Fourth Quarter Review - Capping Machinery
As the holidays approach, we continue to review the most popular categories of packaging equipment manufactured by Liquid Packaging Solutions. While more filling machines are designed, fabricated and built that any other category, bottle capping machines are a close second year in and year out. 2018 has been no exception, as LPS created equipment for a wide range of both products and caps. Below is a quick overview of the most popular capping machine solutions.
Spindle Capping Machine
The spindle capping machine is the most produced automatic capper at LPS, in part because the equipment handles screw-on type closures, which can be found on a wide variety of products, from bottled water and other beverages to window cleaner, chemicals, oil, laundry detergent and much, much more. The automatic machines use a cap delivery system that allows for continuous tightening of caps as they pass through the machine on the power conveyor system. Employing several sets of spindle disks, the cap is spun down through each set to achieve a consistent and reliable seal. Gripper belts and a stabilizer bar keep bottles steady throughout the process to avoid cross-threading or loose caps.
Chuck Capping Machine
Moving to semi-automatic capping machines, chuck cappers are produced more than other capper type. Again, part of the reason stems from the fact that chuck cappers also tighten screw-on type caps. The semi-automatic machines include both handheld and tabletop versions, requiring the operator to interact with each bottle and cap. The capping process is activated though a footswitch, placement of the bottle in a nest or even just with pressure. While chuck cappers are also available as automatic machines, the ease of use combined with a cost efficient solution make them more popular for small production runs or smaller packagers.
Bartop Corker
Bartop corkers became much more popular in the past several years as regulations relaxed to allow for a boom in the distilled spirits industry. These machines press down corks, T-corks and other similar closures in both an automatic and semi-automatic fashion. As with other capping machines, the automatic version of the corker will include a chute to automatically supply the closures, while the semi-automatic machine will require more operator interaction in placing the cork, placing the bottle or both. Bartop corkers are often combined with capsule spinners or neck banders to create the industry distinct seals found in the distilled spirits and wine industry.
Snap Capping Machine
Snap capping machines offer an alternative for closures that are "snapped" on, rather than screwed down using a spindle or chuck capper. These machines may use a snap belt that slowly applies top down pressure as the container and cap move down the main power conveyor. In the alternative, some snap cappers will use a type of stomper to apply pressure to create the seal. Just like the other capping machines mentioned above, snap cappers can be manufactured to work inline with an automatic packaging system or as a semi-automatic machine for those packagers with a lower production demand.
While the machines above work with the specified closures, LPS can also build custom equipment for unique caps and closures. In addition, other sealing machinery - such as heat tunnels, neck banders and induction sealers - are also available from LPS. Whatever your needs for capping and sealing products, LPS can help identify the best solution to optimize production. For more information on the different capping equipment described above, visit the Capping Machinery page of the LPS website.