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:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    1. Field of the Invention  
           [0002]    The present invention relates to bubble toys, and in particular, to an apparatus and method for delivering bubble solution to a dipping container.  
           [0003]    2. Description of the Prior Art  
           [0004]    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.  
           [0005]    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. No. 6,149,486 (Thai), U.S. Pat. No. 6,331,130 (Thai) and U.S. Pat. No. 6,200,184 (Rich et al.). The bubble rings in the bubble generating assemblies in U.S. Pat. No. 6,149,486 (Thai), U.S. Pat. No. 6,331,130 (Thai) and U.S. Pat. No. 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.  
           [0006]    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.  
           [0007]    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.  
           [0008]    Thus, there remains a need to provide an apparatus and method for delivering bubble solution to a dish or other similar dipping container while avoiding the problems described above.  
         SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE  
         [0009]    It is an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus and method for delivering bubble solution to a dipping container.  
           [0010]    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.  
           [0011]    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.  
           [0012]    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.  
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0013]    [0013]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.  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the apparatus of FIG. 1.  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 3 is an exploded cross-sectional view of the apparatus of FIG. 1.  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 4 is an enlarged sectional view of the release handle and spring of the dipping container of FIG. 1.  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional side view of a bubble generating assembly that can incorporate the apparatus of FIG. 1. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0018]    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.  
         [0019]    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.  
         [0020]    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.  
         [0021]    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 . 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.  
         [0022]    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 .  
         [0023]    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 .  
         [0024]    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 .  
         [0025]    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 .  
         [0026]    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 .  
         [0027]    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 .  
         [0028]    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.  
         [0029]    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.  
         [0030]    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 .  
         [0031]    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.  
         [0032]    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.  
         [0033]    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.  
         [0034]    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.  
         [0035]    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.  
         [0036]    These outer shells together define a hollow interior for housing the internal components of the assembly  120 , as described below.  
         [0037]    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 ).  
         [0038]    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 .  
         [0039]    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 ).  
         [0040]    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 .  
         [0041]    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 .  
         [0042]    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 .  
         [0043]    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.  
         [0044]    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 .  
         [0045]    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.