Method of manufacturing and filling kegs with beer in a keg filling plant, which keg filling plant is disposed within a single building

Abstract

A method of manufacturing and filling kegs with beer in a keg filling plant, which keg filling plant is disposed within a single building. The abstract of the disclosure is submitted herewith as required by 37 C.F.R. §1.72(b). As stated in 37 C.F.R. §1.72(b): A brief abstract of the technical disclosure in the specification must commence on a separate sheet, preferably following the claims, under the heading “Abstract of the Disclosure.” The purpose of the abstract is to enable the Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and gist of the technical disclosure. The abstract shall not be used for interpreting the scope of the claims. Therefore, any statements made relating to the abstract are not intended to limit the claims in any manner and should not be interpreted as limiting the claims in any manner.

1 . A method of manufacturing and fillings kegs with beer in a keg filling plant, which keg filling plant is disposed within one sole building, said method comprising the steps of:
 inputting, within said sole building of said keg filling plant, into a computer, a desired number of kegs to be produced in a first run of kegs, which kegs in said first run of kegs are of a first size;   determining, within said sole building of said keg filling plant, when to begin production of spears for said kegs in said first run of kegs with said computer;   beginning, within said sole building of said keg filling plant, production of a first run of spears for said kegs in said first run of kegs;   providing, within said sole building of said keg filling plant, a first run of fittings for kegs in said first run of kegs;   each fitting in said first run of fittings being configured to connect to a coupler, such as a coupler used in home bars, commercial bars, or restaurants, and which fitting is further configured to permit flow of beer from a keg to a coupler;   cutting, within said sole building of said keg filling plant, a first length of riser tube, from a stock of riser tube material, for each keg in said first run of kegs, which first length of riser tube corresponds to a keg of a first size;   connecting, within said sole building of said keg filling plant, each fitting in said first run of fittings to a corresponding riser tube of said first length and producing spears in said first run of spears for kegs in said first run of kegs;   producing, within said sole building of said keg filling plant, at least a portion of said spears for kegs of said first run of kegs during said first run of kegs;   filling, within said sole building of said keg filling plant, each keg in said first run of kegs;   each keg in said first run of kegs comprising an opening configured to receive an assembled spear;   inserting, within said sole building of said keg filling plant, each spear from said first run of spears into each filled keg in said first run of kegs;   connecting, within said sole building of said keg filling plant, each spear from said first run of spears to each opening of each filled keg in said first run of kegs and closing said opening;   inputting, within said sole building of said keg filling plant, into a computer, a desired number of kegs to be produced in a second run of kegs, which kegs in said second run of kegs are of a second size;   said second size of said kegs in said second run being different than said first size of said kegs in said first run;   determining, within said sole building of said keg filling plant, prior to the conclusion of said first run of kegs, with said computer, when to stop production of spears in a first run of spears for said kegs in said first run of kegs and when to begin production of spears in a second run of spears for said kegs in said second run of kegs in order to minimize the amount of time between the conclusion of said first run of kegs and the commencement of said second run of kegs;   stopping, within said sole building of said keg filling plant, production of spears for said kegs in said first run of kegs;   stopping, within said sole building of said keg filling plant, filling of each keg in said first run of kegs;   beginning, within said sole building of said keg filling plant, production of a second run of spears for said kegs in said second run of kegs;   providing, within said sole building of said keg filling plant, a second run of fittings for kegs in said second run of kegs;   each fitting in said second run of fittings being configured to connect to a coupler, such as a coupler used in home bars, commercial bars, or restaurants, and which fitting is further configured to permit flow of beer from a keg to a coupler;   cutting, within said sole building of said keg filling plant, a second length of riser tube, from a stock of riser tube material, for each keg in said second run of kegs, which second length of riser tube corresponds to a keg of a second size;   said second length which corresponds to a keg of a second size being different from said first length which corresponds to a keg of a first size;   connecting, within said sole building of said keg filling plant, each fitting in said second run of fittings to a corresponding riser tube of said second length and producing spears in said second run of spears for kegs in said second run of kegs;   producing, within said sole building of said keg filling plant, at least a portion of said spears for kegs of said second run of kegs during said second run of kegs;   filling, within said sole building of said keg filling plant, each keg in said second run of kegs;   each keg in said second run of kegs comprising an opening configured to receive an assembled spear;   inserting, within said sole building of said keg filling plant, each spear from said second run of spears into each filled keg in said second run of kegs;   connecting, within said sole building of said keg filling plant, each spear from said second run of spears to each opening of each filled keg in said second run of kegs and closing said opening;   stopping, within said sole building of said keg filling plant, stopping production of spears for said kegs in said second run of kegs; and   stopping, within said sole building of said keg filling plant, filling of each keg in said second run of kegs.   
     
     
         2 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 said step of cutting, within said sole building of said keg filling plant, a first length of riser tube further comprises separating, within said sole building of said keg filling plant, a first length of riser tube from a tubular or hose-like raw material or starting material; and   said step of cutting, within said sole building of said keg filling plant, a second length of riser tube further comprises separating, within said sole building of said keg filling plant, a second length of riser tube from a tubular or hose-like raw material or starting material.   
     
     
         3 . The method according to  claim 2 , wherein:
 said step of connecting, within said sole building of said keg filling plant, each fitting in said first run of fittings to a corresponding riser tube of said first length further comprises connecting said fitting to said corresponding riser tube by at least one of:
 gluing; 
 welding; 
 non-positive locking; and 
 positive locking; and 
   said step of connecting, within said sole building of said keg filling plant, each fitting in said second run of fittings to a corresponding riser tube of said second length further comprises connecting said fitting to said corresponding riser tube by at least one of:
 gluing; 
 welding; 
 non-positive locking; and 
 positive locking. 
   
     
     
         4 . The method according to  claim 3 , wherein:
 said fittings in said first run of fittings comprise disposable fittings; and   said fittings in said second run of fittings comprise disposable fittings.   
     
     
         5 . The method according to  claim 4 , wherein said tubular or hose-like raw material or starting material comprises one of: plastic and metal. 
     
     
         6 . The method according to  claim 5 , wherein:
 said first length of riser tube corresponds to a keg of a first size such that the end of said first length of riser tube, which is disposed further from said fitting, is disposed adjacent the bottom of said keg of said first size, upon said fitting being connected to said keg; and   said second length of riser tube corresponds to a keg of a second size such that the end of said second length of riser tube, which is disposed further from said fitting, is disposed adjacent the bottom of said keg of said second size, upon said fitting being connected to said keg.   
     
     
         7 . The method according to  claim 6 , wherein:
 each keg of said first size of said first run of kegs comprises a disposable keg; and   each keg of said second size of said second run of kegs comprises a disposable keg.   
     
     
         8 . The method according to  claim 7 , wherein:
 said step of connecting, within said sole building of said keg filling plant, each fitting in said first run of fittings to a corresponding riser tube of said first length immediately prior to said steps of inserting and connecting, within said sole building of said keg filling plant, each spear from said first run of spears to each opening of each filled keg in said first run of kegs and closing said opening;   said step of connecting, within said sole building of said keg filling plant, each fitting in said second run of fittings to a corresponding riser tube of said second length immediately prior to said steps of inserting and connecting, within said sole building of said keg filling plant, each spear from said second run of spears to each opening of each filled keg in said second run of kegs and closing said opening;   said method further comprises performing the following steps in one machine:
 said step of separating, within said sole building of said keg filling plant, a first length of riser tube from a tubular or hose-like raw material or starting material, said step of connecting, within said sole building of said keg filling plant, each fitting in said first run of fittings to a corresponding riser tube of said first length, and said step of connecting, within said sole building of said keg filling plant, each spear from said first run of spears to each opening of each filled keg in said first run of kegs and closing said opening; and 
 said step of separating, within said sole building of said keg filling plant, a second length of riser tube from a tubular or hose-like raw material or starting material, said step of connecting, within said sole building of said keg filling plant, each fitting in said second run of fittings to a corresponding riser tube of said second length, and said step of connecting, within said sole building of said keg filling plant, each spear from said second run of spears to each opening of each filled keg in said second run of kegs and closing said opening; 
   said one machine comprises a keg filling machine configured to fill kegs with beer; and   said method further comprising the steps of:
 inputting, within said sole building of said keg filling plant, into a computer, a desired number of kegs to be produced in a third run of kegs, which kegs in said third run of kegs are of a third size; 
 said third size of said kegs in said third run being different than said first size of said kegs in said first run; 
 determining, within said sole building of said keg filling plant, prior to the conclusion of said second run of kegs, with said computer, when to stop production of spears in a second run of spears for said kegs in said second run of kegs and when to begin production of spears in a third run of spears for said kegs in said third run of kegs in order to minimize the amount of time between the conclusion of said second run of kegs and the commencement of said third run of kegs; 
 stopping, within said sole building of said keg filling plant, production of spears for said kegs in said second run of kegs; 
 stopping, within said sole building of said keg filling plant, filling of each keg in said second run of kegs; 
 beginning, within said sole building of said keg filling plant, production of a third run of spears for said kegs in said third run of kegs; 
 providing, within said sole building of said keg filling plant, a third run of fittings for kegs in said third run of kegs; 
 each fitting in said third run of fittings being configured to connect to a coupler, such as a coupler used in home bars, commercial bars, or restaurants, and which fitting is further configured to permit flow of beer from a keg to a coupler; 
 cutting, within said sole building of said keg filling plant, a third length of riser tube, from a stock of riser tube material, for each keg in said third run of kegs, which third length of riser tube corresponds to a keg of a third size; 
 said third length which corresponds to a keg of a third size being different from said first length which corresponds to a keg of a first size; 
 connecting, within said sole building of said keg filling plant, each fitting in said third run of fittings to a corresponding riser tube of said third length and producing spears in said third run of spears for kegs in said third run of kegs; 
 producing, within said sole building of said keg filling plant, at least a portion of said spears for kegs of said third run of kegs during said third run of kegs; 
 filling, within said sole building of said keg filling plant, each keg in said third run of kegs; 
 each keg in said third run of kegs comprising an opening configured to receive an assembled spear; 
 inserting, within said sole building of said keg filling plant, each spear from said third run of spears into each filled keg in said third run of kegs; 
 connecting, within said sole building of said keg filling plant, each spear from said third run of spears to each opening of each filled keg in said third run of kegs and closing said opening; 
 stopping, within said sole building of said keg filling plant, stopping production of spears for said kegs in said third run of kegs; and 
 stopping, within said sole building of said keg filling plant, filling of each keg in said third run of kegs. 
   
     
     
         9 . A keg made by the process according to  claim 1 . 
     
     
         10 . A keg made by the process according to  claim 8 . 
     
     
         11 . A method of manufacturing and fillings kegs with beer in a keg filling plant, which keg filling plant is disposed within one building, said method comprising the steps of:
 determining, within said building of said keg filling plant, a desired number of kegs to be produced in a first run of kegs, which kegs in said first run of kegs are of a first size;   determining, within said building of said keg filling plant, when to begin production of spears for said kegs in said first run of kegs;   beginning, within said building of said keg filling plant, production of a first run of spears for said kegs in said first run of kegs;   providing, within said building of said keg filling plant, a first run of fittings for kegs in said first run of kegs;   each fitting in said first run of fittings being configured to connect to a coupler, such as a coupler used in home bars, commercial bars, or restaurants, and which fitting is further configured to permit flow of beer from a keg to a coupler;   cutting, within said building of said keg filling plant, a first length of riser tube, from a stock of riser tube material, for each keg in said first run of kegs, which first length of riser tube corresponds to a keg of a first size;   connecting, within said building of said keg filling plant, each fitting in said first run of fittings to a corresponding riser tube of said first length and producing spears in said first run of spears for kegs in said first run of kegs;   producing, within said building of said keg filling plant, at least a portion of said spears for kegs of said first run of kegs during said first run of kegs;   filling, within said building of said keg filling plant, each keg in said first run of kegs;   each keg in said first run of kegs comprising an opening configured to receive an assembled spear;   inserting, within said building of said keg filling plant, each spear from said first run of spears into each keg in said first run of kegs;   connecting, within said building of said keg filling plant, each spear from said first run of spears to each opening of each keg in said first run of kegs and closing said opening;   determining, within said building of said keg filling plant, a desired number of kegs to be produced in a second run of kegs, which kegs in said second run of kegs are of a second size;   said second size of said kegs in said second run being different than said first size of said kegs in said first run;   determining, within said building of said keg filling plant, when to stop production of spears in a first run of spears for said kegs in said first run of kegs and when to begin production of spears in a second run of spears for said kegs in said second run of kegs;   stopping, within said building of said keg filling plant, production of spears for said kegs in said first run of kegs;   stopping, within said building of said keg filling plant, filling of each keg in said first run of kegs;   beginning, within said building of said keg filling plant, production of a second run of spears for said kegs in said second run of kegs;   providing, within said building of said keg filling plant, a second run of fittings for kegs in said second run of kegs;   each fitting in said second run of fittings being configured to connect to a coupler, such as a coupler used in home bars, commercial bars, or restaurants, and which fitting is further configured to permit flow of beer from a keg to a coupler;   cutting, within said building of said keg filling plant, a second length of riser tube, from a stock of riser tube material, for each keg in said second run of kegs, which second length of riser tube corresponds to a keg of a second size;   said second length which corresponds to a keg of a second size being different from said first length which corresponds to a keg of a first size;   connecting, within said building of said keg filling plant, each fitting in said second run of fittings to a corresponding riser tube of said second length and producing spears in said second run of spears for kegs in said second run of kegs;   producing, within said building of said keg filling plant, at least a portion of said spears for kegs of said second run of kegs during said second run of kegs;   filling, within said building of said keg filling plant, each keg in said second run of kegs;   each keg in said second run of kegs comprising an opening configured to receive an assembled spear;   inserting, within said building of said keg filling plant, each spear from said second run of spears into each keg in said second run of kegs;   connecting, within said building of said keg filling plant, each spear from said second run of spears to each opening of each keg in said second run of kegs and closing said opening;   stopping, within said building of said keg filling plant, production of spears for said kegs in said second run of kegs; and   stopping, within said building of said keg filling plant, filling of each keg in said second run of kegs.   
     
     
         12 . The method according to  claim 11 , wherein:
 said step of cutting, within said building of said keg filling plant, a first length of riser tube further comprises separating, within said building of said keg filling plant, a first length of riser tube from a tubular or hose-like raw material or starting material; and   said step of cutting, within said building of said keg filling plant, a second length of riser tube further comprises separating, within said building of said keg filling plant, a second length of riser tube from a tubular or hose-like raw material or starting material.   
     
     
         13 . The method according to  claim 12 , wherein:
 said step of connecting, within said building of said keg filling plant, each fitting in said first run of fittings to a corresponding riser tube of said first length further comprises connecting said fitting to said corresponding riser tube by at least one of:
 gluing; 
 welding; 
 non-positive locking; and 
 positive locking; and 
   said step of connecting, within said building of said keg filling plant, each fitting in said second run of fittings to a corresponding riser tube of said second length further comprises connecting said fitting to said corresponding riser tube by at least one of:
 gluing; 
 welding; 
 non-positive locking; and 
 positive locking. 
   
     
     
         14 . The method according to  claim 13 , wherein said method further comprises one of (A) and (B):
 (A) filling, within said building of said keg filling plant, each of said kegs, and then inserting, within said building of said keg filling plant, each spear into each filled keg; and   (B) inserting, within said building of said keg filling plant, each spear into each keg, and then filling, within said building of said keg filling plant, each of said kegs.   
     
     
         15 . The method according to  claim 14 , wherein:
 said fittings in said first run of fittings comprise disposable fittings; and   said fittings in said second run of fittings comprise disposable fittings.   
     
     
         16 . The method according to  claim 15 , wherein said tubular or hose-like raw material or starting material comprises one of: plastic and metal. 
     
     
         17 . The method according to  claim 16 , wherein:
 said first length of riser tube corresponds to a keg of a first size such that the end of said first length of riser tube, which is disposed further from said fitting, is disposed adjacent the bottom of said keg of said first size, upon said fitting being connected to said keg; and   said second length of riser tube corresponds to a keg of a second size such that the end of said second length of riser tube, which is disposed further from said fitting, is disposed adjacent the bottom of said keg of said second size, upon said fitting being connected to said keg.   
     
     
         18 . The method according to  claim 17 , wherein:
 each keg of said first size of said first run of kegs comprises a disposable keg;   each keg of said second size of said second run of kegs comprises a disposable keg;   said step of connecting, within said building of said keg filling plant, each fitting in said first run of fittings to a corresponding riser tube of said first length immediately prior to said steps of inserting and connecting, within said building of said keg filling plant, each spear from said first run of spears to each opening of each keg in said first run of kegs and closing said opening;   said step of connecting, within said building of said keg filling plant, each fitting in said second run of fittings to a corresponding riser tube of said second length immediately prior to said steps of inserting and connecting, within said building of said keg filling plant, each spear from said second run of spears to each opening of each keg in said second run of kegs and closing said opening;   said method further comprises performing the following steps in one machine:
 said step of separating, within said building of said keg filling plant, a first length of riser tube from a tubular or hose-like raw material or starting material, said step of connecting, within said building of said keg filling plant, each fitting in said first run of fittings to a corresponding riser tube of said first length, and said step of connecting, within said building of said keg filling plant, each spear from said first run of spears to each opening of each keg in said first run of kegs and closing said opening; and 
 said step of separating, within said building of said keg filling plant, a second length of riser tube from a tubular or hose-like raw material or starting material, said step of connecting, within said building of said keg filling plant, each fitting in said second run of fittings to a corresponding riser tube of said second length, and said step of connecting, within said building of said keg filling plant, each spear from said second run of spears to each opening of each keg in said second run of kegs and closing said opening; 
   said one machine comprises a keg filling machine configured to fill kegs with beer; and   said method further comprising the steps of:
 determining, within said building of said keg filling plant, a desired number of kegs to be produced in a third run of kegs, which kegs in said third run of kegs are of a third size; 
 said third size of said kegs in said third run being different than said first size of said kegs in said first run; 
 determining, within said building of said keg filling plant, when to stop production of spears in a second run of spears for said kegs in said second run of kegs and when to begin production of spears in a third run of spears for said kegs in said third run of kegs; 
 stopping, within said building of said keg filling plant, production of spears for said kegs in said second run of kegs; 
 stopping, within said building of said keg filling plant, filling of each keg in said second run of kegs; 
 beginning, within said building of said keg filling plant, production of a third run of spears for said kegs in said third run of kegs; 
 providing, within said building of said keg filling plant, a third run of fittings for kegs in said third run of kegs; 
 each fitting in said third run of fittings being configured to connect to a coupler, such as a coupler used in home bars, commercial bars, or restaurants, and which fitting is further configured to permit flow of beer from a keg to a coupler; 
 cutting, within said building of said keg filling plant, a third length of riser tube, from a stock of riser tube material, for each keg in said third run of kegs, which third length of riser tube corresponds to a keg of a third size; 
 said third length which corresponds to a keg of a third size being different from said first length which corresponds to a keg of a first size; 
 connecting, within said building of said keg filling plant, each fitting in said third run of fittings to a corresponding riser tube of said third length and producing spears in said third run of spears for kegs in said third run of kegs; 
 producing, within said building of said keg filling plant, at least a portion of said spears for kegs of said third run of kegs during said third run of kegs; 
 filling, within said building of said keg filling plant, each keg in said third run of kegs; 
 each keg in said third run of kegs comprising an opening configured to receive an assembled spear; 
 inserting, within said building of said keg filling plant, each spear from said third run of spears into each keg in said third run of kegs; 
 connecting, within said building of said keg filling plant, each spear from said third run of spears to each opening of each keg in said third run of kegs and closing said opening; 
 stopping, within said building of said keg filling plant, production of spears for said kegs in said third run of kegs; and 
 stopping, within said building of said keg filling plant, filling of each keg in said third run of kegs. 
   
     
     
         19 . A keg made by the process according to  claim 11 . 
     
     
         20 . A keg made by the process according to  claim 18 .