Conveyors for Systems Large and Small

While conveyors are most often used for moving bottles and other containers from one packaging machine to another on an automated line, they can add efficiency to just about any packaging system. In addition, the benefits of conveyors also move beyond the simple transfer of bottles.

Of course, power conveyors are used to connect rinsing machines, filling equipment, bottle cappers and other individual machines in order to move bottles from one to another, and through the machines, without constant human interaction. These power conveyors can be built in a variety of different manners to serve the needs of the individual project. Some may be manufactured with a low profile to provide extra room, others may be built to allow for quick and easy cleaning in a sanitary style. Different materials can also be used to handle corrosive chemicals and other liquids.

But even semi-automatic equipment can benefit from a power conveyor system in several ways. A power conveyor used with a semi-automatic capping machine, for example, can allow an operator to place the caps on multiple bottles, then activate the conveyor to move a group of bottles through the capping area. Two semi-automatic packaging stations could also be connected via a power conveyor to add efficiency to the system. For example, if one operator is running a semi-automatic filling machine, filled bottles could be placed on a conveyor for delivery to a second operator running a semi-automatic capper.

In addition to bottle transfer, power conveyors can be used to load bottles at the beginning of a packaging line. While loading turntables are a more popular loading mechanism, packagers with non-round bottles will need to look for other options to avoid jamming or tipping bottles on a turntable. Loading, or laning, conveyors utilize an extended table to allow non-round bottles to be placed on a conveyor belt using adjustable lane guides. These guides line up the bottles and deliver them to the main conveyor line in rows, which are in turn delivered down the line to the rinser, filler, capper or other equipment.

For molten products, or other products that are filled hot and need to cool down prior to capping or other packaging processes, power conveyors can also be used to allow for that cool-down time. While these conveyors may simply be an extension of the regular conveyor, they can also incorporate a serpentine design or a multi-level design to allow for more dwell time. Cooling conveyors can also use a fan system to expedite the cooling process.

Some packaging systems may also use a conveyor to accumulate product at some point in the packaging line. This may be done for a quality control check after a process such as filling or capping. Accumulation may also occur at the end of the line in order to assist in packing and preparing products for shipment. Packing tables can be added to a power conveyor to allow to flow to package handlers, making loading boxes or other bulk containers more efficient.

So while most of the power conveyors manufactured by Liquid Packaging Solutions will work to move containers through a packaging line, there are unique uses for these same conveyors that can work as an ideal solution for just about any packaging project. To learn more about conveyor systems, browse the Conveyor Section of the LPS website or call to speak with a Packaging Specialist today.