Equipment (10) for the preparation of a hot beverage comprising a boiler (10) capable of containing a liquid component of the beverage, for example water, a collection container (14) and means (22, 20, 28) defining a delivery path for the liquid component from the boiler to the collection container. The equipment also comprises valve means (40) located along the delivery path for the liquid component comprising a plug (44) which can move between a position in which the delivery path is closed and one in which it is open and means (70, 72; 74, 76; 78) to immobilise the plug in the open position. These means are arranged in such a way that they can be activated and deactivated by a force exerted in the direction of movement of the plug.

A brewing receptacle for an apparatus for brewing a beverage such as coffee. The receptacle has a brewing chamber (13; 63; 113) having an entry passage and an exit passage for displacing water through the chamber (13; 63; 113) for brewing the beverage, a bottom (14; 64; 114) for supporting the particles (18; 118, 118′) (18), and a discharge 5 opening (19; 69; 119) in the bottom (14; 64; 114) for discharging beverage liquid through the bottom (14; 64; 114). At least the bottom (14; 64; 114) is invertible between a first and a second operative position. The brewing chamber (13; 63; 113) has a first volume and a first shape when the bottom (14; 64; 114) is in said first position and at least a second volume or a second shape of the brewing chamber in said second position is different from the first volume or shape, respectively.

@ A beverage dispensing system has a valve in a tap 6 controlling dispensing of the beverage through a passage 5 from a rigid or flexible container. Air, nitrogen (or other inert gas) or carbon dioxide gas from a passage 15 is introduced into the beverage in the passage 5 during dispensing for development of a head or froth. The introduced gas flows under pressure (which is preferably adjustable) from the passage 15 and by way of a capilliary tube restrictor 18 and a non return valve 21 communicating with the tube 18 into the beverage in passage 5. The non return valve 21 has a resilient diaphragm 27 which normally closes that valve and is displaceable under gas pressure to admit the gas to the beverage. A labyrinthine mixer 39 is located in the passage 5 downstream of the position where the gas is introduced.

Apparatus for generating gas by electrolysis of a liquid comprises an electrolysis cell and a housing for the liquid. The housing comprises a first chamber for storing the liquid for supply to the electrolysis cell, the first chamber having an inlet for replenishing the liquid, and an outlet through which liquid is supplied from the first chamber to the electrolysis cell, and a second chamber for containing liquid which is a product of the electrolysis reaction and which is enriched with a first gaseous product of the electrolysis reaction, the second chamber having a gas outlet for controlled release of the first gaseous product. A first channel in the housing connects the first and second chambers. The channel provides a trap for liquid which can provide a barrier to passage of gas between the first and second chambers, irrespective of the level to which liquid in the first chamber falls during normal operation.

1. An automatic liquid-raising device with a storage tank (3) positioned above a closed working chamber (1), and a closed suction chamber (2) positioned above the storage tank (3) and having an outlet for liquid ; the working chamber (1) having a drain pipe (5) extending a certain distance downwards from its bottom and a suction-transfer pipe (7) rising from its top to the suction chamber (2) ; the storage tank (3) being connected through a charging pipe (6) to the working chamber (1) ; the suction chamber (2) having a feed pipe through which it aspirates liquid ; the charging pipe (6) having a valve (6a) for controlling the flow of liquid reaching the working chamber (1) from the storage tank (3) in dependence on the amount of liquid in the working chamber (1) ; the suction chamber (2) having a non-return valve (16) in its outlet (2a) for preventing return flow of liquid back into the suction chamber (2), characterised in that the storage tank (3) is mounted directly on top of the working chamber (1) and delivers working liquid through a charging pipe (6) to the top of the working chamber (1), the charging pipe (6) penetrating into the interior of the storage tank (3) ; the charging pipe (6) having a downwards-directed mouth (6a, 6a') cooperating with a valve plate (13, 23) actuated by a device (9, 12 or 24, 25) controlled by an actuator (9, 25) located in the working chamber (1) ; the actuator (9, 25) being connected to the valve plate (13, 23) through at least one sealed aperture (12, 24) in the separation wall (3a) between the storage tank (3) and the working chamber (1).

A manually-actuated device for the deliver of a volume of liquid which includes an outlet through which liquid is in use delivered and a cover member which is movably disposed relative to the housing between a first position in which the cover member at least partly covers the outlet and a second position in which the cover member acts as a lever which in use is acted upon by a user to actuate the delivery device.

PCT No. PCT/EP84/00377 Sec. 371 Date Aug. 1, 1985 Sec. 102(e) Date Aug. 1, 1985 PCT Filed Nov. 30, 1984 PCT Pub. No. WO85/02598 PCT Pub. Date Jun. 20, 1985.With a metering dispenser (1) for compactates with a compactate store (3) and a metering disk (4) arranged pivotably around an axis (A) with respect to the store, containing several chambers (27) for accommodating individual compactates, in order to perform dispensing with sufficient reliability in the quantitative dispensing of the individual components in the household sector, given an essentially cylindrical design as well as relative rotatability of the store (3) and the metering disk (4) around the cylinder axis (A) the combination is provided with a metering cup (2) for liquid or free-flowing product. The metering dispenser (1) can be formed as a closure for a storage container accommodating one of the components, so that a multi-component package is present.

A method of manufacture of a bottle which may be closed by a push-on closure, apparatus for manufacturing the same, a bottle and a closure for the bottle. A bottle is manufactured in a multi-component assembly. The bottle preform (not shown) is made by an injection molding technique, having detents on its upwardly and outwardly facing surfaces. It is then transferred to a blow mould where it is first heated, and then shaped by inserting a blow pin through the neck of the preform to stretch it in its longitudinal axis. During this operation, the top surface of the preform is bent down, such that the detent formed on the upwardly facing surface of the preform now extends laterally into the volume of the preform. The stretched preform is then blown to take the shape of the blow mould, forming the bottle. A closure is formed by injection moulding, and is held on the bottle by the laterally extending detents.

The present invention relates to a container (1) for a liquid or viscous product, comprising a sub