Blog cover image titled "Why Choose Inward or Outward Opening PSO Nozzles?" featuring nozzles used in packaging machinery.

Why Choose Inward or Outward Opening PSO Nozzles?

A critical component of liquid filling machines is the nozzle design. Choosing between inward and outward opening configurations on Positive Shut Off (PSO) nozzles can significantly impact the performance of your filling operation. This blog examines the differences between inward and outward opening PSO nozzles, helping you decide which option best suits your needs based on the application.

Understanding PSO Nozzles

PSO nozzles are designed to precisely control the flow of liquid, ensuring that the filling process stops cleanly without dripping or splashing. These nozzles are integral in industries such as food and beverage, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetics, where product integrity and cleanliness are crucial.

Inward Opening PSO Nozzles

Design and Function: Inward opening PSO nozzles operate by retracting the nozzle tip or valve seat inside the nozzle body when activated. This inward motion allows the liquid to flow through the nozzle and fill the container. When the filling cycle is complete, the tip or valve seat moves back to its original position, effectively shutting off the flow and preventing drips.

Advantages:

1. Reducing the risk of drips: The inward retraction mechanism provides a clean shut-off, minimising the risk of drips and ensuring precise filling.

2. Intricate Filling: These nozzles can be used for very smaller openings, making them ideal for applications such as essential oils.

3. Reduce Wastage: Increased accuracy with filling containers helps reduce wastage.

 

Applications:

  • Pharmaceuticals: Ensures precise dosing and maintains the sterility of sensitive medications. Ideal for liquids, lotions, CBD liquids, syrums, tinctures, topical creams, oils
  • Cosmetics: Ideal for cleansers, mists, moisturiser, lotions, creams, gels, serums, essential oils, fragrant oil, essential oils, face oils, without splashing or waste.
  • Food and Beverage: Suitable for products like sauces, syrups, soups, dairy and other products that require a clean and accurate fill.

Outward Opening PSO Nozzles

Design and Function: Outward opening PSO nozzles work by extending the nozzle tip or valve seat outwards when activated. This extension opens the flow path, allowing the liquid to be dispensed. Once the filling process is complete, the tip or valve seat retracts back, sealing the nozzle and stopping the flow.

Advantages:

1. Controlled Flow: These nozzles offer excellent control over the flow rate, making them ideal for filling frothy or foamy products where precision is essential.

2. Larger Orifice Options: These nozzles often come with larger orifice sizes, making them suitable for handling products with particulates or higher viscosities.

3. Durability: The outward motion reduces wear on internal components, potentially increasing the nozzle’s lifespan and reliability.

Applications:

  • Bulk Filling: Applications requiring the bulk filling of containers.
  • FMCG: Sauces with no chunks, dressings, syrups and honey, mayonnaise.
  • Chemicals: Suitable for filling products that require larger flow rates, such as detergents, surface cleaners, paints, cleaning products, lubricants, oils
  • Pharmaceuticals: Ointments, creams and other thick medicinal products
  • Personal Care: Efficient for lotions, cosmetic gels, shampoos, conditioners, and other personal care liquids where speed and volume are crucial.

Extended Plug Nozzle

Packserv also offers an extended plug nozzle for filling machines that is especially designed for high-viscosity or chunky primarily food products. These are suitable for applications such as chunky soup, sauces and chutney.

Choosing Between PSO Nozzles When deciding between inward and outward opening PSO nozzles, consider the following factors: 1. Product Characteristics:
  • Viscosity: For highly viscous or foamy products, outward opening nozzles provide better control and cleanliness.
  • Particulates: If the product contains particulates, outward opening nozzles with larger orifices may be more effective.
2. Precision Needs:
  • Precise Dosing: For applications requiring precise dosing and minimal drips, inward opening nozzles are preferable.
3. Application Specifics:
  • Industry Standards: Ensure that the chosen nozzle type complies with industry regulations and standards, especially in food, beverage, and pharmaceutical sectors.
  • Operational Environment: Assess the operational conditions, such as temperature, pressure, and the potential for contamination, to select the most appropriate nozzle type.

Conclusion

Choosing the right PSO nozzle can significantly enhance your filling operation’s efficiency, precision, and cleanliness. Inward opening PSO nozzles excel in applications requiring precise control and sanitation, making them ideal for pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and food products. Outward opening PSO nozzles, on the other hand, are suited for high-speed applications and products with particulates, commonly used in chemical, and personal care industries.

Extended Plug Nozzles are commonly used in the food industry. By understanding your product characteristics, filling speed requirements, and maintenance capabilities, you can select the nozzle that best meets your operational needs, ensuring optimal performance and product integrity.

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