Container with reflective surface for creating a multi-effect visual display

• US 7,703,226 B2
• Filed: 08/11/2006
• Issued: 04/27/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 08/11/2006
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Alameda Technology, LLC
• Original Assignee: Alameda Technology, LLC
• Inventors: Schnuckle, Gary
• Primary Examiner(s): Silbermann; Joanne
• Application Number:
  US11/463,951
• Publication Number:
  US 20080034628A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,355 Days
• Field of Search: 403/10, 403/06, 215/365, 215/366, 359/436, 359/439, 359/440
• US Class Current: 40/310
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 23/085 and glued or otherwise sealed to the bottle B65D23/0857, B65D23/0864, B65D23/0871 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 19/16 involving the use of mirrors
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 2003/0272 Labels for containers
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 2003/0273 Labels for bottles, flasks

Abstract

A container for creating a multi-dimensional visual display or illusion. The container includes sidewall and a visual display assembly mounted on an exterior surface of the sidewall. The display assembly may be provided in one or more labels attached to the exterior surface and includes a reflective surface attached to a rear portion of the sidewall. A primary image is positioned between the reflective surface and exterior surface of the sidewall. The sidewall is curved and the reflective surface and primary image are mounted to conform to this curved shape. A framing element is provided on a front portion of the sidewall with background images on an inward facing surface. The framing element includes a view port providing a line of sight through the container onto the primary image and reflective surface, which reflects the background images to the viewer so as to appear behind the primary image.

Claims

1. A container for creating a visual effect, comprising:

a sidewall comprising a front portion and a rear portion distal to the front portion, wherein at least a portion of the front and rear portions is at least translucent to light; and

a visual display assembly on a surface of or within the sidewall, the assembly comprising a mirror element proximate to the rear portion of the sidewall and including a reflective surface proximate to the surface of the sidewall and a primary image proximate to the reflective surface and the surface of the sidewall and spaced apart from the front portion of the sidewall, wherein the reflective surface faces toward the front portion of the sidewall and the reflective surface and the primary image are concurrently and directly visible through the front portion of the sidewall, wherein the visual display assembly further comprises a framing element on the front portion of the sidewall, the framing element comprising one or more background images.

2. The container of claim 1, wherein the surface of the sidewall is an exterior surface of the sidewall.

3. The container of claim 1, wherein the primary image is positioned between the reflective surface and the surface of the sidewall.

4. The container of claim 1, wherein the primary image is a printed image provided on the reflective surface.

5. The container of claim 1, wherein the sidewall at the rear portion is curved and the reflective surface and the primary image are on the sidewall conforming to the curved rear portion.

6. The container of claim 5, wherein the sidewall has a circular cross section.

7. The container of claim 1, wherein the visual display assembly further comprises a framing element on the front portion of the sidewall, the framing element comprising an image obscuring area that at least obscures viewing through the front portion of the sidewall and comprising a viewing area within the image obscuring area that is substantially transparent to light.

8. The container of claim 1, wherein the framing element further includes a substantially transparent viewing window free of the background images.

9. The container of claim 8, wherein the framing element further comprises a foreground image defining outer boundaries of the viewing window and wherein the foreground image shields the background images from direct view through the framing element, wherein the background images are visible through the viewing window via the reflective surface.

10. The container of claim 1, wherein the mirror element and the framing element are provided on one or more labels attached to the exterior surface of the container sidewall.

11. The container of claim 1, wherein the container further contains a translucent or substantially transparent substance in the interior space between the front and rear portions.

12. A container for creating a multi-dimensional visual display, comprising:

a sidewall comprising at least two portions including a rear sidewall opposite a front sidewall;

a primary image element proximate to the rear sidewall;

a reflective surface proximate to the rear sidewall and the primary image element; and

a framing element proximate to the front sidewall, the framing element comprising background Image elements on the framing element, wherein a view of the primary image element and the background image elements, via the reflective surface, is provided by the container and wherein the primary image is positioned between the reflective surface and the front sidewall such that the primary image blocks reflection from a portion of the reflective surface.

13. The container of claim 12 wherein the framing element further comprises a viewing port defining a window through which a line of sight is provided to the primary image element and the adjacent reflective surface.

14. The container of claim 13, wherein the primary image element comprises a layer of ink defining an image that is printed onto the reflective surface.

15. The container of claim 12, wherein the rear sidewall has a semi-circular cross section and reflective surface and the primary image element have a curvature based on the semi-circular cross section of the rear sidewall.

16. The container of claim 12, wherein a label includes the framing element and the label extends about the periphery of the container as defined by the front and rear sidewalls.

17. A packaging system for providing visual effects, comprising:

a bottle comprising a sidewall that is at least translucent to light;

a reflective surface on a first portion of the sidewall and a primary image proximate to the reflective surface, wherein the reflective surface is positioned proximate to the first portion of the sidewall;

a background image proximate to a second portion of the sidewall and spaced apart from the primary image, wherein the background image is visible in the reflective surface; and

a view port that is substantially transparent and positioned on the sidewall directly opposite the primary image across a void defined by inner surfaces of the sidewall.

18. The packaging system of claim 17, wherein the background image is visible in the reflective surface concurrently with the primary image.

19. The packaging system of claim 17, further comprising an opaque frame defining the view port, with the background image being positioned between the frame and the sidewall.

20. The packaging system of claim 19, further comprising a foreground image applied to the opaque frame, whereby the foreground image, the primary image, and the background image are concurrently visible in the system.

21. The packaging system of claim 17, wherein the background image comprises an image printed in a mirror image format.

22. The packaging system of claim 17, wherein the bottle has a non-planar cross section at least in the first portion of the sidewall.

23. A label for use with a container for achieving a visual effect, comprising:

an interior surface for contacting a sidewall of the container;

an exterior surface for positioning distal to the container sidewall;

a framing element provided on a first portion of a substrate comprising a substantially transparent viewing area and at least one background image; and

a mirror element comprising a reflective surface provided on a second portion of the substrate, wherein the reflective surface is positioned on the container sidewall opposite the framing element when the label is applied to the container, wherein the mirror element further comprises a primary image applied to the reflective surface.

24. The label of claim 23, wherein the interior and exterior surfaces are on the substrate and the substrate is substantially transparent.

25. The label of claim 23, wherein the at least one background image is on the interior surface.

26. The label of claim 23, wherein the at least one background image is on the exterior surface.

27. The label of claim 23, wherein the at least one background image is on an embedded surface.

28. The label of claim 23, wherein the primary image and the background images comprise ink applied to the reflective surface and interior surface, respectively.

29. The label of claim 23, wherein the framing element further comprises foreground images visible on the exterior surface of the substrate, the foreground images being positioned outside the viewing area.