Tub Filling Machine for Deli and Food Tubs: Fill, Seal and Lid in One Pass
The SDH-R automatic rotary tub filling machine fills, membrane-seals and snap-lids pre-formed tubs from 2 oz to 32 oz with ±0.5% servo-piston accuracy and up to 30 cups per minute. Designed and built in Calgary for US and Canadian food producers.
A tub filling machine doses food into pre-formed plastic tubs, then seals and lids them. The Hummus Pack SDH-R is an automatic rotary tub filling and sealing machine for dips, spreads and salads. It runs standard 4, 8, 10 and 16 oz tubs (custom 2–32 oz with change parts), fills 50–500 g at ±0.5%, and reaches up to 30 per minute with membrane sealing and optional snap-on lids.
- Output
- Up to 30 cups/min (18–25 real-world)
- Fill range
- 50 g – 500 g (approx. 2 oz – 17 oz)
- Fill accuracy
- ±0.5% (servo-driven volumetric piston)
- Tub sizes
- 4, 8, 10, 16 oz standard; custom 2–32 oz with tooling
- Closing
- Roll-film membrane seal; optional snap-on plastic lid
- Changeover
- Under ~15 minutes, recipes stored on the HMI
- Price
- From $45,000 USD (single-filler configuration)
What a Tub Filling Machine Is and How a Tub Differs from a Cup
A tub filling machine takes empty pre-formed tubs, doses a controlled weight of product into each one, and closes it for cold distribution. Our SDH-R automatic rotary tub filling, sealing and lidding machine does this on one indexing turret: denesting, up to three fillers, roll-film membrane sealing, optional nitrogen flushing and an optional snap-on lid. Plant teams often call it a tub filler sealer.
There is no formal boundary between a cup and a tub. Buyers usually say tub for a wider, deeper container of roughly 8 oz and up with a snap-on lid, sold at deli counters, in refrigerated retail or to foodservice kitchens, and cup for a smaller single-serve container. The SDH-R handles both, because both are pre-formed containers that index through the same stations. For smaller formats, see our cup filling and sealing machine page.
Common tub shapes
- Round tubs: the most common deli and retail format.
- Square tubs: use case and shelf space more efficiently than round tubs of the same volume.
- Rectangular tubs: common for shallow, wide-footprint packs of dips and salads.
The SDH-R is a plastic tub filling machine for pre-formed containers only; it does not thermoform tubs. Standard tooling covers 4, 8, 10 and 16 oz, and custom sizes from 2 oz to 32 oz are available with matching change parts.
Tub Size, Typical Products and Fill Weight on the SDH-R
Choose the tub first, then check its fill weight against our 50–500 g standard range.
Tub size vs typical products vs fill weight
| Tub size | Typical products | Label net weight | Inside the 50–500 g range? |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 oz | Sampling and portion servings | 57 g | Yes, at the low end (minimum is 50 g) |
| 4 oz | Single-serve dips, spreads and purees | 113 g | Yes, standard tooling |
| 8 oz | Retail hummus, salsa, guacamole, cream cheese, labneh | 227 g | Yes, standard tooling |
| 10 oz | Retail dips and deli salads | 283 g | Yes, standard tooling |
| 16 oz | Family-size retail, deli counter, small foodservice | 454 g | Yes; near the top of the range |
| 24 oz | Foodservice deli tubs | 680 g | No; custom tooling, confirm with engineering |
| 32 oz | Foodservice and catering tubs | 907 g | No for most products; confirm with engineering |
Tub Filling Machine Fill Weight: The 500 g Limit, Tub Volume and Density
Tub sizes are quoted by volume, while the SDH-R fill range is quoted by weight, so product density links the two. One fluid ounce is about 29.6 mL, which makes a 16 oz tub roughly 473 mL. A water-density product weighs about 473 g in a brim-full 16 oz tub, inside our standard range; a denser paste can push the same tub past 500 g.
How to convert tub volume to fill weight
- Take the tub's brim-full volume in mL (ounces × 29.6).
- Subtract the headspace your seal and lid need.
- Multiply the remaining volume by your product density in g/mL.
- Compare the result with the 50–500 g standard fill range.
A 32 oz tub holds about 946 mL. Filled near the rim, any product denser than roughly 0.53 g/mL weighs more than 500 g, which includes most dips and spreads. For that reason we list 24 oz and 32 oz tubs outside the standard fill range, even though matching tooling exists. We confirm whether your fill weight, headspace and product can run before quoting, and custom engineered-to-order fillers are part of what we build. Send us your tub specification and product density early.
How the SDH-R Tub Filling and Sealing Machine Works, Station by Station
Tubs index around a turret and every station works at once, giving up to 30 per minute on a dry cycle and 18–25 in real production, depending on product, tub size, fill weight and options. The sequence in one pass:
- Tub loading and denesting. A pneumatic denester separates nested tubs and places one in each pocket.
- Base filling. A servo-driven volumetric piston filler doses the base product to ±0.5%.
- Second and third filling (optional). Paste, spices, nuts, oil or a liquid garnish for layered or topped tubs, up to three fillers in total.
- Roll-film membrane sealing. Film cut from a roll is heat sealed to the flange, which makes the tub tamper-evident.
- Nitrogen MAP flushing (optional). Displaces oxygen to extend refrigerated shelf life.
- Plastic lid pick-and-place or snap-on (optional). A rigid lid is placed or snapped on, and the finished tub discharges to your conveyor.
Control is PLC-based, with an HMI that stores recipes. The footprint is 44 × 52 in (1,100.5 × 1,315.5 mm). The layout logic is covered on our rotary cup filling machine page.
Get a configured SDH-R quote for your productSend your product, cup size and target cups per minute — we reply within 24 hours.
Request a quoteTub Sealing Machine Options: Membrane Seal, Pre-Cut Lids and Snap-On Lids
A tub sealing machine does two jobs: it protects the product, and it shows a buyer or kitchen that nobody has opened the tub. The SDH-R supports four closing systems:
- Roll-film membrane sealing: film is cut from a roll and heat sealed across the flange. It is tamper-evident.
- Pre-die-cut lids: film or another material, for formats that specify a pre-cut lid.
- Plastic lid pick-and-place: a rigid lid is placed on the tub for re-closure.
- Snapping device: presses over-top lids onto the rim.
Most deli and retail tubs combine a membrane seal for tamper evidence with a snap-on lid for the customer who opens and reseals the tub. Seal quality depends on flange width, seal temperature, pressure and dwell time, and above all on a clean flange. A drip or overfill on the sealing surface leaves a leaker, which is why the SDH-R offers cut-off and suck-back (drip-free) nozzles. Seal-specific detail is on our automatic cup sealing machine page.
Change Parts for Tub Formats: Sizes, Shapes and Changeover
Each tub size and shape needs matching tooling, called change parts. The SDH-R takes round, square and rectangular tubs, and we specify the exact change-part list for every tub in your range when we quote.
Changeover between SKUs takes under ~15 minutes, with fill weight, filler settings and seal parameters stored as recipes on the HMI. A change of tub diameter or shape means swapping tooling and is scoped with you at quotation. Food-grade 304 stainless steel construction with tool-free strip-down keeps cleaning between runs fast.
Foodservice vs Retail Tubs: How the Format Changes the Setup
A deli tub filling machine for retail and one for foodservice share the same platform, but the priorities differ. Retail buyers care about label net weight and tamper evidence. Foodservice buyers care about portion yield and tub strength.
Retail tubs vs foodservice tubs on the SDH-R
| Factor | Retail tubs | Foodservice and deli tubs |
|---|---|---|
| Typical sizes | 4–16 oz, inside the standard fill range | 16–32 oz; larger sizes may exceed the 500 g range |
| Closure | Membrane seal for tamper evidence, snap-on lid for the shopper | Membrane seal for tamper evidence, snap-on lid for kitchen re-closure |
| Shelf life | Optional nitrogen MAP when distribution is long | Optional MAP if tubs sit in storage or distribution for long periods |
The SDH-R integrates with labeling equipment for top and side labels and with variable data coding devices. For what a retail tub label must carry, see our guide to food labeling requirements for dips and spreads.
Food Tub Filling Machine Products, Fillers and MAP Shelf Life
As a food tub filling machine, the SDH-R targets fresh and refrigerated products filled at a pumpable temperature, such as hummus, salsa, tzatziki, cream cheese, nut butters and prepared salads. Matching the filler to the product keeps tubs at full weight and flanges clean:
- Smooth pastes and dips: the standard servo-driven volumetric piston filler.
- Chunky products and salads: wide-bore valving passes particulates such as herbs, shredded cucumber and nut pieces; a garnish filler adds toppings.
- Powders and spice toppings: optional vibration filler.
- Oils and liquid garnishes: optional peristaltic pump.
- Drip control: cut-off or suck-back nozzles.
Optional nitrogen flushing reduces residual oxygen to 0.3–0.4%. For refrigerated dips, typical shelf life extends from roughly 7–10 days to 30–45+ days, depending on the product. See our guide to nitrogen flushing and dip shelf life. Fill temperature, viscosity extremes and unusual particulates are confirmed with our engineering team before quoting.
Sanitary Design, Allergens and Compliance on a Tub Filling Line
Sesame became the ninth major US allergen on January 1, 2023 under the FASTER Act, which affects every hummus and tahini tub, and the Safe Food for Canadians Regulations (SFCR) set allergen and labeling duties for plants selling in Canada. The SDH-R is built in food-grade 304 stainless steel with tool-free strip-down and an optional clean-in-place (CIP) system for fast cleaning between runs.
The machine is CE compliant, UL listed and uses FDA-compliant food-contact materials. It is designed to support plants operating under FDA FSMA Preventive Controls (21 CFR Part 117), HACCP, BRCGS or SQF programs, but those schemes certify your facility, not the machine. Details are on our certifications and compliance page.
When a Tub Filling Machine Like the SDH-R Is Not the Right Choice
We would rather lose a quote than sell the wrong machine. The SDH-R is a rotary machine for fresh and refrigerated products, so look elsewhere if you need:
- More than 30 tubs per minute on a single SKU. A high-volume inline cup filling machine line is the better fit.
- Aseptic, shelf-stable or retort processing.
- Frozen products such as ice cream tubs.
- Tubs formed in line.
- Fills below 50 g, such as 1 oz cups, or routine fills above 500 g per tub.
- Meat or poultry tray sealing.
- Hot-fill products; we do not claim hot-fill temperature limits, so confirm fill temperature with engineering.
Tub Filling Machine Price, Lead Time and How to Request a Quote
The SDH-R starts from $45,000 USD for the single-filler configuration. Price scales with additional fillers, MAP, labeling and custom tooling for your tub sizes. Delivery is 8–12 weeks from order confirmation. The machine is made in Canada and carries a 12-month warranty.
To get a tub filling machine quote, contact our sales team with your product, tub size and shape, target tubs per minute and options. We may call to learn more about the application, and we reply within about 24 hours. Our service centres in Alberta, New Jersey and California support customers across the USA and Canada. Review the full SDH-R product specification, email sales@hummuspack.com or call +1 (888) 922-7271 (Mon–Fri, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM MDT).
Tub Filling Machine — Frequently Asked Questions
The Hummus Pack SDH-R automatic rotary tub filling machine starts from $45,000 USD for the single-filler configuration. Price rises with additional fillers, nitrogen MAP, labeling integration and custom tooling for your tub sizes. For a fuller breakdown, see our cup filling machine cost guide.
The SDH-R tub filling and sealing machine reaches up to 30 tubs per minute on a dry cycle and 18–25 per minute in real production, depending on the product, tub size, fill weight and options. If you need more than 30 per minute on a single SKU, an inline line is a better fit.
Standard tooling covers 4, 8, 10 and 16 oz tubs. Custom sizes from 2 oz to 32 oz are available with matching change parts, in round, square or rectangular shapes. Tubs must be pre-formed, because the SDH-R does not thermoform containers. Fill weight is a separate limit: 50 g to 500 g.
Tooling for 32 oz tubs is available, but the standard fill range is 50–500 g. A 32 oz tub holds about 946 mL, so most dips and spreads would weigh more than 500 g if filled near the rim. We confirm whether your product and target weight can run before quoting. Send us your tub specification.
The SDH-R heat seals a membrane, cut from a roll of film, across the tub flange, which makes the tub tamper-evident. It can also apply pre-die-cut lids, place plastic lids by pick-and-place or snap on over-top lids. Most deli and retail tubs use a membrane seal plus a snap-on lid.
Fill-weight accuracy is ±0.5%, delivered by a servo-driven volumetric piston filler. On a 16 oz (454 g) label weight, that is roughly ±2.3 g. Cut-off and suck-back nozzles keep the flange clean, and a weight checker with feedback loop is available as an option.
Optional nitrogen MAP flushing on the SDH-R reduces residual oxygen to 0.3–0.4%. For refrigerated dips and spreads, typical shelf life extends from roughly 7–10 days to 30–45+ days, depending on the product. We recommend validating shelf life on your own formulation.
Changeover between SKUs takes under ~15 minutes, with fill weight and settings stored as recipes on the HMI. A change of tub diameter or shape means swapping matching tooling, which we scope at quotation. Tool-free strip-down and optional CIP support cleaning between allergen changes.
Delivery of the SDH-R is 8–12 weeks from order confirmation. The machine is designed and built in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, and carries a 12-month warranty. Service centres in Alberta, New Jersey and California support food producers in the USA, Canada, the UK, EU, Middle East, Australia and New Zealand.
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