What Are Decappers?
Decappers remove closures from returnable bottles before washing and refilling. They are essential components in returnable bottle lines for beer, soft drinks, and water. The machine must reliably remove various closure types without damaging the bottle finish. Used decappers are widely available as many bottlers upgrade or convert from returnable to one-way packaging.
Decapper Types
- Crown decappers — remove crown corks from returnable glass beer and soft drink bottles
- Screw cap decappers — unscrew caps from returnable PET or glass bottles
- Multi-format decappers — handle multiple closure types with change parts
- Inline decappers — integrated into the conveyor line before the bottle washer
Critical Inspection Points
- Decapping head condition — worn heads fail to grip or remove caps reliably
- Bottle handling — inspect grippers and guides for wear that causes bottle damage
- Cap collection system — verify the removed caps are properly ejected and collected
- Throughput verification — test at rated speed to confirm consistent decapping
- Safety systems — decappers handle sharp cap edges and require proper guarding
Common Issues
Problems to Watch For
- Worn decapping heads causing incomplete cap removal — replacement heads should be readily available
- Bottle neck damage from misaligned grippers — particularly problematic with lightweight glass bottles
- Cap jam in the ejection chute — caused by worn guides or incorrect chute geometry
- Inconsistent performance with partially opened or damaged caps
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a decapper for a returnable bottle line?
Yes, if processing returned bottles with caps still attached. The decapper sits upstream of the bottle washer. Some bottle washers include an integrated decapping function, but standalone decappers offer more documented performance at higher speeds.
Can a decapper handle mixed cap types?
Multi-format decappers can handle different closure types with appropriate change parts. However, mixing crown and screw caps in the same production run is generally not practical — the line is typically set up for one closure type per run.
What speeds are available for used decappers?
Decapper speeds range from 5,000 to over 60,000 bottles per hour depending on the model and closure type. Match the decapper speed to your bottle washer and filler capacity.