Abstract:
An apparatus and method of delivering bubble solution to a bubble solution dipping container includes a bubble solution dipping container having a wall that defines a chamber. The apparatus also has a bottle having a wall that defines an interior that contains bubble solution. The bottle is releasably connected to the container, and a supply tube is provided to establish a fluid connection between the interior of the bottle and the chamber of the dipping container. The user can then apply pressure to the wall of the bottle to deliver the bubble solution from the interior of the bottle to the chamber of the container.

Description:
RELATED CASES  
       [0001]    This is a continuation-in-part of co-pending Ser. No. 10/099,431, entitled “Apparatus and Method for Delivering Bubble Solution to a Dipping Container”, filed Mar. 15, 2002, whose disclosure is incorporated by this reference as though fully set forth herein. 
     
    
     
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    1. Field of the Invention  
           [0003]    The present invention relates to bubble toys, and in particular, to apparatus and methods for delivering bubble solution to a dipping container.  
           [0004]    2. Description of the Prior Art  
           [0005]    Bubble producing toys are very popular among children who enjoy producing bubbles of different shapes and sizes. Many bubble producing toys have previously been provided. Perhaps the simplest example has a stick with a circular opening or ring at one end, resembling a wand. A film is produced when the ring is dipped into a dish that holds bubble solution or bubble producing fluid (such as soap) and then removed therefrom. Bubbles are then formed by blowing carefully against the film. Such a toy requires dipping every time a bubble is to created, and the bubble solution must accompany the wand from one location to another.  
           [0006]    Recently, the market has provided a number of different bubble generating assemblies that are capable of producing a plurality of bubbles. Examples of such assemblies are illustrated in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,149,486 (Thai), 6,331,130 (Thai) and 6,200,184 (Rich et al.). The bubble rings in the bubble generating assemblies in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,149,486 (Thai), 6,331,130 (Thai) and 6,200,184 (Rich et al.) need to be dipped into a dish that holds bubble solution to produce films of bubble solution across the rings. The motors in these assemblies are then actuated to generate air against the films to produce bubbles.  
           [0007]    All of these aforementioned bubble generating assemblies require that one or more bubble rings be dipped into a dish of bubble solution. In particular, the child must initially pour bubble solution into the dish, then replenish the solution in the dish as the solution is being used up. After play has been completed, the child must then pour the remaining solution from the dish back into the original bubble solution container. Unfortunately, this continuous pouring and re-pouring of bubble solution from the bottle to the dish, and from the dish back to the bottle, often results in unintended spillage, which can be messy, dirty, and a waste of bubble solution.  
           [0008]    Another bubble generating assembly is illustrated in U.S. Pat. No. 5,613,890 (DeMars). DeMars uses a battery-operated machine to control a wiper bar to apply bubble solution onto a bubble ring. Although such a design avoids some of the spillage problems described above, the construction of the bubble generating assembly in DeMars is quite complex, which increases the overall cost of the bubble generating assembly. More importantly, the complex construction has many different moving and interengaging parts that increase the likelihood of defects. Sadly, any defect with any part could mean that the entire assembly is not operational. In addition, DeMars uses a single motor which powers two operations: (1) to pump the bubble solution to the wiper bar, and (2) to cause the fan to blow air at the bubble ring. Depending on the size and quality of the motor, the single motor may not be able to simultaneously perform both tasks effectively, which may negatively affect the quality of the bubbles produced by the bubble generating assembly.  
           [0009]    Thus, there remains a need to provide apparatus and methods for delivering bubble solution to a dish or other similar dipping container while avoiding the problems described above.  
         SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE  
         [0010]    It is an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus and method for delivering bubble solution to a dipping container.  
           [0011]    It is another object of the present invention to provide an apparatus and method for delivering bubble solution to a dipping container in a manner which minimizes spillage of the bubble solution.  
           [0012]    It is yet another object of the present invention to provide an apparatus having a simple construction that delivers bubble solution to a dipping container.  
           [0013]    It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a soft fan for use with a bubble generating assembly.  
           [0014]    The objectives of the present invention are accomplished by providing an apparatus and method of delivering bubble solution to a bubble solution dipping container. The apparatus has a bubble solution dipping container having a wall that defines a chamber. The apparatus also has a bottle having a wall that defines an interior that contains bubble solution. The bottle is releasably connected to the container, and a supply tube is provided to establish a fluid connection between the interior of the bottle and the chamber of the dipping container. The user can then apply pressure to the wall of the bottle to deliver the bubble solution from the interior of the bottle to the chamber of the container.  
           [0015]    The dipping container and bottle of the present invention can be incorporated for use in a wide variety of bubble generating assemblies, as described in greater detail herein. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0016]    [0016]FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of an apparatus that delivers bubble solution to a dipping container according to one embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the apparatus of FIG. 1.  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 3 is an exploded cross-sectional view of the apparatus of FIG. 1.  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 4 is an enlarged sectional view of the release handle and spring of the dipping container of FIG. 1.  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional side view of one embodiment of a bubble generating assembly that can incorporate the apparatus of FIG. 1.  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional side view of another embodiment of a bubble generating assembly that can incorporate the apparatus of FIG. 1.  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional front view of another embodiment of a bubble generating assembly that can incorporate the apparatus of FIG. 1.  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional side plan view of the assembly of FIG. 7.  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional side view of yet another embodiment of a bubble generating assembly that can incorporate the apparatus of FIG. 1, shown in the bubble generating position.  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional side view of the assembly of FIG. 9 shown in the non-use position.  
         [0026]    [0026]FIG. 11 is a perspective view of yet another embodiment of a bubble generating assembly that can incorporate the apparatus of FIG. 1.  
         [0027]    [0027]FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of one side of the assembly of FIG. 11.  
         [0028]    [0028]FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of another side of the assembly of FIG. 11 shown in the non-use position.  
         [0029]    [0029]FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of the assembly of FIG. 13 shown in the bubble generating position.  
         [0030]    [0030]FIG. 15 is a side plan view illustrating a modification that can be made to the assembly of FIGS.  11 - 14 .  
         [0031]    [0031]FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional side view of yet another embodiment of a bubble generating assembly that can incorporate the apparatus of FIG. 1, shown in the non-use position.  
         [0032]    [0032]FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view of the assembly of FIG. 16 shown in the bubble generating position. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0033]    The following detailed description is of the best presently contemplated modes of carrying out the invention. This description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating general principles of embodiments of the invention. The scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims. In certain instances, detailed descriptions of well-known devices and mechanisms are omitted so as to not obscure the description of the present invention with unnecessary detail.  
         [0034]    The present invention provides an apparatus that includes a dipping container and a conventional bubble solution bottle. The bottle is removably secured to the dipping container. A tube is secured to the dipping container and fluidly communicates between the interior of the bottle and the interior of the dipping container. With the bottle secured to the dipping container, the user can press the wall of the bottle to create a pressure that pushes bubble solution from the bottle through the tube and into the dipping container. The dipping container also has an outlet that communicates with the interior of the bottle. The outlet can be opened and closed at the discretion of the user to allow the unused bubble solution in the dipping container to flow back into the bottle.  
         [0035]    FIGS.  1 - 3  illustrate one embodiment of an apparatus  20  according to the present invention. The apparatus has a bubble solution bottle  22  that is removably attached to a dipping container  24 , and with the bubble solution bottle  22  being capable of acting as a base to support the entire apparatus  20  in an upright orientation when the bottle  22  is placed on a flat surface. The bottle  22  can take the form of any conventional bubble solution bottle that is commonly available in the marketplace, with one non-limiting example being the bubble solution bottles marketed under the trademarks TOOTSIETOY™ and MR. BUBBLES™ by Strombecker Corp. The bottle  22  has a generally cylindrical wall  26  which is typically made of a soft plastic material that is squeezable by the user. The interior  28  of these bubble solution bottles  22  is typically filled with bubble solution  30 , and a cap or lid (not shown) is threadably engaged to the threads  32  on the outer surface of the neck  34  to close the bottle  22 . When the bottle  22  is to be attached to the dipping container  24 , the cap or lid is removed, and the opened neck  34  is threadably engaged to the dipping container  24  in the manner described below.  
         [0036]    The dipping container  24  has a bottom plate  40  and an enclosing wall  42  that together define a dipping chamber  44 . The plate  40  and wall  42  can define any shape or size. For example, the plate  40  and wall  42  can be configured so that the wall  42  is circular, oval, square, rectangular, polygonal, or any other irregular shape. The bottom plate  40  has a first opening  46  through which a supply tube  48  is extended, and a second opening  50  which communicates with a feedback channel  52 . The first opening  46  can be positioned anywhere on the bottom plate  40 .  
         [0037]    The supply tube  48  can be made of rubber or injection-molded plastic. The supply tube  48  can be configured to have a first vertical section  54  that extends upwardly from its bottom end  55 , a first horizontal section  56  having a first end that extends horizontally from the top of the first vertical section  54 , a second vertical section  58  that extends upwardly for a short distance from the opposing second end of the first horizontal section  56 , and a second horizontal section  60  having a first end that extends horizontally from the top of the second vertical section  58 . The opposing second end  62  of the second horizontal section  60  is opened and communicates with the dipping chamber  44 . The first horizontal section  56  can be positioned to lie on the top surface of the bottom plate  40 . The supply tube  48  can be configured in the manner shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, and described herein, to optimize the delivery of the bubble solution  30  from the bottle  22  to the dipping chamber  44 . Specifically, the second horizontal section  60  aligns its opened end in a horizontal direction so that the bubble solution  30  will be aimed at, and therefore delivered into, the dipping chamber  44 . In other words, the various sections  54 ,  56 ,  58  and  60  serve to direct the flow of the bubble solution  30  into the dipping chamber  44 . As an alternative, it is possible to configure the supply tube  48  with a single vertical section (e.g., with the vertical section  54  and omitting the other sections  56 ,  58 ,  60 ), but the user must be careful not to squeeze the bottle  22  too hard, otherwise the bubble solution  30  may be squirted vertically upwards, and not necessarily into the dipping chamber  44 .  
         [0038]    A conventional plastic tube  64  can have a first end  66  sleeved over the bottom end  55  of the supply tube  48 , and an opposing second end  68  that is adapted to be positioned adjacent the bottom of the bottle  22 . As an alternative, the tube  64  can be an extension of (e.g., made in one piece with) the first vertical section  54  of the supply tube  48 .  
         [0039]    A generally cylindrical connector  76  is provided on the bottom surface  78  of the bottom plate  40 . In particular, the connector  76  has a generally cylindrical wall  80  having internal threads  82  that are adapted to threadably engage the external threads  32  on the neck  34  of a conventional bubble solution bottle  22 . Depending on the size and shape of the bottom plate  40  and the wall  42  of the dipping container  24 , the cylindrical wall  80  can be recessed inside, or extend beyond, the periphery of the bottom plate  40  and the wall  42 . A short cylindrical feedback channel  52  is connected to the bottom surface  78  of the bottom plate  40  at the location of the second opening  50 .  
         [0040]    A release button  84  cooperates with the feedback channel  52  to open and close the feedback channel  52 . In particular, the release button  84  has a handle  86  at a first end and a shaft  88  at a second opposing end. A spring housing  90  is provided at a location in the cylindrical wall  80  adjacent to the location of the feedback channel  52 . A shaft channel  92  extends through the cylindrical wall  80  and an opening in the feedback channel  52 , so as to connect the spring housing  90  with the feedback channel  52 . A spring or other biasing element  94  is housed in the spring housing  90 . The handle  86  of the release button  84  sits outside the spring housing  90 . The shaft  88  of the release button  84  extends through the spring housing  90 , the shaft channel  92  and into the feedback channel  52 . Referring also to FIG. 4, the spring  94  has a first end  95  that is connected to the wall  80 , and an opposing second end  97  that is connected to a protrusion  98  on the shaft  88 . The configuration shown in FIG. 4 allows the spring  94  to bias the shaft  88  to block the feedback channel  52  (see FIG. 2) during normal operation. The bias of the spring  94  can be overcome by pulling the handle  86  of the release button  84  in a direction away from the wall  80 . Pulling the handle  86  of the release button  84  in a direction away from the wall  80  will also cause the shaft  88  to retract from its blockage of the feedback channel  52 , so that the force of gravity will cause the remaining bubble solution  96  in the dipping chamber  44  to flow via the feedback channel  52  into the bottle  22 .  
         [0041]    A tine suction element  100  is provided in the wall  80  of the connector  76 . In particular, a support  102  is provided adjacent another opening  104  in the wall  80 , and the suction element  100  is seated for reciprocating movement inside the support  102  and the wall  80 . The reciprocating movement of the suction element  100  means that the bottom end  106  of the suction element  100  moves in and out of the opening  104 , so that air from outside the bottle  22  can be vented into the interior  28  of the bottle  22  to make it easier to re-inflate and pressurize the the bottle  22 .  
         [0042]    The dipping container  24  and the connector  76  can be made from any conventional leak-proof and sturdy injection-molded plastic material, including the plastic materials that are currently being used for conventional bubble solution dishes that are available in the market. Other possible materials for the dipping container  24  and the connector  76  include rubber, die-cast metal, cardboard, and non-porous paper materials.  
         [0043]    In use, the user removes the cap or lid from a conventional bottle  22  of bubble solution, and threadably connects the neck  34  of the bottle  22  to the interior bore of the wall  80  via the interengaging threads  32  and  82 . At this time, as best shown in FIG. 2, the first vertical section  54  of the supply tube  48  extends into the region of the neck  34 , and the tube  64  extends into the bubble solution  30 . The release button  84  is normally biased by the spring  94  so that its shaft  88  blocks the feedback channel  52 . To fill the dipping chamber  44  with bubble solution  30 , the user squeezes the wall  26  of the bottle  22 , and the pressure generated by the squeeze will cause bubble solution  30  to be pumped or delivered via the tubes  64  and  48  into the dipping chamber  44 . With the configuration shown in FIG. 2, the amount of bubble solution  96  in the dipping chamber  44  cannot exceed the height of the second horizontal section  60  of the supply tube  48  because the excess bubble solution will simply flow back into the bottle  22  via the supply tube  48 . This feature ensures that the level of the bubble solution  96  in the dipping chamber  44  does not become too high, thereby minimizing the opportunity for spillage.  
         [0044]    The user can then dip the bubble ring(s) of any bubble generating device or assembly into the dipping chamber  44  to generate a film of bubble solution across the ring(s). As the bubble solution  96  in the dipping chamber  44  is used up after repeated dippings, the user can squeeze the wall  26  of the bottle  22  to cause more bubble solution  30  from the bottle  22  to be delivered to the dipping chamber  44  to replenish the bubble solution  96 . When the user has finished using the bubble solution  96 , the user can pull the release button  84  in a direction away from the bottle  22 , so that all the bubble solution  96  left in the dipping chamber  44  will flow back into the bottle  22 .  
         [0045]    Thus, the apparatus  20  of the present invention provides numerous benefits. First, bubble solution  30  can be delivered from a conventional bottle  22  to fill the dipping chamber  44  in a simple and effective manner in which spillage is minimized. Second, the volume of the bubble solution  96  in the dipping chamber  44  is regulated, again to minimize spillage. Third, any unused bubble solution  96  remaining in the dipping chamber  44  can be easily and quickly returned to the conventional bottle  22  with minimal spillage and waste. Fourth, the dipping container  24  can be completely supported on top of the bottle  22  so that the bottle  22  is capable of acting as a base to support the entire apparatus  20  in an upright orientation when the bottle  22  is placed on a flat surface, as shown in FIG. 1, thereby providing a simple and compact configuration.  
         [0046]    The apparatus  20  in FIGS.  1 - 3  is well-suited for use with virtually any bubble generating device or assembly. The size and shape of the bottom plate  40  and the wall  42  can be adjusted to fit the sizes and shapes of the bubble ring(s) on any bubble generating device or assembly. Although the apparatus  20  is illustrated in FIGS.  1 - 3  as being used with a stand-alone dipping container  24 , it is possible to incorporate the dipping container  24  into any bubble generating device or assembly. As a non-limiting example, FIG. 5 illustrates how the apparatus  20  can be incorporated with the bubble generating assembly that is shown and described in FIGS. 1-6 of U.S. Pat. No. 6,331,130 (Thai), whose entire disclosure is incorporated herein as though set forth fully herein.  
         [0047]    Referring to FIG. 5, and to FIGS. 1-6 of U.S. Pat. No. 6,331,130 (Thai), the assembly  120  can be embodied in the form of a bubble producing gun, and has a housing  122  that includes a barrel section  124  and a handle section  126 . A bubble producing device  128  and the apparatus  20  are provided at the front end of the barrel section  124  adjacent the nozzles of the barrel section  124 . There are three nozzles that are positioned so that two side nozzles (not shown) open to opposing sides of the assembly  120 , and one front nozzle  136  opens towards the front of the assembly  120  so that the front nozzle  136  is generally perpendicular to the side nozzles. The bubble producing device  128  has three separate bubble rings that include two side rings  138  and a front ring  142 . Each ring  138 ,  142  is operatively coupled (as described hereinbelow) to the barrel section  124  and can be raised from a rest or non-use position inside the dipping container  24  to a bubble generating position adjacent a corresponding nozzle.  
         [0048]    A trigger  144  is operatively coupled to the barrel section  124  and the handle  126  to actuate the assembly  120 . A spring  138  has a rear end that is seated on a shaft of the trigger  144  in a slot  140  in the handle section  126 , and has an opposing front end that abuts the rear end of the trigger  144  to naturally bias the trigger  144  in a forward direction (see arrow F) towards the nozzles  136 . In particular, when the assembly  120  is a non-use position, the assembly  120  can be actuated by pressing the trigger  144  to simultaneously (1) raise the rings  138 ,  142  to a bubble generating position and (2) cause air to be blown through the nozzles  136  and through the rings  138 ,  142  to produce three separate streams of bubbles. This simultaneous action is illustrated in FIG. 5 in the bubble-generating position.  
         [0049]    The housing  122  can be provided in the form of two symmetrical outer shells that are connected together by, for example, screws  148  or by welding or glue. These outer shells together define a hollow interior for housing the internal components of the assembly  120 , as described below.  
         [0050]    The handle section  126  houses a power source  152  which can include two conventional batteries. The barrel  124  houses an air generator or blower  154  that is driven by a motor  156  that is electrically coupled to the power source  152  via a wire  158 . The barrel  124  also houses a link assembly  160  that functions to raise and lower the rings  138 ,  142 . The trigger  144  extends through an opening  162  in the housing  122  and is mechanically coupled to the link assembly  160 , and electrically coupled to both the power source  152  (by opposing electrical conductors  164  and  166 ) and the motor  156  (by wiring  168 ).  
         [0051]    The dipping container  24  can have a four-sided configuration that is similar to the solution container shown in U.S. Pat. No. 6,331,130 (Thai), with one side  172  connected to the front of the barrel section  124  by either welding, screws (e.g.,  174 ), or the like. The dipping container  24  can be further modified for use with the bubble generating assembly  120  in FIG. 4 by providing two narrow semi-circular troughs  176  extending from the bottom plate  40  of the dipping container  24 . Each trough  176  can be the same as the troughs described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,331,130, and is adapted to receive a portion of a side ring  138  in the non-use position, so that the entire circumference of each side ring  138  can be immersed in the bubble solution  96  that collects inside the troughs  176 .  
         [0052]    The link assembly  160  operates to mechanically couple the trigger  144  to the rings  138 ,  142  to control the raising and lowering of the rings  138 ,  142 . The link assembly  160  has a rod  190  having an enlarged and rounded first end  192  that operates as a cam surface. The first end  192  is pivotably coupled to a block  194  (i.e., coupled to allow first end  192  and block  194  to pivot separately). A generally rounded cam piece  196  is permanently coupled to the block  194  (i.e., coupled so that cam piece  196  and block  194  cannot pivot separately). The first end  192  and the cam piece  196  are disposed in a manner in which the circumferential surface of the cam piece  196  rotatably engages the circumferential surface of the first end  192 . The cam piece  196  has a straight engaging surface that is adapted to be engaged by a block  200  provided on the trigger  144 . The block  194  has a hooked extension  202  on which one end of a spring  204  is coupled. The other end of the spring  204  is secured to the housing  122  (e.g., by screw  246 ).  
         [0053]    The rod  190  has a serrated second end  206  having a plurality of teeth  208  on its top and bottom sides that are adapted to engage a gearing system that operates to raise and lower the rings  138 ,  142 . The gearing system includes gears that are coupled to each of the rings  138 ,  142 . For example, a pair of opposing first and second gears  210  and  212  have teeth that are engaged to travel along the teeth  108  of the opposing top and bottom sides of the rod  190 . The gear  210  is housed inside the housing  122 , and is connected to one end of a generally L-shaped rod  216  which extends outside the housing  122  and whose opposite end is connected to the front ring  142  in a manner such that the rod  216  is generally perpendicular to the front ring  142 . A third gear  218  has teeth that are adapted to engage the teeth of the second gear  212 . The third gear  218  is also housed inside the housing  122 . The first and second gears  210 ,  212  can be provided in the form of two toothed wheels, while the third gear  218  can be an elongated circular rod having teeth provided on its outer annular surface. The elongated nature of the third gear  218  allows each of its opposing ends to be connected to one end of a separate rod  222  which extends outside the housing  122  and whose opposite end is connected to one of the side rings  138 . Each rod  222  is generally parallel to or co-planar with its corresponding side ring  138 . Thus, the third gear  218  alone can be used to control the two side rings  138 .  
         [0054]    Each ring  138 ,  142  can have the same structure, and in one non-limiting embodiment, can be a ring-like loop that has an opening, and with ridges or bumps provided on the outer surfaces of the rings. The ridges function to hold the bubble solution against the ring to form a solution film that is blown to form the bubble. The front ring  142  can be larger than the two side rings  138 .  
         [0055]    The operation of the assembly  120  is described as follows. First, the dipping container  24  is filled with bubble solution  96  using the method described above. At this time, the rings  138 ,  142  are positioned inside the dipping container  24 , and preferably completely inside the bubble solution  96 . The side rings  138  are positioned perpendicular to the front ring  142 , with the side rings  138  being generally vertical with respect to the orientation of the assembly  120  and partially positioned inside the troughs  176 , and with the front ring  142  being generally horizontal with respect to the orientation of the assembly  120  and positioned between the side rings  138 .  
         [0056]    In the next step, the user presses the trigger  144  to cause the trigger  144  to move rearwardly in the direction of arrow R. The electrical conductor  164  on the trigger  144  will engage the electrical conductor  166  of the power source  152 , causing the motor  156  to be powered to generate bursts of air that are then emitted from the blower  154  through the three nozzles. Simultaneously, the block  200  positioned on the top of the trigger  144  engages the straight engaging surface of the cam piece  196 , and pushes the cam piece  196  rearwardly in the direction of arrow R. This causes the block  194  and the first end  192  to be pivoted about their pivot point, which in turn causes the lower part of the block  194  (where the cam piece  196  is positioned) to be moved rearwardly, and the upper part of the block  194  (where the first end  192  is positioned) to be moved forwardly in the direction of arrow F. The forward motion of the first end  192  will stretch the spring  204  to build up a spring load, and will cause the entire rod  190  to be moved forwardly, causing the serrated front end  206  to pass between the gears  210  and  212 . The teeth  208  on the rod  190  will engage the teeth of the gears  210 ,  212  and will travel thereon, causing the first gear  210  to rotate in the clockwise direction (as seen in the orientation of FIG. 5), and the second gear  212  to rotate in the counter-clockwise direction, thereby causing the front ring  142  to be raised. The counter-clockwise rotation of the second gear  212  will simultaneously cause the third gear  218  to rotate in a clockwise manner thereby causing the side rings  138  to be raised. Thus, the three rings  138 ,  142  are raised at about the same time, and when raised, each will be adjacent a nozzle. Therefore, the air that is blown from the blower  154  through the nozzles will pass through the rings  138 ,  142 , producing three separate streams of bubbles.  
         [0057]    After the three streams of bubbles have been produced, and upon relaxing the force applied to the trigger  144 , two events will occur simultaneously: (1) the spring  138  coupled to the rear of the trigger  44  will bias the trigger  144  forwardly in the direction of arrow F so as to disengage the contact between the electrical conductors  164  and  166 , cutting power to the motor  156 , and (2) the built-up spring load of the spring  204  will bias the upper part of the block  194  rearwardly, pulling the rod  190  rearwardly in the direction of arrow R and causing the gears  210 ,  212 ,  218  to rotate in directions opposite to those described above (i.e., counter-clockwise for gears  210 ,  218 , and clockwise for gear  212 ) to lower the wands  138 ,  142  back into their non-use positions inside the dipping container  24 . At this time, the assembly  120  is again ready to produce bubbles upon the pressing of the trigger  144 .  
         [0058]    [0058]FIG. 6 illustrates how the apparatus  20  can be incorporated with another bubble generating assembly  120   a  that is very similar to that illustrated in connection with FIG. 5 above, except that the blower  154   a  in assembly  120   a  is actuated by a manual gear system instead of a battery-operated motor. Therefore, the same numeral designations are used in FIGS. 5 and 6 to designate the same elements except that an “a” has been added to the designations in FIG. 6.  
         [0059]    The assembly  120   a  can also be embodied in the form of a bubble producing gun, and has a housing  122   a  that includes a barrel section  124   a  and a handle section  126   a.  A bubble producing device  128   a  and the apparatus  20  are provided at the front end of the barrel section  124   a  adjacent the nozzles  136   a  (which can be the same as the nozzles  136  of the assembly  120  in FIG. 5) of the barrel section  124   a.  The bubble producing device  128   a  has three separate bubble rings that include two side rings  138   a  and a front ring  142   a.  Each ring  138   a ,  142   a  is operatively coupled (as described hereinbelow) to the barrel section  124   a  and can be raised from a rest or non-use position inside the dipping container  24  to a bubble generating position adjacent a corresponding nozzle.  
         [0060]    A trigger  144   a  is operatively coupled to the barrel section  124   a  and the handle  126   a  to actuate the assembly  120   a.  A spring  138   a  has a rear end that is seated on a shaft  145  of the trigger  144   a , with the shaft  145  secured to the handle section  126   a  via a support  157 . The spring  138   a  has an opposing front end that abuts the rear end of the trigger  144   a  to naturally bias the trigger  144   a  in a forward direction (see arrow F) towards the nozzles  136   a.  In particular, when the assembly  120   a  is a non-use position, the assembly  120   a  can be actuated by pressing the trigger  144   a  to simultaneously (1) raise the rings  138   a ,  142   a  to a bubble generating position and (2) cause air to be blown through the nozzles  136   a  and through the rings  138   a ,  142   a  to produce three separate streams of bubbles. This simultaneous action is illustrated in FIG. 6 which shows the assembly  120   a  in the bubble-generating position.  
         [0061]    The housing  122   a  can be provided in the form of two symmetrical outer shells that are connected together by, for example, screws  148   a  or by welding or glue. These outer shells together define a hollow interior for housing the internal components of the assembly  120   a , as described below.  
         [0062]    The barrel  124   a  houses an air generator or blower  154   a  that is driven by a gear system that is operatively coupled to the trigger  144   a.  The barrel  124   a  also houses a link assembly  160   a  that functions to raise and lower the rings  138   a ,  142   a.  The trigger  144   a  extends through an opening  162   a  in the housing  122   a  and is mechanically coupled to the link assembly  160   a , and operatively coupled to the gear system.  
         [0063]    The dipping container  24  can be the same as that illustrated above in connection with assembly  120  in FIG. 5, with one side  172   a  connected to the front of the barrel section  124   a  by either welding, screws (e.g.,  174   a ), or the like. The dipping container  24  can also have two narrow semi-circular troughs  176  extending from the bottom plate  40  of the dipping container  24 .  
         [0064]    The gear system has a toothed shaft  153  having a front end that is secured to the block  200   a  of the trigger  144   a , and having a plurality of teeth  155  provided along its rear end. The toothed shaft  153  is secured to the housing  122   a  of the barrel  126   a.  The teeth  155  on the toothed shaft  153  are adapted to engage the teeth on a first gear  159  that carries a rotating wheel  161 . The teeth of the first gear  159  are also adapted to engage the teeth on a second gear  163 . The second gear  163  carries a toothed wheel  165  operating as a third gear, and the teeth on the third gear  165  are adapted to engage the teeth on a fourth gear  167 . The fourth gear  167  carries a plurality of blades  169 . Thus, when the trigger  144   a  is pushed in a rearward direction (see the arrow R), the toothed shaft  153  causes the first gear  159  to rotate, which in turn causes the second gear  163  to rotate, which in turn causes the third gear  165  to rotate, which in turn causes the fourth gear  167  to rotate. Rotation of the fourth gear  167  will rotate the blades  169  in a counter-clockwise direction (as viewed from the orientation of FIG. 6), thereby generating a stream of air that is carried along the blower  154   a  to the nozzles  136   a.    
         [0065]    The link assembly  160   a  operates to mechanically couple the trigger  144   a  to the rings  138   a ,  142   a  to control the raising and lowering of the rings  138   a ,  142   a.  The link assembly  160   a  has a rod  190   a  having an enlarged and rounded first end  192   a  that operates as a cam surface. The first end  192   a  is pivotably coupled to a block  194   a  (i.e., coupled to allow first end  192   a  and block  194   a  to pivot separately with respect to each other). A generally rounded cam piece  196   a  is permanently coupled to the block  194   a  (i.e., coupled so that cam piece  196   a  and block  194   a  cannot pivot separately with respect to each other). The first end  192   a  and the cam piece  196   a  are disposed in a manner in which the circumferential surface of the cam piece  196   a  rotatably engages the circumferential surface of the first end  192   a.  The cam piece  196   a  has a straight engaging surface that is adapted to be engaged by the block  200   a  provided on the trigger  144   a.  The block  194   a  has a hooked extension  202   a  on which one end of a spring  204   a  is coupled. The other end of the spring  204   a  is secured to the wheel  161  (e.g., by screw  246   a ).  
         [0066]    The rod  190   a  has a serrated second end  206   a  having a plurality of teeth  208   a  on its top and bottom sides that are adapted to engage a gearing system that operates to raise and lower the rings  138   a ,  142   a.  The gearing system is the same as the gearing system illustrated in assembly  120  in FIG. 5, and includes the first and second gears  210   a  and  212   a  that have teeth that are engaged to travel along the teeth  208   a  on the opposing top and bottom sides of the rod  190   a.  The gear  210   a  is housed inside the housing  122   a , and is connected to one end of a generally L-shaped rod  216   a  which extends outside the housing  122   a  and whose opposite end is connected to the front ring  142   a  in a manner such that the rod  216   a  is generally perpendicular to the front ring  142   a.  An elongated third gear  218   a  (that is housed inside the housing  122   a ) has teeth that are adapted to engage the teeth of the second gear  212   a.  The elongated nature of the third gear  218   a  allows each of its opposing ends to be connected to one end of a separate rod  222   a  which extends outside the housing  122   a  and whose opposite end is connected to one of the side rings  138   a.  Each rod  222   a  is generally parallel to or co-planar with its corresponding side ring  138   a.  Thus, the third gear  218   a  alone is used to control the two side rings  138   a.  Each ring  138   a ,  142   a  can have the same structure as the rings  138  and  142  described above.  
         [0067]    The operation of the assembly  120   a  is described as follows. First, the dipping container  24  is filled with bubble solution  96  using the method described above. At this time, the rings  138   a ,  142   a  are positioned inside the dipping container  24 , and preferably completely inside the bubble solution  96 . The side rings  138   a  are positioned perpendicular to the front ring  142   a , with the side rings  138   a  being generally vertical with respect to the orientation of the assembly  120   a  and partially positioned inside the troughs  176 , and with the front ring  142   a  being generally horizontal with respect to the orientation of the assembly  120   a  and positioned between the side rings  138   a.    
         [0068]    In the next step, the user presses the trigger  144   a  to cause the trigger  144   a  to move rearwardly in the direction of the arrow R. The toothed shaft  153  will cause the gear system to rotate the blades  169  in the manner described above, so as to generate bursts of air that are then emitted from the blower  154   a  through the three nozzles. Simultaneously, the block  200   a  positioned on the top of the trigger  144   a  engages the straight engaging surface of the cam piece  196   a  (as shown in FIG. 6), and pushes the cam piece  196   a  rearwardly in the direction of arrow R. This causes the block  194   a  and the first end  192   a  to be pivoted about their pivot point, which in turn causes the lower part of the block  194   a  (where the cam piece  196   a  is positioned) to be moved rearwardly in the direction of the arrow R, and the upper part of the block  194   a  (where the first end  192   a  is positioned) to be moved forwardly in the direction of arrow F. The forward motion of the first end  192   a  will stretch the spring  204   a  to build up a spring load, and will cause the entire rod  190   a  to be moved forwardly, causing the serrated front end  206   a  to pass between the gears  210   a  and  212   a.  The teeth  208   a  on the rod  190   a  will engage the teeth of the gears  210   a ,  212   a  and will travel thereon, causing the first gear  210   a  to rotate in the clockwise direction (as seen in the orientation of FIG. 6), and the second gear  212   a  to rotate in the counter-clockwise direction. Rotation of the first gear  210   a  in the clockwise direction causes the front ring  142   a  to be raised. The counter-clockwise rotation of the second gear  212   a  will simultaneously cause the third gear  218   a  to rotate in a clockwise manner thereby causing the side rings  138   a  to be raised. Thus, the three rings  138   a ,  142   a  are raised at about the same time, and when raised, each will be adjacent a corresponding nozzle. Therefore, the air that is blown from the blower  154   a  through the nozzles will pass through the rings  138   a ,  142   a , producing three separate streams of bubbles.  
         [0069]    After the three streams of bubbles have been produced, and upon relaxing the force applied to the trigger  144   a , two events will occur simultaneously: (1) the spring  138   a  coupled to the rear of the trigger  44   a  will bias the trigger  144   a  forwardly in the direction of arrow F so as to cause the toothed shaft  153  to move forwardly, causing the gears  159 ,  163 ,  165 ,  167  to rotate in directions that are opposite to the directions of rotation experienced by these gears  159 ,  163 ,  165 ,  167  when the trigger  144   a  is pressed, which in turn causes the blades  169  to rotate in the clockwise direction (as viewed from the orientation in FIG. 6), thereby stopping the flow of air from the blower  154   a , and (2) the built-up spring load of the spring  204   a  will bias the upper part of the block  194   a  rearwardly, pulling the rod  190   a  rearwardly in the direction of arrow R and causing the gears  210   a ,  212   a ,  218   a  to rotate in directions opposite to those described above (i.e., counter-clockwise for gears  210   a ,  218   a , and clockwise for gear  212   a ) to lower the wands  138   a ,  142   a  back into their non-use positions inside the dipping container  24 . At this time, the assembly  120   a  is again ready to produce bubbles upon the pressing of the trigger  144   a.    
         [0070]    The bubble solution  96  in the dipping chamber  44  can be filled and replenished by squeezing the bubble solution bottle  22 , in the same manner described above in connection with FIGS.  1 - 4 . The remaining bubble solution in the dipping chamber  44  can be drained back into the bubble solution bottle  22  via the opening  50  and the feedback channel  52 .  
         [0071]    [0071]FIGS. 7 and 8 illustrate how the apparatus  20  can be incorporated with yet another bubble generating assembly  300 . The assembly  300  has a generally elongated vertical housing  302  that retains a power source  304  (which can be one or more batteries). The housing  302  can be provided in the form of two symmetrical outer shells that are connected together by, for example, screws, welding or glue. These outer shells together define a hollow interior for housing the internal components of the assembly  300 , as described below. The dipping container  24  can be the same as that illustrated above in connection with FIGS.  1 - 4 , and has one side that can be connected (e.g., by welding) to the top of the housing  302  in a manner such that the bubble solution bottle  22  is positioned side-by-side and parallel with the vertical housing  302 . Alternatively, the dipping container  24  can be formed in one piece with (i.e., as part of the top of the housing  302 . A fan support  306  extends vertically from the top of the housing  302 , and has a fan  308  positioned on its front side to blow air in a horizontal direction.  
         [0072]    A bubble producing device  310  has a plurality (e.g., four) of separate bubble rings  312  that are interconnected to each other by a webbing  314 . The bubble producing device  310  is connected to a handle bar  316  via a rod  318  that spaces the rings  312  from the fan  308 . The connection location  320  between the rod  318  and the handle bar  316  is pivotally coupled to a part of the fan support  306 . Thus, the handle bar  316  can be lifted or lowered (see arrows  322 ) to pivot the bubble producing device  310  between a rest or non-use position inside the dipping container  24  and a bubble generating position that is horizontally aligned with the fan  308 .  
         [0073]    A first wire  324  is electrically coupled between the power source  304  and a motor  326  that is housed inside the fan support  306 . A second wire  328  is electrically coupled between the power source  304  and a contact  330  provided on a rear surface of the handle bar  316 . A third wire  332  is electrically coupled between the motor  326  and a contact  334  provided on a front surface of the fan support  306 .  
         [0074]    In operation, the handle bar  316  is normally lowered to pivot the bubble producing device  310  into a rest or non-use position inside the dipping container  24 . In this non-use position, the contacts  330  and  334  are separated from each other so that the electrical circuit is opened. When the user desires to create bubbles, the user pivots the handle bar  316  upwardly (in a clockwise direction as viewed from the orientation of FIG. 8) so that the contacts  330  and  334  engage each other. The engagement of the contacts  330  and  334  closes the electrical circuit, so that the power source  304  provides power to drive the motor  326 , which actuates the fan  308  to generate a stream of air. In addition, when the user pivots the handle bar  316  upwardly, the bubble rings  312  are brought up to a generally vertical orientation where the bubble rings  312  are generally parallel with the fan  308 . Each bubble ring  312  will have a film of bubble solution spread about it as a result of the bubble rings  312  being normally immersed in the bubble solution  96  when in the non-use position. The stream of air from the fan  308  is blown horizontally towards the bubble rings  312  to generate a plurality of bubbles.  
         [0075]    The bubble solution  96  in the dipping chamber  44  can be filled and replenished by squeezing the bubble solution bottle  22 , in the same manner described above in connection with FIGS.  1 - 4 . The remaining bubble solution in the dipping chamber  44  can be drained back into the bubble solution bottle  22  via the opening  50  and the feedback channel  52 .  
         [0076]    When the user pivots the handle bar  316  downwardly (in a counter-clockwise direction as viewed from the orientation of FIG. 8), the contacts  330  and  334  disengage from each other, opening the electrical circuit so that the fan  308  stops generating a stream of air. At the same time, the downward pivot of the handle bar  316  will bring the bubble producing device  310  back to the rest or non-use position inside the dipping container  24 .  
         [0077]    [0077]FIGS. 9 and 10 illustrate how the apparatus  20  can be incorporated with yet another bubble generating assembly  400 . The assembly  400  has a generally elongated horizontal housing  402  that retains a power source  404  (which can be one or more batteries). The housing  402  can be provided in the form of two symmetrical outer shells that are connected together by, for example, screws, welding or glue. These outer shells together define a hollow interior for housing the internal components of the assembly  400 , as described below. The dipping container  24  can be the same as that illustrated above in connection with FIGS.  1 - 4 , and has one side that can be connected (e.g., by welding) to a forward end  406  of the housing  402  in a manner such that the bubble solution bottle  22  is positioned generally perpendicular to the horizontal housing  402 . Alternatively, the dipping container  24  can be formed as part of the housing  402 . A motor  408  is provided inside the forward end  406  of the housing  402 . A fan  410  is carried on the motor  408  and extends through a forward opening  412  of the housing  402  to outside the forward end  406  of the housing  402 .  
         [0078]    The assembly  400  has a bubble producing device that has one bubble ring  414 . Although one bubble ring  414  is shown, it is possible to provide a plurality of bubble rings  414  using any of the principles illustrated herein. An L-shaped bar  416  connects the bubble ring  414  to a toothed wheel  418 . The teeth on the wheel  418  extends through the opening  42  to engage the teeth  420  on the lower end of a vertical drive shaft  422 . The drive shaft  422  is retained inside the housing  402 , and has an upper end that receives a biasing element  424  (e.g., a spring). A switch button  426  is provided in a side opening  428  of the housing  402 , with the bottom of the switch button  426  contacting the biasing element  424 . The biasing element  424  normally biases the switch button  426  in a direction away from the housing  402 . The switch button  426  has a flanged edge  430  that is retained inside the side opening  428  and engages a flanged edge  432  of the opening  428  to ensure that the switch button  426  cannot be removed from the opening  428 .  
         [0079]    A first wire  440  is electrically coupled between the power source  404  and the motor  408 . A second wire  444  is electrically coupled between the power source  404  and a first contact  446 . A third wire  448  is electrically coupled between the motor  408  and a second contact  450  provided on the drive shaft  422 .  
         [0080]    In operation, the switch button  426  and the drive shaft  422  cooperate to raise and lower the bubble ring  414  from the dipping container  24 . When the bubble ring  414  is in a rest or non-use position inside the dipping container  24 , as shown in FIG. 10, the biasing element  424  normally biases the switch button  426  away from the housing  402 . When the user presses on the switch button  426 , the pressing force overcomes the normal bias of the biasing element  424 , and pushes the drive shaft  422  vertically down. As the drive shaft  422  moves down, the teeth  420  on the drive shaft  422  will engage the teeth on the toothed wheel  418 , causing the toothed wheel  418  to rotate in a clockwise direction (when viewed in the orientation of FIGS. 9 and 10) to raise the bubble ring  414  from the dipping container  24  to a bubble generating position shown in FIG. 9, where the bubble ring  414  is brought up to a generally vertical orientation where it is generally parallel with (and spaced apart from) the fan  410 . At the same time, the downward vertical movement of the drive shaft  422  will eventually cause the second contact  450  to engage the first contact  446 , closing the electrical circuit so that the power source  404  provides power to drive the motor  408 , which actuates the fan  410  to blow a stream of air. The bubble ring  414  will have a film of bubble solution spread about it as a result of it being normally immersed in the bubble solution  96  when in the non-use position. Thus, the fan  410  will blow a stream of air towards the bubble ring  414  to generate bubbles from the bubble ring  414 . As long as the user continues to press on the switch button  426 , the bubble ring  414  will stay in the orientation shown in FIG. 9 and the fan  410  will continue to blow a stream of air.  
         [0081]    However, once the user releases the switch button  426 , the normal bias of the biasing element  424  will push the switch button  426  apart from the drive shaft  422 , so that the switch button  426  moves back up. At this time, the force of gravity acting on the bubble ring  414  and the L-shaped bar  416  will bias the bubble ring  414  downwardly towards the dipping container  24 , thereby causing the toothed wheel  418  to rotate in a counter-clockwise direction (when viewed in the orientation of FIGS. 9 and 10). The counter-clockwise rotation of the toothed wheel  418  will move the drive shaft  422  upwardly (because of the toothed engagement between the drive shaft  422  and the toothed wheel  418 ), causing the contacts  446  and  450  to disengage from each other, thereby opening the electrical circuit so that the fan  410  stops blowing. Gravity will eventually bring the bubble ring  414  back to the rest or non-use position inside the dipping container  24 , as shown in FIG. 10.  
         [0082]    The bubble solution  96  in the dipping chamber  44  can be filled and replenished by squeezing the bubble solution bottle  22 , in the same manner described above in connection with FIGS.  1 - 4 . The remaining bubble solution in the dipping chamber  44  can be drained back into the bubble solution bottle  22  via the opening  50  and the feedback channel  52 .  
         [0083]    FIGS.  11 - 14  illustrate how the apparatus  20  can be modified to be incorporated with yet another bubble generating assembly  500 . The assembly  500  differs from the other assemblies  120 ,  120   a ,  300  and  400  described above in that the assembly  500  uses a dipping container  24   x  that has a different shape from the dipping container  24  described above so that the entire assembly  500  can be supported above the cylindrical connector  76  that is provided on the bottom plate  40 . In particular, the cylindrical connector  76  (and its components  80 ,  82 ,  100 ,  102 ,  50 ,  52 ,  90 ,  92 ,  84 ,  94 ) in the assembly  500  are the same as the same corresponding components in FIGS.  1 - 4  above. The tube  64   x  in the assembly  500  is similar to the tube  64  in FIGS.  1 - 4  above, except that it now extends from the interior  28  of the bubble solution bottle  22  through a holder  502  that is secured in the opening  46  (not shown in FIGS.  11 - 14  because it is filled up by the holder  502 ) in the bottom plate  40  and into the dipping chamber  44   x , terminating at an upper end  65   x  which has an outlet through which bubble solution can exit the tube  64   x  into the dipping chamber  44   x.    
         [0084]    The assembly  500  has a generally circular housing  504  that has two flat circular side walls  506  connected by a circular connecting wall  508 . The cylindrical connector  76  is provided at and extends from the bottom point  510  of the connecting wall  508  (see FIG. 14) so that the connecting wall  508  is actually supported on a portion of the bottom plate  40 . The dipping container  24   x  is formed by providing an enclosing wall  25   x  that extends from both the top of the bottom plate  40  and from the connecting wall  508 , with the enclosing wall  25   x  defining a curved and pouch-like dipping chamber  44   x  that corresponds in configuration with the curvature of the connecting wall  508 . A curved shielding wall  512  extends vertically downwardly from the connecting wall  508  (at a location opposite from the enclosing wall  25   x ) to be parallel and adjacent to the bubble solution bottle  22 .  
         [0085]    As best shown in FIG. 11, a lever assembly  514  is provided for pivoting movement at the top of the connecting wall  508 . The lever assembly  514  includes a curved plate  516  that has the same curvature as the connecting wall  508  and which is adapted to slide in reciprocating manner over the outer surface of the connecting wall  508 . A pair of side arms  518  are provided, and each side arm  518  extends in a perpendicular manner from each side of the curved plate  516  along the outer surface of each side wall  506  to a pivot location at about the center of the corresponding circular side walls  506 . A curved bubble producing plate  520  extends from the curved plate  516  in a manner such that the bubble producing plate  520  also has the same curvature as the connecting wall  508  and is adapted to slide in reciprocating manner over the outer surface of the connecting wall  508 . In one embodiment, the curved plate  516 , the side arms  518  and the bubble producing plate  520  can be provided in one piece. A bubble ring  522  can be provided on the bubble producing plate  520 . The bubble ring  522  can be provided as an opening in the bubble producing plate  520  with ridges (which can be the same as the ridges described above) provided along the periphery of the opening. A handle grip  524  extends radially outwardly from the curved plate  516 .  
         [0086]    A power source  530 , a motor  532 , a gear system, and a blower  534  are all housed inside the housing  504 . The power source  530 , the motor  532  and the gear system are provided on one side of the housing  504  (see FIG. 12), and the blower  534  is provided on the other side of the housing  504  (see FIGS. 13 and 14). The power source  530  can comprise one or more batteries, and is electrically coupled by a first wire  536  to the motor  532 . A second wire  552  electrically couples the power source  530  to a first contact  554 , and a third wire  556  electrically couples the motor  532  to a second contact  558  that is provided adjacent a rear edge  560  of one side wall  518 .  
         [0087]    The motor  532  carries a rotating shaft  538  that carries a first crown gear  540 . The gear system includes the first gear  540 , a second gear  542 , a third gear  544 , and a fourth gear  546 . The second gear  542  has lateral teeth that are adapted to engage the circumferential teeth of the first gear  540 . The second gear  542  also has circumferential teeth that are adapted to engage the circumferential teeth of the third gear  544 . Similarly, the third gear  544  has circumferential teeth that are adapted to engage the circumferential teeth of the fourth gear  546 . The fourth gear  546  is positioned at the center of the housing  504  along a center line that connects the center of the side walls  506 . A shaft  548  extends along this center line, and extends through the side arms  518 , and the center of the side walls  506 , the center of the fourth gear  546 , and a blower support plate  550 . The blower support plate  550  carries the blower  534  on one side thereof, and the blower support plate  550  is adjacent the fourth gear  546  on the other side thereof. Thus, the shaft  548  couples the fourth gear  546  and the blower  534  for simultaneous rotation.  
         [0088]    In operation, the lever assembly  514  is normally pivoted forwardly (in a counter-clockwise direction as viewed from the orientation of FIG. 12) so that the bubble ring  522  is lowered into a rest or non-use position inside the dipping chamber  44   x , as shown in FIGS. 12 and 13. In this non-use position, the contacts  554  and  558  are separated from each other so that the electrical circuit is opened. When the user desires to create bubbles, the user grips the handle grip  524  and pivots the handle grip  524  and the rest of the lever assembly  514  rearwardly (in a clockwise direction as viewed from the orientation of FIG. 12) so that the bubble ring  522  is raised from the dipping chamber  44   x.  When the lever assembly  514  is pivoted to its rearmost position (where the rear edge  560  of one of the side walls  518  abuts against a stop member  564  provided on the connecting wall  508 ), as shown in FIG. 14, the contacts  554  and  558  will engage each other. The engagement of the contacts  554  and  558  closes the electrical circuit, so that the power source  530  provides power to drive the motor  532 , which rotates the shaft  538 . The rotation of the shaft  538  is translated to the fourth gear  546  via the rotational engagements of the teeth of the gears  540 ,  542  and  544  that was described above, so that the fourth gear  546  rotates. The rotation of the fourth gear  546  causes rotation of the shaft  548  and the blower support plate  550  and the blower  534  carried thereon, which results in the generation of a stream of air that is directed through an opening  566  (see FIG. 14) in the connecting wall  508 . This opening  566  is aligned with the bubble ring  522  when the lever assembly  514  has been pivoted to its rearmost position. In addition, when the bubble ring  522  is brought up to be aligned with the opening  566 , the bubble ring  522  will have a film of bubble solution spread about it as a result of the bubble ring  522  being normally immersed in the bubble solution in the dipping chamber  44   x  when in the non-use position. The stream of air from the blower  534  is directed through the opening  566  towards the aligned bubble ring  522  to generate bubbles. FIG. 14 shows the assembly  500  in the bubble generating position.  
         [0089]    When the user pivots the lever assembly  514  forwardly again, the contacts  554  and  558  disengage from each other, opening the electrical circuit so that the motor  532  is stopped, thereby stopping rotation of the gear system, and the blower  534  stops blowing. At the same time, the forward pivot of the lever assembly  514  will bring the bubble ring  522  back to the rest or non-use position inside the dipping chamber  44   x , as shown in FIGS. 12 and 13.  
         [0090]    The bubble solution in the dipping chamber  44   x  can be filled and replenished by squeezing the bubble solution bottle  22 , in the same manner described above in connection with FIGS.  1 - 4 . In this regard, the bubble solution is drawn through the tube  64   x  and exits the outlet at the upper end  65   x  of the tube  64   x  into the dipping chamber  44   x.  The remaining bubble solution in the dipping chamber  44   x  can be drained back into the bubble solution bottle  22  via the opening  50  and the feedback channel  52 .  
         [0091]    Although FIGS.  11 - 14  illustrate the assembly  500  and its lever assembly  514  as carrying one bubble ring  522 , it is possible to provide two or more bubble rings  522   a ,  522   b , as illustrated in the side plan view of FIG. 15. The only modification that would be needed is that the opening  566  would need to be enlarged so that the air from the blower  534  can be directed at both bubble rings  522   a ,  522   b , or an additional aligned opening similar to opening  566  would need to be provided so that the air from the blower  534  can be directed at both bubble rings  522   a ,  522   b.    
         [0092]    FIGS.  16 - 17  illustrate a bubble generating assembly  500   d  that is very similar to the assembly  500  illustrated in connection with FIGS.  11 - 14  above, except that the blower (not shown in FIGS. 16 and 17, but is the same as blower  534 ) in assembly  500   d  is actuated by a manual gear system instead of a battery-operated motor. Therefore, the same numeral designations are used in FIGS.  11 - 14  and  16 - 17  to designate the same elements except that a “d” has been added to the designations in FIGS.  16 - 17 .  
         [0093]    In the assembly  500   d , the bubble solution bottle  22   d , the tube  64   d , the components of the cylindrical connector  76   d , the components of the housing  504   d , the enclosing wall  25   d , and the components of the lever assembly  514   d  can be identical to the same corresponding elements in the assembly  500 , and are therefore not described in greater detail herein. The housing  504   d  retains a gear system that includes a toothed arc  580  that is connected to one side arm  518   d  via a transverse bar (not shown) that extends through one side wall  506   d.  The gear system also includes a first gear  582  having circumferential teeth that engage the teeth of the toothed arc  580 , a second gear  584  that is carried on the first gear  582  by a coupling shaft  587 , and having circumferential teeth that engage the teeth of a third gear  546   d  that can be the same as the fourth gear  546  in the assembly  500 . The third gear  546   d  is positioned at the center of the housing  504   d  along a center line that connects the center of the side walls  506   d.  A shaft (not shown, but the same as shaft  548 ) extends along this center line, and extends through the side arms (such as side arms  518 ), the center of the side walls  506   d , the center of the third gear  546   d , and the blower support plate  550   d.  The blower support plate  550   d  carries the blower on one side thereof, and the blower support plate  550   d  is adjacent the third gear  546   d  on the other side thereof. Thus, the shaft couples the third gear  546   d  and the blower for simultaneous rotation.  
         [0094]    The second gear  584  has an elongated center hole  585  through which the shaft  587  extends to pivotally couple the gears  582  and  584 . The center hole  585  is elongated so that the shaft  587  can travel up and down inside the center hole  585 , thereby allowing the first gear  582  that is carried on the shaft  587  to be pushed up and down with respect to the second gear  584 .  
         [0095]    In operation, the lever assembly  514   d  is normally pivoted forwardly (in a counter-clockwise direction as viewed from the orientation of FIG. 16) so that the bubble ring  522   d  is lowered into a rest or non-use position inside the dipping chamber  44   d , as shown in FIG. 16. When the user desires to create bubbles, the user grips the handle grip  524   d  and pulls the handle grip  524   d  and the rest of the lever assembly  514   d  rearwardly (in a clockwise direction as viewed from the orientation of FIG. 16) so that the bubble ring  522   d  is raised from the dipping chamber  44   d.  As the lever assembly  514   d  is pulled, the center point (i.e., the shaft  587 ) of the center hole  585  is moved up within the center hole  585  because the rearward pull of the lever assembly  514   d  will push the third gear  546   d  upwardly, so that the third gear  546   d  will push the second gear  584  and the first gear  582  upwardly. The rearward pull of the lever assembly  514   d  will also pivot the toothed arc  580  rearwardly (compare FIGS. 16 and 17) because the toothed arc  580  is carried by one side arm  518   d  of the lever assembly  514   d.  Since the first gear  582  is pushed upwardly, the teeth on the first gear  582  will engage the teeth on the toothed arc  580 , causing the first and second gears  582  and  584  to rotate, which rotates the third gear  546   d  and the blower support plate  550   d  (and the blower carried thereon), thereby resulting in the generation of a stream of air that is directed through an opening (not shown in FIGS. 16 and 17, but the same as opening  566 ) in the connecting wall  508   d  that is aligned with the bubble ring  522   d  when the lever assembly  514   d  has been pivoted to its rearmost position at the stop member  564   d.  See FIG. 17. In addition, when the bubble ring  522   d  is brought up to be aligned with the opening, the bubble ring  522   d  will have a film of bubble solution spread about it as a result of the bubble ring  522   d  being normally immersed in the bubble solution in the dipping chamber  44   d  when in the non-use position. The stream of air from the blower is directed through the opening towards the bubble ring  522   d  to generate bubbles.  
         [0096]    When the user pivots the lever assembly  514   d  forwardly again in the counterclockwise direction as seen in FIG. 16, the center point (i.e., the shaft  587 ) of the center hole  585  is moved down within the center hole  585  because the forward pivot of the lever assembly  514   d  will push the third gear  546   d  downwardly, so that the third gear  546   d  will push the first gear  582  and second gear  584  downwardly. The forward pivot of the lever assembly  514   d  will also pivot the toothed arc  580  forwardly because the toothed arc  580  is carried by one side arm  518   d  of the lever assembly  514   d.  Since the second gear  584  is pushed downwardly, the teeth on the first gear  582  will disengage from the teeth on the toothed arc  580 , so that the rotation of the first and second gears  582  and  584  will eventually stop, and the blower will eventually stop blowing. At the same time, the forward pivot of the lever assembly  514   d  will bring the bubble ring  522   d  back to the rest or non-use position inside the dipping chamber  44   d , as shown in FIG. 16.  
         [0097]    The bubble solution in the dipping chamber  44   d  can be filled, replenished and drained in the same manner as described above for the assembly  500 .  
         [0098]    In addition to the above, it is possible to provide all the fans (such as  308 ,  410 ,  534  and  534   d ) in a soft material. Conventional fans are typically made of a hard plastic material that suffer from at least two important drawbacks. First, a hard plastic fan poses a safety concern because a child&#39;s fingers can be cut or injured if the child sticks a finger at a rotating fan blade. Second, a hard plastic fan is not as durable because the blades of the fan will chip or be damaged if they hit or contact another hard object when they rotate. As a result, the conventional hard fans are typically provided inside the housings of bubble generating assemblies, which means that the fan is usually spaced apart from the bubble ring by a substantial distance. This substantial spacing between the fan and the bubble ring means that a large motor (which requires more power than a smaller motor) must be provided to generate a sufficiently strong blowing force to produce high-quality bubbles at the bubble ring.  
         [0099]    In contrast, the fans according to the present invention are made from a soft and flexible material that allows for the blades of the fan to be bent, and examples of these materials can include foam and soft rubber. The soft fans according to the present invention are advantageous to the conventional hard fans because they minimize injury to the user (i.e., a soft blade on a soft fan will not severely impact any object that it contacts during rotation), and are more durable than fans made of hard materials because the soft blades will merely bend (instead of breaking) when they contact another object during rotation. In addition, since the soft fans are not likely to cause injury, the soft fans do not need to be provided in a housing, but can be positioned very close to the bubble rings (e.g., see FIGS.  7 - 10 ). For example, each fan  308  and  410  in the assemblies  300  and  400 , respectively, in FIGS.  7 - 10  can be positioned less than one inch from the respective bubble rings  312  and  414 . As a result, the present invention can utilize smaller motors that have lower power requirements, thereby reducing the cost of the bubble generating assembly.  
         [0100]    While the description above refers to particular embodiments of the present invention, it will be understood that many modifications may be made without departing from the spirit thereof. The accompanying claims are intended to cover such modifications as would fall within the true scope and spirit of the present invention.