Abstract: An electrical device characterized by alternative battery power supplies including an electrical circuit, a pre-installed first battery power supply disposed in a non-user-accessible portion of the device and a user-accessible compartment for receipt of a second battery power supply. The first supply is initially operatively connected to the circuit, and the presence of a second supply in the compartment operatively connects the second supply to the circuit to power the circuit regardless of the presence or absence of the first supply in the circuit. Preferably the first supply is mechanically operatively disconnected from the circuit when the second supply is in the compartment.

Abstract: A method of simulating stained glass art includes the steps of providing a first substrate having an easy release upper surface and applying to such upper surface a pattern of viscous leading paint. A covering of coloring paint is then applied to at least one area of such upper surface peripherally defined by the leading Paint pattern, the coloring paint covering fully extending over the area and contacting the leading paint pattern. The pattern of leading paint and the covering of coloring paint is then removed as an integral, flexible, self-sustaining unit, and the removed unit is finally applied to a second substrate.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display device includes a base supporting a laminate which has an LC-layer (liquid crystal layer) formed of polymeric material holding micro-volumes of liquid crystal material, and a conductive layer on one surface of the LC-layer, the other surface of the LC-layer being substantially conductor-free, and apparatus for transitory application of potential through the LC-layer to the conductive layer to produce an image. The LC-layer has at least about 50% by weight of the polymeric material and less than 50% of the liquid crystal material by weight of the LC-layer, and the duration of image retention after transitory application of potential ceases is significantly extended.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display device includes a base supporting a laminate which has an LC-layer (liquid crystal layer) formed of polymeric material holding micro-volumes of liquid crystal material, and a conductive layer on one surface of the LC-layer, the other surface of the LC-layer being substantially conductor-free, and apparatus for transitory application of DC electrical potential through the LC-layer to the conductive layer to produce an image. The invention provides improved image quality independent of application technique and without degradation of the laminate.

Abstract: A slate, such as a writing/drawing slate, includes a base supporting a laminate which has an LC-layer (liquid crystal layer) formed of polymeric material holding micro-volumes of liquid crystal material, a conductive layer on one surface of the LC-layer, and a substantially transparent protective overlayer on the other surface of the LC-layer, apparatus for transitory application of potential through the LC-layer to the conductive layer to produce an image on the image-displaying surface area, and apparatus secured to the base to facilitate erasing of the image. In preferred embodiments the other surface of the LC-layer is substantially conductor-free.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display device includes a base supporting a laminate which has an LC-layer (liquid crystal layer) formed of polymeric material holding micro-volumes of liquid crystal material, and a conductive layer on one surface of the LC-layer, the other surface of the LC-layer being substantially conductor-free, and apparatus for transitory application of potential through the LC-layer to the conductive layer to produce an image.

Abstract: A rotatable caddy includes a stationary frame and a generally cylindrical carrier rotatably disposed in the frame and defining longitudinally-extending compartments on the periphery thereof for the storage of elongate articles therein, such as crayons. A knob is provided for rotating the carrier about its longitudinal axis relative to the frame, and another knob is provided for discharging from a selected compartment any elongate article therein. A passageway is provided for feeding an elongate article into an empty one of the compartments without disassembly of the caddy and for releasably maintaining the elongate articles fed into the compartments in their respective compartments during rotation of the carrier relative to the frame. An anti-jamming mechanism is preferably also provided for relocating an elongated article only partially received in a compartment aligned with the feed means from that compartment and into a storage location as the carrier rotates.

Abstract: A combination food carrier and amusement device comprising first and second panels having a removable bag member and a book secured to the inner surfaces thereof. The first and second panels are provided with removable handle portions which enable the device to transport food items retained in a bag member. The bag member and the handle portions are disposable so that the device remains as a unique amusement device and book.

Abstract: There is disclosed a game (10) comprised of a base (16) with a central hub (24), a playing board (28) which is removeably mounted on the base over the central hub and is held thereto so that it will not rotate with respect to the base. A transparent turntable (38) having a plurality of pockets (40) contained therein is rotatably mounted on the base by means of cooperating bearing means (44, 46) formed in the lower surface of the turntable and the upper surface of the central hub. The playing board includes a playing surface (29) with a number of spaces (34) printed thereon. The number of spaces on the playing surface and the pockets formed within the turntable are identical whereby in the starting position, the pockets, and the spaces will be aligned. During play, playing pieces (12) are placed in the pockets over spaces on the playing surface for movement over the playing surface. The turntable may be rotated during play to transport the playing pieces over different spaces on the playing surface.

Abstract: A game board (10) upon which a game is played with flat chips or discs (20) provided with different colors (22, 24) on opposite sides thereof. The game board is provided with a playing surface (12) having a plurality of openings (26) formed therein. Each of the openings is formed as a deep pocket with a shoulder (28) adjacent and below the playing surface whereby a disk (20) when placed within an opening (26) and resting on a shoulder (28) may be flipped over or rotated to show the color of the disc on the opposite side without removing the disc from the playing surface. The game board also includes a storage area (16) having two storage compartments (18) therein for holding discs when not in use.

Abstract: A code reading system is disclosed utilizing a novel, multicolored, densely packed code read by a scanner which is placed over the code and held in place while the scanner performs its reading function. The scanner includes lighting means which are sequentially flashed on the code, as well as optical means to pick up an image received from the code during each sequential flash. The optical means directs the received image onto an imager where it is recorded. After a predetermined sequence, the received images recorded on the imager are fed to a microprocessor for storage and manipulation.

Abstract: A generally rectangular sheet of self-supporting material such as paperboard is scored and cut in such a manner as to be foldable into a fast food carry-out tray which can be converted after use by manipulation of preformed tear and fold lines into a hand puppet. The fast food carry-out tray has at least one opening extending into a tray cavity for receiving a paper cup or food item. In a preferred embodiment, the tray is also provided with a box-like cover. The sheet material is printed with designs or indicia which suggest a hand puppet character. Cut-out tabs may also be provided for insertion into the sheet material to further create an impression of eyes, a nose, or the like of a hand puppet character.

Abstract: A microscope in which the lens assembly and viewing stage can be positioned at any of several predetermined angular orientations for ease of viewing, the lens assembly includes a zoom magnification capability, and two slides can be pivotably mounted on the viewing stage for alternative positioning in the lens viewing zone without removal of the viewer's eye from the viewing lens, permitting rapid comparison of specimens. A base member has a curved channel, and a frame member has a curved portion with curvature matching that of the channel, permitting the frame member to be positioned on the base member with an adjustable angular orientation. A locking pin passes through an opening in the frame member and rests in a groove in the base member to retain the frame member at a predetermined angular orientation.

Abstract: An electrical indicating device having an animal appearance with indicator lights, incorporated as a part of the features of the animal, to be energized to indicate selection of a right answer from among a number of possible answers. A casing is formed of two portions which cooperate to define a chamber. The outer configuration of the casing provides an animal appearance, with the indicator lights included as features of the animal. A mounting member fastened within the casing mounts circuitry including a probe that extends out of the casing. The probe includes an inner pin and a surrounding tube separated by an insulator. When the probe is touched to an electrically conductive area, the pin and tube are interconnected to complete the circuitry energizing the indicator lights.

Abstract: An activity block and method of making same, wherein the block includes a box-shaped body piece having windows therein and having a sheet visible through the windows and having a backing piece which snaps into the body piece for holding the sheet in the windows.