A method and system provide a folded mailer system which can house / enclose a container which houses a liquid. The folded mailer system meets the requirements /standards as set forth by the USPS for first-class machinable mail. While the folded mailer system meets the USPS requirements / standards for first-class machinable mail, the folded mailer system may also meet the requirements / standards for machinable mail in other jurisdictions outside of the United States. The mailer system may include a container capable of holding a liquid and a structure for holding the container when the container is shipped. The structure may have at least two sections which are folded on to each other when the container is shipped. The container and structure may be machinable within an automated mailing system that is run by the USPS.

The present invention is directed to a closed flexible package comprising: (i) flexible or semi-flexible lateral walls (2) that form a flatten package body, and (ii) a cup-shaped bottom portion adapted to the insertion of a fluid injection element of the machine, the package body and cup-shaped bottom portion being formed from a one-piece elongated primary flat blank sheet made of flexible material, preferably a fiber-based material, that is folded in a U-shape around its transversal symmetry axis, and sealed along its lateral and upper edges, wherein said cup-shaped bottom portion is a hollow volume having a concave lower side and convex lateral sides, and the profile curvature of said lower side being identical to the profile curvature of each of said lateral sides.

Disclosed is a smart device housing configured to fixably attach to a beverage vessel having a domed surface at a distal end, the domed surface adjacent a wall terminating at a lip, the smart device housing having an exterior configured as a transformable shape enabling a locking fit between the lip and the domed surface of the beverage vessel. Also disclosed is a system wherein a smart device has at least one proximity, image or distance sensor having a beam of detection with a path, the sensor located and directed such the beam of detection covers a location where a coupler can be attached to the beverage vessel, the smart device configured to determine whether the coupler is attached to the beverage vessel by measuring whether the path is obstructed by the coupler. Also disclosed is a method of determining the fill status of a beverage container.

Provided is a cap of a container. The cap has an image formed thereon and includes a first part and a second part. When the cap is opened, the first part is separated from a container body of the container, and the second part remains on the container body of the container. The image is formed on a region straddling both a side surface of the first part and a side surface of the second part.

Capsule for the preparation of a beverage comprising a container and a beverage ingredient contained therein, wherein the container comprises a code adapted for being identified or read by external reading means, wherein the code is arranged on the container to be read while the capsule is rotated around an axis of rotation traversing the capsule.

A portion capsule for producing a beverage includes a base element having a cavity in which a beverage raw material is provided and which is closed by a membrane fastened to the base element.

A packaging system that is manufactured entirely out of recyclable materials and that allows consumers to view the items, such as food items, within the package container is disclosed. Specifically, the packaging system comprises a package container manufactured entirely out of recyclable materials, and a code identifier component positioned thereon which is linked to an image or other information of the product contained within the package container. The code identifier component is typically a 2D bar code or an RFID tag. Further, the image linked to the code identifier component can be generic, or the actual individual image of the product in the container, and the image can be associated with the product during its manufacture, or when it is packaged. The image can be viewed with a tablet, mobile phone, virtual reality headset, a provided terminal, or other suitable device.

A flexible container for mixing dough may include a substrate including at least first and second surfaces situated between opposing ends and opposing edges; a re-closable closure coupled to the substrate and extending at least partially between the opposing edges; the substrate being folded at first, second and third folds and coupled to itself at the opposing edges so as to define a gusset situated between the first and third folds, and to define at least a portion of a cavity configured to receive ingredients for making the dough; and a support cavity at one or more of the first, second and third folds, the support cavity being configured to be grasped by a user. The support cavity may include at least one opening configured to be grasped by the user.

A beverage system for producing a coffee or tea beverage that includes a beverage machine that includes: a holder configured to receive and support a portion capsule, and a pump controlled to push water into the capsule to produce the beverage. The portion capsule includes a metal cover attached to a metal base element. The cavity has a plurality of ribs that are radially spaced, vertically oriented, and configured to extend toward a central portion thereof. The ribs are free from extending all the way to a bottom of the cavity. The base element has a side wall with an electrically conductive section and radially spaced and vertically oriented grooves, the grooves being free from extending all the way to a bottom of the base element and are also free from extending all the way to a region of the side wall that is immediately adjacent to the flange.

A smart device for a beverage vessel having a domed surface adjacent a wall terminating at a lip, the smart device having a housing, and at least one expanding member, the at least one expanding member being one of integral to the housing, attached to the housing, or separate from the housing. The at least one expanding member may be configured to be manipulated by way of a force. The smart device housing and the expanding member being configured to fixably attach to the beverage vessel enabling a secure fit between the lip and the domed surface of the beverage vessel. The at least one expanding member may also be a lockable expanding member lockable into a deployed state. The at least one expanding member may also enable a dimension change from an initial vertical dimension to a greater locking fit dimension to provide a secure fit.