FR2622036A1 - Improvement to changing bidimensional structures - Google Patents

Abstract

Changing bidimensional structure, of the type created by at least one material in particles partially filling a space defined by two parallel transparent plane panels, the rest of this space being filled by a liquid of different density and by several bubbles of air, and this space being delimited by a sealed joint, characterised in that, with a view to avoiding the introduction of excess air occluded by the material in particles, the said filling operation is carried out by vibrations.

Description

 The present invention relates to a new changing quasi-two-dimensional structure of the type formed from at least one particulate material partially filling a space defined by two planar panels at least partially transparent, parallel and very close together (of the order of 1 to 3 mm) , the remainder of this space being almost completely filled with a liquid having a density different from that of said material, and a few air bubbles remaining above this liquid so that at rest, the structure takes on an appearance resulting from the process of sedimentation of said material relative to the liquid, and that, under the effect of a movement, the balance between the material and the liquid is disturbed and the material settles down and stops again in another aspect.

 Such a type of structure is well known, but its marketing is limited to the field of "gadgets", insofar as it deteriorates rapidly, in particular due to the lack of sealing of the joint delimiting the aforementioned space.

Indeed, the filling of this space with the particulate material determines the entrainment of air, occluded between the particles, and which must be extracted for the most part after closing the joint, generally by suction by means of a syringe, which leaves perforations in said seal.

 The system then gradually degrades, by excessive increase in air bubbles and / or decrease in the amount of liquid. In addition, this air alters itself by the usual biological phenomena in stagnant water.

In a few months the structure became unusable, the joint having been attacked by the products of this alteration.

 The consequence has been that these structures have never found any serious commercial application, even though they have considerable potential advantages.

 The invention overcomes these drawbacks, and aims at a structure of this type which is perfectly stable over time, its method of production, and the applications which are made possible, in particular in the field of decoration and advertising.

 Firstly, in order to avoid entrainment of air by the particulate material at the time of filling the structure, it is provided, according to the invention, to operate the introduction of this material by a system with vibrations, by which the particles are made mutually mobile individually, which eliminates any risk of air obstruction.

 It therefore becomes unnecessary to extract the excess air after filling, which avoids the perforation of the joint and the drawbacks which result therefrom.

 Secondly, in order to avoid alteration of the air present in the structure, it is provided according to the invention to introduce into the liquid a compound having foaming and antiseptic properties, in particular fungicides.

Thanks to this, the seal is not likely to be attacked by degradation products, and fully ensures its seal rattle for an extended period.

 As compounds which can be used for this purpose, mention may be made of quaternary ammonium derivatives such as, for example, that sold under the trademark STERILON.

 Finally, according to a third characteristic of the invention, constituting a variant of the general case, the air bubbles which must remain above the liquid and allow the triggering of the sedimentation of the solid particles, are replaced by microbeads or microbubbles of polyethylene.

 This results in a total elimination of all the problems linked to the presence of air, and an ease of handling of the system in which the absence of any blockage of the particles ensures a great regularity of flow.

Thanks to these various arrangements, it becomes possible to create structures of very different dimensions, which can be considerable, and which, by their reliability, lend themselves to wide commercial applications, in particular in the field of decoration, due to the visual effects. very spectacular which can be obtained by means of combinations of particles of different colors and densities, and in the field of advertising, as will be explained below.
Indeed, the phenomenon of particle sedimentation, which occurs by rotation of the structure, for example of 180th, takes place slowly, and undoubtedly exerts a very attractive effect on an observer, who is led to follow the entire course of the phenomenon .An application of the structure to advertising therefore consists in causing the appearance of a brand or advertising slogan during and / or at the end of this phenomenon. Thus, a mark may be affixed to the rear face of a structure according to the invention, being hidden by the layer of particles when the structure is in a first position, then being gradually revealed when, the structure being brought into a second position , the particles slowly settle out at another location.

 The passage from the first position to the second can be done manually, when the observer manipulates the structure, or mechanically when the structure is placed for example in a display case and is associated with a motor causing it to tilt at regular intervals.

 According to a variant coming within the framework of the invention, one can introduce into the structure, in addition to microbeads or microbubbles of polyethylene, capsules of the same material or of a similar floating material, playing the role of floats which slow the sedimentation and which themselves bear the mark or sign to which the public's attention is to be drawn.

 The structure can be rotated around a pivot axis located perpendicular to its plane, but preferably this axis is located in the plane of the structure to facilitate the movement of air bubbles and / or balls, bubbles or polyethylene capsules.

 The materials used as particles in the structures according to the invention should preferably have no effect on the air of the bubbles.

 In addition, they should preferably have clear colors, and for this purpose mention may be made, for example, of sublimed sulfur, of "unwashed" quality, which, in addition to its color, has the advantage of being unmanageable, as well as corundum, colored for example in blue or green.

Claims (7)

1. Changing two-dimensional structure, of the type created by at least one particulate material partially filling a space defined by two parallel transparent flat panels, the rest of this space being filled with a liquid of different density and a few air bubbles, and this space being delimited by a tight seal, characterized in that, in order to avoid the introduction of excess air occluded by the particulate material, said filling operation is carried out by vibration. 2. Structure according to claim 1, characterized in that the liquid contains a compound having foaming and antiseptic properties, in particular fungicide, such as a quaternary ammonium derivative. 3. Structure according to claims l and 2, characterized in that the air bubbles are replaced by microbeads or microbubbles of polyethylene.  4. Structure according to any one of claims l to 3, characterized in that the rear panel carries a brand or an advertising slogan gradually revealed during the sedimentation of the particles. 5. Structure according to any one of claims l to 4, characterized in that it. contains capsules of polyethylene or similar material, behaving like additional floats. 6. Structure according to claim 5, characterized in that said floats carry brands or advertising signs. 7. Structure according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that it is rotatably mounted around a pivot axis located in its plane.