Patent ID: 8888549

Claim:
A bubble generating apparatus, the apparatus comprising: a housing comprising an internal chamber, an end portion, and a housing opening opposite the end portion; and an output assembly coupled to the housing, the output assembly comprising: a bubble formation surface having an outward facing ridged area and an aperture defined therethrough, the bubble formation surface being operable to receive a liquid through the aperture, the outward facing ridged area comprising a plurality of ridges disposed adjacent to the aperture, the plurality of ridges comprising alternating elevations and recesses; and first and second shutter flaps, wherein the first and second shutter flaps each define a plane that is substantially parallel to the outwards facing ridged area of the bubble formation surface; wherein each shutter flap is operable to pivotably rotate from a first orientation to a second orientation; wherein, when the first and second shutter flaps are in their respective first orientation, the first and second shutter flaps substantially cover the aperture defined through the bubble formation surface, and an edge of the first shutter flap is adjacent to an edge of the second shutter flap, and the first and second shutter flaps are proximate to the bubble formation surface; wherein, when the first and second shutter flaps are in their respective second orientation, an air flow may be directed along a path through the aperture of the bubble formation surface and through the housing opening; and wherein pivotably rotating the first and second shutter flaps is operable to shear against the outward facing ridged area and spread a film of the liquid across the bubble formation surface as the first and second shutter flaps pivotably rotate across the ridges.