FLASH BUBBLE BOTTLE Field of Invention

[001] The present invention relates to a bubble bottle with light sources in the bubble wand, which flash on and off when a button extending out of the bottle cap is depressed.

Background

[002] There are known types of bubble bottles that have wands that are ornamental in design, such as U.S. Patent No. 6,764,370.

Summary of Invention

[003] An object of the present invention is to provide a bubble bottle, which is fun to use and creates a festive atmosphere.

[004] It is a further object of the present invention to provide a bubble bottle that can has a plurality of light sources in the bottle top that causes an ornamental light effect on the bottle and liquid contained therein when the light sources are illuminated.

[005] It is a further object of the present invention to provide a bubble bottle with an ornamental wand, in which a plurality of light sources are located in the bottle top and wand, and are operable using a button extending from the top of the bottle to cause a flashing pattern.

[006] The scope and content of the present invention is not intended to be limited by or to the above mentioned objects.

[007] Briefly, the invention is characterized in particular by the use of a flashing light bubble bottle is provided, including a bottle having a bottle mouth, a bottle cap having threads for removably connecting to the bottle mouth, a wand comprising a central tube having a hole formed at a first end for forming bubbles using a liquid contained within the bottle and a casing at a second end, a printed circuit board having a plurality of light sources connected thereto and mounted within the casing, the printed circuit board comprising a program for selectively turning on and off the plurality of light sources and a contact switch for selectively activating the plurality of light sources, and a button protruding from the bottle cap, the button being selectably connected to the contact switch to turn on the light sources when the button is depressed.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[008] For better understanding of the invention and additional objects and advantages thereof, reference is made to the following detailed description and accompanying drawing of a preferred embodiment, wherein

[009] Fig. 1 is a side view of the flash bubble bottle, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

[0010] Fig. 2A is a side view of the bottle of Fig. 1 in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

[0011] Fig. 2B is a top view of the bottle of Fig. 1 in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

[0012] Fig. 3 is a side view of the bubble bottle top and wand of Fig. 1 , in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

[0013] Fig. 4 shows use of the switch to flash the light sources as the bubble wand is being taking out from the bottle of Fig. 1 , in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

[0014] Fig. 5 is a bottom view of the bottle cap of Fig. 1 , in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

[0015] Fig. 6 is cross-sectional view of the bottle cap and wand taken along the line 6-6 in Fig. 5 of Fig. 1 , in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

[0016] Fig. 7 is an exploded view of the flash bubble bottle, bottle cap and wand of Fig. 1 , in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

[0017] Fig. 8 is a picture of the flash bubble bottle, bottle cap and wand of Fig. 1 , in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention; and

[0018] Fig. 9 is a picture of the bottle top viewed from underneath, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

Detailed Description

[0019] The invention will be described in general with reference to Figs. 1-9, which illustrate the flash bubble bottle 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention. Referring now in detail to the drawings, the bubble bottle includes a bottle 12, which is generally tubular in shape, with a decorative bubble-shaped bottom portion 14. The top rim 121 of the bottle 12 includes threads 13 formed on the outside thereof. Threads 13 engage threads 17 on the bottle cap 16 when the bottle is closed. The bottle cap 16 may includes a decorative bubble shaped design.

[0020] Wand 20 is formed of plastic and includes a decorative pattern including the words "FLASH BUBBLES" formed therein. The free end of wand 20 includes a hole 23 for forming bubbles from a bubble liquid 11 , according to conventional methods.

[0021] A button 18 protrudes on the top of the bottle cap 16. Depression of the button 18 causes LEDs 22, 24, and 26 to flash. LED 22 is enclosed in the central tub 21 of wand 20. LEDs 24 and 26 are enclosed in a plastic casing 30, which forms the top of wand 20. The plastic casing 30 and wand 20 may be formed of clear plastic, or a colored translucent plastic. The three LEDs may be three different colors, or may the same colors, or some combination thereof. There also may be more than three LEDs included.

[0022] A thin piece of foil 36 is glued to the top of the casing 30. The foil 36 is larger than the casing 30 so as to seal the bottle mouth during shipment and prevent the liquid 11 from leaking. In particular, the foil 36 fits over the rim 121 of the bottle

12. Further, the packaging (not shown) can be designed so that when the bottle is in the package on store shelves, the prospective purchaser can see how the flashing bottle works by depressing on the top of the foil 36 via the button 18, which can be made to protrude from the package.

[0023] When the bottle 12 is purchased, the foil 36 is removed, and the wand 20 can be used in a conventional manner to form bubbles 40. When the foil 36 is removed, the wand 20 can be secured in the bottle cap 16 by two or more flanges 42 formed in the underside of cap 16. Additionally, bottle 12 is formed with flanges 122 extending inwardly from rim 121. Flanges 122 and casing 30 are sized so as to prevent wand 20 from easily slipping into the bottle 12.

[0024] A circuit board 34 is enclosed in the casing 30, which board contains a program for selectively turn on and off the LEDs connected to the board 34. The side of the circuit board 30 that faces the wand 20 (i.e., the side visible in Fig. 5) includes batteries 26, which supply power to the LEDs 22, 24, and 26. Wires 27 connect the LED 22 to the circuit board 30. The circuit board 30 includes a contact switch 38, which is depressed for selectively lighting the LEDs 22, 24 and 26.

[0025] The cap 16 is composed of two parts, an outer cover 160 and an inner cover 161. The inner cover 161 is sized slightly smaller than the outer cover 160, so that the inner cover 161 can be inserted in the outer cover 160. Screws 162 are used to connect the two covers 160, 161 together.

[0026] Button 18 includes a button top 181 , which extends outwardly from a button plate 182 so as to protrude through an opening 166 in the cap 16. On the

other side of plate 182, a pin 183 protrudes so as to extend inwardly into the cavity formed between outer cover 160 and inner cover 161. The inner cover 161 includes a semi-flexible diaphragm 184. The diaphragm 184 can be made of a flexible elastomeric or polypropolene material. Diaphragm 184 includes a pin 185 extending from an inside surface of the diaphragm 184.

[0027] When button 18 is depressed, pin 183 pushes on diaphragm 184, which causes pin 185 to come into contact with contact switch 38. The closing of contact switch 38 causes the LEDs 22, 24, and 26 to be flashed in a random pattern for a period of time. The flashing of the LEDs continues, even if the button 18 is released and automatically stops after a preset time period. When the lights are illuminated, the liquid in the bottle, and the bottle itself, create an ornamental effect.

[0028] Generally, the present invention can have a wand having an infinite number of decorative shapes and sizes. The bottle and bottle top can be made in any shape and size, within the skill of the ordinary artisan. The list is essentially endless as to the different types of shapes, sizes and figures useful for the present invention.

[0029] The foregoing description of the specific embodiments will so fully reveal the general nature of the invention that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments without undue experimentation and without departing from the generic concept, and, therefore, such adaptations and modifications should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed

embodiments. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. The means, materials, and steps for carrying out various disclosed functions may take a variety of alternative forms without departing from the invention.

[0030] Thus the expressions "means to..." and "means for...", or any method step language, as may be found in the specification above and/or in the claims below, followed by a functional statement, are intended to define and cover whatever structural, physical, chemical or electrical element or structure, or whatever method step, which may now or in the future exist which carries out the recited function, whether or not precisely equivalent to the embodiment or embodiments disclosed in the specification above, i.e., other means or steps for carrying out the same functions can be used; and it is intended that such expressions be given their broadest interpretation.