Abstract: Disclosed is a process for reducing volatile organic compound emissions during the processing and coating of articles contaminated with water insoluble contaminants. The process prevents the formation of undesired etching and pitting which increases the surface area of an article. The use of volatile organic compound-containing surface coatings is thereby reduced resulting in reduced volatile organic compound emissions. The process of the present invention includes contacting a surface with a terpene finishing agent to remove water insoluble contaminants from such surface and applying an amount of volatile organic compound-containing coating to effectively cover the surface at a desired coating thickness.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing metal containers using a cleaning agent having a substantially neutral pH is disclosed. Lubricants and coolants used during the container forming process are cleaned from the surface of metal containers by using a terpene cleaning agent comprising d-limonene, alpha-terpineol, beta-terpineol, alpha-pinene, beta-pinene, alcohols of such agents or mixtures thereof. Surfactants may also be used to aid in the cleaning process. The organic component of the cleaning agent, as well as lubricants, coolants and aqueous components, are separated for recycling and re-use.

Abstract: A method for finishing metal surfaces, especially that of metal containers, using a cleaning agent having a substantially neutral pH is provided. In one embodiment of the invention lubricants and coolants used during container forming processes are cleaned from the surface of metal containers by using a terpene cleaning agent comprising d-limonene, alpha-terpineol, beta-terpineol, alpha-pinene, beta-pinene, alcohols of such agents or mixtures thereof. Surfactants may also be used to aid in the cleaning process. The organic component of the cleaning agent, as well as lubricants, coolants and aqueous components, are separated for recycling and re-use. Cleaning metal surfaces according to the method of the present invention has many attendant advantages including decreased roughness and increased reflectivity of metal surfaces, increased mobility on a container production line, and reduced amounts of paint, overcoat and internal coat required to decorate metal surfaces.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a system for removing fluid particles retained on containers, each having an open end and a closed end, after they exit from a washing operation wherein the containers are transferred from the washing operation to a drying operation with the open ends thereof facing in a downward direction and wherein the fluid particles are removed from the containers as they are transferred from the washing operation to the drying operation by passing air at relatively high velocities over at least the portion of the containers next adjacent to the open ends thereof wherein the flow of the high velocity air is generated by a vacuum source.