A keg filling apparatus (101) is disclosed. The apparatus (101) comprises a stand (102) and a keg receiving plate (201). The stand (102) comprises a plurality of legs (105) and braces (107) for supporting an upper bracket (106) at a convenient height. The keg receiving plate (201) is releasably attached to the upper bracket (106) of the stand (102) and comprises a coupler (204). The coupler (204) releasably engages a keg valve to allow the keg to be filled through the valve. The apparatus further comprises alternative keg receiving plates (208 & 210), these plates comprising alternative couplers (209 & 211) for releasable engagement with different valves. The apparatus obviates present issues in stability during the filling of one-way kegs which must be inverted during the filling process.

A keg filling apparatus (101) is disclosed. The apparatus (101) comprises a stand (102) and a keg receiving plate (201). The stand (102) comprises a plurality of legs (105) and braces (107) for supporting an upper bracket (106) at a convenient height. The keg receiving plate (201) is releasably attached to the upper bracket (106) of the stand (102) and comprises a coupler (204). The coupler (204) releasably engages a keg valve to allow the keg to be filled through the valve. The apparatus further comprises alternative keg receiving plates (208 & 210), these plates comprising alternative couplers (209 & 211) for releasable engagement with different valves. The apparatus obviates present issues in stability during the filling of one-way kegs which must be inverted during the filling process.

A filler head apparatus 20 for hygienically filling and emptying containers 22 through a fitment 24 incorporated with the container 22 includes a cylindrical outer housing 30 for receiving a hollow bore inner cylinder 32 which is actuated to simultaneously reciprocate and rotate about a central axis 33 within the outer housing. A transfer tube assembly 34 is mounted to the inner cylinder 32 to travel with the inner cylinder between an extended position engaged with the fitment 24 and a retracted position disengage from the fitment. When the transfer tube assembly is engaged with the fitment, flowable content or product may be transferred to or from the container 22. A fitment cap assembly 36 is also mounted to the inner cylinder 22 to travel with the inner cylinder to remove the cap 38 of the fitment 24 prior to either filling or emptying the container 22, and then to retract to a standby position while the container is filled/emptied, and thereafter replacing the fitment cap after filling/emptying has been completed.

Exemplary embodiments include a filling apparatus that can be connected to a valve on a keg, such as a Sankey-D valve, and can be used to pour alcohol and other liquids into the keg, which may be pre-filled with a non-alcoholic drink mix. The filling apparatus has an upper structure coupled to a valve assembly which is coupled to a lower structure configured to mate with a keg valve. The filling apparatus may be designed to depress portions of the keg valve to allow for both filling and venting of the keg simultaneously. The filling apparatus may include a Sankey-D coupler or a coupler with a probe portion as the lower body portion.

Exemplary embodiments include a filling apparatus that can be connected to a valve on a keg, such as a Sankey-D valve, and can be used to pour alcohol and other liquids into the keg, which may be pre-filled with a non-alcoholic drink mix. The filling apparatus has an upper structure coupled to a valve assembly which is coupled to a lower structure configured to mate with a keg valve. The filling apparatus may be designed to depress portions of the keg valve to allow for both filling and venting of the keg simultaneously. The filling apparatus may include a Sankey-D coupler or a coupler with a probe portion as the lower body portion.

An automatic liquid filling system includes a machine assembly, a gripping unit, and a controlling unit. The machine assembly has a filling zone for receiving at least one container. The container has an opening. The machine assembly includes a plurality of filling nozzles in the filling zone. The gripping unit in the machine assembly includes a moving track and a robotic arm. The robotic arm is movably disposed on the moving track. The controlling unit in the machine assembly is electrically connected to the gripping unit. When the container is located in the filling zone, the controlling unit controls the robotic arm to move along the moving track and to pick up one of the filling nozzles to fill the container through the opening of the container. A method of filling liquid is provided herewith.

An automatic liquid filling system includes a machine assembly, a gripping unit, and a controlling unit. The machine assembly has a filling zone for receiving at least one container. The container has an opening. The machine assembly includes a plurality of filling nozzles in the filling zone. The gripping unit in the machine assembly includes a moving track and a robotic arm. The robotic arm is movably disposed on the moving track. The controlling unit in the machine assembly is electrically connected to the gripping unit. When the container is located in the filling zone, the controlling unit controls the robotic arm to move along the moving track and to pick up one of the filling nozzles to fill the container through the opening of the container. A method of filling liquid is provided herewith.

A treatment head for treating a keg's interior includes a treatment-head housing against which the keg is sealed by having the keg fitting pressed thereon and a lifter that is immovable relative to the treatment-head housing. In response to axial relative movement with the keg fitting, the lifter opens the keg fitting when the keg is sealed against the pressure element, thereby establishing a return gas-path through the treatment head, through a deformable seal and into the keg's interior. This relative movement is carried out against a resetting force. The deformable sleeve is a sleeve-shaped seal that surrounds a space that surrounds at least a portion of an axial extent of the treatment-head housing. A top end of the sleeve connects to the treatment-head housing and a bottom end of the sleeve connects to the pressure element.

A treatment head for treating a keg's interior includes a treatment-head housing against which the keg is sealed by having the keg fitting pressed thereon and a lifter that is immovable relative to the treatment-head housing. In response to axial relative movement with the keg fitting, the lifter opens the keg fitting when the keg is sealed against the pressure element, thereby establishing a return gas-path through the treatment head, through a deformable seal and into the keg's interior. This relative movement is carried out against a resetting force. The deformable sleeve is a sleeve-shaped seal that surrounds a space that surrounds at least a portion of an axial extent of the treatment-head housing. A top end of the sleeve connects to the treatment-head housing and a bottom end of the sleeve connects to the pressure element.

A treatment head for treating a keg's interior includes a treatment-head housing against which the keg is sealed by having the keg fitting pressed thereon and a lifter that is immovable relative to the treatment-head housing. In response to axial relative movement with the keg fitting, the lifter opens the keg fitting when the keg is sealed against the pressure element, thereby establishing a return gas-path through the treatment head, through a deformable seal and into the keg's interior. This relative movement is carried out against a resetting force. The deformable sleeve is a sleeve-shaped seal that surrounds a space that surrounds at least a portion of an axial extent of the treatment-head housing. A top end of the sleeve connects to the treatment-head housing and a bottom end of the sleeve connects to the pressure element.