Patent Document

FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    The present invention relates to a method for animal/human amusement. More specifically, the invention relates to a method and solution which allows blowing of scented and/or flavored bubbles for amusement of an animal and the animal handler.  
         BACKGROUND INFORMATION  
         [0002]    Throughout recorded time, humans have created toys to amuse domesticated animals. Numerous examples include rubber bones, balls or other similar devices. The devices have amused both humans and animals alike, encouraging a symbiotic relationship between the two. To encourage an animal&#39;s instinctive playful activity, designs of play objects often seek to fascinate and captivate an animal&#39;s attention.  
           [0003]    Animals have a special affinity for unusual items and are easily fascinated by out of the ordinary objects. Bubbles, in particular, with their shimmering colors and floating nature naturally attract animals due to their peculiar abilities.  
           [0004]    As animal handlers will easily testify to, animals naturally chase and attempt to bite bubbles, resulting in a playful display. After a few initial bites, however, the animal will stop chasing the bubbles, due to their soapy consistency and taste. Thus, the enjoyment for both animal and handler is short lived at best due to the shortcomings of the products used. Additionally, conventional bubble makers, such as wands, can be difficult to operate when coupled with certain bubble solutions. As a result, bubbles are infrequently generated and the enjoyment is limited.  
           [0005]    Accordingly, there is a need for a method and solution for blowing scented and/or flavored bubbles which will encourage playful activity and not have the sensory shortcomings and potential health detriment when an animal bites the bubble.  
         SUMMARY  
         [0006]    It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a method to encourage the playful activity of animals.  
           [0007]    It is also an object of the present invention to provide a method to produce bubbles with varying features for the playful activity.  
           [0008]    It is also an object of the present invention to provide a solution for producing bubbles which is safe for play for both humans and animals.  
           [0009]    These and other objects of the invention, which will become apparent from the following detailed description, are achieved as described. A method of blowing scented bubbles for animal enjoyment is described. The method comprises providing a scented bubble solution to wet a bubble arrangement. The method further comprises lifting the bubble arrangement to a bubble blowing position blowing air from a blower through an interior area of the bubble arrangement producing scented bubbles, and lowering the bubble arrangement to be rewet.  
           [0010]    A further method of blowing scented bubbles for animal enjoyment is recited. This method comprises providing a scented bubble solution to wet a bubble arrangement, blowing air from a blower, lifting the bubble arrangement to a bubble blowing position such that the air from the blower is directed through an interior area of the bubble arrangement to produce scented bubbles for attraction of an animal, and lowering the bubble arrangement to be rewet.  
           [0011]    A further method of blowing flavored bubbles for animal enjoyment is recited. This method comprises providing a flavored bubble solution to wet a bubble arrangement, lifting the bubble arrangement to a bubble blowing position, blowing air from a blower through an interior area of the bubble arrangement, producing flavored bubbles and lowering the bubble arrangement to be rewet.  
           [0012]    A further method of blowing flavored bubbles for animal enjoyment is recited. The method comprises providing a flavored bubble solution to wet a bubble arrangement, lifting the bubble arrangement to a bubble blowing position, blowing air from a blower through an interior area of the bubble arrangement, producing flavored bubbles for attraction of an animal, and lowering the bubble arrangement to be rewet.  
           [0013]    A still further method of blowing flavored bubbles for animal enjoyment is also described. The method entails providing a flavored bubble solution to wet a bubble arrangement, blowing air from a blower, lifting the bubble arrangement to a bubble blowing position such that the air from the blower is directed through an interior area of the bubble arrangement to produce flavored bubbles for attraction of an animal, and lowering the bubble arrangement to be rewet.  
           [0014]    A solution for bubble production is also recited. The solution comprises a liquid substance configured to form a bubble when subjected to a volume of air when the liquid substance is placed upon a bubble arrangement, the liquid substance configured to be nontoxic and non-damaging to an animal when ingested, the liquid substance scented to attract the animal when the bubble is produced for animal play purposes.  
           [0015]    A further solution for animal play is recited. This solution comprises a liquid substance configured to form a bubble when subjected to a volume of air when the liquid substance is placed upon a bubble arrangement, the liquid substance configured to be nontoxic and non-damaging to an animal when ingested, the liquid substance flavored to attract the animal for animal play purposes when the bubble is ingested. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0016]    [0016]FIG. 1 illustrates an animal amusement manual bubble blowing apparatus in conformance with the present invention.  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 2 illustrates a top view of the animal amusement manual bubble blowing apparatus.  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 3 illustrates an exploded top view of the bubble chamber of FIG. 2.  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 4 illustrates an exploded view of the constituent parts of the animal amusement manual bubble blowing apparatus. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0020]    Referring to FIG. 1, a side view of a typical bubble blowing apparatus to be used for blowing scented and/or flavored bubbles for animal enjoyment is shown. The apparatus  10  has several components including a housing  16 , a trigger arm  44 , a solution tray depression  56  and a solution tray  30 . The housing  16  may be comprised, referring to FIG. 4, of two parts, a left housing  20  and a right housing  22 . In an example embodiment the left housing  20  and right housing  22  may be joined together through the use of screw  54  which allow for a positive connection between the left and right housings  20 , 22 . Although the connection is shown as being established through screws  54 , other configurations are possible such as, for example, gluing or tab and slot connectors. The housing  16  may be made of light weight materials, such as a synthetic plastic made from styrene by polymerization or copolymerization. The housing  16  may be made through an injection molding process, for example, or any other plastic shape forming method. The housing  16  may comprise an outer shell that defines a trigger arm opening  36 , an air inlet opening  38  and an air outlet  62 . Referring to FIG. 1, a label area  64  on the exterior surface of the housing  16  may allow fanciful or colored designs and/or logos to be attached to increase housing  16  eye appeal.  
         [0021]    Referring to FIG. 4, a trigger arm  44  is placed in the trigger arm opening  36 . The trigger arm  44  may allow mechanical actuation of the apparatus  10  through a squeezing motion or through other ways such as battery powered actuation. The trigger arm  44 , maybe configured at the rear end to form a hinge  70 . The hinge  70  may be formed through corresponding protrusions  72  in the housing  16 . The trigger arm  44 , in an example embodiment, has a trigger surface  68  which is formed during manufacturing of the arm  44 . The trigger surface  68  may be textured, such as with ridges, to allow use of the arm  44  with minimum slippage. Although shown with ridges, it is not the intention to limit the surfaces to the example embodiment shown, and thus other configurations are possible.  
         [0022]    The trigger arm  44  may be connected to a drive gear arrangement  52 . The drive gear arrangement  52  may also be a mechanical connection or battery powered actuation or other actuation arrangement to a blower  12 . Both the drive gear arrangement  52  and the blower  12  may be positioned in an interior volume  40  formed by the housing  16 . The drive gear arrangement  52  has, for example, a set of gear teeth  74  and inner teeth  76 . The inner teeth  76  may mechanically couple to the trigger arm  44  which in turn, through the set of gear teeth  74 , enables the blower  12  to be actuated. As will recognized by those skilled in the art, the set of gear teeth  74  may mechanically couple to a mating set of teeth of the blower  12 . The difference in circumference between the inner teeth  76  and the set of gear teeth  74  allows for mechanical advantage to be gained by the user enabling easier operation of the blower  12 . The outer circumferences of the inner teeth  76  and the set of gear teeth  74  may be varied according to the operating requirements of the blower  12  and the desired squeeze strength for the trigger arm  44 . The drive gear arrangement  52  may be manufactured from high impact plastic or other material to allow the proper sheer strength and lightness of weight for the arrangement  52 .  
         [0023]    The blower  12  allows a volume of air to be blown through a bubble arrangement  28  to produce scented bubbles. The blower  12  may be any type unit which allows an input of energy, both mechanical or electrical to be used to blow a volume of air through a neck  18  of the blower  12 . The blower  12  is configured to blow air at a sufficient velocity and volume to produce scented bubbles from the apparatus  10  when the solution filled bubble arrangement  28  is placed in front of the neck  18 . The blower  12  may be shaped such that the perimeter of the blower  12  snugly fits into the volume  40  created by the housing  16 . Alternatively, the blower  12  may be connected to the housing  16  to allow for movement of the apparatus  10  without dislodgement of the blower  12  in the interior volume  40 . The blower neck  18  may be configured such that air exiting the blower  12  is channeled to a predefined exit geometry. The predefined exit geometry may be used to control volume, velocity and pressure of air through the blower  12 . As will be obvious to those skilled in the art, the neck  18  may be modified by a quick change insert  90  allowing the user to change the velocity of the exiting air.  
         [0024]    The blower  12  may receive air through an air inlet  38  on the side of the housing  16 . The air inlet  38  is sufficiently sized to minimize obstruction to air flow into the apparatus  10 , while providing protection to the operator from the spinning fan  14  of the blower  12 . The fan  14 , may be constructed of a light weight material, such as plastic, to minimize initial inertial start up forces when the trigger arm  44  is squeezed. The movable blades  88  of the fan  14  may be configured such that the blades  88  of the fan  14  present a minimal hazard to the operator when in use.  
         [0025]    Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, a bubble arrangement  28  may be connected to a vertical arm  26  which in turn is connected to a horizontal arm  24  through a connection  60 . The bubble arrangement lifter  46 , in the example embodiment, comprised of the arms  24  and  26 , allows the bubble arrangement  28  to be lifted as a coherent unit. The bubble arrangement  28  may be configured in any geometry which allows retention of a solution film on an inner area  66  of the bubble arrangement  28 . The bubble arrangement  28  may be configured in a number of differing geometries including oval or square for example. The bubble arrangement  28  may be provided with an appropriate thickness or ridges on the perimeter of the interior area  66  to allow proper bubble separation when a volume of air is directed at the inner area  66 . The bubble arrangement  28  may be made of any material to provide light weight operation to increase efficiency of the bubble arrangement lifter  46 . Although the vertical arm  26  and the horizontal arm  24  are configured as shown, the arms  24 , 26  may be replaced with other designs such as a single arm unit. The connector  60  may be a screw attachment, as an example, or any other appropriate connection type. The horizontal arm  24  connected to the blower  12  through a lifting connection  78 . The lifting connection  78  may be configured such that the arm  24  is raised in response to a squeeze of the trigger arm  44 . The lifting connection  78  may be established, for example, by a mechanical gear connection or other connection such as through battery operation. Other configurations, such as drive belts, are possible and the example embodiment shown should not be considered limiting. The bubble arrangement lifter  46  may be lifted to a bubble blowing position prior to operation of the blower  12  or after the initial start of the blower  12 .  
         [0026]    A solution tray  30  may be positioned inside the solution tray depression  56  formed by the housing  16 . The solution tray  30  may be configured to allow the bubble arrangement  28  to enter and exit the solution tray  30  without interference. The depth of the solution tray  30  may be varied according to the amount of fluid that is desired to be retained. The solution tray  30  may be made of a chemical resistant material, such as styrene, for proper long-term operation. The edges of the solution tray  30  may be beveled such that no sharp edges exist around the exterior of the tray  30 . The solution tray  30  may be held in position in the solution tray depression  56  through friction of the sides of the solution tray  30  and the housing  16 . A solution tray top  42  may be positioned inside the solution tray  30  to provide an expansive force, creating friction between the depression  56  and the tray  30 . The solution tray top  42  may thus be composed of a flexible material which will allow the top  42  to be installed in the cavity of the tray  30 , and upon release, provide an expansive force.  
         [0027]    Referring to FIGS. 2 and 4, the housing  16  may be configured with a housing grip  32  which allows easy handling of the apparatus  10 . The grip  32  may be optionally provided with a no-skid surface to enhance gripping traction. The no-skid surface may include application of a rough contact paper or material. Alternatively the grip  32  may be formed with a textured surface to increase handling traction.  
         [0028]    The scented bubble solution  80  is typically chosen to provide a sensory attraction capability for the animal which will be handled in conjunction with the apparatus  10 . In the example case of a dog, the scented and/or flavored bubble solution may be configured to provide a steak, hot dog, peanut butter or other smell in which to attract the animal. In addition to smell, the bubble solution may be flavored to allow additional sensory attraction for an animal. Other scents and tastes may be used in conjunction with differing animals to provide appropriate attractive capabilities matched to differing animals. The scented bubble solution  80  may be provided such that the solution  80  is not harmful to the animals intended to play with the produced bubble. The solution  80  may be configured to be safe to ingestion and eye contact and non-toxic.  
         [0029]    Operationally, a user acquires a scented bubble solution  80  and pours the solution  80  into the solution tray  30 . The scented bubble solution  80  wets the bubble arrangement  28  and forms a film over inner area  66  of the arrangement  28 . Keeping the apparatus  10  approximately level, the trigger arm  44  is squeezed. The rotation of the trigger arm  44  about the hinge  70  allows the trigger arm  44  to move the drive gear arrangement  52 . The drive gear arrangement  52 , in turn is mechanically connected to the fan  14  and the bubble arrangement lifter  46  such that the fan  14  of the blower  12  is placed in rotary motion. As will be apparent to those skilled in the art and in view of the above disclosure, actuation of the blower  12  and the fan  14  may be accomplished by mechanical and/or electrical ways and blowing of air may be accomplished prior to after the bubble arrangement is raised. The bubble arrangement lifter  46  is rotated to a bubble blowing position wherein the bubble arrangement  28  inner area  66  is positioned before the neck  18 . A volume of air blown by the fan  14  of the blower  12  passes through the inner area  66  at such a volume and velocity to produce bubbles which are blown out the air outlet  62  of the apparatus  10 . After movement of the trigger arm  44  has stopped, the bubble arrangement lifter  46  is returned to the solution tray  30  and rewetted by the scented bubble solution  80 . As will be apparent to those skilled in the art, a bubble solution which is both scented and/or flavored may be used. The flavoring and/or scenting may be such that the animal intended to interact with the bubble solution is attracted by the features of the bubble. Additionally, differing types of apparatus may be used to create a bubble and therefore the application presented herein should not be considered limited by the example bubble blowing arrangement shown.  
         [0030]    In the foregoing specification, the invention has been described with reference to specific exemplary embodiments thereof. It will, however, be evident that various modifications and changes may be made thereunto without departing from the broader spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims. The specification and drawings are accordingly to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense.

Technology Category: 1