CONTAINER CLEANING

CODI's container cleaning systems are a crucial step in the packaging process, removing debris from cans and bottles before filling. Systems range from simple twist rinsers to vacuum conveyance loops, sized for craft and high-volume production. Our ionized air rinsers effectively clean cans without water.

IONIZED AIR RINSER

CODI's Ionizer neutralizes static charges to dislodge any particulates in the container. This is a dry process with no water introduction. Ideal for oxygen-sensitive beverages.

TWIST RINSER

Gravity propels cans down the track to inverting for cleaning, then rights them before the filler. Accommodates ionized air cleaning or a water rinse. Quick changeover between can sizes.

S-GRIP LOWERATOR

CODI's Lowerator moves cans from depalletizer height to filler height along a controlled S-curve. Efficient use of space. Integrates seamless with ionized air cleaning methods.

VACUUM S AIR RINSER

Removes debris from empty cans using ionized air and vacuum conveyance. No water, no change parts, minimal adjustments in a compact footprint.

VACUUM LOOP RINSER

High-volume production. Transports cans or bottles and inverts them through a loop for cleaning. Pairs directly with ionized air rinsing.

CONTAINER CLEANING BASICS

Container cleaning systems prepare cans and bottles for filling by removing dust, debris, and static introduced during the normal process of manufacturing, storage, and conveyance. Proper pre-fill container cleaning maintains product quality and improves line reliability across a wide range of beverage applications.

CODI container cleaning machines integrate directly into high-speed packaging lines and are engineered to match container type, line layout, sanitation requirements, and available utilities.
Empty containers are manufactured and delivered in a food-safe condition, but they are not necessarily sterile and can be exposed to particulates during normal handling.

During pallet handling, depalletizing, and conveyance, cans and bottles may encounter dust, packaging debris, or static buildup. Pre-fill container cleaning provides a controlled, repeatable step to remove these incidental contaminants before filling.

If left unaddressed, these contaminants can:

Contaminate the filled product

Interfere with sensors

Increase downtime from rejected containers or cleaning events

Undermine quality objectives, especially in carbonated or shelf-stable beverages

Pre-fill container cleaning is a standard best practice for modern beverage lines and is a critical step in maintaining consistent, repeatable packaging performance.
Different applications require different cleaning approaches. Container cleaning systems are typically selected based on container material, sanitation requirements, and line configuration.

Water or Rinsing

The most common approach for aluminum cans. Containers are inverted and the interior is sprayed with water, which mostly drains before the container is returned upright. Effective for removing particulates and light debris, but increases water consumption and can leave residual moisture in the container prior to filling.

Ionized Air

A step up from water rinsing, this method uses ionized air to neutralize static charge and dislodge dust and lightweight particulates without introducing moisture. Well suited for applications where water use is a concern.

Ionized Air with a Blower or Vacuum

Considered by many the most effective container cleaning method in a production environment, this approach combines ionization with active extraction, using a blower or vacuum to remove dislodged particulates from the container. Some systems integrate container inversion within a compact footprint, making them practical for lines with tight layouts or elevation changes.
Selecting the right container cleaning solution depends on several practical factors:

Container type: Can versus bottle, material (aluminum, glass, PET), and size range all affect which cleaning method is appropriate. CODI systems handle both cans and bottles, including ROPP-style bottles, across a range of sizes.

Line speed: Throughput requirements and dwell time determine what level of cleaning is achievable at a given speed. Higher line speeds may limit exposure time and influence system selection.

Sanitation requirements: Some facilities or product types require wet rinsing; others limit water contact prior to filling. Understanding your sanitation standards upfront narrows the viable options significantly.

Utilities: Available compressed air, water lines, and floor drains affect which systems can be installed and operated in a given facility.

Layout constraints: Floor space, elevation changes between conveyor levels, and integration points with existing equipment all influence system footprint and configuration.

Changeover needs: Lines running multiple container sizes or formats require systems that can accommodate variety without excessive downtime between runs.

Because CODI designs and builds its own equipment, systems can be modified and configured around these variables rather than the other way around. If your line has an unusual requirement, that's exactly the kind of problem we're set up to solve.
CODI offers multiple container cleaning machine designs to support a wide range of beverage packaging applications. Each system is engineered for reliable operation, clean integration with upstream depalletizing and downstream filling equipment, and long-term serviceability.

CODI has options for any level of container cleaning for your needs. Explore this page or reach out to us to find out what is right for you.