Mecmesin develops Combi Cork-i Extraction Tester for leading Scottish whisky

27 Jun 2018
Mecmesin

To improve the quality and storage of their premium $1000 product, the R&D team at a leading Scottish whisky maker needed to optimise the design of their bottle stoppers. They decided that the strength and performance of their reusable stoppers could be ensured by systematic testing of the characteristics of both portions of the stoppers.

Cork portion:

bottle-neck finish
cork lubricant

Bar top portion:

Strength of the adhesive that binds the bar top to the cork portion
Torque - de-corking begins with a twist. Twisting of the cork must be possible using acceptable torque
Extraction force - the cork is pulled up and out of the bottle. Pulling of the cork must be possible using acceptable force

The maker's stoppers must comply with the ISO 9727-5 standard, which specifies a test method for determinining the maximum force needed to extract a cylindrical cork stopper.

Solution

Working closely with the R&D team, Mecmesin developed the Combi Cork-i Extraction Tester, an innovative multi-function cork extraction testing system that tests both phases of de-corking (twist and pull) synchronously. A manually operated chuck grips the cork and a bottle cradle secures the bottle. The cradle is positioned using thumbnuts and threaded columns and the bottle is locked into the cradle using quick-release toggle clamps.

When the test is begun, the chuck that is gripping the stopper rotates anti-clockwise and the cradle moves downward, mimicking the normal action of de-corking. Torque and force is recorded and the test ends when the stopper is removed. If data describing stopper performance over repeated opening and closing is required, multiple-cycles can also be programmed. The closing phase of the cyclic test is the opening test in reverse: that is, the chuck rotates the stopper clockwise and the cradle moves the bottle upward to meet the stopper's bar.

Torque data is sent to a PC running Mecmesin's Emperor Lite™ program and force data to the full Emperor™ program running on the same PC. A customised Excel® workbook combines the torque and force data for presentation of the test in statistical and graphical formats.

Other fixtures can be attached to the Combi Cork-i so that tests on cork shear and tensile separation of the bar top and cork can also be performed.

System

The Combi Cork-i Extraction Tester includes:

Bi-directional force and torque testing system
Rotary torque sensor capacity 15N.m
Digital display AFTI
Grips and fixtures for corks and bottles
Emperor™ software and Emperor™Lite software
Dedicated Excel® workbook

Files

Download file
CS13 Extraction Testing of Whisky Stoppers

Fast food tray crush testing

As a supplier of fast food trays, Mecmesin's customer needed to make sure that the trays would withstand a certain lateral force without damage to ensure they did not break when being handled and loaded with food.

Top-load testing of plant-based PLA material bottles

To better evaluate the physical properties of their range of PLA bottles used for mineral water, BioPak Solutions turned to Mecmesin for help in testing their containers’ Top-Load Strength.

Tensile testing wire joining systems

Our customer's wire joiners and tensioners are used extensively in the Building Services, Agriculture, Civil Engineering, Viticulture and Seismic Construction sectors and feature award-winning solutions for clamping, seismic bracing, suspension and hanging systems. As part of the continuous improvement ethic, the Quality and Design Department wanted to review their in-house methods and re-evaluate the test procedures for measuring break loads in their cable components.

Extreme sports waterproof bio-textile mechanical properties

Amphibio Ltd develops bio-inspired materials technology for the outdoor and extreme sports industry. Amphibio wanted to quantify the strength and mechanical properties of various single fibres, multifilament yarns, woven and knitted textiles and fabrics.

Automated syringe break-loose and glide force system

The COVID-19 pandemic has placed unprecedented demand on manufacturers of syringes and vials. Ramping up production of syringes has been a challenge which manufacturers have pulled out all the stops to meet. However, with increased production comes increased testing.

Edge Crush Test (ECT) of corrugated cardboard

Over the weeks of COVID-19 lockdown confinement, there was a surge of home deliveries, with even e-commerce giants struggling to fulfil demands. Beyond household deliveries, cardboard is also an object serving on the frontline of public health services, enabling mass deliveries of vitally needed medical equipment..

Wine can pop-and-tear opening force

Producers followed the wine drinker from the dinner party to the picnic. Packaging solutions have facilitated a move to wine ‘on the go’. The air-tight, light-proof, unbreakable aluminium drinks can has established itself as a viable container

Release torque testing of Champagne and sparkling wine corks

The Mecmesin CombiCork is a Quality tool that allows Korbel to test cork materials, ensuring they match with Korbel’s stringent quality standards. Testing removes subjectivity from the uncorking of champagne corks, troubleshooting our process or material variation, so our customers are able to have a consistent experience every time they open a bottle of the finest Korbel California Champagne

Adhesive test on capsulated cork stoppers

A capsulated stopper (T-top, Bar-Top or Altop) is a natural or synthetic cork stopper where the end is glued into a cap of wood, PVC, porcelain, metal, glass or other material. Testing the quality of the adhesive bond between cork and cap is a fundamental check performed by manufacturers of capsulated stoppers and their customers

Vial stopper needle penetrability residual seal force and torque testing

COVID-19 vaccines, as parenteral medications, enter the body by injection through the tissue and circulatory system. Testing the physical properties of these vital drug container systems is a key factor in quality-control testing

Torque testing CRC closures with a pneumatically-controlled downward force

Child-resistant closures come in many designs and are vital for the prevention of harm from toxic chemicals or pharmaceutical products. The type of closure often depends on the packaging and container contents

PET Screen Protector Release Liner Peel Testing

Manufacturers of products which include a critical screen surface generally apply a plastic film as protection. The screen protector is then peeled off by the user to enable optimum clarity and full functionality of the display

Lipstick shear force resistance

Lipstick holds the top spot in the hierarchy of makeup with its ability to completely transform appearance without the help of any other beauty product. It not only needs to look good, with lasting results, but mustn’t bend, crack, crumble or break when applied.

Hand sanitiser dispenser pump testing

Sales of antibacterial gels have soared enormously following National Health Service advice telling the public to thoroughly wash hands in order to stay protected from Coronavirus. In fact, even before the 2020 pandemic crisis, the presence of hand sanitisers had already become commonplace, not only in hospitals but also in schools, restaurants and offices.

Adhesion peel strength of COVID-19 tapes and stickers

In the wake of the Covid-19 lockdown, there have been clear guidelines issued to businesses on keeping staff and customers safe. These include wall signs encouraging people to follow hygiene guidelines through to purpose-made floor tape to help enforce social distancing rules. For successful long-lasting application to surfaces, they all rely on the stickiness provided by the humble self-adhesive.

Peel strength of foam band on PPE face visors

Face Shields (also known as Face Visors) are a vital PPE tool being used by front-line workers in the healthcare sector to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. The Bloc FaceShield is a clear lightweight visor fitted with a foam forehead band.

Edge Crush Test (ECT) of corrugated cardboard

The humble cardboard box is the unsung hero of countless deliveries every day. By using simple test methods such as the Edge Crush Test (ECT), companies benefit from understanding the maximum weight a box can withstand and the overall stacking strength.

Break-loose and sustaining force tests of pre-filled drug cartridges to ISO 11608-3

Mechanical pen injectors for delivering drugs, such as insulin, have found increasing acceptance over the traditional vial-and-syringe method. To validate new pen injector designs and maintain quality when they are mass-produced requires extensive testing.

Vaccine delivery device and packaging testing

As COVID-19 has rapidly spread around the world, there is a concerted global effort to find a vaccine. Whether administered via an oral, subcutaneous, intramuscular, intradermal, or intranasal route, vaccines need to be administered via a medical device, and these must be tested to esnure they are safe and meet stringent standards and regulations

PET preforms - repurposing production for COVID-19 test kits

PET preforms are typically blow-moulded to create the ubiquitous plastic bottles containing carbonated and still beverages. The production process to fill and seal these bottles with a screw-cap is a demanding one, so a number of tests are performed to ensure quality control specifications are met for this core packaging.

Probiotic drink packaging testing

As demand for dietary supplements continues to surge, immune-boosting products, such as prebiotics and probiotics, are amongst the most popular. Getting these liquid probiotic products noticed by the consumer relies on eye-catching innovative packaging which must be easy-to-open and reseal whilst remaining economic to use for the beverage producer.

Testing Ventilator and Breathing Assistance Apparatus Components

A ventilator (respirator) provides ‘mechanical ventilation’ by moving breathable air into and out of the lungs of patients unable to breathe sufficiently well unaided. Such fundamental hospital equipment is essential for all patient care where assisted breathing is necessary.

Face mask strength testing

Manufacturing masks is not as easy as you might imagine. International test standards exist to make sure the face masks can be verified to protect clinicians and patients from pathogens spread by blood, body fluids and secretions and now to limit the spread of COVID-19 coronavirus.

Pharmaceutical tablet crush and break strength

Many products come in tablet form, with a durability designed for both packaging and for use. Too brittle or too hard, and they may not be fit for use, or at best perform below expectation. The only way to determine consistency is mechanical testing of samples.

Surgical rubber glove tensile strength testing

When selecting specialist gloves it is often the material strength and stretch which are the most important factors in determining quality and performance. These parameters will give you an indication whether a glove is at risk of tearing

Lipstick tube force and torque testing

Testing the mechanical performance of the lipstick tube is a crucial part of the quality-control process for cosmetics manufacturers. Leading players in the cosmetics industry have come to rely on Mecmesin’s range of affordable force and torque testers to carry out checks on batches of lipsticks produced.

Mecmesin's materials testers

Testing the physical strength properties of materials, in accordance with international or in-house standards, is a key part of determining their characteristics to better understand the effects of process improvements. With this in mind, Mecmesin has designed a range of static-load Materials Testers powered by intuitive VectorPro MT software.

Top-load crush of plastic bottle with semi-automated test process

To guarantee their containers would perform as expected along customer production lines and remain intact during transportation and storage, US company, Silgan Plastics wanted to undertake top-load tests according to internal, customer and Supplier Packaging Information (SPI) standards.

Dispensing pump assembly testing

Mecmesin's customer manufactures a range of dispensing pumps for the cosmetic and beauty-care industry. A requirement was identified to measure the actuation force of the pump assembly and the pull-off force of the pump handle. The VersaTest motorised test stand was chosen as it gave the necessary repeatability and consistency independent of operator, which a manual stand could not.

Cosmetics brush pull-out testing

Our client is a major cosmetics company using a variety of brushes for all applications and wished to tensile test the integrity of the bristles. Gripping the awkwardly-shaped handles and bristle tips in a repeatable way, demanded more than a single standard vice grip...

Powdered drink container - Mecmesin's compressive strength & lid peel tests

An international supplier of a powdered hot-chocolate drink wanted to test several aspects of their packaging. The client was then able to use their Mecmesin universal tester for all four tests, with quick and easy exchange of fixtures, allowing rapid throughput of samples for testing.

Retort packaging 90 degree peel and lid strength testing

The food packaging industry has long had concerns about pinholes, flex cracks and leaks in the flexible materials and seals of retort flexible lidded packaging. A famous global food and drink maker needed to test the laminated retort (and other thin film) packaging solutions that protect products such as their popular microwaveable stir-in pots.

Jo Webb
Product Info
English
Created 27 Jun 2018
Modified 13 Nov 2019
Hits 1048

Public

If this is your company, CONTACT US to activate Packbase™ software to build your portal.

Mecmesin develops Combi Cork-i Extraction Tester for leading Scottish whisky

Cork portion:

Bar top portion:

Solution

System

Files

Download file

See also

Fast food tray crush testing

Top-load testing of plant-based PLA material bottles

Tensile testing wire joining systems

Extreme sports waterproof bio-textile mechanical properties

Automated syringe break-loose and glide force system

Edge Crush Test (ECT) of corrugated cardboard

Wine can pop-and-tear opening force

Release torque testing of Champagne and sparkling wine corks

Adhesive test on capsulated cork stoppers

Vial stopper needle penetrability residual seal force and torque testing

Torque testing CRC closures with a pneumatically-controlled downward force

PET Screen Protector Release Liner Peel Testing

Lipstick shear force resistance

Hand sanitiser dispenser pump testing

Adhesion peel strength of COVID-19 tapes and stickers

Peel strength of foam band on PPE face visors

Edge Crush Test (ECT) of corrugated cardboard

Break-loose and sustaining force tests of pre-filled drug cartridges to ISO 11608-3

Vaccine delivery device and packaging testing

PET preforms - repurposing production for COVID-19 test kits

Probiotic drink packaging testing

Testing Ventilator and Breathing Assistance Apparatus Components

Face mask strength testing

Pharmaceutical tablet crush and break strength

Surgical rubber glove tensile strength testing

Lipstick tube force and torque testing

Mecmesin's materials testers

Top-load crush of plastic bottle with semi-automated test process

Dispensing pump assembly testing

Cosmetics brush pull-out testing

Powdered drink container - Mecmesin's compressive strength & lid peel tests

Retort packaging 90 degree peel and lid strength testing

Defining product shock fragility

Mecmesin

Defining the transport environment

Mecmesin

Have your tests yielded invalid results?

Mecmesin

Ring Crush Test (RCT) of paperboard

Mecmesin

Mecmesin webinar: Cap Closure and Removal Torque Test...

Mecmesin

Grips & Fixtures used on Force & Torque Testers

Mecmesin

Top-load testing of plant-based PLA material bottles

Mecmesin

Essentials of Consumer Packaging Testing

Mecmesin

Mecmesin webinar: Fundamentals of compression testing

Mecmesin

Force and torque testing methods used to assess the qu...

Mecmesin

Custom development system of an automated break loose ...

Mecmesin

Edge Crush Test (ECT) of corrugated cardboard

Mecmesin