Abstract: Tube bundle cleaning apparatus is disclosed in which cleaning is effected by high pressure water jets impinging upon the tubes of the bundle. The tube bundle is supported on power rollers and a pair of carriages are disposed on opposite sides of the bundle. Each carriage supports a rotatable cleaning head and a non-rotatable cleaning head, both of which are adjustably positionable on the carriage for obtaining optimum location relative to different size tube bundles. The non-rotatable cleanig head includes plural sets of jet nozzles, each set being adjustable in the vertical direction to provide optimum spacing relative to different size tubes to be cleaned. The carriages are mounted on respective tracks for reversibly traversing the tube bundle in repeated cycles to clean a selected swath of the bundle. When the selected swath is cleaned, the tube bundle is rotated to another angular position by the power rollers for cleaning of another swath. The process is repeated until the entire tube bundle is cleaned.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is provided simultaneously to quench a tubular on the inside and outside surfaces during horizontal axial movement of the heated tubular into the apparatus. The apparatus comprises a generally cylindrical frame carrying two external and internal quench heads mounted 180.degree. apart on the cylindrical frame. The cylindrical frame is mounted for oscillatory motion about the axis of the frame through an angle of 180.degree.. A first heated tubular is delivered to the apparatus for simultaneous inside and outside quenching while the cylindrical frame is in a first position. Thereafter, the cylindrical frame and the first tubular is oscillated through 180.degree. to the second position where the first tubular may be withdrawn from the apparatus. In its second position, the second inside and outside quenching heads are in registry with the heating furnace so that a second tubular may be quenched while the first tubular is being withdrawn from the apparatus.

Abstract: A new and improved apparatus for washing soiled tubular members in a cleaning fluid wherein the apparatus includes a cleaning fluid tank for containing the cleaning fluid therein, support members with the cleaning fluid tank for supporting the tubular member between positions in and out of the cleaning fluid tank, along with directing means for directing cleaning fluid against the soiled tubular member and collection members with the cleaning fluid tank for collecting sludge formed during the washing of the tubular member.

Abstract: The invention herein consists of an apparatus and method whereby containers such as syrup cannisters can be depressurized for disassembly and cleaning after use. The invention includes a relief head having a circular array of depending resilient, projecting members which are positioned to contact the dispensing valves of the containers and to allow air or other gases contained therein to escape.

Abstract: Apparatus for washing a delivery cart of the type having an open side. The apparatus includes a chamber and a floor-mounted platform defining a chamber washing station. A pair of side-by-side, vertically disposed spray booms are mounted within the chamber for swinging movement adjacent the open side of the cart positioned at the washing station. A drive system in the apparatus is operable to produce coordinated oscillation of the two booms, to direct pressurized wash water therefrom against substantially the entire inner cart surfaces to be washed. A rotary spray boom mounted in the chamber for rotation about the washing station is operable through another drive system to direct pressurized wash water against substantially the entire outer surface of the cart. The cart is discharged from the chamber, after washing, by a gravity-assisted off-feed device.

Abstract: Spraying apparatus for cleaning filter plates embodies a support frame which is mounted for movement beneath the filter plates and is adapted to align with each space formed between adjacent filter plates to be cleaned. A spraying unit is mounted for pivotal movement on the support frame selectively to a lowered position beneath the filter plates and to a raised position extending upwardly into the space between adjacent filter plates. A spray dispenser carried by the spraying unit moves within the space to apply spray to the adjacent vertical surfaces of the filter plates being cleaned.

Abstract: A rinsing machine for articles of glassware or the like comprises a pair of endless conveyors, each of the conveyors defining a travel path comprising a flight path and a return path. Each flight path extends from a lower level article-intake segment, through an upwardly-extending article-inversion segment, along an upper flight segment of appreciable length, through a downwardly-extending article-re-inversion segment, and to a lower level article-discharge segment. Each return path is generally parallel to, but horizontally spaced from, the flight path. The machine also includes converging wheels for bringing the conveyors into article-grasping juxtaposition at the article-intake segment, diverging wheels for bringing the conveyors into article-releasing juxtaposition at the article-discharge segment, and retaining guides for retaining the conveyors in the article-grasping juxtaposition between the article-intake and article-discharging segments.

Abstract: A cart washing device is disclosed including a housing defining a washing chamber therein having fluid piping extending therearound with a plurality of nozzles preferably of the rotary type to spray washing and rinsing fluid throughout the washing chamber. A drive shaft is rotatably mounted within the housing and includes arms fixedly secured with respect thereto which include constructions at the lower end thereof for grasping, holding and lifting of carts to be washed. Rotation of the drive shaft will cause movement of the arms upwardly and lifting of the cart upwardly into the washing chamber such that washing and rinsing by fluids coming from the nozzles will be facilitated. The manner of grasping of the carts by the arms will include a cart bracket preferably being fixedly secured to each cart and a bracket head of enlarged dimension.

Abstract: A glass washing machine which includes a circular glass rack supported for rotation and divided into three separate sections by partitions. The rack may be turned to successively move each section from a glass loading station to a wash compartment wherein the glasses are washed and rinsed, and finally to an unloading station which is accessible for removal of the clean glasses. The bottom and side edges of the partitions bounding the wash compartment are sealed to the housing of the machine by seal strips. Sealing curtains seal the top portions of the partitions on their surfaces which face into the wash compartment.

Abstract: A filter-cleaning apparatus comprises a hollow, elongate body provided with cleaning fluid inlet and exit means at respective ends thereof. The cleaning fluid inlet means comprises an annulus which extends peripherally around one end of the hollow body and which defines together with the outer wall of the hollow body a space for receiving cleansing fluid from a source of such fluid. The interior of the hollow body communicates with the space defined by the annulus through a series if holes formed in that part of the wall of the body located within the confines of the space. When cleaning a filter, the filter is inserted into the hollow body through the inlet means herefore and the source of cleaning fluid activated. The filter is then moved axially in the hollow body, past the series of holes, until all the filter has been cleaned. A closure means is provided at the cleaning fluid inlet, to prevent the escape of cleaning fluid during operation.

Abstract: A method and installation for cleaning a squeegee device. The installation includes a housing with a door through which the squeegee device can be introduced and mounted in a tiltable supporting element. After the closing of the door the squeegee device is internally and externally flushed and rinsed by means of a number of stationary and traveling spraying nozzles through which a cleaning liquid is sprayed upon the squeegee device.

Abstract: Apparatus for the aseptic packaging of high acid foods having a pH below 4.6 includes conveying means with carrier plate receptacles having orifices to receive preformed cups, the orifices being contoured to match the shape of the sealing flanges of the cups. The conveying means carries cups through a lock of liquid sterilant, past sprays that ensure against air pockets in the cups, through a bath of sterilant liquid in submerged, inverted position, lifts the cups from the bath and into a chamber of sterile inert gas, allowing liquid sterilant to drain therefrom, moves the cups in sequence to filling means and then to sealing means, where cover elements, pre-sterilized from the liquid of the cup bath, dried and preheated, are applied to hermetically close the cups by the action of heat and pressure. Jets of the sterile inert gas, recirculated from the chamber, are directed at the cups after liquid sterilant has drained therefrom, so as to dry the sealing flanges of the cups.

Abstract: A cleaning apparatus for use in pickling facilities for tubular members such as zirconium or zirconium alloy tubes. The apparatus includes a travelling crane for conveying and loading the tubular members from one cleaning tank to another, a pair of endless wrapping connectors such as endless chains spacedly and circulatably provided in at least one tank, for example, in a first cleaning tank filled with slightly warm water below the level of its cleaning fluid, and a plurality of feed claws provided with an interval therebetween on each of the endless wrapping connectors along the length of the same so as to prevent the tubular members from contacting one another during cleaning treatment. Thus, development of stain or physical damage such as scratches or dents is eliminated or minimized. It is possible to tentatively stock the tubular members on the endless wrapping connectors so as to perform a smooth and continuous pickling and cleaning operation of such tubular members.

Abstract: A stationary member extends across a filter on a movable support. The stationary member has a flexible membrane in contact with the filter. Liquid under pressure is flowed through openings in the flexible membrane and through the filter to remove material from the filter.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to improvements to a Figal Washer System. A Figal Washer System is a system for washing Figal five gallon syrup containers utilized in the beverage dispensing art. The improvements to the Figal Washer System of the present invention are directed to improving the production efficiency, the Figal discharge, and the time required for routine and scheduled maintenance on the Figal washing system. The modifications which are considered to contribute to the overall machine operation are directed to improvements relating to production efficiency, which include rail and carriage modifications. A rail is installed inside the washer, beginning just beyond the loading station, for providing jam protection. The figal container carriage has been modified to ensure that the Figal's remain in the carriages between the loading station and the first rinse station, two spring wheels are added.

Abstract: A cleansing apparatus for test-vessels such as cuvettes or the like comprising a support shaft and three spaced paralleled disks, two of said disks being secured to the shaft and the third disk being rotatably positioned on the shaft, a nozzle secured to the first disk, the second and third disks having apertures thereon for receiving cuvettes, so that a cuvette may be positioned over the nozzle through the apertures in one of the disks, and retained by the rotatable disk so that immersion of the apparatus into a cleansing solution forces a jet of solution through the nozzle for cleansing the cuvette.

Abstract: An apparatus for cleaning and drying articles of anesthesia and respiratory equipment, particularly corrugated tubing and breathing bags. The corrugated tubes are threaded onto vertically arranged, perforated pipes which have restricted flow passages at their ends. First cleaning liquid, then drying air, is supplied under pressure to the pipes for radially outward flow therefrom to impinge on the lumina of the tubes.

Abstract: An apparatus, used in the treatment of cans, is made up of a number of individual units, each of which essentially comprises a pair of drums that are mounted for rotation about parallel axes which are vertically disposed. One of the drums is used in the treatment of the interior of the cans, while the other is utilized in the treatment of the exterior of the cans. Each of the rotary drums is provided with means for holding a number of cans in circumferential alignment around the outer periphery of the drum such that the longitudinal axes of the cans are radially oriented relative to the rotational axes of the drums. Other means are provided to successively transfer the cans from one drum to another. A number of such units can be used, in tandem, to treat the cans beginning from washing, rinsing and drying of the cans to heating, coating and drying of the coated cans.

Abstract: The apparatus comprises a rotating plate directly coupled to the shaft of the driving motor and carrying phial holding and handling devices selectively actuatable to be rotated between upward and downward positions around their radial shafts. The filling and cleaning stations of the apparatus include small-sized pans releasably mounted on sliding pan-supporting devices, upward displacement of the pans to bring same into sealing contact engagement with the cover plate of the phial holding devices and downward displacement of said pans being achieved by a double-action cylinder, the end of the cylinder rod of which selectively comes into sealing bearing engagement with a shaped draining opening formed in the bottom of the pan.

Abstract: A can cleaning machine having a lower conveyor belt and an extended coacting upper hold down belt is provided with a blow off unit at each successive stage of the cleaning operation. By extending the hold down belt and providing multiple blow off stations, the corrosive effects of the washing compositions are minimized and the hold down belt life is lengthened; and the washing compositions are maintained in their proper respective zones. This also prevents contamination of the rinse zones by carry over of the washing chemicals from the wash zones.

Abstract: This invention concerns an improved device for cleaning rotary drums, in particular for rotary drum filters. Such device substantially comprises a first tube, functioning as a guide, which is fixed to the inside of the rotary drum; the first tube is provided with a slit along its entire length. A second tube slides within the first tube, with a nozzle at one end, arranged perpendicularly to the two tubes, and which protrudes from said slit. The other end of the second tube is connected to a source of fluid under pressure.

Abstract: An electrolytic battery which has become inoperative due to corrosion shorting the plates of the battery is inverted to remove all of the battery acid. The battery is then disposed over an apparatus comprising a plurality of jets which dispense a cleaning solution into the individual battery cells for a predetermined period of time. After the cleaning solution has been forced into the cells, the battery is drained and drying air is automatically forced into the cells to dry them. The battery is then returned to its upright position and the cells are filled with fresh acid.

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.

Abstract: A cleaning system for cleaning cylinrical filters includes a housing having an opening on one side thereof, a motor driven turntable for supporting a filter to be cleaned, a plurality of spray nozzles selected to provide spray at predetermined heights and at predetermined distances from the perimeter of the filter to be cleaned, a high pressure pump for supplying cleaning fluid to the cleaning nozzles and first and second rinse nozzles, the first rinse nozzle being adjustable in both the vertical and horizontal directions relative to the filter to be cleaned, the second nozzle being horizontally adjustable to clean the bottom pan of the filter to be cleaned, the first and second rinse nozzles being connected to a water source at normal main pressure. Each of the external wash nozzles above a predetermined height from the bottom of the filter being individually controllable to provide a proper wash spray for optimum cleaning of a filter.

Abstract: In testing for cleanliness a cuvette having translucent wall portions, the cuvette is preferably partially filled with pure water and then a beam of optical radiation is directed at a said wall portion, the intensity of radiation which has passed through the cuvette by direct transmission or by scattering is detected, and the state of cleanliness of the cuvette is determined from a comparison between the detected optical intensity and a criterion indicative of cuvette cleanliness.The invention finds particular application to testing cuvettes for cleanliness which have been washed in a laundry of an automatic blood analysing machine.

Abstract: Spray nozzles are mounted on a refuse collection truck mechanically equipped to pick up refuse containers and dump the contents into the truck. The spray nozzles spray an insecticide, a deodorant, and a rust preventative lubricant into the container after it has been emptied, but before it is lowered to the ground.

Abstract: The invention relates to a compact glasswasher having wash and rinse tanks and a circular glass conveyor located thereabove, rotation of the conveyor controlling emptying and re-filling of the rinse tank.

Abstract: A container cleaning machine using hot caustic solution for cleaning containers and detaching labels in which the residual heat usually lost in the discharge end portion of the machine is conserved and put to use in the loading end portion of the machine by being released in a cascading film over the carriers and the containers for the purpose of prewarming the same whereby there is a significant reduction in the steam requirement and substantial quantities of heat usually lost to the sewer system are usefully employed.

Abstract: Apparatus for emptying successive sample containers, by inverting the containers, one at a time, draining the contents of each container, washing, again draining each container and restoring each container to its initial position. Each container is held in a holder mounted for rotation in a vertical plane about a hinge near the bottom of the holder. A hook is adapted to engage a holder and pivot about a separate hinge bringing the holder and its container to an inverted position where a nozzle sprays washing fluid into the inverted sample container. After draining, the sample container is restored to an upright position.

Abstract: An apparatus for cleaning containers and having a housing; a rotary cleaning mechanism mounted within the housing; a drive assembly for rotating the cleaning mechanism about an axis of rotation; a grasping assembly, having portions movable between grasping and release positions, borne by the apparatus for holding a container to be cleaned in a position about the cleaning mechanism substantially concentric to the axis; and a pressure system connected to the grasping assembly operable selectively to move the portions of the grasping assembly between the grasping and release positions.

Abstract: A longitudinal automatic sprayer for cleaning glass containers based on two parallel conveyor chains on which transverse beams carrying individual baskets are arranged perpendicularly to the direction of transport. At the beginning of the conveyor, the individual baskets are automatically filled with the unclean glass containers by a transfer device. A delivery device for automatically ejecting the containers is situated at the end of the conveyor. Spray nozzles for rinsing the glass containers are arranged above the conveyor. The individual baskets are checked for breakage by a mechanical scanning device underneath the conveyor chains. At the same time, the scanning device monitors the positioning of the individual baskets appropriate to the working cycle.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for cleaning the heat exchanging surfaces of the heat transfer plates of rotary regenerative heat exchangers comprising low to medium pressure gas and/or steam operated nozzles of the injection type having injection tubes for moving by suction ambient heat exchanging gas or air into the interspaces between the heat transfer plates. The nozzles may be designed as supersonic nozzles, especially Laval nozzles.

Abstract: A cleaning machine of the type in which a cleaning fluid spray is directed at an article supported in the interior of a machine cabinet structure and rotated while being sprayed by a plurality of cleaning fluid jets. The cleaning machine disclosed includes a central spray pipe, extending through an article supporting rotary table and adapted to spray the interior of the workpiece simultaneously with the directing of cleaning fluid spray at the exterior of the part, to clean the interior and the exterior of the article simultaneously. The rotary table is adapted to be supported on a bearing assembly, carried by the central spray pipe, the bearing assembly functioning both as the rotational support for the rotary table and also acting to form a fluid coupling between the central spray pipe and cleaning fluid distribution manifolding disposed beneath the rotary table.

Abstract: A mobile cabinet encloses a plurality of basins or receptacles to which hot and cold water may be conducted under control of valves for cleaning, washing and drinking purposes through flexible conduits and from which water is drained through a flexible waste conduit. A water heater and a waste drain pump associated with one of the receptacles cooperates with other facilities therein to clean articles during a timed-controlled cleaning cycle, while manually operated valves control the supply of water to the other receptacles for washing and drinking purposes.

Abstract: An automatic washing apparatus for containers which is capable of automatically and continuously washing a multiplicity of containers in a fast and efficient manner. The containers for which this particular washing apparatus is fabricated are of a semirigid type. They are composed of a plastic material and are elongated in configuration. The containers are intended to contain sterile liquids. The novel washing apparatus has a specially fabricated nozzle which can enter the plastic container and thoroughly wash it with a mixture of detergent, water and air. Suitable means are afforded to hold the semirigid containers in a stationary manner as well as to position them over a series of nozzles.

Abstract: An apparatus for cleaning containers using a fluid, the apparatus having a tank adapted to receive the fluid; a shaft mount secured on the tank, having a fluid tight exterior within the tank and extending through the tank to an end portion disposed externally of the tank; a tubular shaft mounted for rotational movement on the shaft mount and having a first end portion within the tank enwardly of the shaft mount and a second end portion disposed externally of the tank; a cleaning brush affixed on the first end portion of the shaft for rotation therewith; a drive mechanism connected in driving relation to the second end portion for rotation of the shaft and the brush borne thereby; a pumping assembly interconnecting the tank and the second end portion of the shaft to pump the fluid from the tank and through the shaft to the brushes; and a container mount secured on the shaft mount within the tank for holding a container in position for cleaning by the brush.

Abstract: An immersion cooling apparatus includes a mechanism for immersing a hot metal pipe with the axis thereof directed horizontally in a cooling tank containing cooling liquid, and a mechanism for locking the immersed pipe in position in the cooling tank. While the locking mechanism is preventing the pipe from moving, a nozzle extending toward the interior of the pipe in the direction of the pipe axis injects cooling liquid into the pipe. The cooling liquid thus injected flows completely through the pipe so that the pipe being cooled is not injured or bent.

Abstract: An apparatus is described for removing and collecting labels from bottles while the bottles are being cleaned prior to being fed into a filling line in a bottling plant. During cleaning, the bottles are transported in inverted position in pockets of a pocket conveyor through a series of caustic baths. To avoid contaminating these baths with freed labels, they are removed by sprays while the bottles travel between a pair of baths. The novel device includes downwardly directed spray for spraying rinsing solution on the bottles and a collecting trough beneath the sprays and pockets to collect the rinsing solution and labels. To permit free passage of the labels out of the pockets, a cam mechanism is provided which lifts the bottle shoulders out of engagement with the pockets while the labels are being removed.

Abstract: A bottle rinser having a linear path for carried bottles has closely spaced bottle carriers on a lug chain, the carriers receiving the bottles in upright position and being pivoted in a plane perpendicular to the path of chain movement to invert the bottles and carry them over rinse means, then slightly tip the bottles from fully inverted position to aid in draining, and finally being pivoted to restore the bottles to upright position for unloading. The carriers are of stamped and formed construction with an elastomer retainer for simple operation and allowing good bottle exposure for external rinse. Guide rods positioned near the lug chain control carrier pivoting.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for washing and drying reusable containers are disclosed. In the apparatus and method, the containers to be cleaned, after successively passing through washing and rinsing stations, are, thereafter, flipped by 180.degree. before passing through a drying station. This flipping action, which abruptly turns the containers end over end, causes a significant amount of excess fluid to be shaken from the containers. As a result, drying of the containers when passing through the drying station is greatly facilitated.In a further aspect of the apparatus and method of the invention, the containers after flipping are initially moved at a faster speed than a first speed associated with their passage through the washing and rinsing stations and, thereafter, moved through the drying station at a speed between the aforesaid two speeds.

Abstract: A washing apparatus is disclosed for removing excess coating material from the interior edge portions of metal containers wherein the excess material is formed by the coating draining down the interior sidewalls of the container after the coating has been applied thereto. The apparatus is provided with means for contacting the interior edge portions of the container in the seaming area with a wash fluid wherein the wash fluid maintained in a receptacle is discharged from a slot contained in the receptacle in the form of a ripple having waves which swell and undulate within the interior of the container to effect a washing action on the coating material accumulated therein to remove the coating material from the interior edge portions.

Abstract: A spraying device for use in a bottle cleaning machine is disclosed having a conveyor chain which is movable through the cleaning machine. A plurality of bottle receiving receptacles are supported from the chain and the bottles to be cleaned are carried in the receptacles. A plurality of spray tubes having a nozzle for directing the spray in a fixed direction with respect to the tube are mounted for pivotal movement so that the spray from each tube is directed through a predetermined spraying zone into a bottle as the conveyor chain moves through the cleaning machine and as the spray tubes are pivoted through a spraying zone. The spray tubes are aligned in series so that the spray from each tube is directed into one of the bottles and so that the axes of the sprays from the different tubes are parallel, and coupling means connect each of the spray tubes with each other so that they pivot through the zone together.

Abstract: A nozzle member for an automatic washing apparatus for containers which nozzles are capable of washing containers in a fast and efficient manner. The containers for which this particular nozzle is fabricated are of the semirigid type and are composed of a plastic material. They are elongated in configuration and are intended to contain sterile liquids. The nozzle is fabricated to enter the plastic container and thoroughly wash it with a mixture of detergent, water, and air. This is a continuation, of application Ser. No. 660,587 filed Feb. 23, 1976, now abandoned.

Abstract: Endless, movable, horizontal conveyor moves containers successively past sprays in treatment zones comprising pre-wash, wash, pre-rinse, primary rinse, and final or secondary rinse zones, between adjacent loading and unloading zones. Fresh water is sprayed in the final rinse zone and collected in a rinse liquid reservoir with liquid sprayed in the primary rinse zone. Used rinse liquid from the rinse liquid reservoir is reused in the primary rinse zone where it is recycled back to the rinse liquid reservoir, after which it is reused still again in both the pre-wash and pre-rinse zones before being drained from the machine. Hot sanitizing caustic solution is recycled between a sanitizing solution reservoir and the wash zone. Make-up liquid for the sanitizing solution reservoir is provided from the rinse liquid reservoir through a level responsive valve.

Abstract: A cleaning or treating machine, particularly but not necessarily exclusively for cleaning newly formed aluminum beverage cans, has a belt for conveying items placed thereon through various stages of a washing cycle and a hold-down conveyor overlying the cans for preventing them from tipping. The hold-down conveyor has stiffening means extending thereacross and is trained over rolls or drums which are specially formed to accommodate the stiffening means. The conveyor is longitudinally supported by having rollers projecting from its longitudinal edges and which ride on tracks.

Abstract: An apparatus for edulcorating a wire coil with an edulcoration fluid is provided which has a movable cart with an upright support and a plurality of horizontal, rotatable flanged shafts for supporting and rotating the wire coil, these shafts being mounted on the upright. A hollow pipe with outlets is positioned beneath the rotatable shafts on the upright to provide edulcoration fluid against the inside of a coil on the shafts, and a plurality of hollow pipes with outlets, also connected to the upright, are positioned above the rotatable shafts for providing edulcoration fluid against the outside of the coil on the shafts. The flanges on each of the shafts are at an angle to the axis of the respective shaft and are positioned in a special spaced relationship with regard to the flanges on the adjacent rotatable shaft.

Abstract: Cylinders are mounted on an invertible frame. A reciprocably mounted header is provided on the movable frame for engaging the necks of the cylinders to hold the cylinders on the movable frame when inverted and to inject a drying fluid into the cylinders. The movable frame and movable header on the movable frame are adapted for holding various sizes of cylinders.

Abstract: A bottle cleansing apparatus having bottle cradles hingedly mounted to a first conveyor for movement of said cradles along a path and part rotation of said cradles about an axis longitudinal of said path, said cradles having a floor portion for supporting bottles presented laterally thereto in generally upstanding disposition and a roof portion with an aperture therein for supporting bottles in inverted disposition when said cradles are part-rotated, said roof portion being peaked to direct the downwardly directed mouths of the bottles into register with said apertures. Nozzles are carried on a second conveyor so as to be in register with a respective cradle aperture over a predetermined distance for injection of fluid into the bottles through their downwardly directed mouths. A rotary valve may be used for directing fluid to each nozzle only when said nozzle is in register with a bottle mouth.

Abstract: Apparatus for handling glass jars with lids as they move toward a labeling machine to receive labels thereon. The jars are initially disposed in a crate which holds a number of layers of the jars and, after being unloaded from the crate, one layer at a time, the jars are moved by a conveyor along a generally horizontal path and are subjected to a hot water spray for a predetermined time. In this way, the jars are preheated so that the labels will more positively adhere thereto. Also, the spray removes dust and water spots from the lids of the jars. After passing through the spray, the jars are directed, one by one, through the labeling machine.

Abstract: Apparatus for forceably flushing labels from containers being conveyed in pockets through a container washing machine, and a system of fluid flow in the apparatus for extracting the flushed out labels from the washing solution so the latter solution may be recirculated to repeat the flushing cycle. The fluid flow system is arranged to operate in a manner that will conserve energy without impairing the effectiveness of the flushing action.