Devices and methods for manually generating bubbles

Abstract

A device for manually generating bubbles. A main body has securements each adapted to receive at least one finger of a user. A ribbon or similar structure is attached to the finger grip main body and is configurable between a smaller first configuration insertable into a bubble solution container and a larger second configuration defining a bubble-generating space waveable by the user to generate bubbles. The securements may include at least one receptacle formed from two layers of material sealed on at least one common edge, thereby forming a pocket therebetween. The at least one receptacle preferably at least partially shields the user from the bubble solution when the device is dipped in the bubble solution and allows the user to hold and control the device. The securements may include at least one aperture formed in the finger grip main body adapted to receive at least one finger therethrough.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A device for manually generating bubbles, comprising:
 a finger grip main body having a plurality of securements each adapted to receive at least one finger of a user; and   a substantially elongate ribbon attached to at least one end of said finger grip main body, said ribbon being flexible and configurable between a smaller first configuration adapted to be inserted into a bubble solution container containing bubble solution and a larger second configuration defining a bubble-generating space and adapted to be waved by the user to generate one or more bubbles.   
     
     
         2 . A device for manually generating bubbles according to  claim 1 , wherein said securements comprise at least one receptacle formed from two layers of material sealed on at least one common edge, thereby forming a pocket therebetween, said pocket adapted to receive at least one finger therein. 
     
     
         3 . A device for manually generating bubbles according to  claim 2 , wherein said at least one receptacle at least partially shields the user from the bubble solution when said ribbon is dipped in the bubble solution and allows the user to hold and control said device. 
     
     
         4 . A device for manually generating bubbles according to  claim 1 , wherein said securements comprise at least one aperture formed in said finger grip main body adapted to receive at least one finger therethrough. 
     
     
         5 . A device for manually generating bubbles according to  claim 1 , wherein said finger grip main body is substantially flat and flexible. 
     
     
         6 . A device for manually generating bubbles according to  claim 5 , said finger grip main body being foldable substantially along a middle portion. 
     
     
         7 . A device for manually generating bubbles according to  claim 1 , said finger grip main body being foldable substantially along a middle portion. 
     
     
         8 . A device for manually generating bubbles according to  claim 1 , wherein said ribbon is attached to both ends of said finger grip main body. 
     
     
         9 . A method for manually generating bubbles, comprising the steps of:
 providing a device having a finger grip main body having a plurality of securements each adapted to receive at least one finger of a user;   providing a substantially elongate ribbon attached to at least one end of said finger grip main body, said ribbon being flexible and configurable between a smaller first configuration adapted to be inserted into a bubble solution container containing bubble solution and a larger second configuration defining a bubble-generating space and adapted to be waved by the user to generate one or more bubbles;   inserting the ribbon into bubble solution in the smaller first configuration;   removing the ribbon from the bubble solution;   opening the ribbon into the larger second configuration; and   waving the device to cause at least one bubble to form from the bubble solution contacting the bubble-generating space of the ribbon.   
     
     
         10 . A method for manually generating bubbles according to  claim 9 , further comprising the step of folding the main body along a substantially middle portion thereof substantially during said inserting step. 
     
     
         11 . A method for manually generating bubbles according to  claim 10 , said opening step further comprising the step of unfolding the main body substantially between said removing and waving steps. 
     
     
         12 . A method for manually generating bubbles according to  claim 11 , further comprising the steps of:
 refolding the main body following said waving step to reform a bubble membrane on the ribbon;   re-unfolding the main body; and   waving the device a second time to cause a second bubble to form from the bubble solution contacting the bubble-generating space of the ribbon.   
     
     
         13 . A device for manually generating bubbles, comprising:
 a finger grip main body having a plurality of securements each adapted to receive at least one finger of a user; and   a substantially elongate bubble-forming structure attached to at least one end of said finger grip main body, said bubble-forming structure being configurable between a smaller first configuration adapted to be inserted into a bubble solution container containing bubble solution and a larger second configuration defining a bubble-generating space and adapted to be waved by the user to generate one or more bubbles.   
     
     
         14 . A device for manually generating bubbles according to  claim 13 , wherein said bubble-forming structure is attached to both ends of said finger grip main body. 
     
     
         15 . A device for manually generating bubbles according to  claim 13 , said bubble-forming structure further comprising at least one ribbon attached to at least one end of said finger grip main body, said ribbon being flexible. 
     
     
         16 . A device for manually generating bubbles according to  claim 13 , said bubble-forming structure further comprising at least one dowel attached to at least one end of said finger grip main body. 
     
     
         17 . A device for manually generating bubbles according to  claim 16 , said bubble-forming structure further comprising at least one ribbon attached to at least one end of said finger grip main body, said ribbon being flexible. 
     
     
         18 . A method for manually generating bubbles, comprising the steps of:
 providing a device having a finger grip main body having a plurality of securements each adapted to receive at least one finger of a user;   providing a substantially elongate bubble-forming structure attached to at least one end of said finger grip main body, said bubble-forming structure being configurable between a smaller first configuration adapted to be inserted into a bubble solution container containing bubble solution and a larger second configuration defining a bubble-generating space and adapted to be waved by the user to generate one or more bubbles;   inserting the bubble-forming structure into bubble solution in the smaller first configuration;   removing the bubble-forming structure from the bubble solution;   opening the bubble-forming structure into the larger second configuration; and   waving the device to cause at least one bubble to form from the bubble solution contacting the bubble-generating space of the bubble-forming structure.   
     
     
         19 . A method for manually generating bubbles according to  claim 18 , further comprising the step of folding the main body along a substantially middle portion thereof substantially during said inserting step. 
     
     
         20 . A method for manually generating bubbles according to  claim 19 , said opening step further comprising the step of unfolding the main body substantially between said removing and waving steps. 
     
     
         21 . A method for manually generating bubbles according to  claim 20 , further comprising the steps of:
 refolding the main body following said waving step to reform a bubble membrane on the bubble-forming structure;   re-unfolding the main body; and   waving the device a second time to cause a second bubble to form from the bubble solution contacting the bubble-generating space of the bubble-forming structure.