Bottle Capping Equipment - the Key to Consistency

 

One of the biggest advantages of bottle capping equipment - automatic, semi-automatic or even manual capping machines - is consistency in the capping process.  Why is consistent capping important?  Imagine buying a twelve pack of bottled water from the local grocery store.  Now assume three of the caps were so loose that by the time you got home you had water all over your car, driveway and kitchen floor.  Then when you try to open a few of the others you find you require a vice and pliers.  The most likely outcome?  You purchase a different brand of bottled water the next time you visit the grocery store.  So while many people may not ponder consistency in capping machines while running production, it can have an effect on repeat business.

 

 

 

Automatic bottle capping equipment normally offers the most consistency in the capping process. Consistency with the automatic cappers is achieved with the use of an automatic cap delivery system and simple capper adjustments made prior to running production. Automatic capping machines use either a cap elevator or sorting bowl to not only deliver caps, but to also ensure that caps are correctly oriented for each bottle run through the machine.  Incorrectly oriented caps are rejected and returned to the sorting device for re-orientation.  Once the cap is placed on the bottle the capping machine - whether spindle, chuck, snap or a specialty capper - will seal the caps with virtually the same exact torque on each bottle.  Different adjustments will be made depending on the type of capping machine being used, but almost all necessary and routine adjustments will consist of turning knobs or pressing buttons.  With the cap delivery system and simple adjustments, automatic bottle capping equipment offers consistency as well as increased capping speed.

 

 

 

Many semi-automatic bottle capping machines will be manufactured in a similar manner to the automatic cappers discussed above.  The main difference is the absence of an automatic cap delivery system.  Rather than using the cap elevator or cap sorting bowl, operators of the capping machines hand place caps on the bottles before sending cap and container through the packaging machine.  

 

Even though caps are hand-placed, semi-automatic capping machines will still offer consistency in the torque applied to the caps and create a repeatable seal as bottles move through the machine.  Other semi-automatic capping equipment will be designed as tabletop machinery or as a single head capping machine with a portable frame.  These machines also require the operator to place caps on the bottles while allowing the cappers to do the tightening.  Semi-automatic cappers can still offer increased speed in addition to improved consistency by taking away the need to hand-tighten each individual cap and container.

 

 

 

Handheld bottle capping equipment can also be used to increase the consistency of the capping process. Operators of a handheld capper will place the cap on the bottle, then place the capper over the cap. Normally a trigger or simple pressure will activate the bottle capper and tighten down the cap to create a reliable seal.  The main advantage of the handheld capping machines is the consistency offered in the capping process.  Speed may or may not be increased based on the ability and the number of laborers used in the capping process. However, as noted in the hypothetical above, achieving consistency in the capping process can lead to repeat sales and increased product reputation.

 

If you have questions regarding your capping process, or to learn more about any of the bottle capping equipment offered by Liquid Packaging Solutions, Inc., contact one of our Packaging Specialists toll free today at 1-888-393-3693.