How important is the glass bottling process?

Glass bottling is an important process in the production of liquid foods such as beverages, cooking oils and more. Here, the packaging container is a glass material. An essential equipment that is important in the packaging process is the glass bottle filling machine. 

The bottling of beverages must contribute to keeping the product in the best possible conditions to guarantee its quality. All the actions carried out both in the field and in the elaboration and storage of beverages, can be compromised if the packaging is not carried out correctly.

Hence, cleaning the glass bottling line and all auxiliary material is essential to avoid contamination from the environment and from small particles of dust or cleaning materials. It is essential to take care of the cleaning and disinfection of cisterns, pipes, valves, transfer pumps as well as adequate control of the temperature, light, and air, hygienic and environmental conditions of the packaging hall. It is also important to enforce the correct handling and hygiene by the operators.

Filtration is the process prior to bottling the beverage. It consists of passing water used in the mixing process, through several treatment stages to ensure that there are suspended particles or contaminates. This is essential preliminary stage in the entire bottling process. Any compromise at this stage could affect the shelf life of the entire product even when it is packaged. 

In packaging, factors such as light, air, heat and metallic traces should be avoided. These factors favor oxidation, accelerate discoloration, increase the peroxide value and decrease its stability.

The packaging material must be unalterable and inert. Glass perfectly complies with this prescription, better if it is dark to prevent light from penetrating and accelerating oxidation. Also the bottle, treated for use in food, is a good packaging material that prevents air from penetrating.

Regarding the size of the bottle, it is dependent on the type and volume of product chosen by the manager and the choice of the consumers. However, the beverage is best preserved in small volumes such as 35cl, 60cl 100cl and more. Glass is a fragile material, hence needs to be made in smaller quantities that can be easily handled by consumers.

The containers must be kept at a low temperature, at least away from heat sources and in the coolest place, especially avoiding sudden changes.

When filling the bottles, it is necessary to avoid the headspaces since the oxygen contained in the air favors oxidation. When the container is open, the oxidation capacity is multiplied, so it is convenient that the use containers are not too large and are always closed.

The closure of the bottle is very important, and the caps are too often neglected in the packaging phase, sometimes causing stains on the bottles, especially when they are destined for export, which are subject to many movements and changes in temperature. . Any pore that does not allow proper closure will benefit oxidation and as a consequence the liquid food will deteriorate more quickly.