US-12618235-B1 - Sanitizing fluid sprayer with light disinfecting

US12618235B1US 12618235 B1US12618235 B1US 12618235B1US-12618235-B1

Abstract

A sanitizing sprayer includes a fluid sprayer with a handle and flexible tubing connected to a water supply. A mount holds the fluid sprayer in a stowed position in which the fluid sprayer is surrounded by a sanitizing light source, such as an ultraviolet light source. The sanitizing light source may be automatically activated when the fluid sprayer is in the stowed position or when a door in connection with the mount is in a closed position. A timing circuit may automatically shut off the sanitizing light source after a set time period. The sanitizing sprayer may include a single cleaning fluid reservoir or a pair of cleaning fluid reservoirs mounted in sleeves of corresponding shape. Separate fluid conduits may be used to dispense cleaning fluid and water from the fluid sprayer. The fluid sprayer may include an incrementally adjustable dispensing valve for fixed pressure adjustments.

Inventors

Mossab Al Hamli

Assignees

Mossab Al Hamli

Dates

Publication Date: 20260505
Application Date: 20250411

Claims (20)

1 . A sanitizing sprayer, comprising: a handheld fluid sprayer; flexible tubing connecting the handheld fluid sprayer to a water supply; a mount configured to hold the handheld fluid sprayer in a stowed position; a power supply; and a sanitizing light source connected to the power supply, wherein the sanitizing light source is configured to sanitize the handheld fluid sprayer and is formed as a shape surrounding the handheld fluid sprayer when the handheld fluid sprayer is in the stowed position, wherein the sanitizing light source includes an opening through which at least one selected from a handle of the handheld fluid sprayer and the flexible tubing extends when the handheld fluid sprayer is in the stowed position.
2 . The sanitizing sprayer of claim 1 , wherein the sanitizing light source is formed as a polygon surrounding the handheld fluid sprayer in the stowed position.
3 . The sanitizing sprayer of claim 2 , wherein the sanitizing light source is formed as a triangle surrounding the handheld fluid sprayer in the stowed position.
4 . The sanitizing sprayer of claim 3 , wherein the sanitizing light source comprises three sanitizing light bulbs formed as the triangle surrounding the handheld fluid sprayer in the stowed position.
5 . The sanitizing sprayer of claim 1 , wherein the sanitizing light source is configured as a curvilinear shape surrounding the handheld fluid sprayer in the stowed position.
6 . The sanitizing sprayer of claim 1 , wherein the sanitizing light source is configured to be automatically activated by a switch when the handheld fluid sprayer is in the stowed position.
7 . The sanitizing sprayer of claim 1 , further comprising a door attached to the mount, wherein the door is configured to conceal the handheld fluid sprayer and to conceal the sanitizing light source when the handheld fluid sprayer is in the stowed position and the door is in a closed position.
8 . The sanitizing sprayer of claim 7 , wherein the sanitizing light source is configured to automatically activate when the door is in the closed position.
9 . The sanitizing sprayer of claim 1 , further comprising a cleaning fluid reservoir, wherein the handheld fluid sprayer is configured to dispense water from the water supply and cleaning fluid from the cleaning fluid reservoir.
10 . The sanitizing sprayer of claim 1 , wherein the handheld fluid sprayer comprises a handle and wherein the shape of the sanitizing light source surrounding the handheld fluid sprayer in the stowed position is formed entirely in a plane parallel to a longitudinal axis of the handle when the handheld fluid sprayer is in the stowed position.
11 . The sanitizing sprayer of claim 1 , wherein the handheld fluid sprayer includes a dispensing valve configured to vary pressure of water dispensed from the handheld fluid sprayer.
12 . The sanitizing sprayer of claim 11 , wherein the dispensing valve is configured to be fixed in various incremental positions producing various incremental water dispensing pressures.
13 . The sanitizing sprayer of claim 1 , further comprising a pair of cleaning fluid reservoirs, wherein the handheld fluid sprayer is configured to dispense water from the water supply and cleaning fluid from the cleaning fluid reservoirs.
14 . The sanitizing sprayer of claim 1 , further comprising a timing switch connected to the sanitizing light source, wherein the timing switch allows the sanitizing light source to be automatically activated for a set amount of time.
15 . The sanitizing sprayer of claim 14 , further comprising control means for adjusting the set amount of time.
16 . A sanitizing sprayer, comprising: a handheld fluid sprayer; a mount selectively connectable to the handheld fluid sprayer such that the handheld fluid sprayer can be selectively held by the mount in a stowed position and selectively disconnected from the mount; flexible tubing connecting the handheld fluid sprayer to a water supply, wherein the handheld fluid sprayer is configured to dispense water from the water supply; multiple sanitizing light sources connected to a supply of electrical power, wherein the multiple sanitizing light sources are configured to sanitize the handheld fluid sprayer and surround the handheld fluid sprayer when the handheld fluid sprayer is selectively connected to the mount in the stowed position; and a door attached to the mount, wherein the door is configured to conceal the handheld fluid sprayer and to conceal the multiple sanitizing light sources when the handheld fluid sprayer is selectively connected to the mount in the stowed position and the door is in a closed position.
17 . The sanitizing sprayer of claim 16 , wherein the multiple sanitizing light sources are light emitting diode ultraviolet (LED-UV) lights.
18 . The sanitizing sprayer of claim 17 , further comprising a timing switch connected to the multiple sanitizing light sources, wherein the timing switch allows the multiple sanitizing light sources to be automatically activated for a set amount of time.
19 . A sanitizing sprayer, comprising: a handheld fluid sprayer comprising a handle; flexible tubing connecting the handheld fluid sprayer to a water supply; a mount configured to hold the handheld fluid sprayer in a stowed position; a power supply; and a sanitizing light source connected to the power supply, wherein the sanitizing light source surrounds the handle of the handheld fluid sprayer when the handheld fluid sprayer is in the stowed position, wherein the sanitizing light source is configured to sanitize the handle of the handheld fluid sprayer.
20 . The sanitizing sprayer of claim 19 , wherein the sanitizing light source is formed entirely in a plane that is coplanar with a longitudinal axis of the handle when the handheld fluid sprayer is in the stowed position.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 19/034,344, filed on Jan. 22, 2025, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. BACKGROUND Field The disclosure of the present patent application relates to a personal hygiene sprayer known as a shataaf, and particularly to a personal hygiene sprayer including a disinfecting light source. Description of Related Art A personal hygiene sprayer, known as a shataaf (also spelled shattaf), is a handheld bidet or spray hose commonly used for personal hygiene in bathrooms, particularly in Middle Eastern and many South Asian countries. The shataaf serves as an alternative or compliment to toilet paper for cleansing purposes after using the toilet. In Middle Eastern countries, the use of water for cleansing after using the toilet is considered more hygienic and thorough than using toilet paper alone. The use of a shataaf also aligns with cultural and religious practices emphasizing cleanliness, such as those in Islam and the purity ritual known as Taharah. A shortcoming of existing shataafs is the inability to dispense soap in addition to water and/or the inability to dispense different soaps of different fragrances. Another shortcoming is that despite its role in promoting cleanliness, the shataaf itself can become a source of contamination if not properly cleaned and maintained. The nozzle or spray head can come in contact with germs, particularly if it inadvertently touches the toilet or a user's body. Given that moist environments, such as bathrooms, are conducive to bacterial and fungal growth, care must be regularly taken to ensure the shataaf does not become unsanitary. Thus, new solutions are needed which provide consistent and reliable sanitizing of handheld shataaf sprayers solving the aforementioned problems. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A sanitizing sprayer is provided herein including a fluid sprayer with a handle and flexible tubing connecting the fluid sprayer to a water supply. A mount is provided to hold the fluid sprayer in a stowed position. An electrical power supply is connected to an sanitizing light source, such as an ultraviolet (UV) light source, the sanitizing light source is formed as a shape surrounding the fluid sprayer when the fluid sprayer is in the stowed position. The sanitizing light source may be formed as a polygon, a curvilinear shape, or a shape using a combination of straight and curvilinear lines. In a non-limiting embodiment, the sanitizing light source includes three sanitizing light bulbs arranged as a triangle. The sanitizing light source may include any type of ultraviolet light capable of destroying bacterial microbes such as, but not limited to, UV-C light. The ultraviolet light source may be automatically activated when the fluid sprayer is in the stowed position. The mount for the fluid sprayer may include a clip having a switch that detects the presence of the fluid sprayer when the fluid sprayer is in the mounted position. In addition, the mount for the fluid sprayer may include a door configured to conceal the fluid sprayer and sanitizing light source when the fluid sprayer is in the stowed position and the door is in a closed position. Alternatively, the sanitizing light source may be automatically activated when the door is in the closed position. The sanitizing sprayer may include a cleaning fluid reservoir. The fluid sprayer may be configured to dispense water from the water supply and cleaning fluid from the cleaning fluid reservoir. A pump may be in connection with the cleaning fluid reservoir to pump cleaning fluid to the fluid sprayer. The cleaning fluid reservoir may include an inclined base portion leading to a dispensing valve at a lowermost portion. The cleaning fluid reservoir may be mounted in a holding sleeve corresponding to the shape of the fluid cleaning reservoir. The holding sleeve may include a vertical cutout allowing visualization of the cleaning fluid reservoir beginning at a lowermost point of the cleaning fluid reservoir. A first fluid conduit may provide cleaning fluid from the cleaning fluid reservoir to the fluid sprayer, and a second fluid conduit may provide water from the water supply to the fluid sprayer. In an embodiment, the sanitizing light source of the sanitizing sprayer may be formed in a plane parallel to a longitudinal axis of the fluid sprayer handle when the fluid sprayer is in a stowed position. The plane of the sanitizing light source may be coplanar and parallel to the longitudinal axis of the fluid sprayer. In another embodiment, the sanitizing light source may be formed in a plane perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the fluid sprayer when the fluid sprayer is in the stowed position. The fluid sprayer may include a dispensing valve configured to vary pressure of water dispensed from the fluid sprayer. The dispensing valve may be configured to be fixed in various incremental positions pro