Patent Abstract:
A sprayer with a water purifier, a valve system, and a selector switch for the same are disclosed. In one non-limiting embodiment, when the sprayer is in use, the sprayer includes a purifier for purifying water. The sprayer may be compact and ergonomic. The sprayer may include a valve system that provides a selection of water flow paths and/or nozzles or other output mechanisms for the sprayer, and a selector switch for controlling the valve system. In certain embodiments, the sprayer is provided with a multiple position selector switch that can be controlled by one of the operator&#39;s fingers, or by the operator&#39;s thumb so that the operator can use the sprayer and select the sprayer setting with one hand.

Full Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
   This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/713,460 filed on Nov. 14, 2003. 

   FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention relates to a sprayer with a water purifier, and to a valve system and a selector switch for the same. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   Sprayers of various types are known. In some cases, sprayers have a filter or other type of purifier associated therewith. The search for improved sprayers with water purifiers, and valve systems and selector switches for the same has continued. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   This invention relates to a sprayer with a water purifier, and to a valve system and a selector switch for the same. There are numerous non-limiting embodiments of the present invention. It should be understood that the water purifier need not comprise part of the sprayer, particularly when the sprayer is not in use. The water purifier may be a separate component that is used with the sprayer when the sprayer is in use. 
   In one non-limiting embodiment, the sprayer is for spraying water and when in use comprises a purifier cartridge for purifying water. The sprayer may be compact and ergonomic. The sprayer may comprise a valve system that provides a selection of water flow paths and/or nozzles or other output mechanisms for the sprayer, and a selector switch for controlling the valve system. In certain embodiments, the sprayer is provided with a multiple position selector switch that can be controlled by one of the operator&#39;s fingers, or by the operator&#39;s thumb, so that the operator can use the sprayer and select the sprayer setting with one hand. 
   Numerous other embodiments are also possible, including, but not limited to those described in the following detailed description. 
   The present invention will become more readily apparent when considered in reference to the following description and when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     While the specification concludes with claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter which is regarded as forming the present invention, it is believed that the invention will be better understood from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
       FIG. 1  is a front perspective view of one non-limiting embodiment of a sprayer with a water purifier. 
       FIG. 2  is a rear perspective view of the sprayer shown in  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 3  is a side view of the sprayer shown in  FIG. 1  shown with a portion of the housing cut away to show the internal components of the sprayer. 
       FIG. 4  is an exploded perspective view of the components of one non-limiting embodiment of the valve system. 
       FIG. 5  is a perspective view showing the top of the inner valve component and the selector switch. 
       FIG. 6  is a perspective view showing the top of the inner valve component and the selector switch from another angle with the same positioned in an “off” setting. 
       FIG. 7  is a perspective view showing the top of the inner valve component and the selector switch from another angle with the same positioned in a setting on one of the flow functions. 
       FIG. 8  is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a selector switch. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   This invention relates to a sprayer with a water purifier, and to a valve system and a selector switch for the same. 
     FIG. 1  shows one embodiment of a sprayer  20  with a purifier. This sprayer  20  is an ergonomically-designed, hand-held hose end sprayer. It should be understood that the sprayer  20  shown in  FIG. 1  has a unique configuration, and that the purifier, the valve system, and selector switch are not limited to use with a sprayer having such a configuration. The purifier, the valve system, and selector switch can be used with sprayers having any suitable configuration. 
   The sprayer  20  comprises a housing or structure  22 . Preferably, in the embodiment shown, water flows through the housing  22  when the sprayer  20  is connected to a hose  24  and is in use. The housing  22  comprises a barrel portion  26  and a handle  28  for gripping by a user that is disposed at an angle to the barrel portion  26 . The sprayer  20  further comprises at least one spray nozzle  30  that is operatively connected to the housing  22 , and a hose connection (or simply “connection”)  32  for the hose  24 . The sprayer  20  also comprises purifier, such as purifier cartridge  34 , and a selector switch  36 . 
     FIG. 2  shows that in this embodiment, the sprayer  20  comprises an opening  37  in a portion of the sprayer  20 , such as in the rear  38  of the barrel portion  26  of the sprayer  20 , for a purifer, such as purifier cartridge  34 . The purifier  34  can be removeable so that it need not comprise part of the sprayer  20  when the sprayer is not in use. The sprayer  20  can comprise any suitable receiving structure for the purifier cartridge  34  into which the purifier cartridge  34  fits. One non-limiting embodiment of a receiving structure for the purifier cartridge is described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/713,460 filed on Nov. 14, 2003. 
   The sprayer housing  22  may also have a element, such as a clip  40  for retaining the purifier cartridge in place. The clip  40  can comprise an element that is joined to the housing, or it can comprise a portion of the housing  22 . In other embodiments, the purifier  34  can reside entirely inside the sprayer housing, in which case a door may cover the purifier  34 , and the clip may not be necessary. It should be understood, however, that in other embodiments the sprayer  20  need not include an opening therein for the purifier cartridge  34 . In such other embodiments, the purifier cartridge  34  may reside at least partially, or entirely, outside of the sprayer  20 . In still other embodiments, the sprayer  20  need not comprise a purifier at all. 
     FIGS. 1 and 2  show one non-limiting embodiment of a purifier cartridge  34 . The purifier cartridge  34  can be in any suitable configuration. The purifier cartridge  34  in the embodiment shown in the drawings is generally comprised of two side-by-side compartments. The compartments comprise cylindrical portions, and the cartridge  34  is more specifically is in the form of a structure comprised of two cylindrical portions  42  and  44  that are aligned along their axes and joined together to form a compound cylindrical structure with a cross-section that resembles the figure “8”. In this particular embodiment, the cartridge has inlet and outlet openings that are both located on the same end of the purifier cartridge, the end inserted into the sprayer housing  22 . When the purifier cartridge  34  is in use, water flows in the inlet opening into first cylindrical portion  42 . Water then flows from the first cylindrical portion  42  through a channel  46  connecting the first and second cylindrical portions, to the second cylindrical portion  44 . Water exits the purifier cartridge  34  at the outlet opening into a purified rinse spray conduit. 
   The purifier cartridge  34  can be permanent or replaceable. The purifier cartridge  34  can be inserted into and removed from the sprayer housing  22  through the opening  37  in the rear  38  of the barrel portion  26  of the sprayer  20 . The purifier cartridge  34  can comprise any suitable type of purifying material. In one non-limiting embodiment, the purifier cartridge  34  comprises an ion exchange resin medium. The ion exchange resin medium may have any of the properties described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,562,142 B2 issued to Barger, et al. 
     FIG. 3  shows the internal components of the sprayer  20 . In the non-limiting embodiment shown, these components comprise: an inlet tube  48 , a valve system or valve  50 , the selector switch  36 , a rinse conduit  52 , and a purifier conduit  54 .  FIG. 4  shows that the valve  50  comprises: a bottom valve component  56 , an inner valve component  58 , a top valve component  60 , a selector spring  62 , a selector inner seal  64 , a click spring  66 , and a click pin  68 . The valve  50  may further comprise O-rings  70  as well as other components. 
   As shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the top portion  72  of the inlet tube  48  fits into a cylindrical extension  74  on the underside of the bottom valve component  56 . The upper portion  76  of the bottom valve component  56  comprises a cylindrical portion  78 . The inner valve component  58  also has an exterior with a cylindrical configuration. A portion of the inner valve component  58  fits inside the cylindrical portion  78  of the bottom valve component  56 . In the embodiment shown, the selector switch  36  is joined to the exterior of the inner valve component  58  and extends outward therefrom. In the embodiment shown, the selector switch  36  extends outward from the inner valve component  58  in a direction that is generally perpendicular to the axis of the cylindrical inner valve component  58 . 
   As shown in  FIG. 5 , the inner valve component  58  has a top surface  80  with an opening  82  therein, and several depressions  84  therein. The opening  82  permits water from the hose to flow through the valve  50 . As shown in  FIGS. 4 ,  6 , and  7 , the selector inner seal  64  sits on top of the selector spring  62 , and fits at least partially into the opening  82  in the top surface  80  of the inner valve component  58 . The top surface  80  of the inner valve component  58  may also comprise one or more seals  86 . The seals  86  can be of any suitable configuration. In the embodiment shown, the seals  86  are in the form of raised ribs that radiate outward from the center of the top surface  80  of the inner valve component  58 . In other versions of the embodiment shown, the seals  86  can have any other suitable configuration. In still other embodiments, the seals can be located on the underside of the top valve component instead of, or in addition to, being located on the top surface  80  of the inner valve component  58 . 
   The top valve component  60  comprises a plate  87  and a pair of inflow conduits  88  and  90 . One of the inflow conduits directs incoming water that passes through the valve  50  to a conduit that by-passes the water purifier  34 , and thus comprises the rinse conduit. The other inflow conduit directs incoming water that passes through the valve  50  into the water purifier  34 . The purified water then flows out of the purifier in a conduit that leads to a purified rinse spray nozzle. As shown in  FIG. 4 , the click pin  68  fits over the click spring  66 , and the click spring is inserted into the underside of the top valve component  60 . The top valve component  60  then rides on top of the inner valve component  58  to complete the assembly of the valve  50 . 
     FIG. 6  shows the selector switch  36  and valve system in the “off” position. As shown in  FIG. 6 , when the system is in the “off” position, the opening  82  in the top surface  80  of the inner valve component  58  is located between the inflow conduits  88  and  90  of the top valve component  60 . In this position, the engagement of the seals  86  against the underside of the top valve component  60  will prevent water from flowing through the valve  50  into either of the inflow conduits  88  and  90 . In addition, the click pin  68  engages into the central depression  84  on the top surface  80  of the inner valve component  58  to provide a signal to the operator that the selector switch  36  is in the “off” position. 
     FIG. 7  shows the selector switch  36  and the valve system turned to one side. When the selector switch  36  is turned in this manner, the opening  82  in the top surface  80  of the inner valve component  58  aligns with one of the inflow conduits  88  and  90  of the top valve component  60 , and water will flow through the valve  50  into the inflow conduit. In this position, the click pin  68  engages into the depression  84  to the left of the central depression on the top surface  80  of the inner valve component  58  to provide a signal to the operator that the selector switch  36  is in a different position. 
   The selector switch  36 , in one non-limiting embodiment, has at least two positions. In the embodiment shown, the selector switch  36  has three positions, which are from left to right: “tap water spray”, “off”, and “purified rinse”. The multiple position selector switch  36  can be controlled by one of the operator&#39;s fingers, or by the operator&#39;s thumb, so that the operator can use the sprayer and select the sprayer setting with one hand. This will allow the operator to use their other hand for some other task, such as during a process of washing a vehicle, applying a cleaning composition to the surface of the vehicle. Alternatively, this may allow the operator to hold some article in their other hand, such as a cleaning mitt, or other cleaning implement. 
   The selector switch  36  can comprise any suitable type of switch. The selector switch  36  shown in  FIGS. 1–7  comprises a paddle/rocker switch. This switch has a generally flat region  92  in the center that is sized to accommodate the operator&#39;s thumb, and a pair of spaced apart “paddles”  94  (see  FIG. 5 ) that are joined at an angle to the generally flat region, and are a sufficient distance apart to create a space for the operator&#39;s thumb therebetween. The paddles  94  have an interior surface and an exterior surface. The operator can control this switch by placing their thumb in the generally flat region  92 , and applying force with their thumb from the interior of the switch to the interior surface of one of the paddles  94  on either side of the switch. Alternatively, the operator can place their thumb on the outside of the switch, and apply a force with their thumb on the exterior surface of one of the paddles  94  on either side of the switch. Different embodiments of such a switch can be provided with different width (or thickness) of the paddles measured in the direction of movement of the switch to provide different “throw” distances when changing between switch positions. 
     FIG. 8  shows an alternative embodiment of a selector switch. In  FIG. 8 , the selector switch  36  is a thumb switch. The operator can control this switch by applying force on either side of the switch with their thumb. Other embodiments of this switch can also be provided that have different widths to provide different “throw” distances when changing from one switch setting to another setting. In other embodiments, the selector switch  36  can have any other suitable configuration. 
   Numerous other embodiments are possible. A few of these are as follows. In other embodiments, for example, the sprayer could be of the type described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/137,748 filed on May 2, 2002, and published as US 2003/0034051 A1 on Feb. 20, 2003, or in the configuration of the sprayer shown in U.S. Design patent application Ser. No. 29/193,107 filed on Nov. 3, 2003. In other embodiments, the valve system  50  can be located in the barrel portion  26  of the sprayer  20 . In other embodiments, the components of the valve system  50  can be inverted. Therefore, the various parts of the valve system  50  that are referred to as “top” portions may be referred to as “first portions”, and the various parts of the valve system  50  that are referred to as “bottom” portions may be referred to as “second portions”. 
   The sprayer can be manufactured in any suitable manner. The housing  22  and many other components of the sprayer  20  can be made of any suitable material, such as plastic. In the embodiment shown, the housing can be comprised of two, or more pieces. The components of the sprayer  20  can be assembled inside of at least one of the pieces comprising the housing, and the pieces of the housing  22  can then be secured together. 
   To use the sprayer  20 , the end of the purifier cartridge  34  with the inlet and outlet openings is inserted into the receiving structure located within the sprayer housing  22 . The clip  40  will hold the cartridge  34  in place. After the ion exchange resin in the purifier cartridge is exhausted, the clip  40  is pressed downward and moved away from the cartridge  34 , and the cartridge  34  is removed and replaced with a new cartridge. 
   The sprayer  20  can be used in any suitable manner or process. In one non-limiting embodiment, the sprayer  20  can be used in a process of cleaning the external surface of a vehicle, such as a car. The process can include any suitable number of steps in any suitable order. In one such embodiment, the process includes a step of applying a cleaning composition to the external surface of the vehicle. Any suitable cleaning composition can be used, and the cleaning composition can be applied to the surface of the vehicle in any manner. 
   In one version of such an embodiment, the cleaning composition comprises a polymer that renders the surface of the vehicle hydrophilic. One suitable polymer is described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,593,288 B2 issued to Aubay, et al. on Jul. 15, 2003. A suitable cleaning composition is described in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. US 2002/01600224 A1, published in the name of Barger, et al. on Oct. 31, 2002. In one version of such an embodiment, the cleaning composition can be applied directly to the surface of the vehicle. In another version of such an embodiment, the cleaning composition can be applied by diluting a concentrated cleaning composition with water, such as in a bucket of water, and then applying the diluted cleaning composition to the surface of the vehicle. The cleaning composition can be applied to the surface of the vehicle in any suitable manner such as by pouring, or spraying the cleaning composition on the surface of the vehicle, or by using any suitable type of applicator (such as a sponge, a wash mitt, etc.) to apply the cleaning composition to the surface of the vehicle. 
   The sprayer  20  can then be set to the rinse setting and used to rinse off the cleaning composition. Following this, the sprayer  20  can be set to the purified rinse setting, and the surface of the vehicle can be rinsed with purified rinse water to remove any residue-forming substances that remain on the surface of the vehicle. 
   The disclosure of all patents, patent applications (and any patents which issue thereon, as well as any corresponding published foreign patent applications), and publications mentioned throughout this description are hereby incorporated by reference herein. It is expressly not admitted, however, that any of the documents incorporated by reference herein teach or disclose the present invention. 
   While particular embodiments of the subject invention have been described, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications of the subject invention can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. In addition, while the present invention has been described in connection with certain specific embodiments thereof, it is to be understood that this is by way of illustration and not by way of limitation and the scope of the invention is defined by the appended claims which should be construed as broadly as the prior art will permit.

Technology Classification (CPC): 2