A method for the distribution and dispensing of beverages utilizes a one-way system including a disposable and freestanding container. The container is blow-molded in one piece from a preform of plastics. The system also includes a tube to be inserted in the container and a closure cap. The container can be filled, distributed to an end user and connected to standard beverage dispensing structure. After use, the empty container is collapsed and discarded.

According to one example, a beverage dispensing device includes a beverage vessel configured to hold a beverage within the beverage vessel. The beverage vessel has a hole that extends entirely through a bottom portion of the beverage vessel. The beverage dispensing device further includes a plug seat located within the beverage vessel and positioned around the hole, and a weighted plug located within the beverage vessel and positioned against the opening in the plug seat. The weighted plug and plug seat are configured to prevent the beverage from draining through the hole by creating a liquid-tight seal. The beverage dispensing device further includes a lever coupled, at least indirectly, to the beverage vessel. The lever is configured, when activated, to move the weighted plug in relation to the plug seat so as to break the liquid-tight seal. The weighted plug is securely coupled to the lever.

A container (10) to dispense a liquid such as sauce. The container (1.0) has a resilient deformable body (11) that may be compressed to dispense the liquid from the interior (55) of the body (11). Mounted on the body (11) is a cap (37) that is movable along a path (axis 13) between a closed position and an open position. In the open position the upper opening (38) is open to allow the liquid to be dispensed. Preferably the path is linear.

A container sealing assembly is provided. The container sealing assembly includes a cap configured to attach to a container body and including a sealing rib and a unitary compliant sealing valve having a continuous shape and movable between a sealed position and an open position. The unitary compliant sealing valve includes (i) a cap sealing section configured to form a sealing interface with the sealing rib when the unitary compliant sealing valve is in the sealed position and (ii) a compression spring section configured to exert a restoring force on a position adjustment member when the unitary compliant sealing valve is in the sealed position, the restoring force opposing a compressive force exerted by the cap and the position adjustment member on the compression spring section and urging the position adjustment member in an axial direction.

A container lid assembly is provided with a press button opening capability. The lid assembly includes a first outlet opening and a second air opening. A valve member is provided in the lid to which a press button actuator is connected and moveable between a pushed down open position and a pulled up closed position. The press button actuator is connected to the valve member and is moveable between a pressed open position an extended closed position. A biasing member biases the actuator to the extended closed position and the actuator is pressed against the bias of the biasing means. A lock means is provided that controls movement of the actuator such that one press of the actuator causes the actuator to adopt one of the open or closed positions and a second press of the actuator causes the actuator to adopt the other of the open or closed positions.

A plant irrigation dispenser and method controllably dispenses nutritional compositions to a plant. The dispenser comprises a housing defined by a first end and a second end that forms a channel. Impaling members form at the second end of the housing. The housing encloses multiple chambers that contain the nutritional composition. The chambers have a filling end and a dispensing end that forms an opening. A membrane seals the opening. Rotatably manipulating and axially displacing the chambers in relation to the housing allows the impaling members to tear the membrane, so that the nutritional compositions flows through the openings, and onto the plant. A press is in communication with the chamber cavities, so that axially displacing the press in a downward direction forces the nutritional compositions through the openings. A valve assembly retains and manipulates plugs in alignment with the openings to selectively couple and decouple the respective openings.

A lid assembly for a beverage container having a lid housing, a seal assembly and a trigger member. The seal assembly has a drink seal to close the drink aperture. The seal assembly is rotatedly connected to the lid housing and movable between a use position and a cleaning position to allow the drink aperture to be open for cleaning. The trigger member is connected to the lid housing and is capable of engaging the seal assembly in the use position, but it cannot engage the seal assembly in the cleaning position. Additionally, a trigger lock is connected to the lid housing to prevent engagement of the seal assembly by the trigger member when the trigger lock is locked. The trigger lock may also contain a visual indicator to indicate that the lock is in the locked position.

Systems and methods for filling containers with heated fluids are described. In some embodiments, a method may include one or more of introducing a fluid through an open end of the container, providing a seal or cap to close and seal the filled container, cooling the heated fluid to create a first internal vacuum pressure, providing a pressurizing chamber, providing or creating an opening through the seal or cap, providing at least one fluid through the opening or aperture, and sealing the opening or aperture under a second internal pressure higher than the first internal vacuum pressure.

A valve for a lid of a fluid vessel includes a valve body having an adapter portion coupling first and second opposite ends of the valve body. The first and second ends are rotatably fixed to each other and have an angle formed therebetween. The adapter portion is configured to be rotatably coupled to the lid about a first axis. The first end of the valve body is configured to be coupled to a button for rotating the first end about the first axis. The valve includes a stopper coupled to the second end of the valve body and configured to cover an opening in the lid. The stopper is configured to be separated from the opening when the first end of the valve body is rotated in a first direction about the first axis.

A filling system for an electronic cigarette (10) is disclosed in which a nozzle (38) of a liquid dispenser (80) contains a plunger (62) which is biased by a spring (60) into a closed position in which liquid is prevented from flowing through the nozzle (38). In use the nozzle (38) is inserted into an open end (42) of a liquid reservoir (34) for an electronic cigarette containing an air tube (32). The plunger (62) engages with the end of the air tube (32) blocking the air tube (32) and opening the liquid flow path through the nozzle (38). The arrangement of the plunger (62) and nozzle (38) is such that operation of the plunger (62) only occurs when the nozzle (38) engaged within a liquid reservoir (32). A membrane (96) can be provided to prevent leakage from the liquid reservoir (34) when the nozzle (38) is disengaged.