A method for processing containers includes introducing flushing gas into a container's interior while the interior remains connected to a vacuum source, and adjusting flow of the flushing gas and an underpressure of the vacuum source such that, while flushing gas flows through the interior, a flushing pressure in the interior lies between 0.46 and 0.9 bar.

A process for sterilizing and rinsing containers, the process comprising the following steps: sterilizing the containers with a sterilizing solution coming from a first tank; after sterilization, subjecting the containers to a first rinsing by dispensing towards them a first amount of sterile water from a UHT device in a first rinsing tract of an advancement path of the containers; after the first rinsing, subjecting the containers to a second rinsing by dispensing towards them a second amount of sterile water from said UHT device in a second rinsing tract of the path; and collecting at least part of exhaust sterile water dropping from the containers undergoing the second rinsing and sending it to the UHT device.

A method of utilizing a handheld bottle washer that includes compressing two flexible opposing sidewalls of the bottle washer with an external compression force to generate a dynamic position with a diameter of the enclosed washing aperture, inserting the two flexible opposing sidewalls into an opening of a bottle while in the dynamic position, releasing the external compression force causing the two flexible opposing sidewalls to expand outwardly to generate a static position with the diameter of the enclosed washing aperture greater than the diameter of enclosed washing aperture when in the dynamic position and with the cleaning material on the outer surfaces of each of the two opposing sidewalls contacting the inner surfaces of the bottle, and applying a downward force on the lower end of the handheld body to move the cleaning material on the inner surfaces of the bottle for cleaning.

A method of utilizing a handheld bottle washer that includes compressing two flexible opposing sidewalls of the bottle washer with an external compression force to generate a dynamic position with a diameter of the enclosed washing aperture, inserting the two flexible opposing sidewalls into an opening of a bottle while in the dynamic position, releasing the external compression force causing the two flexible opposing sidewalls to expand outwardly to generate a static position with the diameter of the enclosed washing aperture greater than the diameter of enclosed washing aperture when in the dynamic position and with the cleaning material on the outer surfaces of each of the two opposing sidewalls contacting the inner surfaces of the bottle, and applying a downward force on the lower end of the handheld body to move the cleaning material on the inner surfaces of the bottle for cleaning.

A method for treatment of a plastic transport box for conveyance and atmospheric storage of substrates including walls bounding a volume intended for storage of substrates, and a station for treatment of transport boxes for conveyance and atmospheric storage of substrates, the method including: at least one plasma treatment in which at least one interior wall of the transport box is subjected to a plasma of a treatment gas at a gas pressure lower than 10000 pascals.

A container-treatment machine having plural treatment stations for treating containers includes a transport element that rotates about a vertical machine axis, thereby moving the treatment stations circumferentially. A first transfer star supplies untreated containers simultaneously to corresponding treatment stations that are next to each other in the circumferential direction. A second transfer star removes treated containers simultaneously from corresponding treatment stations.

Solid detergent compositions according to the present invention include at least one alkali metal silicate, at least one polycarboxylic acid, at least one saccharide or sugar alcohol and water. Suitable saccharides include sucrose, fructose, inulin, maltose and lactulose, and may be present in the composition in a concentration of at least 0.5 wt %. Compositions according to certain embodiments form stable solid block detergent compositions that do not swell significantly even when subjected to elevated temperatures.

A dishwasher appliance includes a spray detection sensor and a variable speed pump. Based upon signals from the spray detection sensor, a speed of the variable speed pump is changed. By changing the speed of the variable speed pump, a trajectory of wash fluid from a spray assembly of the dishwasher appliance is also changed such that the wash fluid is directed towards a detergent dispenser of the dishwasher appliance. A related method for operating a dishwasher appliance is also provided.

According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, a wafer storage container cleaning apparatus includes a cleaning chamber that cleans a wafer storage container including a shell including an opening on one surface and a gripped portion on another surface crossing the one surface with the opening, and a door detachable from the opening; and a transfer robot including a robot hand that individually grips the shell and the door. The robot hand includes a shell gripping portion including a pair of first gripping claws that are movable toward and away from each other along a first straight line; and a door gripping portion including a pair of second gripping claws movable toward and away from each other along a second straight line intersecting the first straight line in a top view. The cleaning chamber cleans the shell with the opening facing downward.

A cleaning solution for cleaning laboratory consumables comprises sodium percarbonate in a concentration of from 0.9% w/w to 1.6% w/w based on a total weight of the solution and at least one diluent to 100% w/w.