Abstract: A wide neck bottle for dispensing promotional items including a housing including a top section and a bottom section defining an interior cavity for receiving at least one promotional item, a securing element for removably securing the top section to the bottom section, a neck included in the top section including a substantially circular opening, and a cap removably connected to the neck and at least partially covering the opening, the cap including an elongated slot for inserting currency to the interior cavity via the neck, the elongated slot having a length greater than 24 millimeters.

Abstract: An article selected from the group including a bar mat and a rug includes a top layer of non-absorbent material, an intermediate layer of liquid absorbent material for absorbing the sublimation inks to provide high definition printing for line art or four color process graphics including reproduction of photographs and lithographs. The article further includes a bottom waterproof layer interposed with the intermediate layer and having a non-slippery surface.

Abstract: A promotional item for being dispensed in a vending machine that dispenses a product item having a product within a product container upon receipt of a predetermined payment amount. The promotional item includes a product container similar to the product container of the product item, and a compressed fabric article contained within the product container and having an exterior load bearing dimension substantially equal to an interior load bearing dimension of the container. According to an embodiment of the present invention, the product container comprises a plastic bottle cut into two pieces, and the interior load bearing dimension comprises an inner diameter of the bottle. In addition, the compressed fabric article is generally cylindrical and the exterior load bearing dimension comprises an outer diameter of the compressed article. The promotional item further comprises means for securing the two pieces of the bottle together with the compressed fabric article contained therein.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for dispensing promotional and product items is provided, which includes an item dispensing machine. The item dispensing machine includes a payment receipt mechanism, a storage compartment storing the promotional and product items, and a dispensing mechanism. The promotional item and the product item are substantially the same size and shape. Upon receipt of a predetermined payment amount by the payment receipt mechanism, the machine dispenses either the promotional item or the product item, depending upon which item was in position for dispensing. The promotional item includes a preselected monetary amount.

Abstract: A promotional package is disclosed which simulates a product package. The promotional package includes a fabric article compressed into a shape simulating a portion of the external contour of the product package. The fabric article is compressed sufficiently under substantially pressure such that it is dimensionally stable and self-supporting; as such, it provides substantially all of the shape of the promotional package at the position of the compressed fabric article. At least one decorative unit having a shape simulating another portion of the product package is located adjacent to the compressed fabric article. A flexible retainer maintains the compressed fabric article adjacent to the decorative unit so as to form a combined shape simulating the external contour of the product package.

Abstract: A combination totebag and mat are disclosed formed from a generally rectangular-shaped towel having an upper edge and a plurality of panels, each panel having an upper edge, attached to the towel. The upper edge of the towel is substantially adjacent to the upper edges of the panels. A first panel is attached to the towel along all four edges. A second, third and fourth panel are attached to the first panel along three edges, leaving the upper edge open to form pockets between the panels. As such, there is a pocket formed between the first and second panel, the second and third panel, and the third and fourth panel. When the towel is in the unfolded position, the panels are underneath the towel and hidden from view. To place the towel in the totebag, the towel is folded back onto itself such that it is substantially overlying the fourth panel and is substantially the shape and size of the fourth panel.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for providing high definition printing for line art or four color process graphics including reproduction of photographs, on a towel, and involves providing a towel which comprises one face formed of a material able to receive printing by sublimation printing techniques and one face formed of an absorbent material; providing printing on a backing sheet using sublimation inks; and transferring the printing from the backing sheet to the printing receiving face by sublimation of the sublimation inks. The invention also relates to the towel produced thereby.