Hollow Body with Attractive Movement Effects

Abstract

The invention relates to a hollow body with attractive movement effects. The transparent hollow body is filled with a viscous transparent liquid (F). This body contains two types of small-part bodies used as floating bodies (S) and even smaller-sized bodies as drive bodies (K). The floating bodies (S) have an arbitrary average diameter and the drive elements (K) preferably have a significantly smaller diameter than the floating bodies (S). The density of the material of the floating bodies (S) is always less than that of the material of the drive bodies (K). The hollow body contains two perforated plate plates (3) spaced apart from one another, provided as horizontal intermediate walls, so that the hollow body forms a central sub-chamber as well as an upper and a lower sub-chamber (2) for the plurality of floating and drive bodies (S; K).

Claims

1. A hollow body with attractive movement effects, wherein the transparent hollow body is filled with a low to medium viscosity, preferably transparent liquid (F), characterised in that the hollow body contains two types of preferably small-part bodies as floating bodies (S) and, on the other hand, even relatively small-sized bodies as drive bodies (K), the density of which is increased significantly compared to its unmodified design by several additions, in the hollow body, at least one perforated plate (3), preferably two perforated plate plates (3) spaced apart from one another, are provided as horizontal intermediate walls, and thus the hollow body forms a central sub-chamber as well as an upper and a lower sub-chamber (2) for the plurality of floating and drive bodies (S; K), and that the floating bodies (S) have, in principle, any average diameter, the drive bodies (K) can in principle have an arbitrary average diameter but, in typical concrete applications, a significantly smaller diameter than the floating bodies (S). the density of the material of the floating bodies (S) is always less than that of the material of the drive bodies (K), and the density of the liquid (F) is slightly above or slightly below the value of the density of the material of the floating bodies, but is preferably slightly less than the value of the density of the floating bodies (S).

2. A hollow body according to claim 1, characterised in that in the perforated plate (3) a plurality of holes (4) of the same and/or different size and distribution are formed symmetrically or asymmetrically.

3. A hollow body according to claim 2, characterised in that the holes (4) are adapted to the diameter of the floating bodies (S) and the drive bodies (K) and dimensioned such that through them the floating bodies do not fit therethrough, while the drive bodies (K) can pass through the bores (4).

4. A hollow body according to claim 2, characterised in that the holes (4) in the perforated plate (3) are circular, rectangular, oval and the like, or are formed as elongated holes.

5. A hollow body according to claim 1, characterised in that the floating bodies (S) preferably have a spherical shape, an irregular shape, or are constructed as spatial figures.

6. A hollow body according to claim 1, characterised in that the floating bodies (S) have only one or adjacent different colours. A hollow body according to claim 1, characterised in that the drive bodies (K) are made preferably of non-coloured glass, for example glass beads, and the floating bodies (S) from plastic granules or plastic beads.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0043] The idea behind the invention is described more in detail in the following description using an embodiment example illustrated on the drawings. The figures are as follows:

[0044] FIG. 1A shows a side view of the hollow body according to the invention,

[0045] FIG. 1B shows another side view of the hollow body according to the invention,

[0046] FIG. 1C shows a cross-sectional view along the arrows on the hollow body according to the invention,

[0047] FIG. 2 shows the hollow body according to FIG. 1A with the necessary content components in the rest position, and

[0048] FIG. 3 shows the hollow body some time after the rotation from the rest position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0049] Before describing the overall inventive effect according to the above, it is necessary first to describe the structural structure of the hollow body which contains the floating bodies (S), the drive bodies (K) and the liquid (F).

[0050] FIG. 1 shows the basic structure of the required hollow body, preferably of plastic, with a square cross-section. However, the cross-section can also be shaped differently, for example rectangular or cylindrical. The hollow body comprises a central chamber (1), which is adjoined by at least one supply chamber (2) for the drive bodies (K). In most applications, it is advantageous if, for the drive bodies (K), a supply chamber (2) is formed above and below the central chamber (1).

[0051] The storage chamber (2) is preferably conically expanded in order to provide a great deal of space for the drive bodies (K), which maximizes the effort to achieve a long-lasting inventive effect in the hollow body.

[0052] Between the central chamber (1) and the storage chambers (2) there is at least one perforated plate (3). The drive bodies (K) are introduced into the central chamber (1) and in the starting position in one of the two storage chambers (2). The remaining volume of the entire hollow body is filled with liquid (F), which is not shown in detail in the drawings.

[0053] The perforated plate (3) has at least one bore (4), but preferably several. The diameters of the holes (4) are matched to the diameters of the floating bodies (S) and the drive bodies (K). The holes (4) are dimensioned in such a way that the floating bodies (S) used cannot pass through them while the drive bodies (K) can pass through the holes (4). Advantageously, a hole diameter is selected for the perforated plates (3), which has at least twice the diameter of the drive bodies (K), so that the drive bodies (K) do not become jammed when they pass through the holes (4).

[0054] Following these introductory explanations, the effect according to the invention will now be explained with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3.

[0055] FIG. 1 shows in a side view the inner structure of a hollow body according to the invention in the unfilled state, namely with the central chamber (1), the supply chambers (2), the perforated plates (3) with the bores (4).

[0056] FIG. 2 shows the hollow body according to FIG. 1 with the above-mentioned content components. The hollow body stands on its foot (M).

[0057] FIG. 3 shows the aforementioned hollow body some time after it has been turned, while standing on its other foot (L).

[0058] Drive bodies (K) trickle down from the supply chambers (2) through the holes (4) of the perforated plate (3) in the liquid (F), for example, water. In doing so, they hit the floating bodies (S). If water is used, these can consist, for example, of ABS (acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymer) resin with a density of 0.99 g/cm.sup.3.

[0059] Since the floating bodies (S) have a lower density than the drive bodies (K), the floating bodies (S) receive a movement pulse downwards. Since the drive bodies (K) are constantly trickling downwards in large numbers, all the floating bodies (S) are moving like a swarm. Floating bodies (S) which partially or temporarily receive fewer hits by the drive bodies (K) than others rise again until they experience anew a downward movement pulse from a larger number of drive bodies (K). In this way, nearly all of the floating bodies (S) can be located in an upwardly and downwardly directed movement for a longer time in a swirling process.

[0060] If the hollow body is not viewed from the immediate vicinity, that is to say from a distance so that the eye does not recognize the finely divided glass beads, the whole works as an optical perpetual motion mobile. If, however, the movement process is terminated because no drive body (K) is able any longer to trickle through the central chamber (1), the process can be initiated again and again by inverting the hollow body.

[0061] It is also possible that with the previously described effect, several partial bodies can be combined side by side, one behind the other or one above the other.

[0062] In a further specific embodiment (not shown), the hollow body has three perforated plates (3) one above the other. In this case, two perforated plates (3) are provided for the partial separation of the drive bodies (K), namely a perforated plate (3) in the upper region and in the lower region of the hollow body. A further perforated plate (3) is arranged approximately in the center of the hollow body, which is designed in such a way that it preferably results in a generally slower passage of all drive bodies (K) opposite the two other perforated plates (3). Two further partial chambers are thus formed, which are provided for the floating bodies (S) separated from one another. In each of these last-mentioned two sub-chambers, different floats (S) may be introduced, for example, in quantity, size and colour. With this arrangement, it is possible, in addition to the parameters already described elsewhere, to achieve the approximate movement times which are very in demand in the advertising and gift articles industry.

[0063] So a special time target is as follows: After turning the hollow body, a time t.sub.1 is achieved when all the drive bodies (K) leave the uppermost floating body sub-chamber and a time t.sub.2, when they have fully arrived in the lowermost sub-chamber. Three times can thus be achieved: t.sub.1, t.sub.2 and from the sum t.sub.1 plus t.sub.2.

[0064] It is also possible to apply the basic principle of the invention not only in handy advertising and gift articles, but also in significantly larger hollow bodies, in order to create artistic objects. In this application, electromotive drives are preferably used for the rotation, or the drive bodies are mechanically transported, for example by a pumping device. For such an embodiment, only one perforated plate (3) is required.

[0065] It can be installed in public areas such as streets, squares and parks, but also in interior spaces such as entrance halls, sales rooms, halls, waiting rooms, discotheques. In the case of such significantly larger hollow bodies, compared to advertising and gift articles, the possibility exists of using bodies which are molded as plastic bodies, as floating bodies (S). For the sake of clarity, fruit, blossoms, colourful eggs, technical components, coins, etc. are illustrated as representatives.

[0066] It is also possible to combine such larger objects with electrical lighting. Thus the effect can also be applied in the dark. A special variant is the one in which special effects are achieved with black light. In this case, the floating bodies (S) contain luminous components under blacklight influence.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

[0067] F Transparent liquid

[0068] S Floating bodies

[0069] K Drive bodies

[0070] M Foot

[0071] L Foot

[0072] 1 Cenral chamber

[0073] 2 Supply chamber

[0074] 3 Perforated plate

[0075] 4 Bore