Patent Publication Number: US-2022226523-A1

Title: Apparatus and method for modifying a sprayer bottle into an ozonating and ionizing water sprayer bottle and for providing humidification with ozonated and ionized water

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This Continuation-in-Part application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 120 of application Ser. No. 17/190,731 filed on Mar. 3, 2021 entitled APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR MODIFYING A SPRAYER BOTTLE INTO AN OZONATING SPRAYER BOTTLE AND FOR MAKING A WATER RESERVOIR INTO AN OZONATED WATER RESERVOIR which in turn is a Continuation-in-Part application, and claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 120, of application Ser. No. 17/129,196 (now U.S. Pat. No. 10,973,938) filed on Dec. 21, 2020 entitled INSERT FOR SPRAYER BOTTLE FOR OZONATING WATER and all of whose entire disclosures are incorporated by reference herein. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to relates generally to cleaning products that generate ozonated water and, more particularly, to an assembly that can be inserted into conventional spraying bottles for producing ozonated water. 
     The use of ozone (O 3 ) in different forms for sanitization is well-known. As a gas, ozone can be used for destroying mold or allergens but must be carefully administered because those levels of gaseous ozone can also be toxic to small children, pets and plants. However, when used in water, such ozonated water can be used to safely disinfect items or surfaces; in fact, ozonated water can even be ingested safely; for example, ozonated water is used by campers to clean water by destroying bacteria and other undesired content therein. 
     Devices that generate ozone are known as “ozonizers”. Conventional ozonizers typically utilize electricity, or exposure to ultraviolet radiation, to convert oxygen (O 2 ) to ozone (O 3 ). The following U.S. patent references show examples of devices utilizing ozonated water. U.S. Pat. No. 9,079,227 (Barnes); U.S. Pat. No. 9,636,715 (Barnes); U.S. Pat. No. 9,540,259 (Lutz, et al.); U.S. Pat. No. 10,610,902 (Brook, et al.); U.S. Patent Publication Nos. 2013/0277211 (Joshi, et al.), now abandoned; and 2016/0097132 (Joshi, et al.), now abandoned. 
     While the devices disclosed in the aforementioned publications may be generally suitable for their intended purposes, these devices do not provide for convenient method of converting a conventional spray bottle into spray bottle of ozonated water. Thus, there remains a need for an insert that can be easily connected to a conventional spray bottle for generating ozonated water to act as a cleaning fluid, or for use as potable water. Moreover, there remains a need for easily making a water reservoir (e.g., a water tank) an ozonating source of water, for example, a potable water source. Furthermore, there also remains a need for ionizing the water also so that the output of the sprayer bottle comprises a combination of an ozonated and ionized water mist. There also remains a need for making the ozonated source of water also an ionized source of water. Finally, there remains a need for providing humidification that comprises an ozonated and ionized water mist or vapor output. 
     All references cited herein are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     An apparatus for permitting a conventional spray bottle to generate ozonated and ionized water, wherein the conventional spray bottle has a spray head and bottle portion, is disclosed. The apparatus comprises: first and second electrical connectors associated with the bottle portion; an ozonator element that is coupled to the first electrical connector via an electrical cable and wherein the ozonator element is configured to be submerged within the water contained within the bottle portion; an ionizer lead that is coupled to the second electrical connector and wherein the ionizer lead is configured to be submerged within the water contained in the bottle portion; wherein the first electrical connector conveys electrical power to the ozonator element to activate the ozonator element to ozonate the water contained in the bottle portion and wherein an ionizer is also coupled to the second electrical connector for energizing the ionizer lead to ionize the water contained in the bottle portion. 
     An apparatus for generating an ozonated and ionized water mist or vapor is disclosed. The apparatus comprises: a housing configured to contain water; an ozonator element that is configured to be submerged within the water and which is coupled to electrical power via a first conductor to ozonate the water in the housing; an ionizer having an ionizer lead, wherein the ionizer lead is configured to be submerged within the water, and wherein the ionizer is coupled to electrical power via a second conductor to ionize the water in the housing; and an energizing element that is configured to be submerged within the water and which is coupled to electrical power via a third conductor for converting the ozonated and ionized water into an ozonated and ionized mist or vapor. 
     A method of ozonating and ionizing water in a conventional spray bottle having a spray head with a dip tube and a bottle portion is disclosed. The method comprises: providing an insert member having an internal passageway and wherein the insert member can be releasably inserted between the spray head and the bottle portion, wherein the insert member further comprises an ozonator element that is coupled to the insert member via an electrical cable and an ionizer lead that is electrically coupled to the insert member; submerging the ozonator element and the ionizer lead within the water contained within the bottle portion; inserting the dip tube through the insert member and into the bottle portion; releasably securing a first end of the insert member to an opening in the bottle portion and a second end, opposite the first end, of the insert member to the spray head; applying electrical power to the insert member to activate the ozonator element to ozonate the water in the bottle portion and to an ionizer that is electrically coupled to the insert and to the ionizer lead to also ionize the water in the bottle portion. 
     A method of ozonating and ionizing water in a conventional spray bottle having a spray head with a dip tube and a bottle portion having a top opening is disclosed. The method comprises: forming two apertures in a sidewall of the bottle portion; securing a first electrical connector in one of the apertures and to which an ozonator element is electrically connected via a first electrical cable and securing a second electrical connector in the other one of the apertures and to which an ionizer lead is electrically connected; passing the ozonator element and the ionizer lead through the top opening and into the interior of the bottle portion; disposing water into the bottle portion through the top opening; inserting the dip tube through the top opening and into the bottle portion and releasably securing the spray head to the bottle portion; and coupling a first power cord to the first electrical connector to provide electrical power to activate the ozonator element to ozonate the water in the bottle portion and coupling a second power cord, having an ionizer, to the second electrical connector to provide electrical power to activate the ionizer lead to ionize the water in the bottle portion. 
     A method of generating an ozonated and ionized water mist or vapor is disclosed. The method comprises: disposing water in a container; submerging an ozonator element within the water and which is coupled to electrical power via a first conductor to ozonate the water in the container; submerging an ionizer lead within the water and wherein the ionizer lead is electrically coupled to an ionizer which is coupled to electrical power via a second conductor to ionize the water in the container; and submerging an energizing element within the water and which is coupled to electrical power via a third conductor for converting the ozonated and ionized water into an ozonated and ionized mist or vapor. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Many aspects of the present disclosure can be better understood with reference to the following drawings. The components in the drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the present disclosure. Moreover, in the drawings, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the several views. 
         FIG. 1  depicts the insert assembly of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  depicts the insert assembly of the present invention installed in a conventional spray bottle with a power cord coupled to the insert for energizing the ozonator element; 
         FIG. 2A  is a schematic of the electronics of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  is an exploded view of the present invention installed in a conventional spray bottle along with the power cord; 
         FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view of the insert member taken along line of  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a flow diagram of the microprocessor operation in the electronics; 
         FIG. 5A  is a flow diagram of the process of using the present invention in a conventional spray bottle; 
         FIG. 6  is a partial view of an alternative insert member of the present invention which includes a spout and corresponding closure shown in an exploded condition; 
         FIG. 7  is a partial back view of the alternative insert member of  FIG. 6 ; 
         FIG. 8  shows an alternative apparatus for modifying a sprayer bottle into an ozonating sprayer bottle; 
         FIG. 9  depicts the alternative apparatus of  FIG. 8  installed in a conventional spray bottle with a power cord coupled to the alternative apparatus for energizing the ozonator element; 
         FIG. 9A  is a schematic of the electronics of the alternative apparatus; 
         FIG. 10  is an exploded view of the alternative apparatus installed in a conventional spray bottle along with the power cord; 
         FIG. 11  is a flow diagram of the process of using the alternative in a conventional spray bottle; 
         FIG. 12  is a functional diagram of an inventive coupler for modifying a water reservoir into an ozonating water reservoir; 
         FIG. 13  depicts a second embodiment of the insert assembly of the present invention which uses both an ozonator element and an ionizer/ionizer lead; 
         FIG. 14  depicts the second embodiment of the insert assembly of the present invention installed in a conventional spray bottle with respective power cords coupled to the insert for energizing the ozonator element and the ionizer lead; 
         FIG. 15  is an exploded view of the second embodiment of the insert assembly installed in a conventional spray bottle along with the respective power cords; 
         FIG. 16  is a cross-sectional view of the second embodiment of the insert member taken along line XVI-XVI of  FIG. 14 ; 
         FIG. 17  shows a second embodiment to the alternative apparatus for modifying a sprayer bottle into an ozonating and ionizing sprayer bottle; 
         FIG. 18  depicts the second embodiment of the alternative apparatus of  FIG. 17  installed in a conventional spray bottle with respective power cords coupled to the ozonator element and to the ionizer lead; 
         FIG. 19  is an exploded view of the second embodiment of the alternative apparatus installed in a conventional spray bottle along with respective power cords coupled to the ozonator element and to the ionizer lead; 
         FIG. 20  is an isometric view of a humidifier or vaporizer of the present invention that generates an ozonated and ionized water vapor; 
         FIG. 21  is a block diagram of the electronics of the humidifier or vaporizer of  FIG. 20 ; 
         FIG. 22  is flow diagram the process of using the humidifier or vaporizer of the present invention; 
         FIG. 23  depicts an alternative portable ozonated/ionized water misting/cleaning tool; 
         FIG. 24  is isometric view of the tool of  FIG. 23  with the carrier lid opened; 
         FIG. 24A  is side view of the carrier portion of the tool; 
         FIG. 25  is a partial top view of the interior of the carrier portion with carrier lid opened; 
         FIG. 26  is a partial view of the container insider the carrier portion with the container lid opened; and 
         FIG. 27  depicts some exemplary cleaning accessories, shown partially, that can be coupled to the container. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Referring now to the figures, wherein like reference numerals represent like parts throughout the several views, exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail. Throughout this description, various components may be identified having specific values, these values are provided as exemplary embodiments and should not be limiting of various concepts of the present invention as many comparable sizes and/or values may be implemented. 
       FIG. 1  depicts the insert assembly  20  of the present invention which comprises an insert member  22  and an ozonator element  24  (e.g., a portable electrolytic ozone generator such as the Moreclean Electrolyzed Ozone Generator sold by Alibaba.com) that is coupled to the insert member  22  via an electrical cable  26 . The insert member  22  comprises an upper thread  22 A (e.g., a threaded male connector) for engaging a corresponding threaded collar  10 C in a spray head  10 A of a conventional spray bottle  10  ( FIGS. 2-3 ). The insert member  22  also comprises a lower thread  22 B (e.g., a threaded female connector, see  FIG. 3 ) for engaging a corresponding thread  10 D on the top of a bottle portion  10 B of the conventional spray bottle  10 . The insert member  22  further comprises an electrical connector  22 C (e.g., a USB receptacle) in a sidewall  22 D of the insert member  22 . To the internal side  22 E of the electrical connector  22 C is fixedly secured a first end of the electrical cable  26  for powering the ozonator element  24  coupled at the other end of electrical cable  26 . 
     As can be seen from  FIG. 4 , the insert member  22  basically forms a passageway P to allow the spray head dip tube  10 E ( FIG. 3 ) to easily pass therethrough and into the water L in the bottle portion  10 B, as well as allowing the ozonator element  24  to be suspended inside the water L in the bottle portion  10 B. (See  FIG. 2 ). As such, the internal volume of the insert member  22  provides sufficient space or passageway for the dip tube  10 E and the electrical cable  26  to pass easily into the opening to the bottle portion  10 B. The insert member  22 A may comprise a durable plastic material, e.g., PVC or ABS. 
     As mentioned previously, the ozonator element  24  may comprise a commercially-available portable electrolytic ozone generator. This ozonator element  24  draws very little electrical current and, as such, it is safe to use while it is submerged in the water L (e.g., tap water). To ozonate the water in the bottle portion  10 B, the ozonator element  24  need only be activated for a relatively short period of time, e.g., two minutes. This activation period (AP) may vary depending on the purity of the water. Once the ozonator element  24  is activated for the predetermined AP, the water L in the bottle portion  10 B is “ozonated” and is ready for use as a cleaning or sanitizing agent (or potable water). Once “ozonated”, the water L in the bottle portion  10 B will remain “ozonated” for approximately two hours. After that time, the ozonated state of the water L will return to its pre-ozonated state and will need to be “re-ozonated” to form a cleaning agent (or potable water) again. Although this “effective use period” (EUP) may vary, two hours is a reliable time for using the ozonated water as a cleaning agent before the water L requires re-ozonation. 
     One of the key aspects of the present invention  20  is to provide a “ready-to-use” ozonated cleaning product in a conventional spray bottle  10 . This is accomplished by electronics associated with the insert assembly  20 . In one embodiment, a power cord  28  is also provided that includes a controller  28 A, a first USB connector  28 B and a second USB connector  28 C. The first USB connector  28 B connects to the electrical connector  22 C in the insert member  22  while the second USB connector  28 C connects to a conventional USB wall plug converter  12  which is inserted into a conventional wall power outlet  14 . As shown most clearly in  FIG. 2A , the controller  28 A comprises a microprocessor  28 D (e.g., microcontroller such as Microchip ATTINY 4-MAHR etc.), a switch  28 E (e.g., a solid-state switch, e.g., NPN, transistor, etc.) and an indicator  28 F (e.g., a light-emitting diode (LED), e.g., a Cree Inc. C512A-WNN-CZ0B0151 LED). 
       FIG. 5  depicts the microprocessor  28 D operation with the bottle portion  10 B filled and the insert assembly  20  installed and the spray head  10 A installed. Once the power cord  28  is plugged into the connector  22 C (step  100 ), the microprocessor  28 D turns on the ozonator element  24  (step  102 ) and monitors the AP to determine if the AP has elapsed (step  104 ) or not (step  106 ). If the AP has elapsed, the microprocessor  28 D shuts off the ozonator element  24  by opening the switch  28 E and turns on the indicator  28 F (step  108 ). The lighted indicator  28 F lets the user know that he/she has a fully ozonated cleaning product ready for use. The microprocessor  28 D notes the timestamp of the shut-off of the ozonator element  24  (step  110 ). The microprocessor  28 D then monitors how much time has elapsed since the shut-off timestamp (step  112 ) to determine if the predetermined EUP has lapsed. If it has, the microprocessor  28 D shuts of the indicator  28 F (step  114 ) and immediately activates the ozonator element  24  (step  102 ) to re-ozonate the water L. As a result, this process guarantees that if a spray bottle  10  with the insert assembly  20  installed therein is plugged into wall power and no one has used the spray bottle, the water L is automatically re-ozonated after every EUP has lapsed. 
       FIG. 5A  provides a flow diagram of the use of the spray bottle  10  with the insert assembly  20  installed therein and powered as describe above. With the indicator  28 F illuminated (step  200 ), the user unplugs the power cord (step  202 ) by disengaging the USB connector  28 B from the insert connector  22 C. The user can now use the spray bottle  10  to clean. If the user empties the bottle portion  10 B (step  204 ), the user will refill the bottle portion  10 B (step  206 ) and then reconnect the power cord to the insert member  22  (step  208 ). Should the user not empty the bottle  10  and reconnects the power cord to the insert member  22 , the microprocessor  28 D will re-ozonate the remaining water L in the bottle portion  10 B, even if the EUP has not lapsed; there is no concern in “re-ozonating” water L that is still within the EUP. 
     To make the use of the insert assembly even more convenient, an alternative insert assembly  120  is shown in  FIGS. 6-7 . The alternative insert assembly  120  is identical to the insert assembly  20  but includes a refill spout  122  with an associated removable closure  122 A. As discussed above, when the ozonated water L is emptied from the bottle  10 B in step  206 , the user needs to refill the bottle portion  10 B. Instead of having to disengage the spray head  10 A or the insert assembly  22  from the bottle portion  10 B, the user can simply remove the closure  122 A (e.g., a cap), pour in more water L and then reinstall the closure  122 A. The user then inserts the power cord  28  to the connector  22 C in the insert member  120  and the process of  FIG. 5  is carried out. 
     It should be noted that the use of USB connectors is simply by way of example and that it is within the broadest scope of the invention  20 / 120  to include all types of electrical connectors for powering the ozonator element  24  and controlling its energization. Furthermore, it is within the broadest scope of the invention to include the controller  28 A on the insert member  22  itself, rather than in the power cord  28 . Moreover, it is also within the broadest scope of the invention  20 / 120  to utilize a replaceable battery or a rechargeable battery on or within the insert assembly  20 / 120 . 
     A key aspect to this invention  20 / 120  is that power to the ozonator element  24  is being provided from the insert member  22  either from an external power source (e.g., a wall outlet, etc.) or from an on-board power source (e.g., a replaceable battery or a rechargeable battery, etc.) associated with the insert member  20 / 120 . Furthermore, where the controller  28 A itself is located within or on the insert member  22 , an exemplary module such the DROK Time Delay Relay DC 5V-12V-24V Delay Controller Board Delay-Off Cycle Timer board may be used. 
     It is also within the broadest scope of the present invention to include a user interface with the controller  28 A that would permit the user to adjust the AP based on the purity of the water being used in the sprayer bottle  10 , as well as being able to adjust the EUP to ensure that ozonated water is always present in the sprayer bottle  10 . 
     It is also within the broadest scope of the present invention  20  to provide an alternative use of the ozonated water within the sprayer bottle: a potable water source, especially in emergencies. The ozonated water in the sprayer bottle  10  can also act as potable water, in addition to the primary use of the ozonated water as cleaning agent. 
       FIGS. 8-11  depict an alternative apparatus  220  for converting a conventional sprayer bottle  10  into an ozonating sprayer bottle. In general, rather than installing the insert  22  between the sprayer head  10 A and the bottle portion  10 B as described above, in the alternative apparatus  220 , the ozonator element  24 /electrical cable  26  have an electrical connector  222  coupled to the other end of the cable  26  which is installed into the wall itself of the bottle portion  10 B. As shown in  FIG. 8 , the alternative apparatus  220  comprises the ozonator element  24  coupled to one end of the electrical cable  26 . The other end of the electrical cable  26  is coupled (e.g., soldered) to one side  222 A of the electrical connector  222  which is then covered with a shrink wrap  222 B. The opposite side of the connector  222  comprises an electrical receptacle  222 C surrounded by a screw thread  222 D having a corresponding nut  222 E. A shoulder  222 F provides a flange against which the connector  222  is able to seat against the internal wall of the bottle portion  10 B, as described next. 
     In particular, a hole  223  ( FIG. 10 ) is drilled through a sidewall  10 F of the sprayer bottle  10 ; it is preferable to have a vertical sidewall in the bottle as shown in  FIGS. 9-10 , although the hole  223  could just as easily have be formed in the tapered portion  10 B. By way of example only, the hole  223  may be a ¼ inch hole. Next, the ozonator element  24  and electrical cable  26  are placed down through the open end of the bottle portion  10 B, along with the connector  222 . The electrical receptacle  222 C and the screw thread  222 D are then pushed through the hole  223  until the shoulder  222 F is positioned against the inner side of the sidewall  10 F and the nut  222 E is threaded on the screw thread  222 D and then tightened against the sidewall  10 F, thereby releasably securing the connector  222  to the sidewall  10 F. The stainless steel composition of the connector  222  prevents the connector  222  from rusting due to exposure to the water L and the shrink wrap  222 B provides protection against rust as well against exposure of the soldered electrical connection to the water L also. 
     With the electrical connector  222  installed within the bottle sidewall  10 F, the ozonator element  24  is ready for energization in the same manner as described for the insert  22 . As described previously with regard to the insert  22 , one of the key aspects of the alternative apparatus  220  is to provide a “ready-to-use” ozonated cleaning product in a conventional spray bottle  10 . This is accomplished by electronics associated with the alternative apparatus  220 . As shown most clearly in  FIG. 10 , a power cord  228  is also provided that includes the controller  28 A, the USB connector  28 C and a round DC power plug  228 B that is received in the electrical receptacle  222 C of the connector  222 . As shown most clearly in  FIG. 9A , the controller  28 A comprises the microprocessor  28 D (e.g., microcontroller such as Microchip ATTINY 4-MAHR etc.), the switch  28 E (e.g., a solid-state switch, e.g., NPN, transistor, etc.) and the indicator  28 F (e.g., a light-emitting diode (LED), e.g., a Cree Inc. C512A-WNN-CZ0B0151 LED). Operation of the microprocessor  28 D is similar to the description above in accordance with  FIG. 5 . 
       FIG. 11  provides a flow diagram of the use of the spray bottle  10  using the alternative apparatus  220  and powered as describe above. With the indicator  28 F illuminated (step  200 ′), the user unplugs the power cord (step  202 ′) by disengaging the DC power plug  228 B from the connector  222 . The user can now use the spray bottle  10  to clean. If the user empties the bottle portion  10 B (step  204 ′), the user will refill the bottle portion  10 B (step  206 ′) and then reconnect the power cord to the connector  222  (step  208 ′). Should the user not empty the bottle  10  and reconnects the power cord to the connector  222 , the microprocessor  28 D will re-ozonate the remaining water L in the bottle portion  10 B, even if the EUP has not lapsed; there is no concern in “re-ozonating” water L that is still within the EUP. 
     As can be appreciated, the alternative apparatus  220  provides another alternative to using the insert  22 . The alternative apparatus  220  can be easily installed by a user by simply drilling the hole  223  in the sidewall  10 F of the bottle portion  10 B of the sprayer bottle  10 B, positioning the ozonator element  24 /electrical cable  26  down into the bottle portion  10 B, inserting the screw threads  222 D through the hole  223  and then using the screw threads  222 D/nut  222 E to lock the connector  222  into the sidewall  10 F of the bottle portion  10 B. Once installed, the alternative apparatus  220  operates identically as the insert  20 . Another advantage of the alternative apparatus  220  is that it can be used for modifying any sprayer bottle  10  since there is no need to couple the connector  222  to the threaded opening  10 D of the sprayer bottle; rather, the connector  222  is simply installed into the sprayer bottle sidewall  10 F. 
     It should be noted that the use of DC power plug  228 C/connector  222  is simply by way of example and that it is within the broadest scope of the invention  220  to include all types of electrical connectors for powering the ozonator element  24  and controlling its energization. 
     As with the insert  20 , it is also within the broadest scope of the alternative apparatus  220  to include a user interface with the controller  28 A that would permit the user to adjust the AP based on the purity of the water being used in the sprayer bottle  10 , as well as being able to adjust the EUP to ensure that ozonated water is always present in the sprayer bottle  10 . 
     It is also within the broadest scope of the alternative apparatus  220  to provide an alternative use of the ozonated water within the sprayer bottle: a potable water source, especially in emergencies. The ozonated water in the sprayer bottle  10  can also act as potable water, in addition to the primary use of the ozonated water as cleaning agent. 
       FIG. 12  depicts a variation of the insert  22  for use with water reservoirs (e.g., tanks, accumulators, etc.) to make them ozonating water reservoirs. This can be especially useful for establishing potable drinking water sources quickly where critical drinking water needs arise, such as natural disasters (e.g., hurricanes, tornados, earthquakes, extreme temperature changes, etc.) or other emergencies. A conventional water reservoir  15  comprises an input  15 A, for receiving water from a water source (not shown) and an output  15 B, for delivering water to a process (also not shown), e.g., a potable water source, a cleaning station, etc. A feedpipe FP to the reservoir  15  may comprise a female coupling that couples to the reservoir&#39;s input  15 A, e.g., a male threaded connector. 
     To modify the water reservoir into an ozonating water reservoir, an inventive coupler  320  is provided, as shown in  FIG. 12 . The coupler  320  comprises a hollow housing  322  in which the electrical connector  222  is installed, as discussed previously with regard to the alternative apparatus  220 . The hollow housing  322  comprises a male threaded portion  324  (e.g.,  45 / 400  male thread) on a first end  326  that couples to the feedpipe FP, and further comprises a second end  328 , opposite the first end  326 , which includes an internal female threaded portion (e.g.,  45 / 400  female thread). The internal female threaded portion of the housing  322  connects to a hollow adapter  330  via upper male threads  332  on the adapter  330 . The adapter  330  includes a lower end  334  that includes an internal female threaded portion for coupling to the male threaded portion  15 A′ of the reservoir input  15 A. 
     Use of the inventive coupler  320  is as follows. The feedpipe FP is disconnected from the reservoir input  15 A. The user has two options for configuring the water reservoir  15  to become an ozonating water reservoir. 
     The first option has the user connecting the adapter  330  to the reservoir input  15 A, feeding the ozonating element  24 /electrical cable  26  through the adapter  330  and then down into the water reservoir  15 , then connecting the housing  322  to the top of the adapter  330  and then connecting the feedpipe FP to the top of the housing  332 . 
     The second option has the user first feed the ozonating element  24 /electrical cable  26  through the adapter  330  and then connecting the adapter  330  to the bottom of the housing  322 . The user then feeds the ozonating element  24 /electrical cable  26  down through the reservoir input  15 A and into reservoir  15 . Next, the user then connects the lower end  334  of the adapter  330  to the reservoir input  15 A. The user completes the process by connecting the feedpipe FP to the top of the housing  322 . 
     The inventive coupler  320  is now ready to be activated by connecting the DC power plug  228 C to the connector  222  via the power cord  228 . Operation of the inventive coupler  320  to have the water reservoir  15  generate a source of ozonated water is similar to the previous discussion for  FIGS. 5 and 11 . However, since the water reservoir  15  is typically always connected to the feedpipe FP, the reservoir  15  is thus usually filled with water; as such, steps  202 ′  204 ,  206 ′ and  208 ′ of  FIG. 11  are not required. If, on the other hand, the water reservoir  15  is portable, then those steps of  FIG. 11  apply. 
     Moreover, it should be understood that in view of the foregoing, different adapters  330  having respective internal female threads on the lower end  334  of the adapter  330  may be provided for coupling to differently sized water reservoir input connectors  15 A. 
     It should be noted that the use of DC power plug  228 C/connector  222  is simply by way of example and that it is within the broadest scope of the invention  220  to include all types of electrical connectors for powering the ozonator element  24  and controlling its energization. 
     As with the insert  20 /alternative apparatus  220 , it is also within the broadest scope of the inventive coupler  320  to include a user interface with the controller  28 A that would permit the user to adjust the AP based on the purity of the water being used in the water reservoir  15 , as well as being able to adjust the EUP to ensure that ozonated water is always present in the water reservoir  15 . The ability to adjust the AP and EUP is also important depending of the size of the water reservoir  15  where the volume of water therein may require that the AP and EUP be adjusted accordingly. 
     Because the inventive coupler  320  allows a water reservoir  15  to ozonate the water therein, the ozonated water therein can be used as potable water or as a cleaning agent, as discussed previously with the regard to the insert  20  and the alternative apparatus  220 . 
     Ionized Water Feature in Addition to the Ozonated Water Feature 
     As mentioned previously, it is within the broadest scope of the invention to provide an ionized water aspect to the aforementioned inventive devices.  FIGS. 13-19  depict examples of such devices providing an ozonated/ionized water (OIW) cleaning fluid. Moreover,  FIGS. 20-22  are directed to a novel humidifier or vaporizer device that provides an OIW mist or vapor. 
     Providing an ionized water mist into the air causes airborne viruses, bacteria or mold to “clump” together around the ionized water molecules and, as a result, fall out of the air. This is especially important in reducing airborne diseases, such as COVID-19, and other undesirable airborne particles. 
     To that end, as shown in  FIGS. 13-16  (corresponding to  FIGS. 1-4 ) depict a modified version  420  of the insert assembly  20  that includes a provision for ionizing the water in the bottle also. In particular,  FIG. 13  depicts the insert assembly  420  of the present invention which comprises an insert member  422  which is similar in every aspect to the insert assembly  20  but also comprises an electrical connector  423  (e.g., a USB receptacle) in the sidewall  22 D. As shown most clearly in  FIG. 16 , the internal side  423 B of the electrical connector  423  is fixedly connected to a first end of an ionizer electrical lead  425  (hereinafter the “ionizer lead”). The other end of the ionizer lead  425  is free and is configured for placement within the water to be ionized. 
     A distinct power cord  428  (see  FIGS. 14-15 ) is provided for energizing the ionizer lead  425 . In particular, the power cord  428  comprises an ionizer  427  (e.g., a commercially-available ionizer may comprise the negative ion generator purifier black ionizer generator module for DC5V&lt;1 W US, available on eBay, etc.) having the electrical connector  423  on its output side and comprising, on its input side, a power connector  429  on its other end for connecting to utility power via an AC/DC converter (not shown which may be a part of the ionizer  427  itself). 
     It should be noted that the electrical connector  423  is different from the electrical connector  22 C to prevent the inadvertent connection of the ozonator cable  28  into the ionizer plug  423  and vice versa. 
     Unlike the ozonator element  24 , the ionizer lead  425  does not require any timing limitations and once powered, it begins ionizing the water, in which it is positioned, immediately. As such, the ionizer lead  425  can operate independently of the ozonating element. Thus, the flow diagrams of  FIG. 5-5A  discussed previously with the insert assembly  20 , are still applicable for the insert assembly  420 . 
     It should be further noted that, as shown in  FIG. 16 , the presence of the ionizer lead  425  does not obstruct the passageway P in the insert assembly  420  and thus the spray head dip tube  10 E can easily be inserted or removed through the passageway P. 
       FIGS. 17-19  (corresponding to  FIGS. 8-10 ) depict a modified version  520  of the alternative apparatus  220  that also includes a provision for ionizing the water in the bottle. In particular,  FIG. 17  shows that in alternative apparatus  520 , the ionizer lead  425  has its own electrical connector  222  coupled to the upper end of the ionizer lead  425  which is installed in the wall itself of the bottle portion  10 B, through a hole  223 A drilled through the sidewall  10 F of the sprayer bottle  10 . As with the alternative apparatus  220 , in the alternative apparatus  520 , the other end  425 A of the ionizer lead  425  is coupled (e.g., soldered) to one side  222 A of the electrical connector  222  which is then covered with a shrink wrap  222 B. The opposite side of the connector  222  comprises the electrical receptacle  222 C surrounded by the screw thread  222 D having the corresponding nut  222 E. The shoulder  222 F provides the flange against which the connector  222  is able to seat against the internal wall of the bottle portion  10 B, as described above with regard to the alternative apparatus  220  and is not repeated here. 
     The power cord  528  for the ionizer lead  425  is similar to the power cord  428  except that the instead of having the electrical connector  423 A on one end, the power cord  528  includes the electrical connector  228 B′ on that end, which was discussed earlier with regard to alternative apparatus  220  and is not repeated here. It should be noted that connector  228 B of cable  228  and  228 B′ of cable differ in that a keying element (not shown) which is present on  228 B′ that prevents it from being inadvertently inserted into connector  222  for the ozonator element  24  and, as such, the connector  228 B′ can only be inserted into the connector  222  that connects to the ionizer lead  425 . Furthermore, the flow diagrams of  FIG. 5-5A  discussed previously with the insert assembly  20 , are still applicable for the second embodiment  520  of the alternative apparatus. 
     As with the second embodiment of the insert assembly  420 , the presence of the ionizer lead  425  coupled to the bottle sidewall  10 F, along with the ozonator element conductor  26  also coupled to the sidewall  10 F, does not obstruct a passageway through the top of the bottle  10  and thus the spray head dip tube  10 E can easily be inserted or removed through that opening. 
     It should be understood that in view of the foregoing, the inventive coupler  320  of  FIG. 12  can also be modified in accordance with the previous discussion with regard to  FIGS. 17-19  to provide an ozonated and ionized water product for use in the water reservoir  15  as well. 
       FIGS. 20-22  depict a novel humidifying or vaporizing device (HVD)  620  that provides a water vapor mist that is an OIW mist. As shown most clearly in  FIG. 20 , the device  620  may comprise a lower water reservoir portion  622  for holding a volume of water. An upper removable portion  624  comprises the electronics for the HVD  620  and from which the ozonator element  24  and the ionizer lead  425  project downward so as to be submerged in the water W contained in the reservoir portion  622 . In addition, when the HVD  620  acts as a vaporizer, an energizing element  625  is provided. The energizing element  625  (hereinafter “element  625 ”) may comprise a heating element (e.g., ceramic heater, etc.) or an ultrasonic vaporizing element (e.g., WDHTS 20 mm 113 kHz ultrasonic atomization maker mist Atomizer) or any other element used for converting the ozonated/ionized water into the OIW mist or vapor  630  and also projects downward from the upper portion  624  so it too can be submerged in the water W. 
     The HVD  620  provides an OIW mist  630  through an opening  626  in the upper portion  624 , A fan  627  blows the OIW mist  630  up through the opening  626 . As shown in  FIG. 21 , the electronics  628  comprises conditioning electronics  628 A that provides the proper voltage/current from the utility power, via a plug/AC-DC converter  631  to energize the previously-mentioned components. It should be noted that the ionizer  427  ( FIG. 20 ) is also located within the upper portion  624 , rather than being present in the power cord, as discussed previously. Since generating ozonated water has time limitations, described previously, the ozonater element  24  is controlled by the microprocessor  28 D as mentioned previously with regard to  FIG. 5 . As such, a modified flow diagram of  FIG. 5  is provided in  FIG. 22  to exemplify the HWD  620  and microprocessor  28 D operation  700 . In particular, the upper portion  624  is removed by the user from the lower portion  622 . Water is poured into the lower portion  622  and the upper portion  624  is then restored on top of the lower portion  622 , thereby submerging the ionizer lead  425 , the ozonater element  24  and the element  625 . At that point, the user plugs in the power cord at step  702  which then energizes the ionizer  427 /ionizer lead  425  for generating the ionized water state in step  704 , as well as turning on the element  625  and fan in step  706 . The processor  28 D then activates the ozonator element  24  at step  708  for the activation period (AP) discussed previously in  FIG. 5 . At step  710 , the processor  28 D monitors the time to determine if the AP has been met or not (step  712 ). If the AP has been met, at step  714  the processor  28 D shuts off the ozonator element  24 . At step  716 , the processor  28 D records the time when the ozonator element  24  was shut off then monitors, at step  718 , whether the effective use period (EUP, discussed above with regard to  FIG. 5 ) has lapsed or not. If it has, then at step  720 , the processor turns on the ozonator element  24  and returns to step  708  to begin the process of generating a new OIW mist  630 . 
       FIGS. 23-27  depict an embodiment of a device for providing another portable misting/cleaning tool  800 , hereinafter “device  800 ” for generating an OIW mist  801 . As shown in  FIG. 23 , the device  800  is contained within a portable carrier  802  having a lid  804  that has the appearance of a “tool box”. When the lid  804  is opened, as shown most clearly in  FIG. 24 , a container  810  is disposed therein. The container  810  has a lid  812  and is filled with water and into which is positioned the ozonating element  24  ( FIG. 26 ), the ionizer lead  425  and an energizing element  822  (e.g., an ultrasonic humidifier, ceramic heater, etc.) which corresponds to the energizing element  625  of the HVD  620  of  FIGS. 20-22 ; the ozonator element  24  is coupled to ozonator electronics  818  that control its operation as discussed previously. The portable carrier  802  comprises a fan  814  ( FIGS. 24-24A ) that pulls air into the interior of the carrier  802  and into an air intake  816  in the container lid  812 . The ozonator electronics  818  and the ionizer  427  are mounted inside the portable carrier  802 , as shown most clearly in  FIG. 25 . Timer electronics  820  are provided on the portable carrier  802  to allow the operator to set the overall operation of the device  800 . Power is provided to all of the electronics via a power cable  803  configured to a DC power module for coupling to vehicle power, e.g., 12 VDC, by way of example only. 
     When it is desired to have the device  800  operate as an OIW mist  801  generator for the environment, the operator can couple an output pipe  806  ( FIG. 24 ) down through an aperture  804 A in the carrier lid  804  and into engagement with a collar  806 A in the container lid  812 . If, on the other hand, the operator wishes to use the OIW mist  801  for cleaning a particular item or vicinity, the operator can disengage the pipe  806  and connect other accessories to the collar  806 A, such as the flexible tube  824  ( FIG. 27 ) or the rigid cleaning wand  826  ( FIG. 27 ). 
     While the invention has been described in detail and with reference to specific examples thereof, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope thereof.