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.

Apparatus for engaging a cap releasably secured in a container includes a carrier that is selectively movable up and down relative to the container and carries a cap engagement tool and a centering collar. At least one among the cap engagement tool and centering collar is biased downwardly by at least two spaced-part biasing members during operations.

Apparatus for engaging a cap releasably secured in a container includes a carrier that is selectively movable up and down relative to the container and carries a cap engagement tool and a centering collar. At least one among the cap engagement tool and centering collar is biased downwardly by at least two spaced-part biasing members during operations.

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.

Apparatus for installing a bung plug in and/or extracting a bung plug from a container positioned below the apparatus includes a carrier selectively movable up and down relative to the container, a bung plug engagement tool carried by the carrier and including a bung plug wrench and a centering collar carried by the carrier and at least partially surrounding the bung plug wrench.

Apparatus for installing a bung plug in and/or extracting a bung plug from a container positioned below the apparatus includes a carrier selectively movable up and down relative to the container, a bung plug engagement tool carried by the carrier and including a bung plug wrench and a centering collar carried by the carrier and at least partially surrounding the bung plug wrench.

An automated drum manipulation system and methods include at least one among an automated drum rotator, bung locator, bung plug extractor and bung plug installer. The bung locator includes at least two spaced-apart bung location sensors and at least one downwardly-extending foot spaced outwardly relative to the sensors and configured to rest upon the drum's outer rim, positioning the sensors over the upper surface of the drum so they can concurrently detect the presence of opposing sides of the lip of the drum's bung opening as the drum is rotated below the bung locator.

The present invention relates to a method of introducing nitrogen into a beverage container. The beverage container (10) includes a cylindrical neck part (16) having a circumferential rim (18) defining an opening (20). The cylindrical neck part includes an outer circumferential flange (22) encircling the cylindrical neck part. A connecting element (36) having a circular closure plate (64) and a cylindrical housing (54) having a set of inwardly oriented locking parts (56) is positioned such that the cylindrical housing is at least partially covering the cylindrical neck part and a fluid path (58) is defined between the connecting element and the cylindrical neck part. A collar (42, 44) having a gas inlet (48) is placed about the cylindrical neck part and gas is injected into the beverage container via the gas inlet. Finally, the connecting element is moved towards the cylindrical neck part for arresting the connecting element to the cylindrical neck part and sealing the circular closure plate against the circumferential rim.

The present invention relates to a method of introducing nitrogen into a beverage container. The beverage container (10) includes a cylindrical neck part (16) having a circumferential rim (18) defining an opening (20). The cylindrical neck part includes an outer circumferential flange (22) encircling the cylindrical neck part. A connecting element (36) having a circular closure plate (64) and a cylindrical housing (54) having a set of inwardly oriented locking parts (56) is positioned such that the cylindrical housing is at least partially covering the cylindrical neck part and a fluid path (58) is defined between the connecting element and the cylindrical neck part. A collar (42, 44) having a gas inlet (48) is placed about the cylindrical neck part and gas is injected into the beverage container via the gas inlet. Finally, the connecting element is moved towards the cylindrical neck part for arresting the connecting element to the cylindrical neck part and sealing the circular closure plate against the circumferential rim.