The multi-head weigher ice cup filling and sealing machine is a highly automated and efficient specialized packaging equipment widely used in the liquid or semi-liquid food industry, such as ice cream, yogurt, pudding, jelly, and beverages, requiring precise measurement and hygienic packaging.
Equipment Overview
As the name suggests, this machine integrates three core functions: multi-head computer-controlled weighing, automatic ice cup filling, and film heat sealing. It is a small-scale automated production line that automatically portions raw materials, fills containers, seals them, and ultimately outputs marketable products.
Core Components and Workflow
Its workflow is typically sequential:
1. Cup Loading and Conveying
Function: Automatically separates stacked empty plastic cups (PP/PS cups) and precisely conveys them one by one or in rows to the filling station.
Features: Typically driven by servo motors or stable mechanical mechanisms to ensure accurate positioning and prevent cup tipping or jamming.
2. Multi-head Computer-Controlled Weighing and Filling
This is the heart and brain of the equipment, and its core technology.
Functions:
Measuring: Materials (such as ice cream mix, yogurt) are fed into the hoppers of a multi-head scale by an elevator. Multi-head scales typically have 8, 10, 14, or more heads. Each head weighs independently, and the computer dynamically selects the combination closest to the target weight from all the head weights through high-speed combined calculations.
Advantages: This working principle makes it extremely fast (up to hundreds of cups per minute) and highly accurate (error typically less than ±1 gram), far superior to traditional volumetric filling or single-head scales.
Filling: After calculation, the valves of the selected hoppers open, and the material is precisely injected into the empty cups below through funnels and filling nozzles.
4. (Optional) Additional Function Stations
Between filling and sealing, stations can be added according to product requirements, such as:
Jam/Ingredient Injection: Used for producing yogurt with jam or ice cream with chunks.
Mixing Station: Used for mixing ingredients.
Date Printing: Prints the production date before lamination.
5. Film Sealing
Functions:
* **Film Feeding:** The rolled composite film (usually aluminum-plastic composite film or plastic film) is drawn to the top of the cup opening.
* **Heat Sealing:** Under specific pressure, temperature, and time, the film is fused to the edge of the cup using a heated sealing mold, forming an airtight seal.
* **Easy-Tear Design:** The sealing mold typically features an easy-tear opening for convenient opening by consumers.
* **Advantages:** Excellent sealing performance, long shelf life, neat and aesthetically pleasing appearance, and prevention of leakage and contamination.
6. Cutting and Output
Functions:** The sealed continuous cup film is separated into individual products. This is usually done using a circular or cross-cutting knife.
* **Output:** The finished product is conveyed out via a conveyor belt and can directly proceed to the next process (such as boxing or quick-freezing).
Key Features and Advantages
* **High Precision:** Multi-head combination weighers ensure the stability and consistency of product weight, saving costs for enterprises.
* **High Efficiency:** High-speed metering and filling capabilities greatly increase production capacity, suitable for large-scale production.
High Flexibility: Adaptable to cups and products of different shapes and capacities by changing cup molds, filling nozzles, and sealing molds.
High Automation: From empty cup to finished product, the entire process requires no manual intervention, significantly reducing labor costs and contamination risks.
Hygienic Design: The equipment is typically made of stainless steel, meeting food hygiene and safety standards (such as GMP), and is easy to clean and maintain.
Typical Applications:
Ice Cream Industry: Used for filling and sealing cup-shaped ice cream and popsicles.
Dairy Industry: Used for packaging yogurt, lactic acid bacteria drinks, and puddings.
Snack Food Industry: Used for packaging products such as jelly and herbal jelly.
Catering Industry: Used for packaging pre-made desserts and sauces.
In summary, the multi-head scale ice cup filling and sealing machine is a key high-end packaging equipment in the modern food industry. By combining the most accurate metering technology with reliable filling and sealing technology, it enables enterprises to achieve high-efficiency, low-cost, and high-quality automated production.
