Packaging Machinery

Table of Contents

Chapter 1: Gravity and Vacuum Filling

Topics: Gravity filling; Vacuum pump construction and installation; Vacuum, gravity, balanced, and submerged filling; Fill height and container control

Learning Objectives:

• List the main advantage and disadvantages of gravity filling and vacuum filling methods.
• Tell what kinds of vacuum pumps are commonly used in filling applications.
• Describe the construction and operation of vane and piston pumps.
• Compare and contrast vacuum filling, gravity/vacuum filling, balanced vacuum filling, and submerged vacuum filling.
• Explain various methods of fill height and container control.

Chapter 2: Bottle Filling and Capping

Topics: Volumetric filling; Auger feed pumps; Volumetric-displacement, constant-level filling machines; Counter-pressure filling; Capping; Sealing

Learning Objectives:

• List some of the factors considered when selecting a bottle filling machine.
• Explain the operation of, piston-type, auger, volumetric-displacement, and constant-level filling machines.
• Describe the various kinds of bottle capping and sealing.
• List the major maintenance requirements of liquid filling machines.

Chapter 3: Pressure Liquid Filling

Topics: Indexing pressure fillers; Indexing container control; Continuous motion, rotary pressure fillers; Filling nozzles; Filling control

Learning Objectives:

• Name the most important advantage of using positive displacement pumps on pressure filling machines.
• Name the two classifications of pressure fillers.
• List possible causes of filling inaccuracies.
• Explain the importance of proper fluid velocity in filling machine operation.

Chapter 4: Aerosol Fillers

Topics: Aerosol container construction and valves; Propellants; Container, cold, and pressure filling; Safety testing; Drying; Capping; Accessories

Learning Objectives:

• Explain the concept of aerosol filling.
• Describe metal container and aerosol valve construction.
• Name and describe the two methods of aerosol container filling.
• Explain the operation of the individual stations in a filling line.
• Describe the process by which aerosol containers are safety tested.

Chapter 5: Bag Forming and Filling

Topics: Bag materials and construction; Bag forming; Film extrusion; Bag filling machines; Bag machinery maintenance

Learning Objectives:

• List commonly used bag materials and their typical applications.
• Explain the various bag constructions and related terminology.
• Describe the film extrusion method of bag forming.
• Explain the operation of bag filling machines.
• List the major maintenance requirements of bagging machinery.

Chapter 6: Pouch Filling

Topics: Pouch materials and control; Vertical filling machines; Horizontal and vertical pouch filling and modifications; Continuous motion fillers

Learning Objectives:

• Tell how pouch filling machines are classified.
• Name the three types of vertical seals made on vertical form, fill, and seal machines, and tell when each is used.
• Explain the vertical filling machine operating sequence.
• Name the two methods of classifying pouch filling machines that handle the film horizontally, and give advantages of each.

Chapter 7: Volumetric Filling Machines

Topics: Balance point measuring; Measuring by volume, weight; Intermittent motion fillers; Continuous motion, draw, and liquid volumetric filling

Learning Objectives:

• Give examples of products that can be handled by volumetric fillers.
• Explain how volumetric filling machines are identified.
• Describe the operation of volumetric filling machines.
• Describe the various methods of measuring products packaged on volumetric filling machines.
• Explain how liquid volumetric filling is controlled.

Chapter 8: Filling by Count

Topics: Filling by count; Flat plate and disk sorters; Column measuring; Electronic counting; Strip, blister packaging machines; Cottoning devices

Learning Objectives:

• Give examples of products that are commonly packaged by count.
• Describe three methods of counting product in a fill by count machine.
• Define the term strip packaging, name its two classifications.
• Give an example of a product packaged by each of the two strip packaging methods.

Chapter 9: Positive Displacement Filling

Topics: Controlling the fill; Automatic and manual filling machines; Timing control; Continuous motion filling machines; Rotary filling; Maintenance

Learning Objectives:

• Trace the positive displacement filling cycle.
• Name the kinds of pumps used to fill containers on positive displacement filling machines.
• Describe the controls associated with positive displacement filling systems.
• List important points in the maintenance of positive displacement filling machines.

Chapter 10: Blister Packing

Topics: Blister films and cards; Reducing blister failures; Test procedures; Seal examination and evaluation; Product compatibility; Blister forming and sealing

Learning Objectives:

• Define the term thermoforming.
• Describe the film and card materials commonly used in blister packing.
• Give several examples of problems that can cause blister failures.
• Describe the tests and evaluations performed on blister package seals.
• Tell what kind of film is most often used with inline blister forming machines.

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