Translucent container

Abstract

A container for storing a liquid includes at least one translucent or transparent side wall with a first image formed on an interior surface thereof and a second image formed on an exterior surface thereof. The first image is formed in a manner such that it is not visible when the container is filled with the liquid. When the container is substantially empty of the liquid, the first and second images become visible to form a composite image.

We claim:  
     
         1 . A container for storing a liquid comprising: 
 at least one translucent or transparent side wall;    means for forming a first image on an interior surface of said side wall, said first image not being visible when the container is filled with the liquid; and    means for forming a second image on an exterior surface of said side wall,    wherein when the container is substantially empty of the liquid, the first and second images are visible to form a composite image.    
     
     
         2 . The container according to  claim 1 , wherein the first image is complementary to the second image.  
     
     
         3 . The container according to  claim 1 , wherein said means for forming the first image comprises embossing or debossing on the interior of said side wall.  
     
     
         4 . The container according to  claim 1 , wherein said means for forming the second image comprises embossing on the exterior surface of said side wall.  
     
     
         5 . The container according to  claim 1 , wherein said means for forming the second image comprises printing or painting on the exterior surface of said side wall.  
     
     
         6 . The container according to  claim 1 , wherein said means for forming the second image comprises a label on the exterior surface of said side wall.  
     
     
         7 . The container according to  claim 1 , wherein said means for forming the second image comprises etching on the exterior surface of said side wall.  
     
     
         8 . The container according to  claim 1 , wherein the first image is formed within a first predetermined region on the interior surface and the second image is formed within a second predetermined region on the exterior surface, the first and second predetermined regions being directly opposed to one another through the thickness of said side wall so as to appear to at least partially overlap when viewed from the side of the container.  
     
     
         9 . A method for forming a container for storing a liquid, said method comprising the steps of: 
 providing at least one translucent or transparent side wall;    forming a first image on an interior surface of the side wall such that the first image is not visible when the container is filled with the liquid; and    forming a second image on an exterior surface of the side wall such that when the container is substantially empty of the liquid, the first and second images are visible to form a composite image.    
     
     
         10 . The method according to  claim 9 , wherein the first image is complementary to the second image.  
     
     
         11 . The method according to  claim 9 , wherein said step of forming the first image comprises embossing or debossing the interior of the side wall.  
     
     
         12 . The method according to  claim 9 , wherein said step of forming the second image comprises embossing the exterior surface of the side wall.  
     
     
         13 . The method according to  claim 9 , wherein said step of forming the second image comprises printing or painting the exterior surface of the side wall.  
     
     
         14 . The method according to  claim 9 , wherein said step of forming the second image comprises providing a label on the exterior surface of the side wall.  
     
     
         15 . The method according to  claim 9 , wherein said step of forming the second image comprises etching the exterior surface of the side wall.  
     
     
         16 . The method according to  claim 9 , wherein the first image is formed within a first predetermined region on the interior surface and the second image is formed within a second predetermined region on the exterior surface, the first and second predetermined regions being directly opposed to one another through the thickness of the side wall so as to appear to at least partially overlap when viewed from a side of the container.  
     
     
         17 . A container for storing a liquid comprising: 
 at least one translucent or transparent side wall having structure on an interior surface thereof forming a partial design, said structure forming the partial design not being visible when the container is filled with the liquid; and    structure forming a complementary design provided on an exterior surface of said side wall,    wherein when the container is substantially empty of the liquid, the partial and complementary designs are visible to form a complete design.    
     
     
         18 . The container according to  claim 17 , wherein said structure forming the partial design comprises embossing or debossing on the interior of said side wall.  
     
     
         19 . The container according to  claim 17 , wherein said structure forming the complementary design comprises embossing on the exterior surface of said side wall.  
     
     
         20 . The container according to  claim 17 , wherein said structure forming the complementary design comprises ink or paint on the exterior surface of said side wall.  
     
     
         21 . The container according to  claim 17 , wherein said structure forming the complementary design comprises a label on the exterior surface of said side wall.  
     
     
         22 . The container according to  claim 17 , wherein said structure forming the complementary design comprises etching on the exterior surface of said side wall.  
     
     
         23 . The container according to  claim 17 , wherein the partial design is formed within a first predetermined region on the interior surface and the complementary design is formed within a second predetermined region on the exterior surface, the first and second predetermined regions being directly opposed to one another through the thickness of said side wall so as to appear to at least partially overlap when viewed from the side of the container.