Liquid Filler Nozzle Options

While liquid filling machines can be manufactured to use a number of different filling principles depending on the product being filled, the production rates desired and other factors, the actual nozzles that can be used on the filling machine are even more varied.  From low viscosity products to thick, dense liquids, the nozzles used on filling equipment can be as important to the proper functioning of a packaging line as the filling principle being used. 

 

Filler nozzles may be specific to the filling machine itself, as in the case of overflow nozzles.  These special nozzles open to release product into a container.  As the product reaches a certain level, excess product flows through a return port in the nozzle and back into the product supply tank.  Overflow filling machines and overflow nozzles allow for the filling of thin, free-flowing products to a consistent level while also limiting product waste through the recycling process. 

 

Other liquid fillers may use a filling nozzle that uses an actuator, ball valve and nozzle tip to fill containers.  A gravity filler, for example, may use this simple assembly to open and close nozzles based on pre-set filling times.  Each cycle, as a set of bottles move under the fill heads, the ball valves will open and release product for a set amount of time, at the end of which the valves will again close.  

 

A number of different nozzle types may also be used on pump and piston fillers.  For example, anti-drip nozzles and positive shut off nozzles may be used for thicker products that may have a tendency to string or drip.  Long, tube type nozzles may be used to dive into a bottle for a bottom up fill, to avoid the forming of cavities during the fill process. 

 

Depending on the package, product, production rate and presentation desired, nozzle tips for filling machines may range from a simple one inch  plastic tip added to the end of a ball valve to a flare or fan type nozzle or even the long, extended tubes mentioned above.  For some projects, a nozzle tip may not even be used, the product simply flowing through the filler tubing directly into the container.  For unique containers, products or packaging, custom nozzles may be manufactured for the filling machine.  In the end, each filler nozzle should be chosen for the filling machine on a case by case basis, to fit the specific needs of the packaging project at hand.

 

In most cases, a single nozzle size or type can handle a wide range of containers and products.  However, in rare cases, multiple nozzle tips or even multiple nozzles may be necessary to handle the container or product range.  Most filling machines can be manufactured for easy changeover of the nozzle and nozzle tips, meaning in those rare cases where changes are necessary, downtime will be limited.  The ease of changing out the components allows the addition of new products, special containers and other short run projects to a production line, thus allowing your company to grow and shape its product line while utilizing the same filling equipment.