Card – picture – or sign exhibiting – Display device with free article movement – Snowfall simulator
Reexamination Certificate
1999-11-09
2001-03-27
Silbermann, Joanne (Department: 3628)
Card, picture, or sign exhibiting
Display device with free article movement
Snowfall simulator
C040S409000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06205689
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to display devices, and specifically to display devices providing a simulated snowfall within a fluid.
2. Description of the Related Art
A conventional display device for providing simulated snowfall consists of a glass ball enclosing a fluid with small pellets or flakes disposed therein. The glass ball is shaken to randomly disperse the pellets throughout the fluid, and the pellets then gradually descend through the fluid to the bottom of the glass ball, giving the appearance of falling snow. Such a device has the obvious disadvantage of requiring someone to periodically shake it, a very difficult task when the display device is desired to be somewhat large.
More elaborate snowfall display devices include internal impellers or pumps for causing the pellets to move within the fluid. These devices typically have an impeller on the lower side of the display container which simultaneously thrusts some of the particles upward and draws others downward in the viewing area, creating a very artificial appearance because snowflakes do not move upward from the ground in a natural snowfall.
Moreover, in prior art attempts to solve the problem of hiding the upward-moving pellets from view, there is generally a relatively small intake hole on the bottom of the tank into which the fluid and pellets are drawn. Thus, the various fluid flow lines in these devices terminate in substantially the same area at the bottom of the tank, giving the impression that all of the “snowflakes” fall downward for some distance, then curve at the end of their path to reach a common point. Such a configuration also fails to provide a natural appearance of snowfall. In accordance with the present invention, there is desired an improved snowfall simulator which gives the natural appearance of snow falling from the top of a tank to the bottom of the tank in a continuous, natural fashion.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is a display device for producing a simulated snowfall within a display tank or container filled with liquid and a plurality of snowflake simulating elements. The device is arranged so that the snow elements are distributed along a top surface of the liquid in the tank and then fall downwardly towards a bottom of the tank through the liquid under the force of gravity.
The device defines a snow element flow path along the bottom of the tank and upwardly along a first side back to the top surface. Means are also provided for moving the snow elements along this path for returning them back to the top of the tank, whereby a continuous simulated snowfall is created.
The snow element path is preferably defined by a trough positioned at the bottom of the tank and a deflector positioned at the intersection of the bottom and side of the tank.
Preferably, the means for moving the snow elements comprises a liquid pump positioned at a top side of the display tank. The pump expels liquid through an outflow tube which extends along a side of the tank to the bottom. This liquid flows through the trough at the bottom of the tank, into which the snow elements reaching the bottom of the tank are drawn. The liquid containing snow elements is then deflected upwardly along the first side of the tank to the top of the tank. As the snow elements reach the upper side of the display tank, they spread out uniformly and gradually descend through the water, creating a simulated snowfall with a natural appearance.
Advantageously, a continuous simulated snowfall is created where the snow elements are evenly dispersed and those elements which are being returned to the top of the tank are routed along a periphery of the tank without interference with those which are falling.
Further objects, features and advantages of the present invention over the prior art will become apparent from the detailed description of the drawings which follows, when considered with the attached figures.
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Knobbe Martens Olson & Bear LLP
Silbermann Joanne
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