Patent Publication Number: US-6908358-B2

Title: Thin-layer bubble blower

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The present invention relates to bubble blowers and, more particularly, to a thin-layer bubble blower, which has a thin-layer container of thickness within 2˜6 mm for holding a bubble solution. 
   2. Description of the Related Art 
   Conventional bubble blowers are commonly comprised of a container for holding a bubble solution, and a bubble-blowing bar for blowing the bubble solution into bubbles. The containers of conventional bubble blowers may be made having any of a variety of shapes to attract children. However, these containers are commonly have a cylindrical shape of diameter greater than 10 mm. Due to space occupation, these containers cannot be used or matched with other articles or ornamental devices to add the value. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention has been accomplished under the circumstances in view. It is the main object of the present invention to provide a thin-layer bubble blower, which has a thin-layer container of thickness within 2˜6 mm for holding a bubble solution. According to the present invention, the thin-layer bubble blower comprises a thin-layer container of thickness within 2˜6 mm, the thin-layer container defining a flat liquid chamber for holding a bubble solution and an opening in communication with the flat liquid chamber, and a bubble-blowing bar for blowing said bubble solution into bubbles, the bubble-blowing bar having a rubber stopper, which seals the opening of the thin-layer container after insertion of the bubble-blowing bar into the flat liquid chamber. The thin-layer container may be provided with an open frame for holding a picture or card, or attached with an ornament. A labyrinth may be formed in the thin-layer container, which is made transparent. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  illustrates a thin-layer bubble blower constructed according to the present invention. 
       FIG. 2  is an exploded view of the thin-layer bubble blower shown in FIG.  1 . 
       FIG. 3  is an extended-out view of the thin-layer container for the thin-layer bubble blower shown in FIG.  1 . 
       FIG. 4  is a sectional view showing one example of the arrangement between the male and female coupling means and the flat cover plates for the thin-layer container according to the present invention. 
       FIG. 5  is a sectional view showing another example of the arrangement between the male and female coupling means and the flat cover plates for the thin-layer container according to the present invention. 
       FIG. 6  is similar to  FIG. 2  but showing an alternate form of the bubble-blowing element at the bubble-blowing bar. 
       FIG. 7  is a sectional view of an alternate form of the thin-layer bubble blower according to the present invention. 
       FIG. 8  shows an open frame disposed at one side of the thin-layer container for holding a card according to the present invention. 
       FIG. 9  is a perspective view of another alternate form of the present invention, showing the rule-like shape of the thin-layer container. 
       FIG. 10  shows still two different forms of the thin-layer bubble blowers fastened to a backboard according to the present invention. 
       FIG. 11  shows still two different forms of the thin-layer bubble blowers fastened to a backboard according to the present invention. 
       FIG. 12  shows still another different form of the thin-layer bubble blower fastened to a backboard according to the present invention. 
       FIG. 13  shows still another different form of the thin-layer bubble blower fastened to a backboard according to the present invention. 
       FIG. 14  shows the thin-layer container fastened to one end of a folding sheet member according to the present invention. 
       FIG. 15  shows the thin-layer container of the thin-layer bubble blower fixedly mounted with an ornament according to the present invention. 
       FIG. 16  shows a labyrinth formed in the flat liquid chamber of the thin-layer container according to the present invention. 
       FIG. 17  shows a thin-layer bubble blower made by vacuum forming and integral with a backboard according to the present invention. 
       FIG. 18  shows an alternate form of the thin-layer bubble blower made by vacuum forming and integral with a backboard according to the present invention. 
       FIG. 19  shows an alternate form of the thin-layer bubble blower made by vacuum forming and integral with a backboard provided with an open frame for holding a card according to the present invention. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
   Referring to FIGS.  1 ˜ 7 , a thin-layer bubble blower in accordance with the present invention is shown comprised of a thin-layer container  1 , and a flat bubble-blowing bar  2 . Preferably, the thin-layer container  1  has a thickness about 2˜6 mm. The thin-layer container  1  is comprised of two flat cover plates  11  and  12 , and male and female coupling means  13  respectively extended around the border of the flat cover plates  11  and  12  for joining the flat cover plates  11  and  12 . When assembled, the thin-layer container  1  defines a flat liquid chamber  14  and an opening  15  disposed at the periphery in communication with the flat liquid chamber  14  through which the bubble-blowing bar  2  is inserted into the flat liquid chamber  14  to pick up bubble solution contained in the flat liquid chamber  14 . The  FIGS. 4 and 5  show two different arrangements of the male and female coupling means  13  between flat cover plates  11  and  12 . 
   The flat bubble-blowing bar  2  comprises a handle  22 , a bubble-blowing element  21 , and a rubber stopper  23  fixedly fastened to the handle  22  and spaced from the bubble-blowing element  21  at a distance for sealing the opening  15  of the thin-layer container  1 . The bubble-blowing element  21  can be a rigid ring as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , or a compressible coil as shown in  FIGS. 6 and 7 . The rubber stopper  23  can be formed of a stack of rubber plates as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , or a solid rubber block (as shown in FIGS.  6  and  7 ). 
   Referring to  FIG. 8 , the thin-layer container  1  can be made having an integrated open frame  3  at one side, which defines a coupling groove  31  adapted to hold a card or any of a variety of thin sheet devices  4 . 
   Referring to  FIG. 9 , the thin-layer container  1  can be made in the form of a rule having marks for measuring distance. 
   Referring to FIGS.  10 ˜ 13 , the thin-layer container  1  can be made having any of a variety of shapes, and fastened to a backboard  5  for use as an ornament. 
   Referring to  FIGS. 12 and 13 , the thin-layer container  1  can be made having recessed portions  16  for use as a palette or the like. 
   Referring to  FIG. 14 , the thin-layer container  1  can be fixedly fastened to one end of a folded sheet member  17 . 
   Referring to  FIG. 15 , the thin-layer container  1  can be fixedly mounted with an ornamental device, for example, an ornamental mini book  18 . 
   Referring to  FIG. 16 , the thin-layer container  1  may be made having ribs  19  disposed inside the flat liquid chamber  14  to form a labyrinth, and floating devices  6  floating in bubble solution in the flat liquid chamber  14 . According to this embodiment, the thin-layer container  1  is made of transparent material. 
   In the aforesaid embodiments, the thin-layer container  1  is comprised of two flat cover plates  11  and  12  joined together and defining a flat liquid chamber  14  and an opening  15 . Alternatively, the thin-layer container  1  can be made by vacuum molding, and then fixedly fastened to a backboard  5 , which has an open frame  3  for holding a card  4  (see FIGS.  17 ˜ 19 ). 
   A prototype of thin-layer bubble blower has been constructed with the features of FIGS.  1 ˜ 19 . The thin-layer bubble blower functions smoothly to provide all of the features discussed earlier. 
   Although particular embodiments of the invention have been described in detail for purposes of illustration, various modifications and enhancements may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the invention is not to be limited except as by the appended claims.