Device for cleaning and sterilizing a filling valve of a beverage filling system for filling a container with a filling product

A device for cleaning and sterilizing a filling valve of a beverage filling system, comprising:

• a cap configured to close a filling product outlet of the filling valve during cleaning and sterilization, wherein the cap comprises:
• a through-opening configured to discharge sterilization medium during the sterilization;
• and
• a valve comprising:
• a positioning element configured to open and close the valve, wherein the positioning element comprises a shape-memory alloy,
• a closing part, and
• a valve seat,
• wherein in a closed position of the valve, the closing part is arranged in a sealing manner in the valve seat and in an open position of the valve, the valve is raised out of the valve seat.

A method for cleaning and sterilizing a filling valve of a beverage filling system, comprising:

• arranging a cap on a filling product outlet of the filling valve, wherein the cap comprises a through-opening configured to discharge sterilization medium during the sterilization, and a valve comprising a shape-memory material that is configured to switch the valve between an open position and a closed position at a predetermined temperature;
• cleaning the filling valve in a cleaning operation at a first temperature;
• sterilizing the filling valve in a sterilization operation at a second temperature, wherein the valve switches to the open position at the second temperature;
• and
• removing the cap from the filling valve.