The device that fills the processed food materials in the predetermined quantities into packaging containers (bottles, cans, boxes, barrels, bags, hoses, etc.) is called a filling or filling machine. The filling machines for filling liquid products such as beverages and alcoholic drinks are usually called filling machines. The filling of liquids can be divided into manual filling and mechanical filling. Because mechanized filling can not only increase labor productivity, reduce product losses, ensure packaging quality, but also reduce the contamination between the production environment and the filled materials, modern wine and beverage production industries generally adopt mechanized filling machines.
Classification of filling machines: Different filling materials (including gaseous liquids, non-gaseous liquids, pastes, etc.) and different packaging containers (bottles, cans, boxes, barrels, bags, etc.) have different types of filling machines. Usually, the classification methods of filling machines are as follows in the table.
Selection of filling machines: Reasonable selection of filling machines is an important way to ensure product quality and improve economic benefits. Generally, it is necessary to closely contact the production situation and try to choose quality good, efficiency high, simple structure, easy to use and maintain, small in volume, light in weight filling machines. When choosing filling machines, the following principles should be followed.
The principle of serving the production process. First, according to the properties of the filling materials (viscosity, foaming property, volatility, gas content, etc.), select an appropriate filling machine to meet the production process requirements. For example, for wine liquids with strong aroma, to avoid the loss of volatile aromatic substances, generally a cup-type or atmospheric filling machine should be used; for fruit juice-like liquid materials, to reduce contact with air and ensure product quality, generally a vacuum-added juice-type filling machine should be used. Secondly, the production capacity of the filling machine should be matched with the processing and packaging machine capacity of the previous and subsequent processes.
The principle of high production rate and good product quality. The production rate of the filling machine directly reflects the production capacity of the production line. Therefore, the higher the production rate, the better the economic benefits.
To improve product quality, it is necessary to choose equipment with high precision and high automation level. However, the price of the equipment also increases, which increases the unit cost of the product. Therefore, when choosing filling machines, relevant factors should be comprehensively considered in accordance with the production process requirements.
The principle of wide process range. The process range of the filling machine refers to its ability to adapt to different production requirements. The wider the process range, the higher the equipment utilization rate, and the ability to achieve multi-purpose use with the same equipment, that is, using the same equipment to fill various materials and various specifications. Therefore, to meet the multi-variety and multi-specification production requirements of the wine and beverage industry, a filling machine with the widest process range should be selected.
The principle of conforming to food hygiene requirements. Due to the special hygiene requirements of the wine and beverage industry, the components in direct contact with the materials in the filling machine should be easy to disassemble and clean, and no dead corners should be allowed. Moreover, reliable sealing measures should be adopted to prevent foreign matter from entering and material loss. In terms of materials, stainless steel or non-toxic materials should be used for components in direct contact with the materials as much as possible.
The principle of safe use and convenient maintenance. The operation and adjustment of the filling machine should be convenient and effortless, and it should be safe and reliable to use. Moreover, its structure should be easy to disassemble and assemble, and components should be standardized and universal. In addition, priority should be given to selecting filling machines with low price, light weight, and small size.
