Metal Packaging Cap Status and New Technology (I)

First, the bottle cap and its development trend

Faced with a wide variety of beverages and various types of alcoholic beverages on the market, its packaging has long been a bright spot to attract people's attention. Beautifully designed and chic bottles enhance them. Perhaps you have never noticed that in fact, the bottle cap - as a small part of the packaging - is equally critical to ensuring product quality and shaping product personality.

As part of the packaging, the bottle cap has two main functions: First, it is sealed and it protects the wine. This is the most basic function of the bottle cap, and it is also the most easy for the manufacturer to do; second is the aesthetics, As an integral part of the packaging, small caps can be the finishing touch. At present, some manufacturers in the selection of bottle caps, excessive emphasis on its anti-counterfeiting effect is closely related to its technical content, but the decisive role is not the product itself, but the state laws and regulations and consumer self-protection awareness. In recent years, the anti-counterfeiting of alcoholic products has become more and more important for manufacturers. As part of the packaging, bottle caps have also been developed for diversification and gentrification. Twist, open, sing, speak, and multiple security bottle caps are widely used by manufacturers. Although the function of anti-counterfeit bottle caps is constantly changing, there are two main types of materials used, namely, aluminum and plastic.

Throughout the world, wine bottle caps are characterized by richness and stability. Most of them use aluminum bottle caps, which are simple in appearance and finely made. The advanced printing technology makes them uniform in color and exquisite in design, giving people an exquisite and elegant feel. The style of the cap is more traditional, less variable. Such as the bottle cap of Scotch Whiskey, that pure black with golden text, giving people the feeling of simple, elegant, long-lasting enjoyment, played its due logo role.

Second, aluminum bottle caps and plastic caps dispute

(I) Development status of packaging caps in China

At present, most of the packaging of Chinese liquor, wine, liquor, and beverages is still based on glass bottles, so many bottle caps are made of aluminum. At present, there are tens of thousands of liquor production factories in China, including nearly 30 bottle cap production lines, which can produce nearly 100 kinds of bottle caps with a total output of more than 5 billion. According to relevant experts, China's anti-theft caps will increase at a rate of 10% per year. It is estimated that about 15 billion anti-theft caps will be needed in 2010, and about 53,500 to 60,000 tons of aluminum plates will be needed.

Since the mid-1990s, Coca-Cola PET bottled beverages have replaced plastic caps with aluminum caps, pushing plastic caps to the front of beverage packaging. Since then, many domestic packaging companies and beverage manufacturers have introduced foreign equipment and started mass production and application of plastic security covers. Today, lightweight and easy-to-open plastic anti-theft caps for beverage packaging are not only convenient for consumers, but also accelerate the development of the beverage industry.

At present, due to the fierce competition in the domestic beverage industry, many well-known companies are adopting the latest production technology and equipment, so that our country's capping machinery and plastic cap production technology has reached the world advanced level. World-renowned capping machines such as SACMI, Alcoa Husky, Demag, Nestal, and Engel have all entered China. At the same time, in the field of plastic cap production, the struggle between injection molding and compression molding has also opened the curtain. Technological innovation is undoubtedly the driving force for the rapid development of plastic anti-theft caps.

(B) Aluminum anti-theft caps

Aluminum anti-theft caps are made of high-quality special aluminum alloy materials and are mainly used for the packaging of alcoholic beverages, beverages (including steam, non-gas) and medicines and health products, and can meet special requirements such as high-temperature cooking and sterilization.

Aluminum bottle caps are often processed in production lines with a relatively high degree of automation. Therefore, the strength, elongation, and dimensional deviation of the materials are all very strict. Otherwise, cracks or creases may occur during processing. In order to ensure that the bottle cap is easy to print after forming, the bottle cap is required to have a flat plate surface without rolling marks, scratches, and stains. The commonly used alloys are 8011-H14, 3003-H16, etc., and the material thickness is generally 0.20 mm. ~0.23mm, width 449mm to 796mm. The aluminum bottle cap material can be produced by hot rolling or continuous casting and rolling, respectively, and cold rolling. At present, China's anti-theft capping production plants use continuous casting and continuous rolling blanks, which are superior to cast blanks.

(three) plastic anti-theft caps

The structure of plastic bottle caps is complex, and it has the function of preventing back pouring. Its surface treatment methods are various, the three-dimensional sense is strong, and the appearance is unique and novel, but its inherent defects cannot be ignored. Because the glass bottle uses a thermoforming process, the bottle mouth size has a large error and it is difficult to achieve high sealing performance. Relevant packaging experts pointed out that due to the presence of strong static electricity, plastic caps are prone to adsorb dust in the air. In addition, debris generated during ultrasonic welding is difficult to remove. There is currently no complete solution to the problem of plastic debris on wine contamination. In addition, individual plastic bottle cap manufacturers have to worry about making their raw materials adulterated to reduce costs. As part of the bottle cap is connected with the glass bottle mouth, it is not easy to recycle. Environmental experts believe that its pollution to the natural environment is obvious. In addition, plastic caps cost about twice as much or more than aluminum caps.

In contrast, aluminum anti-theft caps can overcome the above-mentioned shortcomings of plastic caps. The aluminum anti-theft cap has a simple structure, strong adaptability and good sealing effect. The aluminum bottle cap is not only superior in performance, but also can be produced in mechanization and large-scale production with low cost and no pollution. use. If special and advanced printing methods are used, not only can colorful patterns be printed, but the anti-counterfeiting effect is also very good. Of course, aluminum bottle caps also have some defects, such as the different colors of the side of the bottle caps, easy to produce paint off the appearance of the lack of changes, but these problems can be found in the technical solution.

Third, judging the standard of beer bottles

The main function of the beer bottle cap is that it has a certain degree of sealing to ensure that the bottle does not leak CO2 and the outside oxygen does not leak in and maintain the freshness of the beer; the second is that the gasket material is non-toxic, safe and sanitary, and will not affect the beer. The flavor has any influence and maintains the taste of the beer. Thirdly, the trademark of the bottle cap is excellently printed. It plays an important role in the brand, advertising and product maintenance of the beer. Fourth, the bottle cap can be used for high-speed irrigation when the bottle cap is used. Installed, smooth under cover, reduce cover loss, wine damage.

At present, the criteria for judging the pros and cons of beer bottle caps are as follows:

(a) Sealing:

1, instantaneous pressure: instantaneous pressure ≥ 10kg/cm2;

2. Chronic leak: According to the standard test, the chronic leak rate is ≤30%.

(2) Shim odor: It is safe and hygienic and non-toxic. It is tested as a flavor of the gasket. It is cooked with pure water. No odor is acceptable. After use, the odor of the gasket cannot be transferred to the wine, causing the flavor of the beer. Any effect.

(III) Cap Characteristics:

1. The paint film loss value of the bottle cap is ≤16mg for high-quality products, and the paint film loss value of tin-plated iron bottle caps and full-chrome plated iron bottle caps is ≤20mg;

2. Corrosion resistance of bottle caps, in addition to the fact that it does not have significant rust spots in compliance with the copper sulfate test, must also delay rusting during normal use.

(d) Bottle cap appearance:

1, the trademark text is correct, the pattern is clear, the range of color chromatic aberration is small, and the color between batches is stable;

2. The position of the pattern is centered, and the center distance of the deviation range is ≤0.8mm;

3, bottle caps shall not have burrs, defects and cracks;

4, the cap gasket molding complete, no defects, no foreign body, no oil.

(five) gasket fastness and promotion requirements:

1. Promotional bottle cap gaskets have good adhesive fastness, and are generally not easily stripped except for gaskets that are required to be stripped. Gaskets do not separate naturally after pasteurization;

2. Normally the cap has good adhesive fastness, and high quality caps can be tested by NITS (Materials Mechanics Test).

Fourth, new plastic anti-theft caps

(I) Compression of plastic lids to lead future development

Compression molding process is to put the quantitative material into the upper mold and the lower mold, the upper and lower mold clamping, that is completed the processing of the material, and then cooling, demoulding, complete the lid. Injection molding process covers the same as injection, push the material to the gap of the mold until the gap fills, then cool, demoulding, and complete the lid.

Compression molding (abbreviated as CCM) is a new manufacturing process for plastic products that occurred in the last 10 years. It launched a strong challenge to the 100-year-old injection molding (IM). In terms of energy consumption, material consumption, and comprehensive cost of environmental protection, in the beverage industry, compression-molded lids are undoubtedly the development direction of present and future lid-making methods. At present, compression molded caps account for more than 80% of Coca-Cola, Uniform and Master Kong; Wahaha's tea beverages and soft drinks, Huiyuan PET bottled juices, etc., reach 100%. Compression molding and lidding technology accounted for 70% of the global share, accounting for more than 60% of China's share. Although the injection molding machine has adopted price cuts and various preferential promotions, the development trend of the compression molding process has continued unabated. After 2001, Chinese customers purchased more compression molding equipment than injection molding equipment.

(b) Monolithic hot fill caps, low cost

Because the bottle mouth tolerance is difficult to control to a predetermined range, almost 100% of the crystallized PET hot-fill bottles use two caps. At the end of the last century, many companies tackled the problem and tried to replace it with a single chip.

Since 2002, the worldwide price of petrochemical raw materials has generally risen, while the price of bottle caps in China has decreased. Therefore, people are more stimulated to seek updated technology to reduce costs. The compression molding process has the advantage of precise lid size and small shrinkage coefficient. SALMI has been actively cooperating with users in China to research and develop single-piece lids for hot filling, thereby accelerating the process of single-piece lids entering the practical stage.

(three) combination cover, stylish choice

People still recall that in 1998, the movement of Nongfu Springs covered the country for the first time. In less than three months, the sports coverage in the market has been overshadowed. With the change of time and space and the fusion of various cultures, it is inevitable that technological achievements will be displayed in fashion. Therefore, a new type of combination cover similar to a sports cover emerges in a timely fashion in China's beverage industry, which will make China's beverage bottle variety more colorful.

Five, personalized bottle caps have their own merits

(A) peeling transfer cap

1. Product Features: Award Promotion Contents With the gasket peeling, the text on the bottle cap is completely transferred to the gasket to meet the needs of the market and customers, and various types of prized promotional activities are performed safely. This technology was granted national patent protection in 1999;

2, the scope of application: for beer, beverage industry, and the use of foam caps; 3, gasket material: PVC slurry.

(B) Aseptic Bottle Caps

1. Product features: Caps are produced and packaged on an aseptic production line. This sterile bottle cap is currently only produced by Shanghai Ziquan. Its production line is the only production line for sterile bottle caps in the country. It adopts a filtration method, purified cooling air, and a packing room. Its cleanliness is as high as 1,000 grades. condition;

2, the scope of application: for draft beer, draft beer, and demanding beverage, drinking water industry;

3. Gasket material: Oxygen absorbing material: a. Product features: An oxygen barrier material is added to the gasket material of the bottle cap, which needs to be activated under humid conditions, but under normal storage conditions before capping. Need to stay stable. Each pad absorbs up to 2 mg of oxygen, and the amount of oxygen-absorbing material that migrates to the beer is small. The oxygen-absorbing bottle cap absorbs the oxygen infiltration from the bottleneck and the outside, reduces the aging of the beer, and greatly improves the freshness and taste of the beer. b. Applicability: It is suitable for the beer industry, especially for high-end beer; c. Gaskets Material: PE oxygen absorbent material.

(C) oxygen bottle cap

1. Product features: An oxygen-barrier material is added to the gasket material of the bottle cap. After being encapsulated in a glass bottle, when oxygen is infiltrated from the outside, it will act as a layer of sealing barrier, so that oxygen will not penetrate and remain. The freshness of beer;

2. Scope of application: Suitable for the beer industry, especially for high-end beer; 3. Gasket material: PVC, PE oxygen barrier material.

(four) stainless steel bottle cap

1. Product features: The usual bottle caps are produced with tinplate. The rust protection is the protection of the inner and outer coating layers. Due to the collision and scratching of the bottle caps during manufacture, transportation and use, the coating is exposed to iron and encountered water. The acid etc. rusts. The use of stainless steel substrate caps, no rust layer, the cap will not rust in any harsh conditions, and maintain good luster, the brand's maintenance has played a positive and effective role;

2. Scope of application: It is applicable to high-grade beverage, beer, and fruit wine industries. It is resistant to acid and moisture without any rust. Filling machine does not need to make any equipment adjustments;

3. Cap material: Stainless steel for the substrate.

(five) Anti-theft pad mold plastic cover

1. Product features: Unique anti-theft design, effectively improve the anti-theft performance. It can be cut horizontally or vertically.

2. Scope of application: Suitable for hot-filled drinks. Widely used in Japan, South Korea, China's Taiwan Province and other Asian markets;

3. Applicable bottle mouth: 1716 bottle mouth;

4. Sealing performance: The inner pad is made of soft and high temperature resistant material, providing double top and outer seals. The inner pad is integrated with the cover and does not loosen.

5. Decoration: Three colors can be printed on the outside, and internal printing can also be used to match promotions. A variety of printing colors can make the product more eye-catching.

(f) Non-liner hot-press moulded plastic cover

1. Features: Patented technology with unique sealing and anti-theft performance. Perfect fit with the bottle and easy to recycle. The anti-theft ring uses a patented tangent technology to cut out the specially designed locking tab on the anti-theft ring so that the bottle cap can be screwed in smoothly when it is screwed in, improving the production efficiency and ensuring that the cover has good and excellent anti-theft performance. This anti-theft ring can be horizontally cut, so that the anti-theft ring and the bottle cap together with the bottle to facilitate the use of recycled bottles;

2. Scope of application: specially designed for beverages without vapors, such as mineral water, distilled water, etc.;

3. Applicable bottle mouth: 1716 bottle mouth, PCO bottle mouth, 1655 glass bottle mouth;

4. Sealing performance: The double effect of top seal and side seal minimizes cover defects and ensures product quality;

5. Decoration function: a variety of colors can make the product more eye-catching, the top can be multi-color printing according to need.