PETpla.net Insider 10 / 2013

BOTTLE MAKING 49 PET planet insider Vol. 14 No. 10/13 in a matter of minutes. The blow-trim process allows the customised jar line to run at normal production speeds, in sync with the filling line. “The fact that the blow-trim process works with existing blow- moulder equipment allows us to be very competitive,” says Waud. Still, the through-the- wall production process leaves scant margin for error in the jar finish. Despite its advantages, the blow-trim process is a demanding one, David Piccioli, Director, Global PET Technol- ogy Development notes. “This is no ordinary container. The process is more challenging than traditional reheat stretch blowmoulding. It is much more difficult to control the blown finish,” he points out. Concerns focus on mate- rial distribution in the body and thickness in the thread region. Jar finish is especially critical. Any interference or variation in the thread dimension makes it impossible to achieve the proper torque setting when applying the injection-moulded caps on the filling line. After capping and the hot-fill pro- cess, the jars are dipped in cooling water to hasten the drawing of a vacuum. A flaw in the finish can compromise the seal. The consequences, allowing cooling water into the jar, creating the potential for contamination, product spoil- age, or leakage, are all unac- ceptable. To ensure that every jar on the conveyor to the filling line is defect-free, Graham Save money, save weight: with krones LitePac and EvoLite. www.krones.com Graham Packaging uses the Agr Opti- Check inspection and measurement sys- tems to ensure that every jar conveyed to the customer filling line will meet exacting expectations.