Abstract: An and apparatus for removing and recovering contaminating liquid from articles comprising washing the article with a liquid two phase system, one of the phases in the two phase system being immiscible with and preferably insoluble with the contaminating liquid. The remaining phase being miscible with but not the same as the contaminating liquid. The apparatus comprises a series of wash and separating tanks in conjunction with appropriate valves and pumps for utilizing the method to automatically recover contaminating liquid and return it to the process step in which it is used. This creates a balanced rinse and recovery system which prevents loss of contaminating liquid and substantially eliminates the necessity for adding new contaminating liquid to the process step in which the contaminating liquid is used.

Abstract: A removable seal for a liquid container comprising a flexible liquid impervious sealing member for sealing an end of the container which sealing member is held against the end by a screw closure having a perforate top wall so that application of pressure upon the sealing member through the top wall disengages the sealing member.