US2711051A - Bubble forming device - Google Patents

Description

June 21, K B PICK' 2,711,051

BUBBLE FORMING DEVICE Filed Aug. 50, 1954 v M/VENTOA KENNETH B-PICK ATTORNEY BUBBLE FORMING DEVICE Kenneth Benjaman Pick, London, England Application August 30, 1954, Serial No. 452,839

2 Claims. (Cl. 46-6) The present invention relates to bubble forming devices.

An object of the present invention is to afford a device adapted to form bubbles having a surface the film thickness of which is greater than was heretofore obtainable whereby the surface tension is greatly increased in order that bursting of the bubbles is avoided during formation thereof on the device and in order that bubbles of any desired dimension may be formed.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a device for forming persistent bubbles of extremely large dimensions and adapted for entertaining both young and old people.

A further object of the present invention is to afford a device for forming large bubbles substantially puncture proof and adapted to contain any desirable gas, such as smoke and the like, whereby the colors of the spectrum become visible and the dispersive power of the material of which the bubbles are made is fully availed of.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a device for forming bubbles from a bubble producing fluid, such as a liquid, by absorbing at one end portion thereof the fluid whereby upon blowing a gas through the body of the device a bubble is formed continuously or successive bubbles may be formed intermittently at the will of the operator.

Still another object of the present invention is to afford a device for producing concentric bubbles within an outer bubble without puncturing the outer bubble or adjacent concentric bubbles.

Yet a further object of the invention is to provide a bubble forming device for absorbing and feeding a bubble forming solution in the bubble forming end ofthe device to thereby effectively increase the size of the bubble and to make the bubble substantially puncture proof as it is being formed by the passing of a stream of gas through the bubble forming end of the device.

As children are prone to suck there may be provided in the present invention means whereby after the bubble producing fluid has been absorbed and received within the bubble producing end of the device said fluid is prevented from being drawn in the mouths of the children.

Some of the objects of the invention having been stated other objects will appear as the description proceeds when taken in connection with the accompanying drawing, in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a bubble forming device constructed according to the invention.

Figure 2 is a fragmentary sectional view taken through the mouthpiece end of the bubble forming device shown in Figure 1.

Referring now to the drawing, it will be seen that the bubble forming device comprises a tubular body having a hollow portion which defines a right circular conical passage extending through the body. The smaller diameter end of the passage may be provided with a mouthpiece 11. The body 10 may be made from any fibrous material having absorbent properties although remaining substantially stiff even when thoroughly wetted; for

2,711,051 Patented June 21, 1955 "ice instance such a material may be cardboard or paper which is composed essentially of cellulose fibers. The body 10 may comprise a single thickness or layer. of such material or a plurality of layers applied or Wound each over the other.

Preferably, the thickness of the wall of the body 10 is about one-sixteenth to one-eighth of an inch; the length of the body 10 is about six to eight inches, and the dimension of the larger diameter end of the passage or bubble blowing end is about one and one-quarter to one and three-quarter inches. The bubble blowing end of the body 10 is provided with a plurality of cuts or incisions 12 preferably substantially equidistantly spaced about one-eighth of an inch along the circumference of the bubble blowing end. The length of the cuts or incisions 12. is preferably one-half inch or more. i

Referring now to Figure 2, the mouthpiece 11, adapted to fit in the smaller diameter end of the passage, is of conical or tapering form to thereby provide an annular pocket or recess 13 between the inner surface of the wall of the body 11) and the outer surface of the wall of mouthpiece 11. The mouthpiece 11 may be made from any rigid or semi-rigid material such as wood, metal, plastic, cardboard and the like. It will be appreciated that when the bubble forming device is in use, any liquid present therein will, on appropriate inclination of the device, tend to collect in the pocket or recess 13 and any tendency for such liquid to run back through said mouthpiece and into the mouth of the user Will be prevented.

The operation, uses and advantages of the invention just described are as follows: assuming the bubble blowing end of the body 10 has been received in a liquid solution containing soap, or a detergent, or the like, this solution is absorbed within the fibrous material from which the body is made. The cuts or incisions 12 accelerate the absorption by creating both capillary attraction between the solution and the material of body 10 and an improved absorption resulting from the large surface of contact between the solution and the material of body 10.

When a gas such as air, or a smoke filled atmosphere, or even a colored gas is passed under pressure through the passage in the body It), the pressure head of the gas at the bubble forming end of the device is smaller than the pressure head at the mouthpiece end due to the conical shape of the passage. This shape is largely essential in order to reduce the risk of bursting the bubble formed at the bubble forming end of the device. The solution absorbed in the material of body 10 is drawn into the passage and outwardly therefrom to form a film as a result of the surface tension of the solution. The gas acts against this film and pushes it outwardly thereby drawing out more of the absorbed solution and thus forming a progressively larger bubble the film thickness of which remains substantially constant. The solution is drawn out through the cuts or incisions 12 and along the edges of the absorbent surface of the material of body 10 both as a result of the surface tension and of the gas flow so that there is a substantially even distribution of the solution around the passage and so that the film thickness is constant during blowing of the bubble and also so that the film thickness is greater than was heretofore obtainable to thereby form a long lasting and substantially puncture-proof bubble. Thus it can be seen that rupture of the bubble during its expansion is largely avoided by the solution feeding means provided at the end of the body 10. Also the film is such that it allows detachment of the bubble from the bubble forming device without bursting thereof and also subsequent insertion of the bubble forming device within the bubble in order to blow a second bubble within the firstbubble without bursting the latter.

Although the bubble forming device may be made of practically any size, it will be appreciated that variations in the size will necessitate corresponding variations in the thickness of the material from which the body is made and in the length and relative disposition of the cuts or incisions. Also the external shape of the bubble forming device may be formed to simulate almost any type of object, such as an animal. The present embodiment of the invention is, therefore, to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention being indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description, and all changes which come Within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims such as making colored bubbles or merely rendering visible the color spectrum due to the film thickness or the like are, therefore, intended to be embraced therein.

What is claimed is:

1. YA device for forming bubbles from a solution upon blowing gas through said solution comprising a tubular absorbent body of fibrous material for drawing in said solution at one end thereof and for forming bubbles at the other end thereof, said body having a passage for said gas and solution feeding means comprising a plurality of longitudinal incisions cut through the Wall of said body, said incisions being distributed around the bubble forming end of said passage and terminating at said end whereby upon blowing of gas through said passage the absorbed solution is drawn out past said incisions and due to capillary attraction and improved absorption forms a film defining a progressively expanding bubble of large dimension.

2. A device as defined in claim 1, wherein a mouthpiece is mounted at the end of the body opposite said bubble forming end, the inner surface of the body and the outer surface of the mouthpiece defining an annular chamber to prevent overflowing of the solution through the end of the body opposite the bubble forming end.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS I Bloxom June 18, 1940

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