Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to a container with one or more secondary objects housed in the container and configured with indicia to communicate a message. One or more secondary objects in communication with a weight are housed in the container. A combination of the weight and buoyancy characteristics of the secondary object(s) supports floating of the secondary object in the fluid.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to a container with one or more secondary objects housed in the container and configured with indicia to communicate a message. One or more secondary objects in communication with a weight are housed in the container. A combination of the weight and buoyancy characteristics of the secondary object(s) supports floating of the secondary object in the fluid.

Abstract: An optical illusion device such as a drinking glass/cup for providing a multi-dimensional visual display. The device includes a body with tubular sidewalls extending from an opening at a first end to an opening at a second end. A base assembly is provided at the second end. The base assembly includes a top wall, a bottom wall, and a sidewall that together form or define an inner chamber. A visual display assembly is provided with a mirror element with a convex reflective surface or mirror positioned within the chamber with the reflective surface facing the top wall of the base assembly. A primary image element is provided proximate to the reflective surface such that the primary image and mirror element can be observed via the opening in the body. A framing element is included proximate to the top wall of the base assembly including background images facing the reflective surface.

Abstract: An optical illusion device such as a drinking glass/cup for providing a multi-dimensional visual display. The device includes a body with tubular sidewalls extending from an opening at a first end to an opening at a second end. A base assembly is provided at the second end. The base assembly includes a top wall, a bottom wall, and a sidewall that together form or define an inner chamber. A visual display assembly is provided with a mirror element with a convex reflective surface or mirror positioned within the chamber with the reflective surface facing the top wall of the base assembly. A primary image element is provided proximate to the reflective surface such that the primary image and mirror element can be observed via the opening in the body. A framing element is included proximate to the top wall of the base assembly including background images facing the reflective surface.

Abstract: An optical illusion device such as a drinking glass/cup for providing a multi-dimensional visual display. The device includes a body with tubular sidewalls extending from an opening at a first end to an opening at a second end. A base assembly is provided at the second end. The base assembly includes a top wall, a bottom wall, and a sidewall that together form or define an inner chamber. A visual display assembly is provided with a mirror element with a convex reflective surface or mirror positioned within the chamber with the reflective surface facing the top wall of the base assembly. A primary image element is provided proximate to the reflective surface such that the primary image and mirror element can be observed via the opening in the body. A framing element is included proximate to the top wall of the base assembly including background images facing the reflective surface.

Abstract: An optical illusion device such as a drinking glass/cup for providing a multi-dimensional visual display. The device includes a body with tubular sidewalls extending from an opening at a first end to an opening at a second end. A base assembly is provided at the second end. The base assembly includes a top wall, a bottom wall, and a sidewall that together form or define an inner chamber. A visual display assembly is provided with a mirror element with a convex reflective surface or mirror positioned within the chamber with the reflective surface facing the top wall of the base assembly. A primary image element is provided proximate to the reflective surface such that the primary image and mirror element can be observed via the opening in the body. A framing element is included proximate to the top wall of the base assembly including background images facing the reflective surface.

Abstract: An optical illusion device such as a drinking glass/cup for providing a multi-dimensional visual display. The device includes a body with tubular sidewalls extending from an opening at a first end to an opening at a second end. A base assembly is provided at the second end. The base assembly includes a top wall, a bottom wall, and a sidewall that together form or define an inner chamber. A visual display assembly is provided with a mirror element with a convex reflective surface or mirror positioned within the chamber with the reflective surface facing the top wall of the base assembly. A primary image element is provided proximate to the reflective surface such that the primary image and mirror element can be observed via the opening in the body. A framing element is included proximate to the top wall of the base assembly including background images facing the reflective surface.

Abstract: A transparent or partially transparent polymer packet is described containing a hand sanitizing fluid in which floats a printed insert. Inclusion of the message-bearing insert promotes the distribution and use of the hand sanitizing fluid for improving hand hygiene.

Abstract: A transparent or partially transparent polymer packet is described containing a hand sanitizing fluid in which floats a printed insert. Inclusion of the message-bearing insert promotes the distribution and use of the hand sanitizing fluid for improving hand hygiene.

Abstract: A microparticle taggant having two or more distinguishable marker layers corresponding to a predetermined numeric code. The plurality of particles comprises a plurality of microparticle sets of at least one microparticle, each microparticle set is characterized by a specific marker layer combination different from each other microparticle set, and the combination of microparticle sets employed in said taggant collectively forms the numeric code. Each specific marker layer combination may employ two or more layers. The microparticle sets employed in the taggant may include at least one datum marker layer coded to include place information and at least two value marker layers coded to specify a value within the place, the datum marker layer(s) being readily distinguishable from the value marker layers and functioning to identify an orientation of the value marker layers.

Abstract: An article, particularly a peripheral for a computer system, such as a card reader, a hub or a keypad, may be provided at a suitable position on a case thereof with a separated space to contain one or two decorative liquids, floating ornaments bearing advertising words and/or designs, miniature landscapes, etc., so that the separated space forms an integral part of the case of the article. The decorative liquids and the floating ornaments in the separated space create dynamic advertising effect without affecting the designed function of the article.

Abstract: A microparticle taggant having two or more distinguishable marker layers corresponding to a predetermined numeric code. The plurality of particles comprises a plurality of microparticle sets of at least one microparticle, each microparticle set is characterized by a specific marker layer combination different from each other microparticle set, and the combination of microparticle sets employed in said taggant collectively forms the numeric code. Each specific marker layer combination may employ two or more layers. The microparticle sets employed in the taggant may include at least one datum marker layer coded to include place information and at least two value marker layers coded to specify a value within the place, the datum marker layer(s) being readily distinguishable from the value marker layers and functioning to identify an orientation of the value marker layers.

Abstract: A decorative cup is formed by attaching a fluid filled tank to the exterior of a cup. The tank also contains decorative particles suspended in the fluid. A pump that agitates the fluid and particles is built into a handle.

Abstract: An article for producing an interesting visual effect is disclosed. The article has a translucent or transparent conduit extending in a loop defining a path of fluid flow. A portion of the loop is contained in an opaque container and a portion extends out of the container. A pump moves a stream of liquid containing phosporescent particles through the conduit. A light in the container charges the particles immediately prior to their movement through the portion of the conduit outside the container where the glow from the moving particles are observable through the conduit wall. Continued operation continuously moves the particles past the light for recharging.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for creating a kinetic water display is provided having a plurality of water jets for outputting streams of water and also having a transparent plate of clear glass or acrylic material. The transparent plate is disposed proximate to and in opposing relationship to the streams of water such that the streams impinge upon the inner surface of the transparent plate thereby forming at least one kinetic shape comprised of ambient air and water upon the inner surface of the transparent plate.

Abstract: A display element including a sealed housing filled with an opaque, translucent or colored transparent liquid and having a screen therein colored on its front side and movable back and forth within the housing. The housing has a front transparent panel such that, when the screen is displaced in one direction, the colored front side of the screen is visible through the transparent panel. When the screen is displaced in the other direction, the colored front side of the screen is obscured or hidden from view by the liquid, which may be white or a color different from that of the screen. In one alternate embodiment, the transparent panel of the housing includes colored message indicia therein, which color matches either the liquid color or that of the colored front side of the screen, the other color contrasting. When the screen is moved in one direction, the message indicia disappears; in the other direction, the contrasting background color makes the message indicia readily visible.

Abstract: A particulate coding material, e.g. for identifying the origin of a product by introducing it at source without its presence being readily apparent, comprises particles formed as thin transverse sections of an assembly of elongated elements, e.g. of plastic or natural fibres, of different colors and/or compositions forming a transversely united structure, e.g. having their longitudinal surfaces in adherent contact or contained in a matrix. The assembly can be produced by combining pre-existing filaments, e.g. by twisting, or by extrusion through a die, and may be drawn-down to a desired size (e.g. 10-150 .mu.m across) before sectioning. The resulting plurality of distinguishable areas in each particle (and, if desired, their relative locations) provide a coding facility. Larger flat bodies similarly formed, and the unsectioned elongated assemblies, also have identifying uses.

Abstract: An inflatable display is adapted to be towed over the surface of a body of water and includes an inflatable body which in the disclosed embodiment has an elongated ballast along the bottom to provide a keel-like structure and a blower to continuously force air into the body to keep it inflated against the slight deflation that continuously occurs at seam lines, etc. A tether is extended from the body to a tow vehicle so that the float can be towed along lake surfaces, bays and beach fronts for promotional purposes.

Abstract: A miniature sized, scenic display which includes a transparent case containing a three dimensional landscape of a village of houses located in a woods alongside a lake, boats and flower blossoms floating on the water surface, a school of imitation fish swimming underwater, and the water circulating variably in the lake by means of a paddle mechanism, so to give movement to the floating and swimming objects.

Abstract: A display unit comprising means for carrying means which moves a reflector plate to be moved between a display position which is in the proximity to or in contact with a transparent plate located on a display surface and a non-display position separated away from the display position, with the plate being rotated about an axis disposed in parallel to a surface of the plate.

Abstract: A display device in which a banner towed behind a moving vehicle such as a boat, is stabilized by a self-regulating drogue parachute attached to the trailing end of the banner so as to maintain the banner in a vertical plane with its longitudinal axis substantially horizontal, for a wide range of air speeds. When not in use, the banner is wound onto a roller rotatably and removably mounted on a support carried by the vehicle.