Abstract: Collapsible containers and associated methods are disclosed herein. Certain aspects of the invention are directed toward a collapsible container assembly that includes a foldable support member that has a length and a width. The support member has a concave cross-section that causes the support member to resist bending until a threshold force is exceeded. The support member has a folded position and an extended position where the support member is unfolded. The assembly further includes at least one surface member carried by the support member. The assembly has a deployed position where the support member is in the extended position and the at least one surface member forms an enclosure with an interior. The assembly also has a collapsed position where the support member is in the folded position. The container assembly has less exterior volume in the collapsed position than in the deployed position.

Abstract: Expandable bag assemblies and associated methods are disclosed herein. Certain aspects of the invention are directed toward an expandable bag assembly that includes a flexible bag with closed and open ends and collapsible sidewalls disposed between the ends. The assembly beneficially includes an integrated support structure provided with stiffeners and a mechanism for attachment to help hold a mouth of the bag in an open position while filling the bag. The assembly can be compressed for easy packaging and storage and be expanded into a self-supported, open position without memory folds. The assembly is also configured to retract during closure of the open end of the bag.

Abstract: Collapsible containers and associated methods are disclosed herein. Certain aspects of the invention are directed toward a collapsible container assembly that includes a foldable support member that has a length and a width. The support member has a concave cross-section that causes the support member to resist bending until a threshold force is exceeded. The support member has a folded position and an extended position where the support member is unfolded. The assembly further includes at least one surface member carried by the support member. The assembly has a deployed position where the support member is in the extended position and the at least one surface member forms an enclosure with an interior. The assembly also has a collapsed position where the support member is in the folded position. The container assembly has less exterior volume in the collapsed position than in the deployed position.

Abstract: Expandable bag assemblies and associated methods are disclosed herein. Certain aspects of the invention are directed toward an expandable bag assembly that includes a flexible bag with closed and open ends and collapsible sidewalls disposed between the ends. The assembly beneficially includes an integrated support structure provided with stiffeners and a mechanism for attachment to help hold a mouth of the bag in an open position while filling the bag. The assembly can be compressed for easy packaging and storage and be expanded into a self-supported, open position without memory folds. The assembly is also configured to retract during closure of the open end of the bag.

Abstract: Spill-resistant cups for consuming beverages with delivery systems for simultaneously dispensing one or more agents which can reduce the rate of beverage-induced tooth decay and/or enamel erosion are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, the spill-resistant cup can include a hollow cup body defining a beverage holding chamber. The spill-resistant cup also includes a lid assembly with a drinking spout having one or more spaced-apart drinking holes. The drinking spout is configured to be engaged by a consumer's mouth. The lid assembly can positively engage the cup body to enclose the beverage holding chamber. The spill-resistant cup can also include an agent delivery system for controlled delivery of the active ingredient to the consumer's mouth. Further, the spill-resistant cup can include a flow control element configured to limit a flow rate of the beverage from the beverage holding chamber to the drinking holes disposed in the drinking spout.

Abstract: Expandable bag assemblies and associated methods are disclosed herein. Certain aspects of the invention are directed toward an expandable bag assembly that includes a flexible bag with closed and open ends and collapsible sidewalls disposed between the ends. The assembly beneficially includes an integrated support structure provided with stiffeners and a mechanism for attachment to help hold a mouth of the bag in an open position while filling the bag. The assembly can be compressed for easy packaging and storage and be expanded into a self-supported, open position without memory folds. The assembly is also configured to retract during closure of the open end of the bag.

Abstract: A consumption-control feeding dish comprising a bowl structure having an interior wall that defines a concave interior area. The wall has an arcuate shape between an upper peripheral edge portion and a bottom surface. A protrusion is connected to the bottom surface of the interior wall and projects away from the bottom surface into the interior area. A plurality of dividers are positioned within the interior area and project radially relative to the interior wall toward the protrusion. The dividers in combination with the interior wall and the protrusion define a plurality of curvilinear feeding zones shaped to retain food for the animal and sized to prevent the animal from opening its mouth to open position and taking a full bite of the food, thereby requiring the animal to take a plurality of small bites of food to consume the same amount of food in a full bite.

Abstract: A consumption-control feeding dish comprising a bowl structure having an interior wall that defines a concave interior area. The wall has an arcuate shape between an upper peripheral edge portion and a bottom surface. A protrusion is connected to the bottom surface of the interior wall and projects away from the bottom surface into the interior area. The protrusion has a central portion and a plurality of lobes positioned within the interior area and project radially from the central portion toward the interior wall. The lobes, in combination with the interior wall and the protrusion, define a plurality of curvilinear feeding zones shaped to retain food for the animal and sized to prevent the animal from opening its mouth to open position and taking a full bite of the food, thereby requiring the animal to take a plurality of small bites of food to consume the same amount of food in a full bite.

Abstract: A divided container system comprising a master tray having an interior portion and a peripheral top edge, at least one insertable sub-tray positionable within the interior portion of the master tray, wherein each sub-tray includes a peripheral top edge and an interior portion, and a lid for sealing both the master tray and the at least one insertable sub-tray. The lid comprises an upper surface, a lower surface, a plurality of sealing surfaces extending from the lower surface of the lid, wherein the sealing surfaces are arranged to abut with the peripheral top edge of the at least one insertable sub-tray to thereby seal the interior portion of the at least one insertable sub-tray from the interior portion of the master tray, and a peripheral sealing surface for sealable contact with the peripheral top edge of the master tray.

Abstract: A water heater unit is described for providing convective water flow through a water circulatory system. In one embodiment, the water heater unit has an outer housing, a water tank disposed within the housing, and a first cold water inlet coupled to the tank and connectable to a cold water supply line. A hot water outlet is coupled to the tank and connectable to a hot water supply line. A connection chamber adjacent to the tank has a second cold water inlet connectable to the cold water line, and a chamber outlet connected to the first cold water inlet of the tank. The connection chamber has at least one return inlet connectable to the hot water return line at a position to allow a substantially continuous flow of return hot water driven by convection forces without the benefit of a recirculation pump.

Abstract: An insulated equipment cover combined with a glove-like extension for use with various types of equipment enables use in cold temperatures and adverse weather elements. The equipment cover generally conforms to the shape of the equipment and is made of flexible insulated material. The equipment cover provides sufficient room for an operator's hand to operate the equipment within the interior of the equipment cover. The equipment cover also extends down to the operator's wrist and a portion of the forearm, providing insulation and protection from adverse weather elements. The equipment cover is formed from a custom sewn sheet of insulated material with one or more elastic or cinching openings to allow access to, or for parts of the equipment to extend out of, the equipment cover. Various equipment specific openings allow the operator to view and access equipment controls and displays. Interior pockets may hold chemical heat packs.