Abstract: An apparatus for filtering water has a valve head and a filtration/purification canister removably mountable thereon. Connecting the canister to the valve head automatically opens a check valve in the valve head to permit water to flow from the valve head into and through the canister, and then back to and through the valve head to an outlet port. Disconnecting the canister from the valve head automatically closes the check valve, stopping the flow of water. A bypass valve is provided in the valve head to permit a sanitizing solution to flow through the valve head and along the lines of the water distribution system to sanitize the system, while bypassing the canister. The outlet port may be directly connected to an appliance that uses water, to eliminate possible contamination that may occur when water is brought indirectly from the outlet port to the appliance instead.

Abstract: An apparatus for filtering and/or purifying water preferably comprises a canister having filtration chamber formed therein and a matrix mounted in the filtration chamber for filtering and/or purifying water that passes through it. Shock absorbers preferably are provided for guarding against damage to the matrix if the apparatus is dropped. Preferably, the apparatus is provided with an inlet port to the filtration chamber, a first outlet port from the filtration chamber, and a second outlet port from the filtration chamber. Water may be pumped into the filtration chamber from the inlet port to wash away dirt and debris that may build up in the filtration chamber and then exit the filtration chamber with the dirt and debris via the second outlet port when open, thereby accomplishing removal of dirt and debris from the filtration chamber without having to backwash the apparatus for filtering and/or purifying water.

Abstract: An apparatus for filtering and/or purifying water preferably comprises a canister having filtration chamber formed therein and a matrix mounted in the filtration chamber for filtering and/or purifying water that passes through it. Shock absorbers preferably are provided for guarding against damage to the matrix if the apparatus is dropped. Preferably, the apparatus is provided with an inlet port to the filtration chamber, a first outlet port from the filtration chamber, and a second outlet port from the filtration chamber. Water may be pumped into the filtration chamber from the inlet port to wash away dirt and debris that may build up in the filtration chamber and then exit the filtration chamber with the dirt and debris via the second outlet port when open, thereby accomplishing removal of dirt and debris from the filtration chamber without having to backwash the apparatus for filtering and/or purifying water.

Abstract: An apparatus for filtering and/or purifying water preferably comprises a canister having filtration chamber formed therein and a matrix mounted in the filtration chamber for filtering and/or purifying water that passes through it. Shock absorbers preferably are provided for guarding against damage to the matrix if the apparatus is dropped. Preferably, the apparatus is provided with an inlet port to the filtration chamber, a first outlet port from the filtration chamber, and a second outlet port from the filtration chamber. Water may be pumped into the filtration chamber from the inlet port to wash away dirt and debris that may build up in the filtration chamber and then exit the filtration chamber with the dirt and debris via the second outlet port when open, thereby accomplishing removal of dirt and debris from the filtration chamber without having to backwash the apparatus for filtering and/or purifying water.

Abstract: An apparatus for filtering water has a valve head and a filtration/purification canister removably mountable thereon. Connecting the canister to the valve head automatically opens a check valve in the valve head to permit water to flow from the valve head into and through the canister, and then back to and through the valve head to an outlet port. Disconnecting the canister from the valve head automatically closes the check valve, stopping the flow of water. A bypass valve is provided in the valve head to permit a sanitizing solution to flow through the valve head and along the lines of the water distribution system to sanitize the system, while bypassing the canister. The outlet port may be directly connected to an appliance that uses water, to eliminate possible contamination that may occur when water is brought indirectly from the outlet port to the appliance instead.

Abstract: An apparatus for filtering water has an interface and a filtration/purification canister removably mountable onto the interface. Connecting the canister to the interface automatically opens a check valve in the interface to permit water to flow from the interface into and through the canister, and then back to and through the interface to an outlet port. Disconnecting the canister from the interface automatically closes the check valve, stopping the flow of water. An end cap may be substituted for the canister to permit fluid to flow through the interface when the canister is not mounted on the interface.

Abstract: An apparatus for filtering water has an interface and a filtration/purification canister removably mountable onto the interface. Connecting the canister to the interface automatically opens a check valve in the interface to permit water to flow from the interface into and through the canister, and then back to and through the interface to an outlet port. Disconnecting the canister from the interface automatically closes the check valve, stopping the flow of water. The interface provides for water boiler expansion pressure relief, which guarding against any water contaminated downstream of the apparatus from backflowing into the filtration/purification canister and contaminating the portion of the filtration/purification canister downstream of the filter/conditioning/purifying medium held within the filtration/purification canister and thereby causing water exiting the outlet port of the filtration/purification canister to be contaminated.

Abstract: An apparatus for filtering water has a valve head and a filtration/purification canister removably mountable thereon. Connecting the canister to the valve head automatically opens a check valve in the valve head to permit water to flow from the valve head into and through the canister, and then back to and through the valve head to an outlet port. Disconnecting the canister from the valve head automatically closes the check valve, stopping the flow of water. A bypass valve is provided in the valve head to permit a sanitizing solution to flow through the valve head and along the lines of the water distribution system to sanitize the system, while bypassing the canister. The outlet port may be directly connected to an appliance that uses water, to eliminate possible contamination that may occur when water is brought indirectly from the outlet port to the appliance instead.

Abstract: An apparatus for filtering water has an interface and a filtration/purification canister removably mountable thereon. Connecting the canister to the interface automatically opens a check valve in the interface to permit water to flow from the interface into and through the canister, and then back to and through the interface to an outlet port. Disconnecting the canister from the interface automatically closes the check valve, stopping the flow of water. An end cap may be substituted for the canister to permit fluid to flow through the interface when the canister is not mounted on the interface. The outlet port may be directly connected to an appliance that uses water, to eliminate possible contamination that may occur when water is brought indirectly form the outlet port to the appliance instead. A flapper valve is provided in the canister to prevent back flow of fluid from the inlet port of the canister when the canister is not mounted on the interface.

Abstract: An apparatus for filtering and/or purifying and/or conditioning a fluid comprises a pressure vessel having an inlet for introducing fluid into the pressure vessel and an outlet for removing fluid from the pressure vessel, filtering medium positioned inside the pressure vessel for filtering and/or purifying and/or conditioning fluid, and a shell surrounding the pressure vessel, the shell having sufficient anti-flammability properties to be resistant against fire to protect the pressure vessel from fire.

Abstract: An apparatus for filtering and/or purifying water flowing through a water distribution system has a water filtration/purification cartridge mounted inside a housing. The apparatus provides for water boiler expansion pressure relief, while guarding against any water contaminated downstream of the apparatus backflowing into contact with the outlet side of the filtering and/or purifying matrix of the cartridge to prevent possible contamination of the outlet side of the matrix from such backflow and thereby cause water exiting the outlet port apparatus to be contaminated.

Abstract: An apparatus for filtering water has an interface and a filtration/purification canister removably mountable onto the interface. Connecting the canister to the interface automatically opens a check valve in the interface to permit water to flow from the interface into and through the canister, and then back to and through the interface to an outlet port. Disconnecting the canister from the interface automatically closes the check valve, stopping the flow of water. The interface provides for water boiler expansion pressure relief, while guarding against any water contaminated downstream of the apparatus from backflowing into the filtration/purification canister and contaminating the portion of the filtration/purification canister downstream of the filter/conditioning/purifying medium held within the filtration/purification canister and thereby causing water exiting the outlet port of the filtration/purification canister to be contaminated.

Abstract: An apparatus for filtering and/or purifying water preferably comprises a canister having filtration chamber formed therein and a matrix mounted in the filtration chamber for filtering and/or purifying water that passes through it. Shock absorbers preferably are provided for guarding against damage to the matrix if the apparatus is dropped. Preferably, the apparatus is provided with an inlet port to the filtration chamber, a first outlet port from the filtration chamber, and a second outlet port from the filtration chamber. Water may be pumped into the filtration chamber from the inlet port to wash away dirt and debris that may build up in the filtration chamber and then exit the filtration chamber with the dirt and debris via the second outlet port when open, thereby accomplishing removal of dirt and debris from the filtration chamber without having to backwash the apparatus for filtering and/or purifying water.

Abstract: A potable water distribution system for use in aircraft, as well as potable water systems of boats, recreational vehicles/caravans, residential homes, dental offices, laboratories, vending machines, and the like, provides for sanitizing of the system without opening filter and/or purification units and removing filtering and/or purifying cartridges from the filter and/or purification units during the sanitizing process.

Abstract: An apparatus for filtering water has an interface and a filtration/purification canister removably mountable thereon. Connecting the canister to the interface automatically opens a check valve in the interface to permit water to flow from the interface into and through the canister, and then back to and through the interface to an outlet port. Disconnecting the canister from the interface automatically closes the check valve, stopping the flow of water. An end cap may be substituted for the canister to permit fluid to flow through the interface when the canister is not mounted on the interface. The outlet port may be directly connected to an appliance that uses water, to eliminate possible contamination that may occur when water is brought indirectly form the outlet port to the appliance instead. A flapper valve is provided in the canister to prevent back flow of fluid from the inlet port of the canister when the canister is not mounted on the interface.

Abstract: An apparatus for filtering water has an interface and a filtration/purification canister removably mountable thereon. Connecting the canister to the interface automatically opens a check valve in the interface to permit water to flow from the interface into and through the canister, and then back to and through the interface to an outlet port. Disconnecting the canister from the interface automatically closes the check valve, stopping the flow of water. An end cap may be substituted for the canister to permit fluid to flow through the interface when the canister is not mounted on the interface. The outlet port may be directly connected to an appliance that uses water, to eliminate possible contamination that may occur when water is brought indirectly form the outlet port to the appliance instead. A flapper valve is provided in the canister to prevent back flow of fluid from the inlet port of the canister when the canister is not mounted on the interface.

Abstract: An apparatus for filtering and/or purifying and/or conditioning a fluid comprises a pressure vessel having an inlet for introducing fluid into the pressure vessel and an outlet for removing fluid from the pressure vessel, filtering medium positioned inside the pressure vessel for filtering and/or purifying and/or conditioning fluid, and a shell surrounding the pressure vessel, the shell having sufficient anti-flammability properties to be resistant against fire to protect the pressure vessel from fire.

Abstract: An apparatus for filtering water has an interface and a filtration/purification canister removably mountable thereon. Connecting the canister to the interface automatically opens a check valve in the interface to permit water to flow from the interface into and through the canister, and then back to and through the interface to an outlet port. Disconnecting the canister from the interface automatically closes the check valve, stopping the flow of water. An end cap may be substituted for the canister to permit fluid to flow through the interface when the canister is not mounted on the interface. The outlet port may be directly connected to an appliance that uses water, to eliminate possible contamination that may occur when water is brought indirectly form the outlet port to the appliance instead. A flapper valve is provided in the canister to prevent back flow of fluid from the inlet port of the canister when the canister is not mounted on the interface.

Abstract: A potable water distribution system for use in aircraft, as well as potable water systems of boats, recreational vehicles/caravans, residential homes, dental offices, laboratories, vending machines, and the like, provides for sanitizing of the system without opening filter and/or purification units and removing filtering and/or purifying cartridges from the filter and/or purification units during the sanitizing process.

Abstract: An apparatus for filtering water has a valve head and a filtration/purification canister removably mountable thereon. Connecting the canister to the valve head automatically opens a check valve in the valve head to permit water to flow from the valve head into and through the canister, and then back to and through the valve head to an outlet port. Disconnecting the canister from the valve head automatically closes the check valve, stopping the flow of water. A bypass valve is provided in the valve head to permit a sanitizing solution to flow through the valve head and along the lines of the water distribution system to sanitize the system, while bypassing the canister. The outlet port may be directly connected to an appliance that uses water, to eliminate possible contamination that may occur when water is brought indirectly from the outlet port to the appliance instead.