Magical image cups and containers with 3D displays

• US 8,051,590 B2
• Filed: 08/30/2010
• Issued: 11/08/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 05/02/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Disney Enterprises Incorporated (The Walt Disney Company)
• Original Assignee: Disney Enterprises Incorporated (The Walt Disney Company)
• Inventors: Schnuckle, Gary W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Silbermann; Joanne
• Assistant Examiner(s): Islam; Syed A
• Application Number:
  US12/871,709
• Publication Number:
  US 20100321778A1
• Time in Patent Office: 435 Days
• Field of Search: 403/24, 403/26, 404/06, 403/06, 403/10, 220/703, 220/506, 446/47, 446/71, 446/219, 428/34.1, 428/13, 359/617, 359/616
• US Class Current: 40/324
• CPC Class Codes: A47G 19/2227 with means for amusing or giving information to the user A47G23/16 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A47G 2200/08 Illumination
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 11/1001 Piston pumps B05B11/1087, B05B11/1088, B05B11/109 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 15/37 with decorative elements
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 30/40 giving the observer of a single two-dimensional [2D] image a perception of depth
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 19/16 involving the use of mirrors
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 23/00 Advertising on or in specific articles, e.g. ashtrays, letter-boxes on or in vehicles G09F21/00
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/13 Hollow or container type article [e.g., tube, vase, etc.]

Abstract

An optical illusion device such as a drinking glass/cup for providing a multi-dimensional visual display. The device includes a body with tubular sidewalls extending from an opening at a first end to an opening at a second end. A base assembly is provided at the second end. The base assembly includes a top wall, a bottom wall, and a sidewall that together form or define an inner chamber. A visual display assembly is provided with a mirror element with a convex reflective surface or mirror positioned within the chamber with the reflective surface facing the top wall of the base assembly. A primary image element is provided proximate to the reflective surface such that the primary image and mirror element can be observed via the opening in the body. A framing element is included proximate to the top wall of the base assembly including background images facing the reflective surface.

Claims

1. An apparatus for providing a multi-dimensional visual display, comprising:

a body having a front sidewall;

a mirror element spaced apart from the front sidewall within an interior portion of the body, the mirror element comprising a reflective surface facing the front sidewall that is convex relative to the front sidewall; and

a primary image element proximate to the reflective surface between the reflective surface and the front sidewall, wherein the primary image element and the reflective surface are visible through at least a portion of the front sidewall,

wherein the primary image element is a printed image provided on the reflective surface and the reflective surface is elongate with an arcuate cross section when viewed along a longitudinal axis of the body,

wherein the body comprises a rear sidewall and the front and rear sidewall define an inner chamber for receiving a liquid, the mirror element being positioned within the inner chamber,

wherein the apparatus further comprises a cover mating with an opening at an end of the body and an inlet tube extending from the cover into the chamber, and

wherein the mirror element extends along and is attached to the inlet tube, whereby the inlet tube is concealed from view through at least portions of the front sidewall.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the interior portion of the body comprises a unitary piece of plastic, ceramic, or glass and the mirror element is mounted within the unitary piece of the body.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a framing element proximate the front sidewall, the framing element comprising one or more background image elements facing toward the reflective surface on the mirror element.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the framing element further includes a substantially transparent viewing window free of the background images and through which a line of sight is provided through the body to the reflective surface of the mirror element.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the framing element further comprises a foreground image element defining outer boundaries of the viewing window and facing away from the reflective surface, whereby the background images are viewable through the viewing window via the reflective surface.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a light source generating light for illuminating at least the primary image.

7. An apparatus for providing a visual display, comprising:

a body having a front sidewall;

a mirror element spaced apart from the front sidewall within an interior portion of the body, the mirror element comprising a reflective surface facing the front sidewall that is convex relative to the front sidewall;

a primary image element proximate to the reflective surface between the reflective surface and the front sidewall, wherein the primary image element and the reflective surface are visible through at least a portion of the front sidewall;

a framing element proximate the front sidewall, the framing element comprising a background image element facing toward the reflective surface on the mirror element;

a cover mating with an opening at an end of the body; and

an inlet tube extending from the cover into the body.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the apparatus further comprises, and further wherein the mirror element extends along and is attached to the inlet tube, whereby the inlet tube is concealed from view through at least portions of the front sidewall.

9. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the framing element further includes a substantially transparent viewing window free of the background image element and through which a line of sight is provided through the body to the reflective surface of the mirror element.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the framing element further comprises a foreground image element defining outer boundaries of the viewing window and facing away from the reflective surface, whereby the background images are viewable through the viewing window via the reflective surface.

11. The apparatus of claim 7, further comprising a light source generating light for illuminating at least the primary image.

12. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the primary image element is a printed image provided on the reflective surface and the reflective surface is elongate with an arcuate cross section when viewed along a longitudinal axis of the body.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the body comprises a rear sidewall and the front and rear sidewall define an inner chamber for receiving a liquid, the mirror element being positioned within inner chamber.

14. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the interior portion of the body comprises a unitary piece of plastic, ceramic, or glass and the mirror element is mounted within the unitary piece of the body.