Filling Liquids and Nozzle Selection
It can be hard to wrap your head around all of the different liquid products that are on the market today. Beverages alone account for a large number of different products, but add in foods, cleaners, chemicals, oils, pharmaceuticals, personal care and many other liquids and it's no surprise that it takes a number of different filling machines to prepare all the products on the market. But even similar filling machines will differ based on the products being run. One of these differences will be the type of nozzle used to move product into containers.
The type of nozzle used for any given filling machine can depend on a number of different factors. For example, the bottle size can have an affect on the size of the nozzle. Smaller nozzles will have to be used on smaller bottles simple to allow for the smaller bottle openings. While larger diameter nozzles will usually be employed on bigger bottles simply for efficiency reasons. Other products tend to foam when entering bottles, which can require special nozzles or nozzle components.
Differences in product can also determine which nozzles will work best for a filling machine. Some product may contain particulates, such as small grit in soaps or even larger chunks of vegetable or fruit in sauces, jellies and jams. Any product using particulates will need to be careful to use a nozzle that will not become clogged due to the non-liquid portion of the product. Similarly, different products have different viscosities. Nozzles for filling machines will have to be matched to the viscosity and flow of the products to ensure there is limited to no dripping or splashing during the fill process.
Finally, one filling machine - the overflow filler - uses its own unique nozzle to complete liquid fills. Overflow filling machines will use a nozzle that dives and creates a seal over the bottle opening. This seal is necessary to allow the overflow filler to achieve its unique fill to a specific level in each and every bottle. While different sizes and types of overflow nozzles are available for different projects, and other machines may use a diving head for different reasons, the dive and seal will always be a necessity on the overflow filling machine.
The options available for filler nozzles are nearly unlimited! From standard overflow nozzles to actuators and ball valves, from short plastic nozzle tips to long stainless steel tubes, the type of nozzle used for any given project will be chosen based on all of the factors mentioned above and any others that may impact the specific filling project being analyzed. For assistance in finding the best nozzle for your own filling project, contact Liquid Packaging Solutions today.