Cappers

As a key machine-type used by manufacturers in the consumer packaged goods (CPG) market, capping systems continue to evolve to meet customer preferences. At their most basic, they’re used to apply airtight caps that enhance the shelf life of products in bottles, and protect the contents from contamination. Beyond that, they also provide a unique piece of packaging real estate to increase visibility on store shelves. It's no wonder that capping machines can have a major impact on CPG companies’ success.

Perhaps the most common application for capping equipment is on liquid filling lines, where the machines apply caps or other closures to bottles. Various types of capping equipment are used in the industry. Crown cappers are machines that apply metal crown seals, also known as crown corks, over the tops of bottles, such as in beer bottle capping. Roll-on cappers are used to apply aluminum roll-on pilfer proof (ROPP) caps for tamper-evident sealing, such as aluminum caps for non-alcoholic sparkling grape juice. Press-on cappers are specialized machines that apply snap-on or push-on closures to the mouth of a container, such as child-proof aspirin bottles.

Other widely used types of capping equipment include screw cappers, which apply threaded plastic caps that are twisted down to a set torque, such as plastic capping for most soda bottles. Overcappers are packaging machines that apply outside caps over a container with a plug, pump, or other type of seal, such as a protective cap applied to a pump hairspray product. Retorquers are machines that tighten lug or screw cap closures into the body of a product after the closure has been placed over the open mouth, in applications like tightening a nozzle closure into the bottle of a plastic bottle of household cleaner.

There are numerous considerations used to evaluate capping equipment, most notably secure sealing. For non-absorbent, solid containers such as e-liquid bottles and beverage cans, in-line cappers are crucial. They’re designed to securely close all sizes of containers with lids and closures that provide strong sealing capabilities, preventing product spillage and spoilage.

Some applications require a rather sophisticated capping mechanism. Aseptic capping equipment is one such example. It’s a must for any CPG product that needs to be kept air-tight, sanitary, or requires a high level of accuracy in their labeling, such as cosmetics and medications. To safely achieve optimal efficiency, manufacturers should consider using these cappers to apply the lids in a specially designed, well-controlled environment. This helps manufacturers to guarantee that their product packaging and labeling meets all relevant safety regulations.

Certain product categories, such as chemical products, require capping machinery like crimp cappers or snap-on capping equipment that can be used to apply closures such as leak-proof screw caps, flip caps, and safety caps. These provide strong seals that mitigate spillage or damage during shipment and long-term storage. These are ideal for companies whose products' viability and livelihoods rest on their packaging’s integrity, withstanding extended shipping periods, changes in air quality or other volatile external elements.

Lastly, there are manufacturers who require capping machines to apply tamper seals, often using by heat-sealing methods. This provides consumers with a level of reassurance, with a prominently placed visible seal on their products to indicate that their CPG product has not been tampered with in the time since leaving the production facility.

For CPG companies, co-packers and bottlers alike, capping machines offer more than applying a closure on a bottle in a cost-effective manner. They’re an additional means by which you can grow and protect a brand’s reputation, while ensuring that customers receive the highest quality product.

PPMI’s ProSource directory provides you with access to our trusted partners that manufacture and supply capping machines and related systems. Browse through our catalog today, and find the capper that keeps your production line competitive.