Equipment manufacturer NJM Packaging has revamped its Beltorque capper, to be launched at Pack Expo/Pharma Expo in Las Vegas, US, in September.
Capable of capping up to 300 bottles a minute, the capper has a new servo-driven, patent-pending cap elevator-feeder.
The speed of the continuous-motion device has been increased by 50% with adjustable cleats and indexes.
The capper, suitable for pharmaceuticals, nutraceuticals, cosmetics and personal care products, foods and beverages, among others, is stated to accommodate easy and accurate changeovers in less than five minutes.
Based on simple mechanics, fast changeovers and low maintenance, the machine is said to cut cost of ownership and raise product quality with precise torque and gentle handling.
As against conventional in-line cappers putting to use discs or spindles, the new machine matches the speed of complex rotary ones with two pairs of belts to gently rotate and tighten caps.
The technology has been designed in such a way that the linear displacement speed with which the container moves on the belt is in sync with the rotating motion of the closure. As a result, it prevents the cap from slippage, leakage and damage due to knurling.
The device can work on round, oval, square and rectangular bottles made of plastic or glass from 2 to 12 inches in height and 0.5 to 7 inches in diameter, along with plastic or metal caps up to 4.75 inches in diameter.
Besides, flip-top screw caps, gear-shaped and rubberized arthritis screw caps, and snap-caps can be handled by the Beltorque capper.
There is also a provision for torque reader to take note of torque applied and effect rejection for removing capped bottles that do not meet the given specifications. It displays the data of the last 30 containers on the touchscreen control panel.
