Abstract: A method of packaging a beverage having gas in solution and a beverage package has a container 10 containing the beverage 6 to form a headspace 15. Floating on the beverage 6 is a hollow spherical capsule having a restricted aperture 7. During sealing of the container 10 by a top 20 the headspace 15 is pressurised (by a nitrogen dose 16) and during such pressurisation the insert 1 is raised relative to its natural floating position on the beverage 6 to ensure that the aperture 7 communicates with the headspace 15 to pressurise the chamber of that insert. The aforementioned raising of the insert 1 is preferably achieved by subjecting the insert to a centrifugal force during rotation of the container in seaming the top 20 thereto or by magnetic attraction. Following pressurisation of the headspace 15 the insert is lowered to float naturally on the beverage 6 with its aperture 7 submerged. During pressurisation the insert 1 may take in a minimal volume of beverage from the container.

Abstract: A beverage package and a method of forming such a package defines a primary chamber containing an insert defining a secondary chamber. The insert has a seating in the form of a bore within which is received the lower end of a tube which is fitted to the insert. When the package is charged with beverage such as beer having gas in solution and sealed to form a headspace containing gas at a pressure greater than atmospheric, beer from the primary chamber fills the tube. The secondary chamber contains beverage and gas at a pressure greater than atmospheric and on opening the container the headspace de-pressurises causing beverage and gas from the secondary chamber to be ejected through the tube. A restricted aperture between the bottom end of the tube and an opposing wall of the insert causes froth to be developed in the beverage in the secondary chamber as the beverage flows into the bottom end of the tube. The frothy beverage then flows through the tube into the headspace.

Abstract: A beverage package has a can 1 within a primary chamber 5 to which is located an insert 6 having a secondary chamber 10. The insert has a bore 11 within which is received a lower end of a capilliary tube 15. The can 1 contains beverage such as beer 20 having gas in solution and sealed to form a headspace 21 containing gas at a pressure greater than atmospheric. The tube 15 contains beverage and its upper end opens into the headspace 21. The secondary chamber 10 contains gas at a pressure greater than atmospheric and on opening of the container the headspace 21 de-pressurises causing beverage and/or gas from the chamber 10 to displace beverage through the restriction of the capilliary tube 15 directly into the headspace 21 causing froth to develop in the headspace.

Abstract: An apparatus for, and a method of, placing an elongated insert 1 in a can 2 through a narrow top opening 6 has a head assembly 10 formed by a sleeve 21 slidable over a core 20. The core 20 has an inclined end face 23 with a vacuum suction port 25. The insert 1 is picked up from a delivery chute by vacuum suction through port 25 to be held on the end face 23 in a first orientation. The head assembly 10 is displaced with the insert attached thereto and moved into the can 2 whilst maintaining the insert 1 in its first orientation. The insert abuts the can base 3 and the sleeve 21 is displaced over the core 20 to abut the insert 1 and pivot the insert on the base 3 into a second position of orientation in which the opposed ends of the insert frictionally engage the can side wall 4 to retain the insert in the can.

Abstract: A beverage package and a method of packaging a beverage such as beer containing gas in solution has a container can 1 having a primary chamber 1A charged with beer 14 to form a small headspace 15. The can 1 is sealed and includes a submerged insert 8 forming a relief chamber 6 which is sealed by a closure 11. The insert 8 is responsive to heat applied during pasteurization which causes the closure 11 to open the relief chamber so that the latter can accommodate beer derived from the primary chamber 1A to provide an enlarged headspace 15A. The small headspace 15 initially provided facilitates removal of air therefrom prior to sealing of the container while the enlarged headspace 15A is adequate to accommodate froth or foam developed by the intentional liberation of gas from solution in the beer. An insert part 7 forming a secondary chamber 5 may be provided for injecting gas or liquid into the beer to liberate gas therefrom for froth or foam development in the enlarged headspace.

Abstract: A method of placing an insert in a container having a neck wherein the insert is of greater longitudinal extent than the cross-section of the neck, comprising the steps of holding the insert in a first orientation while causing relative movement between the insert and the container to introduce the insert into the container through the neck and subsequently permitting the insert to move under the influence of gravity into a second, different, orientation relative to the first orientation within the container.

Abstract: A sealed beverage package has a bottle 1, a neck 4 of which provides a narrow mouth 5. A hollow insert 7 is submerged in beverage 13 in the bottle. A headspace 14 in the bottle is at a pressure greater than atmospheric and when the package is opened to de-pressurise the headspace 14, gas and/or liquid under pressure in the insert 7 is ejected through an aperture 8 into the beverage to cause a head of froth to develop on the beverage 13. The insert 7 is retained in position by an open framework 9 of struts 10 which extend between the insert and a retaining ring 11 that frictionally engages in a bore 6 adjacent to the mouth 5 of the bottle. The insert 7 can be attached to the framework 9 or formed integral therewith.

Abstract: A can (1) has a primary chamber and a secondary chamber in communication through a restricted orifice and its exterior maintained at atmospheric pressure. The can (1) is filled with beer through a filling block (24) from a bowl (8). Prior to filling the can (1) is pressurized through the block (24) with nitrogen gas to greater than atmospheric pressure and subsequently evacuated to atmospheric pressure. Such pressurization and evacuation is repeated sequentially to dilute the atmospheric oxygen content within the primary and secondary chambers. A gas exchange conduit (40) extends between the bowl headspace (12) and the can (1). Conduit (40) has a gas control valve (55) closeable by movement of lever (60). A beer flow valve (37/46) controls flow of beer (9) from the bowl. During nitrogen pressurization of the can (1) the lever (60) is adjusted to maintain valves (55) and (37/46) closed and insure that high pressure gas in the can (1) cannot flow through conduit (40) into the bowl (8).

Abstract: A method of packaging a beverage having gas in solution has an open topped container 1 in which is located a hollow insert 5 having a restricted aperture 12. The container is charged with the beverage such as beer 15 so that the aperture 12 is submerged in the beverage and the container is sealed to form a headspace 19 which is pressurized, preferably by dosing with liquid nitrogen. Following sealing the container is rapidly inverted to locate the aperture 12 in the headspace 19 so that gas pressures in the insert chamber 10 and the headspace 19 come into equilibrium. With the fluid contents in equilibrium, or substantially so, the package is reinverted so that gas under pressure in the insert chamber 10 communicates directly by way of the aperture 12 with beer in the chamber 10.

Abstract: A beverage dispensing system and distributing process with such a system has a flexible bag 1 containing the beverage which may have carbon dioxide dissolved therein. The beverage is drawn off through a pipe 3 (assisted by a pump 8) for dispensing through nozzle 5 having a tap 6. Carbon dioxide, nitrogen (or other inert gas) and/or air gases are introduced into the beverage through a passage 11 by way of a fixed orifice restrictor 12 and a non-return valve 13. The pressure of the gas which is introduced is adjustable at 14 and baffles 15 can provide turbulence in the beverage during dispensing to promote the dissolution of the introduced gas therein.The facility to introduce the gas or gases permits the beverage in the bag 1 to have a low content of carbon dioxide so that the bag collapses under atmospheric pressure while the beverage as dispensed is additionally gasified for the formation of a froth or head.