Rinsing and Purging on a Packaging Line to Protect Liquids

Any consumer willing to buy a beverage, OTC medication, or any other product off the shelf will assume that that product is safe. Any evidence to the alternative would likely lead a consumer to a competitor's product. The packaging, including the bottle, cap, induction seal, shrink wrap or other components, help to build trust with the consumer. When building a packaging line, there are machines that can be added to the line to protect product purity and shelf life as well.

Bottle Rinsing Machines

Rinsing bottles or other containers prior to the introduction of the liquid product can be a necessity for certain packaging lines, especially when dealing with beverages, foods, and other consumables. Dust and debris can become trapped inside a container in a variety of ways. Residue may exist from the manufacture of the container, or debris can collect during shipping or storage. Removing this unwanted litter from the container prior to the filling process can help to protect the integrity and purity of the product.

Rinsing machines can accommodate just about any packaging process, using air, water, the product itself, or other media to ensure clean containers for packaging. Bottle rinsers can stand alone and be run by an operator or they can run along with filling and capping machinery on an automated line, giving packagers both large and small the ability to protect their liquid products.

Nitrogen Purge Equipment

For products that are susceptible to oxidation, nitrogen purge equipment can help lessen the effects of such a reaction. Nitrogen purge systems typically release nitrogen gas into the headspace of a container between the filling machine and capping equipment. The nitrogen displaces the oxygen that would normally be captured in the headspace when capping or otherwise sealing bottles and other containers. Replacing the oxygen with nitrogen helps extend the shelf life of products like foods and certain beverages. In addition, as an inert gas, nitrogen will not affect the taste, color, or texture of the products being packaged.

While the packaging for any product can help to protect that product until it reaches the packager, bottle rinsing machines and nitrogen purge systems offer two additional methods for protecting products from contamination and deterioration. While seen across all industries, these machines are more popular when dealing with ingestible or consumable liquids. To learn more about either of these two packaging machine categories, simply browse the relevant product category or contact Liquid Packaging Solutions today.