Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing an image defined by fluid bubbles in a medium fluid. Alphanumeric digits and/or graphic images in a fluid medium are formed by injecting into the fluid medium a multitude of fluid bubbles having a density different than that of the medium fluid. Using non-gaseous fluids, the fluid bubbles take on a natural shape which is not confined by any structures as it travels through the medium fluid. The rate at which the fluid bubbles rise or fall through a medium fluid is directly dependent on the viscosity of the individual fluids and the difference between the fluid viscosities. The viscosity of the medium fluid also influences the rate of formation of bubbles which are being created. The control and timing circuitry determines the time interval wherein each horizontal row of bubbles is created. The rows of bubbles then create a 2-D or 3-D image, conducive for various applications as signs or displays.

Abstract: A transparent structure with a decoration therein, including a transparent membrane, a bottom seat, a top cap, a fastening belt, a buoyant decoration and a liquid. The transparent membrane is made of a thermoplastic plastic material or the like. A user can watch or touch the buoyant decoration through the transparent membrane. The transparent membrane has simple structure and can be squeezed or compressed without breaking.

Abstract: The appearance of fire and flames is simulated using lighting, air pipes, fans, and fog manifolds. Water and air is sprayed into a display area to form a wall of mist which reflects light and light patterns. Air from the air pipes blows the wall of mist upwards. Fans generate a curtain of turbulent, upwardly flowing air that holds up the wall of mist, and makes it appear to flicker. Thematic lighting is projected onto the flickering wall of mist, to color the mist and simulate the flames.

Abstract: A controlled self-service drink dispensing machine including a refrigerated piping network for transporting beverages, such as wine and beer, from a central location to a plurality of remote dispensing consoles. A centrally located bartender terminal is electronically coupled to each of the remote dispensing consoles which are activated by magnetic credit/debit cards received in the remote consoles. A beverage transparent plastic delivery tube in each remote console is bracketed by a light emitting diode transmitter and receiver system that is electronically coupled to the bartender terminal to alert the bartender of a low keg by sensing the amount of air and/or bubbles flowing through the delivery tube.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing and viewing rainbows comprising a base portion, a body portion wherein the body portion is attached to the base, has a front side, a rear side and is generally vertically oriented with respect to the base portion. The apparatus further includes a fluid channel supported by the body portion. The fluid channel has a fluid inlet fluidly connected to a fluid source and a fluid outlet for producing a spray mist above the apparatus. The apparatus further comprises an element for optimally aligning the apparatus relative to the sun. The apparatus is optimally aligned when the front side of the body portion is substantially directly facing the sun. The user of the apparatus is able to view a rainbow created as a result of the sunlight being refracted by the spray mist emanating from the fluid outlet when the user is facing the front side of the body portion and the sun is at the user's back.

Abstract: A device for forming a changeable sign from either gas bubbles rising within a body of liquid or from drops of liquid moving through the air. When using gas bubbles rising within a body of liquid, the gas bubbles are released sequentially such that a message of the sign is represented as a matrix of bubbles. When using drops of liquid moving through the air, the drops are released sequentially and controllably such that the message of the sign is represented as a matrix of drops of liquid. In one version, air bubbles are released near the bottom of a tank from controllable valves. The valves can be arranged in a single line or in a vertical matrix. As an alternative, a template having a message formed as a dot matrix is applied against a matrix of orifices from which gas escapes, to form the message. In another version, water drops are released from a row of controllable valves on a ballistic trajectory, e.g., a free-fall.

Abstract: A liquid crystal calendar display device, especially suitable for an electronic timepiece, presents a full calendar month for all possible monthly calendars. Sunday, or any other selected day of the week, appears in the leftmost displayed column, regardless of the day which is the first date in the presented month. The area occupied by the date numerals is reduced by interleaving the date numerals.

Abstract: A multi-color liquid display system comprising a transparent conduit and system for sequentially circulating liquids of different color and different specific gravity through the conduit to present a dynamic display such as "raining" of one liquid into another. The circulating system includes a reservoir, a pump, device for communicating liquids in the reservoir with the transparent conduit, and device for controlling the proportionate flow of the different colored liquids from the reservoir. The display system includes a panel assembly in which a front transparent panel is bonded to a second transparent panel in spaced relation thereto and the conduit for liquids is formed in a desired configuration between the panels. The sign is illuminated by back lighting and the front panel is coated to mask all but the portions of the sign to be illuminated.

Abstract: A crystal ball has a rotatable and vertically movable liquid dispensing spout inside a glass ball. The crystal ball also has a fixture frame for converting the rotational motion of a flexible shaft driven by a music box or bell into a rotational and a reciprocal axial movement for a main shaft. The fixture frame is comprised of a lower lid having a sinusoidal guide rail on the inner walls that is engaged by axial projections or columns depending from the sides of an upper lid. Also a pump housing is associated with the upper lid of the fixture frame, and a piston disk sleeved at a proper position on the main shaft, produces a compression as a result of its relative motion in the space defined by the housing. The piston pumps a colorful fluid loaded in the housing of the pump up to the spout for a sprayed ejection which produces the effect of a kaleidoscopical, dynamic variation of a fantastic crystal ball.

Abstract: A toy including a light source for emitting a light beam longitudinally outward of the toy, and a water discharge nozzle directed to intersect the light beam at a low angle thereto outward of the toy to diffuse and reflect the light for simulation of a force or pressure discharge from the toy.

Abstract: A mouthrinse product comprises a multi-compartment bottle with liquids of different colors stored in the compartments, the combined stream of the liquids dispensed from the bottle combining to form a liquid admixture of yet another color.

Abstract: A novelty display item comprises a transparent, sealed container loosely holding a solid flowable material and least one solid object, which together form a decorative scene. A new decorative scene is created by shaking, rolling or otherwise moving the item so that the flowable material and solid object within are displaced to new positions.

Abstract: A mouthrinse product comprises a multi-compartment bottle with liquids of different colors stored in the compartments, the combined stream of the liquids dispensed from the bottle combining to form a liquid admixture of yet another color.

Abstract: A kinetic art article assembly with stacked color filter comprises a base, two support plates, a cylindrical main body with a front main body and a rear main body, a fluid governor, and a drive mechanism. At least a set of plate assembly is disposed in the front main body and the rear main body. The plate assembly has a front plate, a flat plate and a rear plate. Each of the flat plate and the rear plate has a tube thereon so that liquid in the tube can flow in to the recesses of the front plate or the rear plate.

Abstract: A scent and audio point of sale display unit having a housing of a parallepiped shape, in which a prerecorded tape player and scent-emitting mechanism are mounted. The tape player and scent-emitting mechanism are connected to an electric power source, for example, a battery, and can be activated or deactivated simultaneously by depressing a push button mounted on the front face of the unit. Alternatively, a photocell which coacts with a light source can be used to activate the tape player and scent-emitting mechanism which then automatically deactivates itself. A loudspeaker and scent-emitting porthole are also mounted on the front face of the unit.

Abstract: A novelty format in which a compressed dry stored material is expanded by addition of water. It is supported by a telescopic array of rods and a sleeve to limit bending of the wetted material. It can be made to simulate various objects such as a stalk or stem, and may carry greetings which rise with the expansion of the material when the material is wetted with water.

Abstract: A display device for creating an illusion of a continuous flow of fluid to a receptacle having a limited fluid containing capacity is adapted to produce a wide variety of, and multiplicity of, different visual effects. The device includes a manifold mounted on a return line from the receptacle to a pump, and fluid from the pump is delivered to the manifold which includes a drain for directed the fluid down the outside of the return line. The device includes a plurality of receptacles and can include various valves and controls so that the receptacles can be operated in a pre-determined sequence.

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: A container has a bottleneck inversely mounted on a base packed by a bell-shape sealer made of elastomer material, of which the sealer includes plural annular extension rings concentrically circumferentially formed on an inside wall of the sealer, adapted to be turned up along the bottleneck to pack the bottle-neck tightly in a base when inversely mounting the container on the supporting base.

Abstract: A display device comprises a sealed flat container formed by two rectangular sheets of glass 10,11 spaced from each other by a small amount and sealed together by a glue layer 12 at their outer edges. The container encloses water and detergent, a quantity of air and fine sand 26. After settling of the sand in one direction, the container is inverted causing bubbles 27 of the air to rise and form a bubble layer partially supporting the sand while allowing it to percolate gradually downwardly between the bubbles.

Abstract: An artistic display is formed of a first layer of a material between a base and a transparent cover layer. The cover layer and base may be of a flexible plastic material, or they may be of a rigid material, such as glass. The first layer has a putty like consistency, and is formed with different color pigments in different areas of the layer.

Abstract: A novelty viewer having a base supporting an enclosure which houses a graphical or simulated scene of a city or the like including a background of opaque material. The enclosure is occupied by a fluid or various fluids of different densities whereby, after shaking, at least two layers of densities result in a color differential promoting an illusion of smoggy conditions above the graphic or simulated scene. The density differential of the layers may be effected by different densities of liquid, by different size and weight of particles or by structurally separated liquid chambers.

Abstract: A greeting card that produces an odor when opened. The card includes a first plate, a second plate normally covered by the first plate, an odor producing substance and a frangible odor-proof container for containing the odor producing substance. The container is coupled to the first plate in such a manner that it will be broken when the first plate is moved to view the second plate.

Abstract: Systems of three, four, and five mutually immiscible liquid phases suitable for use in display devices. Preferred four phase systems comprise one highly hydrophobic organic phase, one organic phase containing compounds which are moderately polar, one phase containing hydrogen-bonding organic compounds, and one aqueous phase. Systems can be multicolored, not toxic, not combustible, and not corrosive to plastic.

Abstract: A Christmas tree display includes a hollow trunk as upright support structure on which in a direction from bottom to top there is mounted an upwardly and outwardly-flared air-diverter element positioned such that upwardly-directed air from a lower fan casing is directed outwardly against pneumatically actuatable motor-elements of ornamental designs, and a portion of air from the motor-driven fan of the fan casing is directed into and upwardly through the hollow trunk to another pneumatically actuatable motor-element of ornamental design, and helical limb-support elements extend laterally from the upright support structure and support leaf-bearing limbs inserted through and supported by the helical portions of the helical limb-support elements, one or more of the limb-support elements or limbs having the pneumatically actuatable motor-elements suspended therefrom and one or more of the motor-elements including an electric light bulb shaded to direct light downwardly and/or upwardly to prevent glare to the obse

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: For advertising or amusement purposes, a hand-held stereoscopic viewer is provided with a cavity into which a container may be inserted and removed. The cavity is located adjacent the nostrils of a user of the viewer and is separated from the other portions of the viewer and is capable of being enclosed. The container carries an odor-producing substance which may be a solid or a gel or a liquid absorbed into a suitable material. The container has a replaceable seal and when sealed inhibits odor essences escaping before or between uses. In use, the seal is removed from the container and it is inserted into the cavity. As the odor is produced, it reaches the atmosphere adjacent the nostrils of a user of the stereo viewer through odor-passage holes positioned between said odor-producing substance and the nostrils. These odor-passage holes can be positioned in the container or in a lid covering the enclosed cavity in or on the viewer.