Sacmi solutions for ultra-clean filling processes
Ciel, one of the major water-bottling companies operating in Morocco, has been supplied with the new integrated rinser-filler-capper monoblock unit. The Ciel brand – part of the Coca-Cola Group – has purchased the first monoblock filler unit 12-12-4 ALF produced by Sacmi Filling. Developed in order to bring together rinser, filler and capper functions in one machine, the monoblock unit permits the complete automation of the bottling line, and guarantees maximum operational flexibility, reliability and precision, and a totally hygienic process.
The considerable interest shown in the bottling plant is the result of the monoblock’s specific characteristics, starting with the rapid procedure when changing bottle format: currently set up to handle 5l PET bottles, the system can be reset to handle various other formats (down to 500ml), depending on specific production and market requirements. The design features guaranteeing the efficiency of the bottling process, include the special neck gripper (see photo), which enables even larger format bottles to be handled easily (containers up to 282mm, with a neck of 38mm), while the rapidity and efficiency of the sanitisation system are facilitated by the special ultra-clean filter that directs a totally sterile laminar flow of air through the monoblock unit.
Intelligent load cells guarantee the continuous, accurate control of each bottle’s weight, with all electronic components placed beneath the filler to ensure they may be accessed and cleaned when required. An ergonomic design and ease of maintenance are features also of the plant’s stainless steel cover which provides the operator with full access to the upper section of the capper. The special dual-speed filler valves with their innovative design (to prevent any kind of leakage or dripping), maximise the plant’s productivity, while a further guarantee of process efficiency is provided by the special transversal-flow, contactless filling system.
The integrated, compact unit supplied is fitted with a rinsing tower, guaranteeing the highest hygienic standards: this operates in line with the capper, specially designed by Sacmi to handle all types of cap (flat caps and sport caps, as well as aluminium screwcaps, crowncaps and snapcaps). Thanks to this important supply, Sacmi has created another important technological partnership with one of the world’s major soft-drinks bottling companies, Ciel, which is rapidly expanding in the Moroccan market and is also an important player in other international markets, from Angola to Mexico where the brand was established in 1996.
