GB2336706A

GB2336706A - Bubble column

Info

Publication number: GB2336706A
Application number: GB9808776A
Authority: GB
Inventors: John Harold Barnes Kirkby; Joan Margaret Kirkby
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1998-04-25
Filing date: 1998-04-25
Publication date: 1999-10-27
Anticipated expiration: 2018-04-25
Also published as: GB9808776D0; GB2336706B

Abstract

A bubble column display device for use in shop displays and the like comprising: a container configurable to be substantially filled with liquid; a means for producing a stream of gas bubbles entering said container at aperture on a surface of said container, wherein said aperture is located below an upper most surface of said liquid; at least one conversion means selected from a set; a first means for converting said stream of gas bubbles into a plurality of streams of gas bubbles moving in a substantially parallel path towards said uppermost surface; and a second means for converting a plurality of streams of gas bubbles into substantially a single stream moving towards said uppermost surface. The first means is suitably a baffle plate 240 having a plurality of holes 300 around its perimeter (Figure 3). The second means is suitably a baffle plate 250 having a central hole 400 (Figure 4).

Description

A- BUBBLE COLUMN 2336706

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a display device comprising a clear, liquid 5 filled tube with steady streams of rising bubbles, and particularly to an apparatus for introducing lateral movement into the bubble stream.

Background to the Inme-ntion

Bubble columns are display devices characterized by having dear, water tight containers which are filled with liquid and into which are introduced streams of bubbles at the base of the container which rise giving a sense of movement.

In particular, R is known to use bubble columns in hospitals to provide sensory stimulation for children with special needs.

Referring to Fig. 1 herein there is illustrated a perspective view of such a bubble column. The container 100 comprises a water fight transparent cylinder having a circular cross section. The cylinder is mounted on a base unit 110 which includes an air supply and a plurality of holes 120 through which a stream of bubbles are admitted into the main body of the cylinder. In addition, there is an illumination unit 130 comprising: a lamp; a filter wheel and a lens arrangement. The filter wheel contains a plurality of coloured gels. Rotating the filter wheel in front of the illumination source causes the resulting illumination of the cylinder and bubbles to change colour.

It is known to use displays in, for example, shops in order to attract the attention of the public and, as result, generate business. Clearly, where shops are competing for custom, there is a need to make any such displays as visually arresting as possible in order to maximize business. The prior art columns, which could form a basis of such a shop display, are characterized by having simple cylindrical containers with circular cross-sections. The paths traced by bubble streams in such devices form substantially straight lines parallel to the main length of the container. To add visual interest to such devices, there is a need to introduce more variety to the paths of the bubble flows.

Summary of the Invention

The specific embodiments and methods according to the present invention aim to improve visual interest of display devices comprising a bubble column, and thereby improve their use as displays in shop windows.

Specific methods according to the present invention recognize that if the flow of bubbles within bubble column devices are deflected by a series of baffle plates configured so as to produce alternately a plurality of bubble flows and a single bubble flow up the length of the bubble column, then this will significantly improve the visual interest of these devices.

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a display device comprising.

a container, configurable to be substantially filled with liquid; a means for producing a stream of gas bubbles entering said container at an aperture on a surface of said container, wherein said aperture is located below an uppermost surface of said liquid; at least one conversion means selected from a set:

a first means for converting said stream of gas bubbles into a plurality of streams of gas bubbles moving in substantially parallel paths towards said uppermost surface; a second means for converting a plurality of streams of gas bubbles into substantially a single stream moving towards the said uppermost surface.

Preferably, said means for producing a stream of air bubbles comprises:

an air supply; an air outlet device, wherein said outlet device has at least one hole along if s main length; and Preferably, said first means comprises: a baffle plate located within said container, wherein said baffle plate is configured to have an upper surface; Said baffle plate is configured to have a lower surface which is substantially parallel to said upper surface; said baffle plate is configured to have an edge joining said upper and lower surfaces; said surfaces are configured to have a substantially same shape as a crosssection of said container; and said surfaces are configured to have a plurality of holes connecting said upper surface with said lower surface.

Preferably, said second means comprises: a baffle plate located within said 30 container, wherein said baffle plate is configured to have an upper surface; 1 said baffle plate is configured to have a lower surface which is substantially parallel to said upper surface; said baffle plate is configured to have an edge joining said upper and lower surfaces; said surfaces are configured to have a substantially same shape as a cross10 section of said container, and said surfaces are configured to have a single hole connecting said upper surface with said lower surface.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a method for changing bubble flows in a display device comprising the steps of..

creating a stream of bubbles; converting said stream of bubbles into a plurality of substantially parallel streams of bubbles; converting said plurality of streams of bubbles into a single stream of bubbles.

The invention includes a display device comprising:

an elongate tube; a plurality of baffle plates extended across said tubes, wherein -5 said baffled plates are each provided with one or more apertures, and either said apertures are located on said baffled plates such that said apertures are near a wall of said tube, or said apertures are located on to said baffled plates such that said apertures are nearer a centre of said tubes.

Brief Description of the Dra-win"

For a better understanding of the invention and to show how the same may be carried into effect, there will now be described by way of example only, specific embodiments, methods and processes according to the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

is Fig. 2 illustrates a perspective view of the bubble column with baffle plates according to one aspect of the present invention.

Fig. 3 illustrates a perspective view of a baffle plate according to a first specific embodiment of the present invention; and Fig. 4 illustrates a perspective view of a baffle plate according to a second specific embodiment of the present invention.

Detailed Descdplion of the Best Mode for Canying Out the Invention There vAll now be described by way of example the best mode contemplated by the inventors for carrying out the invention. In the following description numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. It will be apparent however, to one skilled in the art, that the present invention may be practiced without limitation to these specific details. In other instances, well known methods and structures have not been described in detail so as not to unnecessarily obscure the present invention.

The current best mode according to the present invention described herein relates to a display device for use in, for example, shops. The display device comprises a transparent, liquid filled container into which is introduced a stream of bubbles at R's base. The paths taken by the streams of bubbles rising up to the tank are modified by various baffles located within the container. Typically, there is included a light source at the base of the container to illuminate the bubbles. However, it will be understood that, for example, the exact shape of the container, the configuration and lay-out of the internal baffles may all vary widely and that the methods disclosed hereinafter are not restricted to one particular arrangement of baffles within the container or the shape and dimensions of the container itself.

Referring to Fig. 2 herein, a perspective view of a display device with internal baffle plates according to the best mode presented herein. The container is formed from three rectangular side pieces made from a rigid and transparent material, for example perspex. The three side pieces are joined together along their longest edges, and the triangular base piece is attached to the three short sides of the rectangular side pieces. The three side pieces and base piece are joined to form a watertight container having a prismoidal shape with a triangular cross-section and an open top exposed to the atmosphere.

Bubble columns having a substantially prismoidal shape, being constructed from flat side pieces, can be made to arbitrary length whereas the prior art cylindrical bubble column containers are constrained to be constructed to a length no greater than that which is accessible by hand.

During the construction of the container, the baffle plates 240, 250 & 260 are permanently located within the container 200. The container 200 is mounted on a base unit 210 which includes: an air supply; an air outlet device and a means of connecting the air outlet device to the air supply. The air outlet device comprises a short length of plastics tube which has been sealed at one end and formed into a ring shape. The open end is connected by a pipe to the air supply. A plurality of holes are introduced along the length of the tube such that when the air outlet device is immersed in liquid and is supplied with a flow of air, then streams of air bubbles are formed at the plurality of holes. The stream of air bubbles 230 are introduced at the base of the container through a hole 220. As the narrow stream of bubbles 230 rises, it encounters baffle plate 240.

Referring to Fig. 3 herein, there is illustrated a perspective view of the baffle plate 240. in the best mode presented herein, the baffle plate 240 is located in a plane transverse to the path taken by the stream of bubbles 230. The baffle plate 240 is formed from a single piece of a transparent rigid material, for example, perspex, and is configured to have a perimeter shape, having a same shape and dimensions as a cross-section through the container in a plane transverse to the path taken by the stream of bubbles 230. Around the perimeter of baffle plate 240 are introduced a plurality of holes 300 which connect the lower and upper surfaces of baffle plate 240. The rising air bubbles 130 strike the centre of baffle plate 140 and, as a consequence, are deflected and flow through the plurality of holes 300 forming a plurality of streams of air bubbles 245. The plurality of streams of air bubbles rise until baffle plate 150 is encountered.

Referring to Fig. 4 herein, there is illustrated a perspective view of baffle plate 250 according to the best mode described herein. Baffle plate 250 is configured to have a substantially same shape as baffle plate 240 and is located in a plane transverse to the paths taken by the plurality of bubble tows 245.

However, in place of a plurality of holes around its perimeter, baffle plate 250 has a single hole 400 in the centre of the plate connecting the lower and upper surfaces of baffle plate 250. The plurality of bubble flows 245 rise up the container until they encounter the perimeter of baffle plate 250. The flows of bubbles are deflected by the baffle plate and directed towards the single hole 400. Hence, the plurality of streams of bubbles arriving at baffle plate 250 leave baffle plate 250 via hole 400 as a substantially single stream of bubbles 255 rising up the container in a path substantially parallel to elongate direction of the container. The single stream of bubbles 255 rise up the container until they encounter baffle plate 260.

Baffle plate 260 is configured to have a substantially same shape and distribution of a plurality of holes around its perimeter as baffle plate 240. The single stream of bubbles 255 arrive at baffle plate 260 and are deflected through the plurality of holes around the perimeter of baffle plate 260 and are converted into a plurality of streams of bubbles 265 in a same manner as the stream of bubbles 230 arriving at the baffle plate 240 as described hereinbefore.

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Claims

Claims: 1. A display device comprising: a container configurable to be substantially filled with liquid; S a means for producing a stream of gas bubbles entering said container at an aperture on a surface of said container, wherein said aperture is located below an uppermost surface of said liquid; at least one conversion means selected from a set; a first means for converting said stream of gas bubbles into a plurality of streams of gas bubbles moving in substantially parallel paths towards said uppermost surface; and 0. Z, a second means for converting a plurality of streams of gas bubbles into substantially a single stream moving towards said uppermost surface.

1/

2. A display device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said means for producing a stream of air bubbles comprises:

an air supply; an air outlet device, wherein said outlet device has at least one hole along it's main length; and a connecting pipe to connect said air pump to said air outlet device.

3. A display device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first means comprises: a baffle plate located within said container, wherein said baffle plate is configured to have an upper surface; said baffle plate is configured to have a lower surface which is substantially parallel to said upper surface; said baffle plate is configured to have an edge joining said upper and lower lo surfaces; said surfaces are configured to have a substantially same shape as a crosssection of said container, and I Q c is said surfaces are configured to have a plurality of holes connecting said upper surface with said lower surface.

1/

4. A display device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said second means comprises: a baffle plate located within said container, wherein said baffle plate is configured to have an upper surface; said baffle plate is configured to have a lower surface which is substantially parallel to said upper surface; said baffle plate is configured to have an edge joining said upper and lower surfaces; said surfaces are configured to have a substantially same shape as a cross30 section of said container; and Alsaid surfaces are configured to have a single hole connecting said upper surface with said lower surface.

5.

s the steps of:

A method for changing bubble flows in a display device comprising creating a stream of bubbles; converting said stream of bubbles into a plurality of substantially parallel lo streams of bubbles; converting said plurality of streams of bubbles into a single stream of bubbles.

v o', 0 is

6. A display device comprising:

an elongate tube; a plurality of baffle plates extended across said tubes, wherein said baffled plates are each provided with one or more apertures, and either said apertures are located on said baffled plates such that said aptitudes are near a wall of said tube, or said apertures are located on to said baffled plates such that said aptitudes are nearer a centre of said tubes.

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