U.S. patent number RE35,900 [Application Number 07/868,536] was granted by the patent office on 1998-09-22 for filter cartridge for swimming pools and spas.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Meissner Manufacturing Co., Inc.. Invention is credited to Paul J. Meissner.
United States Patent |
RE35,900 |
Meissner |
September 22, 1998 |
Filter cartridge for swimming pools and spas
Abstract
A filter cartridge is disclosed having a pleated filter element,
hollow perforated core, a lower annular end cap sealed to the
bottom ends of the core and filter element and an upper circular
end cap sealed to the top ends of the filter element and core. A
hollow threaded nipple open at both ends extends coaxially
downwardly from the annular end cap, the hollow interior of the
nipple being continuous with the hollow interior of the core. A
handle extends upwardly from the circular end cap.
Inventors: |
Meissner; Paul J. (Camarillo,
CA) |
Assignee: |
Meissner Manufacturing Co.,
Inc. (Chatsworth, CA)
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Family
ID: |
26904932 |
Appl.
No.: |
07/868,536 |
Filed: |
April 14, 1992 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
|
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839647 |
Mar 12, 1986 |
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Reissue of: |
210197 |
Jun 20, 1988 |
04921600 |
May 1, 1990 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
210/167.1;
210/232; 210/441; 210/455; 210/457; 210/470; 210/493.1; 4/490 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B01D
29/111 (20130101); B01D 29/96 (20130101); B01D
29/15 (20130101); E04H 4/1209 (20130101); B01D
2201/34 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
E04H
4/12 (20060101); E04H 4/00 (20060101); B01D
29/11 (20060101); B01D 035/02 () |
Field of
Search: |
;210/169,232,237,238,416.2,441,437,457,459,493.1,493.2,490,493.5,455,497.01,470 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
Other References
Replacement Swimming Pool and Spa Filter Cartridge Catalog, 13th
Edition. .
Star Clear II Brochure, Haywood Pool Products, 19B-83..
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Primary Examiner: Walker; W. L.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Wagner, Middlebrook &
Kimbell
Parent Case Text
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
.[.This is a continuation of application Ser. No. 06/839,647, filed
Mar. 12, 1986, now abandoned..].
.Iadd.This application is a reissue of Ser. No. 07/210,197, filed
Jun. 20, 1988, U.S. Pat. No. 4,921,600, which is a continuation of
Ser. No. 06/839,647, filed Mar. 12, 1986, now abandoned. .Iaddend.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A filtration assembly comprising
means for forming a chamber comprising an inlet opening through
which liquid may enter the chamber and an outlet port comprising an
outlet opening through which liquid may exit the chamber, said
outlet port being threaded;
a filter cartridge mounted in the chamber and comprising
a pleated generally cylindrical filter element having top and
bottom ends and comprising at least one layer of porous filter
media;
a generally rigid, perforated cylindrical plastic core having top
and bottom ends extending through the interior of the filter
element;
an annular plastic lower end cap having an outer diameter at least
as great as the outer diameter of the filter element and an inner
diameter no more than the inner diameter of the core sealed to the
bottom ends of the filter cartridge and core;
a hollow externally threaded cylindrical plastic nipple, open at
both ends, extending downwardly from and coaxially with the lower
end cap, the interior of the threaded nipple being continuous with
the interior of the core, the nipple being made of a softer
material than the outlet port of the chamber;
a circular plastic upper end cap having a diameter at least as
great as the outer diameter of the filter element sealed to the top
ends of the filter element and core; and
a handle extending upwardly from the upper end cap; and
wherein the nipple is threaded into the outlet opening.
2. The filter cartridge as claimed in claim 1 wherein the plastic
nipple is a one piece construction with the lower end cap.
3. A pool or spa comprising a floor and at least one side wall
forming a primary water containing chamber and a recess in one of
the floor or side wall forming a filtration chamber, said recess
chamber having an inlet opening through which water from the
primary water containing chamber can pass and an outlet port
comprising a threaded upwardly facing outlet opening through which
water may exit the recess, and wherein a filter cartridge is
mounted in the recess, said filter cartridge comprising;
a pleated generally cylindrical filter element having top and
bottom ends and alongitudinal axis and comprising at least one
layer of a porous filter media;
an annular plastic lower end cap having an outer diameter at least
as great as the outer diameter of the filter element and an inner
diameter into which the bottom end of the filter cartridge is
embedded;
a hollow externally threaded cylindrical plastic nipple, open at
both ends, extending downwardly from and coaxially with the lower
end cap, the nipple being made of a softer material than the outlet
port of the recess;
a circular plastic upper end cap having a diameter at least as
great as the outer diameter of the filter element into which the
top end of the filter element is embedded;
a plastic handle extending upwardly form the upper end cap in a one
piece construction therewith; and
wherein the nipple of the filter cartridge is threaded into the
outlet opening of the recess with the longitudinal axis or the
filter element oriented vertically.
4. The filter cartridge as claimed in claim 3 wherein the plastic
nipple is a one piece construction with the lower end cap.
.Iadd.
5. A filter cartridge for a filtration assembly having means for
forming a chamber having an inlet opening through which liquid may
enter the chamber and a threaded outlet port comprising an outlet
opening through which liquid may exit the chamber, said filter
cartridge comprising, a pleated generally cylindrical filter
element having top and bottom ends and comprising at least one
layer of porous filter media; a generally rigid, perforated
cylindrical plastic core having top and bottom ends extending
through the interior of the filter element; an annular plastic
lower end cap sealed to the bottom ends of the filter element and
core, said lower end cap having an outer diameter at least as great
as the outer diameter of the filter element and an inner diameter
no more than the inner diameter of said core; a hollow externally
threaded cylindrical plastic nipple, open at both ends, extending
downwardly from and coaxially with the lower end cap, the interior
of the threaded nipple being continuous with the interior of the
core, said nipple being the portion of the filter cartridge
threaded into said outlet port, the nipple being made of a softer
material than the outlet port of the chamber into which said nipple
is to be threaded; a circular plastic upper end cap sealed to the
top ends of the filter element and core, said upper end cap having
a diameter at least as great as the outer diameter of the filter
element; and a handle extending upwardly from the upper end cap.
.Iaddend..Iadd.6. The filter cartridge of claim 5 wherein said
plastic nipple is a one piece construction with said lower end cap.
.Iaddend..Iadd.7. A filter cartridge for a pool or spa having a
floor and at least one side wall forming a primary water containing
chamber and a recess in one of the floor or side wall forming a
filtration chamber, said filtration chamber having an inlet opening
through which water from the primary water containing chamber can
pass to enter the filtration chamber and an outlet port comprising
a threaded outlet opening through which water may exit the
filtration chamber, into which outlet port a portion of the filter
cartridge is to be threaded, said filter cartridge comprising, a
pleated generally cylindrical filter element having top and bottom
ends and an outer diameter and comprising at least one layer of a
porous filter media; an annular plastic lower end cap into which
said bottom end of said filter element is embedded, said lower end
cap having an outer diameter at least as great as the outer
diameter of the filter element; a hollow externally threaded
cylindrical plastic nipple, open at both ends, extending downwardly
from and coaxially with said lower end cap, said nipple being the
portion of the filter cartridge threaded into said outlet port, the
nipple being made of a softer material than said outlet port of
said filtration chamber, into said threaded outlet opening of which
said nipple is to be threaded; a circular plastic upper end cap
into which the top end of the filter element is embedded, said
upper end cap having a diameter at least as great as the outer
diameter of said filter element; and a handle formed in a one piece
construction with said upper end cap. .Iaddend..Iadd.8. The filter
cartridge as claimed in claim 7 wherein the plastic nipple is a one
piece construction with the lower end cap. .Iaddend.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention elates to the construction of a filter cartridge for
use in a swimming pole and spa filtration system.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Filtration systems are required for swimming pools, spas and the
like to remove solid particles from the water and keep the water
clean. In one type of filtration system, a filter cartridge is
mounted in a reservoir or recess in the wall of the pool or spa.
Water enters the recess from the pool or spa and passes through the
filtering element of the filter cartridge and is dumped through an
outlet opening in the recess back into the pool.
Conventional filter cartridges used in such systems generally have
a cylindrical filter element comprising one or more layers or
sheets of a porous material, the pore size of the material
determining the minimum size of the solid particles which the
filter element will remove. The filter element is typically pleated
or corrugated to increase the filtering surface area of the
material, and hence, to increase the rate at which fluid can pass
through the filter element,
The filter cartridge also comprises a generally rigid, perforated,
cylindrical core which extends the length of the cartridge and
lines the interior of the filter element. The filter element and
core are sealed at their ends to generally rigid annular end caps.
The end caps and core gave structural integrity to the
cartridge.
In one typical arrangement, a perforated pipe which is fitted in
the outlet opening and extends upwardly into the recess. The filter
cartridge is mounted in the recess in such a manner that the pipe
extends through the core of the filter cartridge. A nut is mounted
on the end of the pipe which protrudes from the top of the filter
cartridge and holds the filter cartridge in place.
In another typical arrangement, a small section of pipe is fitted
into the outlet opening so that it protrudes a short distance
upwardly into the recess. The diameter of the pipe is about the
same as the inner diameter of the lower end cap. The filter
cartridge is fitted onto the pipe, with the pipe extending through
the end cap and into the core. The filter cartridge is held in
place by the snug fit between the pipe and lower end cap. In such
an arrangement, the upper end cap is either a solid disk, i.e., no
opening. or if an annular disk is used, the opening is plugged.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a filtration system and filter
cartridge particularly suitable for use in pools and spas. The
filtration system comprises a chamber forming means for receiving a
filter cartridge a recess in the wall or floor of a swimming pool
or spa or a separate housing having a hollow interior. The chamber
forming means comprises an inlet opening through which the liquid
to be filtered, eg., water, enters the chamber and an outlet
opening through the liquid exits the chamber. The outlet opening is
defined by a cylindrical outlet port. The portion of the outlet
port adjacent the chamber is threaded forming a female coupling for
receiving a threaded male coupling or threaded nipple of a filter
cartridge. The nipple is made from a softer material than the
outlet port.
The filter cartridge comprises a generally cylindrical filter
element, a rigid perforated core, an upper end cap, a lower end
cap, a hollow threaded nipple extending axially downwardly from the
lower end cap and preferably a handle extending upwardly from the
upper end cap.
The filter element is formed by one or more layers or sheets of a
porous filter media. The filter element is preferably corrugated or
pleated to provide a large surface area for rapid filtration. The
core is a generally rigid, cylindrical tube which is disposed in
and lines the interior of the filter element. The core comprises a
plurality of openings to allow the water or other liquid which is
being filtered to pass freely through the core.
The lower end cap is a generally annular disk having an outer
diameter at least as great as the outer diameter of the filter
element. The upper end cap is a solid, generally circular disk
having a diameter about equal to the outer diameter of the lower
end cap. The end caps are fixedly attached to and form leak-proof
seals with the ends of the filter element and core.
The threaded nipple which extends axially downwardly from the lower
end cap is preferably integral with the lower end cap.
Alternatively, the nipple may be an integral unit with the core. In
such an embodiment, the core extends through the lower end cap. As
yet another alternative, the nipple may be a separate element which
is fixedly attached to the lower end cap. The threaded nipple may
be screwed into the outlet port of the chamber forming means to
hold the filter cartridge securely in the chamber.
Likewise, the handle is preferably an integral unit with the upper
end cap but may be a separate element which is attachable to the
upper end cap.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
These and other features and advantages of the present invention
will be better understood by reference to the following detailed
description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying
drawings wherein:
FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a preferred filter cartridge
mounted in a filtration recess of a pool or spa;
FIG. 2 is a side view of the preferred filter cartridge shown in
FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a fragmentary side view of a filter cartridge showing an
alternative handle design;
FIG. 4 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view of another preferred
filter cartridge;
FIG. 5 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view of yet another
preferred filter cartridge.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
In accordance with the present invention, there is provided an
improved filtration system and filter cartridge particularly
suitable for use in swimming pool and spas.
With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, the filtering system comprises a
filtration recess 11 in the floor or wall 12 of the pool or spa. In
the exemplary embodiment shown, the recess 11 is generally
cylindrical and has a generally flat floor 13. The recess 11 is
covered by a perforated cover 14 which sits in an annular notch 16
at the top of the recess 11. Water from the pool or spa 12 flows
into the recess 11 through the perforations 17 in the cover 14.
The recess 11 has an outlet port 19 which extends axially through
the floor 13 of the recess 11. The portion of the outlet port 19
adjacent the recess 11 is threaded forming a female coupling 20.
Water in the recess is pumped through the outlet port and back into
the pool or spa.
A filter cartridge 10 constructed in accordance with the present
invention is mounted in the recess 1 and comprises a core 21, a
filter element 22, an upper end cap 23 and a lower end cap 24.
The filter element 22 comprises one or more layers or sheets of a
porous filter media. The pore size of the media determines the
minimum particles size of the solids which are removed from the
liquid. The filter element 22 is preferably pleated or corrugated
as shown to increase the surface area of the filter media. Such a
pleated filter element 22 is formed in the shape of a cylinder, the
inner edges of the pleats defining the cylindrical interior of the
filter element and the outer edges of the pleats defining the
cylindrical exterior.
The porous filter media can be made of any suitable material which
is chemically resistant to the liquid to be filtered. Preferred
materials include paper, polyester, polypropylene, nylon as well as
mixtures or blends thereof.
The core 21 is generally cylindrical, having an outer diameter
about the same as the inner diameter of the filter element 22. It
extends through and lines the interior of the filter element 22.
The core 21 has a plurality of holes or perforations 26 which allow
liquid passing through the filter element 22 to pass freely into
the interior of the core 21 and out of the filter housing 11. The
core 21 can be made of any suitable, generally rigid material
which, like the material of the filter element, is resistant to the
liquid to be filtered. Preferred materials include plastics such a
polyvinyl chloride, polypropylene, polyester and nylon.
Non-reactive metals may also be used, if desired.
The core 21 and filter element 22 are aligned so than the ends of
the filter element 22 and core 21 are generally in a single plane.
The filter element 22 and core 21 are held rigidly in this
alignment by the end caps 23 and 24.
The lower end cap 24 is a generally flat annular disk having an
outer diameter slightly greater than the outer diameter of the
filter element and an inner diameter slightly less than the inner
diameter of the core 21.
The upper end cap 23 is a solid, generally circular disk 28 having
an outer diameter about equal to the outer diameter of the lower
end cap 24.
The end caps 24 are sealed to the ends of the filter element 22 and
core 21 by conventional means. A preferred means involves a potting
method where in a curable liquid resin is poured into an end cap
mold and the ends of the core and filter element are immersed into
the liquid resin. The resin is then allowed to cure which results
in a solid end cap with the ends of the filter element and core
embedded in it. The application of heat or some other method may be
used to speed up the curing process.
Other sealing means suitable for the present invention include the
application of the adhesive or sealing composition to the
contacting surfaces, i.e., the ends of the filter element 22 and
core 21 and the inside face of the end caps 23 and 24. Such an
adhesive or sealing composition can be in the form of a liquid when
applied, which dries or cures to form a rigid seal between the
contacting surfaces. Alternatively, a solid sealing material having
a lower melting point than the material of the filter element 22,
core 21, and end caps 23 and 24 may also be used. Such a sealing
material is typically heated sufficiently to melt and then applied
to the contacting surface in liquid form. The contacting surfaces
are brought into contact while the sealing material is still in a
liquid state or has been reheated to again reach the liquid state.
The sealing material is then allowed to cool and solidify, thereby
forming the seal.
Another means for sealing the end caps 24 to the ends of the core
21, guard 23 and filter element 22 is described in U.S. Pat. No.
3,457,339 to Pall et al., which is incorporated herein by
reference. In accordance with this method, the inside face of the
end caps 24 are heated sufficiently to melt the inside face to a
select depth. The ends of the filter element 22 and guard 23 and
the shoulder 28 of the core 21 are then imbedded into the melted
inside face of the end cap 24 which is then allowed to cool and
resolidify, thereby forming the seal.
A hollow threaded cylindrical nipple 27 integral with the end cap
24, i.e. in a one piece construction with end cap 24, extends
downwardly from the end cap 24 and is coaxial with the end cap 24
and filter element 22. The nipple 27 is open at both ends and the
interior of the nipple 27 is continuous with the interior of the
core 21. The diameter of the nipple 27 is selected so that it may
be threaded into the outlet port 19. The inner diameter of the
nipple 27 is generally the same as the inner diameter of the end
cap 24 and is continuous therewith.
A handle 29 is integral with and extends upwardly from the top
surface of the upper end cap 23 sufficiently to enable a person to
rotate the filter cartridge for screwing the nipple into the female
coupling by means of the handle.
Like the other components of the cartridge the end caps 23 and 24
as well as the nipple 27 and handle 29 can be made of any suitale
material that is resistant to the liquid being filtered. It is
preferred that the nipple be made of a material softer than the
material of the outlet port. This is to assure that the female
threads of the outlet port are not stripped by improper
installation of the filter cartridge, as the outlet port is usually
more difficult to replace.
The present invention provides a filtration system which is
simpler, less expensive and more versatile than previous systems.
It is less expensive and simpler because there are fewer parts to
install. It is more versatile because filter cartridges of varying
diameters may be readily interchanged and the orientation of the
recess, outlet port and thus filter cartridge may be varied as
desired without a loss of retention of the filter cartridge in the
recess and without making installation more difficult.
The preceding description has been presented with reference to the
presently preferred embodiments of the invention shown in FIGS.
1-4. Workers skilled in the art and technology to which this
invention pertains will appreciate that alterations and changes in
the described structures can be practiced without meaningfully
departing from the principles, spirit and scope of this
invention.
For example, in the exemplary embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2,
the handle 29 is in the shape of an inverted truncated cone.
However, other shapes may be used if desired. FIG. 3 shows a filter
cartridge 30 having a raised semicircular handle 31.
With reference to FIG. 4, the threaded nipple 32 may be integral
with the core 33, i.e. in a one piece construction with core 33,
rather than the lower end cap 34. In such an embodiment, the core
33 preferably comprises circumferential notch 36 and shoulder 37 at
its lower end. The lower end cap 34 can then be mounted on the core
33 in surrounding relation to the circumferential notch 36 and in
abutment with the shoulder 37. Also, in such an embodiment, the
outer diameter of the nipple 32 must be no more than the outer
diameter of the circumferential notch 36.
Rather than being integral with the lower end cap or core, the
nipple may be a separate element. With reference to FIG. 5, there
is shown a filter cartridge 38 having a hollow cylindrical threaded
nipple 41 which is attached by adhesive or the like to the bottom
surface of the lower end cap 42.
It is also apparent that the filter cartridge of the present
invention may be used in any filtration system comprising a chamber
forming means whether that be a recess in a pool or spa wall as
described above or any other suitable housing. The chamber forming
means has an inlet port or opening for the liquid to be filtered to
enter the chamber and an outlet port through which the liquid can
exit the chamber and wherein the outlet port is threaded for
receiving the threaded nipple of the filter cartridge.
Accordingly, the foregoing description should not be read as
pertaining only to the precise structures described, but rather
should be read consistent with and as support for the following
claims which are to have their fullest fair scope.
* * * * *