Abstract: A bottle sterilizer includes a housing assembly that attaches onto the neck of a bottle such that the bottle protrudes from the housing, and the bottle interior forms a part of the sterilization chamber. The housing assembly includes matching, substantially semi-cylindrical housing portions that have a lower opening to admit steam, and an upper opening communicates with an interior of the bottle. Other components of the bottle (e.g., nipple, collar, and cap) are mounted on ribs that are provided inside of the housing assembly. A sterilization assembly includes the housing assembly and a microwave base that is mounted under housing assembly when the steam sterilization procedure is performed using a microwave oven. A portable sterilization/warming system includes the housing assembly and a portable bottle warmer.

Abstract: A beverage container assembly includes a thin, silicone membrane that is perforated with multiple pinholes and is mounted on a rigid support plate defining multiple vent holes. The silicone membrane rests against an inside surface of the support plate when the pressure inside the container is equal to or greater than the surrounding environment, and the pinholes remain closed to prevent beverage leakage. When beverage is drawn from the container, the resulting pressure differential causes the membrane to bend inward, which opens the pinholes to allow venting of air into the container. The membrane is formed at the end of an elongated silicone fluid containment member that forms a liner inside a container body.

Abstract: A non-spill beverage container includes a cap having a tube-like spout and a baffle mounted inside the spout, and a flow control member having a spout (first) membrane supported over the spout opening. A vent (second) membrane that is disposed adjacent to the spout and is supported over a vent opening defined in the cap. The spout and vent membranes are punctured to form multiple, substantially round pinholes that remain closed to prevent fluid flow under normal atmospheric conditions, and open to facilitate fluid flow under an applied pressure differential (e.g., when sucked on by a child). The baffle limits the differential pressure applied to the spout membrane when the container is not in use. The flow control member can only be removed from the cap by removing the cap from the container body and pressing a flexible safety button from an inside surface of the cap.

Abstract: A venting mechanism includes a rigid support member and a thin, elastic membrane that is perforated with multiple pinholes. The support member includes a peripheral flange that is secured to the beverage container body, and a rigid support plate that defines one or more always-open vent holes. A flow control member includes the membrane and a peripheral collar surrounding the membrane that is secured to the container body by the peripheral flange. The membrane includes a thin sheet of a suitable elastomeric material that rests against an inside surface of the support plate when the pressure inside the container is equal to or greater than the surrounding environment. The pinholes are formed in the elastomeric material such that they are closed when the membrane is in the resting state, and open when the membrane is stretched in response to a pressure differential or an applied force.

Abstract: A flow control structure for a non-spill beverage container that includes a tube-like spout defining a flow channel, and a substantially flat membrane supported by the spout over one end of the flow channel, and an annular baffle mounted in the flow channel. The membrane punctured to form multiple, substantially round pinholes arranged in a two-dimensional pattern that remain closed to prevent fluid and air flow under normal atmospheric conditions, and open and to facilitate fluid flow rate through the membrane under an applied pressure differential (e.g., when sucked on by a child). The annular baffle defines an opening that limits differential pressures applied to the membrane when not in use, thereby acting in combination with the membrane to prevent leaks. The baffle opening is also sized such that, during normal use (e.g., sucked on by a child), substantial flow is generated through the membrane.

Abstract: A mechanism for cleaning a flow control element (e.g., a baby bottle nipple or a child sippy cup flow control valve) that includes a tube-like wall section defining a flow channel, and a substantially flat membrane supported across the flow channel, where the membrane includes multiple pinholes that remain closed to prevent fluid flow under normal atmospheric conditions, and open and to facilitate fluid flow rate through the membrane under an applied pressure differential (e.g., when sucked on by a child). The mechanism includes a tubular flow member including a fixture that is pressed into and secured inside the flow channel by frictional contact, and a pump for pulling and/or pushing a cleaning solution (e.g., soapy water) in the flow channel by way of the tubular flow member, whereby the cleaning solution forces the membrane to repeatedly stretch such that the cleaning solution repeatedly passes through the membrane.

Abstract: A baby pacifier includes a substantially flat base, a nipple extending from a front surface of the base, and a telescoping cap that alternatively attaches in an expanded configuration to the front surface of the pacifier base over the nipple when the pacifier is not in use, and to a rear surface of the pacifier base in a collapsed configuration while the pacifier is in use. The telescoping cap is formed by two interconnecting pieces that slide relative to each other between the collapsed and expanded configurations. Alternatively, the telescoping cap includes a folding, accordion-like side wall.

Abstract: A bottle sterilizer includes a housing assembly that attaches onto the neck of a bottle such that the bottle protrudes from the housing, and the bottle interior forms a part of the sterilization chamber. The housing assembly includes matching, substantially semi-cylindrical housing portions that have a lower opening to admit steam, and an upper opening communicates with an interior of the bottle. Other components of the bottle (e.g., nipple, collar, and cap) are mounted on ribs that are provided inside of the housing assembly. A sterilization assembly includes the housing assembly and a microwave base that is mounted under housing assembly when the steam sterilization procedure is performed using a microwave oven. A portable sterilization/warming system includes the housing assembly and a portable bottle warmer.

Abstract: A flow control element (e.g., a baby bottle nipple or a child sippy cup flow control valve) that includes a tube-like wall section defining a flow channel, and a substantially flat membrane supported by the wall section such that membrane impedes flow through the flow channel to an external region. The membrane punctured to form multiple, substantially round pinholes arranged in a two-dimensional pattern that remain closed to prevent fluid flow under normal atmospheric conditions, and open and to facilitate fluid flow rate through the membrane under an applied pressure differential (e.g., when sucked on by a child). The wall section has a greater rigidity than the membrane (which is formed from a relatively highly elastic material). Different sized pinholes are produced using different sized pins, thereby facilitating different flow rates in response to different applied pressure differentials. The pinholes are generated while stretching the membrane in a radial direction.

Abstract: A spill resistant container (e.g., a sippy cup) including a flow control element including a membrane defining multiple pinholes for controlling the flow of liquid through a drinking spout. The flow control element is mounted on a cover that screws onto a cup-shaped body such that the membrane is positioned between liquid stored in the cup-shaped body and the drinking spout, which is formed on the cap. The flow control element is formed from a suitable elastomeric material (e.g., soft rubber, thermoplastic elastomer, or silicone) such that the membrane stretches when subjected to a differential pressure. The pinholes are formed by puncturing the membrane using one or more pins having a substantially circular cross-section and sized such that each pinhole is closed by the surrounding elastomeric material when the pins are removed.