The NERPAE offers the same features and options as the NERCAE. The plug applicator is comprised of a rotary turret, starwheel and plug installation assembly. The NERPAE is placed over an existing, customer-supplied conveyor to capture incoming containers through the use of a starwheel. Simultaneously, plugs are transferred from a storage hopper to a sorter bowl by means of a vertical elevator. Plugs are sorted, aligned and discharged to a gravity chute, which transports the plugs to an alignment starwheel in preparation for transfer.

The containers and plugs now enter the system in individual starwheels, which will intersect at a transfer point. At the transfer point, the plug transfer starwheel, riding over the level of the container starwheel, aligns the plugs to the necks of the incoming containers.

With the containers fully captured within the rotary plug application turret, the plugs are placed in the necks of the containers and, gently pressed into the containers to a pre-determined depth. Plugged containers are then transferred to the discharge starwheel and exit the system to the customer-supplied conveyor.