Quick Packaging - Rinse Fill Cap Label
Quick Packaging - Rinse Fill Cap Label
While every component of a packaging system is important to getting a product on to the shelf, when it comes to efficiency, there are a few machines that automatic packaging lines simply cannot do without. Whether an inline packaging system or a monoblock system, or anything in between, a good packaging system will rinse, fill, cap and label containers to get them ready for the customer.
INLINE PACKAGING SYSTEM
Automatic, inline packaging systems will normally conquer each of these steps with an individual packaging machine and a power conveyor system. Container cleaning equipment on an inline packaging line may consist of an inverting rinsing machine or a bottle vacuum. Filling equipment can be manufactured for products both thick and thin and can come equipped with anywhere from one or two fill heads to sixteen fill heads. Capping machines will use a cap delivery system to allow the machine to continuously secure lids to containers. Labelers can be set up to apply decorative and informative labels to the front, back, bottom or top of the container or any combination desired. The power conveyor system will move the bottles from one packaging machine to the next to keep production moving. Inline packaging systems will require a little more space on the production floor to complete the rinse, fill, cap and label cycle, but will normally allow for the packaging of a greater variety of bottles, caps and sometimes even products!
MONOBLOCK PACKAGING SYSTEM
A monoblock packaging system may allow for several or all of the key packaging functions noted above. However, instead of using a conveyor system to move containers to all the different machines, a monoblock packaging system will use a starwheel to move containers from one function to another, with each machine positioned around the wheel. A starwheel is basically a wheel with a certain number of grooves that will hold the specific container being run. Once the container is in position on the starwheel, it will intermittently move from the fill position to the cap position to the labeler. Monoblock systems will save space when compared to an inline packaging system, but may not be ideal for facilites running a large number of different bottles and caps or for larger bottles and caps.
UNIFRAME PACKAGING SYSTEM
Uniframe packaging systems provide added efficiency and consistency for those packaging using a semi-automatic system. Normally, a uniframe packaging system will consist of a filling machine suitable for the product to be run. Built around the filling machine, but on the same frame, will be semi-automatic packaging machinery to rinse, fill, cap or perform some other packaging function. This system is great for smaller runs or for companies that have low to medium production demands and offers the versatility to include those packaging machines that are necessary for a specific project. The semi-automatic nature of the machines also gives the uniframe packaging systems the ability to handle different bottles as well, depending on the components included on the frame.
CUSTOM OR SPECIALTY PACKAGING MACHINERY
From time to time, a specific product or container, combined with the desired production, will simply require a unique solution to quickly rinse, fill, cap and label. A five gallon machine, for example, may be manufactured to rinse fill and cap all in one machine. Obviously, these machines will not achieve the same speed as systems using a sixteen ounce PET bottle, but they save time and energy by compressing the movement needed to get the bigger, heavier bottles from one stage of packaging to the next, which in turn creates a machine with a smaller footprint. Custom packaging machinery is always available to combine aspects of other packaging systems or to create completely new systems.
If you need some help figuring out which system is the best for your packaging project, call LPS toll free at 1-888-393-3693 to speak with a representative today.