Abstract: A drinking vessel having a cup with a removable lid having an inlet-outlet opening which receives an elastic straw-vent assembly having a flexible tubular straw and an air passageway forming a vent opening. A cover movably mounted on top of the lid, shiftable between a closed and an open position, with an inward surface of the cover forming fluid tight seal with the vent opening when the cover is in the closed position. In the closed position the cover engages the straw, folding the straw against the lid to seal the straw passageway, and in the open position, the straw fluid passageway and the vent opening are unobstructed by the cover. A removeable elastic straw-vent assembly is also disclosed having a tab to be grasped by the user for easy removal for cleaning.

Abstract: A vent assembly for use with a drinking vessel includes a flexible ventilation member configured to sealingly engage an opening in the drinking vessel and having an air passage extending therethrough, wherein the ventilation member is configured to allow an inflow of air when pressure within the drinking vessel enters a negative pressure state in relation to pressure outside the drinking vessel, wherein the ventilation member comprises one or more venting portions disposed within the air passage. A vent actuator is operably coupled to the ventilation member and configured to change a state of the ventilation member between a ventilation state and a closed state, wherein the vent actuator is integral with the ventilation member and configured to bring the ventilation member into the ventilation state upon contact with a cam portion.

Abstract: A food container has a container bottom and a container lid. The container bottom has a base and walls upstanding from the base to define a container bottom interior. The container lid has a top cover and side edges and the top cover overlies the base when the lid is in closed connection with the bottom. The top cover includes an elastically deformable portion and an inelastic portion. Each of the elastically deformable portion and the inelastic portion overlies different portions of the base when the lid is in closed connection with the bottom. The elastically deformable portion facilitates accommodation of an item within the container bottom interior that rests on the base that underlies the elastically deformable portion and that extends into contact with the elastically deformable portion as the lid is shifted into closed connection with the bottom by deforming elastically outwardly away from the base.

Abstract: A tether for connecting two different objects together has first and second elongate and flexible end portions having proximal and distal ends, and an elongate and flexible intermediate portion. The intermediate portion is releasably connectable with the first and second end portions, by the intermediate portion having connectors at either end and the first and second end portions having connectors at respective proximal ends to form first and second safety breakaways. The connections of the first and second safety breakaways, are made in-line with the general lengthwise axis of the tether. The first and second end portions are arranged for connection to a respective object. The safety breakaways between the intermediate portion and the first and second end portions are releasable at a predetermined release load.

Abstract: A drinking cup includes a container and a detachable closure. The closure has a connection end for connection to the container, the connection end being open for receipt of liquid from within the container. The closure has a closed end opposite the connection end and a drinking rim formed at the peripheral edge of the closed end. The closure has a side wall extending between the connection end and the closed end, and at least one opening that facilitates the passage of liquid from within the container to the drinking rim. A seal is supported by the closure and extends around an outside surface of the side wall, sealing the drinking rim against the passage of liquid through the drinking rim. The seal is flexible and responsive to pressure to lift away from the drinking rim to allow passage of liquid through the drinking rim for drinking from the cup.