Machines for Capping in the Packaging Industry

While the number of cap kinds and sizes appears to be limitless, the bulk of caps are covered by a surprisingly small number of capping machines. Unique and unusual container tops, on the other hand, may necessitate custom capping technology. A small handful of capping machines will "seal" the deal for practically all other caps.

CAPPERS FOR SPINDLE

Spindle capping machines are the most common type of capping equipment used in the packaging business. As bottles or other containers travel through the capping area on a conveyor system, these cappers use sets of matched discs to spin caps down onto them. To gradually tighten caps, three or four sets of discs are usually utilized. Elevators or vibratory bowls help these continuous capping machines by delivering caps to each individual bottle, allowing the machine operator to focus on replacing bulk caps as needed.

CHUCK CAPPERS

Chuck capping machines work with screw caps in the same way as spindle cappers do. A metal chuck and a rubber insert fitted to the capsize are typical components of chuck cappers. The chuck descends once a bottle is in place under the capping head, applying uniform force to each bottle and cap combination. Multiple chucks can be used in automatic chuck cappers to boost the capping machine's pace. Chuck cappers, whether hand-held, semi-automatic, or desktop, normally cap one bottle at a time. While a single chuck and chuck insert may handle a variety of capsizes, a facility that uses both tiny and big caps may need multiple chucks and/or chuck inserts.

LID PRESSORS AND SNAP CAPPERS

For non-screw tops, snap cappers and lid pressers are both used. Snap-type tops are applied with pressure rather than being torqued onto the bottle and are usually held in place by a lip on the container. Depending on the application, pressure is applied via a declining belt or a simple plunger. Paint cans may operate well in a lid presser, however plastic containers for various food and beverage products might benefit from a press on the belt to prevent damage to the containers. Snap cappers are built similarly to spindle cappers, except that the decrease belt replaces the spindle sets, allowing snap caps to be sealed continually, caps permitting.

CAPPERS ROPP

A ROPP Capper (Roll On Pilfer Proof Capper) is a unique type of capper. ROPP cappers thread and seal lids onto containers with especially specialized cutters. Topping off a bottle of wine is the most popular application for a ROPP capping machine. When utilizing this equipment, different bottle kinds and sizes may require different sets of knives, and these packing machines will not be able to handle the diversity of seals used by spindle and chuck cappers. Some ROPP cappers, however, can be built with a chuck-type capping head to increase the number of caps that can be run.