Bottle, can and jar reject systems usually use a side pusher, sweep arm or controlled lane diversion. The best method depends on container material, shape, centre of gravity, fill level, line speed and whether the product must remain upright. Guides and a stable transfer into the reject area help prevent jams and contact with accepted containers.
Application engineering
Which reject method works for upright containers?
Rigid containers can look straightforward but behave differently when full, partially filled or empty. Tall bottles may tip, glass jars require controlled contact, and close-packed cans may not provide enough clearance for a conventional pusher cycle. Product testing establishes the reliable operating window.
A pneumatic pusher provides positive side ejection where sufficient pitch and reject-side space are available. Sweep arms and lane diverters can give a longer, gentler movement for unstable or heavier containers. Guide-rail geometry, conveyor friction and reject-table or bin entry are designed with the mechanism.
The station can accept reject decisions from vision inspection, checkweighing, metal detection, X-ray, cap inspection, fill-level checks or code verification. Independent confirmation and controlled reject containment can be added to suit the application risk.
Key application considerations
- Filled and empty bottle handling
- Can, jar and rigid-container rejection
- Pusher, sweep-arm and lane-divert options
- Upright or controlled-side removal
- Inspection and line-control integration
- Reject verification and secure containment