Fourth Quarter Review - Container Cleaning

Dirt, dust and debris can collect on containers from a number of different sources. The production of the bottle can leave debris inside, or dust and other particles can be collected during shipping or storage. Regardless of the origin, there are some packagers that will want to clean their bottles before introducing product. As we continue our end of the year review of Liquid Packaging Solutions' machines, we take a glance at the different ways that the containers can be cleaned in the packaging process.

The most popular filling machine for automated packaging lines is the inverting rinsing machine. These bottle rinsers roll up to almost any conveyor and will normally be a part of a complete packaging system. As bottles move down the power conveyor and in to the rinsing area, they will be clamped and flipped upside down over a rinse basin. Once inverted, air, water or other rinse media can be used to remove the debris from the containers. Cleaned containers are then returned to the main conveyor system, typically moving immediately to the filling machine to receive product. Automatic machines are controlled by a PLC with an easy to use touch screen interface that allows different settings to be saved and recalled for different bottles, with the ability to save and recall these different settings making set up and changeover quick and easy.

Arguably just as popular as the automatic rinsing machines, LPS also manufactures semi-automatic rinsers that can use air, water or other rinse media as well. The semi-automatic rinsing machines require the operator of the machine to manually invert bottles by placing them on the rinse nozzles. Once in place, a finger or foot switch can be used to activate the rinse, which will continue for a pre-set amount of time. Once cleaned, the operator will remove the containers manually and move them to the next packaging phase.

In addition to the rinsing machines mentioned above, LPS manufactures a bottle vacuum for bottles and other containers that may be difficult to invert. Rather than leave the conveyor, the bottles move in to position and special nozzles will create a seal over the opening before blasting the inside with air to loosen debris. After being loosened, the debris will be vacuumed from the container into an easy to empty waste reservoir. Semi-automatic bottle vacuums are also available and, aside from the vacuum phase, work in the same manner as the semi-automatic rinsers described above.

While these are the most popular container cleaning machines manufactured by LPS, several other types exist, from five gallon bottle washers to exterior rinsers or combination interior and exterior cleaning machines, and custom cleaning equipment for unique projects. From bottles small to large, in various shapes, LPS can create a solution to ensure containers are properly cleaned prior to the introduction of product to fight against contamination and ensure a positive aesthetic value. To learn more about container cleaning equipment, visit the Rinsers and Washers section of the LPS website or contact a Packaging Specialist at LPS today.