Abstract: A valve system includes a fitment or a fluid container having a threaded spout, a valve assembly, and a cap. The threaded spout has external threads. The valve assembly includes a sleeve forming a barrel. The barrel includes internal threads and external threads. The internal threads accommodate the external threads of the spout at a first end of the barrel. The valve assembly further includes a valve located at a second end of the barrel. The valve is operable to open and close an internal fluid pathway of the valve assembly. The cap defines an interior region that includes internal threads that accommodate the external threads of the barrel. The cap accommodates the valve within the interior region when the internal threads of the cap are fully threaded onto the external threads of the barrel. The cap may contact the valve to provide an additional seal.

Abstract: An elastomeric valve includes a barrel having one or more walls defining an interior fluid pathway. The barrel is deformable between a non-deformed state and a deformed state. The elastomeric valve further includes a gate assembly of two or more gate elements forming a tapering volume projecting into the fluid pathway from the one or more walls of the barrel. In at least some examples, each gate element joins the barrel at a reduced cross-section that forms a hinge of that gate element. The two or more gate elements interface with each other along one or more gate boundaries to collectively block the fluid pathway in the non-deformed state and separate from each other along the one or more gate boundaries in the deformed state to permit fluid flow through the gate assembly.

Abstract: A valve system includes a fitment or a fluid container having a threaded spout, a valve assembly, and a cap. The threaded spout has external threads. The valve assembly includes a sleeve forming a barrel. The barrel includes internal threads and external threads. The internal threads accommodate the external threads of the spout at a first end of the barrel. The valve assembly further includes a valve located at a second end of the barrel. The valve is operable to open and close an internal fluid pathway of the valve assembly. The cap defines an interior region that includes internal threads that accommodate the external threads of the barrel. The cap accommodates the valve within the interior region when the internal threads of the cap are fully threaded onto the external threads of the barrel. The cap may contact the valve to provide an additional seal.

Abstract: Phonics-based devices and methods for improving reading skills. The reading improvement devices and methods may incorporate a book or other text-containing media that includes an initial activity-based phonics portion that is designed to teach a less experienced reader about an aspect of phonics. The activity is designed to promote interaction by the less experienced reader with a parent or other more experienced reader to complete the activity portion. This initial activity portion is followed by a story portion that includes text selected to emphasize the phonics skills from the activity portion. The reading of the story portion may be performed collaboratively by the readers. The more experienced reader may provide additional instruction to emphasize the teachings of the initial activity portion. The reading improvement device may include a third portion, which may contain additional instruction about the phonics skills from the activity portion.

Abstract: Drink spout systems and drink containers that include a drink spout system. In some embodiments, the drink spout system includes an air return system to permit improved dispensing from the drink container. In some embodiments, the drink spout system is actuated by a user sucking on the system. In others, the system is actuated by a user depressing or bending at least a portion of the system. In still others, the system is actuated by other user-imparted forces to the system. In some embodiments, the drink spout system includes a biasing system adapted to preload the system's valve assembly to a closed configuration. In some embodiments, the drink spout system includes components formed from different materials via two-shot molding or a similar process, and in some embodiments, the materials used are selected to provide improved opening of the systems' valve assembly.

Abstract: Drink spout systems and drink containers that include a drink spout system. In some embodiments, the drink spout system includes an air return system to permit improved dispensing from the drink container. In some embodiments, the drink spout system is actuated by a user sucking on the system. In others, the system is actuated by a user depressing or bending at least a portion of the system. In still others, the system is actuated by other user-imparted forces to the system. In some embodiments, the drink spout system includes a biasing system adapted to preload the system's valve assembly to a closed configuration. In some embodiments, the drink spout system includes components formed from different materials via two-shot molding or a similar process, and in some embodiments, the materials used are selected to provide improved opening of the systems' valve assembly.

Abstract: Drink spout systems for use with drink containers. The drink spout systems are configured to easily pierce a drink container or a seal across an opening in the drink container to access the drink fluid contained within the drink container. The drink spout system may include a valve assembly to regulate the flow of the drink fluid through the drink spout. The drink spout system may additionally or alternatively include a valve assembly that is configured to prevent drink fluid from being unintentionally dispensed from the drink container, such as when the drink container is pierced by the drink spout system or when the drink container is tipped over or dropped. The drink spout system is particularly useful on aseptic drink pouches, aseptic drink boxes, drink bottles and other similar drink containers.

Abstract: Drink spout systems and drink containers that include a drink spout system. In some embodiments, the drink spout system includes an air return system to permit improved dispensing from the drink container. In some embodiments, the drink spout system is actuated by a user sucking on the system. In others, the system is actuated by a user depressing or bending at least a portion of the system. In still others, the system is actuated by other user-imparted forces to the system. In some embodiments, the drink spout system includes a biasing system adapted to preload the system's valve assembly to a closed configuration. In some embodiments, the drink spout system includes components formed from different materials via two-shot molding or a similar process, and in some embodiments, the materials used are selected to provide improved opening of the systems' valve assembly.

Abstract: Drink spout systems and drink containers that include a drink spout system. In some embodiments, the drink spout system includes an air return system to permit improved dispensing from the drink container. In some embodiments, the drink spout system is actuated by a user sucking on the system. In others, the system is actuated by a user depressing or bending at least a portion of the system. In still others, the system is actuated by other user-imparted forces to the system. In some embodiments, the drink spout system includes a biasing system adapted to preload the system's valve assembly to a closed configuration. In some embodiments, the drink spout system includes components formed from different materials via two-shot molding or a similar process, and in some embodiments, the materials used are selected to provide improved opening of the systems' valve assembly.

Abstract: Drink spout systems and drink containers that include a drink spout system. In some embodiments, the drink spout system includes an air return system to permit improved dispensing from the drink container. In some embodiments, the drink spout system is actuated by a user sucking on the system. In others, the system is actuated by a user depressing or bending at least a portion of the system. In still others, the system is actuated by other user-imparted forces to the system. In some embodiments, the drink spout system includes a biasing system adapted to preload the system's valve assembly to a closed configuration. In some embodiments, the drink spout system includes components formed from different materials via two-shot molding or a similar process, and in some embodiments, the materials used are selected to provide improved opening of the systems' valve assembly.

Abstract: Drink spout systems for use with drink containers. The drink spout systems are configured to easily pierce a drink container or a seal across an opening in the drink container to access the drink fluid contained within the drink container. The drink spout system may include a valve assembly to regulate the flow of the drink fluid through the drink spout. The drink spout system may additionally or alternatively include a valve assembly that is configured to prevent drink fluid from being unintentionally dispensed from the drink container, such as when the drink container is pierced by the drink spout system or when the drink container is tipped over or dropped. The drink spout system is particularly useful on aseptic drink pouches, aseptic drink boxes, drink bottles and other similar drink containers.

Abstract: A plush construction set including a first plush object and a second plush object. A first connecting element is secured to the first plush object, and a second connecting element is secured to the second plush object. The first and second connecting elements are at least semi-rigid. The first and second connecting elements are configured to establish a releasable connection between the first and second plush objects. At least one of the first and second objects may have a plurality of fibrous elements that extend in a plurality of directions. The fibrous elements may be made of yarn, fur, hair, synthetic fiber resembling hair, thread, thin strips of cloth or other textiles, or the like. Decorative features resembling body features may be attached to the first or second plush objects.

Abstract: A drink valve for use with a drink container is disclosed. The valve includes a straw structure with a gate structure or plug at one end. The gate structure opens and closes to regulate the flow of liquid. The gate structure is opened upon movement of the straw structure. The gate structure may include members which spread apart upon movement of the straw structure, and which come together when the straw structure is released.

Abstract: A fluid-holding toy including a flexible container capable of holding fluid. The container has a valve configured to be closed upon the introduction of fluid into the container, whereby the fluid creates a first pressure inside the container closing the first valve. The first valve is configured to be opened upon the occurrence of a second, higher pressure inside the container. The valve can include a flexible flap attached to the inner surface of the container and adapted to cover an opening in the container. Additional valves can also be provided.

Abstract: The invention is a method for promoting reading in a novice reader and a book to be used in the method. The book includes a story with two texts, one written at a reading level appropriate for a skilled reader and the other written at a lower reading level appropriate for the novice reader. The texts are arranged in alternating sections and each section forms a piece of the story and supplements the preceding section. In the method, the skilled reader and novice reader take turns reading aloud from the book while the other follows along with the words, so that each reader is responsible for reading a substantial portion of the story. The method and the book thus provide for a shared reading experience that is advantageous for encouraging and facilitating the novice reader to learn to read.