Apparatus and method for generating bubbles

An apparatus for generating bubbles comprising:

• a housing extending along a longitudinal axis;
• a motor positioned in the housing;
• a fan device operably coupled to the motor to generate an air stream;
• a bubble generating assembly comprising at least one bubble generating device that is aligned with the air stream generated by the fan device;
• a bubble solution dispenser comprising at least one delivery member for delivering bubble solution to the at least one bubble generating device;
• a support member configured to support a bubble solution container containing a bubble solution, the support member alterable between a non-dispensing position wherein the bubble solution does not flow out of the bubble solution container and a dispensing position wherein the bubble solution flows out of the bubble solution container and into the bubble solution dispenser;
• wherein altering the support member from the non-dispensing position to the dispensing position while the support member supports the bubble solution container actuates a switch to power the motor;
• wherein the support member comprises a sidewall having an inner surface and an outer surface, a ledge extending from the inner surface to support the bubble solution container, and an actuation member for actuating the switch;
• and
• wherein the actuation member comprises a flexible tab having a first tab portion that extends from the inner surface of the sidewall and a second tab portion, and wherein when the support member is supporting the bubble solution container, the bubble solution container contacts the first tab portion of the flexible tab and moves the second tab portion of the flexible tab radially outward in a direction away from the outer surface of the sidewall so that the second tab portion of the flexible tab will actuate the switch when the support member is altered into the dispensing position.

An apparatus for generating bubbles comprising:

• a power source;
• a motor;
• a switch alterable between an open state in which the power source is not operably coupled to the motor and a closed state in which the power source is operably coupled to the motor to cause the motor to rotate about a rotational axis;
• a fan device operably coupled to the motor so that the fan device generates an air stream when the switch is in the closed state;
• a bubble generating assembly comprising at least one bubble generating device that is aligned with the air stream generated by the fan device;
• a bubble solution dispenser comprising at least one delivery member for loading a bubble solution onto the at least one bubble generating device;
• a support member supporting a container of bubble solution, the support member alterable between a non-dispensing position in which the container is prevented from dispensing the bubble solution into the bubble solution dispenser and a dispensing position in which the container dispenses the bubble solution into the bubble solution dispenser;
• wherein when the support member is in the dispensing position the switch is actuated into the closed state;
• and
• wherein the bubble solution dispenser comprises a main body portion comprising a holding reservoir defined by a floor and a sidewall and the at least one delivery member extending from the main body portion, the at least one delivery member comprising a delivery reservoir fluidly coupled to the holding reservoir, the at least one delivery member comprising a floor having a slit through which the bubble solution can fall by gravity onto the bubble generating device to load the bubble generating device with the bubble solution, wherein the switch is located along the sidewall of the reservoir of the bubble solution dispenser, and wherein when the support member is in the dispensing position at least a portion of the support member is located in the holding reservoir of the bubble solution dispenser while an actuation member of the support member engages the switch to alter the switch into the closed state.

An apparatus for generating bubbles comprising:

• a housing extending along a longitudinal axis, the housing comprising:
• an outer annular wall formed an exposed outer surface of the housing;
• a first inner annular wall spaced radially inward of the outer annular wall so that an excess fluid passageway is defined between the outer annular wall and the first inner annular wall, the first inner annular wall connected to the outer annular wall to form a floor of the excess fluid passageway, the floor having at least one opening;
• and
• a second inner annular wall spaced radially inward of the first inner annular wall so that an air flow passageway is defined between the first and second inner annular walls;
• a motor positioned in the housing;
• a fan device operably coupled to the motor to generate an air stream that flows through the air flow passageway;
• a bubble generating assembly comprising at least one bubble generating device that is aligned with the air stream generated by the fan device;
• a bubble solution dispenser comprising at least one delivery member for loading a bubble solution onto the at least one bubble generating device;
• and
• wherein excess amounts of the bubble solution that are dispensed from the bubble solution dispenser without being loaded onto the at least one bubble generating device flows into the excess fluid passageway, through the at least one opening in the floor of the excess fluid passageway, and into a collection trough.