U.S. patent application number 14/464905 was filed with the patent office on 2015-02-26 for bubble making system.
This patent application is currently assigned to The Kinetic Concept, LLC. The applicant listed for this patent is The Kinetic Concept, LLC. Invention is credited to Shaun P. Fogarty.
Application Number | 20150056884 14/464905 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 52480780 |
Filed Date | 2015-02-26 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150056884 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Fogarty; Shaun P. |
February 26, 2015 |
BUBBLE MAKING SYSTEM
Abstract
A system for containing bubble solution and converting the
solution into bubbles through a particular motion is disclosed. The
system includes a sealed reservoir for containing the bubble
solution and having an outlet, an aperture array adapted for
cooperation with the particular motion to cause the bubble solution
to convert to bubbles; and a delivery network adapted for allowing
flow of the bubble solution from the outlet to the aperture array
only during the particular motion. Several exemplary devices
employing the system are also disclosed.
Inventors: |
Fogarty; Shaun P.;
(Portland, OR) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
The Kinetic Concept, LLC |
Portland |
OR |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
The Kinetic Concept, LLC
Portland
OR
|
Family ID: |
52480780 |
Appl. No.: |
14/464905 |
Filed: |
August 21, 2014 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61868650 |
Aug 22, 2013 |
|
|
|
62000126 |
May 19, 2014 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
446/15 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63H 33/18 20130101;
A63H 33/28 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
446/15 |
International
Class: |
A63H 33/28 20060101
A63H033/28 |
Claims
1. A system for containing bubble solution and converting the
solution into bubbles through a particular motion, the system
comprising: a sealed reservoir for containing the bubble solution
and comprising an outlet; an aperture array which converts the
bubble solution to bubbles only during and due to the particular
motion; and a delivery network adapted for allowing flow of the
bubble solution from the outlet to the aperture array only during
the particular motion.
2. The system of claim 1 wherein the sealed reservoir further
comprises a removable and replaceable cap or plug for adding
solution there-into.
3. The system of claim 2 wherein either the reservoir or the
delivery network comprises a valve for denying the flow of the
bubble solution from the outlet to the aperture array absent the
particular motion.
4. The system of claim 3 wherein the valve allows airflow
there-through from the aperture array to the reservoir.
5. The system of claim 4 wherein the valve is an orifice of a size
that denies the flow of the bubble solution there-through absent a
sufficient flow force vector, and wherein the particular force
vector is provided by the particular motion.
6. The system of claim 5 wherein gravity is an insufficient force
vector.
7. The system of claim 4 wherein the valve is a mechanical pressure
release valve that denies the flow of the bubble solution
there-through absent a sufficient flow force vector, and wherein
the particular force vector is provided by the particular
motion.
8. The system of claim 7 wherein gravity is an insufficient force
vector.
9. The system of claim 4 wherein the delivery network comprises a
tube from the outlet to the aperture array, and the tube comprises
an inner diameter comprising the valve and being of a size that
denies the flow of the bubble solution there-through absent a
sufficient flow force vector, and wherein the particular force
vector is provided by the particular motion.
10. The system of claim 9 wherein gravity is an insufficient force
vector.
11. The system of claim 1 in combination with a rotatable device
for dispersing the bubbles, the rotatable device comprising: a
housing having a substantially vertical axis of rotation, the
housing adapted to rotate about the axis of rotation; wherein the
particular motion is the rotation; the reservoir is disposed
symmetrically about the axis of rotation; the aperture array
comprises a plurality of substantially identical aperture array
portions disposed symmetrically about the axis of rotation outboard
of the reservoir; and the delivery network allows flow of the
bubble solution to each aperture array portion equally, and only
during rotation of the housing about the axis of rotation.
12. The combination of claim 11 wherein the device is adapted to
rotate when thrown or shot along a flight path such that the
bubbles are dispersed along the flight path.
13. The combination of claim 12 wherein the housing is a flying
polymer disc of the type having a cylindrical grasping perimeter
depending from a flat or convex circular panel.
14. The system of claim 1 in combination with a pivotable device
for dispersing the bubbles, the pivotable device comprising: a
housing having a pivot axis, a proximal end adjacent the pivot axis
and a distal end opposite the proximal end, the distal end adapted
for being pivoted about the pivot axis; wherein the particular
motion is the pivoting; the reservoir is disposed approximate the
proximal end; the aperture array is disposed approximate the distal
end; and the delivery network allows flow of the bubble solution to
the aperture array only during the pivoting.
15. The combination of claim 14 further comprising a pivot handle
at the pivot axis.
16. The combination of claim 14 further comprising a pivot hole at
the pivot axis.
17. The system of claim 1 in combination with a projectable device
for dispersing the bubbles, the projectable device comprising: a
housing having a longitudinal spin axis, the housing adapted to
spin about the spin axis; wherein the particular motion is the
spinning; the reservoir is disposed symmetrically about the spin
axis; the aperture array comprises a plurality of substantially
identical aperture array portions disposed symmetrically about the
spin axis outboard of the reservoir; and the delivery network
allows flow of the bubble solution to each aperture array portion
equally, and only during spinning of the housing about the spin
axis.
18. The combination of claim 17 wherein the device is adapted to
spin when projected along a flight path such that the bubbles are
dispersed along the flight path.
19. The combination of claim 18 wherein the device further
comprises fletching to cause the spinning during the
projection.
20. The combination of claim 19 wherein the projection is one of
launching, throwing, firing, gun-shooting and bow-shooting.
Description
RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Applications Ser. No. 61/868,650 filed Aug. 22, 2013, and Ser. No.
62/000,126 filed May 19, 2014, the entire teachings of which are
incorporated herein by reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention is related to bubble-making for such
reasons as child entertainment, visual effect, or a myriad of other
purposes. More specifically, this invention is related to methods
and systems for making bubbles, for purposes including use in toys
and other devices. And the invention is related to toys and other
such devices employing such methods and systems.
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
[0003] There are numerous devices and methods in the prior art for
producing bubbles for such reasons as child entertainment, visual
effect, or a myriad of other purposes. Some generate bubbles when
squeezed, the same way in which a container of dish soap with a
small dispensing aperture makes a few small bubbles when you
squeeze it. Others generate a liquid froth of bubbles. Some include
a ribbed loop that is dipped in a liquid bubble solution containing
soap and/or glycerin, causing a film of the solution to span the
aperture of the loop then create a bubble from that film by blowing
air through the aperture. These will be referred to as "ribbed wand
armature" devices.
[0004] The vast majority of bubble-making devices and systems are
such ribbed wand armature devices. The user immerses the entire
loop end of the wand into a reservoir of bubble solution, removes
the wand from the solution, and then either blows through the film
of bubble solution spanning the loop aperture to create the
bubbles, or moves the wand through the air to create the bubbles.
This continues until the solution is gone or no longer films over
the aperture, usually lasting a few seconds and a few dozen bubbles
at most.
[0005] The ribs on the wand aperture are necessary in such devices
and systems to act as a reservoir of bubble fluid. Small amounts of
bubble fluid are retained between the ribs by capillary action and
because of the viscosity of the bubble solution. As the user
depletes the film inside the wand aperture by blowing and creating
bubbles, additional bubble fluid is drawn from the spaces between
the ribs and into the aperture, replenishing the film.
[0006] Because the ribs on the wand can only retain a tiny volume
of bubble solution, a secondary reservoir is necessary. Sometimes
this is a bottle or jar of bubble solution, ranging in size from
less than an ounce to a half gallon or more. Whatever form the
reservoir takes, the ribbed wand system requires frequent and
repeated immersion of the ribbed wand armature into the secondary
reservoir to replenish the bubble solution in the wand's ribs and
aperture. If the secondary reservoir is small, then a tertiary
reservoir may be needed to re-fill the second reservoir as it
becomes depleted.
[0007] One subset of ribbed-wand armature devices employs one or
more ribbed wands attached to a rotating shaft. The attached
wand(s) are rotated into, through, and out of a secondary reservoir
that is integrated into the device, and then rotated in front of a
fan or other air-pushing device that blows bubbles from the
rotating wand as it goes by. The rotation of the shaft and the fan
is accomplished mechanically and can be powered by user action or
by an electric motor. Many of these devices utilize electronics,
which can become corroded when exposed to the bubble solution.
These motors and electronics are powered either by batteries, which
can be expensive and toxic when discarded, or by connecting to an
AC wall socket, creating electrical shock hazards when bubble fluid
is spilled near the electronic components. The openings atop the
secondary reservoirs cannot be covered over during use to allow
repeated dipping of the wand. Therefore the reservoir must be
placed on a flat surface to prevent spilling of the bubble
solution. These devices are also prone to mechanical failure and to
clogging due to congealed bubble fluid coating the moving parts.
And because the solution is somewhat sticky, and toys employing
this technology tend to be used outdoors and by children, the wands
tend to get dirty. Sand and debris tends to collect on the wand and
impede the ability of the solution to form a film across the
aperture.
[0008] Ribbed wand devices suffer from certain flaws and
limitations. First, the ribbed wands drip. Second, the secondary
reservoirs must be open-topped to receive the wand, and are
therefore vulnerable to tipping over and spilling. Third, the
devices produce few bubbles and for a short time span between each
immersion. These aspects of ribbed-wand devices and systems expose
the device and the user to unpleasant and dangerous experiences.
Bubble solution is viscous, slippery (and therefore dangerous when
spilled on walking surfaces), and becomes tacky as it dries. As
noted above, it can be corrosive to electronic components. It is
also relatively expensive and somewhat difficult to properly make
at home. Ribbed-wand devices and systems are also wasteful of
bubble fluid (via drips and spills) and are generally inefficient
at producing bubbles relative to the effort and hand-eye
coordination required from the user.
[0009] A bubble-making system and device is described in U.S. Pat.
No. 3,745,693 that contains and converts bubble solution through
swinging. The system has a reservoir for containing the bubble
solution and having outlets communicating with an array of
bubble-making apertures. While a cap closes the reservoir's filling
hole, the outlets are large enough to prevent sealing of the
reservoir, as solution is able to leak from the reservoir through
the outlets under gravitational forces. To solve this problem, one
embodiment includes a storage container to catch the leaking
solution and another includes a manual shut-off valve to prevent
leaking during non-use. When the valve is manually opened, the
swinging motion will result in bubble-making. But the flow of
liquid is not limited to only during the swinging motion. This
creates a mess and inefficiency.
[0010] Another prior art bubble-making system with employing
devices is described in U.S. Pat. 6,231,414. While the disclosure
does not fully describe the delivery mechanisms used in the various
embodiments, the scant disclosure thereof describes a gap that
would be prone to gravity-induced leakage. In fact, a flying disc
according to the patent was commercialized and it relied on such a
thin gap from the reservoir to the apertures. Inadvertent solution
leakage allegedly caused the product to fail in the market within
one year. Again, the flow of liquid was not limited to only during
the intended motion.
[0011] It is an object and benefit of the invention to provide a
bubble making system which minimizes or eliminates the flaws and
limitations of the prior art. It is a further object and benefit of
the invention to provide such a system which is adaptable to
various toys and devices. It is a further object and benefit of the
invention to provide such an adaptable system to such various toys
and devices where the toys and devices are already familiar,
especially to children, so that bubble-making can be an added
feature to such commonly known toys and devices and used without
requiring training It is another object and benefit of the
invention to provide a bubble-making system which allows adults to
pre-load a supply of bubble-making solution, then allows children
to play, mess-free, with the device for an extended period and
produce much larger bubble quantities without the need for repeated
reloadings. It is another object and benefit of the device to
provide a bubble-making system which more efficiently creates
bubbles to maximize the number of bubbles available from a given
quantity of solution. Additional objects and benefits of the
invention should become obvious to readers of the following
disclosure, which is not meant to limit, but only meant to
exemplify the invention.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0012] The present invention may be all or a portion of a new
bubble making system, a portion of or all of a toy or other device
employing the system, or one or more of the steps of the method
employed in the system, toy, or device. The system may include a
pre-fillable, sealed, and unspillable reservoir of bubble solution,
one or more armatures for converting the solution into bubbles, and
a network for delivering the solution to the armature, only as
needed during use. The system may also include the forces naturally
occurring during normal use of the toy or device, as an inherent
part of the delivery network.
[0013] The system eliminates the dipping requirement of the prior
art and all of the troubles and complications associated therewith.
The system eliminates the ribbed wands of the prior art and all of
the troubles and complications associated therewith The system
provides a constant "as needed" supply of a carefully and
automatically metered quantity of solution to the armature. When
employed in devices and toys to which motion is already being
imparted, such as objects commonly thrown, swung, or spun, the
system eliminates the need for providing additional bubble-making
force, and eliminates the need for creating a dedicated additional
airflow to create bubbles. By employing the natural and familiar
motions and resulting forces of the device in which it is used, the
system eliminates the need for added power, motors, fans,
electronics, and other extraneous power, propulsion, and regulation
components which have troubled the prior art.
[0014] The reservoir may preferably consist of a chamber, a fill
opening, a cap for selectively exposing or sealing the fill
opening, and one or more outlets. The one or more outlets may each
include or be a valve, which may simply be an orifice specifically
disposed and sized to prevent a liquid as viscous as the bubble
solution from escaping the tank there-through except when a very
specific force vector is applied or force threshold is reached. Or
the valve may be a mechanical force-actuated valve arranged to
prevent the bubble solution from escaping the tank there-through
except when that very specific force vector is applied or force
threshold is reached.
[0015] The one or more armatures may each include an inlet for
receiving solution, one or more arrays of evenly or randomly spaced
apertures of a same size or of various sizes, and a pathway for
allowing the received solution to travel from the inlet to the
apertures.
[0016] The delivery network may include one or more channels or
tubes enabling communication from the one or more reservoir outlets
to the inlets of the one or more armatures. The one or more
channels or tubes may provide a direct linear pathway from the
outlets to the inlets, or may provide a serpentine or indirect
pathway. The channels or tubes may each include or be a valve,
which may simply be an orifice or inner diameter specifically sized
to prevent a liquid as viscous as the bubble solution from flowing
there-through except when a very specific force vector is applied
or force threshold is reached. Or the valve may be a mechanical
force-actuated valve arranged to prevent the bubble solution from
flowing there-through except when that very specific force vector
is applied or force threshold is reached.
[0017] The outlet(s) may communicate with the armature(s) through
the delivery system in a manner that permits bubble solution to the
armature(s), but only under certain conditions, such as during the
flight of a throwable or shootable object employing the system, or
such as during the rotation of a spinnable device employing the
system, or such as during the swinging of a swingable device
employing the system.
[0018] The valve(s) may remain closed, or employ inherent cohesive
forces, until actuated by one or more anticipated forces, such as
centrifugal or linear force or acceleration, user motion, or user
pressure. Once actuated, or once the inherent cohesive forces are
overcome, the valve allows bubble solution to flow out of the
reservoir, through the delivery network, and to the wand armature,
where it forms a film of bubble fluid at the array(s) of apertures.
Air naturally passing through the apertures as a result of the
motion of the device causes conversion of the solution into bubbles
in a stream that remains constant so long as the motion and forces
continue.
[0019] The invention may therefore be embodied by or practiced
using a system for containing bubble solution and converting the
solution into bubbles through a particular motion. The system may
include a sealed reservoir for containing the bubble solution and
having an outlet. The system may include an aperture array adapted
for cooperation with the particular motion to cause the bubble
solution to convert to bubbles. And the system may include a
delivery network adapted for allowing flow of the bubble solution
from the outlet to the aperture array only during the particular
motion. The sealed reservoir may include a removable and
replaceable cap or plug for adding solution there-into. Either the
reservoir or the delivery network may include a valve for denying
the flow of the bubble solution from the outlet to the aperture
array absent the particular motion. The valve may allow airflow
there-through from the aperture array to the reservoir.
[0020] The valve may be an orifice of a size that denies the flow
of the bubble solution there-through absent a sufficient flow force
vector. Alternatively, the valve may be a mechanical pressure
release valve that denies the flow of the bubble solution
there-through absent the sufficient flow force vector.
Alternatively, the delivery network may include a tube from the
outlet to the aperture array, and the tube may have an inner
diameter which serves as the valve and is of a size that denies the
flow of the bubble solution there-through absent the sufficient
flow force vector. The particular force vector may be provided by
the particular motion. Gravity alone may be an insufficient force
vector.
[0021] The invention may also be embodied by or practiced using the
afore-summarized system in combination with a rotatable device for
dispersing the bubbles. The rotatable device may include a housing
having a substantially vertical axis of rotation. The device may be
adapted to rotate about the axis of rotation. And the
afore-described particular motion may be the rotation. The
reservoir may be disposed symmetrically about the axis of rotation.
The aperture array may be a plurality of substantially identical
aperture array portions disposed symmetrically about the axis of
rotation outboard of the reservoir. And the delivery network may
allow flow of the bubble solution to each aperture array portion
equally, and only during rotation of the housing about the axis of
rotation.
[0022] The housing may be adapted to rotate when thrown or shot
along a flight path such that the bubbles are dispersed along the
flight path. The housing may be a flying polymer disc of the type
having a cylindrical grasping perimeter depending from a flat or
convex circular panel.
[0023] The invention may also be embodied by or practiced using the
afore-summarized system in combination with a pivotable device for
dispersing the bubbles. The pivotable device may include a housing
having a pivot axis, a proximal end adjacent the pivot axis and a
distal end opposite the proximal end. The distal end may be adapted
for being pivoted about the pivot axis. The afore-described
particular motion may be the pivoting.
[0024] The reservoir may be disposed approximate the proximal end.
The aperture array may be disposed approximate the distal end. And
the delivery network may allow flow of the bubble solution to the
aperture array only during the pivoting. The combination may also
include a pivot handle at the pivot axis. The combination may
further include a pivot hole at the pivot axis.
[0025] The invention may also be embodied by or practiced using the
afore-summarized system in combination with a projectable device
for dispersing the bubbles. The projectable device may include a
housing having a longitudinal spin axis. The housing may be adapted
to spin about the spin axis. The afore-described particular motion
may be the spinning.
[0026] The reservoir may be disposed symmetrically about the spin
axis. The aperture array may be a plurality of substantially
identical aperture array portions disposed symmetrically about the
spin axis outboard of the reservoir. And the delivery network may
allow flow of the bubble solution to each aperture array portion
equally, and only during spinning of the housing about the spin
axis.
[0027] The projectile device may be adapted to spin when projected
along a flight path such that the bubbles are dispersed along the
flight path. The projectile device may also include fletching to
cause the spinning during the projection. The projection may be one
of launching, throwing, firing, gun-shooting and bow-shooting.
[0028] Further features and aspects of the invention are disclosed
with more specificity in the Detailed Description and Drawings of
an exemplary embodiment provided herein.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0029] Many aspects of the invention can be better understood with
reference to the following drawings showing exemplary embodiments
in accordance with accompanying Detailed Description. The
components in the drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis
instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of
the invention. Moreover, in the drawings, like reference numerals
designate corresponding parts throughout the several views.
[0030] FIG. 1 is a simplified schematic view of a system for use in
bubble making according to a first exemplary embodiment;
[0031] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a first exemplary toy
employing the system of FIG. 1 in a horizontal non-use
orientation;
[0032] FIG. 3 is a cross section view of the toy of FIG. 2 in a
vertical non-use orientation;
[0033] FIG. 4 is a cross section view of the toy of FIG. 2 during
use;
[0034] FIG. 5 is a partial view of a second exemplary toy employing
the system of FIG. 1;
[0035] FIG. 6 is a view of a third exemplary toy employing the
system of FIG. 1 during use;
[0036] FIG. 7 is an exploded view of the toy of FIG. 6;
[0037] FIG. 8 is a partial perspective view of the armature end of
the toy of FIG. 6;
[0038] FIG. 9 is a partial cross sectional view of the toy of FIG.
6;
[0039] FIG. 10 is a view of a fourth exemplary toy employing the
system of FIG. 1;
[0040] FIG. 11 is a partial cross-sectional view of the toy of FIG.
10;
[0041] FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a fifth exemplary toy
employing the system of FIG. 1 during use;
[0042] FIG. 13 is an exploded view of the toy of FIG. 12;
[0043] FIG. 14 is a partial cross sectional view of the toy of FIG.
12;
[0044] FIG. 15 is a view of a sixth exemplary toy employing the
system of FIG. 1;
[0045] FIG. 16 is a partial cross sectional view of the toy of FIG.
15;
[0046] FIG. 17 is a perspective view of a seventh exemplary toy
employing the system of FIG. 1, in use;
[0047] FIG. 18 is a perspective view of an eighth exemplary toy
using the system of FIG. 1;
[0048] FIG. 19 is a partial underside view of the toy of FIG.
18;
[0049] FIG. 20 is a partial view of the toy of FIG. 18;
[0050] FIG. 21 is a view of a ninth exemplary toy employing the
system of FIG. 1 in use;
[0051] FIG. 22 is a perspective view of the toy of FIG. 21;
[0052] FIG. 23 is an exploded view of the toy of FIG. 21; and
[0053] FIG. 24 is a partial view of the toy of FIG. 21 in use.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS
[0054] Reference is now made to an exemplary system in accordance
with or for use in practicing the invention as shown schematically
in FIG. 1, and to numerous exemplary toys employing that system in
various forms in FIGS. 2 through 24.
[0055] Referring first to FIG. 1, system 100 includes reservoir
102, armature 104, and delivery device 106 for providing selective
fluid communication between the armature and the reservoir. The
reservoir includes an interior chamber 108 for receiving and
storing a bubble solution (not shown), a fill opening 112 that may
be sealed by a removable and replaceable cap 114, and an outlet 116
for making solution available to the delivery device. The armature
includes an array of apertures 118. The delivery device, shown
schematically, may be a tube having an internal diameter aligned
with the reservoir's outlet, or may be a combination
pressure-relief and check valve. The delivery device allows
through-flow of solution from the reservoir to the armature only
when sufficient force from the reservoir to the armature is
realized, and allows air to be pulled into the reservoir whenever a
vacuum is created in the chamber.
[0056] When the delivery device is a mechanical pressure relief
valve and check, it is calibrated to allow the flow of solution
from the reservoir when forces from the reservoir toward the
armature substantially exceed gravitational forces. It is
calibrated to allow the flow of air into the reservoir when the
pressure within the chamber falls to 8000 Pa below ambient.
[0057] When the delivery device is a tube, it's inside diameter is
carefully selected to function as such a pressure-relief and check
valve. The viscosity of the bubble solution is typically within the
range of 50 to 300 cP at 20.degree. C. Gravitational forces will
cause the solution to flow undesirably through an opening of a
larger size, so an inside diameter smaller than 3 MM is required.
An inside diameter larger than 0.5 MM is required to ensure that
the solution will be forced through the tube during the least
forceful bubble-making activities expected by devices employing the
system.
[0058] Air has a viscosity of only 0.018 cP at 20.degree. C., so an
inside diameter within this range provides little obstruction to
the intake of air into the chamber under even the slightest vacuum.
In other words, the bubble solution is of a high enough viscosity
that its surface tension is insufficient to overcome the capillary
forces within the tube and the solution cannot flow out under only
its own weight.
[0059] Alternative versions of such simple "hydrostatic valves" may
employ a nozzle or a flexible slit. The flexible slit is normally
closed so that it contains the solution in the reservoir when the
device is not subjected to substantial centrifugal or linear
forces. When the user applies substantial force, the slit is forced
open. The different types of valves all have the same purpose,
which is to restrict the flow of and contain the solution until the
user wishes to create bubbles, while allowing air to enter the
reservoir as needed. The valve remains closed to the outflow of
solution until actuated by one or more forces, such as centrifugal
force, acceleration, linear motion, or pressure.
[0060] The fact that the valve remains closed until actuated means
that the risks of tipping or knocking over the reservoir, or
otherwise spilling or dripping the bubble solution are completely
eliminated. This is true regardless of the orientation of the
reservoir or device in which the system is employed.
[0061] Further, the various potential armature arrangements useable
within this system do not require the ribbing of prior art ribbed
wand systems, because the armature does not need to serve as a
reservoir. Therefore, the wand armature can be formed out of
different materials other than plastic ribs. Different materials
can be used to construct the wand armature to achieve different
effects, such as having fewer large bubbles, or many small
bubbles.
[0062] In FIGS. 2-4, a first wand 200 is depicted employing the
system of FIG. 1 with the delivery device being tube 206. Cap 214
is first removed and solution 220 is poured into chamber 208 of
reservoir 202 through fill opening 212. The proximal end of the
reservoir is cylindrically externally shaped to also function as a
handle 222. Neck portion 228 of the reservoir extends to the
delivery tube and armature 204. The neck portion is preferably 8 to
12 inches long to provide sufficient swinging forces at the
delivery tube and armature during use.
[0063] FIG. 2 demonstrates that while the wand is stood upright,
the solution is too viscous to exit the chamber though the inside
diameter 224 of the delivery tube. This eliminates inadvertent
leaking and the associated mess common to prior art bubble-making
devices.
[0064] FIGS. 3 and 4 demonstrate use of the wand to create bubbles.
In FIG. 3, holding the handle and swinging the wand rapidly forces
the solution through the delivery tube to armature 204, causing the
solution to splash into the interior chamber 230 of the armature
and film over the armature's apertures 216. Concurrently, ambient
air is forced through the apertures converting the film 232 into
bubbles 234 which exit the apertures in a stream trailing behind
the swinging armature. As the wand it swung back and forth,
momentum pauses and resumes in the opposite direction. During these
pauses, shown in FIG. 4, the vacuum created within the reservoir
chamber by the forced release of solution causes air bubbles 236 to
be pulled into the chamber through the delivery tube, readying the
system to release more solution during the next swing.
[0065] FIG. 5 depicts a second wand 300 having a star-shaped
armature 304 with smaller square apertures 316 in a grid pattern,
for producing a higher quantity of equally-sized smaller bubbles
334. This demonstrates how the system enables the production of
various bubble-making patterns and visual effects impossible to
produce with older systems. These swarms of small bubbles diffuse,
diffract, and reflect light. They move individually yet also in a
loose concert with each other, propelled and swept both by the same
user motion that created them and by ambient air flows. The visual
effect of a diffused mass of airborne bubbles is distinct from
looking at individual bubbles or a more linear stream of bubbles,
and this effect is not produce-able with pre-existing systems.
[0066] Wand armatures and their aperture arrays may hereby be
constructed in a wide variety of shapes and sizes, depending on how
the device is to be used by the user, and what kinds of forces will
act on the device. Importantly, wand armatures can be constructed
to comprise apertures which have a very broad velocity window for
bubble formation, a feature not present in pre-existing
systems.
[0067] Continuous irrigation of the armature by solution flowing
from the delivery tube films over the open apertures constantly for
the continuous production of new bubbles. The productive duty cycle
of a wand using this system can thereby be dramatically increased
over the prior art, from the two or three seconds typical of a
ribbed wand, to many minutes, with the number of bubbles produced
per cycle increasing from a dozen or so to hundreds or
thousands.
[0068] FIGS. 7 to 9 depict a third exemplary bubble-making wand 400
having a handle portion 440 separable from the delivery/armature
portion 442 for filling the reservoir 402 within the handle
portion. This eliminates the need for a cap. Other elements are
identified by item numbering corresponding to the previous wand
embodiments.
[0069] FIGS. 10 and 11 depict a fourth exemplary bubble-making wand
500 having an array of evenly-spaced equally-sized apertures 516
for creating a cloud of equally-sized bubbles, impossible to
realize with prior art bubble-making devices.
[0070] FIGS. 12 through 14 depict a throwing object 600 that
employs a form of the system to leave a trail of bubbles in its
flight path when it is thrown. The object includes a somewhat
football-shaped housing 650 having a longitudinal spin axis 652.
The housing has a central cavity 654. The housing and cavity are
symmetrically shaped and arranged around the spin axis. A bubble
producing assembly 656 according to the afore-described system is
removably insertable into the cavity. The assembly includes a
cylindrical reservoir 602, functionally similar to reservoir 102 of
FIG. 1, with two symmetrically opposed channels 628 projecting
radially outwardly there-from. The channels include delivery tubes
606 at their outer ends, and are connected to fin-shaped armatures
616. The reservoir is pushed into the cavity to secure the assembly
to the housing. The assembly is also symmetrically shaped and
arranged around the spin axis, with the reservoir disposed on the
spin axis and the channels and armatures outboard thereof. The
reservoir's fill opening 612 is at the object's trailing end, and
is sealable by a removable cap 614 that also serves to complete the
football shape of the object. The cap is also symmetrically shaped
and arranged around the spin axis.
[0071] After filling the reservoir with bubble solution and
securing the cap, the object may be thrown like a football. The
normal and familiar football-throwing motion imparts spin on the
object as it travels along an intended flight path through the air,
and the fin-shaped armatures, performing aerodynamically as the
fins on a rocket or the fletchings on an arrow, further enhance the
spin and stable flight of the object to create centrifugal forces
at the delivery tubes to cause the release of solution from the
reservoir, through the tubes, and to the armatures, where it is
converted into bubbles are previously described. The result is a
steam of tiny bubbles following the flight path every time the
object is thrown. The armatures serve not only to disperse the
bubbles as afore-described, but may also serve as fletchings, like
those of an arrow, to increase spin and increase the desired
centrifugal force vectors, and improve flight stability.
[0072] FIGS. 15 and 16 depict a projectable object 700 employing
the system of FIG. 1 to create bubbles as it flies through the air.
In this case, the projectable object is arrow-shaped, but it may
obviously be rocket-shaped, javelin shaped, etc. It may be
projected by throwing, by launching, by bow-shooting, by firing
from a toy gun, etc. As in the previous embodiment, the armatures
716 are also fletchings to serve not only to disperse bubbles, but
also to impart flight-stabilizing spin. As in the previous
embodiment, all components are shaped and disposed symmetrically
around a longitudinal spin axis 752. The reservoir 702 is
symmetrically disposed on the spin axis and the delivery tubes 706
and armatures are symmetrically disposed outboard thereof. The
reservoir's main chamber 708 is disposed at the leading end of the
object to provide balance during flight. The elongated hollow
central shaft 760 is part of the reservoir, feeding solution from a
main chamber to the delivery and bubble-making portions at the
trailing end. As in the previous item, spinning of the item along
its flight path creates centrifugal forces at the delivery tubes
which feed solution to the armatures. The result is a steam of tiny
bubbles following the flight path every time the object is
projected.
[0073] FIG. 17 depicts a pivotable device 800 employing the system
of FIG. 1 to create a cloud of bubbles as it is pivoted around in a
circular motion, by the centrifugal forces that the motion creates.
The device is operated similarly to age-old "Noise Making Ratchets"
(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ratchet.sup.--%28instrument%29), so
children are already familiar with operating it and can now use it
for the same entertainment and to also create bubbles, without any
new training. The housing 850 defines a pivot axis 852 about which
the moving portions of the device are rapidly pivoted. A stationary
cylindrical handle 860 is disposed on the pivot axis for grasping
while pivoting the housing there-around. The housing has a hole 854
concentric with the pivot axis and rotatable relative to the
handle. The reservoir 802 is disposed on the housing toward its
pivot axis end and feeds solution through the delivery tube (not
shown) when pivoted to the paddle-shaped armature 816 where bubbles
are created and dispersed in the previously described manner.
[0074] FIGS. 18 to 20 depict a rotatable device in the form of a
flying disc 900. The device is intended to be used just like a
common flying disc toy or "Frisbee.RTM."
(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flying_disc), but with the added
feature of bubble-making. Polymer housing 950 includes a circular
panel 952 from which depends a cylindrical perimeter wall 954 for
grasping. The housing defines an axis of rotation 956 about which
the object will rotate when it is flung in a spinning fashion, well
known to most children. The reservoir 902 is symmetrically disposed
on the underside of the circular panel at the axis of rotation and
includes channels 928 extending outwardly to delivery tubes 906 and
armatures 916 outboard of the axis of rotation from the reservoir
so that centrifugal forces suck solution from the reservoir during
rotation, through the delivery tubes, and feed it to the armatures
where it is converted to bubbles and dispersed along the flight
path as the object flies through the air. Circular plastic sheet
960 is disposed atop the circular panel and below the armatures and
serves the purpose of intercepting bubbles which may have otherwise
impacted and wetted the panel. Those bubbles would have been
problematic in that they will break and the solution they would
leave on the panel would travel out by centrifugal force to wet the
graspable perimeter wall. Instead, those bubbles impact the flat
circular plastic sheet, travel out to its periphery, and are thrown
there-from as droplets . . . leaving the graspable perimeter dry
and mess-free.
[0075] FIGS. 21 to 24 depict a pivotable toy 1000 which emulates a
commonly known "Skip-It" (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Skip-It),
but with the added feature of bubble-making. This device is
actually structurally and functionally similar to pivotable device
800 of FIG. 17, except that a hole 1060 through which the user's
foot is passed is substituted for that previous device's handle.
The user causes the device to start pivoting in a circular path
around one foot, the lifts the other foot, in "jump rope" fashion
each time the housing 1002 passes there-under. Boss 1070 on the
underside of the housing rides on the ground to keep the device
pivoting along a horizontal plane during use.
[0076] In all of the above-described devices, the same action that
creates the force that releases of the solution also causes the
armature to move relative to the air, creating bubbles and
stripping them off the armature. The devices are each designed so
that any amount of a particular user motion over a certain
threshold causes the release of the solution and the creation of
bubbles, but absent at least that amount of that particular motion,
the solution is "sealed" within the reservoir. It is also
inherently convenient that increases as decreases in the speed of
the particular motion will result in an increase in the amount of
solution released, but will conveniently also result in a
proportional amount of airflow through the apertures, thereby
consuming the increased amount of solution and producing a
proportionately increased quantity of bubbles rather than wasting
the solution. Users can control the amount of bubbles made by the
speed of the motion.
[0077] And because the system is so efficient, the reservoirs hold
enough solution to generate many bubbles for a long time, versus
older bubble-makers, such as ribbed wands, which would be quickly
depleted and require the user to stop blowing bubbles and re-dip
the wand every few minutes, interrupting play and making a
mess.
[0078] It should be understood that while the invention has been
shown and described with reference to the specific exemplary
embodiment shown, various changes in form and detail may be made
without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, and
that the invention should therefore only be limited according to
the following claims, including all equivalent interpretation to
which they are entitled. It should also be understood that while
the exemplary embodiment discloses automotive use, the invention
may be useful in any type of vehicle, such as but not limited to
trains, trucks, buses, boats, ships, and planes.
* * * * *
References