The invention features a method of reconditioning a fluid container including heating for at least one cycle the fluid container to a select temperature for a select time duration; sealing for at least one cycle the fluid container; cooling for at least one cycle the fluid container to a select vacuum for a select time duration in an interior of the fluid container; wherein the select vacuum and the select time duration of the cooling step are selected to draw substantially a fluid from at least one of a pore, a cell and a fiber of the fluid container to a surface of the fluid container. The invention also features methods of infusing an infusion agent into a reconditioned fluid container, and methods for preparing construction materials, devices adapted for the construction material preparation methods, and construction materials including wood reconditioned and prepared in accordance with the methods of the invention.

An elongated container has a convex shape with a bulge defining a center width of the elongated container. An apparatus and method for lifting the elongated container are described. The apparatus performs a pick operation from a front side of the elongated container. The pick operation includes approaching and gripping the elongated container from the front side. During the pick operation, an outer dimension of the apparatus in a direction perpendicular to an elongated direction defined by the elongated container is smaller than the center width of the elongated container.

A container assembly (10) for retaining a liquid (16) during aging of the liquid (16) comprises a container (12) and an oxygenator (230). The container (12) includes a container body (14) that defines a chamber (14A) that receives and retains the liquid (16). The oxygenator (230) is positioned substantially within the chamber (14A). The oxygenator (230) includes a fluid source (662), one or more diffusers (672), and a valve (670). The one or more diffusers (672) are in fluid communication with the fluid source (662). The valve (670) selectively controls the introduction of a fluid from the fluid source (662) into the liquid (16) through the one or more diffusers (672). The container assembly (10) further comprises an insert retainer assembly (338) and one or more flavor inserts (440) that are received and retained by the insert retainer assembly (338). The container (12) further includes a container aperture (20) that extends through the container body (14). The container aperture (20) can have a size that is less than approximately twenty-five percent of the total surface area of a top of the container body (14). Additionally, the container aperture (20) can extend outward radially from the center of the top of the container body (14).

An installation for supporting a worker on a tank: The tank includes a plurality of vertical staves held to define a peripheral wall by a plurality of hoops. A top bracket at the top hoop has a tie-on receiving fixture for attachment to a worker's tie-on at the outer end of the bracket. The tie-on bracket on the top hoop is shaped to not pivot up and down around the top hoop. At least one lower hoop is located on the side of the tank. Each lower bracket at each lower hoop has a tie-on receiving fixture for attachment to a worker's tie-on at the outer end of the bracket. Each lower bracket is shaped and positioned for being able to be pivoted up and down around its lower hoop. A threaded end region on the end of a hoop segment passes through a hole in the respective bracket. A nut is tightened on the threaded end region for holding the bracket to a junction fixture on the end of a respective hoop segment. The adjacent hoop end regions or hoop segment end regions are held in the junction fixture to form the respective hoop.

A capped barrel system for aging liquids includes a barrel and a barrel cap removably coupled to the barrel. The barrel includes: a plurality of wooden staves suitable for aging liquids, hoops for holding the staves together, a head coupled to the staves, and a bunghole formed in the head. The barrel cap includes: a lid including a top portion and a rim extending downwardly from the top portion. The rim includes an inner surface and a seal that defines at least a portion of the inner surface. The barrel cap further includes an opening formed in the top portion of the lid that is generally aligned with the bunghole and a closure removably positioned in the opening. When the closure is positioned in the opening, a gas tight coupling between the closure and the lid and a gas tight fit between the seal and the barrel form a gas tight environment between the barrel and the barrel cap.

A capped barrel system for aging liquids includes a barrel and a barrel cap removably coupled to the barrel. The barrel includes: a plurality of wooden staves suitable for aging liquids, hoops for holding the staves together, a head coupled to the staves, and a bunghole formed in the head. The barrel cap includes: a lid including a top portion and a rim extending downwardly from the top portion. The rim includes an inner surface and a seal that defines at least a portion of the inner surface. The barrel cap further includes an opening formed in the top portion of the lid that is generally aligned with the bunghole and a closure removably positioned in the opening. When the closure is positioned in the opening, a gas tight coupling between the closure and the lid and a gas tight fit between the seal and the barrel form a gas tight environment between the barrel and the barrel cap.

A wooden barrel apparatus for aging products includes an inner wooden barrel positioned in an outer wooden barrel. A first volume may be defined within the inner wooden barrel. A second volume may be defined between the inner wooden barrel and the outer wooden barrel. One or more surfaces of the inner wooden barrel and the outer wooden barrel may be charred.

The invention features a method of reconditioning a fluid container including heating for at least one cycle the fluid container to a select temperature for a select time duration; sealing for at least one cycle the fluid container; cooling for at least one cycle the fluid container to a select vacuum for a select time duration in an interior of the fluid container; wherein the select vacuum and the select time duration of the cooling step are selected to draw substantially a fluid from at least one of a pore, a cell and a fiber of the fluid container to a surface of the fluid container. The invention also features methods of infusing an infusion agent into a reconditioned fluid container, and methods for preparing construction materials, devices adapted for the construction material preparation methods, and construction materials including wood reconditioned and prepared in accordance with the methods of the invention.

A method of aging distilled spirits, and a system to perform the method, the method including storing the distilled spirits in one or more containment vessels, securing the containment vessels in an unpressurized and ventilated cargo area of a selected flight vessel, and transporting the containment vessels from at least a first destination to at least a second destination upon the selected flight vessel.

The staves for producing wooden barrels are assembled of individual segments which are fixedly connected to each other at end faces. The individual segments are shorter wood pieces that are assembled such that the stave has the required length. The wooden barrel is produced of such staves which are placed against each other seal-tightly with their narrow sides. The individual segments are machined at their end faces such that individual segments resting against each other after assembly are positioned at an angle relative to each other and form a raw stave that is curved across the length.