Abstract: A cup for reducing or eliminating spillage or shake-out. The cup has a cap and a spill and shake-out inhibiting element. The spill and shake-out inhibiting element is a dispensing tunnel, which provides for the formation of a pressure differential between the inside of the cup and the atmosphere when fluid begins to flow through the dispensing tunnel. The pressure differential, when it reaches a predetermined level, prevents further flow or movement of the fluid through the dispensing tunnel until additional suction is applied by the user. The diameter of the dispensing tunnel is small enough to effectively prevent air bubbles from flowing past the fluid in the dispensing tunnel.

Abstract: A cap is described for closing a liquid beverage container for allowing the beverage to be sucked out of the container through a spout, while preventing spillage when no suction takes place. A demand valve is incorporated into the cap, which has an inlet port communicating with the interior of the container, a discharge port communicating with the spout and a control port communicating with the ambient atmosphere through a hole in the cap. The valve has a valve seat and a closure element controlling the flow from the inlet port to the discharge port urged to move into an opening position in dependence on the excess of the control pressures over that in the discharge ports, this movement being in the direction opposed to the flow and urged by the pressure in the container in a direction to seal against the valve seat. In the invention, the demand valve is formed by two members that are mounted on the inner surface of the cap. The first member is rigid and defines the valve inlet port and the valve seat.

Abstract: A cap is described for closing a liquid beverage container for allowing the beverage to be sucked out of the container through a spout, while preventing spillage when no suction takes place. A demand valve is incorporated into the cap, which has an inlet port communicating with the interior of the container, a discharge port communicating with the spout and a control port communicating with the ambient atmosphere through a hole in the cap. The valve has a valve seat and a closure element controlling the flow from the inlet port to the discharge port urged to move into an opening position in dependence on the excess of the control pressures over that in the discharge ports, this movement being in the direction opposed to the flow and urged by the pressure in the container in a direction to seal against the valve seat. In the invention, the demand valve is formed by two members that are mounted on the inner surface of the cap. The first member is rigid and defines the valve inlet port and the valve seat.

Abstract: A breast pump comprises a body member (2) including a breast engaging portion (4) shaped to engage a region of a user's breast, a container (32) attached to the body member (2), valve means (28) between the body member (2) and the container (32), and, within the body member (2), a sleeve (12) sealing the interior of the body member (2) from the atmosphere, the sleeve (12) being selectively movable from a rest condition to a displaced condition by actuating means (14) operatively connected to the sleeve (12), movement of the sleeve (12) from the rest condition to the displaced condition creating an increasing volume of reduced pressure within the body member (2) whereby firstly the valve means (28) is closed to prevent evacuation of the container (32), and whereby milk is expressed by the user into the body member (2), and return movement of the sleeve (12) from the displaced condition to the extended condition releasing the reduced pressure allowing the valve to open, the expressed milk flowing through the va

Abstract: A cup is disclosed which includes: a sealingly engage-able lid having a drinking spout located thereon. a tubular passage formed between inner surface of the lid and/or spout and a detachable member located on the lid, the passage having one end in communication with the inside of the cup and the other end in communication with the outside of the spout and being of such a diameter such that air cannot readily bubble past liquid inside it. When such a cup is inverted, the head of liquid inside lowers the pressure of the air above the liquid, and liquid therefore starts to move downwardly through the passage. This continues until the reduction in air; pressure above the liquid jest balances the pressure of the liquid head, when further movement of liquid ceases, (The fact that air cannot bubble past the liquid in the passage ensures that the air pressure is nut restored while the cup is inverted or reclined).

Abstract: A cup for reducing or eliminating spillage or shake-out. The cup has a cap and a spill and shake-out inhibiting element. The spill and shake-out inhibiting element is a dispensing tunnel, which provides for the formation of a pressure differential between the inside of the cup and the atmosphere when fluid begins to flow through the dispensing tunnel. The pressure differential, when it reaches a predetermined level, prevents further flow or movement of the fluid through the dispensing tunnel until additional suction is applied by the user. The diameter of the dispensing tunnel is small enough to effectively prevent air bubbles from flowing past the fluid in the dispensing tunnel.

Abstract: A cup for reducing or eliminating spillage or shake-out is provided. The cup has a cap and a spill and shake-out inhibiting element. The spill and shake-out inhibiting element is a dispensing tunnel, which provides for the formation of a pressure differential between the inside of the cup and the atmosphere when fluid begins to flow through the dispensing tunnel. The pressure differential, when it reaches a predetermined level, prevents further flow or movement of the fluid through the dispensing tunnel until additional suction is applied by the user. The diameter of the dispensing tunnel is small enough to effectively prevent air bubbles from flowing past the fluid in the dispensing tunnel.

Abstract: A breast pump comprises a body member (2) including a breast engaging portion (4) shaped to engage a region of a user's breast, a container (32) attached to the body member (2), valve means (28) between the body member (2) and the container (32), and, within the body member (2), a sleeve (12) sealing the interior of the body member (2) from the atmosphere, the sleeve (12) being selectively movable from a rest condition to a displaced condition by actuating means (14) operatively connected to the sleeve (12), movement of the sleeve (12) from the rest condition to the displaced condition creating an increasing volume of reduced pressure within the body member (2) whereby firstly the valve means (28) is closed to prevent evacuation of the container (32), and whereby milk is expressed by the user into the body member (2), and return movement of the sleeve (12) from the displaced condition to the extended condition releasing the reduced pressure allowing the valve to open, the expressed milk flowing through the va

Abstract: A cup for reducing or eliminating spillage or shake-out is provided. The cup has a cap and a spill and shake-out inhibiting element. The spill and shake-out inhibiting element is a dispensing tunnel, which provides for the formation of a pressure differential between the inside of the cup and the atmosphere when fluid begins to flow through the dispensing tunnel. The pressure differential, when it reaches a predetermined level, prevents further flow or movement of the fluid through the dispensing tunnel until additional suction is applied by the user. The diameter of the dispensing tunnel is small enough to effectively prevent air bubbles from flowing past the fluid in the dispensing tunnel.

Abstract: A reclining chair having a base frame (1) supporting a reclining unit (2) by a mechanism having downwardly converging swing links (15 and 16) pivoted at their upper ends at (22 and 23) respectively to the frame, a rigid member (14) pivotally connected to the lower ends of the swing links (15 and 16 at 20 and 21). The rigid member (14) has a link (13) rigidly connected to it which in turn is rigidly connected to the reclining unit (2). The center of gravity of the reclining unit with its occupant is maintained in a substantially horizontal plane as the unit moves from upright to reclined positions.

Abstract: An ergonomically effective breast pump includes a pump body including a breast engaging portion, a breast milk receiving container on the pump body, a one-way valve between the pump body and the container and a piston and cylinder assembly for applying vacuum to the interior of the pump body. The breast engaging portion is receivable in engagement with a breast of a user, and the piston and cylinder assembly includes a piston which is moveable in a cylinder in a direction outwardly and away from the user for applying vacuum to the breast of the user through the pump body. The breast pump further includes a thumb receiving element for moving the piston in the cylinder in a direction outwardly and away from the user with a thumb on a hand of the user, a handle element receivable in the same hand for assisting the user to draw the piston in an outward direction in the cylinder and a spring element for returning the piston in a direction toward the user.

Abstract: A magnetically actuated amusement device includes a supporting structure having side pieces which pivotally support rigid suspending elements each having a permanent magnet at its lower end. The magnets are arranged in a row, such that they will repel the next magnet in the row, the motion of the magnets being constricted to swinging in the vertical plane containing the row.

Abstract: A table, comprising a table top consisting of at least two table top elements with each table top element and the next adjacent table top element fitting together along an abutment line. Pedestal means is provided for directly supporting at least one but not all of the table top elements. The abutment line comprises a non-straight line and at least three pairs of cooperating interfitting male and female members are provided for connecting together each table top element and the next adjacent table top element. The pairs of cooperating male and female members are disposed at spaced apart locations in a non-collinear arrangement along the or each said abutment line. The pairs of cooperating members form the sole means of support for table top elements not provided with a pedestal and the weight of such elements is carried by shear stresses in the cooperating members and by bending stresses in the table top elements themselves.

Abstract: A baby calmer comprises a source of sound adapted to calm a crying baby, with the sound taking the form of random noise or pseudo-random noise which extends over an audio frequency range preferably extending up to at least 10 kilohertz. The pseudo-random noise is generated for a short period at an initial level so that it is able to penetrate the baby's own crying and to attract its attention. The noise is subsequently switched to a lower level to lull the baby into sleep. After a few minutes the sound is switched off altogether.

Abstract: A tape measure case incorporates an actuating element to project a marking element through a guide aperture for marking at a measured distance. The marking element can be a pencil lead. It is accommodated within the case, and the bulk and shape of the case are little changed from conventional.

Abstract: A convertible chair which is adjustable between sitting and reclining positions features a support frame, a seat and a backrest in which the seat and backrest are tiltably mounted so that their relative inclinations can be adjusted to define the afore-mentioned sitting and reclining positions and also a series of intermediate positions. The adjustment mechanism is defined by a support element with a curved support surface which forms a support for the seat and which is pivotably mounted to the support frame at a distance from the pivot axis of the seat and a control linkage which extends between the backrest, or an extension thereof, and the support element so that on changing the inclination of the backrest the support element rotates about its pivot mount and adjusts the vertical height of the point of support of the seat.