Abstract: A metal bottle-shaped container comprising a neck portion (5) defining an opening to the container, the neck portion extending into a neck finish (6) configured to receive a crown closure for sealing the opening, the neck finish comprising three distinct sections, a proximal section (6.P) extending from the neck portion of the container and connected thereto by a first bend (6.1), a distal section (6.D) comprising the free end of the neck finish and an intermediate section (6.1) extending between the proximal section and the distal section and connected thereto by respectively a second bend (6.2) and a third bend (6.3), characterized in that the proximal section is substantially planar and has a width of at least 0.5 mm measured between the first and second bends.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of inkjet printing an image on a glass container comprising the steps of: a) manufacturing a glass container having a CEC layer; b) removing at least part of the CEC layer to a level wherein the remaining CEC layer has a thickness of less than 20 nm by washing the CEC from the glass container with an aqueous solution containing non-ionic surfactant, rinsing with water and blowing the water from the container by means of a pressurized air stream, c) inkjet printing an image on the glass container.

Abstract: A can for containing a liquid has a top end having a dispense area defined by a first score line and a pull tab coupled to the top end by a rivet. The pull tab has a puncturing end for breaking the first score line and pushing into the interior of the can without detaching the dispense area to open a dispense aperture. A vent area is defined by a second score line and positioned on the opposite side of the rivet. The first and second score lines are separated by at least one torsion stripe of the can top material for acting as a hinge by torsion upon lifting the actuating end of the pull tab. As the dispense aperture is opened by pushing the dispense area into the interior of the can, a vent aperture is opened by pulling the vent area outwards.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides an automatic vending machine for dispensing beverage cans. The machine includes a main housing having a can delivery slot. The housing includes a refrigerant compartment for storing the beverage cans. The housing further includes a delivery sub-system for delivering a beverage can from the refrigerant compartment to the delivery slot accessible to a consumer. The delivery sub-system is configured to orient and open the can while delivering to the delivery slot.

Abstract: A glass container has an outer glass surface with an inkjet printed image provided on the surface. An at least partially water soluble cold-end coating (CEC) with a thickness from 0.002 to 10 micrometers is present between the outer glass surface and the inkjet printed image. The glass container is preferably a one-way beverage bottle. A method of inkjet printing an image on a glass container comprises the steps of (a) manufacturing a glass container having an at least partially water soluble CEC layer with a thickness from 0.002 to 10 micrometers, and (b) inkjet printing an image on the glass container.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a portable handle assembly for use with one or more secondary packages. The handle assembly includes a base portion. The base portion includes a first handle pocket at a proximal end extended towards a second handle pocket at a distal end. Each of the handle pocket includes a recess having an inward opening and an outward opening. The handle assembly further includes a handle having a gripping portion extended towards a first enclosed portion at the proximal end and towards a second enclosed portion at the distal end. Each of the enclosed portions is adapted to be received within the recess of at least one of the handle pocket such that it is slidingly clamped there within. When a user grasps the handle by lifting up the gripping portion, at least one of the enclosed portion slides out to a locked state and moves back.

Abstract: A process prepares a beverage or beverage component. The process includes an enzymatic treatment of brewer's spent grain including addition of one or a combination of enzymes with alpha-amylase, gluco-amylase, cellulase, xylanase, protease and/or beta-glucanase activity and fermentation by a strain of lactic acid bacteria. The combination of enzymes and enzymatic treatment conditions is such that the lactic acid bacteria produce 4.5 g/L lactic acid and metabolise sugar such that the resulting fermented broth contains less than 2.5% w/w and preferably less than 0.5% w/w residual sugar or the lactic acid bacteria produce 4.5 g/L lactic acid and metabolise sugar such that the resulting fermented broth contains at least 2.5% w/w residual sugar.

Abstract: A kit for dispensing a beverage through a dispense tube comprising a dispense valve, the kit comprising: •—an assembly of a keg (1) and a closure (2), the keg (1) and closure (2) assembly comprising: •a. an inner vent mechanism incorporated in the closure or at the interface of keg and closure, the inner vent mechanism configured to fluidly connect the inner space and intermediate space when an overpressure of predetermined value Poo occurs in the flexible bag; and •b.

Abstract: A method for preparing an aromatic beverage is as follows. The method includes subjecting a fermented beverage to a first filtration step including nanofiltration or ultrafiltration to obtain a retentate fraction and a permeate fraction including alcohol and volatile flavour components. Then, the method includes subjecting the permeate fraction including alcohol and volatile flavour components to a second filtration step of reverse osmosis to obtain a base liquid of at least 2% ABV. Combining the base liquid with exogenous aromas thereby obtains the aromatic beverage. Desirable fermented beverages are a beer or a cider.

Abstract: The present invention describes methods and devices in which concentrated beverage products, each packaged in a pressurized container, can be combined with liquids and/or other ingredients to produce one or more servings of a beverage. These products provide users with a convenient way to prepare both alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages (including carbonated beverages) in various serving sizes and quantities by combining the pressurized beverage concentrate with (possibly carbonated) liquids and other ingredients.

Abstract: A beverage tap installation includes a tap housing defining an inner cavity and a tap head defining a liquid channel having an inlet, outlet, and a valve receiving slot. The tap head includes a valve actuator and a valve actuator operating mechanism. A removable flexible dispense tube has a beverage inlet and outlet, the flexible dispense tube includes a liquid valve lodged in the valve receiving slot and cooperates with the valve actuator. A locking mechanism allows removably mounting the tap head on the tap housing. The flexible dispense tube includes an abutment surface in proximity of the valve and the tap installation having an engaging member on the tap head or the tap installation and abutting the dispense tube when the valve is lodged in the valve receiving slot. The tap head is mounted on the tap housing and the engaging member is provided on the tap housing.

Abstract: A cooling unit has (a) a cooling cartridge having (i) two foils sealed to one another along a perimeter area delimiting an inner area of the cartridge where a liquid pathway is defined between both foils, the liquid pathway making a fluid communication between an inlet and an outlet of the cooling cartridge; (ii) a web or mesh of material provided between both foils in the inner area of the cooling cartridge in the liquid pathway, the web or mesh of material has contact zones where the foils contact the web or mesh of material in the inner area of the cooling cartridge when the pressure reigning in the inner area equals ambient pressure; (b) a first cooling plate has a first surface and a second cooling plate has a second surface facing the first surface; (c) a cold source suitable for cooling said first and second surfaces, wherein the inner area of the cooling cartridge is positioned between both cooling surfaces; wherein the foils are not or only at distinct locations attached to the contact zones of the w

Abstract: The present disclosure provides an orienting assembly for orienting one or more beverage containers stored within a secondary package. The orienting assembly includes a base portion having a plurality of container regions and remaining non-container regions. The orienting assembly further a layer of a predetermined material, at least partially, coated onto one or more of the plurality of the container regions such that a coefficient of friction at the coated container region is higher compared to that of non-container regions.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a handle having smoothened edges. The handle includes a body portion formed of an elongated piece of material having a pair of side edges defining a width of the body portion. The body portion includes a gripping region extended towards and/or between a first attachment region and/or a second attachment region. Further, each of the side edges of the gripping region has a cutting index lower than a cutting index of the remaining part of the gripping region such that the gripping region is soft and comfortable at the edges for a user to hold.

Abstract: A beverage dispensing apparatus having a container containing a beverage and a dispensing tube having three sections. The first section is a cartridge formed by a frame defining a perimeter of an inner area and supporting in the inner area a channel forming a serpentine. An upstream dispensing tube section fluidly connects the interior of the container to an inlet of the channel. A downstream dispensing tube section fluidly connects an outlet of the channel to a tapping valve. The appliance is provided with a cooling unit having a first and second cooling plates separated from one another by a distance defining an insertion slot. The distance separating the cooling plates can be varied, from a loading distance, d0, allowing the introduction of the cartridge into the slot, to a cooling distance, dc<d0, where the cooling plates contact the channel and apply pressure thereon deforming the channel.

Abstract: The invention is an integrally blow-moulded bag-in-container obtainable by blow-moulding an injection moulded multi-layer preform. The bag-in-container includes an inner layer forming, the bag and an outer layer forming the container, and a single opening, the mouth, fluidly connecting the volume defined by the bag to the atmosphere. The container further includes at least one interface vent fluidly connecting the interface between inner and outer layers to the atmosphere, wherein the bag is anchored to the outer layer at at least one point remote from the single opening and interface vent. The invention also relates to a process and a mould for the production of the blow-moulded bag-in-container.

Abstract: The invention is an integrally blow-moulded bag-in-container and preform and a method for making it. The bag-in-container has an inner layer forming the bag and an outer layer forming the container, and a mouth fluidly connecting the volume defined by the bag to the atmosphere. The container further has at least one interface vent fluidly connecting the interface between inner and outer layers to the atmosphere, wherein the at least one vent runs parallel to the interface between inner and outer layers and opens to the atmosphere at a location adjacent to, and oriented coaxially with the bag-in-container's mouth. Processes for manufacturing a preform and a bag-in-container as defined above are defined too.

Abstract: A beverage dispensing device prepares and dispenses a beverage. The dispensing device includes a housing which has a beverage unit with a liquid inlet and a beverage outlet. The beverage unit has a receiver for at least one container containing a unit dose of concentrated beverage ingredient to be dispensed, and an ingredient discharge. The beverage unit has a liquid line. The liquid line first section extends from the base liquid inlet to a receiver liquid inlet to guide base liquid into the unit dose of beverage ingredient through the beverage discharge into the liquid line second section that extends from the ingredient discharge to the beverage outlet. A mixing chamber is defined in the liquid line. Temperature regulator is provided in the mixing chamber or the mixing chamber comprises an inlet for pressurized fluid for expanding the fluid in the mixing chamber.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an integrally blow-moulded bag-in-container (2) and preform (1, 1?) for blow-moulding the bag-in-container. An inner layer (11) and an outer layer (12) are used, wherein the preform forms a two-layer container upon blow-moulding, and wherein the obtained inner layer of the container releases from the thus obtained outer layer upon introduction of a gas at a point of interface (14) between the two layers. At least one of the inner and outer layers includes at least one additive allowing both inner and outer layers to reach their respective blow-moulding temperatures substantially simultaneously.

Abstract: A can for containing a liquid having a top end is disclosed. The top end has a dispense area defined by a first score line and a pull tab coupled to the top end by a rivet. The pull tab has a puncturing end for breaking the first score line and pushing into the interior of the can without detaching the dispense area to open a dispense aperture. A vent area is defined by a second score line and positioned on the opposite side of the rivet. The first and second score lines are separated by at least one torsion stripe of the can top material for acting as a hinge by torsion upon lifting the actuating end of the pull tab. As the dispense aperture is opened by pushing the dispense area into the interior of the can, a vent aperture is opened by pulling the vent area outwards.