Abstract: A water filter including a cup into which water may be filled, and a replaceable filter cartridge removably receivable within the lower portion of the cup, with the cartridge including a hollow body having top and bottom openings across which first and second sheets of filter material extend, and with a mass of activated carbon being contained within a chamber in the body of the replaceable cartridge and confined between the two sheets of filter material.

Abstract: A magnetic water treating device including a housing part containing a permanent magnet assembly with pole pieces positioned to contact the outside of a conduit, and having a flux return plate within the housing part at an outer side of the magnet assembly and spaced therefrom by a nonmagnetic part. A pair of end plates at opposite ends of the magnet assembly desirably extend through openings in the nonmagnetic part into engagement with the flux return plate. Projections on the nonmagnetic part extend inwardly for locating the elements of the magnet assembly, and connector posts projecting from the nonmagnetic part may extend through apertures in a second nonmagnetic part at the inner side of the magnet assembly to secure these parts together. The flux return plate may be retainable in the housing by reception of an edge portion thereof behind a locating shoulder. A second housing part may carry a resilient structure for exerting yielding force against an opposite side of the conduit.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for treating fresh water by producing a magnetic field in proximity to a flow of such water within a water conduit having an electrically conductive portion connected electrically to earth. The magnetic field has north and south poles spaced apart in the direction of water flow, with its overall effective south magnetic polarity located upstream of its overall effective north magnetic polarity.

Abstract: An apparatus for treating fresh water by producing a magnetic field in proximity to a flow of such water within a water conduit having an electrically conductive portion connected electrically to earth. The magnetic field has north and south poles spaced apart in the direction of water flow, with its overall effective south magnetic polarity located upstream of its overall effective north magnetic polarity.