US2453176A - Device producing ornamental bubble effects and method - Google Patents

Description

Nov. 9, 1948. A. ABRAMsoN ,1

DEVICE PRODUCING ORNAMENTAL BUBBLE EFFECTS AND METHOD Filed Feb. 21, 1946 .62, p I /g; wag 2 #TTTOIQ VEY 4BA 4/7 AM flfiPAMSON Patented Nov. 9, 1948 DEVICE PRODUCING ORNAMEN-TAL BUBBLE EFFECTS AND METHOD Abraham Abramson, New York, N. Y., assignor to Raylice Electric Corp, Bronx, N. Y., a corporation of New York Application February 21, 1945, Serial No. 649,157

11 Claims.

This invention relates to the manufacture of bubble-ornament devices, and more particularly is drected to the constructions of such device and a method of operating same.

Among the objects of the invention is to generally improve devices of the character described and the method of operation thereof which shall comprise few and easily assembled parts, which shall be economical to manufacture and adapted for quantity production so as to provide a cheap and inexpensve product, which shall be dependable and reliable in operation requiring a minimum of external heat supply, and which shall be practical and efficient to a high degree in use.

This invention is a continuation in part to the subject matter covered in applicants like copending applications filed herewith and applications S. N. 598,569 (Patent No. 2,412,379) and 598,570, filed June 9, 1945, for Decorative illuminated devices and method.

Other objects accordingly consist of features of constructions and method, combinations of elements, arrangement of parts and steps in operation which will be exemplified in the constructions and method hereinafter described andof which the scope of the application will indicate in the following claims.

In the accompanying drawing in which possible ilustrative embodiments of the invention are shown:

Fig, l is a front elevational view, partly broken awa to expose the interior, showing a bubbleornament device constructed to embody the invention.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary front ele vational View of the device shown in Fig. 1.

-Fig. 3 is a cross sectional view taken on line 3-3 in Fig. 2.

Fig. i is a fragmentary front elevational view showing a modified form of the invention constructed with a different diaphragm.

Fig. 5 is a cross sectional view taken on line 5-5 in Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary front elevational view like Fig. a showing another modified construction embodying the inventiomand Fig. 7 is a cross sectional view taken on line l--'l in Fig. 6.

,Heretofore ornamental bubbling devices of the.

character described used for various purposes required a high degree of skill in manufacture and assembly to obtain reliable predetermined desired result and reproductions. In the present invention such devices are made simple in construction and in method of operation, yet operate with positive assurance to give predetermined desired results with the unfailing reliability and dependability of performance.

To this end, as seen in the drawing there is provided an improved bubble-ornament device l0 constructed to embody the invention which is seen to include a vertically disposed transparent tube body made of glass or other translucent ma terial designated as H having an integral closed lower or bottom end Ha, preferably made flat, and a sealed top end Ilb. Said body portion H, when the device ill is intended to simulate a' Chrstmas tree decoration may be made in appearance, such as outline, form, shape and size to simulate a candle,

In the form of the invention shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the tube body Ii contains a suitable readily volatilizable liquid l2, such as ether, wood alcoho! or any others, well known in this art which is translucent, has a low boiling point and preferably is non-flammable such as mixture of methanol and carbon tetrachloride or methylene chloride. The liquid I2 may be placed into the tube body I! throughv the upper or top end lib thereof before fusing the latter for hermetically sealing said liquid i2 therein at a level so as to leave an adequate chamber or space l3 in said tube end ilb. Said sealed space l3 above the liquid l2 may be evacuated to permit lowering the boiling point normally required for the liquid l2. Said space l3 constitutes a condensingand heat dissipating means for liquefaction of bubbles I5 rising in the liquid l2 to the level thereof, as shown in Fig. 2.

There is also provided a diaphragm it of relatively thin sheet material fitted or seated in the lower end of tube body H preferably just short of the said bottom end Ha so-as to leave a shallow chamber or section space H between said diaphragm l6 and bottom end Ha, for retaining activating vapors [8 generated as a vapor pocket from said liquid l2 in the manner hereinafter described.

When ether is used as the liquid l2, copper or brass is a desirable sheet material to use for the diaphragm l6 as it forms a protective means to eliminate possible explosive derivatives.

For supplying heat to operate device l0 any suitable source may. be provided. As for exam ple, as shownin Fig. 1, tube ii is sup-ported with the lower or bottom end Ha thereof located in close proximity to lamp bulb Ella of an incandescent lamp 2%. The latter, as here shown, is mounted inan electric socket 2i of a Christmas tree lighting .outfit (not shown) of any well understood construction by means of a sleeve holder or connector 22 made of fiber, glass, plastic or other non-combustible material. The lower end 22a of sleeve holder 22 may snugly fit over the lamp bulb 20a and the upper end 2% fit snugly over the lower or bottom tube end Ila so that the holder 22 provides a. relatively firm interconnecting support or rigid coupling. The holder 22 also serves as a conduit to guide the surrounding air heat conducting medium from glowing lamp filament 20b of the lamp bulb 20a to the vapors l8 confined in shallow space i? Within the tube bottom end Ha, thus serving as a direct heating means for said vapor pocket.

In the device Hi shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the diaphragm H is preferably tightly wedged in the position shown about the periphery thereof and may be provided with an angular edge rim or flange lGb to increase the gripping eifectand to retain the diaphragm it: in set position against accident displacement. Said diaphragm is may be perforated with a central opening Ilia which when said device i9 is operating, communicate the end of liquid column l2 at the diaphragm #6 with the vapor pocket l8 in space I! of limited capacity therebelow to permit the formation of bubbles 55 in passing of a portion of said vapor pocket through said diaphragm opening [6a as hereinafter described.

In practising the invention, assuming the socket 2i is positioned on a Christmas tree (not shown) or arranged for other decorative display purposes and connected in an electric circuit power supply (not shown) for lighting the lamp 26 in the well understood manner, heat and light radiated from the lamp filament 20b is effective to vaporize any liquid I2 in the tube bottom space H and to form said vapor pocket and maintain said space H substantially filled with vapor H3.

The heat from lamp filament 20b beside producing said vaporization also provides heat to cause intermittent flash expulsion of a portion of the confined vapors 18 forming said pocket to expand through said diaphragm opening 16a into the liquid l2 thereabove in the form Of a stream of flowing bubbles I 5 risin through the liquid column l2. The sleeve holder 22 serves as a conduit to confine the heat conducting medium, namely, air, therein. Thusthere is provided the degree of heat necessary from a minimum heat source at lamp filament 20b, sufiicient light beams from the latter being projected through said diaphragm opening [6a to illuminate the liquid column l2 and bubbles l5 to produce an attractive activated bubble lighting efiect.

The lighting of bulb 20 also illuminates the side walls of the transparent tube body H to the top end Hb thereof and imparts an appearance suggestive of a lighted candle.

It has been found an absolutely tight joint between the diaphragm flange Nib and the side walls of the tube body H is not required and that a slight leakage thereat does not afiect the operation of the device In, but provides a drain or seepage of the liquid column l2 into the vapor pocket l8 to replenish the same for the portion thereof forming bubbles l5.

The improved method embodying the invention in the form above described will now be apparent.

The column of volatileliquid 2 within the tube body H, which, when said device I!) is operating, extends between the diaphragm is and the top tube space l3, and is under less than atmos pheric pressure because of the evacuated condition of said top space l3. Said liquid l2 has ex- 4 ternal illuminating radiant heat applied thereto, as by means of the glowing lamp filament 20?), which is directed to maintain bottom space I? substantially filled with vapor and said vapor pocket Ill bubble-free. Heat from said lamp filament 20b is then being supplied to the vapor pocket I8 in said space H, that is, in an eiiective degree suflicient to generate pressure periodically in excess of that due to the column of liquid 82 whereby flash expulsion of a portion of the vapor pocket l8 takes place intermittently expanding said vapor portion through diaphragm opening I Go bubbles l5 which float up in a stream through the liquid column 6 2. After each of said flash expulsions the pressure of vapors id in said pocket for an instance apparently is reduced and permits a small amount of liquid 5 2 to trickle into the bottom space it" where it is vaporized for replenishing said bubbleless vapor pocket It. The vapor pressure in said space i? is thus successively built up in repeated succession and said flash expulsions passing through diaphragm opening Isa and expanding form bubbles E5 of relative uniform size streaming up through the liquid column V2. The flowing bubbles l5 rising through liquid column 52 produced are directly illuminated by light beams emanating from the lamp filament 20b in passing through said dia phragm openin lBa as seen from Figs. 1 and 2.

The bubbles l5 of the flowing stream on reaching top space i3 after passing through the liquid column l2 are cooled, condense and liquify for returning to the liquid l2 in tube body l l and thereby replenishing same to continue the cycle of operation above described as long as'said illuminating radiant heat from lamp' filament 2th is directed to act on said vapors 58 of said pocket in bottom space H. To be more accurate, said bubble-forming action continues to take place as long as there exists a heat gradient or di lTerenti-al temperature between the hotter portion of the vapor pocket H3 in space H forming bubbles l5 and the cooler liquid after liquefaction of bubbles in evacuated top space Hi. I

In Fig. 4, there is shown a modified form of the invention having a diaphragm 26 which, differs from diaphragm l 6, above described, by. providing in place of central opening ltd, one or more peripherial through-passages or grooves 26a between rim edge or flange 26b and the side walls of tube body I! as shown in Fig. 3. The method of operation for this modified form is the same as has been described with the construction assembly using diaphragm l5 and shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 2a.. In each construction, like flash expulsfons of said vapor pockets 5% and 28 are expanded to form bubbles 55. However; in the modified construction the bubbles l5 formation takes place through one of said passage 25a.

In Fig. 6 still another modified form of the invention is shown. Here anadditional feature is added in providing granular porous particles 39, such as pumice, which practically fill bottom space 37 except for the vapor pocket 38 to increase the heat conductivity whereby starting of operation is facilitated. Diaphragm 36 may have a plurality of space through openings tiia therein and is positioned to keep the eiTecti /e volume for Vapor pocket 38in the space it? relatively small. The diaphragm openings 360: are preferably made small enough to retain particles 39 within said space 31 as shown in Figs. 6 and '7. Likewise, pumice particles may also be provided in the spaces l7 and 27 of the modifications shown in Figs. 2 and 4, respectively.

The form of the invention shown in Figs. 3 and 4 operates in the same manner as has been described for device H] and shown in Fig. 1, flash expulsions of vapor 28 and 38 of said pocket in space 27 and 31 forming bubbles i5 when expanding through one or more of said diaphragm passage openings Zt-a and 36a, respectively.

It is to be understood that each of the modified constructions described above may be assembled in holders 22 and supportingly mounted over incandescent lamp 2B in the manner described for device and shown in Fig. 1.

It is therefore seen that there is provided improved devices and a method of operation in which the objects of the invention are achieved and which are well adapted to meet all conditions of practical use.

As various possible embodiments may be made in the above invention for use for different purposes and as various changes might be made in the embodiments and method above set forth, it is understood that all the above matters here set forth or shown in the accompanying drawing are to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

Thus having described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent:

1. In a device of the character described producing ornamental bubble effects, a vertically disposed sealed transparent tube body, a translucent low-temperature boiling liquid column filling a mid-portion of said tube body, a thin sheet material diaphragm immovably positioned in the lower end of said tube body just short of the bottom thereof to provide a limited space thereat, heated vapors of said liquid column occupying said space at a pressure to retain the liquid column above the diaphragm, and means carried by the diaphragm communicating said vapors with the liquid column to permit flash expulsion of expanding portions of said vapors as bubbles into the liquid column and to permit seepage from the liquid column into said space.

2. A device as defined in claim 1 in which said communicating means includes a centrally located opening in the diaphragm.

3. A device as defined in claim 1 in which said communicating means includes at least one passage between said diaphragm and the adjacent wall of the tube body.

4. In a device of the character described producing ornamental bubble effects, a vertically disposed sealed transparent tube body, a translucent low-temperature boiling liquid column partially filling said tube body, a thin sheet material diaphragm positioned in the lower end of said tube body to provide a section space at the bottom end thereof, heated vapors of said liquid column expanded to occupy the section space with the liquid column retained above said diaphragm, said diaphragm having an opening therethrough communicating said vapors with the liquid column to permit flash expulsion of expanding portions of said vapors as bubbles up through said opening and into the liquid column, said tube body formed with a heat dissipating upper end above the level of said liquid column to which the bubbles rising in the column pass for liquefaction, and heating means of sufiicient supply directed to the flash expulsion vapors in the said section space for producing the ornamental bubble effects.

5. A device as defined in claim 4 in which said diaphragm opening is centrally located.

6. A device as defined in claim 4 in which said tube body lower end is provided with porous particles under said diaphragm.

'7. A device as defined in claim 4 in which said diaphragm opening comprises a passage between said diaphragm and the adjacent wall of the tube body.

8. In a device of the character described producing ornamental bubble effects, a vertically disposed sealed tube body having a lower end, a column of low-temperature boiling liquid column partially filling said tube body, a thin sheet material diaphragm independently formed of said tube body positioned in said lower tube end in close proximity to the bottom thereof to provide a section space under said diaphragm and having at least one opening therein for communication between opposite sides thereof, and means carried by said diaphragm for retaining the latter in said position against movement.

' 9. The device as defined in claim 8 in which porous particles occupy said space.

10. A device for producing ornamental bubble effects comprising a vertically disposed sealed transparent tubular body, a column of volatile liquid under reduced atmospheric pressure contained therein, a relatively thin wall partitioning means to form a vapor pocket of predetermined capacity, said means including an annular portion immovably engaging a lower portion of said tubular body, and communicating means extending through said partitioning means to release and expand for flash expulsion portions of said vapor'as bubbles from said pocket into the liquid column.

11. The device as defined in claim 4 in which said thin sheet material diaphragm is characterized by an annular flange immovably engaging said tube body.

ABRAHAM ABRAMSON.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,353,063 Otis July 4, 1944 2,383,941 Otis Sept. 4, 1945

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