Aqueous Cleaning of Packages

Cup washer that optimizes water spraying for better cleaning performance while minimizing water consumption. The washer has two spray nozzles - one uses recirculated water pressure to clean the cup, the other uses main water supply pressure for rapid washing. The recirculated nozzle has a venturi pipe with an air inlet that generates micro-bubbles in the water. The main water nozzle has a cone that spreads water into a full cone shape. This expands the washing range. The air inlet locations block contaminants from entering. The nozzles can be separated for improved flow.

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Systems for treating the interior surfaces of containers like shipping containers to eliminate or reduce microbes like bacteria between uses. The systems use intermittently arranged atomizing spray nozzles to dispend liquids like antimicrobial solutions onto the container surfaces. The nozzles are connected via ducts and reservoirs to a central hub with a power source and communication device. The hub allows activating the nozzles remotely, querying status, and monitoring liquid levels. This enables automated, coordinated treatment of container surfaces.

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An automated container cleaning device for efficiently cleaning and sanitizing containers like pitchers, glasses, and blender jars without the need for separate washing, rinsing, and sanitizing steps. The device has a body with a dispensing head for water and detergent, a brush to scrub the inside of the container, and a reservoir for storing cleaning solution. The container is placed over the device, the brush cleans it, and the dispensing head rinses and sanitizes it all in one integrated operation. This improves cleaning efficiency compared to separate steps using different tools.

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A process for separating polymer layers in multilayer packaging films like blister packs without using multiple organic solvents or hazardous reagents. The process involves treating the multilayer films with an aqueous solution containing an alkali metal salt of an amino acid and optionally a surfactant. This dissolves the adhesives between layers and aluminum, allowing separation. The layers can be further treated with a fluid medium to separate any remaining layers.

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Water-soluble nonwoven webs for packaging irritating chemical compositions. The webs contain fibers made from modified polyvinyl alcohol (PVOH) like sulfonated PVOH. This allows the pouch to quickly and completely dissolve in water without residue. The modified PVOH fibers have higher hydrolysis degrees and sulfonate content to enhance water solubility. Adding carboxylated PVOH or polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) fibers in blends can further improve solubility. The modified PVOH fibers prevent sticking and discoloration when stored with chemical contents. The pouch compositions can include harsh chemicals like pool and water treatment products.

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A cheaper method to remove PVC labels from PET bottles without using expensive machines. The method involves treating the labeled bottles with hot water to completely remove the PVC labels. This allows efficient recycling of the PET bottles without the need for specialized equipment. The hot water treatment fully removes the PVC labels from the PET surface, preventing contamination during recycling.

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Integrated system for cleaning and removing labels from plastic bottles in a single machine to improve efficiency, reduce costs, and minimize waste compared to separate label removing and cleaning steps. The system includes a label removing and cleaning machine, bouncing separation screen, cleaning liquid separator, and buffer tank connected in sequence. The label removing machine cleans while removing labels. The screen separates labels, impurities, and water. The separator purifies the water for reuse.

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Integrated system for cleaning and removing labels from plastic bottles that reduces equipment, time, and cost compared to separate label removal and cleaning steps. The system has a label removing machine, bouncing separation screen, cleaning liquid separator, and buffer tank connected in sequence. The label removing machine cleans and removes labels while the screen separates labels and impurities from the main material. The cleaning liquid separator filters and recycles the water. This integrated design enables label removal and cleaning in one step with improved efficiency and resource conservation.

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A composition to enhance the cleaning efficiency of glass bottles with labels without damaging the labels or corroding the glass. The composition contains water, sodium gluconate, trimethylamine phosphonic acid, and C6 alkyl glucoside in specific ratios. This mixture improves bottle washing performance compared to just caustic soda, reduces label damage, and prevents glass corrosion. The composition allows easier label removal, reduced label peeling, color fade, and glass thinning compared to using caustic soda alone.

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Installation and method for washing reusable packaging that has already been used. The installation has a rotating cradle in a chamber connected to tanks of detergent and rinsing solution. The chamber has forced turbulence generators for cleaning. The method involves conveying soiled baskets into the chamber, rotating them, washing with detergent, rinsing, and drying. This cycle can be repeated with fresh solutions. The chamber has separate sections for washing and rinsing. Filtration between tanks prevents contamination.

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Recycling method for multi-material packaging like juice cartons that involves shredding, fluffing, and washing to separate and segregate the different materials like paper, plastic, and aluminum. The shredding step reduces the packaging size for easier separation. Fluffing in a dynamic washer with high water flow and aeration helps loosen and remove contaminants. The washed fluffed material is then further processed for recycling the separated materials. The key is the sequence of shredding, fluffing, and washing to effectively separate and recycle the different packaging components.

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Blister packaging machine and method to reduce contamination and adhesion of contents when punching blister packs. The machine has a washing step before punching where cleaning water is sprayed onto the blister pack upper surface. This washes away contents that could adhere to the punching equipment during punching. The washing water is regulated to prevent backflow onto the sealing step. By washing the pack before punching, it reduces content contamination of the punching equipment and prevents issues like stuck contents and corrosion.

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Installation and process for washing reusable packaging like food containers that have already been used. The installation has features like forced turbulence generators, ultrasound, multiple detergent/rinsing tanks, and separate washing and rinsing sections. The washing process involves multiple cycles with detergent, rinsing, and drying steps. The goal is to thoroughly clean the packaging to remove residue, allergens, bacteria, and mold so it can be safely reused for the same or different products.

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Washing system for reusable packaging like food containers that have already been used. The system uses a rotating cradle in a chamber with networks of pipes connecting to washing, rinsing, and drying tanks. The chamber has features like turbulence generators, ultrasonics, and heating. The system can clean heavily soiled packaging with residues and allergens, providing reusable packaging free of contaminants.

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A packaging sheet for protecting articles like glass plates that has improved cleanability after washing water. The sheet contains a polyethylene-based resin foam sheet exposed on one side. The foam sheet has a unique combination of surfactants - anionic surfactant coated on both sides and nonionic surfactant incorporated into the foam. The nonionic surfactant is a polyoxyethylene with HLB 15 or higher. This combination prevents adhesion of foreign matter to the foam sheet during packaging and allows easy cleaning of the protected article surfaces after washing.

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Packaging sheet with a polyethylene foam sheet that reduces adhesion and improves cleanliness of packaged items after washing. The foam sheet contains both anionic and nonionic surfactants. The anionic surfactant is applied as a coating on the foam sheet surfaces. The nonionic surfactant is mixed into the foam sheet itself. The specific combination of anionic and nonionic surfactants on the foam sheet prevents foreign matter adhesion to the packaged item while also allowing the foam sheet to peel off easily. This avoids leaving residue on the item after removal of the foam sheet. The nonionic surfactant with an HLB value of 15 or higher is used in the foam sheet.

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Automated system for cleaning, recycling, and compressing plastic bottles. The system has a conveyor belt to move bottles through steps. First, water spray cleans the bottles. Next, a brush inside the cavity scrubs the inside. Then, a mechanism squeezes the bottles to compress them. This automated process improves recycling efficiency by thoroughly cleaning and compacting the bottles before further processing.

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A single-phase aqueous solution for removing coatings from polymeric films like packaging materials. The solution contains water, an inorganic base composition, and a surfactant. The composition removes coatings like inks, adhesives, and labels from polymeric films using mild aqueous conditions, without harsh chemicals, high temperatures, or pressures. It enables efficient coating removal from recycled polymeric films to prepare them for reuse in manufacturing processes.

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PTP (press-through package) tablet packaging machine that allows cleaning and product switching without damaging precision equipment and contaminating products. The tablet filling mechanism and surrounding areas are enclosed in a watertight cleaning box. The box can be washed with water to remove tablet dust without affecting the main device body. The sticking mechanism is also isolated in a separate housing. Seals block water entry when washing. This prevents dust contamination and allows thorough cleaning without damaging the devices.

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Box washing machine for cleaning crates like bottle crates with a small footprint and without the need for horizontal rotation. The machine has a conveyor for transporting the crates and spray nozzles above and below the conveyor to spray the outside of the crates. The key innovation is a tilting mechanism that raises and lowers the front and rear walls of the crates relative to the spray nozzles. This allows access to those sides without needing wide spacing between crates. The crates are transported continuously through the spray areas while the tilting mechanism moves the walls to expose them for cleaning.

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Reusable packaging labels that can be easily removed without residue after washing. The labels have a glue with a low glass transition temperature (-30°C or below) that loses adhesion at moderately elevated temperatures. The glue is partially covered with a discontinuous coating pattern to neutralize adhesion to the packaging. This allows washing off the label with water at elevated temperatures. The coating has openings that facilitate penetration of the water into the glue.

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A single-phase aqueous solution for removing coatings from polymer films like food packaging without harsh chemicals or extreme conditions. The solution contains water, an inorganic base composition, and a surfactant. The base composition is a solution of inorganic salts like sodium carbonate or sodium bicarbonate. The surfactant is a low concentration (0.001-0.5%) surfactant like sodium lauryl sulfate. Contacting the coated polymer film with this solution removes a portion of the coatings, allowing recovery of the cleaned film. The base composition helps dissolve the coatings and the surfactant reduces surface tension to facilitate coating removal.

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Compositions and methods for removing adhesives like foil labels from glass bottles using solvents and surfactants. The label removing compositions contain basic organic solvents like amidines, wetting surfactants, and water. They can be used at room temperature for short times to completely remove adhesives like aluminum foil labels from bottles without harsh caustics or mechanical agitation. The solvents penetrate and solubilize the adhesives for easy removal.

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A single-phase aqueous solution for removing coatings from polypropylene films used in food packaging. The solution contains water, an inorganic base composition, and a surfactant composition. The coating removal process involves contacting the polymeric film with the solution to dissolve and remove coatings like inks, labels, adhesives, etc. The solution provides an efficient, mild, and environmentally friendly alternative to harsh chemicals and high temperatures for removing coatings from recycled polymeric films.

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A simple, low-cost, environmentally friendly process to remove coatings from polymeric films like food packaging without using harsh chemicals or high temperatures. The process involves contacting the film with an aqueous solution containing an inorganic base like sodium hydroxide and a surfactant like sodium lauryl sulfate. The solution removes coatings like inks, labels, and adhesives from the polymer film. The coating-free film can then be recycled or further processed. The aqueous solution can be reused multiple times.

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Removing coatings from biaxially-oriented polypropylene films for food packaging using a single-phase aqueous solution containing water, an inorganic base composition, and a surfactant composition. The solution is contacted with the coated film to dissolve and remove the coatings without harsh chemicals or high temperatures.

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A single-phase aqueous solution for removing coatings from polypropylene films used in food packaging. The solution contains water, an inorganic base composition, and a surfactant composition. The solution is used to contact the coated polymeric films to remove a portion of the coatings without using harsh chemicals, high temperatures, or pressures. The solution composition allows selective removal of coatings from the polypropylene films without damaging the base polymer.

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A single-phase aqueous solution for removing coatings from polymeric films like recycled plastic packaging. The solution contains water, an inorganic base composition, and a surfactant composition. The solution is used to contact the film and agitate it at conditions effective to remove a portion of the coatings. The solution can remove coatings like inks, labels, adhesives, and metallic films from polymeric films without using harsh chemicals, high temperatures, or costly reagents.

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Cleaning kit for removing organic contaminants from plastics, like packaging residues from agricultural products, that uses a rotating cylindrical cleaning unit with adjustable spray nozzle to clean the plastics, and a separation unit with clarifiers and drainage to separate the impurities from the cleaning solution. The cleaning unit directly attaches to the separation unit. The rotating cylinder with adjustable spray allows targeted cleaning of the plastic surfaces. The impurity separation clarifiers and drainage system remove the contaminants from the cleaning solution.

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A method and apparatus for treating packaging like bottles and cans to sterilize and rinse them using a centralized system. The method involves removing packaged products, treating the empty packs in a central location, then returning them to storage. The treatment involves sterilizing with gas, rinsing with water, and optionally flushing with inert gas. The packs are held, centered, and supported as they move through the treatment stations. Inkjet printers mark the packs with product information after treatment. The centralized system allows efficient sterilization and rinsing compared to individual machines at each packaging line.

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