US3692382A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Picture device and method of making pictures utilizing the same
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1970-05-07
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Granted: 1972-09-19
•
Expires: 1990-05-07
Abstract
Abstract A device for creating and displaying artistic flow patterns in picture-like form utilizing different colored classes of particles carried in a picture-like container, with the different classes of particles having different physical properties causing the particles to form semi-random accumulations and concentrations to provide the artistically pleasing flow pattern effect. Two rectangular glass or plastic plates are held in closely spaced parallel relation by a surrounding frame and the particulate material is carried in the space between the two plates. In different forms of the invention, the artistic effect is enchanced by making at least some of the particles translucent and shining light through them, by making at least some of the particles fluorescent and reflecting from them, making the different classes of particles in various colors, etc. The method form of the invention involves selection of particle classes, each class having unique visual appearance and having sufficient differentiation between physical characteristics, such as size, shape, density, or any other properties affecting relative physical movement in such manner that the particles flow differently and cause a heterogeneous array of concentrations and accumulations of the different classes of particles to provide a different design each time the particles are disturbed. Means is provided for continuous agitation of the particles to provide dynamic flow patterns in one modification of the invention, and a method is provided for retaining the particles in a desired configuration in another modification of the invention.
Inventors
- 👤 Roy L Cloutier
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 20:48
CPC Classifications
B; B44; B44F; B44F5/00; B44F1/00; B44F1/08; B44F1/10
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
165 words
An apparatus for visually presenting artistic flow patterns, comprising a container providing an inner chamber having a transparent wall for viewing the contents of the chamber, and a flowable non-liquid particulate material contained loosely in said chamber and capable of solid flow, said material comprising a plurality of visually differentiated classes of multiple particles with the particles in each class having physical properties similar to each other and differing from the physical properties of the particles in each of the other classes whereby upon agitation the particulate material will tend to separate into accumulations of one class of particles interspersed through the other classes to form patterns visible through said transparent wall and upon halting of said agitation said particles will assume a position of repose creating a static flow pattern until again agitated, and wherein the particles oF one class are of a different mass density than the other particles sufficient to cause separation of the aggregate material into accumulations by class upon agitation.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
165 words
An apparatus for visually presenting artistic flow patterns, comprising a container providing an inner chamber having a transparent wall for viewing the contents of the chamber, and a flowable non-liquid particulate material contained loosely in said chamber and capable of solid flow, said material comprising a plurality of visually differentiated classes of multiple particles with the particles in each class having physical properties similar to each other and differing from the physical properties of the particles in each of the other classes whereby upon agitation the particulate material will tend to separate into accumulations of one class of particles interspersed through the other classes to form patterns visible through said transparent wall and upon halting of said agitation said particles will assume a position of repose creating a static flow pattern until again agitated, and wherein the particles oF one class are of a different mass density than the other particles sufficient to cause separation of the aggregate material into accumulations by class upon agitation.
Claim 3
Independent Claim
177 words
An apparatus for visually presenting artistic flow patterns, comprising a container providing an inner chamber having a transparent wall for viewing the contents of the chamber, and a flowable non-liquid particulate material contained loosely in said chamber and capable of solid flow, said material comprising a plurality of visually differentiated classes of multiple particles with the particles in each class having physical properties similar to each other and differing from the physical properties of the particles in each of the other classes whereby upon agitation the particulate material will tend to separate into accumulations of one class of particles interspersed through the other classes to form patterns visible through said transparent wall and upon halting of said agitation said particles will assume a position of repose creating a static flow pattern until again agitated, and wherein the particles of one class are of a different mass density than the other particles sufficient to cause gravimetric displacement of the one class by the other particles and hence separation of the aggregate material into accumulations by class upon agitation.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
177 words
An apparatus for visually presenting artistic flow patterns, comprising a container providing an inner chamber having a transparent wall for viewing the contents of the chamber, and a flowable non-liquid particulate material contained loosely in said chamber and capable of solid flow, said material comprising a plurality of visually differentiated classes of multiple particles with the particles in each class having physical properties similar to each other and differing from the physical properties of the particles in each of the other classes whereby upon agitation the particulate material will tend to separate into accumulations of one class of particles interspersed through the other classes to form patterns visible through said transparent wall and upon halting of said agitation said particles will assume a position of repose creating a static flow pattern until again agitated, and wherein the particles of one class are of a different mass density than the other particles sufficient to cause gravimetric displacement of the one class by the other particles and hence separation of the aggregate material into accumulations by class upon agitation.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
177 words
An apparatus for visually presenting artistic flow patterns, comprising a container providing an inner chamber having a transparent wall for viewing the contents of the chamber, and a flowable non-liquid particulate material contained loosely in said chamber and capable of solid flow, said material comprising a plurality of visually differentiated classes of multiple particles with the particles in each class having physical properties similar to each other and differing from the physical properties of the particles in each of the other classes whereby upon agitation the particulate material will tend to separate into accumulations of one class of particles interspersed through the other classes to form patterns visible through said transparent wall and upon halting of said agitation said particles will assume a position of repose creating a static flow pattern until again agitated, and wherein the particles of one class being of larger size and of a shape to provide interstices therebetween when at rest, and the particles of another class being of smaller size and a shape to permit gravity flow thereof through said interstices.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
177 words
An apparatus for visually presenting artistic flow patterns, comprising a container providing an inner chamber having a transparent wall for viewing the contents of the chamber, and a flowable non-liquid particulate material contained loosely in said chamber and capable of solid flow, said material comprising a plurality of visually differentiated classes of multiple particles with the particles in each class having physical properties similar to each other and differing from the physical properties of the particles in each of the other classes whereby upon agitation the particulate material will tend to separate into accumulations of one class of particles interspersed through the other classes to form patterns visible through said transparent wall and upon halting of said agitation said particles will assume a position of repose creating a static flow pattern until again agitated, and wherein the particles of one class being of larger size and of a shape to provide interstices therebetween when at rest, and the particles of another class being of smaller size and a shape to permit gravity flow thereof through said interstices.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
143 words
A particle picture device, comprising particulate material containing a plurality of different colored particulate components with each component containing in excess of about 1,000 particles, the particles of one colored component having similar physical properties and sufficiently different from the physical properties of the other particulate material to provide a heterogeneous array exhibiting a plurality of randomly placed concentrations of said component when the particulate material is subjected to an external force capable of causing relative movement of said particles, and a container carrying said particulate material, said container including a transparent wall and formed of a size sufficient to hold the particulate material therein in loose enough fashion to accommodate relative particle movement within the particulate material, and in which two of the components vary from each other by having a particle mass density ratio in excess of the order of 2-to-1.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
143 words
A particle picture device, comprising particulate material containing a plurality of different colored particulate components with each component containing in excess of about 1,000 particles, the particles of one colored component having similar physical properties and sufficiently different from the physical properties of the other particulate material to provide a heterogeneous array exhibiting a plurality of randomly placed concentrations of said component when the particulate material is subjected to an external force capable of causing relative movement of said particles, and a container carrying said particulate material, said container including a transparent wall and formed of a size sufficient to hold the particulate material therein in loose enough fashion to accommodate relative particle movement within the particulate material, and in which two of the components vary from each other by having a particle mass density ratio in excess of the order of 2-to-1.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
167 words
An article of manufacture capable of providing pleasing art forms, comprising a closed container having walls defining a space therein, in which the closed container comprises a pair of concentric cylinders defining said space therebetween, and means for closing off said space at the ends of said cylinders; and particulate material sealingly carried in the space within said container, said space being substantially free of liquid material and sufficiently larger than the volume ocCupied by the particulate material to accommodate relative movement of particles in the form of solid flow upon application of an external force, said particulate material containing a plurality of particulate components having different appearances and flow characteristics, said flow characteristics being such that a heterogeneous mixture including a plurality of randomly placed concentrations of each particulate component is manifest during and after particle agitation and relative movement whereby visual contrast between said concentrations provides a random art form created by effecting said relative movement and flow until a desired pleasing heterogeneity is achieved.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
167 words
An article of manufacture capable of providing pleasing art forms, comprising a closed container having walls defining a space therein, in which the closed container comprises a pair of concentric cylinders defining said space therebetween, and means for closing off said space at the ends of said cylinders; and particulate material sealingly carried in the space within said container, said space being substantially free of liquid material and sufficiently larger than the volume ocCupied by the particulate material to accommodate relative movement of particles in the form of solid flow upon application of an external force, said particulate material containing a plurality of particulate components having different appearances and flow characteristics, said flow characteristics being such that a heterogeneous mixture including a plurality of randomly placed concentrations of each particulate component is manifest during and after particle agitation and relative movement whereby visual contrast between said concentrations provides a random art form created by effecting said relative movement and flow until a desired pleasing heterogeneity is achieved.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
33 words
An article of manufacture as defined in claim 5, in which said concentric cylinders are constructed of transparent material, and in which a light source is disposed within the innermost of said cylinders.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
178 words
A picture device capable of forming various designs, comprising a container having walls defining a space therein and including a window portion for seeing into the container, and a plurality of classes of particulate material having different particle size, but with the class median sizes ranging from about 1,000 to 2,000 microns, each of said classes being present in an amount in excess of 1,000 particles with the classes varying from each other in physical flow properties to an extent sufficient that flow variation occurs when the composite of particulate material is agitated or otherwise subjected to an external force so that the particles form a plurality of randomly placed concentrates of each class providing a visually differentiated heterogeneous mixture affording an attractive design visible through said window, and in which the number of particles in said particulate mixture is in excess of 1 million particles, and in which the particles of one class have a low density and are formed with a major portion of the interior of each particle filled with material in the gaseous state.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
178 words
A picture device capable of forming various designs, comprising a container having walls defining a space therein and including a window portion for seeing into the container, and a plurality of classes of particulate material having different particle size, but with the class median sizes ranging from about 1,000 to 2,000 microns, each of said classes being present in an amount in excess of 1,000 particles with the classes varying from each other in physical flow properties to an extent sufficient that flow variation occurs when the composite of particulate material is agitated or otherwise subjected to an external force so that the particles form a plurality of randomly placed concentrates of each class providing a visually differentiated heterogeneous mixture affording an attractive design visible through said window, and in which the number of particles in said particulate mixture is in excess of 1 million particles, and in which the particles of one class have a low density and are formed with a major portion of the interior of each particle filled with material in the gaseous state.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
17 words
A picture device as defined in claim 7, in which the low density particles are glass microballoons.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
166 words
A method of providing quasi-random artistic designs, comprising the steps of providing an aggregate of a plurality of classes of particulate material in a container with the container being sealed against moisture and having a substantially liquid-free interior, said classes of particulate material each containing in excess of 1,000 particles and possessing sufficiently different physical properties between classes that when the particulate material is subjected to an external force capable of causing relative movements of said particles a heterogeneous array including a plurality of randomly placed concentrations of each class is provided, moving the container and particulate material to cause the heterogeneous array of particles to move around and change its form to provide various designs until a desired design form is achieved, and coating a particulate material with temperature sensitive adhesive inoperative at ambient temperatures but causing adhesion of particles at elevated temperatures, and subjecting the composite to said elevated temperature after a desired design is obtained in order to provide a permanent composite design.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
166 words
A method of providing quasi-random artistic designs, comprising the steps of providing an aggregate of a plurality of classes of particulate material in a container with the container being sealed against moisture and having a substantially liquid-free interior, said classes of particulate material each containing in excess of 1,000 particles and possessing sufficiently different physical properties between classes that when the particulate material is subjected to an external force capable of causing relative movements of said particles a heterogeneous array including a plurality of randomly placed concentrations of each class is provided, moving the container and particulate material to cause the heterogeneous array of particles to move around and change its form to provide various designs until a desired design form is achieved, and coating a particulate material with temperature sensitive adhesive inoperative at ambient temperatures but causing adhesion of particles at elevated temperatures, and subjecting the composite to said elevated temperature after a desired design is obtained in order to provide a permanent composite design.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-09-19 | 1976-03-20 | 1976-09-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-09-19 | 1980-03-20 | 1980-09-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-09-19 | 1984-03-20 | 1984-09-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |