Plant-Like Chemical Growths and Apparatus to Display Same

This invention relates generally to plant-like growth displays, and more particularly concerns the formation of decorative chemical growths on a plant-like or tree-like means, at the option of the user or observor.

While crystalline growth on rocks or bricks has been carried out in the past, no prior means to display plant-like chemical growths, as in different colors, and in accordance with the present invention, has been provided, to my knowledge.

It is a major object of the invention to provide a highly unusual means to effectively and ornamentally display plant-like chemical growths, as for example on simulated vegetation such as plants, trees, etc. Basically, the invention is embodied in such means which comprises:

(a) a lower portion to contact a solution capable of forming the growths when dried,

(b) an intermediate wick portion to feed the solution upwardly by wicking action, and

(c) projecting tips to which the solution from the intermediate portion is fed to form the growths when the solution fed to the tips is dried.

As will appear, the means embodying the above may include dye on the material at or proximate the tips to color the solution fed to the latter so as to color the growths. The coloring may be different at different tips, to give a surprise factor to the resultant growths.

Further, the tips may be spaced laterally from the intermediate wicking or feeder portion; the material may consist of sheets of wicking material which may have tree-like shape and which may be assembled in a manner to be described; the material may be enclosed within a protective shell, and the tips may project from the end of a shell having tubular shape, or may be exposed at perforations through the shell wall.

These and other objects and advantages of the invention, as well as the details of illustrative embodiment, will be more fully understood from the following description and drawings, in which:

FIGS. 1 and 2 are elevations showing sheet form means to display plant-like chemical growths;

FIG. 2a is an enlarged elevation of a sheet tip.

FIG. 3 is a perspective showing the FIGS. 1 and 2 means in assembled condition;

FIG. 4 is an elevation showing the growths that form on the FIG. 3 means;

FIGS. 5 and 6 are elevations, in section, showing other forms of the invention;

FIG. 7 is an elevation of yet another form of the invention; and

FIG. 8 shows a package to contain the FIGS. 1 and 2 means, plus growth solution in a sealed plastic package.

The means illustrated in FIGS. 1-3 include first and second sheets 10 and 11, in evergreen tree shape, capable of interfitting to extend in intersecting planes, as is clear from FIG. 3. Sheet 10 has a vertical slot 13 extending upwardly from its base portion 14, while sheet 11 has a vertical slot 15 extending downwardly from its top portion 15a. The slots are sufficiently narrow to allow slide assembly of the two sheets by causing the slot 15 to endwise register with slot 13 and then relatively vertically sliding the sheet together. Slot edges or shoulders on one sheet interfit the other sheet.

FIG. 3 shows the assembled tree with lower or base portions 14 and 14a standing in a shallow receptacle 16 to contact a solution 17 capable of forming the growths when the solution is dried. Each sheet 10 and 11 has an intermediate portion 18 that acts as a wick to draw the solution up by capillary action and feed the solution upwardly so that it permeates the sheet. For that purpose, the sheets may consist of dark colored blotter paper material, as for example is produced by Eastman Kodak, Rochester, N.Y.

Also, each sheet has projecting tips to which the solution from the intermediate portion is fed, to form the intended growths when the solution fed to such tips is dried. Note the tips 19 on the ends of laterally tapering tree branches 20, and the tip 19a at the tree top. Thus, each sheet or both sheets constitute a means to display plant-like chemical growths.

FIG. 2a shows dye 21 impregnating a tip portion of a branch 20, and via which solution passes, by wicking action, to the tip 19. Such dye acts to color the solution passing to the tip, as for example red, blue, white, etc. As a result, the growths that form on the tips, as seen in FIG. 4 at 22, are colored, and a surprise factor results in that the viewer cannot predict the colors of the different growths. Typical dyes are blue and yellow food colorings produced by McCormick & Co., Baltimore, Maryland. Other colors are usable, and these specific dyes are representative only.

Referring to FIG. 8, the two sheets 10 and 11 are stored in parallel, adjacent relation, along with a flat, plastic, sealed packet 25 which contains an amount of solution 17 sufficient to grow the growths seen in FIG. 4. The assembly is enveloped by a card or other enclosure 26, for display and/or shipment.

The growths 22 have fine, complex crystalline form, and typically appear frosty. The solution typically consists essentially of an alkaline salt, ammonia, and water. One representative solution to produce the growths is formulated as follows:

6 tablespoons of sodium chloride (Morton's)

1 tablespoon of ammonia (Star Bros. Colton, California)

6 tablespoons of water

6 tablespoons of (liquid) laundry bluing (Mrs. Stewart's Liquid Bluing, a product of Luther Ford Products Co., Minneapolis, Minnesota).

The ingredients are thoroughly mixed and enough is poured into the receptacle 16 to maintain the base portions 14 and 14a wetted as the growths form.

Another means to display plant-like chemical growth appears in FIG. 5 to have a protective shell 28, in the form of a tube (such as a polyethylene straw), within which the wicking material 29 is filled. The wick has a lower portion 29a to contact solution 17a in receptacle 16a; an intermediate portion 29b to feed liquid solution upwardly; and projecting tips 29c projecting free of shell 28. Growths 22a form on the tips, in a manner similar to growths 22 discussed above, and dye may be located at the tips. The wick 29 may consist of blotter material, fibrous material, cellulosic material, or any other suitable liquid wicking substance.

In FIG. 6, the protective shell 30 is dome-like, and contains perforations at 31 to expose the tips 32a of the wicking material 32. Solution is fed from the material base or lower portion 32b via intermediate portion 32c to the tips. Growths 33 form at the tips, as shown, and dye may be located at the tips to color the growths. The solution 34 is contained by receptacle 35.

In FIG. 7 the display means includes a central trunk 36 and branches 37, with growths 38 at the ends of the branches. The trunk and branches may have the shell and wick construction seen in FIG. 5.