Capsuling machine

Capsuling machine

A capsuling machine applies protective capsules over bottle closures, providing a secondary seal that protects corks from external factors such as humidity, drought, and insects. This protection is essential for wines requiring long-term storage, ensuring organoleptic properties remain unaltered throughout the aging process.

The capsule acts as a secondary closure, sealing the cork against environmental damage. Capsuling machines operate at high speed immediately after the capping process, applying and sealing capsules in a continuous production flow.

How Capsuling Machines Work

The capsuling process begins as bottles exit the capping machine via conveyor belt. The operating sequence includes:

1. Capsule feeding — a loader retrieves capsules from an integrated magazine
2. Positioning — the bottle centers beneath the capsuling head
3. Application — compressed air grafts the capsule onto the bottle cap, covering the closure ring and part of the neck
4. Sealing — the bottle passes under a thermal head that heats the capsule for perfect adhesion

The capsule magazine consists of an external plate with multiple channels for loading rows of capsules. Optional extended magazines provide longer autonomy for high-volume production runs.

Capsuling Machine Applications

Capsuling machines are primarily used in wine bottling, though applications extend to other products:

• Still wine — standard capsule formats with straight cork closures
• Sparkling wine — larger capsules (capsuloni) sometimes enclosed by wire cages to contain pressure
• Spirits and liqueurs — premium presentation with decorative capsules
• Beer — specialty craft applications
• Extra virgin olive oil — tamper-evident protection

Capsule materials and shapes vary according to product type and closure format, requiring specific machine configurations.

Types of Capsuling Heads

Capsuling machines differ primarily in the type and number of heads. Production speed increases with head count, ranging from single-head units for small operations to configurations with 20+ heads for industrial volumes.

Three main head types handle different capsule materials:

Machine Configuration Options

Capsuling machines vary according to several technical parameters:

• Number of heads — determines production speed (1 to 20+ heads)
• Coupling type — mechanical or pneumatic systems
• Centering system — precision level for capsule positioning on bottle
• Cork compatibility — configurations for straight cork or mushroom cork applications
• Magazine capacity — standard or extended autonomy options

Proper machine selection depends on capsule material, closure type, bottle format, and required production throughput.

Leading Capsuling Machine Manufacturers

The market features specialized manufacturers with proven expertise in capsule application technology:

• Robino & Galandrino — comprehensive capsuling solutions for wine industry
• Nortan — high-speed capsuling systems
• GAI — integrated bottling and capsuling equipment

Used capsuling machines from these brands offer reliable performance with available spare parts and technical support for wine, spirits, and specialty beverage applications.