MXPA97007602A - Exhibit device - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to an image forming device comprising a light source, an image carrier and an effervescence generator comprising a liquid containing unit and a propagation medium for gas and for liquid contained in the liquid container unit . The effervescence generator and the light source are placed on a first side of the image carrier and a means is provided for controlling the projection of light through at least a portion of the effervescence generator and through the image carrier, to In order to have a combined image on the second side located in a bets manner on the first side of the image carrier. The liquid is purified water to which a surface tension reducing agent has been added.

Description

EXHIBITING DEVICE FIELD OF THE INVENTION The invention relates to an image-forming device comprising: a light source, an image carrier and an effervescent generator consisting of a liquid container unit and a propagation medium for gas and liquid contained in the liquid container unit, wherein the effervescence generator and the light source are arranged on a first side of the image carrier and wherein means are provided for controlling the light projection through at least a portion of the Effervescence generator and through the image carrier, in order to obtain a combined image on the second side located opposite to the first side of the image carrier.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION An image forming device of this type is known according to the international patent application PCT / NL94 / 00328. This known image forming device has a liquid containing unit containing a submersible pump which, together with a pipe running through the liquid containing unit, forms a closed circuit. Water is pumped through the pipeline while at the same time the submersible pump draws air that can escape in the form of bubbles through the holes provided in the wall of the pipe. In this manner, the air bubbles rise in the effervescence generator and their image in combination with the still image in the image carrier is visible on the outside of the image forming device Basically, these known image forming devices fulfill various effects For example, a moving image may be produced, such as a waterfall, or more usually, the image forming device may be placed indoors or outdoors for advertising purposes, in particular for carbonated or bubbly drinks. It will be obvious to an expert that these beverages can be both alcoholic and non-alcoholic, however, the known device for imaging is not always a Decided to provide the desired illusion to someone who observes the image created by means of the image-forming device, therefore, this device requires certain improvements. A first problem with the known imaging device is that the bubbles of the liquid-containing unit follow a fairly uncontrolled path and that the size of the bubbles is such that the reproduction is faithful to the nature of the beverage i'i r > The bubbling or beer or champagne can not be easily produced.Another problem with imaging devices is that the reproduction of a dynamic flow in a direction different from the ascending one can not be obtained. The swirling or whirling bubbling of the bubbles in the known device does not correspond to the almost linear movement of the bubbles in a vertically placed vessel containing carbonated beverage A fourth problem is that the dynamic flow effects that occur, for example when the carbonated or carbonated beverage contained in a glass is poured, they can not be imitated in the imaging device.

OBJECTIVES AND ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION The invention aims to solve these and other problems and provide other advantages that will be revealed below. The image forming device according to the invention is characterized in that the liquid of the liquid containing unit is purified water to which a surface tension reducing agent is added. The purified water in this context is distilled water or demineralized water, so that the growth of algae or other elements that interfere with the image is suppressed. The addition of a surface tension reducing agent to water has been shown to provide a much more realistic picture of the nature of the rising bubbles in carbonated beverages. This objective is achieved in two aspects. On one side, the size of the bubbles is smaller than when the surface tension reducing agent is not added and, on the other hand, the additive increases the number of bubbles that improve the desired visual effect. In particular, the addition of a glycol-based antifreeze-coolant has been shown to contribute to the realization of the objects of the invention. In addition, this means has the advantage that the application of the image-forming device is possible outdoors and in winter conditions. A suitable medium for this purpose is the product glysantin, from BASF AG. It is desired that the liquid container unit be fully closed in order to avoid contamination and loss of liquid and gas. In this way, a long-term and low maintenance operation is possible in the image-forming device according to the invention, without the need for a refill? i, "i 'px frequent liquid level in the liquid container unit or surface tension reducing agent, which has rapid evaporation characteristics In a particular embodiment of the image forming device of the present invention, the container unit of liquid is provided with a circulation system comprising a channel for the common transport of liquid and gas, and a first and second return channels for liquid and gas, whereby, the channel is discharged to the first return channel for liquid and to the second gas return channel The advantage here is that, by means of the channel in which a common transport of liquid and gas is effected, a predominantly random flow direction can be provided to the liquid containing the bubbles of water. gas that have a whirlwind trajectory, this allows the controlled creation of the illusion that a glass is being emptied. Second return channel for the gas runs on the upper side of the channel. This second return channel is connected to a collection chamber for gas and as the bubbles in the combined flow of the liquid and gas tend to travel upward, the bubbles that have reached the outlet of the common channel are transported by means of a natural force towards the collection chamber for the gas. From i 1, '/? Preferably, the liquid return transport is presented on the lower side of the channel. A very effective embodiment of the device according to the invention is one in which the propagation medium for gas and liquid comprises a submersible pump and a venturi which is coupled to supply the second return channel for the gas. In this form, depending on the quantity of liquid pumped, a corresponding amount of gas is supplied to the liquid stream by means of the venturi action, so that, while maintaining the desired vortex effect for the observer, it can be imitated the dynamic characteristic of a liquid stream containing bubbles. In another embodiment, a plate is incorporated in the liquid container unit and during the operation of the gas and liquid propagation medium contained in the liquid container unit, in order to provide a flow of bubbles directed to the plate. This creates a clean flow of bubbles from the bottom to the top, giving an imitation very similar to the actual glass vertically placed and containing liquid with bubbles. This is achieved in particular if the plate is placed horizontally at the bottom of the container unit of a ',?: -: liquid. Preferably, the liquid container unit is provided with a circulation system comprising a first channel for liquid and a second channel for gas, and the first channel and the second channel are connected to a diffuser to direct the flow of bubbles towards the plate. In another embodiment of the image forming device according to the invention, the plate is placed in inclined form in the liquid container unit, and the propagation medium for the gas and the liquid comprises a submersible pump as well as a venturi that are coupled to supply the gas collection chamber in the container unit of liquid, and during the operation the stream of bubbles coming from the venturi is directed obliquely towards the plate. By means of this modality an imitation very similar to the natural one can be created, for example, of the movement of a liquid that spills in oblique form and runs with agitation downwards, like the movement that is observed when a beer is served professionally, in where the illusion of the formation of a head is created. In all embodiments of the image forming device according to the invention it is advantageous to place the light source substantially in the plane of the effervescence generator. This allows the light coming from the light source on one of the sides, for example, l'11"| 1X to have a glow towards the water from the top, giving a very attractive light effect. To improve the described effects it is desired to place a mirror on the side of the effervescence generator which is oriented away from the image carrier.

In this way, the observer sees a double production of bubbles. It can be shown that the image forming device according to the invention works optimally if the image carrier used is a transparent chiba-type chrome strip. An image forming device that can be used very easily can be provided by forming the liquid containing unit from a flat plate of methyl acrylate which is shaped by means of vacuum application and which is closed with another additional plate of methyl acrylate to form the channels of the circulation system. This makes the use of the image forming device for advertising purposes very attractive since there is a considerable saving in weight, which is achieved due to the small amount of liquid in the unit. As will be apparent from the foregoing, the invention also incorporates a separate effervescence generator that forms part of the image forming device according to the invention, as already described above.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The invention will be described in relation to the drawings wherein: Figure 1 shows an exploded view of a first embodiment of the image forming device according to the invention; Figure 2 shows an exploded view of several pieces of the liquid container unit of the effervescence generator to be employed in the imaging device of Figure 1; Figure 3 shows several pieces of another embodiment of the liquid container unit of the effervescence generator to be employed in the image generating device of Figure 1; Figure 4 shows a schematic front view of an arrangement of several parts of the image forming device according to the invention, in a second embodiment; Figure 5 shows schematically the effervescence generator according to the third embodiment of the image forming device according to the invention; Figure 6 shows a view of the generator of M •• a • p: 'effervescence with an intermediate plate placed in front of it; Figure 7 presents a schematic side view of the effervescence generator that is used in the imaging device, according to the invention; and Figure 8 is a view of the visual effect that can be obtained by means of an integral image-forming device, according to the invention. The general construction of the image generating device in relation to the invention is known from the international patent application PCT / NL94 / 00328 which, as reference, should be considered as incorporated herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED MODALITIES Figure 1 shows a first embodiment of an image forming device according to the invention, wherein an effervescence generator 1 is used that incorporates the idea of the invention. From a light source 9 there is provided, as can be seen in the direction of the observer, an effervescence generator 1, a display plate 10, an image carrier 3 and a cover plate 2. The image carrier 3 shows an image 4 that will be combined with the current image of 1 l '< ) / WM bubbling liquid generated by the effervescence generator 1. For this purpose, the liquid containment unit of the effervescence generator is provided with a circulation system comprising a submersible pump 6, which is provided with a venturi 11, supplying a channel 21 which serves both for the common transport of liquid and gas and for the discharge at point 5 to a first return channel 8 for the liquid and a second return channel 7 for gas. The second return channel 7 for the gas runs preferably on the upper side of the channel 21, and for the first liquid return channel it is advantageous for it to run on the lower side of the channel 21. The flow is kept moving by means of the submersible pump 6 which is connected to the first return channel 8. The venturi is connected to the second gas return channel. Figures 2 and 3 show a possible assembly of the liquid container unit 1. Figure 2 shows the channel forming pieces formed by two methyl acrylate plates 12 and 13 placed between two clear methyl acrylate sealant plates 2. Alternatively, the methyl acrylate pieces can be molded or cut into the desired shape as shown in Figure 3, in which case a single cover plate 2 will suffice. Naturally, the shape of the forming parts I 1-1 'I) /' < / MX channel or the simple cut methyl acrylate plate 14 (see Figure 3) should correspond to the place where the bubbling liquid will be observed, when you have the combined image that is visible on the outside in the image forming device . The liquid containing unit is preferably obtained from a flat methyl acrylate plate which has been stretched to form by means of vacuum application (not shown) and which is sealed by means of another methyl acrylate plate, in order to form the channels of the circulation system. This makes the application of the image forming device for advertising very attractive due to the considerable weight savings that this way can be achieved by the small amount of liquid used by the unit. The screen plate 10 (see Figure 1) which is placed between the effervescence generator 1 (liquid container unit) and the image carrier 3, is usually a milk white methyl acrylate plate provided with a recess where the Images of the effervescence generator and the image carrier 3 will match. By application of submersible pump 6 and venturi 11 it is possible to control the adjustment of the flow rate and the liquid / gas ratio. The liquid used in the liquid container unit 1 must It can be purified, that is, demineralized or distilled in order to prevent the growth of algae and the like, and preferably a surface tension reducing agent is added, thereby obtaining smaller bubbles. and in more quantity, the surface tension reducing agent is preferably a glycol-based antifreeze coolant.For this purpose glysantm, a registered trademark of BASF AG, is used.A schematic front view of a second embodiment of the The effervescence generator 1 is shown in Figure 4. This embodiment is particularly suitable for producing a combined image having a stream of bubbles rising substantially in a linear fashion, from the bottom up.For this purpose, the effervescence generator comprises a plate 15 which is placed horizontally at the bottom of the liquid container unit 1. A submersible pump 6 feeds a channel 16 which is discharged at l point 18 to a diffuser, which simultaneously is fed, by means of a tube 17, with gas coming from the collection chamber 24. At point 18, a distributor discharges the stream of bubbles towards the direction of the plate 15, this stream of bubbles rises from there in a practically linear movement, thus obtaining, in combination with image 4 (see Fig. 1), the illusion of a glass filled with soda or beer.

Figure 7 shows a schematic front view of the effervescence generator "according to the invention The housing of the effervescence generator can, for example, be formed of a 372 mm thick material. with acrylate base A submersible pump 6 is placed on a support plate 19 in the effervescence generator The submersible pump 6 feeds a venturi 11 which is connected by an air pipe 23 with a collection chamber 24 for gas. The liquid / gas mixture leaving the venturi 11 is directed at an oblique angle towards the plate 15, this time placed in an inclined manner, producing in the effervescence generator a vortex effect which is indicated with the reference number 15 '. already explained before, in this arrangement the water must also be purified and must carry a surface tension reducing agent Figure 6 shows the front view where a screen plate 10 is placed in front of the generator effervescence, the screen plate 10 is provided with a recess 22. To further clarify the invention, Figure 7 shows a schematic cross section of the image forming device according to the invention. This figure clearly shows an application provided on top of the liquid container unit with accessories 11"i / a'-i of light 33. The effervescence generator can be constructed in any way as those described above, preferably it is a mirror 20 provided behind the effervescence generator 1, by means of which the intensification is achieved and on the other hand, towards the observer, in succession to the screen plate 10, an image carrier 3 and a cover plate 2 are provided. Another function of this cover plate 2 is to prevent the visual effect is disturbed due to the fact that a false light impinges on the image forming device Finally, in Figure 8, the optical illusion that would be generated on the side of the cover plate 2 facing the observer is shown, by means of the image forming device of the present invention, in this case it is a beer glass in which the effects of whirlwind of the beer being poured and where in the upper part of the beer are visible A head is apparently formed. The image forming device according to the invention can be applied in various versions and in multiple situations. Both in outdoor applications and in interiors and in various dimensions, without departing from the main idea that is specified in the following claims. I 1 l't i / < 7MX

Claims (15)

1. NOVELTY OF THE INVENTION Having described the present invention, it is considered as a novelty and, therefore, the content of the following CLAIMS is claimed as property; An image forming device comprising a light source, an image carrier and a effervescence generator consisting of a liquid containing unit and a gas and liquid propagation medium contained in the liquid containing unit, wherein the The effervescence container and the light source are placed on a first side of the image carrier, and wherein a means is provided for controlling the projection of light through at least a part of the effervescence generator and through the image carrier , in order to obtain a combined image on the second side located opposite to the first side of the image carrier, characterized in that the liquid is purified water to which a surface tension reducing agent has been added.
2. 2. An image forming device according to claim 1, characterized in that the surface tension reducing agent is a coolant-antifreeze liquid with a glycol base.
3. 3. An image forming device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the liquid container unit is fully closed to avoid contamination and loss of liquid and gas.
4. An image forming device according to any of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the liquid container unit is provided with a circulation system comprising a channel for the common transport of liquid and gas, a first and second supply channels, and return for liquid and gas, whereby the channel is discharged to the first return channel for liquid and to the second return channel for gas.
5. An image forming device according to claim 4, characterized in that the second return channel runs along the upper part of the channel.
6. 6. An image forming device according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that the propagation medium for the gas and for the liquid comprises a submersible pump as well as a venturi which are connected to supply the second return channel with gas.
7. An image forming device according to any of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that a plate is incorporated in the bottom of the liquid container unit and during the operation the propagation medium for the gas and liquid comprised in the container unit of liquid provides a flow of I 1! '•: / •' t? > : bubbles directed towards the plate.
8. 8. An image forming device according to claim 7, characterized in that the plate is placed horizontally at the bottom of the liquid container unit.
9. An image forming device according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that the liquid containing unit is provided with a circulation system comprising a first channel for liquid and a second channel for gas, and that the first and second channels they connect with a diffuser to direct a flow of bubbles towards the plate.
10. 10. An image forming device according to claim 7, characterized in that the plate is positioned in an inclined manner in the liquid container unit and in that the propagation medium for the gas and liquid comprises a submersible pump as well as a venturi, which is connects to the gas collection chamber supply, the connection to the chamber is present in the liquid container unit, and because during the operation the flow of bubbles from the venturi goes obliquely towards the plate.
11. 11. An image forming device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the light source is placed 'i i / ara. practically in a plane with the liquid container unit.
12. 12. An image forming device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that a mirror is placed on the side of the effervescence generator, oriented away from the image carrier.
13. 13. An image forming device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the image carrier is a transparent chiba-like chrome lamella.
14. 14. An image forming device according to any of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that the liquid container unit is a flat methyl acrylate plate that has been formed by vacuum application, the formed methyl acrylate plate is completely closed by means of a flat methyl acrylate plate in order to form the channels of the circulation system.
15. 15. An effervescence generator as described as part of the device according to any of claims 1 to 13. l'l I ") / '* 7MX