The systems and methods provide a container assembly comprising: a container having a known storage capacity for storing a liquid; an additive dispensing assembly, the additive dispensing assembly dispensing variable, non-zero quantities of one or more additives into the liquid stored in the container; one or more vessels that each contain one of the additives, of the one or more additives, to be dispensed into the liquid; and a gas dispensing assembly, the gas dispensing assembly releasing a gas into the liquid stored in the container, and the gas dispensing assembly including: an onboard gas tank; a valve assembly; and a gas outlet, and the valve assembly controlling flow of gas from the onboard gas tank, through the valve assembly, and to the gas outlet so as to output the gas into the liquid; and wherein the valve assembly, to perform the controlling the flow of gas, is movable between: an open position, in which flow of gas is allowed to flow from the onboard gas tank to the gas outlet; and a closed position in which the flow of gas is prevented to flow from the onboard gas tank to the gas outlet.

The invention relates to a device for the collection, pre-analytic treatment, transport and grinding of solid samples, comprising a flask (1) having an opening (11) closed by a removable stopper (2), for receiving a solid sample. Said flask contains a pre-analytic medium (4), a plurality of balls (3) consisting of a solid material, and a means for holding the balls in place, that is designed to lose its effect when the flask is mechanically shaken or closed by the stopper, in such a way that, when the flask is mechanically shaken, the impact of the balls causes the grinding of the solid sample and the mixing thereof with the pre-analytic medium.

A cover for a medicine container is provided. The cover contains a deactivating material within it which can, upon release into a medicine container, deactivate and/or destroy a medicine within the container. The cover may have an automated release mechanism which controls release of the deactivating material into the medicine container.

A beverage system is provided that includes a cup having a frustoconical wall extending from a first end to a second end. The first end is coupled to a bottom wall and the second end defines a rim. Inner surfaces of the walls define a cavity. The rim defines an opening that is in communication with the cavity. A lid is coupled to the rim such that the lid covers at least a portion of the opening. A sleeve includes a collar that surrounds a portion of the frustoconical wall. The sleeve includes first and second arms. The arms each include a first end coupled to the collar and an opposite second end. The second end of the first arm directly engages the lid. The second end of the second arm directly engages the second end of the first arm when the second end of the first arm directly engages the lid to prevent the lid from being removed from the cup.

Described is an automated reagent dispensing cap and methods of use in an automated clinical analyzer for introducing one or more reagent components housed in the reagent dispensing cap into a container enclosing another reagent component with which it is combined to achieve a reagent useful for diagnostic testing.

A cartridge (1) for controlled brewing of loose-leaf tea in a cup, comprising an infusion chamber (2) for containing loose tea leaves (3) and infusing a liquid with substances from the tea leaves to brew tea. A chamber wall (20) impervious to the liquid defines the infusion chamber. In the chamber wall is a passage (21) between the infusion chamber and an exterior (5) thereof. The passage has an open state in which the infusion chamber is in liquid communication with the exterior, to transport the substances from the infusion chamber into liquid in the exterior during brewing tea. In a close state the infusion chamber inside is closed off from liquid in the exterior to stop a concentration of the substances in the liquid in the exterior from increasing. A manual control manually controllable by a human-being allows to bring the passage from the open state into the closed state.

A dispensing system includes a pour cap for a container and a timing device configured to visually indicate when a dose has been dispensed from the dispensing system, the timing device being securable to either the pour cap or the container and configurable based on a product being dispensed.

Provided is a liquid beverage manufacturing device for discharging a liquid beverage from a pressure container filled with the liquid beverage to enable tasting the liquid beverage. The device includes: the pressure container in which high pressure nitrogen and a liquid beverage are filled and sealed and from which the nitrogen and the liquid beverage are discharged, through a discharge tube, by internal pressure when the discharge tube is pushed inwards; and the jig having a discharge hole, into which the discharge tube is inserted. In a state in which the jig is placed on the top surface of the cup, the discharge tube can be formed to be inserted into the discharge hole up to a predetermined depth and then is pushed inwards of the pressure container without being inserted any further such that the liquid beverage passes through the discharge hole and is discharged into the cup.

The systems and methods provide a container assembly comprising: a container having a known storage capacity for storing a liquid; an additive dispensing assembly, the additive dispensing assembly dispensing variable, non-zero quantities of one or more additives into the liquid stored in the container; one or more vessels that each contain one of the additives, of the one or more additives, to be dispensed into the liquid; and a gas dispensing assembly, the gas dispensing assembly releasing a gas into the liquid stored in the container, and the gas dispensing assembly including: an onboard gas tank; a valve assembly; and a gas outlet, and the valve assembly controlling flow of gas from the onboard gas tank, through the valve assembly, and to the gas outlet so as to output the gas into the liquid; and wherein the valve assembly, to perform the controlling the flow of gas, is movable between: an open position, in which flow of gas is allowed to flow from the onboard gas tank to the gas outlet; and a closed position in which the flow of gas is prevented to flow from the onboard gas tank to the gas outlet.

The present invention is generally directed toward receptacle systems and methods of using the same. In one embodiment, the receptacle system includes a cup and a lid assembly. The lid assembly is configured to allow for removal of consumable items such as, but not limited to, fruit, nuts and seafood, while further providing a holding chamber for disposable items such as, but not limited to pits, shells and seeds that are left over from the consumable items. The cup, the lid assembly, or both may be discarded and replaced or re-used. The lid assembly includes at least one barrier surface or wall that provides physical separation between the consumable items and the disposable items.