GB2352501A

GB2352501A - Illuminated toroidal fluid container with decorative effect

Info

Publication number: GB2352501A
Application number: GB9917502A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Glen Michael Arnold; Darren John Goff
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1999-07-27
Filing date: 1999-07-27
Publication date: 2001-01-31
Also published as: GB9917502D0

Abstract

A device for producing visual effects comprising a tubular transparent conduit 2 formed in a loop in which a pump 8 causes a fluid to flow. Visual elements 10 (e.g live fish) are adapted to travel around the loop with the fluid flow and there is provided means to illuminate the conduit and the flow. The rear circumferential margin of the transparent loop may be coated with a light emitting substance so that light transmission and visual effects are produced through the front circumferential margin.

Description

2352501 P148-2 IMPROVEMENTS IN OR RELATING TO VISUAL EFFECTS The present

invention has reference to improvements in or relating to visual effects.

In particular, although not exclusively, the invention concerns visual effects of a decorative nature which may easily be sited in a domestic or indeed a commercial environment for attraction and amusement. Such effects may alternatively or additionally have a soothing influence.

An object of the invention is to provide a device of relatively simple construction which will produce visual effects generating or simulating movement and which conveniently having a light emitting character which enhances such movement.

According to the invention a device for producing visual effects includes a tubular light transparent conduit adapted for fluid flow and formed as at least one loop, means for producing fluid flow around the loop, at least one visible element within the conduit and adapted in use to travel around the loop with the fluid flow, and means for providing light emission to illuminate the conduit and the flow.

The conduit may advantageously be produced from a flexible transparent material shaped into a loop and the means for producing a fluid flow may be a pump.

The fluid used within the conduit may be a liquid or may be gaseous, such as air.

2 P148-2 In one embodiment of the invention the fluid is water which may in use be maintained at a temperature above ambient to accommodate the use of live fish as the visible element(s), the conduit being provided with suitable means for introducing feed for the fish and aeration for their sustenance.

In this instance, the flow producing means may be provided with an aspirator for the purpose of inducing oxygen into the circuit provided by the conduit. Feed may be introduced through a hydraulic isolating arrangement to prevent loss of water and to ensure retention of the fish. A suitable interchangeable filter may also be provided for cleaning the water.

In the case where live fish are to be employed such fish may be of the neon tetra species having bright chromatic markings which in combination with the illumination of the conduit generate a high intensity visual effect as they are carried along in the fluid flow. Tropical fish may be used in which case suitable heating means are provided, but it will be understood that cold water fish may also be employed.

In an alternative embodiment, the visible element(s) may be inanimate and may be magnetized, for example in the shape of fish, which during fluid flow within the circuit of the conduit tend to simulate the appearance of live fish by virtue of the magnetic fields thus giving a marked visual effect. Again, the inanimate fish may have bright colouring, for example fluorescent properties, which in combination with the illumination provided give an attractive visual effect.

The visible element(s) may be any object which can be carried in the fluid flow and which provides a visual effect by virtue of its characteristics in terms of its shape and/or colouring.

3 P148-2 The light emission means may be in the form of at least one light transmitter which may be sited adjacent the conduit in a manner to give back lighting to it and the fluid flow. The conduit may also or alternatively be provided at least part circumferentially along its length or part thereof with a coating of a light absorbing and light emitting substance which will luminesce once sufficient light absorption has occurred and accordingly the light emission means may be constituted at least in part by such a coating. The coating may be other than light emitting and may provide a backdrop for the conduit; for example suitable drawings, pictures or other representation may be carried on the coating to constitute a visual effect and/or complement the visual effect of the moving element(s) within the fluid.

In a further alternative, electro-luminescence may be employed for the light emission means.

By way of example, one form of device for producing visual effects according to the invention is described below with reference to the accompanying drawing which is schematic.

Referring to the drawing a device for producing visual effects includes a transparent tube 2 of plastics material, for example polystyrene, formed as a circuit for fluid flow, in this embodiment water. A coating 4 of a light emitting substance which absorbs and transmits light is provided along the length of the tube 2 on its rear circumferential margin, light transmission and the visual effects produced being through the front circumferential margin.

4 P148-2 The circuit is made at the junction of the two free ends of the tube by a Tjoint 6 in which is mounted an electrically powered fluid flow pump 8, in this example a water pump which serves to move the water unidirectionally within the tube 2. The pump 8 may be provided with an aspirator (not shown) for inducing air into the water within the tube to generate bubbles which of course provide one visual effect.

A plurality of visible elements in the form of magnetised fish 10 is provided within the tube 2 and thus within the body of water. The fish io may be fluorescent or at least light reflective.

A separate light emitting means in the form of a light (not shown) may be suitably positioned to highlight the tube 2 and its contents.

In operation, the device is activated by switching on the power to the light and to the pump 8 thereby causing the water within the tube 2 to flow in the chosen direction and carrying with the water the visible elements which emit or reflect light to give a visual effect of movement within the tube 2 and thus a focus of attention and of amusement. The magnetised fish assume a wriggling movement within the flow which adds to the visual attraction and amusement effects.

The present invention has application in domestic and commercial environments. For example, the device may be arranged around a room at any desired level; in one instance the conduit of the device is situated at the upper level near the coving area. Alternatively it could be arranged around a window or indeed around an architrave. The device may be employed internally or externally.

P148-2 In a commercial environment, the device of the invention may be disposed in a manner to attract attention and may be purely decorative, or may be employed as an advertising medium, the visible elements within the conduit being chosen appropriately.

In a further alternative, the visible elements may be selected for their seasonal significance; thus for example at Xmas the elements may represent familiar characters usually associated with the festivities, for example Father Xmas, reindeer, sleighs and the like, all being given io movement by the fluid flow within the conduit.

6 P148-2

Claims

1. A device for producing visual effects including a tubular light transparent conduit adapted for fluid flow and formed as at least one loop, means for producing fluid flow around the loop, at least one visible element within the conduit and adapted in use to travel around the loop with the fluid flow, and means for providing light emission to illuminate the conduit and the flow.

io

2. A device according to Claim 1 in which the conduit is produced from a flexible transparent material shaped into a loop.

3. A device according to Claim 1 or 2 in which the means. for producing fluid flow is a pump.

4. A device according to any one of the preceding claims in which the fluid used within the conduit is a liquid or a gas.

5. A device according to any one of the preceding claims in which the fluid is water and the visible elements are constituted by live fish.

6. A device according to any one of the preceding claims 1 to 4 in which the fluid is water and the visible elements are inanimate.

7. A device according to Claim 6 in which the visible elements are magnetised fish.

7 P148-2

8. A device according to any one of the preceding claims in which the light emission means includes at least one light transmitter sited adjacent the conduit in a manner to give back lighting to it and the fluid flow.

9. A device according to any one of the preceding claims in which the light transmission means includes a light absorption and light transmitting medium applied as a coating part circumferentially along the length of the conduit to give a backdrop to the conduit and in use the fluid flow therethrough.

10. A device according to any one of the preceding claims in which the coating carries representations which in use provide a visual effect or complement the visual effect generated by the visible elements.

11. A device for producing visual effects substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawing.