System and Method for Entertaining and Producing a Fire Show

Abstract

A bowl that is configured for containing liquid such as water has a gas distribution apparatus in the bowl beneath the surface of the liquid and a gas source attached thereto. The gas distribution apparatus includes a movable gas distribution conduit that may be controlled to move in a predetermined pattern so that gas bubbles are emitted in a desired and controlled manner, or alternately, includes a gas distribution plate that causes gas bubbles to emit in a random manner. When the bubbles of gas burst at the surface of the liquid they are ignited, resulting in pleasant displays of flame.

1 . An apparatus for generating a flame above a surface of liquid, comprising:
 a container configured for holding liquid;   a gas bubble dispenser in the container, said gas bubble dispenser having a first gas distribution conduit that is movable relative to the container and configured for delivering gas out of a distal end of the conduit into liquid held in the container in a predetermined pattern;   a source of combustible gas attached to the gas bubble dispenser; and   an ignition source for igniting gas when bubbles of gas burst at the surface of the liquid.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the gas bubble dispenser is further defined by a second gas distribution conduit having a distal tip through which gas flows and which is positioned above the surface of the liquid. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus according to  claim 2  including means for causing the first gas distribution conduit of the gas bubble dispenser to rotate relative to the container. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus according to  claim 3  wherein the distal end of the first gas distribution conduit traces a path in a predetermined pattern. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus according to  claim 4  wherein the path defines a circle. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus according to  claim 5  including a circular dish held in the container and spaced apart from a bottom surface of the container so that said dish is positioned above said first gas distribution conduit, and wherein said distal end of said first gas distribution conduit traces a circle having a diameter that is smaller than the diameter of said dish. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus according to  claim 4  wherein the distal end of the first gas distribution conduit traces a predetermined pattern that is not circular. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus according to  claim 3  wherein the means for causing the gas bubble dispenser to rotate is defined by a motor connected to said gas bubble dispenser. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus according to  claim 2  wherein the second gas distribution conduit defines a pilot light. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein movement of the first gas distribution conduit is under the control of a computer processor. 
     
     
         11 . An apparatus for generating a flame above a surface of liquid, comprising:
 a container configured for holding liquid;   a source of combustible gas configured for delivering gas into the container at a gas entry point below the surface of the liquid; and   a gas distribution plate positioned above the gas distribution point, said gas distribution plate defined by a gas distribution chamber that defines a chamber for receiving gas from the gas source, and plural gas paths radiating from said gas distribution chamber so that gas received in the gas distribution chamber is routed into said gas paths and emitted from the gas paths at distal ends thereof into the liquid as bubbles.   
     
     
         12 . The apparatus according to  claim 11  wherein the gas distribution plate further includes a seal around a peripheral edge thereof that defines a gas-tight seal between the container and the gas distribution plate. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus according to  claim 11  including an ignition source for igniting gas when bubbles of gas burst at the surface of the liquid. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus according to  claim 11  in which the gas paths are dimensioned to control the size of gas bubbles that emit from the paths. 
     
     
         15 . A method of generating fire above the surface of a container of liquid, comprising the steps of:
 a) providing a container of liquid;   b) providing a gas bubble dispenser in the container, said gas bubble dispenser having a gas distribution tip positioned under the surface of the liquid;   c) connecting the gas bubble dispenser to a source of combustible gas;   d) causing gas to flow to the gas bubble dispenser so that gas bubbles emit from the gas distribution tip;   e) causing the gas distribution tip to move in a predetermined pattern in the liquid so gas bubbles burst at the surface in the predetermined pattern; and   f) igniting the gas at the surface of the liquid when bubbles of gas bubbles burst.   
     
     
         16 . The method according to  claim 15  wherein the predetermined pattern is defined by a circle. 
     
     
         17 . The method according to  claim 15  wherein the predetermined pattern is non-circular. 
     
     
         18 . The method according to  claim 15  wherein movement of the gas distribution tip is under the control of a computer processor. 
     
     
         19 . The method according to  claim 18  wherein movement of the gas distribution tip is synchronized with music. 
     
     
         20 . The method according to  claim 19  including the step of causing lights to illuminate under the control of the computer processor and in synchronization with the music.