Abstract: The present invention overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art and provides for an improved method and apparatus for self-sterilizing a bottle. A self-sterilizing bottle comprises a container, a mouthpiece, a collar and a cap. The container has a sidewall and a bottom defining a liquid holding space, with the sidewall forming an open end with a neck. The collar has a first position and a second position and is adapted to fasten to the neck and for removably fastening the mouthpiece to the collar when in the first position. The cap is configured to have an upright position and an inverted position and when in the upright position is adapted to fasten to the collar and cover the mouthpiece when the mouthpiece and cap are attached to the collar and when in the inverted position to rest stably on a surface. Also when in the inverted position, the cap is further adapted to hold a liquid and support the collar above the liquid when the collar is in the second position.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an ergonomic bottle comprised of a container having sidewalls and a bottom defining a liquid holding space. The sidewalls form an open end with a neck. The sidewalls further comprise indents that facilitate grasping the container by a user. The ergonomic bottle of the present invention further comprises an ergonomic nipple having an alignment mark indicating the orientation of the ergonomic nipple for optimum use. The ergonomic bottle of the present invention has a collar adapted to fasten to the neck and for receiving the ergonomic nipple. The collar has indicia indicating optimum alignment of the ergonomic nipple and indents of the container.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a pacifier. The pacifier of the invention includes a baglet and a shield. The baglet has a tip, a shaft and base. The tip has a length and width that is greater than the length and width of the shaft. The base is adapted to connect the baglet to the shield and has creases configured to permit the baglet to move toward and away from the shield and rotate about a center point of the base.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a no slip vessel. The no slip vessel comprises a container, a platform, and a suction cup. The container has an open end and a closed end; the open end defines a containment zone. The platform is adjacent to the closed end and opposite the containment zone. The platform has a ring and a shaft. The ring has threads and is adapted to receive the suction cup. The suction cup is adapted to sealingly fit within the ring and has a shaft fixed to a region. The shaft has threads and is adapted to interact with the shaft translating rotational motion of the container to vertical motion of the shaft. The shaft vertical motion establishes an open position where the suction cup is unsealed with respect to a support surface and a closed position where the suction cup is sealed to a support surface.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a no slip vessel. The no slip vessel comprises a container, a platform, and a suction cup. The container has an open end and a closed end; the open end defines a containment zone. The platform is adjacent to the closed end and opposite the containment zone. The platform has a ring and a shaft. The ring has threads and is adapted to receive the suction cup. The suction cup is adapted to sealingly fit within the ring and has a shaft fixed to a region. The shaft has threads and is adapted to interact with the shaft translating rotational motion of the container to vertical motion of the shaft. The shaft vertical motion establishes an open position where the suction cup is unsealed with respect to a support surface and a closed position where the suction cup is sealed to a support surface.

Abstract: A contoured container such as a training cup for a toddler having a pinched-waist shape includes printing on the outer surface in a highly contoured portion. Before the manufacturing steps wherein a preform is expanded to the desired pinched-waist shape, it is printed using expandable or rubberized ink. This intermediate product of manufacture is then stretch blown to the final shape, and during this step, the ink expands along with the preform to result in a container with printing on the highly-contoured surface.

Abstract: An improved no-spill cup construction and valve assembly. When not in use, an opening in the flexible material rests against a blocking element, sealing off the opening against the flow of liquid. The closed position provides an extremely secure seal against fluid leakage, such that inadvertent spills, such as by turning the cup upside down, are ineffective. The act of sucking at the cup spout creates negative pressure or a partial vacuum against the flexible material, lifting the opening off of the blocking element, and unblocking that opening. When the opening is unblocked, liquid can flow freely through the valve and spout.