This invention relates to an insulating glass (IG) window unit designed to prevent or reduce bird collisions therewith. The IG window unit includes at least first, second and third substrates (e.g., glass substrates). At least one of the substrates supports an ultraviolet (UV) reflecting coating for reflecting UV radiation so that birds are capable of more easily seeing the window, and wherein at least two of the substrates are laminated to one another via a polymer-based laminating film (e.g., of or including PVB, EVA, or SGP) that may have a high UV absoprtion. The UV reflecting coating is preferably patterned so that it is not provided across the entirety of the IG window unit. By making the window more visible to birds, bird collisions and bird deaths can be reduced. The provision of the laminated substrates in the IG window unit is particularly advantageous for bird collision windows, because it can further reduce bird collisions by providing an increased contrast ratio, improve durability, and improve processing.

This invention relates to an insulating glass (IG) window unit designed to prevent or reduce bird collisions therewith. The IG window unit includes at least first, second and third substrates (e.g., glass substrates). At least one of the substrates supports an ultraviolet (UV) reflecting coating for reflecting UV radiation so that birds are capable of more easily seeing the window, and wherein at least two of the substrates are laminated to one another via a polymer-based laminating film (e.g., of or including PVB, EVA, or SGP) that may have a high UV absoprtion. The UV reflecting coating is preferably patterned so that it is not provided across the entirety of the IG window unit. By making the window more visible to birds, bird collisions and bird deaths can be reduced. The provision of the laminated substrates in the IG window unit is particularly advantageous for bird collision windows, because it can further reduce bird collisions by providing an increased contrast ratio, improve durability, and improve processing.

A plurality of markers may be arranged in a grid patter to reduce the likelihood of bird collisions with windows or other transparent or translucent structure. The grid may be defined by a plurality of UV absorbing markers and a plurality of UV scattering or reflecting markers. This grid, as observed by a bird, forms a pattern of dark contrast and bright contrast spots on the window while remaining largely undetectable to the human eye. Some of the markers may be applied to window with an adhesive that has been UV tinted.

A plurality of markers may be arranged in a grid patter to reduce the likelihood of bird collisions with windows or other transparent or translucent structure. The grid may be defined by a plurality of UV absorbing markers and a plurality of UV scattering or reflecting markers. This grid, as observed by a bird, forms a pattern of dark contrast and bright contrast spots on the window while remaining largely undetectable to the human eye. Some of the markers may be applied to window with an adhesive that has been UV tinted.

The present disclosure provides an improved self-watering planter which makes use of osmotic forces by including a vertical support which is at least partially perforated or porous, and which doubles up as a reservoir for a set of tiered planter platforms. The soil held by the planter platforms comes into contact with the porous or perforated outer wall of the support, the dampness of the soil thus determining the rate at which water is able to leak out from the support to the platforms. The planter is constructed such that the reservoir of the vertical support extends above the height of the highest platform, so that gravitational and osmotic forces are all that is required to power and regulate the supply of water to housed plants.

The present disclosure provides an improved self-watering planter which makes use of osmotic forces by including a vertical support which is at least partially perforated or porous, and which doubles up as a reservoir for a set of tiered planter platforms. The soil held by the planter platforms comes into contact with the porous or perforated outer wall of the support, the dampness of the soil thus determining the rate at which water is able to leak out from the support to the platforms. The planter is constructed such that the reservoir of the vertical support extends above the height of the highest platform, so that gravitational and osmotic forces are all that is required to power and regulate the supply of water to housed plants.

An insect decoy is provided that includes a vapor-isolated vessel, a chemical compound disposed within the vapor-isolated vessel, and an excitation energy source. The chemical compound may have one or more absorption bands at a set of absorption wavelengths and have one or more emission bands at a set of emission wavelengths. The excitation energy source may be configured to produce electromagnetic radiation at the absorption wavelengths so as to fluoresce the chemical compound and release photons at the emission wavelengths. The vapor-isolated vessel may be configured with at least one infrared transmissive window that is substantially transparent to the released photons at the emission wavelengths of the chemical compound.

An insect decoy is provided that includes a vapor-isolated vessel, a chemical compound disposed within the vapor-isolated vessel, and an excitation energy source. The chemical compound may have one or more absorption bands at a set of absorption wavelengths and have one or more emission bands at a set of emission wavelengths. The excitation energy source may be configured to produce electromagnetic radiation at the absorption wavelengths so as to fluoresce the chemical compound and release photons at the emission wavelengths. The vapor-isolated vessel may be configured with at least one infrared transmissive window that is substantially transparent to the released photons at the emission wavelengths of the chemical compound.

The present invention relates to an insect repellant device. The device includes a repellant for repelling insects and a motor for driving the repellant. A coupler is provided for coupling the motor to a bottle. Advantageously, the coupler may be coupled to an existing bottle, such as a wine bottle, on a crowded table thereby occupying no additional room on the table.

The present invention relates to an insect repellant device. The device includes a repellant for repelling insects and a motor for driving the repellant. A coupler is provided for coupling the motor to a bottle. Advantageously, the coupler may be coupled to an existing bottle, such as a wine bottle, on a crowded table thereby occupying no additional room on the table.