US20110306265A1

US20110306265A1 - Bathtub foam generating device

Info

Publication number: US20110306265A1
Application number: US13/148,352
Authority: US
Inventors: Ari Mor
Original assignee: A M I FUN Ltd
Current assignee: A M I FUN Ltd
Priority date: 2009-02-09
Filing date: 2010-02-09
Publication date: 2011-12-15
Also published as: EP2403618A2; IL196973A; WO2010089724A2; WO2010089724A3; IL196973A0

Abstract

A bathtub foam generating device, including a sealed motor housing (5), a motor mounted in the motor housing and powered by a direct current power source, one or more floatable tubes (7) extending from the motor housing in each of which is rotatably mounted a propeller (20) driven by the motor, and a floatable foam discharge chamber (12) in fluid communication with a corresponding tube interior, each of the discharge chambers being formed with an opening (8) through which bathtub liquid is admitted into the corresponding tube interior and from which foam generated in the chamber is discharged, wherein the foam generating device is configured such that a bathtub liquid depth within each of the tubes is less than the length of two propeller blades.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the field of bubble producing devices. More particularly, the invention relates to a motorized bubble producing device.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Many bubble producing devices are known, to capture the interest of children who are bathing in a bathtub. Many of these devices are manipulated by a child, such as by blowing on a soap film that adheres to a ring attached to a rod. U.S. Pat. No. 4,846,751 discloses a bathtub toy which comprises a conical chamber in which a quantity of suds and bubbles may be confined. The chamber terminates upwardly in a nozzle. Downward displacement of the toy in the water causes forceful ejection of the suds and bubbles from the nozzle.
It would be desirable to provide a device that constantly produces bubbles, particularly foam which is soothing and enjoyable for children.
JP 20325677 and U.S. Pat. No. 7,021,986 disclose a motorized soap bubble generator; however, the generated bubbles are discharged upwardly from the assembly and therefore cannot adequately produce foam.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,119,286 discloses a floating device for forming bubbles in bath water. A flexible housing on one end of the device is removably secured to a water faucet. Water from the faucet is forced to flow through the housing into a flexible hose that extend through a body of the device. The hose is connected to a spray head on an opposite end of the device so that the water sprays downwardly onto the water surface. Bubbles or foam can therefore be formed by the device only when water is flowing through the faucet, causing an inordinate amount of water to be wasted.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a bathtub foam generating device that constantly produces bubbles.
It is an additional object of the present invention to provide a bathtub foam generating device that is operable without being connected to a source of water.
It is an additional object of the present invention to provide a motorized bathtub foam generating device that minimally drains the direct current power source.
Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent as the description proceeds.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a bathtub foam generating device, comprising a sealed motor housing, a motor mounted in said motor housing and powered by a direct current power source, one or more floatable tubes extending from said motor housing in each of which is rotatably mounted a propeller driven by said motor, and a floatable foam discharge chamber in fluid communication with a corresponding tube interior, each of said discharge chambers being formed with an opening through which bathtub liquid is admitted into the corresponding tube interior and from which foam generated in said chamber is discharged, wherein said foam generating device is configured that a bathtub liquid depth within each of said tubes is less than the length of two propeller blades, and preferably less than the length of one propeller blade.
Since the bathtub liquid occupies only a portion of a tube interior, the propeller blades therefore encounter minimal hydraulic resistance while rotating, thereby reducing power consumption of the direct current power source.
The device preferably comprises at least one reservoir containing a soap solution deliverable such as by gravitational force into each discharge chamber interior. When each tub is partially submerged in bathtub liquid and the motor is activated, each propeller continuously rotates. The bathtub liquid within the tube interior, which is a mixture of bathtub water and soap solution, is agitated and the soap solution is exposed to the air layer remaining in the tube interior. Soap bubbles and resulting foam are therefore formed in the discharge chamber interior. The pressure of the foam continuously increases within each discharge chamber until it is discharged from the corresponding opening.
Each discharge chamber is preferably formed with one or more inlet ports through which bathtub liquid external to the device is admitted, to ensure that the submerged depth of bathtub liquid within a tube interior remains substantially constant even though the absolute depth of water within the bathtub decreases as a result of spillage.
In one aspect, each of the tubes protrudes from the motor housing, preferably in such a way that the tubes are symmetrically arranged and the angular spacing between each pair of adjacent tubes is substantially equal.
In one aspect, each propeller has a predetermined rotational speed, in order to generate foam at a corresponding rate and to induce relative motion of the device within a bathtub in a predetermined fashion.
Each foam discharging chamber is preferably provided with an impediment for preventing bodily damage resulting from rotation of a propeller.
In one aspect, each tube is provided with means for receiving reflected waves.
In one aspect, the device further comprises means for illuminating light emitting diodes while the motor is in operation.
The present invention is also directed to a bathtub foam generating device, comprising a shell defining a foam generating chamber, a cover to said shell, a motor housing, a motor mounted in said motor housing and powered by a direct current power source, soap and water inlets to said chamber, and one or more propellers attached to an end of a motor output shaft, wherein said motor housing is configured in such a way that said output shaft is substantially vertically disposed and extends downwardly to said foam generating chamber.
The foam generating chamber is preferably external to the shell. The foam generating chamber is defined by a concave bottom surface formed at an aft end of the shell, generated foam being discharged above water level through an outlet of the foam generating chamber. An apertured shield is preferably attached to the underside of the shell and located below the one or more propellers, to prevent injury to a bathing child.
In one aspect, the motor is operational by means of a humidity switch that is closable when the device is immersed in bathtub water.
In one aspect, the humidity switch is in electrical communication with a control unit for illuminating light emitting diodes while the motor is in operation.
In one aspect, the device also comprises a foam overflow chamber.
In one aspect, the flow of soap from said reservoir to the foam generating chamber is controlled by a valve element fitted in an opening formed in a bottom end of a soap reservoir wall. The valve element is rotatable about a substantially vertical axis and comprises an upper tubular portion, a lower tubular portion, a substantially semicircular occluding portion interposed between said upper and lower portions, and a V-shaped handle extending from said lower portion to the foam generating chamber, soap infiltrating the clearance between said occluding portion and the soap reservoir wall following rotation of the valve element.
In one aspect, the soap reservoir wall is contiguous or common with the motor housing, and a horizontally oriented plate supporting the motor is attached to the motor housing and spaced from the valve element, the output shaft of the motor passing through, and being rotatably mounted in, an aperture formed in said support plate.
In one aspect, the device further comprises a replaceable entertainment figure that is coupleable to the shell and provided with buoyant material, generated foam being dischargeable through an opening formed in said entertainment figure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a bottom view of a bathtub foam generating device, according to one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a vertical cross sectional view of a foam discharge chamber and an interconnected tube which are partially submerged in bathtub water;

FIG. 3 is an exploded, perspective view from a top and side of a foam generating device, according to another embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 4 is an exploded, rear view of the foam generating device of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a rotatable valve element for controlling the flow of soap to a foam generating chamber;

FIGS. 6 and 7 are a horizontal cross sectional view of a soap reservoir wall, showing the valve element of FIG. 5 in an occluding and opened state, respectively, with respect to an opening formed therein;

FIG. 8 is a bottom perspective view of the foam generating device of FIG. 3, showing the foam generating chamber;

FIG. 9 is an electric circuit diagram of a humidity switch operable in conjunction with the foam generating device of FIG. 3;

FIG. 10 is a schematic, vertical cross sectional view of the foam generating device of FIG. 3, showing the discharge of foam through an aftward outlet and through an overflow chamber; and

FIG. 11 is a rear view of an entertainment figure while being coupled to the foam generating device of FIG. 3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention is a unique bathtub toy which is adapted to both generate foam within the bathtub and to amuse a child while bathing. The foam generating device is motorized, and therefore is able to constantly generate foam by means of at least one propeller driven by the motor. Each propeller agitates the bathtub water as it is mixed with a soap solution delivered from a suitable soap reservoir. The device has a unitary integral housing, e.g. made from injected plastic for economic fabrication, which is provided with buoyant elements, so that the foam generating device will float during operation. The housing may also have a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs), which are illuminated during operation of the device in order to capture the interest of the child.
FIG. 1 illustrates a bottom view of a bathtub foam generating device, according to one embodiment of the invention. As shown, the bathtub foam generating device, which is designated generally by numeral 10, has a sealed, centrally located motor housing 5, a plurality of tubes 7 radially extending from housing 5 in each of which is rotatably mounted a propeller, and a foam discharge chamber 12 in fluid communication with the corresponding tube 7. Each foam discharge chamber 12 has an oval shape and the corresponding tube 7 is positioned to coincide with the minor axis of chamber 12. The underside of each chamber 12 has an opening 8, e.g. a rectangular opening the centerline of which coinciding with the major axis of chamber 12 as shown, through which bath water is admitted to the corresponding tube 7 and from which the generated foam is discharged. The top of each chamber 12 is provided with a reservoir (not shown) in which a soap solution can be filled and from which the soap solution can be gravity fed to the corresponding chamber 12. Needless to say, opening 8 and chamber 12 may be configured in any desired fashion, and opening 8 need not be formed on the underside of chamber 12.
A motor (not shown) mounted in motor housing 5 is powered by one or more batteries retained in a sealed battery compartment (not shown) and commences operation by means of an activation device (not shown) in electrical communication with the battery compartment. Each propeller is kinematically connected with a driven shaft of the motor so that when the motor is activated the propeller rotates and generates foam. The illustrated symmetric configuration of foam generating device 10 wherein five equal angularly spaced tubes 7 radiate from motor housing 5 ensures that the thrust developed by each chamber 12 as foam is discharged therefrom is of a substantially equal and balanced magnitude, to prevent unnecessary motion of device 10. It will be appreciated, however, that any other number of tubes 7 and corresponding foam discharge chambers 12, which are not necessarily symmetrically arranged, may be employed. Also, the employment of gears or a suitable transmission will allow one or more propellers to rotate at a different speed than the other propellers. The resultant thrust developed by each chamber 12 may then be suitable to rotate device 10, or to displace it in one direction, as desired by the device manufacturer or by an end user.
FIG. 2 illustrates a cross sectional view of a tube 7 and foam discharge chamber 12, according to one embodiment of the invention, after bathwater 17 has been introduced to common interior 18 of tube 7 and chamber 12. Tube 7 terminates at the proximal end thereof, i.e. the end adjoining motor chamber 5 which is schematically represented by dashed lines, with sealed partition 11, to prevent bathwater 17 from being introduced to motor housing 5. Buoyant element 14 is attached to the underside of tube 7. Shaft 19 of propeller 20 passes through partition 11 and is kinematically connected with the drive shaft of the motor.
When the device is placed in bathtub water 17, each tube 7 will be partially submerged. Bathtub water 17 enters interior 18 of tube 7 via opening 8 of chamber 12. The weight and center of gravity of the foam generating device are selected such that the submerged depth D of bathtub water 17 within tube interior 18, e.g. no greater than 5 cm, is less than the length of two fan blades 22, and preferably less than one fan blade. Thus propeller 20 will encounter minimal hydraulic resistance when rotating and the power consumption of the batteries which power the motor will be minimized.
As propeller 20 rotates, bathtub water 17, which is mixed with soap solution delivered from the soap reservoir, is agitated. During the agitation process, the soap solution is exposed to the upper air layer within interior 18 of tube 7 and soap bubbles are formed. The continuous operation of propeller 20 increases the concentration of soap bubbles within interior 18. The pressure of the soap bubble-bathtub water mixture continuously increases within foam discharge chamber 12 until it is discharged from opening 8. Chamber 12 may be formed with one or more inlet ports 31 through which bathtub water 17 external to the device is admitted, to ensure that the submerged depth D of bathtub water 17 within tube interior 18 remains constant even though the absolute depth of water within the bathtub decreases as a result of spillage. The level of the foam continuously increases, often reaching a height greater than that of topmost portion 35 of chamber 12. The generated foam therefore provides not only a soothing feeling to the child bather of being covered by the foam, but also provides an intriguing experience of witnessing a rising level of soap bubbles within the bathtub. The child bather may be further amused when various LEDs illuminate on the device housing as the device is completely covered by the foam.
Damage to the fingers of an inquisitive child bather who is desirous of inserting his finger into opening 8 is prevented by impediments 37 and 38, which protrude inwardly within foam discharge chamber 12. A first inner surface 41 of impediment 37 is continuous with inner wall 26 of tube 7, and a second inner surface 43 thereof is perpendicular to first inner surface 41, serving also as a wall of opening 8. Impediment 38 protrudes from the upper distal end of tube 7. A child therefore is prevented from sliding his fingers along the inner periphery of chamber 12 and of the distal end of tube 7, which is liable to result in severe damage to the fingers. Other suitable impediments may also be implemented, such as a shield or screen attached to the distal end of tube 7.
In another embodiment of the invention, the foam generating device is provided with means for receiving reflected waves. Although the thrust developed by the device may be balanced as described hereinabove, thereby preventing self-generated propulsion, the device nevertheless may be carried by a stream of bathtub water external to the device. As the device is displaced by the stream of bathtub water, waves are generated. These waves may be reflected by a bathtub wall. By receiving these reflected waves and directing them upstream to the propeller by means of a suitable opening in a tube, power consumption of the batteries may be further reduced. When reflected waves are directed upstream to the propeller, the propeller agitates the flowing bathtub water and less battery power is required to generate a sufficiently high foam pressure which is able to be discharged from the discharge opening.
FIGS. 3-5 illustrate another embodiment of the invention wherein the axis of the propeller, by which a mixture of bathtub water and soap solution is agitated and foam is thereby generated, is substantially vertically disposed. In this disposition, power consumption of the batteries is minimized as the torque developed by the motor will generally not propel the foam generating device and will therefore be utilized only to generate foam.
An exploded representation of a foam generating device 50 is illustrated in FIG. 3. Foam generating device 50 comprises a bottom buoyant shell 55 having a fore end 81 and an aft end 89, and an upper cover 60 for shell 55. Shell 55 and cover 60 may be transparent or translucent, so that visual effects generated by one or more light sources, e.g. LEDs, may be viewed while the motor is in operation.
Shell 55 comprises a housing 52 for accommodating the placement therein of a motor 54, e.g. having a tubular configuration, such that its output shaft 56 is downwardly oriented. A soap reservoir 62, e.g. one that is U-shaped, has a concave inner wall 65 that is contiguous with, or alternatively, common with, motor housing 52 and a planar outer wall 66 that is contiguous with battery compartment 57, e.g. of triangular shape. A control unit 59 for initiating the operation of motor 54 and for generating various visual effects, e.g. in the form of a printed circuit board, is connected to an aftwardly located contact unit 61, which is in electrical communication with the motor. Cover 60 is formed with openings 58 and 73 similar in shape as battery compartment 57 and soap reservoir 62, respectively. Openings 58 and 73 may be covered and sealed.
With reference also to FIGS. 4-7, a valve element 75 is fitted in the bottom end of inner wall 65 of the soap reservoir, to control the flow of soap therefrom. Valve element 75 comprises an upper tubular portion 76, a lower tubular portion 78, and an occluding portion 79 interposed between tubular portions 76 and 78. Legs 71 and 72 of a V-shaped handle, which extends from lower portion 78, are substantially perpendicular and symmetrically positioned with respect to vertically disposed longitudinal axis 83 of portions 76, 78 and 79. Occluding portion 79 has a substantially semicircular cross section.
Walls 67 and 68, e.g. mutually perpendicular walls, are formed in the bottom end of inner wall 65 of the soap reservoir, defining an opening 69 therebetween. The dimension of the spacing between walls 67 and 68 is substantially equal to the diameter of occluding portion 79, so that opening 69 will be completely occluded when diametrically opposite edges 85 and 86 contact walls 67 and 68, respectively, as shown in FIG. 6. When a user contacts one of the legs 71 or 72 of the handle, valve element 75 rotates, as shown in FIG. 7. Although lower tubular portion 78 remains in contact with walls 67 and 68, edges 85 and 86 of occluding portion 79 become spaced from walls 67 and 68, respectively, thereby allowing soap to pass through opening 69 and infiltrate the clearance between occluding portion 79 and inner wall 65. The foam generating device vibrates when the motor is in operation, causing the soap in the soap reservoir to flow outwardly from opening 69.
Motor 54 is supported by plate 72 positioned therebelow, such that output shaft 56 of motor 54, which is only partially illustrated, passes through, and is rotatably mounted in, an aperture formed in support plate 72. Support plate 72 is attached to the interior of the motor housing in such a fashion that the support plate does not interfere with the rotation of valve element 75. A fitting 94 carrying substantially horizontally disposed propellers 95 is attached to the bottom of shaft 56. An apertured shield 97 located below propellers 95 is attached to the underside of shell 55, to prevent injury to a child. Lower portion 78 and legs 71 and 72 of valve element 75 are disposed below shield 97
A perspective view of the bottom of shell 55 is shown in FIG. 8. While the bottom surface 84 at fore end 81 of shell 55 is substantially planar, bottom surface 87 at aft end 89 is concave, defining an arcuate opening 74 at aft end 89. A vertical wall 91 separates planar surface 84 from concave surface 87. A foam generating chamber 93 is defined by concave surface 87 between arcuate opening 74 and vertical wall 91.
An inlet 72 to chamber 93 for bathtub liquid is formed in each side 51 of shell 55. The drive shaft of the motor passes through aperture 101, which is formed in concave bottom surface 87 and may be provided with a sealing element. After soap is admitted to chamber 93 via opening 69 of the soap reservoir and the motor is operated, the propellers are rotated and foam is generated in chamber 93. The pressure of the foam continuously increases within foam generating chamber 93 until it is discharged from outlet opening 74. The height of inlets 72 is selected in order to limit the height of water within chamber 93 so that a desired amount of foam may be generated in the void between the water introduced to chamber 93 and surface 89. As a result, the generated foam prior to being discharged via outlet 74 is confined to chamber 93 underneath the shell while the shell interior remains dry.
To minimize battery consumption, the foam generating device may be provided with a humidity switch for initiating operation of the motor only after being immersed in bathtub water. With reference to FIGS. 4 and 9, moisture sensors 103 and 104 downwardly extend from upper wall portion 77 of outlet 74. Sensor 103 is connected to the negative terminal of a battery 53 by means of wire 108, and sensor 104 is connected to the negative terminal of contact unit 61 by means of wire 106. Wire 111 connects the positive terminal of battery 53 to the positive terminal of contact unit 61. Control unit 61 is connected to control unit 59, which in turn is connected to motor 54. Control unit 59 may also be connected to a plurality of LEDs 63 a-n by means of wires 121 and 122. After bathtub water is introduced to the foam generating chamber, water, and particularly electrically conductive soap, close the humidity switch between moisture sensors 103 and 104, causing motor 54 to operate, propellers 95 to agitate the soap solution, whereby to generate foam, and, if provided, LEDs 63 a-n to illuminate in accordance with a sequence commanded by control unit 59.
With reference to FIGS. 3 and 10, shell 55 may also be provided with a foam overflow chamber 110. Overflow chamber 110, which is in communication with foam generating chamber 93 via opening 115 formed in surface 87 and with opening 117 formed in cover 60, may be arcuate and contiguous with motor housing 52. Prior to operation of motor 54, overflow chamber 110 serves to direct air to foam generation chamber 93 so that it can interact with soap 98 introduced thereto via opening 69. Following the rotation of propellers 95 and the agitation of the mixture of soap 98 and water 113, foam 116 is generated. Foam 116 is generally discharged via outlet 74. When the amount or pressure of foam 116 is above a normal level, the foam is also discharged through overflow chamber 110.
A replaceable entertainment figure 130, e.g. in the form of a hippopotamus or any other desired shape that will stimulate the interest of a bathing child, may be coupled to foam generating device 50, as shown in FIG. 11. Entertainment figure 130 is formed, e.g. by injection molding, with a cavity shaped complementarily to the configuration of foam generating device 50, so that the figure, which may be elastically flexible, will be replaceably coupled to the latter, e.g. by a snap fit. A bottom surface 132 of figure 130, e.g. shaped as a leg of a hippopotamus, may be provided with buoyant material, to increase the buoyancy of foam generating device 50. Buoyant material may also be applied to any other element of figure 130.
Generated foam may be discharged from aft opening 136, e.g. arcuate, which is in fluid communication with arcuate opening 74 of foam generating device 50, and also may be discharged from upper opening 139, which is in fluid communication with overflow chamber 110 (FIG. 10) and formed in body 138 of figure 130. Body 138 may be made of transparent or translucent material, so that visual effects generated by one or more light sources in electrical communication with control unit 59 (FIG. 3) may be seen by the bathing child. These visual effects will be even more captivating to the bathing child when figure 130 is covered by the discharged foam.
In another embodiment of the invention, the foam generating chamber may be interior to the shell, while the depth of bathtub liquid within the shell is limited to be less than the length of two propeller blades.
While some embodiments of the invention have been described by way of illustration, it will be apparent that the invention can be carried out with many modifications, variations and adaptations, and with the use of numerous equivalents or alternative solutions that are within the scope of persons skilled in the art, without departing from the spirit of the invention or exceeding the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A bathtub foam generating device, comprising a sealed motor housing, a motor mounted in said motor housing and powered by a direct current power source, one or more floatable tubes extending from said motor housing in each of which is rotatably mounted a propeller driven by said motor, and a floatable foam discharge chamber in fluid communication with a corresponding tube interior, each of said discharge chambers being formed with an opening through which bathtub liquid is admitted into the corresponding tube interior and from which foam generated in said chamber is discharged, wherein said foam generating device is configured that a bathtub liquid depth within each of said tubes is less than the length of two propeller blades.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein each propeller is kinematically connected to a motor drive shaft.

3. The device according to claim 2, wherein each propeller is continuously rotatable during operation of the motor.

4. The device according to claim 1, wherein the bathtub liquid depth within each of said tubes is less than the length of one propeller blade.

5. The device according to claim 1, further comprising at least one reservoir containing a soap solution deliverable into each discharge chamber interior.

6. The device according to claim 1, wherein each discharge chamber is formed with one or more inlet ports through which bathtub liquid external to the device is admitted.

7. The device according to claim 1, wherein each of the tubes protrudes from the motor housing.

8. The device according to claim 7, wherein the tubes are symmetrically arranged and the angular spacing between each pair of adjacent tubes is substantially equal.

9. The device according to claim 3, wherein each propeller has a predetermined rotational speed.

10. The device according to claim 1, wherein each foam discharging chamber is provided with an impediment for preventing bodily damage resulting from rotation of a propeller.

11. The device according to claim 1, wherein each tube is provided with means for receiving reflected waves.

12. The device according to claim 1, further comprising means for illuminating light emitting diodes while the motor is in operation.

13-23. (canceled)