WO1995000408A1

WO1995000408A1 - Bubble blowing apparatus having a spill-proof container

Info

Publication number: WO1995000408A1
Application number: PCT/US1994/005970
Authority: WO
Inventors: Steven Bryan Dunn; Fernando Suarez
Original assignee: Munchking Bottling, Inc.
Priority date: 1993-06-25
Filing date: 1994-05-26
Publication date: 1995-01-05
Also published as: AU7227594A

Abstract

Bubble blowing apparatus (10) for use with a bubble blowing wand (30) includes a container (12) for the bubble fluid and a closure member (60) for closing an opening in the container (12). The closure (50) has an opening (32) formed therethrough for passage of the wand (30) into the container (12). A releasable sealing member (60) is positioned to cover the opening (52) in the closure. The sealing member (60) allows the passage of the wand (30) through the opening and seals the opening when the container (12) is not in an upright position. The sealing member (60) includes flap seal formed from silicone. The flap seal includes a top wall and a plurality of side walls.

Description

BUBBLE BLOWING APPARATUS HAVING A SPILL-PROOF CONTAINER

Field of the Invention

This invention relates generally to the field of apparatus used for blowing bubbles. More specifically, it relates to containers used to hold the liquid from which bubbles are produced using bubble blowing apparatus. Background of the Invention

Any parent who has ever had a child and who has ever given that child a bubble blowing toy which included a container of bubble blowing fluid has experienced the anguish that occurs when the child drops the container, spilling bubble blowing fluid on the ground.

Such toys typically include a film forming wand having a ring shaped member attached to one end. When the ring shaped end of the wand is dipped into and removed from bubble blowing fluid, a thin film forms over the ring. Blowing or otherwise moving air through the ring results in the film being formed into bubbles.

It will be appreciated by anyone who has ever blown bubbles that the fluid from which the bubbles are formed is extremely slippery to the touch. Inevitably, the continual insertion and removal of the wand from the bubble blowing fluid results in fluid getting onto the user's hands and eventually onto the container for the bubble blowing fluid. The dropping of the bubble blowing fluid container is made more probable by the presence of bubble blowing fluid on the outside surface of the container.

The probability of dropping the container is even greater for containers that are primarily cylindrically shaped. Such containers are generally formed as smooth plastic cylinders having a screw on lid. The primary method for holding such containers is by frictional engagement in the users hand, i.e., by squeezing the container. Consequently, the presence of fluid on the exterior surface of the container makes frictional engagement extremely difficult.

It is clear that there has existed a long and unfilled need in the art for improved apparatus for blowing bubbles which includes a spill proof container, so that if the container should drop or fall, the fluid used to produce the bubbles will not be lost and for a container which is easier to hold. Summary of the Invention The problems of the prior art are overcome and the advantages of the invention are achieved in a bubble blowing apparatus for use with a bubble blowing wand. Such apparatus includes a container for fluid adapted to be formed into bubbles, wherein the container has an open end. A closure member is positioned in the open end for closing the container. The closure, however, has an opening formed therethrough for passage of the wand into the container. A releasable sealing member is positioned to cover the opening in the closure. The sealing member is operative to allow the passage of the wand through the opening and further is operative to seal the opening when the container is not in an upright position. It is preferred for the sealing member to include a flap seal formed from silicone. It is especially preferred for the flap seal to include a top wall and a plurality of side walls. The side walls may be formed at a non-perpendicular angles to the top wall. It is also especially preferred for the top wall to include a connecting member for connecting the flap seal to the closure.

It may also be preferred for the closure to include with a second opening. In such an embodiment the connecting member includes a stem attached to the top wall. The stem is positioned in the second opening for attaching said top wall to said closure. A further embodiment includes a radial groove formed in the stem. When the stem is positioned in the opening, the groove engages the closure, thereby holding the sealing member to the closure. It is especially preferred for the connecting member to include a plurality of stems or a pair of stems.

In a most preferred embodiment, the sealing member is integrally formed as a single piece. Brief Description of the Drawings These and other objects and advantages of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the following drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a bubble blowing apparatus constructed in accordance with the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a sectional view of the upper portion of the container of the bubble blowing apparatus shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is an isolated view of a portion of a stem shown in Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken along the line 4-4 in Fig. 2; and

Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken along the line 5-5 in Fig. 2. Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiment(s)

Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals designate corresponding features throughout the views, and referring in particular to Fig. 1, a bubble blowing apparatus constructed according to the preferred embodiment of the invention is depicted and generally designated 10. Apparatus 10 includes a transparent bottle 12 having a base portion 14 and a tapered neck portion 16 that tapers upwardly with lessening width from base portion 14 to a point 18 of minimum width. Container 12 is preferably fabricated from a high quality unbreakable polycarbonate, and is non-toxic and shatterproof. Container 12 can also be manufactured from either K resin or polyethyleneterephthalate (PET) . It can be fabricated through either an extrusion process, an injection molding process or a stretch flow molding process, with the preferred process being a stretch flow molding process. Bottle 12 further may have plurality of engraved graduations defined thereon (not shown) which provide a better grip during use. It will be appreciated that bottle 12 functions to hold the fluid or liquid from which bubbles are to be formed.

Alternatively, bottle 12 could be fabricated from a translucent or opaque material, and from other materials than that discussed above.

Referring again to Fig. 1, apparatus 10 further includes a ring member 20 securely closing container 12. Ring member 20 preferably has a truncated, conical shape, and has a point of maximum width 24 at a bottom end thereof, for reasons which are discussed in greater detail below. Ring member 20 preferably further includes a textured grip outer surface 26 for enhanced grippability during attachment and removal from container 12. Apparatus 10 further includes a wand 30 for insertion and removal from bottle 12 in order to obtain a supply of bubble blowing fluid. Wand 30 is shown to include a handle 32, an extension member 34 and a ring shaped distal end 36. Handle 32 is provided with a particular width (W_w) , the purpose of which will be described below. It is noted that distal end 36 is adapted so that a film of bubble blowing fluid will form thereon when the distal end is inserted into and removed from a supply of such fluid. It is also noted that in order to insert wand 30 into container 12, it will be necessary to first remove ring member 20.

As can best be seen in Fig. 1, one important feature of container 12 and ring member 20 is that container 12 is tapered and grip surface 26 on ring member 20 is textured, respectively, so that container 12 and ring member 20 resemble a popular beverage bottle and its bottle cap. More specifically, in the preferred embodiment, container 12 and ring member 20 are constructed and arranged to resemble the distinctive soft drink bottle that is commercially available. It is to be understood, however, that the scope of the invention is not to be limited to the products of one source or company, and that the concept of the invention should equally apply to any configuration of container 12 and ring member 20 that would cause the overall appearance of the apparatus to resemble a beverage packaging that would be identifiable as such by an adult. In this sense, "beverage" means not only soft drinks, but juices, mineral water, and other popular drinks as well.

Referring now to Fig. 2, another advantageous feature of the invention is that ring member 20 has a point 24 of maximum outer width that is significantly greater than the width of container 12 at its point 18 of minimum width, so that a child can comfortably grip the container 12 at the point of minimum width 18 with one side of his or her hand being supported by ring member 20, or by a flange 40 on a threaded mounting portion 42 of container 12. As shown in Fig. 2, the minimum width of the tapered neck portion 16 of container 12 may be represented as W_B. The maximum width at the point 24 of ring member 20 may be represented by W_R. Also important is the vertical distance between the point 18 of minimum width and the point 24 of maximum width. This distance may be represented by D. Preferably, the maximum outer width at point 24 on ring member 20 W_R is from approximately 1.6 inches to 2.3 inches. Preferably, the width W_B at the point 18 of minimum width is from approximately 0.85 inches to 1.6 inches. The distance D is preferably approximately 0.2 to 2 inches, with a more preferred range being from approximately 0.2 to approximately 0.75 inches. Preferably, width W_R is from approximately 1.2 to 2.7 times width W_B. Most preferably, W_R is 1.6 to 2.0 times W_B. It is anticipated that the dimensional ranges and proportions set forth above are those that would most effectively enhance grippability of container 12 while being used to blow bubbles. Depending on the size of the user's hand, one side of the user's hand, specifically the side of the hand that includes the thumb and the forefinger, will be supported by either a flange 40 on the threaded mounting portion 42 of container 12, or by both the threaded mounting portion 42 and a bottom surface of ring member 20 that includes the point 24 of maximum outer width. The feel during gripping has been likened to the feeling that an adult gets when gripping a dumbbell, that is, a very secure grip. The tapered neck portion 16 of container 12 may be tapered or radiused from the point 18 of minimum width to flange 40 in such a manner so as to conform to the outer radius of a child's finger for enhanced grippability.

Referring again to Fig. 2, it will be seen that in addition to container 12 and ring member 20, apparatus 10 further includes closure member 50 positioned in the open end of container 12 for closing container 12. Closure 50 has an opening 52 formed therethrough for passage of wand 30 into container 12. Closure 50 is structured such that an upper region 54 and a lower region 56 are formed. A ring-like portion 58 is formed between regions 54 and 56. The function of ring-like portion 58 is to provide a tight friction fit seal between the interior walls of container 12 and closure 50. The friction fit need be strong enough to maintain a fluid tight seal with container 12 when container 12 is inverted while filled with bubble blowing fluid. In other words, the friction fit should be great enough that the weight of the fluid will not be able to force closure 50 out of the open end of container 12. A releasable sealing member 60 is positioned to cover opening 52. Sealing member 60 is operative to allow the passage of wand 30 through opening 52 and further is operative to seal opening 52 when container 12 is not in an upright position. In the embodiment shown in Fig. 2, sealing member 60 is a flap seal. It is especially preferred for sealing member 60 to be formed from silicone. When container 12 is not in an upright position, the bubble blowing fluid will move towards opening 52, thereby pressing flap seal 60 against the opening. In other words, the weight or force of the fluid causes flap seal 60 to seal opening 52.

As shown in Fig. 2, sealing member 60 includes a top wall 62 and a plurality of side walls 64. It is noted that side walls 64 -are formed at a non-perpendicular angle to top wall 62. Top wall 62 is connected by a pair of connecting members 68 to closure 50. It is noted that such connection can also be made by a single connector. As will be appreciated from Fig. 3, each connector 68 passes through an opening formed in top wall 60. A radial groove 70 formed in connector 68 engages the sides of the opening in top wall 62. A stem 72 is positioned in an opening in closure 50. Preferably, stem 72 is held within the opening in closure 50 via a friction fit.

It is also within the scope of the present invention to integrally form sealing member 60 and connecting members 68.

Referring to Fig. 4, it will be appreciated that opening 52 is has an opening width (W₀) . Although opening 52 can have any desired width and thickness, the relationship of the wand width W_w to W₀ and wand thickness is important to another aspect of the invention. By making the width of wand 30 equal to or slightly greater than W₀ and the thickness equal to the thickness or height of opening 52, the wand can help contain bubble blowing fluid in container 12. By making the length of wand 30 greater than the distance from closure 50 to the bottom of container 12, the handle portion of wand 30 can be made to extend above closure 50 when the wand is fully inserted, resulting in an easy to grab wand. With such a construction, the wand will not pass beyond closure 50 and fall into container 12. Still further, by centering opening 52 in closure 50, wand 30 is assured to be centered in the open end of container 12, allowing for easier grabbing. It is to be understood, however, that even though numerous characteristics and advantages of the present invention have been set forth in the foregoing description, together with details of the structure and function of the invention, the disclosure is illustrative only, and modifications and variations may be made without departing from the principles of the invention as set forth in the following claims.

Claims

Claims What is claimed is:

1. Bubble blowing apparatus for use with a bubble blowing wand, said wand having a film forming end, said apparatus comprising: a container for containing fluid adapted to be formed into bubbles, said container having an open end; a closure member positioned in said open end for closing said container, said closure having an opening formed therethrough for passage of said wand into said container; and a releasable sealing member positioned to cover said opening, said sealing member being operative to allow the passage of said wand through said opening and further being operative to seal said opening when said container is not in an upright position.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said sealing member comprises a flap seal.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said flap seal is formed from silicone.

4. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said flap seal comprises a top wall and a plurality of side walls.

5. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein said side walls are formed at a non-perpendicular angle to said top wall.

6. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein said top wall further comprises a connecting member for connecting said top wall to said closure.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein said closure is provided with a second opening and wherein said connecting member comprises a stem attached to said top wall, wherein said stem is positioned in said second opening for attaching said top wall to said closure.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein said top wall has a third opening, wherein said connecting member passes through said third opening, said stem comprising a radial groove formed therein, wherein when said stem is positioned in third second opening, said groove engages said top wall.

9. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein said connecting member comprises a plurality of said stems.

10. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein said connecting member comprises a pair of stems.

11. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein said sealing member is integrally formed.