Computer graphics processing and selective visual display system – Display peripheral interface input device – Cursor mark position control device
Reexamination Certificate
2000-10-10
2002-04-30
Saras, Steven (Department: 2675)
Computer graphics processing and selective visual display system
Display peripheral interface input device
Cursor mark position control device
C345S156000, C345S157000, CD14S402000, CD14S403000, C040S409000, C040S410000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06380926
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a decorative utilitarian object having a sealed decorative vessel connected, fused, annealed, or removably contained within a utilitarian object, for example, a computer pointer device.
The present invention also relates to a container for holding goods. The container can be for a liquid, such as a tumbler, a pitcher, a barware, a beer mug, a cocktail shaker, a jar with a lid, a lotion bottle, a canister and an ice bucket; for instance, a container for consumable liquids, or the like. The container can also be for a solid, or for solids with liquids optionally present, such as a soap dish (the soap can be solid, but when wet may have some liquid associated with it), a wastebasket (which can hold a solid waste item and/or a liquid waste, such as paper and/or plastic), a bowl (e.g. to hold food and/or drinks, or other items one would store in a bowl), or a toothbrush holder to hold toothbrushes, a vase to hold flowers, a salt shaker to hold and/or dispense salt, a pepper shaker to hold and/or dispense pepper, a tooth brush holder to receive tooth brushes, or the like.
The present invention also provides a utilitarian object having at least one sealed decorative vessel connected to a useful object, wherein the decorative vessel can be connected to or fused or annealed to or removably contained or is an integral part of the useful object. Examples of such utilitarian objects include but not limited to a tissue box cover, a nail brush, a squeegee, a toilet brush and holder, a plunger and stand, a back scrubber, a kitchen brush, a hair brush, a tooth brush, a napkin ring, a telephone, a telephone receiver, a computer pointing device, for example, a computer mouse, a yo-yo, a napkin holder, a mirror, a towel stand, a wine stopper, a coaster, a Christmas ornament and a picture frame.
The container can be sized as desired; for instance to suit the purpose of the container. For example, the container may be sized so it is suitable for display on a shelf or a sink (e.g., a bathroom sink when it is a toothbrush holder or soap dish), or for use in the home to entertain guests (e.g., when it is a tumbler or bowl), or sized to be in a corner in a home or office (e.g., when it is a wastebasket). For instance, it can have a diameter of about four inches and a height of about seven inches when used as a tumbler.
The container includes a first vessel and a second vessel. The first vessel can be open or sealed and is capable of receiving either liquids and/or solids or has means for receiving solids. The second vessel can be hollowed and can be positioned below, or above the first vessel, or in surrounding relationship with the first vessel, thus, an exterior wall of the first vessel can be in contact with an interior wall of the second vessel and vice versa. The first vessel can be refillable. The second vessel can contain at least one three-dimensional insoluble decorative structure or sculpture and/or at least one fluid, preferable two immiscible fluids each having a different density. When present, the three-dimensional insoluble structure is capable of being suspended and floats on top of one of the two immiscible liquids. The Three-dimensional insoluble structure can resemble animals, e.g., birds, mammals, insects and/or plants.
Thus the invention can relate to a container comprising either a first open or a first sealed vessel and a sealed second vessel. The sealed second vessel contains at least one liquid, but preferable two, the two liquids can be different, can be miscible or immiscible. The liquids can have same or different densities, and if different densities, one liquid will be positioned atop the other. The liquid can be a fluid such as air, or that which is normally liquid including, but not limited to water, oil or any type, that could be clear or viscous etc. The second vessel can be a top or a closure or a portion for the first vessel, the second vessel can also be placed adjacent to or in surrounding relationship to the first vessel or vice versa either removable therefrom or affixed thereto; or, the second vessel can be a base attached to the first vessel or serve as a base support. The second vessel can contain at least one decorative particle that can be three-dimensional, such as a sculpture, or a two-dimensional object such as a picture or a drawing or any words or any design or any color of desire. The decorative particle is preferably insoluble in the liquids, preferably somewhat weighted, so it floats on one liquid and is immersed in the other liquid within the second vessel so it can move freely within the sealed second vessel and can remain in suspension. Either one or both of the liquids can be colored, or either one or both can be clear and the sculpture can be decorative that resembles any living thing or any object found on earth or imaginary.
Documents cited in the following text are incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
In the era of computer data processing and the popularity of the word processing program Microsoft Word® and the information super highway, a pointer device for running and operating the program is inevitable. The basic features of a mouse are a flat-bottomed casing designed to be gripped by one hand; one or more buttons on the top; a multidirectional direction device (usually a ball) on the bottom; and a cable connecting the mouse to the computer. By moving the mouse on a surface (such as a desktop), the user typically controls an onscreen cursor. A mouse is a relative pointing device because there are no defined limits to the mouse's movement and because its placement on a surface does not map directly to a specific screen location. To select an item or choose commands on the screen, the user presses one of the mouse's buttons, producing a “mouse click”. However, with all of the computer pointer devices, for example, a computer mouse commercially available, none of them ever have a decorative sealed vessel having liquids contained within to be connected to, fused, annealed, permanently connected, or removably attached, or removably contained within the functional portion of a computer mouse, such as the left, right, or middle buttons or any portion of the housing of the computer. In fact, one will not be motivated to make a liquid containing embodiment as a part of an electronic device, such as a computer pointer device, or a computer mouse for fear that if the liquid containing embodiment leaks, the liquid could short circuit and destroy the entire computer system. Thus, there is neither teaching nor motivation in the art to do so.
Containers for liquids and/or solids are varied. A consumable liquid such as soup, soft drinks, water, coffee, tea or the like may be contained in an open-mouthed container such as a cup. But, open-mouth containers are not aesthetically pleasing, and normally do not provide the stability desired.
A sealed container containing two immiscible liquids, one or both of which is optionally colored is known; for instance, a “wave” device which pivots back and forth generates the appearance of a wave. In addition, it is also known in the art to suspend and/or dispose a three-dimensional sculpture atop one of the two immiscible fluids. Such container is commonly shaped as a paperweight. However, it is believed that heretofore a tumbler and/or a container has not been combined with such sealed container.
Presently available containers for either liquid and/or solids are predominantly an open-mouth container which do not provide features that stabilizes the basis of the containers in order to prevent the container from tipping over. In addition, the available containers do not also it provide an aesthetically pleasing base or top which creates an aquatic motif.
Reference is made to Taiwanese laid-open publication No. 340349 laid open on Sep. 11, 1998, which is believed not to disclose or claim the present invention.
OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An object of the present invention is for a novel, useful utilitarian device having
Allure Home Creation Co., Inc.
Frommer & Lawrence & Haug LLP
Haug Edgar H.
Pan Grace L.
Saras Steven
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