Liquid Displacement Devices

Abstract

A liquid displacement device ( 3,13,23,33,43,53,63,73 ) comprises one or multiple inflatable containers ( 3,13,23,233,338,336,43,53,63,66,67,73,74 ), and an attachment ( 4,14,24,34,45,55,65,66,75 ) for attaching the liquid displacement device to a liquid storage vessel ( 1 ) wherein, when inflated and attached to an inner surface ( 11 ) of the liquid storage vessel ( 1 ), the liquid displacement device displaces liquid in the liquid storage vessel. The one or more containers ( 3, 13,23,23 a ,33 a ,33 b ,43,53, 63,66,67,73,74 ) may reside entirely or partially below the surface ( 2 ) of the liquid within the liquid storage vessel ( 1 ). The attachment comprises a tether ( 66 ) or suction means ( 4,14,24,34,45,55,65,75 ) such as suction cups. The container comprises a single compartment ( 3,13,53,63 ), or multiple compartments ( 23,23 a , 33 a , 33 b ,43,66,67,73,74 ) connected such that gas can flow between them. The device may be a toy including a storage compartment ( 35,50,68 ).

1 . A liquid displacement device suitable for use in a liquid storage vessel, such as a bath or pool, comprising: one or more containers which are capable of being permanently or temporarily filled with a material such as a gas; and an attachment means for attaching the liquid displacement device, whereby in use, liquid displacement device displaces liquid in the liquid storage vessel, characterised in that a novelty device is provided for engaging a user's interest. 
     
     
         2 . A liquid displacement device suitable for use in a liquid storage vessel, such as a bath or pool, comprising: one or more containers which are capable of being permanently or temporarily filled with a material of density at least as great as water, whereby in use, the liquid displacement device displaces liquid in the liquid storage vessel, characterised in that a novelty device is provided for engaging a user's interest. 
     
     
         3 . A liquid displacement device suitable for use in a liquid storage vessel, such as a bath or pool, comprising: a plurality of containers, at least one of which is capable of being filled with a material that is at least as dense as water; and an attachment means for attaching the liquid displacement device to a surface of the bath or pool, whereby in use, the liquid displacement device displaces liquid in the liquid storage vessel, characterised in that a novelty device is provided for engaging a user's interest. 
     
     
         4 . A device according to  claim 1  wherein, in use, the attachment means attaches the liquid displacement device to another object that is at least as dense as water and in use is located in the bath or pool so that, in use, the liquid displacement device displaces liquid. 
     
     
         5 . A device according to  claim 1  wherein the attachment means is a hook and eye system. 
     
     
         6 . A device according to  claim 1  wherein the displacement device includes: an inflatable container which is adapted to attach to an inside of a liquid storage vessel by suction means, said inflatable container, in use, resides predominantly beneath the surface of the liquid within the storage vessel and reveals at least a portion of a novelty device for engaging a user. 
     
     
         7 . A liquid displacement device suitable for use in a liquid storage vessel comprising: one or more containers which are either temporarily filled with a material, inflated with a gas or permanently inflated with a gas; and an attachment for attaching the liquid displacement device to a liquid storage vessel wherein, when inflated and attached to an inner surface of the liquid storage vessel ( 1 ), the liquid displacement device displaces liquid in the liquid storage vessel and a novelty device engages a user by providing a playing surface. 
     
     
         8 . A device according to  claim 1  wherein the liquid displacement device comprises a toy or play thing that provides entertainment for a bath user. 
     
     
         9 . A device adapted for use in a liquid storage vessel comprising: one or more containers which are filled with a material such as a liquid or a solid, whose density is at least that of water; and an attachment means for attaching the liquid displacement device to a liquid storage vessel wherein, so that when located within the liquid storage vessel, the liquid displacement device, displaces liquid in the liquid storage vessel ( 1 ) and the device includes a novelty device for engaging a user. 
     
     
         10 . A device according to  claim 1  wherein the water displacement device has means to provide a feedback signal that is sensory perceptive. 
     
     
         11 . A device according to  claim 1  wherein the device is an active novelty device and includes a powered element, such as a light or a sound source or any other device that operates so as to provide a sensory perceptive feedback. 
     
     
         12 . A device according to  claim 10  wherein the sensory perceptive feedback are from the group comprising: bells, buzzers, pumps or vibrating elements or features or arrangements that provide a stimulus or require some form of manual dexterity to accomplish. 
     
     
         13 . A device according to  claim 1  wherein active novelty devices include: waterwheels, slides, shutes, helter-skelters or miniature buildings or models of life-size features such as vehicles. 
     
     
         14 . A device according to  claim 1  wherein passive novelty devices include: images, shapes or representations of real world experiences such as: houses, cars, imaginary and real geographical scenes, images or backdrops from television programmes, films, cartoons, video games, figures or characters. 
     
     
         15 . A liquid displacement device according to  claim 1  wherein the novelty device is an active device and includes a powered element. 
     
     
         16 . A liquid displacement device according to  claim 1  wherein the novelty device is a passive novelty device, from the group comprising: devices in the form of obelisks, buildings, imaginary places, sub-sea locations, a shipwreck scene, with recesses and indentations and raised portions on which images are shown. 
     
     
         17 . A liquid displacement device according to  claim 1  wherein the novelty device is a passive novelty device, from the group comprising: pirates, sea horses, star fish, treasure chest, mermaids and fish, a cave scene, or one on which is printed a desert island, or a village scene with shops and a duck pond, or a garage, or a playground or a hospital. 
     
     
         18 . A liquid displacement device according to  claim 1  wherein the novelty device is a passive novelty device, from the group comprising: famous characters, whether real or imaginary, formed or printed on the surface of the liquid displacement device and optionally the liquid displacement device may be formed in the shape of a bust or torso or other body part so as to create a novelty item. 
     
     
         19 . A liquid displacement device according to  claim 1  wherein, the one or more containers reside entirely or partially below the surface ( 2 ) of the liquid within the liquid storage vessel. 
     
     
         20 . A liquid displacement device according to  claim 1  wherein, the attachment comprises a tether. 
     
     
         21 . A liquid displacement device according to  claim 1  wherein, the attachment comprises suction means. 
     
     
         22 . A liquid displacement device according to  claim 11  wherein, the suction means comprises one or more suction cups. 
     
     
         23 . A liquid displacement device according to  claim 22  wherein, one or more of the suction cups are releasable from the liquid displacement device. 
     
     
         24 . A liquid displacement device according to  claim 23 , wherein one or more of the suction cups are fixed with respect to the liquid displacement device. 
     
     
         25 . A liquid displacement device according to  claim 21 , wherein the suction means is formed of a plastic, rubber or other flexible and elastically resilient material capable of adhering to a ceramic, acrylic, fibreglass, enamel, porcelain or other smooth surface within the liquid storage vessel. 
     
     
         26 . A liquid displacement device according to  claim 1  wherein, the container comprises a single compartment. 
     
     
         27 . A liquid displacement device according to  claim 1  wherein, the container comprises multiple compartments connected such that gas can flow between them. 
     
     
         28 . A liquid displacement device according to  claim 1  wherein, the container comprises multiple compartments, the compartments are separated physically but attachable one to another. 
     
     
         29 . A liquid displacement device according to  claim 1  wherein, in use at least 5 litres of liquid is displaced by the liquid displacement device. 
     
     
         30 . A toy includes a liquid displacement device suitable for use in a liquid storage vessel, such as a bath or pool, comprising: one or more containers which are capable of being permanently or temporarily filled with a material such as a gas; and an attachment for attaching the liquid displacement device to an inner surface of the bath or pool, whereby in use, liquid is displaced in the liquid storage vessel the toy has internal supports that are provided so as to ensure the toy maintains its shape and structure when inflated and in use.