WO2001087116A1

WO2001087116A1 - Washing device

Info

Publication number: WO2001087116A1
Application number: PCT/US1999/018852
Authority: WO
Inventors: Sam Zhadanov; Ely Zhadanov
Original assignee: Sam Zhadanov; Ely Zhadanov
Priority date: 1999-05-06
Filing date: 1999-09-14
Publication date: 2001-11-22
Also published as: EP1187542A1; EP1187542A4; AU6130099A

Abstract

A washing system having a hand-held washing device which includes a housing (1), a rotor (29) rotatably arranged in the housing and having a plurality of blades (30) so that when water passes through the housing the rotor rotates under the action of water, a washing tool (56) attached to the rotor so as to rotate together with the rotor and to allow water to exit from the housing, an elongated holder (2) connected with the housing (1), and a handle (8) telescopably movable on the holder so as to increase and reduce a joint length of the handle together with the holder to make therefore comfortable washing a part located close to the washing device when the joint length of the holder and the handle is reduced and to wash a part located further from the device when the joint length of the holder and the handle is increased, the housing having a first housing portion which forms a chamber (28) for the rotor, a second housing portion which forms a chamber (18) for accommodating a substance for introducing into water, and a partition (15) separating the chambers from one another and having an opening (19) for supplying the substance from the second chamber into the first chamber, the holder being connected with both the housing portions.

Description

WASHING DEVICE Technical Field

The present invention relates generally to washing systems with washing devices for washing of human body and different objects.

Background Art

More particularly, it relates to washing devices which operates on the principle of water pressure used for both spraying of water and for mechanical work in form of a rotating tool, and in which additional substances can be introduced into water.

Known shower devices are designed namely for various types of spraying of water, including water pulsation. The utilization of water pressure for mechanical treatment of surfaces is predominantly used in a household industry for washing of cars, furniture, etc. Such designs are described in U.S. patent nos. 4,480,922; 2,678,457; 5,007,127; 5,129,121 etc. The combination of the rotation with spraying was first described in U.S. patent nos. 4,228, 5,88; 4,374,444; 5,619,766. The constructions disclosed in these patents are based on a mechanical treatment surfaces with a rotating tool, and devices designed exclusively for massage and washing by rotary tool are designed on this principle.

It is believed to be desirable to further improve the existing devices of this type.

Summary of the Invention Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a washing device which is a further improvement of the existing devices.

In keeping with these objects and with others which will become apparent hereinafter, one feature of present invention resides, briefly stated, in a handheld washing device which includes a housing; a rotor rotatably arranged in the housing and having a plurality of blades so that when water passes through the housing the rotor rotates under the action of water, a washing tool attached to the rotor so as to rotate together with the rotor and to allow water to exit from the housing; an elongated holder connected with the housing; a handle telescopably movable on the holder so as to increase and reduce a joint length of the handle together with the holder to make therefore comfortable washing a part located close to the washing device when the joint length of the holder and the handle is reduced and to wash a part located further from the device when the joint length of the holder and the handle is increased, and the holder is connected with a housing part which accommodates the rotor and a housing part in which additives to water are contained.

In accordance with another feature, and a device for introducing substances into water has a housing forming a first chamber communicatable with a water supply, a second chamber communicable with a consumer, and a partition separating the first chamber from the second chamber and having an opening, connecting means including first communicating means which communicate the first chamber with a source of substance so that water supplied from the source of water through the first chamber flows into the source of substance, and second communicating means which communicate the source of substance with the second chamber so that a mixture of water and substance is supplied from the source of substance into the second chamber, and controlling means installed in the opening of the partition between the chambers and controlling a flow of water from the first chamber into the second chamber through said opening.

In accordance with still a further feature of the present invention the device has a connecting flange for connecting a housing with the source of substance and having first and second flange openings, first and second throughgoing housing openings, said flange being movable relative to said housing so that said flange openings coincide with said throughgoing housing openings in an operational condition of the device, and are offset relative to one another in an inoperational condition of the device; and sealing means provided in the region of said throughgoing housing openings for preventing leaks between said housing and said connecting flange; a container adopted to accommodate a product; and piercing means for piercing a capsule with a product so that the product is released from the capsule into an interior of said container. The piercing means can be arranged on pipes, on a rivet for turning the flange, in the container, etc.

Finally, in accordance with the present invention for connecting a water issuing element to a water supplying element there is provided a sealing member adapted for sealing a connection of the water supplying element to the water issuing element for preventing a water leak, said sealing member including a sealing portion located so as to prevent a water leak between the water issuing element and the water supplying element, and a rotation preventing portion, said rotation preventing portion being polygonal and received in a polygonal counterportion, so that said sealing member can not rotate during turning between the water issuing element and the water supplying element.

The novel features which are considered as characteristic for the present invention are set forth in particular in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, both as to its construction and its method of operation, together with additional objects and advantages thereof, will be best understood from the following description of specific embodiments when read in connection with the accompanying drawings.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Figure 1 is a view showing a washing system in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 2 is a view showing a cross-section of a washing device in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 3 is a bottom view of the inventive washing device from below of Figure 2; and

Figure 4 is a view showing a cross-section of the washing device in a plane which is perpendicular to the plane of the cross-section of Figure 2;

Figure 5 is a view showing a device for introducing substances into water in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 6 is a view showing a modification of the device of Figure 5;

Figures 7-9 are views showing a further modification of the device of Figure 5;

Figures 10, 1 1 and 12, 13 are a cross section and an end view of the two components of the device of Figure 5;

Figure 14 is a view showing another modification of the device of Figure 5;

Figures 15 and 16 are a side view and a plan view of a further device in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention;

Figures 17 and 18 are views showing a side view and a section of a device in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 19 is a side view of the inventive device in accordance with a further embodiment of the present invention; and

Figures 20 and 21 are views showing the inventive device in accordance with still another embodiment of the invention.

Best Mode of Carrying Out the Invention

A washing system in accordance with the present invention shown in Figure 1 and includes for example, a diverting unit DU connected with a water supplying pipe WS, a hand-held washing device WD, and a shower head SH.

The hand-held washing device in accordance with the present invention has a housing 1 shown in Figure 2 and formed of one piece with a holder 2. A holder 2 has a ring groove 3 with a seal 4 at its end. The outer surface of the holder has a groove 5 with spherical depressions 6 and 7 at its ends. The holder 2 is formed of one piece with the housing portion which forms a rotor chamber and the housing portion which forms a substance chamber, the chambers separated by a partition having a substance supply opening.

A handle 8 is slidingly fitted on the holder and has one end provided with a thread 9 for connection with a flexible hose. The front part of the handle is provided with a spherical fixing member 10 shown in Figure 2. It is spring- biased by a spring 11 toward the groove 5. The spring is arranged in an opening 12 and fixed by a rivet 13.

In the zone of connection of the holder with the housing a water pressure opening 14 or an injector shown in Figure 4 is arranged at an angle relative to the axis of rotation. Its diameter and length are selected in accordance with the law of hydraulics to provide a concentrated flow of water. The housing is subdivided by partitions 15, 16, 17 into two sections. The first section 18 is provided for preparing perfumary of medical solutions. It has a water pressure opening 19 and an adjusting valve 20 with a needle tip 21 which overlaps the outlet conical opening 22 under the action of a threaded block 23 with a seal 24. The other end of the member 25 which is opposite to the needle point 21 operates for piercing of a shell of substance-containing elements, such as for example hollow spherical containers which parfumery, medical and other substances. The valve 20 which is arranged on an axial 26 of the partition 15 is open by the spring 27.

The second section 28 is a working section of the rotor. The rotor 29 has eight open blades 30 which are shown in Figure 4 and arranged on a disk 31 at an angle to the axis of rotation. The rotor has a hollow pin 32 which is connected with the disk of the slide of the blades and ends in a gear 33.

The partition 16 which separates the second and the third sections has a central hub 34 shown in Figure 2. A pin of the rotor 32 with the gear 33 extends through the opening of the hub 34 into the third zone and engages with three gears 36 arranged on three hollow axials 37 mounted on the partition 16 so as to form a planetary transmission together with a gear 38 having inner teeth. The outer surface of the gear 38 has a 2° cone (morse cone) and is used for mounting of a rotary tool. The planetary mechanism is closed by a flange 17 which has a conical surface 39 for guiding the tool when it is to be mounted. The flange is arranged on two hollow axles 37 which have a hollow surface 40 and is centered by three openings 41. A hollow hub 42 is arranged at the center of the flange. The side surface of the flange has a conical surface 43 which, in combination with the surface 44 of a diffusor 45 shown in Figure 3, forms an opening of a shower stream. The diffusor 45 has three projections 46 with openings 47 which coaxial with the openings 40 and 41 in Figure 2.

Conical grooves 48 are provided on the lateral conical surface of the diffusor in three sectors over its periphery. In combination with the surface 43 of the flange 17 the conical grooves 48 form openings for a shower stream 49. The mounting of the diffusor to the flange is performed by a central split axle 50 in an opening 51 by a snap on. Turning of the diffusor from the position "spray" to the position "jet" is performed by a handle 52 and fixed by a stop 53.

The rotary mechanism located in the third zone is protected by a side wall

54 of the cylindrical position of the housing 1 , with a side gap 55 formed between the wall of a cylinder and a lateral conical surface 39 of the flange 17,

The working tool 56 is engaged in this gap when the device is used for a mechanical treatment. While Figures 2-4 show the washing device in which substances are introduced into water, the inventive system can have a separate substance introducing device as shown in Figures 5-9. The device for introducing substances into water of the inventive system has a housing which is identified with reference numeral 101. It is connectable with a water source, for example with a pipeline by a nut 102 with an inner thread and has a sealing member 103 which is shown in more detail in Figures 12 and 13. The nut 102 is fixed to the housing 101 by a threaded flange 104 which has an inner hexagonal cross- section and is provided with an outer seal 106. The housing 101 has a first chamber which is identified with reference numeral 107, a partition 108, and a second chamber 109. The partition 108 separates the chambers 107 and 109 from each other and has a central opening. The housing 101 has an outer threaded portion 110 for attachment of a showerhead or any other consumer device.

The housing has two throughgoing openings 111 and 112 which are located at both sides of the partition 108. Each opening 111 and 112 is provided with an annular recess 1,13. Seals 114 formed for example as O-rings are located in the recesses 113. The device further has a threaded flange or valve 115 which is connected to the housing 101 turnably via a shaft or rivet 116. The upper wall of the flange 115 also has two flange openings 119 and 120. Reference numeral 121 identifies a container with a substance to be introduced into water. It has an outer thread with which it is screwed into the inner thread of the flange 115 and sealed by a seal. The flange 115 is turnable around an axis of the flange between an operative position in which the flange openings 119 and 120 coincide with the housing openings 111 and 112 so that water flows from the first chamber 107 into the container 121 , is mixed in the container with the substance, and then the mixture flows into the second chamber 109 and to a consumer. The flange 115 can be turned to an inoperative position in which the openings 119 and 120 do not coincide with the openings 111 and 112, so that there is no communication between the chambers 107 and 109 and the interior of the container 121.

A control member 124 is arranged in the opening of the partition 108. It can be formed for example as a diagram shown in Figure 5. When water flows through an opening of the diaphragm 124, a resistance is provided so that a pressure difference is produced between the first chamber 107 and the second chamber 109. This difference depends on the size of the opening 125 of the diaphragm. On the other hand, a flow rate and concentration of the solution from the container 121 depends from the pressure difference between the chambers 107 and 109. Since water systems have various pressures, the pressure difference between the chamber 107 and 109 can be very high if the opening in the partition between the chambers is constant, and at low pressures the pressure difference can drop to zero so that there will be no supply of the solution, while in the conditions of high pressure difference the solution will be immediately washed out from the container.

The diaphragm 124 is composed of elastic material, for example rubber, and its hardness is selected experimentally so as to control the pressure difference. When there is a high water supply pressure, the opening 125 of the diaphragm opens so as to increase a water flow rate, while in condition of low water supply pressure the opening 125 of the diaphragm narrows so as to maintain the pressure difference.

The device in accordance with the present invention is very convenient for installation in a shower system since it provides a convenient location of the container 121 for the user. For this purpose the nut 102 is utilized in combination with the sealing member 103 which is formed as a plastic or rubber bushing and simultaneously forms a seal and a fixator. The fixation is provided by the polygonal (for example hexagonal) cross-section of the end of the sealing member 103 which is inserted into the inner polygon of the bushing 104, so that the housing can not turn any longer on the pipeline.

The seals 114 arranged in the recesses 113 of the throughgoing housing openings 111 and 112 prevent leaks between the flange 115 of the container 121 and the housing 101. Therefore, a reliable tightness and a simple manufacture are guaranteed. It is to be understood that the seals 114 can be instead arranged in the flange openings 119 and 120.

When the device is used for technical purposes, it is necessary to prevent a backflow of the substance into the pipeline. Figure 6 shows another embodiment of the present invention. In accordance with this embodiment, the partition between the chambers 107 and 109 has a cylindrical opening 127 and a conical opening portion 128. The control member 129 is arranged in the conical opening portion 128 and is spring-biased by a spring 130. A perforated further partition 131 provided with openings 132 is located in the region of an outlet of the housing 101.

When water enriched with the substance flows out of the housing 101 , the control member 129 which is formed as a conical member deviates from the conical opening portion 128 so as to form a gap therebetween to allow water to flow from the chamber 107 into the chamber 109, and thereafter through the openings 132 of the partition 131 , while the solution of the water with the substance flows from the container 121 through the aligned openings 119 and 112, In the event of a back pressure, the control member 129 is firmly pressed against the conical opening portion 128 so that the opening 127 between the chambers 107 and 109 is closed, and also the throughgoing housing opening 112 is closed as well. As a result, the solution can not flow back into the chamber 107 neither from the chamber 109 nor from the container 121.

In the embodiment of Figures 7 and 8 a housing 141 having openings 142 and 143 is connected immovably with a flange 144 which has openings 145 and 146. A slider 147 provided with openings 148 and 149 is turnable around an axis which is perpendicular to the axis of the flange between an operative position in which the openings 142, 145, 148 and 143, 146, 149 coincide with one another to provide throughgoing flows, and an inoperative position in which the openings 148 and 149 are angularly displaced and a material of the slider 147 interrupts the communication between the openings 142, 145 and 143, 146 correspondingly.

The device in accordance with the embodiment shown in Figure 9 substantially corresponds to the device of the embodiment of Figures 7, 8. The only difference here is that in the device shown in Figure 9 the slider 147' is not turnable, but instead is translatorily displaceable between the operative and inoperative position,

In accordance with the present invention, a device is provided (Figures 5, 10-13) for connecting the water supplying element or pipe WS with the water issuing element or the housing 101. The device first of all includes a connecting element including a the connecting member formed as the nut 102. The nut 102 is hollow and has an inner thread with which it is threaded on the outer thread of the water supplying element or the pipe WS. The nut 102 also has a shoulder which is identified with reference numeral 211 , The other part of the connecting element is the bushing 104. The bushing 104 has a shoulder 213 behind which the shoulder 211 of the nut 102 engages. It further has an axial extension 214 which is provided with an outer thread 215 threadable into the inner thread of the water issuing element or housing 101. The bushing 104 has an inner hole 216 having a polygonal cross-section, for example a hexagonal cross-section, as illustrated in the shown embodiment.

The interengagement of the shoulders 211 and 213 provides the connection of the bushing 104 to the nut 102, the inner thread of the nut 102 provides a connection to the water supplying pipe WS, and the outer thread 215 of the bushing 104 provides a connection to the water issuing element or housing 101.

The device for connecting the water issuing element 101 to the water supplying element WS further includes the sealing member 103. composed of elastic material, for example rubber, plastic etc. The sealing member has sealing portion which extends transversely to an axis of the sealing member and is identified with reference numeral 218. The sealing portion 218 is formed as a disk. The sealing member further has an extension 219 v/hich extends in an axial direction. The extension has an upper polygonal surface 220, for example a hexagonal surface with an outer cross section substantially corresponding to the inner polygonal cross-section of the hole 216 of the bushing 104. An intermediate portion 221 which is formed as a cylindrical hollow portion is also provided in the sealing member 103 and connects the sealing portion 218 to the surface 220 which forms a rotation preventing portion.

in an assembled condition the sealing portion 218 of the sealing member 103 abuts with its right face as seen in the drawings against the left face of the portion 213 of the bushing 104. The intermediate portion 221 of the sealing member 103 is received in the cylindrical opening 222 of the bushing 104, and the hexagonal rotation preventing surface 220 of the sealing member 103 engages in the hexagonal inner hole 216 of the bushing 104. During turning of the nut for connecting the water issuing pipe 101 to the water supplying pipe WS, the right end face of the water supplying pipe WS abuts against the seaiing portion 218 of the sealing member 103, and since the polygonal surface 220 of the sealing member 103 engages in the polygonal hole 216 of the bushing 104, the sealing member 103 as a whole can not rotate. A tight sealing of the system

is provided.

In accordance a further modification, the connecting device is used for the diverting unit DU shown in Figure 14. The diverting unit has a housing 251 and a plunger 252 provided with a handle 253 and two sealing portions 254, 255, In the shown position the plunger is lifted, and the lower sealing portion interrupts the communication between passages 256 and 257, but opens the communication from the passage 255 into the passage 258, for example to the hand-held washing device. In the lowered position the sealing portion 255 will seal the passage 258, and the water will flow from the passage 256 into the passage 257, for example to a showerhead. Here the connecting device also includes the nut 102, the bushing 104, and the sealing member 103 formed so that it seals the connection and also prevents rotation.

In accordance with the present invention, piercing means are provided for piercing a capsule in which a product can be accommodated (Figure 5). The capsule is identified as a whole with reference numeral 301 and has an outer wall 302 which forms an inner chamber filled with a product 303. In order to rupture the wall 302 of the capsule 301 , the capsule is pierced by piercing means. In accordance with the present invention the piercing means is formed for example as a sharp projection 304. The piercing means or the sharp projection 304 is formed in the region between the water issuing pipe WS and the container. In the shown embodiment, the piercing projection 304 is formed on the central shaft which is formed for example as a rivet 116. The rivet 1 16

has a central cylindrical portion 305 with an upper end which is immovably pressed in a central blind hole and extends through a central opening of the transverse portion of the valve 115 freely, so that the valve element 115 can turn relative to the rivet. The rivet 116 further has a head 306 which is wider than the central portion 305 and engages under the transverse portion of the valve 115, In the shown embodiment, the sharp projection 304 is formed on the head 306 of the rivet 1 16. The rivet 116 thus performs two functions, namely for turnably connecting the container with the water issuing pipe or housing 101 or more particularly for turnably connecting of the valve 115 attached to the container relative to the water issuing pipe or housing 101 on the one hand, and for forming the piercing means for piercing the capsules with the product on the other hand.

As can be seen from the drawing, the piercing projection can be provided also or only of the water issuing pipe or housing 1 (304) on the connecting nut (304"), on the valve (304"') on the container (304"").

When the capsule is pierced, it can be thrown into the container, and the product gradually is released from the pierced capsule into the container and additionally is washed out from the pierced capsule by water. The product can be also squeezed out from the capsule by a user. Also, the capsule wall can

gradually dissolve in the container by water. A container for introducing substances into water as shown in Figures 15 and 16 is identified as a whole with reference numeral 401. The container 401 is formed as a bottle or the like. It has a wall 402 and a neck 403. The container in accordance with the present invention further has piercing means which are identified as a whole with reference numeral 404. The piercing means can include at least one sharpened or pointed projection 405, or several such projections. In the embodiment of Figures 15 and 16, the projections 405 are arranged on an inner surface of the neck 403 of the container 401 , Also, they are made of one piece with the neck 403 during the manufacture of the container 401 , The projections 405 are spaced from one another in a circumferential direction of the neck 403.

When a capsule 406 which contains a product for showering, bathing and the like is forcedly introduced into the container through the neck 403, the wall of the capsule 406 is pierced by the projections 405, and the product from the capsule 406 flows into the interior of the container. The container filled with the product can be used for pouring its product into a bath, on a user taking shower, or into a showering equipment, for example into a shower water supplying element.

The device in accordance with the embodiment shown in Figures 17 and 18 also has a container 401', and means AQ4' for piercing the capsules, However, piercing means are formed differently. The device is provided with a separate element 407 which can be formed as a disc with a plurality of openings 408, The disc 407 can be snuggly fitted inside the container 404'so as to be firmly held by friction between the outer circumferential surface of the disc and the inner circumferential surface of the wall of the container. A sharpened or pointed projection 409 is provided in the center of the disc 407. When the capsules 406 are passed through the neck of the container 404' downwardly, their walls are pierced by the projection 409 and their content is emptied into the container 404' and flows through the openings 408 downwardly,

While in the embodiment of Figures 15, 16 the piercing means 404 are arranged in the region of the neck of the container and in the embodiment of Figures 17, 18 piercing means are supported by the peripheral wall of the container, the device in accordance with the embodiment of Figure 19 is somewhat different. The device shown in Figure 19 has a container 404" with a side wall 402, a neck 403, and a bottom 410. The piercing means 404" include at least one sharpened or pointed projection 411 which is formed on the bottom 410 on the container 404". The capsule 406 can be introduced into the container 404" through the neck 403 and then pressed against the projection 411 by hand or by an additional pressing element 412, In the shown embodiment the element 412 is a part of a plug 413 having a lid 414. When the pressure is applied onto the capsule 406 from above toward the projection 411 , the capsule wall is pierced through and the capsule content is empties into the interior of the container 404".

In the embodiment shown in Figures 20, 21 , the device has a container 404"" which is arranged on a water supplying conduit 415 and normally closed by a lid 416. The piercing means 404"" are formed here by a sharpened or pointed projection 417 which is arranged on a transverse strip 419. In use water is supplied through the conduit 415, the lid 416 is removed and the capsules are introduced into the container 404"" and pressed against the projection 417 so that the content of the capsules flows into the container, in which it is mixed with water of an additional water stream supplied into the container, and thereafter flows into the conduit 415.

In the actual system water can be supplied from a common source and then branched into a main water stream which flows through the conduit 416 and an additional water stream which is supplied into the container 404"", is enriched with the capsule content and thereafter flows into the conduit,

It will be understood that each of the elements described above, or two or more together, may also find a useful application in other types of constructions differing from the types described above. While the invention has been illustrated and described as embodied in

washing device, it is not intended to be limited to the details shown, since

various modifications and structural changes may be made without departing in

any way from the spirit of the present invention.

Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist of the

present invention that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily adapt

it for various applications without omitting features that, from the standpoint of

prior art, fairly constitute essential characteristics of the generic or specific

aspects of this invention.

What is claimed as new and desired to be protected by Letters Patent is

set forth in the appended claims.

Claims

A washing system, comprising a hand-held washing device which

includes a housing; a rotor rotatably arranged in said housing and having

a plurality of blades so that when water passes through said housing said

rotor rotates under the action of water, a washing tool attached to said

rotor so as to rotate together with said rotor and to allow water to exit from

said housing; an elongated holder connected with said housing; and a

handle telescopably movable on said holder so as to increase and reduce

a joint length of said handle together with said holder to make therefore

comfortable washing a part located close to said washing device when

the joint length of said holder and said handle is reduced and to wash a

part located further from the device when the joint length of said holder and said handle is increased, said housing having a first housing portion

which forms a chamber for said rotor, a second housing portion which

forms a chamber for accommodating a substance for introducing into

water, and a partition separating said chambers from one another and

having an opening for supplying the substance from the second chamber

into the first chamber, said holder being connected with both said

housing portions.

2. A washing system as defined in claim 1 ; and further comprising means for guiding said handle on said holder during movement of said handle relative to said holder, said guiding means including a groove provided on a surface of one of said holder and said handle, and a spring bias fixing member guidingly engageable in said groove.

3. A washing system as defined in claim 2; and further comprising means for fixing said handle relative to said holder in two end positions including a first position in which the joint length of said holder and said handle is minimal and a second position in which the joint length of said holder and said handle is maximal, said fixing means include two depressions located at opposite ends of said groove, so that said fixing member is engageable in each of said depressions and can be withdrawn from each of said depressions by force movement of said handle relative to said holder in the longitudinal direction.

4. A washing system as defined in claim 1 ; and further comprising means

for transmitting a rotation of said rotor to said tool and including a central toothed hub connected with said rotor, a plurality of toothed gears engaging with teeth of said hub so as to form a planetary mechanism, and an outer gear with inner teeth engaging with teeth of said plurality of gears, said outer gear having an outer surface which is faced from an inner surface of said housing so as to form a gap, said tool being insertable in said gap.

5. A washing system as defined in claim 6; and further comprising a diffusor having throughgoing openings and a plurality of circumferentially arranged slots, said diffusor being turnable between a first position in which said openings are open so as to allow water to flow through said openings and to form a water spray, and another position in which said openings are closed and water flows through said grooves to provide a plurality of water jets.

6, A washing system as defined in claim 1 ; and further comprising a device for introducing substances into water, said introducing device Including a housing element forming a first chamber communicatable with a water supply, a second chamber communicable with a consumer, and a partition separating said first chamber from said second chamber and having an opening; connecting means including first communicating means which communicate said first chamber with a source of substance so that water supplied from the source of water through said first chamber flows into the source of substance, and second

communicating means which communicate the source of substance with said second chamber so that a mixture of water and substance is supplied from the source of substance into said second chamber; and controlling means installed in said opening of said partition between said chambers and controlling a flow of water from said first chamber into said second chamber.

7. A washing system as defined in claim 1 , wherein said controlling means is formed so as to reduce a flow cross-section of said opening when a pressure difference between said first chamber and said second chamber reduces and to increase the flow cross-section of said opening when said pressure difference increases.

8. A washing system as defined in claim 7, wherein said controlling means is formed as a flexible diaphragm with a passage which reduces and increases in response to elastic deformation of said diaphragm caused by a pressure difference between said first chamber and said second chamber.

9. A washing device as defined in claim 6, wherein said first and second communicating means being formed as first and second throughgoing housing openings, and and further comprising a connecting flange having first and second throughgoing flange openings and being movable relative to said housing element so that said first and second throughgoing flange openings coincide with said first and second throughgoing housing openings in an operational condition, and are offset relative to one another in an inoperational condition; and sealing means provided in the region of said first and second throughgoing openings for preventing leaks between said housing element and said connecting flange,

10. A washing system as defined in claim 9, wherein said sealing means including seals arranged in said first and second throughgoing openings.

11. A device as defined in claim 10, wherein each of said throughgoing openings has a recess, each of said seals being arranged in a corresponding one of said recesses.

12. A device as defined in claim 9, wherein said controlling means is formed so as to prevent a return flow of the substance into the source of water.

13. A device as defined in claim 12, wherein said control means include a control member which is movable between an open position in which it opens said opening in said partition so that the water can flow from said first chamber into said second chamber and closes said opening so that water mixed with substance can not flow from said second chamber into said first chamber and also from the source of substance into said first chamber.

14. A device as defined in claim 13, wherein said control member is spring biased toward said first chamber; and further comprising spring means spring biasing said control member toward said first chamber.

15. A device as defined in claim 14, wherein said opening in said partition has a conical portion facing said second chamber, said control member having a conical surface cooperating with said conical portion to open and to close said opening in said paάϋion correspondingly.

16. A device as defined in claim 9; and further comprising a flange for connecting said housing with the source of substance, each of said first communicating means and said second communicating means including a throughgoing housing opening and a throughgoing flange opening; and a slider movable between an operative position in which it provides a communication between said throughgoing openings and an inoperative position in which in interrupts said communication.

17. A device as defined in claim 16, wherein said slider is turnable about an axis which is transverse to an axis of said flange between said positions.

18. A device as defined in claim 16, wherein said slider is translaterily dispiaceable transversely an axis of said flange between said positions.

19. A washing system as defined in claim 1 ; and further comprising a connecting unit for connecting a water issuing element to a water supplying element, said connecting unit including a connecting member adapted to connect a water issuing element to a water supplying element; and a sealing member adapted for sealing a connection of the water supplying element to the water issuing element for preventing a water leak, said sealing member including a sealing portion located so as to prevent a water leak between the water issuing element and the water supplying element, and a rotation preventing portion, said rotation preventing portion being polygonal and received in a polygonal counterportion, so that said sealing member can not rotate after connecting the water issuing element and the water supplying element.

20. A washing system as defined in claim 19, wherein said connecting member includes a bushing which has an outer threaded surface for threading into one of the elements and an inner polygonal hole which forms said polygonal portion, for engaging by said polygonal portion of ^• said rotation preventing portion of said sealing member.

21. A washing system as defined in claim 20, wherein said connecting member includes also a hollow nut having an inner thread for threading onto the other of the elements and an engaging formation for engaging with said bushing.

22. A washing system defined in claim 19, wherein said sealing element has an axis, said sealing portion extending substantially perpendicular to said axis and being formed as a disk, whereas said rotation preventing portion is formed as a projection extending substantially axially having an outer polygonal surface.

23. A washing system as defined in claim 19, wherein said sealing element is composed of elastic material.

24. A washing system as defined in claim 1 ; and further comprising a container adapted to accommodate a product; a water issuing element in which the product is to be introduced from said container so that water issues with the product from said water issuing element; and piercing means a wall of the capsule so as to release the product from the capsule to mix with water, said piercing means being arranged between said container and said water issuing element.

25. A washing system as defined in claim 24; and further comprising means for connecting said container with said water issuing element, said piercing means being arranged on said connecting means.

26. A washing system as defined in claim 25, wherein said connecting means include a central shaft, said piercing means being arranged on said shaft facing toward an interior of said container,

27. A device as defined in claim 26, wherein said central shaft is formed as a rivet, said piercing means being formed as a sharp projection provided on said rivet.

28. A device as defined in claim 24; and further comprising a valve arranged turnably relative to one of said water issuing element and said container; and a connecting member turnably connecting said valve means with said one element, said piercing means being arranged on said connecting member.

29. A device as defined in claim 28, wherein said connecting member is formed as a central shaft which turnably connects said valve means with said one element, said piercing means being arranged on said shaft.

30. A device as defined in claim 29, wherein said centra! shaft is formed as a rivet, said piercing means being formed as a sharp projection provided on said rivet.

31. A device as defined in claim 29, wherein said piercing means is provided on said water issuing element.

32. A device as defined in claim 28, wherein said piercing means is provided

on said valve means.

33. A device as defined in claim 29, wherein said piercing means is provided on said container.

34. A washing system as defined in claim 1 ; and further comprising a container adopted to accommodate a product; and piercing means arranged in said container so that when a capsule with a product is pushed into said container its wall is pierced by said piercing means and a product is released from the capsule into an interior of said container,

35. A washing system as defined in claim 34, wherein said piercing means are formed of one piece with said container.

36. A washing system as defined in claim 34, wherein said piercing means are insertable in and mountable on said container.

37. A washing system as defined in claim 34, wherein said piercing means include at least one sharp projection.

38. A washing system as defined in claim 34, wherein said piercing means include a plurality of sharp projections.

39. A washing system as defined in claim 34, wherein said container has a neck portion, said piercing means including at least one sharp projection located inside said neck portion.

40. A device as defined in claim 34, wherein said container has a peripheral wall, said piercing means being mounted on said peripheral wall of said container.

41. A device as defined in claim 34, wherein said piercing means include a supporting element mounted on said peripheral wall, and a sharp projection supported by said supporting element.

42. A device as defined in claim 34, wherein said container has a peripheral wall and a bottom, said piercing means including at least one sharp projection provided on said bottom.

43. A device as defined in claim 34; and further comprising means forming a water supplying line, said container being mounted on said water supplying line,

44. A device as defined in claim 43, wherein said water supplying line has an opening communicating with an interior of said container, said piercing means being mounted on said water supplying line.

45. A device as defined in claim 43, wherein said piercing means include a supporting element connected with said water supplying line and a sharp projection supported by said supporting element.

46. A device as defined in claim 45, wherein said water supplying line has an opening which communicates the interior of said container with the interior of said water supplying line, said supporting element being formed as a transverse strip extending across said opening, said sharp projection being located substantially in the center of said strip.

47. A device as defined in claim 34, wherein said container has an inlet for admitting water into said container to be mixed with the product released from the capsule.

48. A device as defined in claim 34, wherein said piercing means include a plurality of piercing projections.

49. A device as defined in claim 34, wherein said piercing means include at least one elongated sharp projection.

50. A device as defined in claim 34; and further comprising a water source which supplies water, and means for branching the water so that one

main water stream is supplied into said water supplying line and an

additional water stream is supplied into said container.

AMENDED CLAIMS

[received by the International Bureau on 19 March 2000 (19.03.01); original claim 1 amended; remaining claims unchanged (1 page)]

A washing system, comprising a hand-held washing device which includes a housing; a rotor rotatably arranged in said housing and having

a plurality of blades so that when water passes through said housing said rotor rotates under the action of water, a washing tool attached to said rotor so as to rotate together with said rotor and to allow water to exit from said housing; an elongated holder connected with said housing and

having an axis and an axial opening through which water passes: and a handle having an axial opening through which water passes and being axiallv telescopably movable on said holder so as to increase and reduce a joint length of said handle together with said holder to make therefore comfortable washing a part located close to said washing device when the joint length of said holder and said handle is reduced and to wash a part located further from the device when the joint length of said holder and said handle is increased, said housing having a first housing portion which forms a chamber for said rotor, a second housing portion which forms a chamber for accommodating a substance for introducing into

water, and a partition separating said chambers from one another and having an opening for supplying the substance from the second chamber into the first chamber, said holder being connected with both said housing portions.

STATEMENT UNDER ARTICLE 19 (1)

In the International Search Report , U.S. Patent No. 4,734,954 to Greskovics, et at was applied against the original claims. With the Amendment, applicant has amended claim 1 , the broadest claim on file. Claim 1 as amended clearly and patentably distinguishes the present invention from the reference cited by the Examiner as being a document of particular relevance.

The washing system in accordance with the present invention has a housing with a first housing portion forming a chamber for the rotor, a second housing portion forming a chamber for a substance to be introduced into water, a partition separating the chambers and a holder connected with both housing portions. Also, the handle and the holder of the inventive washing system are hollow and water passes through them, and the handle is movable telescopably on the holder.

In contrast, the device disclosed in the patent to Greskovics does not have separate chambers for water and for substance introducible into water,

with a partition between the chambers and a holder connected to both housing portions. Also it does not have a handle and a holder which are both hollow and through which water passes, and which are movable relative to one another in

an axial direction. In contrast the holder of the Greskovics patent is not used for passing of water, it is not telescopably extendable but instead has a hinge so that one part of the handle is turnable relative to the other part.

This reference does not teach the new features of present

invention as defined in the amended claim 1.