Patent Publication Number: US-2019192989-A1

Title: Bubble making device

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This is a continuation in part and claims priority to and the benefit of application Ser. No. 15/599,351 filed on May 18, 2017 which application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Nonprovisional patent application Ser. No. 14/204,285, filed Mar. 11, 2014, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/831,143, filed Jun. 5, 2013. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to toys, and more specifically to a battery powered toy device that produces bubbles from a liquid solution. 
     There have been many bubble toys over the years that operate in various ways. However, most bubble toys are hand-held rings that are either blown through or hand waved by the user to produce a small amount of bubbles. It is desired to provide a toy that produces a steady stream of bubbles and a safe entertainment for a child. The present invention is an improved battery powered toy device that produces bubbles from a liquid solution. In the present invention, the battery compartment can be a sealed container with external contacts, which prevents fluid from penetrating the interior of such container and the battery. The present invention also has an improved access to the battery compartment interior. Additionally, the present invention improves the quality of play pattern with the addition of lights and/or sounds in a cost-effective manner. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is a bubble making device that produces bubbles by pulling a trigger or switch, which causes power to be applied to an electrical circuit and/or system that activates a pump, or pump mechanism, and a fan, or fan mechanism. In one embodiment, the pump can be electromechanical and driven by an electric motor. In other embodiments, the pump can be purely mechanical and activated by a trigger or switch mechanism in a similar manner as mechanical water pistols are trigger, or switch activated. 
     One embodiment of the present invention has a separate sealed internal battery compartment with external (i.e., exteriorly connected) electrical contacts within the bubble making device. If the pump is electromechanical and driven by an electric motor, such separate sealed internal battery compartment with external electrical contacts provides the source of power that drives an electrical motor, which operates the pump and the fan that produces a moving stream of air, or air stream that flows through an air channel within the fan shroud. Such moving stream of air originates as stationary or near-stationary ambient air outside the housing of the invention, which enters the housing through holes, and is subsequently accelerated by the fan to produce the moving stream of air. The air channel within the fan shroud directs the air stream towards a secondary opening of the bubble making device housing through a generally circular-shaped dispensing aperture defined within a movable dispensing ring, which directs the air stream back to the ambient. 
     The sealed battery compartment of the present invention can have a cover that is attached, and separated or opened by the use of an attaching and removing device, fastener or screw, which is to be tightened to close, and loosened or removed to open. The sealed battery compartment is designed to allow insertion and removal of batteries from the side of a handle on said compartment. The sealed battery compartment can also be located above the fan shroud on the top of the bubble making device. If the sealed battery compartment is located above the fan shroud on the top of the bubble making device, the batteries can be inserted and removed from the top and/or side of said compartment. 
     In one embodiment of the present invention the moveable dispensing ring defines a dispensing surface upon which liquid bubble solution adheres to the moveable dispensing ring across a dispensing aperture. The liquid bubble solution utilized in the present embodiment may be obtained or sold separately, or in conjunction with the bubble making device in the same packaging or box. The bubble making device may have threads defined in the walls of a primary opening to which a typical, commercially sold bubble solution container may be removeably-attached by mating said threads in the walls of the primary opening with complimentary threads defined on the outside walls of said typical, commercially sold bubble solution container. The bubble making device pump, whether electromechanical or mechanical, causes movement of the bubble solution through at least one tube, which causes the bubble solution to be delivered to the moveable dispensing ring, or stationary dispensing ring in another embodiment. Pulling the trigger or switch of the present invention activates the electromechanical pump, the fan, and initiates an up-and-down motion of a film producing mechanism. The film producing mechanism moves the dispensing ring in an up-and-down motion across a stationary application bar, which can be horizontally or diagonally oriented, thus sweeping a layer of bubble solution over the dispensing aperture of the moveable dispensing ring, or the stationary dispensing ring in another embodiment. At the same time that the bubble solution is swept over the dispensing ring, the air stream generated by the fan travels through the air channel within the fan shroud and expels one or more bubbles from the secondary opening of the bubble making device. 
     If excess bubble solution accumulates on the moveable dispensing ring, a drip flange located at the base of the moveable dispensing ring directs the excess bubble solution downward into a drip channel attached to a threaded base. The drip channel can direct the excess bubble solution into the ambient or a bubble container when a bubble container is so attached. It is preferable for the drip channel to be funnel-shaped, being wider at the top facing the dispensing aperture and narrower at the bottom. 
     In embodiments of the present invention employing a mechanical pump, all the basic components of the embodiments using an electromechanical pump are present. Therefore, only the added features need be explained and are discussed below. 
     When employing a mechanical pump, there can be an electromechanical sequence whereby two displacement regimes are sequentially activated by the displacement of the trigger or switch, and the entire displacement range of the trigger or switch is divided into two displacement regimes, with a first displacement regime occurring when the trigger or switch is first displaced by squeezing the trigger or switch, and a second displacement regime occurring after the first displacement regime, which continues as the trigger or switch is increasingly displaced by continued squeezing until the trigger or switch is maximally displaced. When the trigger or switch is first squeezed, there can be a closure of an electrical switch caused by a small initial displacement of the trigger or switch, and the switch can remain closed during the entire displacement range of motion of the trigger or switch. The film producing mechanism can be activated during the first displacement regime and the mechanical pump can be activated during the second displacement regime. The ability to activate the film producing mechanism during the first displacement regime and the mechanical pump during the second displacement regime enables a very useful feature whereby the film producing mechanism can be operated during the first displacement regime independently of the mechanical pump and the mechanical pump can be operated during said second displacement regime independently of the film producing mechanism. Such independent operation can be utilized by squeezing the trigger or switch all the way, partially releasing the trigger or switch, re-squeezing the trigger or switch several times in order to pump bubble solution to the dispensing ring, releasing the trigger or switch all the way, and partially operating the trigger or switch so as to only actuate the film producing mechanism. During the aforementioned independent operation sequence, the fan can produce an air stream to continue to blow bubbles so long as there is sufficient bubble solution on the dispensing ring. When the bubble solution supply is exhausted, the trigger or switch can be depressed all the way to pump more bubble solution on the dispensing ring. 
     In embodiments employing a mechanical pump, such as the embodiment(s) just described above, one embodiment can employ a movable dispensing ring on a film producing mechanism that is pivotally attached to the fan shroud, and a stationary application bar can be attached to a drip channel. Another embodiment can employ a moving application bar on a film producing mechanism that is pivotally attached to the fan shroud, and a stationary dispensing ring can be positioned such that the center of the air stream is directed through the dispensing aperture. 
     In one embodiment, the bubble making device of the present invention may also have one or more light-emitting diode (LED) lights or lighting system(s) that are activated by manually pulling the trigger or switch, or by a switch. The bubble making device of the present invention may also have a sound-producing device that is also activated by pulling the trigger or switch, or by a switch. Such LED lights and sound-producing features taken together or individually increase the overall enjoyment of the bubble making device and make the bubble making device more appealing to children. 
     Further appeal can be realized when light can be transmitted into the removably-attachable container that can contain bubble solution, which can occur when a flexible or rigid light pipe that can be made from any material that can transmit light is utilized. 
     The bubble making device housing can, in whole or in part, have an animal, character, or creature style and/or is a molded shell of an animal, character, or creature. 
     In at least one embodiment, the bubble making device is trigger or switch free. 
     Although preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the present invention should not be limited to the described preferred embodiments. Rather, various changes and modifications can be made within the spirit and scope of the present invention. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING 
       The drawings constitute a part of this specification and include exemplary embodiments to the invention, which may be embodied in various forms. It is to be understood that in some instances various aspects of the invention may be shown exaggerated or enlarged to facilitate an understanding of the invention. 
         FIG. 1  is a side view of the bubble making device of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the bubble making device of the present invention, showing the inner workings of the basic parts of the bubble making device of the present invention. 
         FIG. 3  is a detailed view showing the trigger or switch-handle subassembly of the bubble making device of the present invention when the trigger or switch is depressed. 
         FIG. 4  is a detailed view showing the trigger or switch-handle subassembly of the bubble making device of the present invention when the trigger or switch is not depressed. 
         FIG. 5  shows a front view of the bubble toy with the film producing mechanism shown in a “down” position. 
         FIG. 6  shows a front view of the bubble toy with the film producing mechanism shown in an “up” position. 
         FIG. 7  is a schematic diagram of a power circuit for the bubble making device of the present invention. 
         FIG. 8  shows an alternate embodiment of a battery compartment of one embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 9  shows the mechanical linkage between the trigger or switch and the film producing mechanism of one embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 10  shows a perspective view of an alternate embodiment with an animal, character, creature or other styled or molded into the shell or outside or housing. 
         FIG. 11  shows a side view schematic representation for a moving application bar and stationary dispensing ring embodiment, showing the trigger or switch, the film producing mechanism, and the mechanical pump. 
         FIG. 12  shows the extension and details of the two-regime slot. 
         FIG. 13  shows three key positions in the two-regime slot. 
         FIGS. 14A, 14B, and 14C  each show a side view of a schematic representation of one of three key trigger or switch positions in the two-regime slot for a moving application bar and stationary dispensing ring embodiment, including of the trigger or switch, the film producing mechanism, and the mechanical pump in each one of the three trigger or switch positions. 
         FIGS. 15A, 15B, and 15  C each show a side view of a schematic representation of one of the three key trigger or switch positions in the two-regime slot for a movable dispensing ring and stationary application bar embodiment, including of the trigger or switch, the film producing mechanism, and the mechanical pump in each one of the three trigger or switch positions. 
         FIG. 16  shows a side view of the out shell styled as a gun. 
         FIG. 17  shows a perspective view with internal components of one embodiment. 
         FIG. 18  shows a side view of a light and light pipe for illuminating bubble solution. 
         FIG. 19  shows one embodiment of the the claimed invention with the sealed container/battery oriented above the fan shroud. 
         FIG. 20  shows one embodiment of the claimed invention with a diagonal orientation of the application bar. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Detailed descriptions of particular embodiment are provided herein. It is to be understood, however, that the present invention may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but rather as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed system, structure or manner. 
       FIG. 1  shows a side view of the bubble making device  100 . The bubble making device  100  has a bubble making device housing  102 , a primary opening  104  with threads defined in walls of the primary opening  104 , and a secondary opening  106  from which air bubbles will emanate. The bubble making device  100  also has a handle  108  and a trigger or switch mechanism or trigger or switch  110 . In this embodiment, the handle  108  may include a battery compartment  136  (labeled in  FIG. 2 ), which can be in the form of a sealed container, and is shown with a transparent door  1001 . Other than the door  1001 , the bubble making device housing  102  shown in  FIG. 1  is opaque though it can be any color. Also, although the door  1001  is shown as being transparent in the figures, it can also be opaque or partially transparent and/or partially opaque, or any color. 
       FIG. 2  shows a side perspective view of the bubble making device  100 , in which bubble making device housing  102  is transparent. In  FIG. 2 , delivery tube  112  extends downward for receiving bubble solution from the exterior, and is usually from a reservoir source or container through the primary opening  104  which may have a mechanism for attaching to opening  103 , and, when a separate (not permanently attached) removably-attachable bubble solution container  170  (not claimed as part of the invention bubble making device  100  herein, but shown in  FIGS. 2 and 10 ) is attached to opening  104  using mechanism for attaching to opening  103 . The delivery tube  112  extends into the bubble solution from an exterior source, which is usually from an exterior reservoir source or container. The bubble making device  100  has the secondary opening  106  and a moveable dispensing ring  114  with a dispensing aperture  116 . The dispensing aperture  116  provides a path for egress of air and of soap bubbles. 
     Referring to  FIG. 7 , a power circuit  8  provides electrical power to activate mechanisms of the bubble making device  100 , including an electric motor  121  for operating an electromechanical pump  120  and a fan  122 . The fan  122  has a fan shroud  123  that helps to direct air towards the secondary opening  106  and the dispensing aperture  116  of moveable dispensing ring  114 . The delivery tube  112  extends from the electromechanical pump  120  via the electromechanical pump input  156  to bubble solution from the exterior, which usually comes from a reservoir source or container (removably-attachable bubble solution container  170  shown in  FIGS. 2 and 10 ) through the primary opening  104  to provide a convenient source of bubble solution to the electromechanical pump input  156  of the electromechanical pump  120 . 
     Many types of electrically driven pumps may be used for the electromechanical pump  120 , such as a gear pump, a screw pump or a plunger pump or other positive displacement pump. In the electromechanical pump  120  shown in  FIG. 2 , rotation is caused by the drive gear  119 . The electromechanical pump  120  receives the bubble solution at the electromechanical pump input  156  and outputs the bubble solution at the electromechanical pump output  158  of the electromechanical pump  120  at a sufficiently increased pressure to deliver bubble solution to the dispensing ring  114 . 
     Bubble solution exits the electromechanical pump  120  through the electromechanical pump output  158  and is transported through a feed tube  125  and exits the feed tube  125  near the moveable dispensing ring  114 . The fan  122  produces moving air that is expelled through an air channel  126  defined in the fan shroud  123  and subsequently exits through the dispensing aperture  116 . Inlet air is provided to the fan  122  through a hole and/or series of holes in fan shroud  129  at the top of the fan shroud  123 . A film producing mechanism  124  is pivotally attached to the air channel  126 . 
     The film producing mechanism  124  moves the moveable dispensing ring  114  in an up-and-down motion next to the stationary application bar  154  to deposit a thin film of bubble solution on the moveable dispensing ring  114 . The film producing mechanism  124  is mechanically linked to the trigger or switch  110  such that pulling the trigger or switch  110  raises the film producing mechanism  124  and releasing the trigger or switch  110  lowers the film producing mechanism  124 . In other embodiments, pulling the trigger or switch  110  lowers the film producing mechanism  124  and releasing the trigger or switch  110  raises the film producing mechanism  124 . 
     When air moves through the air channel  126  and past the moveable dispensing ring  114 , the flowing air creates a bubble or many bubbles that float away from the bubble making device  100 . If there is any excess bubble solution on the moveable dispensing ring  114 , this solution drips down a drip flange  128 , into a drip channel  130  attached to or defined within an interior of the bubble making device housing  102 , and eventually returns to primary opening  104  which can lead to the ambient, any type of reservoir, source of liquid, or a removably-attachable bubble solution container (not shown). 
       FIGS. 3 and 4  show a trigger or switch/handle subassembly for the bubble making device  100  of the present invention. As shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the trigger or switch  110  is attached to an electrically conductive metal spring  133 , which is further attached to and fed by a spring feed wire  113 . When the trigger or switch  110  is being pulled or depressed, as shown in  FIG. 3 , the switch  111  (depicted schematically in  FIG. 7 ) is in a closed position, thus conducting electricity. The switch  111  is formed by the metal spring  133  and the contact zone  118  on electric motor  121 , thus utilizing the electrically conductive metal casing of the electric motor  121  as one of the electrical contacts of the switch  111 .  FIG. 4  shows the trigger or switch/handle subassembly when trigger or switch  110  is not being pulled or depressed, and thus the switch  111  is in the open position because the metal spring  133  and the contact zone  118  on electric motor  121  are not in contact with each other, and are not conducting electricity. 
       FIGS. 5 and 6  show and end view looking into where the bubbles exit the bubble making device  100 .  FIG. 5  shows the invention with the film producing mechanism  124  (shown in  FIGS. 2, 9, and 17 ) in a lower position when the trigger or switch  110  is not being pulled.  FIG. 6  shows the invention with the film producing mechanism  124  (shown in  FIGS. 2, 9, and 17 ) in a raised position when the trigger or switch  110  is being pulled. In this embodiment the stationary application bar  154  is attached to the drip channel  130 . When the trigger or switch  110  is not pulled as shown in  FIG. 5 , the moveable dispensing ring  114  of the film producing mechanism  124  (shown in  FIGS. 2, 9, and 17 ) rests at or near the bottom of its travel, and thus the stationary application bar  154  rests across and touches the top of the moveable dispensing ring  114 . When the trigger or switch  110  is pulled all the way as shown in  FIG. 6 , the moveable dispensing ring  114  of the film producing mechanism  124  (shown in  FIGS. 2, 9, and 17 ) rests at or near the top of its travel, and the stationary application bar  154  rests across and touches the bottom of the moveable dispensing ring  114 , thus spreading a thin film of a bubble producing liquid across the dispensing aperture  116  when the moveable dispensing ring  114  executes a full range of motion from the bottom to the top, which causes the stationary application bar  154  to smear bubble producing liquid from the top to the bottom of the moveable dispensing ring  114 . 
       FIG. 9  shows a schematic side view of the film producing mechanism  124 , which is operated by the trigger or switch  110 . The trigger or switch  110  is rigidly attached to or integrally formed with a flat plate  142 . Extension  144  is attached to or integrally formed with the flat plate  142  and extends upward (at an angle in this embodiment) from the flat plate  142 . Extension  144  includes elongated slot  148 . Horizontal post  146 , which extends perpendicularly out of the plane of the drawing in  FIG. 9 , fits in the elongated slot  148 , and thus moves up or down as the extension  144  moves left or right with the trigger or switch  110  being pulled or released. 
     The film producing mechanism  124  is pivotally connected to the air channel  126 . A first end  150  of the film producing mechanism  124  has a U-shaped portion which is attached to the air channel  126  using fastener  151  (shown in  FIG. 2 ) which projects from the air channel  126 . Other methods of connection are possible, and the method of retention is not limited to use of one or more screws or other fasteners or attachment device(s). The moveable dispensing ring  114  is attached to or formed integrally with the film producing mechanism  124  at the second end  152  of the film producing mechanism  124 . 
     A center portion of torsion spring  160  is attached to rod  162  with a first spring end  164  attached to the flat plate  142  or its extension  144 . A second spring end  166  is secured rigidly in place at or leans against a shoulder  168  defined in the bubble making device housing  102 . With this arrangement, the pulling of the trigger or switch  110  by a user causes the flat plate  142  to slide against and displace the torsion spring  160 , thus causing the torsion spring  160  to exert a restoring force on first spring end  164 , and this in turn will cause the trigger or switch  110  to return to its original position as the trigger or switch  110  is released by the user. 
     Furthermore, the pulling of the trigger or switch  110  causes the horizontal post  146  to move in the elongated slot  148  such that the horizontal post  146  engages walls of the elongated slot  148  and causes the second end  152  of the film producing mechanism  124  to pivotally move upward, thus causing the moveable dispensing ring  114  to swipe against the stationary application bar  154 . With the release of the trigger or switch  110 , the torsion spring  160  causes the flat plate  142  to return to its original position, which in turn causes the second end  152  of the film producing mechanism  124  to return to a down position, which in turn causes the moveable dispensing ring  114  to return to a down position. This up-and-down movement of the moveable dispensing ring  114  causes the bubble solution delivered to the moveable dispensing ring  114  to be spread across the dispensing aperture  116  by the stationary application bar  154 . Also shown in  FIG. 9  are the metal spring  133  and spring feed wire  113  that move with the motion of the trigger or switch  110 . 
     Also depicted in  FIG. 2  are LED lights  131  contained within or on the bubble making device  100 . Some or all of the LED lights  131  may be configured to flash on and off while the trigger or switch  110  is being pulled, and some or all of the LED lights  131  may be configured to remain lit as long as the trigger or switch  110  is being pulled. The LED lights  131  can also be lit by a manually operated switch (not shown). 
       FIG. 7  shows an electrical schematic for the bubble making device  100 . When the trigger or switch  110  is pulled, the switch  111  is closed to provide electrical current from the voltage source  139 , which is produced by a battery or batteries  134  (shown in  FIG. 8 ) which can be inserted into the sealed container  136  (shown in  FIG. 8 ) of the invention, and the various electrical components of the bubble making device  100  thus receive power. In  FIG. 7 , switch  111  schematically represents the metal spring  133  that contacts the contact zone on electrical motor  118  when the trigger or switch  110  is pulled, as shown in  FIG. 3 . When the switch  111  closes, power is applied to the electric motor  121  that powers the electromechanical pump  120  and the fan  122 , and also the LED lights  131 , and a sound producing device  132  if these are present. The sound-producing device  132  produces any provided audio such as a noise, music and/or other sounds appealing to children when the trigger or switch  110  is pulled. Electrical connections between the various electrical components may be provided by electrical wires or by electrical contacts provided within the bubble making device housing  102 . 
       FIG. 8  shows an embodiment of a battery compartment formed from a sealed container  136  to contain a battery or batteries  134 . The embodiment of the sealed container  136  depicted in  FIG. 8  displays three AA batteries, which could be inserted and lined up next to each other. However, the sealed container  136  can be designed to hold any number or type of batteries. Also, when three AA batteries are used, the sealed container  136  does not need to be configured such that the batteries are lined up next to each other. Instead, any configuration is possible. For example, three AA batteries can be arranged as shown in  FIG. 4  with two of the batteries lined up next to each other and the third battery behind them. In preferred embodiments of the invention the battery or batteries  134  are located in a sealed container such as sealed container  136  to minimize or eliminate contact between the battery or batteries  134  and any liquid. 
     In  FIG. 8 , the battery or batteries  134  are inserted into a sealed container  136  with external contacts  138 . The external contacts  138  engage ordinary battery contacts to provide electrical energy to the power circuit  8  upon closure of switch  111  when trigger or switch  110  is depressed, as shown schematically  FIG. 7  (though in  FIG. 7  the switch is depicted in the open position). 
     The battery compartment is designed with three main goals. The first goal is to limit the amount of moisture and bubble liquid that can flow into the battery compartment, which is accomplished in this embodiment through the use of a sealed battery compartment, which is sealed to keep out liquids and moisture. The second goal is to have a safe chamber to house batteries. The third goal is to have the ability to insert batteries into the bubble making device from the side rather than through the bottom. 
     In general, batteries have the ability to rapidly discharge and sometimes heat up. The kind of batteries used for the bubble making device  100  are small and limited in power but still have the ability to overheat and/or rupture for chemical or electrochemical reasons. If a battery ruptures and bursts open, it can push into the ends of a battery compartment. Because the design of the battery compartment has the door on the side rather than the top or bottom, this design helps control and contain a battery failure where internal expansion occurs axially, thus not applying excess force to the battery door, but rather to the internal walls of the battery compartment. The batteries are small so that the impact of any break up can be contained within the bubble making device  100 . 
     The battery compartment has a side door that opens with a securing device  137 , such as, for example, a screw (shown in  FIGS. 2 and 17 ). This allows the cover to be removed and the battery or batteries  134  accessed from the side. By inserting the battery or batteries  134  from the side, a user may better identify the proper polarity of the battery terminals and thereby minimize the possibility of incorrect insertion. A clear image of the proper battery polarity is imprinted (not shown) in the battery cover door  1001  to further minimize the probability of improper insertion of the battery or batteries  134 . The battery or batteries  134  may be replaced by taking each battery out individually. When a battery compartment has a door on the top or bottom, the batteries can fall out on the ground during changing. The side battery cover also closes on the battery or batteries  134  making a good tight fit. This design helps the electrical connections to be good and tight. 
       FIG. 10  is an alternate embodiment with an animal, character, creature or other image styled or molded into the shell, or outside, or bubble making device housing  102  of the bubble making device  100 . 
       FIG. 16  shows a side view styled as a gun with the handle specifically showing the door  1001 , as well as the bubble making device housing  102  and the trigger or switch  110 . 
       FIG. 17  shows a perspective view of inside components of an embodiment styled as a gun, showing the electromechanical pump  120 , the electric motor  121 , the fan  122 , and the air channel  126 . The film producing mechanism  124  is pivotally attached to the air channel  126  via fastener  151 . Trigger or switch  110  is attached to flat plate  142  from which emanates extension  144 . A portion of the elongated slot  148  can also be seen. Attached to the film producing mechanism  124  is the moveable dispensing ring  114 , and the dispensing aperture  116  can also be seen. The stationary application bar  154  is attached to the drip channel  130 , and this is more clearly shown in  FIG. 17  where the moveable dispensing ring  114  is shown in an upper position relative to the stationary application bar  154 . The drip channel  130  is attached to and supported from a threaded base  117 . 
       FIG. 18  shows an internal view of an LED box  181  in which a source of light is located, and from this LED box  181  emanates a light pipe  182  to transmit light into a removeably-attachable bubble solution container  170 , should one be connected. The light pipe  182  can be fiber optic or PVC or other material that can transmit light, and can be flexible or rigid. 
     In another embodiment of this invention, the electromechanical pump  120 , which is operated by the electric motor  121 , is replaced by a purely mechanical pump  500  as shown in  FIG. 11 . A mechanical pump that is operated by the mechanical action of the trigger or switch  110  is a more efficient use of electric power because only the fan  122  need be operated (in addition to any lights and/or sounds). Also, the user will squeeze the trigger or switch  110  to deliver bubble solution only when necessary whereas with any electrically operated pump a surplus of bubble solution must be continuously delivered to the dispensing ring, whether a moveable dispensing ring  114  in one embodiment (with a stationary application bar  154 ) or a stationary dispensing ring  115  (with a moving application bar  155 ) in different embodiments. Further, by decreasing the current drain from any electric power source, less power is lost due to power transmission or internal resistive losses within the battery or batteries. 
       FIG. 11  depicts one embodiment of a mechanical pump  500  that can be activated by the motion of the trigger or switch  110 , and also depicted is the film producing mechanism  124 , the horizontal post  146 , and the two-regime slot  520  that the horizontal post  146  is captured within. The mechanical pump  500  is typical of what might be found in a water pistol, and this mechanical pump is only representative of many different mechanical pumps that can perform the same mechanical function when a plunger is linearly displaced. In this depiction, moving plunger  511  (not in contact with the trigger or switch  110 ) is a piston within the mechanical pump body  510 . The pump  500  is fed by a mechanical pump input tube  504  that connects to the mechanical pump input  503 . The pump  500  discharges liquid through mechanical pump output  501  into mechanical pump output tube  502  when the moving plunger  511  is depressed into the mechanical pump body  510  as a result of displacement of the trigger or switch  110 . When the trigger or switch  110  is released, the plunger spring  512  returns the moving plunger  511  to the starting position as depicted in  FIG. 11 . Not shown are the internal one-way valves that would enable liquid to only exit the mechanical pump output  501  when the moving plunger  511  compresses into the mechanical pump body  510  or to enable liquid to only enter the mechanical pump body  510  through the mechanical pump input  503  when the moving plunger  511  retracts from the mechanical pump body  510  under the influence of the plunger spring  512 . Also depicted in  FIG. 11  is the conductive metal spring  133  and the contact zone on electric motor  118  which collectively form the switch  111 . Also shown is the spring feed wire  113  that brings electrical power to the metal spring  133 . As shown in  FIG. 11 , the switch  111  is in the electrically open position. Slight displacement of trigger or switch  110  will bring the metal spring  133  into contact with the contact zone on electric motor  118 , thus closing switch  111 . Further compression of the trigger or switch  110  continues to keep the switch  111  closed. 
       FIG. 12  shows an enlarged view of the extension  144 . Two regime slot  520  is composed of the film producing mechanism regime  521  and the mechanical pump regime  522 . 
       FIG. 13  shows three key positions throughout the travel of horizontal post  146  within the two-regime slot  520 , and these positions are schematically represented in  FIGS. 14A, 14B , and  14 C. In  FIG. 14A  the trigger or switch is not depressed and the film producing mechanism  124  is in the film producing mechanism low position  525 . In this position, switch  111  (also shown in  FIG. 11 ) is in the open position. After a slight depression of the trigger or switch  110 , switch  111  closes and power is applied to the electric motor  121 , which operates the fan  122  and other circuits depicted in  FIG. 7 . The horizontal post  146  is now traveling within the film producing mechanism regime  521  shown in  FIGS. 12 and 13 . The trigger or switch  110  continues to displace as pressure is applied, and the film producing mechanism regime  521  terminates at the film producing mechanism high position  526  (shown in  FIGS. 13 and 14B ). Closure of switch  111  is maintained, and in the film producing mechanism high position  526  the trigger or switch  110  is now in contact with the moving plunger  511  of the mechanical pump  500 . Continued depression of trigger or switch  110  now begins to operate the mechanical pump  500 , and horizontal post  146  is now in the mechanical pump regime  522  as shown in  FIG. 12 . Further depression of the trigger or switch  110  finally terminates at the mechanical pump fully depressed position  527  ( FIGS. 13 and 14C ), and the trigger or switch  110  is at the position of maximum displacement. Also, switch  111  remains closed, with the metal spring  133  at maximum compression against the contact zone on electric motor  118 . During trigger or switch  110  displacement in the mechanical pump regime  522 , the film producing mechanism  124  remains in the same elevated position as in the film producing mechanism high position  526 , and further, in all positions within the mechanical pump regime  522  (shown in  FIG. 12 ), the film producing mechanism  124  remains at constant elevation. 
     In  FIG. 14A  the moving application bar  155  is at the bottom of the stationary dispensing ring  115  in the film producing mechanism low position  525 . As trigger or switch  110  is depressed, the moving application bar  155  moves across the stationary dispensing ring  115 , spreading a thin film of bubble solution over the dispensing aperture  116  until at the film producing mechanism high position  526 , and the moving application bar  155  is now at the top of the stationary dispensing ring  115 , as depicted in  FIG. 14B . Further depression of the trigger or switch  110  operates the mechanical pump  500  without any change in the position of the film producing mechanism  124  or the moving application bar  155  against the stationary dispensing ring  115 , with the trigger or switch  110  terminating in the mechanical pump fully depressed position  527  as shown in  FIG. 14C . 
     The following refers to  FIGS. 12, 13, and 15 . In  FIG. 15A  the top of the moveable dispensing ring  114  is in contact with the stationary application bar  154  in the film producing mechanism low position  525 . As trigger or switch  110  is depressed, the moveable dispensing ring  114  moves across the stationary application bar  154 , spreading a thin film of bubble solution over the dispensing aperture  116  until at the film producing mechanism high position  526 , and the stationary application bar  154  is now in contact with the bottom of moveable dispensing ring  114 , as depicted in  FIG. 15B . Further depression of the trigger or switch  110  operates the mechanical pump  500  without any change in the position of the film producing mechanism  124  or the moveable dispensing ring  114  against the stationary application bar  154 , with the trigger or switch  110  terminating in the mechanical pump fully depressed position  527  as shown in  FIG. 15C . 
     It must be noted that a unique feature of these embodiments (moving application bar  155  and stationary dispensing ring  115  of  FIG. 14  or moveable dispensing ring  114  and stationary application bar  154  of  FIG. 15 ) is that the film producing mechanism  124  can be operated independently of the mechanical pump  500  while in the film producing mechanism regime  521 , and the mechanical pump  500  can be operated independently of the film producing mechanism  124  while in the mechanical pump regime  522 . 
       FIG. 19  shows one embodiment of the the claimed invention with the sealed container/battery  136  oriented above the fan shroud  123 . 
       FIG. 20  shows one embodiment of the claimed invention with a diagonal orientation of the application bar  154 . 
     It is to be understood that even though numerous characteristics and advantages of various embodiments of the present invention have been set forth in the foregoing description, together with details of the structure and function of the various embodiments of the invention, this detailed description is illustrative only, and changes may be made in detail, and especially in matters of structure and arrangement of parts within the principles of the present invention to the full extent indicated by the broad general meaning of the terms in which the appended claims are expressed. 
     Although various embodiments of the present invention have been described it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the present invention should not be limited to the described embodiments. Rather, various changes and modifications can be made within the spirit and scope of the present invention. 
     While the instant invention has been shown and described in accordance with preferred and practical embodiments thereof, it is recognized that departures from the instant disclosure are contemplated within the spirit and scope of the present invention. Therefore, the true scope of the invention should not be limited since other modifications will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon a study of the claims, drawings, descriptions, explanations, and specifications herein. 
     A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material to which a claim for copyright is made. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure, as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent file or records, but reserves all other copyright rights whatsoever. 
     COMPONENT LIST FOR DRAWINGS 
     Following is a partial list of the components depicted in the drawings: 
     
       
         
           
               
               
             
               
                   
               
               
                 Component Number 
                 Component Description 
               
               
                   
               
             
            
               
                   
               
            
           
           
               
               
            
               
                 8 
                 Power circuit 
               
               
                 100 
                 Bubble making device 
               
               
                 102 
                 Bubble making device housing 
               
               
                 103 
                 Mechanism for attaching to opening 
               
               
                 104 
                 Primary opening 
               
               
                 106 
                 Secondary opening 
               
               
                 108 
                 Handle 
               
               
                 110 
                 Trigger or switch 
               
               
                 111 
                 Switch (formed by metal spring 133 and Contact 
               
               
                   
                 zone on electric motor 118) 
               
               
                 112 
                 Delivery tube 
               
               
                 113 
                 Spring feed wire 
               
               
                 114 
                 Moveable dispensing ring 
               
               
                 115 
                 Stationary dispensing ring 
               
               
                 116 
                 Dispensing aperture 
               
               
                 117 
                 Threaded base 
               
               
                 118 
                 Contact zone on electric motor 
               
               
                 119 
                 Drive gear 
               
               
                 120 
                 Electromechanical pump 
               
               
                 121 
                 Electric motor 
               
               
                 122 
                 Fan 
               
               
                 123 
                 Fan shroud 
               
               
                 124 
                 Film producing mechanism 
               
               
                 125 
                 Feed tube 
               
               
                 126 
                 Air channel 
               
               
                 128 
                 Drip flange 
               
               
                 129 
                 Hole and/or series of holes in fan shroud 
               
               
                 130 
                 Drip channel 
               
               
                 131 
                 LED Lights 
               
               
                 132 
                 Sound producing device 
               
               
                 133 
                 Metal spring 
               
               
                 134 
                 Battery or batteries (one is pointed to) 
               
               
                 136 
                 Sealed container 
               
               
                 137 
                 Securing device 
               
               
                 138 
                 External contacts 
               
               
                 139 
                 Voltage source 
               
               
                 142 
                 Flat plate 
               
               
                 144 
                 Extension 
               
               
                 146 
                 Horizontal post 
               
               
                 148 
                 Elongated slot 
               
               
                 150 
                 Film producing mechanism first end 
               
               
                 151 
                 Fastener 
               
               
                 152 
                 Film producing mechanism second end 
               
               
                 154 
                 Stationary application bar 
               
               
                 155 
                 Moving application bar 
               
               
                 156 
                 Electromechanical pump input 
               
               
                 158 
                 Electromechanical pump output 
               
               
                 160 
                 Torsion spring 
               
               
                 162 
                 Rod 
               
               
                 164 
                 First spring end 
               
               
                 166 
                 Second spring end 
               
               
                 168 
                 Shoulder 
               
               
                 170 
                 Removably-attachable bubble solution container 
               
               
                 181 
                 LED box 
               
               
                 182 
                 Optic fiber string 
               
               
                 500 
                 Mechanical pump 
               
               
                 501 
                 Mechanical pump output 
               
               
                 502 
                 Mechanical pump output tube 
               
               
                 503 
                 Mechanical pump input 
               
               
                 504 
                 Mechanical pump input tube 
               
               
                 510 
                 Mechanical pump body 
               
               
                 511 
                 Moving plunger 
               
               
                 512 
                 Plunger spring 
               
               
                 520 
                 Two regime slot 
               
               
                 521 
                 Film producing mechanism regime 
               
               
                 522 
                 Mechanical pump regime 
               
               
                 525 
                 Film producing mechanism low position 
               
               
                 526 
                 Film producing mechanism high position 
               
               
                 527 
                 Mechanical pump fully depressed position 
               
               
                 1001 
                 Door 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     Definitions 
     These definitions are in addition to the words and phrases specifically defined in the body of this application. 
     As used herein, the term “and/or,” when used in a list of two or more items, means that any one of the listed items can be employed by itself, or any combination of two or more of the listed items can be employed. For example, if a device is described as containing components A, B, and/or C, the composition can contain A alone; B alone; C alone; A and B in combination; A and C in combination; B and C in combination; or A, B, and C in combination.