Packaging Systems - Automatic Capping & Sealing Machinery
Bottles are loaded, cleaned and moving down the system. Product has been placed in to the bottles or other containers and the next step is protecting that product. Bottle capping and sealing machinery allows for closures, capsules, neck bands and other methods of securing product to ensure those products reach consumers in a safe, untainted manner. The type of machinery used will depend in large part on the type of closure or closures used as well as the manner or method of additional sealing, if any. Below are a few of the most popular capping and sealing machines produced by Liquid Packaging Solutions.
SPINDLE CAPPING MACHINES
As noted above, the type of machine used will depend on the type of closure used on any given project. The spindle capper allows for the tightening of screw-on, or continuous thread, type caps. These closures can be as simple as a flat screw on cap like those found on most bottles of water. However, they also include other types of screw-on closures like flip top caps, trigger sprayers, pumps, sports caps and more. Given that continuous thread closures are one of the most popular closures across a wide range of industries, it should come as no surprise that the spindle capper is probably the most popular capping machine produced by LPS. This machine works by using sets of matched and spinning disks attached to spindles. As bottles move through the pairs of spinning disks, they contact and tighten the cap as it moves through the conveyor. Once set up, the automatic spindle capper typically only requires an operator to supply bulk caps to the delivery system from time to time.
CHUCK CAPPING MACHINES
The chuck capping machine also handles continuous thread screw-on type caps, allowing for an alternative to the spindle capper. The automatic chuck capper can use one or multiple heads. However, instead of using spinning disks, this machine lowers a chuck over the cap to apply torque and complete the tightening. The manner of capping can have some limits, as the chuck might have a hard time covering a trigger or pump sprayer, but the chuck capping machine has its' own advantages. This machine works well with smaller bottles and caps such as vials or tubes and can more easily be incorporated into unique projects like monoblock machinery. In addition, semi-automatic chuck cappers provide an easy to use, efficient solution for smaller companies or short run products.
SNAP CAPPING MACHINES
For those who choose to use a snap on cap rather than a threaded cap, automatic snap capping machines provide the best solution for quick production. These machines will be manufactured on the same frame as the spindle capping machine, but instead of disks, a belt or tamper will be used to apply pressure and secure snap on type closures. Like the spindle capper, the automatic snap capper generally just requires the operator to resupply bulk caps on occasion once the machine is set up and running. By sharing a frame, snap cappers may also be combined with spindle capping machines to provide an even more versatile capping machine.
BOTTLE CORKING MACHINES
With craft spirits gaining popularity in recent years, LPS has seen an increase in the use of corking machines for corks, T-corks and similar closures. These automatic machines place the cork in the bottle and push or tamp it in to place securely. A delivery system is again used to present closures to the bottles and the machines may either use a starwheel for indexing and corking or may be set up to use along a conveyor. As with all of the capping machines, bottle corkers can also be built to work in a semi-automatic fashion with some extra assistance from an operator.
NECK BANDERS AND HEAT TUNNELS
In addition to caps, some packagers will use different methods to provide some tamper evidence to their products. At LPS, the neck bander and heat tunnel are one of the most popular choices for such protection. Neck banders will supply a sleeve to the neck of different bottles, while the heat tunnel will shrink the sleeve to fit snuggly around the bottle neck and closure. If the sleeve or seal is broken, customers will be able to see evidence of tampering. Sleeves can be placed automatically while the heat tunnel will simply attach to the conveyor to allow for the shrinking of the sleeve while on the power conveyor.
There are a number of other machines available as well, including custom equipment where unique closures are used to seal bottles. To learn more about all of the capping and sealing machinery available from LPS, visit the Capping Machinery section of our website. For information on unique or custom projects, contact a Packaging Specialist at LPS today.