Thermally movable plastic devices and toys

Abstract

In accordance with the invention, thin bodies of plastic, such as sheets or strands, with substantially different thermal coefficients of expansion are laminated together to make plastic bodies which move in response to heat. The movable plastic bodies can be secured to a suitable base to make a variety of devices for amusement, temperature monitoring and display. Applications for amusement include a thermally blooming flower, a solar activated butterfly, and curling hair for a doll. Applications for temperature monitoring include safety lids for drinking cups, sunlight blockers and ventilators.

What is claimed:  
     
         1 . A device for display or amusement comprising a body of material and at least one movable member attached to the body, the movable member comprising a laminated sheet or strand of at least two plastic components, the two polymer components having coefficients of thermal expansion which differ by more than 1×10 −5 .  
     
     
         2 . A device according to  claim 1  wherein the device has the shape of a flower with the movable member having the shape of a petal.  
     
     
         3 . A device according to  claim 1  wherein the device has the shape of an insect with the movable member having the shape of a wing.  
     
     
         4 . A device according to  claim 1  wherein the device has the shape of a pyramid with the movable member comprising a side.  
     
     
         5 . A device according to  claim 1  wherein the device has the shape of a head with the movable member having the shape of hair.  
     
     
         6 . A method for providing movement in a device for display or amusement comprising the steps of: 
 providing a body of material;    attaching to the body of material a member comprising a laminated sheet or strand of two plastic components having coefficients of thermal expansion which differ by more than 1×10 −5 ; and    heating the member to cause the member to move.    
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6  wherein the member is heated by light.  
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 6  where the member is heated by a heat source.  
     
     
         9 . A device for monitoring or controlling temperature comprising a body of material and at least one movable member attached to the body, the movable member comprising a laminated sheet or strand of at least two polymeric components, the two polymeric components having coefficients of thermal expansion which differ by more than 1×10 −5 .  
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 9  wherein the body includes a ventilating aperture and the movement of the member opens or closes the aperture.  
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 9  wherein the body includes a reflecting surface and the movement of the member exposes or covers the reflecting surface.  
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 9  wherein the movement of the member indicates a temperature range.  
     
     
         13 . A thermally movable plastic body comprising a laminated sheet or strand of two plastic components, the two plastic components having coefficients of thermal expansion which differ by more than 1×10 −5 .  
     
     
         14 . The plastic body of  claim 13  wherein the laminated sheet or strand has a thickness in the range of 1-10 mils.  
     
     
         15 . A thermally movable plastic device comprising a base and, secured to the base, one or more thermally movable plastic bodies according to  claim 13 .  
     
     
         16 . A device according to  claim 15  wherein the base is a generally cylindrical body.  
     
     
         17 . The device of  claim 16  wherein the one or more plastic bodies comprises a pair of thermally movable plastic sheets secured to opposite sides of the cylindrical body to simulate a flying creature.  
     
     
         18 . The device of  claim 15  wherein the base is a polygon having a plurality of edges.  
     
     
         19 . The device of  claim 18  wherein the one or more plastic bodies comprises a plurality of triangular pieces of thermally movable plastic secured to a respective plurality of edges of the base to form a pyramid.  
     
     
         20 . The device of  claim 15  wherein the base has a generally ellipsoidal shape.  
     
     
         21 . The device of  claim 20  wherein the one or more plastic bodies comprises a plurality of strips or strands of thermally movable plastic secured to an area of the generally ellipsoidal base to simulate hair on a head.  
     
     
         22 . The device of  claim 15  wherein the base is a circular ring or cylinder.  
     
     
         23 . The device of  claim 22  wherein the one or more bodies comprises a plurality of thermally movable sheets secured around the circumference of the ring or cylinder.  
     
     
         24 . The device of  claim 15  wherein the base comprises a strip of thermally movable plastic.  
     
     
         25 . The device of  claim 15  wherein the base comprises the lid of a drinking cup.  
     
     
         26 . The device of  claim 25  wherein the lid includes a drinking slot and the one or more bodies comprises a thermally movable plastic sheet secured under the drinking slot.  
     
     
         27 . The device of  claim 15  wherein the base is a transparent material.  
     
     
         28 . The device of  claim 27  wherein the base is a pane of window glass.  
     
     
         29 . The device of  claim 27  wherein the one or more bodies comprises a thermally movable plastic sheet including light reflective material for blocking sunlight.  
     
     
         30 . The device of  claim 15  wherein the base is an apertured sheet having a plurality of openings.  
     
     
         31 . The device of claim  30  wherein the one or more bodies comprises a thermally movable plastic sheet including a plurality of flaps aligned with respective openings in the base.  
     
     
         32 . The device of  claim 15  wherein the base is a visual display board.