Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
W092/0228t 2 ~ ~ 6 ~ ~ ~ PCT/~91/00228
Device and method for blowing bubbles
This invention relates to a device and a method for blowing
bubbles. The device and the method are of the type given
in the introductory part of the corresponding claim.
No doubt everybody has practised the art of blowing soap
bubbles as a child. The conventional bubble-producing
device consists, for example, of a piece of metal wire with
one end bent around to form a loop. The loop is dipped in
a solution of water and soap or detergent and the film
which is retained acro~s the wire loop is inflated by
blowing air onto it from the flat side. The bubble then
floats off after having increased somewhat in size. This is
a primitive device and is never sure to perform pxoperly;
even if it does, it will only form one bubble at a time.
A bubble-blowing apparatus familiar from US-Patsnt
3,323,250 consists of two short tubular members, one within
the other, the inner member narrowing conically in the
direction of the air flow. The front portion of the outer
member is cylindrical and its rear portion is similarly
conical where lt overlaps with said inner tube. Blowing is
accomplished as an unobstructed breath of air directed into
the device at some distance. The device in guesti.on allows
the simultaneous formation of two bubbles, one within the
other.
An obvious drawback of said device is the incertainty of
its function as it no doubt calls for very skillful blowlng
to achieve the desired result. The device has a rather
complicated channel system, which in itself is rather
difficult and expensive to fabricate and with which no
bubbles are formed at all unless the air flow is directed
accurately. On the other hand, dlrectlng the alr flow from
the llps to the somewhat distant center of the device ls so
WO 92/02281 r PCl'/F191/00228
2086~
imprecise that there is little hope of any fine control.
In the bubble-blowing device known from US Patent
3,473,253, the air is blown through an aperture in a
diagonal wall which remains submerged in soapy water. The
air forced out through the aperture will therefore flow up,
forming a bubble which in turn exits into the ambient air
through the opening provided in the device.
The function of the device is thus limited to producing a
continuous row of bubbles and its operation is probably
monotonous and hardly entertaining to the user for any
longer periods due to the lack of variety. Furthermore,
many of ~th'e''bubbles produced when air emerges from the
soapy water are likely to burst when they strike the edge
of the device or at least when the bubbles are squeezed
through the exlt passageway with the outflowing air,
whereupon -- concluding from the description given -- they
are forced to assume a new form.
Other devices than those referred to above have been
developed for bubble-blowing. For example, US Patent
2,628,44,9 presents an apparatus in which a "flywheel"
comprising a number of rings rotates in a bowl holding
soapy liquid. A narrow jet of air directed from a special
blowing part inflates and releases a bubble from each ring
quite analogous to the preceding one. At the same time, the
alr flow keeps the ~flywheel" rotating. The result is thus
a sequence of isolated bubbles. The apparatus produces
s1ngle soap bubbles of the conventional type and not of the
bubble-wlthln-bubble type. It also features clumsy
constructlon and a high cost of fabrication. . .-.
Yet another apparatus is known for the blowing of bubbles,
a device that ~ustifiably could be referred to as the very
machine for the purpose. Such an apparatus is introduced ln
US Patent 4,867,724. It makes use of the phenomen in which
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W O 92/02281 2~86~a~ P~r/F191/00228
an air flow lifts up a piston, attached to which is a ring
submerged in soapy liquid. As the piston moves up, the ring
emerges from the solution carrying a liquid film across its
eye. However, simultaneously with the upward movement of
the piston, air gains free passage into the nozzle, from
where it passes on to said film, inflating it. As soon as
the alr passageway opens, the piston returns to its
original position, starting a new cycle of the
aformentioned function. In this way one gets an endless row
of bubbles.
The said apparatus no doubt functions excellently to the
given end, but even so, it is limited to producing only
rows of isolated bubbles; On the other hand, the kind of
satisfaction that is sought in blowing soap bubbles is
hardly to be found ln ~ust blowing a row of bubbles from an
automatic apparatus. The apparatus also lacks any means of
creating variety in blowing bubbles.
It is the ob~ect of the present invention to present such
a device and such a method for bubble-blowing wherein the
drawbacks encumbering prior art can be avoided. A
convenient device is of slmple construction, inexpensive to
fabricate and allows a variation of bubble sizes and a
variation of the location of the bubbles in respect of each
other. The advantages of the device and the method
according to the invention are achieved in a way the
characteristics of which are rendered in the enclosed
patent claims.
The device in accordance with the lnvention is now
described in more detail with reference to the enclosed
patent drawings, in which:
Figure 1 is a side view of an exemplary embodiment of the
invention;
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WO92~02281 PCT/~91/00228
2~6~~ ''
Figure 2 shows the device according to Figure l seen into
the left end of the device;
Figure 3, ln turn, ls an longitudinal section of the left
end portion of the same device;
Figure 4 shows examples of bubbles produced by a device in
accordance with the invention;
Figure 5 shows a side view of a device of another exemplary
embodiment of the inventlon;
Figure 6 is the sectlon A-A of the device in Figure 5;
.. . ..
lS Figure 7 is the section B-B of the device in Figure 5;
Figure 8 is the section C-C of the same device;
Figure 9 is a side view of a device of a third embodiment
20 of the invention; ~ -
Figure lO shows a device of the third embodiment of the
invention as viewed directly into the left end of the
device in Figure 9; and
Flgure ll shows examples of bubbles produced wlth a device
of the second and third embodiments of the invention.
r
The devlce is explained in reference to the aforementioned
figures. The direction of the air flow producing the
bubbles is indicated by the arrow l. The method according
to the invention comes clear in connection of the
description of the device.
Hence, Figure l is a simplified illustration of the
principle of a bubbl~-blowlng devlce ln accordance wlth the
present lnventlon as lts first alternatlve embodlment. It
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WO92/02281 2 ~ PCT~91~00228
consists of two generally tubular members, a relatively
long tube 3 and a relatively short tube 4 which is inside
the longer tube wholly or of a great part of it.
Naturally, inner tube 4 is fixed to or suspended from outer
tube 3 ln one way or another. This is illustarted by a
supporting arm marked with the numeral 7. Although, as seen
in Figure 2, it is proposed here the supporting arms 7 be
four in number, lt is obvious that even a single supporting
arm 7 would be sufficient to fix a light-weight and almost
non-load bearing boby 4 in position. The configuration or
posltion o~ supporting arm 7 is not critical.
Figure 3 shows an exemplary devlce of this embodiment of
lS the invention as a cross-section of the left portion of
Figure l. The reference numbers are the same as in Figure
The general idea of a device in accordance with the
invention is that the blower of soap bubbles places inlet
opening 2 of tube 3 to his/her lips after having first
dipped the outer tube end, in the dlrection of air flow,
lnto the bubble-forming solution and starts blowing. A
mother bubble 8 begins to take form at exit opening 5 of
tube 3. When the desired size is reached, the intensity of
blowing is increased, starting the formation of a smaller
bubble at exit opening 6 of the inner tube 4. The smaller
bubble is then released into the ~arger bubble. It is even
possible to produce several smaller bubbles 9 (Pigure 4)
within the larger bubble ~the mother bubble~ 8 by
maintaining for a while the blowing force which releases
the smaller bubbles from the exit opening 6. The larger
bubble is made to float off by a sideways movement of tube
3.
It should be noted that, wlth the devlce ln accordance wlth
the present 1nventlon, the lnflating process can be
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W092/0228t o~ 6~ pcT/n9t/oo228
discontinued at any desired point, for example, by shuttlng
off the opening of tube 3 with the tongue or simply by
holding the breath. Thls enables, for example, the
refilling of the lungs with air through the nose for
continued blowing.
As can be clearly seen in the figures, outer tube 3 is a
truncated cone which widens, at least to some degree, in
the dlrection of alr flow and lnner tube 4 respectively is
a truncated cone which narrows, at least sllghtly, ln the
dlrectlon of air flow.
By way of an example, both the outer tube and lnner tube
-are shown in the drawings as having a round section. This
15 is not essential at all, however, as any desired cross-
section can be used, the cholce belng based on esthetlc
rather than technical values. Thus a square or hexagon
cross-section is quite applicable and an lndeflnite cross-
sectlon can be used where needed.
The position of tube 4 within tube 3 ls not crltical. It is
likely that a good functional conflguratlon ls achieved at
least wlth lnner tube 4 positloned wlthln outer tube 3 in
such a way that the outlet ends of the tubes are in the
25 same plane or near the same plane. There is no reason to
believe that the devlce would not operate properly even if r
inner tube 4 were moved axlally wlthin tube 3.
Inner tube 4 is generally coaxial with outer tube 3 but
30 this, too, is hardly crltical, as it can be assumed that,
even if inner tube 4 were positioned diagonally, lt would
introduce a smaller bubble into the mother bubble, although
the directlon would deviate a llttle from that achieved by
concentrlc tubes.
The relatlonshlp between the exlt openlngs of tubes 3 and
4 can be varled as desired whereby one receives mother
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W092~0228t 2 ~ V 5 PCT/~91/00228
bubbles and inner bubbles of different slzes without the
need to change the blowing force or time. Thus it is
natural that the inner tube 4 with supporting arms 7 would
be interchangeable, i.e. a separate element. In addition,
5 the relationship of the cross-section area of upstream end
lO of inner tube 4 to the cross-section area of the outer
tube at the corresponding level can be varied.
Instead that tube 4 would form only one outlet opening 6,
lO it is possible to divide the outlet opening, in the
direction of air flow, into several openings, for example
by providing the outer end of tube 4 with a plate like
stopper and by providing the same with openings of suitable
~ size and number. The bubbles formlng from these openings
lS remain inslde mother bubble 8 as descrlbed before.
Figure 5 outlines the principle of an exemplary bubble-
blowing device according to the second embodiment of the
invention. It basically consists of two relatively long
20 tubular members 3. In this embodiment, part 3 contains a
surface ll to split the air flow in tube 3 into two or more
streams so that bubbles are produced at a minimum of two
differe-.t openings. Surface ll corresponds to the inner
cone 4 of the preceding embodiment.
In this embodiment, the bubble blower, ln a mode analogous
to the principle of the preceding embodiment, places the r
inlet opening 2 of tube 3 on his or her lips, having first
dipped the outer end, in the direction of air flow, of the
30 tube in a solution of water and soap or detergent, and
starts blowing. The air flow reaches surface ll, from where
it is divided and led, through hole 12 in surface ll, into
upper compartment 13 and when hitting surface ll, it is
partially guided also into lower compartment 14. The
35 formation of the larger bubble, the so-called mother
bubble, is initiated at opening 5 of upper compartment 13,
and the holes 16 of lower compartment 14, which are
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essentially smaller than opening s, start producing bubbles
which attach themselves onto the side of the mother bubble.
Because the area on the mother bubble where the slde-
bubbles are attached ls indeed on the side of the mother
bubble, air flow is accelerated by increasing the blowing
force and because of the conical shape of the lower
compartment 14 and the mother bubble begins to rotate,
offering more surface area for the formation of new side-
bubbles.
It should be noted, that also in a device according to this
embodiment, it ls possible to discontinue the lnflating of
the bubble at any point, as in the preceding embodiment.
Openings 16, from which the side-bubbles are sent off onto
the side of the mother bubble, are at least one but
preferably several in number and they can be of different
sizes to enable the formation of side-bubbles varying in
size.
;~
Surface 11 and opening 12 are quite general terms for the
configurations which can be used in accordance wlth the
invention. The surface shown as an example in the cross-
section Figures 6 and 7 features a cut at its upper edge,
the cut representing the opening 12. However, it ls
possible that opening 12, in fact, has been made so that
surface 11 partially fails to meet the upper edge of tube
3 and is thus left incomplete. In other words, opening 12
no more has the shape seen in figures 6 and 7, but is
shaped to remind, for example, the segment of a circle.
The shape of surface 11 is not essential. It can be flat or
curved in any direction, or it can also be given a wavy or
any other configuration. The surface design can be based on
esthetic considerations rather than any given precondltions
for its proper function.
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WO92/02281 2 ~ ~ 6 0 a ~ PCTt~91/00228
The opening can be of any shape and it can be located, as
seen in figures 6 and 7, at the edge of surface 11 but can
also pierce it at any spot other than at the edge.
Actually, it is ~ust a matter OI splitting the air flow, so
there are other ways than making an opening of
accomplishing this, as will be explained later.
Instead of using a single surface 11 for air flow control,
it is possible to use separate segmental surfaces, each of
- 10 which guides its share of the air flow into lts own
aperture 16. This enables a more accurate control of the
partly streams of the air flow, although this, on the other
hand, naturally involves a somewhat more complicated
-- ~ construction than that seen in Figure 5.
The third embodiment of the invention is shown in Figure 9
as a side view corresponding to that in Figure 5 and,
respectively, in Figure 10, as viewed directly inwards from
the outer end of tube 3.
In the configurations in figures 9 and 10, three separate
conical surfaces, 11a, llb and llc, have been used to
collect air with their upstream ends 15 into the individual
outlet openings 16, at each of which a side-bubble is
produced. In this case, side-bubbles are produced from
three openings 16, yet their number is not critical in any
respect. Similarly, although in this particular case the
truncated narrowing cones that direct air into the side-
bubbles are disposed symmetrically across the cross-section
of tube 3, an asymmetrical disposition will function ~ust
as well. As a matter of fact the disposition can be chosen
completely freely and is an esthetic rather than a
technical consideration. It is also possible to alter the
longitudinal disposition between tube 3 and surfaces lla,
llb llc when needed. It ~s possible to make such an
embodiment of the disposltion where part of the surfaces
lla, llb, llc direct air approximately into the centrum of
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W O 92/02281 , ~ a s PC~r/F191/00228
- 10
the outlet of tube 3. Hereby smaller separate bubbles are
blown inslde the mother bubble. This embodiment is thus a
combination of the embodiment described first and the one
described just above.
As shown, on the basis of the above embodiment, surface 11
may appear in many dif~erent ways and even consist of
several entirely separated surfaces. The basic idea is that
the surfaces serve to split the alr flow into one stream to
lnflate the mother bubble and into another one or more
streams to inflate side-bubbles. It is a further principle,
that the side-bubbles are produced by narrowing airstreams.
The large bubble, so-called mother bubbie, is thus produced
from opening 5 at the exit end of tube 3. Side-bubbles are
inflated at the smaller openings 16 and adhere to the sides ;;~
of the mother-bubble. The output is illustrated in Figure
11, showing a mother-bubble 17 and a great number of side-
bubbles 18. As soon as the desired end result has been
achieved, the group of bubbles is put afloat by a sideways
movement of tube 3.
As is clearly seen in the ifigures, tube 3 is at least
slightly widening in the downstream direction. The tubular
member 3 ls conveniently provided as a truncated cone. On
the other hand, the air channels through which the side-
bubbles are inflated are slightly narrowing and they, too,
for example, can be truncated cones in configuration.
Although in this embodiment, by way of an example, tube 3
has been shown to have a round cross-section, even here
this is in no way essential, but any desired form can be
used. Thus, a sguare or hexagon cross-section is
convenient. Where needed, an indefinite cross-section can
also be used.
As stated, the members to fit lnside tube 3 can also be,
WO92/02281 ~ ~ 3 ~ PcTtn9l/00228
11
when necessary, removeable and interchangeable. Thls
enables a construction that allows a very wide varlety of
different soap-bubble formations to be produced simply by
changing the tube's interior fittings for other ones,
whereby the slze o~ the diameters of opening 12, the
upstream end 15 of conical surfaces lla, llb, llc and
outlet openings 16 can be freely changed. Hereby it is
possible to blow a great variety of bubbles, even so that
it is obtained a bubble construction, containing a mother
bubble and lnside the same there floats freely separate
bubbles 9 and a group of bubbles formed of inner bubbles
18. Wlth the form of tube 3 and by choosing a æuitabla
combination solution from the above matters it is possible
-~-~ to obtain excellent reliability of the devicé as the
personal skill and bLowing force of the user can be
exploited.
It is to be mentioned furter that even though it has been
talking above about a soap-bubble, lt ls to be understood
that any solution corresponding to a soap solution is
useful for the purposes of this invention. So, one suitable
solution is formed by adding to water detergent used for
making dishes by hand.
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