Claims
- 1. A device for cleaning an installation for the production or processing of foodstuffs or pharmaceuticals, said device comprising:
at least one cleaning unit configured to move within the installation to be cleaned; a flexible connection configured to supply a cleaning agent to the cleaning unit and to move with a movement of the cleaning unit.
- 2. The device of claim 1, wherein the cleaning unit comprises at least one nozzle configured to output a cleaning agent.
- 3. The device of claim 1, wherein the cleaning unit comprises at least one nozzle tip configured to output a cleaning agent.
- 4. The device of claim 3, wherein said nozzle tip is configured to be driven in a rotational movement by a flow of the cleaning agent.
- 5. The device of claim 1, wherein the cleaning unit comprises a conveyance system.
- 6. The device of claim 5, wherein the conveyance system is configured as a carriage.
- 7. The device of claim 5, further comprising a guide system for guiding the conveyance system.
- 8. The device of claim 7, wherein the guide system comprises at least one guide rail.
- 9. The device of claim 5, further comprising a parked position for the conveyance system in the interior of the installation, said parked position being configured so that the conveyance system may be parked thereupon during a production or processing of foodstuffs or pharmaceuticals.
- 10. The device of claim 1, further comprising a driving gear for moving the cleaning unit, said driving gear being connected to the cleaning unit with a power transmission element.
- 11. The device of claim 10, wherein said driving gear is positioned outside of the installation to be cleaned.
- 12. The device of claim 10, wherein said power transmission element comprises a chain.
- 13. The device of claim 12, wherein said chain is a non-lubricated steel chain.
- 14. The device of claim 1, wherein said flexible connection is a tube.
- 15. The device of claim 14, wherein said tube is constructed from plastic.
- 16. The device of claim 1, wherein said flexible connection connects the cleaning unit to a source for the cleaning agent.
- 17. The device of claim 1, further comprising a mechanism for changing the length of the flexible connection so as to adapt the flexible connection to the movement of the cleaning unit.
- 18. The device of claim 17, wherein said mechanism for changing the length of the flexible connection comprises a roller which is connected to a driving gear.
- 19. The device of claim 18, wherein the roller is axially moveable.
- 20. The device of claim 18, wherein the roller is configured to move in response to a force provided in an axial direction.
- 21. The device of claim 18, further comprising a first bearing arrangement for the roller and a second bearing arrangement for the roller.
- 22. The device of claim 21, wherein said first bearing arrangement is configured as a screw thread.
- 23. The device of claim 21, wherein said first bearing arrangement is configured as a trapezoidal thread.
- 24. The device of claim 21, wherein said first bearing arrangement is configured as a multiplex trapezoidal thread.
- 25. The device of claim 18, further comprising a shaft for the roller wherein said shaft is configured to conduct a cleaning agent.
- 26. The device of claim 18, wherein a single driving gear is provided for driving the roller and for moving the cleaning unit.
- 27. A method of cleaning the interior of an installation comprising the steps of:
providing a movable cleaning device for cleaning the interior of an installation, said cleaning device having a flexible connection configured to supply a cleaning agent to the cleaning unit and to move with a movement of the cleaning unit; moving said cleaning device within the installation; and delivering a cleaning agent to the interior of the installation in order to clean the interior of the installation.
- 28. The method of cleaning of claim 27, wherein said step of providing a movable cleaning device comprises providing a movable cleaning device having at least one nozzle tip, said nozzle tip being movable in response to a flow of cleaning agent.
- 29. The method of cleaning of claim 27, further comprising the step of providing a mechanism for changing the length of the flexible connection so as to adapt the flexible connection to the movement of the cleaning unit.
Priority Claims (1)
Number |
Date |
Country |
Kind |
DE 101 21 931.8 |
May 2001 |
DE |
|
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation of International Patent Application No. PCT/EP02/04824, filed May 2, 2002, designating the United States of America, and published in German as WO 02/090007, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. Priority is claimed based on Federal Republic of Germany Patent Application No. DE 101 21 931.8, filed May 5, 2001.
Continuations (1)
|
Number |
Date |
Country |
Parent |
PCT/EP02/04824 |
May 2002 |
US |
Child |
10701078 |
Nov 2003 |
US |