A Packaging Machine A Day - Chuck Capping Machines

Chuck cappers offer packagers an alternative to the spindle capping machine when it comes to tightening screw on type closures. There are several reasons why two different alternatives exist for continuous thread caps, and though either type of machine may work for many projects, there are several situations where chuck capping equipment may offer certain advantages.

On these capping machines, chuck heads descend on to the cap as it sits on the bottle and applies consistent torque to provide consistent and reliable seals. Automatic chuck capping machines will use starwheel indexing to properly position bottles under one or more capping heads. Like the spindle capper, a cap delivery system, such as an elevator or a vibratory bowl, is utilized to deliver closures to the bottle. Unlike the spindle capper, the chuck capping machine does not provide non-stop, continuous capping on a conveyor, but rather, as noted above, will stop the starwheel to place bottles in position. However, an automatic chuck capper may be the better alternative for projects that use smaller bottles and caps or projects that include containers with rounded bottoms such as vials and tubes, that would be hard to keep stable and steady moving quickly through the capping area on a conveyor.

Chuck cappers also offer several cost-efficient alternatives for lower production facilities with semi-automatic equipment. While both tabletop chuck and spindle cappers can be manufactured, chuck cappers also offer a handheld version of the semi-automatic machines. The handheld chuck cappers can be attached to a machine frame or a portable frame to allow for quick and easy operator assisted capping that provides both consistent and reliable seals without worrying about operator fatigue or injury from repeated twisted of hand capping bottles.

All of the semi-automatic chuck capping machines require the operator to place the cap on the bottle. For tabletop machines, the operator slides the bottle and cap in to the positioning nest and the capping head descends to tighten the lid. The handheld chuck capper requires the operator to place the chuck head over the cap to initiate the sealing of the bottle.

While the chuck head does place some limitations on these capping machines - they will typically not be used for pump type closures, trigger sprayers or other oddly shaped closures - the chuck cappers can still handle a wide variety of sizes and types of screw on type closures. Click to learn more about the different chuck capping equipment available from Liquid Packaging Solutions.