Filling machines for jerrycans and gallons are industrial equipment specifically designed to dose and fill liquid, pasty, or viscous products into large-volume containers, generally ranging from 5 liters to 50 liters (or more, in the case of drums).
Level of Automation:
- Semi-automatic: The operator manually positions the jerrycan under the nozzle and activates the filling (via pedal or button). The filling cycle is automatic, but the movement and closing depend on the operator.
- Automatic (Linear or Rotary): The jerrycans enter via conveyors, are automatically indexed under the nozzles, filled simultaneously, and proceed to the capping and labeling machine without human intervention.
Since jerrycans and gallon containers are the standard for B2B transport (raw materials) or for the institutional/wholesale market, the use of these filling machines is widespread in various sectors:
- Chemical and Petrochemical: Filling of automotive lubricants, industrial oils, paints, solvents, liquid fertilizers, and agricultural pesticides. Here, the nozzles usually have anti-corrosion treatment and gas exhaust systems.
- Cleaning and Sanitizing Products: Institutional cleaning product lines (disinfectants, concentrated detergents, chlorine, and fabric softeners in 5L to 20L gallons).
- Food and Beverages: Mineral water (20L returnable gallons), cooking oil for food service, beverage syrups, fruit pulps, and concentrated dairy products.
- Pharmaceutical and Cosmetic: Filling of hand sanitizer, institutional liquid soap, and chemical raw materials that supply laboratories.
Dosing Technology:
- Weighted (Gravimetric):
In this system, the container is positioned and filled directly onto a load cell (an integrated high-precision scale). The machine monitors the weight gain in real time and cuts off the product flow exactly when the programmed target is reached.
- Flowmeter (Flow Rate Meter):
This mechanism uses technological sensors (magnetic or mass/Coriolis) installed in the piping that feeds the nozzles. These sensors accurately measure the volume of liquid passing through them in real time and command the closing of the filling valve as soon as the limit is reached.
- Volumetric (Piston):
The system works mechanically through a dosing cylinder. A pneumatic or servo-driven piston retracts to aspirate an exact and predetermined amount of product into the chamber and then advances, pushing and injecting this volume directly into the container. |
