US2185733A - Process and apparatus for producing indicia tubes for display devices - Google Patents

Description

A. KAUFMAN Jan. 2, 1940.

PROCESS AND APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING INDICIA TUBES FOR DISPLAY DEVICES Filed June 2, 1936 5 Sheets-Sheet l fl'qZ.

Jan. 2, 1940. KAUFMAN 2,185,733

PROCESS AND APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING INDICIA TUBES FOR DISPLAY DEVICES Filed June 2, 1956 s Sheets-Sheet .2-

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v I I A IN ENTOR //Z W' I Y A ATTOR Jan. 2, 1940. KAUFMAN 2,185,733

PROCESS AND APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING INDICIA TUBES FOR DISPLAY DEVICES Filed June 2, 1936 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 m2 5; ,8 L74 3% 88 24 i 5 I l v 97 4 -/04 "2 Q 1!! m4 m t 5% A :41? I32 M0 3 km 54 ""Y/ ,0 7% /2 Q \IQJVENTOR 5 R BY b M ATTO Patented Jan. 2, 1940 PATENT OFFICE PROCESS AND APPARATUS FOR PRODUC- ING INDICIA TUBES FOR DISPLAY DE- VICES Alfonse Kaufman, Long Beach, N. Y., assignor to Biolite Incorporated, New York, N. Y., a corporation of New York Application June 2, 1936, Serial No. 83,100

4 Claims.

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a rapid method of producing display devices of the type wherein the efiectiveness of the device is produced by a moving column of liquid confined in a transparent form which may constitute a letter, or other indicia, or a portion thereof, either alone or as a portion of a word, name, slogan, or the like, and whereinattention of an observer is attracted by the moving liquid within the form, the motion being produced by bubbles rising rapidly through the liquid in its transparent container.

More particularly, the present invention relates to glass tubing containing a colored liquid preferably of low boiling point and maintained under sub-atmospheric pressure and wherein the liquid is broken up into separated sections by bubbles generated in the liquid solely by application of heat to the tubing, the motion of the bubbles in the tubing being an important means of attracting attention to the display.

The source of heat for producing the bubbles also conveniently supplies an illumination for the display, which adds materially to the attractiveness of the motion imparted by the bubbles in the liquid.

In carrying out the present invention, a glass tube is provided of sufficiently small diameter to maintain a meniscus of. liquid and to preserve moving columns of liquid and gas (vapor) produced from the liquid; and the present inven tion is concerned principally with the method of making the tube and introducing the liquid therein.

Generally speaking, the structure of the present invention is a glass tube of the above-indicated character, in which a volatile liquid such as acetone, ether, alcohol, or other volatile liquids containing dissolved coloring matter has been introduced. the tube being highly evacuated so as to substantially depress the already low boiling point of the liquid, whereby upon application of only moderate warmth to the tube, a portion of the liquid becomes vaporized, and the resulting vapors form bubbles which pass through the liquid, causing displacement and movement thereof, the vapors recondensing to liquid as soon as they reach the cooler portions of the tube; and the present invention relates to the shaping, evacuation and filling of the tubes with the liquid, whereby the desired display will be produced.

One of the objects of the invention, therefore, is to provide an improved process for the production of displays of the above-indicated character, wherein the steps are simple and are interrelated sequentially to produce a highly expeditiously executed process from the initial manipulations effected on the tube to the completed indicia.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved process for evacuating and filling the tube with liquid.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a tube of the character above-indicated, which is preformed into a desired indicia, and which is provided with a simple means for enabling the tube to be evacuated, filled with a predetermined amount of liquid, and sealed.

A further object of the invention is to provide improved means for expeditiously carrying out the operations of evacuating the preformed tube and to fill the tube with a measured quantity of fluid wherein the operations of evacuating, filling and sealing of the tube may be carried out by simple manipulations of the said means and without necessitating handling or manipulation of the tube itself during these operations.

Further objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent as the description proceeds, and the features of novelty will be pointed out in particularity in the appended claims; and the invention accordingly comprises the sequence of steps of the operation, the features of construction, combination of elements, and arrangement of parts which will be exemplified in the construction hereinafter set forth and the scope of the application of which will be indicated in the claims.

The invention will be understood more readily by reference to the accompanying drawings in which Fig. 1 is a fragmentary elevational view of a glass tube showing the first stage of production of a desired indicia.

Fig. 2 is a similar view showing a further stage of production of the indicia.

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Figs. 1 and 2, but taken at right angles to Fig. 2 and showing the application of a sealing tube to Figs. 1 and 2.

Fig. 4 is an elevation of a tube bent into the form of a simple letter or indicia, showing the tube ready for the attachment of the tube of Figs. 1, 2 and 3.

Fig. 5 is a view of the indicia tube of Fig. 4 showing the tube of Figs. 1, 2 and 3 applied thereto and the exhaust neck sealed oif to form the completed tube with liquid therein.

Fig. 6 is a sectional elevation of an apparatus for evacuating and filling a tube with fluid, the

the showings of Figs. 1 to 5 inclusive.

Fig. 7 is a sectional elevation of the apparatus shown in elevation at the left of Fig. 6, showing the tube in exhausting and filling position.

Fig. 8 is a sectional elevation of one of the valves of the apparatus'of Fig. 7, the view being taken generally on the line 8-8 of Fig. 7 and showing the valve in open position.

Fig. 9 is a view similar to Fig. 8, but showing the valve in closed position.

Fig. 10 is an enlarged view of the valve construction shown at the left of Fig. 7, showing the valve in open position.

Fig. 11 is a sectional elevation of a modified form of apparatus of the type shown in Fig. 10.

The present invention is directed to the method of producing the character or letter indicia for the energy required to produce the bubbling and light may be supplied to illuminate the liquid and the bubbles. The translucent part is in the form of a character such as a letter,- numeral, a sign,

an emblem or a design, or any combination thereof. It will be understood, also, that the term "translucent as employed in the description and claims herein is intended to embrace the term transparent.

49 The liquid occupies but part of the space within the device, the pressure within the remainder of the space being at less than atmospheric. at room temperature. A volatile liquid such as acetone or ether is preferably employed. This may have 1 5 sufilcient natural color for display purposes, or-

coloring matter may be added. The bubbling is attained by heating the lower end of the de- .vice (indicia tubes) whereby, as will be apparent as the description proceeds, a part of the liquid 50 is vaporized and passes through the remainder of the liquid to the top of the device when the normal room temperature causesthe vapors to condense and fall back as a liquid toward the bottom of the device. The result is, therefore, that when the indicia are formed, filled with liquid as will be described herein, and assembled properly to produce the desired display, they will have moving gaseous and liquid elements therein for enhancing the display eflects of the device, the gaseous phase of the components of the device being produced solely by the application of heat to the indicia, as described above, which pro-. duces an intermittent but regular motion within the liquid.

The liquid in the indicia tubes may be colored in any convenient way as by having a dye in solution as a constituent. Colored suspensions or powders may be used. The liquid remains in contact with the heated portion of the tube for a relatively short period during the operation of the device, and the liquid which is so in contact changes constantly so as to retain its color after long use, neither dye nor suspended coloring matter baking out on the walls of the heated per-- tions of the tube.

tube having been prepared in accordance with The accompanying drawings illustrate the manipulative operations involved in the production of the completed indicia, and there are also shown in the drawings details of the apparatus,

in preferred form, which is used for exhausting the tubes and for filling the tubes with liquid while maintaining the said. tubes and liquid therein under subatmospheric pressures, and for holding the tubes for enabling themto be readily sealed off for retaining the liquid under vacuum in the completed tubes, all of which is accomplished without necessitating handling or manipulation of the tubes during the evacuating, filling and sealing of! of the tubes.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, it will be seen thatA represents generally a glass tube. which is sealed at one end and which has been blown, adjacent to its sealed end, into an enlarged bulb l8 by any well known glass manipulating practice, this bulb l8 forming finally a fluid reservoir, as will become apparent. The tube A is also provided, immediately adjacent to the bulb is, with a. constricted portion 2ll,which is formed into the soft glass by any standard practice. Conveniently this is done by holding the glass tube in a jaw-clamping apparatus, while heating the portion of the tube thus held and the sealed end thereof until the glass becomes plastic, the open end of the tube being attached to a convenient source of air pressure, whereby the en-.

largement of the bulb i8 is produced.

heated at the constricted portion 20 until it .becomes plastic, when it is bent sharply as indicated at'22 in Fig. 2,. the air pressure being still applied, forming a capillary passage.

The tube A is then heated at a localized spot above the bend 22, as indicated at 24. with application of air pressure until a hole is blown through the tube at the point 24, which provides an orifice to which is sealed a branch tube 26, care being taken 'to assure the tube 28 being secured to the tube Am a perfect seal all around the orifice 24. The side tube 26 is intended to serve as an exhaust tube as will be apparent hereinafter.

- At this stage ofthe' proceedings, 9. second glass tube B may be taken, and sealed at one end, as indicated at 28. The tube is then heated in a region 30 and bent in a predetermined manner such as is indicated for example in Fig. 4, wherein the bend is made at right angles, thereby producing the letter L. Care is taken during the bending to applyair pressure, as is well known in glass bending, so as to maintain the tube in the region of the bend, of substantially the same diameter as the remainder of the tube. The tube B may thenbe heated at the elbow of the bend while applying air pressure thereto, until an open- I The tube B is now to be evacuated and filled I with the desired quantity of'liqui'd.

Figs. 6 to 11 inclusive conveniently is-employed,

In order to do this, the apparatus shown' in' since it permits the evacuation and filling of the tube without requiring-any handlingormanipulation of the tube during the evacuating and filling operations. I

In order to carry out these operations, the tube is mounted in an improved evacuating and filling apparatus indicated generally at C in Fig. 6, and which will be described in greater detail hereinafter.

This apparatus is connected by a delivery tube 36 to a distillation flask or similar receptacle 36 which contains a supply of volatile liquid 40, which liquid may be acetone, or ether or other suitable volatile liquid, which is heated in a constant temperature water bath 42, of any desired standard type.

The flask 38 is provided with a usual reflux condenser 44, through which water is maintained in circulation, this condenser being fitted into the flask 38 through a hole in a two hole stopper 46, the delivery tube 36 passing through the other hole of the stopper, and down into the flask 38 to approximately the bottom of the flask.

As will be pointed out in greater detail hereinafter, the apparatus C is attached to a vacuum line through a connection such as is indicated by tube 48, whereby upon suitable manipulation of a valve system, which will be described hereinafter, liquid from the flask 38 will be drawn over through the tube 36 until a gage tube 50, forming a part of the apparatus C-becomes filled with the liquid, this gage tube being the measure of the liquid which is to be inserted in the indicia tube B.

The liquid 40 in the flask 38 is heated by the bath 42 to its boiling point so that there will be no dissolved air or other gases present in the liquid that is drawn over through the tube 36.

The bath 42 is conveniently a constant temperature water bath, it being provided with a cover 52 through which passes an electric heater 54, this heater being immersed in a body of water 56 contained in the water bath receptacle 42.

The temperature of the bath may be controlled by any suitable thermostatic control mechanism in circuit with the heater 54, such mechanism being operable responsively to temperature changes in the water 56 of predetermined amounts, a rise of temperature above that for which the thermostat control is operative shutting off the supply of current to the heater 54, so that the temperature of the bath will fall for a predetermined amount. when the temperature responsive mechanism will again become operative to restore the current flow through the the apparatus C comprises a housing 62 in which is mounted a plug 64 which is exteriorly threaded as shown at 66, and which is provided with an interior duct 68. This duct 68 is branched as indicated at I0, this branch leading to a vacuum line, not shown, through a rubber connection I2, which is controlled by a valve I4.

The plug 64 is provided with a recess in its threaded end, this recess containing a resilient washer I6 and. clamping mechanism I8, this mechanism including retractable clamping devices which are operable by means of a handle 80 and a yoke or the like 82 which is connected with a cap 84 fitting over the threaded end of the plug 64.

The resilient washer I6 and the cap 84 have alined passages therethrough, which passages are also alined with the duct 68.

The clamping device I8 is also apertured with the opening therethrough being in alinement with the passages in the cap 84 and the washer I6.

There isthus provided a means whereby the branch tube 26 of the indicia may be brought into connection with the duct 68, and held in position during the evacuating and filling operations by a simple movement of the lever handle 80, so as to bring the clamping members I8 into clamping engagement with the tube 26. The indicia tube B thereby is held inexhausting and filling positions.

Within the housing 62 there is provided also a plug 86, which is threaded exteriorly at 88, and which contains a duct 90 which has a branch tube 92 leading therefrom. The duct 90 is connected to the duct 68 in the plug 64 by means of a rubber connector 94, which is controlled by a valve 96.

Registering with the duct 90 is a gage tube 98 which is mounted in a resilient rubber washer or the like I00. which is held in a cap I02 threaded on the exterior threads 88 of the plug 86.

The branch 92 of the duct 90 is connected, as by means of a rubber connector I04 to the liquid delivery tube 36, the rubber connector I04 being controlled by a valve I06.

This entire apparatus is mounted on a stand I08 which is suitably secured, as by screws or the like IIO,to a work table 2, attachment to the support I08 being made conveniently by means of a flange II4 on the housing 62, the mounting being made by means of suitable screws or the like H6 which pass through the flange H4 and bracket I56 secured by a screw or the like I5! to the support I08. The bracket I56 is provided. with an opening I59 through which the plug 66 of the apparatus C extends.

Before the indicia tube B is mounted in operative position with respect to the apparatus C, a small amount of the volatile liquid is introduced into the tube, conveniently by means of a dropper which introduces the liquid into the tube B through the tube 26.

The tube 26 then is inserted in the clamp I8, and is secured inplace by suitable manipulation of the handle 80. The valve I06 is closed, so that there will be no flow of liquid from the flask 38 through the tube 36, and the valves 96 and I4 are opened so that the indicia tube B and the gage tube 98 will be brought into connection with the suction line not shown through the branch tube I0 and the rubber connector I2.

The system is thus exhausted, and the liquid previously inserted in the tube B is vaporized, thereby driving out all the air which is present. in the system.

While the suction is still being applied to the tube B, the valve 96 is closed and the valve I06 is opened thereby bringing the gage tube 98 into communication with the liquid delivery tube 36, so that liquid will flow from the flask 38 through the delivery tube 36. branch tube 92, duct 90 l and into gage tube 98. The gage tube 98'is of such capacity that when it is emptied, the proper .amount of liquid will be introduced into the inthe region of the bend, for facilitating heat ab sorption to accentuate the vaporization of the liquid in the desired manner.

Figs. 8, 9, and 10 show details of the construction of the valves employed in the apparatus C, these valves being of a generally similar type in each instance.

Fig. 8 illustrates the construction of the valve I06, the view showing the valve in open position so that liquid is free to fiow through the rubber connector I04. It will be seen that the valve comprises simply a compression member I22 which is mounted in slots I24 and I26 in a frame comprising the side members I28 and I30 and an end member I32, the tube I04 being inserted between the end member I32 and the compression valve member I22, whereby upon actuation of the latter, the tube I04 becomes compressed and closed, as indicated in Fig. 9.

Actuation of the compression valve member' I22 is accomplished by means of a rotatable actuator I34 which is mounted on a shaft I36 which in turn passes through the side members I28 and I30 of the valve frame, the shaft I36 being held in place by suitable means such as cotter pins I38. The actuator I34 is eccentrically mounted relatively to the shaft I36, so that it acts as a cam for operating the compression valve member I22. The actuator I34 is manipulated by means of a handle I40.

Fig. 8 shows the compression member I22 positioned in its guide members I28 and I30 so as to allow the tube I04 to be open for admission of the liquid, whereas Fig. 9 shows the handle I40 turned into closing position so as to cause the actuator I34 to move the compression valve member I 22 in its slotted guides I28 and I so as to squeeze the tube I04 closed, the parts illustrated in Fig. 9 therefore showing the valve in closed position,

The valve 96 is illustrated as being a construction entirely similar to that of valve I06, so that the description of Figs. 8 and 9 will apply also to the construction of the valve 96.

As illustrated-further, the valve 14 is-.also of a generally similar construction, in that this comprises a movable compression member I42 which is mounted in guides I44 and I46, and which is actuated by a rotary actuator I48,which is eccentrically mounted, as indicated at I50, movement of the actuator I48 being accomplished by manipulation of a handle member I52.

Control of the suction through the tube 12 is effected by opening and closing this tube by corresponding movements of the actuator I48 and the compression valve member I42, the tube being retained between the compression valve member I42 and a retaining member I54, which is shown as being bolted or otherwise secured to the flange II4 of the filling apparatus and to the top I56 of the worktable, the securing of the retaining member I54 being accomplished by means of screws I58 which pass through the flange I60 of'the retaining member I54 and the flange H4 0! the filling apparatus and the top I56 of the work table. a

It will be seen therefore that the necessary controls for the suction and for the admission of the filling liquid into the indicia tube B are very simple in construction and in operation, and that when the indicia tube B is placed in'filling position, it is securely clamped therein by the clamping action of the clamp 18 onto the filling tube 26.

When the tube has been filled with liquid to the desired amount, as indicated by the drainage of the gage tube 98, the filling tube 26 is sealed oiI as has been mentioned above, there being left merely a short stub I62 which is of an immaterial length.

In the form of apparatus illustrated in Fig. 11. the construction is somewhat similar to that described above, except for the fact that the plug 64 is replaced by the modified plug 6411, which is provided with an interior duct I64 which is provided with two branches, one of these branches I66 being connected to the exhaust line by means of a tube I68, corresponding to the tube 12, previously mentioned, and the second branch I10 being connected to a tube I14 which dips below the surface of a supply of the liquid contained in a receptacle I16. This receptacle may be simply a battle the mouth of which is closed with a vented stopper I18 through which a tube I14 is passed. Suction through tube I14 may conveniently be controlled by means such as petcock I12. The clamping device is similar to device 18 as previously described. The purpose of this arrangement is to introduce the initial small quantity of volatile liquid into the tube B from the bottle I16 after the tube B has been placed in filling position, thereby avoiding the extra manipulation incurred by the introduction of the air displacing volume of liquid in the tube B by means of a dropper, as above described, before the tube is secured in filling position. In operation, petcock I 12 is opened momentarily to the position shown in Fig. 11 while suction is applied through tube I88, and the desired amount of liquid is thus drawn from bottle I16 and allowed' to fiow by gravity into tube B.

In the modified form of the apparatus shown in Fig. 11, the valve construction and the remainder of the apparatus is identical with that shown in Fig. 7, it being understood that the assembly of Fig. 11 is merely substituted for the plug 64 and the assembled parts thereof in the illustration of Fig. 7.

When the indicia tubes are mounted, the tube A and-the reservoir I8 are placed desirably behind an opaque shield or the like indicated by the line I80, so that only the indicia tube B is visible to an observer. 1

The present application-is a continuation in part of my copending application Serial No. 43,-

857 filed October 3, 1935, for Vacuum filling machine and method.

It will be understood that the present invention is not limited, necessarily, to the precise details 01' the steps, manipulations, and structure, as are herein specifically illustrated and described, but

it will be apparent that such details are subject to various modifications which will become apparent readily to one skilled in the art, without departing from the spirit of the invention; and it will be understood, therefore, that it is intended and desired to include within the scope of the invention such modifications and changes as may be necessary to adapt it to varying conditions and uses. it is also to be understood that the following claims are intended to cover all of the generic and specific features of the invention herein described, and all statements of the scope of the invention which, as a matter of language, might be said to fall therebetween.

What is claimed is:

1. The method of producing display devices, which comprises introducing a small quantity of relatively volatile liquid into a preformed indicia tube, releasably clamping the said tube in an evacuating and filling apparatus including a measuring device for containing a suitable supply of liquid for introduction into the tube, simultaneously evacuating the tube and measuring device by applying suction thereto, interrupting the suction while maintaining the tube and device evacuated, introducing liquid into the device from a suitable supply thereof, and draining the liquid into the evacuated indicia tube.

2. In the production of display devices, the combination of means for evacuating a preformed indicia tube and for filling the tube with a display liquid, the said means comprising a housing,

branched tubular passages in the housing, the branch from one or the passages being adapted to be connected to a supply of the said liquid, the branch from the other passage being adapted to be connected to a source of suction, a closable connection between the passages, a gage device communicating with the first-mentioned passage for measuring the liquid from the said supply, valve means in the housing adapted to close and to open the connection between the passages, a valve mechanism for controlling admission of liquid from the supply to the gage tube, valve means for controlling suction through the seccud-mentioned passage, and releasably operated clamping instrumentalities for securing the indicia tube in position relative to the housing and in communication with the source of suction and with the gage tube whereby, upon proper manipulation of the valves, the indicia tube and gage tube may be evacuated, the suction cut of! while the tubes are maintained evacuated, the gage tube filled with the liquid, the supply of liquid cut oil and the liquid drained from the gage tube into the indicia tube to fill the latter with measured quantity of liquid all while obviating any handling or manipulation of the indicia tube.

3. In the production of display devices, in combination, a housing including means for releasably clamping a pre-iormed indicia tube in evacuating and filling position, devices for evacuating the tube, instrumentalities for introducing a measured quantity liquid into the tube while the said tube is evacuated, and means for introducing an initial small amount of liquid into the indicia tube while suction is applied thereto for displacing all air from the indicia tube prior to filling thereof with liquid; and valves operable in predetermined sequence for controlling the said devices, instrumentalities and means while obviating manipulation of the indicia tube.

4. In the production of display devices, the combination of means for evacuating a preformed A indicia tube and for filling the tube with a display liquid, the said means comprising a housing, a branched tubular conduit in the housing, the branch from the said conduit being adapted to be connected to a main supply of the said liquid, the remaining portion of the said conduit being adapted to communicate with a source of sue-- tion, connecting means comprising a plug member removably mounted in the housing and including a longitudinally extending tubular conduit having a plurality of branches leading therefrom, a connection for the plug interconnecting the said tubular conduit therein with the said conduit in the housing which is adapted to communicate with the source of suction, a connection joining one of the said branches in the plug to the source of suction, a second connection for connecting another branch in the plug to an auxiliary supply of liquid; a collar mounted upon the plug, clamping instrumentalities within the said plug, an opening extending through the collar and .clamping instrumentalities in alignment with the longitudinal conduit through the plug for receiving and for releasably securing the indicia tube in exhausting and filling position, a

gauge tube mounted on the housing in registry with the said conduit in the housing, valve means in the housing adapted to close and to open the connection between the plug and housing, a valve mechanism for controlling admission of liquid from the main supply to the gauge tube, a suction-controlling valve in the suction line leading from the housing to the source of suction, and suction-controlling means intermediate-the plug and auxiliary supply or liquid whereby, upon proper manipulation of the valve, the indicia tube and gauge tube may be evacuated while liquid is introduced into the indicia tube from the auxiliary liquid supply and evacuated to expel air from the indicia tube, the suction then cut 012 while the gauge tube and indicia tube are maintained evacuated, the gauge tube filled with liquid from the main source, the supply or liquid cut oil, and the liquid drained from the gauge tube into the indicia tube to fill the latter with a measured quantity of liquid, all while obviating any handling or manipulation of the indicia tube.

ALFONSE KAUFMAN.

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