Patent Application
20240225308
The present invention relates generally to carousels and other systems for presenting food, drinks and other articles and, in particular, to an item presentation system that combines a carousel with a waterwall.
There are moving or rotating carousels adapted to serve food items such as sushi. There are also “waterwall” machines that are typically large and designed for viewing from only one side. Heretofore, there are no systems that combine carousels and falling water features.
This invention is directed to a system that combines a rotating carousel and a waterwall feature, enabling food, drink and other items to be displayed in a unique and decorative manner. The system may be sold or rented to users, with target applications including weddings and other receptions, retail product displays, coin and jewelry presentation, educational/museum displays, and so forth.
A system for presenting such articles to a viewer comprises a floor-standing cabinet having front, back and side panels defining a height, a width, and a depth. The cabinet may be about 5 or 6 feet tall, about 6 to 8 feet wide, and about 2 to 4 feet deep but these dimensions are exemplary only, as the those of skill will appreciate that other cabinet dimensions are possible with appropriate engineering modifications.
A carousel is disposed at a predetermined height within the cabinet, the carousel defining a continuous elongated track with an upwardly facing horizontal surface and an elongated open slot surrounded by the continuous track. An electric motor disposed in the cabinet rotates the carousel around the open slot, and items to be presented are placed on the upwardly facing horizontal surface, either randomly or in designated regions.
A first water tray is supported at predetermined height above the open slot, and a second water tray is supported below the open slot. One or more openings in the first water tray causes water from the first water tray to fall from the first water tray as a vertically oriented sheet, through the open slot, and into the second water tray. An electric recirculating water pump disposed in the cabinet operative to pump water collected by the lower tray back up to the upper tray.
An opening in the front panel of the cabinet enabling an observer to view the articles as the carousel rotates, with the sheet of falling water serving as a backdrop to the articles as they move. In one embodiment an opening in the back panel of the cabinet enables an observer to view the articles from the back of the cabinet as the carousel rotates, with the sheet of falling water serving as a backdrop to the articles as they move.
The speed of the carousel may be adjustable depending upon the length of the carousel, the items being presented, and other factors. For example, the carousel may make one rotation per minute, more or less. Likewise, the water pump may be fixed or adjustable to have a flow rate that corresponds to the one or more openings in the first water tray to ensure that the upper and lower trays maintain consistent water levels.
A light source may be disposed above or in line with the first water tray operative to illuminate the vertically oriented sheet of falling water. The upper tray may be transparent or translucent to better illuminate the vertically oriented sheet of falling water. A light-transmissive panel may be disposed in front of the vertically oriented sheet of falling water to minimize water splashing on the carousel. If the cabinet has front and back windows for viewing, two such panels would be provided or a continuous shroud may be used around the falling water.
The predetermined height of the carousel may counter or workbench height, i.e., 30 to 45 inches from the ground, to make item placement/removal convenient. The front window may be uncovered, enabling articles to be placed on, and removed from, the carousel through the opening by users, or the front panel may include a door with a transparent window preventing articles such as expensive or rare articles to be placed on, and removed from, the carousel without opening the door.
The cabinet may be about 5 or 6 feet tall, about 6 to 8 feet wide, and about 2 to 4 feet deep but these dimensions are exemplary only, as the those of skill will appreciate that other cabinet dimensions are possible with appropriate engineering modifications. The height of the lower section is preferably at countertop height, in the range of 30 to 48″, to make it convenient for users to view and receive the articles presented. The cabinet may be made with structural metal or wood members and covered with a skin of sheet metal, plastic, etc. The outer surface of the skin(s) may be painted or covered with any appropriate material(s) to achieve any desired decorative effect.
The upper section 104 of the cabinet includes at least one cut-out window 112, enabling a user to see the carousel 106 and items presented. In the preferred embodiment, the front and back sides of the cabinet both have cut-outs, thereby enabling users to approach the system from both sides. The carousel turns around at the two side ends of the cabinet, and in the preferred embodiment, the upper cabinet has side panels to obscure the turnaround. However, in alternative embodiments, more or less of the carousel may be visible by altering the size/shape of the window(s), eliminating the sides panels, making panels transparent or semi-transparent, and so forth.
The upper section 104 may be modified as well. For example, in an alternate build, the top section no longer exists, leaving just the water feature with an added top mounting plate on which other stylistic elements are added; for example, a floral arrangement or other type of display.
In the preferred embodiment, an elongated vertical space 114 in the center of the carousel is used to provide a wall of falling water, which provides a decorative backdrop behind items on the carousel as viewed through the window(s). When two opposing windows 112 are provided, a user can actually “see through” the cabinet and the carousel in both directions, but the view of the carousel on the opposite side of the cabinet is visually obscured somewhat by the “sheet” of falling water.
As described below, the water falls from a tray in the upper section of the cabinet, and is collected by a tray in the lower section 102. A water pump in the lower section draws water from the lower tray to refill the upper tray. Any desired pattern of holes in the upper tray may be used to adjust the appearance of the falling water. The water may fall directly into the tray, or a scaffold may be used to a provide a cascading effect.
In the preferred embodiment, the water is surrounded with an optional transparent or semi-transparent glass or plastic sleeve that serves the two purposes of preventing splashing onto the carousel while providing a surface to display decorative or informative graphical or textual indicia such as the name of a wedding couple, company, group, product, etc. As a further option, a light may be used to illuminate the falling water. For example, a bar of LEDs may me mounted above a clear upper tray, causing the water itself to glow. Color-changing LEDs may be used for a more decorative effect.
As discussed below, the carousel is driven with a quiet electric motor, and any type of carousel design may be used, including those with scalloped interfaces between sections of the carousel, much like airport baggage conveyors. The speed of the carousel may be adjusted to ensure a smooth interaction, depending upon the type of article presented. In some embodiments, the windows 112 may be covered with a protective glass or plastic sheet preventing user interaction. This option might be used for the presentation of jewelry or other valuable items, requiring an authorized person to open a window for item inspection of purchase.
An electric motor 220 drives a speed reducing gearbox 222 which, in turn, drives carousel 106 through any appropriate coupling including direct (gear) drive, chain, pulley, etc. An electrical connection box 224 is preferably provided to make electrical connections and house any power supplies (i.e., for LEDs), enabling a single power cord 226 to be used for electrical connection. An ON/OFF switch may be provided on housing 224. Optional light bar is depicted at 216, and glass/plastic water shield is shown at 218.
While the preferred embodiments have been described with reference to the drawings, other features are possible in accordance with the invention. For example, as opposed to a passive waterfall, an array of computer programmable orifices or jets may be used to display images or messages used to wall of water itself. As mentioned, the upper part of the cabinet may be used as a flower pot, and the lowermost portion of the cabinet may include doors for storage. At least a portion of the recycled water may be used to water live plants. The rigid carousel track may be replaced with a larger tray, such that items may be pulled around the track on floating platforms or boats tethered to one another. The cabinet may be on locking casters for easy transport and placement.
This application claims priority to, and the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 63/438,517, filed Jan. 11, 2023, the entire content of which is incorporated herein by reference.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63438517 | Jan 2023 | US |
