GB190414493A - Improvements in and relating to Processes for Sterilizing and Cleaning Beer and other Bottles. - Google Patents

Abstract

14,493. Loew, K. H. June 27. Bottles, washing. - Relates to a process for cleaning and sterilizing beer and other bottles. The bottles are placed bottom upwards in pockets 23 of a conveyer 21 by an operator stationed outside the framework at 41, and are carried slowly down through a bath 11 containing a dilute solution of caustic soda heated to about 135‹ F. The bottles discharge their contents on leaving the bath 11 and are then carried through a bath 12 containing a similar solution to that in the bath 11, but heated to about 160‹ F. These baths are provided with offsets 16, 17 to facilitate the removal of labels, dirt, &c. After leaving the bath 12, the bottles are passed finally through a bath 13 of water heated to about 175‹ F., and while passing through this bath they are sprayed internally by water at about 200‹ F., by means of a rising-wheel shown in detail in Fig. 3. The hub 90 of the wheel rotates upon a hollow bearing 91 which serves as an inlet for the heated pressure water ; the spokes 97 of the wheel are hollow and are provided at their upper extremities with cups 977, formed internally with cones 978, Fig. 8, provided with spraying-apertures 979. As the rinsing-wheel revolves, the spokes register successively with openings 96 in the bearing 91 and so allow jets of water to be projected into the bottles ; in the apparatus shown, the rinsing takes place five times. The rate of travel of the conveyer is timed so that the bottles receive about ten minutes soaking in each bath. The baths may be heated by steam pipes 32, the temperatures being preferably regulated by suitable thermostatic apparatus. A guard 31 is provided to prevent the bottles from falling out of the pockets 23 when the open ends of the pockets are directed downwards. After the rinsing- operation, the bottles are carried along to a point where the guard 31 terminates and allows them to drop on to a wheel 50, which delivers them between brushes 60 to a conveyer belt 70 which carries the bottles to the filling-apparatus. The belt 70 is formed with cross-slats 72 against which the bottles rest, and is moved forwards at such a rate as to retard the passage of the bottles between the brushes, in order to submit them to a scrubbing- operation. If desired, the bottles may be sprinkled with warm water from an apparatus as they pass between the brushes. The whole apparatus is enclosed as shown, so that, while out of the solutions, the bottles are enveloped in hot vapour which prevents them from becoming suddenly chilled or infected. The progressive heating and subsequent slow cooling of the bottles renders them less liable to accidental fracture.