Moving your packaging process from hand capping bottles or containers to automating the operation can be a big step for the packager of a product. Sometimes such a move is made to ensure that caps are consistently and reliably placed and tightened, and other times the automation film packaging machine becomes necessary simply due to an increase in production demand. Choosing the correct machine for a process will entail analyzing the bottles, the caps or other closures, the production demands and other unique characteristics of the project. Many packagers may hesitate to make the jump to automation because of these unique characteristics, though almost any bottle and cap combination can be sealed using such machinery. Below are a few of the more common concerns among packagers regarding capping machines.
1. Unique Caps or Closures
Closures, seals, plug, lids. Whatever you want to call them, caps come in many different shapes and sizes. Simple, screw on type caps are used for many different products (think bottled water), but even screw on type caps may be flip-tops, sports caps, trigger sprayers and more. The solution for unique caps, whether in shape or size, will normally lie in stabilizing the cap as it moves through the automatic capping machine. Machinery components such as gripper belts, cap stabilizer bars, railing and orienters will be used to keep both the cap and bottle steady during the tightening or sealing process. The frame of the machine and the delivery may also require modification to handle extremely large or small closures. The solution for unique caps and closures is, generally speaking, modifying the range of standard mach