In machine production, there are physical limits in machine production when trying to increase performance. In order to also ensure stable production in high-speed environments, Krones divides the bottle flow into two modular filling and capper units. For the very first time, this allows an output range of 100,000 containers per hour to be achieved while filling PET bottles.

At a glance

• Division of the bottle flow onto two filler and capper carrousels
• Infinitely adjustable control of the flow speed thanks to PFR* technology
• Services: Up to 100,000 containers per hour (in ErgoBloc L or Contiform Bloc BF)

Functional principle of the valve

Neck-handling grippers position the PET container beneath the filling valve. Once the container has been centred, the filling process starts: During this process, the PFR valve (Proportional Flow Regulator) is opened and the product flows into the bottle with infinitely variable speed. Once the required fill volume has been reached, the flow meter provides a signal to the PFR valve. The valve is now closed and the filling process completed. Dripping of the filling valve is prevented by a sieve in the product discharge.

Optional 

Additional channel for CIP cleaning

• Conductivity > 20 µS/cm 
• Viscosity < 10 mPa·s

The Capcade sorter takes on the task of sorting up to 100,000 caps per hour. Different technical optimisations make this increase in output possible. The caps are sorted, inspected, buffered and divided onto two capper carrousels. 

Technical details

• Efficient cascade sorter for cap sorting in high-speed environments
• Division of cap flow onto two capper carrousels after the accumulation table 
• Perfect inspection of the cap quality and optimum system buffer characteristics
• Low-level or raised machine installation 

Infinitely adjustable control thanks to PFR technology

The PFR valve (Proportional Flow Regulator) is a solution to control the product flow by means of an electronic controller and an integrated stepper motor. By regulating the product flow in front of the filling valve, products can be optimally adjusted to fit the bottle geometry. 

High-speed and stable performance

In order to fill 100,000 containers per hour, Krones did not simply increase the size of the machine, but instead divided the bottle flow onto two small filler and capper carrousels. This way, smaller physical forces influence production and the overall system performance is increased.