Annular nozzle

A cleaning apparatus for pharmaceutical containers, comprising:

• means for feeding the containers into the cleaning apparatus;
• means for discharging the containers from the cleaning apparatus;
• a transport apparatus for transporting the containers within the cleaning apparatus;
• at least one holder for holding at least one of the containers during a cleaning process, such that a longitudinal axis of each of the containers extends substantially in a vertical direction;
• and
• at least one cleaning station for cleaning the containers, wherein each cleaning station comprises at least one substantially cylindrically formed annular nozzle configured to completely surround one of the containers during a cleaning process, wherein each cleaning station is provided on its inner side with a first row of outlet openings disposed circumferentially in a first vertical position, and wherein each cleaning station is configured to discharge a cleaning medium substantially identically inwardly and downwardly at a first angle to a horizontal axis of each of the containers and at an angle to a radial direction to form a cyclone of cleaning medium.