The star wheels are designed to eliminate changing the size within a certain bottle diameter range.

Instead of being characterised by the traditional pits, the size of which matches that of the bottle, such star wheels come with special grippers in highly shock-resistant non metallic material equipped with clamps which hold the bottle at three point locations, in this fashion they will always be positioned as compared to the original diameter of the star wheel.

When the bottle diameter varies, the grippers adjust although the “three contact points” remain the same.

In the case of very large diameter change in the package (exceeding 40 mm), the grippers, which are mounted on the star wheel with quickfit connections, are replaced.

This application may operate up to 60,000 BPH, and eliminates labor and downtime to change size.

Detail of machine interior

This machine belongs to the Twistline class and is designed to eliminate the residues of ferric oxide (rust) present in the bottlenecks of recycled glass bottles with crown caps. After being rotated in the input twist, the bottlenecks are inserted into a concentrated hydrochloric acid solution for a sufficient period to stabilise the ferric residue.

The bottles are conveyed to a section equipped with special rotary brushes which, by abrasion, clean the bottlenecks and are complemented by another high-pressure water jet rinse. The combined action of brushing and pressure washing leads to removing any existing rust rings from bottlenecks.

The treatment cycle is completed by a procedure where bottlenecks are rinsed in disposable water to eliminate the remaining residues.
Since hydrochloric acid is highly corrosive (and toxic) the machine is completely manufactured in acid-proof plastic material and type HASTELLOY steel.

A hood allows evacuation and neutralising the smoke produced inside the machine.