Valve drive and method of cleaning a valve

A method of cleaning a valve having a valve drive comprising a housing, a spindle which is mounted in the housing for displacement between an open position and a closed position and is coupled at one end to a valve closing member, and a return spring which urges the spindle to the closed position or to the open position, wherein the housing has an opening in an area through which the centerline of the spindle extends, and the valve drive includes a closure member which is adapted to be inserted into the opening and closes the opening, wherein the housing and the closure member are configured such that the closure member can be fastened to the housing in an operating position and in a cleaning position to cover the opening, and wherein the closure member has a recess on a face side that is on the inside in the operating position, allowing the spindle to move unhindered therein during operation of the valve, and has a fastening structure on the opposite, outside face side, wherein in the cleaning position, the closure member is turned over as compared to the operating position, so that the outside face side faces the interior of the housing, wherein the fastening structure in the cleaning position allows the spindle to be fastened to the closure member in a form-fitting and/or force-fitting manner in order to hold the spindle in its open position, the method comprising the steps of:

• disconnecting the valve from a compressed air supply after an operation, the closure member being in the operating position;
• detaching the closure member from the housing and turning it;
• moving the spindle to the open position and fastening it to the closure member by means of the fastening structure;
• holding the spindle in the open position by the closure member being supported on the housing;
• and
• cleaning the valve while the spindle is held in the open position by the closure member.