Abstract: A combination safety/booster seat assembly includes a back/head support attached to a base by engaging hooks that are insertable into associated sockets when the back/head support is fully reclined, and become secured in the sockets when the back/head support is subsequently rotated upright. A plush cover depicting a friendly animal character (e.g., bear) is mounted over the back/head support and includes tube-like armrest covers with inward-facing paws. The base includes rigidly connected armrests and is covered by a generic seat cover. The seat assembly provides a character-based safety/booster seat with the armrest covers mounted over the armrests such that backward rotation of the back/head support is resisted, thereby securing the back/head support to the base. When the child is older, the armrest covers are detached from the armrests to allow rotation/detachment of the back/head structure from the base, thereby providing a generic (i.e., character-free) no-back booster.

Abstract: A child safety seat assembly includes a seat shell that is secured to a vehicle seat by way of a standard safety belt system, and a belt adjustment mechanism that facilitates adjusting the horizontal belt path taken by the standard safety belt through the safety seat assembly such that the horizontal belt path aligns with a child's center of gravity (CG). In a first fixed state, the belt adjustment mechanism generates a lower horizontal belt path that is a relatively short distance from the seat base portion, thereby optimizing the seat assembly for securing shorter children or infants having lower CGs. As a child grows, the belt adjustment mechanism is adjusted into a second fixed state that maintains the horizontal belt path at a relatively long distance from the seat base portion, thereby optimizing the seat assembly for securing taller children having higher CGs.

Abstract: A child safety seat assembly includes a seat shell that is secured to a vehicle seat by way of a standard safety belt system, and a belt adjustment mechanism that facilitates adjusting the horizontal belt path taken by the standard safety belt through the safety seat assembly such that the horizontal belt path aligns with a child's center of gravity (CG). In a first fixed state, the belt adjustment mechanism generates a lower horizontal belt path that is a relatively short distance from the seat base portion, thereby optimizing the seat assembly for securing shorter children or infants having lower CGs. As a child grows, the belt adjustment mechanism is adjusted into a second fixed state that maintains the horizontal belt path at a relatively long distance from the seat base portion, thereby optimizing the seat assembly for securing taller children having higher CGs.

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 child safety seat utilizes a compression-type resilient shock absorber in which a soft-material resilient member serves to dampen shocks applied to the seat's harness assembly by undergoing compressive deformation in a way that prevents the harness safety belts from experiencing a “hard stop”. The resilient member (e.g., a foam rubber block, a gel-like substance, or a fluid-filled bladder) is disposed such that one portion is held against a rigid support (e.g., the backside surface of the seat's shell), and a second portion is operably wrapped by a loop portion of a safety belt. The resilient shock absorber is wrapped by the safety belt such that tension applied to the safety belt pulls the two end portions of the resilient member toward each other and against the rigid support, thereby causing the resilient member to compressively deform against the rigid support.

Abstract: A child safety seat utilizes a compression-type resilient shock absorber in which a soft-material resilient member serves to dampen shocks applied to the seat's harness assembly by undergoing compressive deformation in a way that prevents the harness safety belts from experiencing a “hard stop”. The resilient member (e.g., a foam rubber block, a gel-like substance, or a fluid-filled bladder) is disposed such that one portion is held against a rigid support (e.g., the backside surface of the seat's shell), and a second portion is operably coupled to a fixed end of a safety belt. The resilient shock absorber is oriented such that tension applied to the safety belt pulls the two end portions of the resilient member toward each other and against the rigid support, thereby causing the resilient member to compressively deform against the rigid support.

Abstract: A child safety seat utilizes a compression-type resilient shock absorber in which a soft-material resilient member serves to dampen shocks applied to the seat's harness assembly by undergoing compressive deformation in a way that prevents the harness safety belts from experiencing a “hard stop”. The resilient member (e.g., a foam rubber block, a gel-like substance, or a fluid-filled bladder) is disposed such that one portion is held against a rigid support (e.g., the backside surface of the seat's shell), and a second portion is operably coupled to a fixed end of a safety belt. The resilient shock absorber is oriented such that tension applied to the safety belt pulls the two end portions of the resilient member toward each other and against the rigid support, thereby causing the resilient member to compressively deform against the rigid support.

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 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 modified multi-chambered container including a container body defining a central (e.g., liquid) chamber, a neck defining an opening to the central chamber, a flange extending upward from the neck, and a groove formed in the neck around the first opening. A collared O-ring includes an annular base mounted in the groove, and a ring-shaped collar extending from an upper portion of the base toward the opening. A hollow ball member is mounted on the neck such that an outer wall of the ball member contacts the O-ring collar. A housing is attached to the container body that pushes the ball member against the collared O-ring.

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 baby bottle assembly including a nipple having a substantially flat membrane defining multiple pinholes for controlling the flow of liquid. The nipple is mounted on a cap that screws onto the bottle body. The nipple 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 while subjecting the membrane to radial tension, and 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.

Abstract: A multi-chambered container assembly including a two-piece adapter having a base and a hollow member that cooperate to open and close a passage between a first chamber provided by a bottle and a second chamber formed in the hollow member. The base defines a first opening and has a substantially semi-spherical concave wall surrounding the first opening, and the hollow member includes a substantially semi-spherical convex wall that pivotably (slidably) fits within the concave wall of the base. The hollow member is snap-coupled to the base using a pair of pins and a pair of cam grooves that facilitate movement of the hollow member between a closed (first) position and an open (second) position. The base can be integrally formed onto the bottle to provide a two-piece multi-chambered container.

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.

Abstract: A bottle warmer for warming a beverage (e.g., baby formula or milk) stored in a disposable baby bottle assembly including a disposable liner supported in a hollow sleeve (holder). The bottle warmer includes a heat transfer element that enters a lower opening of the bottle sleeve and contacts the liner. In one embodiment, the heat transfer element includes a cylindrical wall that slides between the sleeve wall and the liner to facilitate faster heating. The bottle warmer also includes a portable (e.g., gas or electric) heat generating system that heats the heat transfer element, which in turn heats a beverage stored in the liner.

Abstract: A beverage container including a body and a lower cap having a cooling element mounted thereon that extends into an interior portion of the body. The lower cap is removable for convenient charging (e.g., freezing) of the cooling element. The lower cap is then attached to the body and liquid is inserted into the body through an upper opening. A mixing fixture is integrally formed on the free end of the cooling element, and is used to mix the cooled liquid stored in the body with a powdered substance entered through the upper opening. In one embodiment, the beverage container is a multi-chambered container that includes a rotatable hollow member for storing the powdered substance, and a housing for securing the hollow member to the body such that a curved wall of the hollow member separates the powdered substance from the cooled liquid stored in the body.

Abstract: A sippy cup or other spill-resistant container including a cold plug for cooling liquids placed therein. The sippy cup includes a cup body that surrounds a beverage storage chamber. A bottom wall of the cup body defines an opening. In one embodiment, a support flange extends upward from the bottom wall into the fluid storage chamber and surrounds the opening. In another embodiment, a support flange extends upward through the opening into the fluid storage chamber from a sleeved cap. The cold plug structure includes a tube-shaped body enclosing a refrigerant and having a closed end that extends through the central opening into the fluid storage chamber. A base of the cold plug structure is secured to the bottom wall of the cup body, and is supported by the support flange to prevent displacement of the cold plug caused by dropping or otherwise jarring the sippy cup.

Abstract: A storage container for storing powdered baby formula consisting of a first opening mated with a baby bottle and a hollow member rotatably disposed in the container. A wall of the hollow member provides a waterproof seal between the interior of the hollow member and the baby bottle when the hollow member is rotated into a first position. The hollow member defines a second opening which aligns with the first opening when the hollow member is rotated into a second position. The container also has a second open end for mating to a nipple. The container is used to store a pre-measured amount of powdered formula and the baby bottle is used to store a pre-measured amount of water. When in the first position the wall of the hollow member prevents contact between the powdered formula and the water. At a desired time, the hollow member is rotated to the second position to allow the water and powdered formula to mix, thereby producing liquid baby formula.