Abstract: A method of packaging a beverage container includes placing an open-topped secondary chamber with an orifice into an open container before or after the container is filled with a beverage, displacing substantially all of the oxygen from the open container and the secondary chamber, and closing the open container, thereby closing the open-top of the secondary chamber, such that the only communication between the secondary chamber and the inside of the container is via the orifice.

Abstract: A method of separtating trub from hot wort, in which unpurified hot wort is supplied to a settling device and after the settling process purified wort is withdrawn at a level above the bottom of the settling device, and trub is withdrawn at a level at or near the bottom of the settling device. According to the invention, a gravity-induced circulation is created in the settling device by withdrawing heat from one part of the surface of the wort liquid and screening off the other part of the surface gainst heat loss. A column of liquid topped by said one part is kept separate from a column of liquid topped by the other part throughout its entire height, except for a narrow upper gap and a bottom gap.

Abstract: The invention relates to non-alcoholic beer, comprising unfermented wort reconstituted with water from wort powder, and carbon dioxide, said wort powder being spray-dried wort.

Abstract: The invention relates to a beer having an alcohol content of maximally 3.5% by volume. For obtaining a beer of this type having good flavor properties, the invention is characterized in that the beer is a mixture of beer obtained by conventional fermentation and unfermented wort product reconstituted with water.

Abstract: A method of counting, in real time, articles supplied on a conveyor track in a random pattern is disclosed. The method comprises forming an image of the articles present in a counting zone by means of an image pick-up device, which counting zone corresponds to a periodic, elongated image of the image pick-up device, which image extends essentially transversely to the direction of movement of the conveyor track. The elongated image is converted into a binary image composed of a row of image elements, each with its own grey value, which binary image is obtained by assigning a first logic state to image elements having a grey value above a pre-determined threshold value and a second logic state to image elements below this threshold value.

Abstract: A method of separating trub from hot wort, in which unpurified hot wort is supplied to a settling device and after the settling process purified wort is withdrawn at a level above the bottom of the settling device, and trub is withdrawn at a level at or near the bottom of the settling device. According to the invention, a gravity-induced circulation is created in the settling device by withdrawing heat from one part of the surface of the wort liquid and screening off the other part of the surface against heat loss. A column of liquid topped by said one part is kept separate from a column of liquid topped by the other part throughout its entire height, except for a narrow upper gap and a bottom gap.

Abstract: A method of, and apparatus for, repairing mechanical and/or chemical damage to the surface of glass bottles destined for re-use. A bottle to be repaired is brought to a temperature in the region of the transformation point of the glass of the bottle, its surface is thermally treated with laser beams, and during the treatment the bottle surface is linearly scanned with the laser beams while rotating the bottle about its longitudinal axis to repair the surface. The apparatus comprises a laser source and optical means for directing the laser beam generated by the laser source onto the surface of a bottle being treated.

Abstract: During the kilning of germinated barley in the course of a malting operation nitrosamines are usually formed and ultimately these end up in beer obtained from such malt. It has been found that such formation of nitrosamines can be suppressed even in the absence of sulphur dioxide when the germinated barley is treated with a solution or dispersion of saccharides before it is kilned.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for measuring the carbon dioxide content in beer, in which a beer sample is separated in a vessel and there being created above the beer in the vessel a carbon dioxide atmosphere the pressure of which is measured. A temperature-responsive element is introduced in the beer of which the electric properties similarly vary with the temperature as the Henry constant. An electric signal proportional to the measured pressure is applied to an electric circuit arrangement of which the transfer function depends on the electric properties of the temperature-responsive element. The output signal of the electric circuit arrangement functions as measure for the carbon dioxide content.

Abstract: The invention concerns a machine for removing covers or caps on container closures such as the bung hole closure of bear casks, which are positioned with the closure in downward direction and, in empty condition, pass successively a rinsing station and a filling station to be provided again finally with the said caps. The member for removing the caps is U-shaped and, on the belt, is pivotally connected to a parallel mechanism so that said member, after passing the downwardly extending container edge, can engage the cap side facing the container bottom, thus lifting it from the closure.

Abstract: It is the object of the present invention to provide a machine for applying covers or caps on container closures such as the bung hole closure of beer casks or the like, there being mounted a feed chute pivotally mounted about a horizontal cross shaft for the caps to be handled, and having a pressure member at its free end with which the caps are pressed in a single operation in their end position on and about the closures.The feed chute is spring-loaded to allow automatic passage of the pressure member over the cask edge which lies above the level of the closure, by vertical strokes over the cask edge.