Abstract:
A portable ultraviolet water purifier is disclosed which has an outer housing defining a water chamber with a coupling for attachment to a faucet an inlet and an outlet with an ultraviolet light source therein.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     This invention relates to a portable ultraviolet water purifier of the self contained type which is intended to be attached to a spigot. 
     2. Description of the Prior Art 
     In the prior art, it has been known to use ultraviolet light to purify water. Most of the systems using ultraviolet light are stationary flow-through systems which include a chamber having an ultraviolet light source with a water inlet and outlet. The water to be treated flows through the chamber past the ultraviolet light source which destroys the various viruses, bacteria and some other contaminants. Flow-through systems are typically used in residences, and commercial buildings to provide safe drinking water. While these systems work well for such purposes, they are not portable, require a power supply and are not suitable for providing small quantities of clean water. Various devices to treat small quantities of water have been proposed such as in U.S. Pat. No. 6,110,424, which discloses a penlight sized ultraviolet light device, which is intended to be inserted into an open container containing water such as a cup. This is a fragile device with an exposed bulb and is not practical. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 6,579,495 B1 discloses a device similar to U.S. Pat. No. 6,110,424, except that it uses UV light emitting diodes, instead of a bulb. This device is also subject to the limitations of the device of U.S. Pat. No. 6,110,424. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 6,767,453 B2 discloses a portable container, which has a removable bottom to which an ultraviolet light source is attached. 
     The container is open at the top with a removable lid. This device does not provide a flow through system, is bulky, awkward to use, and does not lend itself to being easily stored and carried on an individual ready for use. 
     The portable ultraviolet water purifier of the invention can be easily carried by an individual and is not subject to the limitations of the prior art devices. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     A portable ultraviolet water purifier is provided which is self contained, has an internal ultraviolet light source, and can be attached to a faucet, is battery operated, and can be easily carried by an individual ready for use. 
     The principal object of the invention is to provide a portable self-contained ultraviolet water purifier. 
     A further object of the invention is to provide a water purifier that is battery operated. 
     A further object of the invention is to provide a water purifier that is easily carried on and by an individual. 
     A further object of the invention is to provide a water purifier that may be attached to a spigot. 
     A further object of the invention is to provide a water purifier that is simple and inexpensive to construct, and lends itself to mass production. 
     A further object of the invention is to provide a water purifier that is durable and long lasting in use. 
     Other objects and advantageous features of the invention will be apparent from the description and claims. 
    
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING 
       The nature and characteristic features of the invention will be more readily understood from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing forming part thereof in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a front view in partial section of a water purifier in accordance with the invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a horizontal sectional view taken approximately on the line  2 — 2  of  FIG. 1 , and; 
         FIG. 3  is a side view in partial section of the water purifier of  FIG. 1 . 
     
    
    
     It should, of course, be understood that the description and drawing herein are merely illustrative, and that various modifications and changes can be made in the structures, and embodiments disclosed without departing from the spirit of the invention. 
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     When referring to the preferred embodiments, certain terminology will be utilized for the sake of clarity. Use of such terminology is intended to encompass not only the described embodiments, but also technical equivalents, which operate and function in substantially the same way to bring about the same result. 
     Referring now to the drawings and  FIGS. 1–3 , an ultraviolet water purifier  10  is illustrated. The purifier  10  has an outer housing  11  which can be of synthetic plastic, polyethylene plastic being particularly suitable. The outer housing  11  is of an oval configuration with a funnel shaped inlet  12  open at the top  14 , which can be provided with a cap (not shown) to seal the inlet  12  when not in use. The inlet  12  has a faucet coupling  15  attached thereto and illustrated as connected to a faucet  16 , which communicates with a source of water (not shown) to be disinfected. 
     The outer housing  11  forms a water chamber  17 , which has an upper sleeve housing  18  and a lower sleeve housing  19  of hollow configuration to allow water to pass therethrough into and out of chamber  17 . 
     The upper and lower sleeve housing  17  and  18  carry an ultraviolet light source  22  which is water resistant and includes an outer quartz sleeve  21 , and an ultraviolet bulb  22 , both of well known type and available from topbulb, 5204 Indianapolis Blvd., East Chicago, Ind. 46312-3838. 
     The lower sleeve  18  extends through an opening  23  in outer housing  11  with an end cap  24  detachably connected thereto to permit sealing and upon removal to allow disinfected water to flow throughout to be described. The outer housing  11  has a removable housing  25  thereon which has an on-off switch  30 , a battery  31 , and a transformer  32 . The battery  31 , transformer  32 , on-off switch  30 , and ultraviolet light source  22  are connected together by a conventional circuitry (not shown). 
     In use the faucet coupling  15  is attached to the faucet  16 , and the water chamber  17  filled with water. The on-off switch  30  is activated to energize the ultraviolet light bulb  22  and the water is disinfected. When the disinfection is complete, the switch  30  is activated and the light bulb  22  turned off. If desired, the faucet coupling  15  can be disengaged from the faucet  16  and the cap (not shown) applied to seal off the inlet  12 . The purifier  10  can then be transported for use as designed. Alternatively, the purifier  10  can remain connected to the faucet  16  and the end cap  24  detached to allow disinfected water to flow out the lower sleeve  21 . 
     It will thus be seen that the objects of the invention have been achieved.