Spill-Proof Bubble Solution Container

Abstract

The present invention is a reusable/disposable low cost spill-proof bubble solution container apparatus that eliminates accidental spillage of bubble solution and that may be provided in a compact kit form for the use and enjoyment by several users simultaneously. The apparatus in kit form has a plurality of nested container upper portions, a plurality of nested container lower portions, a plurality of bubble wands, and a bottle of bubble solution contained preferably within a single package. The kit is preferably adapted such that a single compact low cost kit provides components such that multiple containers may be assembled with each container preferably having a bubble wand and such that bubble solution is provided such that each kit may be filled with bubble solution to a predetermined amount. Thus a single kit may provide a bubble solution container complete with solution and a bubble wand each for six different users.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This nonprovisional utility patent application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) of U.S. provisional application No. 61/669,066, filed Jul. 7, 2012, which is incorporated herein, in its entirety, by this reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to spill-proof containers and more especially to nestable vacuum formed spill-proof bubble solution containers in kit form.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Ever since the commercialization of the spill-proof bubble solution container invention disclosed in the Schramm U.S. Pat. No. 5,246,046 patent, spill-proof bubble solution containers have been widely popular, have become a standard in the industry and have provided autonomy and enjoyment for young children in creating bubbles without the mess that otherwise occurs when using conventional bubble creation wands. Examples of such containers are disclosed in the following patents and applications, all of which are expressly incorporated herein by reference: U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,942,109, 7,524,230, 7,244,161, 6,857,928, 6,638,131, 6,629,870, 6,595,822, 6,520,822, 6,386,138, 6,186,853, 6,135,842, 6,015,327, 5,908,057, 5,832,969, 5,495,876, 5,304,085, 5,246,046, 5,105,975, 5,088,950, 4,957,464, 4,840,597, 4,180,938, 3,579,898, 2,858,639, RE42,610, RE39,443, RE36,131, 20110081821, 20080289975, 20050130552, 20040084453, 20030155364, 20020187716, 20020129763, 20010035413, D600,290, 12/539,803, 13,234,265, and EU0094532.

Over the years, many different embodiments of the spill-proof bubble solution container have been produced by many different manufacturers. However, none such prior art spill-proof bubble solution containers have been vacuum formed or nestable so as to be able to be provided in an efficient kit form.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a reusable/disposable low cost spill-proof bubble solution container apparatus that eliminates accidental spillage of bubble solution and that may be provided in a compact kit form for the use and enjoyment by several users simultaneously. The apparatus preferably defines a vacuum formed container upper portion having an inwardly extending open funnel, a vacuum formed container lower portion having a trough, a removable bubble wand having a bubble creation orifice, and bubble creation solution. In practice, a user may use the bubble wand to in immerse the bubble creation orifice in the bubble solution and then withdraw the bubble wand from the container to blow a bubble. However, even with the bubble wand removed from the container, the container can be oriented in any orientation without the bubble solution container therein spilling out of the container. The apparatus is preferably provided in kit form having for instance a plurality of nested container upper portions, a plurality of nested container lower portions, a plurality of bubble wands, and a bottle of bubble solution. The kit is preferably adapted such that a single compact low cost kit provides components such that multiple containers may be assembled with each container preferably having a bubble wand and such that bubble solution is provided such that each kit may be filled with bubble solution to a predetermined amount. Thus for instance a single kit could provide for instance a bubble solution container complete with solution and bubble wand each for six different users.

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

In order that the advantages of the invention will be readily understood, a more particular description of the invention briefly described above will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments that are illustrated in the appended drawings. Understanding that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are not therefore to be considered to be limiting of its scope, the invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a first embodiment of the spill-proof bubble solution container apparatus;

FIG. 2 is an orthographic sectional view of a first embodiment of the spill-proof bubble solution container apparatus taken substantially along a vertical axis of the apparatus at location of section arrows 2 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an orthographic sectional view of a first embodiment of the spill-proof bubble solution container apparatus taken substantially along a vertical axis of the apparatus at location of section arrows 3 in FIG. 1, and;

FIG. 4 is a view of the kit of the spill-proof bubble solution container apparatus showing side views of the bubble wands and the bubble creation solution container and showing sectional views of nested container upper portions and nested container lower portions.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” or similar language means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, appearances of the phrases “in one embodiment,” “in an embodiment,” and similar language throughout this specification may, but do not necessarily, all refer to the same embodiment.

Furthermore, the described features, structures, or characteristics of the invention may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. In the following description, numerous specific details are included to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the invention. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize, however, that the invention can be practiced without one or more of the specific details, or with other methods, components, materials, and so forth. In other instances, well-known structures, materials, or operations are not shown or described in detail to avoid obscuring aspects of the invention.

In order to facilitate the understanding of the present invention in reviewing the drawings accompanying the specification, a feature table is provided below. It is noted that like features are like numbered throughout all of the figures.

FEATURE TABLE
#	Feature	#	Feature
10	Spill-Proof bubble solution	14	Spill-Proof bubble solution
	container apparatus		container
20	Container upper portion	22	Engagement flange
24	Side wall	26	Top
28	Funnel	30	Funnel mouth
32	Funnel bowl	34	Funnel spout
36	Funnel inner opening	40	Container lower portion
42	Base flange	44	Side wall
46	Engagement flange	48	Land
50	Tapered bowl	52	Trough
60	Bubble wand	62	Handle
64	Stem	66	Bubble creation orifice
70	Bubble solution bottle	72	Bubble solution
80	Kit	82	Packaging

Referring now to the drawings and in particular to FIGS. 1 through 3, the first embodiment of the invention is a spill-proof bubble solution container apparatus 10 for use in providing a low cost reusable/disposable spill-proof bubble solution container apparatus comprising a spill-proof bubble solution container 14, a bubble wand 60, and bubble solution 72. Spill-proof bubble solution container 14 comprises container upper portion 20, and container lower portion 40.

Container upper portion 20 preferably defines a generally cylindrically cup shaped container upper portion having an engagement flange 22, a side wall 24, a top 26, and a funnel 28 which extends inwardly into container upper portion 20. Funnel 28 further preferably defines a funnel having a funnel mouth 30, a funnel bowl 32, a funnel spout 34, and a funnel inner opening 36 positioned within container upper portion 20. Engagement flange 22 is connected to side wall 24 which is connected to top 26 which is connected to funnel mouth 30 which is connected to funnel bowl 32 which is connected to funnel spout 34 which terminates in funnel inner opening 36. Container upper portion 20 is preferably vacuum formed (or thermoformed) from plastic sheet and may be at least partially transparent. Container upper portion 20 is preferably colored an aesthetically pleasing color but may alternatively be clear.

Container lower portion 40 preferably defines a generally cylindrically cup shaped container lower portion having a base flange 42, a side wall 44, an engagement flange 46, a land 48, a tapered bowl 50, and a trough 52. Base flange 42 is connected to side wall 44 which is connected to an engagement flange 46 which is connected to land 48 which is connected to tapered bowl 50 which is connected to trough 52. Container lower portion 40 is preferably vacuum formed (or thermoformed) from plastic sheet and may be at least partially transparent. Container lower portion 40 is preferably colored an aesthetically pleasing color but may alternatively be clear.

Bubble wand 60 preferably defines a generally elongated bubble wand having a handle 62, a stem 64, and bubble creation orifice 66. Handle 62 is connected to stem 64 which is connected to bubble creation orifice 66. Bubble wand 60 is preferably injection molded from plastic resin and may be provided in one or several aesthetically pleasing colors.

Bubble solution bottle 70 preferably defines a standard bottle for containing bubble solution and preferably sealingly contains bubble solution 72 therein. Bubble solution bottle 70 may be provided with eight ounces of bubble solution 72 or may be provided in greater or lesser amounts of bubble solution 72.

Spill-proof bubble solution container 14 is assembled such that engagement flange 22 of container upper portion 20 and engagement flange 46 of container lower portion 40 are snapped together such that a substantially liquid-tight seal is formed connecting container upper portion 20 and container lower portion 40. It is noted that spill-proof bubble solution container 14 may include a maximum fill line or like indicia thereon to indicate a level for a liquid quantity (the maximum spill-proof quantity) at or below which spill-proof bubble solution container 14 will not spill its liquid contents when oriented in any orientation. Spill-proof bubble solution container apparatus 10 is prepared by pouring a predetermined amount of bubble solution 72 into funnel bowl 32 and allowing bubble solution 72 to run down funnel spout 34 in a metered fashion so as to approach but not exceed the maximum spill-proof quantity of bubble solution in spill-proof bubble solution container 14. It is noted that in a preferred embodiment, if the volumetric capacity of funnel bowl 32 (e.g. even if funnel spout 34 were plugged) equals or exceeds the maximum spill-proof quantity. Spill-proof bubble solution container apparatus 10 is further prepared by placing bubble wand 60 in spill-proof bubble solution container 14 by moving bubble creation orifice 66 through spout 34 and positioning bubble creation orifice 66 in trough 52 so that bubble creation orifice 66 is immersed in bubble solution 72. It is also noted that trough 52 is preferably closely fitted or sized to bubble creation orifice 66 such that when creation orifice 66 is positioned in trough 52 there is minimal space between creation orifice 66 and trough 52 so as to enable the spill-proof bubble solution container 14 to achieve a high bubble solution consumption efficiency ratio (BSER). With spill-proof bubble solution container apparatus 10 thus prepared, the user may repeatedly withdraw bubble wand 60 from spill-proof bubble solution container 14, create bubbles, and reinsert bubble wand 60 into spill-proof bubble solution container 14, all without spilling bubble solution 72 out of spill-proof bubble solution container 14 regardless of the orientation of spill-proof bubble solution container 14.

Referring now to the drawings and in particular to FIG. 4, an additional embodiment of the invention is a kit 80 for use in providing a separate low cost reusable/disposable assembled container with a wand and bubble solution for each of several different users comprising a plurality of container upper portions 20, a plurality of container lower portions 40, a plurality of bubble wands 60, bubble solution bottle 70 containing bubble solution 72, and packaging 82. Packaging 82 may define for instance a paperboard box or a paperboard substrate with a plastic blister covering (i.e. plaster-pack). To minimize packing space, container upper portions 20 are preferably nested one within another as shown in FIG. 4. Further to minimize packing space, container lower portions 40 are preferably nested one within another as shown in FIG. 4. All of nested container upper portions 20, nested container lower portions 40, bubble wands 60, and bubble solution bottle 70, are preferable compactly contained within packaging 82—e.g. within a single paperboard box or alternatively within a blister-pack suitable for hanging on a display rack. Kit 80 is ideal for a single low cost purchase such as for a party for young children wherein the purchaser desires a low cost alternative for providing a separate spill-proof container for each of several different users. Further, because of the low construction cost, the containers may simply be disposed of after such party. It is further noted that in a preferred embodiment, kit 80 is provided with six (nested) container upper portions 20, with each container upper portion 20 being of a different (vacuum molded) transparent color, six (nested) container lower portions 40, with each container lower portion 40 being of a different (vacuum molded) transparent color and preferably each container lower portion 40 corresponds to a different color of a container upper portion 20, and each container lower portion 40 preferably having a maximum spill-proof quantity capacity of at least 1.5 ounces, bubble solution bottle 70 having eight ounces of bubble solution 72, and six bubble wands 60, with each bubble wand 60 being of a different (injection molded) color and preferably each bubble wand 60 corresponds to a different color of a container upper portion 20. With a kit 80 of such configuration, container upper portions 20 and container lower portions 40 can be assembled to form six spill-proof bubble solution containers 14 with each of the six spill-proof bubble solution containers 14 having correspondingly colored container upper portions 20, container lower portions 40, and bubble wands 60 or alternatively, the color of the container upper portions 20, container lower portions 40, and bubble wands 60 may be mixed and matched in a variety of different color configurations. Further with a kit 80 of such configuration, using single bubble solution bottle 70, each spill-proof bubble solution container 14 could be filled with bubble solution 72 to at or near the respective maximum spill-proof quantity capacity.

The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. All changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.

Claims

1. A spill resistant bubble solution container for use in low cost spill resistant creation of bubbles, wherein said container comprises plastic sheet having a substantially uniform thickness.

2. The container of claim 1, wherein said container includes an open funnel formed within said container and extending into an inner cavity of said container.

3. The container of claim 1, wherein said container includes an first container portion and a second container portion, and wherein said container first portion is sealingly attachable and detachable to said second container portion, and wherein said substantially uniform thickness defines a substantially uniform thickness of no greater than 0.05 inches.

4. The container of claim 1, wherein said container includes an first container portion and a second container portion and wherein a first instance of at least one of said first container portion and a second container portion is nestable within a second instance of at least one of said first container portion and a second container portion.

5. The container of claim 1, wherein said container includes a bubble creation device removably contained at least partially within said container.

6. The container of claim 1, wherein said container includes bubble creation solution container therein.

7. The container of claim 1, wherein said container includes an open opening and wherein when said container contains a liquid, said liquid is prevented from running out of said container regardless of the orientation of said container.

8. A kit for use in low cost spill resistant creation of bubbles, said kit comprising a plurality of bubble solution container first portions and a plurality of bubble solution container second portions, wherein a bubble solution container first portion and a bubble solution container second portion are combinable to form a bubble solution container at least partially comprised of plastic sheet, each of said first portion and said second portion having a substantially uniform thickness, and wherein a first bubble solution container first portion is nested within a second bubble solution container first portion, and wherein a first bubble solution container second portion is nested within a second bubble solution container second portion.

9. The kit of claim 8, wherein said substantially uniform thickness defines a substantially uniform thickness of no greater than 0.05 inches.

10. The kit of claim 8, wherein said bubble solution container first portion includes an open funnel formed within said bubble solution container first portion and extending internally into said bubble solution container first portion.

11. The kit of claim 8, wherein said kit includes at least one a bubble creation device.

12. The kit of claim 8, wherein said kit includes a quantity of bubble creation solution.

13. The kit of claim 8, wherein said formed a bubble solution container includes an open opening and wherein when said formed bubble solution container contains a liquid, said liquid is prevented from running out of said formed bubble solution container regardless of the orientation of said formed bubble solution container.

14. A kit for use in low cost spill resistant creation of bubbles, said kit comprising a plurality of container first portions, a plurality of container second portions, a plurality of bubble creation devices, and a quantity of bubble solution, wherein a container first portion and a container second portion are combinable to form a container comprised of plastic sheet, and wherein a first container first portion is nested within a second container first portion, and wherein a first container second portion is nested within a second container second portion, and wherein said container portions are constructed of plastic sheet each having a substantially uniform thickness.

15. The kit of claim 14, wherein said container first portion includes an open funnel formed within said container first portion and extending internally into said container first portion.

16. The kit of claim 14, wherein said formed container includes an open opening and wherein when said formed container contains a liquid, said liquid is prevented from running out of said formed container regardless of the orientation of said formed container.

17. A kit for use in low cost spill resistant creation of bubbles, said kit comprising a plurality of bubble solution containers, a plurality of bubble creation devices, and a quantity of bubble solution, wherein said containers comprise plastic sheet having a substantially uniform thickness.

18. The kit of claim 17, wherein said container defines a first container portion and a second container portion, and wherein said container first portions are sealingly attachable and detachable to said second container portions, and wherein a first instance of at least one of said first container portion and a second container portion is nestable within a second instance of at least one of said first container portion and a second container portion, and wherein said substantially uniform thickness defines a substantially uniform thickness of no greater than 0.05 inches.

19. The kit of claim 17, wherein said bubble creation device defines a bubble wand.

20. The kit of claim 17, wherein said bubble solution container includes an open opening and wherein when said bubble solution container contains a liquid, said liquid is prevented from running out of said bubble solution container regardless of the orientation of said bubble solution container.