Packaging of Carbonated Beverages

In the recent years, we have witnessed a growing consumption of carbonated beverages like soft drinks and beer, marketed in attractive containers and packaging. Technology has certainly played its part in the increased consumption of carbonated beverages with the adventof glass bottles, cans, plastic bottles, high speed packaging lines and evolving packaging systems. Packaging carbonated products into either glass, PET or aluminum containers require specialized expertise and different configuration of equipment. For example In order to transfer a carbonated beverage from a tank where it is stored, into a container, the container must first be sealed and then pressurized. In its simplest configuration a counter pressure filler pressurizes the container with CO2 or any other pressurizing gas (counter pressure) to the same pressure as the tank in which the product resides, then fills it with product, then the counter pressure is relieved (allowed to escape back to the bowl / atmosphere in a controlled manner) and then finally the container is closed (capped or crowned). Similarly, there are different configurations of equipment for packaging of carbonated beverages post filling. For example – Warmer, Labeller, Crater / Recrater, Shrink Packer, Carton Erector, Carton Sealer, Date Coder, Palletizer, etc. Servo versions of all these equipment are available for high speed applications. The well-known adage in the Beverage Industry is that packaging will sell the product to the consumer only once. Henceforth repeat purchase by the consumer depends solely on the product contained within the packaging. However, if the packaging fails to offer the expected Parameshwaran Nair et al 422 functionality, the consumer may choose an alternative brand (in similar or even a different packaging format) irrespective of the product quality. In order to have a brief understanding of the packaging line formation for carbonated beverage application, this paper, highlights the various configurations of packaging equipment for different types of containers used in India.