Superbloc®: the bottling revolution created by MBF

Evolution Bottling and Packaging Solutions are the UK and Ireland partner of world renowned manufacturer of technologically advanced bottling machinery for the wine and spirits sector.

The MBF Superbloc® is one of those revolutionary technological solutions, which has become a reference model in the bottling market over the years. It is a compact, complete and customised line that integrates several solutions in a single machine: rinser, filler, cork and screw capper, capsulator and labeller. As a result it provides consistent production, which delivers greater efficiency and technical performance, than a traditional line.

This bottling line considerably reduces energy and management costs as the compact machine configuration allows fewer operators, thus increasing both efficiency and reliability, but above all, allowing better product traceability and quality.

This solution is ideal for all levels of production, and can therefore be of interest to both large wineries (multinational groups or cooperatives) and medium-small ones. It will therefore range from productions of 6,000 bottles/h to over 30,000 bottles/h. The Superbloc® MBF is a solution that is appreciated worldwide by both wine and spirits producers.

In addition to the absence of belts and accumulations, the simplicity and practicality of use allow better organisation of the operating space and optimisation of maintenance.

This solution allows considerable energy savings, placing the Superbloc amongst the most energy-conscious lines.

Superbloc allows traceability during all stages, from rinsing to bottle labelling.   All this leads to constant control and high quality of the final product.  In addition, due to the configuration, bottles are always guided, reducing the noise level considerably when compared to a traditional installation.

Emphasise your commitment to sustainability with Serac’s ESL Combox

Serving the UK and Ireland Markets via Evolution BPS, dairy packaging specialist Serac combines PET bottle blowing and pulsed light decontamination in a single machine: the ESL Combox.

 This machine has already won over several dairies by enabling them to emphasize their commitment to sustainability while offering consumers a longer shelf life.

A reduction up to 3-logs without chemicals

By combining the blowing of bottles in a controlled environment just before filling and pulsed light treatment of necks and caps, it is possible to achieve a 3-log decontamination on containers. This level of decontamination can be enough for several applications to significantly extend the shelf life. For example, Serac’s ESL Combox is used for fresh white milk with a 30 days shelf life, or for drinking yogurts with a 60 days shelf life in Asia.

 Pulsed light is a fast and efficient decontamination method. It destroys the cell membrane of microorganisms and degrades their DNA in less than a millisecond. Using neither water nor chemicals, pulsed light allows dairies to guarantee the absence of treatment residues in the packaging and to better manage water resources, both in terms of consumption and effluents.

A lighter carbon footprint

Short supply chains are increasingly appealing to consumers who are sensitive to the carbon footprint of the products they buy. And from this point of view, PET bottles have arguments to put forward, especially in comparison with glass.

 Their manufacturing requires much less energy and their lightness has a direct impact on the transportation part of GHG emissions. This impact is reinforced when bottles are blown just before filling, since the preforms are 5 times smaller.

 Moreover, with the development of the rPET value stream, these bottles can be recycled in a circular system. At this last stage, the PET bottle will still make the difference with glass in terms of energy consumed.

 All this in a compact and very flexible machine

The ESL Combox combines the blowing, filling and capping functions in a single unit with a footprint up to 25% smaller than that of a conventional filling line.

 It is capable of blowing round, rectangular, oval or complex shaped bottles, ranging from 250 ml to 2 liters. And its patented positive neck transfer system allows different shapes and sizes of bottles to be filled on the same machine, with very short changeover times.  Designed for low to medium output, it is ideal for local production units.

 Evolution Bottling and Packaging Solutions is the UK distributer for Serac Equipment. With this new version of its Combox, Evolution and Serac provide a packaging solution adapted to the changes in consumer behavior, driven by the trend towards ethical and sustainable products.

Evolving End of Line Technology for Contract Wine Bottler in UK.

Evolution Bottling and Packaging Solutions and Italian manufacturer TMG Impianti have recently installed and commissioned a new 24,000 bph depalletiser, palletiser and stretch wrapper for one of the UKs biggest Contract Bottlers and Packers of Wine in the North of England.

The Depalletisation system installed comprises the Vega 120A depalletiser and ancillary devices all designed, produced and tested in house by TMG. The pallets are transported automatically to the unloading/de-shrouding station area where a series of controlled devices remove the top tray to a magazine where the inverted tray has its corners broken to increase storage capacity. The Palletiser has a gripper system which firmly holds the plastic interlayer pad whilst the dual bottle clamping system simultaneously sweeps the top layer of bottles whilst  holding the layers below.

In addition, the line includes a High Level Palletiser also from Evolution and TMG.  The machine incorporates a multiple lane infeed system with slip sheet interlayer capability, maintaining stable and accurate pallet builds even at high speeds.   The integrated pallet tracking conveyor system interfaces with a pallet printer located after the automated ring type stretch wrapper which concludes the line.

Despite the advanced technology of the overall system and the high level of automation used, its ease of use means that it does not require highly specialised personnel.

The versatility of the machine means that it can be configured to adapt to the logistical requirements of the installation area, even in environments with high standards of cleanliness and hygiene.

The equipment was installed and commissioned by Evolution’s team of UK based engineers, working in conjunction with our Italian partners at TMG.

Evolution BPS work in partnership with a selected group of Italian based equipment manufacturers. In addition to TMG, the Evolution portfolio includes MBF Rinsers, Fillers and Cappers; P.E. Labellers for all types of labelling machines; Robino & Galandrino for capsuling and wirehooding machines; and Logics & Controls highly advanced inspection systems for fill level, label, empty bottle and closure inspection. Evolution’s team of UK based Engineers work in tandem with their Customer Service team to offer first class after sales and technical support.

Evolving End of Line Technology at Whyte and Mackay

Evolution Bottling and Packaging Solutions and Italian manufacturer TMG Impianti recently installed and commissioned a new 9,000 bph tube depalletiser and high level palletiser enhancing Whyte and Mackay’s packaging automation.

Award-winning whisky makers, with over 175 years heritage and fifth largest maker Whyte and Mackay produce exceptional premium whiskies from their five distilleries across Scotland, which are celebrated around the world. Recent enhancements to their packaging site in Grangemouth has included a bespokely configured tube depalletiser installed and commissioned by Evolution BPS’ team of UK based Engineers in conjunction with the manufacturer TMG Impianti.

Whyte and Mackay required a solution to effectively depalletise traditional unstable, lightweight, gift tubes as well as an end of line palletising solution able to handle high numbers of SKU combinations. Flexibility was key to the project with over 20 types of bottles to be handled and 4 types of cardboard containers.

The Tube Depalletisation system installed comprises the Vega 60 depalletiser and ancillary devices all designed, produced and tested in house by TMG. The machine is equipped with a pneumatic device to remove the plastic interlayer from the pallet when the layer is being moved. As well as integrating the new equipment with the existing line, the supply also included ancillaries: full and empty pallet conveying system, allocation system, protection systems and accident prevention devices.

Despite the advanced technology of the overall system and the high level of automation used, its ease of use means that it does not require highly specialised personnel.

The versatility and compact design of the machine means that it can be configured to adapt to the logistical requirements of the installation area, even in fairly small spaces, and with high standards of cleanliness and hygiene.

The pallets are transported automatically to the unloading area and raised up where a series of controlled devices remove the layer, transfer it to the evacuation conveyor whilst keeping the products resting on the bottom. To ensure the layer is successfully shifted sideways, a dual-gripper system blocks the interlayer separator on which the products are resting.

In addition, the line is completed with a new High Level Palletiser also from Evolution and TMG. Also included in the supply was a spiralveyor to transfer cases to the High Level Palletiser offering flexibility on pallet builds with High levels of accuracy and repeatability as part of a thoroughly utilised high speed line.

Talking of the partnership with Evolution BPS and TMG, Engineering Project Manager Alan Donaldson says “This was an extremely challenging project involving various OEM`s and allowed us the opportunity to further develop the growing partnership between Evolution & their Italian based suppliers. Despite the negative impacts of Covid-19 & the subsequent restrictions on travel, Evolution and TMG were able to adapt to new ways of working & support new timelines through to the successful completion of the project”

BRUICHLADDICH SELECT INSPECTION FROM EVOLUTION

Evolution Bottling & Packaging Solutions have recently worked with Logics & Controls to supply the LOGILOOK HP advanced camera inspection system to Islay based spirits producer Bruichladdich, part of the Remy Cointreau group.

Installed and commissioned by Evolution’s UK based Engineers the machine is inspecting to a high degree of precision the bottle dressing on their malt line, complemented by Logisort with diverter for gentle movement of rejected bottles and can operate to 12,000 bph. The success of this project has since led Bruichladdich to order a further LOGILOOK machine due for installation on their Botanist line during 2023.

Logics & Controls have over 30 years experience in the design and manufacture of in-line inspection and control systems for bottling, food, pharmaceutical, perfume and detergent sectors. Their range of systems are suitable for inspection at every stage of the production line starting from empty container inspection, through the fill level check, correct closure check, label application inspection, up to checking the weight of the carton.

LOGILOOK is the only system which can fully inspect label quality using a single camera, not dependent on the bottle’s orientation, therefore contemporaneously acquiring the complete bottle exterior in a single image. This exciting technology, which can operate on lines up to 36,000 bph,  eliminates the common problem of merging multiple images, capturing all the required detail in a single clear image. LOGILOOK will confirm label presence, orientation, relative position to each other and to bottle embossing. Furthermore it will locate and read bar codes, lot codes, label codes, and other graphical markings, printed in both inkjet and laser down to minute scale. Writing, images, and backgrounds of different colours or tonalities can also be verified precisely.

 Logics & Controls products are highly adaptable to the specific requirements of each user and have precision levels that consistently exceed customer's expectations. In addition they are renowned for their capacity to design and develop bespoke checks dedicated to customers specific needs. The Logics & Controls range is extremely user friendly and easy to operate, but where support is needed Evolution BPS will be on hand to deliver technical back up from their UK based team of engineers. Additionally users have access to Logics & Controls online support, offering immediate technical advice whenever needed.

 All the inspection systems can be stand-alone systems and can operate either soft push ejection devices or progressive diverters for gentle movement of the container. The reliability, precision and ease of use of Logics’ systems has led to the growth of their reputation internationally whereby their technology is employed by premium brands in excess of 50 countries around the world.

 The Logics range complements the Evolution reputation for provision of innovative solutions, in particular they have identified that the bottling sector has some unique needs that traditional standard cameras only partially solve. The technology employed by Logics & Controls uniquely enhances the camera with a series of special optical units that revolutionise the camera inspection of empty bottles and full bottles.

Speaking of the project Bruichladdich Bottling Operations Manager Jonathan Carmichael : “Due to the remote geographical location of Bruichladdich Distillery, and as producers of premium spirits, we need to be sure the equipment we use is reliable and that we have the technical support should we need it.  The Logilook system installed recently gives us that peace of mind and the professionalism of Evolution during the whole process of ordering through to the install was exemplary.   We have just placed an order for a second one”

Testament to their premium quality, Logics & Controls technology is extensively adopted in the Champagne sector, demonstrating its suitability for all products that require a high degree of product integrity combined with visual perfection. Accordingly, in addition to the traditional inspection and level control systems, LOGILOOK is increasingly being considered in the UK by premium brands across the drinks sector.

Evolution of Bottling at Black Sheep Brewery

Evolution Bottling and Packaging Solutions have recently installed and commissioned a new 6,000 bph Bottling Line at Black Sheep Brewery, Masham, North Yorkshire.

Black Sheep Brewery have a long heritage in independent beer production, founded in 1992 by Paul Theakston and now managed by son Rob.   Recent expansion of their operations includes a new Bottling Line Installed and Commissioned by Evolution Bottling and Packaging Solution’s team of UK based Engineers.

At the heart of the Beer Filling line is an MBF Rinser Filler, Crown Capper, filling 500ml glass bottles.   Filling represents a critical stage in the life cycle of Beer, and for this reason it must be managed with competence and accuracy, maintaining product integrity throughout.  MBF are renowned experts in the careful management of delicate products through the filling process.

The 6,000 bottle per hour machine is supplied with adjustable Change Parts and Universal Transfer Scrolls to accommodate a range of cylindrical bottle sizes. The semi-automatic Clean in Place system facilitates efficient sanitisation between products and importantly occurs without the use of dummy bottles.

An automatic rotary modular labeller from P.E. Labellers provides three self adhesive labelling stations for the efficient application of front, back and neck labels.  The modular design brings a degree of future proofing whereby labelling stations can be added or changed to accommodate different labelling requirements. 

Conveyoring and line control was also supplied by Evolution BPS, whose Engineers installed and commissioned the line. 

Talking of the partnership with Evolution BPS, Managing Director Rob Theakston says “We wanted a Machine that was flexible in terms of pack types given the market, service and maintenance is really important so having a UK based support team in Evolution was critical to us, and we are delighted with the relationship we have forged with Evolution”

Evolution of QAS Group

A new spirits facility that allows bottling and packaging from small volumes in single casks to 30,000 litre tankers has been installed by QAS Group in Kirkcaldy, Fife.

 Working predominantly in the spirit drinks industry QAS’ state-of-the-art bottling facility can accommodate delivery of cask, drum, IBC or tanker and can store, blend and prepare all spirit types, pre-bottling. Bottling capabilities consist of manual, semi-automatic and automatic bottling-lines catering for all production run-sizes, from single cask short-runs to multi-case long-runs covering a wide range of bottle shapes and sizes from 3cl and 5cl miniatures to 6ltr bottles. Services include but are not limited to bottle sleeving, bonded rework and luxury gift packing, warehousing, and transport.

 The facility hosts a new 1,800 Bottling and Packaging line provided, installed and commissioned by Evolution Bottling and packaging Solutions.

Example of MBF Rinser, Filler, Capper.

 At the heart of QAS’ 1,800 bottle per hour line is a nine head MBF Synchrofill Rinser, Filler, Capper Block supplied with adjustable Change Parts and Universal Transfer Scrolls to accommodate a range of cylindrical bottle sizes and certain shaped bottles. The semi-automatic Clean in Place system facilitates efficient sanitisation between products and importantly occurs without the use of dummy bottles.

 Secondary sealing of the bottle caps is provided by a Robino and Galandrino capsulator predisposed for PVC, tin and polylaminate capsules.

 An automatic rotary modular labeller from P.E. Labellers provides three self adhesive labelling stations for the efficient application of front, back and neck labels with optical orientation.  The modular design brings a degree of future proofing whereby labelling stations can be added or changed to accommodate different labelling requirements. 

 The line also includes a case sealer from TMG and a case weigher from Logics and Controls.

 Conveyoring and line control was also supplied by Evolution BPS, whose Scotland based team of Engineers installed and commissioned the line. 

 Talking of the partnership with Evolution BPS, Director David Harris says “I have worked with Evolution on many projects over the last 10 years or so and always found them to be thorough, professional and a good company to work with.”

 Evolution BPS are expert in the supply of equipment to the Spirit Bottling Industry and work in partnership with a selected group of Italian based equipment manufacturers. They are perfectly positioned to supply to the specific need of contract packers where flexibility and ease of changeover is key. Their team of UK based Engineers work in tandem with their Customer Service team to offer first class after sales and technical support.

Combox - Quality and Efficiency in Dairy Filling

Modularity and Innovation in Labelling Design

"Those who are most capable of adapting to changes survive and succeed." Charles Darwin.

PE LABELLERS has built its reputation on this key point and for almost 50 years now the market continues to prove it right.

 The PE group has built a strong world wide reputation as a leader in labelling, thanks to its ability to adapt labelling machines to the production needs of companies and meet the increasingly high-quality standards imposed by the market.

Today the beverage industry, from wines to spirits, mineral waters to soft drinks, and beers to drinkable yoghurts, demands a level of competence and flexibility that can be satisfied not only through a modular approach. Making an early move, PE responds with smart Innovation Design solutions. These comprise rotary labelling machines combined with independent self-adhesive stations, cold glue, for fiscal and guarantee seals. In addition, there are linear sleeve models with thermo-retraction tunnels. It also offers special optional solutions such as optical guidance systems, labelling controls, to verify the correct position of the applied labels.

 The concept of modularity is extended to every component of the machines, designed in ergonomic solutions and strongly focused on energy savings. This is why many companies in the markets find in PE machines an effective solution, which results in real savings and the economic optimisation of their production lines. It is therefore not surprising that besides beverages, PE Labellers services the food & dairy, personal and homecare, and chemical and pharmaceutical industries worldwide.

 Whatever the automated solution proposed, the key point remains absolute flexibility in combining the different labelling technologies: pre-cut with hot glue, hot glue reels, cold glue reels, hybrid labelling solutions.

Contact us HERE to find out more.

Introducing Miniblock - Wine Filling Technology

Evolution BPS are excited to bring to UK Wine Producers the latest innovation from their partner MBF SpA.  MBF are world renowned for developing innovative bottling solutions for medium and large-sized wine and spirits producers, they have decided to extend their market to smaller wineries with the creation of the Miniblock.  These are monoblocs dedicated to the wine sector which include Rinsers, Fillers and Cappers that do not exceed 3000 b/h and boast the same advanced technology that characterises the entire MBF range.  

To offer a solution for wineries with lower annual production levels, MBF has created a compact,  high performance machine combining ease of use with minimum maintenance.

Thanks to this solution, these wineries now have a compact system at their disposal, capable of respecting their wine as much as possible.  With Miniblock special attention is paid to minimising the increase in dissolved oxygen pick up and to maintaining product integrity throughout the filling process.

The MBF Miniblock is equipped with a 316 stainless steel filling valve without a seal at the tip,  inert gas injection into the bottle before filling ensures maximum protection of the product from oxygen absorption.

 The turret is equipped with a CIP system for sanitisation with the aid of dummy bottles.

 At the capping phase, the Miniblock provides both the single-head capping turret for straight corks equipped with hopper and channel for feeding caps with a centrifugal system aimed at minimising the formation of dust, and the single-head for screw caps (standard or StelvinLux), equipped with vibrating bowl including capsule level sensor and distribution of the caps at the mouth of the channel.

Different bottle formats can be accommodated with standard or adjustable stars, ensuring a quick and easy format change.

The Miniblock, with a solid construction in stainless steel, can also be equipped with a series of options designed to meet the different needs of customers.