Abstract: In one aspect of the invention features nursing bottle. The nursing bottle includes a container for holding a liquid and having a rim defining an open end and a nipple assembly secured to the container at the open end. The nipple assembly includes a flexible nipple extending away from the container and defining an interior nipple volume, a vent bulb disposed within the interior nipple volume and defining an interior bulb volume, a tube extending into the container to a distal end disposed in a closed end of the container, and a vent manifold. The vent manifold defines a first aperture providing fluid communication between the container and the interior nipple volume, a second aperture providing fluid communication between the tube and the interior bulb volume, and a vent conduit providing fluid communication between the interior bulb volume and atmosphere.

Abstract: In one aspect of the invention features nursing bottle. The nursing bottle includes a container for holding a liquid and having a rim defining an open end and a nipple assembly secured to the container at the open end. The nipple assembly includes a flexible nipple extending away from the container and defining an interior nipple volume, a vent bulb disposed within the interior nipple volume and defining an interior bulb volume, a tube extending into the container to a distal end disposed in a closed end of the container, and a vent manifold. The vent manifold defines a first aperture providing fluid communication between the container and the interior nipple volume, a second aperture providing fluid communication between the tube and the interior bulb volume, and a vent conduit providing fluid communication between the interior bulb volume and atmosphere.

Abstract: In one aspect of the invention features nursing bottle. The nursing bottle includes a container for holding a liquid and having a rim defining an open end and a nipple assembly secured to the container at the open end. The nipple assembly includes a flexible nipple extending away from the container and defining an interior nipple volume, a vent bulb disposed within the interior nipple volume and defining an interior bulb volume, a tube extending into the container to a distal end disposed in a closed end of the container, and a vent manifold. The vent manifold defines a first aperture providing fluid communication between the container and the interior nipple volume, a second aperture providing fluid communication between the tube and the interior bulb volume, and a vent conduit providing fluid communication between the interior bulb volume and atmosphere.

Abstract: In one aspect of the invention features nursing bottle. The nursing bottle includes a container for holding a liquid and having a rim defining an open end and a nipple assembly secured to the container at the open end. The nipple assembly includes a flexible nipple extending away from the container and defining an interior nipple volume, a vent bulb disposed within the interior nipple volume and defining an interior bulb volume, a tube extending into the container to a distal end disposed in a closed end of the container, and a vent manifold. The vent manifold defines a first aperture providing fluid communication between the container and the interior nipple volume, a second aperture providing fluid communication between the tube and the interior bulb volume, and a vent conduit providing fluid communication between the interior bulb volume and atmosphere.

Abstract: A baby bottle includes a container having a feeding end and an air inlet end opposite the feeding end, a nipple releasably coupled to the feeding end, and a valve releasably coupled to the air inlet end. The valve includes a body extending into the container when the valve engages the air inlet end of the container, and a membrane recessed relative to the body. The membrane includes a slit, which is configured to open in response to a negative pressure within the container and resiliently close in absence of the negative pressure.

Abstract: A breast pump system. The system includes a pump for generating suction; at least one breast shield; a first bottle operatively coupled to the breast shield for collecting milk; tubing connected between the pump and the breast shield for transmitting suction from the pump to the breast shield to draw milk into the breast shield; and a controller in communication with the pump. The controller is configured to control the pump to generate different suction levels in a cyclic manner at a frequency, control the pump to start and stop pumping, collect input from a user of an amount of milk collected, and store information for at least one pumping session.

Abstract: A breast pump convertible between a single breast pump mode and a double breast pump mode. The breast pump includes a pump and a conduit assembly coupled to the pump and at least one breast shield. The breast pump is operable to convert between the single breast pump mode and the double breast pump mode while maintaining substantially the same vacuum level applied to one of the breasts.

Abstract: A disposable child's drinking cup has a lid with a drinking spout defining multiple open holes sized to resist leakage in the absence of suction, such as by the development of surface tension at the holes, and to allow flow when suction is applied. The holes are formed during molding of the lid. An inner contour of a groove of the lid and an outer contour of the cup body rim are selected to provide a slight snap fit of the lid onto the cup body, to provide a secure seal.

Abstract: A disposable child's drinking cup has a lid with a drinking spout defining multiple open holes sized to resist leakage in the absence of suction, such as by the development of surface tension at the holes, and to allow flow when suction is applied. The holes are formed during molding of the lid. An inner contour of a groove of the lid and an outer contour of the cup body rim are selected to provide a slight snap fit of the lid onto the cup body, to provide a secure seal.

Abstract: A container including a main body and a removable lid. The main body defines an interior cavity accessible through an opening at an upper end of the main body, and the main body has a rim about the opening. The removable lid secures to the rim of the main body to enclose the interior cavity. The removable lid includes an upper portion having a convex surface and comprises a soft, flexible material. The removable lid also includes a spout integrally molded with the upper portion and extending from the upper portion at an off-center location. The spout is shaped and sized to be received inside a child's mouth. The spout includes a wall and a flexible membrane supported by the wall. The membrane has a convex surface facing a distal end of the spout and forming a cavity within the distal end of the spout, and a valve configured to provide fluid communication between the interior cavity and the child's mouth when sufficient pressure is applied to the distal end of the spout.

Abstract: A breast pump provides multiple orientations of the pumping lever with respect to the breast shield. A breast pump includes a liner extending from the breast shield, through the suction chamber, and out of the suction chamber, which liner shields other components of the pump from contamination by the flow of milk through the pump during pumping operation. A breast pumping device includes a pumping lever for manually providing a cyclical vacuum within the suction chamber and an external pumping source, connected to the suction bell, that the user can activate to provide a cyclical vacuum within the suction chamber. A breast pump provides a smaller change in the grip width from when the lever is fully-extended to when the lever is fully-retracted, allowing more comfortable manual pumping.

Abstract: A disposable child's drinking cup has a lid with a drinking spout defining multiple open holes sized to resist leakage in the absence of suction, such as by the development of surface tension at the holes, and to allow flow when suction is applied. The holes are formed during molding of the lid. An inner contour of a groove of the lid and an outer contour of the cup body rim are selected to provide a slight snap fit of the lid onto the cup body, to provide a secure seal.

Abstract: A disposable child's drinking cup has a lid with a drinking spout defining multiple open holes sized to resist leakage in the absence of suction, such as by the development of surface tension at the holes, and to allow flow when suction is applied. The holes are formed during molding of the lid. An inner contour of a groove of the lid and an outer contour of the cup body rim are selected to provide a slight snap fit of the lid onto the cup body, to provide a secure seal.

Abstract: A breast pump provides multiple orientations of the pumping lever with respect to the breast shield. A breast pump includes a liner extending from the breast shield, through the suction chamber, and out of the suction chamber, which liner shields other components of the pump from contamination by the flow of milk through the pump during pumping operation. A breast pumping device includes a pumping lever for manually providing a cyclical vacuum within the suction chamber and an external pumping source, connected to the suction bell, that the user can activate to provide a cyclical vacuum within the suction chamber. A breast pump provides a smaller change in the grip width from when the lever is fully-extended to when the lever is fully-retracted, allowing more comfortable manual pumping.

Abstract: A disposable child's drinking cup has a lid with a drinking spout defining multiple open holes sized to resist leakage in the absence of suction, such as by the development of surface tension at the holes, and to allow flow when suction is applied. The holes are formed during molding of the lid. An inner contour of a groove of the lid and an outer contour of the cup body rim are selected to provide a slight snap fit of the lid onto the cup body, to provide a secure seal.

Abstract: A breast pump convertible between a single breast pump mode and a double breast pump mode. The breast pump includes a pump and a conduit assembly coupled to the pump and at least one breast shield. The breast pump is operable to convert between the single breast pump mode and the double breast pump mode while maintaining substantially the same vacuum level applied to one of the breasts.

Abstract: A drinking container including a main body and a removable lid. The lid includes an opening configured to receive a straw. The lid includes a removable cover having an opening configured to receive an upper portion of the straw. The cover includes a slide mechanism adapted to move and bend the straw to close the opening. The straw is bent at an angle to prevent closing or kinking of the straw.

Abstract: A disposable child's drinking cup has a lid with a drinking spout defining multiple open holes sized to resist leakage in the absence of suction, such as by the development of surface tension at the holes, and to allow flow when suction is applied. The holes are formed during molding of the lid. An inner contour of a groove of the lid and an outer contour of the cup body rim are selected to provide a slight snap fit of the lid onto the cup body, to provide a secure seal.