# US 2015/0090293 A1 · Methods and systems for use in washing bulk containers > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2015/0090293 A1 - Document ID: US20150090293A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 14/040,863 - Filed: 2013-09-30 - Published: 2015-04-02 - Earliest claimed: 2013-09-30 - Inventors: Lonny Shawn Lewis - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20150090293A1 ## CPC - B08B 3/024: {Cleaning by means of spray elements moving over the surface to be cleaned} - B08B 3/003: {Cleaning involving contact with foam} - B08B 3/08: the liquid having chemical or dissolving effect - B08B 9/0813: {by the force of jets or sprays} - B08B 9/0826: {the containers being brought to the cleaning device} - B08B 9/08: Cleaning containers, e.g. tanks - B08B 9/0821: {Handling or manipulating containers, e.g. moving or rotating containers in cleaning devices, conveying to or from cleaning devices (B08B9/20 takes precedence)} - B08B 9/0861: {Cleaning crates, boxes or the like (B08B9/083 takes precedence)} - B08B 9/093: by the force of jets or sprays ({B08B9/0813} , B08B9/20 take precedence) - B08B: CLEANING IN GENERAL; PREVENTION OF FOULING IN GENERAL ## Abstract A method of washing a bulk container is provided. The method includes receiving the bulk container on a support surface and rotating the support surface and at least one washer arm relative to one another. The method further includes spraying a fluid from at least one nozzle disposed on the at least one washer arm. Rotating the support surface and the at least one washer arm relative to one another exposes a plurality of portions of an outer surface of the bulk container to the spray. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method of washing a bulk container, said method comprising: receiving the bulk container on a support surface; rotating the support surface and at least one washer arm relative to one another; and spraying a fluid from at least one nozzle disposed on the at least one washer arm, wherein rotating the support surface and the at least one washer arm relative to one another exposes a plurality of portions of an outer surface of the bulk container to the spray. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) A method in accordance with claim 1, further comprising providing air from a drying vent to the plurality of portions of the outer surface of the bulk container. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) A method in accordance with claim 2, wherein the plurality of portions of the outer surface of the bulk container includes a top surface and a plurality of side surfaces, said providing air from a drying vent to the plurality of portions of the outer surface of the bulk container comprises providing air at least partially to the top surface when the drying vent is in a first position and providing air at least partially to the plurality of side surfaces when the drying vent is in a second position. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) A method in accordance with claim 3, wherein said providing air at least partially towards the plurality of side surfaces comprises providing air at least partially towards a side wall such that the air is re-directed, at least in part, to the plurality of side surfaces. ### Claim 5 (depends on 2) A method in accordance with claim 2, wherein the drying vent is a plurality of drying vents, said providing air from a drying vent to the plurality of portions of the outer surface of the bulk container comprises providing air from the plurality of drying vents such that at least one of the plurality of drying vents provides air to each of the plurality of portions of the outer surface of the bulk container. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) A method in accordance with claim 1, further comprising: moving the support surface into a first position to receive the bulk container; and moving the support surface into a second position, said rotating the support surface and at least one washer arm relative to one another occurs when the support surface is in the second position. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) A method in accordance with claim 1, wherein said receiving the bulk container on a support surface occurs when the at least one washer arm is in a first position and said rotating the support surface and at least one washer arm relative to one another occurs when the at least one washer arm is in a second position. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) A method in accordance with claim 1, wherein the fluid is a plurality of fluids, said spraying a fluid from at least one nozzle disposed on the at least one washer arm comprises: spraying a first fluid of the plurality of fluids from the at least one nozzle; switching the at least one nozzle into flow communication with a second fluid of the plurality of fluids; and spraying the second fluid from the at least one nozzle. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) A method in accordance with claim 1, further comprising supplying the bulk container to the support surface from a feed source. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) A method in accordance with claim 1, further comprising removing the bulk container from the support surface with a second actuator. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) A method in accordance with claim 1, further comprising: controlling at least one of an initiation, a duration, and a conclusion of said rotating the support surface and at least one washer arm relative to one another with a control system; and controlling at least one of an initiation, a duration, and a conclusion of said spraying a fluid from at least one nozzle disposed on the at least one washer arm with the control system. ### Claim 12 A system for washing a bulk container comprising: at least one washer arm; at least one nozzle disposed on said at least one washer arm, said at least one nozzle operable to spray a fluid at least partially into a coverage zone; and a support surface configured to receive the bulk container and position it at least partially within the coverage zone, at least one of said support surface and said at least one washer arm is rotatable relative to the other. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) A system in accordance with claim 12, further comprising a drying vent positioned to provide air at least partially to the coverage zone. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) A system in accordance with claim 13, further comprising a positioning device operable to move said drying vent between a first position, wherein said drying vent provides air to a first portion of the coverage zone, and a second position, wherein said drying vent provides air to a second portion of the coverage zone. ### Claim 15 (depends on 12) A system in accordance with claim 12, further comprising a plurality of drying vents positioned to provide air into, respectively, a plurality of portions of a dryer coverage zone. ### Claim 16 (depends on 12) A system in accordance with claim 12, further comprising a first actuator operable to move said support surface between a first position, wherein said support surface is positioned to receive the bulk container, and a second position, wherein said support surface is positioned to place the received bulk container at least partially within the coverage zone. ### Claim 17 (depends on 12) A system in accordance with claim 12, further comprising a first actuator operable to move said at least one washer arm between a first position, wherein said at least one washer arm is positioned to permit said support surface to receive the bulk container, and a second position, wherein said at least one washer arm is positioned such that the received bulk container is at least partially within the coverage zone. ### Claim 18 (depends on 12) A system in accordance with claim 12, wherein said at least one nozzle is switchable into flow communication with each of a plurality of fluids. ### Claim 19 (depends on 12) A system in accordance with claim 12, further comprising a feed source operable to supply the bulk container to said support surface. ### Claim 20 (depends on 12) A system in accordance with claim 12, further comprising a second actuator operable to remove the bulk container from the support surface.