Patent ID: 8002900

Claim:
A method for cleaning of bottle filling equipment including a plurality of elevated, circumferentially spaced valves that are each in flow communication with filling liquid supply means , said method comprising: supporting a rigid manifold adjacent the equipment in a stationary stored position radially outside from the rotary bottle filling equipment, but at an elevation that allows clear visibility and access to the operation of the valves, said manifold defining a plurality of cleaning openings; positioning the manifold relative to the valves, so that the manifold is at a height below the heights of the valves; positioning the manifold underneath the valves, with each cleaning opening in flow communication with a valve; rinsing at least some of the valves with liquid flowing through the filling liquid supply, the valves and the manifold; and removing the manifold from the valves, characterised in that the filling liquid supply means includes an elevated reservoir with the valves provided below the reservoir and the stored position adjacent the equipment where the manifold is supported according to the method, is at an elevation above the valves, adjacent the filling liquid supply means and positioning the manifold relative to the valves at a height below the heights of the valves, includes lowering the manifold.