What is Inline Filling Equipment?

Inline filling equipment is simply one part of an inline packaging system. Inline packaging systems refer to a method of packaging where containers move down a conveyor system, often in a straight line, to be filled, capped, labeled, and otherwise prepared for the end user. With inline filling equipment, each container will move into position on the conveyor system under a fill head where product will be dispensed based on volume, level, or weight. Once filled, the bottles will continue down the conveyor to the capper, labeler, or other packaging equipment. Inline is also a term used to differentiate these filling machines from rotary equipment, where bottles travel in a circular motion to be filled.

While a company may choose inline packaging systems and filling equipment to meet their production needs, or based on their available space, there are other benefits that may also lead a packager to choose an inline filling machine. These include, but are not limited to:

Precision - Regardless of the filling principle used to prepare liquid products, inline filling machines offer precision fills. Accurate volumetric fills can be achieved with gravity, pump, or piston fillers. Inline overflow filling machines offer precise fills to a pre-specified level in each bottle and each cycle run. Such repeatable precision allows a business to reliably fill their products with confidence.

Versatility - Inline filling equipment can fill a range of containers, varying in size and shape, with quick and simple adjustments to change from one to another in most applications. In addition to bottle shapes and sizes, machines from Liquid Packaging Solutions can fill viscosities ranging from water-like, free-flowing liquids to thick products like pastes and gels. Inline filling equipment can be manufactured to run molten products, products with particulates and other unique liquids as well. This versatility allows the machinery to serve almost any industry preparing liquid products.

Upgradeable - Inline filling machines can be upgraded to meet the needs of a business, with two types of upgrades being the most common. First, liquid fillers can be manufactured in both semi-automatic and automatic versions. Semi-automatic fillers can be built on a full-frame, allowing a packager the ability to upgrade to full automation should demand require it in the future. The most common upgrade, however, involves adding fill heads to an already existing machine, turning a two-head machine into a four-head filler, or a four-head filler into a sixteen-head machine. These upgrades allow inline filling machines to provide a long, useful life to a packager as the equipment can grow with the company.

Integration - Inline filling equipment is built to roll up to existing conveyor systems and fit seamlessly into an existing packaging line. Such integration allows a packager to build a system over time, automating the filling process, or any other packaging process, as it becomes necessary while saving capital for other aspects of the business.

To learn more about inline filling equipment or any of the packaging machinery manufactured in our La Porte, Indiana plant, browse the LPS website or give us a call at 1-219-393-3600.