Basic Packaging Line: Fill, Cap, Label

A quick browsing of the Liquid Packaging Solutions website confirms that there exists a great number of different machines that can be included on a packaging line.  For those new to the packaging industry, the number of different machinery combinations can be overwhelming.  However, both rookie and veteran packagers can find the equipment they need by starting with a basic packaging line.

 

Almost all product packaging projects, liquid or otherwise, need at least three basic steps before reaching the end user.  First, the product has to reach the container, be it a bottle, vial, box or other enclosure.  Second, that container or package must be sealed.  Finally, the packager will want to provide potential customers with information such as the product name, ingredients, expiration date, instructions and more.  This will commonly be accomplished by placing a label on the container.  These three simple steps, along with the necessary transfer system, will complete a functional packaging line for a majority of packages and products.

 

 

From thick to thin, liquids, powders and solids, filling machines exist to handle almost any type of product.  The type of filling machine used for any given project will normally be dependent on the product itself, though at times more than one type of machine will work for a product.  

 

 

Similar to the product and fillers, the capping machine used will depend on the type of cap or seal used on the line.  Different capping machines are manufactured for ROPP caps, screw caps, snap caps and more.  Again, some capping machines will be used for an assortment of caps, but the seal type will normally be the same on that assortment.

 

 

Placing labels on bottles or other containers allows the packager to present their product to the customer with logos and information.  The packager, with some exceptions, can choose what to put on the label.  Labeling machines can place this information onto the package in a number of different manners, including a wrap label, a front and back label, a top label or a custom application.  Though the package itself may limit how the label is applied, the final choice really depends on the wishes of the packager.

 

Of course, other equipment can be added to the basic setup, such as nitrogen purge equipment, loading and packing machines, rinsing equipment and other machinery to speed up the process and hand tailor it to a particular product or industry.  In the end, each project should be analyzed on a case-by-case basis to determine the most efficient, reliable and cost effective solution.