German filling specialist recently claimed a “new dawn” in filling technology with the extension of its Innofill Glass filling platform to wine and spirits, as well as the launch of the two new filling machines.
Highlights of the Innofill Glass DNRT platform (pictured) KHS said, included a hygienic design, increased line availability, cuts in media and energy consumption, and lower servicing and maintenance costs.
Beaten sales expectations
The first KHS filling system designed to use this platform was the Innofill Glass DRS-ZMS pressure filler, specifically for beer and soft drinks, and the firm said this had beaten sales expectations.
“Designed to suit a whole host of applications…the wine, sparkling wine and spirits trade is now set to profit from the many positive aspects of Innofill Glass,” KHS added.
Platform features include wear-free and lubrication-free components, bottle transfer without a front table, a lightweight tubular ring bowl, compact filling valves, the ability to perform fast, tool-free part changeovers, space-saving valve manifolds and a modular vacuum pump concept.
KHS is also launching two new filling systems for wines and spirits, which can both process bottles ranging from 100ml to three litres, with outputs ranging from 10,000 to 72,000 glass bottles per hour.
Infinitely variable fill levels
Both new fillers use KHS Trinox technology to ensure precise filling levels – newly optimised to feature infinitely variable fill level adjustment – that includes a tube adjustment area housed in a special sanitary room, which is automatically rinsed and sterilised together with the rest of the filler.
KHS said: “The Trinox process enables high-precision fill levels to be achieved with standard deviations of just one millimeter or less. This is a huge plus – especially for high-quality products such as wine, sparkling wine, and spirits.”
Aside from the new discharge system to cut product foaming, both fillers could be linked with up to three different closure systems, KHS said.
Ultraclean filling was also possible for sensitive products: non-alcoholic mixed or sparkling wine, for instance, the company added.