Abstract: A method for determining required volumetric mass flow of alcoholic blended beverage ingredients for a continuous blend system using a computing device includes receiving a required syrup/water ratio, a selected target alcohol strength, an alcohol strength of an alcohol supply, a type of container, and a selected container filling rate; calculating a required volumetric mass flow of ingredients, a required alcohol volumetric mass flow of the alcohol supply, a required blended syrup and water volumetric mass flow of a proportioner, and a required syrup volumetric mass flow of a syrup supply to the proportioner for the production fill; calculating a volumetric mass flow of water in the required alcohol volumetric mass flow of the alcohol supply and a required water volumetric mass flow of a water supply to the proportioner for the production fill accounting for the calculated volumetric mass flow of; and, outputting instructions to the continuous blend system.

Abstract: A turret assembly rotatably mountable to a container sealing system. The turret assembly includes an annular turret having a plurality of arcuate container pockets arrayed about an outer periphery of the turret and an annular chamber located radially inward of the outer periphery of the turret, and a hub removably secured within the annular chamber of the turret, wherein the hub is adapted to be rotatably secured to the container sealing system. A turret system for use with a can seamer is also provided, and includes two or more annular turrets, and a hub removably securable within the annular chamber of the two or more annular turrets for selectively mounting the annular turrets to the hub and the can seamer.

Abstract: A guide rail device mountable to a container sealing line for guiding moving containers. The guide rail device includes a base mountable to the container sealing line, and a guide rail assembly having a first guide surface adapted to guide containers along a portion of the can sealing line. The guide rail assembly includes a first member, and a second member, wherein the first and second members are adjustably attached to one another. The guide rail assembly is securable to the base after the base is mounted to the container sealing line such that the guide rail assembly and base are self-aligning with respect to one another.

Abstract: A guide rail device mountable to a container sealing line for guiding moving containers. The guide rail device includes a base mountable to the container sealing line, and a guide rail assembly having a first guide surface adapted to guide containers along a portion of the can sealing line. The guide rail assembly includes a first member, and a second member, wherein the first and second members are adjustably attached to one another. The guide rail assembly is securable to the base after the base is mounted to the container sealing line such that the guide rail assembly and base are self-aligning with respect to one another.

Abstract: A turret assembly rotatably mountable to a container sealing system. The turret assembly includes an annular turret having a plurality of arcuate container pockets arrayed about an outer periphery of the turret and an annular chamber located radially inward of the outer periphery of the turret, and a hub removably secured within the annular chamber of the turret, wherein the hub is adapted to be rotatably secured to the container sealing system. A turret system for use with a can seamer is also provided, and includes two or more annular turrets, and a hub removably securable within the annular chamber of the two or more annular turrets for selectively mounting the annular turrets to the hub and the can seamer.

Abstract: A method of producing a carbonated beverage comprising a blend of water and syrup having a predetermined final carbonation level. The method includes the steps of: introducing CO2 into a flowing stream of a product blend comprising water, syrup and dissolved oxygen, such that CO2 is dissolved in the product blend; deaerating the CO2-containing product blend by introducing the blend into a vented atmospheric vessel, the interior of which is at ambient pressure with a headspace maintained above the surface of the liquid within the vessel, whereby dissolved oxygen is released from the product blend and vented from the vessel; pumping the deaerated product blend from the vessel, wherein the deaerated blend includes dissolved CO2 at an intermediate carbonation level less than the final carbonation level; and carbonating the deaerated product blend to the final carbonation level downstream of the vented vessel to produce a carbonated beverage for subsequent packaging.

Abstract: A method of producing a carbonated beverage comprising a blend of water and syrup having a predetermined final carbonation level. The method includes the steps of: introducing CO2 into a flowing stream of a product blend comprising water, syrup and dissolved oxygen, such that CO2 is dissolved in the product blend; deaerating the CO2-containing product blend by introducing the blend into a vented atmospheric vessel, the interior of which is at ambient pressure with a headspace maintained above the surface of the liquid within the vessel, whereby dissolved oxygen is released from the product blend and vented from the vessel; pumping the deaerated product blend from the vessel, wherein the deaerated blend includes dissolved CO2 at an intermediate carbonation level less than the final carbonation level; and carbonating the deaerated product blend to the final carbonation level downstream of the vented vessel to produce a carbonated beverage for subsequent packaging.

Abstract: A filling valve is provided for filling containers such as beverage cans. The valve includes a tipless nozzle having ports oriented for directing flow. The nozzle includes a valve seat having a planar sealing surface. A spring actuated vent seal is provided for closing the vent tube. The valve stem may have protrusions for centering the stem in the valve body. The filling valve may have a bell forming a cavity between the bell and the valve body, and an aperture for directing cleaning fluid from within the bell to the cavity. The valve body may have a duct for directing cleaning fluid from the cavity to an outlet.

Abstract: A filling valve is provided for filling containers such as beverage cans. The valve includes a tipless nozzle having ports oriented for directing flow. The nozzle includes a valve seat having a planar sealing surface. A spring actuated vent seal is provided for closing the vent tube. The valve stem may have protrusions for centering the stem in the valve body. The filling valve may have a bell forming a cavity between the bell and the valve body, and an aperture for directing cleaning fluid from within the bell to the cavity. The valve body may have a duct for directing cleaning fluid from the cavity to an outlet.

Abstract: A filling valve is provided for filling containers such as beverage cans. The valve includes a tipless nozzle having ports oriented for directing flow. The nozzle includes a valve seat having a planar sealing surface. A spring actuated vent seal is provided for closing the vent tube. The valve stem may have protrusions for centering the stem in the valve body. The filling valve may have a bell forming a cavity between the bell and the valve body, and an aperture for directing cleaning fluid from within the bell to the cavity. The valve body may have a duct for directing cleaning fluid from the cavity to an outlet.

Abstract: A filling valve is provided for filling containers such as beverage cans. The valve includes a tipless nozzle having ports oriented for directing flow. The nozzle includes a valve seat having a planar sealing surface. A spring actuated vent seal is provided for closing the vent tube. The valve stem may have protrusions for centering the stem in the valve body. The filling valve may have a bell forming a cavity between the bell and the valve body, and an aperture for directing cleaning fluid from within the bell to the cavity. The valve body may have a duct for directing cleaning fluid from the cavity to an outlet.

Abstract: A method for installing lock levers for a beverage filling machine includes supplying a plurality of lock levers, including a plurality of regular size lock levers with a first dimension associated with the height of an engagement surface relative to the axis of rotation of the lever, and at least one other lock lever having a second dimension for the height such that the second dimension is reduced or increased relative to the first dimension, installing a plurality of regular size lock levers on the beverage filling machine, determining if the engagement surface of any of the regular size lock levers is not positioned at a predetermined position and thereby non-conforming, then installing at the location of any non-conforming regular size lock lever one of the at least one other lock lever having a second dimension to position the engagement surface thereof substantially at the predetermined position.

Abstract: The invention is directed to lock levers for use in an automatic beverage machine for filling cans for example. The lock lever may have an L-shaped configuration with a first and second leg, and a first engagement surface on a side of the second leg which transitions to a second engagement surface at the distal end of the second leg. The lock lever is selectively rotated between operational and non-operational positions, and the first engagement surface transitions into the second engagement surface. The transition from the first engagement surface to the second engagement surface positions the second engagement surface at a predetermined height without the first or second engagement surface extending above the predetermined height.

Abstract: A filling valve is provided for filling containers such as beverage cans. The valve includes a tipless nozzle having ports oriented for directing flow. The nozzle includes a valve seat having a planar sealing surface. A spring actuated vent seal is provided for closing the vent tube. The valve stem may have protrusions for centering the stem in the valve body. The filling valve may have a bell forming a cavity between the bell and the valve body, and an aperture for directing cleaning fluid from within the bell to the cavity. The valve body may have a duct for directing cleaning fluid from the cavity to an outlet.

Abstract: A filling valve is provided for filling containers such as beverage cans. The valve includes a tipless nozzle having ports oriented for directing flow. The nozzle includes a removable valve seat having a planar sealing surface. A spring actuated vent seal is provided for closing the vent tube. The valve stem has protrusions for centering the stem in the valve body. The filling valve has a bell forming a cavity between the bell and the valve body, and an aperture for directing cleaning fluid from within the bell to the cavity. The valve body has a duct for directing cleaning fluid from the cavity to an outlet.

Abstract: The invention is directed to lock levers for use in an automatic beverage machine for filling cans for example. The lock lever may have an L-shaped configuration with a first and second leg, and a first engagement surface on a side of the second leg which transitions to a second engagement surface at the distal end of the second leg. The lock lever is selectively rotated between operational and non-operational positions, and the first engagement surface transitions into the second engagement surface. The transition from the first engagement surface to the second engagement surface positions the second engagement surface at a predetermined height without the first or second engagement surface extending above the predetermined height.

Abstract: The invention is directed to lock levers for use in an automatic beverage machine for filling cans for example, and a method and kit for installation of lock levers in such a machine. The method may include the steps of supplying a kit having a plurality of lock levers for installation in association with a filling machine, with the plurality of lock levers comprising a regular size lock lever with a first dimension associated with the height of the engagement surface relative to the axis of rotation of the lever, and at least one other lock size lever having a second dimension associated with the height of the engagement surface relative to the axis of rotation of the lever. The second dimension is a reduced or increased dimension relative to the first dimension.