Thin-layer bubble blower

1. Field of the Invention:

The present invention relates to bubble blowers and, more particularly, to a thin-layer bubble blower, which has a thin-layer container of thickness within 2~6mm for holding a bubble solution.

2. Description of the Related Art:

Conventional bubble blowers are commonly comprised of a container for holding a bubble solution, and a bubble-blowing bar for blowing the bubble solution into bubbles. The containers of conventional bubble blowers may be made having any of a variety of shapes to attract children. However, these containers are commonly have a cylindrical shape of diameter greater than 10mm. Due to space occupation, these containers cannot be used or matched with other articles or ornamental devices to add value. <patcit id="pcit0001" dnum="US6433791A"><text>US-A-6 433 791</text></patcit> discloses an example of a vertically disposed bubble maker.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention has been accomplished under the circumstances in view. It is the main object of the present invention to provide a thin-layer bubble blower, which has a thin-layer container of thickness within 2~6mm for holding a bubble solution. According to the present invention there is provided a thin-layer bubble blower according to claim 1. The thin-layer container may be provided with an open frame for holding a picture or card, or attached with an ornament. A labyrinth may be formed in the thin-layer container, which is made transparent.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

<ul id="ul0001" list-style="none" compact="compact"><li><figref idref="f0001">FIG. 1</figref> illustrates a thin-layer bubble blower constructed according to the present invention.</li><li><figref idref="f0002">FIG. 2</figref> is an exploded view of the thin-layer bubble blower shown in <figref idref="f0001">FIG. 1</figref>.</li><li><figref idref="f0003">FIG. 3</figref> is an extended-out view of the thin-layer container for the thin-layer bubble blower shown in <figref idref="f0001">FIG. 1</figref>.</li><li><figref idref="f0004">FIG. 4</figref> is a sectional view showing one example of the arrangement between the male and female coupling means and the flat cover plates for the thin-layer container according to the present invention.</li><li><figref idref="f0004">FIG. 5</figref> is a sectional view showing another example of the arrangement between the male and female coupling means and the flat cover plates for the thin-layer container according to the present invention.</li><li><figref idref="f0005">FIG. 6</figref> is similar to <figref idref="f0002">FIG. 2</figref> but showing an alternate form of the bubble-blowing element at the bubble-blowing bar.</li><li><figref idref="f0006">FIG. 7</figref> is a sectional view of an alternate form of the thin-layer bubble blower according to the present invention.</li><li><figref idref="f0007">FIG. 8</figref> shows an open frame disposed at one side of the thin-layer container for holding a card according to the present invention.</li><li><figref idref="f0008">FIG. 9</figref> is a perspective view of another alternate form of the present invention, showing the rule-like shape of the thin-layer container.</li><li><figref idref="f0009">FIG. 10</figref> shows still two different forms of the thin-layer bubble blowers fastened to a backboard according to the present invention.</li><li><figref idref="f0010">FIG. 11</figref> shows still two different forms of the thin-layer bubble blowers fastened to a backboard according to the present invention.</li><li><figref idref="f0011">FIG. 12</figref> shows still another different form of the thin-layer bubble blower fastened to a backboard according to the present invention.</li><li><figref idref="f0012">FIG. 13</figref> shows still another different form of the thin-layer bubble blower fastened to a backboard according to the present invention.</li><li><figref idref="f0013">FIG. 14</figref> shows the thin-layer container fastened to one end of a folding sheet member according to the present invention.</li><li><figref idref="f0014">FIG. 15</figref> shows the thin-layer container of the thin-layer bubble blower fixedly mounted with an ornament according to the present invention.</li><li><figref idref="f0015">FIG. 16</figref> shows a labyrinth formed in the flat liquid chamber of the thin-layer container according to the present invention.</li><li><figref idref="f0016">FIG. 17</figref> shows a thin-layer bubble blower made by vacuum forming and integral with a backboard according to the present invention.</li><li><figref idref="f0017">FIG. 18</figref> shows an alternate form of the thin-layer bubble blower made by vacuum forming and integral with a backboard according to the present invention.</li><li><figref idref="f0018">FIG. 19</figref> shows an alternate form of the thin-layer bubble blower made by vacuum forming and integral with a backboard provided with an open frame for holding a card according to the present invention.</li></ul>

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to <figref idref="f0001 f0002 f0003 f0004 f0005 f0006">FIGS. 1~7</figref>, a thin-layer bubble blower in accordance with the present invention is shown comprised of a thin-layer container <b>1</b>, and a flat bubble-blowing bar <b>2</b>. Preferably, the thin-layer container <b>1</b> has a thickness about 2~6mm. The thin-layer container <b>1</b> is comprised of two flat cover plates <b>11</b> and <b>12</b>, and male and female coupling means <b>13</b> respectively extended around the border of the flat cover plates <b>11</b> and <b>12</b> for joining the flat cover plates <b>11</b> and <b>12</b>. When assembled, the thin-layer container <b>1</b> defines a flat liquid chamber <b>14</b> and an opening <b>15</b> disposed at the periphery in communication with the flat liquid chamber <b>14</b> through which the bubble-blowing bar <b>2</b> is inserted into the flat liquid chamber <b>14</b> to pick up bubble solution contained in the flat liquid chamber <b>14</b>. The <figref idref="f0004">FIGS. 4 and 5</figref> show two different arrangements of the male and female coupling means <b>13</b> between flat cover plates <b>11</b> and <b>12</b>.

The flat bubble-blowing bar <b>2</b> comprises a handle <b>22</b>, a bubble-blowing element <b>21</b>, and a rubber stopper <b>23</b> fixedly fastened to the handle <b>22</b> and spaced from the bubble-blowing element <b>21</b> at a distance for sealing the opening <b>15</b> of the thin-layer container <b>1</b>. The bubble-blowing element <b>21</b> can be a rigid ring as shown in <figref idref="f0001">FIGS. 1</figref> and <figref idref="f0002">2</figref>, or a compressible coil as shown in <figref idref="f0005">FIGS. 6</figref> and <figref idref="f0006">7</figref>. The rubber stopper <b>23</b> can be formed of a stack of rubber plates as shown in <figref idref="f0001">FIGS. 1</figref> and <figref idref="f0002">2</figref>, or a solid rubber block (as shown in <figref idref="f0005">FIGS. 6</figref> and <figref idref="f0006">7</figref>).

Referring to <figref idref="f0007">FIG. 8</figref>, the thin-layer container <b>1</b> can be made having an integrated open frame <b>3</b> at one side, which defines a coupling groove <b>31</b> adapted to hold a card or any of a variety of thin sheet devices <b>4</b>.

Referring to <figref idref="f0008">FIG. 9</figref>, the thin-layer container <b>1</b> can be made in the form of a rule having marks for measuring distance.

Referring to <figref idref="f0009 f0010 f0011 f0012">FIGS. 10~13</figref>, the thin-layer container <b>1</b> can be made having any of a variety of shapes, and fastened to a backboard <b>5</b> for use as an ornament.

Referring to <figref idref="f0011">FIGS. 12</figref> and <figref idref="f0012">13</figref>, the thin-layer container <b>1</b> can be made having recessed portions <b>16</b> for use as a palette or the like.

Referring to <figref idref="f0013">FIG. 14</figref>, the thin-layer container <b>1</b> can be fixedly fastened to one end of a folded sheet member <b>17</b>.

Referring to <figref idref="f0014">FIG. 15</figref>, the thin-layer container <b>1</b> can be fixedly mounted with an ornamental device, for example, an ornamental mini book <b>18</b>.

Referring to <figref idref="f0015">FIG. 16</figref>, the thin-layer container <b>1</b> may be made having ribs <b>19</b> disposed inside the flat liquid chamber <b>14</b> to form a labyrinth, and floating devices <b>6</b> floating in bubble solution in the flat liquid chamber <b>14</b>. According to this embodiment, the thin-layer container <b>1</b> is made of transparent material.

In the aforesaid embodiments, the thin-layer container <b>1</b> is comprised of two flat cover plates <b>11</b> and <b>12</b> joined together and defining a flat liquid chamber <b>14</b> and an opening <b>15</b>. Alternatively, the thin-layer container <b>1</b> can be made by vacuum molding, and then fixedly fastened to a backboard <b>5</b>, which has an open frame <b>3</b> for holding a card <b>4</b> (see <figref idref="f0016 f0017 f0018">FIGS. 17~19</figref>).

A prototype of thin-layer bubble blower has been constructed with the features of <figref idref="f0001 f0002 f0003 f0004 f0005 f0006 f0007 f0008 f0009 f0010 f0011 f0012 f0013 f0014 f0015 f0016 f0017 f0018">FIGS. 1~19</figref>. The thin-layer bubble blower functions smoothly to provide all of the features discussed earlier.

Although particular embodiments of the invention have been described in detail for purposes of illustration, various modifications and enhancements may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. Accordingly, the invention is not to be limited except as by the appended claims.