US20070238386A1 - Light Emitting Bubble Creation Device - Google Patents

The Improved light emitting bubble creation device is an invention that because of it's ability to emit light throughout a bubble creation ring and bubble wand rather than a single point light emission and because of it's unique incorporation of electroluminescent fibers, causes a created bubble to take on a unique and appealing self illuminating appearance, especially when a bubble is in contact with a bubble creation orifice. The invention is further enhanced by providing a bubble solution container or reservoir that contains lighted bubble solution. Such lighted bubble solution not only creates an appealing appearance, but facilitates the process of bubble creation and play in low light conditions.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

• The present invention relates to light emitting bubble creation devices. More particularly, the present invention relates to bubble creation devices having bubble creation rings that emit light by means of an integrated electroluminescent fiber.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

• The present invention is light emitting bubble creation apparatus. The invention, having a bubble creation orifice which includes a colored light emitting electroluminescent fiber incorporated therein, has particular application for use in creating bubbles wherein the bubbles radiate or reflect light from the bubble orifice, especially while the bubble is in contact with the bubble creation orifice. The invention may also include a light emitting device adjacent to a bubble solution reservoir, such as a substantially clear bottle of bubble solution liquid type reservoir, so as to cause the bubble liquid solution to glow and reflect preferably colored light.

• It is well known that liquid soap bubble type bubble creation devices, in a variety of embodiments, have long existed, and have had significant commercial success. It is also well known that light emitting electroluminescent fibers commonly referred to as “EL wire”, has existed for some time and has enjoyed considerable commercial success. A definition of such EL wire is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,869,930. U.S. Pat. No. 5,869,930 is expressly incorporated herein by reference. It is also know that some toys or related playthings have had EL wire incorporated therein. An example of such EL wire light toy related device is disclosed in pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/326,716. U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/326,716 is expressly incorporated herein by reference. Recently, some attempts to illuminate a liquid soap bubble type bubble have been attempted. An example of a lighted bubble creation device is the “motorized bubble light” by Little Kids, Inc. The “motorized bubble light” functions much light the combination of a conventional flashlight and a bubble creation device by providing for the user to create bubbles and cast or shine a light beam on the created bubbles. While the “motorized bubble light” is effective in illuminating bubbles, due to the significant light beam that is projected onto the bubbles, the “motorized bubble light” fails to cause the created bubble to glow or cause the bubble to take on the effect of the bubble itself emanating light. Another example of a lighted bubble creation device is the “bubble light fest” by Maui Toys. The “bubble light fest” is a bubble creation machine that includes a plurality of various colored light emitting diodes or LEDs surrounding a bubble creation orifice. As bubbles are created by means of the battery powered electric motor driven bubble creation apparatus, the LEDs flash in seemingly various random patterns. While the “bubble light fest”, like the “motorized bubble light”, is effective in projecting light onto bubbles, and the “bubble light fest” adds the dimension of various colored light, due to the light being projected onto the bubbles, the “bubble light fest” fails to cause the created bubble to glow or cause the bubble to take on the effect of the bubble itself emanating light. Yet another example of a lighted bubble creation device is the “flash bubbles” by Maui Toys. The “flash bubbles” device is a bubble creation device that defines a bubble creation wand having a wand stem and a light switch on a first stem end, a bubble creation ring on a second stem end, and a single LED located in the center of the wand stem. In practice, when the light switch is activated, the LED is illuminated and some reflected refracted or reflected light is transmitted through the wand. While the “flash bubbles” device does emit light at a single point in the center of the bubble wand, the “flash bubbles” device does not include a light emitting device within or on the bubble ring itself, does not include an electroluminescent fiber, and fails to cause the created bubble to significantly glow or cause the bubble to take on the effect of the bubble itself emanating light.

• Because the subject invention provides a bubble creation wand having a bubble creation orifice that includes EL wire encircling an inner diametrical opening of the bubble creation device, the subject invention cause a created bubble to significantly glow and causes a created bubble to take on a unique and appealing self illuminating appearance. Further, when used in combination with a preferably clear container of bubble solution having a light emitting device connected to the bottle of bubble solution, the subject invention provides added play value for the user of the invention, especially in low light conditions.

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 a substantially isometric view of the light emitting bubble creation device.

• FIG. 2

  is an exploded substantially isometric view of the light emitting bubble creation device.

• FIG. 3

  is a substantially orthographic cross-sectional view of the light emitting bubble creation device shown in

  FIGS. 1 and 2

  , with the section view being taken through the stem of the bubble wand as indicated by the cross-section arrows shown in

  FIG. 1

  .

  FIG. 3

  is shown at a larger scale than

  FIG. 1

  and 2. No cross-hatching is shown in the EL wire for clarity.

• FIG. 4

  is a substantially orthographic cross-sectional view of a lighted container of liquid bubble solution.

• FIG. 5

  is a schematic view of the electrical components of the light emitting bubble creation device.

  FIG. 5

  is also representative of the electrical components of the lighted bubble solution container assembly. Cross-hatching has been omitted for clarity.

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.

  10	Light emitting bubble creation device
  12	Bubble wand assembly
  14	Handle assembly
  16	Handle assembly retention receptacle
  20	First bubble wand member
  21	Wand stem
  22	Wand attach end
  23	Bubble creation orifice
  24	Bubble creation fin
  25	Bubble orifice inner opening
  26	Bubble wand channel
  30	Second bubble wand member
  31	Wand stem
  32	Wand attach end
  33	Bubble orifice
  34	Bubble creation fin
  35	Bubble creation orifice inner opening
  36	Bubble wand channel
  40	Electroluminescent fiber
  50	First handle member
  51	Second handle member
  53	Electrical switch
  54	Power indication light
  55	Inverter
  56	Battery
  60	Lighted bubble solution container assembly
  70	Container
  72	Container open end
  74	Container closed end
  76	Bubble solution
  80	Base assembly
  81	Base
  82	Container reception well
  84	Electroluminescent fiber
  86	Inverter
  88	Battery
  89	Electrical switch
  90	Schematic diagram in general
  91	Battery
  92	Electrical power inverter
  93	Electrical switch
  94	Electrically activated light
  95	Power indication light
  96	Electrical line

• Referring now to the drawings and particularly to

  FIGS. 1 through 3

  , the invention is improved light emitting

  bubble creation device

  10 comprising a

  bubble wand assembly

  12 and a

  handle assembly

  14.

  Bubble wand assembly

  12 comprises a first

  bubble wand member

  20, a second

  bubble wand member

  30, and at least one

  electroluminescent fiber

  40 of the type of electroluminescent fiber taught in U.S. Pat. No. 5,869,930.

  Electroluminescent fiber

  40 preferably defines a plurality of various colored electroluminescent fibers.

• Bubble wand member

  20 defines a preferably substantially transparent plastic bubble wand member having a

  wand stem

  21, a

  wand attach end

  22, a bubble creation orifice 23, at least one bubble solution retaining

  bubble creation fin

  24, bubble orifice

  inner opening

  25, and at least one

  bubble wand channel

  26.

  Bubble wand member

  30 defines a preferably substantially transparent plastic bubble wand member having a

  wand stem

  31, a

  wand attach end

  32, a

  bubble creation orifice

  33, at least one bubble solution retaining

  bubble creation fin

  34, bubble orifice

  inner opening

  35, and at least one

  bubble wand channel

  36.

  Bubble wand assembly

  12 is assembled such that

  bubble wand member

  20 and

  bubble wand member

  30 are sealingly connected together to form a bubble wand and such that

  electroluminescent fiber

  40 is contained in the

  channels

  26 and 36 formed in

  wand members

  20 and 30 respectively.

  Channels

  26 and 36 and

  electroluminescent fiber

  40 preferably extend the entire length of

  bubble wand assembly

  12 and

  electroluminescent fiber

  40 preferably forms a lightable loop in

  bubble creation orifices

  23 and 33.

• Handle assembly

  14 comprises a first preferably

  plastic handle member

  50 forming a structural substantially shell shaped member, a second preferably

  plastic handle member

  51 forming a structural substantially shell shaped member, an

  electrical switch

  53, a

  power indication light

  54, an electrical inverter 55, and a battery 56. Handle

  assembly

  14 is assembled such that

  handle member

  50 and handle

  member

  51 are sealingly connected together to form a substantially hollow structural handle assembly. Handle

  assembly

  14 further includes a first end having a retention receptacle 16. Handle

  assembly

  14 also includes

  electrical switch

  53,

  power indication light

  54, electrical inverter 55, and battery 56 mounted to handle

  assembly

  14.

  Electrical switch

  53,

  power indication light

  54, electrical inverter 55, and battery 56 are electrically connected and form a portion of an electrical circuit such as that circuit depicted in

  FIG. 5

  .

• Light emitting

  bubble creation device

  10 is assembled such that wand attach ends 22 and 32 of

  bubble wand assembly

  12, are retentatively connected to retention receptacle 16 of

  handle assembly

  14, and such that at least one

  electroluminescent fiber

  40 is electrically connected to

  electrical switch

  53. In practice, light emitting

  bubble creation device

  10 functions similar to a conventional bubble wand in that when light emitting

  bubble creation device

  10 is first dipped into bubble creation solution and then exposed to an air stream, bubbles are created. However, when

  electrical switch

  53 is in an on position, light emitting

  bubble creation device

  10 emits light from throughout

  wand members

  20 and 30 and throughout bubble creation orifices 23 and 33. Being thus lighted, light emitting

  bubble creation device

  10 emits light even while immersed or partially immersed in bubble solution and while creating a bubble. Further when lighted, light emitting

  bubble creation device

  10 imparts a significant glow, not merely at a single point but throughout

  wand members

  20 and 30, and causes a created bubble to take on a unique and appealing self illuminating appearance. In contrast to prior art devices which may merely reflect light through a bubble creation orifice, bubble creation orifices 23 and 33 of light emitting

  bubble creation device

  10, originate light and are the source of light. The consequent unique and appealing self illuminating appearance imparted to the bubble is especially observable when a created bubble is in contact with bubble creation orifices 23 and 33 under low light conditions. It is also noted that in larger versions of the disclosed embodiment,

  electroluminescent fiber

  40 may be formed so as to outline a particular shape such as the shape of a cartoon character.

• FIG. 5

  is provided to display a sample electrical schematic diagram of the disclosed embodiment. In

  FIG. 5

  , diagram 90 symbolically displays

  battery

  91,

  electrical power inverter

  92,

  electrical switch

  93, electrically activated light 94, a

  power indication light

  95, and an

  electrical line

  96. The components of the described embodiment are electrically connected in the order depicted in diagram 90 of

  FIG. 5

  , such that the disclosed embodiment functions as described above.

• Referring now to the drawings and particularly to

  FIG. 4

  , an alternate embodiment of the invention defines a lighted bubble

  solution container assembly

  60 for use in combination with the improved light emitting

  bubble creation device

  10. Lighted bubble

  solution container assembly

  60 comprises

  container

  70 and

  base assembly

  80.

• Container

  70 preferably defines a substantially transparent plastic container having a container

  open end

  72, a container

  closed end

  74, and

  bubble solution

  76 contained within

  container

  70.

  Container

  70 may be adapted to contain a predetermined amount of bubble solution for instance 0.30, 0.50, 1.0, 2.0, 4.0 8.0, 12.0 16.0, or 32.0 ounces of bubble solution or

  container

  70 may be adapted to contain more or less than the listed amounts of bubble solution.

  Base assembly

  80 comprises a substantially hollow generally cylindrically shaped transparent

  plastic base

  81 having a container reception well 82.

  Base assembly

  80 further includes at least one

  electroluminescent fiber

  84,

  electrical power inverter

  86,

  battery

  88, and pressure sensitive

  electrical switch

  89 mounted to

  base

  81. At least one

  electroluminescent fiber

  84,

  electrical power inverter

  86,

  battery

  88, pressure sensitive

  electrical switch

  89, and optionally an electrical power indication light are electrically connected and form an electrical circuit such as that circuit depicted in

  FIG. 5

  .

• In practice, when

  container

  70 is rested in

  base assembly

  80, container closed

  end

  74 comes into contact with pressure sensitive

  electrical switch

  89, causing an electrical circuit to be closed and in turn causing at least one

  electroluminescent fiber

  84 to emit light. The light emitted from at least one

  electroluminescent fiber

  84, passes through

  transparent container

  70 and causes

  bubble solution

  76 to glow and emit light. The glowing of

  bubble solution

  76 not only creates an appealing lighting effect, it causes the bubble solution to be more readily location by a user when using lighted bubble

  solution container assembly

  60 in low light conditions. Further when light emitting

  bubble creation device

  10 is used in combination with lighted bubble

  solution container assembly

  60, unique and multi-colored lighting effects are created. Lighted bubble

  solution container assembly

  60 may optionally be provided such that

  container

  70 is permanently affixed to

  base assembly

  80, in which case pressure sensitive

  electrical switch

  89 is adapted to be actuated manually rather than by the causing of container closed

  end

  74 to come into contact with pressure sensitive

  electrical switch

  89. Lighted bubble

  solution container assembly

  60 may optionally have

  electroluminescent fibers

  84 rearranged in a variety of locations and color combinations. For instance,

  electroluminescent fibers

  84 may outline container

  open end

  72 so as to make container

  open end

  72 more readily visible in low light conditions. Furthermore, light emitting

  bubble creation device

  10 may be adapted to incorporate a variety of

  electroluminescent fibers

  84 in a plurality of locations in addition to or in place of a bubble wand or bubble creation orifice location.

• FIG. 5

  is provided to display a sample electrical schematic diagram of the disclosed alternated embodiment. In

  FIG. 5

  , diagram 90 symbolically displays

  battery

  91,

  electrical power inverter

  92,

  electrical switch

  93, electrically activated light 94, a

  power indication light

  95, and an

  electrical line

  96. The components of the described alternate embodiment are electrically connected in the order depicted in diagram 90 of

  FIG. 5

  , such that the invention functions as described above.

• 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.