Abstract: A draw pad reduces instances and the extent of earing when a blank of metal is clamped and punched during a drawing process that results in the formation a cup-shaped body from the blank. A draw pad for a cupping press includes an inner surface that defines a draw aperture that is configured to receive a punch. The draw pad also includes a clamping surface that has a first force concentrating segment disposed circumferentially spaced apart from a second force concentrating segment, where each force concentrating segment includes a first arcuate groove and a second arcuate groove that is disposed concentric and radially spaced apart from the first arcuate groove.

Abstract: A system for making a personalized malt-based beverage may comprise at least one packaged base liquid and at least one separately packaged flavor ingredient. The at least one packaged base liquid may comprise at least about 0.1% wt ethyl alcohol, at least about 3% wt malt extract solids, and a carbon dioxide level between about zero grams per liter and about 1.5 grams per liter. The separately packaged flavor ingredient may comprise a dry ingredient.

Abstract: A system for sealing a beverage container includes a crown defining a bottom surface. A liner that includes an oxygen scavenger is coupled to the crown such that a top surface of the liner contacts the bottom surface of the crown. The bottom surface of the liner supports printed indicia where the bottom surface of the liner and the printed indicia are exposed to a beverage contained in the beverage container.

Abstract: A method of decarbonating fermented liquids in-line may include directing a carbonated malt-based liquid through a nozzle, and directing the carbonated malt-based liquid from the nozzle into a space maintained at a partial vacuum pressure. The method may further include maintaining the carbonated malt-based beverage in the space until substantially all of the carbon dioxide dissolved within the carbonated malt-based beverage has been removed to provide a non-carbonated liquid, and removing the non-carbonated liquid from the space at substantially the same rate that the carbonated malt-based liquid is directed into the space.

Abstract: A system for carbonating a personalized beverage may comprise a base container including at least one sidewall defining a liquid storage area, and a carbon dioxide storage member configured to be sealingly coupled to said base container. The system may further comprise a carbon dioxide cartridge configured to selectively release carbon dioxide when engaged with said carbon dioxide storage member, and wherein said carbon dioxide storage member further comprises a pressure regulator configured to, when actuated, release the said carbon dioxide from said carbon dioxide cartridge at a rate configured to carbonate a beverage within said liquid storage over a period of time greater than 6 hours and less than 36 hours.

Abstract: A tilter for holding a container in a tilted position for receiving a beverage being dispensed from a dispensing system such as a beer faucet, which holds the container, such as a cup or mug, in an initial highly tilted orientation for receiving the dispensed beverage, and which progressively reduces the degree of tilt as the container fills. The tilter can operate in cooperation with the lever or other actuator of a dispenser to automatically be tilted to the initial highly tilted orientation when the actuator is operated to initially dispense, and to automatically operate the actuator to stop the dispensing of the beverage when a final reduced degree of tilt is reached and present the filled container for removal from the tilter.

Abstract: A method of decarbonating fermented liquids in-line may comprise directing a carbonated malt-based liquid through a nozzle, and directing the carbonated malt-based liquid from the nozzle into a space maintained at a partial vacuum pressure. The method may further comprise maintaining the carbonated malt-based beverage in the space until substantially all of the carbon dioxide dissolved within the carbonated malt-based beverage has been removed to provide a non-carbonated liquid, and removing the non-carbonated liquid from the space at substantially the same rate that the carbonated malt-based liquid is directed into the space.

Abstract: A method of decarbonating fermented liquids in-line may include directing a carbonated malt-based liquid through a nozzle, and directing the carbonated malt-based liquid from the nozzle into a space maintained at a partial vacuum pressure. The method may further include maintaining the carbonated malt-based beverage in the space until substantially all of the carbon dioxide dissolved within the carbonated malt-based beverage has been removed to provide a non-carbonated liquid, and removing the non-carbonated liquid from the space at substantially the same rate that the carbonated malt-based liquid is directed into the space.

Abstract: A crown system includes a crown having a top surface and a bottom surface and a liner having a top surface that contacts a bottom surface of the crown. The liner is configured to absorb oxygen in a headspace and includes at least about 2.2 micromoles of sodium sulfite per cubic millimeter in a volume of the liner to a depth of about 0.003 millimeter from a bottom surface of the liner.

Abstract: A tool pack is described that includes a redraw die, a first ironing die and a second ironing die. The tool pack may be incorporated in a bodymaker that has about a thirty-inch stroke to form a metal cup with a height to diameter ratio of about four. In some embodiments, the redraw die, the first ironing die and the second ironing die are situated in the body maker so that each reduces a sidewall thickness of the cup that is forced through the redraw die, the first ironing die and the second ironing die by a plunger by a predetermined amount to produce a cup that can be formed into a bottle-shaped container with low defect rates.

Abstract: A low-spread metal elongated bottle and its production method are described for reducing rejection rates associated with the production of metal bottles at high speeds. The elongated bottle includes a sheet metal formed body. The sheet metal has a low spread between a yield state corresponding to the yield stress of the sheet metal and an ultimate tensile state corresponding to the ultimate tensile stress of the sheet metal. The body further includes a concave bottom portion having a circular perimeter. A cylindrical portion extends from the circular perimeter of the bottom portion and has a uniform diameter. A neck portion extends from the cylindrical portion and has a tapered profile. The neck portion may include a threaded portion including threads exposed on the outer surface of the neck portion or an area for crimping of a crown.