Abstract: The invention relates to creating an optical illusion of fluid or water in a display device which shows a solid water stream with undulations that rises, levitates or falls slowly. The illusion can be viewed under certain circumstances in ordinary room lighting. Also, the solid water stream with undulations can simultaneously transform into a set of rising, levitating or falling water droplets. The entire illusion may be examined and even touched by the audience.

Abstract: A practical joke device comprises a mouthpiece attached to a rolled-up (or deflated) display portion. The display portion can be unrolled (or inflated) and thereby extended by delivering air thereto by way of the mouthpiece, in order, in use, to display information carried thereon. The display portion comprises a panel adapted for carrying and displaying information. The panel has such size and dimensions that, in the unrolled, extended (or inflated) state at least one dimension of the panel is about 3 or more times greater than the width of the mouthpiece. The at least one dimension is generally transverse to the extension direction of the display panel. In the unrolled, extended (or inflated) state, the extension direction of the display panel may be displaced from the axis of the mouthpiece.

Abstract: An organization for display and entertainment of individuals includes a lid receiving an underlying container therewithin. A first embodiment of the invention includes a lid formed with a pre-inscribed message, such as for a particular greeting and the like, with a further space position below for a personalized signature in association with the greeting. Modifications of the invention include the greeting mounted on a bellows that is selectively expandable utilizing pneumatic pressurization of the bellows formed in a two-part structure to effect stage filling of a bellows member.

Abstract: A kinetic sculpture apparatus comprising a transparent tank filled with a transparent liquid and an air supply system wherein air bubbles are introduced along the bottom of the container and thus are distributed thorughout the liquid. Immersed in the liquid are a multiple of vessels that are substantially closed on their sides and top, and substantially open on their bottom. The vessels are weighted so that they have a negative buoyancy when holding a small amount of air but will become positively buoyant when they accumulate more air from the rising air bubbles. The vessels are also weighted so that their center of gravity remains below their center of buoyancy even when in a full positive state. The apparatus comprises techniques for releasing the air from the vessels at the top of their rise so that will sink back towards the bottom until they collect more air and rise again.

Abstract: The invention concerns an improvement in a display member of the type comprising a plurality of reference members (14) accommodated within a common chamber (11) filled with an opaque fluid wherein each reference member is independently movable between a display position at which it is in face to face engagement with a display face (12) of the chamber (11) and a non-display position at which it is out of engagement with the display face. The improvement comprises each reference member (14) being associated with a boundary wall (19) which surrounds the sides of the reference member when at its non-display and/or display position. The function of the boundary wall (19) is to direct fluid entering or escaping from the space between the reference member and a face of the chamber adjacent the boundary member.

Abstract: A sound activated fountain display. A plurality of transducers are disposed on the bottom of the pool of a fountain display with the fountain being normally off. Whenever a coin is tossed into the fountain's pool, the sound waves generated by the coin are received by the transducers, activating the fountain display. By gating the responses of the various transducers, the area of the pool in which the coin was tossed may be identified. In this manner, the display may be caused to be directed to that area of the pool, customizing the display for that particular viewer. If desired, the fountain display may be in a central pool with separate "satellite" coin pools surrounding the fountain and for activating the fountain display.

Abstract: A pneumatic structure a part or the whole of which can desirably be put in motion when the pneumatic structure is shaped into, for example, outlines of living things or the like. A spare portion having at least a pair of bending fulcra is formed on the structure main body on the opposite side to a bending direction of the structure, and a length of arc between the respective fulcra of the spare portion is made shorter than 1/2 outer circumferential length of the pneumatic structure containing a set of the respective fulcra, whereby the structure can positively be maintained in a desired state under normal conditions and bending operation thereof can be promptly effected at a large angle by means of small external force.

Abstract: A display element including a sealed housing filled with an opaque, translucent or colored transparent liquid and having a screen therein colored on its front side and movable back and forth within the housing. The housing has a front transparent panel such that, when the screen is displaced in one direction, the colored front side of the screen is visible through the transparent panel. When the screen is displaced in the other direction, the colored front side of the screen is obscured or hidden from view by the liquid, which may be white or a color different from that of the screen. In one alternate embodiment, the transparent panel of the housing includes colored message indicia therein, which color matches either the liquid color or that of the colored front side of the screen, the other color contrasting. When the screen is moved in one direction, the message indicia disappears; in the other direction, the contrasting background color makes the message indicia readily visible.

Abstract: The invention relates to creating the illusion in a beverage dispensing device of liquid droplets that fill a drinking glass despite their appearance of rising from the drinking glass. The illusion is accomplished by oscillating the liquid and then applying a flashing light source whose frequency is slightly greater than the liquid oscillations. The enclosure and curtains of the invention allow the illusion to be viewed under certain conditions in room lighting. Also, under certain conditions an optical surface is attached to the enclosure which visually masks the ambient light.

Abstract: Audio-visual display device is enclosed terrarium containing living plants of normal size. One or more models on small scale of living creatures are located in the terrarium and are powered to move. The small-scale models of the creatures have the effect of making the plants look larger. A pump to produce simulated rain or a music device to produce music are optional additions to enhance the effect.

Abstract: A drinking straw with a hollow box connected to the straw such that a fluid can be drawn through the box and one face of the box can be seen by the user. The viewed face has transparent indicia surrounded by solid black or dark colored material corresponding to the material of the rear plate of the box, hence, the indicia is only visible when a colored fluid such as milk is drawn through the straw and the box.

Abstract: Several embodiments of low cost advertising displays that achieve a visual or animated effect through the use of air currents or the like. In each embodiment a pair of juxtaposed pieces are supported in spaced relationship and for relative movement. At least one of the pieces is transparent in part and the pieces are formed with markings thereon which give a visual or animation effect upon relative movement between the pieces or upon movement of the viewer relative to the display. In some embodiments, the pieces are integrally connected by relatively thin strips of the same material which permit the relative movement and provide the relative support.

Abstract: A display device having a plurality of base panels. Each base panel has an arm projecting perpendicular to the plane of the base panel. The arm has a flat portion parallel to the plane of the base panel at an upper end of the arm, and slant area at a lower end of the arm. A pin is disposed at the end of the arm to suspend freely a reflecting plate, which moves about by breeze to provide an attractive shimmering effect.