Apparatus for handling reusable containers

Abstract

The invention relates to an apparatus (1, 40) for handling reusable containers which can be transported along a transport path in a transport direction through the apparatus. The apparatus comprises: a mass conveyor (2, 41) for transporting containers in a first direction (3, 42) and for supplying said containers to a container cleaning machine (4, 43) which is downstream of the mass conveyor and is designed to transport containers in a second direction (21, 44), to clean the inside and outside of said containers and then to output same on a single track, an output device (5, 49), which is downstream of the container cleaning machine, for removing and separating containers from the container cleaning machine in the first or in a third direction (39, 50). The second direction runs transversely to and the third direction is opposite to the first direction. Following the container cleaning machine, the output device comprises a first group of a plurality of parallel first conveyors which are designed to separate containers and to convey same in the first / third direction. Following the first group in parallel is a second group of a plurality of parallel second conveyors which are designed to convey the separated containers in the third / first direction and one or more third conveyors, which are fewer in number than the number of second conveyors, for transporting away the separated containers in the third / first direction.

Description

[0001] Device for treating reusable containers

[0002] The invention relates to a device for treating reusable containers according to independent claim 1.

[0003] State of the art

[0004] It is common practice in a reusable container plant to feed the bottles to a bottle washer in bulk transport after unpacking, with the bottles being guided into the bottle washer via a push table. After cleaning, the bottles are transferred back to a bulk conveyor. This bulk conveyor acts as a buffer to absorb any disruptions at or before the bottle washer, ensuring that these disruptions do not affect the filling process or the filling efficiency. In order to feed the bottles to an empty bottle inspector after the washer, the empty, cleaned bottles must first be lined from the multi-lane bulk conveyor onto a single lane. This is done in so-called "liners." These liners increase the transport speed of the bottles on stepped conveyor chains, allowing them to be lined against a railing.The bottles then travel in a single lane to the empty bottle inspector, where they are inspected and, if necessary, rejected. A single-lane conveyor is usually located between the empty bottle inspector and the filler. Filling takes place in a room separated by protective devices. The room can be open at the top or closed with a roof and can, for example, be equipped with ventilation systems to generate a laminar airflow to prevent the entry of microbes. After the filler, the bottles are inspected for filling and closure, and defective bottles are rejected accordingly. The bottles are then usually transferred to a bulk conveyor. Many products must first be pasteurized after filling. The bottles are then fed from the bulk conveyor to the tunnel pasteurizer.After passing through the tunnel pasteurizer, the bottles are again lined and fed to a labeling machine. Some products are also transported in a bypass around the tunnel pasteurizer because they do not require pasteurization. After the labeling machine, the bottles are again fed into a mass conveyor, which transports them to the packing machine.

[0005] This common procedure uses a single-lane conveyor on which sensors can detect gaps in the container flow. Subsequent overfeeds attempt to close these gaps in the container flow by changing speeds to ensure a continuous container flow, for example, upstream of the filler, the infeed screw. This functional unit is commonly referred to as electronic blocking. The current system design is very space-intensive and requires large operating areas. Due to the large area and the confusing number of machines and conveyors, accessibility and operability are limited or require extensive operator input.Tunnel pasteurization, which is energy-, media-, and space-intensive, is usually necessary because the open transport of uncapped bottles over long distances poses a contamination risk that cannot be eliminated even if other sources of contamination, such as the filling machine itself or potential contamination from closures, are reduced. Another disadvantage is the wear and tear of the bottles due to constant contact with each other under corresponding pressure, for example, on bulk conveyors, in machine inlets and outlets. This can lead to impacts, cracks, distortions in the glass, scratches, abrasion, and subsequent damage, which can limit the number of times the reusable bottle can be recycled.

[0006] Task

[0007] The object of the invention is to provide a device for treating reusable containers which can enable container-friendly, energy- and media-saving treatment together with space-saving.

[0008] Solution

[0009] The object is achieved by the device for treating reusable containers according to independent claim 1. Further embodiments are disclosed in the subclaims.

[0010] The device according to the invention for treating reusable containers, such as glass or PET bottles, which can be transported through the device along a transport path in a transport direction, comprises: a mass conveyor which is designed to transport reusable containers in a first direction and to feed them to a container cleaning machine following the mass conveyor in the transport direction, the container cleaning machine which is designed to transport reusable containers in a second direction, to clean them inside and out, and to dispense them in a single lane after a cleaning process, an dispensing device following the container cleaning machine in the transport direction for removing and singling reusable containers from the container cleaning machine in the first direction or in a third direction. The second direction runs transversely to the first direction. The third direction is opposite to the first direction.

[0011] The dispensing device comprises, adjacent to the container cleaning machine, a first group of a plurality of parallel first conveyors which can be driven in the first direction or in the third direction and are designed to separate reusable containers and convey them in the first direction or in the third direction. Furthermore, the dispensing device comprises, adjacent to the first group of a plurality of parallel first conveyors, a second group of a plurality of parallel second conveyors which can be driven in the third direction or in the first direction and are designed to convey the separated reusable containers in the third or in the first direction, and one or more third conveyors whose number is smaller than a number of second conveyors. The third conveyor or conveyors is / are designed to transport the separated reusable containers away in the third direction or in the first direction.

[0012] By providing parallel conveyors, which can be arranged transversely to the second direction of the container cleaning machine and which also serve to separate the reusable containers, a compact design and thus space savings can be achieved.

[0013] The terms “first”, “second”, and “third” serve only to distinguish between the two, but are not to be understood as being restrictive.

[0014] Cleaning can be carried out in such a way that the reusable containers can be sterile afterwards.

[0015] Alternatively, the output device can be designed with a single track. For example, after the container cleaning machine or after the container cleaning or after the reusable containers have been delivered to a single-track conveyor, for example until the reusable containers are filled or closed, no mass transport is provided in which the reusable containers would jostle each other or could move in an area with a width that is twice, three times or more than the width of the area of ​​the single-track conveyor. It is also possible that in the area between the container cleaning machine and, for example, a filler or a closing device (for example a filling and closing device) of the reusable containers, no separating means are provided that would bring reusable containers from an area with a width of several tracks to the one track of the single-track conveyor.

[0016] It can be provided that, downstream of the container cleaning machine, the cleaned containers can be removed from container baskets or container cells comprised by the container cleaning machine and buffered. For example, the removed containers can be buffered on a buffer device, for example immediately after removal. The buffer device can comprise a mat chain, which can, for example, have a width equal to the container cleaning machine. The containers can be transported and / or removed from the buffer device to the output device, wherein the containers can then be lined from a wide mass of containers to form a single-lane container stream, for example by means of several belts and controllable belt speeds. The container stream can be transported to an inspection machine.

[0017] The buffer device may be or may include the buffer area mentioned below.

[0018] The container cleaning machine may comprise at least one ejection device and / or at least one spraying device.

[0019] The at least one ejection device can have a fixed position, or the at least one ejection device can be designed to be movable and can be inserted into and removed from the interior of a reusable container.

[0020] The container cleaning machine may use water mixed with a disinfectant for a cleaning process. The disinfectant may include chlorine dioxide.

[0021] The single-track dispensing device can be designed to be controllable or adjustable in such a way that pressure-reduced transport of reusable containers is possible.

[0022] The container cleaning machine can include a buffer area in the mass transport upstream of the single-track dispensing device in the transport direction. For example, the buffer area can be designed to transport reusable containers in the second direction. This buffer area is therefore part of the container cleaning machine. The buffer area serves as a buffer to absorb disruptions at or upstream of the container cleaning machine, so that the disruptions cannot, for example, affect subsequent filling or the efficiency of the filling process.

[0023] The device can further comprise a single-track conveyor following the output device in the transport direction, and a first inspection device for empty reusable containers following the single-track conveyor in the transport direction. The reusable containers cleaned in the container cleaning machine and fed to the first inspection device can also be referred to as empty reusable containers, since they are not yet filled with product. A first rejection device can be provided following the first inspection device, by which reusable containers identified as defective in the first inspection device can be rejected.

[0024] The device may further comprise a further single-track conveyor following the first inspection device in the transport direction, and a filling and closing device following the further single-track conveyor. For example, the filling and closing device may comprise a sterilization device for closures. For example, the filling and closing device may be arranged in a first hygienic room.

[0025] The additional single-track conveyor can feed the empty reusable containers to the filling and closing device. It is not intended that the reusable containers that have been cleaned and inspected in the first inspection device are transported in bulk after the first inspection device and before the additional single-track conveyor. For example, no transport is intended in which the cleaned reusable containers would jostle and / or could move in an area with a width that would be twice, three times or more the width of the area of ​​the single-track conveyor or the additional single-track conveyor. Likewise, no singling device(s) is / are provided there. In the filling and closing device, the reusable containers can be filled with product and the filled reusable containers can then be closed with a closure.

[0026] A hygienic area can be understood as a room that is at least partially separated from the environment, in which the number of germs is lower than outside the hygienic area due to air circulation and air purification. For example, a hygienic area can be understood as a room that is at least partially separated from the environment, in which, for example, per cubic meter, particles with a size of > 0.1 pm may occur in a number of fewer than 10,000, particles with a size of > 0.2 pm in a number of fewer than 2,370, particles with a size of > 0.3 pm in a number of fewer than 1,020, particles with a size of > 0.5 pm in a number of fewer than 352, and particles with a size of > 1.0 pm in a number of fewer than 83 may occur. The hygienic area can be equipped with air filters and the like.

[0027] An inlet into the filling and closing device can include a long stator star. The inlet can therefore be designed without a screw. The long stator star allows the inlet to process different container pitches and feed them to the filling and closing device. Larger gaps, such as those caused by discharged containers, can also be fed to the filling and closing device.

[0028] A long stator starwheel can comprise a substantially circular transport path with at least one long stator of a linear motor and at least one guide element, as well as a plurality of individually controllable transport elements. The individually controllable transport elements can be movably mounted on the at least one guide element. The at least one guide element and / or the at least one long stator can be designed to be rotatable about a rotation axis through the center of the transport path. The transport elements can comprise runners, movers, shuttles, or pucks. The single-track conveyor, the first inspection device, the further single-track conveyor, and the filling and closing device can be arranged in a common hygienic area. For example, part of the container cleaning machine can also be arranged in the common hygienic area.For example, the container cleaning machine part can include at least the single-track dispensing device. For example, the container cleaning machine part can also include the buffer area in the bulk transport.

[0029] In order to avoid contamination with unwanted germs or the like after cleaning the reusable containers, i.e. in order to maintain the sterility of the reusable containers, the buffer area and the single-track output device of the container cleaning machine, the single-track conveyor, the first inspection device, the first discharge device, the further single-track conveyor and the filling and closing device can be arranged in a common hygienic space. Therefore, the provision of a pasteurizer for pasteurizing the reusable containers filled with product may not be necessary. Thus, a pasteurizer can be dispensed with in the device according to the invention for treating reusable containers, for example even for products that should generally be pasteurized and would not be bypassed past a pasteurizer of a prior art device.

[0030] The common hygienic area may include the same characteristics as the first hygienic area described above.

[0031] In the shared hygienic area, an overpressure may prevail compared to the pressure of the environment outside the shared hygienic area. For example, the overpressure may be more than 3 Pa higher than the ambient pressure. For example, the overpressure may be controllable or adjustable.

[0032] The device may further comprise a second inspection device for filled and closed reusable containers following the filling and closing device in the transport direction.

[0033] The filled and sealed reusable containers can be fed to the second inspection device via a single-track conveyor. This eliminates the need for bulk transport and separation devices. A second rejection device can be provided downstream of the second inspection device, allowing reusable containers identified as defective in the second inspection device to be rejected.

[0034] The device can further comprise a drying device following the filling and closing device in the transport direction for drying the outer surfaces of filled and closed reusable containers. Drying the container surfaces can enable good label adhesion.

[0035] The device can further comprise a labeling device following the filling and closing device in the transport direction. For example, a partition wall can be provided between the filling and closing device and the labeling device, allowing the filled and closed reusable containers to pass through it. For example, a star-shaped blocking system, a screw-shaped blocking system, or a linear stator-shaped blocking system can be provided between the filling and closing device and the labeling device.

[0036] The reusable containers inspected by the second inspection device can be fed to the labeling device via a single-track conveyor. This eliminates the need for bulk transport and separation devices.

[0037] The partition wall, which is passable for the filled and sealed reusable containers, prevents unwanted contamination of the first and / or common hygienic room.

[0038] The device can further comprise a third inspection device for labeled reusable containers. The reusable containers labeled in the labeling device can be fed to the third inspection device via a single-track conveyor. This also eliminates the need for mass transport and separation devices. A third rejection device can be provided downstream of the third inspection device, through which reusable containers identified as defective in the third inspection device can be rejected.

[0039] Non-rejected reusable containers that are filled, sealed and labelled can be fed into further processes, such as creating containers, arranging them on a pallet and the like.

[0040] Short character description

[0041] The attached figures represent aspects and / or embodiments of the invention by way of example for better understanding and illustration. It shows:

[0042] Figure 1 shows a first embodiment of a device according to the invention for treating reusable containers,

[0043] Figure 2 shows a device for treating reusable containers according to the prior art and

[0044] Figure 3 shows a second embodiment of a device according to the invention for treating reusable containers. Detailed description of the figures

[0045] Figure 1 shows a first embodiment of a device 1 according to the invention for treating reusable containers, such as glass and PET bottles. The device 1 comprises a mass conveyor 2, which conveys reusable containers of a type corresponding to the mass conveyor 2 in the first transport direction.

[0046] 3 to the subsequent container cleaning machine 4. The container cleaning machine 4 can transport the reusable containers in a second transport direction 21, wherein the second transport direction 21 runs transversely to the first transport direction 3, here, for example, perpendicular or essentially perpendicular. In the container cleaning machine 4, reusable containers can be transferred to bottle cell carriers, by means of which they can be transported through at least part of the container cleaning machine 4 and cleaned in the process. The cleaning can be carried out in such a way that the reusable containers can be sterile afterwards.

[0047] The container cleaning machine 4 comprises a buffer area 7 in the mass transport, in which reusable containers already cleaned in the container cleaning machine 4 can be temporarily stored. Following the buffer area 7, the container cleaning machine comprises

[0048] 4 a single-lane output device 5.

[0049] The single-track output device 5 of the container cleaning machine 4 is followed in the transport direction 39 by a single-track conveyor 6 of the device 1. It is not intended that the cleaned reusable containers be transported after the single-track output device 5 and before the single-track conveyor 6 in a mass transport (i.e., for example, no transport is provided in which the cleaned reusable containers would jostle and / or could move in an area with a width that would correspond to twice, three times, or more than the width of the area of ​​the single-track conveyor 6). Likewise, no singling device(s) is / are provided there. By means of the single-track conveyor 6, cleaned reusable containers can be fed to a first inspection device 8 for cleaned reusable containers.These reusable containers can also be referred to as empty reusable containers, as they are not yet filled with product. A first rejection device 9 is provided downstream of the first inspection device 8, through which reusable containers identified as defective in the first inspection device 8 can be rejected.

[0050] Following the first inspection device 8 and the first rejection device 9, a further single-track conveyor 10 is provided, which feeds the empty reusable containers to a filling and closing device 11. It is not intended that the reusable containers cleaned and inspected in the first inspection device 8 are transported after the inspection device 8 and before the further single-track conveyor 10 in a mass transport (i.e., for example, no transport is provided in which the cleaned reusable containers would jostle and / or could move in an area with a width that would correspond to twice, three times, or several times the width of the area of ​​the single-track conveyor 6 or the further single-track conveyor 10). Accordingly, no singling device(s) is / are provided there either.In the filling and closing device 11, the reusable containers can be filled with product, and the filled reusable containers can then be sealed with a closure. For example, the filling and closing device 11 can include a sterilization device for the closures. Optionally, the filling and closing device 11 can be arranged in a first hygienic room 12.

[0051] In order to avoid contamination with unwanted germs or the like after cleaning the reusable containers, i.e., in order to maintain the sterility of the reusable containers, the buffer area 7 and the single-track output device 5 of the container cleaning machine 4, the single-track conveyor 6, the first inspection device 8, the first discharge device 9, the further single-track conveyor 10, and the filling and closing device 11 are arranged in a common hygienic space 13. Therefore, the provision of a pasteurizer for pasteurizing the reusable containers filled with product may not be necessary. Thus, a pasteurizer can be dispensed with in the device 1 according to the invention for treating reusable containers.

[0052] A partition wall can be provided downstream of the filling and closing device 11, allowing the filled and closed reusable containers to pass through. This partition wall can prevent unwanted contamination of the first and / or common hygienic space.

[0053] A second inspection device 14 for filled and sealed reusable containers is provided downstream of the filling and closing device 11 in the transport direction. The reusable containers can be fed to the second inspection device 14 by means of a single-track conveyor. This eliminates the need for mass transport and separation devices. A second rejection device 14 is provided downstream of the second inspection device 14, through which reusable containers identified as defective in the second inspection device 14 can be rejected.

[0054] Downstream in the transport direction, a labeling device 16 is provided for labeling the filled and sealed reusable containers. The reusable containers inspected by the second inspection device 14 can be fed to the labeling device 16 by means of a single-track conveyor. This also eliminates the need for mass transport and singulation devices. A third inspection device 17 for filled, sealed, and labeled reusable containers is provided downstream of the labeling device 16 in the transport direction. The reusable containers labeled in the labeling device 16 can be fed to the third inspection device 17 by means of a single-track conveyor. This also eliminates the need for mass transport and singulation devices.Following the third inspection device 17, a third rejection device 18 is provided, by means of which reusable containers determined to be faulty in the third inspection device 18 can be rejected.

[0055] Non-rejected reusable containers that are filled, sealed and labelled can be fed into further processes, such as creating containers, arranging them on a pallet and the like.

[0056] Figure 2 shows a device 19 for treating reusable containers according to the prior art. The scale corresponds to that of Figure 1 to allow a comparison of the space required by the two devices; even though this is only shown schematically here.

[0057] Reusable containers are fed to a container cleaning machine 22 by means of a mass conveyor 20 in one transport direction. After cleaning in the container cleaning machine 22, the cleaned reusable containers are transferred via a mass conveyor 23 to multi-track conveyors 24. After passing through a separating device 25, the reusable containers are transferred to a single-track conveyor 26, which transports them to a first inspection device 27 with a first discharge. There, the cleaned reusable containers are inspected and, if necessary, discharged.

[0058] The inspected reusable containers are then transported by a single-track conveyor 28 to a filling and closing device 29, where they are filled with product and sealed. A single-track conveyor 30 transports the reusable containers to a second inspection device 31 with a first discharge. There, the filled and sealed reusable containers are inspected and, if necessary, discharged.

[0059] By means of multi-track conveyors 32, the reusable containers are then transported to a pasteurizer 33, where pasteurization takes place. After leaving the pasteurizer 33, the reusable containers are transported by multi-track conveyors 34 to a separating device 35 and then by a single-track conveyor 36 to a labeling device 37. The reusable containers labeled in the labeling device 37 are fed to a third inspection device 38 with a third discharge by means of a single-track conveyor. Due to the required pasteurizer 33 as well as the multi-track conveyors 24, 32, 34 and separating devices 25, 35, the space requirement for the device 19 of the prior art is significantly higher than for the device 1 according to the invention.

[0060] Figure 3 shows a second embodiment of a device 40 according to the invention for treating reusable containers.

[0061] The device 40 comprises a mass conveyor 41 for feeding reusable containers to a container cleaning machine 43 following the mass conveyor 41 in the transport direction 42. The container cleaning machine 43 can transport the reusable containers in a second transport direction 44, wherein the second transport direction 44 runs transversely to the first transport direction 42, here, for example, perpendicular or essentially perpendicular. In the container cleaning machine 43, reusable containers can be transferred to bottle cell carriers, by means of which they can be transported through at least part of the container cleaning machine 43 and cleaned in the process. Cleaning can be carried out in such a way that the reusable containers can be sterile afterward.

[0062] Adjacent to the container cleaning machine 43 is a conveyor 45 that can transport the reusable containers in a third transport direction 46, which is opposite to the first transport direction 42. The conveyor 45 is designed as a mass conveyor.

[0063] Adjacent to the conveyor 45, a buffer area 47 is provided in the bulk transport, where reusable containers already cleaned in the container cleaning machine 43 can be temporarily stored and transported in a fourth transport direction 48. The fourth transport direction 48 is opposite to the second transport direction 44. An inlet of the buffer area 47 separates the reusable containers accordingly and distributes them across the entire width of the buffer area 47.

[0064] Adjacent to the buffer area 47, a single-track output device 49 is provided. Following the single-track output device 49 in a fifth transport direction 50 is a single-track conveyor 51 of the device 40. It is not intended that the cleaned reusable containers be transported in a mass transport manner after the single-track output device 49 and before the single-track conveyor 51 (i.e., for example, no transport is provided in which the cleaned reusable containers would jostle and / or could move in an area with a width that would correspond to twice, three times, or more than the width of the area of ​​the single-track conveyor 51). Likewise, no singling device(s) is / are provided there. By means of the single-track conveyor 51, cleaned reusable containers can be fed to a first inspection device 52 for cleaned reusable containers.These reusable containers can also be referred to as empty reusable containers, as they are not yet filled with product. A first rejection device 53 is provided downstream of the first inspection device 52, through which reusable containers identified as defective in the first inspection device 52 can be rejected.

[0065] Following the first inspection device 52 and the first rejection device 53, a further single-track conveyor 54 is provided, which feeds the empty reusable containers to a filling and closing device 55. It is not intended that the reusable containers cleaned and inspected in the first inspection device 52 be transported in a mass transport process after the inspection device 52 and before the further single-track conveyor 54 (i.e., for example, no transport is provided in which the cleaned reusable containers would jostle and / or could move in an area with a width that would correspond to twice, three times, or several times the width of the area of ​​the single-track conveyor 51 or the further single-track conveyor 54). Accordingly, no singling device(s) is / are provided there either.In the filling and closing device 55, the reusable containers can be filled with product, and the filled reusable containers can then be sealed with a closure. For example, the filling and closing device 55 can include a sterilization device for the closures. Optionally, the filling and closing device 55 can be arranged in a first hygienic room 56.

[0066] In order to avoid contamination with unwanted germs or the like after cleaning the reusable containers, i.e., in order to maintain the sterility of the reusable containers, the buffer area 47 and the single-track output device 49, the single-track conveyor 51, the first inspection device 52, the first discharge device 53, the further single-track conveyor 54, and the filling and closing device 55 are arranged in a common hygienic space 57. Therefore, the provision of a pasteurizer for pasteurizing the reusable containers filled with product may not be necessary. Thus, a pasteurizer can be dispensed with in the device 40 according to the invention for treating reusable containers.

[0067] A partition wall can be provided downstream of the filling and closing device 55, allowing the filled and closed reusable containers to pass through. This partition wall can prevent unwanted contamination of the first and / or common hygienic space.

[0068] A second inspection device 58 for filled and sealed reusable containers is provided downstream of the filling and closing device 55 in the transport direction. The reusable containers can be fed to the second inspection device 58 by means of a single-track conveyor. This eliminates the need for mass transport and separation devices. A second rejection device 59 is provided downstream of the second inspection device 58, through which reusable containers identified as defective in the second inspection device 58 can be rejected.

[0069] Downstream in the transport direction 50, a labeling device 60 is provided for labeling the filled and sealed reusable containers. The reusable containers inspected by the second inspection device 58 can be fed to the labeling device 60 by means of a single-track conveyor. This also eliminates the need for mass transport and separation devices.

[0070] A third inspection device 61 for filled, sealed, and labeled reusable containers is provided downstream of the labeling device 60 in the transport direction 50. The reusable containers labeled in the labeling device 60 can be fed to the third inspection device 61 by means of a single-track conveyor. This also eliminates the need for mass transport and separation devices. A third rejection device 62 is provided downstream of the third inspection device 61, by which reusable containers identified as defective in the third inspection device 61 can be rejected.

[0071] Non-rejected reusable containers that are filled, sealed and labelled can be fed into further processes, such as creating containers, arranging them on a pallet and the like.

Claims

Claims 1. Device (1, 40) for treating reusable containers, such as glass or PET bottles, which can be transported along a transport path in a transport direction through the device, the device comprising: - a mass conveyor (2, 41) designed to transport reusable containers in a first direction (3, 42) and to feed them to a container cleaning machine (4, 43) following the mass conveyor (2, 41) in the transport direction, - the container cleaning machine (4, 43) which is designed to transport reusable containers in a second direction (21, 44), to clean them from the inside and outside and to dispense them in a single lane after a cleaning process, wherein the second direction (21, 44) runs transversely to the first direction (3, 42), and - an output device (5, 49) following the container cleaning machine (4, 43) in the transport direction for removing and separating reusable containers from the container cleaning machine (4, 43) in the first direction (3, 42) or in a third direction (39, 50) which is opposite to the first direction (3, 42). wherein the dispensing device (5, 49) comprises, following the container cleaning machine (4, 43), a first group of a plurality of parallel first conveyors which can be driven in the first direction (3, 42) or in the third direction (39, 50) and are designed to separate reusable containers and to convey them in the first direction (3, 42) or in the third direction (39, 50), wherein the dispensing device (5, 49) further comprises, following the first group of a plurality of parallel first conveyors, a second group of a plurality of parallel second conveyors which are arranged in the third direction (39, 50) or in the first direction (3,42) and are designed to convey the separated reusable containers in the third direction (39, 50) or in the first direction (3, 42) and one or more third conveyors, the number of which is smaller than a number of second conveyors, wherein the third or third conveyors is / are designed to transport the separated reusable containers in the third direction (39, 50) or in the first direction (3, 42).

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the subsequent output device (5, 49) is designed as a single track.

3. The device according to claim 2, wherein the at least one ejection device has a fixed position or wherein the at least one ejection device is designed to be movable and can be inserted into and removed from the interior of a reusable container.

4. The device according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein water mixed with a disinfectant is provided in the container cleaning machine (4, 43) for a cleaning process, wherein, for example, the disinfectant comprises chloride dioxide.

5. The device according to one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the single-track dispensing device (5, 49) is designed to be controllable or regulatable in such a way that a pressure-reduced transport of reusable containers can be carried out.

6. The device according to one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the container cleaning machine (4) comprises a buffer area (7) in the mass transport in front of the single-track output device (5) in the transport direction, wherein, for example, the buffer area (7) is designed to transport reusable containers in the second direction (21) or in a fourth direction, wherein the second direction (21) and the fourth direction are opposite.

7. The device according to one of claims 1 to 6, further comprising a single-track conveyor (6, 51) following the dispensing device (5, 49) in the transport direction and a first inspection device (8, 53) for empty reusable containers following the single-track conveyor (6, 51) in the transport direction.

8. The device according to claim 7, further comprising a further single-track conveyor (10, 54) following the first inspection device (8, 53) in the transport direction and a filling and closing device (11, 55) following the further single-track conveyor (10, 54), wherein, for example, the filling and closing device (11, 55) comprises a sterilizing device for closures, wherein, for example, the filling and closing device (11, 55) is arranged in a first hygienic room (12, 56).

9. The device according to claim 8, wherein an inlet into the filling and closing device (11, 55) comprises a long stator star.

10. The device according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the single-track conveyor (6, 51), the first inspection device (8, 52), the further single-track conveyor (10, 54) and the filling and closing device (11, 55) are arranged in a common hygienic area (13, 57), wherein, for example, a part of the container cleaning machine (4, 43) is also arranged in the common hygienic area (13, 57), wherein, for example, the part of the container cleaning machine (4) comprises at least the at least one-track output device (5), wherein, for example, the part of the container cleaning machine (4) also comprises the buffer area (7) in the mass transport.

11. The device according to claim 10, wherein in the common hygienic area (13, 57) compared to a pressure of an environment outside the common hygienic an overpressure prevails in the area, where, for example, the overpressure is more than 3 Pa higher than the ambient pressure, where, for example, the overpressure is controllable or adjustable.

12. The device according to one of claims 8 to 11, further comprising a second inspection device (14, 58) for filled and closed reusable containers following the filling and closing device (11, 55) in the transport direction.

13. The device according to one of claims 8 to 12, further comprising a drying device following the filling and closing device (11, 55) in the transport direction for drying outer surfaces of filled and closed reusable containers.

14. The device according to one of claims 8 to 13, further comprising a labelling device (16, 60), wherein, for example, a partition wall is provided between the filling and closing device (11, 55) and the labelling device (16, 60) which can be passed by the filled and closed reusable containers, wherein, for example, a blocking by stars, a blocking by screws or a blocking by linear stators is provided between the filling and closing device (11, 55) and the labelling device (16, 60).

15. The device according to claim 14, further comprising a third inspection device (17, 61) for labelled reusable containers.

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