Abstract:
The present invention relates to a smoke producing toy, including a compressible chamber adapted to receive a liquid and having an opening therein. A heating element is at least partially received in the opening and a member is adjacent to said compressible chamber. An activating device is coupled to the member. Whereby when the device is activated using the activating device, the member moves and compresses the chamber, thereby forcing the liquid through the opening and past the heating element, which in turn heats the liquid and turns the liquid to vapor.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     The present invention claims the benefit of priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/457,111 of John La Fata, entitled “COLORED SCENTED SMOKE FILLED BUBBLES (“BUBBLE PUFFS™”)”, filed on Mar. 25, 2003, the entire contents of which is herein incorporated by reference.  
     
    
     FIELD OF INVENTION  
       [0002]     The present invention relates to a device for forming bubbles having fog or smoke encased therein. More particularly, the present invention relates to a toy for producing bubbles having fog or smoked encased therein and is adapted to vary the size of the bubbles and the rate at which the bubbles are produced.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0003]     A variety of devices have been designed for producing one or more bubbles, either simultaneously or in succession. Examples range from simple mechanical rings which are dipped into a soapy liquid, then passed through the air to generate a succession of bubbles, to complicated automatic bubble-making devices for automatically producing hundreds of bubbles.  
         [0004]     Additionally, various devices have been developed which include some form of a smoke-generating device. Examples include toy trains and toy boats wherein a small amount of smoke is generated within a smoke stack of the toy for producing the illusion of self-propulsion.  
         [0005]     Additionally, U.S. Pat. No. 5,205,771 to Sims discloses a device that pumps gas through a conduit to inflate film into a bubble. A smoke-generator is also connected to the conduit and fills the conduit with smoke while the film is being inflated, so that the smoke fills the resulting bubble or balloon.  
         [0006]     Also, U.S. Pat. No. 2,912,790 to Weeber discloses a bubble producing toy that blows bubbles in such a manner so that when a bubble bursts, smoke is given off. This is accomplished using a heating element to heat up a conventional smoke solution, thereby vaporizing the smoke solution. Air is then blown through the toy and picks up the smoke, which is then blown across a soap film on a ring, forming the bubbles with the smoke entrained therein.  
         [0007]     However, none of the conventional devices produce variable sized bubbles that can be dispensed at a various rates. Additionally, none of the conventional devices have chambers or reservoirs for the smoke solution that can be inverted without spilling the solution.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0008]     It is an object of the present invention to provide a toy for producing various sized bubbles.  
         [0009]     It is a further object of the present invention to provide a toy for producing a stream of relatively small vapor filled bubbles or a few relatively large vapor filled bubbles.  
         [0010]     It is another object of the present invention to provide a toy for producing smoke that can be encased within a bubble or emitted from the toy in any other manner desired.  
         [0011]     It is yet a further object of the present invention to provide a toy for producing vapor or smoke filled bubbles having a system that does not allow significant spillage of a smoke solution, even when the toy is completely inverted.  
         [0012]     The objects of the present invention are obtained by a smoke producing toy, including a compressible chamber adapted to receive a liquid and having an opening therein, a heating element at least partially received in the opening, a member adjacent to the compressible chamber, and an activating device coupled to the member. Whereby when the toy is activated using the activating device, the member moves and compresses the chamber, thereby forcing the liquid through the opening and past the heating element, which in turn heats the liquid and turns the liquid to vapor.  
         [0013]     The objects of the present invention are further obtained by a toy for producing bubbles, including a reservoir adapted to hold a fluid and having an opening therein. A heating element is adjacent the opening and is adapted to heat the fluid and thereby turn the fluid into a vapor. A bubble forming mechanism is adapted to be substantially covered by a film, and a fan is adapted to move the vapor though the bubble forming mechanism at a first velocity or a second velocity.  
         [0014]     Additional features and advantages of the present invention are described in, and will be apparent from, the following Detailed Description of the Invention and the figures. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES  
       [0015]     Referring to the drawings which form a part of this disclosure:  
         [0016]      FIG. 1  is a top perspective view of a toy bubble gun in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0017]      FIG. 2  is an elevational side view of the toy bubble gun of  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0018]      FIG. 3  is an elevational side view of the toy bubble gun of  FIG. 2 , with a portion of the housing cover removed;  
         [0019]      FIG. 4  is an elevational side view of the heating element used in the toy bubble gun of  FIG. 3 ;  
         [0020]      FIG. 5  is an elevational front view of the toy bubble gun of  FIG. 1  with the bubble ring positioned down and in contact with the bubble film;  
         [0021]      FIG. 6  is an elevational front view of the toy bubble gun of  FIG. 5  with the bubble ring positioned for producing bubbles;  
         [0022]      FIG. 7  is bottom rear perspective view of the toy bubble gun of  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0023]      FIG. 8  is a bottom side perspective view of the toy bubble gun of  FIG. 1 ; and  
         [0024]      FIG. 9  is a schematic of a second embodiment showing the operation of the vapor generating system. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0025]      FIGS. 1-3  illustrate a toy bubble gun  10  according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The gun  10  preferably has a plastic housing  12  that is formed of a first half or portion  14  and a second half or portion  16 . The two halves  14  and  16  preferably encase at least a portion of the bubble and smoke or vapor making mechanisms and are coupled together using screws. The gun  10  includes a base  18 , a handle  20  and a barrel section  22 . The barrel section  22  has a main portion  24  and a pivotal portion  26 . However, it is noted that the gun can have any shape or configuration desirable and can be formed from any suitable material.  
         [0026]     As shown in  FIGS. 3, 7  and  8 , the base portion has a substantially flat surface  28 , with a door  30  that allows access to battery compartment  32 . Substantially flat surface  28  is relatively wide, with respect to the handle  20  and long enough to provide a stable base for the gun  10 . In other words, the base allows the gun  10  to be placed on a surface (not shown), such as a table or the ground, in an upright position without falling over. Extending through the housing  12  at the rear portion  38  of the base portion is a switch  35 . Switch  35  can be any type of switch desired. For example, as shown in the preferred embodiment, switch  35  is a slide switch; however the switch  35  can be any suitable switch, such as a button or toggle or any other suitable switch. Additionally, switch  35  can be located on any portion of the base or on any other area of toy gun  10  and do not necessarily need to be positioned on the base.  
         [0027]     As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , handle  20  is sized and configured to be held in the palm of one hand and grip portion  34  can be textured for improved feel, if desired. Beginning at end  36 , handle  20  extends from the rear portion  38  of the base  18  at preferably an angle slightly less than perpendicular. End  40  of handle  20  is coupled to the barrel section  22 . However, handle  20  can be any configuration desired and does not necessarily need to extend from the base at an acute angle.  
         [0028]     Main portion  24  is preferably generally elliptical in shape and has a trigger or activating device  42  extending therefrom. The trigger or lever arm  42  is generally slidable from a first position  44  ( FIG. 1 ) to a second position  46  ( FIG. 2 ). As shown in  FIG. 1 , main portion  24  is coupled to pivoting portion  26 . Pivoting portion  26  is generally circular or spherical in shape and has bubble mechanism  48  coupled thereto. However, pivoting portion  26  and main portion  24  can be any configuration or shape desired.  
         [0029]     As shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6 , pivoting portion  26  has a slot or opening  50  that extends along the portion  52  of pivoting portion that faces away from the main portion  24  to a portion  54  that faces down in the direction toward the base. Bubble mechanism  48  is positioned within slot  50  and is adapted to pivot from a first position  56  adjacent portion  52  to a second position  58  adjacent portion  54 .  
         [0030]     As shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , bubble mechanism  48  preferably has three struts  60   a,    60   b  and  60   c  extending through slot  50  to bubble forming mechanism  62 . Struts  60   a - c  and bubble forming mechanism are preferably formed from plastic, but can be any suitable material. Bubble forming mechanism  62  is preferably substantially ring-shaped having opening  64  therein ( FIG. 6 ). Opening  64  is defined by an inner surface  66  having a first or inner diameter  68 . Mechanism  62  also has an outer surface  70  with a second or outer diameter  72 . Second diameter  72  is preferably greater than first diameter  68 . It is noted that the bubble forming mechanism can be any shape or configuration suitable.  
         [0031]     As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 6 , main portion  24  has a basin or receptacle  74  hingedly connected thereto by support arm  76 . Support device  76  is preferably a plastic arm that extends from the main portion to the receptacle  74 . Receptacle  74  is preferably a plastic substantially cylindrical or circular cup having an inner wall  78  and an outer wall  80  and a bottom  82 . If desired receptacle  74  can have a lid (not shown) that can be removably attached to at least one of walls  78  and  80 . The lid would significantly reduce inadvertent spilling of any fluid therein, while allowing the bubble producing mechanism  62  access to the fluid held within receptacle  74 . Support device  76  and receptacle  74  are preferably sized and configured to position the receptacle underneath of pivoting portion  22 . Support device  76  is adapted to move from a first position  84  ( FIG. 5 ), wherein the bubble producing mechanism  62  is positioned within the receptacle  74  to a second position  86  ( FIG. 6 ), where the bubble producing mechanism  62  is positioned away from the receptacle  74 . Support device  76  can be protected by a plastic cover  85 , as shown in  FIG. 2 ; however cover  85  is not necessary.  
         [0032]     As shown in  FIG. 3 , battery pack or compartment  32  is generally rectangular and is positioned within the base portion  18 . Electrical wires  88  extend from battery pack  32  to electrical switch  35 .  
         [0033]     Handle  20  houses reservoir tank or chamber  90 , lever arm  92  and heating element  94 . Reservoir tank or receptacle  90  is preferably formed of a flexible or compressible plastic or rubber material and is generally elliptical in shape. However, reservoir  90  can be formed of any suitable material and have any configuration desired. Reservoir  90  is preferably positioned within handle  20  such that end  94  of lever arm  92  is adjacent the area of the reservoir having the largest diameter. This allows nozzle  96  to extend through the housing, allowing access into reservoir  90 . Nozzle  96  preferably defines a channel or opening  97  into reservoir  90  for filling reservoir  90  with a suitable fluid. Nozzle  96  preferably has a cap or stopper  98  plugging the opening  97 , thereby effectively closing or sealing the reservoir from the external atmosphere. It is noted that the reservoir  90  does not necessarily need to be positioned in the handle  20  as specifically described and can be positioned in any suitable manner. For example, the reservoir  90  does not necessarily need to be positioned with the lever arm  92  at the portion with the largest diameter, and can be positioned relative to the lever arm in any suitable manner.  
         [0034]     At end  100  of reservoir  90 , heating member or element  94  extends into reservoir  90  through an opening  102 . As shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , heating element  94  is formed from a metal outer tube  104  substantially radially enclosing a glass element  106 . Metal tube  104  is preferably a substantially cylindrical hollow tube with a length and an inner diameter and an outer diameter. Glass element  106  preferably is substantially cylindrical and encases a coiled metal resistance wire  108 . The resistance wire is coiled around a middle portion  110  that is encased by a top portion  112  and a bottom portion  114 . The heating element has a first mounting member  116  and a second mounting member  118  that are adapted to position the heating element in the reservoir  90 .  
         [0035]     The glass element has an outer diameter that is less than the inner diameter of tube  104 . More specifically, an outer diameter of the glass element is configured such that a space exists between at least a portion of the glass element outer surface and the metal tube inner surface. Additionally the glass element has a length that is greater that the metal tube.  
         [0036]     Heating element  94  has a first electrical wire  120  and a second electrical wire  122  coupled thereto. The first electrical wire  120  is coupled to the end distal to the opening  102 , and the second wire  122  is coupled to the end proximal or adjacent the opening  102 . Wire  120  and  122  are electrically coupled to a power source, preferably the battery compartment  32 ; however, the wires  120  and  122  can be electrically coupled to any power source desired.  
         [0037]     Positioned behind disk  138  is a variable fan (not shown). The fan is electrically coupled to the battery compartment  32 , or any other electrical source, and can vary its rotational velocity. The fan is adapted to blow air, smoke, fog, vapor or any combination thereof or any other fluid though tube  139 , into tube  141  and past bubble forming mechanism  62 . By varying the speed or velocity of the fan, the velocity of any fluid that passes through the fan can be varied, and thus the size of the bubbles and rate at which bubbles can be produced can be varied. The fan can be coupled to any type of device, such as a trigger or switch that would allow the user to vary the speed of the fan motor.  
         [0038]     As shown in  FIGS. 1-3 , there are a series of levers, linkages and rotatable discs that function together to operate gun  10 . Preferably, trigger or lever arm  42  extends from an internal portion of the gun  10  through opening or slot  124  in the housing  12 . If desired a particle trapping device, such as a series of bristles (not shown) can be positioned within opening  124 . Such bristles would prevent smoke or vapor from escaping from the gun  10 , and also trap dirt and dust, while allowing air to enter the internal portion of the housing and simultaneously allowing lever arm  42  to move from first position  44  to second position  46 .  
         [0039]     Lever arm  42  rotates around pivot point  126 . End  128  of lever arm  42  abuts end  130  of linkage  132 . Linkage  132  is adapted to pivot around pivot point  136 . Linkage  134  is then connected to disk  138  and end  140 . Disk  138  is adapted to rotate about center point  142 . Approximately 180 degrees from end  140 , linkage  144  is coupled to disk  138  at end  146 . Linkage  144  is coupled to disk  148  at end  150 , and disk  148  is adapted to rotate about center point  152 . Bubble mechanism  48  is then connected to disk  148 .  
         [0040]     Additionally, disk  138  has a protrusion or an abutment  154  extending therefrom. Abutment  154  is adapted to contact lever arm  156 , which in turn causes cam  158  to rotate about pivot point  160 . Pivoting cam  158  rotates arm  162 , which contacts arm  164 , which is connected to linkage system  165 . Linkage system is coupled to receptacle  74  and is adapted to move the receptacle toward and away from bubble mechanism  48 .  
         [0041]     Furthermore, cam  158  has lever arm  166  extending therefrom, which is adapted to contact lever arm  168 . Lever arm  168  is adapted to pivot about pivot point  170 , thereby moving lever arm  92  and end  94 . As described above, end  94  is preferably adjacent or abutting reservoir  90 .  
         [0042]     LED  174  is visible though the main portion of housing  12  and is electrically connected to battery compartment  32 . LED  174  is preferably lit when the switch  35  is in the on position.  
       Operation  
       [0043]     As illustrated in  FIGS. 1-8 , toy bubble gun ten operates in the following manner. Stopper  98  for reservoir  90  is removed allowing access to reservoir  90 . A fluid  91  capable of producing smoke or vapor when heated is preferably inserted or poured into reservoir  90 . For example, FOG JUICE or any other suitable product could be used, which can vary in color and/or scent (e.g., the smoke can appear as any color in the visible spectrum). The stopper  98  is then replaced to form a closed system.  
         [0044]     The battery door  30  is removed to expose the inside portion of battery compartment  32 . Preferably batteries are positioned therein; however, the power source for the gun  10  can be any suitable power supply. Switch  35  is then moved into the on position, at which time the heating element heats up. The powering up of the toy also includes starting of the fan.  
         [0045]     It is noted that to preserve energy and/or battery life, the gun can have an energy on demand system. This system can be electrical (i.e., controlled by a microprocessor or other electrical system) or mechanical (i.e., perform certain functions in response to lever arm actions). In any configuration, the system would have stages of operation. For example, upon turning the gun on, the heating element would begin to heat up. At this time, the fan would not be in operation. Once the heating element was sufficiently hot to turn the liquid into vapor, the fan could be activated.  
         [0046]     Generally, to begin the process, the lever  42  is in the first position  44 , which through the linkage system and lever arms positions the bubble mechanism  62  within the receptacle  74 . Since receptacle  74  is preferably bowl shaped, a liquid can be held therein. Preferably any bubble producing liquid can be used. For example, general liquid soap can be used. The liquid preferably forms a film across the opening  64  of the bubble mechanism  62 , as is generally known in the bubble producing art.  
         [0047]     As lever arm  42  is moved toward the second position, two things happen, substantially simultaneously. First lever arm causes the series of linkages and lever arms to bias or move the lever arm  92  in the direction of reservoir  90 . Since reservoir  90  is flexible, lever arm  92  compresses the reservoir  90 , thereby decreasing the interior volume thereof. This decrease in volume forces fluid  91  up through the heating element  94  (i.e., between the metal tube and the glass element). Since the glass element has been heated, this causes the fluid to turn to smoke or vapor.  
         [0048]     The second action that occurs is that the series of lever arms and linkages causes disk  148  to rotate in a clockwise direction (as shown in  FIG. 3 ). This rotation brings the bubble mechanism up parallel to the base  18 . Also, the series of linkages and lever arms move the receptacle  74  in a downward direction, away from the pivoting portion  26 .  
         [0049]     The fan begins to suck or draw the smoke from the handle into the blades of the fan, and tube  141  and tube  139  align to form a single passageway. The fan then pushes the smoke through tubes  139  and  141 . It is noted that air from the gun preferably enters the interior of the housing through the opening  124  or simply through the open portions of the housing. This air helps cool portions of the gun, such as the heating element and the fan and also mixes with the smoke to produce an air/smoke combination.  
         [0050]     The smoke or air/smoke combination travels through the bubble mechanism  48  forming bubbles having smoke and/or air trapped or encased therein. As discussed above, the fan can have a variable speed motor, which would allow varying sized bubbles and various rates at which bubbles are produced. For example, the fan could operate between speeds that would allow only one large bubble to be produced or a stream of bubbles to be produced.  
         [0051]     Any direction (such as up, down, left, right, clockwise, counterclockwise, etc.) described herein is used solely for exemplary purposes and is not meant to limit the invention.  
       Embodiment of FIG.  9   
       [0052]      FIG. 9  illustrates a second embodiment  200  of the reservoir for the smoke fluid and the heating element. Specifically, the embodiment of  FIG. 9  has a fog solution reservoir tank or receptacle  210  that is in fluid communication with bellows  212 . The smoke or fog solution  91  is initially introduced into the receptacle  210  through as nozzle (not shown), similar to nozzle  96 . Reservoir  210  has a first opening or air inlet  214 , a second opening  216  and a third opening  217 . The second opening has a first conduit or pipe  218  inserted therein that extends into reservoir  210 , such that fluid can enter the conduit  218 .  
         [0053]     Conduit  218  preferably has a one way check valve  220  that only allows fluid to travel in the direction of arrow  222 . End  224  of conduit  218  enters first opening  226  of bellows  212 . Bellows  212  has a second opening  228  with a second conduit or pipe  230  extending therefrom. End  232  of conduit  230  extends into bellows  212  in such a manner as to allow fluid to enter conduit  230 . Conduit  230  has a one way check valve  231  that only allows fluid to travel in the direction of arrow  232 .  
         [0054]     Conduit  230  extends to and is in fluid communication with a chamber  234  that houses heating element  236 . Heating element  236  is preferably a MICA tube having a resistance wire  238  coiled therearound. The resistance wire is prefereably electrically connected to a power source such as the battery compartment  32 .  
         [0055]     Chamber  234  also has an opening  239  that is in fluid communication with fan  240  and an opening  242  that is in fluid communication with reservoir  210  through conduit  244  that extends through opening  217 . Conduit  244  has a one way check valve  246  that only allows fluid to travel in the direction of arrow  248 .  
         [0056]     Additionally, fan housing  250  can have a drain valve  252  therein to allow any condensation to drain from the housing.  
         [0057]     In operation, when lever arm  42  is moved to first position  44 , lever arm  254  moves in the direction of arrow  256 . This movement expands baffles  214 , which draws or sucks fluid from reservoir  212  into the baffles. Then as the lever arm  42  is moved from the first position to the second position, the lever arm  254  contracts or compresses baffles  214 . This compression forces the fluid through conduit  230  and into the chamber  234 . The fluid contacts the heating element  236 , which in turn heats the fluid causing the fluid to turn to smoke, The smoke in then drawn into the fan  240 . Any excess fluid returns to reservoir  212  via conduit  244 .  
         [0058]     This embodiment is simply used in place of reservoir  90  and heating element  94 , and any other description of the gun or operation thereof is applicable to this embodiment.  
         [0059]     It should be understood that various changes and modifications to the presently preferred embodiments described herein will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention and without diminishing its intended advantages. It is therefore intended that such changes and modifications be covered by the appended claims.