Abstract: A nursing bottle (1) formed of a large volume container, incorporating a vent tube (3) that extends inwardly of the container, having a vent port (4) arranged approximately at the volumetric midpoint (12) of the container, so as to allow for venting of pressure, whether of excessive or vacuum, to the atmosphere, at all times. The volumetric capacity of the nursing bottle container may be formed of a spherical shape (1), hemispherical shape (40), cylindrical shape (18), or to other configurations that provide for the internal volumetric capacity so that any formula placed therein will be prevented from blocking the vent port (4), the vent tube (3), regardless of the angular disposition undertaken by the nursing bottle during usage.

Abstract: In an apparatus for holding components of a nursing bottle assembly in a dishwasher, a loading member has a first opening sized and configured for receiving a portion of a first component of the bottle assembly therein to seat the first component on the loading member, and a second opening separate from the first opening. The second opening is sized and configured for receiving a portion of a second component of the bottle assembly therein to seat the second component on the loading member. The first and second openings differ in at least one characteristic indicative of the respective first and second components. A retaining member is connected to the loading member for pivoting movement between an opened position to permit loading of the first and second components onto the loading member and a closed position for use of the apparatus in the dishwasher during operation thereof.

Abstract: In an apparatus for holding components of a nursing bottle assembly in a dishwasher, a loading member has a first opening sized and configured for receiving a portion of a first component of the bottle assembly therein to seat the first component on the loading member, and a second opening separate from the first opening. The second opening is sized and configured for receiving a portion of the second component of the bottle assembly therein to seat the second component on the loading member. The first and second openings differ in at least one characteristic indicative of the respective first and second components to facilitate identification of the first opening as being the proper location on the loading member for placement of the first component and of the second opening as being the proper location on the loading member for placement of the second component.

Abstract: A drying rack assembly for drying baby bottle components features a drying rack and a drip pan which supports the drying rack. The drying rack suitably is porous, with tubular support posts extending upwardly from a support surface thereof, and the drip pan suitably has a draining configuration in which liquid caught by the drip pan drains out of the drip pan and a collecting configuration in which liquid caught by the drip pan remains within the drip pan. The drying rack assembly is suitably configured such that multiple such drying rack assemblies can be stacked on top of each other in a drying rack system. In another configuration, the drying rack is of one-piece construction, with a plurality of support posts and a plurality of longer stacking posts extending from a support surface of the drying rack. The one-piece configuration is designed for stacking of multiple such drying racks.

Abstract: A leak resistant drinking cup has a diaphragm seal for normally closing an open top of a liquid container of the cup. The seal can be opened to permit liquid to flow past it and out of the cup upon application of a vacuum pressure by the person, typically a small child, drinking from the cup. The diaphragm seal has a peripheral edge margin that can be deflected upward by the vacuum pressure to open a path out of the drinking cup. A hold down rib may be employed to control the locations where the peripheral edge margin is permitted to deflect.

Abstract: A nursing bottle (1) formed of a large volume container, incorporating a vent tube (3) that extends inwardly of the container, having a vent port (4) arranged approximately at the volumetric midpoint (12) of the container, so as to allow for venting of pressure, whether of excessive or vacuum, to the atmosphere, at all times. The volumetric capacity of the nursing bottle container may be formed of a spherical shape (1), hemispherical shape (40), cylindrical shape (18), or to other configurations that provide for the internal volumetric capacity so that any formula placed therein will be prevented from blocking the vent port (4), the vent tube (3), regardless of the angular disposition undertaken by the nursing bottle during usage.

Abstract: A nursing bottle (1) formed of a large volume container, incorporating a vent tube (3) that extends inwardly of the container, having a vent port (4) arranged approximately at the volumetric midpoint (12) of the container, so as to allow for venting of pressure, whether of excessive or vacuum, to the atmosphere, at all times. The volumetric capacity of the nursing bottle container may be formed of a spherical shape (1), hemispherical shape (40), cylindrical shape (18), or to other configurations that provide for the internal volumetric capacity so that any formula placed therein will be prevented from blocking the vent port (4), the vent tube (3), regardless of the angular disposition undertaken by the nursing bottle during usage.