Light Emitting Bubble Creation Device

Abstract

The Improved light emitting bubble creation device is an invention that because of it's ability to emit light throughout a bubble creation ring and bubble wand rather than a single point light emission and because of it's unique incorporation of electroluminescent fibers, causes a created bubble to take on a unique and appealing self illuminating appearance, especially when a bubble is in contact with a bubble creation orifice. The invention is further enhanced by providing a bubble solution container or reservoir that contains lighted bubble solution. Such lighted bubble solution not only creates an appealing appearance, but facilitates the process of bubble creation and play in low light conditions.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to light emitting bubble creation devices. More particularly, the present invention relates to bubble creation devices having bubble creation rings that emit light by means of an integrated electroluminescent fiber.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention is light emitting bubble creation apparatus. The invention, having a bubble creation orifice which includes a colored light emitting electroluminescent fiber incorporated therein, has particular application for use in creating bubbles wherein the bubbles radiate or reflect light from the bubble orifice, especially while the bubble is in contact with the bubble creation orifice. The invention may also include a light emitting device adjacent to a bubble solution reservoir, such as a substantially clear bottle of bubble solution liquid type reservoir, so as to cause the bubble liquid solution to glow and reflect preferably colored light.

[0003] It is well known that liquid soap bubble type bubble creation devices, in a variety of embodiments, have long existed, and have had significant commercial success. It is also well known that light emitting electroluminescent fibers commonly referred to as "EL wire", has existed for some time and has enjoyed considerable commercial success. A definition of such EL wire is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,869,930. U.S. Pat. No. 5,869,930 is expressly incorporated herein by reference. It is also know that some toys or related playthings have had EL wire incorporated therein. An example of such EL wire light toy related device is disclosed in pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/326,716. U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/326,716 is expressly incorporated herein by reference. Recently, some attempts to illuminate a liquid soap bubble type bubble have been attempted. An example of a lighted bubble creation device is the "motorized bubble light" by Little Kids, Inc. The "motorized bubble light" functions much light the combination of a conventional flashlight and a bubble creation device by providing for the user to create bubbles and cast or shine a light beam on the created bubbles. While the "motorized bubble light" is effective in illuminating bubbles, due to the significant light beam that is projected onto the bubbles, the "motorized bubble light" fails to cause the created bubble to glow or cause the bubble to take on the effect of the bubble itself emanating light. Another example of a lighted bubble creation device is the "bubble light fest" by Maui Toys. The "bubble light fest" is a bubble creation machine that includes a plurality of various colored light emitting diodes or LEDs surrounding a bubble creation orifice. As bubbles are created by means of the battery powered electric motor driven bubble creation apparatus, the LEDs flash in seemingly various random patterns. While the "bubble light fest", like the "motorized bubble light", is effective in projecting light onto bubbles, and the "bubble light fest" adds the dimension of various colored light, due to the light being projected onto the bubbles, the "bubble light fest" fails to cause the created bubble to glow or cause the bubble to take on the effect of the bubble itself emanating light. Yet another example of a lighted bubble creation device is the "flash bubbles" by Maui Toys. The "flash bubbles" device is a bubble creation device that defines a bubble creation wand having a wand stem and a light switch on a first stem end, a bubble creation ring on a second stem end, and a single LED located in the center of the wand stem. In practice, when the light switch is activated, the LED is illuminated and some reflected refracted or reflected light is transmitted through the wand. While the "flash bubbles" device does emit light at a single point in the center of the bubble wand, the "flash bubbles" device does not include a light emitting device within or on the bubble ring itself, does not include an electroluminescent fiber, and fails to cause the created bubble to significantly glow or cause the bubble to take on the effect of the bubble itself emanating light.

[0004] Because the subject invention provides a bubble creation wand having a bubble creation orifice that includes EL wire encircling an inner diametrical opening of the bubble creation device, the subject invention cause a created bubble to significantly glow and causes a created bubble to take on a unique and appealing self illuminating appearance. Further, when used in combination with a preferably clear container of bubble solution having a light emitting device connected to the bottle of bubble solution, the subject invention provides added play value for the user of the invention, especially in low light conditions.

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0005] In order that the advantages of the invention will be readily understood, a more particular description of the invention briefly described above will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments that are illustrated in the appended drawings. Understanding that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are not therefore to be considered to be limiting of its scope, the invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0006] FIG. 1 is a substantially isometric view of the light emitting bubble creation device.

[0007] FIG. 2 is an exploded substantially isometric view of the light emitting bubble creation device.

[0008] FIG. 3 is a substantially orthographic cross-sectional view of the light emitting bubble creation device shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, with the section view being taken through the stem of the bubble wand as indicated by the cross-section arrows shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is shown at a larger scale than FIG. 1 and 2. No cross-hatching is shown in the EL wire for clarity.

[0009] FIG. 4 is a substantially orthographic cross-sectional view of a lighted container of liquid bubble solution.

[0010] FIG. 5 is a schematic view of the electrical components of the light emitting bubble creation device. FIG. 5 is also representative of the electrical components of the lighted bubble solution container assembly. Cross-hatching has been omitted for clarity.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] Reference throughout this specification to "one embodiment," "an embodiment," or similar language means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, appearances of the phrases "in one embodiment," "in an embodiment," and similar language throughout this specification may, but do not necessarily, all refer to the same embodiment.

[0012] Furthermore, the described features, structures, or characteristics of the invention may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. In the following description, numerous specific details are included to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the invention. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize, however, that the invention can be practiced without one or more of the specific details, or with other methods, components, materials, and so forth. In other instances, well-known structures, materials, or operations are not shown or described in detail to avoid obscuring aspects of the invention.

[0013] In order to facilitate the understanding of the present invention in reviewing the drawings accompanying the specification, a feature table is provided below. It is noted that like features are like numbered throughout all of the figures. TABLE-US-00001 FEATURE TABLE # Feature 10 Light emitting bubble creation device 12 Bubble wand assembly 14 Handle assembly 16 Handle assembly retention receptacle 20 First bubble wand member 21 Wand stem 22 Wand attach end 23 Bubble creation orifice 24 Bubble creation fin 25 Bubble orifice inner opening 26 Bubble wand channel 30 Second bubble wand member 31 Wand stem 32 Wand attach end 33 Bubble orifice 34 Bubble creation fin 35 Bubble creation orifice inner opening 36 Bubble wand channel 40 Electroluminescent fiber 50 First handle member 51 Second handle member 53 Electrical switch 54 Power indication light 55 Inverter 56 Battery 60 Lighted bubble solution container assembly 70 Container 72 Container open end 74 Container closed end 76 Bubble solution 80 Base assembly 81 Base 82 Container reception well 84 Electroluminescent fiber 86 Inverter 88 Battery 89 Electrical switch 90 Schematic diagram in general 91 Battery 92 Electrical power inverter 93 Electrical switch 94 Electrically activated light 95 Power indication light 96 Electrical line

[0014] Referring now to the drawings and particularly to FIGS. 1 through 3, the invention is improved light emitting bubble creation device 10 comprising a bubble wand assembly 12 and a handle assembly 14. Bubble wand assembly 12 comprises a first bubble wand member 20, a second bubble wand member 30, and at least one electroluminescent fiber 40 of the type of electroluminescent fiber taught in U.S. Pat. No. 5,869,930. Electroluminescent fiber 40 preferably defines a plurality of various colored electroluminescent fibers.

[0015] Bubble wand member 20 defines a preferably substantially transparent plastic bubble wand member having a wand stem 21, a wand attach end 22, a bubble creation orifice 23, at least one bubble solution retaining bubble creation fin 24, bubble orifice inner opening 25, and at least one bubble wand channel 26. Bubble wand member 30 defines a preferably substantially transparent plastic bubble wand member having a wand stem 31, a wand attach end 32, a bubble creation orifice 33, at least one bubble solution retaining bubble creation fin 34, bubble orifice inner opening 35, and at least one bubble wand channel 36. Bubble wand assembly 12 is assembled such that bubble wand member 20 and bubble wand member 30 are sealingly connected together to form a bubble wand and such that electroluminescent fiber 40 is contained in the channels 26 and 36 formed in wand members 20 and 30 respectively. Channels 26 and 36 and electroluminescent fiber 40 preferably extend the entire length of bubble wand assembly 12 and electroluminescent fiber 40 preferably forms a lightable loop in bubble creation orifices 23 and 33.

[0016] Handle assembly 14 comprises a first preferably plastic handle member 50 forming a structural substantially shell shaped member, a second preferably plastic handle member 51 forming a structural substantially shell shaped member, an electrical switch 53, a power indication light 54, an electrical inverter 55, and a battery 56. Handle assembly 14 is assembled such that handle member 50 and handle member 51 are sealingly connected together to form a substantially hollow structural handle assembly. Handle assembly 14 further includes a first end having a retention receptacle 16. Handle assembly 14 also includes electrical switch 53, power indication light 54, electrical inverter 55, and battery 56 mounted to handle assembly 14. Electrical switch 53, power indication light 54, electrical inverter 55, and battery 56 are electrically connected and form a portion of an electrical circuit such as that circuit depicted in FIG. 5.

[0017] Light emitting bubble creation device 10 is assembled such that wand attach ends 22 and 32 of bubble wand assembly 12, are retentatively connected to retention receptacle 16 of handle assembly 14, and such that at least one electroluminescent fiber 40 is electrically connected to electrical switch 53. In practice, light emitting bubble creation device 10 functions similar to a conventional bubble wand in that when light emitting bubble creation device 10 is first dipped into bubble creation solution and then exposed to an air stream, bubbles are created. However, when electrical switch 53 is in an on position, light emitting bubble creation device 10 emits light from throughout wand members 20 and 30 and throughout bubble creation orifices 23 and 33. Being thus lighted, light emitting bubble creation device 10 emits light even while immersed or partially immersed in bubble solution and while creating a bubble. Further when lighted, light emitting bubble creation device 10 imparts a significant glow, not merely at a single point but throughout wand members 20 and 30, and causes a created bubble to take on a unique and appealing self illuminating appearance. In contrast to prior art devices which may merely reflect light through a bubble creation orifice, bubble creation orifices 23 and 33 of light emitting bubble creation device 10, originate light and are the source of light. The consequent unique and appealing self illuminating appearance imparted to the bubble is especially observable when a created bubble is in contact with bubble creation orifices 23 and 33 under low light conditions. It is also noted that in larger versions of the disclosed embodiment, electroluminescent fiber 40 may be formed so as to outline a particular shape such as the shape of a cartoon character.

[0018] FIG. 5 is provided to display a sample electrical schematic diagram of the disclosed embodiment. In FIG. 5, diagram 90 symbolically displays battery 91, electrical power inverter 92, electrical switch 93, electrically activated light 94, a power indication light 95, and an electrical line 96. The components of the described embodiment are electrically connected in the order depicted in diagram 90 of FIG. 5, such that the disclosed embodiment functions as described above.

[0019] Referring now to the drawings and particularly to FIG. 4, an alternate embodiment of the invention defines a lighted bubble solution container assembly 60 for use in combination with the improved light emitting bubble creation device 10. Lighted bubble solution container assembly 60 comprises container 70 and base assembly 80.

[0020] Container 70 preferably defines a substantially transparent plastic container having a container open end 72, a container closed end 74, and bubble solution 76 contained within container 70. Container 70 may be adapted to contain a predetermined amount of bubble solution for instance 0.30, 0.50, 1.0, 2.0, 4.0 8.0, 12.0 16.0, or 32.0 ounces of bubble solution or container 70 may be adapted to contain more or less than the listed amounts of bubble solution. Base assembly 80 comprises a substantially hollow generally cylindrically shaped transparent plastic base 81 having a container reception well 82. Base assembly 80 further includes at least one electroluminescent fiber 84, electrical power inverter 86, battery 88, and pressure sensitive electrical switch 89 mounted to base 81. At least one electroluminescent fiber 84, electrical power inverter 86, battery 88, pressure sensitive electrical switch 89, and optionally an electrical power indication light are electrically connected and form an electrical circuit such as that circuit depicted in FIG. 5.

[0021] In practice, when container 70 is rested in base assembly 80, container closed end 74 comes into contact with pressure sensitive electrical switch 89, causing an electrical circuit to be closed and in turn causing at least one electroluminescent fiber 84 to emit light. The light emitted from at least one electroluminescent fiber 84, passes through transparent container 70 and causes bubble solution 76 to glow and emit light. The glowing of bubble solution 76 not only creates an appealing lighting effect, it causes the bubble solution to be more readily location by a user when using lighted bubble solution container assembly 60 in low light conditions. Further when light emitting bubble creation device 10 is used in combination with lighted bubble solution container assembly 60, unique and multi-colored lighting effects are created. Lighted bubble solution container assembly 60 may optionally be provided such that container 70 is permanently affixed to base assembly 80, in which case pressure sensitive electrical switch 89 is adapted to be actuated manually rather than by the causing of container closed end 74 to come into contact with pressure sensitive electrical switch 89. Lighted bubble solution container assembly 60 may optionally have electroluminescent fibers 84 rearranged in a variety of locations and color combinations. For instance, electroluminescent fibers 84 may outline container open end 72 so as to make container open end 72 more readily visible in low light conditions. Furthermore, light emitting bubble creation device 10 may be adapted to incorporate a variety of electroluminescent fibers 84 in a plurality of locations in addition to or in place of a bubble wand or bubble creation orifice location.

[0022] FIG. 5 is provided to display a sample electrical schematic diagram of the disclosed alternated embodiment. In FIG. 5, diagram 90 symbolically displays battery 91, electrical power inverter 92, electrical switch 93, electrically activated light 94, a power indication light 95, and an electrical line 96. The components of the described alternate embodiment are electrically connected in the order depicted in diagram 90 of FIG. 5, such that the invention functions as described above.

[0023] The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. All changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.

Claims

1. A light emitting bubble creation apparatus comprising a bubble creation device connected to at least one electroluminescent fiber.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said bubble creation device defines a bubble wand having a substantially elongated stem portion connected to a substantially ring shaped bubble creation orifice.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said bubble wand includes at least one channel formed within said stem and said orifice and wherein at least one electroluminescent fiber is contained within said at least one channel.

4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said bubble wand defines a substantially clear plastic bubble wand.

5. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said orifice includes a plurality of bubble creation fins connected to said orifice.

6. A light emitting bubble creation apparatus comprising a bubble creation orifice connected to at least one light originating light emitting device.

7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said at least one light originating light emitting device defines an electroluminescent fiber.

8. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said bubble creation orifice is connected to a stem to form a bubble wand.

9. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein said bubble wand includes at least one channel formed within said stem and said orifice and wherein at least one electroluminescent fiber is contained within said at least one channel.

10. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said bubble creation orifice defines a substantially clear plastic bubble creation orifice.

11. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said orifice includes a plurality of bubble creation fins connected to said orifice.

12. A lighted container of bubble creation solution comprising an open container of bubble solution connected to a light emitting device such that when said light emitting device is lighted, light is transmitted into said bubble solution.

13. The lighted container of claim 12 wherein said container defines a substantially transparent plastic container.

14. The lighted container of claim 12 wherein said light emitting device defines an electroluminescent fiber.

15. The lighted container of claim 14 wherein said electroluminescent fiber is position so as to outline a periphery of said opening of said container.

16. The lighted container of claim 12 wherein said container defines a reservoir of bubble solution and said light emitting device defines a separable base, said base having a light emitting device and a switch, and wherein when said reservoir is placed in said base, said switch is actuated, said light emitting device is lighted, and light is transmitted into said bubble solution.

17. A lighted container of bubble creation solution comprising a container of bubble solution connected to at least one electroluminescent fiber.

18. The lighted container of claim 17 wherein said container defines a substantially transparent plastic container.

19. The lighted container of claim 17 wherein said container defines a container having an opening and wherein said electroluminescent fiber is position so as to outline a periphery of said opening of said container.

20. The lighted container of claim 17 wherein said container defines a reservoir of bubble solution and said at least one electroluminescent fiber is mounted within a separable base, said base having an activatable switch, and wherein when said reservoir is placed in said base, said switch is actuated, said at least one electroluminescent fiber is lighted, and light is transmitted into said bubble solution.

21. A light emitting bubble creation kit comprising a bubble creation orifice connected to at least one electroluminescent fiber and a lighted container of bubble creation solution comprising an open container of bubble solution connected to at least one electroluminescent fiber.