Nozzles for All Bottle Filling Machines

As we have touched on before, different filling machines will use different nozzles to get the job done.  Honestly, even the same type of filling machine may use a wide variety of different types of nozzles, with the possible exception of the overflow filler.  

 

Overflow filling machines rely on the nozzles used to create a level fill on each and every bottle passing through the equipment.  Therefore, while there will be some variation in nozzles, overflow machines will all use the same type of nozzle.  These nozzles are composed of an inner and outer tube and use a spring to compress the tube.  Product enters bottles through an opening at the nozzle tip and is recirculated through another port to create the level fill.  Thus, though there are variations of the overflow nozzle based on size, aesthetics and a few different features, the actual nozzles of any overflow filler with be pretty similar.

 

Quite the opposite is true once the move is made away from the overflow filler.  Other filling principles - such as gravity, piston or pump - may use a number of completely different nozzles based on product, production speed and other features of the specific packaging project.  When dealing with these other filling principles, nozzles may simply use a ball valve and plastic tip to complete the fill.  Others may use long metal tubes to dive into bottles or other containers.  Piston fillers may use a small metal tip at the end of the piston itself or may extend the product pathway to use multiple nozzles for automatic machines.  

 

Though even on these machines there are standard assemblies, such as those that will use a simple actuator and ball valve with some type of nozzle tip, many machines will be manufactured with custom nozzles.  Custom manufacturing nozzles allows the manufacturer of packaging machinery to ensure the machinery itself will work ideally with the range of products and bottles that will be used.  Of course, LPS can also source nozzles for existing bottle fillers, or change out the type of nozzle used when there are changes in products or packaging. 

 

The filler nozzle type used will depend on product factors such as viscosity, tendency to form caverns, existence of particulates, temperature and much more.  The best way to determine the ideal solution for filler type and fill nozzles is to discuss the same with your machinery manufacturer.  This is one of the reasons that LPS will ask for product samples even if the product itself is fairly common.  Being able to test and design with the actual packager product will not only help to create an ideal packaging solution, but will allow identification of issues at the beginning of the process, versus unwanted surprises at the end of the process.

 

For more information on the different types of nozzles for liquid fillers, browse our website or contact a Packaging Specialist at our offices today.