Test apparatus for testing filters or containers

Abstract

A cleaning process is provided for a test apparatus that has a switch, external connections and internal volumes that can come into contact with a fluid from a filter to be tested or a container to be tested. The cleaning process includes selecting one or more internal volumes to be cleaned, cleaning the selected internal volumes with a cleaning fluid by a corresponding switching of the switch, at least partially draining the cleaning fluid left in the selected internal volumes after cleaning, and flushing the selected internal volumes with a flushing fluid different from the cleaning fluid. Also provided are a computer program product for performing the cleaning process, a cleaning apparatus, and a test apparatus for testing filters and containers.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A test apparatus ( 1 ) for testing filters ( 5 ) or containers ( 7 ), comprising:
 switching means ( 11 ,  12 ,  13 ,  14 ,  15 );   external connections ( 21 ,  23 ,  25 ,  27 ,  29 );   internal volumes ( 35 ,  49 ,  51 ,  43 ,  47 ,  45 ,  37 ,  39 ,  41 ,  55 ,  33 , V 11 , V 12 , V 13 , V 14 , V 15 ), which can come into contact with a fluid from a filter ( 5 ) or container ( 7 ) to be tested;   
       wherein the switching means ( 11 ,  12 ,  13 ,  14 ,  15 ) themselves and the switching means ( 11 ,  12 ,  13 ,  14 ,  15 ) and the external connections ( 21 ,  23 ,  25 ,  27 ,  29 ) are fluidically coupled via the internal volumes ( 35 ,  49 ,  51 ,  43 ,  47 ,  45 ,  37 ,  39 ,  41 ,  55 ,  33 , V 11 , V 12 , V 13 , V 14 , V 15 ), and 
       wherein the internal volumes ( 35 ,  49 ,  51 ,  43 ,  47 ,  45 ,  37 ,  39 ,  41 ,  55 ,  33 , V 11 , V 12 , V 13 , V 14 , V 15 ) of the test apparatus ( 1 ) are arranged such that the internal volumes ( 35 ,  49 ,  51 ,  43 ,  47 ,  45 ,  37 ,  39 ,  41 ,  55 ,  33 , V 11 , V 12 , V 13 , V 14 , V 15 ) can be substantially completely drained via one of the external connections ( 23 ,  25 ,  27 ,  29 ), which is arranged at the lowest point with respect to the internal volumes ( 35 ,  49 ,  51 ,  43 ,  47 ,  45 ,  37 ,  39 ,  41 ,  55 ,  33 , V 11 , V 12 , V 13 , V 14 , V 15 ). 
     
     
         2 . The test apparatus ( 1 ) of  claim 1 , wherein the internal volumes ( 35 ,  49 ,  51 ,  43 ,  47 ,  45 ,  37 ,  39 ,  41 ,  55 ,  33 , V 11 , V 12 , V 13 , V 14 , V 15 ) are arranged such that the path from the lowest point of the internal volumes ( 35 ,  49 ,  51 ,  43 ,  47 ,  45 ,  37 ,  39 ,  41 ,  55 ,  33 , V 11 , V 12 , V 13 , V 14 , V 15 ) to an arbitrary further point within the internal volumes ( 35 ,  49 ,  51 ,  43 ,  47 ,  45 ,  37 ,  39 ,  41 ,  55 ,  33 , V 11 , V 12 , V 13 , V 14 , V 15 ) increases steadily opposite to the direction of gravity in parts, or has a constant height with respect to the direction of gravity at least in parts.