Abstract:
An improved filter device for the removal of contaminants from water and method of using same. Disclosed is a filter assembly for a spray attachment and/or a detachable faucet wand that is easily replaced and either concealed or partially concealed.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     This application ( 1 ) is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/781,865, filed on Feb. 12, 2001, which claims priority to U.S. Pat. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/249,033, filed Dec. 7, 2000; ( 2 ) is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/766,031, filed Jan. 19, 2001; ( 3 ) is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/736,637, filed Dec. 14, 2000, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/431,942 filed Oct. 1, 1999; and ( 4 ) claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/395,510, filed Jul. 12, 2002, the disclosures of which are incorporated by reference herein to the extent permitted by law. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     The present invention relates to fluid treatment. In particular, the present invention relates to water filtration devices for sink spray attachments and detachable faucet wands.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0003]     Tap water contains many contaminants. If not removed from the water, these contaminants may present health risks, may damage plumbing and personal property, and may adversely affect the taste of water. The principal contaminants naturally occurring in water are iron, sulfur, manganese, lead, and cryptosporidium cysts. Many man-made contaminants are also now found in tap water. These man-made contaminants may be introduced into the water supply as part of or as by-products of herbicides, pesticides, fertilizers and the like placed on and into the ground. These contaminants are believed to be carcinogenic and may present serious long term health risks to users of this contaminated water.  
         [0004]     Traditionally, water filters have been placed under the main faucet spout, thereby filtering the water after it has traveled through the main faucet. Water filters of the prior art have been attached to sink faucets by various mechanisms. Typically, filters are mounted onto the threads of a faucet diverter section or have hoses attached thereto. The filter cartridge protrudes sideways or upwards from the diverter section into the upper work area of the sink or is placed behind the faucet. The placement of the filter in these positions is cumbersome for a user cleaning dishes or performing routine hygienic functions. Further, the placement of the filter outward and upward from the faucet is in plain view and unsightly to the user. Providing filtered water outside of the sink area is also difficult to accomplish with filters that are placed on the main faucet. Therefore, a concealed or partially concealed water filter for a spray attachment is desirable to provide filtered water outside of the sink area.  
         [0005]     Several water filters of the prior art have been placed in a faucet spray wand assembly. However, the filters of the prior art require cumbersome dismantling of the spray wand to replace the used cartridge.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0006]     The foregoing problems are solved and a technical advance is achieved by the present invention. Disclosed is a filter assembly for a spray attachment and/or a detachable faucet wand that is easily replaceable. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0007]      FIG. 1  is an isometric view with a partial cross-section of a standard spray attachment of the prior art.  
         [0008]      FIG. 2  is an isometric view with a partial cross-section of a standard spray housing of the prior art.  
         [0009]      FIG. 3A  is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the filter assembly of the present invention.  
         [0010]      FIG. 3B  is a cross-sectional view of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 3A  showing the direction of water flow.  
         [0011]      FIG. 4  is a bottom plan view of an end cap for the filter assembly shown in  FIG. 3A  showing radial ribs that direct the water flow.  
         [0012]      FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the filter assembly of the present invention.  
         [0013]      FIG. 6  is an isometric view with a partial cross-section of an embodiment of a spray head of the present invention.  
         [0014]      FIG. 7  is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the filter assembly of the present invention.  
         [0015]      FIG. 8  is a partial isometric view of a two handle faucet assembly with a spray attachment utilizing a filter assembly of the present invention.  
         [0016]      FIG. 9A  is a partial isometric view of a single handle faucet assembly with a spray attachment utilizing another embodiment of the filter assembly of the present invention.  
         [0017]      FIG. 9B  an enlarged isometric view of an adapter tee of the present invention.  
         [0018]      FIG. 10  is a partial isometric view of a single handle faucet assembly without a spray attachment utilizing another embodiment of the filter assembly of the present invention.  
         [0019]      FIG. 11  is an isometric view with a partial cross-section of a spray attachment and filter assembly of the present invention.  
         [0020]      FIG. 12A  is a cross-sectional view of a spray attachment and filter assembly of the present invention.  
         [0021]      FIG. 12B  is a cross-sectional view of a typical installation of the spray attachment of  FIG. 12A .  
         [0022]      FIG. 12C  is an enlarged cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a fitting utilized in the present invention.  
         [0023]      FIG. 13A  is a bottom view of one embodiment of a spray attachment of the present invention  
         [0024]      FIG. 13B  is a side view of the spray attachment of  FIG. 13A .  
         [0025]      FIG. 14  is a top perspective exploded view of one embodiment of a spray attachment of the present invention.  
         [0026]      FIG. 15  depicts a cross-section of the spray attachment of  FIG. 14 .  
         [0027]      FIG. 16  is a top perspective exploded view of a portion of a selector valve of  FIG. 14 .  
         [0028]      FIG. 17A  depicts a cross-section of an alternate embodiment of a selector valve of the present invention in the off position.  
         [0029]      FIG. 17B  depicts a cross-section of an alternate embodiment of a selector valve of the present invention in the stream position.  
         [0030]      FIG. 17C  depicts a cross-section of an alternate embodiment of a selector valve of the present invention in the spray position.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0031]      FIG. 1  depicts a spray attachment  10  as is generally known in the art. The spray attachment  10  is standard for most kitchen sinks. The spray attachment  10  comprises a spray head  12  and a spray hose assembly  14 . A spray handle  16  extending from a spray body  20  of the spray head  12  may control the release of water out of a nozzle  18 . Alternatively, the spray head  12  may have other mechanisms as are generally known in the art that control the release of water out of the nozzle  18 . The spray body  20  also houses other elements necessary for holding and dispensing water from the spray head  12  as are well known in the art including but not limited to valves, channels, seals, and flow restrictors. The spray body  20  of the spray head  12  detachably attaches to the spray hose assembly  14 . The spray body  20  comprises an opening  21  which receives a spray hose coupling  24  of the spray hose assembly  14 . In one embodiment, a female end  22  of the spray body  20  receives a male end  26  of the spray hose coupling  24  of the spray hose assembly  14 . The spray hose coupling  24  detachably attaches the spray head  12  to a spray hose  30  of the spray hose assembly  14  with threads or other coupling mechanisms as are generally known in the art. In one embodiment, the female end  22  having ¼ inch NSP internal threads receives the male end  26  having ¼ inch NSP external threads.  
         [0032]     The spray hose  30  provides a water supply that is dispensed through the nozzle  18  of the spray head  12 . The spray hose assembly  14  has a seal  28  that prevents water from leaking from the spray hose  30  when the male end  26  of the spray hose assembly  14  is detachably attached to the female end  22  of the spray head  12 . The spray attachment  10  may remain in a resting position in a spray holder  34  affixed to a sink or may be extended out of the spray holder  34  and hand-held in an extended position for use in areas outside of the sink.  
         [0033]     As depicted in  FIG. 2 , it is known that the spray head  32  may dispense water in a spray or stream pattern. A selector valve  36  on the spray head  32  has a stream position  38 , an off position  39 , and a spray position  40  which controls the pattern for dispensing water.  FIG. 2  depicts the selector valve  36  as a switch which slides into the stream position  38  when a user pushes the selector valve up along the spray body  33 , into the spray position  40  when a user pushes the valve down along the spray body  33 , and into the off position  39  when the user pushes the valve into a position between the stream position  38  and the spray position  40 . One skilled in the art would recognize that the stream, off, and spray positions  38 ,  39 , and  40 , respectively, may be interchanged, and further may be controlled by other selector mechanisms as are generally known in the art. When the selector valve  36  is in the stream position  38 , water dispenses through a stream spout  42  on the spray body  33 . When the selector valve  36  is in the spray position  40 , water dispenses through a spray spout  44  of the spray body  33 . The spray hose assembly  14  ( FIG. 1 ) may detachably attach to the spray head  32  in the manner described above. In one embodiment, the water dispensed from the stream spout  42  is directed downwardly toward the sink and the water dispensed from the spray spout  44  is directed away from the sink. Therefore, typically, the spray position  40  may be used when the spray attachment  10  is in the extended position so as to direct the spray spout  44  at a desired object. The spray head  32  comprises an opening  45  which can receive a spray hose coupling  24  ( FIG. 1 ). In one embodiment, a female end  46  of the spray body  33  receives a male end  26  of a spray hose coupling  24  ( FIG. 1 ).  
         [0034]      FIGS. 3A and 3B  depict a filter assembly  50  for filtering water supplied to the spray attachment  10  wherein the spray attachment may include spray head  12  or, alternatively, spray head  32 . The filter assembly  50  reduces the amount of particles and other contaminants in the water supply and improves the taste and odor of the water supply. The filter assembly  50  includes a housing  52  having an inlet  54  and an outlet  56  to allow water to flow through the housing  52 . The housing  52  is preferably constructed or injection molded of acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS). Those skilled in the art, however, will appreciate that any suitable temperature resistant thermoplastic material or other suitable material may be utilized for the housing  52 . As shown in  FIG. 3A , the inlet  54  of the filter assembly  50  mates with the spray hose coupling  24  of the spray hose assembly  14  ( FIG. 1 ) and the outlet  56  mates with the opening  21  of the spray head  12  ( FIG. 1 ) or the opening  45  of the spray head  32  ( FIG. 2 ) to provide filtered water to the spray head  12  or  32 . One skilled in the art would recognize that any filter assembly  50  may be employed in the present invention as long as the inlet  54  and the outlet  56  are configured to mate with both the spray hose coupling  24  and the opening  21  or  45 , respectively. In one embodiment of the present invention, the inlet  54  has internal threads and the outlet  56  has external threads which correspond with the male end  26  and female end  22  or  46  threads, respectively. In one embodiment, the inlet  54 , the outlet  56 , the male end  26  and the female end  22  or  46  all have ¼ inch NSP threads. The configuration of the inlet  54 , the outlet  56 , the opening  21  or  45 , and the spray hose coupling  24  may be reversed so that the inlet  54  has external threads to engage a female end on the spray hose assembly  14  and the outlet  56  has internal threads to engage a male end in the opening  21  or  45 .  
         [0035]     In one embodiment, depicted in  FIG. 3A , the filter assembly  50  may further comprise a filter cartridge  58 , a channel  59 , and an end cap  60 . As depicted in  FIG. 3A  and  FIG. 4 , radial ribs  66  on the end cap  60  fix the position of the filter cartridge  58  in the housing  52 . The end cap  60  seals the filter assembly  50  at the inlet  54  to prevent flow of the filtered water back into the spray hose  30 .  FIG. 3B  shows the direction of water flow through the filter assembly  50 . The water flows around the radial ribs  66  into the channel  59 . The channel  59  fluidly communicates with the inlet  54  and provides a path for the water supply to reach the filter cartridge  58 . The filter cartridge  58  comprises a media  62  and an axial void  64  running down the center of the housing  52 . The media  62  may include but are not limited to carbon block, copper, copper-zinc, far infrared media, KDF, and activated titanium carbon (“ATC”). Any suitable filtering media may be employed. The media  62  work especially well in sulfated waters where sulfates have been used as sequestering or flocculating agents. Other contaminants in water, like lead and other heavy metals, are removed or reduced as the contaminant is bonded to the media  62 . Further, it is believed that oxidation/reduction reactions occurring within the media  62  control microbial growth. Organisms specifically controlled include fungi, algae and bacteria. Once the water supply travels through the media  62  in the cartridge  58 , the water exits the filter assembly  50  through the axial void  64  and the outlet  56 .  
         [0036]      FIG. 5  depicts another embodiment of the filter assembly  320 . The filter assembly  320  may include filter pads for preventing the media from traveling outside of the housing. For example, an inlet pad  70  inside the housing  332  prevents the first media  324  from traveling through the inlet  326  and an outlet pad  74  prevents the second media  328  from traveling through the outlet  330 . In one embodiment, various types of filtering media may be employed for the first media  324  and the second media  328  which may be separated into separate chambers by at least one interior pad  76 . The media  324  and  328  may include but are not limited to any combination of far infrared, copper, granulated activated carbon, KDF, and ATC. The skilled artisan will appreciate that the interior pad  76  need not be present to accomplish the objective of the present invention. In such an embodiment, the housing  332  is sequentially filled with different types of media such that there are substantially distinct areas of the different media, yet they are in contact with each other. The inlet pad  70 , the outlet pad  74 , and the interior pad  76  may be constructed from any type of porous material including but not limited to stainless steel mesh or screens, Porex, plastic mesh or screens, and sintered metal.  
         [0037]     In another embodiment of the present invention depicted in  FIG. 6 , a filter assembly  50  may be inserted into a spray head  112 . The spray head  112  comprises a spray handle  116 , a nozzle  118 , and a spray body  120 . The spray body  120  is elongated in comparison to those generally known in the art to conceal the filter assembly  50  inside the spray head  112 . The spray body  120  has a distal end  122  and a proximal end  124  and a cavity  126  extending from the proximal end  124  to at least partially the distal end  122 . The distal end  122  comprises the spray handle  116  and the nozzle  118  as well as other water dispensing components (not shown) as are generally known in the art for controlling the flow of water out of the spray head  112 . Water dispensing components include but are not limited to valves, channels, seals, and flow restrictors. The cavity  126  houses the filter assembly  50 . The proximal end  124  of the spray body  120  has an opening  128  for receiving the filter assembly  50  into the cavity  126 . In one embodiment, toward the distal end  122  of the spray body  120 , the cavity  126  has a female end  127  to receive the outlet  56  of the filter assembly  50 . The female end  127  has internal threads that receive the external threads of the outlet  56 . When the outlet  56  engages the female end  127  of the cavity  126 , the filter assembly  50  is detachably attached to the spray head  112 . The spray hose assembly  14  described above may be employed to fluidly communicate with the proximal end  124  of the spray body  120  and the inlet  54  of the filter assembly  50 . The spray hose coupling  24  ( FIG. 1 ) detachably attaches to the inlet  54  as described above. Alternatively, the filter assembly  320 , as shown in  FIG. 5 . can be inserted into spray head  112  in a manner similar to that described for spray head  32 .  
         [0038]     The filter assembly  50  or  320  may serve as the primary and only filter or may be secondary to or replaced by a second filter assembly  100 .  FIGS. 7-10  depict a second filter assembly  100  for filtering water supplied to a spray attachment  10  (which may or may not include a filter assembly  50  or  320 ), which may be concealed under a sink.  
         [0039]     As depicted in  FIG. 7 , the second filter assembly  100  comprises a housing  400  having an inlet  402  and an outlet  404  to allow water to flow through the housing  400  with the outlet pad  406  impeding the filtering media  408  from traveling through the outlet  404 . In one embodiment, various types of filtering media may be employed, which may be separated into separate chambers (not shown) by interior pads (not shown) in a manner similar to that shown in  FIG. 5 . The skilled artisan will appreciate that the interior pad need not be present to accomplish the objective of the present invention. In such an embodiment, the housing  400  is sequentially filled with different types of media such that there are substantially distinct areas of the different media, yet they are in contact with each other. In another embodiment, the inlet pad  410  impedes the movement the filtering media  408  through the inlet  402 . The same materials may be used for the media  408  and the housing  400  as well as the outlet pad  406 , the inlet pad  410 , and the interior pads as described above. Further, the inlet pad  410 , the outlet pad  406 , and the interior pads may have a mesh value in a range of about 50 to about 100 microns.  
         [0040]     The foregoing description exemplifies a simple embodiment of the second filter assembly  100 . One skilled in the art would recognize that many types of filter assemblies may be employed in the present invention. In the following embodiments, the second filter assembly  100  nay be concealed under a sink ( FIGS. 8, 9A  and  10 ) and within a cabinet (not shown). In one embodiment, the second filter assembly  100  is affixed to the cabinet.  
         [0041]     The second filter assembly  100  may be utilized with a two-handle faucet assembly  140  as depicted in  FIG. 8  or with a single handle faucet assembly  160  as depicted in  FIGS. 9A and 10 . Also, the second filter assembly  100  may be used with faucet assemblies having the spray attachment  10  as depicted in  FIGS. 8 and 9 A or with faucet assemblies that are not configured for use with a spray attachment  10  as depicted in  FIG. 10 . The following embodiments describe the second filter assembly  100  in relation to either the single handle or the two-handle faucet assembly  160  and  140 , respectively, and in relation to faucet assemblies with or without the spray attachment  10 . These embodiments are not intended to be limited to the particular faucet assemblies depicted. One skilled in the art would recognize that these embodiments may be carried out by employing any of the faucet assemblies described.  
         [0042]     In the two-handle faucet assembly  140  depicted in  FIG. 8 , a cold water supply line  142  is controlled by a cold water handle  144  and a hot water supply line  146  is controlled by a hot water handle  148 . The cold water supply line  142  and the hot water supply line  146  combine each water supply at a coupler tee  150  with standard plumbing fittings (not shown) including but not limited to washers, nuts, and rings, as are generally known in the art.  0 -rings (not shown) provide a water tight seal between the other fittings connecting the supply lines  142  and  146  and the coupler tee  150  to permit water flow therethrough without leakage. The cold and hot water supply lines  142  and  146 , respectively, may be made of a copper material, or other similarly thermally conductive material, which may connect to a flexible hose material  147  from the cold water supply line  142  and the hot water supply line  146  respectively, to the coupler tee  150 . Alternatively, the flexible hose material  147  may connect from the cold and hot water handles  144  and  148 , respectively, to the coupler tee  150 . The coupler tee  150  then fluidly communicates with a spout assembly  152 . One skilled in the art would recognize that a spout assembly  152  may include but is not limited to spouts, rings, seals, and diverters (not shown). A hose shank  154  also extends from the coupler tee  150  to provide fluid communication between the coupler tee  150  and the spray hose  30 . When no filter is being used, the spray hose  30  connects to the hose shank  154  and provides the water supply to the spray head  12  (alternatively, spray head  32  may be used). However, when the second filter assembly  100  is used, the spray hose  30  is disconnected from the hose shank  154  and may be detachably attached to the outlet  404  of the second filter assembly  100  with fittings that are well known in the art. The inlet  402  of the second filter assembly  100  may be detachably attached to the hose shank  154  with the fittings (not shown). The spray hose  30  detachably attaches to any of the spray heads described above. The spray hose  30  is stored under the sink and is supplied through the spray holder  34  when the spray hose  30  is pulled. In one embodiment, approximately 48 inches of spray hose  30  is utilized.  
         [0043]     Alternatively, the second filter assembly  100  may be plumbed directly into the cold water supply line  142  as depicted in  FIG. 9A .  FIG. 9A  depicts a single handle faucet assembly  160  with a cold water supply line  142  and a hot water supply line  146  wherein each water supply is combined at the coupler tee  150  with the fittings (not shown) described above. The cold and hot water supply lines  142  and  146 , respectively, may be made of a copper material, or other similarly thermally conductive material. The coupler tee  150  fluidly communicates with the spout assembly  152 . A handle  162  extends from the spout assembly  152  to control the temperature and amount of water dispensed from the spout assembly  152 . One skilled in the art would recognize that a spout assembly,  152  may include but is not limited to spouts, rings, seals, and diverters (not shown). When no filter is being used, a hose shank  154  may also extend from the coupler tee  150  to provide fluid communication with the spray attachment  10  (communication not shown). However, when the second filter is used, the spray hose  30  is removed from the hose shank  154 , and the hose shank  154  is covered with a pipe cap  164 . The second filter assembly  100  is plumbed into the cold water supply line  142  with an adapter tee  166  having first, second and third ports  168 ,  170 , and  172 , respectively, as depicted in  FIG. 9B . The first port  168  of the adapter tee  166  receives the lower portion  174  of the cold water supply line  142 . The second port  170  receives the upper portion  176  of the cold water supply line  142  which carries the cold water supply to the coupler tee  150 . The third port  172  receives the inlet  402  of the second filter assembly  100 . As shown in  FIG. 9B , the third port  172  is at an angle less than 90° from the second port  170 . However, the angle between the third port  172  and the second port  170  may be any angle between 0° and 180°. The outlet  404  of the second filter assembly  100  may have a fitting (not shown) that attaches to the spray hose  30  that supplies filtered water to the spray head  12  or, alternatively,  32 .  
         [0044]      FIG. 10  depicts an embodiment of a faucet assembly which is not configured to receive a spray attachment. The second filter assembly  100  connects to the cold water supply line  142  in the same manner as described for the embodiment shown in  FIG. 9A , except that the pipe cap  164  is not needed because the coupler tee  150  does not have a hose shank  154 .  
         [0045]     The foregoing embodiments have been described in relation to providing, a filtered cold water supply to the spray attachment  10 . One skilled in the art would recognize that a filtered hot water supply could be provided to the spray attachment  10  in a similar manner.  
         [0046]     In other embodiments depicted in  FIGS. 11, 12A  and  12 B, the spray attachment  500  may dispense hot water from the spray spout  510  when the selector valve  506  is in the spray position  502 , cold water from the stream spout  508  when the selector valve is in the stream position  504 , and no water when the selector valve  506  is in the off position  503 . One skilled in the art would recognize that the stream and spray positions  504  and  502 , respectively, may be designated as other positions including but not limited to hot and cold water positions. When the selector valve  506  is in the stream position  504 , cold water dispenses through the stream spout  508  on the spray body  512 . When the selector valve  506  is in the spray position  502 , hot water dispenses through the spray spout  510  of the spray body  512 . In these embodiments, the spray hose assembly  514  includes a hot water spray hose  180  or  600  having an anterior end  182  or  630 , respectively, and a posterior end  184  or  612 , respectively, and a cold water spray hose  186  or  602  having an anterior end  188  or  634 , respectively, and a posterior end  190  or  620 , respectively. One skilled in the art would recognize that the following embodiments may be utilized with any type of faucet assembly including but not limited to the embodiments depicted in  FIGS. 8-10 .  
         [0047]     The spray hoses may be aligned either parallel (as shown by spray hoses  180  and  186 ) or coaxial (as shown by spray hoses  600  and  602 ) to one another.  FIG. 11  depicts hot and cold water spray hoses  180  and  186 , respectively, that are aligned parallel to one another. The spray hose assembly  514  including the hot and cold water spray hoses  180  and  186  may detachably attach to the spray head  516  in the manner described above. However, the posterior end  184  of the hot water spray hose  180  bypasses the filter assembly  320  (or, alternatively, filter assembly  50 ) and fluidly communicates with the spray spout  510  to provide hot water to the spray spout  510  when the selector valve  506  is in the spray position  502 . The anterior end  182  of the hot water spray hose  180  connects to the hot water supply line  146  with the adapter tee  166  in the manner described above in reference to  FIGS. 9A , and  10 . The posterior end  190  of the cold water spray hose  186  detachably attaches to the inlet  326  of the filter assembly  320  with fittings that are generally well known in the art. The filter assembly  320  communicates with the stream spout  508  to provide filtered cold water to the stream spout  508  when the selector valve  506  is in the stream position  504 . The anterior end  188  of the cold water spray hose  186  connects to the cold water supply line  142  with the adapter tee  166  in the manner described above in reference to  FIGS. 9A , and  10 .  
         [0048]      FIG. 12A  depicts hot and cold water spray hoses  600  and  602 , respectively, that are aligned coaxial to one another and connect to a spray head  516  (shown more completely in  FIG. 11 ). In one embodiment, the hot water spray hose  600  surrounds the cold water spray hose  602 . The hot water spray hose  600  detachably attaches to the proximal end  518  of the spray head  516  or to a fitting  192  which detachably attaches the hot water spray hose  600  with the opening  610  in the spray head  516 . Hot water supplied to the posterior end  612  of the hot water spray hose  600  enters the cavity  614  and travels to a channel  616  which bypasses the filter assembly  50  (or, alternatively, filter assembly  320 ) and communicates with the spray spout  510  ( FIG. 11 ) to provide hot water to the spray spout  510  when the selector valve  506  ( FIG. 11 ) is in the spray position  502  ( FIG. 11 ).  
         [0049]     The posterior end  620  of the cold water spray hose  602  enters the spray head  516  through the opening  610  into the cavity  614  and detachably attaches to the inlet  54  of the filter assembly  50 . In one embodiment, a second fitting  300  couples the inlet  54  of the filter assembly  50  with the posterior end  620  of the cold water spray hose  602  to further provide a tight seal and to prevent extraction. A seal  193  abuts the filter assembly  50  to prevent leakage of hot water from the cavity  614 . The outlet  56  of the filter assembly  50  fluidly communicates with the stream spout  508  ( FIG. 11 ) to provide filtered cold water to the stream spout  508  when the selector valve  506  ( FIG. 11 ) is in the stream position  504  ( FIG. 11 ).  
         [0050]     In another embodiment (not shown), the second fitting  300  couples the inlet  326  of the filter assembly  320  with the posterior end  620  of the cold water spray hose  602  to further provide a tight seal and to prevent extraction. The seal  193  abuts the filter assembly  320  to prevent leakage of hot water from the cavity  614 . The outlet  330  of the filter assembly  320  fluidly communicates with the stream spout  508  ( FIG. 11 ) to provide filtered cold water to the stream spout  508  when the selector valve  506  ( FIG. 11 ) is in the stream position  504  ( FIG. 11 ).  
         [0051]      FIG. 12B  shows the manner in which the hot and cold water spray hoses  600  and  602 , respectively, are connected to the water supply lines of a sink. As depicted in  FIG. 12B , the hot water and cold water spray hoses  600  and  602 , respectively, fluidly communicate with the hot water and cold water supply lines  146  and  142 , respectively, in a similar manner to that shown in  FIG. 12A . The anterior end  630  of the hot water spray hose  600  detachably attaches to a manifold  194  or the fitting  192 , which detachably attaches the hot water spray hose  600  with the manifold  194 . Hot water supplied to the anterior end  630  of the hot water spray hose  600  enters a manifold cavity  196  and travels to a hot water channel  198 . The hot water channel  198  receives a hot water tube  200  which fluidly communicates with the hot water supply line  146 . In one embodiment, the hot water tube  200  fluidly communicates with the hot water supply line  146  through the use of an adapter tee  636  or other similar type fitting. The anterior end  634  of the cold water spray hose  602  enters the manifold  194  into the manifold cavity  196  and detachably attaches to a cold water tube  202  which fluidly communicates with the cold water supply line  142 . In one embodiment, the second fitting  300  may couple the cold water tube  202  with the anterior end  634  of the cold water spray hose  602  to further provide a tight seal and to prevent extraction. In one embodiment, the cold water tube  202  fluidly communicates with the cold water supply line  142  through the use of a second adapter tee  638  or other similar type fitting.  
         [0052]     Fittings  192  and  300  are generally well known in the art and may include but are not limited to barbs, threads, and couplers. The foregoing embodiments describe the use of at least two fittings  192  and  300  to attach the hot and cold water spray hoses  600  and  602 , respectively, to the spray head  516  and at least two fittings  192  and  300  to attach the hot water and cold water spray hoses  600  and  602 , respectively, to the hot and cold water tubes  200  and  202 , respectively.  FIG. 12C  depicts an alternate embodiment of a third fitting  302  utilized in the present invention wherein only one fitting  302  is need to accomplish each connection.  
         [0053]     Referring to  FIGS. 1-12C , the present invention further comprises a method for removing contaminants from water supplied to a spray attachment. The method may comprise attaching the filter assembly to a spray head or plumbing the second filter assembly into the water supply lines or into the hose shank or both.  
         [0054]     In attaching the filter assembly  50  or  320  to the spray head  12 ,  32  or  112  as depicted in  FIGS. 1-6  and  11 , the user first detaches the spray head  12 ,  32  or  112  from the spray hose assembly  14 . Then, the filter assembly  50  or  320  is detachably attached to the spray hose assembly  14  and the spray head  12 ,  32  or  112 , whichever is applicable. One skilled in the art would recognize that the filter assembly  50  or  320  may be attached to the spray hose assembly  14  and the spray head  12 ,  32  or  112  in any order. The spray hose coupling  24  is secured to the inlet  54  or  326  of the filter assembly  50  or  320 , respectively, and the outlet  56  or  330  of the filter assembly  50  or  320 , respectively, is secured to the opening  21 ,  45  or  128 , whichever is applicable, of the spray head  12 ,  32  or  112 , respectively. When the spray handle  16  or  116  of spray head  12  or  112 , respectively, is depressed, or alternatively, the selector valve  506  of spray head  516  is in either the stream or spray position, water is supplied to the spray hose  30 ,  180  or  1   86 , the water flows from the spray hose  30 ,  180  or  186  into the filter assembly  50  or  320 . The water flows into the filter assembly&#39;s inlet  54  or  326 , respectively, through the housing  52  or  332 , respectively and exits through the outlet  56  or  330 , respectively to the spray head  12 ,  112 ,  32 , or  516  and out the nozzle  18  (spray head  12 ),  118  (spray head  112 ),  44  or  42  (spray head  32 )  508  or  510  (spray head  516 ).  
         [0055]     In one embodiment depicted in  FIGS. 3A, 3B  and  4 , when the water supply enters the inlet  54 , the water travels through the end cap  60  which guides the water to channel  59 , to the cartridge  58  and through the media  62 , into the axial void  64 , and exits through the outlet  56 . The contaminants are removed from the water by bonding the contaminants to the media  62 . Also, organisms are removed from the water by reacting the organisms in an oxidation/reduction reaction with the media  62 , if applicable. In another embodiment depicted in  FIG. 5 , the water supply passes through the inlet  326  and inlet pad  70 , if applicable, of the housing  332 . Next, the water is dispersed through the chambers of media  324  and/or  328 , and interior pads  76 , if applicable, within the housing  332 . The contaminants are removed from the water by bonding the contaminants to the media  324  and/or  328  and the filter pads. Also, organisms are removed from the water by reacting the organisms in an oxidation/reduction reaction with the media  324  and/or  328 , if applicable. The water supply, then, passes through the outlet pad  74  and exits through the outlet  330  of the filter assembly  320 .  
         [0056]     In a method employing the embodiment depicted in  FIGS. 2, 11 , and  12 A,  12 B, and  12 C, the user may adjust the selector valve  36  or  506  on the spray head  12  or  516  to the spray position  40  or  502  or the stream position  38  or  504  depending on the user&#39;s preference and need for the spray attachment  10  or  500 . For example, the spray position  40  or  502  may be used to rinse foods, vegetables, hands, etc., with unfiltered water and the stream position  38  or  504  may be utilized to fill a drinking container or when only a stream flow is desired. The spray head attachment  516  depicted in  FIG. 11 , may be adjusted to provide hot water by adjusting the selector valve  506  to the spray position  502  and filtered cold water by adjusting the selector valve  506  to the stream position  504 . When the selector valve  506  is placed in the spray position  504 , hot water is supplied to the faucet assembly. The hot water is then diverted into the hot water spray hose  180  and passed into the spray head  516  where the hot water bypasses the filter assembly  320  and exits through the spray spout  510 . In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 12A , the water is passed into the cavity  614  in the spray head  516  and directed the into the channel  616  until it reaches the spray spout  510  ( FIG. 11 ). When a selector valve  506  ( FIG. 11 ) is placed in the stream position  504  ( FIG. 11 ), cold water is supplied to the faucet assembly. The cold water is then diverted into the cold water spray hose  602  and passed into the inlet  54  or  326  of the filter assembly  50  or  320 , respectively. After the water has traveled through the housing  52  or  332  of the filter assembly  50  or  320 ,respectively, in the embodiments discussed above, the water exits the outlet  56  or  330  and is directed to the stream spout  508  ( FIG. 11 ).  
         [0057]     Further, the spray attachment  10  or  500 , which can include any one of the following spray heads:  12 ,  32 ,  112 , or  516 , may be used in situ in the spray holder  34  or may be extended from its resting position in the spray holder  34  to supply filtered water. Valves (not shown) control the retention and release of the cold and hot water depending on the user&#39;s preference. In the embodiments shown in  FIGS. 1 and 6 , in the resting position, filtered water may be obtained by the actuation of the spray handle  16  or  116 , respectively, and positioning the container to be filled or the item to be washed under the spray head  12  or  112 , respectively. In the extended position, filtered water may be obtained similarly by operation of the spray handle  16  or  116  and positioning the spray head  12  or  112 , respectively, over the container or item that may be remotely located on a countertop, for instance, but within the range of the tubing supplied. In the embodiments shown in  FIGS. 2, 11  and  12 A- 12 C, in the resting position, filtered water may be obtained by sliding the selector valve  35  or  506  into the stream position  38  or  504 , respectively. In the extended position, filtered water may be obtained similarly by sliding the selector valve  36  or  506  into the stream position  38  or  504 , respectively, and positioning the spray head  32  or  516 , respectively, over the container or item that may be remotely located on a countertop, for instance, but within the range of the tubing supplied. The extended position also allows the user to remain more erect when using the spray attachment  10  or  500 , which can include any one of the following spray heads:  12 ,  32  or  112  to dispense filtered water.  
         [0058]     Referring to  FIG. 8 , in another embodiment, the cold water handle  144  and/or the hot water handle  148  are placed in an “on” position to open the cold water and/or hot water supply lines  142  and  146 , respectively. The water supply may then travel through the cold water and hot water supply lines  142  and  146 , respectively, to the coupler tee  150 . The water supply then travels from the coupler tee  150 , to the hose shank  154 , and through the second filter assembly  100 . As shown in  FIG. 7 , the water supply passes through the inlet  402  and inlet pad  410 , if applicable, of the housing  400 . Next, the water is dispersed through the chambers of inedia  402 , and inlet and outlet pads  410  and  406 , respectively, if applicable, within the housing  400 . The contaminants are removed from the water by bonding the contaminants to the media  408  and the filter pads  410  and  406 . Also, organisms are removed from the water by reacting the organisms in an oxidation/reduction reaction with the media  408 , if applicable. The water supply, then, passes through the outlet pad  406  and the outlet  404  of the second filter assembly  100  into the spray hose  30  ( FIG. 8 ). The filtered water supply is then dispensed from the spray head  12 or  112  when a user presses on the spray handle  16  or  116 , respectively. Alternatively, the filter water is supplied to spray head  32  or  516  when the user slides the selector valve  36  or  506 , respectively.  
         [0059]     As depicted in  FIGS. 9A and 10 , an alternate method does not require the cold water and/or hot water supply lines  142  and  146 , respectively, to be opened. The water supply travels from the cold water supply line  142  to the port  168  of the adapter tee  166 . The water supply exits the adapter tee  166  through the port  172  and enters the second filter assembly  100  through the inlet  402  and inlet pad  70 , if applicable, of the housing  400  ( FIG. 7 ). Next, the water is dispersed through the chambers of media  408  ( FIG. 7 ), and the inlet and outlet pads, if applicable, within the housing  400 . The contaminants are removed from the water by bonding the contaminants to the media  408  and inlet and outlet pads. Also, organisms are removed from the water by reacting the organisms in an oxidation/reduction reaction with the media  408 , if applicable. The water supply, then, passes through the outlet pad  74  and outlet  404  of the second filter assembly  100  into the spray hose  30 . The filtered water supply is then dispensed from the spray head  12  or  112  when a user presses on the spray handle  16  or  116 , respectively. Alternatively, the filtered water supplied may then be dispensed from spray head  32  or  516  when the user slides the selector valve  36  or  506 , respectively.  
         [0060]     Another embodiment of the dual pattern spray attachment  500  of  FIGS. 11 and 12  is depicted in  FIGS. 13-16 . As depicted in  FIGS. 13A and 13B , a spray attachment  700  may dispense water in a spray or stream pattern. A spray hose assembly  714  may detachably attach to a spray head  712  in any manner described above or as generally known in the art. Spray hoses may be aligned either parallel (as shown by spray hoses  180  and  186  in  FIG. 11 ) or coaxial (as shown by spray hoses  600  and  602  in FIGS.  12 A-C) to one another. The spray head  712  has a spray body  720  for storing a filter assembly  722  and a stream nozzle  718  and spray pores  719  for dispensing water out of the spray attachment  700 .  
         [0061]      FIG. 14  depicts a spray head  712  and the filter assembly  722  which is removably engageable with the spray head  712  and hose assembly  714 . In one embodiment, the filter assembly  722  has a housing  723  with at least one inlet (not shown) and an outlet  724 . The filter assembly  722  detachably seats within a hole  762  within the spray body  720 .  
         [0062]     Any filter assembly  722  may be utilized as is described above or as is generally known in the art. For example, filter assembly  722  may include a region  760  of filter media  62  of carbon block material, or any other suitable filter media, to filter the water moving through the spray attachment  700 . In one embodiment of the filter assembly  722 , the filter media  62  is of low resistance (i.e., low delta P) Such low resistance allows the faucet diverter to switch from the filtering function to unfiltered flow if the water pressure is too high (i.e., at about 25 psig).  
         [0063]     As shown in  FIG. 14 , the spray head  712  includes a selector valve  736  with a stream button  738  and a spray button  740 . The selector valve  736  may be adjusted (by the user depressing the buttons) to a stream position, an off position, and a spray position thereby interacting with the internal mechanisms of the spray head  712  to control the pattern for dispensing water. When the stream button  738  is fully depressed, the selector valve  736  is in the stream position and the spray head  712  dispenses water in a stream pattern. When the spray button  740  is fully depressed, the selector valve  736  is in the spray position and the spray head  712  dispenses water in a spray pattern. When both the stream button  738  and the spray button  740  are partially depressed, the selector valve  736  is in the off position and no water is dispensed through the spray head  712 . One skilled in the art would recognize that the stream, off, and spray positions may be interchanged, and further may be controlled by other selector mechanisms as are generally known in the art.  
         [0064]     As depicted in  FIG. 15 , a stream reservoir  742  and a spray reservoir  744  in the spray body  720  deliver water from the hose assembly  714  to the selector valve  736 . Water from the hose assembly  714  enters the spray body  720 . In one embodiment, the water then surrounds the filter assembly  722  or enters the filter assembly  722 . In one embodiment, the stream reservoir  742  houses filtered water from the filter assembly  722  and the spray reservoir  744  houses unfiltered water from the area surrounding the filter assembly  722 . Water is held in the stream reservoir  742  and spray reservoir  744  until released into respective channels,  746  and  748  of the selector valve  736 . Stream reservoir  742  fluidly communicates with a stream channel  746  and spray reservoir  744  fluidly communicates with a spray channel  748 . Fluid communication between the reservoirs  742 ,  744  and their respective channels  746 ,  748 , however, is impeded by stream piston  750  and spray piston  752 . Stream piston  750  prevents fluid communication between the stream reservoir  742  and the stream channel  746 , while spray piston  752  prevents fluid communication between the spray reservoir  744  and the spray channel  748 .  
         [0065]     Stream piston  750  and spray piston  752  are controlled by the spray button  740  and stream button  738 , respectively. The stream piston  750  is connected to the spray button  740  and the spray piston  752  is connected to the stream button  738 . In one embodiment, the stream button  738  and the spray button  740  are joined together by a bridge  754  ( FIG. 14 ), so that when the stream button  738  is fully depressed, and hence in the stream position, the spray button  740  and the corresponding stream piston  750  are raised, thereby opening the stream reservoir  742  to the stream channel  746 . Similarly, when the spray button  740  is fully depressed, and hence in the spray position, the stream button  738  and the corresponding spray piston  752  are raised, thereby opening the spray reservoir  744  to the spray channel  748 . In the off position, when the stream button  738  and the spray button  740  are both partially depressed, the bridge  754  is parallel to the X-axis and therefore, neither stream piston  750  nor spray piston  752  are raised from their respective channels  746 ,  748 .  
         [0066]     When the stream button  738  is depressed, the stream reservoir  742  opens to the stream channel  746 , and the water flows into an outlet  754  ( FIG. 16 ) to the stream nozzle  718 . At this point, all water flow is directed from the hose assembly  714  through the filter assembly  722  and out of the stream nozzle  718 . When the spray button  740  is depressed, the spray reservoir  744  opens to the spray channel  748 , and the water disperses about a cavity  756  ( FIG. 16 ). Slots  758  in the cavity  756  provide a path for the water to exit to the spray pores  719 . At this point, all water flow is directed from the hose assembly  714  around the filter assembly  722  and out the spray pores  719 . This mechanism prevents mixing of non-filtered water and filtered water when exiting the spray head  712 .  
         [0067]     In an alternate embodiment depicted in FIGS.  17 A-C, a selector valve  836  has a stream button  838  and a spray button  840 . As depicted in  FIG. 17B , when the stream button  838  is fully depressed, the selector valve  836  is in the stream position and water is dispensed in a stream pattern. As depicted in  FIG. 17C , when the spray button  840  is fully depressed, the selector valve  836  is in the spray position and water is dispensed in a spray pattern. As depicted in  FIG. 17A , when both the stream button  838  and the spray button  840  are partially depressed, the selector valve  836  is in the off position and no water is dispensed through the spray head  12 ,  32 ,  112 ,  514 , or  712 . One skilled in the art would recognize that the stream, off, and spray positions may be interchanged, and further may be controlled by other selector mechanisms as are generally known in the art.  
         [0068]     As depicted in FIGS.  17 A-C, a stream reservoir  842  and a spray reservoir  844  fluidly communicate with the selector valve  836 . Water is held in the stream reservoir  842  and spray reservoir  844  until released into respective channels,  846  and  848 . Stream reservoir  842  fluidly communicates with a stream channel  846  and spray reservoir  844  fluidly communicates with a spray channel  848 . Fluid communication between the reservoirs  842 ,  844  and their respective channels  846 ,  848 , however, is impeded by stream piston  850  and spray piston  852 . Stream piston  850  prevents fluid communication between the stream reservoir  842  and the stream channel  846 , while spray piston  852  prevents fluid communication between spray reservoir  844  and the spray channel  848 .  
         [0069]     Stream piston  850  and spray piston  852  are controlled by the spray button  840  and stream button  838 , respectively. The stream piston  850  is connected to the spray button  840  and the spray piston  852  is connected to the stream button  838 . The stream button  838  and the spray button  840  are joined together by a bridge  854 , so that when the stream button  838  is fully depressed, and hence in the stream position, the spray button  840  and the corresponding stream piston  850  are raised, thereby opening the stream reservoir  842  to the stream channel  846 . Similarly, when the spray button  840  is fully depressed, and hence in the spray position, the stream button  838  and the corresponding spray piston  852  are raised, thereby opening the spray reservoir  844  to the spray channel  848 . In the off position, when the stream button  838  and the spray button  840  are both partially depressed, the bridge  854  is parallel to the X-axis and therefore, neither stream piston  850  nor spray piston  852  are raised from their respective channels  846 ,  848 .  
         [0070]     When the stream button  838  is depressed, the stream reservoir  842  opens to the stream channel  846 , and the water flows to a stream nozzle  818 . When the spray button  840  is depressed, the spray reservoir  844  opens to the spray channel  848 , and the water exits from spray pores  819 . This mechanism prevents mixing of non-filtered water and filtered water when exiting the spray head  12 ,  32 ,  112 ,  514  or  712 .  
         [0071]     Any of the foregoing embodiments may be incorporated into a detachable faucet wand that serves as the main supply of water to a sink or other water receptacle.  
         [0072]     While there has been shown and described the preferred embodiment of the instant invention it is to be appreciated that the invention may be embodied otherwise than is herein specifically shown and described and that, within said embodiment, certain changes may be made in the form and arrangement of the parts without departing from the underlying ideas or principles of this invention as set forth in the Claims appended herewith.