A container having a threaded tubular neck out through which a contained liquid can be poured is provided with a screwed on outlet funnel. The outlet funnel houses a liquid-buoyant, invertible stopper, which is heavier towards an end provided with a sealing-preventing feature, than towards a diametrically opposite end provided with a sealing-providing feature. The container itself may be of conventional construction. The funnel possibly telescopes for selectively locking the stopper in place in either an orientation in which it seals to prevent liquid from entering the funnel from the container, or to prevent liquid from pouring from the funnel.

A container for a liquid which is to be poured out of the container through an open neck, is internally provided with a buoyant stopper for the neck. The stopper is oriented, by uneven weight distribution, to float in a stop surface up, flexible tabs down orientation. In use, the container, after being opened, is slightly squeezed to elevate the stopper stop surface into sealing engagement with the neck. In this condition, the container is inverted and its open neck placed over the intended receiver, whereupon manual squeezing is relaxed, allowing the stopper to bob up towards the bottom of container. Inversion, while bobbing up desirably orients the stopper so that, as the stopper settles into the container shoulder or neck during emptying, it cannot undesirably replug the container neck. The stopper can be inserted into the container during the container manufacturing process, by flexing the tabs and forcing the stopper into the container through the neck, tab end first.

A method of reducing spillage when pouring liquid out of a container which includes the following steps. Firstly, place a free floating buoyant member into a resilient deformable container adapted for containing liquid. The liquid must be of greater density than the density of the member such that the member floats upon the surface of the liquid. The container has a fluid flow passage narrower than the dimensions of the member such that the member is prevented from exiting through the fluid flow passage. Secondly, exert a force to temporarily deform the container thereby reducing the volume of the inner cavity and causing the liquid in the container to press the member into a position sealing the fluid flow passage. Thirdly, invert the container thereby placing the container into a pouring position. Fourthly, release the force upon the container such that the container resiliently resumes its original shape thereby increasing the volume of the inner cavity and permitting the member to float away from the fluid flow passage such that liquid freely passes through the fluid flow passage.

The invented apparatus contains and dispenses limited quantities of a substance. In a first embodiment, the apparatus includes a container with storage and dispenser portions, a partition, and a member. The partition is positioned in the container and tethered to the container's inside wall by the member. If the apparatus is tipped from its normal upright position with its cover in place, the partition moves away from the top of the container's storage portion to allow the substance to move from the storage portion to the dispenser portion. If the apparatus is returned to its upright position, the partition returns to a position covering the storage portion that blocks the substance in the dispenser portion from returning to the storage portion. The cover can be removed from the container to allow use of the substance contained in the dispenser portion. In a second embodiment, the apparatus includes a container, a partition and a flap. The partition is fixed to the inside surface of the container, and defines an opening. The flap is attached to the partition, and covers the opening if the apparatus is in its normal upright position. If the apparatus is tipped sufficiently from its upright position, the flap moves to uncover the partition's opening and allows the substance to move from the storage portion to the dispenser portion. If the apparatus is returned to its upright position, the flap closes the partition's opening and prevents the substance in the dispenser portion from returning to the storage portion.

As a removably installable attachment, a float valve arrangement for controlling pouring of liquid from a flexible container is provided with a snap-in connection to the container which provides for relative rotation. A vent hole in the outlet neck regulates pouring, and the float valve ball is flexible for sealing conformation to a non-circular seat. The latter concept also is applicable to a version wherein the floatable ball is provided within the liquid storage space of the container itself.