Patent ID: 6755202
Filing Date: 2004-06-29
Classification: B08B

Abstract:
A rinse system comprising first and second rinse modules, at least a washing stage in said first rinse module and a washing stage and a drying stage in said second rinse module, said first rinse module washing stage including a first rinse module washing stage turret rotatable about an axis of rotation disposed at an angle to the horizontal sufficient to ensure drainage of washing medium from containers during transport thereof by said first rinse module washing stage turret, means for defining pockets of said first rinse module washing stage turret each adapted to receive a container therein with an open container end pointing downwardly at all times during first rinse module washing stage turret rotation, means for guidingly supporting containers during circumferential transport along a first container path of travel between container in-feed into a pocket of said first rinse module washing stage turret and discharge from a pocket thereof, means for washing containers with a washing medium during transport thereof by said first rinse module washing stage turret, said second rinse module washing stage and said second rinse module drying stage including a respective second rinse module washing stage turret and a second rinse module drying stage turret each rotatable about a respective axis of rotation, said last-mentioned two axes of rotation being disposed in substantially parallel relationship to each other and at an angle to the horizontal sufficient to ensure drainage of washing medium from containers during transport thereof by said second rinse module washing stage turret and said second rinse module drying stage turret, means for defining pockets of said second rinse module washing stage turret and said second rinse module drying stage turret each adapted to receive a container with an open container end thereof pointing downwardly at all times during second rinse module washing stage turret rotation and second rinse module drying stage turret rotation, said second rinse module washing stage turret and said second rinse module drying stage turret each being associated with means for guidingly supporting the containers during circumferential transport along a container path of travel between container in-feed from said first rinse module into a pocket of said second rinse module washing stage turret and container discharge from a pocket of said second rinse module drying stage turret, means for washing containers with a washing medium during transport thereof by said second rinse module washing stage turret, means for directing air onto the containers during transport thereof by said second rinse module drying stage turret to remove washing medium therefrom thereby expediting container drying, said second rinse module drying stage turret axis being located vertically above said second rinse module washing stage turret axis, and said second rinse module drying stage turret being located at least in part above said second rinse module washing stage turret thereby reducing the floor space occupied by the second rinse module.