Abstract: A method for removing exterior material from vials following a serpentine path through various steps of cleaning and drying. The movement of the vials may be limited to a predetermined path formed as an elongated opening in a sheet of material. The sheet may be replaced with a similar sheet with a different width of opening for bottles of differing sizes. The vials are rotated as they move along the path which may be accomplished by slight deviations in the straight sections of the elongated slot such as a zig-zag or sinusoidal wave. Changing the sheet can alter the number of straight path segments and thus the overall path of the vials through the equipment. The cleaning of the vials may include a washing with detergent, water rinsing, and air and vacuum drying. Air is drawn through the paths to produce a completely dry product. Liquid is removed from the vials' bottoms by a vacuum underneath the paths.

Abstract: A vial washer in which the vials follow a serpentine path through several stages of cleaning. A sheet having the serpentine path in the form of an elongated slot guides the vials through their washing. Conveyor belts moving in opposite directions underneath the elongated slot move the vials in the directions through the equipment. The conveyor belts have an open grid allow for the passage of the cleaning liquids through them. The sheet with the cut-out slot may be replaced with a similar sheet with a different width of opening for bottles of differing sizes. The cleaning may include one or more stages of a detergent wash, water rinse, and air and vacuum drying. Slight deviations in the straight sections of the elongated slot will cause the vials to rotate so that all sides become clean.

Abstract: A method for removing dust and other fine particulates matter from the exterior surface of a bottle moving along a conveyor line. A jet of ionized air neutralizes any static charge adhering the particulate matter to the bottle and also commences the dislodgement of the former from the latter. Moving brushes contacting the exterior surface of the bottle further dislodges the particulate matter. Lastly, a vacuum on the other side of the brushes from the bottle removes the air and entrained particulate matter detached from the bottles. One or more rotating longitudinal screws can control the bottles motion through the system. A belt in contact with the bottles and moving relative to the conveyor effects their rotation regardless of their exterior configuration. This assures that the brushes contact all portions of their exterior surface. When the device uitlizes a longitudinal screw, the belt can rotate around rollers placed at the ends of the screw.

Abstract: A bottle washer removing bottles from a conveyor, rotating them about 360 degrees, and using paddles of extended length and a stationary guide to replace the bottles on the conveyor. The conveyor moves the bottles between paddles which will rotate them through a circle of 360 degrees. At the very end of that arc, an obstructing guide rail directs the bottles out of the rotational plane to avoid their colliding with the entering bottles. The bottle washer, to work at greater length upon the bottles may in fact move the bottles about two circles of approximately 360 degrees each. As the bottles complete the first rotation, an obstructing guide moves them out of the plain of the first rotation and into the plane of the plain of the second rotation. During the bottles' rotation the usual rotational valves and nozzles permit the desired operations of washing and cleaning.

Abstract: A device for removing dust and other fine particulate matter from the exterior surface of a bottle moving along a conveyor line. A jet of ionized air neutralizes any static charge adhering the particulate matter to the bottle and also commences the dislodgement of the former from the latter. Moving brushes contacting the exterior surface of the bottle further dislodges the particulate matter. Lastly, a vacuum on the other side of the brushes from the bottle removes the air and entrained particulate matter detached from the bottles. A star wheel having indentations in it moves the bottles along at a predetermined pace. Alternately, one or more rotating longitudinal screws can control the bottles motion through the system. A belt in contact with the bottles and moving relative to the conveyor effects their rotation regardless of their exterior configuration. This assures that the brushes contact all portions of their exterior surface.

Abstract: A bottle washer removing bottles from a conveyor, rotating them about 360 degrees, and using paddles of extended length and a stationary guide to replace the bottles on the conveyor. The washer may sit over the conveyor transporting the bottles. The conveyor moves the bottles between paddles which will rotate them through a circle of 360 degrees. At the very end of that arc, however, an obstructing guide rail directs the bottles out of the rotational plane to avoid their colliding with the entering bottles. The paddles that move the bottles about the arc have extensions lying in the direction that the conveyor moves. These extensions control the motion of the bottles as they move out of their plane of rotation so that they will return to the conveyor. The bottle washer, to work at greater length upon the bottles, may in fact move the bottles about two circles of approximately 360 degrees each. As the bottles complete the first rotation, the obstructing guide moves them out of the plane of the first rotation.

Abstract: A device for removing dust and other fine particulate matter from the exterior surface of a bottle moving along a conveyor line. A jet of ionized air neutralizes any static charge adhering the particulate matter to the bottle and also commences the dislodgement of the former from the latter. Moving brushes contacting the exterior surface of the bottle further dislodges the particulate matter. Lastly, a vacuum on the other side of the brushes from the bottle removes the air and entrained particulate matter detached from the bottles. A star wheel having indentations in it moves the bottles along at a predetermined pace. Alternately, one or more rotating longitudinal screws can control the bottles motion through the system. A belt in contact with the bottles and moving relative to the conveyor effects their rotation regardless of their exterior configuration. This assures that the brushes contact all portions of their exterior surface.