Apparatus and method for delivering bubble solution to a dipping container

• US 6,659,831 B2
• Filed: 04/26/2002
• Issued: 12/09/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 03/15/2002
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Arko Development Limited
• Original Assignee: Arko Development Limited
• Inventors: Thai, Douglas
• Primary Examiner(s): Ackun, Jacob K.
• Assistant Examiner(s): WILLIAMS, JAMILA O
• Application Number:
  US10/133,195
• Publication Number:
  US 20030176138A1
• Time in Patent Office: 592 Days
• Field of Search: 446/74, 446/180, 446/183, 446/16, 446/17, 446/18, 446/19, 446/20, 446/21, 222/212, 222/206, 222/207, 239/327
• US Class Current: 446/15
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 33/28 Soap-bubble toys; Smoke toys blowing smoke rings A24F13/30

Abstract

An apparatus and method of delivering bubble solution to a bubble solution dipping container includes a bubble solution dipping container having a wall that defines a chamber. The apparatus also has a bottle having a wall that defines an interior that contains bubble solution. The bottle is releasably connected to the container, and a supply tube is provided to establish a fluid connection between the interior of the bottle and the chamber of the dipping container. The user can then apply pressure to the wall of the bottle to deliver the bubble solution from the interior of the bottle to the chamber of the container.

Claims

1. A bubble generating assembly, comprising:

a housing;

a dipping chamber associated with the housing;

a bottle having an interior that contains bubble solution;

means for delivering the bubble solution from the interior of the bottle to the dipping chamber;

a feedback channel that fluidly couples the dipping chamber and the interior of the bottle; and

wherein the housing is positioned directly above the bottle.

2. The assembly of claim 1, further including means for coupling the bottle to the dipping chamber.

3. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the delivering means includes a supply tube having a first end that is positioned in the interior of the bottle and an opposing second end that is positioned inside the dipping chamber.

4. The assembly of claim 1, further including means for releasably blocking the feedback channel.

5. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the dipping chamber is defined by a bottom plate and an enclosing wall, with an opening provided in the bottom plate.

6. The assembly of claim 5, further including a connector provided adjacent the bottom plate for releasably connecting the bottle to the dipping chamber.

7. The assembly of claim 1, further including a bubble producing device positioned directly above the bottle.

8. The assembly of claim 1, further including an air generator positioned directly above the bottle.

9. The assembly of claim 8, wherein the air generator is position inside the housing, and the housing further includes at least one opening and aligned with the air generator.

10. A bubble generating assembly, comprising:

a housing;

a dipping chamber associated with the housing;

a bottle having an interior that contains bubble solution;

means for delivering the bubble solution from the interior of the bottle to the dipping chamber;

means for venting the interior of the bottle; and

wherein the housing is positioned directly above the bottle.

11. A bubble generating assembly, comprising:

a housing;

a dipping chamber associated with the housing;

a bottle having an interior that contains bubble solution;

means for delivering the bubble solution from the interior of the bottle to the dipping chamber;

wherein the housing is positioned directly above the bottle; and

wherein the housing houses a motor.

12. A bubble generating assembly, comprising:

a housing;

a dipping chamber associated with the housing;

a bottle having an interior that contains bubble solution;

means for delivering the bubble solution from the interior of the bottle to the dipping chamber;

wherein the housing is positioned directly above the bottle; and

wherein the housing houses a gear system.

13. A bubble generating assembly, comprising:

a housing;

a dipping chamber associated with the housing;

a bottle having an interior that contains bubble solution;

means for delivering the bubble solution from the interior of the bottle to the dipping chamber;

wherein the housing is positioned directly above the bottle; and

wherein the housing houses a power source.

14. A bubble generating assembly, comprising:

a housing;

a dipping chamber associated with the housing;

a bottle having an interior that contains bubble solution;

means for delivering the bubble solution from the interior of the bottle to the dipping chamber;

a plurality of bubble producing devices operatively coupled to the housing for simultaneously produce a plurality of separate bubbles; and

wherein the housing is positioned directly above the bottle.

15. A bubble generating assembly, comprising:

a housing;

a dipping chamber associated with the housing;

a bottle having an interior that contains bubble solution;

means for delivering the bubble solution from the interior of the bottle to the dipping chamber;

a connector releasably connecting the bottle to the dipping chamber;

a feedback channel that fluidly couples the dipping chamber and the interior of the bottle; and

wherein the housing is positioned directly above the connector.

16. The assembly of claim 15, wherein the delivering means includes a supply tube having a first end that is positioned in the interior of the bottle and an opposing second end that is positioned inside the dipping chamber.

17. The assembly of claim 15, further including means for releasably blocking the feedback channel.

18. The assembly of claim 15, further including a bubble producing device positioned directly above the bottle.

19. The assembly of claim 15, further including an air generator positioned directly above the bottle.

20. A bubble generating assembly, comprising:

a housing;

a dipping chamber associated with the housing;

a bottle having an interior that contains bubble solution;

means for delivering the bubble solution from the interior of the bottle to the dipping chamber; and

a connector releasably connecting the bottle to the dipping chamber;

wherein the housing is positioned directly above the connector; and

wherein the housing houses a motor.

21. A bubble generating assembly, comprising:

a housing;

a dipping chamber associated with the housing;

a bottle having an interior that contains bubble solution;

means for delivering the bubble solution from the interior of the bottle to the dipping chamber; and

a connector releasably connecting the bottle to the dipping chamber;

wherein the housing is positioned directly above the connector; and

wherein the housing houses a gear system.

22. A bubble generating assembly, comprising:

a housing;

a dipping chamber associated with the housing;

a bottle having an interior that contains bubble solution;

means for delivering the bubble solution from the interior of the bottle to the dipping chamber; and

a connector releasably connecting the bottle to the dipping chamber;

wherein the housing is positioned directly above the connector; and

wherein the housing houses a power source.

23. A bubble generating assembly, comprising:

a housing;

a dipping chamber associated with the housing;

a bottle having an interior that contains bubble solution;

means for delivering the bubble solution from the interior of the bottle to the dipping chamber; and

wherein a majority of the housing is positioned side-by-side with the bottle.

24. The assembly of claim 23, further including a feedback channel that fluidly couples the dipping chamber and the interior of the bottle.

25. The assembly of claim 24, further including means for releasably blocking the feedback channel.

26. The assembly of claim 23, further including a motor mounted above the housing.

27. The assembly of claim 23, wherein the housing houses a power source.

28. The assembly of claim 23, further including a bubble producing device positioned directly above the bottle.

29. The assembly of claim 23, further including an air generator positioned directly above the bottle.

30. A method of generating bubbles from a bubble generating assembly, comprising:

providing a bubble generating assembly having a housing, a dipping chamber associated with the housing, an air generator, a lever operatively coupled to the air generator and having one end connected to at least one bubble producing device;

positioning the bubble producing device inside the dipping chamber; and

pivoting the lever in a first direction to simultaneously (i) raise the bubble producing device to be positioned adjacent the air generator, and (ii) actuate the air generator to generate streams of air that are directed towards the bubble producing device.

31. The method of claim 30, further including:

providing a bottle having a wall that defines an interior that contains bubble solution;

releasably connecting the bottle to the dipping chamber; and

delivering the bubble solution from the interior of the bottle to the dipping chamber.

32. The method of claim 31, wherein the step of delivering the bubble solution from the interior of the bottle to the dipping chamber comprises applying pressure to the wall of the bottle to deliver the bubble solution from the interior of the bottle to the dipping chamber.

33. The method of claim 31, further including:

providing a feedback channel that fluidly connects the dipping chamber and the interior of the bottle; and

opening the feedback channel to allow bubble solution from the dipping chamber to flow back into the interior of the bottle.

34. The method of claim 30, further including:

pivoting the lever in a second direction to simultaneously (i) lower the bubble producing device into the dipping chamber, and (ii) stop the air generator.

35. A method of generating bubbles from a bubble generating assembly, comprising:

providing a bubble generating assembly having a housing, a dipping chamber associated with the housing, at least one bubble producing device operatively coupled to the housing and normally positioned inside the dipping chamber, an air generator, and a push button extending into the housing and operatively coupled to the air generator;

positioning the bubble producing device inside the dipping chamber; and

pressing the push button to simultaneously (i) raise the bubble producing device to be positioned adjacent the air generator, and (ii) actuate the air generator to generate streams of air that are directed towards the bubble producing device.

36. The method of claim 35, further including:

providing a bottle having a wall that defines an interior that contains bubble solution;

releasably connecting the bottle to the dipping chamber; and

delivering the bubble solution from the interior of the bottle to the dipping chamber.

37. The method of claim 36, wherein the step of delivering the bubble solution from the interior of the bottle to the dipping chamber comprises applying pressure to the wall of the bottle to deliver the bubble solution from the interior of the bottle to the dipping chamber.

38. The method of claim 36, further including:

providing a feedback channel that fluidly connects the dipping chamber and the interior of the bottle; and

opening the feedback channel to allow bubble solution from the dipping chamber to flow back into the interior of the bottle.

39. The method of claim 35, further including:

releasing the push button to simultaneously (i) lower the bubble producing device into the dipping chamber, and (ii) stop the air generator.

40. A bubble generating assembly, comprising:

a housing;

a fan coupled to the housing;

means associated with the housing, and coupled to the fan, for actuating the fan;

a bubble generating device coupled to the housing and aligned with the fan;

wherein the fan is spaced apart from the bubble generating device by a distance of less than one inch.

41. The assembly of claim 40, wherein the fan is coupled to the housing outside the housing.

42. The assembly of claim 40, wherein the actuating means are housed inside the housing.