PARTICLE

The present invention relates to a method for demonstrating the refractive index matching properties of a particle in a liquid. Despite the prior art there remains a need for improved methods for illustrating the refractive index matching of materials and liquids.

Accordingly, and in a first aspect there is provided a method for demonstrating the refractive index matching properties of a particle in liquid by presenting a container which contains particles and a visual indicia and at least partially filling the container with liquid. The method thus provides a visually impressive method for illustrating refractive index matching of materials.

Preferably, the visual indicia is substantially hidden by the particles before liquid is added and yet revealed when liquid is added to the container. By revealed is meant that it is visually perceived by a person looking at the container. Preferably the container is defined by a base and at least one side wall attached to said base and extending to a rim end and the visual indicia is hidden from view by said particles when viewed from the exterior.

Preferably, the container is substantially visually clear such that any contents of the container can be visually perceived through its structure. Preferably, the at least one side wall is visually clear.

Preferably, the visual indicia is hidden from view when viewed from the side, i.e. when eye level is between a pair of imaginary parallel lines extending from the base and the rim.

Alternatively, the visual indicia may be placed beneath the particles such that the indicia is visually perceived from above once liquid has been poured over the particles. In such a method the visual indicia is revealed once liquid is applied to the particles in the container.

Preferably, the liquid is added such that the visually indicia is revealed gradually as the liquid level rises in the container.

Preferably, the visual indicia is a branded item and the method is thus linked to the performance of a product represented by said brand. For example, the item may be a hair treatment composition, preferably, displaying the brand of an undertaking. Preferably, the item is a shampoo, conditioner, styling composition, mousse or gel.

Alternatively or in addition the visual indicia is an item which represents a product application area. For example, it is preferred that the visual indicia is a hair switch or lock of hair, and thus it represents hair care related products. The visual indicia may also be a means for displaying a brand, for example an item of card or plastic on which is presented a brand to be displayed once the liquid has been poured over the particles.

Preferably, the particles have a refractive index between 1.20 and 1.50 and the liquid is from 95% to 100% v/v water. More preferably, the particles have a refractive index of from 1.30 to 1.47. Preferably, the particles comprise water filled capsules. Suitable capsules include polyacylamide capsules commercially available as Crystal Polymer Spheres from Water Crystal (Unit 28), Hotchkiss Way, Binley Industrial Estate, Coventry CV3 2 L.

Preferably, the particles surround the visual indicia.

In a second aspect there is provided a method for comparing the refractive index of at least two particles by presenting at least two containers each of which contains particles and a visual indicia and at least partially filling the containers with liquid.

Preferably, the at least two containers are filled with liquid sequentially or simultaneously.

Preferably, the method comprises presenting the first and second container and then placing either sequentially or simultaneously at least one branded product within each of the containers. Preferably the method comprises at least partially filling each of the containers with the particles such that the visual indicia becomes hidden from view by the particles.

Preferably, one of the at least two containers comprises particles having a first refractive index of from 1.20 to 1.50 and another of the at least two containers comprises particles having a second refractive index which differs from the first refractive index by at least 15% based on the first refractive index.

In a third aspect there is provided a container defined by a base and at least one side wall attached to said base and extending to a rim end comprising a plurality of particles having a refractive index of from 1.20 to 1.50 and a visual indicia which is hidden from view by said particles when viewed from the exterior.

Preferably, the visual indicia is hidden from view when viewed from the side, i.e. when eye level is between a pair of imaginary parallel lines extending from the base and the rim. Embodiments according to the invention will now be described with reference to the following non-limiting drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a side view of a container filled with Crystal Polymer Spheres ex. Water Crystal; Figure 2 is a plan view of the same container; and Figure 3 is a side view of the same container filled with water.

Figure 4 is a side view of the same container but containing a hair switch. Figure 5 is a side view of a pair of containers being filled with liquid.

In detail, Figure 1 shows a container (1) filled with Crystal Polymer Spheres ex. Water Crystal (2).

Figure 2 shows the same container (1) with capsules as seen from above. Also shown is a branded product (3) surrounded by capsules (2).

Figure 3 shows the same container (1) but filled with liquid (4). The particles are no longer visible but the branded product (3) is.

Figure 4 shows the same container (1) but filled with liquid (4) and containing a switch of hair (5) instead of a branded product. Figure 5 shows a first container (6) and a second container (7). The first container (6) is filled with Crystal Polymer Spheres ex. Water Crystal (2). The second container (7) contains spheres which do not have a refractive index between 1.2 and 1.5. Each of the containers (6, 7) has a branded product (3) placed inside.

In the first container is placed Crystal Polymer Spheres ex. Water Crystal (2) while in the second is placed particles not having a refractive index of from 1.2 to 1.5 (8).

Water (9) is poured into each container and the first container (6) comprises a branded product which is visually perceived through the liquid and particles whereas the contents of the second container (7) remain hidden from view by the particles and liquid.