Condensation No Longer a Problem for Bottler

The Achievement

Condensation that formed on bottles after cold-filling was causing problems for Eska Eaux Vives Water in Quebec. Issues included problems with label adhesion and damage caused by the water to boxing and packing materials. With the introduction of a state-of-the-art blower and air knife system from STANMECH Technologies Inc. the bottles are now dried completely before transparent labels are applied and the bottles are packaged and shipped.

Click image to enlarge. 

The Challenge

With a change in bottle composition came new challenges for Eska Eaux Vives Water Inc. of Quebec, Canada; Mario Fortin, Électromécanicien at Eksa Eaux Vives Water, explains: “Before we looked into a new system we did not need a drying system because we were labelling the bottles before filling them, [but] then we switched to PET bottles and had to fill the bottles with cold water prior to labelling and that is when we ran into drying problems.”

Several bottle sizes share processing equipment at the plant which meant a challenge for STANMECH’s application engineering team. Extensive testing was done with the aid of JetAir Technologies, LLC in the USA. When a solution was arrived at a video of the proposed system was made and sent to Eksa Eaux Vives Water for review.

“The customer was really impressed with seeing the video results before being asked to purchase,” recalls Peter Borris, technical sales representative at STANMECH, “it allowed them to see the sort of system we were proposing and exactly how dry we were able to get the bottles.”

The Results

Condensation is no longer a problem at Eska Eaux Vives Water: it is now automatically removed using the custom system designed by STANMECH Technologies Inc. and JetAir Technologies, LLC. “We no longer have any concerns about drying our new PET bottles,” boasts Mario Fortin. The final quality check happens after the labels are applied: any water droplets which are present during labelling show on the final product.

“I was really impressed with the results we got back,” says Peter Borris “multiple bottle sizes on one line always presents a challenge for our application engineering team but they did a wonderful job providing a solution.”

Their favourite thing?
How it was “easy to install and how easy it was to use the VFD”

Solution Specifics

The Eska Eaux Vives Water custom-designed system included 3 JET-2 High Efficiency Direct-Drive Blowers with Variable Frequency Drives & Human Interface Module Controllers and 12 Jet Blast Stainless Steel Air Knives. The system was designed by STANMECH Technologies Inc. and tested by both STANMECH and JetAir Technoloiges, LLC in California

solve your condensation problem

STANMECH Technologies Inc.

STANMECH Technologies Inc. has been providing solutions for processes involving the precise application of heat and air since 1981. With expertise in heat and air sources for industrial applications, as well as plastics forming and joining methods, STANMECH provides customized solutions for specific applications challenges in most industries across Canada.

JetAir™ Technologies, LLC designs and manufactures high-speed centrifugal blowers, air knives and drying/blow-off systems. Their innovative systems feature JetAir's high-speed direct drive technology and lead the industry in power, efficiency, reliability, smart control and compactness.

STANMECH Technologies is the exclusive distributor for JetAir Technologies, LLC in Canada. Additionally, we are the Master Distributor for Leister Process Technologies’ products in Canada and represent Secomak products in Canada as well. STANMECH is based in Burlington, Ontario and can be reached at 1-888-GET-MECH (1-888-438-6324).

Application Engineering Services: STANMECH Technologies Inc.
Testing Services: STANMECH Technologies Inc. / JetAir Technologies, LLC www.jetairtech.com
Equipment: JetAir Technologies, LLC
Text: Sarah Fenwick, STANMECH Technologies Inc.
Photos: Eaux Vives Water Inc., www.eskawater.com