24 



BULLETIN" 973, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



the automatic washer. It is a good plan to soak these very dirty 

 bottles overnight in a solution of washing powder. To take care of 

 such bottles it is advisable to have a small brush washer (without 

 rinsing apparatus) besides the automatic pressure washer. 



Besides culling out dirty bottles before they enter the machine, it 

 is necessary that the bottles be inspected after they leave the machine. 

 (See Fig. 17.) Milk delivered in a dirty bottle often means the loss 

 of a customer, besides being objectionable from a public-health stand- 

 point. In large plants inspectors are often so placed that the bottles 

 are inspected as they leave the bottle washer, again before they are 

 filled, and finally after being filled with milk; and even then it is 

 possible for some dirty bottles to get out to the trade. Some dealers 



Fig. 17.— Filling and capping bottles by machinery. Note inspection of bottles both before and after 



filling. 



have considered the advisability of washing all bottles on a brush 

 washer before they go to the automatic machine, in order that all 

 dirty ones will be thoroughly cleaned. As a rule this would cause 

 needless extra expense, since even with this method an inspection 

 system would be required. After the bottle is filled with milk the 

 the dirt often shows much more plainly than before filling it, making 

 it important that the bottle be inspected after it is filled. 



At one plant a rather unique and satisfactory method of bottle 

 inspection was used. The inspector at the bottle washer was held 

 responsible for all dirty bottles that he let go through to the filling 

 room. He was paid on a commission basis, as was also the inspector 

 at the fillers. For all dirty bottles found by the inspector at the 

 filling machine he was paid a certain premium and the commission of 



