How Does a Tote Washer Machine Work?

Getting your dunnage prepared for your tote cleaning equipment can involve removing debris and placing it in a designated loading area then moving your totes onto the conveyor. The material handling and loading can be automated or done by hand.

Using an aqueous detergent, your tote washer machine will provide coverage for your dunnage and clean it thoroughly. Your washer is customizable for a number of different variables including water temperature, contact time, impact (jet velocity) and the chemical composition of your cleaning solution. Automatic chemical make-up ensures that the required chemistry is consistent and requires no operator interaction.

Your tote cleaning equipment will move your dunnage along the conveyor through different chambers, your tote washer machine will start with a recirculated rinse to remove the wash chemistry. After a recirculated rinse, the product typically enters a freshwater or processed water rinse which cascades back through the system. This multistage rinse allows for a very clean rinse while also minimizing overall water consumption through reutilization.

Depending on your washer bins and the required level of dryness, the drying process can be engineered in a variety of ways. The amount of heat applied will depend on your desired drying time and the materials being used. A low pressure blower paired with a heating coil can act as a convection oven. High pressure blowers are another drying method which removes excess. puddling and standing water using perfectly placed air knives throughout the drying chamber.

The sanitization stage is a critical step of killing bacteria that can cause health and safety concerns. The tote washing system uses water heated to 180 degrees or chemicals to sanitize items and can be constructed to fit the exact specifications for the customer’s application. Sanitizing is required for numerous products including components for food processing applications, medical waste return bins, and warehouse and distribution center totes.

Much like loading, this process can be automated or performed by hand. Totes are removed from the end of the conveyor belt and stacked conveniently for future use. Proper safety measures should be taken for metal washer bins that have experienced high levels of heat.