Patent Description:
A snowflake machine currently available on the market can generate tiny white bubbles which can be blown upward into the sky by air currents from a blower. Then, the tiny bubbles drift downward to simulate a visual effect of snowfall. Such a snowflake machine have several disadvantages in use. One of the disadvantages is that the tiny white bubbles have certain stickiness and, thus, tend to stick to and accumulate on the nozzle of the snowflake machine. The bubbles stick to/accumulated on the nozzle may return to the liquid state after a period of time or the amount of the bubbles is too much, leading to dripping at the nozzle of the conventional snowflake machine.

Furthermore, due to the characteristics of the bubbles per se, the snowflake machine is incapable of using the air currents to push the bubbles to a position distant to the snowflake machine, such that the snowfall simulating effect may be unsatisfactory. Furthermore, the snowflake machine often generate large noises when it is required to push the bubbles farther. <CIT> discloses a snowflake machine comprising a blower fixed in a base and an outlet device connected to the blower and including a primary passageway and a secondary passageway. Each of the primary passageway and the secondary passageway intercommunicates with an air outlet of the blower. A bubble forming cap is disposed in the primary passageway and intercommunicates with the air outlet. A pump delivers a bubble liquid in a storage tank to the bubble forming cap which can generate bubbles when the blower generates air currents. The air currents pass through the primary passageway and the secondary passageway and move to an outer side of the outlet device, thereby pushing the bubbles outward.

In an aspect, the present invention provides a snowflake machine comprising:.

The air currents flowing out of the primary passageway push the bubbles away from the snowflake machine, and the air currents flowing out of the secondary passageway are around the bubbles. Thus, the air currents from the secondary passageway can maintain the bubbles within a certain distance in the air. As a result, the bubbles pushed into the air will not disperse and fall in a place near the snowflake machine. Accordingly, the bubbles simulating snowfall can be pushed to a place farther from the snowflake machine.

In an example, the outlet device further includes a first portion and a second portion disposed around the first portion. The primary passageway is inside the first portion. The secondary passageway is formed between the first portion and the second portion. The first end of the primary passageway permits ejection of the air currents and the bubbles. The second end of the primary passageway permits entrance of the air currents. The outlet end of the secondary passageway is aligned with the first end of the primary passageway. The first portion further includes a plurality of cutouts adjacent to the first end of the primary passageway and spaced from the second end of the primary passageway. Each of the plurality of cutouts intercommunicates with the first end of the primary passageway and the outlet end of the secondary passageway.

By the provision of the plurality of cutouts, the primary passageway and the secondary passageway can intercommunicate with each other, such that the air currents from the primary passageway and the air currents from the secondary passageway interact with each other. Thus, the bubbles are less likely to accumulate on the outlet device.

The cross sectional area of the first end is smaller than that of the outlet end, such that the pressure of the air currents flowing through the first end is smaller than that of the pressure of the air currents flowing through the outlet end. As a result, a sucking force can be generated at the first end relative to the outlet end. Thus, the bubbles accumulated at the first end of the outlet device can be easily pushed toward the primary passageway due to the pressure difference and subsequently pushed into the air by the air currents from the primary passageway. Accordingly, water dripping at the outlet device resulting from accumulation of bubbles is less likely to occur.

In an example, the cross sectional area of the first end of the primary passageway is smaller than a cross sectional area of the second end of the primary passageway. A cross sectional area of the inlet end is smaller than a cross sectional area of the outlet end. The secondary passageway further includes an intermediate portion between the outlet end and the inlet end. A cross sectional area of the intermediate portion is smaller than the cross sectional area of the inlet end, such that high-frequency noises generated by the air currents flowing through the secondary passageway is reduced.

In an example, the snowflake machine further comprises:.

The inner muffler is used to absorb sounds resulting from operation of the blower and the outputted air currents. The outer muffler is used to effectively absorb the sounds resulting from the air currents sucked into the blower and operation of the blower, such that the overall noise value caused by the operation of the whole snowflake machine is further reduced. By the disposition of the outer space and the inner space of the second casing, the sound resulting from the airflow during the air-sucking operation of the blower can be reduced.

The present invention will become clearer in light of the following detailed description of illustrative embodiments of this invention described in connection with the drawings.

All figures are drawn for ease of explanation of the basic teachings of the present invention only; the extensions of the figures with respect to number, position, relationship, and dimensions of the parts to form the embodiments will be explained or will be within the skill of the art after the following teachings of the present invention have been read and understood. Further, the exact dimensions and dimensional proportions to conform to specific force, weight, strength, and similar requirements will likewise be within the skill of the art after the following teachings of the present invention have been read and understood.

Where used in the various figures of the drawings, the same numerals designate the same or similar parts. Furthermore, when the terms "first", "second", "third", "lower", "inner", "outer", "side", "end", "portion", "section", "axial", "lateral", "annular", "outward", and similar terms are used herein, it should be understood that these terms have reference only to the structure shown in the drawings as it would appear to a person viewing the drawings and are utilized only to facilitate describing the invention.

The present invention relates to a snowflake machine <NUM>, particularly a snowflake machine <NUM> capable of generating tiny bubbles and blowing the snowflakes into the air to simulate the falling of snow. With reference to <FIG>, the snowflake machine <NUM> according to the present invention comprises a base <NUM> having a first space <NUM>, a second space <NUM>, and a third space <NUM>. The second space <NUM> is located between the first space <NUM> and the third space <NUM>.

A pump <NUM> is securely disposed in the first space <NUM> of the base <NUM> (see <FIG>). A storage tank <NUM> is received in the second space <NUM> and includes a cap <NUM> which can be opened through rotation. The storage tank <NUM> is used to store a known bubble liquid which may form tiny bubbles by air currents. Furthermore, an electrical control module <NUM> is received in the third space <NUM>. The pump <NUM> is in electrical connection with the electrical control module <NUM>. A pipeline can be disposed between the pump <NUM> and the storage tank <NUM>, such that the bubble liquid stored in the storage tank <NUM> can be delivered when the pump <NUM> operates.

The snowflake machine <NUM> further comprises a blower module <NUM> securely disposed in the first space <NUM>. The blower module <NUM> includes a first casing <NUM>, a second casing <NUM>, and a blower <NUM> disposed in the first casing <NUM> and the second casing <NUM> and in electrical connection with the electrical control module <NUM>.

The first casing <NUM> includes a first side <NUM> and a second side <NUM> spaced from the first side <NUM> in a lateral direction. The first casing <NUM> further includes a chamber <NUM> extending from the second side <NUM> toward but spaced from the first side <NUM>. The first casing <NUM> further includes an outer coupling portion <NUM> extending from the first side <NUM> away from the chamber <NUM> and an inner coupling portion <NUM>. The outer coupling portion <NUM> is located around the inner coupling portion <NUM> which defines an inner air passageway <NUM> intercommunicating with the chamber <NUM>. An outer air passageway <NUM> is defined between the inner coupling portion <NUM> and the outer coupling portion <NUM> and is located around the inner air passageway <NUM>. The outer air passageway <NUM> intercommunicates with the chamber <NUM>. The first casing <NUM> further includes a first supporting portion <NUM> formed on an outer periphery thereof. The first casing <NUM> is securely disposed on the base <NUM> via the first supporting portion <NUM>.

The second casing <NUM> includes an inner side <NUM> and an outer side <NUM> spaced from the inner side <NUM> in the lateral direction. The second casing <NUM> further includes an outer peripheral wall <NUM> extending from the inner side <NUM> to the outer side <NUM>. The second casing <NUM> further includes an inner peripheral wall <NUM> extending from the inner side <NUM> and spaced from the outer side <NUM>. The inner peripheral wall <NUM> defines an inner space <NUM>. The inner space <NUM> is open at the inner side <NUM>. A plurality of partitioning boards 64A extends between the inner peripheral wall <NUM> and the outer peripheral wall <NUM> and separates the space between the inner peripheral wall <NUM> and the outer peripheral wall <NUM> into a plurality of outer spaces <NUM>. The second casing <NUM> further includes a plurality of slots <NUM> formed on the inner peripheral wall <NUM> and intercommunicating with the inner space <NUM> and the plurality of outer spaces <NUM>. Each of the plurality of slots <NUM> is adjacent to the inner side <NUM> and is spaced from the outer side <NUM>. Furthermore, the second casing <NUM> further includes a second supporting portion <NUM> protruding outward from the outer peripheral wall <NUM>.

A plurality of outer space mufflers <NUM> is respectively received in the plurality of the outer spaces <NUM> and respectively covers the plurality of slots <NUM> of the second casing <NUM>. Each of the plurality of outer space mufflers <NUM> is made of a material permitting passage of air, such as air-permeable cotton fabric, such that air may pass through the gap in each of the plurality of outer space mufflers <NUM> and the respective slot <NUM> into the inner space <NUM>. The sound resulting from passage of the air currents through the outer spaces <NUM> can be effectively absorbed by the plurality of outer space mufflers <NUM>.

The second supporting portion <NUM> of the second casing <NUM> is screwed to the base <NUM>. An annular shock-absorbing engaging member <NUM> (see <FIG> and <FIG>) is disposed between the inner side <NUM> of the second casing <NUM> and the second side <NUM> of the first casing <NUM> and may, but not limited to, be made of rubber.

The blower <NUM> includes an air inlet <NUM> and an air outlet <NUM> spaced from the air inlet <NUM>. The blower <NUM> further includes a flange <NUM> formed between the air inlet <NUM> and the air outlet <NUM>.

The lower <NUM> is received in the chamber <NUM> of the first casing <NUM> and the inner space <NUM> of the second casing <NUM>. The shock-absorbing engaging member <NUM> is located around the blower <NUM> and has a side abutting the flange <NUM> of the blower <NUM>. A set of clamping members <NUM> is securely disposed around the blower <NUM> and includes a plurality of wings <NUM> abutting another side of the shock-absorbing engaging member <NUM>. Thus, the shock-absorbing engaging member <NUM> is securely sandwiched between the plurality of wings <NUM> of the clamping members <NUM> and the flange <NUM>. The shock-absorbing engaging member <NUM> cooperates with the blower <NUM> to separate the chamber <NUM> from the inner space <NUM>. The shock-absorbing engaging member <NUM> further supports positioning of the blower <NUM>. The air outlet <NUM> of the blower <NUM> is located in the chamber <NUM>. The air inlet <NUM> of the blower <NUM> is located in the inner space <NUM>. The plurality of slots <NUM> of the second casing <NUM> is located between the air outlet <NUM> and the air inlet <NUM> of the blower <NUM> in the lateral direction.

When the blower <NUM> operates, the air inlet <NUM> generates a sucking force to make the air outside of the second casing <NUM> pass through the gaps of the plurality of outer space mufflers <NUM>, the outer space <NUM>, the plurality of slots <NUM>, the inner space <NUM>, and the air outlet <NUM> and finally exits the air outlet <NUM>.

The snowflake machine <NUM> further comprises a bubble forming cap <NUM> and a bubble forming nozzle <NUM>. The bubble forming cap <NUM> is disposed around a distal end of the inner coupling portion <NUM> and covers the inner air passageway <NUM>. The bubble forming nozzle <NUM> is disposed in the inner air passageway <NUM> and is connected via a pipeline to the pump <NUM>. The pump <NUM> is operated to deliver the bubble liquid stored in the storage tank <NUM> through the bubble forming nozzle <NUM> into the inner air passageway <NUM> and wets the bubble forming cap <NUM>. The air currents generated by the blower <NUM> are guided by the inner air passageway <NUM> to pass through the bubble forming cap <NUM>, such that the bubble liquid forms tiny bubbles (stimulating snowflakes) on the outer side of the bubble forming cap <NUM>.

An inner muffler <NUM> is disposed in the chamber <NUM> of the first casing <NUM>. An outer muffler <NUM> is disposed on the outer side of the second casing <NUM>. The inner muffler <NUM> includes a receiving space <NUM> and a through-hole <NUM> extending from the receiving space <NUM>. An outer surface of the inner muffler <NUM> abuts an inner surface of the chamber <NUM> of the first casing <NUM>. The through-hole <NUM> is aligned with the inner air passageway <NUM> and the outer air passageway <NUM>. The receiving space <NUM> overlaps with the chamber <NUM>, such that both the inner air passageway <NUM> and the outer air passageway <NUM> intercommunicate with the receiving space <NUM>. An end of the blower <NUM> where the air outlet <NUM> resides is received in the receiving space <NUM>. The inner muffler <NUM> is used to reduce the sounds resulting from operation of the blower <NUM> and the air currents flowing out of the air outlet <NUM>.

The outer muffler <NUM> includes a sinuous face <NUM> which abuts the outer side <NUM> of the second casing <NUM>. The gaps between the outer side <NUM> and the sinuous face <NUM> permit air currents to enter the outer space <NUM>. Furthermore, the outer muffler <NUM> is used to reduce the noises resulting from the sucking force generated by the blower <NUM> to cause flow of air.

The outer coupling portion <NUM> is coupled with an outlet device <NUM>. The outlet device <NUM> includes a first portion <NUM> and a second portion <NUM> disposed around the first portion <NUM>. The first portion <NUM> and the second portion <NUM> are connected by a plurality of ribs formed therebetween. The second portion <NUM> includes a coupling end <NUM>. The first portion <NUM> defines a primary passageway <NUM>. The primary passageway <NUM> includes a first end 80A and a second end 80B spaced from the first end 80A in the lateral direction. A secondary passageway <NUM> is formed between the first portion <NUM> and the second portion <NUM>. The secondary passageway <NUM> includes an outlet end 82A aligned with the first end 80A in the lateral direction, an inlet end 82B, and an intermediate portion 82C between the outlet end 82A and the inlet end 82B. Furthermore, the second end 80B and the inlet end 82B are located between the coupling end <NUM> and the first end 80A in the axial direction (lateral direction) of the primary passageway <NUM>.

The cross sectional area of the first end 80A of the primary passageway <NUM> is smaller than the cross sectional area of the second end 80B. The cross sectional area of the inlet end 82B is smaller than the cross sectional area of the outlet end 82A. The cross sectional area of the intermediate portion 82C is smaller than the cross sectional area of the inlet end 82B. The cross sectional area of the first end 80A is smaller than the cross sectional area of the outlet end 82A. Thus, air currents accelerate when flowing from the inlet end 82B to the intermediate portion 82C. The accelerated air currents decelerate when flowing from the intermediate portion 82C to the outlet end 82A. Therefore, the high-frequency noises resulting from the air currents flowing through the secondary passageway <NUM> are reduced. Furthermore, the first portion <NUM> includes a plurality of cutouts <NUM> formed on the first end 80A. Each of the plurality of cutouts <NUM> intercommunicates with the first end 80A of the primary passageway <NUM> and the outlet end 82A of the secondary passageway <NUM>.

The coupling end <NUM> of the outlet member <NUM> is coupled with the outer coupling portion <NUM> of the first casing <NUM>. Both the primary passageway <NUM> and the secondary passageway <NUM> intercommunicate with the outer air passageway <NUM>. The bubble forming cap <NUM> is located in the primary passageway <NUM> and is spaced from the first end 80A.

It is worth mentioning that since the cross sectional area of the outlet end 82A is greater than the cross sectional area of the first end 80A, the velocity of the air currents (blown out of the blower <NUM>) passing through the first end 80A will be higher than the velocity of the air currents passing through the outlet end 82A, such that the pressure of the air currents at the first end 80A is smaller than the pressure of the air currents at the outlet end 82A according to Bernoulli's principle.

The snowflake machine <NUM> further comprises an outer casing <NUM> having an opening <NUM>. The outer casing <NUM> is fixed to the outer side of the base <NUM>. The cap <NUM> of the storage tank <NUM> is exposed via the opening <NUM>. The blower module <NUM> and the electrical control module <NUM> are located inside the outer casing <NUM>.

When the snowflake machine <NUM> operates, the pump <NUM> delivers the bubble liquid stored in the storage tank <NUM> toward the bubble forming nozzle <NUM> and wet the bubble forming cap <NUM>. The blower <NUM> operates to generate a sucking force at the air inlet <NUM>, such that the air outside of the second casing <NUM> passes through the outer space <NUM> and each of the plurality of slots <NUM> into the inner space <NUM>. The air currents flowing out of the air outlet <NUM> further pass through the bubble forming cap <NUM> wetted by the bubble liquid, thereby forming tiny bubbles. The air currents flowing out of the air outlet <NUM> pass through the primary passageway <NUM> to push the tiny bubbles upward into the sky in a direction toward the first end 80A (the outlet). Therefore, the tiny bubbles drift down to simulate snowfall.

The air currents flowing out of the primary passageway <NUM> push the bubbles away from the snowflake machine <NUM>, and the air currents flowing out of the secondary passageway <NUM> are around the bubbles. Thus, the air currents from the secondary passageway <NUM> can maintain the bubbles within a certain distance in the air. As a result, the bubbles pushed into the air will not disperse and fall in a place near the snowflake machine <NUM>. Accordingly, the bubbles simulating snowfall can be pushed to a place farther from the snowflake machine <NUM>.

By the provision of the plurality of cutouts <NUM>, the primary passageway <NUM> and the secondary passageway <NUM> can intercommunicate with each other, such that the air currents from the primary passageway <NUM> and the air currents from the secondary passageway <NUM> interact with each other. Thus, the bubbles are less likely to accumulate on the outlet device <NUM>.

The cross sectional area of the first end 80A is smaller than that of the outlet end 82A, such that the pressure of the air currents flowing through the first end 80A is smaller than that of the pressure of the air currents flowing through the outlet end 82A. As a result, a sucking force can be generated at the first end 80A relative to the outlet end 82A. Thus, the bubbles accumulated at the first end 80A of the outlet device <NUM> can be easily pushed toward the primary passageway <NUM> due to the pressure difference and subsequently pushed into the air by the air currents from the primary passageway <NUM>. Accordingly, water dripping at the outlet device <NUM> resulting from accumulation of bubbles is less likely to occur.

The inner muffler <NUM> is used to absorb sounds resulting from operation of the blower <NUM> and the outputted air currents. The outer muffler <NUM> is used to effectively absorb the sounds resulting from the air currents sucked into the blower <NUM> and operation of the blower <NUM>, such that the overall noise value caused by the operation of the whole snowflake machine <NUM> is further reduced.

By the disposition of the outer space <NUM> and the inner space <NUM> of the second casing <NUM>, the sound resulting from the airflow during the air-sucking operation of the blower <NUM> can be reduced.

The plurality of outer space mufflers <NUM> covers the plurality of slots <NUM>, such that when the blower <NUM> operates to suck in air, the air must pass through the gap of each of the plurality of outer space mufflers <NUM> before passing through the respective slot <NUM>. Thus, when the air passes through the plurality of outer space mufflers <NUM>, the sound resulting from the airflow can be effectively absorbed by the plurality of outer space mufflers <NUM>.

Now that the basic teachings of the present invention have been explained, many extensions and variations will be obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art. For example, the blower module <NUM> does not have to include the inner muffler <NUM> and the outer muffler <NUM>. In this case, the bubbles can still be pushed out of the outlet device <NUM> to a position farther from the snowflake machine <NUM>, thereby simulating snowfall. Furthermore, the second casing <NUM> does not have to include partitioning boards 64A. Instead, the second casing <NUM> includes a single annular outer space <NUM>, whereas the plurality of outer space mufflers <NUM> can be replaced by a single annular muffler.

Claim 1:
A snowflake machine (<NUM>) comprising:
a base (<NUM>);
a blower (<NUM>) fixed in the base (<NUM>) and including an air outlet (<NUM>);
an outlet device (<NUM>) connected to the blower (<NUM>), wherein the outlet device (<NUM>) includes a primary passageway (<NUM>) and a secondary passageway (<NUM>) spaced from the primary passageway (<NUM>), and wherein each of the primary passageway (<NUM>) and the secondary passageway (<NUM>) intercommunicates with the air outlet (<NUM>) of the blower (<NUM>);
a bubble forming cap (<NUM>) disposed in the primary passageway (<NUM>) and intercommunicating with the air outlet (<NUM>);
a storage tank (<NUM>) securely disposed in the base (<NUM>) and configured to store a bubble liquid; and
a pump (<NUM>) securely disposed in the base (<NUM>), wherein the pump (<NUM>) delivers the bubble liquid to the bubble forming cap (<NUM>), wherein the blower (<NUM>) operates to generate air currents to cause the bubble forming cap (<NUM>) to generate bubbles, wherein the air currents generated by the blower (<NUM>) pass through the primary passageway (<NUM>) and the secondary passageway (<NUM>) and move to an outer side of the outlet device (<NUM>), thereby pushing the bubbles generated by the bubble forming cap (<NUM>) outward, and wherein the air currents pass through the secondary passageway (<NUM>) to prevent the bubbles and the bubble liquid from accumulating in an outlet of the primary passageway (<NUM>) and to push the bubbles farther away from the outlet device (<NUM>),
characterised in that the primary passageway (<NUM>) includes a first end (80A) remote from the blower (<NUM>) and a second end (80B) adjacent to the blower (<NUM>), the secondary passageway (<NUM>) includes an outlet end (82A) adjacent to the first end (80A) of the primary passageway (<NUM>) and an inlet end (82B) adjacent to the second end (80B) of the primary passageway (<NUM>), and a cross sectional area of the outlet end (82A) is greater than a cross sectional area of the first end (80A), such that a velocity of air currents flowing through the outlet end (82A) is smaller than a velocity of air currents flowing through the first end (80A).