US2253912A - Bottle washer - Google Patents

Description

Ausl 25, 1941-, J. P. MGKINLEY '4E-r AL `2,253,912

BOTTLE WASHER I5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Jan. 27, 1957 Aug. 26, 1941.

J. P. vlvlcKlNLEY Er AL BOTTLE WASHER Filed Jap. 27, 1937 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 NVENTORS a ATTORNEYS Aug. 26,` 1941. .1. P. McKlNLEY ET Al.

BOTTLE WASHER 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR5 o Maf ATTORNEYS Filed Jan. 27, 1937 Patentecl ug. 26, 1,941

BOTTLE WASHER John P'. Mcxinleyan Wilbert P. Anklam, Buffalo, N. Y.; said Ackland assignor to said Mc- Kinley Application January 27, 1937, serial N0. 122,560

17 Claims.

This invention relates to bottle washing mechanism of the type in which the bottles are subjected to a series of different cleansing treatments, and where the dirty bottles are introduced at one point, and cleaned and sterilized bottles removed at another point.

An object of this invention is to provide an improved bottle washing mechanism of the type utilizing an endless conveyor with pockets for carrying the bottles While they are subjected to the various cleansing treatments, and which will have improved means for tightening the conveyor when such tightening is necessary due to wear, stretching or other causes.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved bottle washing mechanism with improved means for screening foreign matter from the washing or rinsing liquid which is being rrecirculated and discharged against the bottles for cleansing or rinsing the same, with which the screen may be easily inspected and removed for cleaning from a position at the side of the machine in a simple and easy manner, and which will be relatively simple and inexpensive.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved means for delivering the :dirty bottles to the endless conveyor which carries the bottles through the various cleansing stations.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved, automatic pre-rinsing device for said bottles and which may form an attachment for existing types of bottle washing machines, or which may be constructed as a physical part of the bottle washing machines.

Another object ofthe invention isto provide improved pre-rinsing mechanism for bottle washing machines, with which the bottles may rbe subjected to a pre-rinseof relatively long duration before being passed through the soaking tank, with which the pre-rinse liquid will be discharged only while the bottle holders are in selected positions, and which will be convenient, compact, efficient and inexpensive.

Another object of the invention is to provide improved means for loading bottles in vgroups into an endless bottle conveyor, and which will be particularly simple, effective, convenient and inexpensive. l

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved and simplified mechanism for loading bottles to be cleaned into a bottle washing machine.

Various other objects and advantageswill Vappear from the following description of anembodiment of the invention, and the novel `fea` 55 ini;r are identical with one another and are con-` CAB tures will be particularly pointed out hereinafter in connection with the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawings:

.Fig 1V is a side elevation of a bottle washer constructed in accordance with this invention and having attached thereto a bottle pre-rinse and automatic loading mechanism constructed in accordance with this invention;

Fig. 2 is a transverse sectional elevation through a portion of the same, the section being taken approximately along the line 2 2 of Fig'. 1;

Fig.'3 is a longitudinal sectional elevation of the same;

Fig. 4 is a longitudinal sectional elevation through a portion thereof in a different longitudinal plane than that shown in Fig. 3, and illustrating the improved means for tightening the conveyor chain;

5 is a side elevation of the loading end of the machine, the elevation being at the opposite side from that shown in Fig. l;

Fig. 6 is a sectional plan through a portion of the same at the pre-rinse mechanism, the section being taken approximately along the line 6-6 of Fig. 5;

Fig. 7 is a sectional elevation through a portion of the same, the section being taken approxi mately along the line I-1 of Fig. 6; and

' Fig. 8 is a transverse sectional elevation through a portion of the same, the section being taken approximately along the line 8-8 of Fig. 7.

In thev illustrated embodiment of the invention, theimproved bottle washing mechanism is t largely housed in a casing or housing I9 of any suitable shape and construction, and within this housing and extending from end to end thereof is an endless conveyor II provided with a series of pockets I2, Fig. 3, arranged in succession lengthwise of the chain. The pockets are supported in rows, Fig. 6, which extend crosswise of the conveyor, the pockets of the different rows being supported by transverse frame members I3, Fig.`6, which extend between and are secured to links I4 forming Vendless chains extending along each side wall of the housing. The frame members I3 are secured to the links I4, Fig. 4, in any suitable manner such as by bolts I5.

"The links I4 at eachfside of the housing are disposed approximately end to end but in slightly overlapping relation, and are connected by pivot pins I6 which laterally from the connected links and carry rollers I'I. The two endless chains formed of the links I4 at each side of the housnected by the frame members I3, Fig. 6, so that the two chains will move in unison with one another and carry the rows of pockets successively from end to end of the housing. The rollers I1 are on the outside of the conveyor, in close proximity to the inner faces of the vertical side walls of the housing I0, and run on trackways I8 provided on the inner faces of the vertical side Walls of the housing.

Each trackway may be conveniently formed by attaching angle bars or angle strips to the sidewall of the housing, and approximately end to end with one another, so as to provide flanges extending into the housing from each side thereof upon which flanges the rollers I1 ride. -The trackways I8 are arranged in an approximately endless loop to provide an upper stretch which is slowly rising towards the loading end, a downwardly and forwardly inclined end stretch at the loading end of the machine leading fromAV the upper stretch, a horizontal, lower stretch running closely along the bottom wall of the housing and leading from the end stretch, and a rising section at the rear end of the machine connecting the upper and lower stretches.

The bottom portion of the housing is made water tight and functions as a soaking tank into which the endless conveyor moves at the loading end `and from which it emerges at the opposite or rear end. The trackway for guiding this lower stretch of the conveyor in the soaker tank may, if desired, be formed at each side of the housing of two angular strips with the projecting ilanges slightly spaced apart, or a channel strip in which the rollers |1 run may be used, so as to prevent the conveyor from dragging on the bottom of the soaker tank or housing. It is undesirable to provide sharp bends where the upper, lower and end sections of the conveyor join one another, and for that reason the trackway` is curved through arcs of substantial radius where the upper and lower stretches join the end sections.

The bottom wall of the housing at the forward or loading end of the machine is curved upwardly as at I9, so as to extend parallel to the curved trackway for the purpose of acting as a guard to prevent the bottles from dropping out of the pockets as the pockets descend into the so-aker tank. An arcuate guard plate is disposed at the opposite or rear end of the housing and extends upwardly along but spaced from the arcuate trackway at the rear end of the housing, so as to keep the bottles confined in the pockets leaving the soaker tank until the pockets reach a position in which the bottles will be retained therein by gravity.

The pockets have their ends facing the interior of the closed loop of the Conveyor about which they move, small enough so that the bottles cannot pass therethrough, but the outer ends of the pockets are open. As the pockets move along the lower stretch with the conveyor, the bottles will tend to fall out by gravity, but are confined within the pockets by fthe arcuate end walls I9 and 2i) and the bottom wall of the housing. The bottles are kept in the other stretches of the conveyor by gravity as will be observedA from Fig. 3. This type of conveyor is well known in the art, iand per se forms no part of this invention.

An endless conveyor of'this type has `a tendency to lstretch slightly in use, and to lengthen slightly through wear, and therefore a limited adjustment for tightening the chain is desirabley An improved and simple manner of tightening the chain is illustrated particularly in Figs. 3 and 4, Where the arcuate section 2| of the Vtrackway |8 which joins the rising end stretch at the rear end of the machine .to the rear end of the upper stretch of the trackway I8 is made separate and adjustable. Each arcuate section 2| oi the trackway has its ends 22 ared toward the center of the loop slightly so as to guide the rollers I1 smoothly from one stretch or section to another, and is mounted on a plate 23 disposed along the adjacent side of the housing. Each plate 23 is provided with a plurality of slots 24 which extend generally parallel to one another and to the bisector of the angle between the rising rear end section of the conveyor and the upper stretch of the conveyor. Bolts 25 pass through these lslots and through the side walls of the housing where they carry nuts 26, Fig. l.

A link 21, Fig. 4, is disposed at each side of the housing, and each is connected at one end by a pin 28 to the adjacent plate 23 and at its other end it extends through the housing at the rear upper corner thereof, where it carries a Washer 29 and a nut 30. Thus by tightening the nut 30 at each side of the housing the links 21 may be drawn outwardly so as to slide the plates 23 outwardly, and thus force the arcuate trackway sections 2| outwardly and @tighten the chain or conveyor, as Vshown clearly in Fig. 4. After the desired tightening movement, the nuts 26 are tightened, which eiectively locks or clamps the plate 23 in adjusted positions. The tightening is accomplished by the adjustable section at the upper part of the housing where there is no danger of leakage of the Washing liquids, and where a very slight movement of the plates 23 will produce a very effective tightening of the conveyor.

A wall 3|, Fig. 3, is provided just above the pockets in the lower stretch of the conveyor, and the ends of this wall extend upwardly at 32 and 33. The wall 3| extends between and connects the -side walls of the housing so as to pro- Vide a water tight compartment above the soaker tank section 34 provided between the Wall 3| and the bottom of the housing. Transverse walls 35 and 36 project upwardly from the wallV 3| intermediate of its ends and also extend between and connect the side walls of the housing so as to form. upwardly opening tanks 31 and 38 which lie immediately below the upper stretch of the conveyor and above the soaker tank.v A Washing liquid is contained in the tank 31 and rinsing water is contained in the tank 38.

One side wall of the housing which forms a side wall of each of the tanks 31 and 33-is provided wilth outwardly extending, projecting chambers 39 and 40, Figs. 1 and 2. 'Ihese projecting chambers are somewhat triangular in shape in transverse cross section, as shown clearly in Figs. 1 and 2, and the top Wall 4| of each is removable and provided with a.k handle 42, to enable access to be had to the interior of the housing and projecting chamber from the exterior of the housing. These projecting chambers 39 are provided, adjacent or adjoining one of the end walls of the tanks 31 and 38, such as adjoining the walls 33 and 36, with intermediate, triangular shaped walls 43 and 44, Fig, 3, which are disposed parallel .to the wall-s 33 and 36 and extend from the projecting chambers 3S partly across the tanks 31 and 38.

The surfaces of the walls 33 and 43, Fig. 3, which face one another are provided with guides lspray devices 66. The valve-arm 68 is operated 45 and 46, 2, which form between them an linclined guideway or groove 1in which 'an'..in-

clined screen 41 is secured by ysliding it downwardly through the upper end of the projecting chamber 39. By removing the cover 4|, onek may inspect the upper inclined surface of the screen 41, and also remove the screen by pulling it upwardly along the gui-deways or grooves. formed by the guides 45 and 46. Thus the screen may be removed for cleaning, repairs or replacement, and be reinserted into the tank merely by sliding it downwardly into position through the projecting chamber 39. The walls 33 and 43 and the screen form a triangular chamber 49 adjacent the side Yof the housing which communicates with the main body of the tank 31 solely through the surface of .the screen.

An outlet pipe 49 opens through Ythe side wall of the housing I into the compartment 48, for conducting the washing solution to a pump 58, from which the washing fluid is delivered, by a pipe having suitable branches, to spray devices which direct it against the bottles in the portion of the upper stretch of the conveyor which is immediately above Ythe tank 31. Any solid matter washed from the bottles in this manner will drop downwardly into the tank 31, and it will be held back by the screen 41 from entering the pipe 49. where it might clog the pump or the spray devices supplied by the pipe 5|.

The walls 44 and 36 also have between them guideways similar to those shown in Fig. 2 for the tank 91, and mount, in the same manner, a screen 52 which is insertable and removable through the projecting chamber 48 in the manner explained in connection with the screen 41 and chamber 39. Thus, any foreign matter in the tank 38 will be screened out. A pipe 53 opens into the tank 83 beneath the screen 52, and thus the entry of foreign matter into the pipe 53 will ce prevented. The pipe 53 connects with the pump 54 which delivers the rinse water under pressure through the pipe '55 to suitable spray devices 56 arranged above the tank 38.

The upper end of the wall 36 is bent horizontally and toward the loading end of the machine, and provided with upstanding flanges to form a pan 51 also disposed beneath the upper stretch of the conveyor. Spray devices 58 are arranged above the pan 51 for spraying fresh rinsing water into and upon the bottles in the pockets over the pan 51, and the water therefrom drains into the pan 51. The drain pipe 59 connects the pan 51 to an overiiow pipe 68 and to the tank 38.

A valve 6| in the pipe 60, and a valve 62 in the connection from the pipe 59 to the tank 38, makes it possible to divert any desired portion of the rinse water from the pan 51 into the tank E8, and the remainder .is delivered through the pipe Eil to a suitable drain. Another pan 63 is disposed adjacent the pan 51, but further forwardly, and contains a chlorine solution for sterilizing the bottles. A pipe 64, Fig. 3, connects the chlorine tank to a pump, not shown, from which the chlorine water is delivered by a pipe 55, Fig. l, to a chlorine water spray device 66, Fig. 3, where the chlorine water is sprayed into the rinsed bottles.

On the outside of the housing a pair of valves 51, Fig. 1, are arranged one in front of the other for operation by levers 68 and 69. The valve 61 nearest the housing is included in the pipe 95 so as to control the chlorine water supplied to the llo at intervals by a cam 10 mounted on a shaft 1|, Figs. 1' and 3, which is driven through suitable speed reduction mechanism 12 from a motor 13, Fig. 3. The speed reduction mechanism and Vmotor are conveniently disposed'within the housing above the wall 9| and beneath the pans 51 and 63.

.A crank arm 14, Fig. 1, Ais also mounted on the shaft 1| and connected through a link or connecting rod 15 to an arm 16 mounted on a shaft 11 at the top of the housing. This shaft extends across the top of the housing and carries a pair of arms 18, Fig. 3, at each side of the housing which depend into 'the housing and are pivotally connected by pins 19 to feeding dogs 89 which operate on the rollers |1 of the conveyor to feed the same forwardly along the upper stretch of the trackway. Thus as the motor 13 operates, the dogs 89 will be retracted and then pushed forwardly vso as to impart intermittent increments of vmovement to the conveyor in a direction to move the upper stretch of the` conveyor to the loading end of the machine, and downwardly into the front end of the soaker tank.

The shaft 1|I extends entirely across the interior of the housing, and upon the outside of the housing at the side opposite the crank arm 14, the shaft 1| is provided with a pair of cams 9| and 82, Fig. 5. The cam 82 has a cam groove 83 opening outwardly away from the housing, and a roller orvcam follower 84, provided on an arm 85 runs in the groove 83. The arm 85 is pivoted at 86, and at its free end it is pivoted at 81 to one end of a link 88, the other end of the link being pivoted by a pin 89 to an arm 98 fixed on a shaft 9|. The shaft 9| extends across the interior of the housing, Figs'. 3 and 6, and near each side of the housing, but within it, a pair of arms 92, Figs. 3 and 6, are fixed on shaft 9| and extend upwardly and rearwardly therefrom.-

The arms 92 at their upper ends have slots 92a which receive a cross member 93 that at its ends carries rollers 93a. These rollers run in parallel slots 93h in the housing, and a plurality of bottle ejectors 94 are pivoted on the member 93. These ejectors 94 at their free ends extend through slots or guides in a plate 95 which is slidingly mounted ona support or 'cross bar 96, and shifted vertically'by a screw 91, so as to align the free ends `of the ejectors 94 with the inner ends of the pockets when the pockets are stationary between increments of movement of the conveyor. Thus as the cam 82 rotates, the arm 85 will be oscillated and through the link 88 will oscillate arm and shaft 9|.

This oscillation is so timed by the character of the cam groove S3 that the ejectors 94 are forced into the pockets aligned therewith during the interval while the conveyor is stationary, that is, while the feed dogs are moving to a new feeding position, and the ejectors 94 upon entering the bottle pockets forcibly eject the bottles therefrom. The ejected bottles are received upon a pivoted `Support 98, which at the proper time is rocked upwardly to deposit the bottles resting thereon upon a conveyor device 99 as usual in this type of washer. Continued'movement of the cam 82 rocks the shaft 9| and the arms 92 to retract the ejectors 94 before the next forward movement of the feeding dogs 88.

At one side of the housing, the shaft 9| hasy fixed thereon an arm |89, Figs. 1 and 6, and the upper end of this arm is connected by a link IBI' to'a crank arm |02 loose on a stub shaft |03 of a pre-rinse and loading mechanism which will now be described. A loading element |04 has the stub shaft |03 at one end thereof and a corresponding and aligned stub shaft |05 at the other end thereof, by which the element |04 may be suitably mounted for rotation about an approximately horizontal axis. The stub, shafts |03 and |05 are rotatably mounted in bearings provided in the end walls of an auxiliary housing |06 which fits against the front end of the housing I0. The stub shaft |03, after passing through the end wall of the housing |06 carries a ratchet wheel |01 xed thereon, this wheel having ratchet teeth upon its periphery.

A ratchet pawl |08 is pivoted on the pin which connects the link to the crank arm |02, and at its free end it rides upon the periphery of ratchet wheel |01 so as to engage with the ratchet teeth thereof. The crank arm |02 extends upwardly from the shaft |03 and the pawl |08 is urged downwardly by gravity Iinto engagement with the ratchet teeth of the ratchet wheel |01. Thus as the shaft 9| oscillates, the arm |00 will also oscillate and through the link |0| it will rock the loose crank arm |02 about the shaft |03. During the oscillation of the arm |02 in one direction, the pawl |08 will engage with the teeth of the ratchet wheel and turn it through a fraction of a rotation, and then when the arm |02 oscillates in the other direction, the pawl |08 will be retracted to a position in the rear of another ratchet wheel tooth.

In the particular illustrated embodiment, there are four ratchet teeth provided in the periphery of the ratchet wheel |01, and those teeth are evenly spaced around the periphery of the ratchet wheel, so that each time that the arm |00 oscillates, it will cause the rotation of the element |04 through la quarter revolution. During the idle oscillation of the crank arm |02, the pawl will ride idly over the ratchet wheel and the rotary element |04 will remain stationary in the position into which it has been moved. Thus the oscillation of the arm |00 imparts increments of rotary movement to the element |04 intermittently, with equal periods, between said movements, in which the element |04 is stationary.

The element |04 is provided with a plurality of rows of pockets |09, the rows extending parallel to the axis of rotation of the element |04. The corresponding pockets of the different rows are arranged angularly about the axis of rotation of the element |04, with the corresponding pockets of the different rows in transverse alignment with one another in such angular arrangement about the faxis of rotation of the element |04. The corresponding pockets of the different rows diverge from one another in a direction outwardly from `adjacent the axis of rotation of the element, and are open at their outer ends. Preferably the pockets of each row are disposed, at their inner or closed ends, against thefside wall of the next row of pocke-ts in the direction of rotation of the pockets, this arrangement being clearly shown in Fig. 3.

In each rotation of the element |04 the different rows of pockets |09 will occupy four succesive angular positions about their axis of rotation, .the four different positions which they oocupy during the retraction of the pawl |08 being shown particularly in Figs. 1 and 3. Guard means 0 is disposed beneath the element |04 along the path of travel of the open ends of the pockets, and extends from a position approximately at the level of the axis of rotation of the element at the front side, or the side where the open ends of the pockets are moving downwardly, to a position which is in a level somewhat below the horizontal plane through the axis of rotation of element |04. Thus the guard means ||0 along which the open ends of the pockets move while the pockets are in inverted positions, will conne within the pockets any bottles which are placed in the pockets while the pockets are in either of the upper positions, that is, the positions in which the pockets open upwardly.

The guard means ||0 terminates at the lower edge of the row of pockets which are in inverted position at the rising side, that is, the side adjacent the conveyor, so that bottles contained in the pockets in that position adjacent the conveyor may fall by gravity from the pockets and slide directly into the pockets of the conveyor chain which are in alignment therewith. The shafts 1| and 9|, through their connections, operate in synchronized relation to one another so that when the conveyor is stationary, that is, during the time when the feeding pawls are moving backwardly to a new feeding position and the conveyor is stationary, `the arm |00 will be moved forwardly to feed ythe element |04 through one-fourth of a revolution.

Cam 82 is so designed that before the conveyor is fed forwardly by the pawls 80, the arm |00 has moved back into its normal position, ready for .a new feeding operation on the element |04, and consequently the pockets |09 Iare rotated so as to be carried into discharge position in alignment with the pockets of the conveyor only when the conveyor is idle. Since the shaft 9| is operated from the cam 82, the ejectors 94 are fully retracted before the conveyor moves, and Ithe shaft 9| remains stationary until after the conveyor has completed its full increment of movement. The pockets |09 are therefore not moving throughout the entire period while the conveyor is inactive, but only through a portion of the time when this conveyor is inactive. The cam 82 so times the increments of rotation of the element |04, that a row of pockets is not brought into discharge position in ailgnment with a row of pockets of the conveyor at the loading position, until after the conveyor has completed its full increment of movement and is inactive again.

Where it is desired to use gravity as the major force for ejecting the bottles from the pockets in the rotary element |04, the longitudinal axes of the pockets of the row which is in loading position preferably make an angle of from 20 to 35 degrees to the horizontal. The best angle appears to be approximately 30 degrees, because at that angle of the pockets, ythe bottles slide freely and promptly from the pockets of the rotary element |04 into the pockets of the conveyor without too great a force which tends to chip' or break the bottles as they strike the pockets of the conveyor. It is entirely feasible, however, to have the pockets make a lesser angle to the horizontal, or even be horizontal, when in discharge position but in that case mechanical or additional means must be provided for ejecting. the bottles from the pockets of the rotary element |04 and depositing them into the aligned pockets of the lconveyor at the loading position.

For this-purpose the pockets |09 of each row arefprovided'with aligned slots III which extend from the inner ends of the pockets substantially to the open ends thereof, and rods I|2 extend through the pockets of each row and the slots I I I thereof from end to end of the element |04. These rods ||2 project slightly from the ends of the element |04, as shown clearly in Fig. 6. Since the slots III extend in a direction endwise of the pockets, it will be observed that when the pockets are so positioned that they open upwardly, the rods ||2 will descend by gravity to the inner ends of the pockets, where they will be out of the way when bottles are placed in those pockets. When the pockets |09 move downwardly along the guard means IIO, however, the Vrods will tend to fall by gravity and urge the bo-ttles in those pockets downwardly, but the guard means ||.0 will retain the bottles within the pockets 'during such movement.

When the pockets |09 reach the loading position, where the guard means I| no longer is effective to keep the bottles within the downwardly opening pockets, the rods will add their downward urge to that of gravity on the bottles to eject them from the pockets of the rotary element and thus discharge them into the aligned pockets of the conveyor. As the pockets move upwardly, however, from loading position, the rods II2 will move again to the bottoms of the pockets so as to be out of the way when any bottles are placed in the upwardly opening pockets. When the pockets in the horizontal discharge position have an angle of from 25 to 30 degrees, I found that the rods I|2 are seldom necessary to insure a discharge of all of the bottles from the pocketsk |09. This is true even though bottles of different size are usedY inthe pocketsof the element |04.

It may in some instances be desirable to guardv against any possibility of the bottles sticking in the pockets |09 while in discharge position, and for that purpose I may employ positive means for operating the rods I|2 toward the open ends of the pockets |09 while the pockets are in discharge position. The means for accomplishing this positive discharge of bottles will now be described.

kAn arm I I3, Figs. and 6, is fixed on the shaft 9| exteriorly of the housing body at one side thereof. Pivoted to the free end of this arm ||3 is a link ||4 which extends into the auxiliary housing |00 and terminates in a hook ||5 which extends horizontally into a position to engage behind the projecting endsv ofthe rods ||2` of those pockets in discharge position. end of the link ||4 is positioned to ride upon a projecting iiange of an angle bar IIB secured to the inner face of theend wall of the housing |09, and inclined downwardly toward the conveyor from adjacent the stub shaft |05. To prevent sidewise displacement of the free end of the hook from the angle strip IIS, the latter is provided with a slot II'I which runs for substantially its full length, and a lug ||8 depends from the free end of the link |I4 and runs freely in the slot ||'I.

When the shaft 9| moves in a direction to cause a turning movement'of the element "|04, the hook ||5 will ride up the incline provided by the angle strip I I6 into a position in which it i-s between the axis of rotation of the element |04 and the ends of the rods ||2 of the pockets |09 that are in discharge or loading position, The rotary increment of movement of the element |04 The free Y the hook is kcompleted at the end of the oscillation of the shaft 9| in this one direction, and during such increment of movement a new row of pockets |09 was brought up into the discharge position where it is just uncovered by the guard means I0. At this time the bottles should slide freely by gravity from the pockets in discharge position, aided by the weight of the rod ||2 of that row of pockets, but if they do not, as soon as the shaft 9| begins its return movement in the opposite direction back to starting position, the arm I|3 will, through 'the link I I4, pull t-he hook I5 towardthe endless conveyor.

Since the rod 2 of that row of pockets in discharge position is then immediately in alignment with the path of movement of the hook I5, the latter will engage the rod ||2 and pull it downwardly to the other end of the slots and thus forcibly start or eject all the bottles from that row of pockets |09. The angle of inclination of the bar IIS is of course approximately the same as the angle of inclination of the slots of that row of pockets which is in discharge position adjacent the endless conveyor. The length of the arm ||3 is such that for its given arc of oscillation, the hook ||5 has the desired rectilinear movement along the angle bar or guide ||6.

When the shaft 9| again starts its oscillation in a direction to cause an increment of rotation ofthe pockets |09 of the rotary loading element |04, the hoo-k I5 will of course move' away from the rod'I I2 of that row of pockets with which it just cooperated to eject the bottles, but since I5 extends sidewise -from the link I I4, the rotation of the rotary loading element will carry the rod I2 of that row `of pockets upwardly in an arcuate path and thus laterally away from the hook ||5, so that even if rotation of the pockets |09 should begin before the hook |I5 has moved backwardly to any substantial extent, the rod I |2 would clear the hook I I5 anyway.

Thearm |00, at the opposite end of the shaft 9| from arm ||3, is forked at its free end, and to the free end of that arm, that is, to one of the forks of the arm |00, one end of a link I9 which corresponds `to the link ||4 'is pivoted. The link II 9 at its free end rides upon an angle -bar or guide |20 which corresponds to the guide or bar ||6 and is provided with a slot |2| which corresponds in function to the slot I I'I. The free end of the link I9 is provided with a laterally extending hook |22, which correspondsI to the hook ||5 of the link II4, and this hook |22 engages v with the opposite end of the same rod |I2` which is engaged by the hook H5. The links ||4 and |I9 thus operate simultaneously in the same directions and engage both ends of the Vrod H2 which is associated with that row of pockets |09 which is in discharge position at any time, so as to eject the bottles forcibly from that row of pockets if the bottles do not themselves leave the pocketsby gravity.

The cam 8|, Fig. 5, on its face toward the Vhousing I0 has an endless cam groove in which increments of a quarter revolution, into the discharge or loading position where the bottles may descend into the aligned pockets of the conveyor II in the main housing III. This makes it possible to load the bottles into both upwardly opening rows of pockets |09 and be certain that the bottles in the pockets when they reach the discharge position will be discharged quickly as a unit into the pockets of the washer conveyor. This is an advantage over the insertion of the bottles into the washer conveyor pockets manually or directly, because the attendant may forget and attempt to insert a bottle into a pocket of the washer conveyor just as the conveyor is starting to move, with the result that the partially inserted bottle may be caught and crushed by its engagement against the housing of the washer.

The attendant will first fill the row of pockets which are about to move along the guard IIB, and then proceed to fill the central upstanding row of pockets |89. Thus the attendant will not be as likely to attempt to insert dirty bottles into the pockets as they are about to move along the guard means IIB, with resultant decrease of danger of the bottles being caught and crushed, and yet a full charge of bottles will be placed in the washer conveyor at the proper time.

It will be understood that applicant proposes to use safety features to stop the machine in case a bottle is caught while imperfectly inserted into the pockets of the washer conveyor or into the pockets |93, or yielding drives for the washer conveyor I I or element |94 may be utilized. Such details have been omitted in the present disclosure because they are well known expedients, and in themselves are not a part of the present invention. Their omission from the present disclosure however, is not intended to mean that any of such safety devices cannot be appllied to the machine herein disclosed, because such safety devices are incorporated in the machines as actually built and installed.

In many instances it is desirable to subject the dirty bottles to a pre-rinsing operation or t a preliminary cleansing operation before they enter the soaking tank 34. A pre-rinsing or precleansing operation may be incorporated in the loading device, and is a part of this invention. For this purpose the housing |96 extends below the guard means H9, so as to form a drain pan |26, Fig. 3, and a drain pipe |21 leads from this pan to any suitable drain. In the pan |26 and below, but adjacent to1 the guard means IIB, are

a row of spray devices |28 which are arranged to discharge sprays of pre-rinsing or pre-cleansing liquid into the downwardly opening pockets that are temporarily closed by the guard means I I9.

The spray devices |28 are so arranged along the path of travel of the open ends of the pockets |09, that when the open ends of the downwardly inclined pockets at the guard means H9 occupy their positions of rest between increments of rotation, as shown in Fig. 3, the spray devices will discharge the rinsing or cleansing liquid upwardly into the interiors as well as against the exteriors o f the bottles in those pockets, as clearly illustrated in Fig. 3. Thus the bottles will be subjected to a pre-rinsing or precleansing treatment of substantial duration before they are discharged into the washer conveyor, and any foreign matter in the bottles that can be loosened by this preliminary treatment will drain out into the pan |26 and be carried off, which results in a decrease in the contamination or fouling of the liquid in the soaking tank. This pre-rinsing liquid may, if desired, be heated to some extent, so as to temper the dirty bottles before they are placed in the washer conveyor and carried into the soaker tank where the soaking liquid may have a relatively high temperature. It will be understood, however, that either hot or cold liquid may be used as the pre-rinsing medium.

Liquid is supplied to the spray devices |28 by a pipe |29, Fig. 1, which passes along a side of the housing I9 to any suitable source of liquid under pressure. In the preferred embodiment, the pipe |29 contains the one of the pair of valves 61 which is furthest from the housing l0, and this valve is operated by the arm B9. The arm 69 has a roller |33 at its free end which is engageable and operable by the periphery of a cam I3I provided on the shaft 1|. The cam |3I is so designed that the pre-rinsing Or pre-cleansing will take place only during the interval in which the rotary loading element |34 is stationary. The pipe |29 beyond the valve 6T is preferably connected to the vpipe 55 which delivers rinsing liquid to the bottles under pressure from the pumps 54, and thus we have a convenient, yet satisfactory source of the rinsing fluid.

In order to provide convenient access to the motor and speed reduction gearing which are placed within the housing I0, the side walls of the housing beneath the pan 57 are provided with openings |32. The top and rear end of the housing may also be provided with a plurality of covers |33 to enable access to be had conveniently to diiferent parts of the interior of the housing I9.

It is believed that the operation of the mechanism will be clear from the foregoing description, but it will be briefly described. With the device assembled as illustrated and above described, the endless conveyor within the housing I0 may be tightened as necessary by first loosening the nuts 26, then turning the nuts 39 to draw the plates 23 outwardly until the conveyor has the desired tautness, after which the nuts 26 are again tightened so as to clamp the adjustable sections 2| of the trackway I8 in the adjust-ed positions. The positions of the parts shown in the drawings are approximately those occupied at the end of the feeding operation of the endless conveyor, at which time the conveyor feeding pawls 8|! are at their forward limit of movement, as shown in Fig. 3. During continued operation of the motor 13, the pawls will be retracted and in retraction will ride idly over the rollers II of the conveyor.

The cam 82 will shift the shaft 9| in a direction to carry the arm toward the pre-rinse and loading mechanism, and immediately cause a quarter revolution of the rotary loading element |64. The cam 82 may, if desired, start the rotation of element |04 slightly before the completion of each increment of movement of the washer conveyor, so long as the pockets |09 do not reach discharge position until the washer conveyor has substantially completed its increment of movement. At the same time the links |I4 and ||9 will ride up the inclined bars or guides IIB and |20 so as to position the hooks |I5 and |22 adjacent the axis of rotation of element |94. At the same time, the bottle ejectors 94 will be voperated to eject bottles from the pockets of the conveyor aligned therewith, which then fall upon the rest 98. The `cam 82 immediately returns the shaft 9| to its former position into the interiors of the bottles.

shown in thejdrawings, at which time the bottle ejectors 94 are retracted to normal, inactive pcsitions shown in Fig. 3. At the end oi the increment of movement of the loading element |04, the bottles in the row of pockets |69 which have moved into loading position, are `discharged into those pockets of the endless conveyor which are then in alignment with those pockets |39 of 'the loading element.

If the bottles are not so discharged, the hooks and |22 will engage the ends of rod.||2 of that row of pockets, and forcibly eject the bottles therefrom as the shaft 9| returns to its normal position. Following. the ejection of the bottles from the endless conveyor upon the support 98, the latter is operated to set them upright by cam 8l, arm |23, link |24 and |crank arm |25. As soon as the rotary loading element H34 has approximately completed each increment of movement, the cam |3I, Fig. 1, will depress the arm 69 and open valve 61 to -direct'the prerinsing liquid to the spray vdevices |23, andthe spray so delivered will be directed upwardly into the inverted pockets in alignment therewith and Any foreign matter loosened by the pre-rinse liquid will drain out into the pan |26, and be removed in the drain |21.

It will be understood that the guard means H0 may consist of a series of arcuate straps or strips with spaces between them or apertures through which the jets of pre-rinse liquid are delivered into the inverted'pockets of the loading element. While the element |04 is inactive, the operator completes the lling of the upright pockets |09, and then continuous operation of the shaft 1| will cause another forward inerement of movement of the endless conveyor l i of the washer. While the endless conveyor ll is stationary, however, the bottles over pan 63 will be subjected to a chlorine rinse,'that is, a rinse with chlorine water, as explained. The screens 41 and 52 are inspectedat intervals,Y after removing the covers 42 of the projecting chambers 39 and 40, and when they Ybecome clogged they are removed and cleaned and then replaced by sliding them back into working positions.

It will be observed that with the rotary loading element |04, it is possible to obtain an unusually long period of rest therefor, during which the bottles are subjected to the pre-rinsing liq uid.

It will be understood that variousY changes in the details, which have been herein described and illustrated in order tolr explain the nature of the invention, may be made by those skilled in the art within the principle and scope of the invention as expressed in the appended claims.

We claim as our invention:

l. In a bottle Washing mechanism. bottle-con,- veying means having a plurality of pockets arranged to -move in succession through loading position and movable intermittently through increments oi' movement, .a loading element mounted for rotation about an approxirnot, horizontal axis and disposed adjacent said l ing position and having a plurality of bottle receiving pockets arranged angularly about the axis of rotation of said element. with the pockets above said axis exposed to receive bottles and opening outwardly and extending outwardly from adjacent the axis of rotation,.a guard disposed below said loading element in proximity to the path of travel of the open ends of said loading pockets, so that when said loading element is rotated, any bottles disposed in said pockets'will be retained lin the pockets by said guard as the open ends of the pockets move downwardly,l the direction of rotation of said loading element being such that the pockets are moving upwardly as they pass said loading position, and said guard terminating approximately at said loading position so that as each pocket moves kupwardly past the edge of said guard at said loading position, the open end of that Docket will be uncovered by said guard and any bottle in that pocket may move into a pocket in said conveying means at loading position, means for imparting increments of movement to said conveying means separated by periods of inaction. means synchronized with said movement imparting means for rotating said loading element through a portion of a revolution during each of said periods of inaction and always in said direction and inactive on said loading element while said conveying means is in movement. and spray means disposed adjacent said guard in a position to spray jets of rinsing fluid into the loading pockets through the open ends thereof while said pockets are in inverted position and inactive with their open ends along said guard.

2. In a bottle washing mechanism, the combination of bottle conveying means having a series of conveyor pockets arranged in succession along the same, means for imparting increments of movement to said conveying means intermittently so as to carry the Vconveyor pockets thereof in succession through a vloading position, said pockets having open ends facing outwardly, a rotary loading element mounted for rotation adjacent said loading position and about an approximately horizontal axis, said loading element having a plurality of pockets arranged angularly about said axis ofV rotation and Ydiverging outwardly with respect to one another from adjacent said axis and withsaid pockets of said element moving upwardly while passing adjacent said loading position, said pockets of said element being exposed and open at their outer ends whereby they may be loaded with bottles with their open ends outermost when in upper positions and may discharge bottles therefrom when passing said loading position, a guard disposed adjacent thev path of travel `of said pockets of said element while in inverted positions, means for imparting increments of rotation to said loading element intermittently in synchronized relation to the movements of said conveying means, and spray means disposed along the path of travel of the open ends of said pockets of said element as said pockets travel under said axis with the bottles in inverted positions for spraying inverted bottles in said inverted pockets with a pre-rinse liquid.

3. In a bottle washing mechanism, a pre-rinsing device comprising an element mounted for y rotation about an approximately horizontal axis and having a plurality of pockets arranged angularly about said axis of rotation and diverging with respect to one another outwardly from adjacent said axis, the outer ends of said pockets being open for the entry or discharge of bottles, means for rotating said element about said axis by intermittent increments of rotation, but always in the same direction, a guard disposed below said element and extending-from a position approximately in the same level as said axis, at the side Where `the open ends of the pockets are moving'downwardly during rotation of said element, beneath said element and partially up the other side of the element, and there terminating, said element in a zone above the level of said axis being exposed for the insertion of bottles into the upwardly opening pockets, said guard being disposed in proximity to the path of travel of the open ends of said pockets so as to confine within said pockets any bottles placed therein while the pockets opened upwardly, throughout movement of said pockets in inverted positions until said pockets reach a selected position in their rising movement determined by the terminus of said guard, whereupon any bottles in the rising pockets may be discharged with the aid of gravity, and spray means located beneath said element for spraying a liquid into the inverted pockets while the pockets are in a position to drain.

4. In a bottle washing mechanism, a pre-rinsing device comprising an element mounted for rotation about an approximately horizontal axis and having a plurality of pockets arranged angularly about said axis of rotation and diverging with respect to one another outwardly from adjacent said axis, the outer ends of said pockets being open for the entry or discharge of bottles, a guard disposed below said element and extending from a position approximately in the same level as said axis, at the side where the open ends of the pockets are moving downwardly during rotation of said element, beneath said element and partially up the other side of the element, and there terminating at a level below said axis of rotation, said guard being disposed in proximity to the nath of travel of the open ends of said pockets so as to coniine within said pockets any bottles placed therein while the pockets opened upwardly, throughout movement of said pockets in inverted positions until said pockets reach a selected position in their rising movement determined by the terminus of said guard, whereupon any bottles in the rising pockets may be discharged with the aid of gravity, a gravity device associated with each pocket and movable in a direction endwise or" the pocket for urging bottles in each inverted pocket downwardly in a discharging direction, and means adjacent said guard for directing a pre-rinse stream of liquid upwardly into each inverted bottle while the bottle is conned in a pocket by said guard.

5. In a bottle washing mechanism, a pre-rinsing device comprising an element mounted for rotation about an approximately horizontal axis and having a plurality of pockets arranged angularly about said axis of rotation and diverging with respect to one another outwardly from adjacent said axis, the outer ends of said pockets being open for the entry or discharge of bottles, a guard disposed below said element and extending from a position approximately in the same level as said axis, at the side where the open ends of the pockets are moving downwardly during rotation of said element, beneath said element and partially up the other side of the element, and there terminating at a level below said axis of rotation, said guard being disposed in proximity to the path of travel of the open ends of said pockets so as to conne within said pockets any bottles placed therein while the pockets opened upwardly, throughout movement of said pockets in inverted positions until said pockets reach a selected position in their rising movement determined by the terminus of said guard, whereupon any bottles in the rising pockets may be discharged with the aid of gravity,

spray means located beneath said element for spraying a liquid into the inverted pockets while the pockets are in a position to drain, and a gravity device associated with each pocket and movable in a direction endwise of the pocket for urging bottles in each inverted pocket downwardly in a discharging direction.

6. In a bottle washing mechanism or the like, an element mounted for rotation about an approximately horizontal axis and having a plurality of bottle receiving pockets arranged angularly about said axis of rotation of said element, and diverging from one another outwardly from adjacent said axis, the outer ends of said pockets being open, a guard beneath said element and extending along the path of travel of the open ends of said pockets from a position beginning at one side of the element where the pockets are descending, to the opposite side where the pockets are rising and there terminating, whereby bottles loaded in any of said pockets while those pockets are upright will be confined by said guard in said pockets while travelling along said guard, and then released at the rising side, and means for imparting increments of rotary movement to said element, always in the same direction, and spray means disposed to discharge a liquid into the downwardly opening pockets against bottles confined therein by said guard.

'7. In a bottle washing mechanism or the like, an element mounted for rotation about an approximately horizontal axis and having a plurality of bottle receiving pockets arranged angularly about said axis of rotation of said element, and diverging from one another outwardly from adjacent said axis, the outer ends of said pook-ets being open, a guard beneath said element and extending along the path of travel of the open ends of said pockets from a position at approximately the midheight point of said element at one side of the element where the pockets are descending, past the lowest point of said element to the opposite side where the 4 pockets are rising and there terminating at an on the rising side to be discharged, bottle conveying means having a series of conveyor pockets arranged in succession along the same, means for imparting increments of movement to said conveying means intermittently, so as to carry the conveyor pockets in succession into` approximate alignment with the pockets of said element as the latter are rising and clear said guard, so that bottles discharged from the rising pockets of said rotary element may move into pockets of said conveyor, means for moving said rotary element in the same direction through increments of rotation intermittently but in synchronized relation to the movement of said conveyor means, with said conveyor means inactive while said rotary element is in motion and vice versa, and a spray device associated with said guard for spraying a liquid into the pockets while inverted and adjacent said guard.

8. In a bottle washing mechanism or the like, an element mounted for rotation about an approximately horizontal axis and having a plu-- rality of bottle receiving pockets arranged angularly about said axis of rotation of said element, and` diverging from one another'outwardly from adjacent said axis, the-outer ends-of said pockets being open, a guard beneath -said element and extending along the path of travel of the open ends of said pockets-from a vposition at approximately the midheig'ht point of -said element at one side of the element where the pockets are descending, past the lowest point of said element to the opposite -side where the pockets are rising, and there terminating in an intermediate point on the rising side, whereby bottles loaded in any of said pockets while the pockets are opening upwardly, and with the open ends ofthe bottles outermost, will be conned by said guard in saidl pockets while travelling along said guard, and then released at the rising side to be discharged, bottle conveying means having a series of conveyor pockets arranged in succession along the same, means for imparting increments of movement to said conveying means intermittently, so as to carry the conveyor pockets in succession into approximate alignment with the pockets of said element as the latter are rising and have cleared said guard, so that bottles released from the rising pockets of said rotary element may enter into pockets of said conveyor, means for moving said rotary element always in the same direction through increments of rotation intermittently but in synchronized relation to the movement of said conveyor means, means operable while pockets of said conveyor means and element are aligned as the rising pockets of said element clear said guard, for urging bottles released by said guard into the aligned pockets of said conveyor means, and a spray device associated with said guard forspraying a liquid into the pockets while inverted and adjacent said guard.

9. In a bottle washing mechanism, a. loading element mounted for rotation in one direction about an approximately horizontal axis, and having a plurality of bottle receiving pockets arranged angularly about said axis, in approximate transverse alignment with one another, diverging from one another outwardly from said axis, and open at their outer ends, means for rotating said element in one direction by intermittent increments of movement, guard means extending beneath said element from close proximity to a horizontal plane through said axis and close to the downwardly opening ends of sai-d pockets to a point well up on the rising side of said element for confining bottles in said pockets while said pockets pass beneath said axis of said element to a desired discharge position at the side where the pockets rise, and spray means for di'- recting a spray of liquid into ea-ch of said pockets while in one inverted position along said guard means.

10. In a bottle washing mechanism, a loading element mounted for rotation in one direction about an approximately horizontal axis, and having a plurality of bottle receiving pockets arranged angularly about said axis, in approximate transverse alignment with one another, di-

verging from one another outwardly from said axis, and open at their outer ends, the base of each pocket abutting against the side of the next adjacent pocket in the direction of rotation, guard means extending beneath said element and close to the downwardly openings ends of Asaid pockets for conning bottles in said pockets while said pockets pass below the axis of Vsaid elementV to a desired discharge position at the side where the'pockets rise, means'f'or imparting rotary increments of movement to said element ,intermit-` tently, vindividual gravityY actuated means associated with each pocket for engaging andv urging outwardly any bottlesin that pocket while said pocket is in said discharge position, and means 4forspositively actuating said gravity actuating means of the pocket in unloading position if it fails to operate by gravity. Y f

1l. In a bottle washing mechanism or the like, a loading element mounted Vfor rotation about an approximately horizontal axis and having a plu-v rality ofY rows of Y bottle receiving pocketswith the rows-running approximately parallel to `said axisand the different rows arranged angularly about said axis, said pockets of the different rows diverging from one another outwardly from adjacent said axis, the outer endsof said pockets being open, a guard beneath said relement and extending along the path of travel of the open ends of said pockets to confine bottles therein from a position at one side of the element where the pockets are descending to the opposite side where the pockets are rising,V aVA washerhaving a conveyor with rows of pockets therein movable past one side of said element in proximity tothe open ends ofthe pockets thereof and beyond the end of said guard at therising side thereof;A means for imparting increments of movement to said conveyor to bring successive rows of pockets thereof into aligned positions with 'pockets of said element at the rising side thereof, a mem# ber extending along each row of pockets and shiftable in a direction lengthwise of the pockets of that row to eject bottles from that row, means4 operable in synchronized relation tothe. active' and inactive periods of movement of said conveyor for imparting increments of rotation to said element in a manner to cause the pockets to ris'e at the side 'adjacent said conveyor, 'and means also operable by said rotatingmeans be.

plurality of rows of bottle receiving pockets withV the rows running approximately parallel to said axis and the diierent rows arranged angularly about said axis, said pockets of the diiferent rows diverging from one another outwardly from adjacent said axis, the outer ends of said pockets'y being open, a guard beneath said element and extending along the path of travel of the open: ends of said pockets to conne bottles therein from a positionat one side of the element where the pockets are descending to the opposite side where the pockets are rising, a washer having a conveyor with rows of pockets therein movable past one side of said element in proximity to the open ends of the pockets thereof and beyond the end of said guard at the rising side thereof, means for imparting increments of movement to said conveyor to bring successive rows of pockets thereof into aligned positions with pockets of said element at the rising side thereof, a member extending along each rows of pockets and shiftable in a direction lengthwise of the pockets of that row to eject bottles from that row, `means operable in synchronized relationV vand inactive 'periods of movement of said con- O the active veyor for imparting increments o f rotation to saidy element win a nmanner to cause the pockets to rise at the side adjacent said conveyor, and means also operable by said rotating means lbetween the increments of rotation of said element for engaging the member of the row of pockets at the side nearest the conveyor and pulling that member in a direction outwardly of the pockets to -discharge b ottles therefrom and into the pockets of said conveyor, said last named means including a hooked member which allows advance of the pocket member in a direction outwardly of the pockets separately from said hooked member, whereby said pocket member is free to move by gravity, but if not moved by gravity will be positively moved by said hooked member.

13. In a bottle washing mechanism or the like,v a loading element mounted for rotation about an approximately horizontal axis and having a plnrality of rows of bottle receiving pockets with the rows running approximately parallel to said axis and the different rows arranged angularly about said axis, said pockets of the ldifferent rows diverging from one another outwardly from adjacent saidaxisfthe outer ends of said pockets being open, a guard beneath said element and extending along the path of travel of the open ends of said pockets to confine bottles therein from a position at, one side of the element where the pockets are descending to the opposite side where the pockets are rising, a washer having a conveyor .with rows of pockets therein movable past one side of said element in proximity to the open ends of the pockets thereof and be,- yond the end of said guard at the rising side thereof, means for imparting Yincrements `of movement to said conveyor to bring successive rows of pockets thereof into aligned positions with pockets of said element at the rising side thereof, a member extending along each row of pockets and shiftable in a direction lengthwise o f the pockets of that row to eject bottles from that row, means operable in synchronized relation to the active'and inactive periods of movement of said conveyor for imparting increments of rotation to said element in a manner to cause the pockets to rise at the side adjacent said conveyor, means also operable by said rotating means between the increments of rotation of said element for engaging the member of the roW of pockets at the side nearest the conveyor and pulling that member in a direction outwardly of the pockets to discharge bottles therefrom and into the pockets of said conveyor, said last named means including a hooked member which allows advance of the pocket member in a direction outwardly of the pockets separately from said hooked member, whereby said pocket member is free to move by gravity, but if not moved by gravity will be positively moved by said hooked member, and means Yoperable to cam said hooked member to a position in the rear of that pocket member of the row which is at the side ladjacent the conveyor, duringeach increment of rotation of said element.

A14. In a bottle washing mechanism or the like, a loading element mounted for rotation about an approximately horizontal axis and having a plurality of rows of bottle receiving pockets with the rows running approximately parallel to said axis and the dilerent rows arranged anguiarly about said axis, said pockets ofthe different rows diverging from one another outwardly from adjacent said axis, the outer ends of said pockets being open, a guard beneath said element and extending along the path of travel of the open ends Vof said pockets to conne bottles therein from a position at one side of the element where the pockets are descending to the opposite side where the pockets are rising, a washer having a conveyor with rows of pockets therein movable past one side of said element in proximity to the open ends of the pockets thereof and beyond the end of said guard at the rising side thereof, means for imparting increments of movement to said conveyor to bring successive rows of pockets thereof into aligned positions with pockets of said element at the rising side thereof, a member extending along each row of pockets and shiftable in a direction lengthwise of the pockets of that row to eject bottles from that row, a ratchet wheel connected to said element, a pawl device operating on said ratchet Wheel, a link connected to said conveyor moving means for movement generally end wise thereby, said pawl device being active on said ratchet wheel to move it when said conveyor is idle, a hooked member also connected to said moving means for operation with said link and free to swing vertically and be hooked to the member of the row of pockets at the side adjacent the conveyor as such pockets move successively into those positions, and means for guiding said hooked member into hooked engagement with the member of the row of pockets at the side adjacent said conveyor during the propelling action of said pawl device on said ratchet wheel and operable on the pocket member with whichit is hooked in a direction outwardly of the pocketsduring the movement of said link while said pawl device is inactive on said ratchet wheel.

15. In a bottle washing mechanism or the like, a loading element mounted for rotation about an approximately horizontal axis and having a plurality of rows of bottle receiving pockets with the rows rnnning approximately parallel to said axis and the different rows arranged angularly about said axis, said pockets of the diiferent rows diverging from one another outwardly from adjacent said axis, the outer ends of said pockets being open, .a guard beneath said element and extending along the path of travel of the open ends of said pockets to conne bottles therein from a position at one side of the element where the pockets are descending to the opposite side where the pockets are risingVa washer having a conveyor with rows of pockets therein movable past one side of said element in proximity to the open ends of the pocketsthereof and beyond the end of said guard at the rising side thereof, means for imparting increments ,of movement to said conveyor to bring successive rows of pockets thereof into aligned positions with pockets of said element at the rising side thereof, a member extending along `each row of pockets and shiftable in a' direction lengthwise of the pockets of that row to eject bottles from that row, and operable to cause simultaneous ejection of all bottles from the pockets of that row, and means for directing streams of liquid into the bottles held in inverted positions in said pockets by said guard. y

16. A pre-rinse device for bottle washing machines, and the like, which comprises pocket means for receiving bottles in generally upright positions, moving them in a desired path through inverted positions always in the samedirection to discharge positions, and there releasing them,

and means disposed beneath said path of travel through inverted positions and towards upright positions to a. desired discharge point, and directing a pre-rinse stream of liquid into the bottles While in inverted positions at an intermediate 5 point in said path.

JOHN P. MCKINLEY. WILBERT P, ACKLAND.

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