Abstract: A continuous motion position controlled in-line linear seamer allows a manufacturer or brewery such as a microbrewery to have high speed can seaming (attachment of lids to full cans of beverage) with a single compact, inexpensive, independent and repositionable seaming machine. The seaming is carried out in-line with production, and is done using a linear can path with no need for a large carousel. The motion is continuous because a variable pitch worm drive is constantly operating, driving cans at different speeds for different portions of the can path, including one portion of the path at which the can may remain motionless while being seamed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus of filing beer for craft breweries combines pressurized beer delivery (rather than gravity feed) with variable pressure control of the beer flow into the can. By modulating beer flow and especially beer pressure, it is possible to fill a can's widget (gas reservoir) with gas with a shorter set of fill steps. In addition, the speed of beer filling can be dramatically increased compared to small scale systems normally used by craft brewers. Unlike known large scale pressure systems, the beer bowl may be located beneath the rest of the apparatus and modulated pressure may be used, making for a smaller and more portable unit.