Combiner

The machine accepts bottles fed from two production lines, and combines them into a single stream so eliminating the need to duplicate downstream inspection and packing equipment.

The combining is achieved using starwheels and associated guiderails to control and filter the containers into single file by adjusting the out-of-phase relationship between, the opposing starwheel fingers. If one of the infeed lines is starved of bottles the other runs at twice it's normal speed to maintain the same throughput.

The machine would normally combine on a one-to-one basis but different combinations of bottles can be combined, i.e. it can release typically two containers from one line and one from the other, if such a pack was required.

The unit is supplied complete with outboard guiderails and a bridge facility to support a central guiderail.