A can tipper, also known as a can inverter or bottle tipper, is a device used to invert containers such as aluminum cans and glass bottles. It is mainly applied in the production lines of industries like food, beverage, and beer.
Classification by Tipping Angle
90° Can Tipper (Moderate Stability): Only performs preliminary angle adjustment, suitable for processes requiring directional conveyance (e.g., can posture calibration).
180° Can Tipper (High Stability): The most commonly used type, enabling complete container inversion. It is mainly used for degassing and sterilization processes in the beverage/food industry.
360° Can Tipper (High Stability): Realizes full 360-degree rotation of containers, suitable for special scenarios requiring all-round processing (e.g., mixing of high-viscosity materials).
Classification by Material
Traditional Iron Cage Type (Low Stability): Prone to deformation and can scratching, with high maintenance costs. It is gradually being phased out and only applicable to old production lines with low precision and no appearance requirements.
Ultra-High Molecular Weight Polyethylene (UHMWPE) Type (High Stability): Its core advantages include wear resistance, self-lubrication, adaptability to spiral inner cavity design, strong structural compatibility, no can tipping or jamming, and long service life. It is the mainstream choice in modern applications.
Classification by Structural Composition
Integral Can Tipper: Features a complete, integrated structure with a spiral inner cavity inside. Containers (bottles or cans) are fed into the spiral inner cavity via a conveyor belt to be inverted to the required angle. It has a simple structure, is made of wear-resistant materials such as polymer UHMWPE, and offers advantages like self-lubrication, easy operation, high wear resistance, and long service life.
Multi-Piece Can Tipper: Composed of multiple assembled components, it can also invert aluminum cans, glass bottles, and plastic bottles. Compared with traditional iron cage-type can tippers, it has advantages such as resistance to deformation and damage, and no container surface scratching.
Comparison Dimension
Multi-Piece Can Tipper
Integral Can Tipper
Applicable Scenarios
Production lines with frequent can/bottle specification changes
Continuous production lines with single specification and high output
Tipping Precision
Moderate (susceptible to component misalignment)
High (small error due to integrated structure)
Operation Threshold
High (requires precise component calibration)
Low (no complex debugging required)
Maintenance Cost
Low (local component replacement)
High (requires overall replacement)
Cleaning Frequency
High (impurities easily accumulate in gaps)
Low (no splicing dead corners)
Key Points for Can Tipper Selection
1. First, Consider Material Characteristics
Weight: The rated load should exceed the actual weight of materials by 10%-20% (to leave a safety margin).
Size: The workbench surface and tipping angle must match the length × width × height of cans/bottles.
Shape: Use ordinary spiral models for cylindrical cans, and custom models for special-shaped bottles.
2. Second, Focus on Production Process
Tipping Angle: Select 90°/180°/360° according to the process to ensure precise inversion.
Positioning Precision: High-precision models are required for processes such as labeling and filling.
Tipping Speed: Match the production line rhythm to avoid inertia risks caused by excessive speed.
3. Third, Verify Equipment Performance
Material: Use 304/316 stainless steel for humid/corrosive environments, and UHMWPE (wear-resistant and self-lubricating) for ordinary environments.
Stability: Choose models with a reasonable structure and high-precision spiral tracks to prevent can jamming.
Compatibility: The tipper should seamlessly connect with conveyors, filling machines, and labeling machines.
Typical Application Scenarios of Can Tippers
Industry Type
Material Characteristics
Core Process Requirements
Recommended Equipment Parameters
Food Industry
Sauces, jams (high viscosity, easy to settle and agglomerate)
Full 360° rotation for mixing to prevent sedimentation; compatible with multi-spec cans; anti-residue and easy to clean
360° rotation + UHMWPE material + multi-piece structure
