DEVICES AND METHODS FOR MANUALLY GENERATING BUBBLES

Abstract

A device for manually generating bubbles. A main body has securements each adapted to receive at least one finger of a user. A ribbon or similar structure is attached to the finger grip main body and is configurable between a smaller first configuration insertable into a bubble solution container and a larger second configuration defining a bubble-generating space waveable by the user to generate bubbles. The securements may include at least one receptacle formed from two layers of material sealed on at least one common edge, thereby forming a pocket therebetween. The at least one receptacle preferably at least partially shields the user from the bubble solution when the device is dipped in the bubble solution and allows the user to hold and control the device. The securements may include at least one aperture formed in the finger grip main body adapted to receive at least one finger therethrough.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS

Priority is claimed from U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/713,065 filed Aug. 1, 2018 and entitled “DEVICE FOR MANUALLY GENERATING BUBBLES”, the entirety of which is incorporated by reference herein.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

The invention is directed to methods and devices for manually generating bubbles. More specifically, the invention is directed to methods and devices for manually generating larger than usual bubbles without significant mess.

Description of Related Art

Blowing or otherwise generating bubbles has been a fun outdoor activity for children (and adults) for decades. Conventionally, one takes a wand that has a hole or two at one end and dips it into a soapy solution, thereby forming a membrane or film across the hole. One then blows substantially orthogonally to the plane of the soapy film to create one or more soap bubbles. Blowing at a slower rate will typically create fewer but larger bubbles, while blowing at a faster rate will typically create more but smaller bubbles. One can also wave the wand with one's hand to some limited effect.

Fun as it may be, there are some drawbacks to this activity. For starters, one typically gets the soapy liquid on oneself and ends up a sticky mess, especially on one's hands. Also, most bubble wands have a single or very few holes in the distal (blowing) end, resulting in few bubbles being produced at a time. Additionally, for small children or the otherwise inexperienced bubble blower, often it is difficult to find the right rate of blowing to achieve good bubbles: blow too softly and nothing happens; blow too hard and the soapy film collapses and nothing happens. Waving the wand is also not without its difficulties. It can be very frustrating. Further, conventional bubble wands have small holes which can only generate small bubbles, regardless of how softly/slowly a person blows. Typically, if one wishes to generate large bubbles, one needs a large bubble wand with a large hole, because these are conventionally rigid articles. Packaging, shipping, and storing large bubble wands can become cost-prohibitive, especially when consumers are used to paying very little for conventional bubble wands.

Accordingly, there is a long-felt need for a new device and method for generating bubbles that does not require the finesse of blowing and also keeps one relatively clean and mess-free. There is another long-felt need for a device and method to generate bubbles manually easily and in great quantities. It would be desirable to be able to generate large bubbles with a small device, or at least with a device that can be collapsed into a small configuration for shipping and storage.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention is a device for manually generating bubbles. In one embodiment, main body is provided with a plurality of finger securements, e.g., receptacles and/or apertures, each adapted to receive at least one finger of the user. The finger securements both help shield the user from bubble solution and allow the user to hold and control the device. A bubble ribbon or similar bubble-forming structure is attached to at least one end of the device. The ribbon is preferably flexible and foldable/collapsible yet when unfurled defines a relatively large bubble-generating space capable of being significantly larger than the main body across which the soapy film/membrane is formed. The main body is preferably substantially flat and flexible allowing the user to open and close their fingers in the securements so as to open and close the bubble-generating space formed by the ribbon.

In one aspect of the invention, the invention is a device for manually generating bubbles. A finger grip main body has a plurality of securements each adapted to receive at least one finger of a user. A substantially elongate ribbon is attached to at least one end of the finger grip main body, the ribbon being flexible and configurable between a smaller first configuration adapted to be inserted into a bubble solution container containing bubble solution and a larger second configuration defining a bubble-generating space and adapted to be waved by the user to generate one or more bubbles. The ribbon may be attached to both ends of the finger grip main body.

The securements may include at least one receptacle formed from two layers of material sealed on at least one common edge, thereby forming a pocket therebetween, the pocket adapted to receive at least one finger therein. The at least one receptacle preferably at least partially shields the user from the bubble solution when the ribbon is dipped in the bubble solution and allows the user to hold and control the device. In addition or in the alternative, the securements may include at least one aperture formed in the finger grip main body adapted to receive at least one finger therethrough.

The finger grip main body is preferably substantially flat and flexible and, in addition or the alternative, foldable substantially along a middle portion.

In another aspect of the invention, the invention is a method for manually generating bubbles. A device having a finger grip main body having a plurality of securements each adapted to receive at least one finger of a user is provided. A substantially elongate ribbon attached to at least one end of the finger grip main body is also provided, the ribbon being flexible and configurable between a smaller first configuration adapted to be inserted into a bubble solution container containing bubble solution and a larger second configuration defining a bubble-generating space and adapted to be waved by the user to generate one or more bubbles. The ribbon is inserted into bubble solution in the smaller first configuration. The ribbon is removed from the bubble solution. The ribbon is opened into the larger second configuration, and the device is waved to cause at least one bubble to form from the bubble solution contacting the bubble-generating space of the ribbon.

The main body is preferably folded along a substantially middle portion thereof substantially during the inserting step. The opening step may further include the step of unfolding the main body substantially between the removing and waving steps. The method may further include the steps of: refolding the main body following the waving step to reform a bubble membrane on the ribbon; re-unfolding the main body; and waving the device a second time to cause a second bubble to form from the bubble solution contacting the bubble-generating space of the ribbon.

In another aspect of the invention, the invention is a device for manually generating bubbles. A finger grip main body has a plurality of securements each adapted to receive at least one finger of a user. A substantially elongate bubble-forming structure is attached to at least one end of the finger grip main body, the bubble-forming structure being configurable between a smaller first configuration adapted to be inserted into a bubble solution container containing bubble solution and a larger second configuration defining a bubble-generating space and adapted to be waved by the user to generate one or more bubbles.

The bubble-forming structure may be attached to both ends of the finger grip main body. The bubble-forming structure may include at least one ribbon attached to at least one end of the finger grip main body, the ribbon being flexible. The bubble-forming structure may include at least one dowel attached to at least one end of the finger grip main body. The bubble-forming structure may include both at least one ribbon and at least one dowel as above.

In another aspect of the invention, the invention is a method for manually generating bubbles. A device having a finger grip main body having a plurality of securements each adapted to receive at least one finger of a user is provided. A substantially elongate bubble-forming structure attached to at least one end of the finger grip main body is also provided, the bubble-forming structure being configurable between a smaller first configuration adapted to be inserted into a bubble solution container containing bubble solution and a larger second configuration defining a bubble-generating space and adapted to be waved by the user to generate one or more bubbles. The bubble-forming structure is inserted into bubble solution in the smaller first configuration. The bubble-forming structure is removed from the bubble solution. The bubble-forming structure is opened into the larger second configuration, and the device is waved to cause at least one bubble to form from the bubble solution contacting the bubble-generating space of the bubble-forming structure.

The main body is preferably folded along a substantially middle portion thereof substantially during the inserting step. The opening step may further include the step of unfolding the main body substantially between the removing and waving steps. The method may further include the steps of: refolding the main body following the waving step to reform a bubble membrane on the bubble-forming structure; re-unfolding the main body; and waving the device a second time to cause a second bubble to form from the bubble solution contacting the bubble-generating space of the bubble-forming structure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a finger grip of an article for generating bubbles in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of the finger grip of the article of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a rear elevational view of the finger grip of the article of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a right elevational view of the finger grip of the article of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a left elevational view of the finger grip of the article of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a top elevational view of the finger grip of the article of FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 is a bottom view of the finger grip of the article of FIG. 1.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the article of FIG. 1 including a bubble-making ribbon.

FIG. 9 is a schematic illustration of the article of FIG. 8 in a bubble-making configuration.

FIG. 10 is a schematic illustration of the article of FIG. 9 in a collapsed configuration.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of an article for generating bubbles in accordance with another embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a finger grip of an article for generating bubbles in accordance with another embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of an article for generating bubbles in accordance with yet another embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION AND DRAWINGS

Description will now be given with reference to the attached FIGS. 1-13. It should be understood that these figures are exemplary in nature and in no way serve to limit the scope of the invention, which is defined by the claims appearing hereinbelow.

Device 8 is a bubble generating article that one puts on one's fingers. It includes a main body 10 which is preferably substantially flat and flexible. Ribbon holes 12 are cut into the ends of finger grip main body 10 to receive a bubble generating ribbon 30 to be described below in connection with FIGS. 8-11 or similar structure.

In one embodiment, formed on main body 10 is a pair of finger receptacles 20. Receptacles 20 preferably have a front layer 22 and rear layer 24 that meet at a common edge 25 to form a pocket 26. At least one of front layer 22 and rear layer 24 may be integral with main body 10. Each pocket 26 is dimensioned to receive at least one finger of a hand (see, e.g., FIG. 9), to be inserted therein in the direction of arrows A as shown in FIG. 1. In between receptacles 20 on main body 10 is preferably provided a central/middle cutout 14 to facilitate the folding of main body 10 into the use configuration depicted in FIG. 9. In addition or in the alternative to cutout 14, a hinge and/or simply flexible material that is readily foldable across the middle portion of main body 10 may be provided.

Device 8 also includes a bubble ribbon 30 as shown in FIGS. 8-11. In one embodiment (e.g., as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9), bubble ribbon 30 is looped through ribbon holes 12 in a continuous loop. In another embodiment of device 108 as shown in FIG. 11, bubble ribbon 30 is fixedly attached through ribbon holes 12, e.g., by sewing (e.g., at stitching 35), adhesive, or the like. As shown in FIG. 9, bubble ribbon 30 is to be dipped in bubble solution (not shown) in the direction of arrow B when device 8 is worn on the fingers of a user. In this way, the device can generate huge bubbles having the size of the space 32 (or larger) enclosed by bubble ribbon 30 while keeping the bubble solution off of the user's fingers and hands. Moreover, in some embodiments (e.g., that of FIGS. 8 and 9), the size of space 32 is adjustable by changing the amount of ribbon 30 that projects distally from main body 10. In other embodiments (e.g., that of FIG. 11), space 32 is substantially fixed in size because ribbon 30 is fixed with respect to ribbon holes 12.

An alternate embodiment is shown in FIG. 12. Here, finger grip main body 210 is still substantially flat and flexible as is main body 10 but is made from a single layer of material (to be described below). Rather than receptacles, finger apertures 224 are formed (e.g., cut) into main body 210. It is preferred to leave a significant distance between the distal edges of apertures 224 and the distal edges of main body 210 to reduce the likelihood of a finger placed in aperture 224 from coming into contact with the bubble solution into which ribbon 30 is to be dipped.

Both finger grip main bodies 10 and 210 are preferably sufficiently flexible to allow the user to fold the main body along a substantially middle portion by pinching their thumb and other finger(s) together. It is preferred that main bodies 10 and 210 be made entirely flexible out of a single flexible material for ease of manufacture; however, it is also contemplated to make only the middle portion of main bodies 10 and 210 flexible or hinged to allow for the abovementioned pinching/folding while making the ends of the main bodies more rigid. In any event, folding the main body to during bubble formation serves to make it easier to insert the ribbon into a container of bubble solution. Folding the main body also serves to close the loop of ribbon 30 to close off the trailing end of the bubble to thereby control the size of the bubble being made. Additionally, depending upon how much bubble solution remains on ribbon 30 after a first bubble is made, the user can fold the main body by pinching their fingers closed to form another bubble membrane to create a second bubble without having to re-dip the ribbon back in the bubble solution.

In some embodiments, e.g., as shown in FIG. 11, weight 40 is provided in a substantially central portion of ribbon 30 to give ribbon 30 additional ballast, for several reasons. First, weight 40 weighs down ribbon 30 to ensure it is better submerged in the bubble solution. Second, weight 40 causes the loop of ribbon 30 to come together when the user pinches their fingers together. Additionally, weight 40 helps keep ribbon 30 straighter than otherwise to discourage or prevent ribbon 30 from getting tangled with itself. Moreover, adding weight 40 to a substantially central portion of ribbon 30 enables the use of lighter weight material for the ribbon itself, thereby reducing the costs of materials and shipping.

FIG. 13 depicts another embodiment of the invention. Here, device 308 has a finger grip main body 10 as before. (It could instead have a main body 210 as before.) Rather than a single flexible ribbon 30, device 308 has a bubble-forming structure 330 which includes one or more rigid elements such as dowels 331 preferably attached together at their distal ends. A flexible portion 333 may also be provided. When the user opens their fingers along arrow C, bubble-forming structure 330 defines a bubble-generating space 332. Although FIG. 13 depicts two elongate dowels 331, it is contemplated that multiple rigid sections may be provided instead or in addition. Similarly, although FIG. 13 depicts a single flexible portion 333, multiple flexible portions may be provided instead or in addition.

In operation, the invention is used as follows. First, the user places their fingers into receptacles 20 or through apertures 224. The user preferably pinches their thumb and other finger(s) together to fold main body 10 or 210 to reduce the size of the space occupied by ribbon 30 or structure 330. Then ribbon 30 or structure 330 is lowered into bubble solution so that all or substantially all of the ribbon/structure is submerged or at least otherwise in contact with the solution. Ribbon 30 or structure 330 is flexible and easily folded up and thus can fit inside even a small container of bubble solution. Next, the ribbon/structure is removed from the bubble solution, the user opens their fingers, and the ribbon/structure allowed to expand back to its full loop size. Finally, the user waves their hand/arm to cause air to flow through space 32/332, thereby forming one or more soap bubbles. Substantially mess-free fun is achieved. The user can pinch their fingers together during operation to close the loop of ribbon 30/structure 330 to close off the trailing end of the bubble to thereby control the size of the bubble being made. Depending upon how much bubble solution remains on ribbon 30/structure 330, the user can pinch their fingers closed to form another bubble membrane to create a second bubble without having to re-dip the ribbon/structure back in the bubble solution. When not in use, ribbon 30 can be folded or rolled up, and the entire device 8 can be stored in a small collapsed configuration. (Dowels 331 can be folded together, at least. If multiple sections of dowels are provided, these can be folded up in a manner similar to that of ribbon 30.)

The entire main body 10 or 210 may be made from one or two (or more) layers/films (depending on the embodiment) of flexible plastic such as Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET), e.g., under the brand name Mylar®, made by DuPont. One advantage of using this material is that it is easy to print artwork thereon. Other materials contemplated include polyethylene, Nylon films, molded silicone, molded thermo-plastic rubber (TPR), and the like. As mentioned above, the central portion of the main body may be the sole flexible portion to enable the main body to be folded while keeping the finger securement areas more rigid. In the multilayer embodiments, the layers/films are preferably attached together via Thermo-weld or contact adhesive. Other manufacturing processes can also include pressure/thermoforming, injection molding, compression molding, and the like. The ribbon is also preferably quite flexible and preferably made from cotton, polyester, polyethylene, PET, and the like.

The invention is not limited to the above description. For example, the invention above is described as having two finger receptacles or apertures, however more than two finger receptacles or apertures can be provided. In addition or in the alternative, the finger receptacles can each be made/dimensioned to accommodate more than one finger. Moreover, the various features of one embodiment (e.g., the attachment structure of the ribbon to the main body, the presence or absence of a weight, a two-layer finger receptacle versus a finger aperture formed in a single-layer finger grip main body, one or more portions of the bubble-forming structure being rigid rather than entirely flexible, etc.) are not limited to the specific embodiments in which they are depicted and may be separately provided in any combination or permutation without departing from the scope of the invention. Further, although the above description contemplates a direct action of the user opening and closing their fingers to cause the ribbon/structure to open and close, intermediate mechanisms may also be provided to effectuate or facilitate opening/closing of the ribbon/structure.

Having described certain embodiments of the invention, it should be understood that the invention is not limited to the above description or the attached exemplary drawings. Rather, the scope of the invention is defined by the claims appearing hereinbelow and includes any equivalents thereof as would be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art.

Claims

1. A device for manually generating bubbles, comprising:

a finger grip main body having a plurality of securements each adapted to receive at least one finger of a user; and

a substantially elongate ribbon attached to at least one end of said finger grip main body, said ribbon being flexible and configurable between a smaller first configuration adapted to be inserted into a bubble solution container containing bubble solution and a larger second configuration defining a bubble-generating space and adapted to be waved by the user to generate one or more bubbles.

2. A device for manually generating bubbles according to claim 1, wherein said securements comprise at least one receptacle formed from two layers of material sealed on at least one common edge, thereby forming a pocket therebetween, said pocket adapted to receive at least one finger therein.

3. A device for manually generating bubbles according to claim 2, wherein said at least one receptacle at least partially shields the user from the bubble solution when said ribbon is dipped in the bubble solution and allows the user to hold and control said device.

4. A device for manually generating bubbles according to claim 1, wherein said securements comprise at least one aperture formed in said finger grip main body adapted to receive at least one finger therethrough.

5. A device for manually generating bubbles according to claim 1, wherein said finger grip main body is substantially flat and flexible.

6. A device for manually generating bubbles according to claim 5, said finger grip main body being foldable substantially along a middle portion.

7. A device for manually generating bubbles according to claim 1, said finger grip main body being foldable substantially along a middle portion.

8. A device for manually generating bubbles according to claim 1, wherein said ribbon is attached to both ends of said finger grip main body.

9. A method for manually generating bubbles, comprising the steps of:

providing a device having a finger grip main body having a plurality of securements each adapted to receive at least one finger of a user;

providing a substantially elongate ribbon attached to at least one end of said finger grip main body, said ribbon being flexible and configurable between a smaller first configuration adapted to be inserted into a bubble solution container containing bubble solution and a larger second configuration defining a bubble-generating space and adapted to be waved by the user to generate one or more bubbles;

inserting the ribbon into bubble solution in the smaller first configuration;

removing the ribbon from the bubble solution;

opening the ribbon into the larger second configuration; and

waving the device to cause at least one bubble to form from the bubble solution contacting the bubble-generating space of the ribbon.

10. A method for manually generating bubbles according to claim 9, further comprising the step of folding the main body along a substantially middle portion thereof substantially during said inserting step.

11. A method for manually generating bubbles according to claim 10, said opening step further comprising the step of unfolding the main body substantially between said removing and waving steps.

12. A method for manually generating bubbles according to claim 11, further comprising the steps of:

refolding the main body following said waving step to reform a bubble membrane on the ribbon;

re-unfolding the main body; and

waving the device a second time to cause a second bubble to form from the bubble solution contacting the bubble-generating space of the ribbon.

13. A device for manually generating bubbles, comprising:

a finger grip main body having a plurality of securements each adapted to receive at least one finger of a user; and

a substantially elongate bubble-forming structure attached to at least one end of said finger grip main body, said bubble-forming structure being configurable between a smaller first configuration adapted to be inserted into a bubble solution container containing bubble solution and a larger second configuration defining a bubble-generating space and adapted to be waved by the user to generate one or more bubbles.

14. A device for manually generating bubbles according to claim 13, wherein said bubble-forming structure is attached to both ends of said finger grip main body.

15. A device for manually generating bubbles according to claim 13, said bubble-forming structure further comprising at least one ribbon attached to at least one end of said finger grip main body, said ribbon being flexible.

16. A device for manually generating bubbles according to claim 13, said bubble-forming structure further comprising at least one dowel attached to at least one end of said finger grip main body.

17. A device for manually generating bubbles according to claim 16, said bubble-forming structure further comprising at least one ribbon attached to at least one end of said finger grip main body, said ribbon being flexible.

18. A method for manually generating bubbles, comprising the steps of:

providing a device having a finger grip main body having a plurality of securements each adapted to receive at least one finger of a user;

providing a substantially elongate bubble-forming structure attached to at least one end of said finger grip main body, said bubble-forming structure being configurable between a smaller first configuration adapted to be inserted into a bubble solution container containing bubble solution and a larger second configuration defining a bubble-generating space and adapted to be waved by the user to generate one or more bubbles;

inserting the bubble-forming structure into bubble solution in the smaller first configuration;

removing the bubble-forming structure from the bubble solution;

opening the bubble-forming structure into the larger second configuration; and

waving the device to cause at least one bubble to form from the bubble solution contacting the bubble-generating space of the bubble-forming structure.

19. A method for manually generating bubbles according to claim 18, further comprising the step of folding the main body along a substantially middle portion thereof substantially during said inserting step.

20. A method for manually generating bubbles according to claim 19, said opening step further comprising the step of unfolding the main body substantially between said removing and waving steps.

21. A method for manually generating bubbles according to claim 20, further comprising the steps of:

refolding the main body following said waving step to reform a bubble membrane on the bubble-forming structure;

re-unfolding the main body; and

waving the device a second time to cause a second bubble to form from the bubble solution contacting the bubble-generating space of the bubble-forming structure.