IP Library Granted Patent US 8,797,470
Granted Patent B2
US 8,797,470 · App. 13/549,667 · Granted Aug 5, 2014

System for selectively revealing indicia

View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,797,470
App. No.
13/549,667
Granted
Aug 5, 2014
Kind
B2
Abstract

A system for selectively revealing indicia to an observer comprises a transitioning window having a receiving surface and a viewing surface. The receiving surface is positioned in optical communication with an indicia holder that is configured to removably retain indicia, such as information content. During operation, the transitioning window transitions from a substantially opaque state to a substantially transparent state so as to reveal or otherwise display the indicia to an observer via the viewing surface.

Claims (32)

1. A method for selectively revealing indicia to an observer comprising:

providing a housing having a transitioning window, wherein said transitioning window has substantially opposed receiving and viewing surfaces, and wherein said window is configured to transition between an at least partially transparent state and an at least partially opaque state;

sliding the indicia through an access slot disposed in said housing, said access slot in operative communication with an indicia holder having a ledge upon which the indicia is carried in said housing, such that the indicia is directly removable from said indicia holder through said access slot;

supporting the indicia in said indicia holder in optical alignment with said receiving surface; and

actuating said window to transition from said at least partially opaque state to said at least partially transparent state to allow the indicia to be viewable via said viewing surface through said receiving surface.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein said window returns to said at least partially opaque state after a predetermined amount of time.

3. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

providing a proximity sensor to detect the presence of the observer;

wherein said actuating step is performed upon the detection of the presence of the observer.

4. A dispenser comprising:

a dispenser to dispense an amount of material when an actuator is engaged;

a transitioning window carried by said dispenser having substantially opposed receiving and viewing surfaces, wherein said transitioning window is configured to transition between an at least partially transparent state and an at least partially opaque state;

a controller coupled to said transitioning window;

an actuator coupled to said controller;

an access slot disposed in a wall of said dispenser, so as to receive indicia therethrough; and

an indicia holder carried by said dispenser, said indicia holder in operative communication with said access slot, said indicia holder having a ledge that is configured to support the indicia slideably received through said access slot, such that the indicia is in optical alignment with said receiving surface and is directly removable from said indicia holder through said access slot;

wherein upon the actuation of said actuator, said transitioning window transitions from said at least partially opaque state to said at least partially transparent state, so as to allow the indicia to be viewable via said viewing surface through said receiving surface.

5. The dispenser of claim 4 , further comprising a light source coupled to said controller, said light source generating a light to illuminate the indicia.

6. A dispenser comprising:

a dispenser to dispense an amount of material when an actuator is engaged;

a transitioning window carried by said dispenser having substantially opposed receiving and viewing surfaces, wherein said transitioning window is configured to transition between an at least partially transparent state and an at least partially opaque state;

a controller coupled to said transitioning window;

an actuator coupled to said controller;

an indicia holder carried by said dispenser, said indicia holder configured having a ledge to support the indicia, so as to be in optical alignment with said receiving surface;

a light source coupled to said controller, said light source generating a light to illuminate the indicia; and

a light sensor coupled to said controller to monitor the change in ambient light about said dispenser, wherein the intensity of said light emitted from said light source is adjusted based on the level of ambient light detected by said light sensor;

wherein upon the actuation of said actuator, said transitioning window transitions from said at least partially opaque state to said at least partially transparent state, so as to allow the indicia to be viewable via said viewing surface through said receiving surface.

7. The dispenser of claim 6 , wherein said light sensor is in operative communication with an edge of said transitioning window.

8. The dispenser of claim 4 , wherein said actuator comprises a sensor.

9. The dispenser of claim 1 , further comprising:

removing the indicia from said indicia holder through said access slot.

10. The dispenser of claim 6 , further comprising an access slot in operative communication with said indicia holder, said access slot configured such that the indicia is directly removable from said indicia holder through said access slot.

Assignments (5)
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENT COLLATERAL, RECORDED ON OCTOBER 27, 2023 AT REEL 065382 FRAME 0587 Recorded Apr 22, 2026
From: SILVER POINT FINANCE, LLC, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
To: GOJO INDUSTRIES, INC.
Reel/Frame 075435/0852 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Apr 7, 2026
From: PNC BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
To: GOJO INDUSTRIES, INC.
Reel/Frame 074903/0480 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Oct 27, 2023
From: GOJO INDUSTRIES, INC.
To: SILVER POINT FINANCE, LLC, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 065382/0587 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Oct 26, 2023
From: GOJO INDUSTRIES, INC.
To: PNC BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
Reel/Frame 065369/0253 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Jan 28, 2014
From: GOJO INDUSTRIES, INC.
To: PNC BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS AGENT
Reel/Frame 032131/0600 →