Abstract: The present invention is a water filter pitcher equipped with a removable, replaceable filter cartridge and means to count the number of times the pitcher is filled with water, and also means to notify the user when the pitcher has filtered enough water to exhaust the filtering capacity of the filter cartridge so that the user can replace the filter cartridge when necessary but does not have to remember to change the cartridge at a specific interval or count the number of gallons filtered manually, and instead can rely on the water filter pitcher to track the amount of water filtered and inform the user when to change the filter cartridge.

Abstract: The present invention is a liquid filter that includes a removable filter cartridge that is easily accessible for quick, easy replacement, the filter being installed directly adjacent to or preferably in direct contact with the sink itself utilizing the opening originally intended for the spray attachment on the sink, or, where there is no opening for a spray attachment, by adding a small hole to access the liquid supply below the countertop, the filter being designed to sit entirely on top of the sink flange or countertop immediately adjacent to the sink and containing an integral faucet for dispensing filtered liquid, along with an integral actuator or switch to control the flow of filtered liquid.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides reusable water filter systems and methods by modifying the design of the plastic housing in such a way so that a disposable sachet with treatment media can be used in it without allowing any bypassing of the untreated water. The present invention provides reusable water filter systems and methods for use in water pitchers and/or faucets including reusable water filter cartridges for gravity flow, reusable water filter cartridges for water pressure systems, disposable sachets (pods) with treatment material for use in the reusable water filter cartridges, molded blocks with treatment material for use in the reusable water filter cartridges, and an associated method of use. Advantageously, the present invention solves the problem of disposing of millions of plastic pitcher filter cartridges.

Abstract: The present invention is a water filter pitcher equipped with a removable, replaceable filter cartridge and means to count the number of times the pitcher is filled with water, and also means to notify the user when the pitcher has filtered enough water to exhaust the filtering capacity of the filter cartridge so that the user can replace the filter cartridge when necessary but does not have to remember to change the cartridge at a specific interval or count the number of gallons filtered manually, and instead can rely on the water filter pitcher to track the amount of water filtered and inform the user when to change the filter cartridge.

Abstract: The present invention is a liquid filter that includes a removable filter cartridge that is easily accessible for quick, easy replacement, the filter being installed directly adjacent to or preferably in direct contact with the sink itself utilizing the opening originally intended for the spray attachment on the sink, or, where there is no opening for a spray attachment, by adding a small hole to access the liquid supply below the countertop, the filter being designed to sit entirely on top of the sink flange or countertop immediately adjacent to the sink and containing an integral faucet for dispensing filtered liquid, along with an integral actuator or switch to control the flow of filtered liquid.

Abstract: A faucet mounted filter device includes a horizontally disposed cylindrical part for housing a replaceable filter cartridge and a horizontally disposed arm part extending radially from the cylindrical part which has a connector on its upper side for releasable connection to a downwardly discharging water faucet. A window is provided in the cylindrical part through which the water filtration capacity gallonage is visible. A built in microprocessor with a counter delivers data to a read-out at the front end of the cylindrical part which displays the gallonage of water filtered by the filter cartridge. A sensor connected to the microprocessor senses flow of filter water and installation and removal of the cartridge causes the counter to start counting and to return to zero, respectively.

Abstract: A faucet mounted filter device includes a horizontally disposed cylindrical part for housing a replaceable filter cartridge and a horizontally disposed arm part extending radially from the cylindrical part which has a connector on its upper side for releasable connection to a downwardly discharging water faucet. A window is provided in the cylindrical part through which the water filtration capacity gallonage is visible. A built in microprocessor with a counter delivers data to a read-out at the front end of the cylindrical part which displays the gallonage of water filtered by the filter cartridge. A sensor connected to the microprocessor senses flow of filter water and installation and removal of the cartridge causes the counter to start counting and to return to zero, respectively.

Abstract: A novel water flow facilitator for granular filter devices that operate under gravity and contain granular particles, further consisting of plastic pellets that are 2 to 100 times, preferably 5 to 20 times larger than the granular particles; the plastic pellets having an aspect ratio of 0.5 to 10, preferably 1 to 4; that comprise about 1 to 50%, preferably 5 to 15% of the weight of the filter media; that have a specific gravity of 0.5 to 2, preferably 0.9 to 1.5. The plastic pellets should contain antimicrobial agents that protect the granular media from microbiological growth. The plastic pellets are made from any of the following plastics: polyolefins, various kinds of polyacrylates, polyvinyl polymers, nylon, polycarbonates etc. The plastic pellets may contain fillers such as calcium carbonate, titania, silica, or alumina.

Abstract: The invention is a granular media filter for in-line liquid applications that allows media as fine as 44 micron to be used to increase the removal of contaminants from the liquid with adequate flows consisting of a specific arrangement. A flow distributor has a non-woven fiber web welded to it; followed by a mixture of fine particle media (finer than 20×50 mesh); followed by a compressible chlorine resistant open cell polyurethane foam, then a 5 micron rated meltblown fiber tube attached to the outlet end by melt adhesive on one end and closed with a plastic plug on the other end. The foam can be either polyurethane or polyolefin, and it can be either open cell foam, or reticulated and open cell foam. A preferred embodiment includes within the fine particle media 10% by weight of flow-enhancing antimicrobial plastic pellets, about 4-5 mm in diameter and having an aspect ratio of 2-3, the pellets encapsulating an antimicrobial additive.

Abstract: A granular activated carbon consists essentially of particles of activated carbon, and less than 1% by weight of an antimicrobial agent, wherein said antimicrobial agent does not desorb from said particles when washed in a polar solvent. Additionally, a method of making a granular activated carbon that exhibits antimicrobial properties is also disclosed.