WATER

Bottled water fillers are divided into two categories.  They are machines designed for bottling still water and those designed for bottling carbonated water.

NON-CARBONATED WATER FILLERS

SMB Technik non-carbonated water fillers and closers use the model designation of "Combistar" followed by other designations which define the number of valves plus the number and type of closer heads.  So a Combistar 18K/6S is an 18 valve filler and 6 head screw capper in monoblock configuration.

The Combistar filler is a highly unique design which takes maximum speed advantage of the ease with which water can be bottled.  It is also one of the most sanitary designs available.  The disadvantage of most beverage fillers regarding water filling is that they have a float bowl at a fixed height for a given bottle.  The "force" which causes the water to flow from the bowl to the bottle is the liquid height difference between that in the bowl and that in the bottle.  It's a force which cannot be varied because the heights cannot be changed.  The Combistar does not have any bowl at all.  Rather, there is small vessel (15 liters) between the product supply tank and the filler.  A sensitive pressure regulator is used to adjust the pressure of the vessel head-space.  From the vessel, the water flows directly to the valve.  By changing the pressure on the vessel head-space, the rate of filling can be adjusted.  Within a very short period of experience, the operator determines the optimal setting for the container size, machine size, and bottling conditions.

The Combistar design is one of the most sanitary available.  The typical bowl filler returns the vent gas to the bowl.  There is always some foam which is pushed back into the bowl.  On the off change there is a contaminated bottle which comes into the machine, the contamination is returned to the bowl and fouls the entire bowl contents.  The Combistar vent gas returns to the center of the machine so that foam and overflow are discharged directly to the ground.  There is never any chance for contaminating the incoming product.

This design is particularly advantageous in areas, such as the European Community countries, that do not allow the use of ozone when bottling water.

There are a variety of closers available.  Some examples are 28 mm flat top plastic, 28 mm sport caps, and metal crown caps.

Machine sizes range from a 6/2 - filler/closer to a 40/8 filler/closer.  
Speed range for fillers is approximately 29 bpm to 200 bpm based upon a 16.9 oz. (500 ml) bottle.

CARBONATED WATER FILLERS

SMB Technik carbonated water fillers and closers use the model designation of "Multima" followed by other designations which define the number of valves plus the number and type of closer heads.  So a Multima 18K/6S is an 18 valve filler and 6 head screw capper in monoblock configuration. 

The standard valve for our water fillers is a special high flow design to maximize the machine speed.  Bottling carbonated water is the easiest among carbonated beverages because the foam is non-persistent.  This allows much higher flow rates during filling compared to such beverages as cola drinks and beer.

The machines are capable of filling either glass bottles or plastic bottles.  Any given machine can be outfitted to do one type, the other, or both.

There are a variety of closers available.  Some examples are 28 mm flat top plastic, 28 mm sport caps, and metal crown caps.

Machine sizes range from a 6/2 - filler/closer to a 40/8 filler/closer.  
Speed range for fillers is approximately 26 bpm to 200 bpm based upon a 16 oz. (473 ml) bottle.