Sample trials
Carbonated filling sample trial protocol.
A practical sample trial can reduce risk by testing the product, package and closure route before the machinery decision is finalised.
For a meaningful trial, the sample drink, carbonation level, container, closure or can end should be as close as possible to the intended production case. The trial should note product temperature, target fill, closure timing and the expected output route. If the recipe is still changing, the trial should be treated as a development check rather than a final acceptance test.
| Product sample | Finished or representative drink, including carbonation state and storage conditions. |
|---|---|
| Container sample | Glass bottle, PET bottle or can in the intended size and shape. |
| Closure sample | Crown, screw cap, ROPP cap, plastic closure, lid/end or seaming specification. |
| Quality target | Fill level, foam level, carbonation retention, oxygen requirement and appearance. |
| Line scope | Filler only, filler plus capper/seamer or complete line. |
- Record start temperature and any temperature drift during the test.
- Photograph filled samples where appearance, foam or fill level is important.
- Record rejects and reasons rather than only counting successful fills.
- Check the filled package after standing, handling and any agreed quality hold time.
If the trial shows foam, slow handoff, unstable fill level or closure problems, the solution may be a different fill sequence, a closure integration change, a chilling or carbonation adjustment, a different production output expectation or additional handling equipment.
Buyer questions
Questions to resolve before specification.
Do I need to send carbonated samples?
Yes where possible. Carbonated products behave differently from water or still samples.
Can a trial prove final output?
It can support output planning, but final production output also depends on operators, line integration, utilities and closure equipment.
Should packaging samples be full production samples?
They should be as representative as possible, including cap, crown, lid/end and material details.
What happens if the trial fails?
The result still helps because it identifies whether the issue is product temperature, carbonation, package, filling sequence or closure integration.
Related guidance
Continue planning the carbonated filling route.
Send consistent product, pack, output and utility details before quotation.
ValveCounter-pressure fill valve selectionUse trial data to assess the filling sequence.
QualityFilled pack quality checksAgree final inspection and acceptance checks.
Machine rangeCarbonated drink filling machinesCompare compact, automatic, bottle, can and complete-line routes.
Ready to specify the route?
Send the product, package and output details.
Lancing can review the drink type, carbonation target, container, closure or seam route, target output, utilities and site requirements before recommending the machinery path.