Abstract: A closure for a keg comprises a housing and at least one valve element that is movable with respect to the housing, inwardly into an open state and outwardly into a closed state. The closure also comprises a lock mechanism having a locking element that is movable with respect to the housing and is capable of holding the valve element in the open state. The lock mechanism includes first and second couplings at which the locking element and the valve element are mutually engageable. The lock mechanism is arranged such that when the locking element and the valve element are engaged at the first coupling, the locking element moves with the valve element as the valve element moves from the open state into the closed state.

Abstract: A closure for a keg comprises a housing and a valve element movable within the housing between closed and open positions. A lock mechanism is capable of holding the valve element in the open position, to vent gas from the keg and to thwart unauthorised re-filling after dispensing. The lock mechanism comprises: a first part movable with the valve element that comprises a lock element engageable with the housing; and a second part that is movable with the first part when the valve element moves from the closed position to the open position during filling, and thereafter is separable from the first part as the valve element returns from the open position to the closed position after filling. Separation of those parts enables the lock formation to engage with the housing to hold the valve element when the valve element returns to the open position upon dispensing.

Abstract: A petaloid base for a self-standing container has an approximately hemispherical underlying base contour and a plurality of ovoid foot formations that interrupt and project from the underlying base contour to define a corresponding plurality of feet. Its shape resists stress cracking, maximises capacity relative to the height of the container and reduces the surface area of the base and hence material usage in comparison with equivalent known designs.