Bubble-forming device

Abstract

A bubble-forming device includes a collapsible/expandable bubble-forming member (resilient ring, multi-link, or guillotine slides) movable between open and closed positions. A pump deposits bubble-making solution from a container to the bubble-forming member so that when expanded, a film forms across its opening. A blower blows air through a duct toward the opening to form bubbles. The bubble-forming member is anchored in a collection tub and includes a top connected to a lift, which is in turn pivoted to the duct and operably connected to a trigger. The trigger is slidably mounted on the air duct and configured to actuate the lift. The trigger also operates a switch that actuates a battery-operated motor to drive both the blower and the pump. Thus, actuation of the trigger mechanism causes the bubble-forming member to move from the closed position to the open position, as well as pumps solution and turns on the blower.

1 . A bubble-forming device comprising:
 a collapsible/expandable bubble-forming member movable between an opening-defining position and a collapsed position;   a bubble-solution depositing system for depositing bubble solution on the bubble-forming member; and   a mechanism for selectively moving the bubble-forming member between the opening-defining and collapsed positions.   
   
   
       2 . The device of  claim 1 , including a blower for motivating air toward the bubble-forming member. 
   
   
       3 . The device of  claim 2 , including a motor for operating the blower. 
   
   
       4 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein the depositing system includes a pump and further includes a motor for operating the pump. 
   
   
       5 . The device of  claim 4 , wherein the motor is also connected to and operates the blower. 
   
   
       6 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the mechanism includes a lift attached to a top of the bubble-forming member. 
   
   
       7 . The device of  claim 6 , including a collection tub holding a bottom of the member in a stationary position. 
   
   
       8 . The device of  claim 6 , wherein the mechanism includes a trigger configured to move the lift and expand the bubble-forming member. 
   
   
       9 . The device of  claim 1 , including a collection tub positioned generally under the bubble-forming member. 
   
   
       10 . The device of  claim 1 , including a blower and a structure that supports the blower and that also forms a duct for directing air toward the opening. 
   
   
       11 . The device of  claim 10 , wherein the mechanism includes a motor operably connected to the depositing system, a power source for the motor, and a trigger that slidably engages the structure for movement between on and off positions for selectively connecting the power source to the motor. 
   
   
       12 . The device of  claim 11 , wherein the mechanism includes a lift pivoted to the structure. 
   
   
       13 . The device of  claim 12 , wherein the lift includes an angled slot, and the trigger has protrusions that slides along the slot for rotating the lift. 
   
   
       14 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the bubble-forming member is flexible and is made of a resilient material. 
   
   
       15 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the bubble-forming member includes multiple links pivotally interconnected to form a collapsible ring. 
   
   
       16 . The device of  claim 15 , wherein the multiple links include at least four link members. 
   
   
       17 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the bubble-forming member includes operably inter-connected adjustably-overlapping guillotine members that form the opening when in a partially-separated condition, but that are collapsible to eliminate the opening. 
   
   
       18 . The device of  claim 17 , wherein the operably inter-connected adjustably-overlapping guillotine members are slidably connected. 
   
   
       19 . The device of  claim 1 , including a housing enclosing and supporting the bubble-solution depositing system and the mechanism for selectively moving the bubble-forming member between the opening-defining and collapsed positions, the housing defining a bubble outlet and operably supporting the bubble-forming member near the bubble outlet. 
   
   
       20 . A bubble-forming device comprising:
 a housing having a front opening;   a container coupled to the housing and including an interior that retains bubble solution;   a collapsible/expandable bubble-forming member positioned adjacent the front opening, the member being movable from a collapsed position to an opening-defining position and being configured to form a film when expanded to the opening-forming position; and   a trigger mechanism coupled to the collapsible bubble-forming member so that actuation of the trigger mechanism causes the collapsible member to move from the collapsed position to the opening-defining position.   
   
   
       21 . The device defined in  claim 20 , including a pumping system including tubing that couples the interior of the container with the collapsible/expandable bubble-forming member. 
   
   
       22 . A bubble-forming device comprising:
 a housing having a front opening;   an opening-forming member attached to the housing at a first location, the member being movable between an opening-forming position and a closed position;   a pivoting lift pivoted at a first location and connected to the opening forming member at a second location spaced from the first location;   a fan and air duct for flowing air toward the front opening; and   a trigger operably slidably engaging the air duct for sliding support of the trigger, the trigger and lift including an angled slot and slot-engaging pin that, when the trigger is moved, cause the lift to pivot, thus motivating the opening-forming member to move between the opening-forming and closed positions.   
   
   
       23 . A bubble-forming device comprising:
 a collapsible/expandable bubble-forming member movable between open and closed positions, the member forming an opening when in the open position;   a pump positioned to deposit bubble-making solution from a container to the bubble-forming member so that when expanded, a film forms across the opening;   a blower and duct positioned to direct air toward the opening to form bubbles;   a collection tub positioned under the bubble-forming member;   a lift pivoted to the duct;   a trigger slidably mounted to the duct and operably engaging the lift to pivot the lift upon actuation of the trigger,   the bubble-forming member being anchored in the collection tub and including a top connected to the lift; and   a switch operated by movement of the trigger that actuates a battery-operated motor to drive both the blower and the pump; whereby actuation of the trigger causes the bubble-forming member to move from the closed position to the open position, as well as pumps solution and turns on the blower.   
   
   
       24 . The device of  claim 23 , wherein the collapsible/expandable bubble-forming member comprises one of a resilient ring, a multi-link member, and a pair of interconnected guillotine slides. 
   
   
       25 . A method of forming bubbles comprising steps of:
 providing an expandable/collapsible opening-forming member that is movable between an open position defining an opening and a collapsed position;   pumping bubble solution onto the opening-forming member;   moving the opening-forming member from the collapsed position to the opening position to form a film over an opening defined by the member; and   motivating air toward the opening covered with film to form a stream of bubbles.   
   
   
       26 . The method defined in  claim 25 , including providing an air duct, a trigger and a lift, the lift being operably connected to move the opening-forming member, and the trigger being operably supported by the air duct for movement and operably connected to the lift for operating the lift, and including a step of moving the trigger to operate the lift and in turn move the opening-forming member to the opening position.