The invention concerns a procedure (operating method) and a device (apparatus or arrangement) for a cleaning, preferably final cleaning of one by one transported containers (already filled beverage cans).

In the food and beverage industry containers for beverages and food, e.g. beer and beverage cans, food preserves etc., are usually contaminated by residues of the filled product due to the filling and seaming procedure. Because of a following pasteurization and sterilization procedure or a direct procedure of washing, residues of water remain at the container that have to be removed by a drying process.

This is done both for hygienic and technical reasons.

Three essential reasons are:

- Application of ink to the container, e.g. production codes, a best before date or a refund code.

Hygienic reasons, since residual moisture supports the birth and growth of micro organisms.

Formation of corrosion, since after the containers are packed, e.g. in foil, residual moisture leads to corrosion, which impairs the functional features and has an adverse effect on the appearance of the containers.

It is state of the art to remove undesirable liquid on the transported containers in a more or less uncontrolled manner by means of an air jet, partly also a heated air jet, which is emitted from fans at high speed.

This method, however, is not completely convincing.

- Due to the strong air jet, the liquid is only pushed or rather strongly atomized in the reverse direction of the container flow, in spite of a correctly adjusted system.

This results in residual moisture and contamination contained in the liquid that leads to corrosion of surfaces when the containers are packed in a non-dried matter.

The above mentioned residual moisture impairs the application (printing) of ink to the container, the basic hygienic requirements for a container, the appearance, the functionality and the shelf life as well as the safety in use of the container. Thus, there is an extensive need for improvements.

Another disadvantage is the lack of assurance of sensible use and consumption of resources with an eye to a long-term and sustainable protection of the environment, since according to the state of the art the above described procedure has a poor energetic efficiency and the removed liquid is not fed to a recycling system. And it is - according to the way operation of such "reverse atomizing" of liquid residues - not even suitable for collecting removed liquid in a trough or a water collecting pan for an eventual recycling. That was only possible when low speed wipe-off disks were still in use in the 1950s, having cans rolled over their cylindrical surfaces and spaced apart from each other for individual wiping with chamois surfaces of either the transport belt itself or by sandwiched chamois layers and a cylindrical wiping device, shown in US-A 2,504,932 (Charles Kolper). There, the dripping off of liquid from the sandwiched device or the squeezing of the transport belt (see item 93, column 5, lines 38 to 43) into the below arranged pan was used as collector. For modern use this is to slow in operation.

An object of this invention is to provide an efficient, cost-saving and environmentally sound system and procedure that meets the high quality requirements of a container in terms of its further processing, e.g. flawless provision of a printing like "best before" date or shrink-wrapped packaging, storage in e.g. multipacks, as well as distribution and use. It should only minimally intervene in necessary procedure work flows since such intervention would lead to a reduction in efficiency and an increase in costs. For this reason, the procedure ought to be designed such that liquid is removed from the containers totally inline, the production speed should not have to be cut down, but should even be increased compared to more recent speeds of operation.

The invention presently claimed meets the above described requirements and solves problems that arise according to the current state of the art.

The invention covers the controlled mechanical separation and discharge of the liquid from the containers (Claim 1 , Claim 2, Claim 10, Claim 30). This enables a targeted return to a recycling system (Claim 4). This can follow the collector channel, fed by the targeted return from the bristles (Claim 2).

The separation of the liquid from the transported containers is carried out mechanically by brushing it away and through adhesion of the liquid to the brush hairs, the adhesion being caused by the adhesion forces between the brush hairs and the liquid as well as by the cohesion forces of the liquid that is carried out in the brush hairs (Claim 3).

A secondary unit, called separator or stripper in the following, separates the liquid from the brush (Claim 6, Claim 7) and its bristles. The stripper acts to feed the corresponding channel in an associated receiving unit for a controlled discharge towards a recycling system.

The apparatus comprises a removing unit (Claim 10). This physically touches each transported container to remove liquid and contribute to its surface drying. This concerns at least a coherent portion of each container, preferably lid or domed bottom for beverage cans.

The efficiency of this system can be increased by pressure operated support means. Longitudinally extending air nozzles, so-called "air knives", can be operated to move the liquid from complex geometries (that are difficult to access for brush hairs) into the rotating brushes in a targeted manner (claim 5, claims 18,23).

Stripping of liquid is achieved, on one hand, through centrifugal force of the rotating brush that moves the liquid to the outer end of the brush hairs and through a tension of the brush hairs that builds up and suddenly drops again on the stripper, on the other hand, thus counteracting the adhesion of the liquid to the brush hairs (Claim 27).

An additional secondary unit as collector unit (catcher or receiver for expelled liquids) takes up the liquid removed from the brush by means of the stripper, to collect it and discharge it in a controlled manner, thus enabling return to a recycling system

(Claim 8,13). A gap-less chain of controlled transfer (take-up and removal) extends from the can to the recycling system (claim 4). This line enables the - removed and collected - liquid to be guided controlled to a recycling system, in said successive line of several controlled take-ups and discharges from the relevant outer surface

portions to the recycling system. No non-controlled spaying or whirling is provided in this line.

The procedure according to the invention is set up such that integration, maintenance and trouble-free operation of the predominantly mechanical system reduces the commissioning, repair and in particular the operating costs for the bottler. This is achieved by a high efficiency of the simply designed, compact and resource-saving system with regard to production down time, energy consumption and recycling of the liquid inputted into the chain of processing steps of the container.

Contrary to any conventional systems, which operate mainly with hot air, a mechanically touching force is used for controlled removal of the liquid.

The goal is to meet the quality demands placed on the container with respect to complete removal of liquid from the container as well as the substances in the liquid that impair the functional attributes: printability, hygiene, appearance and safety.

Preferably rotating forces are used (claim 25), of which the combination among each other and in further combination with secondary units, such as separators and walled collectors (as catchers) for expelled liquids, as well as supporting units such as air knives provide superior results in liquid take up and transfer.

The operating process applies mechanical, controlled targeted forces for complete removal of liquid from a moist surface of a container (claim 18,19 or 13,14) brushes in combination with secondary units, such as separator and collector for expelled liquids, collect the removed liquid. Several of these functional units may be lined up (Claim 20, 23).

Possible arrangements of the brush hairs on the individual brush (claim 9) can be, for example, continuous, spiral-shaped, grouped or interrupted as well as in opposite directions to each other or running towards each other. The form of the brush hairs can be e.g. linear, bent or spiral-shaped. The number of brush hairs on each individual brush, as well as the number of brushes used is optionally determined. Among other things, it may depend on the transport speed and the number of containers.

The arrangement and combination respectively of brushes in relation to each other may be such that the axes of rotation of the brushes can run either parallel or perpendicularly to each other. Furthermore, the brushes can be arranged individually

or on a modular basis. The rotational direction of the brushes can be the same or reverse. The brushes, in turn, can be mounted either longitudinally or crosswise or perpendicularly to the running direction of the containers. A preferred direction of the primary units axes are substantially perpendicular to the conveying speed vector (claim 3).

The diameter of the brushes is to be selected according to the geometric features of the containers, the conveying system and the shape and arrangement of the brush hairs as well as depending on the combination of brushes among each other. The container transport can be carried out individually (single lane conveying system) or on a mass transport basis. The width of the conveyor belt and thus the width and length respectively of the brushes as well as their rotating speed are varied according to the requirements. Optionally, the containers may be rotated (during transport).

The secondary units are arranged such that they enhance (or support) the efficiency of the primary rotating units, such as brushes, in terms of a removal of the residual liquid from each dedicated surface portion of each can (each coherent portion).

The design and arrangement of the supporting air knives have been selected such that they move the liquid, also from complex geometries that are difficult to access for brush hairs (from bags or undercuts), into the rotating brushes in a targeted manner, i.e. for providing an effective transport of the liquid away from the surface of the container and into the brushes (secondary uptake), for example through whirling, which reinforces the effect of liquid uptake through the rotating brushes themselves (direct primary uptake).

Because of the rotation of the brushes the uptaken liquid is lead away from the container in a controlled manner. The stripper (separator) ensures separation of the liquid from the brushes and the catcher (collector) provides for collection, discharge and recycling of the separated liquid.

The position of the axes of the brushes in relation to the container is adjustable and lockable. A mechanical and electrical control system provides continuous and failure- free container transport procedure concerning for example fallen containers. The containers are therefore transported (and dried) in an upright standing position on either the axial top or bottom end (claim 28).

The direction of air flow from the supporting air knifes may also be variable, to enhance the controlled manner of liquid whirling into the rotating brushes and not just

"away from the presently blown surface". A variation may be done by tilting and adjusting the lateral axis of the pressure operated supporting unit.

Functional groups can be formed to establish a corresponding removing unit (claim 10,30). One of them is covered by rotating, collecting and separating function in one walled collector; the rotating primary unit physically touches each coherent portion of each transported container (claim 30). Other functional groups are claim 18, claim 13, claim 21. A few of them may be arranged along the transport line. Each one contributes to enhancing de-liquefying (or drying) during container transport.

A detailed description of the embodiments of the invention, using enclosed graphic representations, is to enhance the inventions understanding.

Figure 1 is a lateral view on the conveyor line 100, from A to B, having feed means 100, e.g. a table or a transport belt.

Figure 2 is a view in transport direction v100 from the input end A onto the first brush 51.

Figure 3 is an enlarged part of figure 1 , explaining the operation of two brush units 60,61 , an air knife 69 and the stripper 64 and collector unit (catcher) 62. This corresponds to units 89, further downstream of the conveyer line 100. The sequence of reference signs is to be transferred here (plus 20, 89 for 69 etc.).

Figure 3a is Figure 3, understood in its transformed nature (references +20).

The process uses the mechanical, controlled and targeted action for a substantially complete removal of liquid from a moist area of each transported container by PRIMARY means of rotating brushes 50,51 ; 60,61 ; 70,71 ; 80,81 in combination with SECONDARY units, such as strippers 64,65 and "catchers for expelled liquids", said catchers 62,63 each having a case shape, open to the bottom and providing collect and flow channels 62b, 63b to guide the collected fluid in controlled manner to a recycling station. "Air knives" 89 (to be read from 69) form SUPPORTING units. Air knife 69 is not shown, but equally represented as air knife 89.

The rotating brushes, e.g. 60,61 are shaped and arranged in a special manner, shown in the drawings.

Figure 3 displays an excerpt from figure 1 and is shown in more detail. The corresponding description refers to the pair of rotating brushes 60,61 and an associated secondary pressure operated unit 69 (with respect to and associated to brush 60), both contained in a secondary unit 62 as catcher and a further secondary unit 64 as stripper, make up a "functional group" of units, of which several may be lined up along the transport line of containers, to be determined by a user.

What is described in the following with respect to rotating brushes 60,61 is to be read and understood as to refer to brushes 80 and 81 in Figure 1. The unit 89 is detachably mounted on a seat 89' by mounting aids 289, as well as unit 69 is detachably mounted on a seat 69' by mounting aids 269. The unit 69, actually to be read as 89, is to be mounted at seat 89'. Please read the reference signs as +20 in this repect, when viewing at figure 3: brush 60 corresponds to brush 80; brush 61 corresponds to brush 81. Correspondingly the transported cans below the brushes are D22, D23 and D24 (instead of D9, D10 and D11 ) and corresponding bottom 22b, 23b, and 24b (for 9b, 10b and 11 b).

In the enlarged figure 3 containers D6 to D15 (read as D19 to D28) are shown as a part of the transported container queue D1 to Dn of figure 1. The brushes 60,61 (read as 80,81 ) show, where the enlargement of figure 3 has been taken, still showing the places 59',69' for the secondary supporting air knifes 59,69 empty, to be filled or mounted with such units, corresponding to those units 59,69 as shown in figure 3 and units 79,89 shown in figure 1 at the other functional groups further downstream the transported container queue.

Thus, the explanation of the functional group 62,63 and air knife 69 (read as 82,83 and air-knife 89, placed at seat 89') is regarded sufficient to explain the four rowed up (de-liquefying) groups of functions, having - as a last functional group - a single brush 90, which corresponds to brush 61 , catcher 63, stripper 65 and lateral wall 63a with collector 63b, for collecting and conveying the liquid in targeted and directed manner towards a recycling unit which is not displayed separately.

The arrangement of the brush hairs of e.g. brush 60, 70 or 80 on an individual brush carrier 60a (read as 80a) can be, for example, continuous, spiral-shaped, grouped or interrupted. The circumference u60 or u61 shows the extension in length direction of the brush hairs. The form of the brush hairs can be e.g. linear, bent or spiral-shaped. The number of brush hairs on each individual brush is variable. Among other things, it may be a function of the transport speed and the number of containers.

Two cooperating brushes 60,61 may operate in opposite directions v ₆ o, v ₆ i to each other or running towards each other. The number of brushes used for cleaning is variable. Among other things, it may depend on the transport speed and the number of containers to clean.

y

The arrangement and combination of brushes in relation to each other may be such that the axes of rotation of the brushes can run either parallel or perpendicularly to each other. Furthermore, the brushes can be arranged individually or on a modular basis. The rotational direction of the brushes can be the same or reverse (inverse).

The brushes can be mounted either longitudinally or crosswise or perpendicularly to the transport direction v100 of the containers along the conveyor 100. The corresponding orientation would then be accorded to the catcher housing as well. The axis of this housing and the rotation axis of the correspondingly housed brush is co-extending (parallel).

The diameter of the brushes is subject to the geometric features of the container surfaces to be de-fluided, the conveying system and the shape and arrangement of the brush hairs as well as depending on the combination of brushes among each other.

Container transport can be carried out individually (single lane conveying system) or on a mass transport basis, see figure 2 at the output. The width w of the conveyor belt 100 and thus the width and length of the brushes as well as their rotating speed v60, v61 are variable according to the settings of a motor 10 and a drive belt 20 running at v20 speed. Optionally the containers can be set into rotation by a lateral belt or roller system 21 touching their side walls.

The supporting units are arranged to enhance the efficiency of the brushes in terms of removal of the liquid residuals.

The drive belt 20 is driven by motor 10, and drives all brushes 50 to 90 in the row above the conveyer belt 100. A zigzag shape and guiding of the belt 20 allows for opposite directions of rotation of neighboured brushes, such as 50,51 or 80,81.

Remark:

What is shown as air knife 69 for placing at mounting seat 69', is to be understood as 89 and seat 89'. This "auto transformation" of related reference signs +20 concerns the fourth functional unit, explained in terms of the second functional unit, and is for legibility to be inherently incorporated into the reading of the following.

Please see also figure 3a for the outlined understanding.

U

(a) A design and arrangement of "air knives" is corresponding to e.g. air knife 69, having a body 69b,69d, an air pressure P69 inside, and a nozzle 69c,69a. The shape and function are selected for moving liquid drops, remainders or portions. Special effect is achieved when removing liquid from complex geometries of surfaces, which are difficult to access for the hairs of the brushes 61 ,60. The longitudinally extended stream of air directs the liquid into the rotating brush 60 in a targeted manner.

(b) This provides for effective transport of the liquid away from the surface of the respective container and into the brush hairs, for example through

(controlled) whirling, which enhances the effect of liquid uptake through the brush itself (direct uptake). The liquid taken up is conveyed away from the container in a controlled (rotating, but predetermined directed) manner through the rotation of the respective brush, towards a corresponding stripper 64. This also applies for brush 61 , and stripper 65.

The secondary units are arranged to enhance the efficiency of the brushes in terms of controlled removal of the liquid residuals.

(c) Each Stripper e.g. device 64 provides for separation of the rotating liquid from the brush hairs and a corresponding catcher 62, with the front wall 62a and the channel 62b provides for collection, discharge and recycling of the can-separated liquid; this is shown for brush 60, but in same manner for brush 61 , upstream of the brush 60. The corresponding housing 63 is - as the housing 62 - also called collector (for fluid).

This "group of functions", an individual brush, an associated individual Stripper device 64 inside a walled catcher housing having the corresponding discharge channel, is in the embodiment lined up several times along the transport line (the belt 100 or table).

(d) The position of each axis of each brush relative to the transported containers is adjustable and lockable relative to a vertical holding support frame or bars 32 on a mounting frame 30,31 or other suitable holding structure. A mechanical and electrical control system (not displayed) enables a continuous and failure-free container transportation process concerning e.g. any fallen container. They are transported in upright standing position.

1

The mounting frame 30,31 has extended horizontal and vertical parts, mounted together to hold the brushes 50 to 90 at their adjusted height above the transport line 100.

The operation of brush 60 applies mutatis mutandis to the attributed brush 61 , rotated in an opposite direction v ₆ i and having brush outer circumference u61 , stripper 65 and collector 63b at the bottom of wall segment 63a of neighboured catcher housing 63.

The pressure operated supporting units as "air knifes" 69,59,79 and 89 may be designed to be adjustable within the housing 62,63, or any other corresponding secondary "catcher" unit (as collector).

The tiling adjustment is around a mounting place 269 for pressure operated air knife 69, mounting place 259 for pressure operated air knife 59 or/and all the other eventually present air knifes provided in the lined up units of figure 1. The mounting place 269 is - as the other places - within the secondary unit "catcher" housing.

Tilting of each air pressure operated knife (adjusting the angle α) results in a different oriented flow-out of line shaped air stream from the nozzle 69a.

Each nozzle may in an example be designed as slit in a longitudinal extending tube, provided at the bottom of two aligned vertically oriented hollow hose shaped bodies 69b,69d, guiding the pressure P69 towards the horizontally extending tube 69c. As the tube 69c is fixed on the lower body 69d, the change of angle α of the axis of the air knife results in a change of flow-out of air from the slit 69a.

The length of the slit 69a corresponds to the width w of the transport line, when viewed in figure 2 from the outlet of the conveyer line 100. Effective is the line shape of the air outlet. It extends laterally over all transported cans, such as D1a to D1y for the first row, represented by D1 in figure 3.

Vertical adjusting of each air pressure operated knife (adjusting the height over the transported cans), results in a different oriented flow-out of line shaped air stream from the slit nozzle 69a.

Tilting and vertical adjusting is done at the mounting places 269, 289 for the corresponding air knife 69, 89. These places are provides in a lower portion of the seat 69", 89" for each of these SUPPORTING units.

2

Along the conveyer line, vertical bars 32 point down from an overall base frame which hold the arrangement shown in figure 1 from the top. As a corresponding guidance the belt 20 shown in figure 2, corresponds to belt 20 of figure 1 , having travelling speed v ₂ o to drive the brushes 51 , 50, ... until brush 90, arranged along the transport line. This driving belt 20 is shown zig-zag shaped when driving each brush with corresponding pulley to result in the rotation of these brushes, as shown by corresponding arrows, e.g. arrows v ₆ i, v ₆ o in figure 3. The belt has been omitted from figure 3 to allow a view into the brush operating system.

The depth in figures 1 , 3 corresponds to the width w of the conveying line and is one option to provide more cans per hour to the de-liquefying unit. In longitudinal direction v100, the cans are lined up starting from D1 , D2 to Di until the last can Dn is reached in the row near the exit B of the de-liquefying machine.

Orthogonal to the transport direction 100 the cans are organised as D1 _a , D1 _b , D1 _y- i, D1 _y , giving a specific number of cans in lateral direction, which are simultaneously transported. The lateral width w of the transport belt 100 roughly defines the width of the brushes 51 ,52, ... operating above the cans and also defines the (minimum) width of the secondary units, such as catchers, as housings for the brushes, strippers as lateral bars, to enforce detachment of liquid drops transported by the brushes, and a collector near a bottom end of a wall of each catcher, to guide and deliver the collected liquid towards a non-displayed recycling unit. This is done in a successive line of take-ups and controlled discharges.

In figure 3, thus, only a lateral view is given, showing at least one longitudinal line part of cans D6 to D15, to explain the function and transport of liquid, taken of the tops of the cans, which are already closed, and containing, for example, beverage.

Each can stands on its bottom end which is in figure 1 shown as a dome-shaped bottom end 10b for can 10, 11 b for can 11 and 9b for can 9. Correspondingly, the top of each of the named cans D9 to D11 are named lids 9t, 10t and 11t. Liquid is to be taken off from the tops of the cans, and in figure 3, the shape and orientation of the brushes, during rotation is sketched with only their outer ends along the respective circumference u60, u61. The brushes are deformed in places where they meet obstacles, like the seam end of the top of each can. An obstacle is also met at each stripper 65,64, where e.g. a bar of round shape is hit, to strike off the liquid droplets which are held at and/or between the bristles of each brush.

3

The brushes could also counteract with the dome-portions 11 b, 10b, 9b and all other domes of the transported cans, when they are transported upside-down, but still standing upright.

The rotation direction of the first brush 51 , where the containers enter the de- liquefying machine is provided in a direction to not tilt the can into the machine, but to exert force onto the incoming row of cans which is taken up by all cans, following the first can in the line. This first can (container) may in lateral direction be extended to a group of cans, as shown in figure 2 (the row of cans). When exiting the machine near position B, the rotation of the final brush 90 also is arranged in a way to not tilt and topple the can exiting the machine (single can for one line, and exiting row of cans for parallel lines). The force also is provided in a direction against the coming stream of cans. By this organisation of forces, the line of cans is supported to stand reliably upright.

Figure 3a displays an excerpt from figure 1 and is the figure 3 explanation with translated reference signs (plus 20 shift).

A pair of rotating brushes 80, 81 and an associated secondary pressure operated unit 89 (with respect to brush 80), both contained in a secondary unit 82 as catcher and a further secondary unit 84 as stripper, make up a "functional group" of units, of which several may be lined up along the transport line of containers, to be determined by a user.

The unit 89 is detachably mounted on a seat 89' by mounting aids 289, as well as the unit 69 is detachably mounted on a seat 69' by mounting aids 269 (for brush 60). The unit 89 is to be mounted at seat 89'. The transported cans below the brushes 80, 81 are D22, D23 and D24 (and D25) and having corresponding bottoms 22b, 23b, and 24b (and 25b).

In the enlarged figure 3a containers D19 to D28 are shown as a part of the transported container queue D1 to Dn of figure 1. The brushes 80,81 show, where the enlargement of figure 3a has been taken; showing the places 59', 69' for the secondary supporting air knifes empty, to be filled or mounted with units, corresponding to those units 59,69 as shown in figure 3 and units 79,89 shown in figure 1 and thus in figure 3a, at this (fourth) functional group further downstream the transported container queue (i.e. line).

4

Thus, the explanation of the functional group 82,83 and air knife 89 is regarded sufficient to explain the four rowed up (de-liquefying) groups of functions, having - as a last functional group - a single brush 90, which corresponds to brush 61 , catcher 63, stripper 65 and lateral wall 63a with collector 63b, for collecting and conveying the liquid in targeted and directed manner towards a recycling unit which is not displayed separately.

The arrangement of the brush hairs of e.g. brush 60, 70 or 80 on an individual brush carrier 80a can be, for example, continuous, spiral-shaped, grouped or interrupted. The circumference u80 shows the extension in length direction of the brush hairs. The form of the brush hairs can be e.g. linear, bent or spiral-shaped. The number of brush hairs on each individual brush is variable. Among other things, it may be a function of the transport speed and the number of containers.

Two cooperating brushes 80,81 may operate in opposite directions v ₈ o, v ₈ i to each other or running towards each other. The number of brushes used for cleaning (in the context of drying) is variable. Among other things, it may depend on the transport speed and the number of containers to clean.

The arrangement and combination of brushes in relation to each other may be such that the axes of rotation of the brushes can run either parallel or perpendicularly to each other. Furthermore, the brushes can be arranged individually or on a modular basis. The rotational direction of the brushes can be the same or reverse (inverse).

The brushes can be mounted either longitudinally or crosswise or perpendicularly to the transport direction v100 of the containers along the conveyor 100. The corresponding orientation would then be accorded to the catcher housing as well. The axis of this housing and the rotation axis of the correspondingly housed brush is co-extending (parallel).

The diameter of the brushes is subject to the geometric features of the container surfaces to be de-fluided, the conveying system and the shape and arrangement of the brush hairs as well as depending on the combination of brushes among each other.

Container transport can be carried out individually (single lane conveying system) or on a mass transport basis, see figure 2 at the output. The width of the conveyor belt 100 and thus the width and length of the brushes as well as their rotating speed v ₈ o, v ₈ i are variable according to the settings of a motor 10 and a drive belt 20.

Optionally the containers can be set into rotation by a lateral belt or roller system 21 touching their side walls.

The supporting units are arranged to enhance the efficiency of the brushes in terms of removal of the liquid residuals.

(a) A design and arrangement of "air knives" is corresponding to e.g. air knife 89, having a body 89b, 89d, an air pressure P89 inside, and a nozzle 89c,89a. The shape and function are selected for moving liquid drops, remainders or portions. Special effect is achieved when removing liquid from complex geometries of surfaces, which are difficult to access for the hairs of the brushes 81 ,80. The longitudinally extended stream of air directs the liquid into the rotating brush 80 in a targeted manner.

(b) This provides for effective transport of the liquid away from the respective surface of the container and into the brush hairs, for example through (controlled) whirling, which enhances the effect of liquid uptake through the brush itself (direct uptake). The liquid taken up is conveyed away from the container in a controlled (rotating, but predetermined directed) manner through the rotation of the respective brush, towards a corresponding stripper 84. This has a bar 84a extending parallel to the axis of the brush 80.

The secondary units are arranged to enhance the efficiency of the brushes in terms of controlled removal of the liquid residuals.

(c) Each Stripper e.g. device 84 provides for separation of the rotating liquid from the brush hairs and a corresponding catcher 82, with the front wall 82a and the channel 82b provides for collection, discharge and recycling of the can-separated liquid; this is shown for brush 80, but in same manner for brush 81 , upstream of the brush 80.

This "group of functions", an individual brush, an associated individual Stripper device 84 inside a walled catcher housing having the corresponding discharge channel, is in the embodiment lined up several times along the transport line (the belt 100 or table).

(d) The position of each axis of each brush relative to the transported containers is adjustable and lockable relative to the vertical holding support frame or bars 32 on mounting frame 30,31 or other suitable holding structure as

shown in figure 2. A mechanical and electrical control system (not displayed) enables a continuous and failure-free container transportation process concerning e.g. any fallen container.

The mounting frame 30,31 has extended horizontal and vertical parts, mounted together to hold the brushes 50 to 90 at their adjusted height above the transport line.

The operation of brush 80 applies mutatis mutandis to the attributed brush 81 , rotated in an opposite direction v ₈ i and having brush outer circumference u81 , stripper 85 and collector 83b at the bottom of wall segment 83a of neighboured catcher housing 83.

The pressure operated supporting unit as "air knife" 89 may be designed to be adjustable within the housing 82 or any other corresponding secondary "catcher" unit (as a collector).

The tiling adjustment is around a mounting place 289 for pressure operated air knife 89, mounting place 259 for pressure operated air knife 59 or/and all the other eventually present air knifes provided in the lined up units of figure 1. The mounting place 289 is - as the other places - within the secondary unit "catcher" housing.

Tilting of each air pressure operated knife (adjusting the angle α) results in a different oriented flow-out of line shaped air stream from the nozzle 89a.

Each nozzle may in an example be designed as slit in a longitudinal extending tube, provided at the bottom of two aligned vertically oriented hollow hose shaped bodies 89b,89d, guiding the pressure P89 towards the horizontally extending tube 89c. As the tube 89c is fixed on the lower body 89d, the change of angle α of the axis of the air knife results in a change of flow-out of air from the slit 89a.

The length of the slit 89a corresponds to the width of the transport line, when viewed in figure 2 from the outlet of the conveyer line 100. Effective is the line shape of the air outlet. It extends laterally over all transported cans (in row direction).

Vertical adjusting of each air pressure operated knife (adjusting the height over the transported cans), results in a different oriented flow-out of line shaped air stream from the slit nozzle 89a.

7

Tilting and vertical adjusting is done at the mounting places 269, 289 for the corresponding air knife 69, 89. These places are provides in a lower portion of the seat 69", 89" for each of these SUPPORTING units.

In figure 3a, thus, only a lateral view is given, showing at least one part of the longitudinal line of cans D19 to D28, to explain the function and transport of liquid, taken of the tops of the cans, which are already closed, and containing, for example, beverage.

Each can stands on its bottom end which is in figure 1 shown as a dome-shaped bottom end 23b for can D23, 24b for can D24 and 22b for can D22. Correspondingly, the top of each of the named cans D22 to D24 are named lids 22t, 23t and 24t. Liquid is to be taken off from the tops of the cans, and in figure 3a, the shape and orientation of the brushes, during rotation is sketched with only their outer ends along the respective circumference u80, u81. The brushes are deformed in places where they meet obstacles, like the seam end of the top of each can. An obstacle is also met at each bar shaped stripper 85,84, where e.g. a bar 84a,85a of round shape is hit, to strike off the liquid droplets which are held at and/or between the bristles of the corresponding brush.

The specific shapes of brushes 51 to 90 can be one or more of the following organisation of bristles: a spiral line of brush hairs; - a substantial continuous distribution along axis and circumference; grouped segments, having several spaced groups along the axis and each group having a substantial continuous distribution along axis and circumference; a group of individual brushes, each one rotating on its own.

The air knifes 69, and the other ones 59, 79, 89 are provided as said horizontal oriented tube, explained with respect to device 69. The tube 69c has said downward directed slot 69a, facing the upper lid ends of the transported cans when said lids are to be de-liquefied. The slit 69a is in longitudinal direction shorter than the full length of the tube 69c which itself is closed at one end and is guided to an axial directed hose 69b, 69d for supplying with pressurized air. The intake of the tube 69c on the opposite end is shown in phantom in figure 3 and figure 3a.

The width of the nozzle slit 69a is small compared to the diameter of the tube 69c and small with respect to the diameter of the lids 1Ot, which are to receive a bundled line stream of air, to allow said liquid whirling into the brushes of the respectively associated rotating removal unit.

Adjusting of these pressure operated secondary supporting unit is done by rotation around an axis at 269 (corresponding an axis at 259 for air knife 59), which extends in parallel to the extension of the tube 69b, but still is within the secondary catching unit 62, having side walls 62e, 62c and 62a also closed at axial ends which walls are not displayed in figure 3. On the bottom of each vertical oriented wall (crossing the conveyor transport line) is a V-shaped channel 62b, 62d, provided as folded up bottom end of both vertical walls. This collects the fluid.

One of those walls, near to the stripping unit 64 is provided as collecting and guiding surface for detached liquid from said bristles, running along said guiding wall 62a into said V-shaped channel 62b.

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