WO2012160036A1

WO2012160036A1 - Keg support system

Info

Publication number: WO2012160036A1
Application number: PCT/EP2012/059405
Authority: WO
Inventors: Stanislav CHURÝ
Original assignee: Petainer Lidköping AB
Priority date: 2011-05-20
Filing date: 2012-05-21
Publication date: 2012-11-29
Also published as: GB2490966A; GB2490966B; GB201108517D0

Abstract

A top-chime 1 for a keg 10 is described. The top-chime 1 comprises jaws movable between open and closed relative positions. The jaws together defining a collar 40 when in the closed position to embrace and engage a neck 15 of the keg 10, and being parted to release the neck 15 of the keg 10 when in the open position.

Description

Keg support system

This invention relates to kegs and keg support systems including, in particular, keg top- chimes and keg sheaths that can be fitted to a keg to support it, protect it and facilitate its handling.

Blow-moulded PET (polyethylene terephtalate) containers have long been used as bottles for beverages. More recently, such containers have been used as kegs for transporting, storing and dispensing beverages such as beer.

An example of a PET beer keg is disclosed in the Applicant's International patent application published as WO 2007/064277, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference. As discussed in WO 2007/064277, such kegs provide advantages over traditional metal kegs. Metal kegs can be costly to produce, occupy a large volume and are heavy - even when empty. They need to be transported back to a supplier to be washed and sterilised before they can be reused. By contrast, blow- moulded PET kegs are lightweight and can be produced at low cost and on-demand from preforms. Furthermore, they can be crushed after use and recycled locally. An example of a blow-moulded PET beer keg is shown in Figure 1 , which is a side view of a known 20-litre capacity keg 100 as disclosed in WO 2007/064277. The keg 100 has a neck that protrudes from the body of the keg, and to which a valve closure 102 is attached. Typically, the keg 100 is filled with a beverage by attaching a filling head to the valve closure 102 and pumping the beverage through one or more openings in the valve closure 102. When the filling head is removed, the openings snap shut to seal the beverage within the keg 100, allowing the keg to be stored and transported. Once the keg 100 is delivered, a dispense head 138 is coupled to the valve element 102 to dispense the beverage from the keg 100. The keg 100 may need to be handled manually several times during filling, storage, transportation and use. This is not always easy, even with a handle 106 that snap-fits to the keg neck. Furthermore, it may be necessary to change the orientation of the keg 100 during handling - for example, inverting it for filling, as is conventional for effervescent drinks such as beer. The protruding neck of the keg 100 makes this difficult as the keg is apt to topple over without supplementary support. An associated issue is that the protruding neck of the keg 100 is exposed to damage or

contamination.

One way around these problems is to fit a top-chime to a keg. An example of a top- chime is described in US 2010/0072212 to Howard et al. The top-chime disclosed in that document has a pair of handles and is shaped to facilitate stacking with a complementary bottom-chime. The top-chime also has an annual skirt that approximately aligns with the cylindrical body of the keg, and extends in an axial direction beyond the keg neck. Accordingly, the neck of the keg is protected by the top-chime, and the keg may be maintained in an inverted orientation without a supplementary support structure.

Like the handle 106 shown in WO 2007/064277, the top-chime of Howard et al. is held in place on the keg by a snap-fit arrangement. Specifically, a central opening in the top-chime is circumscribed by a plurality of resilient flexible tines extending inwardly into the opening. The free ends of the tines engage resiliency with formations on the keg neck to hold the top-chime on the keg.

The top-chime of Howard et al has various drawbacks. Whilst a snap-fit arrangement may be convenient for automated fitting of the top-chime to the keg neck, it may not be strong enough reliably to carry the weight of a filled keg. The snap-fit arrangement relies on resilient tines that are subject to stress, and that can fail under the weight of a full keg when lifted. Furthermore, the snap-fit arrangement of Howard et al. makes it difficult to remove the top-chime from the keg without damaging either the keg or the top-chime. Notably, the tines of the top-chime can be broken or twisted when the top-chime is separated from the keg, preventing re-use of the top-chime. Howard et al. specifies that the top-chime is separable from the keg, but this is in the context of a top-chime being removed, discarded and recycled. Optionally the top- chime may be replaced with a new top-chime, if damaged.

This is a reasonable approach when the keg is a traditional metal keg, which is likely to outlive a plastics top-chime. However, if the keg is a recyclable 'single-use' plastics keg, it is likely that the top-chime can continue to fulfil its function after the keg has been used. In particular, it is helpful to be able to separate the top-chime from the keg so that the keg may be recycled separately and before it is necessary to recycle the top-chime. Therefore, it is wasteful to damage and then discard a top-chime when removing it from a plastics keg; instead, it would be preferable to re-use the top-chime after removal.

An associated consideration is protection of the body of the keg. Plastics kegs can be prone to puncture, especially when subject to the same rough handling as traditional metal kegs. Top and bottom chimes may protect the ends of a plastics keg but they do little to protect its body. An obvious way around this problem is to increase the wall thickness of the keg. However, this increases the weight and the cost of manufacture of the keg.

It is against this background that the present invention has been devised. Summary of the invention

The invention resides in a reuseable top-chime suitable for engagement with a plastics keg, the top-chime comprising first and second parts that, when in a secured configuration, define a collar that closes about the neck of a keg thereby engaging the top-chime to the plastics keg, the first and second parts being movable between the secured configuration and an unsecured configuration in which the collar opens to release the keg neck, thereby disengaging the top-chime from the plastics keg.

Advantageously, the selectively securable collar of the top-chime allows the top-chime to be reused repeatedly without damage to the top-chime or the kegs to which the top- chime may be fitted. Therefore, the top-chime can be swapped between an empty keg to be recycled and a heavy filled keg to be manually handled.

The invention also resides in a top-chime for a keg, comprising jaws movable between open and closed relative positions, the jaws together defining a collar when in the closed position to embrace and engage a neck of the keg, and being parted to release the neck of the keg when in the open position.

The top-chime may be divided into first and second parts each having a respective jaw of the collar. Preferably, the parts are substantially identical. Advantageously, this can minimise production cost of the top-chime as the same process can be used to generate both the first and second parts. For example, the same mould can be used for both parts.

Ideally, the jaws are coupled when in the open position. Advantageously, this simplifies the fitting operation of the top-chime.

Preferably, the jaws are connected by a hinge for relative pivotal movement between the closed and open positions. The hinge may be disassembled to separate the jaws. Advantageously, this presents a convenient way to open and close the top-chime. To facilitate this, the hinge may comprise a removable hinge pin.

Preferably, the jaws are latched when in the closed position. Ideally, the jaws are latched by assembly of an opposed hinge. The jaws may be uncoupled when in the open position. Optionally, the jaws are movable by translation between the closed and open positions.

Preferably, the top-chime has a bottom wall defining a generally concave undersurface complementing and cooperable with a dome surface of the keg surrounding the neck.

The bottom wall is suitably surmounted by radially-extending webs radiating from the jaws. Preferably, the top-chime comprises a side wall upstanding from the bottom wall. Conveniently, the webs join the side wall and the bottom wall. Advantageously, these webs can strengthen the top-chime, minimising flex between its structures.

The invention also extends to a top-chime in combination with a keg. The invention further extends to a sheath surrounding the keg and the top-chime.

Preferably, the top-chime has a side wall defining at least one handle opening, and the sheath includes an access opening aligned with the handle opening. Where the top- chime has a side wall, this suitably underlies and supports an upper portion of the sheath. Advantageously, the sheath and the top-chime can cooperate to facilitate handling of the keg. The invention may also reside in one of the first and second parts of the top-chime. Furthermore, the invention may also reside in a method of fitting a top-chime to a keg, comprising moving jaws between open and closed relative positions to embrace and engage a neck of the keg. In addition, the invention may reside in a method of removing a top-chime from a keg, comprising moving jaws between closed and open relative positions to release a neck of the keg.

Said methods may be performed while the keg remains coupled to a filling head or a dispense head. Furthermore, said methods may comprise relative pivotal movement between the jaws. The methods may also comprise relative translational movement between the jaws.

Brief description of the drawings

To illustrate the prior art, reference has already been made to Figure 1 of the accompanying drawings, which is a side view of a prior known 20-litre capacity keg in a disassembled state. In order that the invention may be more readily understood, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the remaining drawings in which:

Figure 2 is a perspective overhead view of a top-chime of a first embodiment of the present invention as fitted to another prior known keg;

Figure 3 is an enlarged perspective overhead view of the top-chime of Figure 2, shown separately from the keg;

Figure 4 is a sectional side view of the top-chime and keg of Figure 2;

Figure 5 is a perspective overhead view of the top-chime of Figure 3 in a partially disassembled state, one of a pair of retaining pins of the top-chime having been removed;

Figure 6 is an enlarged perspective view of one of the retaining pins of the top-chime shown in Figure 5;

Figure 7 is a perspective overhead view of the top-chime of Figure 3 in a fully disassembled state, with both retaining pins removed; Figure 8 is an overhead view of the top-chime of Figure 3; Figure 9 is an underneath view of the top-chime of Figure 3;

Figure 10 is a front view of the top-chime of Figure 3;

Figure 1 1 is a side view of the top-chime of Figure 3; Figure 12 is a perspective overhead view of the top-chime and keg of Figure 2 fitted within an octagonal bin; and

Figure 13 is a front view of the top-chime, keg and bin of Figure 12. Specific Description

Figure 2 is a perspective overhead view of a top-chime 1 of a first embodiment of the present invention fitted to a prior known keg 10. The top-chime 1 is injection-moulded from polypropylene and the keg 10 is blow-moulded from PET. Accordingly, it is desirable to be able to separate the top-chime 1 readily from the keg 10 before recycling the keg 10.

The keg 10 comprises a substantially cylindrical body 12 of circular horizontal section, the radius of that circle extending orthogonally from a central longitudinal axis X that extends centrally through a base 13 and a substantially dome-shaped head 14 of the keg 10.

A cylindrical neck 15 protrudes from the top of the head 14 of the keg 10 and is rotationally symmetrical about the longitudinal axis X. The neck 15 comprises a radially-protruding circumferential ridge 16. The top-chime 1 is secured to the neck 15 of the keg 10 axially below the ridge 16 as will be described.

Figure 3 shows the top-chime 1 in isolation. The top-chime 1 has a cylindrical sidewall 20 of circular horizontal section, the radius of that circle extending orthogonally from a central longitudinal axis Y of the top-chime 1 . When the top-chime 1 is fitted to the keg 10, their respective longitudinal axes X, Y substantially align. For the avoidance of doubt, hereinafter, reference to an axially upward direction corresponds to a direction from the base 13 of the keg 10 upwards towards the neck 15 and an axially downward direction corresponds to a direction from the neck 15 of the keg 10 downward towards the base 13. The same directions and orientations apply to the top-chime 1 assuming that it is fitted to the keg 10 with respective longitudinal axes X, Y of the keg 10 and top-chime1 being aligned as shown in Figure 2.

With continued reference to Figure 3, the cylindrical side wall 20 comprises a rim 25 at its axially-uppermost end and is joined to a domed base 30 at its axially-lowermost end. The domed base connects the side wall 20 to a central collar 40.

The collar 40 is positioned at the axially-uppermost apex of the domed base 30 and defines a hole 45 within which the neck 16 of the keg 10 is captured. The collar 40 protrudes axially upwardly from the base 30 and so has a radially outwardly-facing surface 42, a radially inwardly-facing surface 43 and an axially upwardly-facing surface 44.

Referring briefly to Figure 4, this shows the top-chime 1 and keg 10 of Figure 2 in sectional side view. The hole 45 defined by the collar 40 is smaller than the radially- protruding circumferential ridge 16 around the neck 15 of the keg 10. Therefore, when the collar 40 is trapped between the ridge 16 and the dome-shaped head 14 of the keg 10, the top-chime 1 is secured to the keg 10. Referring back to Figure 3, ten fins 50 radiate out from the radially outwardly-facing surface 42 of the collar 40 to a radially inwardly-facing surface 22 of the sidewall 20. The fins 50 are reinforcing webs or flanges that strengthen the top-chime 1 with minimal material usage. The fins 50 lie within equi-angularly spaced radially-disposed planes extending from the central longitudinal axis Y. Accordingly, adjacent fins 50 are angled approximately thirty-six degrees to one another about the central longitudinal axis Y, although the number of fins 50 and the angles between them are not essential to the invention. The fins 50 are joined to an axially-upper surface 32 of the base 30. An axially-lower surface 34 of the base 30 is concave in complement with the substantially dome-shaped convex head 14 of the keg 10. When viewed within their respective radially-disposed planes, each of the fins 50 tapers moving outwardly from its radially-inner end to its radially-outer end, the taper increasing significantly nearing the radially-outer end. At its radially-inner end, the axial height of each fin 50 matches the axial height of the protruding collar 40 above the domed base 30. At its radially-outer end, the axial height of each fin 50 matches substantially the axial height of the sidewall 20, except where that sidewall 20 is interrupted by windows 69 that penetrate the sidewall 20. In the latter case, the axial height of the radially-outer ends of two 50' of the fins 50 are limited by the windows 69.

The windows 69 are broadly rectangular and are disposed at diametrically-opposed locations of the sidewall 20. Together with mantles 62, the windows 69 define handles 60 for carrying the top-chime 1 and thus a keg 10 attached to the top-chime 1 . Referring to Figures 10 and 1 1 , these show, respectively, front and side views of the top-chime 1 , each mantle 62 is at an upper edge of a respective window 69 and protrudes from a radially outwardly-facing surface 24 of the sidewall 20. Each mantle 62 defines an axially downwardly-facing and radially-outwardly facing surface 63 that comfortably transmits the weight of the top-chime 1 and keg 10 to the hands of a user during manual lifting. The mantles 62 also define an axially upwardly-facing surface 64 that plays a role in weight bearing, as will be described.

The cylindrical sidewall 20 of the top-chime 1 is interrupted at diametrically-opposed locations by hinges in the form of joints 70 that are positioned about the sidewall 20 between the handles 60. Whilst each window 69 extends sufficiently in the

circumferential direction to interrupt a pair of fins 50', each joint 70 lies between adjacent fins 50.

Referring to Figures 8 and 9, which show, respectively, an overhead view and underneath view of the top-chime 1 , the entire top-chime 1 is split into two substantially equal halves. A split S runs between the joints 70 through the base 30 and collar 40 along a split-plane containing the longitudinal axis Y. In an assembled state - as shown in Figure 3 - the joints 70 receive retaining hinge pins 80 that cooperate with the joints 70 to secure the two halves of the top-chime 1 together. Removal of at least one retaining hinge pin 80 allows the two halves to be moved apart from one another. Figure 5 shows the top-chime 1 of Figure 3 in a partially disassembled state, one of the pair of retaining pins 80 having been removed from one of the joints 70. Accordingly, the two halves of the top-chime 1 - a first part 2 and a second part 3 - can hinge open via the other of the joints 70.

Each joint 70 comprises a set of four interleaving barrels 72, each barrel 72 having an axial bore 74 extending between annular ends 73. When the barrels 72 of a joint 70 are aligned, the bores 74 are also aligned to define a common bore into which a retaining pin 80 can be inserted.

The barrels 72 are interleaved in the axial direction, with annular ends 73 of adjacent barrels 72 facing one another when the barrels are aligned. Barrels 72 integral with the first part 2 of the top chime 1 alternate with the barrels 72 integral with the second part 3 of the top chime 1. Thus, when aligned, the barrels 72 constrain movement of the two halves 2, 3 relative to one another in the axial direction. However, as the barrels 72 can slide relative to one another along their annular ends 73, the two parts 2, 3 of the top-chime 1 may separate from one another via movement in a movement plane that is orthogonal to the axial direction. Retaining pins 80 inserted into common bores prevent movement in the movement plane until they are removed.

Figure 6 shows an enlarged perspective view of one of the retaining pins 80. The pin 80 comprises a shaft 82 of generally cross-shaped cross-section that is sized to fit closely within the common bore defined by the barrels 72. The shaft 82 extends between a frusto-conical head 82 and a tail 86, each tapering in at the extremities of the pin 80, and each defining respective circumferential ridges 83, 87 of larger cross section than the shaft 81. The head 82 is notched to define a pair of resilient arms 84.

Bores 74 of the axially outermost barrels 72 of each joint 70 are stepped such that the axially-inner region of the bore has the same diameter as the common bore, and the axially-outer region of the bore is larger. As such, the shaft 82 of a pin 80 fits within the axially-inner region of the bore, but the circumferential ridges normally do not.

However, the circumferential ridges 83, 87 can fit within the axially-outer region of the bore. During insertion of the pin 80 into a joint 70, the arms 84 flex together allowing the pin to be pushed through a series of interleaving barrels 72. Once reaching the axially-outer region of the bore of an axially outer barrel, the arms 84 snap out, preventing movement opposite to that of the insertion direction. The circumferential ridge 87 at the tail 86 of the pin 80 prevents further movement in the insertion direction. Accordingly, the pin 80 can be locked into the barrels 72 of a joint 70. To remove a pin 80 from a barrel 72, it is necessary to flex the arms 84 together whilst sliding the pin 80 out. This can be done relatively easily with a removal tool (not shown). In alternatives, the tail 86 of a pin 80 may be provided with a ring pull to facilitate manual removal of the pin 80 without a removal tool. In the latter case, it is envisaged that pulling the ring-pull will apply sufficient force to flex the arms 84 to extract the pin 80.

Figure 7 shows the top-chime 1 of Figure 3 in a fully disassembled state, with both retaining pins 80 completely removed. It will be noted from this view that the first part 2 and the second part 3 are identical. Advantageously, this means they can be made from a common mould.

A circumferential gutter 92 is defined at the interface between the axially upwardly- facing surface 32 of the base 30 and the side wall 20. This is at a position situated at the radially-outermost and axially-lowermost position of the axially upwardly-facing surface 32 of the base 30. The gutter 92 is interrupted at regular intervals by the radially extending fins 50.

Referring back to Figures 8 and 9, ten drain holes 90 are cut into the gutter 92 which are situated at regular intervals at midpoints along the gutter 92 between adjacent fins 50.

Accordingly, assuming a normal upright orientation of the top-chime 1 , liquid spilt on to the top-chime 1 can flow down the axially upwardly-facing surface 32 of the base 30 into the gutter 92 and out through the drain holes 90.

In use, referring back to Figure 4, the top-chime 1 can be fitted to a keg 10 by combining the two halves 2, 3 in position on the keg 10. Specifically, the collar 40 defines a pair of jaws which, when together in a closed position, embrace and engage the neck 15 of the keg 10. The jaws, when parted, release the keg neck 15. Each jaw is disposed on a different half 2, 3 of the top-chime.

Therefore, when fitting the top-chime 1 to the keg neck 15, the jaws - as defined by cooperable parts of the collar 40 - can be closed around and in place underneath the radially-protruding circumferential ridge 16 of the neck 15. The two halves 2, 3 of the top-chime 1 are held together by virtue of the two pins 80 being inserted into the joints 70, and so the jaws are prevented from parting. Accordingly, the collar 40 cannot split, and it is trapped between the circumferential ridge 16 and the head 14 of the keg 10. The concave axially downwardly-facing surface 34 of the base 30 of the top-chime 1 rests on the complementarily-shaped head 14 of the keg 10 and so the top-chime 1 is securely attached to the keg 10.

It will be noted that removal of both pins 80 is not necessary to remove the top-chime 1 from the keg 10. If only one of the two pins 80 is removed, then the top-chime 1 will hinge open as shown in Figure 5, splitting the collar 40 and opening the jaws. Accordingly, the top-chime 1 can be slipped off from the keg 10 in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis X of the keg.

Advantageously, and in contrast to prior known top-chimes such as that described in Howard et al. the top-chime 1 can be fitted to and removed from a number of kegs 10 without damage to the top-chime 1 or keg 10. Also, the present top-chime 1 has a sturdier and more reliable connection to the keg 10 and so is better suited for supporting the weight of a filled keg 10 via the top-chime 1 .

Furthermore, the way in which the top-chime 1 of the present embodiment can be fitted to and removed from the neck 15 of a keg 10 provides an advantage over prior known top-chimes and associated fitting and removal methods. Specifically, as the top-chime 1 can be assembled or disassembled in situ around the neck 15 of the keg 10, it is possible to fit and remove the top-chime 1 from the neck of the keg 10 at any point during its lifecycle. For example, if a dispense head or a filling head is connected to the keg 10, this does not interfere with fitting the top-chime 1 to or removal from the keg neck 15. By contrast, as prior-known top-chimes, such as that described in Howard et al., must be push-fitted to the neck of a keg, the presence of other structures (such as a dispense head) on the keg neck will prevent fitting. Accordingly, it has previously only been possible to fit a prior-known top-chime to a keg when it is free from such structures. The top-chime 1 of the present embodiment obviates this problem by allowing fitting and removal via assembly and disassembly in situ about the neck 15.

Once the top-chime 1 has been fitted to the keg 10, it is then possible to invert the keg 10 such that the weight of the keg 10 rests stably on the top-chime 1 . The weight of the keg 10 is transmitted via contact between the head 14 and neck 15 of the keg 10 in respective contact with the base 30 and collar 40 of the top-chime 1. The weight is transmitted stably through the connection of the base 30 to the side wall 20 of the top- chime 1 to the rim 25 which can rest on a supporting surface. The fins 50 provide additional radially-directed support between the base 30 and side wall 20 thereby to prevent relative flexing between the side wall 20 and the base 30 - further stabilising the top-chime 1 .

As mentioned, the inversion of the keg 10 may be necessary during filling of the keg 10, in which case the top-chime 1 is able to support the keg 10 without recourse to supplementary support structures. Advantageously, the top-chime 1 will remain fitted to the keg 10 after filling to facilitate manual handling of the keg 10.

During filling, the top-chime 1 can also facilitate engagement with a filling head.

Specifically, as the top-chime 1 is locked into the keg neck 15, drawing the top-chime 1 towards the filling head also urges the keg neck 15 in the same direction.

As mentioned previously, the top-chime 1 , when fitted to the keg 10, protects the keg neck 15 and head 14 from damage. However, the body 12 and base 13 of the keg 10 is not protected by the top-chime 1 . To get around this problem, the present embodiment of the invention extends to a sheath or sleeve, complementary with the top-chime 1 that can protect the body 12 and base 13 of the keg 10.

Figure 12 shows a perspective overhead view of the top-chime 1 and keg 10 fitted within such a sheath in the form of an octagonal bin 5. Figure 13 shows a front view of the top-chime, keg and bin 5 of Figure 12.

The bin 5 is of octagonal cross-section, the resulting midpoint of the octagon aligning with the longitudinal axes X, Y respectively of the keg 10 and top-chime 1 . The bin 5 is open at its axially upper end to receive the keg 10 and top-chime 1 . The axially-lower end of the bin 5 is closed to define a floor 6, which protects and supports the base 13 of the keg 10.

The bin 5 is constructed from a corrugated polypropylene material. The corrugation imparts strength to the bin 5, and presents a multi-walled protective skin that can protect the keg 10 fitted within it. The bin 5 comprises access openings 7 towards its axially-upper end that align with the handle openings 60 of the top-chime 1 , when the keg 10 and top-chime are correctly fitted within the bin 5. When so fitted, the openings 7 snap-over the mantles 62 such that the axially-upwardly facing surface 64 of each mantle 62 underlies and supports a respective opening 7 at the axially-upper end of the bin 5.

Accordingly, the weight of a filled keg can be transmitted though the bin 5, via its floor 6 to the top-chime 1 . Thus, the top-chime 1 and bin 5 cooperate to facilitate the manual handling and protection of the keg 10.

The material and construction of the bin 5 serves to protect the keg 10.

Advantageously, this can be achieved at a lower unit cost than, for example, thickening the walls of the keg 10. Furthermore, the bin 5 may be reused in the same way as the top-chime 1 with different kegs.

Although the bin 5 is constructed from a corrugated polypropylene material, it will be appreciated that other material may be used in alternatives. However, it should be noted that it is undesirable for the bin 5 to be constructed of other material such as cardboard as this is unsuited for application in the distribution of beverages.

Specifically, materials such as cardboard tend to pick up moisture from the

environment, which can be to the detriment to hygiene. Accordingly, plastics materials are preferred.

Claims

1 . A top-chime for a keg, comprising jaws movable between open and closed relative positions, the jaws together defining a collar when in the closed position to embrace and engage a neck of the keg, and being parted to release the neck of the keg when in the open position.

2. The top-chime of Claim 1 , and being divided into first and second parts each having a respective jaw of the collar.

3. The top-chime of Claim 2, wherein the parts are substantially identical.

4. The top-chime of any preceding claim, wherein the jaws are coupled when in the open position.

5. The top-chime of Claim 4, wherein the jaws are connected by a hinge for relative pivotal movement between the closed and open positions.

6. The top-chime of Claim 5, wherein the hinge may be disassembled to separate the jaws.

7. The top-chime of Claim 6, wherein the hinge comprises a removable hinge pin.

8. The top-chime of any preceding claim, wherein the jaws are latched when in the closed position.

9. The top-chime of Claim 8 when depending from Claim 6 or Claim 7, wherein the jaws are latched by assembly of an opposed hinge.

10. The top-chime of any of Claims 1 to 3, wherein the jaws are uncoupled when in the open position.

1 1. The top-chime of Claim 10, wherein the jaws are movable by translation between the closed and open positions.

12. The top-chime of any preceding claim, and having a bottom wall defining a generally concave undersurface complementing and cooperable with a dome surface of the keg surrounding the neck.

13. The top-chime of Claim 12, wherein the bottom wall is surmounted by radially- extending webs radiating from the jaws.

14. The top-chime of Claim 12 or Claim 13, and having a side wall upstanding from the bottom wall.

15. The top-chime of Claim 14 when depending from Claim 13, wherein the webs join the side wall and the bottom wall.

16. In combination, a keg and a top-chime as defined in any preceding claim.

17. The combination of Claim 16, further comprising a sheath surrounding the keg and the top-chime.

18. The combination of Claim 17, wherein the top-chime has a side wall defining at least one handle opening, and the sheath includes an access opening aligned with the handle opening.

19. The combination of Claim 18, wherein the handle opening has a formation engageable with the access opening for transmitting weight loads between the keg and the sheath.

20. The combination of any of Claims 17 to 19, wherein the top-chime has a side wall underlying and supporting an upper portion of the sheath.

21. One of the first and second parts of the top-chime defined in Claim 2.

22. A method of fitting a top-chime to a keg, comprising moving jaws between open and closed relative positions to embrace and engage a neck of the keg.

23. A method of removing a top-chime from a keg, comprising moving jaws between closed and open relative positions to release a neck of the keg.

24. The method of Claim 22 or Claim 23, and being performed while the keg remains coupled to a filling head or a dispense head.

25. The method of any of Claims 22 to 24, and comprising relative pivotal movement between the jaws.

26. The method of any of Claims 22 to 24, and comprising relative translational movement between the jaws.