Patents Assigned to KX Technologies, LLC
  • Patent number: 12168187
    Abstract: A filtration system interconnection structure having a filter manifold and a filter cartridge in magnetic communication with one another, such that a latching mechanism of the manifold secures the filter cartridge within a manifold sump when the filter cartridge is inserted therein. The magnetic communication is formed between two complementary coded polymagnets capable of producing a magnetic shear force when in close proximity to one another. The magnetic shear force removes a latch blocking structure from interfering with the latch, allowing the latch to secure the filter cartridge. Movement of the latch blocking structure coded polymagnet relative to the filter cartridge coded polymagnet may be perpendicular or parallel with respect to each other such that a shear force is generated therebetween, allowing for actuation of the latch blocking mechanism against a biasing force, and allowing the latch to move radially inwards against a separate biasing force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2024
    Assignee: KX Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Robert Astle, Garett Strandemo, Jordan Robert Fuhs, Matthew W. Hartmann, Gregory Gene Hortin, Jason Morgan
  • Patent number: 12083455
    Abstract: A filter assembly for fluid filtration having a push-activated lock and release mechanism. A push filter design activates a filter key lock upon insertion and extraction, where the filter key may be used simultaneously as a lock and as an identifier for particular filter attributes. The filter housing assembly may be attached to, and removed from, a filter base by a push-actuated release. Upon insertion, the filter key shifts the filter lock longitudinally to receive interlocking segments. Upon extraction, the same axial push shifts the filter lock further to align the interlocking fingers within gaps that allow for easy extraction. The specific key lock design allows a user to identify and match certain filter configurations received by the mechanical support, and reject other filter configurations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2024
    Assignee: KX Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Stephen P. Huda, Michael J. Sherman, Steven J. Haehn, Erik R. Klimpel
  • Patent number: 11794136
    Abstract: A filtration system interconnection structure having manifold with a rotatable manifold magnet of correlated magnets, a shroud with alignment tracks, an actuating valve for water ingress, and a filter cartridge having a rotatable filter magnet of correlated magnets, where the manifold magnet and the filter magnet are in magnetic communication with one another when the filter cartridge is inserted with the shroud, and are at least partially rotatably compatible, where the manifold magnet rotates with the filter magnet until the manifold magnet experiences a rotational stop beyond a predetermined rotation of the filter magnet, thus allowing the filter magnet to shift polarity with respect to the manifold magnet and present a repulsion force for removal of the filter cartridge from the shroud.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: KX Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Robert Astle, William Li, Bruno Chima
  • Patent number: 11724216
    Abstract: A filtration system interconnection structure having manifold with a rotatable manifold magnet of correlated magnets, a shroud with alignment tracks, an actuating valve for water ingress, and a filter cartridge having a rotatable filter magnet of correlated magnets, where the manifold magnet and the filter magnet are in magnetic communication with one another when the filter cartridge is inserted with the shroud, and are at least partially rotatably compatible, where the manifold magnet rotates with the filter magnet until the manifold magnet experiences a rotational stop beyond a predetermined rotation of the filter magnet, thus allowing the filter magnet to shift polarity with respect to the manifold magnet and present a repulsion force for removal of the filter cartridge from the shroud.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: KX Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Robert Astle, William Li, Bruno Chima
  • Patent number: 11712645
    Abstract: A filtration system interconnection structure having a filter manifold including a sump housing and a first correlated magnet located on or connected to a portion of the manifold, and a filter cartridge including a filter media, first and second end caps sealed to the filter media, and a second, paired correlated magnet located on or connected to the filter cartridge housing body. The first and second correlated magnets are interconnected via magnetic communication upon insertion of the filter cartridge into the sump housing, and upon movement of the filter cartridge into an alignment position, the correlated magnet located on or connected to the manifold is permitted to translate as a result of the magnetic communication. The polarity profiles of the paired correlated magnets are aligned such that a repulsion force is created when the filter cartridge is inserted within the manifold sump housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2023
    Assignee: KX Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Robert Astle, William Li, Garett Strandemo, Matthew W. Hartmann
  • Patent number: 11433327
    Abstract: A filter assembly for fluid filtration having a push-activated lock and release mechanism. A push filter design activates a filter key lock upon insertion and extraction, where the filter key may be used simultaneously as a lock and as an identifier for particular filter attributes. The filter housing assembly may be attached to, and removed from, a filter base by a push-actuated release. Upon insertion, the filter key shifts the filter lock longitudinally to receive interlocking segments. Upon extraction, the same axial push shifts the filter lock further to align the interlocking fingers within gaps that allow for easy extraction. The specific key lock design allows a user to identify and match certain filter configurations received by the mechanical support, and reject other filter configurations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2022
    Assignee: KX Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Stephen P. Huda, Michael J. Sherman, Steven J. Haehn, Erik R. Klimpel
  • Patent number: 11426685
    Abstract: A filter housing assembly for fluid filtration which may be attached to, and removed from, a filter base by a push-actuated release. The filter housing assembly has a top portion with an ingress port and egress port extending therefrom, and a protrusion extending from the filter housing longitudinally axial center. The ingress and egress port are formed in an hourglass shape. A filter key having a base with a groove for mating with said projection, at least one finger extending from said base, and an electronic circuit component housing attached thereto for receiving a printed circuit board, is connected to the filter housing top portion by mating said top portion protrusion with the filter key groove. Both of said ingress and egress port have at least one cavity for the passage of fluid therethrough, where each cavity is exposed in a direction facing away from the printed circuit board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2022
    Assignee: KX Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Robert Astle, George Lauri, Stephen P. Huda, Michael J. Sherman, Steven J. Haehn, Erik R. Klimpel, Will Anniss, Willard Grant, Raony Barrios, William Small, Marcello Correa Machado, Thomas W. McCollough, Christopher Rousey, Ramesh Subramanian
  • Patent number: 11376530
    Abstract: A reverse osmosis filter assembly for fluid filtration having a push-activated lock and release mechanism. A push filter design activates a floating key lock upon insertion and extraction, where the filter key may be used simultaneously as a lock and as an identifier for particular filter attributes. The filter base may be situated inline, and in fluid communication, with the raw water ingress, permeate egress, and reject water egress. The reverse osmosis filter housing assembly may be attached to, and removed from, the filter base by a push-actuated release. Upon insertion, the filter key shifts the filter lock longitudinally to receive interlocking segments. Upon extraction, the same axial push shifts the filter lock further to align the interlocking fingers within gaps that allow for easy extraction. The specific key lock design allows a user to identify and match certain filter configurations received by the mechanical support, and reject other filter configurations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Assignee: KX Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Stephen P. Huda, Michael J. Sherman, Steven J. Haehn, Erik R. Klimpel, Sathyanarayana Jujaray, Vivek Kunwar Narendra Singh
  • Patent number: 11351491
    Abstract: A filter media having lignite-derived activated carbon, polyacrylic acid (PAA), a commercially available copper-zinc alloy, and polydiallyldimethylammonium chloride (PolyDADMAC) or Luviquat®, which is Poly[(3-methyl-1-vinylimidazolium chloride)-co-(1-vinylpyrrolidone)], combined and used as suitable replacement for TOG bituminous coal-based activated carbon, silver, and PolyDADMAC. Functional groups in lignite-based activated carbon interact with the polyacrylic acid. Functional groups such as calcium, iron, or aluminum oxide/hydroxide of lignite-based activated carbon interact with PAA, and help hold the PolyDADMAC in place. The additional presence of a copper-zinc alloy enhances the filter anti-microbiological performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2022
    Assignee: KX Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Jinwen Wang, Meedia Kareem, Rezan Kareem, William Li, Bruce E. Taylor, Carol DeLandra, Frank A. Brigano
  • Patent number: 11052333
    Abstract: A filtration system interconnection structure having manifold with a rotatable manifold magnet of correlated magnets, a shroud with alignment tracks, an actuating valve for water ingress, and a filter cartridge having a rotatable filter magnet of correlated magnets, where the manifold magnet and the filter magnet are in magnetic communication with one another when the filter cartridge is inserted with the shroud, and are at least partially rotatably compatible, where the manifold magnet rotates with the filter magnet until the manifold magnet experiences a rotational stop beyond a predetermined rotation of the filter magnet, thus allowing the filter magnet to shift polarity with respect to the manifold magnet and present a repulsion force for removal of the filter cartridge from the shroud.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2021
    Assignee: KX Technologies LLC
    Inventors: William Li, Robert Astle, Bruno Chima
  • Patent number: 11045753
    Abstract: A filter assembly for fluid filtration having a push-activated lock and release mechanism. A push filter design activates a floating key lock upon insertion and extraction, where the filter key may be used simultaneously as a lock and as an identifier for particular filter attributes. The filter base may be situated inline, and in fluid communication, with influent and effluent piping, such as within a refrigerator. The filter housing assembly may be attached to, and removed from, the filter base by a push-actuated release. Upon insertion, the filter key shifts the filter lock longitudinally to receive interlocking segments. Upon extraction, the same axial push shifts the filter lock further to align the interlocking fingers within gaps that allow for easy extraction. The specific key lock design allows a user to identify and match certain filter configurations received by the mechanical support, and reject other filter configurations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2021
    Assignee: KX Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Stephen P. Huda, Michael J. Sherman, Steven J. Haehn, Erik R. Klimpel
  • Patent number: 10695698
    Abstract: A reverse osmosis filter assembly for fluid filtration having a push-activated lock and release mechanism. A push filter design activates a floating key lock upon insertion and extraction, where the filter key may be used simultaneously as a lock and as an identifier for particular filter attributes. The filter base may be situated inline, and in fluid communication, with the raw water ingress, permeate egress, and reject water egress. The reverse osmosis filter housing assembly may be attached to, and removed from, the filter base by a push-actuated release. Upon insertion, the filter key shifts the filter lock longitudinally to receive interlocking segments. Upon extraction, the same axial push shifts the filter lock further to align the interlocking fingers within gaps that allow for easy extraction. The specific key lock design allows a user to identify and match certain filter configurations received by the mechanical support, and reject other filter configurations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: KX Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Stephen P. Huda, Michael J. Sherman, Steven J. Haehn, Erik R. Klimpel, Sathyanarayana Jujaray, Vivek Kunwar Narendra Singh
  • Patent number: 10675571
    Abstract: A filter assembly for fluid filtration having a push-activated lock and release mechanism. A push filter design activates a filter key lock upon insertion and extraction, where the filter key may be used simultaneously as a lock and as an identifier for particular filter attributes. The filter housing assembly may be attached to, and removed from, a filter base by a push-actuated release. Upon insertion, the filter key shifts the filter lock longitudinally to receive interlocking segments. Upon extraction, the same axial push shifts the filter lock further to align the interlocking fingers within gaps that allow for easy extraction. The specific key lock design allows a user to identify and match certain filter configurations received by the mechanical support, and reject other filter configurations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: KX Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Stephen P. Huda, Michael J. Sherman, Steven J. Haehn, Erik R. Klimpel
  • Patent number: 10537838
    Abstract: A filter media having lignite-derived activated carbon, polyacrylic acid (PAA), a commercially available copper-zinc alloy, and polydiallyldimethylammonium chloride (PolyDADMAC) or Luviquat®, which is Poly[(3-methyl-1-vinylimidazolium chloride)-co-(1-vinylpyrrolidone)], combined and used as suitable replacement for TOG bituminous coal-based activated carbon, silver, and PolyDADMAC. Functional groups in lignite-based activated carbon interact with the polyacrylic acid. Functional groups such as calcium, iron, or aluminum oxide/hydroxide of lignite-based activated carbon interact with PAA, and help hold the PolyDADMAC in place. The additional presence of a copper-zinc alloy enhances the filter anti-microbiological performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2020
    Assignee: KX Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Jinwen Wang, Meedia Kareem, Rezan Kareem, William Li, Bruce E. Taylor, Carol DeLandra, Frank A. Brigano
  • Patent number: 10421032
    Abstract: A modular filtration platform having at least one manifold head and at least one respective filter cartridge assembly. Each manifold head is connected to one another to establish a water flow in a series or parallel manner. Each filter cartridge assembly is releasably secured from rotation relative to the manifold head by a locking mechanism. An aperture on the filter cartridge assembly annular collar mates with a protruding resilient extension on either the manifold head or support bracket. Alternatively, an aperture on the filter cartridge assembly annular collar and an aperture on the manifold head annular collar mate with a protruding member from a locking ring extending through both apertures. An integrated sensor package may be integrated with the system for true managed water visible/audible indications and Wi-Fi interface to facilitate virtually instantaneous response times for filtration needs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2019
    Assignee: KX Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Lori Foix, Michael J. Sherman, Steve Wilson, James B. Larson, Erik Klimpel, Richard A. Kirchner, Chad Tousley, Steven J. Haehn, Jeff Ehlers
  • Patent number: 10376900
    Abstract: A filter that contains an adsorbent to remove the soluble portion of the contaminant, and then some form of electrostatic attraction additive. The electrostatic attraction additive would serve to pull the colloidal and particulate portion of the contaminant out of fluid, which could be held indefinitely, or be used to hold while the contaminant is allowed to solubilize and then be removed by the adsorbent. The electrostatic attraction additive could either be positively or negatively charged depending on the surface charge of the particulates that are in the fluid, and includes particles or fibers charged with charged polymers, zeolites, cation or anion exchange resin, powdered alumina, or nano-alumina.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2019
    Assignee: KX Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Andrew Lombardo, Rezan Kareem
  • Patent number: 10335717
    Abstract: A filter for gravity-fed applications, having filter media with a hollow center, the filter being generally prone to a degradation or cessation in fluid flow due to air entrapment or air lock within the filter housing cavity, which develops during filtering. A diffuser element is introduced to pierce the entrapped air bubble, the diffuser element being an elongated structure connected to the filter housing top end cap and extending through the entrapped air bubble to the filter media.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: KX Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Stephen P. Huda, Andrew Lombardo
  • Patent number: 10307697
    Abstract: Filters for use in conjunction with valves of the faucet or spigot type, and to filters for use in devices for withdrawing liquids from containers at relatively low pressures, such as gravity feed jugs or other gravity feed reservoirs. A ¼-turn attachment scheme for connecting a filter cartridge to a gravity feed reservoir, such as within a beverage making/dispensing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2019
    Assignee: KX Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Blake Savoy, Keith D. Johnson, Michael J. Sherman, Frank A. Brigano, Richard A. Kirchner, Paul A. Pilosi, Jason J. Ness, Kelly Boudreau, Stephen P. Huda, Teddy Howlett, Peter Cook
  • Patent number: 10272371
    Abstract: A collapsible bag or compressible bottle container for accepting, holding, and filtering fluid. Fluid is filtered upon entry to the container or filtered upon egress. The filter media resides either in a removable cap, or in a second fluid-tight compartment attached to, and in fluid communication with, the container body. A one-way valve with unique one-time connection to a fluid source mitigates potential contamination from container overuse. A second collapsible layer is used in conjunction with the collapsible bag to accept compressed air that provides rigidity for the container body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2019
    Assignee: KX Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Andrew W. Lombardo, Stephen P. Huda, Malcolm R. Kahn
  • Patent number: 10207211
    Abstract: A filter assembly for fluid filtration having a push-activated lock and release mechanism. A push filter design activates a floating key lock upon insertion and extraction, where the filter key may be used simultaneously as a lock and as an identifier for particular filter attributes. The filter base may be situated inline, and in fluid communication, with influent and effluent piping, such as within a refrigerator. The filter housing assembly may be attached to, and removed from, the filter base by a push-actuated release. Upon insertion, the filter key shifts the filter lock longitudinally to receive interlocking segments. Upon extraction, the same axial push shifts the filter lock further to align the interlocking fingers within gaps that allow for easy extraction. The specific key lock design allows a user to identify and match certain filter configurations received by the mechanical support, and reject other filter configurations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2019
    Assignee: KX Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Stephen P. Huda, Michael J. Sherman, Steven J. Haehn, Erik R. Klimpel