Abstract: A beverage container assembly having a toy removably connected thereto. The beverage container assembly has a container housing, a lid assembly and a receiver. The container housing has a sidewall, a bottom wall, and an opening defining a liquid retaining cavity. The lid assembly is connected to the container housing adjacent the opening of the container housing, and it has an opening providing access to the cavity. The receiver extends from the beverage container and the toy is removably connected to the receiver outside the cavity of the container housing.

Abstract: A lid assembly for a beverage container is provided. The lid assembly has a lid base, a mouthpiece and a lid dome. The mouthpiece is connected to the lid base and has an extended annular member with a first end and a drink aperture extending through a center of the annular member. The lid dome is pivotally connected to the lid base and pivots between an open position and a closed position. The lid dome has a protrusion that extends from an inner surface of the lid dome, and a seal surface that operates to seal against the first end of the annular member of the mouthpiece to close the drink aperture when the lid dome is in the closed position. The protrusion is generally seated within the drink aperture when the lid dome is in the closed position.

Abstract: A lid assembly for a beverage container is provided. The lid assembly has a lid base, a mouthpiece and a lid dome. The mouthpiece is connected to the lid base and has a first end having a generally flat surface that is provided at an angle to the top surface of the lid base, a second end adapted to receive a straw, and a drink aperture therethrough. The lid dome is pivotally connected to the lid base and pivots between an open position and a closed position. The lid dome has a protrusion that extends from an inner surface of the lid dome. The protrusion has a seal surface at an angle to the top wall to seal against the first end of the mouthpiece to close the drink aperture when the lid dome is in the closed position.

Abstract: A foldable reusable drinking straw in the shape of a tube is provided. The tube has a tubular wall having an outer surface and an inner surface, and a wall thickness therebetween. The inner surface defines a bore with a generally constant inner diameter. The tube has a first end and a second end, and a plurality of annular grooves in the outer surface of the wall to reduce the wall thickness of the tubular wall at each of the plurality of annular grooves for bending the tube. The wall thickness of the tube from the first end to the second end, except for the plurality of annular grooves, is generally constant. The tube also has an angular transition between the first end and the second end.

Abstract: A lid assembly for a beverage container is provided. The lid assembly has a lid base, a mouthpiece and a lid dome. The mouthpiece is connected to the lid base and has a first end having a generally flat surface that is provided at an angle to the top surface of the lid base, a second end adapted to receive a straw, and a drink aperture therethrough. The lid dome is pivotally connected to the lid base and pivots between an open position and a closed position. The lid dome has a protrusion that extends from an inner surface of the lid dome. The protrusion has a seal surface at an angle to the top wall to seal against the first end of the mouthpiece to close the drink aperture when the lid dome is in the closed position.

Abstract: A lid assembly for a beverage container is provided. The lid assembly has a lid base, a mouthpiece and a lid dome. The mouthpiece is connected to the lid base and has an extended annular member with a first end and a drink aperture extending through a center of the annular member. The lid dome is pivotally connected to the lid base and pivots between an open position and a closed position. The lid dome has a protrusion that extends from an inner surface of the lid dome, and a seal surface that operates to seal against the first end of the annular member of the mouthpiece to close the drink aperture when the lid dome is in the closed position. The protrusion is generally seated within the drink aperture when the lid dome is in the closed position.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are provided for generating an index associated with non-nutritive suck pattern stability. An example apparatus can include an STI generator configured to generate a plurality of non-nutritive suck (NNS) pressure samples using a non-nutritive pacifier and a pressure transducer, and to sum a plurality of standard deviations based on the plurality of NNS pressure samples to provide a spatiotemporal index (STI) of non-nutritive suck pattern stability, wherein the STI is configured to provide a composite indication of variability of amplitude, and duration of a plurality of portions of the NNS pressure samples.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are provided for generating an index associated with non-nutritive suck pattern stability. An example apparatus can include an STI generator configured to generate a plurality of non-nutritive suck (NNS) pressure samples using a non-nutritive pacifier and a pressure transducer, and to sum a plurality of standard deviations based on the plurality of NNS pressure samples to provide a spatiotemporal index (STI) of non-nutritive suck pattern stability, wherein the STI is configured to provide a composite indication of variability of amplitude, and duration of a plurality of portions of the NNS pressure samples.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are provided for generating an index associated with non-nutritive suck pattern stability. A method includes measuring a plurality of non-nutritive suck (NNS) pressure samples, generating a plurality of correlation values using the NNS pressure samples, and generating a measure of non-nutritive suck pattern stability using the plurality of correlation values.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are provided for generating an index associated with non-nutritive suck pattern stability. A method includes measuring a plurality of non-nutritive suck (NNS) pressure samples, generating a plurality of correlation values using the NNS pressure samples, and generating a measure of non-nutritive suck pattern stability using the plurality of correlation values.

Abstract: Loquat extracts and methods for the preparation and use thereof in modulating blood glucose metabolism are disclosed and described. In one aspect, the present invention includes a Loquat extract having a standardized corosolic acid content, and a method for the production thereof.