Abstract: A method for manufacturing a laser-cut, inlayed panel uses a computerized laser-cutting technique that includes the steps of: providing an art master rendering that is desired to constitute a decorative design for the inlaid panel; scanning electronically the art master to form an art master data file; transferring the art master data file to a CAD software system to form an art master CAD file having machine code coordinates; coordinating a laser beam to cut-through a first background panel and create negative image voids on the inlaid panel; driving a CNC laser cutting machine in response to the machine code coordinates; second coordinating a laser beam to cut through a second panel for forming positive images that become inlay elements; bonding the first background panel and the second panel for forming a composite panel; placing the inlay element in appropriate voided spaces on the background panel and bonded to the substrate; finishing the composite panel; finishing the inlay elements.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing an inlayed panel uses the steps of providing an art master rendering as constitute a decorative design for the inlaid panel; scanning electronically the art master to form an art master data file; transferring the art master data file to a CAD software system to form an art master CAD file; coordinating a laser beam to cut-through a first background panel and create negative image voids; driving a CNC laser cutting machine in response to the machine code coordinates; coordinating a laser beam to cut through a second panel for forming positive images that become inlay elements; bonding the first background panel and the second panel; placing the inlay element in appropriate voided spaces; and finishing the composite panel and the inlay elements. A decorative panel is also formed of panel portions cut by laser using data inputted directly into a computer graphics system.

Abstract: A container having a bottom, a side wall and a rim defining the container top can be filled with a fluid such as water. An enclosure holding an energy source (e.g. a battery) and a switch is disposed at the container bottom, preferably within the container. A resilient cover on the enclosure defines a movable contact of the switch and provides open and closed states with a fixed contact within the enclosure. A member disposed externally of the enclosure and defining an electrical circuit with the energy source and the switch becomes illuminated in accordance with the flexing of the cover. A button disposed at the container bottom extends through the container bottom in a sealed relationship with the container bottom and engages the resilient cover when the container is disposed with a particular force on a support surface or when the container on the support surface becomes at least partially filled with fluid.

Abstract: The front end of a body portion on a hat (e.g. cap) may be continuous and the rear end may have separable sections. The hat may have a visor to form a cap defined by two (2) cloth layers separated by a backing member (e.g. cardboard). The backing member and the visor lower layer may have matching apertures to receive a module defined by a container and a cover pivotable on the container between open and closed positions. A switch, a battery and a printed circuit board may be disposed in the container. The switch may be manually closed, with the container closed, to energize electrical circuitry on the board. Such energizing may illuminate a member (e.g. LED) preferably disposed on the body portion and optically coupled to a display member to illuminate an individual design on the display member. The display member may be attached to the continuous front external surface of the body portion. Alternatively, the hat may have a band on the internal surface of the body portion.