Bottling Beer
Case Packing
Case packing is done manually or by case erectors and packers. Two people standing at a discharge table can pack up to 100 BPM. This assumes that empty cases are within easy reach and that another person closes and stacks the case. For rates above 100 BPM, an automatic case erector and packer are required. A case packer has a linear collection table on which the bottles are automatically placed in ranks that match the packing pattern in the case. A conveyor supplies the packer with the empty shipping cases, and from the packer the conveyor carries the filled cases to the palletizing area.
Case Sealing
Once the case is packed, it is sealed. In craft breweries, case sealing is done manually; in larger breweries, it is done automatically.
Warehousing
If the palletized load of beer is to be warehoused, the temperature of the beer should not exceed 3 degrees C (37°F). Care should be taken to avoid damage from fork trucks, and excessive heights should be avoided in stacking of pallets.
Packaging Line Design
Package conveyor systems should include accumulation tables. Accumulation before or after a certain process is needed to allow continued operation of other machines.
Click on the following topics for more information on bottling beer.
