Patent Publication Number: US-2023135754-A1

Title: Apparatus and method for generating bubbles

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Children love bubbles and the bubble makers that are used to create them. At least as far as children are concerned, there is a general understanding that the more bubbles that are made and the quicker they are made, the better the bubble maker. In addition to bubbles, there are machines in existence which generate fog, and there are also machines in existence that generate fog-filled bubbles. In addition to use by children, such machines are used by adults during celebratory events such as weddings and other gatherings. However, machines which generate fog-filled bubbles require the use of a special fog liquid formula that contains oil or other components that are messy, can stain skin and/or clothes, and are undesirable for other reasons. Thus, a need exists for a bubble machine that can generate bubbles having a cloudy appearance without having to use undesirable liquid formulas in the bubble forming process. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Exemplary embodiments according to the present disclosure are directed to a bubble generating apparatus and a method for producing bubbles. The bubble generating apparatus may include a bubble solution reservoir containing a bubble solution, a water chamber containing water, an atomizer fluid configured to convert the water to vapor, and a bubble generating device having at least one opening. There may be a motor and a first fan device operably coupled to the motor. Upon activating the atomizer and the motor, the bubble generating device becomes loaded with the bubble solution, the atomizer converts the liquid in the liquid chamber to a vapor, and the first fan device generates a first air stream that causes the vapor to flow through the at least one opening of the bubble generating device to generate one or more bubbles from the bubble solution loaded on the bubble generating device, the bubbles being filled with the vapor to give the bubbles a cloudy appearance 
     In one aspect, the invention may be an apparatus for generating bubbles comprising: a housing comprising a bubble solution reservoir configured to hold a bubble solution and a water chamber configured to hold water; at least one ultrasonic atomizer fluidly coupled to the water in the water chamber and configured to convert the water in the water chamber to a vapor; a vapor chamber in fluid communication with the water chamber for containing the vapor; at least one motor positioned in the housing; a first fan device operably coupled to the at least one motor to generate a first air stream; a bubble generating device comprising a bubble generating opening; and wherein upon activating the ultrasonic atomizer and the at least one motor, the bubble generating device becomes loaded with the bubble solution, the ultrasonic atomizer converts the water in the water chamber to a vapor that flows into the vapor chamber, and the at least one motor drives the first fan device to generate the first air stream that flows through the vapor chamber and forces the vapor to flow towards the bubble generating opening to generate bubbles from the bubble solution loaded on the bubble generating device that are filled with the vapor. 
     In another aspect, the invention may be an apparatus for generating bubbles comprising: a bubble solution reservoir containing a bubble solution; a liquid chamber containing a liquid that is free of oil, glycerin and glycol; at least one atomizer fluidly coupled to the liquid in the liquid chamber, wherein the atomizer is configured to convert the liquid in the liquid chamber to vapor; a bubble generating device comprising at least one opening; at least one motor; a first fan device operably coupled to the at least one motor; and wherein upon activating the atomizer and the at least one motor, the bubble generating device becomes loaded with the bubble solution, the atomizer converts the liquid in the liquid chamber to a vapor, and the first fan device generates a first air stream that causes the vapor to flow through the at least one opening of the bubble generating device to generate one or more bubbles from the bubble solution loaded on the bubble generating device, the bubbles being filled with the vapor to give the bubbles a cloudy appearance. 
     In yet another aspect, the invention may be an apparatus for generating bubbles comprising: a bubble solution reservoir configured to hold a bubble solution; at least one motor; a first fan device operably coupled to the at least one motor to generate a first air stream; a second fan device operably coupled to the at least one motor to generate a second air stream; a bubble generating device comprising a bubble generating opening; a blower outlet adjacent to the bubble generating opening; and wherein upon activating the at least one motor, the bubble generating device becomes loaded with the bubble solution, the first air stream flows through the bubble generating opening to form bubbles from the bubble solution, and the second air stream flows through blower outlet towards the bubbles to separate the bubbles from the bubble generating device. 
     In a further aspect, the invention may be an apparatus for generating bubbles comprising: a housing comprising a longitudinal axis and a bubble solution reservoir configured to hold a bubble solution; at least one motor positioned in the housing; a first fan device positioned in the housing and operably coupled to the at least one motor to generate a first air stream; a bubble generating device comprising a bubble generating opening; a bubble solution delivery mechanism for delivering the bubble solution from the bubble solution reservoir to the bubble generating device, the bubble solution delivery mechanism comprising a hub portion and at least one delivery arm extending from the hub portion, the motor operably coupled to the bubble solution delivery mechanism to rotate the bubble solution delivery mechanism about a rotational axis that is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the housing; and wherein upon activating the at least one motor, the bubble solution delivery mechanism rotates about the rotational axis so that the at least one delivery arm carries the bubble solution from the bubble solution reservoir to the bubble generating device to load the bubble generating device with the bubble solution and the first fan device generates the first air stream that flows towards the bubble generating opening to generate bubbles from the bubble solution loaded on the bubble generating device. 
     In a still further aspect, the invention may be a method of generating bubbles with a bubble generating apparatus, the method comprising: introducing a bubble solution into a bubble solution reservoir of the bubble generating apparatus; introducing water into a water chamber of the bubble generating apparatus; atomizing the water into a vapor with an ultrasonic atomizer and introducing the vapor into a vapor chamber; loading the bubble solution onto a bubble generating device; and generating a first air stream with a first fan device, the first air stream causing the vapor to flow through a bubble generating opening of the bubble generating device to form bubbles that are filled with the vapor so that the bubbles have a cloudy appearance. 
     Further areas of applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description provided hereinafter. It should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating the preferred embodiment of the invention, are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description and the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
         FIG.  1    is a front perspective view of an apparatus for generating bubbles in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG.  2    is an exploded perspective view of the apparatus of  FIG.  1   ; 
         FIG.  3    is a partial cut-away perspective view of the apparatus of  FIG.  1   ; 
         FIG.  4    is a cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV of  FIG.  1   ; 
         FIG.  4 A  is a schematic diagram illustrating the electronic components and their connections to one another; 
         FIG.  5    is a front view of a bubble solution delivery mechanism of the apparatus of  FIG.  1   ; 
         FIG.  6    is a perspective view of the bubble solution delivery mechanism of  FIG.  4   ; 
         FIG.  7    is a partial front perspective view of the apparatus of  FIG.  1    with bubble solution being poured into a bubble solution reservoir thereof and water being poured into a water chamber thereof; 
         FIG.  8    is a cross-sectional view taken along line VIII-VIII of  FIG.  7    with a cap covering the water chamber having been replaced; 
         FIG.  9 A  is a partial front perspective view of the apparatus of  FIG.  1    with a bubble solution delivery mechanism delivering the bubble solution from the bubble solution reservoir to the bubble generating device; 
         FIG.  9 B  is a cross-sectional view taken along line IXB-IXB of  FIG.  9 A , illustrating only a front part of the apparatus; 
         FIG.  10    is the cross-sectional view of  FIG.  9 B  illustrate a more complete view of the apparatus; 
         FIG.  11    is a cross-sectional view taken along line XI-XI- of  FIG.  9 A  illustrating a second air flow that facilitates the separation of the bubbles from the apparatus; 
         FIG.  12    is a partial front perspective view of the apparatus of  FIG.  1    illustrating the bubble generating device loaded with the bubble solution; 
         FIG.  13    is a cross-sectional view taken along line XIII-XIII of  FIG.  12    illustrating only a front part of the apparatus; 
         FIG.  14    is a front perspective view of the apparatus of  FIG.  1   , illustrating clear bubbles being generated and separated from the apparatus; 
         FIG.  15    is the cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV of  FIG.  1    with bubble solution in the bubble solution reservoir, water in the water chamber, and arrows illustrating the direction of air flow during the formation of cloudy bubbles; 
         FIG.  16    is a close-up front perspective view of a portion of the apparatus of  FIG.  1    during the generation of cloudy bubbles; 
         FIG.  17    is a cross-sectional view taken along line XVII-XVII of  FIG.  16   ; 
         FIG.  18    is a front perspective view of the apparatus of  FIG.  1    illustrating cloudy bubbles being generated and separated from the apparatus; 
         FIG.  19    is a front perspective view of an apparatus for generating bubbles in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention; and 
         FIG.  20    is a cross-sectional view taken along line XX-XX of  FIG.  19   . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The following description of the preferred embodiment(s) is merely exemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the invention, its application, or uses. 
     The description of illustrative embodiments according to principles of the present invention is intended to be read in connection with the accompanying drawings, which are to be considered part of the entire written description. In the description of embodiments of the invention disclosed herein, any reference to direction or orientation is merely intended for convenience of description and is not intended in any way to limit the scope of the present invention. Relative terms such as “lower,” “upper,” “horizontal,” “vertical,” “above,” “below,” “up,” “down,” “top” and “bottom” as well as derivatives thereof (e.g., “horizontally,” “downwardly,” “upwardly,” etc.) should be construed to refer to the orientation as then described or as shown in the drawing under discussion. These relative terms are for convenience of description only and do not require that the apparatus be constructed or operated in a particular orientation unless explicitly indicated as such. Terms such as “attached,” “affixed,” “connected,” “coupled,” “interconnected,” and similar refer to a relationship wherein structures are secured or attached to one another either directly or indirectly through intervening structures, as well as both movable or rigid attachments or relationships, unless expressly described otherwise. Moreover, the features and benefits of the invention are illustrated by reference to the exemplified embodiments. Accordingly, the invention expressly should not be limited to such exemplary embodiments illustrating some possible non-limiting combination of features that may exist alone or in other combinations of features; the scope of the invention being defined by the claims appended hereto. 
     Referring first to  FIGS.  1 - 4   , an apparatus for generating bubbles  100  (hereinafter referred to as the apparatus  100 ) will be described. The apparatus  100  may also be referred to herein as a bubble generating machine. The apparatus  100  is designed to generate bubbles from a bubble solution in an automatic fashion by way of moving parts that are operably coupled to one or more motors. Thus, a bubble solution may be loaded onto bubble generating devices and then bubbles can be generated from the bubble solution loaded on the bubble generating devices as an air stream flows through the bubble generating devices. In some embodiments, there are no pumps, valves, or other similar types of devices included for facilitating movement of the bubble solution to the bubble generating devices. Thus, the apparatus  100  may be devoid of any pumps in some embodiments. Moreover, the apparatus  100  is configured to generate clear bubbles and cloudy bubbles. The difference between clear bubbles and cloudy bubbles is that clear bubbles are generally transparent and cloudy bubbles are not transparent. In particular, the cloudy bubbles may be filled at least partially with a vapor or mist, thereby giving the bubbles a cloudy appearance. As discussed herein, the apparatus  100  may be configured to operate in accordance with multiple modes, including a first mode whereby the apparatus  100  generates clear bubbles and a second mode whereby the apparatus  100  generates cloudy bubbles. 
     Bubble machines that are capable of generating bubbles that are clear and/or cloudy presently exist. However, such machines use a special fog liquid or fog juice for purposes of generating the cloudy or foggy bubbles. Such special fog liquid may contain glycerin, glycol, or oils, which is generally undesirable, and certainly less desirable than being able to generate such cloudy bubbles with water. The apparatus  100  of the present invention is capable of generating cloudy/foggy bubbles with bubble solution and water only. 
     The apparatus  100  comprises a housing  110  comprising a bottom end  111  and a top end  112 . The housing  110  extends from the bottom end  111  to the top end  112  along a longitudinal axis A-A. Moreover, the housing  110  can be divided into an anterior portion  113  and a posterior portion  114  by a frontal plane (i.e., a coronal plane). The longitudinal axis A-A lies in the frontal plane. The apparatus  100  generates bubbles at the anterior portion  113  of the housing  110 , as discussed in greater detail below. That is, the bubbles that are generated by the apparatus  100  float away from the apparatus  100  in a direction that is either perpendicular or oblique relative to the longitudinal axis A-A, rather than the bubbles floating away in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis A-A. The housing  110  is a generally enclosed structure that defines an internal cavity  115 . The housing  110  has outlets or openings that provide a passageway from the internal cavity  115  to ambient for purposes of facilitating generation of bubbles as described herein. Furthermore, the housing  110  has a plurality of air inlets  116  arranged in a spaced apart manner along a lower portion of the housing  110 . The air inlets  116  extend through the housing  110  from an inner surface thereof to an outer surface thereof. The air inlets  116  permit air from the ambient to be pulled into the interior cavity  115  as various streams of air are generated by the apparatus  100  during the creation of the bubbles by the apparatus  100 . 
     The housing  110  comprises a first main body portion  101  and a second main body portion  102  that are coupled together to form a main body assembly of the housing  110 . The first and second main body portions  101 ,  102  may be coupled together using mechanical structures, friction fit, snap fit, fasteners such as screws, etc. The housing  110  further comprises a top cover  103 , a removable lid  104  (which forms a lid of a water chamber, discussed below), a front face panel  105  having openings therethrough for permitting various air streams generated within the apparatus  100  to exit the apparatus  100 , and a bubble solution tank  106 . The bubble solution tank  106  is attached (using mechanical structures that allow for snap-fit or friction fit connection or fasteners) to the front surface of the first and second main body portions  101 ,  102  of the housing  100 . The bubble solution tank  106  is a bowl, container, or cup-shaped component that has an interior space which defines a bubble solution reservoir  107  that is configured to hold a bubble solution during operation of the apparatus  100  to generate bubbles. In the exemplified embodiment, the bubble solution tank  106  and therefore also the bubble solution reservoir  107  is located external to the interior cavity  115  of the housing  110 . Thus, the bubble solution reservoir  107  is a cavity of sorts configured to hold the bubble solution which is located outside of the interior cavity  115  of the housing  110 . 
     As noted above, the front face panel  105  has openings therethrough. In particular, the front face panel  105  of the housing  110  comprises a blower outlet  230  and a bubble generating device  220  comprising a bubble generating opening  221 . Various air streams generated inside of the housing  100  are made to flow through the bubble generating opening  221  and the blower outlet  230  during the generation of bubbles. The bubble generating device  220  comprises a ring structure  222  that surrounds the bubble generating opening  221 . In the exemplified embodiment, the ring structure  222  that protrudes from the exposed outer surface of the front face panel  105  of the housing  110 . The ring structure  222  forms what is normally referred to as a bubble wand, in that it is the structure on which a film of the bubble solution is held for purposes of generating bubbles with the apparatus  100 . The ring structure  222  comprises a plurality of bubble solution retention features  223  to facilitate its ability to hold and retain the bubble solution thereon. In the exemplified embodiment, the bubble solution retention features  223  are grooves or divots formed in an outer surface of the ring structure  222 , but they could alternatively be ribs protruding from the outer surface of the ring structure  222  that define grooves therebetween. In the exemplified embodiment the outer surface of the front face panel  105  is a sort of smooth and continuous surface. In other embodiments, there may be a recessed portion in the front face panel  105  located counterclockwise of the bubble generating device  220 . This recessed portion may help to minimize bubbles from sticking to the front face panel  105  and ensure they are blown away from the housing  110  during use. 
     The apparatus  100  comprises a drip tray  120  that is coupled to the bottom end  111  of the housing  110 . The drip tray  120  generally comprises a floor  121  and a sidewall  122  that protrudes from the floor  121  to define a collection reservoir  123 . During operation of the apparatus  100 , condensate liquid is transferred into the collection reservoir  123  of the drip tray  120 . In particular, a drip tube  124  extends from a vapor chamber (described below) downwardly within the internal cavity  115  towards the drip tray  120  so that any condensate formed in the vapor chamber is transferred into the drip tray  120 . In particular, a vapor or mist is made to flow into and through the vapor chamber during operation of the apparatus  100 , and thus excess vapor or mist may be generated or remain after the apparatus  100  is powered down. The drip tube  124  carries any such excess vapor or mist down to the drip tray  120  where it can be safely poured out into a sink, ground surface, or the like after a user is finished playing with or otherwise using the apparatus  100 . The drip tray  120  is preferably detachably coupled to the housing  110  so that it can be separated for cleaning and removal of any liquid contained therein. The drip tray  120  may be coupled to the housing  110  using a snap-fit or friction fit or some other type of mechanical engagement, or fasteners such as screws may be used to facilitate the attachment of the drip tray  120  to the housing  110 . Alternatively, the lower end of the housing  110  may simply rest within an annular channel in a top end of the drip tray  120  rather than having any type of positive attachment feature. 
     Having described the features and components which make up the outer surface of the housing  110 , the components located within the internal cavity  115  of the housing  110  will be described. The apparatus  100  comprises a power source compartment  130  configured to hold the power source that provides power to the various electronic components of the apparatus  100 . In particular, the power source compartment  130  may be configured to hold a plurality of batteries, such as AA batteries or the like. In one particular embodiment, the power source compartment  130  may hold eight AA batteries, but the invention is not to be limited to the type or number of batteries used in all embodiments. The apparatus  100  also includes a water (or liquid) chamber component  140  that defines a water chamber  141  having an open top end which is closed by the removable lid  104 , one or more atomizers  150 , a vapor chamber housing  160  that defines a vapor chamber  161 , a first fan device  170  and a first motor  180  for driving the first fan device  170 , a second fan device  190  and a second motor  200  for driving the second fan device  190 , and a bubble solution delivery mechanism  210 . In the exemplified embodiment, the bubble solution delivery mechanism  210  is also driven and rotated by the second motor  200 , although alternative embodiments and configurations may be possible in other embodiments, some examples of which are described herein. 
     The water chamber  140  is a chamber or compartment located within the internal cavity  115  of the housing  110  which is designed to hold a liquid. In the use of the apparatus  100  as described herein, the liquid that is intended to be stored in the water chamber  140  is water, and more specifically distilled water. While distilled water may be preferred, any type of water may be used including tap water, purified water, spring water, or the like. The liquid stored in the water chamber  140  should be free of any glycol, glycerin, or oils of any kind. The liquid stored in the water chamber  140  is atomized during operation of the apparatus  100  to create a vapor or mist that is made to flow into the interior of the bubbles that are formed by the apparatus  100 . This is what gives the bubbles their cloudy or foggy or smoke-filled appearance. 
     In the exemplified embodiment, there are two of the atomizers  150 . However, there could be just a single atomizer  150  or more than two atomizers in other embodiments. In one preferred embodiment, the atomizers  150  are ultrasonic atomizers. Thus, the atomizers  150  operate with a cold mist technology similar to what is used in humidifiers. Specifically, the atomizers  150  vibrate at an extremely high frequency, and those vibrations propel microscopic water droplets from the water chamber  140  to the vapor chamber  161 . In that regard, the water chamber component  140  comprises a plurality of openings  142  and each of the atomizers  150  is disposed within one of the openings  142 . Gaskets or other seals may be used to ensure that there is no leak between the atomizers  150  and the water chamber  140 . The atomizers  150  are positioned within the openings  142  of the water chamber component  140  so that when the water chamber  141  of the water chamber component  140  is filled at least partially with water, the atomizers  150  are fluidly coupled to the water in the water chamber  141 . Thus, when the atomizers  150  are activated, they will convert the water in the water chamber  141  to microscopic water droplets (i.e., vapor or mist) and will dispense those water droplets (i.e., vapor or mist) into the vapor chamber  161  of the vapor chamber housing  160 . 
     The atomizers  150  are operably coupled to the power source stored in the power source compartment  130 . That is, an electric wire or the like may extend from the power source to the atomizers  150 . Furthermore, the activation and deactivation of the atomizers  150  may be controlled by a secondary actuation mechanism  152  that is distinct from a main actuation mechanism  155  of the apparatus that controls the motors and is mentioned below. Thus, during operation of the apparatus  100 , the user will actuate the main actuation mechanism  155  to control activation/deactivation of the motors which causes bubble generation. The user will separately actuate the secondary actuation mechanism  152  to control activation/deactivation of the atomizers  150 . When the motors are activated but the atomizers  150  are deactivated, the apparatus  100  will generate transparent bubbles (this may be operation in a first mode). When the motors and the atomizers  150  are activated, the apparatus  100  will generate cloudy/foggy bubbles (this may be operation in a second mode). In the exemplified embodiment, each of the main and secondary actuation mechanisms  152 ,  155  is a push button switch. However, the invention is not to be so limited in all embodiments and the main and secondary actuation mechanisms  152 ,  155  can take on other forms, such as being slide switches, conductive switches, toggle switches, or the like in various different embodiments. Moreover, there could be a single slide switch or similar with various actuation positions such as one position where the motors are activated and the atomizers are deactivated (first mode), one position where the motors and atomizers are activated (second mode), and one position where the motors and atomizers are deactivated (off). The apparatus  100  may also have a third mode where the atomizers  150  are operating only so that the apparatus  100  may act as a humidifier. 
     The vapor chamber housing  160  defines the vapor chamber  161 . The vapor chamber housing  160  is open at its rear end  162  and has one or more openings in its front end  163 . The rear end  162  of the vapor chamber  161  faces the openings  142  in the water chamber housing  140 , and hence also the atomizers  150 . That is, the rear end  162  of the vapor chamber  161  abuts against the water chamber housing  140  at the location of the atomizers  150 . As a result, as the atomizers  150  atomize the water in the water chamber  141 , the mist/vapor that is formed is dispensed or otherwise transferred from the atomizers  150  into the vapor chamber  161  through the openings in the rear end  162  of the vapor chamber  151 . The vapor or mist can then flow towards the front end  163  of the vapor chamber  161  and exit the vapor chamber  161  through the opening(s) in the front end  162  during the formation of cloudy/foggy bubbles, as described in greater detail below. 
     The opening in the front end  163  of the vapor chamber  161  is positioned in alignment with the bubble generating opening  221  of the bubble generating device  220 . Thus, as the vapor or mist flows through the vapor chamber  161  from the rear end  162  to the front end  163 , the vapor or mist flows through the opening in the front end  163  and then through the bubble generating opening  221  of the bubble generating device  220 . The vapor chamber housing  160  has an air inlet opening  164  through which a first air stream generated by the first fan device  170  flows into the vapor chamber  161 . In the exemplified embodiment, the air inlet opening  164  is located along a bottom surface of the vapor chamber housing  160 , as best seen in  FIGS.  3  and  4   . When the apparatus  100  is in operation, bubble solution becomes loaded on the bubble generating device  220  so that a film of the bubble solution extends across the bubble generating opening  221 . Furthermore, the vapor or mist (mixed with the first air stream) flows through the bubble generating opening  221  to form the bubbles from the bubble solution loaded on the bubble generating device  220 . As the bubbles are formed, they will be filled with the vapor or mist, thereby giving it the cloudy appearance. Additional details about the operation of the apparatus  100  will be described below. 
     The first fan device  170  is positioned in the interior cavity  115  of the housing  110 . The first fan device  170  comprises a first fan member  171  that is rotated by the first motor  180  to generate a first air stream and a first fan housing  172  that encloses the first fan member  171  and the first motor  180  and directs the flow of the first air stream generated by the first fan member  171 . The first motor  180  is oriented in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis A-A in the exemplified embodiment, and thus rotates the first fan device  170  along an axis that is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis A-A of the housing  110 . However, it should be appreciated that the orientation of the first motor  180  and the first fan member  171  could be modified in other embodiments. 
     The first fan housing  172  of the first fan device  170  forms an air flow passageway and has an air outlet  174  that is positioned adjacent to or within the air inlet  164  of the vapor chamber housing  160 . Thus, the first air stream generated by the first fan device  170  exists through the air outlet  174  at which point the first air stream enters the vapor chamber  161  through the air inlet  164  of the vapor chamber housing  160 . When the atomizers are activated as described above, the first air stream will cause the vapor to flow through the vapor chamber  161  to the front end  163  of the vapor chamber housing  160  (with the front end  163  having an opening that forms an air outlet of the vapor chamber  161 ) and into and through the bubble generating opening  221  of the bubble generating device  220 . The air stream may not directly blow the vapor, as discussed below, because such direct blowing action may tend to dissipate the vapor. Instead, the first air stream generates a pressure which forces movement of the vapor towards the bubble generating outlet without the first air stream direction blowing the vapor. Thus, the first air stream may push the vapor towards the bubble generating opening  221 . When the atomizers are not activated, the first air stream will simply flow through the vapor chamber  161  and through the opening in the front end  163  and into and through the bubble generating opening  221  of the bubble generating device  220 . In either situation, the first air stream will cause the bubble solution loaded on the bubble generating device  220  to expand into a bubble as it fills with air from the first air stream (and potentially also vapor from the water which has been atomized). 
     The air inlet  164  of the vapor chamber housing  160  is configured to force the first air stream generated by the first fan device  170  to flow towards the rear end  162  of the vapor chamber  161  before flowing toward the front end  163  of the vapor chamber  161 . That is, the first air stream is forced to flow in a direction generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis A-A of the housing as the first air stream enters the vapor chamber  161 . This ensures that the first air stream circulates adequately within the vapor chamber  161  of the vapor chamber housing  160  to move any vapor/mist generated by the atomizers  150  towards the bubble generating device  220 . This also minimizes or prevents the first air stream from directly contacting the vapor, which could cause the vapor to dissipate as noted above. The first air stream is generally intended to generate a pressure within the vapor chamber  161  to force the movement of the vapor towards the bubble generating device  220 . In other embodiments the air inlet  164  may permit the first air stream to flow axially in the direction of the longitudinal axis A-A as it enters the vapor chamber  161 . 
     The second fan device  190  is positioned in the interior cavity  115  of the housing  110  adjacent to the first fan device  170 . The second fan device  190  comprises a second fan member  191  that is rotated by the second motor  200  to generate a second air stream and a second fan housing  192  that encloses the second fan member  191  and the second motor  200  and directs the flow of the second air stream generated by the second fan member  191 . There is also a gear train  193  disposed within the second fan housing  192  in the exemplified embodiment. The gear train  193  is operably coupled to the second motor  200  and to the bubble solution delivery mechanism  210  so that the second motor  200  drives rotation of the bubble solution delivery mechanism  210  in addition to driving rotation of the second fan member  191 , as discussed further below. 
     The second fan housing  192  has an air outlet  194  so that the second air stream generated by the second fan member  191  flows through the second fan housing  190  to the air outlet  194 . The air outlet  194  of the second fan housing  190  is aligned with the blower outlet  230 , as best shown in  FIG.  11    described below. Thus, the second air stream generated by the second fan device  190  exits the housing  110  through the air outlet  194  and the blower outlet  230 . The second air stream is used to separate the bubbles from the housing  110  after they are formed. Thus, the second air stream is directed towards the bubbles as they are formed to blow the bubbles away from the housing  110  and push the bubbles into the air. The air speed and direction will determine the amount and size of the bubbles. If the second fan device  190  were omitted, the bubbles would simply be formed on the housing  110  and would continue to get bigger until they started to droop or until they popped. This is because the first air stream generated by the first fan device  170  is sufficient to create the bubbles, but may be insufficient to cause the bubbles so formed to separate from the housing  110 . The second fan device  192  is used for the purpose of separating the bubbles from the housing  110 . 
     The invention is described herein whereby the first motor  180  drives the first fan device  170  and the second motor  200  drives the second fan device  190  and the bubble solution delivery mechanism  210 . The invention is not to be so limited in all embodiments and plenty of alternative configurations are possible. For example, in one embodiment a single motor could control operation of the first and second fan devices  180 ,  200  and the bubble solution delivery mechanism  210 . In another embodiment, the same motor could control operation of the first and second fan devices  180 ,  200  while a second motor controls operation of the bubble solution delivery mechanism  210 . In still another embodiment, the first motor  180  may control operation of the first fan device  170  and the bubble solution delivery mechanism  210  and the second motor  200  may control operation of the second fan device  190 . In yet another embodiment, there may be three distinct motors, one for controlling operation of the first fan device  170 , one for controlling operation of the second fan device  190 , and one for controlling operation of the bubble solution delivery mechanism  210 . The invention may be described herein wherein “at least one motor” controls operation of the first and second fan devices  170 ,  190  and the bubble solution delivery mechanism  210 . Such description includes all of the variations noted herein above whereby there is one motor, two motors, or three motors to achieve the control/movement of the three components. Thus, if the claims recite that the first fan device  170 , the second fan device  190 , and/or the bubble solution delivery mechanism  210  are operably coupled to the at least one motor, this could mean that they are coupled to the same motor or to different motors, as noted herein. 
     In the exemplified embodiment, the bubble generating device  220  is static and does not move relative to the housing  110 . Rather, the bubble generating device  220  comprises the bubble generating opening  221  which is a hole formed through the housing  110  (specifically through the front face panel  105  of the housing  110 ) and into the interior cavity  115  of the housing  110  in alignment with the outlet opening of the vapor chamber  161 /vapor chamber housing  160 . Thus, the bubble generating device  220  of the exemplified embodiment is non-movable relative to the housing  110 . In this embodiment, the bubble solution delivery mechanism  210  is movable to carry the bubble solution from the bubble solution reservoir  107  to the bubble generating device  220 , and the structure and function of the bubble solution delivery mechanism  210  of the exemplified embodiment will be described further below. 
     The bubble solution delivery mechanism  210  comprises a hub portion  211  and a plurality of delivery arms  212  extending radially outward from the hub portion  211 . The hub portion  211  comprises a connection feature  213  which is coupled to the gear train  193  to operably couple the bubble solution delivery mechanism  210  to the second motor  200 . The coupling feature  213  may be a post with an interior channel configured to receive a rod or pin that is rotated by the gear train  193  and the second motor  200 . The attachment between the coupling feature  213  and the rod/pin of the gear train  193  should be sufficient to ensure that rotation of the rod/pin of the gear train  193  causes the bubble solution delivery mechanism  210  to rotate. Thus, the rod/pin should not rotate relative to the bubble solution delivery mechanism  210 , but should instead drive rotation of the bubble solution delivery mechanism  210 . The gear train  193  may be a step-down gear train in that it slows down the rotation speed of the bubble solution delivery mechanism  210  as compared to the rotation speed of the second motor  200  and the second fan member  191 . 
     During operation, the second motor  200  causes the bubble solution delivery mechanism  210  to rotate about a rotational axis R-R. Due to the orientation of the various components of the apparatus  100 , the rotational axis R-R of the bubble solution delivery mechanism  210  is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis A-A of the housing  110 . As used in this context, the term substantially perpendicular includes plus or minus five degrees from perpendicular (i.e., the rotational axis R-R of the bubble solution delivery mechanism  210  intersects the longitudinal axis A-A of the housing  110  at an angle between 85° and 95°). As the bubble solution delivery mechanism  210  rotates about the rotational axis R-R, the delivery arms  212  rotate into the bubble solution in the bubble solution reservoir  107  and then rotate past the bubble generating device  220  to carry the bubble solution to the bubble generating device  220 . The bubble solution reservoir  107  has an open top end which permits the delivery arms  212  to rotate into and out of the bubble solution reservoir  107 . The delivery arms  212  continue rotating into and out of the bubble solution reservoir  107  and past the bubble generating device  220  to continually load the bubble generating device  220  with bubble solution. In the exemplified embodiment, there are three of the delivery arms  212 , but the bubble solution delivery mechanism  210  could include fewer (as few as one) or more delivery arms  212  in other embodiments. The delivery arms  212  act sort of like windshield wipers as they wipe across the front face of the housing  110 , except that instead of rotating about 120° back and forth, they rotate a full 360° around. Of course, in other embodiments it may be possible for the delivery arms  212  to instead move more like a windshield wiper oscillating in a back and forth manner rather than having a full 360° of rotation. Moreover, the delivery arms  212  may not directly contact the front face of the housing  110 , but there may instead be a slight tolerance/gap between the delivery arms  212  and the front face of the housing  110 . The bubble solution may fill in the gap between the delivery arms  212  and the front face of the housing  110  to ensure it is loaded onto the bubble generating device  220  as the bubble solution delivery mechanism  210  rotates about the rotational axis R-R. 
       FIG.  4 A  schematically illustrates the coupling of the electronic components of the apparatus  100 . In particular,  FIG.  4 A  illustrates the power source  109 , which may comprise a plurality of batteries as described herein. The power source  109  may take on other forms, such as described herein. In some embodiments, the apparatus  100  may have a plug for plugging into a wall outlet, rather than containing its own power source. The power source  109  is operably coupled to the atomizers  150 , and as shown the secondary actuation mechanism  152  operates as a switch in the connection between the power source  109  and the atomizers  150 . Thus, the secondary actuation mechanism  152  needs to be actuated to close the switch and allow power to flow from the power source  109  to the atomizers  150 . The power source  109  is also operably coupled to each of the first and second motors  180 ,  200 . Moreover, the main actuation mechanism  155  operates as a switch in the connection between the power source  109  and the first and second motors  180 ,  210 . Thus, the main actuation mechanism  155  needs to be actuated to close the switch and allow power to flow from the power source  109  to the first and second motors  180 ,  200 . In the exemplified embodiment, the main actuation mechanism  155  closes the switch between the power source  109  and both of the first and second motors  180 ,  200  simultaneously so that with the actuation of one switch (i.e., the main actuation mechanism  155 ), both of the first and second motors  180 ,  200  begin operating. In other embodiments, there could be separate switches to control activation of each of the first and second motors  180 ,  200 , or as described herein a single motor could control all of the components that are controlled by the first and second motors  180 ,  200  in the exemplified embodiment. 
     The first motor  180  is operably coupled to the first fan member  171  of the first fan device  170 . Thus, when the first motor  180  is activated, the first fan member  171  rotates to generate the first air stream. The second motor  200  is operably coupled to the second fan member  191  of the second fan device  190 . Thus, when the second motor  200  is activated, the second fan member  191  rotates to generate the second air stream. The second motor  200  is also operably coupled to the bubble solution delivery mechanism  210 . Thus, when the second motor  200  is activated, the bubble solution delivery mechanism  210  rotates about the rotational axis R-R and carries the bubble solution from the bubble solution reservoir  107  to the bubble generating device  220 . 
     Referring to  FIGS.  5  and  6   , the bubble solution delivery mechanism  210  will be described in greater detail. In the exemplified embodiment, the bubble solution delivery mechanism  210  comprises the hub portion  211  and three of the delivery arms  212 , as mentioned above. Each of the delivery arms  212  comprises an arm portion  214  that extends from the hub portion  211  and terminates in a distal end  215 . The arm portion  214  comprises a front surface  216  and a rear surface  217  opposite the front surface  216 . In the exemplified embodiment, the bubble solution delivery mechanism  210  rotates in a clockwise direction, and the front surface  216  of the arm portion  214  leads the rear surface  217  in its rotation (the front surface  216  passes the bubble generating device  220  before the rear surface  217  during each rotation). Furthermore, the delivery arms  212  comprises a plurality of ribs  218  protruding from the front surface  216  in a spaced apart manner. The plurality of ribs  218  and the front surface  216  define carrying chambers that are configured to carry the bubble solution from the bubble solution reservoir  107  to the bubble generating device  220  as the bubble solution delivery mechanism  210  rotates about the rotational axis R-R. In the exemplified embodiment, one of the ribs  218  is located at the distal end  215  of the arm portion  214 . There may also be a back wall  219  protruding from the front surface  216  and being oriented perpendicular to the ribs  218  to form a closed back end of the chambers. The back wall  219  may provide some additional structural rigidity to the delivery arms  212 , to increase strength and reduce deformation. 
     The delivery arms  212  also comprise a plurality of ribs or teeth  240  protruding from the rear surface  217 . In the exemplified embodiment, the teeth  240  on the rear surface  217  are more numerous and spaced closer together than the ribs  218  on the front surface  216 . The ribs or teeth  240  on the rear surface  217  help to hold the bubble solution on the delivery arms  212  and prevent the bubble solution from dripping as the bubbles are being formed behind the delivery arms  212  during their rotation. 
     In the exemplified embodiment, the front surface  216  of the arm portions  214  of the delivery arms  212  are convex and the rear surface  217  of the arm portions  214  of the delivery arms  212  are concave. Furthermore, as best seen in  FIG.  4   , the delivery arms  212  comprise a rear edge  241  that faces the housing  110  and a front edge  242  that faces away from the housing  110 . The front edge  242  is convex and the rear edge  241  is concave in the exemplified embodiment. The front surface portion of the housing  110  along which the delivery arms  212  rotate is convex, and thus having the rear edge  241  of the delivery arms  212  which face the housing  110  be concave allows for a corresponding shape and relationship between the delivery arms  212  and the housing  110 . 
     While in the exemplified embodiment the bubble solution delivery mechanism  210  rotates to carry the bubble solution to the bubble generating device  220 , the invention is not to be so limited in all embodiments. Specifically, in alternative embodiments, the bubble generating device  220  may comprise one or a plurality of bubble generating openings, and the bubble generating device  220  may be rotatable relative to the housing  110 . Thus, instead of the bubble solution delivery mechanism  210  rotating relative to the housing  110  as with the exemplified embodiment, the bubble solution delivery mechanism  210  may be omitted and the bubble generating device  220  may be a mechanism that rotates relative to the housing  110 . As such, the bubble generating openings of the bubble generating device  220  may dip into the bubble solution in the bubble solution reservoir  107  to become loaded with the bubble solution and may then rotate to a location in front of the outlet of the vapor chamber  161  for purposes of generating bubbles from the bubble solution that may be filled with vapor as described herein. In still other embodiments, the apparatus  100  may include a pump to pump the bubble solution from the bubble solution reservoir  107  to the bubble generating device  220  to load the bubble generating device  220  with the bubble solution. Thus, there are other means and mechanisms for delivering the bubble solution from the bubble solution reservoir  107  to the bubble generating device  220  in alternative embodiments of the present invention. 
     Having described all of the components and structures of the apparatus  100 , the operation will now be described in some detail. Referring to  FIG.  7   , the first step in the operation is to fill the bubble solution reservoir  107  with a bubble solution  300  and to fill the water chamber  141  with water  301 . To fill the water chamber  141  with the water  301 , the removable lid  104  may be separated from the remainder of the housing  110  to expose the water chamber  141 . In other embodiments, a screw cap may be screwed off to expose the water chamber  141 , or the water chamber  141  may be made accessible in other ways that would be readily understood by persons skilled in the art. The water  301  may then be poured directly into the water chamber  141  either from a faucet, a bottle, a container, or the like. Once the water chamber  141  has been filled with the water  301  to a desired level, the removable lid  104  may be replaced back over the water chamber  141 . There is no lid covering the bubble solution reservoir  107 , but instead the bubble solution reservoir  107  has an open top end that is exposed to ambient. Thus, a user can simply pour the bubble solution  300  directly into the bubble solution reservoir  107  without first having to remove a lid or cap. In accordance with the exemplified embodiment, the bubble solution reservoir  107  must have its top open so that the bubble solution delivery mechanism  210  can rotate into and out of the bubble solution reservoir  107 . The bubble solution reservoir  107  is located along a front of the housing  110  and the water chamber  141  is located along a rear of the housing  110 . The bubble solution reservoir  107  is therefore located along the anterior portion  113  of the housing  110  and the water chamber  141  is located along the posterior portion  114  of the housing  110 . 
       FIG.  8    is a partial cross-sectional view of the apparatus  100  after the bubble solution reservoir  107  has been filled with the bubble solution  300  and the water chamber  141  has been filled with the water  301 . The bubble solution reservoir  107  and the water chamber  141  need not be filled completely as shown in  FIG.  8    in all embodiments. The main and secondary actuation mechanisms  152 ,  155  have not been actuated, and thus the motors are not being powered at this point. Next, the apparatus  100  will be described with the operator or user activating only the main actuation mechanism  155 . This will result in the apparatus  100  generating standard bubbles, such as transparent bubbles, that are not filled with any vapor and therefore do not have a cloudy or foggy or smoke-filled appearance. 
     Referring to  FIGS.  9 A- 11   , after the user actuates the main actuation mechanism  155  (i.e., by pressing a button, sliding a slide switch, or the like), the first and second motors  180 ,  200  will be activated. Specifically, actuation of the main actuation mechanism  155  results in power being supplied from the power source to both of the first and second motors  180 ,  200 , which causes the first and second motors  180 ,  200  to begin rotating. However, by only actuating the main actuation mechanism  155  and not also actuating the secondary actuation mechanism  152 , the atomizers  150  will not be activated. Thus, the water  301  in the water chamber  141  will not be atomized and converted into vapor. In some embodiments, if a user is going to operate the apparatus  100  without activating the atomizers  150 , the user may choose not to fill the water chamber  141  with the water  301 . 
     As noted above, the first motor  180  is operably coupled to the first fan device  170 . Thus, when the first motor  180  is activated as described herein, the first motor  180  cause the first fan member  171  of the first fan device  170  to rotate and generate the first air stream.  FIGS.  10  and  11    illustrate the first air stream (see arrows denoted with numeral  400 ) flowing through the first fan housing  172 , into and through the vapor chamber  161 , and then out through the bubble generating opening  221  of the bubble generating device  220  which is aligned with the outlet of the vapor chamber  161 . The second fan device  190  is operably coupled to the second motor  200  Thus, when the second motor  200  is activated as described herein, the second motor  180  causes the second fan member  191  of the second fan device  190  to rotate and generate the second air stream. The second air stream (see arrows denoted with numeral  401 ) flows through the second fan housing  192 , through the air outlet  194  of the second fan housing  192 , and then out of the housing  110  through the blower outlet  230  which is aligned with the air outlet  194  of the second fan housing  192 . 
     At this same time, the second motor  200  is also operably coupled to the bubble solution delivery mechanism  210  (although as noted above the bubble solution delivery mechanism  210  could instead be operably coupled to the first motor  180  or to a third motor distinct from the first and second motors  180 ,  200 ). Thus, the activation and rotation of the second motor  200  causes the bubble solution delivery mechanism  210  to rotate about the rotational axis R-R. As the bubble solution delivery mechanism  210  rotates about the rotational axis R-R, the delivery arms  212  thereof rotate into and out of the bubble solution  300  in the bubble solution reservoir  107 . As the delivery arms  212  rotate out of the bubble solution  300  in the bubble solution reservoir  107 , the delivery arms  212  carry a small amount of the bubble solution  300  from the bubble solution reservoir  107  to the bubble delivery device  220 . Specifically, as the delivery arms  212  pass over the bubble generating device  220 , the bubble solution  201  carried by the delivery arms  212  becomes loaded on the bubble generating device  220  such that a film of the bubble solution  300  spans across the bubble generating opening  221 . The bubble solution  300  fills in the small gap between the delivery arms  212  and the bubble generating device  220  so that the delivery arms  212  create a skin or film of the bubble solution  300  as they move over and across the bubble generating device  220  and the bubble generating opening  221  thereof. 
     As the bubble solution  300  is being loaded onto the bubble generating device  220 , the first air stream  400  flows towards the bubble generating opening  221  that is covered by the film of the bubble solution  300 . The first air stream  400  flows through the bubble generating opening  221  along a first air stream axis B-B that is oblique to the longitudinal axis A-A of the housing  110 . The first air stream axis B-B extends upwardly away from the housing  110  as it extends through the bubble generating opening  221 . The first air stream  400  causes the film of the bubble solution  300  that is covering the bubble generating opening  221  to form into the shape of a bubble. However, the force of the first air stream  400  may be insufficient to cause the bubble to detach from the housing  110 . 
     Thus, referring to  FIG.  11   , the second air stream  401  is used to facilitate the separation of the bubbles formed at the bubble generating device  220  from the housing  110 . The second air stream  401  flows through the blower outlet  230  along a second air stream axis C-C that intersects the first air stream axis B-B at an acute angle. In particular, the blower outlet  230  is oriented and configured so that the second air stream  401  flows out of the blower outlet  230  towards the bubbles being formed on the bubble generating device  220 . Thus, the second air stream  401  flows onto the bubbles with a sufficient force to separate them from the housing  110 , and then the second air stream  401  continues to blow the bubbles through the air. As noted, the air speed and direction of the second air stream  401  may determine the amount and size of the bubbles generated by the apparatus  100 . 
       FIGS.  12  and  13    illustrate the bubble solution delivery mechanism  210  having delivered the bubble solution  300  to the bubble generating device  220 . In particular,  FIGS.  12  and  13    illustrate a film of the bubble solution  300  extending across the bubble generating opening  221  of the bubble generating device  220 . As one of the delivery arms  212  has passed by the bubble generating device  220 , another delivery arm  212  carrying more of the bubble solution  300  to the bubble generating device  220  is moving towards the bubble generating device  220 . Thus, as the film of the bubble solution  300  spanning across the bubble generating opening  221  turns to a bubble that is separated from the housing  110  as described above, more of the bubble solution is brought to the bubble generating device  220  so that the apparatus  100  can continue making bubbles. Thus, the apparatus  100  is intended to generate a continuous stream of the bubbles using the components described herein. 
       FIG.  14    illustrates the apparatus  100  generating the bubbles  500  that are floating away from the housing  110 . That is, the bubbles  500  are being formed on the bubble generating device  220 , and then are being separated from the housing  110  by the second air stream blown through the blower outlet  230 . Moreover, another bubble  501  is being formed at the bubble generating opening  221  of the bubble generating device  220  as the first air stream flows towards the film of the bubble solution located thereon. The second air stream continues flowing through the blower outlet  230  and will eventually blow the bubble  501  off of the housing  110  and into the air with the others. The bubbles  500  being formed are transparent and are not filled with any vapor or mist because the atomizers have not been activated. 
       FIGS.  15 - 18    illustrate the apparatus  100  generating bubbles that are filled with the vapor such that the bubbles are cloudy or foggy or smoke-filled in appearance, rather than being transparent. The only difference between the operation to form transparent bubbles and the operation to form cloudy bubbles is that the atomizer  150  is activated during the formation of cloudy bubbles, whereas the atomizer  150  was deactivated during the formation of the transparent bubbles. As noted above, the atomizer  150  is activated in the exemplified embodiment by the user or operator actuating the secondary actuation mechanism  152 . The user or operator can activate and deactivate the secondary actuation mechanism  152  as desired to change the bubbles being formed from standard transparent bubbles to cloudy/foggy bubbles. Specifically, by actuating the secondary actuation mechanism  152 , the user can power the atomizers  150  on and off as desired to modify the bubbles between being transparent and being fog filled. 
       FIGS.  15 - 18    illustrate the apparatus  100  with the bubble solution reservoir  107  already filled with the bubble solution  300  and the water chamber  141  already filled with the water  301 . The main actuation mechanism  155  has been actuated so both of the first and second motors  180 ,  200  are activated and generating the first and second air streams  400 ,  401  as described previously (only the first air stream  400  is visible in these views, but the second air stream  401  is exactly as shown in the previous figures). The difference between this operation and that which was previously described is that the atomizer  150  in an activated state (the curvy lines are intended to indicate that the atomizer  150  is vibrating at a high frequency). Because the atomizer  150  is activated, it is converting the water  301  in the water chamber  141  to a vapor or a mist  600  and it is dispensing the vapor or mist  600  into the vapor chamber  161  of the vapor chamber housing  160 . 
     While the vapor or mist  600  is being generated by the operation of the atomizers  150  atomizing the water  301  in the water chamber  141 , the first air stream  400  is flowing through the vapor chamber  161  as previously described. The first air stream generates a pressure within the vapor chamber  161  which causes the vapor in the vapor chamber  161  to move towards the bubble generating opening  221 . As the first air stream  400  flows into the vapor chamber  161 , the vapor/mist is forced to move towards the bubble generating opening  221  where the film of the bubble solution thereon expands and fills with the vapor/mist. Thus, as the first air stream  400  causes the film of the bubble solution loaded on the bubble generating device  220  to begin forming into the bubble shape, the vapor/mist flows into the interior of the bubbles that are being formed. As a result, when the bubbles are formed, they are filled not only with the air from the first air stream  400 , but also with some of the vapor/mist. Thus, when the atomizers  150  are activated, the bubbles  500  formed by the apparatus  100  have a cloudy or foggy or smoke-filled appearance, owing to the fact that the vapor/mist is trapped inside of the bubbles  500 . 
     Moreover, the second air stream flows through the blower outlet  230  in a direction towards the bubbles  500  as described previously. Thus, the second air stream flowing out of the blower outlet  230  facilitates the separation of the bubbles  500  that are filled with vapor/mist from the housing  110 , as described above. Thus, the first air stream generated by the first fan device  170  operates to inflate the bubbles from the bubble solution and the second air stream generated by the second fan device  190  operates to separate the bubbles from the housing  110  and push them into the air. 
     Referring to  FIGS.  19  and  20   , an apparatus for generating bubbles (hereinafter “the apparatus”)  700  will be described in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. The apparatus  700 , like the apparatus  100  described above, is intended to form foggy or cloudy or smoke-filled bubbles. The apparatus  700  generally comprises a housing  710  having an interior cavity  711 . A bubble solution reservoir  720  is positioned along a front of the housing  710  and is intended to hold or contain an amount of a bubble solution. Furthermore, the apparatus  700  comprises a bubble generating device  730  comprising a plurality of bubble generating openings  731 . In this embodiment, the bubble generating device  730  is configured to rotate about a rotational axis so that the bubble generating openings  731  move into and out of the bubble solution in the bubble solution reservoir  720 . Thus, there is no bubble solution delivery mechanism, but rather the bubble generating device  730  is rotatable for purposes of loading the different bubble generating openings  731  with the bubble solution. As the bubble generating device  730  continues to rotate, the bubble generating openings  731  that are loaded with the bubble solution become aligned with an air stream generated by a fan device to generate bubbles therefrom. Furthermore, like the prior described embodiment, a second air stream may be blown through a blower outlet  740  for separating the bubbles from the housing  710 . 
     The apparatus  700  comprises a power source  701  located in the interior cavity  711  for providing power to the various motors of the apparatus  700 . The apparatus  700  comprises a first motor  750  that is operably coupled to the bubble generating device  730  to cause the bubble generating device  730  to rotate when the first motor  750  is activated. The first motor  750  is also operably coupled to a first fan device  755  to generate a first air stream that flows through a bubble forming outlet  756  in a front face of the housing  710 . During operation, the bubble generating device  730  is rotated into and out of the bubble solution in the bubble solution reservoir  720  and then becomes aligned with the bubble forming outlet  756  so that the first air stream flows through the bubble generating openings  731  to form bubbles from the bubble solution loaded thereon. The bubble generating device  730  comprises a plurality of the bubble generating openings  731  and each becomes loaded with the bubble solution as the bubble generating device  730  rotates. Thus, bubbles are continually formed as the bubble generating openings  731  become aligned with the bubble forming outlet  756  one by one. 
     The apparatus  700  comprises a water chamber  760  for holding water. Moreover, an atomizer  765  such as an ultrasonic atomizer  765  is positioned so as to float on top of the water in the water chamber  760 . There may be two of the ultrasonic atomizers  765  which may run at nine volts total in some embodiments. 
     A second fan device  770  is operably coupled to a second motor  771  for generating a second air stream. The second air stream flows through the blower outlet  740 . Similar to the prior described apparatus  100 , the second air stream flows through the blower outlet  740  and pushes air over the bubble/skin that is formed on the bubble generating device  730 . Furthermore, the second air stream causes the bubbles to separate from the bubble generating device  730  and lift off the wand by reducing the air pressure outside of the bubble. 
     During operation, the user actuates an actuation mechanism  790 , which may be a push button, a slide switch, or the like. Although a single actuation mechanism  790  is shown in this embodiment, there may be multiple such that one activates the motors  750 ,  771  and the other activates the atomizers  765 . Upon actuating the actuation mechanism  790 , the first motor  750  is activated. The first motor  750  is operably coupled to the first fan device  755 , which causes the first fan device  755  to begin generating the first air stream. The first motor  750  is also operably coupled to the bubble generating device  730 , which causes the bubble generating device  730  to begin rotating about its rotational axis into and out of the bubble solution in the bubble solution reservoir  720 . Furthermore, actuation of the actuation mechanism  790  also activates the second motor  771  which causes the second fan device  770  to generate the second air stream which flows out the blower outlet  740 . Finally, actuation of the actuation mechanism  790  activates the atomizers  765  to begin atomizing the water in the water reservoir  760 . As with the prior embodiment, the water reservoir  760  is intended to contain water, such as distilled water, which is free of any glycerin, glycol, or oils. Thus, when the atomizers  765  are activated, they atomize the water and convert it to vapor or mist. The atomizers  765  float atop of the water in the water chamber  711 . The space above the atomizers  765  may form a vapor chamber  766 . 
     In the exemplified embodiment, the first fan device  755  generates the first air stream and blows it down into the vapor chamber  766 . Thus, the first air stream flows from the first fan device  755  downwardly towards the vapor chamber  766 . The first air stream circulates the vapor in the vapor chamber  766  and forces it to flow upwardly towards the bubble forming outlet  756 . The first air stream with the vapor circulating within flows out of the housing  710  via the bubble forming outlet  756 . At the same time, the bubble generating device  730  is rotating, and the bubble generating openings  731  that are loaded with the bubble solution become aligned with the bubble forming outlet  756 . The first and stream and the vapor inflates the bubble solution into a bubble that is filled with the air and the vapor. Thus, the bubbles formed in this manner have a cloudy/foggy/smoke-filled appearance. Moreover, the second air stream flows out of the housing  710  through the blower outlet  740 , which facilitates separating the bubbles from the housing  710  as described above. In particular, the second air stream reduces the air pressure outside of the bubble so that the bubble can readily separate from the housing  710 . Thus, the apparatus  700  achieves a similar result (generation of foggy/cloudy bubbles) in a different manner. However, both the apparatus  100  and the apparatus  700  generate foggy or cloudy bubbles without any oil, glycol, or glycerin, but instead use only bubble solution and water. 
     As used throughout, ranges are used as shorthand for describing each and every value that is within the range. Any value within the range can be selected as the terminus of the range. In addition, all references cited herein are hereby incorporated by referenced in their entireties. In the event of a conflict in a definition in the present disclosure and that of a cited reference, the present disclosure controls. 
     While the invention has been described with respect to specific examples including presently preferred modes of carrying out the invention, those skilled in the art will appreciate that there are numerous variations and permutations of the above described systems and techniques. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural and functional modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. Thus, the spirit and scope of the invention should be construed broadly as set forth in the appended claims.