Patent Document

RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims priority from Provisional Application Serial No. 60/111,689 filed Dec. 10, 1998. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to bubble forming devices. Specifically, the present invention resides in bubble forming amusement devices which use water or water-based liquids as a catalyst to form bubbles from dried bubble or soap concentrate. 
     Devices which produce bubbles have been known for quite some time, including hand-held amusement devices which are typically dipped into a reservoir of bubble forming liquid to form a liquid film through which air is forced to form the bubbles. These devices suffer certain drawbacks, however, because they require specially constituted bubble forming liquid to produce bubbles. Much of the cost associated with prior bubble forming amusement devices lies in the fact that they must use this specific liquid. The liquid containers also require significant storage and display space. Moreover, the result of spillage of the liquid can cause significant liability for retailers or wholesalers. Furthermore, some types of imported bubble forming liquids are a concern to the environment, and specifically water quality. 
     The bubble forming amusement device industry has been at a disadvantage as compared to other toy and amusement device industries as the devices and accompanying liquid containers are not suitable for promotion and use in certain markets. Such markets include the premium market wherein a toy is included with a purchased item such as a box of cereal, a kiddie lunch, or items offered by mail order. Generally, it has been concerns relating to the size, weight and compatibility with the accompanying product which have kept the bubble forming amusement industry from these markets. 
     Prior bubble forming amusement devices and accompanying containers of liquid also have drawbacks to the end user, typically a child and his or her parents. With many of these devices the user must not only concern himself or herself with the device and liquid, but oftentimes needs a receptacle in which to pour the liquid to dip the device. In this regard, because such devices are necessarily dipped into an open reservoir, and also due to the fact that children often are the users of these devices, the bubble forming contents of the reservoir oftentimes spill. This creates a mess on both the user and surroundings, and also limits the amount of bubbles that can be produced as there is less bubble forming liquid available to use after the spill. The need for dipping also causes the excess liquid to travel from the top of the wand onto the handle and eventually onto the hand of the user. This creates a mess and wastes the bubble forming liquid. 
     Accordingly, there is a need for a bubble forming amusement device which eliminates the need to have a container of bubble forming liquid available in order to enjoy the device. Such a device should be compact, lightweight, easy to transport and store, and inexpensive to produce. Further, there is a need for a bubble forming amusement device which is usable in a variety of markets, including the premium and mail order markets. Moreover, such a device is needed which prevents the wasting and mess created when a bubble forming liquid is spilled. The present invention fulfills these needs and provides other related advantages. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention resides in bubble forming amusement devices which utilize a solid bubble or soap concentrate instead of bubble forming liquid, and water or a water-based liquid as a catalyst to produce bubbles. The devices comprise, generally, a housing defining an air flow path, a bubble forming member disposed along the air flow path, and dry bubble forming material associated with the bubble forming member. Hydration of the bubble forming material coupled with the flow of air through the air flow path creates bubbles. 
     The air flow path has an inlet and an outlet, with the bubble forming member typically disposed adjacent to the air flow path outlet. The bubble forming material is comprised of bubble soap concentrate which is applied to the bubble forming member and allowed to dry. The bubble forming material can also comprise a hardened bubble soap concentrate gel or an open-cell foam saturated with the dry bubble forming material, which is then affixed to or otherwise associated with the bubble forming member. 
     The bubble forming member may be embodied a variety of forms. The bubble forming member can peripherally surround at least a portion of the air flow path with the bubble forming material applied to an interior surface of the bubble forming member. For example, the bubble forming member may be cylindrically shaped or a portion of a horn. Further, a pipe can be used to form the housing with the bubble forming member placed at an end of the pipe. Ornamentation or a bowl-like member may also be associated with the bubble forming member at the end of the pipe. 
     Prior to use, a housing which defines an air flow path and a bubble forming member disposed along the air flow path are provided and a hydrated bubble forming material is applied to the bubble forming member. Alternatively, an open-cell foam is saturated with the bubble forming material. The bubble forming material is then dried. When the bubble forming amusement device is to be used, the dried bubble forming material is re-hydrated to create a bubble film over the bubble forming member, and an airstream is forced across the bubble film to produce bubbles. 
     Alternatively, a bubble forming solution is created by adding liquid to a cavity of a receptacle having bubble forming material previously applied to its inner surface and dried. A bubble forming amusement device comprising a housing defining an air flow path therethrough and having a bubble forming member disposed along the air flow path is immersed in the receptacle to produce a bubble film. An airstream is forced across the bubble film to produce bubbles. 
     Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following more detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the invention. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The accompanying drawings illustrate the invention. In such drawings: 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a bubble forming amusement device embodying the present invention and having a handle and an annulus bearing dried concentrate bubble forming material; 
     FIG. 2 is a perspective view demonstrating the annulus of the bubble forming device of FIG. 1 being dipped into a liquid; 
     FIG. 3 is an partial perspective view of the bubble forming device of FIGS. 1 and 2, illustrating bubbles formed as air is forced through the annulus; 
     FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a second bubble forming amusement device embodying the present invention, having a handle and a bubble formed at an open-ended cylinder lined with bubble forming material; 
     FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a third bubble forming amusement device in the form of a horn having a portion of an interior surface lined with bubble forming material from which bubbles are formed when hydrated; 
     FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a fourth bubble forming amusement device embodying the present invention, having a hollow tube and an ornamental bubble forming member attached at an end thereof; 
     FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the device of FIG. 6, illustrating the production of bubbles from the ornamental bubble forming member; 
     FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a fifth bubble forming amusement device embodying the present invention, having a hollow tube and a bowl-like member at an end thereof, the bowl-like member partially cut away to illustrate the dried bubble forming material inside; 
     FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a receptacle lined with dried bubble forming material; and 
     FIG. 10 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 9, with the addition of liquid to form a bubble forming solution and a bubble forming device immersed within the liquid. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     As shown in the accompanying drawings for purposes of illustration, the present invention resides in bubble forming amusement devices having a dried bubble concentrate which uses liquid as a catalyst to form bubbles. The bubble forming devices are generally referred to by the reference number  10  in FIGS. 1-3; by the reference number  12  in FIG. 4; by the reference number  14  in FIG. 5; by the reference number  16  in FIGS. 6-7; by the reference number  18  in FIG. 8; and by the reference number  20  in FIGS. 9 and 10. In the following description, functionally equivalent components of the various embodiments are referred to by the same reference number. 
     The bubble forming amusement device  10  shown in FIGS. 1-3, is comprised of a handle  22  and an annulus bubble forming member  24  attached to the handle  22 , similar to a traditional bubble wand. The device  10  may be comprised of many materials, but is preferably comprised of inexpensive, yet durable, paper or plastic. Dried bubble soap concentrate  26  is affixed to a side of the annulus  24 . Although the bubble soap concentrate  26  can be added to the annulus  24  and subsequently dried, preferably an open-cell material  28  saturated with the bubble concentrate and allowed to dry or a preformed hardened soap concentrate gel is affixed to the annulus  24 . The bubble soap concentrate  26  or open-cell material  28  has an aperture  30  of approximately the same size as the aperture of the annulus  24  in order that a bubble film can form over the aperture  30 . 
     As illustrated in FIG. 2, the bubble concentrate-laden annulus  24  of the bubble forming device  10  is dipped into water or water-based liquid  34 . After immersion, a soap film  36  forms over the aperture  30 . When an air stream is applied across the annulus  24 , bubbles  38  are produced (FIG.  3 ). Although the liquid is preferably water, it can include any liquid which is capable of wetting the dried bubble soap concentrate  26  and creating a bubble film  36 . An air stream can be applied across the aperture  30  by blowing, waving, holding in the wind or in front of the fan or any other manner which produces a sufficient air stream to produce bubbles  38 . 
     The above process can be repeated until the bubble concentrate  26  is depleted. If between bubble forming sessions there is concentrate  26  remaining on the annulus  24 , the device  10  and concentrate  26  are allowed to dry for reuse. Once the concentrate  26  is depleted, the device  10  can be used with traditional bubble liquid to form bubbles. 
     The bubble forming device  12  of FIG. 4 also has a handle  22 , but has an expanded annulus bubble forming member in the shape of an open-ended cylinder  40  at an end of the handle  22 . Bubble soap concentrate  26  is directly applied to an inner surface  42  of the cylinder  40  and allowed to dry. The device  12  is preferably made of paper or plastic, but any suitable material can be used. Bubbles  38  are formed by dipping the concentrate lined cylinder  40  into water or a water-based liquid  34  and applying an air stream to the cylinder  40 . This device  12  may be allowed to dry and reused until the concentrate  26  is depleted. Depending on its construction, the device  12  may be used later with bubble forming liquid to produce bubbles  38 . 
     In FIG. 5, a third embodiment of the bubble forming device  14  is illustrated. The device  14  is in the form of a horn  44 , such as a party horn or kazoo. The horn  44  includes a mouthpiece  46  having an aperture, and a hollow body  48  extending out from the mouthpiece  46 . Bubble soap concentrate  26  is placed on an inner surface  50  of an end  52  opposite the mouthpiece  46 . To form bubbles, the concentrate lined end  52  is dipped into liquid and the mouthpiece of the horn  44  is blown into. Bubbles  38  are produced out of the end  52  opposite the mouthpiece  46 . A noise making component may be added to the horn  44  to make noise or music as bubbles  38  are produced. 
     A fourth embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIGS. 6 and 7. The device  16  includes a hollow tube  54  which acts as a handle. A bubble forming member in the form of a sponge-like material  56  is attached to an end of the hollow tube  54 . The sponge-like material  56  is saturated with dried bubble soap concentrate  26 . Ornamentation  58  may also be added to the end of the tube  54  either adjacent to or attached to the sponge-like material  56  for aesthetic appeal. The device  16  is used by immersing the sponge-like material  56  in liquid  34  and applying an air stream through the hollow tube  54 , producing bubbles  38  at the bubble forming member  56  as illustrated in FIG.  7 . 
     The device  18  illustrated in FIG. 8 is in the form of a pipe having a hollow tube  54  which forms a handle and a bowl-like bubble forming member  60  attached at one end thereof. The bubble concentrate  26  may be added directly to the bowl-like member  60  or added to existing material within the bowl-like member  60 , and then allowed to dry. Alternatively, the concentrate  26  may be formed into an insert which is placed into the bowl-like member  60 . The insert is created by hardening a preformed concentrate gel, or saturating an open-cell material with concentrate  26  and allowing it to dry. The bowl-like member  60  typically includes a cap  62  having apertures  64  through which bubbles  38  can escape, although other forms, such as a corn-cob pipe, can be used. In use, the bowl-like member  60  containing concentrate  26  is dipped into a liquid. The apertures  64  of the cap  62  facilitate the production of a bubble film. An air stream is applied through the hollow tube  52  which produces bubbles  38  out of the bowl-like member  60 . 
     Referring now to FIGS. 9 and 10, a sixth embodiment of the present invention in the form of a receptacle  20  is illustrated. The receptacle  20  is constructed such that liquid  34  can be added therein. The surface  66  of the receptacle  20  is lined with bubble soap concentrate  26  which is subsequently dried. An insert of preformed bubble soap concentrate can also be added to the receptacle  20 . Liquid  34  is added to the receptacle  20  which causes the concentrate  26  to at least partially dissolve and mix with the liquid  34  to create a liquid bubble forming solution  68 . A standard bubble wand or bubble producing device  70  can then be dipped, or the liquid solution  68  added to the device, and bubbles  38  produced. 
     It will be appreciated that a variety of amusement devices in a multitude of forms and comprised of differing materials can be used to create a bubble forming amusement device utilizing the novel concept of the present invention. Conceivably, many more forms of the invention are feasible so long as they able to be lined or affixed with concentrate  26  and dipped into liquid  34  and blown across or through to produce bubbles  38 . The device must only be able to be bear the bubble soap concentrate  26  in some form which allows the concentrate  26  to be immersed in the liquid  34  and have an air stream applied to it to produce bubbles. The concentrate  26  can be sprayed, rolled, adhered, dipped into or laminated directly onto the device itself or to a material which is able to retain the concentrate  26  and be attached to the device. 
     Depending on the materials used, the devices  10 - 20  described above may be reused many times by allowing them to dry between bubble forming play sessions. Each device  10 - 20  is versatile as it can be used at home, in the swimming pool, at the beach, or anywhere where water or a water-based liquid can be obtained. Even drinks such as juice or soda can be used to produce bubbles  38  with the devices  10 - 20 . There is no concern for having to transport bubble forming liquid. Once the concentrate  26  is depleted, the devices  10 - 18  can be used as a horn, kazoo, or as traditional bubble wands. 
     Although several forms of the invention have been described in detail for purposes of illustration, various modifications may be made to each without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the invention is not to be limited, except as by the appended claims.

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