A new bottle packaging machine claims to allow for efficient and consistent packaging lines that remain jam-free, according to its manufacturer Standard-Knapp.

The new Bottle Laner, introduced yesterday by the leading packaging machinery firm, is designed to handle a variety of different bottles, including non-round and unstable containers.

It can be used in a number of different application areas, including food and beverage, personal care, and household chemical, said Standard-Knapp.

The Bottle Laner, which claims to be virtually maintenance-free, is designed to distribute bottles from single-file line to multiple lanes. It is also able to redistribute two lanes into three or more, which allows for more efficient bottle packing, said its manufacturer.

It added that its new machine "actuates payout of a specific quantity of containers to the downstream lanes, ensuring the lines remain steadily supplied and balanced".

The Bottle Laner, which is powered by a servo drive and timing belt, claims to have a "quick and easy" changeover in a matter of minutes, through the use of a "user-friendly" touch-screen.

The new machine can be integrated with a case packer or remain free-standing.

According to Standard-Knapp, a smart sensor counts each bottle or container that passes through the machine. This guarantees line balance and prevents damaging jams, it said.

Other new machinery introduced by the company earlier this year includes a new Positron machine that can pack carbonated, non-carbonated or hot drink-filled polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottles in corrugated or iron trays. The company said it can place PET bottles into crates at speeds of up to 60 crates a minute.

In addition, Standard-Knapp introduced its Zero-Gap II infeed monitor, which is engineered to eliminate line jams by distributing product from a nested position to multiple lanes at speeds up to 2,000 bottles per minute. It employs electronic sensors, which are said to monitor and control product movement, reducing downtime. The monitor is able to maintain a constant low line pressure, without causing blockages, the company claimed.