Types Of Bottling Machines

A bottling machine is, as the name implies, a machine that dispenses products into bottles (also often called a filling machine). Bottling machines are production equipments that fill a product, generally a beverage, into bottles on a large scale. Many prepared foods, household products, personal care products, chemical products are also bottled, such as sauces, syrups, marinades, oils shampoo, lotion, bleach and vinegars. Of course, the products bottled are not only liquids and creams but also powders and solids, such as milk powder, pill etc (bottling equipment for powders and solids is generally called filling machines or packaging machines). This article mainly introduces the types of bottling machines.

Due to the different products, bottling working principle and output requirements of each bottling project, there are different types of bottling machines in order to meet the bottling needs in different situations.

This article describes the types of bottling machines from the following dimensions:

  1. According to the degree of automation: semi-automatic bottling machine and automatic bottling machine
  2. According to the measurement of bottling: mainly by volume measurement and by weight measurement
  3. According to the products to be bottled: liquid bottling machine, powder bottling machine, solid bottling machine
  4. According to the direction of operation of the equipment: linear bottling machine and rotary bottling machine

1. According to the degree of automation: semi-automatic bottling machine and automatic bottling machine

Semi-automatic Bottling Machine
For start up companies or products with a local or regional reach, semi-automatic bottling equipment may be the best choice. Tabletop machinery is an ideal choice for packaging facility with limited production space. A simple bottling line can be created using tabletop fillers, cappers and labelers to be run by one or multiple operators. A similar packaging line can be created using a uni-frame filling system. These packaging systems normally include a semi-automatic bottling machine, but will allow the beverage packager to add other machinery to the same frame.

Typically, a semi-automatic machine will have an operator that counts the containers as they go in and then operating a foot switch in order to start a bottling sequence that is timed.

The bottling equipment grows right along with the company. Once production reaches a certain level, automatic machinery will be necessary to efficiently and reliably meet bottling demands.

Automatic Bottling Machine
Over time, small companies experiencing growth may need to set up automated equipment. A company that is semi automatic bottling a new beverage, for example, may purchase an automated bottling machine, if the filling process takes longer.

An automatic bottling machine will not need the operator. These machines are fairly self-controlling once they are started. The operators will only have to perform an occasional quality control check.

2. According to the measurement of bottling: mainly by volume measurement and by weight measurement

Due to the different forms and properties of liquids, powders and solids, there are relatively large differences in the measurement methods for bottling.

1. Liquid and paste measurement methods mainly include: liquid level, volume and weight

Liquid Level Bottling Machines
Two of the most popular bottling principles are filling by volume and filling to a level. Both are fairly self-explanatory, with volumetric fills allow packagers to fill each and every bottle with the same volume of liquid, while level fills allow each bottle to be filled to the same level, even if volume varies slightly from bottle to bottle.

The overflow filling machine allows packagers to fill bottles to a pre-set level, regardless of minute differences in the interior volume of the individual bottles. This type of fill works well for packagers that are using clear or nearly clear bottles, where the product level can be seen through the container. Filling to the same level in each bottle creates an aesthetically pleasing shelf appearance.

Automatic Overflow Filling Machine

Automatic Overflow Filling Machine

Introduction The linear overflow defoaming liquid filling machine is suitable for filling liquids that are prone to foaming, and it is also suitable for liquids that do not foam. The filling liquid can not only prevent foam from overflowing, but also keep the liquid level consistent. It can...
Volumetric Bottling Machine
Volumetric bottling machines allow containers to be filled with the same volume of product in each container, even if the levels may not be the same in each container. Gravity, pump and piston fillers all use a volumetric fill principle, with each filler offering different benefits. Gravity fillers are ideal solutions for thin, free-flowing products where product is held in a tank over the fill heads and released for a pre-set amount of time with each fill cycle. Pump and piston fillers move product through the pathway with the help of, as the names suggest, pumps or pistons. The extra push from the pump or piston helps packagers fill thicker, or more viscous, products.
Net Weight Bottling Machine
While most projects will use a fill-to-level or volumetric fill system, there do exist alternatives for unique projects. For example, some products will be filled by net weight, using scales to ensure the desired weight is met with each fill.
Semi Auto Explosion-Proof Two-Head Epoxy Filling Machine

Semi Auto Explosion-Proof Two-Head Epoxy Filling Machine

Introduction Applicable to: curing agent, epoxy, auxiliary industry, quantitative filling of non-foaming liquid in 1-10L packaging barrels. This explosion-proof two-head epoxy filling machine adopts the filling method in the barrel mouth, which is suitable for the filling of curing agent-type non-foaming liquid materials. The uniquely designed filling head...
Automatic Net Weight Filling Machine

Automatic Net Weight Filling Machine

Introduction Net weight filling machines use a weigh scale platform to monitor the weight of product as it is filling into a bottle or container. Net weight fillers are well suited for large container filling applications. This type machine is used for 5kg -30 kg liquid filling. Gravity...

2. Powder measurement methods mainly include: volume and weight

Volume Type Powder Filling Machine
Volumetric quantitative filling is achieved by controlling the volume of the material to be filled. Screw type quantitative filling machine belongs to the range of volumetric quantitative filling. Its advantages are simple structure, no weighing device, lower cost, and high filling efficiency. Its shortcoming is that the filling accuracy varies according to the different materials to be filled, which mainly depends on the stability of the material, the hygroscopicity of the material and the degree of looseness.

Volumetric quantitative filling is divided into two forms according to different material measurement methods. One is to control the flow or time of the material to control the filling volume. For example, the volume of the material is controlled by controlling the number of rotations or time of the screw, and the volume of the material is controlled by controlling the vibration time of the vibrating feeder. Another form is to use the same measuring container to measure materials to achieve quantitative filling, such as a graduated cylinder, a measuring cup, etc.

Auger-Filler

No matter which volumetric quantitative filling method is used, there is the same problem, which is to ensure the stability of the bulk density of the material to be filled as much as possible. In order to meet this requirement, vibration, stirring, nitrogen filling or vacuuming are often used to achieve this. If the filling accuracy is very high, it is necessary to use an automatic detection device to continuously detect the changes in the apparent specific gravity of the material to be filled, and then continuously adjust to ensure the accuracy of the filling volume.

Weight Type Powder Filling Machine
Weighing quantitative filling is to ensure the accuracy of filling by controlling the weight of the material to be filled. Compared with the aforementioned volumetric quantitative filling, the structure is more complicated, the cost is higher, and the filling efficiency is lower than the volumetric filling. The filling objects are mainly materials with unstable bulk density and relatively high prices.

3. Solid and particle measurement methods mainly include: weight and counting

Multi-Head Scale Bottling Machine
The multihead weigher is a weighing device, and its working principle is very easy. Its working principle is mainly to use the principle of combined weighing. The purpose of weighing is achieved by the combination of weighing heads, that is to say, the more the number of heads, the more combinations, the faster the speed and the higher the precision.

The machine has different models, such as 8 scales, 10 scales, 12 scales, 14 scales, 16 scales, 24 scales, etc. Each of them is a separate scale, which can be weighed independently.

Multi-Head Scale Bottling Machine
Tablet Counting And Bottling Machine
A tablet counting and filling machine is a flexible collection of devices that work together to count pharmaceutical and food goods precisely. Furthermore, it is intended and manufactured to correctly count and fill various shapes or sizes of items into containers or bottles. Tablets, coated tablets, pills, and hard and soft gelatin capsules are all examples.

3. According to the products to be bottled: liquid bottling machine, powder bottling machine, solid bottling machine

Usually, most of the bottling machines on the market are only for liquids and pastes (VKPAK mainly produces bottling lines for liquids and pastes), the reason why VKPAK lists bottling equipment for different products here is to tell you that bottling equipment can also package powders and solids.

Liquid Bottling Machine
Liquid bottling machine, also called liquid filling machine, bottle filling machine, usually refers to the equipment that dispenses liquid or paste (with liquidity) into bottles. The liquid bottling machines are the important machine tools for the packaging process in various industries like pharmaceutical, chemical, agriculture, food etc.

A liquid bottling machine is basically a machine that is used to package liquid finished products in a variety of industries. It is worth noting that liquid products that need to be packaged differ throughout the bottling phase. They can be frothy in some cases, dense, or even creamy. Different conditions of liquid products require liquid bottling equipment with different metering methods.

Liquid Filling Machine

Liquid Filling Machine

VKPAK manufactures a range of standard liquid filling machines to suit a wide variety of liquids, bottle sizes and production outputs. Product characteristics determine the bottle filling machine needed for your products. The goal is to deliver a precise amount of product to the consumer in an attractive bottle that promotes your offering over the competition. There are several filler...
Powder Bottling Machine
Powder bottling machine is usually marketed as powder filling machine, powder filler or powder packing machine, They are specifically used to fill free-flowing and non-free-flowing powdered and granulated goods. The spiral feeding and light control technology enables great filling accuracy and zero-drip operation. Free-flowing items are granulated sugar and table salt that cannot retain their shape even when external pressure is added. Non free-flowing items such as brown sugar or powdered milk can retain their shape when an external force is added.

Powder bottling machines are usually used in pouring additives, starch, feed, condiments, and pesticides into different types of packaging. As such, they are commonly seen in the food and beverage, cosmetics, and chemical industries.

Powder Bottling Machine
Solid Bottling Machine
Solids bottling machine is often called solids filling machine, solids packing machine. The basic function of the solid bottling machine is to fill containers with finished solid products before sealing them. To keep its integrity, the product must be the proper amount.

The working of this machine starts with the placement of bottles on conveyors for transportation. In case the solid filling machine has many heads, it will be able to fill multiple containers at once. The product is then placed in the hopper, where it will be distributed to the containers.

The quantity of the product is determined by the machine settings. The amount of the finished packaged product is determined by setting the filling machine by weight or count.

Solid Bottling Machine

4. According to the direction of operation of the equipment: linear bottling machine and rotary bottling machine

Linear Bottling Machine
Linear bottling machines fill bottles in sequence. They stop to fill each batch of bottles before moving to the next. They usually operate with one, two, four, or eight heads, but some can use up to twenty. The bottles then move to cap placing and tightening machines, and then accumulation tables for further processing.
Linear Bottling Machines

Advantages Of Linear Bottling Machines

Linear filling machines are workhorses with many benefits. This makes them perfect for many businesses.

Affordability

Linear bottling machines are relatively cheap to buy and easy to install.

Scalability

Linear bottling machines are highly scalable. This means a business can easily make upgrades to increase production. You can even hire extra heads to cope with seasonal production demands. It is also possible to adjust linear machines without stopping production. Moreover, product changeovers take minimal time.

Simplicity

Linear bottling machines are well known for their simplicity and reliability. They are intuitive to use and maintain. Even if the machine breaks down, repairs are usually quick. There is often no need for specialised repair technicians. This leads to less downtime and product wastage.

Smaller

Linear bottling machines have a much smaller footprint than rotary machines. This is perfect for smaller businesses and production lines where space is at a premium.

Disadvantages Of Linear Bottling Machines

Linear bottling machines are discontinuous and can’t match the highest level of production throughput that some rotary machines can achieve. Whilst it isn’t likely to affect most small to medium businesses, much larger manufacturers sometimes prefer the output of a rotary machine in their production line.

Linear liquid bottling machines are perfect for small and medium companies with lower production needs. They are also useful for start-ups wanting to test the waters or companies with a range of product types.

Rotary Bottling Machine
Rotary bottling machines move containers down the production lines through different circular stations. At these points, the conveyor passes under rotating star wheels. Bottles are centred under the filling head and once full, they move to the next stage. Rotary systems operate continuously and do not need to stop when the bottles fill up.
Rotary Bottling Machine

Advantages Of Rotary Bottling Machines

Rotary bottling machines generally have a higher capacity, with 20 or even 50 heads to fill bottles at very high rates.

High Production Volumes

For high production volumes, the continuous operation of rotary machines makes them a viable option. They suit many products and container types but are particularly useful for carbonated drinks.

Constant Output

Since a rotary bottling machine fills as it rotates, the incoming and outgoing conveyors are continuously moving. This removes the need for additional accumulation stages to hold the containers between each fill.

Disadvantages Of Rotary Bottling Machines

As they operate on many moving parts, rotary machines are more complex and more expensive. They can also be more difficult to clean due to the number of filling nozzles, although many have a ‘clean in place,’ or CIP system.

In addition, repairs often need expertise and time to isolate the problem. This can lead to extended downtime and can impact profits. They may also take longer to adjust to different container types, which is not ideal for companies with multiple products. They take up more floor space than linear machines and are less flexible.

For larger companies requiring very high production volumes, rotary machines may be a good investment. But factors like repair costs, maintenance and downtime must be considered from the start.

Summary

Choosing the right bottling equipment is not an easy task, especially for those who are new to the bottling industry and need to consider the viscosity of the product, the shape of the bottle, the output capacity, etc.

But don't worry VKPAK engineers are experienced in this area and can recommend the most reasonable equipment to meet your packaging needs. If you are looking for a solution for your bottling project, please contact us now for the best quote and solution!

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