Abstract: Brewing apparatus and methods have a body, a movable member in the body, concentric relatively sliding tubes or a tube and a rod. A first tube or rod is attached to the body. A second tube or rod is attached to the movable member. A substance is placed in the body. The body is lifted and lowered into a brewing vessel using the first tube. After brewing, the second tube lowers the movable member to compress the substance. The first member lifts the body and places it on a caddy stand. Cooperating projections, depressions, detents and receivers align and snap the body on the caddy stand with the body and tubes held vertically.

Abstract: A disposable packaging form is provided for brewed, hot drinks. The invention allows a user to brew the hot drink, squeeze out the brewed contents, and stir the contents of the hot drink. Each action can be performed multiple times before disposal. In some embodiments, the device of the present invention dispenses sweeteners, creamers, flavorings and condiments. The present invention frees the user of the inconvenience of having to collect, wash, or dispose of the stirrers, squeezers and bags of the hot drink individually.

Abstract: One or more transparent or translucent sheets of cellophane are folded and cuts are made to create symmetric patterns and designs. The cellophane creates diffraction, refraction, interference, and reflection pattern of light that become strikingly visible when viewed under polarized light. The cellophane patterns and designs are placed on top of one another such that the holes in the overlapping sheets cause a variation in the path of light traveling through the layers of the cellophane, creating beautiful and varied optical patterns of light that change with the placement of the layers of cellophane and with variation of the angle of polarized light for a kaleidoscope effect. The cellophane is viewed against the backdrop of a blue sky to provide a source of polarized light. Placing the cellophane on glossy black cardboard brings out the prismatic colors created by light refraction and reflection.

Abstract: One or more transparent or translucent sheets of cellophane are folded and cuts are made to create symmetric patterns and designs. The cellophane creates diffraction, refraction, interference, and reflection pattern of light that become strikingly visible when viewed under polarized light. The cellophane patterns and designs are placed on top of one another such that the holes in the overlapping sheets cause a variation in the path of light traveling through the layers of the cellophane, creating beautiful and varied optical patterns of light that change with the placement of the layers of cellophane and with variation of the angle of polarized light for a kaleidoscope effect. The cellophane is viewed against the backdrop of a blue sky to provide a source of polarized light. Placing the cellophane on glossy black cardboard brings out the prismatic colors created by light refraction and reflection.

Abstract: Brewing apparatus and methods have a body, a movable member in the body, concentric relatively sliding tubes or a tube and a rod. A first tube or rod is attached to the body. A second tube or rod is attached to the movable member. A substance is placed in the body. The body is lifted and lowered into a brewing vessel using the first tube. After brewing, the second tube lowers the movable member to compress the substance. The first member lifts the body and places it on a caddy stand. Cooperating projections, depressions, detents and receivers align and snap the body on the caddy stand with the body and tubes held vertically.

Abstract: A sky kaleidoscope system includes a polarizing film, a first plastic plate having a first transparent design, and a second plastic plate having a second transparent design. The polarizing film is sandwiched between the first plastic plate and the second plastic plate. The first and second transparent designs are photoelastic and/or light diffracting. The sky kaleidoscope may be held up to the sky and the plastic plates and polarizing film may be looked through to view resulting rainbow colors in the first or second transparent design.

Abstract: A disposable packaging form is provided for brewed, hot drinks. The invention allows a user to brew the hot drink, squeeze out the brewed contents, and stir the contents of the hot drink. Each action can be performed multiple times before disposal. In some embodiments, the device of the present invention dispenses sweeteners, creamers, flavorings and condiments. The present invention frees the user of the inconvenience of having to collect, wash, or dispose of the stirrers, squeezers and bags of the hot drink individually.

Abstract: A disposable packaging form is provided for brewed, hot drinks. The invention allows a user to brew the hot drink, squeeze out the brewed contents, and stir the contents of the hot drink. Each action can be performed multiple times before disposal. In some embodiments, the device of the present invention dispenses sweeteners, creamers, flavorings and condiments. The present invention frees the user of the inconvenience of having to collect, wash, or dispose of the stirrers, squeezers and bags of the hot drink individually.

Abstract: A disposable packaging form is provided for brewed, hot drinks. The invention allows a user to brew the hot drink, squeeze out the brewed contents, and stir the contents of the hot drink. Each action can be performed multiple times before disposal. In some embodiments, the device of the present invention dispenses sweeteners, creamers, flavorings and condiments. The present invention frees the user of the inconvenience of having to collect, wash, or dispose of the stirrers, squeezers and bags of the hot drink individually.

Abstract: A disposable packaging form is provided for brewed, hot drinks. The invention allows a user to brew the hot drink, squeeze out the brewed contents, and stir the contents of the hot drink. Each action can be performed multiple times before disposal. In some embodiments, the device of the present invention dispenses sweeteners, creamers, flavorings and condiments. The present invention frees the user of the inconvenience of having to collect, wash, or dispose of the stirrers, squeezers and bags of the hot drink individually.

Abstract: A variety of toy polariscopes are simpler in design and less costly than precision instruments used in scientific research and stress analysis of materials and structures. The toy polariscopes are designed for a variety of objects that may exhibit photoelastic properties such as glass, plastic, Plexiglas, gel candle material and other gels, and even edible photoelastic objects. They are specially designed for objects of various sizes with a variety of purposes such as objects to enhance learning in a variety of conditions and experiences. Special objects are designed to go with the toy polariscopes such as edible and inedible photoelastic objects, photoelastic candle material, a variety of photoelastic/photoplastic stands capable of a variety of displays in interaction with other designed photoelastic objects capable of a variety of interaction and displays. Other optical phenomena may also be observed.

Abstract: Kits for creating optical art come with precut cellophane and/or adhesive tape and instructions for folding the cellophane into origami structures having desired optical qualities and/or applying the adhesive tape in a layered fashion to achieve desired optical properties. Adhesive tape or cellophane cut into specific decorative shapes is provided on a tape roll or sheet for easily peeling it off and applying it to create optical art. Tools are provided for cutting, punching out, or otherwise shaping provided cellophane and/or tape. Instruments such as polarizing films, light sources, and/or polarizing glasses are provided for viewing the optical art under polarized light. These instruments may include toy polariscopes, particularly having an ergonomic design. Diffusion lenses are provided to enhance the viewing experience. Photoelastic models and puppets may also be provided.

Abstract: A variety of toy polariscopes are simpler in design and less costly than precision instruments used in scientific research and stress analysis of materials and structures. The toy polariscopes are designed for a variety of objects that may exhibit photoelastic properties such as glass, plastic, Plexiglas, gel candle material and other gels, and even edible photoelastic objects. They are specially designed for objects of various sizes with a variety of purposes such as objects to enhance learning in a variety of conditions and experiences. Special objects are designed to go with the toy polariscopes such as edible and inedible photoelastic objects, photoelastic candle material, a variety of photoelastic/photoplastic stands capable of a variety of displays in interaction with other designed photoelastic objects capable of a variety of interaction and displays. Other optical phenomena may also be observed.

Abstract: A sky kaleidoscope system includes a polarizing film, a first plastic plate having a first transparent design, and a second plastic plate having a second transparent design. The polarizing film is sandwiched between the first plastic plate and the second plastic plate. The first and second transparent designs are photoelastic and/or light diffracting. The sky kaleidoscope may be held up to the sky and the plastic plates and polarizing film may be looked through to view resulting rainbow colors in the first or second transparent design.

Abstract: A toy, art object, decoration, ornament, entertainment device, advertising device, paperweight, or other device is made of a soft deformable plastic material in shapes of prisms, lenses, wedges, cubes, pyramids, as well as other forms that display the changing stress patterns formed by deformations of the photoelastic material. Magnets embedded in the material apply forces that create new patterns. Polarizing films within, or covering the clear plastic enhance the viewing effects. External forces, such as manual manipulation, springs, strings, elastic bands, clamps and other devices are used to create interesting optical effects. The viewing effects increase the entertainment and aesthetic value of the devices.

Abstract: A disposable packaging form is provided for brewed, hot drinks. The invention allows a user to brew the hot drink, squeeze out the brewed contents, and stir the contents of the hot drink. Each action can be performed multiple times before disposal. In some embodiments, the device of the present invention dispenses sweeteners, creamers, flavorings and condiments. The present invention frees the user of the inconvenience of having to collect, wash, or dispose of the stirrers, squeezers and bags of the hot drink individually.

Abstract: A disposable packaging form is provided for brewed, hot drinks. The invention allows a user to brew the hot drink, squeeze out the brewed contents, and stir the contents of the hot drink. Each action can be performed multiple times before disposal. In some embodiments, the device of the present invention dispenses sweeteners, creamers, flavorings and condiments. The present invention frees the user of the inconvenience of having to collect, wash, or dispose of the stirrers, squeezers and bags of the hot drink individually.

Abstract: A variety of toy polariscopes are simpler in design and less costly than precision instruments used in scientific research and stress analysis of materials and structures. The toy polariscopes are designed for a variety of objects that may exhibit photoelastic properties such as glass, plastic, Plexiglas, gel candle material and other gels, and even edible photoelastic objects. They are specially designed for objects of various sizes with a variety of purposes such as objects to enhance learning in a variety of conditions and experiences. Special objects are designed to go with the toy polariscopes such as edible and inedible photoelastic objects, photoelastic candle material, a variety of photoelastic/photoplastic stands capable of a variety of displays in interaction with other designed photoelastic objects capable of a variety of interaction and displays. Other optical phenomena may also be observed.

Abstract: A device and related method for mixing a powdered component and a liquid component with minimal user interaction are described. A powdered component and a liquid component are separately fed into a mixing chamber. The powdered component may be released into the liquid component by removing a barrier. Alternatively, the two components are drawn into the mixing chamber from respective sources by a vacuum. The mixture is sonicated at precise vibrational frequencies to control the physical properties of the final blended content. A piston-like device is used to remove the blended content from the mixing chamber.

Abstract: Kits for creating optical art come with precut cellophane and/or adhesive tape and instructions for folding the cellophane into origami structures having desired optical qualities and/or applying the adhesive tape in a layered fashion to achieve desired optical properties. Adhesive tape or cellophane cut into specific decorative shapes is provided on a tape roll or sheet for easily peeling it off and applying it to create optical art. Tools are provided for cutting, punching out, or otherwise shaping provided cellophane and/or tape. Instruments such as polarizing films, light sources, and/or polarizing glasses are provided for viewing the optical art under polarized light. These instruments may include toy polariscopes, particularly having an ergonomic design. Diffusion lenses are provided to enhance the viewing experience. Photoelastic models and puppets may also be provided.