PET Bottle Testing
For proper quality control of PET plastic bottles, there are a number of useful test methods.
The three methods seen below include torque testing bottle caps, testing the seal of a bottle cap for leaks, and properly sectioning the bottle with a hot wire bottle cutter.
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Torque testing bottle caps:
A common test parameter for plastic bottles is the rotational force necessary to remove/unscrew a bottle cap (torque). If a bottle cap is too hard to open, it can frustrate the customer and force them to get creative simply to open their beverage. Conversely, if the cap is not tight enough, the seal may be compromised, potentially exposing and spoiling the product. Our solution: TMV7 - Our most popular torque-tester. Small, easy to use, and reliably rugged. With optional Qualitorque software, it allows easy data collection, storage, and analysis. It also allows for testing pharmaceutical enclosures, among other |
TMV7 | Bottle Torque Tester
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Testing the seal of a bottle cap:
A bottle cap's principal purpose is to maintain the freshness of the product within. By testing the seal of the cap, one can determine the relative strength of the seal and discover production problems on the line. If a seal is too easily ruptured, chances are the product will not fare well during transportation or long-term storage. It may leak, or be exposed to oxygen, spoiling the product. Our solution: SSA-D - Our Secure Seal Analyzer (Digital) allows for testing the strength of a bottle cap's seal in within a safe enclosure, protecting the operator from any bursts. The touchscreen interface allows for custom time and pressure parameters to be used. Its needle—for piercing the plastic cap—is securely held in place through a vacuum, while it simultaneously pressurizes the interior of the bottle (hence the dual red/black tubing in the photo). The level at which leakage occurs—if at all—is automatically recorded and stored. |
SSA-D | Secure Seal Analyzer (Digital)
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Testing weight of blown bottle sections:
When a PET preform is blown into a full bottle, it is important to verify that each section of the bottle lies within a desired weight range. If the section weights differ from their regular ranges, this can indicate a flaw in the bottle blowing process. Bottles that are poorly blown can have structural problems, potentially compromising the quality of the product inside. Our solution: HWBC-2 - The Hot Wire Bottle Cutter 2 allows for safe and replicable section weight-analysis of PET bottles. The four hot wires can be spaced out in a custom manner to produce five clean-cut sections, which can then be weighed and analyzed. The unit is among the safest bottle cutters available because of its unique safety cover—keeping hands and equipment away from the hot wires—and its exhaust fan on top, which can be used to direct the fumes from the melted plastic away from the operator. The unit cuts automatically with adjustable downward and return speeds, and wire temperature. Irregularly shaped bottles can still be tested thanks to the universal bottle mouth support system. |
HWBC-2 | Hot Wire Bottle Cutter 2
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