DESCRIPTION
The RFCT-I is an automatic rotary rinse-fill-cap monobloc designed for isobaric filling of carbonated beverages into PET and glass bottles. It combines bottle rinsing, counter-pressure filling and capping in a single machine, with the configuration selected according to the product, bottle format and required production capacity.
The RFCT-I is suitable for a range of carbonated products, including carbonated soft drinks, sparkling water, carbonated juice drinks, carbonated dairy drinks and beer. Isobaric filling maintains controlled pressure between the product and bottle during filling, helping to minimise CO₂ loss and preserve the required carbonation level.
The machine can be configured for different bottle formats, filling capacities and capping requirements. The filling and product-contact systems are selected according to the beverage characteristics, packaging specification and required production process.
OPERATING PRINCIPLE
The RFCT-I operates as a continuous rotary rinse-fill-cap system with three synchronised processing sections for bottle rinsing, isobaric filling and capping. Empty bottles are transferred sequentially between the three sections while maintaining a continuous and controlled production flow.
Empty bottles first enter the rinsing section, where they are treated using the configured rinsing system. The bottles are then transferred to the filling section, where the isobaric filling process is carried out under controlled pressure. Before product transfer, the bottle is pressurised to the required filling pressure, reducing the pressure difference between the product and the bottle during filling. This helps minimise CO₂ loss and maintain the required carbonation level.
During filling, carbonated product is transferred into the pressurised bottle under controlled conditions. The filling system regulates the product and gas phases according to the selected machine configuration and product requirements. Once the target fill level or quantity has been reached, the filling cycle is completed and the bottle is transferred to the capping section.
Caps are automatically fed and oriented before being applied using the selected capping system. The RFCT-I can be configured for PCO screw caps, roll-on metal screw caps or crown caps, depending on the bottle and closure specification.
The rinsing, filling and capping sections remain synchronised throughout the production cycle to maintain consistent bottle transfer and machine operation. The machine is controlled automatically through the PLC and HMI, with sensors and process feedback used to monitor the main operating parameters. The product-contact and filling system can be configured for CIP cleaning according to the machine configuration.
OPERATOR RESPONSIBILITIES
The RFCT-I is engineered for fully automatic operation, requiring limited operator intervention during normal production. The operator’s principal role is to monitor machine performance, maintain the supply of bottles, product and closures, and carry out routine quality and cleaning checks in accordance with standard operating procedures. Typical operator duties comprise:
CONFIGURATION OPTIONS
The RFCT-I can be tailored to your product, bottle format and production needs, with options for beverage carbonation, bottle handling and treatment, rinsing, coding, CIP and integration with other equipment on the line.
