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Best Rinsing Options for Packaging Projects

Keeping containers clean can be an important part of any packaging project for a variety of reasons. For many, the process of rinsing bottles may be used simply to ensure the end product presents as clean on the shelf. For others, rinsing can be a necessity to keep liquids from becoming cross-contaminated with dirt, dust, glass or other debris that can accrue from the manufacturing process, shipping or even sitting in storage waiting to be brought to the production floor.

Whether using a semi-automatic or an automatic rinsing machine, there are several options that can be used, depending on the type of bottles, speed and production desired and a number of other factors.

The first option is a wet rinsing machine. These machines can use water, product or other liquid cleaner to remove debris from containers before they receive product. Wet rinsers typically clamp bottles as they sit on the power conveyor, then invert the bottles over a rinse basin. Once inverted, rinse nozzles will spray the inside of the bottles with the preferred liquid and allow the liquid and debris to flow out of the bottle into the waste reservoir. Semi-automatic wet rinsers require the operator of the machine to place and remove bottles with each cycle.

An alternative to rinsing with a liquid, air rinsing machines work in much the same way as the wet rinser. Bottles will be clamped and inverted over a waste reservoir. However, instead of using a liquid, the nozzles will blast the inside of the bottle with clean air. The semi-automatic air rinser will also require the operator to place and remove bottles with each cycle. One advantage of using an air rinsing machine rather than a wet rinser is the amount of waste produced. Using air instead of water, product or other liquid means that the only waste produced is the debris removed from the bottle.

Finally, not all bottles or containers can be easily inverted for the rinsing process. For example, some glass bottles may simply be too heavy to flip, and losing a glass bottle while inverted means shutting down the line and cleaning broken glass. Other bottles may be oddly shaped, leading to the same difficulty in turning them for rinsing. In these cases, a bottle vacuum can be used to achieve the same result. Rather than inverting the bottles, a bottle vacuum leaves containers on the conveyor and uses a special nozzle to remove debris. Once in place, the nozzles descend to seal over the bottle opening, using a blast of clean air to loosen any debris. This debris is then vacuumed from the bottles into a waste reservoir before continuing down the conveyor to be filled, capped and otherwise prepared for the end user. Like the other two rinsers, semi-automatic bottle vacuums require the operator to place and remove bottles.

The best rinsing machine for any project will be determined by looking at all relevant factors for the specific project at hand, as well as the desire of the packager where more than one rinser may be effective. To discuss your own project with a Packaging Specialist, contact Liquid Packaging Solutions today and take advantage of years of rinsing and packaging experience.