Patent Publication Number: US-11020684-B2

Title: Haze-filled bubble device and method for producing haze-filled bubbles

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to a device and method for producing haze or fog which is encapsulated in bubbles before being released by the device for use in producing entertainment effects. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     Fog-filled bubble devices are known in the art. For example, U. S. Patent Application Publication No. 2018/0272245 to Pogue et al (“Pogue”), incorporated herein by reference in its entirety, discloses a bubble, fog, haze and fog-filled bubble device. The Pogue reference will be discussed more particularly in connection with  FIGS. 1A and 1B  of the present application. A bubble, fog, haze and fog-filled bubble device  10  of Pogue discloses, among other things, a front portal  20 , behind which is a bubble reservoir  30  to coat a plurality of bubble wands  40  that pass through a bubble fluid reservoir  30 . See, for example, paragraph [0014] of Pogue. Once coated, air from a fan  50  can blow bubbles from the wands  40  so the bubbles can exit from the front portal  20 . According to paragraph [0015] of Pogue, fog is generated from fog fluid that is flash vaporized and then expelled via a heater core nozzle  60  to a fog outlet. The fog is moved by the fan  50  into the bubbles created from the bubble wands  40 , thus creating fog-filled bubbles or bubble-fog. One consequence of this design, however, is that since the front portal  20  is open, fog moved by the fan  50  towards the front portal  20  not only goes through the bubble wands  40  and into the bubbles formed thereby, but also past the bubble wands  40  and out the front portal  20 . Thus, the bubble, fog, haze and fog-filled bubble device  10  spits out from its front portal  20  fog-filled bubbles, as well substantial amounts of fog outside and around the bubbles. 
     There is a need in the art for a new and improved bubble device and method where substantially all, if not all, of the fog or haze exiting the device is encapsulated inside the bubbles, and not outside and around the bubbles. 
     U. S. Patent Application Publication No. 2009/0017713 to Chung (“Chung”) discloses a smoke-filling-bubble generator having at least one blower and a nozzle assembly that includes a swaying arm and a nozzle mounted on the swaying arm. The swaying arm controllably dips the nozzle into suds contained in a cup and inserts the nozzle into an outlet from which the smoke is blown. With the smoke gradually blown out of the outlet, bubbles containing smoke are individually formed in the nozzle and fly into the air. See, for example, the Abstract of Chung. Referring now to  FIG. 2 , herein, there is shown a side view in partial section of a smoke-filling-bubble generator  70 , as taught in Chung. In Chung, a nozzle assembly  80  is mounted in the mechanism compartment  72  of a casing  74 , and comprises a swaying arm  82 , a nozzle  84 , a gear assembly  86  and a controlling motor  88 . See, for example, paragraph [0031] of Chung. The controlling motor  88  controllably rotates the first gear via a belt, and actuates the swaying arm  80  to regularly pivot between a first position (shown in dotted line) and a second position (shown in solid line) through the second gear. In the first position, the nozzle  84  dips in the suds in the cup  75 , as illustrated in  FIG. 2 . In the second position, the nozzle  84  pushes a resilient valve  76  away from an outlet  78  and is inserted into, and communicates with the outlet  78  of the casing  74 . A blower  90  is mounted in a smoke chamber  92  of the casing  74  and generates airflow to blow smoke through the outlet  78  and forms smoke-filling bubbles on the nozzle  84  when the nozzle  84  is at the second position. One problem with the smoke-filling-bubble generator of Chung is that, when in the first position, i.e., while the nozzle  84  is dipped in the cup  75 , bubbles are not being blown by the device of Chung. Rather, the outlet  78  is sealed by the valve  76  until such a time as the nozzle  84  swings back to the second position, and pushes the valve  76  away from the outlet  78 . Thus, there are gaps in the stream of bubbles emitted, based on the requirement to dip the nozzle  84 . Additionally, moving the nozzle  84  to the cup  74  to apply the bubble fluid to the nozzle  84 , and then back to the second position with the nozzle  84  in communication with the outlet  78  requires a complex mechanism of moving parts, including a large swaying arm driven by an electric motor and a series of belts and bearings, each of which contributes additional cost and possible failure points, and all of which collectively make the housing  102  larger and heavier. 
     What is needed is a smoke or haze-filled bubble device that does not need to stop blowing bubbles to periodically dip the nozzle into the bubble solution, and thus, can more quickly emit a continuous stream of bubbles. What is further needed is a smoke or haze-filled bubble device with a simplified method of applying bubble fluid to the bubble forming nozzle that does not require movement of the bubble nozzle to apply bubble fluid to the nozzle, thereby reducing cost, size, weight and possible failure points. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is particularly suited to overcome those problems that remain in the art in a manner not previously known or contemplated. It is accordingly an object of the invention to provide a haze-filled bubble device and method for producing haze-filled bubbles that encapsulates the haze inside a rapidly emitted, continuous flow of bubbles, without permitting significant amounts of the haze to escape the device outside of the bubbles. In one particular embodiment of the invention, bubble fluid or solution is pumped into a bubble wand and a wiper cycles across its face to form a meniscus of bubble solution over the bubble wand&#39;s outer face. In one particular embodiment, a haze generating assembly selectively pumps fog fluid to a heater and a resultantly generated haze is provided to an enclosed chamber. A fan in the enclosed chamber forces the haze from the chamber into a conduit that channels the haze into the bubble wand and to the miniscus, where the air flow created by the fan is used to form haze-filled bubbles. 
     Although the invention is illustrated and described herein as embodied in a haze-filled bubble device and method for producing haze-filled bubbles, it is nevertheless not intended to be limited to moving head light fixtures or the details shown, since it may be used with other types of light fixtures and various modifications and structural changes may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention and within the scope and range of equivalents of the claims. 
     The construction and method of operation of the invention, however, together with additional objects and advantages thereof will be best understood from the following description of specific embodiments when read in connection with the accompanying drawings in which like reference numerals indicate like parts throughout the several views thereof. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1A  is a front perspective view of a bubble, fog, haze and fog-filled bubble device in accordance with the prior art; 
         FIG. 1B  is a top, partial cut-away view of a bubble, fog, haze and fog-filled bubble device in accordance with the prior art; 
         FIG. 2  is a side view in partial section of a smoke-filling-bubble generator in accordance with the prior art; 
         FIG. 3  is a simplified block diagram of a haze-filled bubble device in accordance with one particular embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 4  is a rear perspective, exploded view of a bubble creating assembly in accordance with one particular embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 5  is a partial perspective cut-away view, taken from the top, of a haze-filled bubble device in accordance with one particular embodiment of the invention; and 
         FIG. 6  is a partial perspective cut away view, taken from the front, of a haze-filled bubble device in accordance with one particular embodiment of the invention; and 
         FIG. 7  is a flow diagram useful in understanding a method for making haze-filled bubbles in accordance with one particular embodiment of the invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     It is accordingly an object of the invention to provide a haze-filled bubble device and method for producing haze-filled bubbles. For purposes of the present description, the terms “haze”, “fog” and “smoke” are meant to be used interchangeably herein to mean an opaque vapor. The terms “fluid” and “solution” are additionally used interchangeably, herein, when referring to the liquids used to generate haze and bubbles. Additionally, the drawings have been simplified for clarity and may include additional elements not shown. For example, it is understood that various electrical connectors, components and lines are present, but not illustrated, in order to provide control signals and power for operating the various motors, switches, pumps, heater and controller (which includes a processing device, such as a microprocessor). 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 3-6 , there will be described one particular embodiment of a haze-filled bubble device  100  that operates to expel haze-filled bubbles from a housing  102 . More particularly, a housing  102  includes mechanisms for making haze, bubbles and haze-filled bubbles. For example, haze is formed using a haze solution contained in the haze fluid container or reservoir  110 . Such haze solutions are typically made using water and one or more of mineral oil, propylene glycol and/or glycerin. In one particularly illustrated haze source  110 ′, haze solution is pumped from the haze solution container  110  by a pump  112  (via lines  111  and  113 ) to a heater assembly  114 , where it is vaporized. The resultant haze exits the heater assembly  114  via a nozzle  116  that opens into an enclosed haze chamber  118 , where it accumulates. A fan  120  draws the haze from the enclosed haze chamber  118  and forces it out of the enclosed haze chamber  118  and into the bubble creating assembly  130 . 
     More particularly, in the present preferred embodiment, the fan  120  forces haze from the enclosed haze chamber  118  into a conduit  132  disposed at the output of the fan  120  in the enclosure  134 . In one particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the conduit  132  is configured as a funnel, having a progressively narrowing cross-section from its entry point to its exit point. An output duct  122  from the fan  120  is fitted into the mouth of the conduit  132  to ensure that all haze leaving the enclosed haze chamber  118  must exit through the conduit  132  of the bubble creating assembly  130 . A bubble wand or bubble nozzle  136  having a central passageway  136   a , is joined in fluid communication with the conduit  132 , at the end distal from the fan  120 . A center plug  138  is fitted into the distal end of the wand  136 , to concentrate and/or direct the air/vapor flow out from the bubble wand  136 . The bubble wand  136  is aligned with an opening  134   a  in the front of the enclosure  134 , through which the bubbles formed may exit the enclosure  134 . The housing  102  is additionally open in front of the opening  134   a , so that the bubbles created at the wand  136  can exit the front face of the device  100 . 
     Bubble solution is provided to the bubble wand  136  from a bubble solution container or reservoir  140  in the housing  102 . More particularly, a pump  142  of a bubble fluid source  140 ′ is used to pump bubble fluid from the container  140  to the wand  136 , via the connected hoses  143  and  145 . In one particular embodiment of the invention, the pump  142  is a peristaltic pump, although the invention is not intended to be limited only thereto, as other types of pumps may be. The hose  145  from the pump  142  passes through the enclosure  134  to connect with a tube  137  of the bubble wand  136 . The tube  137  is connected to a passage that passes continuously through the bubble wand  136  and opens on the outwardly pointing front face  136 ′ of the bubble wand  136  at the orifice  139 . In operation, the pump  142  is switched on momentarily to extrude a bead of bubble fluid from the orifice  139  and onto the front face  136 ′ of the bubble wand  136 . 
     The bubble solution extruded from the opening  139  is then wiped over the outwardly pointing front face  136 ′ of the bubble wand  136 , by a wiping arm  150 , as it is rocked (i.e., pivots) up and down (or back and forth, as desired) by a motor  152 . In particular, the bar  151  is brought into close proximity with the face  136 ′ of the bubble wand  136  and spreads the bubble fluid over the face  136 ′ of the wand as the wiping arm  150  is rocks. The wiping arm  150  is mounted at pivot points  133  on the sides of the conduit  132  with a retaining ring  135 . The motor  152  includes a shaft  153  that is engaged with a crank arm  154 , which, in turn, is engaged with a cam slot  151   a  of the wiping arm  150 . As the motor shaft rotates, a pin of the crank arm  154  slides within the slot  150   a , causing the wiping arm  150  to rock back and forth about the pivot points  133 , spreading the extruded bead of bubble fluid over the face  136 ′ of the bubble wand  136  with the bar  151  to form a meniscus of bubble fluid over the bubble wand  136 . Haze blown by the fan  120  through the conduit  132  causes this meniscus to form bubbles  106  that are output through the opening  134   a , and out the front of the device  100 . 
     Additionally, in one particular embodiment of the invention, a spring-loaded switch  156  is disposed under the wiping arm  150 , such that, when the wiping arm rocks forward, it pushes an arm of the switch  156  to the closed position, causing the pump  142  to dispense a bead of bubble fluid. As the wiping arm  150  rocks back, the switch arm is released, and pumping is discontinued until the switch arm is again pushed by the rocking wiping arm  150  to the closed position. Thus, a bead of bubble fluid is extruded and wiped over the face of the bubble wand  136 , cyclically, during the operation of the bubble device  100 . 
     In one particular embodiment of the invention, excess bubble fluid extruded from the opening  139 , which drips off of the bubble wand  136  and/or the bar  151 , collects on the floor of the enclosure  134 , which in the present embodiment includes a drain hole  134   b . Drain hole and pipe  134   b  is connected to a tube  141 , through which excess bubble fluid is returned from the enclosure  134  to the bubble solution container  140 , for reuse. 
     Additionally, in one particular embodiment of the invention, the haze-filled bubble device  100  includes a fan  160 , that is blows outward from the housing  102 . In one particular embodiment, the fan  160  is disposed at an angle in the housing, so as to blow bubbles emitted from the front of the housing  102 , upward and forward of the housing  102 . In one particularly preferred embodiment, the fan  160  is disposed at a 45 degree angle relative to the ground, which would be parallel to the floor of the housing  102 . In another particularly preferred embodiment, the fan  160  is disposed in the housing at a 30 degree angle relative to the ground or floor of the housing. Additionally, if desired, the housing  102  itself may include a cut out portion in the housing face, to ensure that air blown by the fan  160  is used to lift bubbles emitted from the front of the housing  102 . In yet another particularly preferred embodiment, the fan  160  angle can be adjusted by the user to optimize the desired height and distance of the emitted bubbles. For example, if the housing  102  is positioned near the ground, a greater angle may be desired to push bubbles higher. Alternatively, if the housing  102  is positioned higher off the ground, a smaller angle may be desired to push bubbles straighter out of the housing to achieve a greater distance. 
     It should be understood that different functions of the haze-filled bubble device  100  can be operated independently from one another, as well as, together. For example, if desired, external switches (not shown) can be provided on the device  100  that allow the bubble making assembly  130  to operate, while the haze generating portion of the device  100  is off. The fan, in this mode, would only blow or force air through the conduit, and not haze. This would result in the generation of empty bubbles. 
     Similarly, the bubble making assembly  130  could be turned off while the haze making assembly is on, resulting in haze being produced from the device, without accompanying bubbles. However, it should be appreciated that, in the instant invention, when both the bubble making assembly  130  and the haze assembly are functioning together, the speed of the wiping arm and ensures that a meniscus of bubble fluid is continuously, cyclically, formed on the bubble wand  136 , in order to provide a rapid stream of haze-filled bubbles, without a significant amount of haze being output outside of the bubbles. Additionally, if desired, the fan  160  could be omitted or can be configured to be turned on or off independently of the bubble making and haze making assemblies. 
     The haze-filled bubble device  100  of the present invention includes a power supply  170  configured to convert AC power from a power source to a power level required for operating the device. Optionally, a processor and communications module  180  is provided, which is configured to receive input control signals from external devices and convert them to instructions carried out by the device  100 . 
     Processor and communications module  180  includes a microprocessor and non-transitory memory storing programs for operating the haze and bubble making assemblies and for receiving control signals and converting them to actions of the device  100 . In one particular embodiment, the processor and communications module  180  optionally includes hardware connectors and/or a transceiver module for connecting the device  100  to an external control device for providing control signals to the device  100 . For example, in one embodiment of the invention, hardware connectors (not shown) are provided through the housing  102  for receiving DMX control signals from a lighting panel or other source. In a further embodiment, the communications module  180  includes a transceiver configured to communicate with external devices via BLUETOOTH™, cellular communications or WiFi. 
     In one particular embodiment of the invention, the processor and communications module  180  receives control signals, such as DMX control signals, from an external source, to operate the bubble machine in coordination with an external device, such as a lighting device or sound machine. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 3-7 , one particular embodiment of a method  200  for generating haze-filled bubbles using the device  100  will be described. First, the device  100  is powered and a haze-filled bubble setting is selected. In particular, a button or user interface can be provided that allows the user to select to produce empty bubbles, haze without bubbles, or haze-filled bubbles and to control a lifting fan  160 . Step  210 . If the haze-filled bubble setting is selected, the device  100 , via a processor or a direct switch connection, as desired, is configured to start the heater  114  and pump  112  to provide haze solution from the haze container to the heater  114 . Haze is generated as the fluid is vaporized by the heater  114 . Step  220 . The resultantly generated haze is provided to an enclosed haze chamber  118  and, from there, is forced into the conduit  132  by the fan  120 , where it is provided to the bubble making assembly, and in particular, to the bubble wand  136 . Step  230 . 
     Simultaneously, if bubble-making is also selected, a small portion or bead of bubble fluid is pumped to the bubble wand  136  and output from an opening  139  on the face of the bubble wand  136 . Step  240 . Motor  152  operates to rock the wiper arm  150 , which causes the bar  151  to wipe or spread the emitted bubble fluid over the face of the bubble wand  136  to create a meniscus. Step  250 . Since haze is being continuously generated, stored in the enclosed haze chamber  118  and forced into the conduit  132 , the formation of a meniscus on the face of the bubble wand  136  naturally results in the formation of haze-filled bubbles as the fan-blown haze exits through the formed meniscus. So long as it is desired for haze-filled bubbles to be formed, the bubble making assembly  130  cyclically pumps out a bead of fluid (step  240 ) and wipes it across the face of the bubble wand  136  (step  250 ) to rapidly replenish the meniscus, all while haze is being continuously generated (step  220 ) and forced into the conduit (step  230 ). Step  260 . The result is a rapidly emitted, continuous flow of bubbles produced from the face of the device  100 , without permitting significant amounts of the haze to escape the device  100  outside of the bubbles. 
     Although the invention is illustrated and described herein as embodied in a haze-filled bubble device and method for producing haze-filled bubbles, it is nevertheless not intended to be limited to the details shown, since various modifications and structural changes may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention and within the scope and range of equivalents of the claims.