Abstract: Drinking vessels have an elongated container body joined with a closure body having a dispensing orifice and a vent orifice, each in fluid-passing communication with the interior of the container body. A closure arm is rotatably mounted near one end of it and has at least two sealing members spaced from each other along the length of the closure arm, one of the sealing members opening and closing the vent opening while another of the sealing members opens and closes the vent opening while another of the sealing members opens and closes the dispensing orifice when the closure arm is rotated between its open and closed positions. At least the sealing member for the vent orifice has an elastomeric surface that sealingly engages a surface at the vent orifice when at the closed position. Elastic surfaces can instead or in addition be provided at the vent orifice surface or one or both opposing surfaces of the dispensing area.

Abstract: A cup for receiving a beverage includes a container body having a side wall and a bottom wall joined at a first radius. A lid may be selectively affixed to the top of the side wall. An agitator is received inside the container body to enhance mixing of the beverage. The agitator has a weighted, central hub and a plurality of elongated projections extending radially from the hub. The projections join the hub at a root and extend to a free end. The free ends are capped by domes having a second radius less than or equal to the first radius. All of the projections have substantially the same length. This affords a shape that allows the agitator to roll freely on the bottom wall or in the corners. Any one of the projections can reach into a corner of the cup and dislodge any solids.

Abstract: This concerns sealable containers for household use that combine a container for food, beverages and the like with a lid for closing the container in a tightly sealed manner. The container bottom on the outside has a downwardly projecting flange within which is an open outside volume, while the lid top on the outside has an upwardly projecting raised panel with a sidewall. The raised panel of the lid snappingly and realeasably fits into the outside volume at the bottom of the container, by virture of which the lid snaps onto the container bottom, creating a stackable situation. Also, the lid can contain on its inside a temperature-maintenance block such as a freezer pack that affects temperature within the container.

Abstract: A heat retaining dish includes a pressure relief mechanism and has a heat retention material capable of being heated by microwave or other thermal radiation in order to maintain any food placed on the dish at an elevated temperature. The heat retention material is capable of accommodating expansion during heating of the device, and when an overpressure condition occurs as a result of inadvertent overheating, the pressure relief mechanism vents the pressure to the ambient environment. The pressure relief mechanism is an integral part of the wall construction of at least one of the portions making up the housing of the device, and deformation due to overpressure directly causes the opening of the pressure relief mechanism as soon as the housing is deformed sufficiently to open a fluid communication path through an aperture in the wall.

Abstract: A flexible water bottle is provided that includes an approach for filtering unfiltered water within the bottle. The bottle includes a filter assembly located within the cap of the bottle such that the filter assembly need not descend into the bottle cavity when the cap is screwed on, thereby not displacing water while screwing on the cap. The filter assembly has an axial flow orientation. An illustrated filter assembly includes paper filters covering the upper and lower ends and can include an activated charcoal filter in between the paper filters. Water is filtered when pressure generated by squeezing the bottle forces water from the bottle cavity through the filter along an axial flow path and out through a spout.

Abstract: A portable medical sharps disposal device and methods are disclosed including a container having an opening for receiving items including medical sharps for disposal. A reversible cap or lid covers the opening of the container in two different orientations, and locks with the container for disposal. The cap or lid may be provided as having a one side for use in an unlocked orientation, with the cap or lid having another side for use in a locked or sealed orientation. Various embodiments are disclosed in which the cover may be flipped over, rotated, or slid with respect to the opening of the container to facilitate the respective unlocked or locked orientations. The device may alternatively be provided with an indicator for showing when the cover is in the unlocked orientation or when the cover is in the locked.

Abstract: A digital thermometer with enhanced conformity to the anatomy, such as in and around the mouth of a human being. A non-linear probe has a temperature sensor at a first end adapted to be inserted into the mouth and under the tongue, and a downwardly disposed housing portion at the second end. An intermediate portion of the probe is shaped to rest on the lower lip and/or teeth. The probe can be rotatably or pivotally attached to the housing to protect the probe by being recessed in the housing when not in use and/or to adjust to any size mouth. A plurality of ribs at the intermediate portion of the probe can be included to contact the lips and/or teeth for greater positional stability of the thermometer. A display component displays the measured temperature. Electronic circuitry receives a temperature signal from the temperature sensor, translates the signal into a value representative of the measured temperature, and provides the translated value to the display for displaying the temperature.

Abstract: A digital thermometer with enhanced conformity to the anatomy, such as in and around the mouth of a human being. A non-linear probe has a temperature sensor at a first end adapted to be inserted into the mouth and under the tongue, and a downwardly disposed housing portion at the second end. An intermediate portion of the probe is shaped to rest on the lower lip and/or teeth. The probe is preferably integrally molded with the housing. The probe may also be flexible such that it may be bent into the desired non-linear configuration prior to use. Such a flexible probe may have an internal stiffener with a softer plastic overmold. A display component displays the measured temperature. Electronic circuitry receives a temperature signal from the temperature sensor, translates the signal into a value representative of the measured temperature, and provides the translated value to the display for displaying the temperature.

Abstract: A personal medication in storage dispensing unit is provided for receiving and storing medication, vitamins, minerals, phytochemicals, pills capsules, gel tablets and the like in a manner which is easily accessible and which is conducive to inclusion within a medication regimen system. A medication regimen monitor can be included in this system in order to be programmed to signal proper medication dosage times. The monitor preferably provides non-compliance information, preferably information which persists and which designates which portion of the medication regimen was not complied with. The system also can include a holder for multiple storing and dispensing units in an ordered fashion consistent with daily requirements of the medication regimen.