A method of making a disposable plastic keg with a disposable dispensing tap fitting configured to be connected to a tap, which keg is configured to contain a beverage such as mineral water, table water, beer, or a similar beverage, said method comprising:
- a) providing a plastic premolding configured to be blow molded into a keg;
- b) preheating said plastic premolding;
- c) stretch blow molding said preheated plastic premolding forming a disposable, one piece, plastic keg, said plastic keg comprising:
- a disc shaped first wall enclosing a first end of said plastic keg;
- a cylindrical side wall connected to said first wall of said plastic keg;
- a second wall connected to said cylindrical side wall, opposite said first wall;
- said second wall comprising a cylindrical neck axially extending from said second wall, said cylindrical neck comprising:
- a mouth opening;
- a first keg flange and a second keg flange disposed on an outer cylindrical surface of said neck, said first keg flange being disposed on said neck a greater axial distance away from said second wall than said second keg flange;
- said first keg flange comprising an outer circumference and axial thickness sufficiently large to permit said first keg flange to sufficiently hold said disposable dispensing tap fitting and to seal said disposable dispensing tap fitting onto said neck;
- and
- said second keg flange being configured to support said disposable plastic keg, the beverage contained therein after filling of said disposable plastic keg, and withstanding a force applied to said disposable plastic keg upon pushing of said disposable dispensing tap fitting onto said neck of said disposable plastic keg and forcing said inwardly extending portion of said cylindrical connecting segment over said second keg flange;
- d) providing said disposable dispensing tap fitting, said disposable dispensing tap fitting comprising:
- a portion configured to dispense liquid beverage from said disposable plastic keg;
- a cylindrical connecting segment connected to said dispensing portion of said disposable dispensing tap fitting, said cylindrical connecting segment being disposed and configured to axially extend from said dispensing portion;
- a gasket surrounding an inner circumferential surface of said cylindrical connecting segment;
- said gasket being configured for sealing said inner circumferential surface of said cylindrical connecting segment with an outer surface of said neck of said plastic keg;
- said cylindrical connecting segment comprising an inwardly extending portion with an angled surface disposed and configured for expanding about said first keg flange and a surface adjacent said angled surface configured to grip said first keg flange;
- e) supporting said disposable plastic keg about said second keg flange with an apparatus configured to support said disposable plastic keg;
- said apparatus configured to support and dispose said disposable plastic keg being configured to support said disposable plastic keg, the beverage contained therein after filling of said disposable plastic keg, and withstanding a force applied to said disposable plastic keg upon pushing of said disposable dispensing tap fitting onto said neck of said disposable plastic keg and forcing said inwardly extending portion of said cylindrical connecting segment over said second keg flange;
- f) filling said disposable plastic keg with a beverage by placing a filling device about said neck of said disposable plastic keg and flowing the liquid beverage substantially across the entire area of said mouth opening and maximizing production;
- said filling device comprising a cylindrical portion with a recessed portion configured to receive and seal with an outer surface of a portion of said neck, proximate said mouth opening, of said disposable plastic keg, said filling device further comprising a dispensing opening centrally disposed with said recessed portion, said dispensing opening having a similar diameter but smaller than a diameter of said mouth opening and maximizing a filling rate of liquid beverage into said disposable keg through said mouth opening in said neck;
- g) placing said cylindrical connecting segment of said disposable dispensing tap fitting onto said neck of said disposable plastic keg, after said step of filling said disposable plastic keg with a beverage;
- h) pushing said disposable dispensing tap fitting onto said neck of said disposable plastic keg with a force and a speed sufficient to maximize production and expand said inwardly extending portion of said cylindrical connecting segment about said first keg flange but not being sufficiently great to damage said second keg flange or said apparatus configured to support and dispose said disposable plastic keg;
- said step of pushing said disposable dispensing tap fitting onto said neck of said disposable plastic keg being performed with a closing tool, said closing tool comprising a hollow cylindrical portion disposed and configured to cooperate with a surface of said disposable tap fitting proximate said dispensing portion;
- I) gripping said first keg flange with said surface of said inwardly extending portion configured to grip said first keg flange;
- j) sealing said inner circumferential surface of said cylindrical connecting segment to said outer surface of said neck of said plastic keg with said gasket surrounding the inner circumferential surface of said cylindrical connecting segment;
- k) releasing said disposable plastic keg from said apparatus configured to dispose said disposable plastic keg during filling;
- and
- l) maintaining a seal between said cylindrical connecting segment and said outer surface of said neck with said gasket to sufficiently contain the beverage in said disposable plastic keg.