Abstract:
The present invention is a reusable/disposable low cost spill-proof bubble solution kit that eliminates the need for conventional bubble solution and accidental spillage of bubble solution and may be provided in a compact form for use by several users separately and simultaneously. The kit has a plurality of nested container upper portions, a plurality of nested container lower portions, a plurality of bubble wands, and a plurality of bubble creation composition concentrate units contained preferably within a single package. The kit is adapted such that a single compact kit provides components such that multiple containers may be assembled with each container preferably having a bubble wand and at least one bubble creation composition concentrate unit so that each container may be filled with a bubble solution created from a mixture of water and the bubble creation composition concentrate unit to a predetermined amount.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to spill-proof bubble creation kits and more especially to kits that preferably include nestable vacuum formed spill-proof bubble solution containers and bubble creation composition concentrate in kit form. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Ever since the commercialization of the spill-proof bubble solution container invention disclosed in the Schramm U.S. Pat. No. 5,246,046 patent, spill-proof bubble solution containers have been widely popular, have become a standard in the industry and have provided autonomy and enjoyment for young children in creating bubbles without the mess that otherwise occurs when using conventional bubble creation wands. Examples of such containers and related bubble devices are disclosed in the following patents and applications, all of which are expressly incorporated herein by reference: U.S. Pat. Nos. 9,314,708, 8,430,708, 7,942,109, 7,524,230, 7,244,161, 6,857,928, 6,638,131, 6,629,870, 6,595,822, 6,547,621, 6,520,822, 6,443,790, 6,386,138, 6,186,853, 6,135,842, 6,015,327, 5,908,057, 5,832,969, 5,495,876, 5,304,085, 5,246,046, 5,105,975, 5,088,950, 4,957,464, 4,840,597, 4,180,938, 3,579,898, 2,858,639, RE42,610, RE39,443, RE36,131, 20160023822, 20150314320, 20150246295, 20150246294, 20140190858, 20110081821, 20080289975, 20050130552, 20040084453, 20030155364, 20020187716, 20020129763, 20010035413, D660,076, D600,290, and EU0094532. 
         [0003]    Over the years, many different embodiments of the spill-proof bubble solution container have been produced by many different manufacturers. However, none such prior art spill-proof bubble solution containers have been vacuum formed and nestable and provided with a bubble creation composition concentrate (BCCC) so as to be able to be provided in an efficient kit form. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    The present invention is a reusable/disposable low cost spill-proof bubble solution container apparatus that eliminates accidental spillage of bubble solution and that may be provided in a compact kit form for the use and enjoyment by several users simultaneously. The apparatus preferably defines a vacuum formed container upper portion having an inwardly extending open funnel, a vacuum formed container lower portion having a trough, a removable bubble wand having a bubble creation orifice, and a BCCC. In practice, a user may add water and the BCCC to the container, and use the bubble wand to mix the water and BCCC, and then immerse the bubble creation orifice in the newly formed bubble solution and then withdraw the bubble wand from the container to blow a bubble. However, even with the bubble wand removed from the container, the container can be oriented in any orientation without the bubble solution container therein spilling out of the container. The apparatus is preferably provided in kit form having for instance a plurality of nested container upper portions, a plurality of nested container lower portions, a plurality of bubble wands, and a bottle of bubble solution. The kit is preferably adapted such that a single compact low cost kit provides components and such that multiple containers may be assembled with each container preferably having a bubble wand and a BCCC such that each kit may be prepared with mixed BCCC and water to form a bubble solution filled to a predetermined amount in the container. Thus for instance a single kit could provide for instance a bubble solution container complete with solution and bubble wand each for six different users. 
     
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         [0005]    In order that the advantages of the invention will be readily understood, a more particular description of the invention briefly described above will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments that are illustrated in the appended drawings. Understanding that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are not therefore to be considered to be limiting of its scope, the invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings, in which: 
           [0006]      FIG. 1  is an isometric view of a first embodiment of an assembled spill-proof bubble solution container apparatus with the bubble wand not shown for clarity; 
           [0007]      FIG. 2  is an orthographic sectional view of a first embodiment of the spill-proof bubble solution container apparatus taken substantially along a vertical axis of the apparatus at location of section arrows  2  in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0008]      FIG. 3  is an orthographic sectional view of a first embodiment of the spill-proof bubble solution container apparatus taken substantially along a vertical axis of the apparatus at location of section arrows  3  in  FIG. 1 , and; 
           [0009]      FIG. 4  is a view of the spill-proof bubble kit showing side views of the bubble wands and the capsules with one capsule shown in a sectional view and showing sectional views of nested container upper portions and nested container lower portions 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0010]    Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” or similar language means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, appearances of the phrases “in one embodiment,” “in an embodiment,” and similar language throughout this specification may, but do not necessarily, all refer to the same embodiment. 
         [0011]    Furthermore, the described features, structures, or characteristics of the invention may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. In the following description, numerous specific details are included to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the invention. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize, however, that the invention can be practiced without one or more of the specific details, or with other methods, components, materials, and so forth. In other instances, well-known structures, materials, or operations are not shown or described in detail to avoid obscuring aspects of the invention. 
         [0012]    In order to facilitate the understanding of the present invention in reviewing the drawings accompanying the specification, a feature table is provided below. It is noted that like features are like numbered throughout all of the figures. 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
             
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
               
                 FEATURE TABLE 
               
             
          
           
               
                 # 
                 Feature 
                 # 
                 Feature 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 10 
                 Spill-Proof bubble solution  
                 14 
                 Spill-Proof bubble  
               
               
                   
                 container apparatus 
                   
                 solution container 
               
               
                 20 
                 Container upper portion 
                 22 
                 Engagement flange 
               
               
                 24 
                 Side wall 
                 26 
                 Top 
               
               
                 28 
                 Funnel 
                 30 
                 Funnel mouth 
               
               
                 32 
                 Funnel bowl 
                 34 
                 Funnel spout 
               
               
                 36 
                 Funnel inner opening 
                 40 
                 Container lower portion 
               
               
                 42 
                 Base flange 
                 44 
                 Side wall 
               
               
                 46 
                 Engagement flange 
                 48  
                 Land 
               
               
                 50 
                 Tapered bowl 
                 52 
                 Trough 
               
               
                 60 
                 Bubble wand 
                 62 
                 Handle 
               
               
                 64 
                 Stem 
                 66 
                 Bubble creation orifice 
               
               
                 70 
                 BCCC unit 
                 72 
                 BCCC 
               
               
                 80 
                 Spill-Proof bubble Kit 
                 82 
                 Packaging 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0013]    Referring now to the drawings and in particular to  FIGS. 1 through 3 , the first embodiment of the invention is a spill-proof bubble solution container apparatus  10  for use in providing a low cost reusable/disposable spill-proof bubble solution container apparatus comprising a spill-proof bubble solution container  14 , a bubble wand  60 , and a BCCC unit  70 . Spill-proof bubble solution container  14  comprises container upper portion  20 , and container lower portion  40 . 
         [0014]    Container upper portion  20  preferably defines a generally cylindrically cup shaped container upper portion having an engagement flange  22 , a side wall  24 , a top  26 , and a funnel  28  which extends inwardly into container upper portion  20 . Funnel  28  further preferably defines a funnel having a funnel mouth  30 , a funnel bowl  32 , a funnel spout  34 , and a funnel inner opening  36  positioned within container upper portion  20 . Engagement flange  22  is connected to side wall  24  which is connected to top  26  which is connected to funnel mouth  30  which is connected to funnel bowl  32  which is connected to funnel spout  34  which terminates in funnel inner opening  36 . Container upper portion  20  is preferably vacuum formed (or thermoformed) from substantially uniformly thick plastic sheet and may be at least partially transparent. The sheet is preferably any thickness of no greater than 0.05 inches thick such as 0.05, 0.045, 0.04, 0.035, 0.03, 0.025, 0.020, 0.01, 0.005 inches thick and is clear or transparent. Container upper portion  20  is preferably colored an aesthetically pleasing color but may alternatively be clear. 
         [0015]    Container lower portion  40  preferably defines a generally cylindrically cup shaped container lower portion having a base flange  42 , a side wall  44 , an engagement flange  46 , a land  48 , a tapered bowl  50 , and a trough  52 . Base flange  42  is connected to side wall  44  which is connected to an engagement flange  46  which is connected to land  48  which is connected to tapered bowl  50  which is connected to trough  52 . Container lower portion  40  is preferably vacuum formed (or thermoformed) from substantially uniformly thick plastic sheet and may be at least partially transparent. The sheet is preferably any thickness of no greater than 0.05 inches thick such as 0.05, 0.045, 0.04, 0.035, 0.03, 0.025, 0.020, 0.01, 0.005 inches thick and is clear or transparent. Container lower portion  40  is preferably colored an aesthetically pleasing color but may alternatively be clear. 
         [0016]    Bubble wand  60  preferably defines a generally elongated bubble wand having a handle  62 , a stem  64 , and bubble creation orifice  66 . Handle  62  is connected to stem  64  which is connected to bubble creation orifice  66 . Bubble wand  60  is preferably injection molded from plastic resin and may be provided in one or several aesthetically pleasing colors. 
         [0017]    BCCC unit  70  preferably defines a liquid soluble capsule having BCCC  72  contained therein. BCCC  72  preferably defines a powdered BCCC. Alternatively, BCCC unit  70  may take the form of pill or pellet of dried and formed or compressed BCCC. Further alternatively, BCCC unit  70  may take the form of a BCCC gelcap defining a liquid soluble gelatin capsule having a substantially concentrated liquid BCCC  72  contained therein. Thus where used in this application unless specifically indicated otherwise, BCCC shall be understood to be a non-liquid BCCC (e.g. in powdered, crystalized, or beaded form) or a substantially concentrated liquid BCCC, wherein such substantially concentrated liquid BCCC is substantially viscous and is more viscous than water and preferably at least as viscous as SAE  10  motor oil, and further more preferably more viscous than olive oil (see Appx A for viscosity values of such liquids). In all cases of BCCC  72 , it is intended that BCCC  72 , when mixed with water, will readily form a bubble creation solution. In at least one embodiment, BCCC unit  70  may be provided adhered to a wall of spill-proof bubble solution container  14 . 
         [0018]    Spill-proof bubble solution container  14  is assembled such that engagement flange  22  of container upper portion  20  and engagement flange  46  of container lower portion  40  are snapped together such that a substantially liquid-tight seal is formed connecting container upper portion  20  and container lower portion  40 . It is noted that spill-proof bubble solution container  14  may include a maximum fill line or like indicia thereon to indicate a level for a liquid quantity (the maximum spill-proof quantity) at or below which spill-proof bubble solution container  14  will not spill its liquid contents when oriented in any orientation. Spill-proof bubble solution container apparatus  10  is prepared by placing BCCC unit  70  in spill-proof bubble solution container  14 , pouring a predetermined amount of water into funnel bowl  32  and allowing the water to run down funnel spout  34  in a metered fashion so as to approach but not exceed the maximum spill-proof quantity of bubble solution in spill-proof bubble solution container  14 , and mixing BCCC unit  70  and water preferably using bubble wand  60  to create bubble creation solution. It is noted that in a preferred embodiment, if the volumetric capacity of funnel bowl  32  (e.g. even if funnel spout  34  were plugged) equals or exceeds the maximum spill-proof quantity. Spill-proof bubble solution container apparatus  10  is further prepared by placing bubble wand  60  in spill-proof bubble solution container  14  by moving bubble creation orifice  66  through spout  34  and positioning bubble creation orifice  66  in trough  52  so that bubble creation orifice  66  is immersed the bubble creation solution. It is also noted that trough  52  is preferably closely fitted or sized to bubble creation orifice  66  such that when creation orifice  66  is positioned in trough  52  there is minimal space between creation orifice  66  and trough  52  so as to enable the spill-proof bubble solution container  14  to achieve a high bubble solution consumption efficiency ratio (BSER). With spill-proof bubble solution container apparatus  10  thus prepared, the user may repeatedly withdraw bubble wand  60  from spill-proof bubble solution container  14 , create bubbles, and reinsert bubble wand  60  into spill-proof bubble solution container  14 , all without the bubble creation solution out of spill-proof bubble solution container  14  regardless of the orientation of spill-proof bubble solution container  14 . 
         [0019]    Referring now to the drawings and in particular to  FIG. 4 , an embodiment of the invention is a kit  80  for use in providing a separate low cost reusable/disposable assembled container with a bubble wand  60  and at least one BCCC unit  70  for each of several different users comprising a plurality of container upper portions  20 , a plurality of container lower portions  40 , a plurality of bubble wands  60 , a plurality of BCCC units  70 , and packaging  82 . Packaging  82  may define for instance a paperboard box or a paperboard substrate with a plastic blister covering (i.e. plaster-pack). To minimize packing space, container upper portions  20  are preferably nested one within another as shown in  FIG. 4 . Further to minimize packing space, container lower portions  40  are preferably nested one within another as shown in  FIG. 4 . All of nested container upper portions  20 , nested container lower portions  40 , bubble wands  60 , and BCCC units  70 , are preferable compactly contained within packaging  82 —e.g. within a single paperboard box or alternatively within a blister-pack suitable for hanging on a display rack. Kit  80  is ideal for a single low cost purchase such as for a party for young children wherein the purchaser desires a low cost alternative for providing a separate spill-proof container for each of several different users. The cost of kit  80  may be very low given that kit  80  avoids the manufacturing and shipping cost of liquid bubble solution, as well as the potential for the spillage of liquid bubble solution in transit or at the store. Further, because of the low construction cost, the containers may simply be disposed of after such party. It is further noted that in a preferred embodiment, kit  80  is provided with six (nested) container upper portions  20 , with each container upper portion  20  being of a different (vacuum molded) transparent color, six (nested) container lower portions  40 , with each container lower portion  40  being of a different (vacuum molded) transparent color and preferably each container lower portion  40  corresponds to a different color of a container upper portion  20 , and each container lower portion  40  preferably having a maximum spill-proof quantity capacity of at least 1.5 ounces, at least six BCCC units  70 , and six bubble wands  60 , with each bubble wand  60  being of a different (injection molded) color and preferably each bubble wand  60  corresponds to a different color of a container upper portion  20 . With a kit  80  of such configuration, container upper portions  20  and container lower portions  40  can be assembled to form six spill-proof bubble solution containers  14  with each of the six spill-proof bubble solution containers  14  having correspondingly colored container upper portions  20 , container lower portions  40 , and bubble wands  60  or alternatively, the color of the container upper portions  20 , container lower portions  40 , and bubble wands  60  may be mixed and matched in a variety of different color configurations. Further with a kit  80  of such configuration, using the at least six BCCC units  70 —at least one BCCC unit  70  per spill-proof bubble solution container  14 —each spill-proof bubble solution container  14  could be prepared with a bubble creation solution comprising water mixed with the BCCC unit  70  to at or near the respective maximum spill-proof quantity capacity. 
         [0020]    The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. All changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.