JP7220152B2 - Apparatus and method for sterilizing plastic preforms for pre-inspection of plastic preforms - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for processing and especially sterilizing containers, especially plastic preforms. It has long been known in the beverage industry to heat plastic preforms and subsequently blow them in a forming device, such as a blow molding machine, to form plastic containers. Depending on the field of application, it is necessary to sterilize these plastic preforms or plastic containers.

Various techniques are known for sterilizing plastic preforms. It has therefore long been known from the prior art to subject plastic containers to a fluid sterilization medium, such as peracetic acid or hydrogen peroxide, for sterilization. Recently, it has also become known to expose the walls of the container to radiation, such as electron beams or UV rays.

More recently, for sterilization purposes, it has become known to dip an electron beam finger into a plastic container and sterilize it. In this internal process, each filigree electron beam finger is immersed approximately up to the dome of the plastic preform. Here, there is a risk of damage to the beam fingers mentioned above if a defective or totally incorrectly sized plastic preform is moved through the corresponding machine or module. Since this electron beam finger is very expensive, when it fails, the economic loss is very large.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a device and method with enhanced protection for the sterilization device described above and also for other devices for processing plastic containers, in particular for the parts inserted into the plastic preform. It is to be.

This task is achieved according to the invention by the subject matter of the independent patent claims. Advantageous embodiments and further configurations are subject matter of the dependent claims.

The apparatus according to the invention for treating containers and in particular plastic preforms has a heating device which is suitable and defined for heating the containers. In this case, the heating device has a conveying device for conveying the container along a predetermined conveying path and at least one heating member for heating the container.

Furthermore, the apparatus has a processing device which is positioned behind the heating device in the conveying direction of the containers, and which has a second conveying device for conveying the containers along a predetermined conveying path. and at least one processing member that is at least partially insertable into the container through the opening of the container.

According to the invention, the device has a detection device arranged in the conveying device (in the conveying direction) of the containers and before the processing device, which detects the geometrical and/or physical properties of the containers. suitable for and defined for determining at least one characteristic parameter for a characteristic characteristic.

As mentioned above, this container is in particular a plastic container, in particular a so-called plastic preform, which in a further working step is preferably expanded into a plastic bottle, in particular blow-moulded.

In this case, the recording of physical, in particular geometrical, parameters is advantageously used for collision avoidance, ie to prevent subsequent processing elements from colliding with plastic preforms.

Thus, for example, beam fingers can be inserted to a defined depth in the plastic preform. If a particular plastic preform has been determined to have a length shorter or smaller than the target length, this particular plastic preform can be eliminated or the processing member (or preferably plastic The movement of the preform) can be adapted accordingly. Preferably, the plastic preform is moved in its longitudinal direction in order to dip the rod-shaped treatment member into the plastic preform.

Preferably, the detection device described above outputs a characteristic value for each plastic preform (and especially its physical and especially geometric properties). Thus, for example, the detection device can be arranged laterally of the plastic preform transport path and thus, for example, can carry out lateral inspection of the plastic preforms.

Advantageously, a deformation device, in particular a so-called blow molding machine, is located downstream of the processing device.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the apparatus has a further conveying device, which advances the plastic preforms from the heating device to the processing device.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the second transport device, i.e. the transport device of the processing device, has a rotatable carrier. A plurality of treatment elements are preferably arranged on this carrier, which can be inserted into the plastic preform. These processing members are preferably designed as so-called beam fingers, which can be immersed in plastic preforms, as will be explained in more detail below, which preforms are Radiation is applied from the inside.

Preferably, the apparatus has a displacement device, which submerges the treatment member into the plastic preform. Thus, for example, a lifting device can be provided, which lifts the plastic preform (and, inter alia, moves it in the longitudinal direction) and thus allows the treatment member to be dipped into the plastic preform. can.

Preferably, this drive is a so-called guide cam, which cooperates with curved rollers, by means of which respective movements of the plastic preform and/or the treatment member are achieved.

However, other types of drives for inserting the treatment member into the plastic preform are also conceivable, for example electric drives, in particular linear motors for positioning, pneumatic drives, hydraulic drives. and so on.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the detection device is arranged in the region of the heating device, in particular in the region lateral to the transport path of the plastic pre-forms.

Advantageously, the first conveying device has a circulating conveying means, which is in particular but not necessarily a circulating conveying chain, which comprises a plurality of holding devices. . These holding devices can be, for example, holding clips, which hold the plastic preform during its heating. Alternatively, however, this holding device can also preferably be a so-called mandrel, which can be inserted into the mouth of the plastic pre-forms and holds them from the inside. In a further advantageous embodiment, the conveying device has a rotating device, which rotates the plastic pre-form around its own axis during its heating.

It is advantageous if the first conveying device conveys the plastic pre-forms individually.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the heating device is an infrared heating furnace. Advantageously, the inspection or the detection of the characteristic parameters mentioned above takes place during the heating of the plastic preform. Advantageously, this inspection is performed in a portion of the transport path that exceeds half of the transport path. The plastic preform can thus be advanced along an elongated transport path, for example of oval shape. Furthermore, it is possible and expedient if the plastic pre-forms are advanced by means of a transport chain or a transport strip, the transport chain being guided around two deflection rollers. In one area of this deflection roller a detection device can be arranged. Besides this, a plurality of detection devices can be provided, with which, among other things, a plurality of properties of the plastic preform can be determined. Particularly preferably, the detection or inspection device is as close as possible to the sterilization device, ie in the transfer unit 34 but before the deflection unit 42 .

In a further advantageous embodiment, the processing device is a sterilization device, which is suitable and defined for at least partially sterilizing the inner walls of containers. As mentioned above, the sterilizer is, inter alia, an electron beam sterilizer. At this time, as described above, the beam finger is inserted into the container and the electrons are directed at the container.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the processing device has a beam finger insertable into the container, which has an exit window, through which the charge carriers and in particular electrons are, in particular processed, out of the processing device. You can get out of the component. In this case, the beam finger is preferably suitable and defined for sterilizing the inner wall of the peripheral wall of the plastic preform. The electrons preferably leave the exit window of the beam finger in the manner of an electron cloud and thus strike the aforementioned peripheral wall of the preferably plastic preform. Advantageously, this beam finger is then suitable and defined for emitting radiation even during the insertion process into the plastic preform.

In a further preferred embodiment, the device has a shielding device which is suitable and defined for preventing radiation, in particular electron beams and/or X-rays, from escaping from the device. there is In this case, the entire processing apparatus can be housed in a radiation-shielding housing.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the apparatus has a clean room which surrounds the plastic pre-forms at least during their transport through the processing apparatus. The clean room is then shielded from the surroundings, preferably by means of at least one wall. This makes it possible to carry out the sterilization of the plastic preforms already under sterile conditions. The downstream deformation device preferably also has a clean room of this kind, which surrounds at least the transport path of the plastic pre-forms during deformation.

It is advantageous in this case if this exit window is arranged on the end side of the treatment element or beam finger. Furthermore, the processing device preferably has an accelerator for accelerating the electrons. Furthermore, the processing member can have a region inside it which can be evacuated, inside which region the electrons reach the exit window. In a further advantageous embodiment the exit window is made of titanium.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the device has a cooling device for cooling the exit window. In particular, in this case, the cooling device has a contact device that imposes a fluid medium, in particular cold air, on the outlet window.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the characteristic parameters are the length of the container, the diameter of the container, the diameter of the mouth of the container, the ellipticity of the cross-section of the container (if present), the wall thickness of the container, the inner cross-section of the container, the the presence of cracks in the container, the quality of the injection point of the container, the symmetry of the container, the positioning of the container relative to its holding device and the curvature of the container.

Besides this, some of the parameters mentioned above can also be determined. Parameters to be determined in particular are parameters which are characteristic with regard to the position, in particular relative position, of the processing element with respect to the plastic preform in the subsequent processing apparatus.

Among other things, determining these characteristic parameters then serves the goal of protecting the subsequent sterilization module from damage. Thus, for example, a container viewing side wall can be installed in the heating device. This side wall, as mentioned above, has various errors such as dirt, turbidity or air entrapment and cracks in the material, insertion errors (wrong insertion height or skewed insertion), manufactured at an angle. Plastic preforms (so-called banana-like plastic preforms) or the length of the plastic preform (which is important, for example, when exchanging types) can also be detected.

For example, if the reprogramming takes place in response to the detected values, subsequent processing elements or beam fingers can be protected from the problem of too short plastic preforms being brought into the installation. This problem occurs relatively often when types are exchanged.

If the inside diameter of the plastic preform is too small, there is a risk that the individual processing elements or beam fingers will be damaged. Besides this, risks can also arise within the context of changing the type of plastic preform, which can occur if the mouth is the same but the body is tapered or the inside diameter is tapered.

In order to prevent such risks in advance, it is also proposed that the detection device records the characteristic parameters, in particular the characteristic parameters of the side walls of the plastic preform.

Thus, for example, it is possible to determine or inspect the inside diameter of a transparent or partially transparent plastic preform by shading its walls. If the inner diameter is below, ie there is no longer a gap between the inner diameter of the plastic preform and the beam finger, we conclude that the plastic preform is defective or misplaced. This preform can be removed from the plastic preform stream, for example, prior to processing equipment.

In this way, the processing element as a whole can be protected from damage. Machine safety can also be enhanced. Alternatively, the pause period can be eliminated or reduced.

In addition to this, it is also possible to apply a conventionally known inspection system.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the device comprises a control device for controlling the processing device, which preferably also controls the processing device on the basis of at least one of the values measured by the detection device. do. In this way it is possible, for example, to reject plastic pre-forms when they appear or are detected to be defective in some way. Corresponding lifting movements of subsequent processing members can also be coordinated. Besides this, it can also trigger a stop of the machine.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the device has a rejection device arranged between the heating device and the processing device, which rejection device is suitable for rejecting at least some containers from the container transport. And it is specified for this purpose.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the detection device comprises a radiation device for irradiating the container. In addition, a receiving device is provided for receiving the radiation affected by the container. In this way it is possible, for example, to measure the container using reflected or transmitted light methods. It is advantageous if the detection device measures the plastic preform contactlessly.

In the broadest sense, the detection device can thus be an optical detection device. Thus, for example, the detection device may have an image capture device, which captures an image of the container to be detected. In this case, the imaging device can, for example, detect radiation that penetrates plastic preforms. However, it is also possible to perform reflected light measurement besides this.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the detection device performs interferometric measurements, measurements with infrared light, confocal measurements, measurements with spatial resolution imaging, telecentric measurements, wall thickness measurements and combinations of these measurement variants in the container. suitable for and defined for performing measurements selected from a group of measurements including

Interferometry makes it possible, inter alia, to determine the wall thickness of the container. Thus, it is possible to direct light from the light source substantially perpendicular to the transparent wall of the container. This ray can then have a continuous spectrum. Part of this ray is reflected from the outer surface of the wall and part is reflected from the inner wall surface. An interferometric sensor can be used to measure the interference caused by the superposition of the first reflected light beam and the second reflected light beam. This interference leads, as a result, to periodic variations in the intensity of the light as a function of frequency. This variation can then have a period proportional to the thickness of the wall of the container.

In a further possibility, a centering test of the injection point of hollow bodies or plastic preforms can also be carried out. For this purpose, for example, the plastic preform can be illuminated from below, and above the container, in particular in the longitudinal direction of the container, an image recording device, for example a camera, can be arranged, which camera Take the corresponding image.

Alternatively, telecentric measurements can be made. In this case, a light source and, in particular, a light-refracting member for focusing the light of the light source can be provided. Besides this, a camera is provided, which takes images of the transparency and especially of the container. In this case, inter alia, the transparent container to be observed is seen through. A lenticular can be employed in the optical path between the light source and the detector, such as a camera. In this way, for example, lens raster images can be captured, ie images that can be captured with very small optical lenses.

By using this kind of lenticular, the point light source is indeed slightly wider, but the light path is not scattered and maintains its strongly directed character. In this way, the "hard light" can be used for metrology, in particular for wall thickness measurement, as before. This also makes it possible to obtain uniformly illuminated object areas, in which case the contrast is substantially caused by shadowing by the object to be examined, and still retains the advantages of a telecentric optical path. It is possible. Alternatively, besides the first lenticular, it is also possible to use a second lenticular, in particular a cylindrical lens system, which is perpendicular to the first lenticular system.

In a further preferred embodiment it is also possible to perform confocal measurements. Therefore, for example, it is also possible to perform the measurement using an objective lens whose chromatic aberration is not corrected. The wall thickness of the container can then be derived by evaluating the difference in the frequencies of the reflected signals. Radiation of a first frequency can then be reflected from the outer surface of the container and radiation of a second frequency can be reflected from the inner surface of the container. Each frequency difference can be assigned a differently defined wall thickness.

In this method, the wall thickness of the vessel is therefore derived by evaluating the difference in the frequencies of the reflected signals. In this case, measurements of the wall thickness of such containers are carried out at different height levels, so that it is also possible to establish whether the wall thickness of the plastic container, and in particular of the plastic preform, changes. be.

Besides this, it is also possible, inter alia, to measure the wall thickness using infrared measurements or thermal measurements. In this measurement, infrared light is first projected onto the plastic preform and then the percentage of infrared light passing through the container is detected. This ratio can be converted into a corresponding electrical signal. The microprocessor compares this electrical signal with stored information and thus outputs the size of the container wall thickness.

A further preferred method uses the above data, as mentioned above, to control subsequent modules, in particular a processing device and, if applicable, also a downstream blow molding device. Therefore, preferably derived parameters or detected values are transferred for control purposes. It is also possible to transfer further coordinates, for example the non-circular shape of the plastic preforms placed on the mandrel, or contours, for example constrictions or cross-sectional deformations. It is also possible to establish to what depth this type of change occurs.

In a further particularly preferred method it is established which preform geometry is associated with which transport mandrel. In other words, a specific error is preferably assigned not only to specific plastic pre-forms, but also to the holding devices holding these plastic pre-forms. This allows, on the one hand, the determination of repeated errors in one and the same heating mandrel and, on the other hand, a correlation with downstream inspection units. This may provide the possibility of feedback comparing the finished container with the starting material (heated preform). Thus, in operation, an elegant solution is obtained for determining which starting material exactly leads to the correctly manufactured container.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the apparatus has a further detection device and in particular an inspection unit, which is advantageously arranged behind the processing device in the conveying direction of the plastic pre-forms. A further detection device of this kind can be provided, for example, at the outlet of a transformation device for transforming plastic preforms into plastic containers.

It is therefore particularly advantageous to be able to offer the possibility of distinguishing whether the error occurs in the furnace (heating mandrel) or in the blow cavity.

Furthermore, it would be possible, for example, to determine the length of the plastic preform using a metrology device, for example an ultrasonic detector, or a metrology device for determining the mouth diameter. In the simplest case, for example, there is a spring-loaded finger in the processing equipment, which can be equipped with a switch to turn off the equipment if the plastic preforms are too short. Similarly, non-compliant plastic preforms can be determined via a switch with a light barrier or rocker switch.

Further data that may be detected are, for example, the height of the plastic preform up to the support ring, the height below the support ring, the wall thickness at the end of the cone, the wall thickness in the area of the dome of the plastic preform. It can also be a geometrical characteristic such as thickness, cross-section at the beginning of the neck, outer cross-section of the domed portion, inner cross-section. Besides this, it is also possible to measure the mouth data of the plastic preform, these are, for example, the cross-section of the support ring, the depth of the notch in the mouth, the height of the mouth, the internal cross-section of the mouth, the mouth notch height, support ring height, support ring abutment height, etc.

The present invention is further directed to methods of processing containers and, in particular, plastic preforms. In this method, the container is heated with a heating device, during this heating the container is at least temporarily transported by means of a first transport device, and subsequently the container is moved in the transport direction of the container further than the heating device. In a downstream processing device, the processing device has a second conveying device which conveys the containers along a predetermined conveying path and through the openings of the containers. and at least one processing member inserted at least partially into the container, preferably the processing device sterilizes at least one wall of the container.

According to the invention, at least one characteristic parameter of the physical, in particular geometrical properties of the container is determined with the aid of a detection device arranged in the conveying direction of the container before the processing device.

According to a preferred method, the treatment device applies charge carriers to at least one wall of the container, in particular the inner wall of the container, in order to sterilize this wall.

Further advantages and embodiments are evident from the accompanying drawings.

1 is a schematic view of a device for treating containers according to the invention; FIG. 2 shows two views of a plastic preform; FIG. 2 shows two views of a plastic preform; FIG.

FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of an apparatus 1 according to the invention for treating containers. The apparatus has a feeding device 32 (for example a star-shaped feeding section) which feeds plastic preforms 10 to a heating device generally designated 2 . The heating device 2 here has a transport device 22, to which a plurality of holding devices 24 for holding the plastic pre-forms are arranged. The holding devices can then be implemented as holding mandrels, as described above, which can be inserted into the mouth of the container.

Here, this transport device 22 has a transport chain which in this case is elliptical and runs around. This transport chain is then arranged around two deflection wheels (not shown). In the area of the right deflection wheel a detection device 4 is provided, which is suitable and defined for determining the geometric properties of the plastic preform 10 .

Reference numeral 26 relates to a heating device or heating element, which is suitable and defined for the heating of plastic preforms (for the sake of clarity only two heating elements are shown in the figure). As shown, a number of such heating elements are preferably provided along the transport path of the plastic preforms). The plastic preforms heated by the heating device 2 are subsequently transferred to the processing device 6 via a discharge device 34 (which is a further star-shaped transport). This processing device 6 serves to sterilize the plastic preforms as described above.

Plastic preforms classified as defective can be removed from the conveying stream of plastic preforms using a deflection device 42 .

The processing device 6 also has a rotatable carrier 62 around the circumference of which a plurality of processing devices 64 are arranged. The processing devices in this case each have processing members 66 which can be inserted into this interior through the mouth of the preform.

As mentioned above, these processing members are radiation emitters that, within the plastic preform, impinge on the inner walls thereof.

Reference numeral 38 designates a further conveying device with which the already sterilized plastic pre-forms are discharged from the sterilization device 6 .

Reference number 8 is that of a transforming device, which transforms the heated and sterilized plastic preforms into plastic bottles. In this case, the deformation device can have a plurality of deformation stations, which are also arranged on a rotatable carrier 82 and can therefore be transported by this carrier along a circular transport path as well. . Reference number 39 designates a further conveying device, which is in particular but not exclusively a further star-shaped conveying unit, which discharges the formed container from the transforming device.

Reference numeral 84 designates a further detection device, which is particularly suitable and defined for detecting characteristic values of manufactured plastic containers. The data measured by this further detection device could then likewise be used to control the preceding assembly. This further detection device can be arranged, for example, at the outlet of the deformation device 8 . However, it would also be conceivable for this further detection device 84 to be arranged in a subsequent assembly, for example a subsequent transport device.

Reference numeral 50 designates a central control unit which serves to control the entire installation. This central control device 50 obtains, for example from the detection device 4, data or coordinates that are characteristic for the individual plastic preforms. These data are then specified for each individual plastic preform.

Furthermore, this control device controls the blow molding machine 8 via the control unit 56 , the heating device 2 via the control unit 52 and the processing device 6 via the control unit 54 . In this way, for example, if a particular defective plastic preform is identified, this preform can be redirected or, in the processing device 6, a bar 66 (which is the processing member described above) movement into the inside of the plastic preform can be corrected.

Figures 2a and 2b show two views of a plastic preform. Several parameters can be measured in geometrical relation, e.g. mouth diameter D _i1 in the area of the thread, mouth diameter D _i2 below the mouth, mouth in the area of the bottom dome The mouth diameter D _i3 , the mouth diameter D _i4 below the support ring, or the mouth edge diameter D _M can be measured. Besides this, it is also possible to measure the wall thickness, for example the wall thickness W _U of the peripheral wall or the wall thickness W _B of the bottom region. Besides this, the height H _K of the bottom dome can also be measured, or until the plastic preform accommodates, for example, a rod-shaped member or until the rod-shaped member sinks into the plastic preform 10. can also be _measured .

Applicant reserves the right to claim as essential to the invention all features disclosed in the present application to the extent that they are novel over the prior art, either individually or in combination. Furthermore, it is pointed out that in the individual figures also features have been described which may themselves be advantageous. Those skilled in the art will directly recognize that certain features described in one figure can be advantageous without carrying over further features of that figure. Furthermore, those skilled in the art will recognize that advantages are apparent from the combination of features shown in several individual or different figures.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 device 2 heating device 4 detection device 6 sterilization device 8 deformation device, blow molding machine 10 plastic preform 22 conveying device 24 holding device 26 heating device or heating element 32 feeding device 34 ejection device 38, 39 conveying device 42 deflection device 50 center Control device 52 Control unit for heating device 2 54 Control unit for treatment device 6 56 Control unit for blow molding machine 8 62 Rotatable carrier 64 Treatment device 66 Treatment member 82 Rotatable carrier 84 Further detection device DI1 Mouth Mouth diameter in area DI2 Mouth diameter below mouth DI3 Mouth diameter in area of bottom dome DI4 Mouth diameter below support ring HE Height at which plastic preform accommodates bar member HK Bottom Height of the dome WB Wall thickness in the bottom region WU Wall thickness of the peripheral wall

Claims (8)

An apparatus (1) for processing containers (10), in particular plastic preforms (10), comprising:
A heating device (2) suitable for and defined for heating said containers (10), said heating device (2) moving said containers (10) along a predetermined conveying path. a heating device (2) comprising a conveying device (22) for conveying the container (10) and having at least one heating element (26) for heating the container (10);
A processing device (6) located downstream of the heating device (2) in the transport direction of the container (10), the processing device (6) moving the container (10) along a predetermined transport path. at least one processing member (64) having a second conveying device (62) for conveying along and insertable at least partially into said container (10) through an opening of said container (10) and said processing device (6) comprises a processing device (6) which is a sterilization device suitable and defined for, inter alia, for at least partially sterilizing the inner wall of said container in the device,
Said apparatus (1) comprises a detection device (4) arranged in front of said processing device (6) in the transport direction of said containers (10), said detection device suitable for and defined for determining at least one characteristic parameter of a geometric property ,
The characteristic parameters are the length of the container (10), the diameter of the container (10), the diameter of the mouth of the container (10), the ellipticity of the cross section of the wall thickness of the container (10), the container ( 10) and is selected from a group of parameters including the symmetry of 10) and the curvature of said container (10) . Said treatment device (6) comprises, as a treatment member, a beam finger (66) insertable into said vessel (10), said beam finger having an exit window, through said exit window a charge carrier Device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that, and in particular electrons, can exit from said beam finger (66). The device (1) has a control device (54) for controlling the processing device (6), the control device (54) controlling the processing device (6) as measured by the detection device (4). 3. Device (1) according to claim 1 or 2 , characterized in that it controls on the basis of at least one of the values obtained. Said apparatus (1) comprises an expulsion device (42) arranged between said heating device (2) and said processing device (6), said expulsion device for at least individual containers (10) Device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3 , characterized in that it is suitable and defined for exclusion. 5. Any of claims 1 to 4 , characterized in that the detection device (4) comprises a radiation device for applying radiation to the container and a receiving device for receiving the radiation affected by the container (10). or a device (1) according to claim 1. The detection device (4) is selected from the group of measurements in the vessel comprising interferometry, infrared measurements, confocal measurements, spatial resolution imaging, telecentric measurements, wall thickness measurements and combinations thereof. 6. A device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is suitable and defined for carrying out measurements in accordance with any one of claims 1 to 5 . A method of treating containers (10) and in particular plastic preforms (10), comprising:
heating the container (10) with a heating device (2);
During this heating, the container is at least temporarily transported using a first transport device (22);
Subsequently, the container is treated in a treatment device (6) located behind the heating device (2) in the conveying direction of the container (10),
The processing device has a second transport device (62), the second transport device transports the container (4) along a predetermined transport path, and the processing device transports the container (10 ) at least partially inserted into said container (10) through an opening of said container (10), said processing device (6) being connected to at least one of said containers (10). A method of sterilizing a wall comprising:
At least one characteristic parameter about the physical, in particular geometric properties of the container is determined by means of a detection device (4) arranged in the transport direction of the container (10) before the processing device (6). decide and
The characteristic parameters are the length of the container (10), the diameter of the container (10), the diameter of the mouth of the container (10), the ellipticity of the cross section of the wall thickness of the container (10), the container ( 10) and the curvature of said container (10) . 8. Method according to claim 7 , characterized in that the treatment device (6) impinges at least one wall of the container on the wall with charge carriers in order to sterilize the wall.

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