U.S. patent application number 11/279098 was filed with the patent office on 2007-10-11 for light emitting bubble creation device.
Invention is credited to Michael R. Schramm.
Application Number | 20070238386 11/279098 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38575923 |
Filed Date | 2007-10-11 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070238386 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Schramm; Michael R. |
October 11, 2007 |
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.
Inventors: |
Schramm; Michael R.; (Perry,
UT) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MICHAEL R. SCHRAMM
350 WEST 2000 SOUTH
PERRY
UT
84302
US
|
Family ID: |
38575923 |
Appl. No.: |
11/279098 |
Filed: |
April 8, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
446/15 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63H 33/28 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
446/015 |
International
Class: |
A63H 33/28 20060101
A63H033/28 |
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.
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.
* * * * *