Made for SMEs

A NEW series of fillers is targeted at small and medium-sized companies in the wine and  sparkling  wine sector, after having found acceptance in the brewing and soft drinks sectors. The Innofill Glass Micro KHS recently launched for the wine and sparkling wine sector can be fitted with 24 to 60 filling stations and fill between 3,000 and 20,000 bottles per hour, these holding from 0.1 to 2 litres. Both glass and PET bottles (optional) can be processed. The machine, available in three different sizes, can be used as a platform for various computer-controlled KHS filling machinery.

In the wine and sparkling wine trade, the need for hygienic, top-quality filling systems for the low to medium capacity range is constantly growing worldwide. KHS said that customers who procure an Innofill Glass Micro machine will profit from their vast filling technology experience.

Many of the tried - and - tested components found in high  capacity machines are utilised here, amongst them the filling systems, drive and control technologies, capping and corking elements, rinsing stations, and lifting elements. Plant operators will also benefit from the use of a number of  highly developed KHS technologies which can give them the added extras of very low oxygen filling with low consumption of CO2 and extremely high filling accuracies, for example.

The DPG Trinox filling system  has been implemented here, permitting both balanced pressure and pressurised filling. Operators can switch between the two by simply pressing a button. Prior to filling, single or multiple pre-evacuation is possible with an interim purge of CO 2  or nitrogen. If pressure filling is selected, there is a pressurisation process before filling begins.

During filling, the product is deflected down the inside walls of the bottle via a swirler gas lock; the plastic spreader rings previously used as a deflecting system and which protruded into the bottle neck are no longer needed, ensuring maximum hygiene and  product  safety. The  filling  phase  is completed when the product rising in the bottle closes the return gas tube. Another important aspect is that product, gas, and CIP media are fed in through hygienic seals, membranes, and expansion joints that prevent the formation of any deposits or biofilm.

Precise fill levels are achieved: from the Trinox channel a pressure is built up on the level of the product in the previously overfilled bottle which is 0.3 to 0.5 bars higher than the set filling pressure, both in the case of balanced pressure and pressurised filling. This positive pressure ensures that excess liquid is forced gently back into the ring bowl through the Trinox tube positioned in the centre of the bottle and filling valve. The process ends exactly at the moment that reduces the complexity and maintenance of the machine, the number of spare parts needed, and costs for operation. Up to three different closure systems – natural corks, aluminium screw caps or PE stoppers, and an upstream rinser can be monoblocked with the filler. All told, this Innofill Glass Micro DPG Trinox is said to provide outstanding filling quality whilst helping  to  save  both  product and  costs. In addition, it is also extremely flexible, easy to changeover, and consistent in its hygienic design.
a minimum defined gap is produced between the level of the product and the end of the Trinox tube. The extremely precise fill levels produced by this technology help to save money for product and also allow natural corks to be processed.

Another huge plus of the Innofill Glass Micro is KHS’ twin-valve control system wherein  twNike Air Max