U.S. patent number RE37,216 [Application Number 09/472,354] was granted by the patent office on 2001-06-12 for water treatment cartridge and base.
This patent grant is currently assigned to KX Industries, L.P.. Invention is credited to Evan E. Koslow.
United States Patent |
RE37,216 |
Koslow |
June 12, 2001 |
Water treatment cartridge and base
Abstract
A water treatment unit includes a base and a disposable, plug-in
cartridge. The cartridge contains a pair of hollow cylindrical,
porous, solid water treatment elements designed to treat water
flowing radially through their walls. The cylindrical elements are
mounted so as to act in parallel, thereby achieving the advantages
of a long, thin-walled element in a compact configuration.
Inventors: |
Koslow; Evan E. (Weston,
CT) |
Assignee: |
KX Industries, L.P. (Orange,
CT)
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Family
ID: |
24555080 |
Appl.
No.: |
09/472,354 |
Filed: |
December 23, 1999 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
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Reissue of: |
637231 |
Apr 24, 1996 |
05700371 |
Dec 23, 1997 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
210/232; 210/238;
210/282; 210/323.2; 210/496; 210/510.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B01D
29/114 (20130101); B01D 35/30 (20130101); B01D
29/96 (20130101); C02F 1/003 (20130101); C02F
1/283 (20130101); C02F 9/005 (20130101); B01D
29/52 (20130101); B01D 2201/0438 (20130101); B01D
2201/40 (20130101); B01D 2201/4046 (20130101); C02F
2201/006 (20130101); B01D 2201/4084 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
C02F
9/00 (20060101); B01D 35/30 (20060101); C02F
1/00 (20060101); B01D 29/11 (20060101); C02F
1/28 (20060101); B01D 027/08 (); B01D 027/04 ();
B01D 027/14 (); B01D 035/30 () |
Field of
Search: |
;210/232,282,238,323.2,496,510.1,443 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
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318832 |
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Jun 1989 |
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EP |
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1566502 |
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Apr 1980 |
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GB |
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Primary Examiner: Lithgow; Thomas M.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Ohlandt, Greeley, Ruggiero &
Perle, L.L.P.
Claims
I claim:
1. Liquid treating apparatus which comprises:
A. a housing carrying a key member and containing at least two
treatment elements, each of said treatment elements being
substantially in the form of a solid porous cylinder having a bore
therethrough along its longitudinal axis, the exteriors of said
treatment elements and the interior of said housing forming a
liquid reservoir;
B. a base member releasably receiving said housing, said base
member including
i. means for supplying a liquid to be treated to one of said bores
and said reservoir, said liquid passing radially through each of
said porous cylinders,
ii. means for delivering treated liquid from the other of said
bores and reservoir; and
iii. a latch for receiving said key member, wherein said key member
includes a detent and said latch comprises a spring clip engageable
with said detent; and
C. said base member defining first and second sockets therein and
said housing carrying first and second hollow studs insertable in
said sockets to form, when so inserted, a liquid supplying channel
and a liquid delivery channel.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said releasably securing means
comprises means for selectively disengaging said spring clip from
said detent.
3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said selectively disengaging
means comprises:
a camming member rotatable to retract said spring clip from said
detent; and
a lever mounted on said base member connected to rotate said
camming member.
4. Water filtration apparatus which comprises:
a base member defining first and second sockets therein;
means for supplying water from an external source to one of said
first and second sockets;
means for delivering water from the other of said first and second
sockets to an external application;
a filtration cartridge having a one piece plastic housing
substantially rectangular in cross section containing therein a
plurality of solid, porous, substantially cylindrical, filter
elements spaced from said housing to define a first volume
therewith, each of said filter elements having a longitudinal axis
and a bore extending therealong, the combined bores defining a
second volume;
a cartridge base plate closing said housing and carrying first and
second studs having water passages therethrough and insertable,
respectively, into said first and second sockets in water flow
relationship with said water supplying and water delivering
means;
means within said cartridge for channeling water flow between said
first stud and said first volume;
means within said cartridge for channeling water flow between the
second stud and said second volume;
means for releasably securing said cartridge to said base member
which comprises a key defining a detent thereon and being mounted
on said cartridge, and a latch comprising a spring clip mounted on
said base member to receive and secure said key and means for
selectively releasing said latch from said key.
5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said latch comprises:
a hook engageable with said detent; and
means for resiliently urging said hook into engagement with said
detent.
6. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said selective releasing means
comprises:
a camming member rotatable to engage said resilient urging means
and displace it from engagement with said detent; and
means for manually rotating said camming member.
7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said resilient urging means
comprises a leaf spring and said hook is formed by the edge of said
leaf spring.
8. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein a pair of leaf springs are
formed by opposing legs of a single, substantially U-shaped, spring
material and a hook is formed by each of the opposed edges of said
leaf springs therein defining said spring clip.
9. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein each of said filter elements
comprises activated carbon.
10. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said filter elements are in a
substantially linear array.
11. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein the outside diameter of each
of said filter elements does not exceed approximately 1.75
inches.
12. Water filtration apparatus which comprises:
a base member defining first and second sockets therein;
means for supplying water from an external source to one of said
first and second sockets;
means for delivering water from the other of said first and second
sockets to an external application;
a filtration cartridge having a housing containing therein a
plurality of solid, porous, substantially cylindrical, filter
elements spaced from said housing to define a first volume
therewith, each of said filter elements having a longitudinal axis
and a bore extending therealong, the combined bores defining a
second volume;
a cartridge base plate dosing said housing and carrying first and
second studs having water passages therethrough and insertable,
respectively, into said first and second sockets in water flow
relationship with said water supplying and water delivering
means;
means within said cartridge for channeling water flow between said
first stud and said first volume;
means within said cartridge for channeling water flow between the
second stud and said second volume;
a key mounted on said cartridge defining a pair of opposed detents
thereon; and
a pair of leaf springs formed by opposing legs of a single,
substantially U-shaped, spring material mounted on said base
member, each of the opposed edges of said leaf springs forming a
hook to receive and secure one of the opposed detents of said
key.
13. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein said camming means comprises
a shaft extending between the legs of said U-shaped spring material
and said manual rotating means comprises a lever mounted to said
shaft external of said base member.
14. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein each of said filter elements
comprises activated carbon.
15. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein said filter elements are in a
substantially linear array.
16. The apparatus of claim 15 wherein the outside diameter of each
of said filter elements does not exceed approximately 1.75
inches..Iadd.
17. A liquid treating apparatus which comprises:
a cartridge containing means for filtering a liquid;
a base member adapted to receive said cartridge, said base member
having means for delivering said liquid into said cartridge and
receiving a filtered liquid from said cartridge; and
means for latching said cartridge to said base member comprising a
key member and a latch, wherein said key member includes a detent
and said latch comprises a spring clip engageable with said detent.
.Iaddend..Iadd.
18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein said filtering means
comprises at least one treatment element substantially in the form
of a solid porous cylinder having a bore therethrough along its
longitudinal axis. .Iaddend..Iadd.
19. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein said at least one treatment
element is two treatment elements in a substantially linear array.
.Iaddend..Iadd.
20. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein said solid porous cylinder
comprises activated carbon. .Iaddend..Iadd.
21. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein said delivering means
comprises at least one socket and at least one hollow stud
insertable therein to form a channel for delivering said liquid
from said base member into said cartridge. .Iaddend..Iadd.
22. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein said socket is defined by
said base member and said hollow stud is disposed on said
cartridge. .Iaddend..Iadd.
23. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein said receiving means
comprises at least one socket and at least one hollow stud
insertable therein to form a channel for receiving said filtered
liquid from said cartridge into said base member.
.Iaddend..Iadd.
24. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein said socket is defined by
said base member and said hollow stud is disposed on said
cartridge. .Iaddend..Iadd.
25. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein said spring clip is attached
to said base member, and said key is attached to said cartridge.
.Iaddend..Iadd.
26. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein said latching means further
comprises means for disengaging said spring clip from said detent.
.Iaddend..Iadd.
27. The apparatus of claim 26, wherein said disengaging means is
disposed within said base member. .Iaddend..Iadd.
28. The apparatus of claim 26, wherein said disengaging means
comprises:
a camming member rotatable to retract said spring clip from said
detent; and
a lever connected to said camming member and adapted to rotate said
camming member. .Iaddend..Iadd.
29. The apparatus of claim 28, wherein said spring clip comprises a
U-shaped spring material, and wherein camming member comprises a
shaft extending between the legs of said U-shaped spring material,
said shaft having an oval-shaped cross section. .Iaddend.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
This invention relates to apparatus for treating water. More
particularly, it relates to water filtration apparatus in the form
of a disposable cartridge and a base therefor.
BACKGROUND ART
The use of disposable water treatment elements such as filters is
well-known. One type of such filter is the form of a solid porous
cylinder having a hollow center. When such an element is employed,
the water or other liquid to be treated or filtered flows radially
through the wall of the cylinder between its exterior and its
hollow core. Examples of such an element are the well-known ceramic
filter and the extruded solid activated carbon filters made by the
method and apparatus disclosed in Koslow U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,189,092;
5,249,948; and 5,331,037. See also the co-pending U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 08/607,294 filed Feb. 26, 1996 of Koslow, et
al (pending).
It is well-known that the most efficient filtration is achieved
with a relatively long but thin-walled filter element. For example,
a long and thin cylinder will always display a lower pressure drop
that a short and fat cylinder of the same volume of active
ingredient, both because the flow area is larger and the thickness
of the medium through which the fluid flows is reduced. However,
this presents a problem, especially when the element is employed in
a domestic water filtration unit such as might be maintained at a
kitchen or bathroom sink. In order to achieve the desired flow
volume, a long and ungainly filter element would be required. A
second problem is that the changing of filter elements in the
conventional domestic filter housing is a messy job often requiring
tools and proving very difficult to open because of the large
diameter pressure vessels with large threads and compression
gaskets. Entirely new problems of space and convenience would
emerge when using an exceptionally long filter element.
Accordingly, it is a primary object of the present invention to
provide an improved liquid treating apparatus and, more
specifically, a water filtration apparatus which has the desirable
characteristics of a thin-walled, hollow, cylindrical filter
element but in a compact configuration. Another object is to
provide such an apparatus wherein the filter element may be easily
replaced and disposed of with a minimum of mess and water spillage.
Another object is to provide such an apparatus wherein the filter
elements are so arrayed as to present a relatively flat
configuration more readily handled and stored than the usual prior
art round array. Other objects, features, and advantages will
become apparent from the following description and appended
claims.
DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION
In accordance with the present invention, the desirable long and
thin-walled solid porous hollow cylinder is reconfigured as two or
more short cylindrical portions which are operated in a parallel
fashion as a flat array. In this way, the efficiency and water
volume is maintained but in a much more compact form. The filter
elements are housed within a disposable cartridge which plugs into
a base member from which it can be easily removed.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is an elevational view of a filter cartridge in accordance
with the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a right-side view of the cartridge of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the cartridge of FIG. 1;
FIG. 4 is a cross-section taken substantially along the line 4--4
of FIG. 1;
FIG. 5 is a cross-section taken substantially along the line 5--5
of FIG. 1;
FIG. 6 is a plan view of a filter support plate carded within the
cartridge of FIGS. 1-3;
FIG. 7 is a partial cross-section taken substantially along the
line 7--7 of FIG. 6;
FIG. 8 is a plan view of the base member of the invention;
FIG. 9 is a cross-section taken substantially along the line 9--9
of FIG. 8;
FIG. 10 is a cross-section taken substantially along the line
10--10 of FIG. 9;
FIG. 11 is an enlarged portion of FIG. 10 illustrating the latch
release mechanism of the invention; and
FIG. 12 is an elevational cross-section illustrating the filter
cartridge connected to the base member and the water flow
therethrough.
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
The invention comprises a base member and a filter cartridge which
is insertable into the base member. The cartridge is illustrated by
FIGS. 1-7 and the base by FIGS. 8-10. Reference may also be had to
FIG. 12 which illustrates the cartridge 10 mounted in the base
12.
Cartridge
The cartridge 10 comprises a main housing of substantially
rectangular cross-section comprising a front wall 14, a rear wall
16, left 18 and right 20 side walls, and a top wall 22 (FIG. 12). A
stiffening web 24 extends downwardly from top wall 22 between front
wall 14 and rear wall 16. The stiffening web performs the important
function of preventing deformation of the housing when under full
line water pressure. This allows for a relatively flat housing, as
opposed to the cylindrical housings of the prior art. A cartridge
base 26 closes the bottom of the housing. It is in the form of a
base plate 28 from which extend a hollow water inlet stud 30 and a
similar water outlet stud 32. The studs 30, 32 have axial bores 34,
36. They have circumferential grooves on their outer surfaces for
the retention of rubber O-rings 38.
The top surface of base plate 28 is illustrated in FIG. 5. It
carries a raised dam 40 which is substantially rectangular and
encompasses a bore 36 which extends through the water outlet stud
32. However, one corner is provided with an offset 42 which leaves
the bore 34 of the water inlet stud 30 on the outside of the dam.
Also carried on the bottom surface of the cartridge base plate 28
is a centrally positioned key 44 having a generally arrow shaped
cross-section as seen in FIG. 2 whereby the barbs of the arrow
define a pair of spaced detents. On either side of the key 44 is a
semi-cylindrical socket 46, 48 whose function will be described
hereafter.
Mounted on the top of the dam 40 is a filter support plate 50
illustrated most clearly in FIGS. 6 and 7. Filter support plate 50
is substantially rectangular so as to fit snugly within the housing
walls of the cartridge 10 as illustrated in FIG. 12. Depending from
the bottom surface of the filter support plate 50 is an alignment
ring 52. The alignment ring 52 has essentially the same
configuration as the dam 40 and is dimensioned to fit within the
dam. Extending upwardly from the top surface of the filter support
plate 50 are a pair of circular sockets 54, 56. Centrally located
within the socket 54 is a frustoconical alignment stud 58 having a
central passage 60 therethrough. A similar alignment stud 62 within
the socket 56 defines a similar passage 64. Positioned within the
socket 54 is the bottom end of a solid porous hollow cylindrical
filter element 66. The filter element 66 includes a central bore 68
which extends along its longitudinal axis and its upper end is
rendered impervious to flow by a suitable cap disk 70. Similarly
mounted within the socket 56 is a similar filter element 72 which
also has an axial bore 74 and a cap disk 76. In at least one actual
embodiment, the preferred actual outer diameter of each filter
element does not exceed approximately 1.75 inches to assure a flat
array of relatively small size.
The illustrated cylindrical filter elements are discrete units.
However, they could be extruded as interconnected cylinders--two
cylinders connected by a web, for example. As used in the
accompanying claims, the terms "at least two" and "a plurality" are
to be construed as including such connected elements.
Base
The base member 12 is illustrated in FIGS. 8-12. It is in the form
of a substantially rectangular frame including a front wall 78,
rear wall 80, left end wall 82, and a right end wall 84. Extending
between the four walls is a depressed floor 86. An interior
transverse wall 88 extends between front wall 78 and rear wall 80
and centrally positioned along this wall is a circular socket 90.
At the base of the socket 90 is a water outlet passage 92 which
extends downwardly through a hose attachment member 94 which
depends from the floor 86. A similar socket 96 is positioned in the
lower right corner of the base member 12, as viewed in FIG. 8, and
includes a similar water inlet passage 98 which extends through a
similar hose attachment member 100 also depending from the floor
86. Adding support to the floor 86 is a depending transfer support
wall 102 extending downwardly from the floor 86.
Centrally positioned within the base member 12 and extending
upwardly from the floor 86 are a pair of substantially cubical
alignment studs 104, 106. A pair of parallel slots (not shown) in
the floor 86 receive the legs of a U-shaped spring clip 108. The
upper edges of the spring clip legs are bent downwardly to form
hooks 110 which form a latch. The legs of the spring clip 108 lie
adjacent the studs 104, 106 and the spring clip is secured by means
of screws or pins 112 which extend into the alignment studs 104,
106.
Extending upwardly from the floor 86 and on either side of the
spring clip 108 are cylindrical posts 114, 116. Encircling each
post is a helical compression spring 118. A shaft extends through
the right end wall 84 and terminates in the transverse wall 88. The
shaft includes a central portion 120 which is elliptical in
cross-section and lies within the legs of the spring clip 108 as
shown in FIG. 10. An external lever 122 is mounted to the end of
the shaft to manually rotate it.
Operation
The apparatus of this invention comprises two separate and distinct
units. The base member 12 is mounted to, or rests upon, a flat
supporting surface such as a counter top. A water inlet hose 124
may be connected to the hose attachment member 100 and a water
delivery hose 126 may be connected to the hose attachment member 94
as shown in FIG. 12. The separate cartridge member 10 is connected
to the base member by inserting the studs 30, 32, into the sockets
90, 96. As these are inserted, the semi-cylindrical sockets 46, 48
depending from the cartridge 10 engage and depress the helical
springs 118 carried by the posts 114, 116. As these springs are
depressed, the key 44 enters within the legs of the spring clip
108, pushing them apart until the hooks 110 engage the upper
surfaces of the detent barbs formed by the arrow shaped
cross-section of the key 44, thereby locking the cartridge in
position on the base member as illustrated in FIG. 12. The same
springs aid the removal of the cartridge member 10 from the base
member.
The operation of the unit will be best understood by referring to
FIG. 12 wherein the water flow is illustrated by dashed lines and
arrows. As shown therein, water flows into the base member and
flows via socket 96 and water inlet stud 30 into the space
surrounding the dam 40. It flows upwardly through the "missing"
corner of the filter support plate 50 (FIG. 6) and fills the
housing, forming a first volume surrounding the filter elements 66,
72. The stiffening web 24 extends only partially along the length
of the cartridge housing and does not impede water flow. The water
passes radially through the walls of the filter elements and into
the bores 68, 74 passing downwardly through the passages 60, 64 in
the filter support plate 50 into the region surrounded by the dam
40. The combined volume of the bores 68, 74 forms a second volume.
The water then flows via water outlet stud 32 and the hose
attachment member 94 and exits through the water outlet hose 126.
The two filter elements receive water simultaneously. In this
respect, they function identically to a single long filter element
but acquire the mechanical advantages of a much smaller unit. It
may be likened to a single element being cut into multiple sections
with sections thereafter being operated in "parallel". This is of
particular advantage in the case of solid activated carbon filters
as referenced above. These filters, if not long and thin, are
characterized by a high .DELTA.P.
When it is desired to change the cartridge and substitute a new
one, it is merely necessary to rotate the lever 122 by 90.degree..
This rotates the elliptical portion 120 of the shaft and forces the
hooks 110 apart as illustrated in FIG. 11. This releases the key 44
on the cartridge and permits it to be detached whereupon a new
cartridge may be inserted.
It is believed that the many advantages of this invention will now
be apparent to those skilled in the art. It will also be apparent
that a number of variations and modifications may be made therein
without departing from its spirit and scope. Accordingly, the
foregoing description is to be construed as illustrative only,
rather than limiting. This invention is limited only by the scope
of the following claims.
* * * * *