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Block concepts at KHS


If two or more single machines can be combined to form a block, this gives the users thereof many benefits. Shorter conveying segments and, as a result, a much smaller machine footprint speak for the compact system. In addition, there is less maintenance effort and fewer spare parts are required. Established machine technology can be blocked in many areas – in the filling and packaging and palletizing sections and in many different applications, from still water through beer to mixed milk beverages, for example.

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As one of the leading manufacturers of filling and packaging systems for the beverage, food and non-food industries, with its latest additions for the hygienic filling of sensitive beverages KHS has further augmented its program of blocked systems, for instance. We are carrying on a trend where KHS is itself one of the pioneers. Back in 2002 and 2004 we presented our initial plans at various international trade shows. In 2008 the KHS InnoPET BloFill stretch blow molder/filler block then went into operation; at the time this was one of the first on the market and is still a successful model today. In 2018 the portfolio now caters for a whole range of different customer requirements. However, the systems currently available are by no means the end of the story. On the contrary: at KHS the entire blocking concept is so modular that we can offer a huge diversity of systems. Our open architecture and intelligent block interfaces enable totally different individual systems to be created quickly and easily. Unlike the standard systems frequently found KHS also supplies flexible systems like these in the medium capacity range.

HYGIENIC LINEAR AND ROTARY FILLERS

In hygienic filling KHS thus provides suitable systems as linear or rotary filler blocks to cater for all requirements. The Innosept Asbofill ABF, a tried-and-tested linear filling system for the medium capacity range, has now been made more powerful than ever before through the introduction of three new developments. A new transfer module enables it to be blocked with a standard KHS stretch blow molder, for instance. Moreover, the modular system permits various modules to be retrofitted or replaced at a later date. Thirdly, the first chunk filler for the aseptic segment from KHS can fill bigger particles than was the case to date, thus giving beverage producers maximum flexibility when designing their products. A new transfer module forges a basic link between the rotary stretch blow molder and the linear filler. In this development the continuous rotational motion of the stretch blow molder has been successfully converted into the linear, step-by-step cyclic movement of the filler. Whereas the linear platform is superior to larger rotary systems when it comes to smaller batches and capacity ranges of up to 12,000 bottles per hour especially, the strengths of the latter lie in other forms of application. Using standardized modules the filler can be configured depending on which hygiene class a bottler’s products fall under and precisely tailored to suit the exact specifications of each and every customer. Adjusted to the operator’s requirements, the new KHS concept can cater for outputs ranging from 24,000 to 54,000 bottles per hour. The system offers plenty of scope as regards the bottle size, too; the combination of container volume and output capacity can be configured for 500 milliliters, 1.0 or 1.5 liters. The modular system for bottlers of sensitive beverages provides three major advantages: firstly, thanks to the concept of modularization customers can configure their machines according to their exact requirements. This is important as oversized systems not running at full capacity often cause longer downtimes which always increase the risk of microbiological contamination. Secondly, modularization leads to standardization, which in turn means that in principle all basic and module parts can be pre-produced and stocked by KHS. The customer thus benefits from shorter delivery times. And thirdly, the modular system also generates certain cost benefits. These savings give KHS additional scope for integrating further safety systems, with which we consistently endeavor to permanently increase the standard of safety on our aseptic filling machines.
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