Method for sterilizing a container treatment system located in a housing, and container treatment system

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for sterilizing a container treatment system (1) located in a housing (2). In a sterilization step, a sterilization medium is introduced into the housing (2) and acts on the container treatment system (1), and in a subsequent decontamination step (IV), the sterilization medium quantity is reduced, a fluid flow being provided to this end. According to the invention, in order to carry out the decontamination step, at least one decontamination system (5), which has a circulation fan (7) and a separating device (6), is provided in the housing (2) or is connected to the housing (2), wherein the fluid present in the housing (2) is circulated by means of the circulation fan (7) and is fed through the separating device (6). The invention also relates to a container treatment system for carrying out the method.

Description

[0001] Method for sterilizing a container treatment plant arranged in an enclosure and container treatment system

[0002] Description:

[0003] The invention relates to a method for sterilizing a container system arranged in a housing. In a sterilization step, a sterilizing medium is introduced into the housing and acts on the container treatment system. Subsequently, in a decontamination step, the amount of sterilizing medium is reduced by providing a fluid flow. The invention further relates to a container treatment system for implementing the method.

[0004] The present invention relates in particular to the beverage industry, with the container processing system then handling beverage containers. Within the scope of the invention, beverage containers are understood to include, in particular, beverage cans, beverage bottles, and also preforms from which beverage bottles are formed.

[0005] In the context of the present invention, the term "container treatment system" refers not only to the handling and modification of containers, but also includes their shaping, forming, filling, closing, labeling, or the like. For example, the container treatment system can be a stretch blow molding machine, a form-fill machine, or a conventional beverage filling machine to which already formed containers are fed. A beverage filling machine can be configured for cans or bottles. A system for treating preforms can also be considered a beverage container treatment system. For example, it can be provided that a sterilization system for preforms is arranged in the housing and is itself intended to be sterilized. As already explained above, however, the invention is not limited to the expressly mentioned embodiments of the container treatment system.

[0006] In a facility, corresponding container treatment systems can be either open or enclosed. Such an enclosure serves to protect the container treatment system and provide a certain degree of separation from the surrounding environment. The enclosure is assigned to the respective container treatment system, with the enclosure typically having an input area and an output area for the treated containers or, if applicable, their precursors. If the container treatment system is designed as a stretch blow molding machine, for example, preforms are fed into the input area, while the formed containers are removed from the output area.

[0007] An enclosure is particularly useful when there are increased demands for cleanliness. For example, with sensitive beverages or other products stored in containers, there is often a desire to keep out foreign substances, germs, bacteria, or the like in order to ensure high-quality products over the longest possible storage period. Depending on the requirements, such systems are also referred to as aseptic systems. For container treatment systems with increased hygiene requirements, it is common practice to clean the entire container treatment system with a cleaning medium at regular intervals, as needed, or after maintenance, in a single cleaning step and / or to sterilize it in a single sterilization step.

[0008] Within the scope of the invention, a distinction is made between cleaning and sterilization, with the present invention specifically relating to sterilization. In this context, cleaning is understood to mean in particular the removal of soiling and contaminants by rinsing, washing, wiping or the like. In container treatment systems, cleaning can be carried out manually or automatically using a liquid cleaning agent. When sterilizing container treatment systems, the aim is to kill or destroy microorganisms, spores and viruses to a significant extent. In particular, sterilization can be carried out using a suitable sterilizing agent which reduces the proportion of germs and bacteria to a predetermined level, for example by 4 to 5 orders of magnitude.

[0009] The primary goal is therefore the deactivation of microorganisms, spores, and viruses. Unlike cleaning, the removal of the deactivated components is irrelevant or of secondary importance. For this reason, sterilization is often carried out in dry or essentially dry form. A sterilizing agent can, for example, be introduced in gaseous form. It is also possible to nebulize or spray a sterilizing agent, in which case the sterilizing agent usually evaporates or vaporizes and can thus be dissipated with the surrounding air.

[0010] Such sterilization can be carried out, among other things, with hydrogen peroxide, which is evaporated or nebulized from an aqueous solution and distributed throughout the dwelling.

[0011] After such a sterilization step, depending on the sterilization medium, it may be necessary to remove it before normal production operations in the container treatment plant can resume and / or before the enclosure is opened or entered. For hydrogen peroxide, for example, it is known to vacuum the interior of the enclosure and discharge the extracted fluid stream to the outside, with or without filtration or neutralization by a catalyst. At the same time, fresh air is supplied, which, however, must be suitably conditioned. In particular, it may be necessary to filter, dehumidify, and heat or cool the supplied fresh air to maintain a suitable temperature. The decontamination step therefore involves a considerable expenditure of time and energy for conditioning the fresh air.

[0012] DE 698 00 523 T2 relates to a decontamination device with which a sterilization medium with a carrier gas is conveyed for the sterilization of medical, pharmaceutical and biological instruments, devices and products.

[0013] DE 10 2016 003 005 A1 relates to a method for sterilizing a room, in particular an isolator, a lock, a RABS (Restricted Access Barrier System), or a glove box, with a recirculation chamber arranged in the room to be sterilized, which has at least one fan for generating a gaseous circulating air flow between the room to be sterilized and the recirculation chamber. The room to be sterilized and the recirculation chamber can be separated from each other by filters, such as HEPA filters. A sterilizing agent such as hydrogen peroxide mixed with air can be used to sterilize the filters during circulation.

[0014] The present invention is based on the object of enabling an increase in efficiency in a method for sterilizing a container treatment system arranged in an enclosure. Furthermore, a container treatment system for carrying out the method is to be specified.

[0015] The subject matter of the invention and the solution to the problem are a method according to patent claim 1 and a container treatment system according to patent claim 12. Starting from a generic method according to the preamble of patent claim 1, it is accordingly provided that for carrying out the decontamination step, at least one decontamination system having a circulating air blower and a separation device is arranged in the housing or connected to the housing, wherein the fluid present in the housing circulates with the circulating air blower and is guided via the separation device.

[0016] The separation device is designed to remove the sterilization medium from the fluid stream. This removal can be achieved by separation and / or neutralization, i.e., conversion of the sterilization medium. For example, hydrogen peroxide can be neutralized with a catalyst.

[0017] According to the invention, the fluid circulates within the enclosure, allowing a large volume flow to be readily achieved. If the decontamination system is arranged directly within the enclosure, all supply and discharge lines that restrict the flow are eliminated. Alternatively, the at least one decontamination system can also be connected to the enclosure, whereby the decontamination system can be connected directly to an outer wall of the enclosure or via comparatively short connecting lines with a large cross-section. In all of the described embodiments, it is easily possible to achieve a large volume flow and thus ensure particularly rapid removal of the sterilization medium in the decontamination step.

[0018] The enclosure is typically filled with air, which may contain the sterilization medium as a gas or mist. In this context, the fluid flow can also be referred to in a broad sense as an air flow.

[0019] Since the existing fluid (the existing air) within the enclosure is circulated by the recirculation fan and passed through the separation device, extensive conditioning, as required with the supply of fresh air, is also unnecessary, thus typically resulting in significant energy savings. Circulation within the enclosure also reliably prevents the release of toxic or harmful substances into the environment, which can contribute to improved environmental protection. If the sterilization medium is not converted but at least partially separated, reprocessing and / or reuse is also generally considered.

[0020] Within the scope of the method according to the invention, various possible embodiments arise. As already explained above, the circulation of the fluid within the enclosure makes it possible to completely dispense with the supply of fresh air, thereby also avoiding emissions. Alternatively, however, it is also possible, for example, to additionally supply fresh air at the end of the decontamination step to enable a final air exchange. Within the scope of such a process, at least large quantities of the sterilization medium can be removed by the circulation of the fluid, while still achieving at least a significant reduction in emissions.

[0021] The sterilization method according to the invention is usually carried out outside of the actual production operation. The method can be carried out, for example, at regular intervals, as needed, or even after maintenance. For example, it is known to clean container treatment systems with increased cleanliness requirements regularly, for example weekly. Additionally or alternatively, the method can be carried out if contamination is detected in various ways. For example, it is conceivable to determine the degree of contamination with microorganisms, spores, and / or viruses using sensors or the like. In particular, the method can also be carried out after maintenance in order to remove microbial components introduced during maintenance.

[0022] Within the scope of the invention, it may also be expedient to appropriately temper, i.e., heat or cool, the fluid circulated by the decontamination system within the housing. Cooling may be useful, for example, to dissipate heat overall. Heating the fluid flow, however, is considered when, for example, in a stretch blow molding machine, the temperature needs to be adjusted to still-warm machine parts. However, the energy required for such tempering is generally significantly lower than for the supply of fresh air.

[0023] As already mentioned, hydrogen peroxide is used as the sterilization medium during the sterilization step. For example, it can be provided that hydrogen peroxide is provided during the sterilization step at a concentration between 300 ppm and 5000 ppm, preferably between 300 ppm and 4000 ppm, and in particular between 300 ppm and 1000 ppm. This information refers to the average concentration within the enclosure.

[0024] Hydrogen peroxide, in particular, is preferably introduced by evaporation and / or atomization, whereby such a process can be carried out over a suitable period of time to build up the desired concentration. Additionally or alternatively, it is also possible to spray the container treatment system or parts thereof directly, in which case the sterilization medium then passes into the fluid present within the enclosure. Even in this case, suitable decontamination is required, for which the fluid is circulated with the recirculation fan.

[0025] Regardless of the specific provision, for example, when hydrogen peroxide is used as the sterilization medium, it can be provided that the concentration is reduced to less than 10 ppm, preferably less than 2 ppm, and particularly preferably less than 1 ppm during the decontamination step. To achieve effective sterilization, a suitable exposure time must be selected during the sterilization step. For example, it can be provided that the sterilization medium is exposed for between 15 minutes and 90 minutes, in particular between 30 minutes and 60 minutes, during the sterilization step.

[0026] The separation device may comprise at least one filter and / or catalyst in order to reduce the amount of sterilization medium in the decontamination step, wherein the sterilization medium can be both separated and neutralized.

[0027] In principle, it is also possible for the fluid to be conveyed within the enclosure at least to a certain extent during the sterilization step. However, if the concentration of the sterilization medium within the enclosure is at least largely uniform, such circulation is generally not necessary.

[0028] During the decontamination step, however, a large volume flow is provided by the recirculation fan in order to remove the sterilization medium as quickly as possible and then allow normal production operations to resume. It should be noted that, depending on the properties of the separation device, a non-linear decrease in concentration due to neutralization or binding is to be expected, whereby, for example, an approximately exponential decrease is possible. Depending on the size of the container treatment plant and the housing provided for it, suitable circulation must be provided during the decontamination step. The space enclosed by the housing can, for example, have a volume between 5 m 3 and 50 m 3 , especially between 5 m 3 and 25 m 3 , have.

[0029] The container treatment system enclosed by the enclosure is typically connected to supply and discharge lines and / or other systems. It is advisable that the corresponding openings in the enclosure can be closed at least to a certain extent for sterilization purposes using gates, screens, or the like.

[0030] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, it is provided that in the decontamination step the circulating air fan has a volume flow between 200 m 3 / h and 5000 m 3 / h, especially between 200 m 3 / h and 3000 m 3 / h, promotes.

[0031] In particular, taking into account the volume flow and a suitable duration of the decontamination step, it can be provided, for example, that the volume of the space enclosed by the housing is circulated 20 to 200 times in the decontamination step. The specified range of values ​​is merely exemplary; in particular, it can also be provided that the volume of the space enclosed by the housing is circulated more than 200 times in the decontamination step. The size and structure of the enclosed space, the type of sterilization medium, and the flow paths are also relevant. If the decontamination step is controlled, for example, using sensors, this can also result in a different duration or a different circulation.

[0032] As already mentioned, a certain degree of conditioning of the fluid present in the enclosure may also be expedient within the scope of the invention, even if no fresh air is supplied. To enable particularly efficient sterilization, a dehumidification step can, for example, precede the sterilization step.

[0033] As previously explained, the sterilization process is typically carried out outside of the production facility. Accordingly, the entire decontamination system is preferably operated exclusively outside of the production facility of the container treatment facility. The decontamination system then serves solely for the described process. Particularly when located outside the housing and connected to the enclosure, the decontamination system can easily be designed as a mobile system. Corresponding connections on a side wall of the enclosure or on connecting lines of the enclosure can, for example, also be designed to be closable with valves or flaps. The decontamination system can then be used in a variety of ways and, for example, also for other container treatment facilities.The sterilization step, the decontamination step, and the optional dehumidification step can be controlled based on time specifications. Additionally or alternatively, it is also possible to record status data, which can then be used to control and adjust the described steps. For example, the humidity, temperature, and concentration of the sterilization medium can also be determined using sensors or similar. In particular, the decontamination step and an optional dehumidification step can then only be operated until certain specified values ​​are reached.

[0034] The invention also relates to a container treatment system for carrying out the method described above. The container treatment system comprises a container treatment system arranged in a housing. The container treatment system is designed to treat containers, and in particular beverage containers, in a single operation. This can involve forming, reshaping, coating, handling, filling, closing, labeling, or the like, whereby various measures can also be combined with one another if necessary. The container treatment system further comprises a decontamination system having a recirculating air blower and a separation device, which is arranged within the housing or connected to the housing.

[0035] In order to influence and, in particular, optimize the fluid flow within the enclosure during the decontamination step described above, at least one fluid guidance device can be provided within the enclosure. This can, for example, be baffles, flow-influencing fins, or the like. Additionally or alternatively, a fan, an additional blower, or the like can also be provided. Such devices can also be movable, for example, oscillating, to enable the most complete circulation possible within the enclosure.

[0036] Particularly preferably, the container treatment plant is selected from the group of stretch blow molding machines, form-filling machines and beverage filling machines.

[0037] The invention is explained below using exemplary figures. They show:

[0038] Fig. 1 a container treatment system in a plan view,

[0039] Fig. 2 shows an alternative embodiment of the container treatment system in a side view,

[0040] Fig. 3 shows another embodiment of the container treatment system in a side view,

[0041] Fig. 4 shows successive steps in a method for sterilizing a container treatment system arranged in a housing. Figure 1 shows a container treatment system with a merely schematically illustrated container treatment system 1 arranged in a housing 2.

[0042] The container treatment plant 1 can be, for example, a stretch blow molding machine, a form-fill machine or a beverage filling machine.

[0043] Typically, an input area 3 and an output area 4 are provided for feeding containers to and removing them from the container treatment system 1. In a stretch blow molding machine or a form-filling machine, for example, preforms are introduced into the housing 2 via the input area 3, with containers formed by the container treatment system 1, in particular PET beverage bottles, then being discharged via the output area 4.

[0044] The container treatment system 1 is protected by the housing 2, which also allows for compliance with increased hygiene requirements. Furthermore, it is provided that the container treatment system can be cleaned and, in particular, sterilized. For this purpose, the container treatment system 1 can be stopped or moved without a container. It is also possible to block off the input area 3 and the output area 4 in order to tightly seal the housing 2 as a whole. As explained further below, in a method for sterilizing the container treatment system 1, a sterilization medium is introduced into the housing 2 in a sterilization step, which then acts on the container treatment system 1. Subsequently, a decontamination step IV is provided, in which the amount of sterilization medium is reduced by providing a fluid flow.

[0045] According to the invention, a decontamination system 5 is provided for carrying out decontamination step IV, said system comprising a separation device 6 and a recirculating air fan 7. The provision of the sterilization medium is not shown in detail in Fig. 1. The sterilization medium, which is provided in particular in the form of a sterilization medium, can be suitably vaporized, nebulized, and sprayed onto and into the body. Separate spray nozzles or comparable devices can be provided for this purpose. Furthermore, it is also possible for the decontamination system 5 to be configured to vaporize and / or nebulize the sterilization medium. A suitable sterilization medium is, for example, hydrogen peroxide, which can be provided as a hydrogen peroxide solution.

[0046] Sterilization of the container treatment system 1 takes place outside of the actual production facility, so that the process is as fast and efficient as possible. After providing the desired concentration of sterilization medium and a suitable exposure time, a decontamination step takes place with the decontamination system 5, which in the embodiment of Fig. 1 is arranged within the housing 2. The fluid present in the housing 2 is circulated by the recirculation fan 7 and passed through the separation device 6.

[0047] Since the decontamination system 5 is located directly within the enclosure 2, there is no need for any cross-sectional constrictions for supply and discharge lines, so that a particularly large volume flow of, for example, between 200 m 3 / h and 5000 m 3 / h, especially between 200 m 3 / h and 3000 m 3 / h can be achieved. In particular, for decontamination step IV, it is not necessary to supply ambient air and carry out complex cleaning and conditioning, including dehumidification and temperature control.

[0048] The separation device 6 can comprise at least one filter and / or catalyst to bind and / or neutralize the sterilization medium from the fluid flow circulating within the housing 2. For hydrogen peroxide, for example, a platinum catalyst can be provided for neutralization, with suitable designs known to those skilled in the art.

[0049] The decontamination system 5 can optionally be connected to a central machine control system 8, whereby the decontamination system 5 can also be operated directly or via the machine control system 8 based on status data. As an example, Fig. 1 shows a sensor 9 that determines at least one measured value from the group of temperature, air humidity, and hydrogen peroxide concentration.

[0050] Figure 2 shows a highly schematic view of a variant of the container treatment system, which comprises two decontamination systems 5. It is understood that two or more decontamination systems 5 can be used to further increase the volume flow circulating in the enclosure 2.

[0051] Fig. 3 shows a highly schematic representation of another embodiment in which a decontamination system 5 is connected to the enclosure 2, with short supply lines 10 with a large cross-section being provided. Furthermore, the enclosure 2 can also be closed at the supply lines 10 by flaps 11 or the like, so that the decontamination system 5 can then also be separated from the enclosure 2. Of course, in further variants, several decontamination systems 5 connected to the enclosure 2 can be provided. Furthermore, a combination with at least one decontamination system 5 arranged within the enclosure 2 is also possible.

[0052] Fig. 3 also illustrates further design options. For example, at least one fluid guide device 12 and / or an additional fan 13 can be provided within the enclosure 2 to influence and, in particular, optimize the flow. Fig. 4 shows, using the concentration of H2O2 as an example, a possible process for sterilizing the container treatment system.

[0053] First, an optional dehumidification step I is provided, in which the air humidity within the enclosure 2 is reduced for effective sterilization. Then, in a conditioning step, a sterilization medium, in particular hydrogen peroxide, is continuously supplied to maintain a desired concentration. Hydrogen peroxide can be provided in the form of a hydrogen peroxide solution, which is then suitably evaporated and / or nebulized at a substantially constant rate. Upon reaching a desired concentration, the sterilizing agent then acts in sterilization step III, before the hydrogen peroxide concentration is reduced in the previously described decontamination step.In the illustrated embodiment, dehumidification step I is scheduled to last 10 minutes, conditioning step II to last 15 minutes, sterilization step III to last 45 minutes, and decontamination step IV to last 60 minutes. For example, the hydrogen peroxide concentration during sterilization step III is 500 ppm, with the concentration then being reduced to, for example, 0.5 to 1 ppm during decontamination step IV.

[0054] List of reference symbols

[0055] 1 Container treatment plant Enclosure Input area Output area Decontamination plant Separation facility

[0056] 7 recirculation fans

[0057] 8 Machine control

[0058] 9 Sensor

[0059] 10 supply line

[0060] 11 flap

[0061] 12 Fluid control device

[0062] 13 additional fans

[0063] I Dehumidification step

[0064] II Conditioning step

[0065] III Sterilization step

[0066] IV Decontamination step

Claims

Patent claims:

1. A method for sterilizing a container treatment plant (1) arranged in a housing (2) outside a production facility, wherein in a sterilization step a sterilization medium is introduced into the housing (2) and acts on the container treatment plant (1), and wherein subsequently in a decontamination step (IV) the amount of sterilization medium is reduced by providing a fluid flow, characterized in that for carrying out the decontamination step (IV) at least one decontamination plant (5) having a circulating air blower (7) and a separation device (6) is arranged in the housing (2) or connected to the housing (2), wherein the separation device (6) is provided to remove the sterilization medium from the fluid flow, and wherein the fluid present in the housing (2) circulates with the circulating air blower (7) and is guided via the separation device (6).

2. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that hydrogen peroxide is supplied as a sterilization medium in the sterilization step.

3. A method according to claim 2, characterized in that in the sterilization step, hydrogen peroxide is provided at a concentration between 300 and 5000 ppm.

4. A process according to claim 3, characterized in that the concentration of hydrogen peroxide is reduced to less than 10 ppm in the decontamination step (IV).

5. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sterilization medium acts for between 15 minutes and 90 minutes during the sterilization step.

6. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the separation device (6) has at least one filter and / or catalyst.

7. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sterilization step is preceded by a dehumidification step (I).

8. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in the decontamination step (IV) the circulating air fan (7) has a volume flow between 200 m 3 / h and 5000 m 3 / h promotes.

9. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a volume of the space enclosed by the housing (2) is circulated 20 to 200 times in the decontamination step (IV).

10. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the decontamination system (5) is operated exclusively outside a production plant of the container treatment system (1).

11. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein during the sterilization step and / or the decontamination step, status data are recorded, in particular by means of at least one sensor, and processed for process control.

12. Container treatment system for carrying out the method according to one of claims 1 to 11 with a container treatment system (1) arranged in a housing (2) and at least one decontamination system (5) having a recirculating air blower (7) and a separation device (6), which is arranged within the housing (2) or connected to the housing (2).

13. Container treatment system according to claim 12, characterized in that at least one fluid guiding device (12) and / or an additional blower (13) is arranged within the housing (2) for flow optimization, in particular for flow optimization during the decontamination step (IV).

14. Container treatment system according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that the container treatment plant (1) is designed as Beverage container treatment plant, in particular beverage bottle treatment plant.

15. Container treatment system according to one of claims 12 to 14, characterized in that the container treatment system (1) is selected from the group of stretch blow molding machine, form-filling machine and beverage filling machine.

16. Container treatment system according to one of claims 12 to 15, characterized in that the space enclosed by the housing (2) has a volume of between 5 m 3 and 50 m 3 has.

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