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United States Patent Application	20110284112
Kind Code	A1
Wang; Hsiang-Shin	November 24, 2011

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Claims

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1. A faucet, comprising: an outer layer; and an inner layer mounted in the outer layer; wherein the outer layer is a transparent housing; the outer layer has an inner portion formed with a receiving space to receive the inner layer; the receiving space of the outer layer has a profile corresponding to that of the outer layer; the inner layer is fully covered by and hidden in the outer layer; the inner layer is inserted through a bottom opening of the outer layer into the receiving space of the outer layer and is combined with a peripheral wall of the receiving space of the outer layer; the inner layer has different colors; the inner layer has a colored decorative surface facing the receiving space of the outer layer so that the decorative surface of the inner layer is imaged and exposed outward from the outer layer; the decorative surface of the inner layer is combined with an inner periphery of the inner layer; the outer layer encompasses the inner layer so that the outer layer functions as a protective cover to cover and protect the inner layer so as to prevent the inner layer from being scratched or worn out; the outer layer isolates the inner layer to prevent the inner layer from contacting with air or water so as to prevent the inner layer from fading away; the outer layer is transparent so that the decorative surface of the inner layer is imaged and exposed outward from the outer layer so as to enhance the aesthetic quality of the faucet.

2. The faucet of claim 1, wherein the outer layer is made to have the profile of a faucet body or a control handle.

3. The faucet of claim 1, wherein the outer layer is formed by an injection molding process; and the inner layer is inserted into and combined with the outer layer by a heat transfer process.

4. The faucet of claim 1, wherein the outer layer is formed by an injection molding process; and the inner layer is inserted into and combined with the outer layer by painting.

5. The faucet of claim 1, wherein the outer layer is formed by an injection molding process; and the inner layer is inserted into and combined with the outer layer by vacuum sputtering.

6. The faucet of claim 1, wherein the inner layer is initially formed by an injection molding process; and the outer layer is formed by an injection molding process and is coated on the inner layer to cover the inner layer completely.

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Description

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BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates to a washing or rinsing accessory and, more particularly, to a faucet to supply water for use with a user.

[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0004] A conventional faucet comprises a faucet body, a control handle and other parts. However, when the faucet body or control handle is dirty, it is necessary to wash and clean the faucet body or control handle so that scratches are easily formed on the surface of the faucet body or control handle, thereby decreasing the outer appearance of the faucet. In addition, the faucet body or control handle directly contacts with the air and water so that the faucet body or control handle easily fade away during a long-term utilization.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a faucet, comprising an outer layer and an inner layer mounted in the outer layer. The outer layer is a transparent housing. The outer layer has an inner portion formed with a receiving space to receive the inner layer. The receiving space of the outer layer has a profile corresponding to that of the outer layer. The inner layer is fully covered by and hidden in the outer layer. The inner layer is inserted through a bottom opening of the outer layer into the receiving space of the outer layer and is combined with a peripheral wall of the receiving space of the outer layer. The inner layer has different colors. The inner layer has a colored decorative surface facing the receiving space of the outer layer so that the decorative surface of the inner layer is imaged and exposed outward from the outer layer. The decorative surface of the inner layer is combined with an inner periphery of the inner layer.

[0006] When in use, the outer layer encompasses the inner layer so that the outer layer functions as a protective cover to cover and protect the inner layer so as to prevent the inner layer from being scratched or worn out. In addition, the outer layer isolates the inner layer from the ambient environment to prevent the inner layer from contacting with air or water so as to prevent the inner layer from fading away. In addition, the outer layer is transparent so that the decorative surface of the inner layer is imaged and exposed outward from the outer layer so as to enhance the aesthetic quality of the faucet.

[0007] According to the primary advantage of the present invention, the outer layer is transparent so that the decorative surface of the inner layer is imaged and exposed outward from the outer layer so as to enhance the aesthetic quality of the faucet.

[0008] According to another advantage of the present invention, when scratches are formed on the outer layer during a long-term washing process, the color of the decorative surface of the inner layer is imaged and exposed outward from the outer layer to shade the scratches of the outer layer so as to enhance the outer appearance of the faucet.

[0009] According to a further advantage of the present invention, the outer layer isolates the inner layer from the ambient environment to prevent the inner layer from contacting with air or water so as to prevent the color of the decorative surface of the inner layer from fading away.

[0010] According to a further advantage of the present invention, the outer layer encompasses the inner layer so that the outer layer functions as a protective cover to cover and protect the inner layer so as to prevent the inner layer from being scratched or worn out.

[0011] Further benefits and advantages of the present invention will become apparent after a careful reading of the detailed description with appropriate reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)

[0012] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a faucet in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0013] FIG. 2 is a partially front cross-sectional view of the faucet as shown in FIG. 1.

[0014] FIG. 3 is a locally enlarged view of the faucet as shown in FIG. 2.

[0015] FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of a faucet in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0016] FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of a faucet in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0017] FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of a faucet in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0018] Referring to the drawings and initially to FIGS. 1-3, a faucet 1 in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention comprises an outer layer 11 and an inner layer 12 mounted in the outer layer 11.

[0019] The outer layer 11 is a transparent housing. The outer layer 11 has an inner portion formed with a receiving space 111 to receive the inner layer 12. The receiving space 111 of the outer layer 11 has a profile corresponding to that of the outer layer 11. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the outer layer 11 is made to have the profile of a faucet body 10 or a control handle 100.

[0020] The inner layer 12 is a thin film that is fully covered by and hidden in the outer layer 11. The inner layer 12 is inserted through a bottom opening of the outer layer 11 into the receiving space 111 of the outer layer 11 and is combined with a peripheral wall of the receiving space 111 of the outer layer 11. The inner layer 12 has different colors. The inner layer 12 has a colored decorative surface 121 facing the receiving space 111 of the outer layer 11 so that the decorative surface 121 of the inner layer 12 is imaged and exposed outward from the outer layer 11 as shown in FIG. 1. The decorative surface 121 of the inner layer 12 is combined with an inner periphery of the inner layer 12.

[0021] When in use, the outer layer 11 encompasses the inner layer 12 so that the outer layer 11 functions as a protective cover to cover and protect the inner layer 12 so as to prevent the inner layer 12 from being scratched or worn out. In addition, the outer layer 11 isolates the inner layer 12 from the ambient environment to prevent the inner layer 12 from contacting with air or water so as to prevent the inner layer 12 from fading away. In addition, the outer layer 11 is transparent so that the decorative surface 121 of the inner layer 12 is imaged and exposed outward from the outer layer 11 so as to enhance the aesthetic quality of the faucet 1.

[0022] As shown in FIG. 4, the outer layer 11 is initially formed by an injection molding process, and the inner layer 12 is then inserted into and combined with the outer layer 11 by a heat transfer process.

[0023] As shown in FIG. 5, the outer layer 11 is initially formed by an injection molding process, and the inner layer 12 is then inserted into and combined with the outer layer 11 by painting.

[0024] Alternatively, the outer layer 11 is initially formed by an injection molding process, and the inner layer 12 is then inserted into and combined with the outer layer 11 by vacuum sputtering.

[0025] As shown in FIG. 6, the inner layer 12 is initially formed by an injection molding process, and the outer layer 11 is then formed by an injection molding process and is coated on the inner layer 12 to cover the inner layer 12 completely.

[0026] Accordingly, the outer layer 11 is transparent so that the decorative surface 121 of the inner layer 12 is imaged and exposed outward from the outer layer 11 so as to enhance the aesthetic quality of the faucet 1. In addition, when scratches are formed on the outer layer 11 during a long-term washing process, the color of the decorative surface 121 of the inner layer 12 is imaged and exposed outward from the outer layer 11 to shade the scratches of the outer layer 11 so as to enhance the outer appearance of the faucet 1. Further, the outer layer 11 isolates the inner layer 12 from the ambient environment to prevent the inner layer 12 from contacting with air or water so as to prevent the color of the decorative surface 121 of the inner layer 12 from fading away. Further, the outer layer 11 encompasses the inner layer 12 so that the outer layer 11 functions as a protective cover to cover and protect the inner layer 12 so as to prevent the inner layer 12 from being scratched or worn out.

[0027] Although the invention has been explained in relation to its preferred embodiment(s) as mentioned above, it is to be understood that many other possible modifications and variations can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. It is, therefore, contemplated that the appended claim or claims will cover such modifications and variations that fall within the true scope of the invention.

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