve 36 or the filling station 24. The valve member 38 is movable relative to a valve seat 40, which is preferably funnel-shaped, of the fill valve 36. Preferably, the valve seat 40 is a valve cone seat.

[0087] In the open position, the valve member 38 may release the fluid connection between the fill material chamber 42 and the fill material outlet 44 of the fill valve 36. For example, a fill material supply line (not shown in FIG. 4 ) may be connected to the fill material chamber 42 to supply fill material to the fill material chamber 42. The fill material may flow from the fill material chamber 42 into the annular gap between the valve member 38 and the valve seat 40, and from there to the fill material outlet 44.

[0088] The filling material outlet 44 may be configured, for example, as an annular gap. The annular gap may be restricted, for example, at its inner circumference, by the valve member 38. The filling material outlet 44 may be arranged coaxially with the central axis M. The valve member 38 may preferably widen in the region of the filling material outlet 44 in the shape of a funnel towards its free end.

[0089] The valve member 38 may extend through the fill material chamber 42. The valve member 38 may seal against the fill material chamber 42 by a bellows 46.

[0090] In the closed position, the valve member 38 may block fluid communication between the fill material chamber 42 and the fill material outlet 44 of the fill valve 36, as shown by way of example in Figure 4. Fill material from the fill material chamber 42 cannot pass through the valve member 38, which is sealingly abutting the valve seat 40.

[0091] For example, the valve member 38 may be prestressed by an elastic element (e.g., a spring, preferably a compression coil spring) in a direction along the central axis M, for example, to open and close the filling valve 36. Preferably, the valve member 38 may be moved by an actuator in a direction along the central axis M, against the elastic prestress, for example, to open and close the filling valve 36. For example, the actuator may be a pneumatic actuator or an electromagnetic actuator.

[0092] The valve member 38 may have a sealing element 48, preferably annular, for sealing against the valve seat 40. The sealing element 48 may preferably be disposed on a conical section of the valve member 38.

[0093] The flushing gas supply channel 50 may extend parallel to the central axis M. The flushing gas supply channel 50 may preferably extend through the valve member 38.

[0094] The gas inlet of the flushing gas supply channel 50 may be disposed in an upper end region of the valve member 38. The gas inlet may be in fluid communication with, for example, a flushing valve and / or a pressurization valve (both not shown in FIG. 4).

[0095] The gas outlet 52 of the flushing gas supply channel 50 may be located in a lower end region of the valve member 38. For example, the fill material outlet 44 may extend annularly around the gas outlet 52. Compressed flushing gas, and optionally pressurized gas, may be supplied to the canister 12 via the flushing gas supply channel 50. The flushing gas may flush the sterilizing medium and oxygen-containing air in the canister 12 from the canister 12.

[0096] The flushing gas exhaust channel 54 may extend parallel to the central axis M. Preferably, the flushing gas exhaust channel 54 may extend as an annular channel.

[0097] The gas inlet 56 of the flushing gas exhaust passage 54 may be disposed at a lower end of the flushing gas exhaust passage 54. For example, the gas inlet 56 may extend annularly around the fill material outlet 44.

[0098] At its upper end, flushing gas exhaust channel 54 may open into gas channel 58. Gases, such as sterilization medium, flushing gas, pressurized gas, and / or residual gases, may be vented or exhausted from canister 12 via gas channel 58. Gas channel 58 may thus be in fluid communication with an exhaust line and / or an exhaust valve (both not shown in FIG. 4 ).

[0099] The seal 60 may seal between the filling station 24 and a circumferential top edge (e.g., a flanged edge) of the can 12. The can 12 may be, for example, flushed, filled, and evacuated and / or pressurized while the seal 60 abuts the top edge of the can 12. The seal 60 may be configured as a sealing ring, for example, an O-ring.

[0100] The seal 60 may be received and secured in a seal holder of the filling station 24, preferably in a force-fit and / or form-fit manner. The seal holder is preferably annular. The seal holder may be configured as a groove. The seal 60 may extend coaxially around a central axis M.

[0101] While pouring the sterilization medium out of the container of the can 12, the sterilization medium may still pass through, for example, a portion of the fill material outlet 44 and / or the closure 60, thereby sterilizing a portion of the fill material outlet 44 and / or the closure 60.

[0102] The can support 62 may support the can 12. The can support 62 may include, for example, a support plate that supports the can 12 on a bottom side. Alternatively or additionally, the can support 62 may include, for example, a can holder (not shown) that supports the can 12 on a side of the can 12. The can holder may be configured, for example, as a clamp, a gripper, or a pocket.

[0103] Preferably, the filling station 24 may have a lifting device for vertically moving the filling valve 24 and / or a lifting device for vertically moving the can support 62. Thus, the can 12 and the filling station 24 may perform a lifting movement relative to one another in order to bring the filling station 24 and the can 12 closer together and, if necessary, to press them against one another before processing.

[0104] The present invention is not limited to the preferred embodiment described above. Rather, multiple variations and modifications are possible that utilize the concept of the present invention in the same way and thus fall within the scope of protection. In particular, the present invention also claims protection for the subject matter and features of the dependent claims, regardless of the claims to which they refer. In particular, each individual feature of an independent claim 1 is disclosed independently of the other. Moreover, the features of the dependent claims are disclosed independently of all features of an independent claim 1. All ranges specified in this specification should be understood as further disclosed, for example, as each preferred narrower outer limit of each range, as if all values ​​falling within each range were individually disclosed. [Explanation of symbols]

[0105] 10 Can processing equipment 12 cans 14 Sterilizer 16 Can Conveyor 18 Straight Conveyor 20 Infeed star wheel 22 Can filling equipment 24 Filling Station 26 Outgoing Star Wheel 28 Can Conveyor 30 Nozzles 32 Can Conveyor 34 Housing 36 Filling valve 38 Valve member 40 Valve seat 42 Filling material chamber 44 Filling material outlet 46 Bellows 48 Sealing Elements 50 Flushing gas supply channel 52 Gas outlet 54 Flushing gas exhaust channel 56 Gas inlet 58 Gas Channel 60 Sealing part 62 Can Support E. Exposure Routes M center axis

Claims

1. A method for processing cans (12) in a can processing facility (10), the method comprising: supplying a sterilization medium, preferably including hydrogen peroxide, into the canister (12) by a sterilization device (14); internal sterilization of the can (12) with the provided sterilization medium while the can (12) is being transported to a filling station (24); flushing the cans (12) in the filling station (24) with a flushing gas, preferably carbon dioxide, so that the sterilization medium flows out of the cans (12); and and filling the flushed can (12) with a fill material at the filling station (24).

2. the sterilization medium is gaseous or substantially gaseous during delivery and / or internal sterilization; the sterilization medium is dispensed in such a way that it does not condense in the canister (12) and / or maintains its gaseous state in the canister (12); and the supplied sterilizing medium remains substantially within the canister (12) until flushed; The method of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the following is satisfied:

3. the cans (12) are conveyed linearly and / or upright through the sterilization device (14) during the supply of the sterilization medium; and / or the cans (12) are transported upright to the filling station (24) during internal sterilization; The method according to claim 1 or claim 2.

4. the flushing gas is supplied during flushing via a preferably central flushing gas supply channel (50) of the filling station (24); and / or the sterilizing medium flows out during flushing into a preferably annular flushing gas discharge channel (54) of the filling station (24); The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. Preferably, the sterilization medium is aspirated from the can (12) at the filling station (24) during flushing of the can (12) at the filling station (24). The method of any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising:

6. The sterilization medium is supplied by at least one nozzle (30) of the sterilization device (14). The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

7. the at least one nozzle (30) includes at least one stationary nozzle, the canister (12) moving past the at least one stationary nozzle during the supply of the sterilization medium; The method according to claim 6.

8. the at least one nozzle (30) includes at least one movable nozzle, the at least one movable nozzle moving with the canister (12) during the dispensing of the sterilization medium; The method according to claim 6 or claim 7.

9. the outlet flow rate of the sterilizing medium at the at least one nozzle (30) is constant; or the outlet volume of the sterilization medium at the at least one nozzle (30) is adjusted depending on the conveying speed of the can (12) through the at least one nozzle (30); The method according to any one of claims 6 to 8.

10. The sterilizing medium is pulsed from the at least one nozzle (30), preferably a pulse frequency adjusted to the number of times the can (12) moves past said at least one nozzle (30), and / or a pulse duration adjusted to the conveying speed at which the can moves past the at least one nozzle (30), and / or - 1 or more pulses per can (12) With The method according to any one of claims 6 to 9.

11. The at least one nozzle (30) a nozzle that delivers the sterilization medium vertically from above and into the center of the can (12); and / or a nozzle that feeds the sterilization medium vertically and off-center into the can (12) from above; and / or The method according to any one of claims 6 to 10, comprising a nozzle feeding the sterilization medium from above into the can (12) at an angle to the vertical axis of the can (12), preferably at an angle of 10° to 20°, particularly preferably at an angle of 15°.

12. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 11, further comprising sterilizing at least a portion of the filling station (24) with the sterilizing medium flowing from the can (12), preferably the at least a portion comprising a filling material outlet of the filling station (24) and / or a sealing surface of the filling station (24).

13. The filled cans (12) are not pasteurized in the can processing facility (10).

13. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 12.

14. A can processing facility (10), a sterilizer (14) configured to supply a sterilization medium, preferably gaseous, preferably including hydrogen peroxide, into the canister (12); and 14. A can processing installation (10), comprising a can filling device (22) arranged downstream of the sterilization device (14), the can filling device (22) comprising at least one filling station (24) configured for flushing the cans (12) of the sterilization medium and for filling the cans (12) with a filling material, the can filling device (22) being preferably configured for carrying out the method according to any one of claims 1 to 13.

15. the can processing facility (10) further comprises a can conveyor (16) directly connecting the sterilization device (14) to the can filling device (22); and / or the can processing facility (10) does not have a pasteurizer for pasteurizing the cans (12) after filling; and / or the can processing installation (10) does not comprise any device configured to remove the sterilization medium from the cans (12) from the start of the sterilization device (14) to the can filling device (22); A can processing installation (10) according to claim 14.

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