A container and closure combination, for the containment of fluids and extraction therefrom by way of an extraction tube. The container comprises a closed volume with an opening configured to close the opening of the container; the closure is provided with an aperture such that the closure, upon fitment to the container opening, cannot be removed therefrom. The aperture of the closure comprises a unitary elastic unidirectional valve member that can operate in a first, closed condition, to prevent a flow of fluid from the container; and a second, operational condition, with an extraction tube sealingly engaged with respect to the valve, to permit an extraction of fluid from the container through the tube.

A container and closure combination, for the containment of fluids and extraction therefrom by way of an extraction tube. The container comprises a closed volume with an opening configured to close the opening of the container; the closure is provided with an aperture such that the closure, upon fitment to the container opening, cannot be removed therefrom. The aperture of the closure comprises a unitary elastic unidirectional valve member that can operate in a first, closed condition, to prevent a flow of fluid from the container; and a second, operational condition, with an extraction tube sealingly engaged with respect to the valve, to permit an extraction of fluid from the container through the tube.

There is proposed an apparatus and method for measuring fluid usage from a container. The apparatus in one form includes a proximity sensor or sensors positioned in, or adjacent, an outlet of said container and configured to monitor the presence or absence of said fluid within or adjacent said outlet, an angle sensor for determining a first angle of said container when said fluid begins to flow through the outlet, and for determining a second angle of said container when said fluid stops flowing through said outlet, and a transmitter for sending data from the proximity sensor/s and angle sensor or processed data therefrom, to a computing device and/or display unit, wherein the data or processed data is used to calculate or indicate a volume of the fluid having passed through the outlet.

There is proposed an apparatus and method for measuring fluid usage from a container. The apparatus in one form includes a proximity sensor or sensors positioned in, or adjacent, an outlet of said container and configured to monitor the presence or absence of said fluid within or adjacent said outlet, an angle sensor for determining a first angle of said container when said fluid begins to flow through the outlet, and for determining a second angle of said container when said fluid stops flowing through said outlet, and a transmitter for sending data from the proximity sensor/s and angle sensor or processed data therefrom, to a computing device and/or display unit, wherein the data or processed data is used to calculate or indicate a volume of the fluid having passed through the outlet.

A drinking device for the retronasal perception of an aroma substance comprises a storage container (12) for drinking liquid, at least one aroma container (20), through which air can flow, and a transporting channel (18) for drinking liquid, the transporting channel running from the storage container (12) to a mouth end (28) of the drinking device (10), and also comprises an air channel (22) for transporting aromatized air, said air channel running from at least one of the at least one aroma containers (20) to the transporting channel (18) for drinking liquid or to the mouth end (28).

A drinking device for the retronasal perception of an aroma substance comprises a storage container (12) for drinking liquid, at least one aroma container (20), through which air can flow, and a transporting channel (18) for drinking liquid, the transporting channel running from the storage container (12) to a mouth end (28) of the drinking device (10), and also comprises an air channel (22) for transporting aromatized air, said air channel running from at least one of the at least one aroma containers (20) to the transporting channel (18) for drinking liquid or to the mouth end (28).

A container and closure combination, for the containment of fluids and extraction therefrom by way of an extraction tube. The container comprises a closed volume with an opening configured to close the opening of the container; the closure is provided with an aperture such that the closure, upon fitment to the container opening, cannot be removed therefrom. The aperture of the closure comprises a unitary elastic unidirectional valve member that can operate in a first, closed condition, to prevent a flow of fluid from the container; and a second, operational condition, with an extraction tube sealingly engaged with respect to the valve, to permit an extraction of fluid from the container through the tube.

A container and closure combination, for the containment of fluids and extraction therefrom by way of an extraction tube. The container comprises a closed volume with an opening configured to close the opening of the container; the closure is provided with an aperture such that the closure, upon fitment to the container opening, cannot be removed therefrom. The aperture of the closure comprises a unitary elastic unidirectional valve member that can operate in a first, closed condition, to prevent a flow of fluid from the container; and a second, operational condition, with an extraction tube sealingly engaged with respect to the valve, to permit an extraction of fluid from the container through the tube.

A method for dispensing a beverage from a bottle that includes communicating a dispensing authorization message from a control unit to at least one of a server interface carried by a beverage server and a pour spout secured to a bottle, wherein the dispensing authorization message at least one of includes or initiates a dispensing command, and wherein the pour spout responds to the dispensing command by opening a spout valve through which a beverage flows from the bottle and out of the pour spout.

A method for dispensing a beverage from a bottle that includes communicating a dispensing authorization message from a control unit to at least one of a server interface carried by a beverage server and a pour spout secured to a bottle, wherein the dispensing authorization message at least one of includes or initiates a dispensing command, and wherein the pour spout responds to the dispensing command by opening a spout valve through which a beverage flows from the bottle and out of the pour spout.