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Keg filling plant for filling kegs with a liquid beverage material, such as beer, wine, soft drinks, or juice, and a method of operating same, and a handling and treatment station for kegs. The abstract of the disclosure is submitted herewith as required by 37 C.F.R. ��1.72(b ). As stated in 37 C.F

Keg filling plant for filling kegs with a liquid beverage material, such as beer, wine, soft drinks, or juice, and a method of operating same, and a handling and treatment station for kegs. 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.

대표청구항 ▼

What is claimed is: 1. A method of operating a keg filling plant for filling both kegs having flat fittings and kegs having basket fittings with a liquid beverage, such as beer, wine, soft drinks, or juice, each of said kegs comprising: a hollow, substantially cylindrical housing having a first end

What is claimed is: 1. A method of operating a keg filling plant for filling both kegs having flat fittings and kegs having basket fittings with a liquid beverage, such as beer, wine, soft drinks, or juice, each of said kegs comprising: a hollow, substantially cylindrical housing having a first end and second end opposite said first end; a fitting being disposed in said first end of said housing; an elongated filler tube comprising a first end mounted on or connected to said fitting and a second end disposed opposite said first end and adjacent said second end of said housing; said filler tube being configured to conduct cleaning media into the interior of said housing during cleaning of the interior of said housing and to permit exit of gas from the interior of said housing during filling of the interior of said housing with a filling liquid; said fitting comprising one of (A) and (B): (A) a flat fitting comprising a ring-shaped movable valve element disposed about said first end of said filler tube; said ring-shaped movable valve element being configured to be axially moved away from said first end of said housing on and along a portion of said filler tube to open said keg to permit access to the interior of said housing to permit cleaning of the interior or filling of the interior with a filling liquid; (B) a basket fitting comprising a movable valve element disposed on the tip of said first end of said filler tube; said movable valve element being configured to be axially moved away from said first end of said housing to open said keg to permit access to the interior of said housing to permit cleaning of the interior or filling of the interior with a filling liquid; said keg filling plant comprising: a cleaning arrangement being configured and disposed to clean empty kegs; a filling arrangement being configured and disposed to fill cleaned, empty kegs with a filling liquid; said cleaning arrangement comprising: a handling apparatus being configured and disposed to handle a keg to be cleaned; said handling apparatus comprising a centering device being configured and disposed to center a keg in said handling apparatus; feed and discharge lines being configured and disposed to permit the delivery and removal of cleaning media into and out of a keg; an actuator element being configured and disposed to move a movable valve element of a fitting of a keg to permit entry and exit of cleaning media into and out of the keg; and said actuator element comprising: a first plunger comprising an elongated, substantially cylindrical body being configured to be axially moved to engage and move a ring-shaped movable valve element disposed about an end of a keg filler tube in a keg to open a keg with a flat fitting; a second plunger comprising an elongated body being configured to be axially moved to engage and move a movable valve element disposed on a tip end of a keg filler tube in a keg to open a keg with a basket fitting; and at least a portion of said second plunger being disposed within said substantially cylindrical body of said first plunger; and said filling arrangement comprising: a handling apparatus being configured and disposed to handle a keg to be filled; said handling apparatus comprising a centering device being configured and disposed to center a keg in said handling apparatus; feed lines being configured and disposed to permit filling of a keg with filling liquid; gas lines being configured and disposed to permit flow of gas out of a keg being filled with filling liquid; an actuator element being configured and disposed to move a movable valve element of a fitting of a keg to permit entry of filling liquid into a keg and exit of gas out of the keg; and said actuator element comprising: a first plunger comprising an elongated, substantially cylindrical body being configured to be axially moved to engage and move a ring-shaped movable valve element disposed about an end of a keg filler tube in a keg to open a keg with a flat fitting; a second plunger comprising an elongated body being configured to be axially moved to engage and move a movable valve element disposed on a tip end of a keg filler tube in a keg to open a keg with a basket fitting; and at least a portion of said second plunger being disposed within said substantially cylindrical body of said first plunger; and said method comprising the steps of: moving a first keg comprising a flat fitting into said cleaning arrangement and cleaning the interior of the first keg; said step of cleaning the interior of the first keg comprising: centering the first keg with said centering device in said handling apparatus; engaging and moving said movable valve element of the first keg with said first plunger to open the first keg; transporting cleaning media through said feed lines, said flat fitting, and said filler tube into the interior of the first keg to clean the interior of the first keg; and removing said cleaning media out of the first keg through said flat fitting and said discharge lines; disengaging said first plunger of said cleaning arrangement from said movable valve element of the first keg to permit said movable valve element to close the first keg upon completion of cleaning of the interior of the first keg; moving the first keg out of said cleaning arrangement and into said filling arrangement; filling the interior of the first keg with a filling liquid, said step of filling the interior of the first keg comprising: centering the first keg with said centering device in said handling apparatus; engaging and moving said movable valve element of the first keg with said first plunger to open the first keg; flowing filling liquid through said feed lines and said flat fitting into the interior of the first keg, and substantially simultaneously flowing gas through said filler tube, said flat fitting, and said gas lines out of the interior of the first keg; and terminating filling upon the filling liquid reaching the second end of said filler tube; and disengaging said first plunger of said filling arrangement from said movable valve element of the first keg to permit said movable valve element to close the first keg upon completion of filling of the interior of the first keg with a filling liquid; said method further comprising the steps of: moving a second keg comprising a basket fitting into said cleaning arrangement and cleaning the interior of the second keg; said step of cleaning the interior of the second keg comprising: centering the second keg with said centering device in said handling apparatus; engaging and moving said movable valve element of the second keg with said second plunger to open the second keg; transporting cleaning media through said feed lines, said basket fitting, and said filler tube into the interior of the second keg to clean the interior of the second keg; and removing said cleaning media out of the second keg through said basket fitting and said discharge lines; disengaging said second plunger of said cleaning arrangement from said movable valve element of the second keg to permit said movable valve element to close the second keg upon completion of cleaning of the interior of the second keg; moving the second keg out of said cleaning arrangement and into said filling arrangement; filling the interior of the second keg with a filling liquid, said step of filling the interior of the second keg comprising: centering the second keg with said centering device in said handling apparatus; engaging and moving said movable valve element of the second keg with said second plunger to open the second keg; flowing filling liquid through said feed lines and said basket fitting into the interior of the second keg, and substantially simultaneously flowing gas through said filler tube, said basket fitting, and said gas lines out of the interior of the second keg; and terminating filling upon the filling liquid reaching the second end of said filler tube; and disengaging said second plunger of said filling arrangement from said movable valve element of the second keg to permit said movable valve element to close the second keg upon completion of filling of the interior of the second keg with a filling liquid. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein: said centering device comprises at least two centering elements configured to be adjusted to adapt said centering device to the outside diameter of different fittings; said first plunger is configured to be moved independently of said second plunger in each of said cleaning and filling arrangements; said second plunger is configured to be moved independently of said first plunger in each of said cleaning and filling arrangements; said step of engaging and moving said movable valve element of the first keg with said first plunger to open the first keg comprises moving said first plunger independently of said second plunger; said step of engaging and moving said movable valve element of the second keg with said second plunger to open the second keg comprises moving said second plunger independently of said first plunger; and at least one of (A) and (B): (A) said keg filling plant further comprises a control system configured to receive input commands from a user to control at least the plungers of said cleaning and filling arrangements; and said method further comprises manually selecting, by input of the selection commands into said control system by a user, one of said first plunger and said second plunger to be activated in each of said cleaning and filling arrangements according to the type of fitting of the kegs to be cleaned and filled; and (B) each of the kegs comprises an identification device which corresponds to the type of fitting in the keg; said keg filling plant comprises at least one recognition module configured to detect the keg identification devices to determine the type of fitting for each keg prior to cleaning and filling of the keg; said at least one recognition module comprises a computer-assisted image processing system or optically or mechanically functioning sensors; and said method further comprises the step of automatically selecting, by detecting the keg identification device with said at least one recognition module, one of said first plunger and said second plunger to be activated in each of said cleaning and filling arrangements according to the type of fitting of the kegs to be cleaned and filled. 3. The method according to claim 1, wherein: said centering device comprises at least two centering elements configured to be adjusted to adapt said centering device to the outside diameter of different fittings; said first plunger is configured to be moved in conjunction with said second plunger in each of said cleaning and filling arrangements; said second plunger is configured and disposed to be plunged into said first plunger upon said second plunger contacting a stationary element of said flat fitting upon axial movement of both of said plungers together; said first plunger and said second plunger each comprise sealing surfaces configured to be moved relative to each other upon said second plunger contacting a stationary element of said flat fitting upon axial movement of both of said plungers together; said step of engaging and moving said movable valve element of the second keg with said second plunger to open the second keg comprises moving both said second plunger and said first plunger together; and said step of engaging and moving said movable valve element of the first keg with said first plunger to open the first keg comprises: moving both said first plunger and said second plunger together; contacting said first end of said filler tube with said elongated body of said second plunger and plunging said second plunger into said first plunger as said first plunger continues moving axially; and engaging and moving said movable valve element of the first keg with said first plunger. 4. A keg filling plant for filling both kegs having flat fittings and kegs having basket fittings, with a liquid beverage, such as beer, wine, soft drinks, or juice, said keg filling plant comprising: a cleaning machine being configured and disposed to clean empty kegs; a filling machine being configured and disposed to fill cleaned, empty kegs with a liquid beverage; a first conveyor arrangement being configured and disposed to convey kegs from said cleaning machine to said filling machine; said cleaning machine comprising: a handling head being configured and disposed to support a keg thereon; said handling head comprising a centering device being configured and disposed to center a keg on said handling head; an applicator element being configured and disposed to apply a force to a keg on said handling head to press the keg into a sealing engagement with said handling head; feed and discharge lines being configured and disposed to permit the delivery and removal of cleaning media into and out of a keg; an actuator element being configured and disposed to move a movable valve element of a fitting of a keg to permit entry and exit of cleaning media into and out of the keg; and said actuator element comprising: a first plunger comprising an elongated, substantially cylindrical body being configured to be axially moved to engage and move a ring-shaped movable valve element disposed about an end of a keg filler tube in a keg to open a keg with a flat fitting; a second plunger comprising an elongated body being configured to be axially moved to engage and move a movable valve element disposed on a tip end of a keg filler tube in a keg to open a keg with a basket fitting; and at least a portion of said second plunger being disposed within said substantially cylindrical body of said first plunger; and said filling machine comprising: a handling head being configured and disposed to support a keg thereon; said handling head comprising a centering device being configured and disposed to center a keg on said handling head; an applicator element being configured and disposed to apply a force to a keg on said handling head to press the keg into a sealing engagement with said handling head; feed lines being configured and disposed to permit filling of a keg with liquid beverage; gas lines being configured and disposed to permit flow of gas out of a keg being filled with liquid beverage; an actuator element being configured and disposed to move a movable valve element of a fitting of a keg to permit entry of liquid beverage into a keg and exit of gas out of the keg; and said actuator element comprising: a first plunger comprising an elongated, substantially cylindrical body being configured to be axially moved to engage and move a ring-shaped movable valve element disposed about an end of a keg filler tube in a keg to open a keg with a flat fitting; a second plunger comprising an elongated body being configured to be axially moved to engage and move a movable valve element disposed on a tip end of a keg filler tube in a keg to open a keg with a basket fitting; and at least a portion of said second plunger being disposed within said substantially cylindrical body of said first plunger. 5. The keg filling plant according to claim 4, wherein: said centering device comprises at least two centering elements configured to be adjusted to adapt said centering device to the outside diameter of different fittings; said first plunger is configured to be moved independently of said second plunger in each of said cleaning and filling arrangements; said second plunger is configured to be moved independently of said first plunger in each of said cleaning and filling arrangements; and at least one of (A) and (B): (A) said keg filling plant further comprises a control system configured to receive input commands from a user to control at least the plungers of said cleaning and filling arrangements to permit manual selection, by input of the selection commands into said control system by a user, of one of said first plunger and said second plunger to be activated in each of said cleaning and filling arrangements according to the type of fitting of kegs to be cleaned and filled; and (B) said keg filling plant comprises at least one recognition module configured to detect keg identification devices in kegs which correspond to the type of fitting in the keg to determine the type of fitting for each keg prior to cleaning and filling of the keg; and said at least one recognition module comprises a computer-assisted image processing system or optically or mechanically functioning sensors. 6. The keg filling plant according to claim 4, wherein: said centering device comprises at least two centering elements configured to be adjusted to adapt said centering device to the outside diameter of different fittings; said first plunger is configured to be moved in conjunction with said second plunger in each of said cleaning and filling arrangements; said second plunger is configured and disposed to be plunged into said first plunger upon said second plunger contacting a stationary element of a flat fitting upon axial movement of both of said plungers together; and said first plunger and said second plunger each comprise sealing surfaces configured to be moved relative to each other upon said second plunger contacting a stationary element of a flat fitting upon axial movement of both of said plungers together. 7. A method of operating a keg filling plant for filling both kegs having flat fittings and kegs having basket fittings with a filling liquid, each of said kegs comprising: a hollow housing having a first side and second side opposite said first side; a fitting being disposed in said first side of said housing; an elongated filler tube comprising a first end mounted on or connected to said fitting and a second end disposed opposite said first end and adjacent said second end of said housing; said filler tube being configured to conduct cleaning media into the interior of said housing during cleaning of the interior of said housing and to permit exit of gas from the interior of said housing during filling of the interior of said housing with a filling liquid; said fitting comprising one of (A) and (B): (A) a flat fitting comprising a ring-shaped movable valve element disposed about said first end of said filler tube; said ring-shaped movable valve element being configured to be axially moved away from said first side of said housing on and along a portion of said filler tube to open said keg to permit access to the interior of said housing to permit cleaning of the interior or filling of the interior with a filling liquid; (B) a basket fitting comprising a movable valve element disposed on the tip of said first end of said filler tube; said movable valve element being configured to be axially moved away from said first side of said housing to open said keg to permit access to the interior of said housing to permit cleaning of the interior or filling of the interior with a filling liquid; said keg filling plant comprising: a cleaning arrangement being configured and disposed to clean empty kegs; a filling arrangement being configured and disposed to fill cleaned, empty kegs with a filling liquid; said cleaning arrangement comprising: a handling apparatus being configured and disposed to handle a keg to be cleaned; said handling apparatus comprising a centering device being configured and disposed to center a keg in said handling apparatus; feed and discharge lines being configured and disposed to permit the delivery and removal of cleaning media into and out of a keg; an actuator element being configured and disposed to move a movable valve element of a fitting of a keg to permit entry and exit of cleaning media into and out of the keg; and said actuator element comprising: a first plunger comprising an elongated, substantially cylindrical body being configured to be axially moved to engage and move a ring-shaped movable valve element disposed about an end of a keg filler tube in a keg to open a keg with a flat fitting; a second plunger comprising an elongated body being configured to be axially moved to engage and move a movable valve element disposed on a tip end of a keg filler tube in a keg to open a keg with a basket fitting; and said filling arrangement comprising: a handling apparatus being configured and disposed to handle a keg to be filled; said handling apparatus comprising a centering device being configured and disposed to center a keg in said handling apparatus; feed lines being configured and disposed to permit filling of a keg with filling liquid; gas lines being configured and disposed to permit flow of gas out of a keg being filled with filling liquid; an actuator element being configured and disposed to move a movable valve element of a fitting of a keg to permit entry of filling liquid into a keg and exit of gas out of the keg; and said actuator element comprising: a first plunger comprising an elongated, substantially cylindrical body being configured to be axially moved to engage and move a ring-shaped movable valve element disposed about an end of a keg filler tube in a keg to open a keg with a flat fitting; and a second plunger comprising an elongated body being configured to be axially moved to engage and move a movable valve element disposed on a tip end of a keg filler tube in a keg to open a keg with a basket fitting; said method comprising the steps of: moving a first keg comprising a flat fitting into said cleaning arrangement and cleaning the interior of the first keg; said step of cleaning the interior of the first keg comprising: centering the first keg with said centering device in said handling apparatus; engaging and moving said movable valve element of the first keg with said first plunger to open the first keg; transporting cleaning media through said feed lines, said flat fitting, and said filler tube into the interior of the first keg to clean the interior of the first keg; and removing said cleaning media out of the first keg through said flat fitting and said discharge lines; disengaging said first plunger of said cleaning arrangement from said movable valve element of the first keg to permit said movable valve element to close the first keg upon completion of cleaning of the interior of the first keg; moving the first keg out of said cleaning arrangement and into said filling arrangement; filling the interior of the first keg with a filling liquid, said step of filling the interior of the first keg comprising: centering the first keg with said centering device in said handling apparatus; engaging and moving said movable valve element of the first keg with said first plunger to open the first keg; flowing filling liquid through said feed lines and said flat fitting into the interior of the first keg, and substantially simultaneously flowing gas through said filler tube, said flat fitting, and said gas lines out of the interior of the first keg; and terminating filling upon the filling liquid reaching the second end of said filler tube; and disengaging said first plunger of said filling arrangement from said movable valve element of the first keg to permit said movable valve element to close the first keg upon completion of filling of the interior of the first keg with a filling liquid; said method further comprising the steps of: moving a second keg comprising a basket fitting into said cleaning arrangement and cleaning the interior of the second keg; said step of cleaning the interior of the second keg comprising: centering the second keg with said centering device in said handling apparatus; engaging and moving said movable valve element of the second keg with said second plunger to open the second keg; transporting cleaning media through said feed lines, said basket fitting, and said filler tube into the interior of the second keg to clean the interior of the second keg; and removing said cleaning media out of the second keg through said basket fitting and said discharge lines; disengaging said second plunger of said cleaning arrangement from said movable valve element of the second keg to permit said movable valve element to close the second keg upon completion of cleaning of the interior of the second keg; moving the second keg out of said cleaning arrangement and into said filling arrangement; filling the interior of the second keg with a filling liquid, said step of filling the interior of the second keg comprising: centering the second keg with said centering device in said handling apparatus; engaging and moving said movable valve element of the second keg with said second plunger to open the second keg; flowing filling liquid through said feed lines and said basket fitting into the interior of the second keg, and substantially simultaneously flowing gas through said filler tube, said basket fitting, and said gas lines out of the interior of the second keg; and terminating filling upon the filling liquid reaching the second end of said filler tube; and disengaging said second plunger of said filling arrangement from said movable valve element of the second keg to permit said movable valve element to close the second keg upon completion of filling of the interior of the second keg with a filling liquid. 8. The method according to claim 7, wherein: said first plunger is configured to be moved independently of said second plunger in each of said cleaning and filling arrangements; said second plunger is configured to be moved independently of said first plunger in each of said cleaning and filling arrangements; said step of engaging and moving said movable valve element of the first keg with said first plunger to open the first keg comprises moving said first plunger independently of said second plunger; and said step of engaging and moving said movable valve element of the second keg with said second plunger to open the second keg comprises moving said second plunger independently of said first plunger. 9. The method according to claim 8, wherein at least a portion of said second plunger is disposed within said substantially cylindrical body of said first plunger. 10. The method according to claim 9, wherein: said centering device comprises at least two centering elements configured to be adjusted to adapt said centering device to the outside diameter of different fittings; and at least one of (A) and (B): (A) said keg filling plant further comprises a control system configured to receive input commands from a user to control at least the plungers of said cleaning and filling arrangements; and said method further comprises manually selecting, by input of the selection commands into said control system by a user, one of said first plunger and said second plunger to be activated in each of said cleaning and filling arrangements according to the type of fitting of the kegs to be cleaned and filled; and (B) each of the kegs comprises an identification device which corresponds to the type of fitting in the keg; said keg filling plant comprises at least one recognition module configured to detect the keg identification devices to determine the type of fitting for each keg prior to cleaning and filling of the keg; said at least one recognition module comprises a computer-assisted image processing system or optically or mechanically functioning sensors; and said method further comprises the step of automatically selecting, by detecting the keg identification device with said at least one recognition module, one of said first plunger and said second plunger to be activated in each of said cleaning and filling arrangements according to the type of fitting of the kegs to be cleaned and filled. 11. The method according to claim 7, wherein: said first plunger is configured to be moved in conjunction with said second plunger in each of said cleaning and filling arrangements; and said step of engaging and moving said movable valve element of the second keg with said second plunger to open the second keg comprises moving both said second plunger and said first plunger together. 12. The method according to claim 11, wherein at least a portion of said second plunger is disposed within said substantially cylindrical body of said first plunger. 13. The method according to claim 12, wherein: said centering device comprises at least two centering elements configured to be adjusted to adapt said centering device to the outside diameter of different fittings; said second plunger is configured and disposed to be plunged into said first plunger upon said second plunger contacting a stationary element of said flat fitting upon axial movement of both of said plungers together; said first plunger and said second plunger each comprise sealing surfaces configured to be moved relative to each other upon said second plunger contacting a stationary element of said flat fitting upon axial movement of both of said plungers together; said step of engaging and moving said movable valve element of the first keg with said first plunger to open the first keg comprises: moving both said first plunger and said second plunger together; contacting said first end of said filler tube with said elongated body of said second plunger and plunging said second plunger into said first plunger as said first plunger continues moving axially; and engaging and moving said movable valve element of the first keg with said first plunger. 14. A keg filling plant for filling both kegs having flat fittings and kegs having basket fittings with a filling liquid, said keg filling plant comprising: a cleaning arrangement being configured and disposed to clean empty kegs; a filling arrangement being configured and disposed to fill cleaned, empty kegs with a filling liquid; said cleaning arrangement comprising: a handling apparatus being configured and disposed to handle a keg to be cleaned; said handling apparatus comprising a centering device being configured and disposed to center a keg in said handling apparatus; feed and discharge lines being configured and disposed to permit the delivery and removal of cleaning media into and out of a keg; an actuator element being configured and disposed to move a movable valve element of a fitting of a keg to permit entry and exit of cleaning media into and out of the keg; and said actuator element comprising: a first plunger comprising an elongated, substantially cylindrical body being configured to be axially moved to engage and move a ring-shaped movable valve element disposed about an end of a keg filler tube in a keg to open a keg with a flat fitting; a second plunger comprising an elongated body being configured to be axially moved to engage and move a movable valve element disposed on a tip end of a keg filler tube in a keg to open a keg with a basket fitting; and said filling arrangement comprising: a handling apparatus being configured and disposed to handle a keg to be filled; said handling apparatus comprising a centering device being configured and disposed to center a keg in said handling apparatus; feed lines being configured and disposed to permit filling of a keg with filling liquid; gas lines being configured and disposed to permit flow of gas out of a keg being filled with filling liquid; an actuator element being configured and disposed to move a movable valve element of a fitting of a keg to permit entry of filling liquid into a keg and exit of gas out of the keg; and said actuator element comprising: a first plunger comprising an elongated, substantially cylindrical body being configured to be axially moved to engage and move a ring-shaped movable valve element disposed about an end of a keg filler tube in a keg to open a keg with a flat fitting; and a second plunger comprising an elongated body being configured to be axially moved to engage and move a movable valve element disposed on a tip end of a keg filler tube in a keg to open a keg with a basket fitting. 15. The keg filling plant according to claim 14, wherein: said first plunger is configured to be moved independently of said second plunger in each of said cleaning and filling arrangements; and said second plunger is configured to be moved independently of said first plunger in each of said cleaning and filling arrangements. 16. The keg filling plant according to claim 15, wherein at least one of (A) and (B): (A) said keg filling plant further comprises a control system configured to receive input commands from a user to control at least the plungers of said cleaning and filling arrangements to permit manual selection, by input of the selection commands into said control system by a user, of one of said first plunger and said second plunger to be activated in each of said cleaning and filling arrangements according to the type of fitting of kegs to be cleaned and filled; and (B) said keg filling plant comprises at least one recognition module configured to detect keg identification devices in kegs which correspond to the type of fitting in the keg to determine the type of fitting for each keg prior to cleaning and filling of the keg; and said at least one recognition module comprises a computer-assisted image processing system or optically or mechanically functioning sensors. 17. The keg filling plant according to claim 16, wherein: at least a portion of said second plunger is disposed within said substantially cylindrical body of said first plunger; and said centering device comprises at least two centering elements configured to be adjusted to adapt said centering device to the outside diameter of different fittings. 18. The keg filling plant according to claim 14, wherein: said first plunger is configured to be moved in conjunction with said second plunger in each of said cleaning and filling arrangements; and at least a portion of said second plunger is disposed within said substantially cylindrical body of said first plunger. 19. The keg filling plant according to claim 18, wherein said second plunger is configured and disposed to be plunged into said first plunger upon said second plunger contacting a stationary element of a flat fitting upon axial movement of both of said plungers together. 20. The keg filling plant according to claim 19, wherein: said first plunger and said second plunger each comprise sealing surfaces configured to be moved relative to each other upon said second plunger contacting a stationary element of a flat fitting upon axial movement of both of said plungers together; and said centering device comprises at least two centering elements configured to be adjusted to adapt said centering device to the outside diameter of different fittings.