The VTD-2000 Vent Tube Detection System detects the presence of a loose or broken vent tube that has dropped into a bottle during the filling process. Loose vent tubes are very difficult for visual inspectors to detect in filled bottles, particularly in the darker amber or green bottles or those having labels that obscure the vent tube image.

Although occuring infrequently, the presence of a vent tube in a beverage bottle is a very delicate consumer problem that every bottler must address. Reliable detection of this type of defect is an absolute requirement.

The VTD-2000 Vent Tube Detection System is mounted downstream of the filler. It is connected to the bottler's production line PLC to the detected presence of a vent tube will immediately stop the production line and set the interlock controls. The line operator must remove the defective bottle and reset the system before the production chain will run again.

Since the electro-magnetic detection field of the VTD-2000 spans several bottle diameters, all those bottles should be removed from the production line to ensure the one containing the vent tube is no longer present. The line operator may then carefully inspect and remove the bottle containing the vent tube.

Utilization of an automatic rejection system is not recommended since a loose or broken vent tube occurs so rarely that the additional cost is not justifiable. The filler should be stopped when a vent tube is lost since all bottles from that valve will not be properly filled.

The mechanical installation of the VTD-2000 is very simple and in most cases can be carried out by the plant technicians. Full installation and operational instructions are included with each system.

• Designed to operate in harsh environments with wash down conditions
• Easily and quickly installed on existing production lines in the field