Patent ID: 8241431

Claim:
A method for applying a fluid to items to be cleaned in an automatic cleaning machine having at least one wash zone and a final-rinse zone, with the items to be cleaned being cleaned in the at least one wash zone and rinsed in the final-rinse zone, with the fluid to be applied being applied to the items to be cleaned by a spray device comprising spray bodies, the spray device being charged in a clocked manner and whose spray bodies are individually charged selectively in accordance with at least one defined plan, wherein the fluid to be applied is applied to the items to be cleaned in an alternating sequence by clocked charging of the spray bodies counter to a conveying direction of the items to be cleaned, and wherein the items to be cleaned are transported continuously or intermittently in the conveying direction and are initially wetted by the spray body which is arranged furthest away from the items to be cleaned in at least one spray plane during a first wetting phase as they are transported in the conveying direction.