Given the significant growth of technology and innovation in today’s world, many of the products we need are produced by factories and companies that specialize in a specific industry (e.g., food, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, etc.). These manufacturers require high-quality, up-to-date equipment and tools to meet the required hygiene standards and set regulations for packaging and delivering their products to the market. One of these machines, which has wide applications in various industries, is the liquid filling machine. In this article, we aim to explore the different types of liquid filling mechanisms to familiarize you with this topic.
Types of filling mechanisms in liquid filling machines
In general, a liquid filling machine is a tool used to transfer various liquids, regardless of their viscosity, into containers and package them. In the article “What is a Liquid Filling Machine?”, we thoroughly discussed this topic and introduced its types. Now, we will explore the mechanisms used in these machines:
- Gear pump
- Overflow
- Piston cylinder
How the gear pump mechanism works in liquid filling machines
The gear pump liquid filling machine is one of the types of filling mechanisms, where the pump operates by drawing the liquid from the collector using nozzles and injecting it into the container. By adjusting the pump’s operation time, the volume of liquid injected into the container can be determined. This type of mechanism is primarily used for semi-viscous materials, such as edible and industrial oils, as well as thin liquids that do not foam.
Now, you might think that the mechanism of this machine is very simple, but the opposite is true, as several factors will affect its operation. Some of these factors include:
- The change in liquid density due to temperature variation, which causes more or less liquid to be injected into the container within a fixed time.
- The greater the volume of material inside the tank, the higher the pressure on the pump, which causes a larger volume of material to pass through the pump in a fixed amount of time.
- The change in the concentration of the material will also affect the volume of the material pumped per unit of time.
But what can be done to resolve and prevent these issues? Our recommendation is to first install a small capacity feed tank between the storage tank and the machine, so that any changes in the liquid volume do not significantly affect the pump. Secondly, it is advisable to adjust the machine through trial and error at the beginning of each working day to identify and address any issues.
How the overflow mechanism works in liquid filling machines
If you want to fill your thin products with the same volume into bottles, the overflow liquid filling machine will be the most suitable option for you. This is one of the types of liquid filling mechanisms used for thin liquids as well as foaming liquids such as water, oil, beverages like soft drinks and juices, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, chemicals, and more.
The way the overflow mechanism works in liquid filling machines is that the nozzle is placed on the bottle and, using a pump, fills the liquid by gravity to the same height. The nozzles of this machine are positioned in such a way on the bottle opening that the air entry is sealed, preventing the product from being damaged.
How the piston cylinder mechanism works in liquid filling machines
If your products are thick liquids with lower fluidity, this machine will be suitable for you. Since the concentration of liquids and high viscosity (resistance to flow) slow down the transfer process, other types of liquid filling mechanisms are not suitable for them, and the piston cylinder mechanism should be used to transfer thick liquids easily.
In this machine, the cylinder contains a chamber in which the piston moves back and forth. A three-way valve is placed at the piston opening. When the piston moves back, the path to the feeding tank opens into the cylinder, and when it moves forward, the path from the cylinder to the nozzles opens, helping transfer the liquid into the containers.
Final Words
Liquid filling machines are essential and widely used devices in production and packaging lines, and understanding their types and mechanisms is crucial for both managers and factory employees. Therefore, in this article, we have thoroughly explained the various liquid filling mechanisms so you can identify the right machine for your production facility or factory.
Liquid filling machines are generally categorized into three mechanisms: piston-cylinder, gear pump, and overflow. The piston-cylinder machine is suitable for thick liquids with high viscosity, the gear pump machine is ideal for semi-thick liquids, and the overflow machine is best for thin and foaming liquids.
Frequently Asked Questions
✅ Can a liquid filling machine be used for both thick and thin liquids?
Yes; with a piston cylinder mechanism liquid filling machine, this will be possible. The gear pump liquid filling machine can also be custom-made as a thick-liquid filler to fill both thick and thin liquids.
✅How many types of filling mechanisms are there in liquid filling machines?
The types of mechanisms for liquid filling machines include: gear pump mechanism, overflow mechanism, and piston cylinder mechanism.
✅ What type of device is suitable for home businesses and small workshops?
For small and home-based businesses and workshops with relatively low production, manual or semi-automatic liquid filling machines would be suitable.