Abstract: The present invention relates to an infant feeding assembly, in particular an assembly which is sterilisable by steam generated within a container to which the assembly is mounted. The assembly includes a securing member for mounting an infant feeding nipple to a mouth of a container, and a surface including a cover contacting portion for selectively mounting a cover to the assembly. The assembly further includes a fluid flow path configured such that, when the securing member mounts the infant feeding nipple to the container in use, the container is fluidly connected to the surface. A method of sterilising the infant feeding assembly is also disclosed.

Abstract: A nipple for attachment to an external component, for example a container. The nipple comprises a base portion for attachment to the external component. The nipple also comprises a breast portion extending from the base portion. The nipple also comprises an areola portion extending from the breast portion. The nipple also comprises a teat portion extending from the areola portion. The breast portion extends at a first angle relative to an axis of the base portion and the areola portion extends at a second angle relative to the axis of the base portion, wherein the first angle is greater than the second angle.

Abstract: A nipple or teat, particularly a nipple for attachment to a container. The nipple comprises a breast portion having a central region, and a latch portion extending from the breast portion, the latch portion comprising a teat portion and an areola portion. The latch portion is radially offset from the central region of the breast portion and includes an outer wall. The outer wall of the latch portion includes a first region having a first wall thickness and a second region having a second wall thickness, wherein the second wall thickness is less than the first wall thickness. A nipple assembly, feeding assembly and comforter assembly, each including the nipple or teat, are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a breast contacting element for a breast pump assembly and a method of forming the same. More specifically, there is provided a breast contacting element for a breast pump assembly, including an opening adapted to receive a nipple of a user's breast: a breast contacting surface extending from the opening and comprising a deformable portion for engaging the user's breast; and a channel configured for conveying a fluid pressure from the opening to the deformable portion such that the deformable portion deflects in response to the fluid pressure applied thereto. Specifically, the method includes forming a support element of a first material, the support element comprising an orifice and a channel extending from the orifice, and injecting a second material onto the support element so as to form a deformable portion across the orifice.

Abstract: A teether is provided for infant use. The teether comprises an exterior portion and a mouthpiece wherein the mouthpiece includes a substantially U-shaped biting section comprising first and second arms extending from a central portion. At least part of said central portion is resiliently collapsible upon application of pressure thereto during use of the teether by an infant.

Abstract: The invention relates to a valve element (110, 310, 510, 601, 603) for allowing a user to drink from an upper rim (124, 324, 524) of a valve assembly (100, 300, 500, 600, 601) comprising a body (613) comprising a resiliently deformable portion (619) having a rim (621), the rim (621) located in a first plane, wherein at least the rim (621) of the resiliently deformable portion (619) is configured to deform substantially inwardly, to be located in a second plane, into a sealing position within a valve assembly (100, 300, 500, 600, 601), and further wherein a portion (629) of the rim (621) is configured to lift out of the second plane upon application of a suction force to an upper surface (639) of a corresponding portion (629) of the resiliently deformable portion (619). The invention also relates to a valve assembly (100, 300, 500, 600, 601) comprising a valve element (110, 310, 510, 601, 603) according to the invention.

Abstract: The invention relates to an assembly (150) for anchoring a vessel (100) to a reference surface (102). The assembly (150) comprises a sealing element holder (106) for coupling to a vessel (100) and a sealing element (104) coupled to the sealing element holder (106), wherein a portion of the sealing element (104) is moveable relative to the sealing element holder (106). A base member (108) is located proximate to the sealing element holder (106) in use and a diaphragm element (112) is coupled to the base member (108) for engagement with a reference surface (102). The base member (108) comprises upper (142) and lower surfaces (144), including a sealing surface (110) on the upper surface (144) and a channel (140) extending from the upper surface (144) to the lower surface (142).

Abstract: A nipple for use with an infant drinking cup is disclosed herein. The nipple comprises a domed portion having a central region and an inner surface, a teat portion radially offset from the central region, and a radially-outer wall. The radially-outer wall is joined to the domed portion at a joining location and comprises an inner fluid-flow surface, defining a fluid flow direction. A region of the inner surface of the domed portion at the joining location is substantially parallel to said fluid flow direction, or the inner fluid-flow surface of the teat portion extends radially outwardly, away from said region of the inner surface of the domed portion at the joining location.

Abstract: The invention relates to a valve element (110, 310, 510, 601, 603) for allowing a user to drink from an upper rim (124, 324, 524) of a valve assembly (100, 300, 500, 600, 601) comprising a body (613) comprising a resiliently deformable portion (619) having a rim (621), the rim (621) located in a first plane, wherein at least the rim (621) of the resiliently deformable portion (619) is configured to deform substantially inwardly, to be located in a second plane, into a sealing position within a valve assembly (100, 300, 500, 600, 601), and further wherein a portion (629) of the rim (621) is configured to lift out of the second plane upon application of a suction force to an upper surface (639) of a corresponding portion (629) of the resiliently deformable portion (619). The invention also relates to a valve assembly (100, 300, 500, 600, 601) comprising a valve element (110, 310, 510, 601, 603) according to the invention.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a valve assembly for a feeding or drinking vessel. The valve assembly comprises a valve seat surface (229), and a valve element having a valve face opposing said valve seat surface (229), a center axis and a rim (232). The valve element further comprises a biasing element (242) configured such that, in a rest position, the valve face is biased against the valve seat surface (229), wherein the valve element rim (232) is arranged to be anchored and the biasing element (242) is arranged intermediate the valve element center axis and rim (232).

Abstract: A waste storage device includes a waste storage cassette receiving chamber for receiving a cassette rotatable within the chamber and containing tubing for enveloping waste. The chamber includes a rotatable portion (602) mounted on a fixed portion (604) of the device, the rotatable portion (602) being rotatable with the cassette. The device further comprises a deformable portion (601) mounted on the fixed portion (604) and moveable between an undeformed position to prevent rotation of the cassette and a deformed position to allow rotation of the cassette.

Abstract: A waste storage device is provided comprising a waste storage compartment for storing waste and a lid. The device further comprises a dispenser for dispensing an agent inside the waste storage device and an actuator arranged to activate the dispenser. A waste cartridge is also provided comprising a relatively rigid upper portion and a relatively flexible lower portion. The relatively flexible lower portion is arranged for storing waste items and the relatively rigid upper portion is arranged to be folded about an axis in a direction substantially towards the relatively flexible lower portion of the waste cartridge.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a waste storage device (100) comprising a receiving chamber (132) provided in an upper part of the device (100) and a rotator (136) rotatably mounted in the chamber (132). The rotator (136) comprises an upper annulus (154), and a cylindrical wall (150) extending downwardly from the upper annulus (154). The rotator (136) comprises at least one projection (151) extending therefrom, said at least one projection (151) being arranged to locate with at least one corresponding recess (171) on a waste storage cassette (172) to support the waste storage cassette (172) in the chamber (132) and to ensure rotational engagement between the rotator (136) and the cassette (172).

Abstract: A nipple for use with an infant drinking cup is disclosed herein. The nipple comprises a domed portion having a central region and an inner surface, a teat portion radially offset from the central region, and a radially-outer wall. The radially-outer wall is joined to the domed portion at a joining location and comprises an inner fluid-flow surface, defining a fluid flow direction. A region of the inner surface of the domed portion at the joining location is substantially parallel to said fluid flow direction, or the inner fluid-flow surface of the teat portion extends radially outwardly, away from said region of the inner surface of the domed portion at the joining location.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a valve assembly for a feeding or drinking vessel. The valve assembly comprises a valve seat surface (229), and a valve element having a valve face opposing said valve seat surface (229), a center axis and a rim (232). The valve element further comprises a biasing element (242) configured such that, in a rest position, the valve face is biased against the valve seat surface (229), wherein the valve element rim (232) is arranged to be anchored and the biasing element (242) is arranged intermediate the valve element center axis and rim (232).