Removable Cartridge Or Hand-manipulated Container Patents (Class 210/282)
  • Patent number: 5277805
    Abstract: A horizontal countertop water filter adapted to reside behind a sink faucet fixture. The water filter has a horizontal housing defining a fluid inlet chamber and fluid filtration chamber containing a changeable filter cartridge, an inlet end cap which is configured to conduct an incoming fluid flow from the fluid inlet chamber to the fluid filtration chamber, and an outlet end cap configured to receive a filtered fluid flow from the fluid filtration chamber to a fluid outlet spigot. At least one end cap is removable to facilitate changing the filter cartridge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 11, 1994
    Inventor: George E. Ferguson
  • Patent number: 5273650
    Abstract: A water filter cartridge for use in a water filtration system comprises a generally cylindrical ceramic pre-filter having a chamber containing a purification resin. An exit cap having a porous disc therein is attached at a first end of the pre-filter. Water to be filtered passes radially through the pre-filter into the chamber. The water then passes through the purification resin and the porous disc and exits the water filter cartridge through an opening in the exit cap. The ceramic pre-filter can be cleaned when it begins to lose its effectiveness, enabling it to be reused.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 1992
    Date of Patent: December 28, 1993
    Assignee: WTC Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Sheldon A. Vermes, David M. Botts
  • Patent number: 5273649
    Abstract: Low volume, personal water purification systems including cartridges containing multi-valent iodine resins, granulated active carbons, and porous separation and filtration means. In one assembly, a first section of a multi-sectioned cartridge includes an inlet, a mouthpiece and a coupler. A second section includes mating coupling means and each section includes separate filtration and/or purification media. In other assemblies, cartridges of a variety of filtration/purification organizations mount within squeezable, vented housings including straws or self-sealing outlet ports. In still other assemblies, the cartridges couple to a manifold housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 1991
    Date of Patent: December 28, 1993
    Inventors: Jan H. Magnusson, Kristofer J. Magnusson
  • Patent number: 5271837
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a filter system for the filtration of residential tap water for drinking. The device of the present invention removes impurities including organics, heavy metals, and nitrates, and it provides a removable filter which can be readily changed without disconnecting the water lines. The filter in its simplest form has a central filter cartridge which is connected to a top cap and a bottom cap. The top cap and bottom cap have a water inlet and outlet, respectively. The central filter cartridge in turn has a conduit, which is terminated with restrainers, forming a central cavity in the central filter cartridge. The filter cartridge is filled with granular material for filtering. Particulate filters are positioned between the granular material and the restrainers. In one preferred embodiment the particulate matter forms a bed of a silver impregnated activated charcoal, a bed of a cation resin, and a bed of an anion resin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 1992
    Date of Patent: December 21, 1993
    Inventors: Carl G. Discepolo, John H. Merrill
  • Patent number: 5269921
    Abstract: A filter cartridge with a filter element inserted in a receiving space formed by a central cylindrical flow pipe 32 and a peripheral wall 34 is in terms of its possibilities of use and possibilities of adaptation to filtration problems substantially improved in that the filter element consists of fleece-like filter material and in that in its radial direction it comprises mutually enclosing zones of different filtering properties. For practical purposes, these zones can follow one another without any transition or they may be constructed with filtering properties which are varied in stepwise fashion. The filter element can be formed by the combination of a pleated filter fleece with a rolled-up filter fleece, the pleated part of the filter element being optionally on the inside or the outside.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 1992
    Date of Patent: December 14, 1993
    Assignee: Seitz-Filter-Werke GmbH & Co.
    Inventors: Helmut Ruger, Massoud Karbachsch
  • Patent number: 5269922
    Abstract: The present invention is related to a water filter and particularly to a water filter with a rotary filter tube, comprising a water filter cylinder and a plurality of filter leaf thimbles so that there is a maximum filter course in a certain filter space for water filtering. It is very convenient to replace the filter leaves (thimbles) outside the water inlet pipe (port).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 1992
    Date of Patent: December 14, 1993
    Inventor: Jing-Zhi Lin
  • Patent number: 5269919
    Abstract: A water purifying system including two or more stages for removing organic and inorganic contaminants from source water. The system may be configured such that water is first passed through a biocidal resin, and then through a granular metal alloy and an activated carbon filter to remove iodides released into the water by the biocidal resin. The granular metal alloy may be agitated by turbulent motion as the water treated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 1992
    Date of Patent: December 14, 1993
    Inventor: Wallace von Medlin
  • Patent number: 5268093
    Abstract: A manually operable water purification system which includes (i) a first container having an open end and an outlet orifice, (ii) a filter operably positioned within the first container for filtering contaminated water placed within the first container as the contaminated water is forced toward the outlet orifice in the first container, (iii) a porous body of biocidally effective material operably positioned within the first container for disinfecting the filtered water as the filtered water is forced toward the outlet orifice in the first container, (iv) a plunger sealably receivable within the first container through the open end for forcing contaminated water retained within the first container through the filter and the porous body of biocidally effective material, and (v) a passageway through the plunger provided with a check valve for abating formation of a vacuum within the first container as the plunger is withdrawn from the first container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 1992
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1993
    Assignee: Recovery Engineering, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard D. Hembree, Brian F. Sullivan
  • Patent number: 5256287
    Abstract: A faucet-attached filter apparatus for filtering drinking water includes a unitary filter cartridge subassembly which provides a housing for the filter media, inlet and outlet porous media retainers, the filtered water outlet passage, and a quarter-turn connector with seal for simple cartridge insertion and removal from the filter housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1992
    Date of Patent: October 26, 1993
    Assignee: Ametek, Inc., Plymouth Products Division
    Inventor: David T. Underwood
  • Patent number: 5254242
    Abstract: A water cleaning device (1) is provided which has a housing (10) arranged to be supported by a surface, for example stood upon a work surface (50). The housing (10) defines a receptacle (2) for water (100) to be cleaned. A water filtration unit (20) is mounted to the housing (10) and has an outlet (21) for filtered water (101). An electrically operated pump (30) and control means (16,17,25,26,27,28,40) for controlling the pump (30) are provided within the housing (1) for pumping water through the filtration unit (20) to provide cleaned filtered water (101) at the outlet (21). The filtration unit (20) carries a collar (29) which, when the filtration unit (20) is removed from its mounting support (12), is fixed in position relative to the filtration unit (20) so that the filtration unit (20) cannot be mounted to the mounting support (12) again after the filtration unit (20) has once been removed from the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 1992
    Date of Patent: October 19, 1993
    Assignee: U.S. Philips Corporation
    Inventors: Sijtze van der Meer, Klaus Melgaard
  • Patent number: 5252203
    Abstract: A device for removing water from an aqueous phase at the bottom of a hydrocarbon fuel tank has an elongated tubular frame with open areas defined by longitudinal members and circumferential ribs. A pad of cotton carrying a coating of highly water-absorbent particles on its inner surface is disposed over the frame, and the pad is enclosed on the outside by one or more layers of cotton muslin. An outside cover of a plastic mesh placed over the fabric provides a limit to outward expansion of the pad upon absorption of water and forces expansion of the particles to occur in a radially inward direction. Absorption of water is enhanced by treating the pad with an aqueous solution of a surfactant and by keeping the device enclosed so as to retain its moistened condition until being placed in use. An elongated metal rod placed inside the tube along its axis serves both as a weight to retain the device in place and as a means for grounding any static electricity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 1992
    Date of Patent: October 12, 1993
    Inventor: Samuel J. Lyda
  • Patent number: 5252206
    Abstract: A filtration cartridge, adapted to be utilized within any industry standard housing, the cartridge including a generally cylindrical outer filter having an axial bore and a surrounding side wall structure, the surrounding side wall structure including a carbon block filtration layer structured and disposed to allow the passage of the water therethrough into the axial bore so as to remove chemical contaminants such as chlorine, chloroforms, and the like, the filtration cartridge further including a cylindrical ceramic filter structured and disposed for removable positioning within the axial bore of the outer filter such that water will pass therethrough, after passage into the axial bore of the outer filter through the carbon block, into an axial bore within the ceramic filter for passage out an open distal end of the ceramic filter, thereby further filtering the water from bacteria and particulates before being used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 1992
    Date of Patent: October 12, 1993
    Inventor: Carlos Gonzalez
  • Patent number: 5246572
    Abstract: A cartridge (1) for mounting in a water circuit of an apparatus (3) comprises a chamber (6) having a first orifice (4) connected to a liquid reservoir, and a second orifice (5) through which the liquid exits. The chamber also contains a resin (8) for demineralizing the liquid, as well as a state-changing material indicating saturation of the said resin, the chamber having a transparent portion (7) permitting a user to verify a color change. The transparent portion (7) comprises two juxtaposed windows (9 and 10) and a separating partition (11) arranged between the first orifice (4) and the second orifice (5), one end of which terminates at the transparent portion (7) between the two windows (9 and 10) and the other free end of which separated from the peripheral wall delimits, for the liquid, a path of predetermined length so as to permit comparison between the two windows.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 1992
    Date of Patent: September 21, 1993
    Assignee: Moulinex S.A.
    Inventors: Gerard L. H. Guillot, Jacky R. P. Fourny
  • Patent number: 5246589
    Abstract: A repair method for filter elements such as those used to filter polyester during the later stages of polyester manufacture in which the filter media is a particulate solid media arranged in a desired shape and maintained in that shape by a surrounding porous container that has filtration openings of a desired size. The method fills undesirably large openings in the surrounding porous container that result from damage to the container and through which enlarged openings the particulate solid media would otherwise escape with a polymeric resin. The polymeric resin is a resin with a glass transition temperature when cured that is at least greater than the melting point of polyester, and that has an absence of any chemical functional groups at temperatures at least as great as the melting point of polyester that would substantially react with polyester, the glycol precursors of polyester, the acid precursors of polyester, or the solvents useful in cleaning polyester from such filter elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 1993
    Date of Patent: September 21, 1993
    Assignee: Wellman, Inc.
    Inventors: Carl S. Nichols, John V. Edwards
  • Patent number: 5245842
    Abstract: A receiver dryer for an automobile air conditioning system embodies a cylindrical housing having a spin-closed top end; an inlet tube and an outlet tube inserted in holes drilled in the top end of the housing and both extending through the housing to their respective predetermined positions; and an axially inserted desiccant bag and thermoplastic perforate filter. The outlet tube extends through a hole in the filter to a predetermined position from the bottom end of the housing, and a retainer clip holds the filter at a set position in the housing while the bottom end of the housing is spin-closed. Spin closing the bottom end creates a thermal gradient in the wall of the housing such that the thermoplastic perforate filter is thermally bonded at its edge to irregularities of the inner surface of the housing thereby forming a barrier to any particulates which might otherwise have passed by the filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 1992
    Date of Patent: September 21, 1993
    Assignee: Fayette Tubular Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Jerry R. Searfoss, Ronald J. Sievert
  • Patent number: 5240483
    Abstract: A light-weight, readily replaceable filter-drier for use in a refrigerant recycling device comprising a long, narrow body containing a closely packed desiccant material that substantially occupies the entire volume of the body. The desiccant may be comprised of 100 percent molecular sieve or any combination of desiccants and/or other adsorbent materials that are required to achieve the desired degree of refrigerant purity. Filters are located at either end of the body which are biased by a spring member support and contain the desiccant material within the body. Standard fluid fittings close the ends of the filter-drier and enable the device to be easily and quickly installed and removed in the refrigerant recycling device. The present invention achieves the advantage of dramatically improving the efficiency and capacity of a filter-drier for use in a recycling device by substantially increasing the amount and duration of contact between the desiccant and the refrigerant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 31, 1993
    Assignee: Mueller Refrigeration Products Co., Inc.
    Inventor: Shelvin Rosen
  • Patent number: 5240620
    Abstract: A tap water filter apparatus (30) and a method of use thereof are provided. The apparatus is placed between a beverage container (20) filled with tap water and an empty beverage container (40). The combination is then inverted and water is filtered through filter media (52) in the apparatus into the previously empty container. The apparatus defines spouts (32, 44) that retain the containers in place. The apparatus also defines a skirt (60) that automatically controls water flow through the apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 1991
    Date of Patent: August 31, 1993
    Inventor: Amnon Shalev
  • Patent number: 5238576
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an ion exchange device for purifying water by reducing the nitrite and/or nitrate content, consisting of at least one container with a basic anion exchanger in chloride and/or sulphate form arranged therein and at least one additional basic anion exchanger layer in hydroxyl form or a hydroxyl-group-containing layer, in which the anion exchanger layers are arranged one behind the other directly and/or with the interposition of an intermediate layer and the anion exchange layer(s) in chloride and/or sulphate form is/are arranged not as a mixture but in (a) separate layer(s). The chloride and/or sulphate containing layer is arranged near or beneath the inlet aperture, preferably beneath the filter layer and/or (in the direction of flow of the water) in front of the anion exchange layer in the form of hydroxyl or containing hydroxyl groups.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 1991
    Date of Patent: August 24, 1993
    Inventor: Alvaro Affonso
  • Patent number: 5236582
    Abstract: A filter device for an aquatic tank includes a filter unit having a first casing. The first casing has a top open end, a bottom closed end formed with openings, a surrounding side wall interconnecting the top open end and the bottom closed end and being formed with a water inlet opening, and a perforated first tubular member extending from one of the openings of the bottom closed end to the top open end. The filter unit has a first filter medium provided around the first tubular member. A bottom basin has a top open end. The bottom closed end of the first casing is stacked on and detachably interengages the top open end of the basin. A top pumping unit includes a second casing and a pump mounted in the second casing. A bottom end of the second casing is stacked on and detachably interengages the top open end of the first casing. The pump has an entrance port connected to the first tubular member and an exhaust port extending out of a surrounding side of the second casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 1991
    Date of Patent: August 17, 1993
    Assignee: Sam Yu Pets Corporation
    Inventor: Yu-Tsung Huang
  • Patent number: 5232590
    Abstract: Water filtration apparatus with an internal by-pass for conducting water from a water source to a storage tank and from the storage tank through filter media to a tap. The apparatus includes a filter housing with an inlet port, and outlet port, and a combination inlet-outlet port connected to the storage tank. Water from the source flows slowly into the filter housing through the inlet port and through the combination port to the tank. Once the tap is opened, water flows from the storage tank, through the filter media, out the outlet port and out of the tap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 3, 1993
    Inventor: Roger P. Reid
  • Patent number: 5227053
    Abstract: A point of use water purification system including a housing supporting an untreated water container, a removable and disposable filter means and a treated water receiving container all of which are self contained in relation to the housing to enable the housing to be supported from a countertop or other suitable surface at the point of use. The filter means includes multiple compartments with purification media therein with two of the compartments including plate means coated with a photoactivated catalyst, preferrably titanium oxide (TiO.sub.2). An ultraviolet lamp and reflector directs ultraviolet light energy onto the catalyst. Flow control means is provided in the filter means to provide a slow rate of flow thereby providing long time contact between the water being treated and the purification media in the filter means to provide maximum purification efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 1990
    Date of Patent: July 13, 1993
    Assignee: Conventure Corporation
    Inventor: Stanley J. Brym
  • Patent number: 5225078
    Abstract: A pour-through pitcher filter assembly includes a compact filter element including a thin annular disk of molded activated carbon and a peripheral annular seal element. The seal element allows the filter to be replaceably mounted in the lower end of a plastic reservoir, which reservoir is adapted to be supported in the top of a pitcher for receiving filtered water. The reservoir may be made by a blow molding process and includes an integral bellows member which is manually collapsible to pressurize the interior of the reservoir to initiate gravity flow through an initially dry filter element. The seal element utilizes a synthetic rubber material and is preferably insert molded around the carbon filter disk.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 1992
    Date of Patent: July 6, 1993
    Assignee: Ametek, Inc. Plymouth Products Division
    Inventors: Ralph A. Polasky, Vue X. Yang
  • Patent number: 5223132
    Abstract: A water filtering apparatus includes a filter unit, a container and a support member. The filter unit includes three filters which perform different filtering functions. One of the filters, which includes a filter membrane, has a flow control valve at the bottom thereof. The container has a connecting member which permits the filter unit to be connected to the container and an open and close member which is closed only when the container is separated from the remainder of the apparatus for purposes of transportation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1991
    Date of Patent: June 29, 1993
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Deok J. Yoon
  • Patent number: 5221473
    Abstract: A filter cartridge is provided for use in a reverse osmosis water purification system or the like. The filter cartridge includes a reverse osmosis membrane for converting a feed water inflow to a relatively purified water supply having contaminants substantially removed therefrom, and a reject water supply having contaminants concentrated therein. The cartridge is configured as a single unit adapted for simple drop-in installation into an open-ended cartridge housing, wherein the housing is adapted for facilitated assembly with a cap having the requisite flow ports for connection to the cartridge as an incident to mounting of the cap onto the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 1992
    Date of Patent: June 22, 1993
    Inventor: Bruce D. Burrows
  • Patent number: 5215659
    Abstract: A device for producing mineral-containing water comprises a case communicated with a water outlet of a water storage vessel with or without the use of a plug, the case being provided with a plurality of small diameter water passages. Small masses of ceramics serving as mineral-water production material are accommodated in the case. The device permits only a required quantity of supply water to be rendered to mineral-containing water for drinking or cooking, by contacting the water with the small masses of ceramics. Mineral-containing water is produced when pouring supply water from the faucet into the water storage vessel, for instance, a canteen, a kettle, a pot, a bottle, etc., and this requires no substantial change in the appearance of the vessel or in the operation of pouring water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 1992
    Date of Patent: June 1, 1993
    Inventor: Shoichiro Ando
  • Patent number: 5211973
    Abstract: A water treatment system and related components for reducing contaminants in normal drinking water are provided. An elongated tube has first and second ends and is connected with an interference fit at its first end to the interior surface of a neck of a conventional bottle. Water treatment media is disposed within the tube adjacent its second end, such as activated charcoal, halogenated resins, ion exchange resins, calcium and/or magnesium leaching material. The tube includes a flange adjacent its first end which minimizes the possibility that water will enter the bottle except by flowing through the open first end of the tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 1990
    Date of Patent: May 18, 1993
    Assignee: Innova/Pure Water, Inc.
    Inventor: John E. Nohren, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5211851
    Abstract: A water conditioning or purifying apparatus for preparing drinking water from tap water, incorporating a water inlet at the bottom area and a water outlet at the cover area. The water conditioning or purifying apparatus is provided with activated carbon and anion exchange material for filtering contaminants, and the casing is divided into a lower and an upper casing portion, which both can be removed from each other. The interior of the casing incorporates a first, lower chamber containing the activated carbon and a second, upper chamber containing anion exchange material. Both chambers are sealed at the top and at the bottom by filter fleeces. The water to be purified flows uniformly through the entire cross section of the casing and with the same speed from bottom to top.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 1991
    Date of Patent: May 18, 1993
    Inventor: Wilhelm Meurer
  • Patent number: 5202027
    Abstract: A secondary sewage treatment system is provided with vertically-aligned foam collecting, turbulent, mixing, settling, and sludge collecting zones. A grating defines the boundary between the turbulent and mixing zones. Beneath the grating, a buoyant media, such as hollow plastic spheres, are contained and occupy substantially all of the mixing zone. Air diffusers including elongated draft tubes extend from the turbulent zone down through the mixing zone for introduction of air to aerate waste water liquor and to cause the aerated liquor to recirculate up into the turbulent zone, thereby creating a circulation of waste water liquor from the turbulent zone, down through the mixing zone and around the buoyant media, and up through the draft tubes to the turbulent zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 1991
    Date of Patent: April 13, 1993
    Inventor: William L. Stuth
  • Patent number: 5201792
    Abstract: An accumulator for use with a vehicle air conditioning system is provided. The accumulator comprises a housing having first and second sections, an outlet tube, and an outlet tube shield. Inlet and outlet openings are formed in the housing through which refrigerant enters and exits the interior chamber defined by the housing. The outlet tube extends to the outlet opening and is preferably integral with the second section. The outlet tube shield is integral with the first section and extends into the interior chamber between the inlet opening and the outlet tube to prevent the direct passage of liquid refrigerant into the outlet tube. A desiccant container is preferably provided in the housing to dry the refrigerant as it circulates through the accumulator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1991
    Date of Patent: April 13, 1993
    Assignee: Ford Motor Company
    Inventor: Alan L. Study
  • Patent number: 5200070
    Abstract: A water cooler is arranged to receive a bottle member in an inverted orientation thereto, with the water cooler having a top well and an associated opening to receive the water bottle. The top wall includes a top wall flange mounting a torroidal collar, with the torroidal collar positioning a filter member within the water cooler, wherein the filter member includes an inner wall and an outer wall with filtration material therebetween. The inner wall includes inner wall apertures cooperative with outer wall apertures directed through a floor of the outer wall, with the inner wall apertures oriented through the inner wall adjacent an upper end of the filter member to maximize filtration of water through an associated filter material. The invention is arranged to further include a flotation container to permit imparting of additives into the water as desired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 1992
    Date of Patent: April 6, 1993
    Inventor: Kevin P. McMenamin
  • Patent number: 5192436
    Abstract: There is provided a tap water purifier to be directly coupled to a faucet pipe, which includes a water purifying barel filled with a filter medium and a cylindrical valve body integral with the purifying barrel. The purifying barrel having opposite opening ends. The valve body is inserted in a cylindrical bore formed in a casing for rotation about the longitudinal axis of the valve body. The casing has tap water inlet port means, tap water outlet port means and purified water outlet port means formed therein, the tap water inlet port means and the purified water outlet port means opening to the cylindrical bore in the casing at an angular distance of 180.degree. from each other in the same axial position. The valve body includes first and second flow path means formed therein, the first flow path means being communicated with one opening end of the purifying barrel, the second flow path means being communicated with the other opening end of the purifying barrel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 9, 1993
    Assignee: Tsutomi Sasaki
    Inventors: Tsutomu Sasaki, Satoshi Sasaki
  • Patent number: 5190653
    Abstract: A reusable filtration element for a coffee brewer has a microscopic arrangement of holes which permit coffee beverage to pass through while turbidity and sediment causing solids are effectively removed. The holes are preferably from 12 to 60 microns across and provide from 5 to 30 % open area in the filter element. In one preferred embodiment, the holes are circular, arranged in rows such that intersecting rows form an angle of 60.degree., and preferably taper from top to bottom. A preferred filtration element is preferably formed by photoetching stainless steel foil. The filtration element is preferably positioned over a foraminous support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 2, 1993
    Assignee: Kraft General Foods, Inc.
    Inventors: James P. Herrick, Robert F. Smith, Mete Bruncaj
  • Patent number: 5190643
    Abstract: A lid assembly for a portable water treatment device of the type including a vessel with an opened upper end and a replaceable filter cartridge adapted to be contained therein. A lid assembly is adapted to be attached to the opened upper end of the vessel above the replaceable filter cartridge and operable to monitor the number of times the water treatment device is used. The lid assembly includes a housing having a central aperture therethrough communicating with the filter cartridge. A gate member is reciprocally movable between a position closing the aperture in the housing and a position opening the aperture in the housing. In the opened position, water to be treated may be poured into the filter cartridge through the aperture. Indicator means are provided and are movable incrementally in response to movement of the gate member. The indicator means move one increment during a cyclic movement of the gate member from the closed position to the opened position and back to the closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 2, 1993
    Assignee: Mr. Coffee, Inc.
    Inventors: J. Kenneth Duncan, Wesley A. Schroeder
  • Patent number: 5188727
    Abstract: An improved water filter unit including a casing having a removable snap-type cover with the casing mountable to a surface or free standing. The casing including a plurality of removable different type water filter cartridges, each of which includes a pair of different water filters, connected to a manifold formed in the casing. The casing including a pair of change water filter indicators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 1992
    Date of Patent: February 23, 1993
    Assignee: Omni Corporation
    Inventors: Mark Kurth, Andrew Alger, Lew Blahuta
  • Patent number: 5186830
    Abstract: Abstract for filtering drinking water which includes a lower non-porous container to receive the filtrate. An upper filter vessel closed at its lower end by a high density ceramic filter is stacked in nested relationship to the lower container. When water containing contaminants and pollutants is poured into the filter vessel, it drips through the ceramic filter under gravitational forces and is stored in the lower receptacle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 1991
    Date of Patent: February 16, 1993
    Inventor: Joseph M. Rait
  • Patent number: 5184479
    Abstract: An accumulator is provided for use with a vehicle air conditioning system. The accumulator comprises a housing, an inlet tube, an outlet tube, and an outlet tube shield. The housing includes first and second end portions and a cylindrical body portion which are joined together to define an interior chamber. An inlet opening is provided through which refrigerant in an inlet tube enters the interior chamber. The inlet tube directs the incoming flow of refrigerant against the first end portion of the housing. The outlet tube shield is attached to the inlet tube, and prevents the direct passage of refrigerant between the inlet tube and free end of the outlet tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1991
    Date of Patent: February 9, 1993
    Assignee: Ford Motor Company
    Inventors: Manfred Koberstein, James H. Balcom, Stephen M. Kolpacke
  • Patent number: 5184480
    Abstract: An accumulator is provided for use with a vehicle air conditioning system. The accumulator comprises a housing having first and second sections, an outlet tube integral with the second section, and a desiccant container. Inlet and outlet openings are formed in the housing through which refrigerant enters and exits the interior chamber defined by the housing. The outlet tube extends from the outlet opening into the interior chamber and terminates in a free end. The desiccant container is mounted in the interior chamber between the housing and the free end of the outlet tube to define a first path between the housing and the desiccant container through which incoming refrigerant may flow. The desiccant container also has a second path therethrough through which incoming refrigerant may flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1991
    Date of Patent: February 9, 1993
    Assignee: Ford Motor Company
    Inventor: Stephen M. Kolpacke
  • Patent number: 5182018
    Abstract: A filter for absorbing proteins in an aqueous solution which is circulated and constrained to flow through the filter includes numerous absorbent units formed of a polymeric material for absorbing the proteins, sand for slowing the rate of flow of the aqueous solution sufficiently to permit the absorbent units to absorb the proteins, and a water-permeable envelope for containing the absorbent units and the sand. The polymeric material is preferably of an open-cell variety and preferably macroporous, cross-linked polystyrene. The sand is preferably common, washed commercial silica. The envelope is formed of a stretch-resistant nylon mesh to minimize the escape of the sand and the absorbent units. The absorbent units preferably have pores, and the pores have diameters of about 60 to 250 Angstroms and the units preferably have a surface area of about 200 to 900 square meters per gram and a porosity of between 0.20 and 0.90 milliliters of pore per milliliter of bead.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 26, 1993
    Inventor: Mark A. Langston
  • Patent number: 5180491
    Abstract: An iron removal system for a drinking water supply includes a synergistic combination of an oxidation/filtration unit and an activated carbon filter unit. The oxidation/filtration unit utilizes a manganese-treated zeolite in the form of normally undesirable fines. The problems of high pressure drop and difficult handling of zeolites fines are eliminated by utilizing a more porous radial tubular flow construction in which the fines are confined in a packed bed. The filter cartridge is made for disposal when exhausted. The series connected activated carbon filter continues to remove iron from the outlet of the zeolite filter long after the capacity for iron removal of the latter has exceeded desirable limits. The combined filter system is less expensive and easier to operate and maintain than a comparable regenerable prior art oxidation/filtration system for iron removal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 1991
    Date of Patent: January 19, 1993
    Assignee: Ametek, Inc.
    Inventor: Ralph A. Polasky
  • Patent number: 5177982
    Abstract: There is a disclosed herein a retaining clip for a desiccant bag used in an accumulator of an air conditioning system for an automotive vehicle. The retaining clip is hinged at one end and surrounds the bag of desiccant. The clip includes integrally formed tube engaging mechanisms for matingly engaging the refrigerant tubes within the housing of the accumulator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1991
    Date of Patent: January 12, 1993
    Assignee: Ford Motor Company
    Inventor: Mark T. Plemens
  • Patent number: 5173192
    Abstract: A tap water filter (130), filter apparatus (150) and methods of use thereof are disclosed. The filter may be disposed between a one liter plastic beverage container (120) filled with tap water and an empty beverage container (122) to filter the tap water through filter media (164) into the previously empty container. The apparatus defines spouts (132, 134) that retain the containers in place. The filter also defines a buffer (140) that automatically prevents water overflow. The filter apparatus includes the filter and a storage container (152) which receives the filter and is supported, in turn, on a stand (154). Tap water may be filtered into the storage container and dispensed therefrom via a faucet (157) mounted in the container wall (158).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 1992
    Date of Patent: December 22, 1992
    Inventor: Amnon Shalev
  • Patent number: 5169528
    Abstract: A regenerable deep bed filter element provided as a closed system, in the case of which a deep bed filter (21), disposed inside at least one hollow-cylindrical chamber (17), if formed by a bulk material filling of regenerable, filtration-active substances of a particulate and/or fibrous structure. The hollow-cylindrical chamber can be flowed through radially by means of porous inner and outer peripheral walls (18, 19). The deep bed filter can be regenerated by flushing back with water, steam or chemical cleansing agents, during which the filtration-active substances remain inside the chamber (17).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 1990
    Date of Patent: December 8, 1992
    Assignee: Seitz-Filter-Werke GmbH & Co.
    Inventors: Massoud Karbachsch, Peter P. Breitbach, Helmut Ruger
  • Patent number: 5160038
    Abstract: A water purifying cartridge including a double structure container having an outer container and an inner cylinder disposed within the outer container, an inlet port for flowing water into an external space defined by the outer container and the inner cylinder, and an outlet port for discharging water from the internal space formed within the inner cylinder, the external space and the internal space communicating with each other through a water channel formed in the inner cylinder and separated by a filter, the external space being filled with activated carbon and the internal space being loaded with separation- and filtration membranes, whereby water flowed into the external space from the raw water supplying portion via the inlet port being arranged to pass through the activated carbon, then introduced into the internal space via the water channel, then purified during the passage through the separation- and filtration membranes, and then discharged from the purified water outlet portion via the outlet port
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 1991
    Date of Patent: November 3, 1992
    Assignee: Ube Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Takashi Harada, Susumu Fujimura, Masahide Higashiyama, Hidetoshi Tokita
  • Patent number: 5156335
    Abstract: A filtered drinking straw for reducing the amount of impurities in an aqueous solution and method for using same. The straw comprises a tube having a passageway containing filtering medium and plugs positioned in the tube to keep the filter medium in the straw. The plugs permit passage of the aqueous solution therethrough but not the passage of the filter medium. The plugs are retained within the tube in a force fit relation by being inserted when compressed and then released. Preferably, the plugs have increased resiliency at temperatures above room temperature, are inserted compressed when hot and cool in position to a substantially non-resilient form.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 1990
    Date of Patent: October 20, 1992
    Inventors: Michael L. Smith, Robert E. Hodgins
  • Patent number: 5154823
    Abstract: A filter apparatus and distributor plate therefor of the quick-change type which are easily fabricated from plastic material by injection molding are disclosed. The distributor plates which are flangeless can accommodate one, two, three or more canisters. The canisters which are neckless have two prong-like arcuate member with flanges. The prong-like members extend through the distributor plate and the canisters are secured to the distributor plate by locking knobs which have mating flanges for engaging the flanges on the prong-like members. Opposing ports in the canisters and distributor plate are seal by O-rings which are housed on the flat top surface of the canisters. For filter apparatuses having more than one canister, the distributor is preferably made in two parts, namely a main body part and an insert part which are bonded into a single unitary part by sonic welding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 1991
    Date of Patent: October 13, 1992
    Assignee: Woon-Hawk Engineering Plastics, Inc.
    Inventors: Jack Ma, Ryan K. Hur
  • Patent number: 5151179
    Abstract: A faucet mounted water filtration unit having two tubular hollow legs depending from a base member with a coupler for attaching the unit to a faucet spout, with the spout straddled by the legs and the unit positioned about the faucet. One leg brings unfiltered water from the faucet spout attachment into the filter housing containing a replaceable cartridge. The other tubular leg brings filtered water from the filter unit to an outlet port. A diverter valve on the base allows one to bypass the filter unit to receive unfiltered water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 1992
    Date of Patent: September 29, 1992
    Assignee: Northland Aluminum Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Ulf-Eiel F. Bach, Rodney N. Rueter, John N. Taylor
  • Patent number: 5149437
    Abstract: An improved filter device is provided for removing contaminants from water comprising a filter housing having an inlet at one end for water to be purified and an oulet for purified water at an opposing end, said filter device including in sequence first, second and third layers of purification material, a first layer of purification material comprising metallic particles which establish a suitable redox potential in the first layer, a second layer of purification material comprising activated carbon, and a third layer of purification material comprising a weak acid ion exchange resin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 1991
    Date of Patent: September 22, 1992
    Inventors: Theodore L. Wilkinson, Frank J. Sork
  • Patent number: 5139666
    Abstract: A water dispenser supports a bottle having a filter neck accommodating a water filter and a fill neck closed with a cap equipped with a water refill counter. The cap can be removed from the fill neck to allow the bottle to be filled with water without removing the filter from the filter neck. The filter neck has a plurality of inwardly directed projections that are engaged by the filter to position the filter in the filter neck and prevent the filter from being pushed into the chamber of the bottle. A ring having an air bleed hole mounted on the filter neck engages the filter to retain the filter on the filter neck.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 1991
    Date of Patent: August 18, 1992
    Assignee: Domotechnica Canada, Inc.
    Inventors: Guy L. Charbonneau, Alan H. Bowler, Edward W. Bock
  • Patent number: RE34031
    Abstract: A filtering system for water treatment including a head member having fluid inlet and outlet ports, a bracket member adapted to be secured to stationary support means, the head member being secured to the bracket member, a disposable filter cartridge closed at one end and being equipped at its other end with a closure member, the closure member having inlet and outlet passages formed therein to communicate with the interior of said filter cartridge, the closure member portion of the filter cartridge being insertable into the head member, its inlet and outlet passages formed so as to communicate with the inlet and outlet ports in the head member, and coacting locking means formed on the head member and the bracket member to secure the filter cartridge in place during operation of the filter system and also permit easy insertion of the closure member into and withdrawal of the closure member from the head member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 1989
    Date of Patent: August 18, 1992
    Assignee: Everpure, Inc.
    Inventors: Jack W. Thomsen, John W. Tadlock
  • Patent number: RE34050
    Abstract: A filtering system for water treatment including a head member having fluid inlet and outlet ports, a bracket member adapted to be secured to stationary support means, the head member being secured to the bracket member, a disposable filter cartridge closed at one end and being equipped at its other end with a closure member, the closure member having inlet and outlet passages formed therein to communicate with the interior of said filter cartridge, the closure member portion of the filter cartridge being insertable into the head member, its inlet and outlet passages formed so as to communicate with the inlet and outlet ports in the head member, the closure member being adapted for easy insertion into and withdrawal from the head member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 1990
    Date of Patent: September 1, 1992
    Assignee: Everpure, Inc.
    Inventors: Jack W. Thomsen, John W. Tadlock