Information
-
Patent Grant
-
6792709
-
Patent Number
6,792,709
-
Date Filed
Friday, August 24, 200123 years ago
-
Date Issued
Tuesday, September 21, 200420 years ago
-
Inventors
-
Original Assignees
-
Examiners
Agents
- Patzik, Frank & Samotny Ltd.
-
CPC
-
US Classifications
Field of Search
US
- 040 720
- 040 725
- 040 734
- 040 722
- 040 738
- 119 257
- 119 253
- 119 248
-
International Classifications
-
Abstract
A display device having one or more liquid-filled chambers through which an object may be viewed as if it were submerged in liquid. The display device includes a frame member having four sides, at least two of the sides each having a viewing aperture. At least two substantially transparent liquid-filled chambers can also be provided in a side-by-side or back-to-back alignment, and are positioned within the frame member in substantial corresponding relationship with one of the viewing apertures.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to a display device, and specifically to a display device having one or more liquid-filled chambers behind which an object can be positioned so as to appear as if it is submerged when viewed through the chamber.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Many types of display devices have been devised for displaying objects such as textual and pictorial images. Conventional display devices are often used in the retail industry for displaying advertising information. In addition, conventional display devices are most often used for personal use to display photographs.
Conventional display devices have been devised which include a frame member having transparent front portion, a rear portion, and a transparent liquid-filled cell positioned therebetween. A photograph or the like is positioned between the liquid-filled cell and the rear portion, so that the pictorial or textual image can be viewed through the cell and front portion.
However, such conventional display devices are inadequate, because they allow only one photograph or other object to be displayed at a time. Further, such conventional liquid-filled display frames only allow for viewing of a single object from one direction, namely, from the front portion of the frame member.
Therefore, it is a first object of the present invention to provide a liquid-filled display device which can display multiple pictorial or textual images simultaneously, while making such objects appear as if they are submerged in the liquid.
It is a second object of the present invention to provide a liquid-filled display device which can display pictorial or textual images for viewing from more than one direction while making such objects appear as if they are submerged in the liquid.
It is a third object of the present invention to provide a liquid-filled display device which is easy and economical to manufacture.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The above-listed objects are met or exceeded by the present apparatus for displaying pictorial and/or textual images and the like. A liquid-filled display device is provided having a frame member having four sides, at least two of the sides each having a viewing aperture. At least two substantially transparent liquid-filled chambers are also provided, and are positioned within the frame member in substantial corresponding relationship with one of the viewing apertures.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent upon reading the following detailed description and upon reference to the drawings in which:
FIG. 1
is a top perspective view of a display device of the present invention.
FIG. 2
is an exploded view of the display device of the present invention.
FIG. 3
is a cross-sectional diagram of the display device taken alone line
3
—
3
of FIG.
1
.
FIG. 4
is a magnified view of a cross-sectional view of a pre-assembled liquid-filled chamber taken from FIG.
3
.
FIG. 5
is a bottom perspective view of a frame member.
FIG. 6
is a top view of a divider member.
FIG. 7
is a cross-sectional diagram of the divider member taken cross line
7
—
7
in FIG.
6
.
FIG. 8
is a magnified view of a cross-sectional view of an energy director taken from FIG.
7
.
FIG. 9
is a magnified view of a pre-assembly cross-sectional view of the divider member and frame member taken from FIG.
3
.
FIG. 10
is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the display device.
FIG. 11
is an exploded view of the alternate embodiment of the display device.
FIG. 12
is a cross-sectional diagram of the alternate embodiment of the display device taken alone line
12
—
12
of FIG.
10
.
FIG. 13
is a cross-sectional diagram of the alternate embodiment of the display device taken alone line
13
—
13
of FIG.
10
.
FIG. 14
is an exploded cross-sectional diagram of a liquid-filled chamber taken alone line
14
—
14
of FIG.
11
.
FIG. 15
is a magnified view of a cross-sectional view of a portion of the liquid-filled chamber taken from FIG.
14
.
WRITTEN DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
While this invention is susceptible of embodiment in many different forms, there is shown in the drawings and will herein be described in detail, one specific embodiment, with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered merely an exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the invention only to the embodiment illustrated.
As shown in
FIGS. 1 and 2
, and as previously mentioned, the display device
10
of the present invention includes a substantially cubed-shaped frame member
12
having a frame member top wall
14
and four side walls
16
, each side wall
16
having a viewing aperture defined by edge
18
. Four liquid-filled chambers
22
are positioned within the frame member
12
such that the frame member
12
substantially surrounds the four chambers
22
. However, alternate embodiments are contemplated wherein one or more chambers
22
are positioned in the frame member
12
.
Each chamber
22
includes a substantially planar and transparent front wall
24
, an opposing curved and transparent rear wall
26
, a chamber top wall
28
, a chamber bottom wall
32
(see FIG.
3
), and opposing chamber side walls
33
. In the preferred embodiment, the rear wall
26
is convex-shaped. However, the rear wall
26
could also be concave-shaped or substantially flat as well. In addition, the front wall
24
could also be curved. The chamber top wall
28
, bottom wall
32
and side walls
33
need not be transparent. It is preferred that the height and width of the chamber front wall
24
be of sufficient length to ensure that the edges of the front wall
24
are not visible through the aperture
18
when the chamber
22
is positioned within the frame member
12
. Further, each chamber
22
is positioned within the frame member
12
so as to be in substantial alignment with one of the frame member side wall apertures
18
, preferably so that the edges of the chamber front wall
24
are not visible through the aperture
18
.
Dividing means for positioning the four chambers
22
within the frame member
12
is provided. In the preferred embodiment, the dividing means is a divider member
34
having four curved surfaces
36
positioned in substantially perpendicular relative relationship to each other. In the preferred embodiment, the curved surfaces
36
are concave-shaped. However, the curved surfaces
36
could also be convex-shaped, or some other shape that is equivalent or complimentary to the shape of the rear wall of the chamber, as well. In either case, it is preferred that shape of each curved surface
36
substantially correspond to that of the chamber rear side
26
. As will be further discussed below, the divider member
34
is fixedly connected to the inside surface
38
(see
FIG. 5
) of the frame member top wall
14
by affixation means.
Retention means for retaining the chambers
22
within the frame member
12
is provided. In the preferred embodiment, the retention means are retaining tabs
38
extending from the bottom portion of each dividing member curved surface
36
which engage the chamber bottom wall
32
(See FIG.
3
), thus substantially preventing the chamber
22
from sliding out of the frame member
12
. In the preferred embodiment, two retaining tabs
39
are provided for each chamber
22
. Further, in the preferred embodiment, the two retaining tabs
39
are positioned so as to engage the chamber bottom wall
32
proximal to the edge formed by the intersection of the chamber bottom and side walls
32
,
33
, respectively. However, the invention is not so limited. Alternate embodiments are contemplated wherein only one retaining tab
39
is employed, and/or wherein the retaining tab extends from an inside surface of the frame member
12
.
Each chamber
22
is provided with a holder for positioning an object
42
relative thereto behind its rear wall
26
, so as to enable viewing of the object
42
through the front wall
24
of the chamber
22
. The holder may include one or more tabs (not shown) and/or clips (not shown) operably associated with the chamber
22
, frame member
12
or divider member
34
; an adhesive associated with the chamber
22
, frame member
12
or divider member
34
; and/or a void or slot formed behind the rear wall
26
of the chamber
22
.
In the preferred embodiment, the holder is a slot or void. Slot defining means is provided for positioning each chamber
22
with respect to its corresponding divider member curved surface
36
, so as to define the void or slot therebetween. In the preferred embodiment, the slot dividing means includes a plurality of positioning tabs
44
extending from each of the chamber side walls
33
in substantially perpendicular relationship to the front wall
24
. The positioning tabs
44
contact the divider member curved surface
36
causing the chamber front side
24
to abut or contact the inside surface
44
of the corresponding frame member
16
, which, in turn, forms a slot or void between the chamber rear surface
26
and the divider member curved surface
36
. An alternate embodiment is contemplated wherein the tabs
44
extend from the divider member
34
.
It is within the above-mentioned slot or void that the substantially planar object
42
is positioned for viewing through the frame member sidewall aperture
18
and in turn the chamber
22
. The object
42
may be anything capable of being inserted into the slot or void, such as a photo, drawing, picture, advertisement or the like. Each divider member curved surface
36
is provided with a cutout defined by edge
48
, which provides a means by which a user can grasp the object
42
for removal from the slot.
A removable bottom member
52
is provided having a plurality of apertures defined by edge
54
. A plurality of corresponding rounded tabs
56
extend from the inside surface of the frame member sides
16
, proximal to the bottom-most edge of each side
16
. When the bottom member
52
is inserted into the frame member
12
, the apertures
54
and tabs
56
cooperate so as to removably secure the bottom member
52
within the frame member
12
.
The manufacture and assembly of the display device
10
will now be discussed with reference to
FIGS. 3 through 9
. In the preferred embodiment, the frame member
12
, the components for the chambers
22
, divider member
34
, and bottom member
52
are manufactured using a thermoplastic material which is substantially impact resistant, lightweight and aesthetically pleasing, and are formed using conventional injection-molding equipment. The particular thermoplastic material employed will depend on the injection-molding process employed, and it should be understood that one with ordinary skill in the relevant art could readily choose the particular thermoplastic to be employed.
After the requisite parts have been formed, assembly of the display device
10
is carried out as follows. First, the chambers
22
are assembled. Referring to
FIG. 9
, in the preferred embodiment, the chamber curved rear wall
26
, side walls
33
, top wall
28
and bottom wall
32
form an integral member. A circular-shaped fill hole defined by edge
58
is formed through the bottom wall
32
, preferably during the injection-molding process. A corresponding fill hole cap
62
is also provided. The chamber front wall
24
is fixedly attached to the above-noted integral member by affixation means. In the preferred embodiment, the affixation means includes joining the chamber front wall
24
to the integral member using a suitable joint in combination with a thermal welding method. Such methods include, but are not limited to, ultrasonic welding, vibration welding, radio-frequency welding, and electromagnetic or induction welding.
In the most preferred embodiment, the affixation means employed is an energy director joint design in combination with an ultrasonic welding method. Referring to
FIG. 4
, the chamber front wall
24
includes a recessed butt or contact surface
64
which extends around the periphery of the front wall inside surface
66
. A corresponding sealing flange
68
having a triangularly-shaped energy director
69
extends from the flange's distal face
72
. To assemble the front side
24
to the integral member, the front wall
24
is positioned so that the recessed butt or contacting surface
64
contacts the energy director
69
. Using ultrasonic equipment, ultrasonic energy is then applied to the combination at the intersection of the butt or contacting surface
64
and the energy director
69
, thereby causing the energy director
69
to melt and fixedly join the butt or contacting surface
64
with the flange distal face
72
.
Next, the chamber
22
is filled with a liquid
74
, which is inserted into the chamber
22
through the fill hole
58
. In one embodiment, the chamber
22
is filled with a viscous liquid, such as glycerine, and contains particulate matter, such as sand, glitter and the like. In another embodiment, the chamber
22
is filled with a bubble producing substance, such as a surfactant, which causes bubbles to produce when the chamber
22
is agitated. In yet another embodiment, the liquid
74
may contain two or more liquids of varying polarity which, when the chamber
22
is agitated, form an emulsion or colloidal suspension. In addition, coloring pigments could be added to the liquid
74
to produce a coloring effect. The chamber
22
could also contain water or a gas such as air.
Once the chamber
22
is filled, the fill hole
58
is sealed using the fill hole cap
62
. In the preferred embodiment, the fill hole cap
62
is fixedly secured using an adhesive, one which is preferably inert with respect to the liquid
74
inserted into the chamber
22
. Alternate embodiments are contemplated wherein the fill hole cap
62
is fixedly secured using a thermal welding method.
Once the chambers
22
are assembled, the display device
10
can then be assembled. First, the divider member
34
is fixedly secured to the inside surface
38
of the frame member top wall
14
using affixation means. In the preferred embodiment, the affixation means includes joining the divider member
34
to the frame member
12
using a suitable joint in combination with a thermal welding method. Such methods include, but are not limited to, ultrasonic welding, vibration welding, radio-frequency welding, and electromagnetic or induction welding.
In the most preferred embodiment, the affixation means employed is an energy director joint design in combination with an ultrasonic welding method. Referring to
FIG. 5
, a joint member
76
having a butt or contact surface
78
extends from the frame member top wall inside surface
38
. Referring to
FIGS. 6
,
7
and
8
, a corresponding triangularly-shaped energy director
82
extending from the divider member's upper edge
84
is provided.
The assembly of the display device
10
is carried out as follows. Where the divider member
34
and the retention tabs
38
form an integral member, the chambers
22
are first positioned so that the chamber positioning tabs
44
and bottom surface
32
contact the divider member curved surface
36
and retention tabs
38
, respectively. Thereafter, the combination is inserted into the frame member
12
so that, as shown in
FIG. 8
, the divider member energy director
82
contacts the frame member butt or contacting surface
78
. Ultrasonic energy is then applied to the combination at the joint using ultrasonic welding equipment, thereby causing the energy director
82
to melt and fixedly join the butt or contacting surface
78
to the divider member upper edge
84
.
In the alternative, where the divider member
34
and the retaining tabs
39
do not form an integral member, the divider member
34
is first secured to the frame member
12
as described above. Next, the chambers
22
are inserted into the space or void provided between the frame member side walls
16
and the divider member curved surface
36
. Next, the retention retaining tabs
39
are fixedly secured to the bottom surface (not shown) of the divider member
34
using one of the above-noted thermal welding methods.
In either of the above two alternative embodiments, after the divider member
34
and chambers
22
are secured in the frame member
12
, the bottom member
52
is secured within the frame member
12
by inserting the rounded tabs
56
into the apertures
54
provided in the bottom member
52
, thus completing the manufacture and assembly process.
As shown in
FIG. 10
, and as previously mentioned, an alternate embodiment of the display device
100
of the present invention includes a substantially rectangularly-shaped frame member
102
having a top wall
104
, two side walls
106
and two opposing viewing walls
108
, each viewing wall having a viewing aperture defined by edge
112
. As shown in
FIG. 12
, two liquid-filled chambers
114
are positioned within the frame member
102
. Each chamber
114
is positioned within the frame member
102
so as to be in substantial alignment with one of the frame member side wall apertures
112
.
Slot defining means is provided for positioning the chambers
114
within the frame member
102
so as to define a slot between the two chambers
114
. Referring to
FIGS. 12 and 13
in combination, in the preferred embodiment, the slot defining means includes on or more separating tabs
116
extending from the inside surface
118
of the frame member side walls
106
in substantially perpendicular relationship thereto. The separating tabs
116
extend between the chambers
114
, forcing the chambers
114
to abut or contact the viewing wall inside surfaces
122
. It is within the above-mentioned slot or void that one or more substantially planar objects
124
are positioned. The one or more objects
124
may be anything capable of being inserted into the slot or void, such as a photo, drawing, writing, printed material, picture, advertisement, greeting card or the like.
A removable bottom member
126
is provided for removably securing the chambers
114
and one or more objects
124
within the frame member
102
. The bottom member
126
includes a plurality of recessed regions defined by edge
128
. A plurality of corresponding rounded tabs
132
extend from the viewing wall inside surfaces
122
, proximal to the bottom-most edge of each wall
108
. Referring to
FIGS. 12 and 14
, when the bottom member
126
is inserted into the frame member
102
, the recessed regions
128
and tabs
132
cooperate so as to removably secure the bottom member
126
within the frame member
102
.
The manufacture and assembly of the alternate embodiment of the display device
100
will now be discussed with reference to
FIGS. 12
,
15
and
16
. In the preferred embodiment, the frame member
102
, the components for the chambers
114
and bottom member
126
are manufactured using a thermoplastic material which is substantially impact resistant, lightweight and aesthetically pleasing, and are formed using conventional injection-molding equipment. The particular thermoplastic material employed will depend on the injection-molding process employed, and it should be understood that one with ordinary skill in the relevant art could readily choose the particular thermoplastic to be employed.
After the requisite parts have been formed, assembly of the alternate embodiment of the display device
100
is accomplished as follows. First, the changers
114
are assembled. Referring to
FIG. 9
, each chamber
102
includes a substantially planar and transparent front wall
134
, an opposing transparent rear wall
136
, a chamber top wall
138
, a chamber bottom wall
142
(see FIG.
2
), and opposing side walls
144
(see FIG.
12
). It should be noted that the chamber top wall
138
, bottom wall
142
and opposing side walls
144
need not be transparent.
In the preferred embodiment, rear wall
136
, top wall
138
, side walls
144
and bottom wall
142
form an integral member. A circular-shaped fill hole defined by edge
148
is formed through the bottom wall
142
, preferably during the injection-molding process. A corresponding fill hole cap
152
is provided. The chamber front wall
134
is fixedly attached to the above-noted integral member by affixation means.
In the preferred embodiment, the affixation means includes joining the chamber front wall
134
to the above-noted integral member using a suitable joint in combination with a thermal welding method. Such methods include, but are not limited to, ultrasonic welding, vibration welding, radio-frequency welding, and electromagnetic or induction welding.
In the most preferred embodiment, the affixation means employed is an energy director joint design in combination with an ultrasonic welding method. Referring to
FIG. 16
, the chamber front wall
134
includes a recessed butt or contact surface
154
which extends around the periphery of the front wall inside surface
156
. A corresponding sealing flange
158
having a triangularly-shaped energy director
162
extends from the flange's distal face
164
. To assemble the front wall
134
to the integral member, the front wall
134
is positioned so that the recessed butt or contacting surface
154
contacts the energy director
162
. Using ultrasonic welding equipment, ultrasonic energy is then applied to the combination at intersection of the butt or contacting surface
154
and the energy director
162
, thereby causing the energy director
162
to melt and fixedly join the butt or contacting surface
154
with the flange distal face
164
.
Next, liquid
168
(see
FIG. 14
) is inserted into the chamber
114
through the fill hole
148
. In one embodiment, the chamber is filled with a viscous liquid, such as glycerine, and contains particulate matter, such as sand, glitter and the like. In another embodiment, the chamber
114
is filled with a bubble producing substance, such as a surfactant, which causes bubbles to be produced when the chamber
114
is agitated. In yet another embodiment, the liquid
168
may contain two or more liquids of varying polarity which, when the chamber is agitated, form an emulsion or colloidal suspension. In addition, coloring pigments could be added to the liquid
168
to produce a coloring effect. The chamber
114
could also contain water or a gas such as air.
Once the chamber
114
has been filled, the fill hole
148
is sealed using the fill hole cap
152
. In the preferred embodiment, the fill hole cap
152
is fixedly secured using an adhesive, one which is preferably inert with respect to the liquid
168
into the chamber
114
. Alternate embodiments are contemplated wherein the fill hole cap
152
is fixedly secured using a thermal welding method.
Once the chambers
114
are assembled, the alternate embodiment of the display device
100
can then be assembled. First, the chambers
114
are inserted into the frame member
102
and positioned so that the separating tab
116
extends between the chambers
114
. Next, the bottom member
126
is secured within the frame member
102
by inserting the rounded tabs
132
into the recessed regions
128
provided in the bottom member
126
, thus completing the manufacture and assembly process.
The foregoing description of an embodiment of the invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description, and is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. The description was selected to best explain the principles of the invention and practical application of these principles to enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention in various embodiments and various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is intended that the scope of the invention not be limited by the specification, but be defined by the claims as set forth below.
Claims
- 1. A display device having a plurality of sides for viewing one or more objects, comprising:a first substantially transparent, liquid-filled chamber associated with a first side of said plurality of sides; a second substantially transparent, liquid-filled chamber associated with a second side of said plurality of sides; each of said chambers having a front wall and a rear wall and a holder operably associated therewith for receiving at least one of the one or more objects substantially behind said rear wall; wherein said at least one of the one or more objects is substantially visible through said front wall and said rear wall of at least one of said first and second chambers when said at least one of the one or more objects is positioned substantially behind said rear wall of said at least one of said first and second chambers, so as to make said at least one of the one or more objects appear as if it is submerged in said liquid.
- 2. The display device of claim 1, wherein said rear wall of each chamber is curved.
- 3. The device of claim 1, wherein said holder of each of said first and second chamber comprises a slot formed behind said rear wall of each of said chambers for receiving at least one of said one or more objects to be displayed.
- 4. The display of claim 1, wherein said holder is selected from the group consisting of tabs, clips, and adhesives.
- 5. The display device of claim 1, further comprising dividing means for positioning said first chamber relative to said second chamber.
- 6. The display device of claim 1, further comprising a divider member operably associated with said first and second chamber for positioning said first chamber relative to said second chamber.
- 7. The display device of claim 6, further comprising at least one object interposed between said first chamber and said divider member.
- 8. The display device of claim 6, further comprising a first object interposed between said first chamber and said divider member; and a second object interposed between said second chamber and said divider member.
- 9. The display device of claim 6, further comprising a frame member substantially surrounding said first and second chambers.
- 10. The display device of claim 9, further comprising retention means for substantially retaining each of said first and second chambers within said frame member.
- 11. The display device of claim 9, further comprising retaining tabs operably associated with said divider member.
- 12. The display device of claim 9, further comprising a bottom member operatively associated with said frame member.
- 13. The display device of claim 6, wherein said divider member includes at least two substantially curved-shaped surfaces; and each of said first and second chambers includes a substantially curved rear wall.
- 14. A display device for viewing one or more objects, comprising:a first substantially transparent, liquid-filled chamber; a second substantially transparent, liquid-filled chamber; a divider member operably associated with said first and second chambers for positioning said first chamber relative to said second chamber; slot defining means for defining a slot between each of said first and second chambers and said divider member; each of said first and second chamber having a front wall, a rear wall and a holder operably associated therewith for receiving at least one of the one or more objects substantially behind said rear wall; and wherein said at least one of the one or more objects is substantially visible through said front wall and said rear wall of at least one of said first and second chambers when said at least one of the one or more objects is positioned substantially behind said rear wall of said at least one of said first and second chambers, so as to make said at least one of the one or more objects appear as if it is submerged in said liquid.
- 15. A display device for viewing one or more objects, comprising:a first substantially transparent, liquid-filled chamber; a second substantially transparent, liquid-filled chamber; a divider member operably associated with said first and second chamber for positioning said first chamber relative to said second chamber; positioning tabs associated with each said first and second chambers and said divider member for defining a slot between each of said first and second chambers and said divider member; each of said first and second chamber having a front wall, a rear wall and a holder operably associated therewith for receiving at least one of the one or more objects substantially behind said rear wall; and wherein said at least one of the one or more objects is substantially visible through said front wall and said rear wall of at least one of said first and second chambers when said at least one of the one or more objects is positioned substantially behind said rear wall of said at least one of said first and second chambers, so as to make said at least one of the one or more objects appear as if it is submerged in said liquid.
- 16. A display device for viewing one or more objects, comprising:a first substantially transparent, liquid-filled chamber; a second substantially transparent, liquid-filled chamber; a divider member operably associated with said first and second chamber for positioning said first chamber relative to said second chamber; a frame member substantially surrounding said first and second chambers; at least one retaining tab operably associated with each said liquid-filled chamber for substantially retaining each said liquid filled chamber within said frame members each of said first and second chamber having a front wall, a rear wall and a holder operably associated therewith for receiving at least one of said one or more objects substantially behind said rear walls; and wherein said at least one of the one or more objects is substantially visible through said front wall and said rear wall of at least one of said first and second chambers when said at least one of the one or more objects is positioned substantially behind said rear wall of said at least one of said first and second chambers, so as to make said at least one of the one or more objects appear as if it is submerged in said liquid.
- 17. A display device for viewing one or more objects, comprising:a first substantially transparent, liquid-filled chamber; a second substantially transparent, liquid-filled chamber; a divider member operably associated with said first and second chamber for positioning said first chamber relative to said second chamber, wherein said divider member is fixedly connected to said frame member; a frame member substantially surrounding said first and second chambers; each of said first and second chamber having a front wall, a rear wall and a holder operably associated therewith for receiving at least one of the one or more objects substantially behind said rear wall; and wherein said at least one of the one or more objects is substantially visible through said front wall and said rear wall of at least one of said first and second chambers when said at least one of the one or more objects is positioned substantially behind said rear wall of said at least one of said first and second chambers, so as to make said at least one of the one or more objects appear as if it is submerged in said liquid.
- 18. A display device having a plurality of sides for viewing one or more objects, comprising:a first substantially transparent liquid-filled chamber associated with a first side of the said plurality of sides; and a second substantially transparent chamber associated with a second side of the plurality of said sides; at least one of said first and second chambers having a holder operably associated therewith for receiving said one or more objects; and each of said first and second chambers having a front wall and a rear wall; wherein at least one of said one or more objects is substantially visible through said front wall, a rear wall and said rear wall of at least said first chamber when the object is positioned substantially within said holder, so as to have the object appear as if it were submerged in the liquid.
- 19. The display device of claim 18, wherein said first and second chambers are each liquid-filled.
- 20. The display device of claim 19, further comprising a slot defining tab operably associated with said frame member and said first and second chambers for defining a slot between said chambers.
- 21. The display device of claim 18, wherein said holder is selected from the group consisting of tabs, clips, and adhesives.
- 22. The display device of claim 18, further comprising a frame member substantially surrounding said first and second chambers.
- 23. The display device of claim 22, further comprising a bottom member operatively associated with said frame member.
- 24. The display device of claim 22, further comprising slot defining means for defining a slot between said chambers.
- 25. The display device of claim 18, further comprising at least one object of said one or more objects interposed between said chambers.
US Referenced Citations (19)