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 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 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 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 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 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 multi-chamber substance containment apparatus including a bottle, a spherical hollow member and a housing. The bottle includes an opening surrounded by a flange which has a spherical inner surface formed to receive the hollow member. The hollow member includes a lower opening and an upper opening. The housing is adjustably connected to the bottle to bias the hollow member against the spherical inner surface of the flange, thereby creating a seal around the opening of the bottle. In a closed position, a portion of the hollow member blocks the opening of the bottle. In an open position, the hollow member is rotated into an upright position such that the opening of the bottle and the lower opening of the hollow member are aligned to form a passage between an interior of the bottle and an interior of the hollow member.

Abstract: A multi-chamber bottle includes an opening surrounded by a flange which has a spherical inner surface formed to receive a hollow member. The hollow member includes a lower opening and an upper opening. The housing is adjustable to bias the hollow member against the spherical inner surface of the flange, to seal around the opening. When closed, a portion of the hollow member blocks the opening. When open, the hollow member is in an upright position such that the opening of the bottle and the lower opening of the hollow member are aligned. A method for mixing two substances includes disposing an amount of one substance in the bottle, adjusting the hollow member to block the opening of the bottle, and disposing an amount of another substance in the hollow member. To mix the substances, the hollow member is rotated into the open position and the apparatus is shaken.

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.