Promotional apparatus and method

Abstract

A method and apparatus for promoting the sale of a good or service including a portion adapted to be elevated above the air/liquid interface of a body of liquid and which, in service, holds an elevated volume of the liquid from the body of liquid above the air/liquid interface of the body of liquid.

1 . A method for promoting a good or service in a body of liquid, comprising: 
 providing an apparatus that is positioned on a body of liquid and which includes a portion that is elevated above the air/liquid interface of the body of liquid, and which, in service, holds an elevated volume of the liquid from the body of liquid above the air/liquid interface of the body of liquid, wherein the elevated portion is open at its bottom to the body of liquid;    promoting the sale of a good, service or both, using the elevated portion while the elevated volume of liquid is present in the elevated portion.    
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the elevated portion includes a cylindrical tube.  
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the cylindrical tube includes a transparent portion that is made from a glass, a plastic or any combination thereof.  
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the apparatus includes a plurality of outriggers for supporting the elevated portion.  
   
   
       5 . The method  claim 4 , wherein the outriggers are adapted for articulation.  
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the outriggers are fixed in a single location, wherein the outriggers float, or a combination thereof.  
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the standing body of liquid is a standing body of water selected from a canal, a river, a bay, a lake, an ocean, a reservoir, a pond, a pool, a fountain or any combination thereof.  
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the elevated portion is configured to resemble an article being promoted (such as a can, a bottle, a food package, a food item, a consumer product or the like).  
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the promoting step takes place adjacent a populated venue.  
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the populated venue is selected from a park, a stadium, a restaurant, a bar, a waterpark, theme park, concert venue, a carnival, a shopping center, an airport, a dock, a rail station, or a night club.  
   
   
       11 . An apparatus for holding a liquid for display, comprising: 
 a portion adapted to be elevated above the air/liquid interface of a body of liquid and which, in service, holds an elevated volume of the liquid from the body of liquid above the air/liquid interface of the body of liquid,    wherein the elevated portion is at least partially transparent for revealing the elevated volume of the liquid, and is open at its bottom to the body of liquid; and    a portion for supporting the elevated portion.    
   
   
       12 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the supporting portion includes at least one outrigger.  
   
   
       13 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the supporting portion includes a plurality of outriggers.  
   
   
       14 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the elevated portion is configured to resemble a consumer good.  
   
   
       15 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the elevated portion includes a cylindrical tube.  
   
   
       16 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein the cylindrical tube includes a transparent portion that is made from a glass, a plastic or any combination thereof.  
   
   
       17 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the apparatus includes a plurality of outriggers for supporting the elevated portion.  
   
   
       18 . The apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein the outriggers are adapted for articulation.  
   
   
       19 . The apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein the outriggers are fixed in a single location, wherein the outriggers float, or a combination thereof.  
   
   
       20 . Use of the apparatus of  claim 11  for promoting the sale of a good or service.