Abstract: A suction arrangement for removing labels from bottles comprising a label-softening container adapted to contain a liquid, a plurality of elongated bottle-receiving cells having each an open end for insertion and withdrawal of bottles into and from the cell and provided at its opposite end with a plurality of openings, a conveyor for transporting the cells closely adjacent each other and closely past an opening in a bottom portion of a wall defining a suction compartment within the container while liquid is continuously sucked out of the suction compartment and returned into the container so that a stream of liquid passes from the container through that cell which is located at any instant adjacent the opening in the bottom portion of the wall defining the suction compartment to thus remove the labels from the bottles and transport the labels through the opening into the suction compartment while transversely spaced bars extend in the suction compartment over the opening to prevent the bottles to pass togethe

Abstract: In a bottle cleaning operation, bottles to be cleaned are introduced into a machine housing divided into a first housing and a separate second housing intercommunicating with one another through a bottle transfer section. Bottles are introduced into carrier compartments mounted on a first endless circulating chain in the first housing. After undergoing certain cleaning procedures in the first housing, the bottles are transferred into the second housing with the bottles passing in a free-falling manner from the first circulating chain. Within the second housing the cleaning operation is continued with the bottles held in carrier compartments on a second endless circulating chain. After being treated within the second housing, the bottles free-fall from the second circulating chain and return into the first housing for completing the cleaning operation before the bottles are discharged from the first housing.