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Claims  |
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I claim:
1. A device for producing an artwork design having an appearance resembling
a three-dimensional landscape scene, said device comprising:
a pair of plates having opposing planar, interior surfaces in approximate
parallel orientation, at least one of said plates being visually
transparent;
said plates having a separation distance between the opposing planar
interior surfaces of between 0.02 and 0.06 inches, thereby forming an
enclosed plate volume;
particulate matter disposed within a portion of the enclosed volume and
being operable as design-forming material, said matter being comprised of
particles having at least two different particle sizes and of compositions
of at least two different densities;
said particulate matter including (i) shading particles for defining darker
features within the design and (ii) contrast particles for providing a
variety of lighter features in contrast to the darker features;
said shading particles having a mesh size within the range of 60 to 150 and
a specific gravity within the range of 3.0 to 7.0;
said contrast particles having a plurality of mesh sizes within the range
of 60 to 240 and a plurality of specific gravities within the range of 3.0
to 7.0;
said contrast particles including (i) fine particles having a specific
gravity of less than 3.0 and mesh sizes within the range of 150 to 240 and
(ii) moderate sized particles having a specific gravity of greater than
3.0 and mesh sizes within the range of 70 to 150;
a liquid medium disposed within the plate volume in combination with the
particulate matter, said liquid being inert with respect to the
particulate matter;
a quantity of buoyancy elements entrained within the liquid medium and
having a sufficiently small size and geometric configuration to permit
free movement throughout the plate volume and within the particulate
matter and liquid, said quantity being sufficient to enable formation of a
substantially continuous line of contiguous buoyancy elements across a
full length of the plate volume; and
means for sealing a peripheral edge of the plate volume to retain the
liquid/particulate/buoyancy element mixture therein.
2. A device as defined in claim 1, wherein the shading particles comprise
15 to 17% by volume of the total particulate matter, said contrast
particles comprising the balance of particulate matter.
3. A device as defined in claim 2 wherein the shading particles comprise 40
to 60% by volume of the total particulate matter.
4. A device as defined in claim 2 wherein the shading particles comprise
approximately 50 to 55% by volume of the total particulate matter.
5. A device as defined in claim 1, wherein the mesh size of the shading
particles is within the more specific range of 70 to 90.
6. A device as defined in claim 1, wherein the shading particles comprise
chromite material of 70/80 mesh and having a specific gravity of
approximately 4.7.
7. A device as defined in claim 1, wherein the particulate matter is
selected from the group comprising sand, silica, chromite, enamel powder,
glass beads, and resin powders.
8. A device as defined in claim 1, wherein the particulate matter comprises
enamel powder.
9. A device as defined in claim 1, wherein the particulate matter comprises
resin powders.
10. A device as defined in claim 1, wherein the particulate matter comprise
glass beads.
11. A device as defined in claim 1, wherein the composition of contrast
particles is approximately 40 to 60% by volume of the total particulate
matter.
12. A device as defined in claim 1, wherein the fine particles comprise 10
to 80% of the contrast particles.
13. A device as defined in claim 1, wherein the fine particles comprise 20
to 70% of the contrast particles.
14. A device as defined in claim 1, wherein the fine particles comprise 40
to 60% of the contrast particles.
15. A device as defined in claim 1, wherein the contrast particles are
selected from the group comprising sand, silica, chromite, enamel powder,
glass beads, and resin powders.
16. A device as defined in claim 1, wherein the fine contrast particles
comprise fine silica of approximately 200 mesh.
17. A device as defined in claim 1, wherein the moderate sized contrast
particles have a specific gravity within the range of 4.0 to 5.5.
18. A device as defined in claim 1, wherein the moderate sized contrast
particles have a mesh size within the range of 100 to 130.
19. A device as defined in claim 1, wherein the moderate sized contrast
particles comprise silica of approximately 120 mesh.
20. A device as defined in claim 1, wherein the moderate sized contrast
particles includes glass beads.
21. A device as defined in claim 1, wherein the moderate sized contrast
particles includes 10 to 40% glass beads by volume of total contrast
particles.
22. A device as defined in claim 21, wherein the moderate sized contrast
particles includes 25 to 30% glass beads by volume of total contrast
particles.
23. A device as defined in claim 22, wherein the relative composition of
fine, moderate and glass bead particles making up the total contrast
particle material is in the ratio of 6:2:3 respectively.
24. A device as defined in claim 1, wherein the buoyant elements comprise
gas bubbles entrained within the liquid.
25. A device as defined in claim l, wherein the buoyant elements comprise
spherical bodies of solid material.
26. A device as defined in claim 1, wherein the solid material comprises
buoyant polymers.
27. A device as defined in claim 1, wherein the liquid includes a detergent
in a water solvent.
28. A device as defined in claim 27, wherein the detergent comprises
Bioterg 803.
29. A device as defined in claim 28, wherein the liquid further includes
ammonia with a dye composition to provide color tint to the liquid.
30. A device as defined in claim 29, wherein the relative compositions of
water, detergent and ammonia are in the ratio of approximately 320:4:1.
31. A device as defined in claim 1, said device further including an
injection port including means for introducing gas to the sealed plate
volume.
32. A device as defined in claim 31, wherein the means for sealing the
peripheral edge of the plate volume includes an insert plug having a
recessed channel communicating from the plate interior to an exterior
location, said channel including means for injection of the gas for
adjusting gas content within the plate volume.
33. A device as defined in claim 32, wherein the insert plug includes an
external opening for attachment of a key, thereby adapting the device as
part of a key chain.
34. A key chain device as defined in claim 33, wherein the plate separation
distance is approximately 0.06 inches.
35. A device for producing an artwork design having an appearance
resembling a three-dimensional landscape scene, said device comprising:
a pair of plates having opposing planar, interior surfaces in approximate
parallel orientation, at least one of said plates being visually
transparent, said plates forming an enclosed plate volume;
particulate matter disposed within a portion of the enclosed volume and
being operable as design-forming material, said matter being comprised of
particles having at least two different particle sizes and of compositions
of at least two different densities;
said particulate matter including (i) shading particles for defining darker
features within the design and (ii) contrast particles for providing a
variety of lighter features in contrast to the darker features;
said shading particles having a mesh size within the range of 60 to 150 and
a specific gravity within the range of 3.0 to 7.0;
said contrast particles having a plurality of mesh sizes within the range
of 60 to 240 and a plurality of specific gravities within the range of 3.0
to 7.0;
said contrast particles including (i) fine particles having a specific
gravity of less than 3.0 and mesh sizes within the range of 150 to 240 and
(ii) moderate sized particles having a specific gravity of greater than
3.0 and mesh sizes within the range of 70 to 150;
a liquid medium disposed within the plate volume in combination with the
particulate matter, said liquid being inert with respect to the
particulate matter;
a quantity of buoyancy elements entrained within the liquid medium and
having a sufficiently small size and geometric configuration to permit
free movement throughout the plate volume and within the particulate
matter and liquid, said quantity being sufficient to enable formation of a
substantially continuous line of contiguous buoyancy elements across a
full length of the plate volume; and
means for sealing a peripheral edge of the plate volume to retain the
liquid/particulate/buoyancy element mixture therein; and
an insert plug disposed within the peripheral edge and including an
external opening for attachment of a key, thereby adapting the device as
part of a key chain.
36. A device as defined in claim 35, wherein the insert plug includes a
recessed channel communicating from the plate interior to an exterior
location, said channel including means for injection of the gas for
adjusting gas content within the plate volume. |
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Claims |
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Description |
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BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of Invention
This invention relates to devices for creating sand pictures between
opposing plates of glass having upright orientation. More specifically,
the present invention relates to devices for creating landscape scenes
utilizing sand or other other particulate matter suspended in a liquid
medium between opposing plates of glass in an upright frame.
2. Prior Art
The utilization of various colors of sand to create pictures and other
forms of art work has long been practiced, starting with ancient indian
civilizations. In modern times, sand paintings have been created within an
enclosed area between upright plates wherein various colors of sand are
dispersed at different levels to create landscape scenes and other forms
of art work. In some instances these forms of sand painting have filled
the entire void space between the opposing plates of glass, which are then
sealed around the periphery to lock the sand or particulate matter in
fixed position as a permanent rendition of art work.
More recently, devices have been developed which suspend the sand particles
in a liquid medium between plates of glass, with the sand filling only a
portion of the empty volume between the opposing plates. When in vertical
orientation, the sand settles into the lower portion of the plate volume,
leaving the liquid in the remaining upper portion. By inverting the plate,
the sand particles diffuse through the liquid medium and create a new form
of art work, as the sand particles reposition themselves by sedimentation
in response to the force of gravity.
More recently, air bubbles have been added to the sand/liquid material. The
effect of such air bubbles is to create a nonuniform resistance against
movement of the sand from the top of the plate toward the lower plate
volume after the plate has been inverted. Upon inversion, the air bubbles
rise to encounter the partition line of sand and liquid and restrain
movement of such sand particles by the counter force of buoyancy in
opposition to the force of gravity. By using sands of different densities,
the variety of swirl patterns within the sand is increased.
Although such prior art devices create colorful and interesting patterns of
sand formations, the devices have not been able to reproduce the fine and
detailed art work of sand paintings produced by methodical introduction of
sand into the void space by an artisan in the absence of a liquid
environment. For example, whereas dry sand art work produces fine lines of
color delineation, the liquid environment of the prior art produces only
general sand patterns which lack the distinctive features of dry sand
work.
Such dry sand productions can develop a three dimensional effect which has
not been replicated with the random sand movement through a fluid and air
bubble combination. To the contrary, the scenes developed by current sand,
water and gas devices remain of a two-dimensional effect, characterized by
the absence of detailed features and variation which enhances the
three-dimensional result.
OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a device and
method for creating art work designs with sand, water and air bubbles
which create a three-dimensional landscape appearance.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide such a device
for creating art work designs which have similar detail and color features
as are achieved with dry sand construction, yet in a liquid, random
formation environment.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide design art work
utilizing sand in a liquid medium which creates landscape scenes with
natural contours and geography on a random formation basis.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide such a device
which can be embodied as part of a key ring assembly.
These and other objects are realized in a device for producing an art work
design which develops a desired three-dimensional appearance for a
randomly formed landscape scene. This device comprises a pair of plates
having opposing planar, interior surfaces which are in approximate
parallel orientation. Generally, at least one of such plates is visually
transparent to permit direct observation of the sand or particle
formation. The plates have a preferable separation distance between
opposing interior surfaces of approximately .02 to .06 inches and define
an inclosed plate volume therebetween. Particulate matter such as sand,
enamel or glass beads is disposed within the enclosed volume and operates
as the design-forming substance. This particulate matter is comprised of
at least two different particle sizes of a composition having at least two
different densities. The particulate matter includes (1) shading particles
for defining darker features within the design and (2) contrast particles
for providing a variety of lighter features in contrast to the darker
features. The shading particles have a mesh size within the range of 60 to
150 and usually have a specific gravity within the range of 3.0 to 7.0.
The contrast particles have a mesh size in the range of 60 to 240, with a
comparable range of specific gravities. The contrast particles include (i)
fine particles having a specific gravity of less than 3.0 and mesh sizes
within the range of 100 to 240 and (ii) moderate size particles which have
a specific gravity of greater than 3.0 and mesh sizes within the range of
70 to 150.
These particles are suspended in a liquid medium which is disposed within
the plate volume. Also included within the plate volume is a quantity of
buoyancy elements, such as air bubbles, which are entrained within the
liquid medium and have a sufficiently small size and a geometric
configuration to permit free movement throughout the plate volume. In
other words, these elements migrate through the particulate matter and
liquid and are sufficient in quantity to enable formation of a
substantially continuous line of contiguous buoyancy elements across the
full length of the plate volume. These structural components are enclosed
within the plate volume by sealed periphery such as silicon. A key ring
attachment tab may be included within the framework of the plate structure
to facilitate the use of this device as part of a key ring assembly.
Furthermore, an injection port may be included to facilitate adjustment of
air or other gas form within the particle/liquid/gas composite.
Other objects and features of the present invention will become apparent to
those skilled in the art based upon the following detailed description,
taken in combination with the following drawings.
DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 shows a partial cut away perspective view of a framed device
constructed in accordance with the present invention.
FIG. 2 shows a cross section of the device of FIG. 1, taken along the lines
2--2.
FIG. 3 illustrates an embodiment of the present invention constructed in
the form of a key chain assembly.
FIGS. 4 through 9 illustrate a sequence of sedimentation formation of art
work designs as would be realized in the device illustrated in FIG. 1.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The present invention literally adds a new dimension to prior
liquid/sand/gas devices for creating sand designs between verticle plates
in upright orientation. In essence, the present invention creates
three-dimensional images by developing greatly enhanced detail within the
sand scene. This is in direct contrast with two-dimensional appearances of
the prior art devices.
This present invention is illustrated in FIG. 1 as item 10. The device
includes a pair of plates of glass 11 and 12 which have opposing planar,
interior surfaces 13 and 14 in approximate parallel orientation. Although
most plates are illustrated as transparent, only one plate need be
visually transparent to accomplish the objectives of providing a visual
art display. Such plates might also be constructed of plastics or other
materials suitable for the intended art work. The present inventor has
discovered that a number of factors may be controlled to enhance the
detail developed by the random movement of sand within the enclosed plate
volume 15 between the opposing interior surfaces 13 and 14.
One such feature is the separation distance 16 between these plate
surfaces. Specifically, it has been discovered that if the separation
distance is reduced from prior art separation distances which are of
values greater than 0.07 inches, improved resolution occurs, particularly
in combination with other features disclosed herein. Accordingly, the
separation distance 16 illustrated in the FIGS. is defined to be a
distance between the values of 0.02 and 0.06 inches, and preferably
approximately 0.03 inches.
When this limitation of separation distance between plate surfaces is
adopted, a surprising increase to color resolution in sand formations is
realized, based on the effect of such separation in combination with other
features disclosed hereafter. For example, the thinner channel enables
better capture and support of sand or particulate matter against flow.
This operates to reduce the rate of sand movement to much slower
velocities than previously experienced. These slower velocities enable
better sand formation in differentiated layers which fine lines and other
features realized where multicolors of sand are used. It also enables
better differential flow between the air bubbles which retain some of the
particulate matter in a suspended state. Where differing densities of sand
are applied, greater enhancement of color separation occurs. Furthermore,
the thinner channel offers a significant increase to the number of flow
channels for sand which can develop between suspending air bubbles. The
greater number of flow channels provides further enhancement of color
separation needed to realize a three-dimensional appearance.
In addition to the reduced separation distance between plate surfaces, a
specific selection of sand or particulate matter is required. This
particulate matter has generally been limited to sand or similar mineral
compositions having a variety of colors. The present inventor has
discovered that in addition to sand and similar mineral compositions,
significant improved design art work can be realized with powdered
enamels, resins and also with glass beads. Further discussion as to the
basis for selection and choice of particulate matter is provided
hereafter. In general, the particulate matter operates as the
design-forming medium or material. Obviously, it must have a density
greater than the liquid medium in which it is entrained. Generally,
multiple densities are preferred in order to develop variable design
forms. This results from gravitational forces which accelerate particles
having heavier densities with respect to those of lighter density. In
addition, particle movement is also controlled by utilizing particles of
different size.
The particulate matter selected is disposed within a portion of the
enclosed volume 16 and is comprised of particles having at least two
different particle sizes and of compositions of at least two different
densities. These particles are shown entrained in the lower portion 17 of
the plate volume 16 in FIG. 2.
The particulate matter is generally divided into two classifications. The
first classification includes shading particles which provide darker
features within the design art work. For example, in FIG. 1, shading
particles are represented as item 20, 21, 22 and 23. It will be apparent
to those skilled in the art that such particles are typically not totally
isolated from other particles but may be intermixed with remaining
particulate matter. These shading particles will generally have a mesh
size within the range of 60 to 150 and a specific gravity within the range
of 3.0 to 7.0. This combination of particle size and density enables the
particle to operate within the fluid environment in response to gravity
and opposing buoyancy forces of air bubbles or the like to give proper
placement and variation within the overall design. The more preferred
range of mesh size for shading particles is 70 to 90, with best results
being realized with a chromite material of 70/80 mesh and having a
specific gravity of 4.7. Generally, the shading particles will comprise 15
to 75 percent by volume of the total particulate matter within the plate
volume 16. The present invention performs best with a shading particle
composition in the range of 40 to 60 percent by volume of the total
particulate matter. With the systems illustrated in the present
application, shading particles comprised 50 to 55 percent by volume of the
total particulate matter.
In order to develop the desired three dimensional effect, a composite of
contrast particles are used as illustrated at points 24, 25, 26 and 27.
Obviously, these identified locations are merely examples of a
comprehensive occurrence of these particles throughout the design format.
The function of the contrast particles is to provide a variety of lighter
features in intermixed colors which contrast with the darker features of
the shading particles.
Typically, the contrast particles will have a plurality of mesh sizes which
fall within the range of 60 to 240. Similarly, a plurality of specific
gravities for such particles will exist and will generally be within the
range of 3.0 to 7.0.
The contrast particles are generally divided into two categories. The first
category comprises fine particles which have a specific gravity of
approximately 3.0 or less and a general mesh size within the range of 150
to 240. This class of fine particles is best illustrated by item 27 which
is the lightest color within the design of FIG. 1. Although the maximum
limits of fine particles within the contrast powder extends from 10 to 80
percent by volume of the total contrast particle composition, color
separation and three-dimensional effect are enhanced as one reduces the
range to 20 to 70 percent, and preferably to 40 to 60 percent of the total
contrast particle composition.
When the fine particulate contrast particles exceed 80 percent of the total
composition, the system fails to respond because the fine particles or
powder pack too tightly and move too slowly to enable proper random
dispersion and movement of the particulate matter generally. Failure to
include at least 10 percent of the fine particulate material results in
loss of fine line delineations within the resulting design pattern.
Without such lines, the three dimensional effect is never achieved.
For example, the fine powders referred to herein are shown in FIGS. 4
through 9 as the white portions of the design. These white portions
comprise a 200 mesh silica powder. This silica has a specific gravity of
less than 3.0 and is so fine that upon inversion of the device, this
powder assumes the appearance of a milkey substance within the liquid
medium. Because of its fine size, gravitational affects its movement more
slowly than the larger sand particles comprising the shading material. The
fine detail created by the white lines of this component is clearly
manifest in FIGS. 6 through 9. In FIG. 9, the top white layer of
particulate matter which rests in the approximate middle-vertical section
illustrates the fine contrast particles which settle from the liquid
medium after the remaining larger particulate matter has been formed into
the landscape scene. This upper layer of fine particles creates an unusual
and esthetically pleasing top edge to the landscape scene which has a
fading effect, giving an appearance of skyline merging into the liquid
medium above the landscape scene. Further discussion of the operation of
the fine white contrast particles will be provided later within the
context of a description of the design sequence revealed in FIGS. 4
through 9.
A second category of contrast particles includes moderate sized particles
having a specific gravity greater than 3.0 and a mesh size approximately
within the range of 70 to 150. Generally, these moderate size contrast
particles will have a specific gravity within the range of 4.0 to 5.5 and
will thereby operate with increased movement rates as compared to the fine
contrast particles previously discussed. A preferred range of sizes for
this category of particles is 100 to 130 mesh. The examples illustrated in
the attached FIGS. show moderate particle sizes having 120 mesh size and
being comprised of silica. Because of their more rapid movement, the
moderate size contrast particles migrate with the shading particles to
create a variety of color combinations and design effects. These are
represented generally by the regions numbered 24, 25 and 26. The darker
areas such as 26 include increased concentration of the shading powder as
compared to the lighter areas 24. Such color contrasts are also apparent
with respect to the sequence FIGS. of FIG. 4 through FIG. 9.
Generally, the contrast particles will comprise the remaining volume of
particulate matter not included within the shading particles. Accordingly,
this would consist of 85 to 25 percent by volume. More preferably, the
composition of contrast particles will be approximately 40 to 60 percent
volume of the total particulate matter. The actual selection of relative
compositions will be based upon the desired contrast of dark versus light
colors and the overall dominant dark versus light design appearance
desired.
As with shading particles, contrast particles can be selected from a
variety of particulate mineral matter such as sand, silica and chromite.
In addition, the present inventor has discovered that enamel powders,
glass beads and resin powders offer unusual flowability and enhanced color
resolution within the present field of invention. For example, a green
enamel powder may be utilized within the definition of moderate size
particles to develop a forest-green appearance within the art work.
Similarly, particulate resin materials can be formed and may offer similar
varieties of color and density. In addition, glass beads may be utilized
within the limitations set forth for moderate sized particles.
The addition of glass beads provides other advantages for enhancement of
the three-dimensional effects realized in this invention. For example,
glass beads have a spherical symmetry which promotes flowability of other
particulate matter surrounding such beads. Use of glass beads therefore
functions to lubricate the flow of particles and to develop an improved
balance of slower versus faster particle migration. Such a balance is
essential if the fine detail lines illustrated in the FIGS. are to be
realized. Typically, the range of glass beads will extend from 10 to 40
percent by volume of the total contrast particle composition. A more
preferred range is approximately 25 to 30 percent by volume.
The three-dimensional effect realized in the FIGS. contained in this
disclosure were achieved with a contrast particle composite made up of
approximately six parts fine particulate silica of 200 mesh, with the
moderate particle composition including two parts silica of 120 mesh and
three parts fine glass beads. This combination of particle sizes and
densities realizes an unusually refined scene, despite its random
formation within the fluid environment.
An additional necessary element within the present system is the buoyant
material previously accomplished by utilization of air or gas bubbles. The
present inventor has identified other forms of buoyancy elements which may
be utilized within the present invention and has accordingly adopted this
term, as opposed to prior art use limited to gas bubbles.
The buoyancy elements or gas bubbles illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 as item
30 are entrained within the liquid medium which fills the remaining plate
volume. These elements or bubbles must have a sufficiently small size and
geometric configuration to permit free movement throughout the plate
volume and within the particulate matter and liquid. The quantity should
be sufficient to enable formation of a substantially continuous line
across a full length of the plate volume, as is illustrated at item 30 in
FIG. 1. Although the remaining portion of this line of bubbles is
concealed under the frame 40, it is to be understood that the bubbles
extend from the left side to the right side of the device.
As is illustrated in the FIGS. (particularly FIGS. 4 through 8) the small
bubbles operate to support the combination of particulate matter in its
superior suspended condition, allowing small strains of sand to pass
between bubbles and through other wider gaps to form the peaks and hills
of the landscape design. Valleys are formed by virtue of limited sand or
particle movement where the support of the buoyancy elements or bubbles is
most effective. This is particularly clear in FIG. 8, where a central
mountain is flanked by the upper suspended portions of particulate matter
on the left and right sides.
Prior art systems have been limited to the use of gas bubbles which are
unpredictable in size and shape, and which tend to change in volume, based
on temperature variations. The present inventor has discovered that other
buoyant elements may provide advantages over the prior use of gas. For
example, spherical bodies of solid material such as styrofoam and other
buoyant polymers may be utilized. These have the advantage of constant
size and predetermined shape. Such buoyant elements are illustrated, for
example, in FIG. 3 which comprises a key chain embodiment of the present
invention. Other forms of buoyant elements will be apparent to those
skilled in the art in view of the present disclosure.
Finally, the liquid medium which is utilized within the system fills the
remaining content of the plate volume. Typically, this liquid comprises
water with a detergent additive. The detergent additive provides increased
flowability to the particulate matter, based on the effects of surfactants
within the detergent. The liquid may also include a dye for providing
color tint to contrast with the colors of the particulate matter. In some
cases, an ammonia or other dye stabilizing composition is appropriate
within the liquid. In the embodiments illustrated in the FIGS., the liquid
composition is comprised of water, detergent and ammonia in the ratio of
approximately 320:4:1.
The combination of liquid, particulate matter, and buoyancy element is
sealed within the plate volume by use of a silicon adhesive or other means
for forming a peripheral edge around the plate volume. This element is
illustrated as item 35 in FIG. 2. Because of changes of temperature, and
other effects, it may be necessary to adjust the quantity of buoyancy
element where this element comprises gas bubbles. Accordingly, the present
invention includes the use of a hypodermic needle 36 as a means for
adjusting fluid and gas content to provide the proper balance of gas
within the system. Other forms of injection port may be envisioned by
those skilled in the art.
FIG. 3 illustrates an embodiment of the present invention which comprises
part of a key chain assembly. This includes the pair of opposing plates 41
and 42 and the peripheral sealing means 43 which encloses the plate
volume. Within this plate volume are the various sand or particulate
matter compositions 44, the buoyancy elements 45 and liquid composition
46. The present embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3 is graphically shown as
having just been inverted, with spaced trains of particulate matter 46,
47, 48 and 49 being pulled by gravity to the lower plate volume location
50. Where higher density particulate matter 51 exists near the buoyancy
elements 52, a flow surge 53 develops, causing a swirling pattern and
rapid movement of the particulate matter (shading particles) toward the
base 50. The desired three-dimensional effect is realized by the variety
of flow patterns and the corporation of fine particles with moderate
particles as part of the described system.
The present key chain embodiment illustrates the use of an insert plug 60
which is sealed within the periphery of the device and includes a recessed
channel 61 for injection of gas. This channel communicates from the
interior of the plate volume to an exterior location enabling access for
the injection means 36. As the insert plug 60 is sealed within a
peripheral bead of silicon adhesive captured between the peripheral edge
43 of the device, the channel 61 is also filled with silicon. This port is
then useful for receiving the needle portion of the injection means 36 to
effect transfer of gas or liquid as is necessary. The insert plug is
further adapted with a opening 63 enabling attachment of a key chain 64 or
other device as part of a key chain assembly.
In this application of the present invention, the separation distance
between opposing plates 41 and 42 is slightly enlarged. The present
illustration is set at approximately 0.06 inches separation distance to
enhance movement of the particulate matter within the liquid medium. This
is useful for objects smaller in size such as a key chain assembly,
whereas the narrower separation distance is appropriate for framed
pictures of significantly greater surface area such as is illustrated in
FIG. 1.
FIGS. 4 through 9 illustrate a sequence of six photographs taken shortly
after inversion of a framed device similar to that shown in FIG. 1. For
example, FIG. 4 illustrates the initial formation of several series of
three-dimensional peaks at the lower left corner, with a concurrent
formation of a peak in the right hand side. The three dimensional
landscape effect is illustrated by the variations in shading particles
which occur immediately below and to the left of the right hand peak.
These landscape designs are being randomly formed by reason of a proper
balance of sand compositions as described herein, with the space
limitations which are also set forth.
The gradual development of the landscape scene continues in FIG. 5 and FIG.
6, as variations in particle flow occur based on variations in density,
particle size and bubble location below the suspended particles. In FIG.
7, the central portion of the bubble line is about to be breached as the
sand passes through, enabling the bubbles to float upward to the top of
the frame. At this point, the sand spills from its center starting point
toward each respective side as is illustrated in FIG. 8. Following the
loss of bubble support, the shading particles and moderate sized contrast
particles fall to their various resting positions. Finally, the remaining
fine silica contrast particles settle over the top of the landscape scene
and provide the image and appearance of FIG. 9.
It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that variations in
composition and structure within the principles of the present invention
may be applied. Accordingly, the scope of the present invention is to be
determined by the following claims, and not by examples which represent
specific embodiments set forth herein.
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