Abstract:
A breast pump includes a cup assembly for engaging at least a portion of a breast including a nipple and an area surrounding the nipple, a vacuum pump assembly for applying a vacuum to the cup assembly, a container fluidly connected to the cup assembly for receiving milk expressed from the nipple of the breast, a sensor assembly positioned in the container, and a controller. The sensor assembly includes a first contact and a second contact. The controller includes a processor and a memory. The memory includes instructions that when executed by the processor configure the controller to periodically detect a measurement indicative of a capacitance between the first and second contacts of the sensor assembly, and operate the vacuum pump assembly to apply a vacuum to the cup assembly based at least in part on the detected measurement indicative of the capacitance between the first and second contacts.
Abstract:
A warming apparatus (101) for warming contents of a foodstuff container includes an enclosure (109) defining an interior space (111) for receiving the foodstuff container and a reservoir (125) separate from the interior space (111) for receiving a warming liquid. A heating element (121) is disposed within the enclosure for warming the warming liquid within the reservoir. A conduit (123) is configured to extend between the interior space and the reservoir so that the reservoir is in fluid communication with the interior space. The heating element (121) is adapted to move the warming liquid from the reservoir (125) through the conduit (123) into the interior space (111) as the warming liquid within the reservoir is warmed.
Abstract:
A lid assembly includes a closure member and a valve assembly. The closure member has a socket in fluid communication with a liquid passageway. The socket has a wall with a cutout therein. The valve assembly includes a plug adapted for insertion into the socket to form a seal between the socket and the plug. The plug has a base, a side wall, and an interior chamber cooperatively defined by the base and the side wall. A portion of the side wall of the plug with a minimum thickness is disposed adjacent the cutout when the plug is inserted into the socket. The seal formed between the plug and socket is selectively moveable from a sealed configuration to an unsealed configuration by vacuum pressure being applied to the interior chamber of the plug.
Abstract:
A valve assembly for a leak resistant drinking cup includes a tubular plug having an outer wall, an inner wall, and a web extending between and connecting the outer and inner walls. The web has at least one slit disposed intermediate the inner and outer walls. The valve assembly is configurable between a sealed position wherein liquid is inhibited from passing through the slit and an unsealed position wherein liquid can pass through the slit.
Abstract:
In a warming apparatus for warming the contents of a foodstuff container, a barrier member is disposed at least in part within the interior space of a housing of the apparatus and includes a generally tubular barrier wall extending longitudinally within the housing and defining a warming compartment therein. The barrier wall has a lower end and an open upper end accessible through an open upper end of the housing for receiving the foodstuff container into the warming compartment. The barrier wall is resiliently flexible at least transversely of the barrier member. A reservoir is disposed in the housing for containing a warming liquid. A heating unit is in fluid communication with the reservoir. The heating unit is operable to receive warming liquid from the reservoir and heat the warming liquid for supplying heated warming liquid into the warming compartment to warm the contents of the foodstuff container.
Abstract:
A drinking cup having a receptacle with an open end and a lid assembly configured for releasable engagement with the receptacle over the open end. A lid assembly wall has an inner surface and an inner ring extending radially inward therefrom. The inner ring defines a plurality of fluid passages. A seal assembly is configured to be retained by the inner ring, with the seal assembly being resiliently deformable between a sealed configuration and an unsealed configuration. In the sealed configuration, the upper lip sealingly engages the inner surface and fluid is prevented from flowing through a lid assembly volume defined between the lid assembly and the seal assembly. In the open configuration fluid is permitted to flow from the receptacle, through the plurality of fluid passages, and between a gap defined by a portion of the seal lip and a corresponding portion of the sealing surface.