How to Choose a Filling Machine for Shampoo and Liquid Soap
Start with the formula and the bottle you plan to run. Two shampoos sold in the same bottle size can behave differently at the nozzle. One may foam as it enters the bottle. Another may leave a strand of product that drips onto the neck after the fill. Those differences matter when choosing the pump, nozzle and filling speed.
Describe how the product flows at filling temperature
Tell your supplier the temperature at which the product reaches the filler. If you have a viscosity measurement, include its units, temperature and test conditions. A short video of the product pouring at that temperature can help explain how it flows, whether it traps air and how cleanly the stream breaks.
For a machine that will run several formulas, identify the thinnest, thickest and most foam-prone products. A trial with these samples can reveal where you need different settings, a different nozzle or a separate filling setup.
Match the nozzle to the bottle and the foam
Measure the inside diameter of the bottle opening and send the bottle height and shape. A nozzle must have room to enter and withdraw where the setup calls for it. Allow room for displaced air to escape. A narrow opening, flexible bottle or unstable base may require different support or nozzle positioning.
If foam rises near the neck, ask the supplier to test a slower start or a nozzle that fills closer to the bottom and rises during the cycle, where the bottle and equipment allow it. For a thick formula that strings or drips, test how the nozzle shuts off and check whether the neck stays clean during consecutive fills.
Compare machine configurations with the same samples
For a smooth, viscous shampoo, LianTeng's gear pump filler with a rotary table is one configuration to evaluate. Check how your actual bottles sit on the table and whether the nozzle and product path suit the formula. A semi-automatic pneumatic filler with a bottle holder is another option to test when an operator can position bottles at the filling station. Ask how each proposed configuration is fed, cleaned and adjusted for the next product.
Once you have a filling setup that works with your samples, decide how bottles will be fed and what happens after filling. If you also need capping or labeling, compare finished output across the line. The semi-automatic versus automatic filling guide explains how to make that comparison.
Ask for a trial that shows repeatability
- Agree on the target. Specify the fill quantity and unit, the allowable variation and the output you need with your actual product and bottles.
- Check consecutive fills. For a weight-based trial, subtract each empty bottle's weight. If you specify a volume target and measure by weight, agree on the density used to convert the measurements.
- Observe foam and the neck. Check whether foam reaches the opening, how it settles and whether the cap can be applied without residue around the neck.
- Check the run after a pause. Ask to see the first few bottles after restarting. Record the fill results and any drips or overflow.
Request a recommendation
Send the formula type, expected filling temperature, target fill quantity, bottle and cap details, and desired finished bottles per minute. Let us know how many formulas and bottle sizes you run and which ones foam or drip. We can discuss which configuration to test and what samples are needed. Request a filling machine recommendation.
