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: An apparatus for use in extracting milk from a human breast includes a pliant receiving member having an inner receiving portion sized to receive the human breast and an adjacent inner connecting portion defining an opening extending therethrough. The receiving member has an inner surface defining a recess located in the inner receiving portion and a passageway extending from the recess to the opening to provide fluid communication between the recess and the opening during use. The passageway provides fluid communication between the recess and the opening such that negative pressure can be generated between the recess and the breast.

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 lid for a container. The lid includes a planar surface, a wall surrounding the planar surface, and a recess. The recess is formed on a portion of the planar surface and has a defined perimeter. The recess has a gradually sloping surface from a middle portion of the planar surface to the wall and an opening formed therein. The lid also includes a cover pivotably connected with the recess and is configured to pivot between a first position and a second position. The cover has a perimeter configured to rest within the recess when in one of the first position and the second position. The cover also has a cavity sized to engage the opening in the recess.

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: An apparatus and method of thawing and warming comestible product. The apparatus includes a container having an inlet and an outlet, a handle coupled to the container, and a valve coupled to the container adjacent to the outlet. The valve is operable to control fluid flow through the container. The device also includes a lid coupled to the container. The lid includes at least one aperture in fluid communication with the inlet and allows fluid flow therethrough.

Abstract: An apparatus for use in extracting milk from a human breast includes a pliant receiving member having an inner receiving portion sized to receive the human breast and an adjacent inner connecting portion defining an opening extending therethrough. The receiving member has an inner surface defining a recess located in the inner receiving portion and a passageway extending from the recess to the opening to provide fluid communication between the recess and the opening during use. The passageway provides fluid communication between the recess and the opening such that negative pressure can be generated between the recess and the breast.

Abstract: An apparatus for use in extracting milk from a human breast includes a pliant receiving member having an inner receiving portion sized to receive the human breast and an adjacent inner connecting portion defining an opening extending therethrough. The receiving member has an inner surface defining a recess located in the inner receiving portion and a passageway extending from the recess to the opening to provide fluid communication between the recess and the opening during use. The passageway provides fluid communication between the recess and the opening such that negative pressure can be generated between the recess and the breast.

Abstract: A nipple for a baby bottle includes both inner and outer separable members. The inner member defines a valve passage that can be selectively obstructed by a flap of the outer member. The outer and inner members have respective flexible membranes that define a holding chamber having the valve passage as an inlet and an aperture at the tip of the outer member as an outlet. The flap inhibits flow from the holding chamber through the valve passage when the outer member is compressed, and deflects away from the valve passage to allow the holding chamber to receive a fluid through the valve passage when the outer member is released.

Abstract: A teething device is provided which includes a fluid-filled membrane sized to be at least partially received in the mouth of a child, a housing attached to the fluid-filled membrane, a handle sized to be grasped by a child, a vibrator configured to impart vibration to the fluid-filled membrane and a pressure switch selectively connecting the vibrator to a power source when a threshold pressure is applied to an outer surface of the membrane.

Abstract: An electric adapter for providing output power to an accessory includes an adapter housing having a projection configured for insertion into a DC power accessory port, the projection carrying an electrical input conductor, a power outlet cord extending from the housing, a manually operable power switch mounted on the housing, the switch operable to electrically connect the electrical input conductor to the power outlet cord, and a timer circuit contained within the housing and configured to electrically disconnect the input conductor from the power outlet cord after a predetermined cycle time period, without removing the projection from the DC power accessory port.

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 drinking valve assembly includes an inner member with an aperture and an outer member with a movable drinking spout extending from an upper surface of the outer member. The inner member and the outer member of the drinking valve assembly form a channel extending from the aperture to a spout outlet. The outer member has an inner surface that contacts the inner member about the aperture to block flow along the channel with the spout in a first position, the inner surface of the outer member being displaced from the inner member in response to movement of the spout to a second position to enable flow along the channel.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for nursing in which a container is filled with milk. The container has flexible membrane forming a pouch for holding the milk. A rim defines a stable opening of the pouch, and a lid is secured to the rim to cover the opening. The container is inserted into a nursing device and the lid is opened to expose the milk. A nursing nipple is secured to the nursing device with the container disposed therein.

Abstract: A portable, electric breast pump has an electronic controller adapted to track time and operate a solenoid to automatically maintain a predetermined suction and release rhythm as a function of time to mimic the natural sucking rhythm of an infant. Suction is produced by a continuously running diaphragm pump. A needle valve permits user vacuum level adjustment, but no other user control is required. A flapper valve in the top of the bottle reduces the suction rise time but incorporates a fixed amount of leakage to build a small amount of bottle pressure for pulling collected milk into the bottle during the release portion of the cycle. An improved bulkhead design helps to keep milk from entering the diaphragm pump if the unit is shaken or turned on its side.

Abstract: A nipple for a baby bottle includes both inner and outer separable members. The inner member defines a valve passage that can be selectively obstructed by a flap of the outer member. The outer and inner members have respective flexible membranes that define a holding chamber having the valve passage as an inlet and an aperture at the tip of the outer member as an outlet. The flap inhibits flow from the holding chamber through the valve passage when the outer member is compressed, and deflects away from the valve passage to allow the holding chamber to receive a fluid through the valve passage when the outer member is released.

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.

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 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.