Abstract: A washer (10) having prewashing, washing, rinsing, and drying stations (12-18) and a first conveyor (20) which transports animal cages (26) through the washer in an open side down orientation. A bedding dispenser (30) has a bedding dispensing station (32) and a second conveyor (40, 48) for transporting the animal cage (26) through the bedding dispensing station (32) in an open side up orientation. A righting device (60, 90, 100) is interposed between the first conveyor (20) and the second conveyor (40, 48). The righting device includes a counter-rotating flip wheel (64, 80, 106) which receives the animal cages from the first conveyor (20), engages a peripheral flange (28) of the cage with a rung (74, 84, 112) of the flip wheel, and pivots the animal cages from the open side down orientation to the open side up orientation on the second conveyor (40, 48).

Abstract: A washing chamber (10) is surrounded by corner manifolds (14) and interconnecting conduits (16) extending along top, bottom, and side walls of the washing chamber. The conduits have nozzles (12) therein for spraying washing and rinsing liquids into the washing chamber. A central header assembly (40) includes a conduit (42) extending from one of the headers to a terminal end adjacent a central plane of the washing chamber. The central header assembly includes a header (46) with a manifold portion (48) and a plurality of extending arms (50) with nozzles on opposite sides. The header manifold portion is connected with the terminal end of the conduit (42). In one embodiment, a pivotal fluid connection and valve (44) enables the header to pivot between a position in the vertical plane and a stowed position parallel to the top of the washing chamber. In another embodiment, a quick-connect coupler system (100) interconnects the header with an outlet at the terminal end of the conduit (42).