Abstract: A device for handling stacked barrels attaches to the end of a forklift truck. The opposing ends of the device deploys a pair of grip members to grasp opposing upper and lower edges of the barrel over at least about half of the circumference at the head or chime hoop. The grip members have an arcuate shape and pivot about a coupling holding them in rotary and parallel engagement with an upper and a lower support armature. The upper and lower support armatures are coupled at opposing ends to a common bracket. The common bracket is titled by a second actuator to rotate the grasped barrel from a vertical to horizontal orientation, such as for placement in or removal from barrel racks used for holding filled barrels during fermentation and/or aging. A support beam for the common bracket may be a horizontal frame that accepts forklift tines. The actuators of the device are connected to a common controller installed in the operator cabin of the forklift truck.

Abstract: An automated process for cleaning fruit bins, and particularly grape bins, deploys a conveyer system in which bins are simultaneously rinsed on the inside and outside in an inverted position. Two rinse cycles are rapidly completed with the conveyance of the inverted bins through a wash station. The wash station deploys a pivoting V-shaped spray rod inside the bin, below the conveyor track, while the outside is rinsed by a second surrounding inverted V-shaped spray bar that moves transverse to conveyor direction will the bin is stationary inside the wash station. A pivoting L-shaped arm with an integrated conveyor track move the bins on or off the central conveyor, while flipping them 90 degrees. Two such conveyors return the bins to an upright position for use and stacking. The water from a first rinse is optionally screened and treated before its use to rinse subsequent bins.

Abstract: An automated process for cleaning fruit bins, and particularly grape bins, deploys a conveyer system in which bins are simultaneously rinsed on the inside and outside in an inverted position. Two rinse cycles are rapidly completed with the conveyance of the inverted bins through a wash station. The wash station deploys a pivoting U-shaped spray rod inside the bin, below the conveyor track, while the outside is rinsed by a second surrounding inverted U-shaped spray bar that moves transverse to conveyor direction will the bin is stationary inside the wash station. A pivoting L-shaped arm with an integrated conveyor track move the bins on or off the central conveyor, while flipping them 90 degrees. Two such conveyors return the bins to an upright position for use and stacking. The water from a first rinse is optionally screens to remove solids and collected water is then locally treated before using it to rinse subsequent bins.

Abstract: An automatic wine barrel washing apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus includes a base portion having a plurality of horizontal and vertical support members, a top portion mounted on said base portion. The top portion comprises a plurality of spaced apart roller support plates, and a plurality of sinks disposed within the top portion. Each of the sinks include a drain and drain lines. Motorized wash tubes having heads are provided, each of wash tube heads adapted for insertion into a wine barrel through the wine barrel bung hole. The wash tubes are in fluid communication with a source of pressurized water. Wash tube elevation means selectively raise and lower the wash tubes, and wash tube rotating means rotate the wash heads during a wash cycle. A barrel wash cycle is controlled by a PLC or microprocessor.