Patents by Inventor John R. Mueller
John R. Mueller has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Patent number: 7819340Abstract: A spray nozzle (10) has a nozzle body (20) with an inlet (24) and an outlet (26). The inlet (24) is attachable to a hose (2). The outlet (26) is configured to receive a chemically-containing cartridge (70). A forwardly-disposed trigger (30) is finger-actuated and operates the valve (52) of a first valve assembly (50) to control water flow through the nozzle (10). An inlet conduit (56) connects the first valve assembly (50) to a second valve assembly (60). The second valve assembly (60) is thumb-actuated by a toggle (40) to pass water through the nozzle (10) as clean water supplied to the nozzle (10) via the hose (2) or through the nozzle (10) as chemical-added water that is created by a venturi-induced assembly (80) contained within the cartridge (70).Type: GrantFiled: October 6, 2005Date of Patent: October 26, 2010Assignee: Idea Factory, Inc.Inventors: John R. Mueller, Patricia M. Mueller
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Patent number: 7490783Abstract: A spray nozzle (10) includes a nozzle body (12) and a chemical containing cartridge (28) releasably attached to the nozzle body (12). The cartridge (28) can be adapted to be releasably secured to the nozzle body (12) at the outlet end (16), the inlet end (14), or on the nozzle body (12) itself, in order to dispense a chemical contained within the cartridge into a water stream flowing through the nozzle. The nozzle (10) also includes a dispensing mechanism utilized to control the amount of the chemical dispensed into the water stream. The dispensing mechanism can be disposed on the nozzle body (12), or directly on the cartridge (28) itself.Type: GrantFiled: April 16, 2003Date of Patent: February 17, 2009Assignee: Idea Factory, Inc.Inventors: John R. Mueller, Patricia M. Mueller
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Patent number: 7264180Abstract: The present invention provides for a sleeve that screws into the same opening in a faucet that a typical aerator screws into. This sleeve replaces the aerator and includes a smaller aerator that is inserted within the sleeve. In this fashion, water aeration can still occur when aeration is desired. However, when a hose attachment is inserted into the sleeve, one of the hose attachment moves up and into the sleeve.Type: GrantFiled: October 6, 2005Date of Patent: September 4, 2007Assignee: Idea Factory, Inc.Inventor: John R. Mueller
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Patent number: 6951286Abstract: A showerhead assembly includes a filter that is removably receivable by the showerhead. The showerhead includes a receiving opening defined within the downstream face of the showerhead, which opening is functionally adapted to receive the filter within it. The opening of the showerhead is interposed between the water inlet and water outlet of the showerhead and within the flow of water through the showerhead such that, when a filter is inserted into the opening, all water flowing through the showerhead also flows through the filter. The filter is readily insertable within the opening and it is easily removable from it. The filter includes means for securing it within the opening when the filter is inserted.Type: GrantFiled: June 20, 2003Date of Patent: October 4, 2005Inventors: John R. Mueller, Patricia M. Mueller
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Publication number: 20040255377Abstract: A showerhead assembly includes a filter that is removably receivable by the showerhead. The showerhead includes a receiving opening defined within the downstream face of the showerhead, which opening is functionally adapted to receive the filter within it. The opening of the showerhead is interposed between the water inlet and water outlet of the showerhead and within the flow of water through the showerhead such that, when a filter is inserted into the opening, all water flowing through the showerhead also flows through the filter. The filter is readily insertable within the opening and it is easily removable from it. The filter includes means for securing it within the opening when the filter is inserted.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 20, 2003Publication date: December 23, 2004Inventors: John R. Mueller, Patricia M. Mueller
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Patent number: 6704946Abstract: A sprayer assembly adapted for releasable attachment to a water supply line, such as for a conventional toilet, is provided. The sprayer includes a three-way valve housing connected to the water supply line for the toilet, the valve housing including a supply conduit and a diverting conduit. A plunger is slidably disposed within the diverting conduit and is biased to a closed position by a biasing means extending between the supply conduit and the plunger. An attachment member is releasably engageable with the diverting conduit and operates to slide the plunger with respect to the diverting conduit in order to allow fluid flow through both the supply conduit and the diverting conduit. The attachment member is secured to one end of a hose that is attached to a sprayer head opposite the attachment member that enables an individual to manually dispense water flowing from the valve housing and through the attachment member and hose to the sprayer head.Type: GrantFiled: June 25, 2002Date of Patent: March 16, 2004Assignee: Idea Factory, Inc.Inventors: John R. Mueller, Patricia M. Mueller, Henry M. Anderson, Jr.
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Patent number: 5624073Abstract: The present invention provides a fluid diverter valve (10) that allows quick connection/disconnection of a hand held sprayer used for cleaning shower stalls and bathrooms. The diverter valve (10) is comprised of a valve housing (20) having a water inlet (21), a first water outlet (22) where a standard shower may be attached, a second water outlet (23) and an annular cavity (24) therebetween; a valve member (40) and an attachment housing (30) for constraining the valve runner (40) within the cavity (24). At the second outlet (23), the attachment housing (30) is fastened to the valve (10) for fluid communication. A spring (50) urges the valve runner (40) into a first position wherein the valve runner (40) seats adjacent the attachment housing, permitting fluid communication only between the inlet (21) and the first outlet (22).Type: GrantFiled: April 22, 1996Date of Patent: April 29, 1997Inventors: John R. Mueller, Henry M. Anderson, Jr.
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Patent number: 5560548Abstract: The present invention provides a fluid diverter valve (10) that allows quick connection/disconnection of a hand held sprayer used for cleaning shower stalls and bathrooms. The diverter valve (10) is comprised of a valve housing (20) having a water inlet (21), a first water outlet (22) where a standard shower may be attached, a second water outlet (23) and an annular cavity (24) therebetween; a valve member (40) and an attachment housing (30) for constraining the valve runner (40) within the cavity (24). At the second outlet (23), the attachment housing (30) is fastened to the valve (10) for fluid communication. A spring (50) urges the valve runner (40) into a first position wherein the valve runner (40) seats adjacent the attachment housing, permitting fluid communication only between the inlet (21) and the first outlet (22).Type: GrantFiled: November 3, 1994Date of Patent: October 1, 1996Assignee: Idea Factory, Inc.Inventors: John R. Mueller, Henry M. Anderson, Jr.
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Patent number: D472301Type: GrantFiled: August 27, 2002Date of Patent: March 25, 2003Assignee: Idea Factory, IncInventors: John R. Mueller, Henry M. Anderson, Jr.