Gets bottles dry
September 1st 2004

To ensure its square plastic bottles are properly dried prior to labelling, Highland Spring has installed a Secomak Powerstrip air knife drying system at its Perthshire bottling plant.

The blow-moulded bottles are filled with cold mineral water directly from the spring, so condensation often forms on the bottles’ surface and has to be removed prior to labelling.

The modular Powerstrip drying system consists of two customised air knives within an enclosed acoustic cabinet.

As the conveyor moves at high speeds, it is necessary to expose as much of the bottles’ surface to the drying effect in as short a time as possible.

The existing conveyor guide rails obstructed the air flow, so they were removed and replaced with Secomak’s special container guidance system.

Secomak estimates the system can reduce drying costs by up to 90% when compared with compressed air or thermal drying.

Expensive maintenance contracts are not required.

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