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.