Cleaning device for cleaning a nozzle applicator and corresponding cleaning method

A cleaning device for cleaning a nozzle applicator, the cleaning device comprising:

• a rinsing agent valve connected to a rinsing agent supply,
• a compressed air valve connected to a compressed air supply,
• a docking interface for docking the nozzle applicator to be cleaned to the cleaning device, and
• a control unit which controls the rinsing agent valve and the compressed air valve of the cleaning device,
• wherein the docking interface is connected to the rinsing agent valve and the compressed air valve, and is positionable relative to the nozzle applicator to flush a rinsing agent from the rinsing agent supply into the nozzle applicator through one or more application nozzles of the nozzle applicator against a normal application direction and through a return valve of the nozzle applicator, and
• wherein the control unit switches between a first cleaning mode with a rinsing of the application nozzles against the normal application direction wherein the rinsing agent valve is opened and a second cleaning mode with a rinsing of the application nozzles in the normal application direction wherein the rinsing agent valve is closed.