Container processing system with clean room and associated method of operation

Abstract

To provide a technique for cleaning and / or cooling the inside of a clean room of a container processing system.SOLUTION: The air guiding system (30) has an air inlet (32) arranged in the clean room (12) and an air outlet (44) arranged in the clean room for discharging a directed clean room air flow for cleaning and / or cooling. The air-guiding system has a fluid line (34) which connects the air inlet and the air outlet to one another, and an air conveying unit (36) which is arranged in the fluid line.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a container processing system with a clean room and a method for operating a container processing system with a clean room. [Background technology]

[0002] It is known to process containers in a container processing system, e.g., manufacturing, filling, sealing, etc. The container processing system may, for example, comprise a clean room in which the processing of the containers is carried out under clean room conditions, particularly if the container processing has hygiene requirements.

[0003] In cleanrooms, certain components may need to be properly cleaned, such as cameras, optics, or sensors. In this case, particles must be removed from the respective components. These particles may arise, for example, from abrasion of containers during handling in the cleanroom. The purpose of cleaning is to prevent malfunctions or at least to extend the functionality of the component until the next maintenance cycle.

[0004] This cleaning can be done, for example, by opening the cleanroom and manually cleaning each component or by using brushes and wipers to appropriately contact the area of ​​each component to be cleaned.

[0005] The drawback of this solution is that opening the cleanroom interrupts the processing of the containers for a relatively long time, since the cleanroom environment must first be recreated inside the cleanroom after it has been cleaned and closed. Furthermore, the use of brushes or wipers can cause mechanical damage, such as scratches, to the surfaces to be cleaned.

[0006] Additionally, there may be components located within the cleanroom that benefit from cooling.

[0007] The invention is based on the problem of improving the technology for cleaning and / or cooling in clean rooms of container processing systems. Summary of the Invention

[0008] The object is achieved by the features of the independent claims. Advantageous developments are set out in the dependent claims and the following description.

[0009] One embodiment relates to a container processing system having a clean room, at least one (e.g., rotary) conveying device, and / or container processing device (e.g., tempering, manufacturing, filling, sealing, and / or equipping) in which at least one device is disposed in the clean room. The container processing system further includes an air guide facility (e.g., for cleaning and / or cooling), the air guide facility having an air inlet disposed within the clean room for receiving clean room air from the clean room and an air outlet disposed within the clean room for discharging a directional clean room air flow (e.g., a sterile air flow) for cleaning and / or cooling. The air guide facility further includes a fluid line interconnecting the air inlet and the air outlet, and an air conveying unit (e.g., a blower or compressor) disposed within the fluid line for drawing clean room air through the air inlet and conveying the drawn clean room air to the air outlet.

[0010] Advantageously, the device allows for proper cleaning and / or cooling at desired locations within a cleanroom via a directional cleanroom airflow. This requires minimal construction effort and therefore minimal costs. Advantageously, as opposed to a cleanroom / sterile airflow generated outside the cleanroom, extensive constructional and technical measures in the form of sterile filters or long piping that must be periodically sterilized are not required. Preferably, the directional cleanroom airflow can be used to blow particles away from surfaces, thereby enabling effective and surface-protective dust removal. Advantageously, a high scalability of the blowing is also possible without significantly affecting the cleanroom pressure within the cleanroom. Advantageously, the proposed technology does not require the additional consumption of a relatively expensive medium, such as sterile air, and is self-sterilizing due to its integration into the cleanroom. The proposed technology can also be used, for example, in non-sterile applications.

[0011] For example, the at least one apparatus may comprise a heating device for heating container preforms (container blanks or preforms), a container manufacturing apparatus (e.g., a container blow molder), a coating apparatus for coating containers, a depalletizing apparatus, a rinsing apparatus (e.g., equipped with a rinsing nozzle), a sterilizing apparatus (e.g., equipped with a sterilization nozzle) for sterilizing containers, a filling apparatus (e.g., equipped with a filling valve) for filling containers (e.g., with a liquid or paste-like filling), a sealing apparatus (e.g., equipped with a capping head) for sealing containers, a labeling apparatus (e.g., equipped with a labeling unit) for labeling containers, a printing apparatus (e.g., equipped with a printing head) for printing on containers, a pasteurizing apparatus for pasteurizing containers, an adhesive packaging manufacturing apparatus (e.g., equipped with an adhesive application nozzle), a packaging apparatus (e.g., equipped with a packaging head or a film wrapper), and / or a palletizing apparatus (e.g., equipped with a palletizing head, sliding plate, etc.).

[0012] In one embodiment, the air outlet has a nozzle portion for generating a directional cleanroom airflow, which advantageously allows for reliable and precise generation of the directional cleanroom airflow.

[0013] In a further embodiment, the air inlet is embodied as a free line end and / or the air outlet is embodied as a free line end, which advantageously allows the structure of the air guiding arrangement to be simplified and allows the clean room air to be directly sucked in from the clean room and the sucked in clean room air to be directly discharged into the clean room as a directional clean room air flow.

[0014] In one embodiment, the air outlets are horizontally or downwardly oriented, which advantageously prevents directional cleanroom airflow from undesirably transporting particles upward within the cleanroom, where these particles may reach, for example, the opening of a container and contaminate the container.

[0015] In a further embodiment, the air outlet for discharging the directional clean room airflow is positioned toward the component of the container processing system to be cleaned and / or cooled. The component to be cleaned and / or cooled is located within the clean room. Preferably, the air outlet may be positioned adjacent to the component to be cleaned and / or cooled. Alternatively or additionally, the air outlet may be oriented relative to the component to be cleaned and / or cooled such that the directional clean room airflow discharging from the air outlet impinges on and / or passes through the component to be cleaned and / or cooled. This may advantageously achieve cleaning of the component to remove particles from the component and / or cooling of the component.

[0016] In one variant, the cleaning and / or cooling component is a sensor system for detecting containers, which are preferably located in the clean room. Optionally, this sensor system may be a contactless and / or optical sensor system, preferably comprising at least one of a camera, an ultrasonic sensor, a laser sensor, a distance sensor, and an LED sensor. Therefore, advantageously, the proposed technology can be used by the sensor system to remove / blow away particles, thereby improving and maintaining measurement accuracy / quality without requiring regular opening of the clean room, which involves interrupting operation and cleaning. This ultimately advantageously increases the available operating time of the container processing system.

[0017] In a further variant, the air outlet is arranged to allow the directional cleanroom airflow to flow along the containers processed and / or transported by the at least one device, preferably below the container openings of the containers, and / or to redirect particles flowing off the containers (e.g., away from any one of the cleaning and / or cooling components of the container processing system or away from the cleaning and / or cooling component, preferably the sensor equipment), thereby advantageously preventing particles entrained in the directional cleanroom airflow from reaching and contaminating the container openings of the containers, for example.

[0018] In one embodiment, the air conveying unit is arranged in a clean room and / or the fluid lines run entirely through the clean room, which advantageously allows a particularly simple construction to be achieved.

[0019] In a further embodiment, the container processing system further comprises a drive unit drivingly connected to the air conveying unit, the drive unit being arranged outside the clean room. Preferably, the outer wall of the clean room can have a sealed shaft passage through which the drive shaft drivingly connecting the drive unit to the air conveying unit passes. This advantageously avoids costly encapsulation of the drive unit when locating the drive unit in the clean room. Furthermore, it is advantageous that the drive unit can be maintained outside the clean room.

[0020] In one embodiment, the clean room can be or has positive pressure and / or sterile air applied to it, which advantageously prevents particles and the like from entering the interior of the clean room from outside the clean room due to the pressure gradient that exists.

[0021] In a further embodiment, the air inlet, the fluid lines, the air conveying unit and the air outlet are free of sterilizing filters and / or sterilization facilities for sterilizing the air, which advantageously allows the air inlet, the fluid lines, the air conveying unit and the air outlet to be integrated into the clean room itself, since with this arrangement only clean room air from the clean room is used by the air guide facility for cleaning and / or cooling.

[0022] In a further embodiment, - the air inlet is located in the top half, top third, or top quarter of the cleanroom; the air inlet is located adjacent to an air supply outlet of a cleanroom air supply device (e.g. located in the ceiling area of ​​the cleanroom) for supplying cleanroom air to the cleanroom; - the air inlet is located in the ceiling area of ​​the clean room; At least one of the following is satisfied.

[0023] Advantageously, the air guide arrangement can therefore draw clean room air from areas that are particularly low in particles, which can be areas that are particularly low in particles, because, on the one hand, any particles present will settle by gravity in the clean room, and, on the other hand, the clean room air is supplied by the clean room air supply device in a top-down principle, preferably from above, or in the ceiling area of ​​the clean room.

[0024] In one variant, the at least one device has at least one container holder, preferably a neck-handling container holder, for holding a container. The air outlet may be located primarily at the height of the at least one container holder or below the at least one container holder. Optionally, the air outlet may be directed horizontally or downward. This advantageously prevents particles entrained in the directional cleanroom airflow from reaching, for example, the opening of a container and contaminating it.

[0025] For example, the container processing system may be configured for tempering, manufacturing, cleaning, coating, inspecting, filling, sealing, pasteurizing, labeling, printing, marking, laser marking, and / or packaging containers for liquid or pasty media, preferably beverages, liquid food products, or products from the pharmaceutical or healthcare industry.

[0026] The containers may be formed, for example, as bottles, cans, canisters, cartons, vials, tubes, and the like.

[0027] A further aspect relates to a method of operating a container processing system, preferably as disclosed herein, comprising a clean room (e.g., having positive pressure and / or sterile air applied thereto), the method comprising the steps of (e.g., under the control of a controller of the container processing system): - transporting and / or processing the containers in the clean room using at least one device of the container processing system, - sucking clean room air (e.g. sterile air) from an air inlet of an air guidance installation (e.g. cleaning and / or cooling) arranged in the clean room by means of an air conveying unit of the air guidance installation, - conveying the sucked clean room air from the fluid line of the air guiding facility to the air outlet of the air guiding facility using an air conveying unit; - discharging the conveyed cleanroom air from the air outlet as a directional cleanroom air flow (e.g. sterile air flow), preferably in the direction of the cleaning and / or cooling components of the container processing system and / or along the transported and / or processed containers, - cleaning and / or cooling with directional cleanroom airflow It has the following characteristics.

[0028] Advantageously, the method achieves the same benefits as those described with respect to the container processing system, and the same applies to the preferred embodiments of the method described below.

[0029] In one embodiment, -Directional cleanroom airflow is directed horizontally or downwards; -Directed cleanroom airflow impinges on and / or passes over components to clean and / or cool them; -Directional cleanroom airflow removes particles from components, preferably in a downward direction; - the directional cleanroom airflow redirects particles flowing off the container (e.g., away from any one of the cleaning and / or cooling components of the container processing system or away from the cleaning and / or cooling component, preferably the sensor equipment); - directional cleanroom airflow is directed only under the container openings of the containers being transported and / or processed; - the suction, conveying, draining, cleaning and / or cooling is carried out during the transport and / or processing of the container; the suction, conveying, discharging, cleaning and / or cooling is carried out continuously during the transport and / or processing of the containers or discontinuously at configurable times during the transport and / or processing of the containers; At least one of the following is satisfied.

[0030] In a further embodiment, the component is a sensor arrangement for detecting containers, preferably located in a clean room. Optionally, the sensor arrangement is a contactless and / or optical sensor device, preferably comprising at least one of a camera, an ultrasonic sensor, a laser sensor, a distance sensor, an LED sensor.

[0031] In a further embodiment, the method further comprises: - driving an air conveying unit arranged in the clean room by a drive unit (e.g., air guide equipment) from outside the clean room, the drive unit being arranged outside the clean room. Preferably, the outer wall of the clean room can have a sealed shaft passage through which a drive shaft drivingly connecting the drive unit to the air conveying unit passes.

[0032] Preferably, the term "controller" as used herein may relate to electronic (e.g. implemented as a drive circuit or equipped with a microprocessor and a data memory) and / or mechanical, pneumatic and / or hydraulic controls, which may, depending on the embodiment, undertake control and / or regulation and / or processing tasks. Where the term "control" is used here, this may also, so to speak and conveniently, include or mean "regulation" or "control with feedback" and / or "processing".

[0033] The preferred embodiments and features of the present invention described above can be combined with each other in any way. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0034] Further details and advantages of the present invention will be explained below with reference to the accompanying drawings. [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram of a vessel processing system according to one embodiment.

[0035] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS FIG. 1 shows, purely diagrammatically, a container processing system 10, for example a beverage filling system.

[0036] The container processing system 10 includes a clean room 12, at least one apparatus 20, 22, 24, an air guide facility 30, and an optional component .

[0037] The clean room 12 may also be referred to as an isolator. The clean room 12 may be substantially free of or low in particulates (e.g., particles of all types and sizes). Sterile clean room conditions may be maintained in the clean room 12. The clean room 12 may also be implemented or referred to as a sterilization room or aseptic room, preferably because it is substantially free of microorganisms.

[0038] Sterile air (clean room air) can be applied to the clean room 12. Preferably, the sterile air can be applied to the clean room 12 so that the air pressure inside the clean room 12 is higher than the air pressure around or outside the clean room 12.

[0039] Sterile air may be preferably supplied to the clean room 12 via a clean room air supply system 14. Preferably, the clean room air supply system 14 may supply the sterile air to the clean room 12 from above or from the ceiling area of ​​the clean room 12. For example, the air supply outlet of the clean room air supply system 14, through which the sterile air enters the clean room 12, may be located in the ceiling area of ​​the clean room 12.

[0040] The clean room air supply 14 may include, for example, a sterile air source. The sterile air source may supply sterile air to the clean room 12. The sterile air source may include, for example, at least one air filter and / or air conveying equipment (such as a blower or compressor).

[0041] Preferably, the sterile air source is located outside of the clean room 12 or is accessible from outside of the clean room 12, so that maintenance, repair, or replacement of components of the sterile air source (e.g., air filters and / or air conveying equipment) can preferably be performed from outside of the clean room 12.

[0042] The clean room 12 may have, for example, an enclosure. At least one of the devices 20, 22, 24 and any component 28 may be surrounded by the enclosure, for example, from above and from the sides. The air guiding arrangement 30 may likewise be at least partially surrounded by the enclosure, for example, from above and from the sides.

[0043] The clean room 12 may have an entrance gate 16 for containers. A transport device may transport containers from outside the clean room 12 into the clean room 12 through this entrance gate. Preferably, the containers may be sterilized or disinfected at or upstream from the entrance gate 16. For example, the containers may be sterilized at or before the entrance gate using a sterilization medium comprising hydrogen peroxide, for example by spraying or misting.

[0044] The clean room 12 may further include an exit gate 18 for the containers. A transport device may transport the containers from inside the clean room 12 through the exit gate 18 to outside the clean room 12.

[0045] At least one apparatus 20, 22, 24 can process and / or transport containers within the clean room 12. At least one apparatus 20, 22, 24 is located within the clean room 12. Preferably, at least one apparatus 20, 22, 24 can be located (container) downstream of the entrance gate 16 and (container) upstream of the exit gate 18.

[0046] The at least one device 20, 22, 24 may comprise any conceivable device for the processing and / or transport of containers.

[0047] For example, processing equipment 20, 24 may be included that can process, such as prepare, fill, and / or seal, and optionally transport containers. Preferably, at least one processing equipment 20, 24 can each have multiple processing stations for processing multiple containers simultaneously or with overlapping time. The processing stations can be arranged around a rotatable carousel of at least one processing equipment 20, 24, which is preferably implemented as a rotary equipment.

[0048] For example, at least one transport device 22 may be included, by which the container can be transported. The transport device 22 may support the container during transport, for example, at the bottom side, at the periphery and / or in the neck region (so-called neck handling). The at least one transport device 22 may, for example, be or comprise a rotary transport device 22, e.g., a so-called transport star, as shown in Fig. 1. However, it is also possible for the at least one transport device to be or comprise a linear transport device (not shown in Fig. 1).

[0049] At least one of the devices 20, 22, 24 can each have a plurality of container holders 26, which can be used to hold containers during processing and / or transport. Each of the container holders 26 can have, for example, a support plate on which the container can stand upright. Alternatively or additionally, each of the container holders 26 can have, for example, a clamp or gripper that can hold the container by the sleeve, neck, and / or neck ring of the container. For example, the container holders 26 can be distributed around the periphery of the at least one device 20, 22, 24, which is preferably embodied as a rotating device (e.g., together with the respective processing stations).

[0050] The components 28 may be located in the clean room 12. The components 28 may be cleaned and / or cooled by an air guide facility 30. For example, cleaning may be necessary because friction during handling / transport of containers in the clean room 12, e.g., during so-called neck handling, can generate particles in the clean room 12 that can, for example, fall off the containers. These particles may contaminate the components 28 and impair their function.

[0051] For example, the component 28 may be a sensor arrangement, as shown for example in Figure 1, which may detect and monitor, for example, the container and / or a component of at least one of the devices 20, 22, 24, such as the container holder 26. The air guiding arrangement 30 may be used to clean and / or cool the sensor arrangement, preferably to maintain proper functioning of the sensor arrangement.

[0052] Preferably, the sensor arrangement may be a contactless and / or optical sensor arrangement, for example, the sensor arrangement may comprise a camera, an ultrasonic sensor, a laser sensor, a distance sensor, and / or an LED sensor.

[0053] The component 28 may be, for example, an electrical or electronic component or a bearing, such as a pivot bearing, that must be cleaned and / or cooled.

[0054] Generally, component 28 may be any component located within clean room 12 that is to be cleaned and / or cooled.

[0055] Of course, multiple components 28 may be included, which may be cleaned and / or cooled by the air guide arrangement 30 using their own directional cleanroom airflow or a common directional cleanroom airflow.

[0056] The air guide arrangement 30 includes an air inlet 32 ​​, a fluid line 34 , an air conveying unit 36 ​​, and an air outlet 44 .

[0057] The air inlet 32 ​​is located within the clean room 12 for receiving clean room air from the clean room 12. Preferably, the air inlet 32 ​​may be located inside the enclosure of the clean room 12.

[0058] For example, the air inlet 32 ​​may be located in the upper half, upper third, or upper quarter of the clean room 12, such as in the ceiling area of ​​the clean room 12 or enclosure. For example, the air inlet 32 ​​may be suspended from the ceiling area.

[0059] Particularly preferably, the air inlet 32 ​​of the air guide arrangement 30 may be located adjacent to the air supply outlet of the clean room supply device 14, for example within 2 m or 1 m of the periphery of the air supply outlet.

[0060] Preferably, the air inlet 32 ​​may be implemented as a free line end that may be located within the clean room 12 to receive clean room air directly from the clean room 12. The clean room air may flow into the air inlet 32 ​​directly from the clean room 12.

[0061] The fluid line 34 interconnects the air inlet 32 ​​and the air outlet 44. Clean room air can be delivered from the air inlet 32 ​​to the air outlet 44 via the fluid line 34. For example, the fluid line 34 can be configured as a single pipe or as a piping system.

[0062] Preferably, the line lengths of the pressure and suction side fluid lines 34 may be kept as short as possible relative to the air conveying unit, and the fluid lines 34 may be designed in accordance with hygiene requirements.

[0063] Preferably, the fluid lines 34 run entirely within the clean room 12. The fluid lines 34 may be located inside the enclosure of the clean room 12.

[0064] The air conveying unit 36 ​​is configured to convey air. For example, the air conveying unit 36 ​​may be a blower or a compressor. The air conveying unit 36 ​​may convey air at a pressure level higher than the pressure level of the clean room air in the clean room 12.

[0065] An air delivery unit 36 ​​is disposed within the fluid line 34. The air delivery unit 36 ​​can be used to draw clean room air through the air inlet 32. The air delivery unit 36 ​​can be used to transport the drawn clean room air through the fluid line 34 to the air outlet 44.

[0066] The air delivery unit 36 ​​is preferably located within the clean room 12, as exemplarily shown in Figure 1. Preferably, the air delivery unit 36 ​​is located within the enclosure of the clean room 12.

[0067] Alternatively, for example, the air delivery unit 36 ​​can be located outside the clean room 12 (not shown in FIG. 1 ). For example, the fluid line 34 can have a section that runs outside the clean room 12. The air delivery unit 36 ​​can be located in this section. This section can be located downstream of the air inlet 32 ​​and upstream of the air outlet 44.

[0068] The drive unit 38 may be drivingly connected to the air conveying unit 36. For example, the drive unit 38 may be drivingly connected to the air conveying unit 36 ​​(e.g., a conveying wheel or a conveying piston of the air conveying unit 36) by means of a drive shaft 40. The drive unit 38 may be, for example, an electric motor.

[0069] The air conveying unit 36 ​​can be driven by a drive unit 38 that can, for example, be continuously operable during operation of the at least one device 20, 22, 24 and / or that is controlled, for example, by a control device of the air guiding arrangement 30. Alternatively, the air conveying unit 36 ​​can be driven by a drive unit 38 that can, for example, be discontinuously operable during operation of the at least one device 20, 22, 24 and / or that is controlled, for example, by a control device of the air guiding arrangement 30.

[0070] Preferably, the drive unit 38 is located outside the clean room 12. The drive shaft 40 may preferably pass through a sealed shaft passage 42 in the outer wall of the clean room 12 or enclosure.

[0071] Alternatively, for example, the drive unit 38 can be located inside the clean room 12, eg, encapsulated.

[0072] The air outlet 44 is located within the clean room 12. Preferably, the air outlet 44 is located adjacent to the component 28.

[0073] The air outlet 44 is configured to receive cleanroom air delivered by the air delivery unit 36 ​​through the fluid line 34 and discharge the cleanroom air as a directional cleanroom airflow R for cleaning and / or cooling. For example, the air outlet 44 may have a nozzle portion for generating the directional cleanroom airflow R and / or may be embodied as a free line end.

[0074] Preferably, the directional cleanroom airflow R can be discharged in the direction of the components 28 to cool and / or clean the components 28. Alternatively or additionally, the directional cleanroom airflow R can flow along the containers held by, for example, the container holders 26, thereby redirecting (deflecting / entraining) particles flowing off the containers.

[0075] The air outlets 44 are preferably oriented horizontally or downwardly, so that the clean room airflow R can be directed horizontally or downwardly accordingly.

[0076] For example, the air outlet 44 can be located at the level of the container holder 26 or below the container holder 26. Preferably, the directional cleanroom airflow R is directed to flow only below the container openings of containers transported and / or processed by at least one of the devices 20, 22, 24.

[0077] Specifically, air outlet 44 can be oriented relative to component 28 such that directional cleanroom airflow R discharged from air outlet 44 impinges on and / or passes through component 28. For example, directional cleanroom airflow R can pass through and / or impinge on a sensor window or surface of component 28 embodied as a sensor fixture. The directional cleanroom airflow R can remove particulates from component 28 and / or cool component 28.

[0078] The present invention is not limited to the preferred embodiment described above. Rather, numerous variations and modifications are possible, which also utilize the concept of the present invention and are therefore within the scope of protection. In particular, the present invention also claims protection for the subject matter and features of the dependent claims, independently of the claims cited. In particular, the individual features of independent claim 1 are disclosed independently of each other. Furthermore, the features of the dependent claims are also disclosed independently of all features of independent claim 1, for example, independently of the features relating to the presence and / or configuration of the clean room, at least one device, air guide arrangement, air inlet, fluid line, transport unit, and / or air outlet of independent claim 1. All ranges in this specification should be interpreted as if they were disclosed individually, i.e., as if they were also disclosed as respective narrower outer limits of the respective ranges. [Explanation of symbols]

[0079] 10 Container Processing System 12 Clean Room 14 Clean room air supply equipment 16 Entrance Gate 18 Exit Gate 20 equipment 22 Equipment 24 Equipment 26 Container holder 28 Components 30 Air guide equipment 32 Air inlet 34 Fluid Line 36 Air conveying unit 38 Drive Unit 40 Drive shaft 42 Shaft insertion part 44 Air outlet R Directional Cleanroom Airflow

Claims

1. A clean room (12), at least one device (20, 22, 24) for transporting and / or processing containers, said at least one device (20, 22, 24) being arranged in said clean room (12); Air guide facility (30) A container processing system (10), comprising: The air guide facility (30) an air inlet (32) located in said clean room (12) for receiving clean room air from said clean room (12); an air outlet (44) located in said clean room (12) for discharging a directional clean room airflow (R) for cleaning and / or cooling; a fluid line (34) connecting said air inlet (32) and said air outlet (44) to each other; an air conveying unit (36) arranged in the fluid line (34) for drawing the clean room air through the air inlet (32) and conveying the drawn clean room air to the air outlet (44), A container processing system (10).

2. the air outlet (44) having a nozzle portion for generating the directional cleanroom airflow (R); the air inlet (32) is implemented as a free line end; the air outlet (44) is implemented as a free line end; At least one of the following is satisfied:

10. The container processing system (10) of claim 1.

3. The air outlet (44) is directed horizontally or downwards. Container processing system (10) according to claim 1 or 2.

4. the air outlet (44) for discharging the directional clean room airflow (R) is positioned toward a component (28) of the container processing system (10) to be cleaned and / or cooled; the cleaning and / or cooling component (28) is located within the clean room (12); Preferably, the air outlet (44) is located adjacent to the component (28) to be cleaned and / or cooled; and / or the air outlet (44) is oriented relative to the component (28) to be cleaned and / or cooled such that the directional cleanroom airflow (R) dischargeable from the air outlet (44) impinges on and / or passes through the component (28) to be cleaned and / or cooled; A vessel processing system (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. The cleaning and / or cooling component (28) is preferably a sensor installation for detecting the containers located in the clean room (12), and optionally: the sensor equipment is a contactless and / or optical sensor device, preferably comprising at least one of a camera, an ultrasonic sensor, a laser sensor, a distance sensor, and an LED sensor; Container processing system (10) according to claim 4.

6. the air outlet (44) is arranged to allow the directional clean room airflow (R) to flow along the containers (12) that have been treated and / or transported by the at least one device (20, 22, 24), preferably below the container openings of the containers (12), and / or to redirect particles flowing out of the containers. A vessel processing system (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

7. The air conveying unit (36) is disposed within the clean room (12); the fluid lines (34) run entirely within the clean room (12); 7. The container processing system (10) of claim 1, wherein at least one of the following is filled:

8. The container processing system (10) further comprises a drive unit (38) drivably connected to the air conveying unit (36), The drive unit (38) is located outside the clean room (12); Preferably, The outer wall of the clean room (12) has a sealed shaft insertion portion (42) through which a drive shaft (40) drivingly connecting the drive unit (38) to the air conveying unit (36) passes. A vessel processing system (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

9. the clean room (12) is capable of or has positive pressure and / or sterile air applied to it; the air inlet (32), the fluid line (34), the air conveying unit (36), and the air outlet (44) are free of sterilizing filters and / or sterilization equipment for sterilizing the air; 9. The container processing system (10) of claim 1, wherein at least one of the following is filled:

10. the air inlet (32) is located in the upper half, upper third, or upper quarter of the clean room (12); the air inlet (32) is located adjacent to an air supply outlet of a clean room air supply device (14) for supplying the clean room air to the clean room (12); the air inlet (32) is located in the ceiling area of ​​the clean room (12); 10. The container processing system (10) of claim 1, wherein at least one of the following is filled:

11. the at least one device (20, 22, 24) having at least one container holder (26) for holding a container, preferably a neck-handling container holder; the air outlet (44) is located primarily at the height of the at least one container holder (26) or below the at least one container holder (26), and optionally The air outlet (44) is directed horizontally or downwards. A vessel processing system (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

12. A method for operating a vessel processing system (10), preferably according to any one of claims 1 to 11, comprising a clean room (12), comprising: transporting and / or processing containers within the clean room (12) using at least one device (20, 22, 24) of the container processing system (10); Suctioning clean room air from an air inlet (32) of an air guide facility (30) arranged in the clean room (12) using an air conveying unit (36) of the air guide facility (30); conveying the sucked clean room air from the fluid line (34) of the air guide facility (30) to the air outlet (44) of the air guide facility (30) using the air conveying unit (36); discharging the transported clean room air from the air outlet (44) as a directional clean room air flow (R), preferably towards cleaning and / or cooling components (28) of the container processing system (10) and / or along the transported and / or processed containers; cleaning and / or cooling with said directional cleanroom airflow (R); The method has the following features:

13. The directional cleanroom airflow (R) is directed horizontally or downwards; the directional cleanroom airflow (R) impinges on and / or passes through the components (28) to clean and / or cool the components (28); said directional cleanroom airflow (R) removing particulates from said components (28), preferably in a downward direction; the directional cleanroom airflow (R) redirects particles flowing down from the container; the directional clean room airflow (R) is directed to flow only under the container openings of the transported and / or processed containers; the suction, conveying, draining, cleaning and / or cooling is performed during transport and / or processing of said container; the suction, conveying, draining, cleaning and / or cooling is carried out continuously during the transport and / or processing of the container or discontinuously at settable times during the transport and / or processing of the container; The method of claim 12 , wherein at least one of the following is satisfied:

14. The component (28) is preferably a sensor installation for detecting the container located in the clean room (12), and optionally the sensor equipment is a contactless and / or optical sensor device, preferably comprising at least one of a camera, an ultrasonic sensor, a laser sensor, a distance sensor, and an LED sensor; 14. The method according to claim 12 or 13.

15. moreover, The method includes a step of driving the air conveying unit (36) arranged in the clean room (12) from outside the clean room (12) by a drive unit (38) arranged outside the clean room (12), Preferably, The outer wall of the clean room (12) has a sealed shaft insertion portion (42) through which a drive shaft (40) drivingly connecting the drive unit (38) to the air conveying unit (36) passes.

15. The method according to any one of claims 12 to 14.

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