Abstract: A beverage and beverage product are disclosed. The beverage product may include a chocolate-flavored milk mixture, and a caffeine additive. Typically, the beverage does not include coffee, tea or cola. The chocolate-flavored milk mixture typically includes milk and cocoa powder. A variety of other ingredients may be added, such as a sweetener, vanilla extract, a mild acid, and/or salt.

Abstract: A flying toy system is provided. The flying toy system typically includes a flying toy apparatus having a body, and a deployable accessory releasably coupled to the body of the flying toy apparatus by a coupling mechanism. The coupling mechanism is typically configured to hold the deployable accessory for an initial period of flight of the flying toy apparatus, and to release the accessory during a latter period of flight of the flying toy apparatus. The deployable accessory may be configured to travel independently of the flying toy apparatus following release.

Abstract: A submersible projectile includes an elongate body. The elongate body has an axial forward end and an axial rearward end and a peripheral surface. The elongate body has a generally elliptical cross-section along substantially all of the axial length of the elongate body. A plurality of fins project from the elongate body near the axial rearward end of the body wherein the fins are spaced about the peripheral surface.

Abstract: A submersible projectile includes an elongate body. The elongate body has an axial forward end and an axial rearward end and a peripheral surface. The elongate body has a generally elliptical cross-section along substantially all of the axial length of the elongate body. A plurality of fins project from the elongate body near the axial rearward end of the body wherein the fins are spaced about the peripheral surface.

Abstract: An illuminated beverage-holding device. The device includes a body that is at least partially formed from a translucent or transparent material. The device includes a light-emitting assembly that is adapted to selectively generate light that passes through the body to illuminate the device. In some embodiments, the device includes a light-directing structure generally between the light-emitting assembly and a beverage-holding portion of the device.

Abstract: Toy apparatus are provided. One embodiment of the apparatus includes a mesh having a plurality of loop structures with cooperative mating surfaces located around the perimeter of the loop structures. The loop structures form a surface of the apparatus when the cooperative mating surfaces are coupled with each other.

Abstract: Toy apparatus are provided. One embodiment of the apparatus includes a mesh having a plurality of loop structures with cooperative mating surfaces located around the perimeter of the loop structures. The loop structures form a surface of the apparatus when the cooperative mating surfaces are coupled with each other.

Abstract: Toy apparatus are provided. One embodiment of the apparatus includes a mesh having a plurality of loop structures with cooperative mating surfaces located around the perimeter of the loop structures. The loop structures form a surface of the apparatus when the cooperative mating surfaces are coupled with each other.

Abstract: A system for reading encoded information includes a housing that has an aperture formed therein, a radiation source mounted within the housing that is used for emitting radiation through the aperture, and a radiation detector mounted within the housing that is used to receive radiation reflected back through the aperture. The radiation source can be an infrared light-emitting diode (LED), and the radiation detector can be a semiconductor sensor.

Abstract: A multiple-reader system for authentication of articles uses a first reader (400) which employs predetermined modulated illuminating light (20) and a multiplicity of discriminating variables, such as wavelengths (110), amplitudes (120), and time delays (140) relative to the modulated illuminating light (20) to characterize fluorescent light (70) detected from fluorescent indicia on the articles. The fluorescent indicia may also incorporate spatial distributions such as bar codes as discriminating features. Additional readers (410 and 420), which may be readers of fluorescent marks and/or readers of other indicia, are synchronized with the fluorescence reader by timing signals. The discriminating features may be re-programmed by the user of the authentication system. Thus the discriminating features define a user-determined and programmable encryption of the articles' authentic identity.

Abstract: A substantially solid transparent body focuses light from an LED wholly immersed therein to a point external to the body. The body is composed of a substantially non-heat-conducting plastic material and has a surface with the curvature of a Cartesian Ovoid substantially in accordance with the formula L.sub.o .times.N.sub.o .times.L.sub.i .times.N.sub.i =C, whereL.sub.o is the distance from a point on the surface to the external point;L.sub.i is the distance from the LED to the point on the surface;N.sub.o is the index of refraction in air; andN.sub.i is the index of refraction of the plastic material.

Abstract: The lens includes a transparent body having a central section and a peripheral section. The central section has a surface with a truncated elliptical curvature. The peripheral section has an inner refracting surface and an outer reflecting surface. The inner refracting surface has a diverging truncated conical shape. The outer reflecting surface has a parabolic shape.