One of the first questions we hear from plant managers is whether their current bottles will run on a new filling line. It is a fair concern, because a container mismatch can stall production schedules and add unplanned tooling costs. Most net weight filler containers fall into a few well-established categories, and the majority of chemical packaging lines already use a style our machines were designed to handle from the start.
Why F-Style Jugs Are the Baseline for Net Weight Filler Containers
The most common container style running on our net weight filling machines is the standard F-style jug, which is typical of the chemical manufacturing industry. F-style jugs are versatile and relatively standardized in their dimensions across suppliers, so material availability rarely becomes a bottleneck when production demand rises.
Built Around a Proven Industry Standard
We designed the majority of our net weight fillers for production lines that fill F-style jugs. That container becomes the baseline standard our machines run against, which is why these jugs move through the filling stations so efficiently.
F-style jugs also perform well downstream. They are reliable for pouring applications, and their flat panels make them ideal for labeling and easy case packing for shipping.
What to Expect with 63mm Neck Openings
If you fill one-gallon and larger F-style jugs with standard 63mm neck openings, we can be very confident your product will fill accurately and efficiently on a D&R net weight filler with little to no options beyond our standard offering.
Key Takeaway: One gallon and up F-style jugs with 63mm necks typically require no special engineering. They run on our standard machine configuration.
Running Other Rectangular Container Styles
We are not limited to F-style jugs. We take deliberate steps in the design phase so our fillers transition easily into running other container specifications.
Gating and Indexing that Adjust Instead of Rebuild
For other rectangular containers, all of the standard gating and bottle indexing devices generally work without modification. Changeover to a different bottle length or width calls for minimal mechanical adjustment rather than new hardware.
Matching Nozzle Diameter to Smaller Necks
Neck openings smaller than 63mm need a smaller diameter fill nozzle to match the opening. We offer a full range of nozzle diameters as change parts for the filler, and they install toollessly in a few minutes.
Pro Tip: Send us your bottle drawings and neck finish specs early. We can identify the correct nozzle sizes before your machine is built.
Need expert help selecting the right filling equipment for your containers? Contact D&R Packaging for a free consultation.
Round and Non-Rectangular Containers
Round bottles behave differently on a scale, so they require a closer look at product handling.
Indexing That Isolates Each Bottle on the Scale
For non-rectangular and round containers, we offer options to modify the bottle indexing components. These modifications accurately separate and isolate each bottle on the scales at the filling stations, which protects weight accuracy.
Change Parts for Mixed Production
If you run both rectangular and round bottles, we fabricate the hardware to run rounds as change parts. Operators install them onto the existing bottle gating and indexing hardware, which makes changeover between bottle shapes and volumes as simple as possible.
Ready to Match Your Containers to the Right Filler?
We maintain a standard of simplicity in our product handling designs, with enough mechanical versatility to match the growing and changing needs of your liquid filling production line. Our team reviews your container specs, neck sizes, and fill volumes before recommending a configuration.
Call D&R Packaging or request a quote today, and let us confirm the right setup for your net weight filler containers.
