Abstract: A dishwasher basket for use with baby bottle nipples includes a specially designed rack that maintains baby bottle nipples in an upright position during the washing and drying. The base of the nipple is also prevented from resting upon the surface of the rack. Feeding straw and valve holders are also provided that can be attached to the dishwasher basket. The dishwasher basket is able to be opened using only one hand.

Abstract: A significantly improved leash has a strap or belt with a carabiner at a lower end and a loop at an upper end. The loop may be a preconfigured holding loop or it may be an adjustable loop that can be adjusted by clipping a carabiner into eyelets in the leash. The leash permits even an animal that is pulling strongly on the leash to be held in check, by a hand grip disposed in the holding loop, or adjacent to the holding loop.

Abstract: A toilet training device for children that is placed over existing toilet seats has handles that extend into and out of the training device. The handles are individually adjustable and are capable of assisting a child in being able to have a secure grip on the training device. Additionally, stand members are provided that enable the training device to be stored in a convenient fashion.

Abstract: A pet bed assembly includes a water resistant outer cover defining an enclosed space and a removable blanket that is removably attached to the exterior of the outer cover. The removable blanket is preferably constructed so as to be completely removable from the outer cover for washing and replacement and is further preferably constructed so as to be reversible, with an attachment mechanism that permits it to be secured to the outer cover with either surface facing the pet. An inner bed assembly is positioned within the enclosed space that preferably includes a perimeter bolster portion and an interior cushion portion. The perimeter bolster cushion has a greater height than the interior cushion portion and its uncompressed state and is less compressible than the interior cushion.

Abstract: An article for removing dead hair from animals includes a handle and a shedding blade that is attached to the handle. The shedding blade includes a flexible, elongated member having at least one serrated edge. Advantageously, structure is provided to permit adjustment of the length of the shedding blade. This permits a consumer to select the proper blade size for the animal that is being groomed. Additionally, the article is constructed and arranged so that the flexible, elongated member may be at least partially retracted into the handle for storage purposes.

Abstract: An improved pet bed assembly includes a water resistant outer cover defining an enclosed space and a removable blanket that is removably attached to the exterior of the outer cover. The removable blanket is preferably constructed so as to be completely removable from the outer cover for washing and replacement and is further preferably constructed so as to be reversible, with an attachment mechanism that permits it to be secured to the outer cover with either surface facing the pet. An inner bed assembly is positioned within the enclosed space that preferably includes a perimeter bolster portion and an interior cushion portion. The perimeter bolster cushion has a greater height than the interior cushion portion and its uncompressed state and is less compressible than the interior cushion.

Abstract: A system for cleaning a pet chew toy of the type that has a sidewall having an inner surface defining a hollow interior and at least one opening defined in the sidewall communicating with the hollow interior includes a first brush having a stem portion and a plurality of bristles. The stem portion and the bristles are both constructed and arranged so as to be able to fit through an opening in the sidewall of the pet chew toy. The bristles are further dimensioned so as to facilitate scrubbing of the inner surface of the sidewall of the pet chew toy. A handle is operatively connected to the stem portion of the first brush, and a second brush is provided that is constructed and arranged so as to be able to fit through a second opening in the sidewall of the pet chew toy. A method of cleaning a pet chew toy is also disclosed.

Abstract: A curry brush for grooming an animal includes a flexible, elastomeric body portion that has a socket defined therein for receiving a relatively rigid container. A plurality of flexible tines extend outwardly from the body portion. The container may be removed from the socket when desired for purposes such as refilling and/or cleaning and is preferably used to store a liquid such as shampoo. The container provides added longitudinal stiffness to the curry brush but permits a limited flexure to occur that is advantageous to a user both in gripping the curry brush and in controlling the curry brush during grooming.

Abstract: A variable flow infant feeding assembly is designed so that a caregiver can select an optimal feeding flow rate without having to change nipples, as may be desired depending upon the age and appetite of the infant as well as the liquid that is being dispensed. Preferably, the assembly includes a baby bottle and a nipple member that has ventilation structure defined therein for permitting replacement air to enter the baby bottle during feeding. Retention structure such as a threaded ring member is provided for securing the nipple member to the baby bottle. Advantageously, variable restrictor structure is provided, preferably so as to be integral with the ring member, for selectively blocking at least a portion of the ventilation structure. By controlling the size of the opening through which replacement air flows into the baby bottle, the variable restrictor structure permits the feeding flow rate through the nipple member to be adjusted by a caregiver.

Abstract: A sunshade for a vehicle such as an automobile includes a housing that is adapted to be mounted to a vehicle window and a drum member mounted for rotation within the housing about which a flexible, weblike shade element is wound. A retraction mechanism is provided for enabling the shade element to be moved from a first, retracted position wherein most of the shade element is wrapped about the drum member and a second, extended position wherein the shade element is at least partially unwrapped from the drum member. The retraction mechanism includes a biasing mechanism for biasing the drum member so that the shade element is urged toward the first, retracted position, and an arresting mechanism that is constructed and arranged so as to permit the drum member to be stopped when the shade element is in the second, extended position and, in addition, in at least one intermediate position that is between the first, retracted position and the second, extended position.

Abstract: A container such as a drinking cup includes an inner wall defining a space and an outer wall that preferably includes portions that are translucent and preferably transparent. A thermal mass is provided between the inner and outer walls and has a decorative pattern that is visually discernible through the outer wall. The thermal mass preferably includes a gel material that will not freeze at the normal operating temperature of a household freezer. The gel material includes a multiplicity of globules that preferably have a median diameter that is within a preferred sizing range. The decorative pattern is preferably created by the provision of a colorant material that is introduced within the interstitial space defined between the gel globules.

Abstract: A brush assembly for scrubbing an article such as a baby bottle includes a bottle brush that has a recess defined in its handle and a nipple brush that has a scrubbing end that is sized and shaped to at least partially fit within the recess in a storage position. A second end of the nipple brush is provided with a suction cup that permits the nipple brush to be mounted to a fixed surface, such as a sink. Retention structure is provided for retaining the nipple brush in the storage position with respect to the bottle brush, so that the bottle brush may be used to scrub bottles while the nipple brush, and hence the bottle brush, remains affixed to the fixed surface.

Abstract: An article for grooming an animal includes an elongated handle and a plurality of dematting blades, each of which has a sharp edge for aiding in removing mats from the fur of an animal. The article further includes a comb having a plurality of combing tines for combing the fur of an animal. Most advantageously, selective positioning structure is provided for selectively positioning the article in one of a first grooming position that is characterized by the dematting blades being operatively positioned while said comb is retracted, and a second grooming position that is characterized by the comb being operatively positioned while the dematting blades are retracted.