Beverage Packaging Equipment

Define the boundary of the packaging project

Secondary packaging groups filled containers into packs or cases; end-of-line equipment handles those units towards a pallet ready for dispatch. Bottle labelling, sleeve application, coding and inspection are related operations, but their inclusion must be stated separately. A packer does not establish that conveyors, a shrink tunnel, a divider or pallet handling are supplied.

List every operation and interface in the proposed section. Record container and pack dimensions, transfer direction, conveyor height, available space and the equipment already installed. This gives a clear basis for assessing individual bottling machines and connected systems.

Match the packing method to the required format

Shrink film, trays and pads

A shrink wrapper groups containers for film packing, with a shrink tunnel forming part of the process. Specify film-only packs, film with a tray or film with a flat pad, together with the container pattern and material drawings. Confirm the supplied wrapper and tunnel, film application method and any tray-forming or gluing arrangement. Lane count, grouping pattern and parallel packing tracks are separate details.

If carry handles are required, identify the handle applicator and its relationship to the packer. Do not assume that handles, glue equipment or every requested format are included in a listing.

Carton clusters

A cluster machine groups containers in a carton cluster. Provide the number of containers, their arrangement and dimensioned carton blanks. Identify whether closure uses interlocking features or hotmelt adhesive, and confirm the relevant tooling and any glue system supplied. A cluster format needs its own compatibility check even when the same containers run through the filling section.

Cases, partitions and wraparound cartons

Conventional case packing can involve a case erector, case packer, partition inserter and case sealer. These may be separate machines or operations within an integrated system. Confirm which operations are supplied, whether sealing uses tape or hotmelt, and whether the bottom, top or both are sealed.

Record the packer head configuration, gripping method, container contact points and case dimensions. If partitions are required, specify their material and arrangement and whether insertion occurs before or after container loading. A wraparound machine forms a flat carton blank around a container group and closes it; partition handling and auxiliary equipment must be confirmed for the offered configuration.

Check grouping and the transfer between machines

A divider arranges bottles, packs or cartons into lanes for a subsequent operation. Specify the product being handled, lane count, infeed arrangement and discharge pattern. Check the actual dimensions and orientation required by the receiving machine, together with the conveyor and control interfaces. A description such as “six lanes” does not establish the pack pattern or number of parallel packing tracks.

For an adjacent labeller or sleeve system, review label materials, station technology and container tooling separately. Sleeve application may require a dedicated shrinking process whose equipment and utilities need their own scope.

Compare capacity using the machine’s actual output unit

Keep container flow and finished-pack flow in the same calculation, while retaining each machine’s stated unit. Shrink-wrapper offers may use packs per minute, cluster machines clusters per hour and case-packing equipment cases per hour or minute. Record the unit, pack configuration and operating conditions associated with every figure.

Pallet layers per hour and completed pallets per hour describe different operations. A palletizer must be assessed against packs per layer, layers per pallet and the handling sequence. A pallet wrapper’s output refers to completed pallet loads. Converting units helps compare the proposal; it does not establish sustained line output. Ask for evidence on the relevant formats and the transfers between machines.

Specify the pallet and wrapping requirements

Provide pallet dimensions, pack arrangement, loaded height and weight. Confirm the palletizer’s handling method and whether pallet magazines, layer-pad insertion or other required functions are present. For wrapping, identify turntable, rotating-arm or rotating-ring equipment, together with the actual load limits and wrapping sequence.

Check whether a top-sheet device, load-holding arrangement or film pre-stretch system is supplied. These details require machine documentation or a technical inspection; photographs alone may not establish the configuration. Define the required load preparation and transport arrangements in the project specification.

Plan format changes and the scope of supply

Build a format schedule covering container drawings, pack patterns, carton blanks, film and pallet layouts. Identify supplied change parts, guides, gripping components and adjustments for each format. Review glue, electrical, compressed-air and tunnel requirements where applicable, plus operator access, controls and installation interfaces.

Elitekno can discuss new European OEM equipment, available used machinery and mixed configurations. Send the format schedule, target output, current equipment, layout, destination, budget and timing. Technical consultancy, overhauls, spare parts, packing, transport and commissioning can be discussed with their scope agreed for the project. Contact Elitekno to define the packaging equipment you need.