Conduit Through Bed, Inlet And Outlet At Same End Of Casing Patents (Class 210/288)
  • Patent number: 5951855
    Abstract: A filter and hydraulic mixing assembly for a water treatment system. The assembly includes two circulation tubes disposed alongside a center tube. During a backwash cycle fluid is conveyed through the center tube to a housing member where it is discharged immediately below the open bottom ends of the two circulation tubes thereby conveying media from the surrounding tank upwards through the circulation tubes. A cap member is fitted over the upper ends of the circulation tubes within the tank and direct the media being discharged from the circulation tubes into a downward spiraling helical flow pattern which provides enhanced agitation and lifting of the media bed. Discrete filter segments are selectively attachable to the housing member and interchanging the discrete filter segments permits the total filter slot area of the assembly to be adjusted and also permits the filter slot size to be altered. The filter segments are color coded, with each separate filter size having a different corresponding color.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 14, 1999
    Assignee: Chemical Engineering Corporation
    Inventors: Rudy B. Wilfong, Alan B. Channell, Robert W. Wilfong, Terry S. Shears
  • Patent number: 5919357
    Abstract: A filter cartridge assembly comprising: at least one filter cartridge; said filter cartridge including a housing having two ends, the housing containing a filter media; a first end cap disposed on one end of said housing, said first end cap including a fluid inlet port, a fluid outlet port, a first fluid distributor, and a vent including at least one hydrophobic membrane positioned in a channel formed in said first end cap that allows entrapped air to be removed from said cartridge; a second end cap disposed on a second end of said housing, said second end cap including a product collection plenum, and a second fluid distributor that separates said filter media from said product collection plenum; and a liquid transfer tube disposed within the housing and extending from said product collection plenum to said fluid outlet port, is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 6, 1999
    Assignee: United States Filter Corporation
    Inventors: Frederick C. Wilkins, Arthur F. Williams, Li-Shiang Liang, Herbert Bendlin, Stephane Dupont, Achim Brust, Bikram Yonjan
  • Patent number: 5908553
    Abstract: A water filter is packaged in a way that permits longer dwell time and greater volume in a dwell passage of the water filter. In one embodiment the water filter includes an influent passage where a biocide is imparted to the water, a dwell passage where the water remains in contact with the biocide for at least a predetermined duration, and an effluent passage where the biocide is removed from the water. The water filter includes a replaceable cartridge mounted in a pressure vessel. By arranging the dwell passage to include a pan-shaped portion in the bottom of the vessel and an axial portion along the extremity of the cartridge, greater volume, greater mixing, and more effective disinfecting result. Another embodiment includes a series of baffles on the exterior surface of the cartridge that create further turbulence for mixing the biocide with the water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 1, 1999
    Inventor: Roger P. Reid
  • Patent number: 5865998
    Abstract: A receiver-dryer for use in an air conditioning system utilizes desiccant bags that can be mounted within the receiver-dryer body without using mounting plates or baffles. The receiver-dryer includes an output tube having a retaining shoulder located thereon. In one embodiment, a desiccant bag includes a rigid eyelet that cooperates with the retaining shoulder to support the desiccant bag. In an alternate embodiment, the desiccant bag is supported by the retaining shoulder via a support washer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 2, 1999
    Assignee: Calsonic North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Anthony W. Abraham, Samuel N. Chen
  • Patent number: 5833850
    Abstract: A water filter includes a housing, a base adapted to engage with a lower end of the housing, two filtering cores each having a cylindrical casing threadedly connected with an upper circular cover and a lower circular cover, the lower circular cover having a threaded circular shoulder depending downwardly therefrom and a tubular neck having an upper end extending upwardly from the threaded circular shoulder and a lower end extending downwardly from the threaded circular shoulder, a first seat formed with an inner neck and an outer neck and arranged in a respective recess of the base, and a second seat formed with an second inner neck and an second outer neck and fitted into a respective recess of the base, whereby the water filter will provide two circulation cycles for purifying water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 10, 1998
    Inventor: Hsin Fa Liu
  • Patent number: 5798040
    Abstract: The present invention provides a water purification cartridge with unidirectional fluid flow through the filter media. Preferably, the fluid flow is down through the media to prevent fluidization of the media which can have a negative effect on the capacity of the filter cartridge to filter fluid. A cartridge assembly includes a plurality of cartridge units. Each cartridge unit has a bottom cap and a top cap. Preferably, the top cap includes the inlet and outlet ports for each cartridge unit. The fluid flows into the cartridge, down the filter media to the lower end and a bottom cap collects the filtered fluid and directs the fluid to a tube which extends from the lower end of the cartridge to the upper end. The tube is rigidly mounted at the top of the cartridge and slidingly mounted on the bottom of the cartridge. Additionally, a novel method of making a filter cartridge is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 25, 1998
    Assignee: United States Filter Corporation
    Inventor: Li-Shiang Liang
  • Patent number: 5772872
    Abstract: a portable water treatment system for bulk filling of a swimming pool with treated water. The system discloses a pH conditioning tank and a water conditioning tank allowing for the filling of a pool, without the need for pumps, electricity, or controls on the incoming water source. The system includes the use of soaker devices that allow treatment of the water through the addition of a predetermined amount of chemical as it is exposed to the incoming water. The system allows for treated water to be placed into the pool so as to prohibit early degradation of the walls or materials of the swimming pool surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 30, 1998
    Inventor: Donald E. Shelhamer
  • Patent number: 5762789
    Abstract: A membrane filtration module is disclosed for use in fluid processing systems in which all active connections between the module and the fluid processing system are located only on one end of the module. A central flow conduit within the module directs all of the flow of liquid from one of the connections to the opposite end. In this manner, dead volume is essentially eliminated as the flow pattern causes the liquid to sweep all the volume within the module while still providing for easy installation and replacement by virtue of having all of the active connections on only one end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1998
    Assignee: Millipore Corporation
    Inventors: Gaston de los Reyes, J. Karl Niermeyer
  • Patent number: 5762785
    Abstract: A swimming pool filter including a cylindrical receptacle made of plastic material and casket-forming ends to which a valve head is coupled, the latter to be connected by conduits to a diffusor and a manifold located, respectively, at the top and bottom of the receptacle; the filter including sand as filtering material, and a buffer is located between the bottom of the receptacle and the manifold occupying a predetermined sand-free space, which buffer when subject to an inner overpressure that causes the receptacle to expand, prevents the sand from accumulating at the bottom of the receptacle, thus neutralizing the pressures that may act upon the manifold. The cylindrical wall of the receptacle is reinforced with a band made of a resistant material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1998
    Assignee: Aplister, S.A.
    Inventor: Robert Garrigos Ruiz
  • Patent number: 5753118
    Abstract: A faucet and filter assembly includes a faucet secured to one end of a base which has two partitions for separating the interior of the base into three spaces. A valve is threadedly engaged in the base for engaging with one of the partition and for controlling the water from one space to the other. A bolt is secured to a lower side portion of the base for securing an outlet. A filter barrel is secured to the upper side portion of the base and coupled to the outlet for filtering the water and for allowing water to flow out through the outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 19, 1998
    Inventor: Tsai Chen Yang
  • Patent number: 5746914
    Abstract: A filter assembly for use in an air remediation system is provided. The filter assembly includes a first and second filter member, each of which has a plurality of openings to define a plurality of separate flow passages. A granular filter material layer is disposed between the first and second filter members. A frame structure containing each of the first and second filter members as well as the granular filter material forms the self contained filter assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 5, 1998
    Assignee: Graphite Sales, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott C. Hanna, Kevin L. Burmeister
  • Patent number: 5707536
    Abstract: A filter cartridge containing resin beads for purifying fluids such as water and chemicals has a cylindrical housing with an interior compartment containing a fixed septum and a moveable piston-like septum. The resin beads are packed between the fixed septum and the moveable septum. The moveable septum is displaced upstream to account for expansion of the resin beads while the flow of the fluid through the filter cartridge causes the upstream septum to maintain a packing pressure on the resin beads. The downstream fixed septum will preferably have a cone-like shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 13, 1998
    Inventor: Christopher A. Meissner
  • Patent number: 5685975
    Abstract: A water softening device includes a cylindrical housing with an inlet formed at one end for admitting water to be treated. A filtering material is located in an upstream zone adjacent the inlet. A plate is positioned in relative spaced relation to an opposite end of the housing. A downstream zone, free of filtering material, is located between the plate and the opposite end. Openings are formed in the plate to allow passage of softened water to flow between the upstream and downstream zones. A conduit is axially located in the housing and has a first open end communicating with the downstream zone. A second end of the conduit forms an outlet of the device. A check valve is located at the first end of the conduit for allowing unidirectional flow of water undergoing softening from the downstream zone to the conduit, the check valve restricting flow between the zones during brine regeneration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 11, 1997
    Assignee: BWT France
    Inventors: Dominique Joubert, Michel Pecolatto, Martial Sabatier, Veronique Tharreau, Jean Michel Arribard
  • Patent number: 5685087
    Abstract: A container is provided for housing desiccant material therein and for facilitating fluid flow therethrough to a surrounding environment. The container comprises a cup member including a base or bottom wall member and a generally cylindrically shaped outer wall connected to the base or bottom wall member to thereby define a housing. A plurality of openings extend through the outer wall and provide communication between the housing and the surrounding environment. At least one recessed, relief portion is provided in communication with one of the openings. The recessed, relief portion has an outer diameter dimension less than the outer diameter dimension of the cup member. Accordingly, when the cup is snugly received in an associated canister or the like, a relief area is formed that defines a fluid flow channel along the interface of the cup member and canister.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 11, 1997
    Assignee: Stanhope Products Company
    Inventors: David Flaugher, Douglas E. LeConey, Glenn Perrine, Raymond B. Wood
  • Patent number: 5674391
    Abstract: A container includes a gable top fiberboard or cardboard carton having a top and a bottom, and may be substantially filled with drinking water. An activated carbon-containing integral mass of material (e.g. which may be present in various forms and quantities to suit the intended purpose, such as in accordion pleated sheet form, floating at or near the surface of the water, in a porous containing element, etc.) is disposed within the carton and is capable of removing more than 90% of the chlorine, lead or other taste and odor contaminants from the water in its optimized configuration. The carton top typically has a pour opening and the carbon containing mass may be fixed so that the water only comes into significant contact with the mass when the water is being (or about to be) poured through the opening. A biocidal media may also be disposed in the carton positively separated from the carbon containing mass by separator plates and/or ion exchange media.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 7, 1997
    Assignee: Innova Pure Water Inc.
    Inventor: John E. Nohren, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5645720
    Abstract: A mounting head with an internal by-pass valve for use with disposable cartridge filters, for purifying gases or liquids. In preparation for changing a spent filter, the valve mechanism is translated from a first, lowered position to a second, raised position. Product is thereby redirected through a bypass passageway, allowing an uninterrupted flow of gas or liquid product to the downstream appliance or instrument. Concurrent with the valve translation, the old filter is physically decoupled from the head, and a new filter is installed in its place. Retranslation of the valve to its first position, resumes product flow through the cartridge filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 8, 1997
    Assignee: R & D Separations, Inc.
    Inventor: David L. Godines
  • Patent number: 5626761
    Abstract: A chemical and particulate filtration system and method are disclosed. The method includes contacting a liquid to be filtered, in a reverse flow manner, with a molecular absorption filter media and a submicronic filter media. The system/method removes, as a particulate, dissolved organic and inorganic contaminants, pollutants and particulate from a liquid. The removal of contaminants is evidenced by a color change in the filter media.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 6, 1997
    Assignee: Poly-Bio-Marine, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth A. Howery, John W. Howery
  • Patent number: 5552057
    Abstract: A filter for disinfecting non-potable water is disposed in-line in a water delivery pipe, such filter having a plurality of chambers. The first chamber contains biocidal resin which imparts a biocide residue to the water as it passes there-through to kill microorganisms. The water then passes through a turbulating disk to an extended contact time chamber of a selected volume to allow further contact time between the biocide residue and any microorganisms in the water. The water then passes through a 1-3 micron screen, which acts to retain protozoan cysts within the filter, and then passes through a biocide removal chamber containing medias which remove the biocide from the water. The water then passes through a chamber containing bacteriostatic media which acts to prevent back contamination from the effluent end of the filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 3, 1996
    Inventors: Doug Hughes, Roger Reid
  • Patent number: 5460719
    Abstract: A flat filter assembly may be installed in relatively narrow spaces which would otherwise be wasted such as the space beside a kitchen cabinet and the basin of a kitchen sink, inside a freezer door or on a countertop. The filter assembly includes a housing, preferably U-shaped, having a plurality of transversely extending ribs, formed in the opposed side walls of the housing, which reinforce the housing and which cause a generally serpentine flow of water through the housing during operation of the filter. Protrusions preferably are formed in the housing in addition to the ribs to strengthen further the housing and to aid in preventing the formation of channels through the granulated filter medium contained within the housing. The filter housing is preferably manufactured via a blow molding process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 24, 1995
    Assignee: Clack Corporation
    Inventors: Robert A. Clack, Richard E. Clack, Paul M. Pedersen
  • Patent number: 5378370
    Abstract: A water treatment tank for use in a water treatment or softening system is disclosed which is operative in a treatment mode to receive untreated water through an inlet port and to pass treated water through an outlet port, and which is operative in a backwash mode to receive wash water through the outlet port and to pass waste water through the inlet port. Treatment tank has a vessel having an interior cavity which is partitioned into a top headspace portion, and a middle treatment bed space portion, and a bottom headspace portion via the placement of a pair of distributor filters mounted within the interior cavity to extend between the side walls thereof. The filters are spaced-apart, respectively, from the top end wall to define therewith the top headspace portion and the bottom headspace portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 3, 1995
    Assignee: Wm. R. Hague, Inc.
    Inventors: Earl P. Brane, Boyd J. Cornell
  • Patent number: 5354464
    Abstract: An improved multi-port connection device (10) adapted to receive prior art membrane and filter canisters (12) and to make connections between plural connection devices more convenient and versatile, comprising a plurality of flow ports (43,45,47) which are all at a common level, two of which communicate through apertures (52,54) in a barrier wall (55) forming a female connector with input and output flow paths (18,16) in the canister male connector, said apertures (52,54) being positioned in the barrier wall (55) on separate sides of an O-ring seal at locations communicating with the input and output flow paths (18,16).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 1990
    Date of Patent: October 11, 1994
    Assignee: Water Factory Systems
    Inventors: Jack P. Slovak, Laurence W. Bassett, Robert A. Slovak, David R. Spears
  • Patent number: 5320752
    Abstract: A drinking water purification system includes a flat filter assembly which may be installed in relatively narrow spaces which would otherwise be wasted such as the space beside a kitchen cabinet and the basin of a kitchen sink, inside a freezer door or on a countertop. The filter assembly includes a housing, preferably U-shaped, having a plurality of transversely extending ribs, formed in the opposed side walls of the housing, which reinforce the housing and which cause a generally serpentine flow of water through the housing during operation of the filter. Protrusions preferably are formed in the housing in addition to the ribs to strengthen further the housing and to aid in preventing the formation of channels through the granulated filter medium contained within the housing. Internal or external quick connect couplers preferably connect the filter assembly to a source of untreated water and to a dispenser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 1992
    Date of Patent: June 14, 1994
    Assignee: Clack Corporation
    Inventors: Robert A. Clack, Richard E. Clack
  • Patent number: 5308482
    Abstract: A portable water-purifying device comprises a primary disinfecting chamber (50) and a combined secondary disinfecting chamber and post-filter (30). Water to be purified can be scooped by means of a cover (12) into a receptacle (90) containing a pre-filter media (39) of preferably silvered activated carbon beneath a coarse entry filter pad (102). From that receptacle (90) the water enters the primary disinfecting chamber (50), flowing downwards through nine or so passage-forming segments (22) filled with a microbiocide (56), to effect primary disinfection, that is, to kill a substantial number of pathogenic organisms, but probably not all. Each passage (22) is at least three times longer than it is wide, to prevent channelling of the water through the microbiocide. Disinfectant from the microbiocide (56) enters the water as it passes through.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 1990
    Date of Patent: May 3, 1994
    Assignee: Pre-Mac Kent Ltd.
    Inventor: Robert J. Mead
  • Patent number: 5294337
    Abstract: A water filtration system is disclosed for removing solid particulates from water, and in particular from storm water collection basins prior to passage into a storm water sewer system, comprising an ingress conduit to bring water into the system, a primary filter, a secondary filter of granular material, a primary filter carrier receptacle containing the primary filter which allows water to pass through but not the granules of the secondary filter, a collection conduit to remove the filtered water, and an access port connecting to the carrier receptacle which allows the primary filter to be removed from and returned to the carrier receptacle without disturbing the secondary filter. Preferably the system also comprises a rigid, water impermeable, closed housing. Alternatively, the housing may be constructed of a number of modular units joined together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 15, 1994
    Inventor: Scott E. Johnson
  • 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: 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: 5250187
    Abstract: A method of treating fluid in a bed of ion exchange resin wherein in one embodiment the resin is of a high kinetic type and water is introduced upwardly through the bed to effect a complete fluidized resin bed. The high kinetic resin is of a fine mesh type and preferably can be monospheric. An apparatus for carrying out the method is devoid of any elements which effect a compacting of the resin during normal operation. The method and apparatus is particularly directed to water treatment. In another embodiment, cocurrent proportional regeneration of a resin bed is effected using resins with nonoverlapping terminal velocities in two different ionic forms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 1991
    Date of Patent: October 5, 1993
    Assignee: Autotrol Corporation
    Inventor: Jeffrey G. Franks
  • Patent number: 5248417
    Abstract: Double flow-through filtration apparatus requiring the bulk of the water to be treated to twice flow through filtering media contained within a filter housing. The housing includes an inlet port for receiving water from a source; a combination port for water flow to and from a storage tank and an outlet port which may lead to a water tap. Untreated water from a source flows into the filter housing through the inlet port. A cup type check valve prevents flow directly to the storage tank, forcing the water through the filter media for a first treatment. A filter tube, extending through the media, in cooperation with a check valve of the slip type, permits once treated water to flow to a storage tank and prevents backflow into the tube. Once the water tap is opened, the once treated water flows form the storage tank, through the combination port, by the cup valve, and through the filter media a second time before exiting the outlet port of the housing and the tap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 1992
    Date of Patent: September 28, 1993
    Inventor: Roger P. Reid
  • Patent number: 5242589
    Abstract: The main feature of this invention is a water filter, made up of a top cover, multiple layers of filtration containers (with net board at the bottom of each container) piled up unit by unit, an axle double-deck sleeve (with vents made on edges of the sleeve linking to one of the middle filtration containers) set in the middle to link all of the filtration containers and a pedestal, installed under all the other units, that has a control valve with five square vents to allow the control the direction of water current, to go from the water inlet to internal sleeve and top cover, spread out and flow down from all layers of filtration containers, and the exhausted from the water outlet, after accumulation in the pedestal, to perform a direct filtration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 1991
    Date of Patent: September 7, 1993
    Assignee: Cheng-Wei Hsu
    Inventors: Long-Far Kuo, Cheng-Wei Hsu
  • Patent number: 5215660
    Abstract: A filter drier (10) for an air conditioning or refrigeration system, has a body (12) with an interior area (20). The unit has an inlet opening (24) and an outlet opening (30). The outlet opening is in connection with an outlet tube (34) that extends substantially the length of the interior of the body. Donut shaped housings (54, 56) holding particles of desiccant material, are sandwiched between a first baffle (36) and a second baffle (72). The housings have an upper filter pad (58) of rigid, coarse fiber material, and a filter bag (62) of fine, flexible fiber material. In each housing, the filter bag is attached to the filter pad about its outer periphery at a seam (66), and at a seam (68) which is adjacent an opening (60) in the pad, through which the outlet tube extends. The filter bags of the donut shaped housings are deformed upon assembly to insure contact with the inner wall of the housing and the exterior surface of the outlet tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 1992
    Date of Patent: June 1, 1993
    Assignee: Parker Hannifin Corporation
    Inventors: William M. Mosher, Jim J. Melfi
  • Patent number: 5205932
    Abstract: A compression sealed bacteriostatic purification and filtration system canister for the treatment of water and other piped liquids which includes a plurality of sequential granular filtering media beds separately contained within respective sections of the canister. The canister walls have molded internal grooves to prevent channeling and to hold section separators; the structural filter separators are highly porous semi-rigid discs, and snap into the grooves. The cylindrical sections increase in diameter in the direction of liquid flow. The sections are axially stacked within the canister. Liquid is admitted at the top end of the pressure vessel tank canister, runs down through the series of sections, and then returns to the canister top to exit through an axial riser tube. The tank canister has a screw-on compression sealed cap which contains fluid inlet and outlet pressurized disconnect couplings to allow leak-free back flushing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 1991
    Date of Patent: April 27, 1993
    Assignee: Nu-Water Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Fred Solomon, Bruce Benefield
  • Patent number: 5198108
    Abstract: An assembly for removing wash water for washing filters containing granular filter material, which are washed simultaneously with water and air, such as those employed especially in water treatment, and recovering the particles of granular filter material entrained by the water during the washing which includes a collecting member having calibrated holes for collecting and removing dirty water, internal and external partitions placed on each side of the collecting member, defining a water recovering zone inside the internal partitions and between the internal and external partitions, tranquil flow zones promoting the separation, by downward concurrent settling of the particles of granular material and of the dirty water to be removed, and a baffle intended to avoid disturbing the preceding zones by the water/air/granular material three-phase mixture formed during the washing, placed under said zones and directing the three phase mixture towards an external degassing zone where the air is removed before the re
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 30, 1993
    Assignee: Degremont
    Inventors: Vincent Savall, Marie-Pierre Gaudin
  • Patent number: 5171442
    Abstract: Water purification apparatus includes a tank having an opening, a stopper removably engaging the opening in watertight relationship therewith, the stopper having a raw water passage in communication with the exterior of the tank and with the interior of the tank. A pure-water passage is in communication with the interior of said tank and an activated carbon column within said tank and in communication with said pure-water passage. The tank also containing a mixed bed ion exchange resin exterior to the activated carbon column and in communication with the raw water passage and with said activated carbon column. Raw water enters the tank through the stopper, passes through the resin and then through the activated carbon and exits the apparatus through the pure-water passage. A method for purifying water includes the steps of passing water through a mixed bed ion exchange resin and then through an activated carbon column.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 1991
    Date of Patent: December 15, 1992
    Inventor: Ghassan F. Nakshbendi
  • Patent number: 5156737
    Abstract: An orally operable, portable, water filtration device. The device includes an elongated tube having an inlet end and an outlet end. The inlet end includes a screen whose openings are in the form of slits. The slits have a width of about 0.005.+-.0.003 inch and filter out pollutants of at least that size. The tube also has an integrally formed internal ledge onto which is disposed a porous polypropylene membrane having a pore size of about 5-8 microns. A bed of granulated activated carbon with a grind size of 1230 is disposed inside the tube between the inlet end and the porous polypropylene membrane in a 7:1 ratio (bed height:bed diameter). A mouthpiece, which has an inlet and an outlet, is mounted over the outlet end of the elongated tube so that the mouthpiece and the elongated tube are in fluid communication. To use the device, the inlet end of the tube is inserted into water and suction is applied to the outlet of the mouthpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 1991
    Date of Patent: October 20, 1992
    Assignee: E. Charles Iana
    Inventors: E. Charles Iana, Michael R. McCray
  • Patent number: 5149428
    Abstract: A water filter with improved filtration efficiency and extended operational period. The filter includes a cassette member filled with filtration and activation agents, where a water path connecting a water inlet pipe and an open upper end of the cassette member is formed between an outer housing member and the cassette member, while an open lower end is directly connected with the water inlet pipe; a center pipe located inside the cassette member for connecting an inside of the cassette member with a water outlet pipe; and a damper member placed inside the cassette member which is vertically slidable along the center pipe, which divides the inside of the cassette member into an upper filtration chamber connected with the upper end and a lower filtration chamber connected with the lower end, where the water flows through the upper filtration chamber from the upper end and the lower filtration chamber from the lower end alternatively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 1991
    Date of Patent: September 22, 1992
    Assignee: Atlas Corporation
    Inventor: Yukichi Morimoto
  • Patent number: 5130020
    Abstract: A tall open top plastic container has a closed bottom portion sealed to the lower end portion of a tubular water filter member having an upper end portion sealed to a removable plastic top wall within the container and sealed to the container. Flexible water inlet and outlet tubes have inner end portions connected through the top wall to an annular inlet chamber surrounding the filter member and a center outlet chamber within the filter member. A flexible vinyl coupler body receives the outer end portion of the inlet tube and forms a friction connection with a faucet aerator. In one embodiment, the upper portion of the container defines a cavity above the removable top wall, and the flexible tubes are coiled within the cavity where they are retained along with the coupler body during storage by a removable snap-on cap. The cavity may also be formed by an annular wall molded integrally with the removable top wall and covered by a removable cap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 1990
    Date of Patent: July 14, 1992
    Inventor: Alan F. Meckstroth
  • Patent number: 5128034
    Abstract: A pressure vessel of the type used in domestic water purifying systems for the filtering of potable water, wherein an uncompromised, spherically ended cylindrical pressure vessel housing is provided which is manufactured of a very strong high quality resin and comprises two detachable major sections sealed with an O-ring and secured together through provision of a threaded annular collar; quick connect type plumbing fitments are provided at an inlet port and an outlet port of the pressure vessel housing requiring no tools to facilitate the removal and attachment thereof; a decorative plastic shell manufactured of less expensive resin is provided to encase the pressure vessel to provide structural stability and which can be fabricated to also provide aesthetic flexibility with regard to shape and color and may also provide a compartment for incorporating an electric flow meter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 1991
    Date of Patent: July 7, 1992
    Assignee: Amway Corporation
    Inventor: Dennis J. Kool
  • Patent number: 5126044
    Abstract: Water treatment apparatus including an iodine resin purification bed suppported in a walled structure and mounted upstream of an active carbon filtration bed. In one disposable cartridge construction, a replacable, toroidal sediment filter surrounds the purification chamber which concentrically projects from the upstream end of a larger diameter active carbon bed. In another construction, the purification bed includes a directionally permeable, replaceable, pointed housing which insertably mounts within the carbon bed. In another construction a portable housing contains a purification bed within a surrounding carbon bed, and receives water from faucet coupling means and includes a nozzle. In still another personal construction, a purification cartridge mounts between a pressurizable collector and canteen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 1990
    Date of Patent: June 30, 1992
    Inventors: Jan H. Magnusson, Kristofer J. Magnusson
  • Patent number: 5114570
    Abstract: A water filter cartridge has a cylindrical shell. A conduit runs between closing end walls and is disposed within a filtration material. There are additional openings in the respective end walls for communicating the flow of water through the material. A water filtration element of a porous medium is shaped to nest within a portion of the shell encircling a corresponding portion of the filtration material and defining space between the medium and the inner side wall of the shell with that space being in the water flow path from one of the end walls and the material through the medium. A reference color is exhibited over a portion of the exterior side wall of the shell adjacent to the location of the medium inside the shell, and the medium exhibits a given color upon beginning of usage but changes color with continued usage in response to its entrapment of matter in the water. The shell is transparent over the medium to enable the user to compare the medium color to the reference color.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 1989
    Date of Patent: May 19, 1992
    Assignee: Teledyne Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Sharon L. Nelson, John E. Petrovic, Gerald T. Swanson
  • Patent number: 5068029
    Abstract: A two-chamber vessel provides for separate treatment of a fluid stream with particulate solids. Separate means are provided to introduce and remove particulate solids into each chamber. Separate means are provided to introduce and recover fluids from each chamber. The chambers may be operated in series or in parallel or for unrelated treatments. In a preferred embodiment, all of the inlet conduits for both chambers are presented at one end of the vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 1990
    Date of Patent: November 26, 1991
    Assignee: Tigg Corporation
    Inventors: Donald D. Tiggelbeck, Samuel K. Patton
  • Patent number: 5017286
    Abstract: The invention provides a faucet-mounted water filter comprising an upright tubular diverter body that is adapted to be secured to the open end of the water faucet. At the bottom of the diverter body is a water outlet through which unfiltered water can be dispensed. In the diverter body is a valve with a valve outlet duct projecting from one side of the diverter body. A manually movable valve handle projects from the diverter body and is connected to the valve for directing the flow of water either through the water outlet (when unfiltered water is required) or for diverting water through the outlet duct. A filter housing is mounted upon the duct and is preferably connected to the diverter by means of the duct. A carbon block filter element is provided in the filter housing which includes a vertical water inlet surface on an outside wall and a water outlet at the bottom. The filter housing includes an annular water distribution chamber for unfiltered water which surrounds the filter element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 1990
    Date of Patent: May 21, 1991
    Inventor: Randy B. Heiligman
  • Patent number: 5006245
    Abstract: A water purifying device including a cartridge type container which comprises an outer cylinder, an intermediate cylinder and an inner cylinder which are concentrically arranged in a compact housing of the purifying device. The outer and intermediate cylinders are connected at the top, the intermediate and inner cylinders are connected at the bottom, and the cylinders are filled with water purifying materials such as high purity active carbon, silver-somelite and ceramic balls so that water taken in via the housing's water inlet is purified while it flows through the three cylinders and is taken out through the housing's water outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 1990
    Date of Patent: April 9, 1991
    Assignee: Sanki System Product Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Takeshi Yukishita
  • Patent number: 4995990
    Abstract: A granular media filter has an underdrain system for use in a granular media filter comprising perforated lateral conduits arranged for the distribution of air and water for scouring and backwashing of the filter. Each conduit is in the form of a single linear conduit containing two or more separate axially parallel ducts, each duct having an external wall in common with the conduit, which wall is provided with axially spaced apertures for emission of water or air, there being no intercommunication between the ducts. The underdrain system itself also forms a feature of the invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 1989
    Date of Patent: February 26, 1991
    Assignee: PWT Projects Limited
    Inventor: Philip A. Weston
  • Patent number: 4938874
    Abstract: An improved unit for removal of tannin and lignin from water is disclosed, which features a cylindrical tank containing a tannin/lignin-adsorbing resin bed and a distributor tube/water distributor assembly. The assembly comprises a distributor tube extending from an orifice in the upper portion of the tank to a lower distributor assembly, and a riser tube having an open end disposed near the lower distributor assembly and communicating with an upper distributor located beneath the surface of the resin. A water flow restrictor is provided in the lower distributor assembly, such that when water is passed downwardly through the distributor tube in a backwash mode, some of the water is injected into the riser tube. This causes the backwash water to flow into the resin bed at its lower portion and to carry resin up through the riser tube to the upper portion of the resin bed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1988
    Date of Patent: July 3, 1990
    Assignee: Hydrosource, Inc.
    Inventor: Peter E. Auchincloss
  • Patent number: 4902411
    Abstract: A water purifier to purify drinkable water, comprising a packed filter chamber, jet type oxygen dissolution chamber, UV lamp sterilization chamber, water circulation and drainage structure, water supply structure and a control circuit. Such an arrangement removes high polymer hydrocarbon pollutants, low polymer trihalo-methane pollutants, and other soluble or insoluble pollutants such as mineral substances, metal salts or other impurities in the water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 1988
    Date of Patent: February 20, 1990
    Inventor: Frank W. G. Lin
  • Patent number: 4877521
    Abstract: A filtering device includes a head intended to be permanently installed in a fluid dispensing machine and a disposable canister therefor. A central chamber is formed in the head which chamber is in communication with an inlet port and an outlet port for receiving an unfiltered liquid and supplying a filtered liquid, respectively. The disposable canister has a flask shaped main body with a flat top and a neck of substantially uniform diameter on the top. The neck fits in the central chamber. A tube extending through the neck defines an annular clearance between the tube and the interior of the neck which annular clearance is in fluid communication with the inlet port. The opening into the tube located at the top of the neck is in fluid communication with the outlet port in the head. A pair of tab receptacles on the head and a complementary pair of tabs on the canister are engageable with one another by 1/4 rotation of the canister to lock the canister to the head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 1988
    Date of Patent: October 31, 1989
    Assignee: CUNO, Incorporated
    Inventors: Raymond M. Petrucci, Bruce G. Taylor, Edward C. Giordano, James M. Padiall, Carl Palmer
  • Patent number: 4818384
    Abstract: A recirculating sand filter system for the treatment of waste water comprises a septic tank (10) for receiving waste water, a recirculating pump tank (18) connected to the septic tank for receiving effluent from the septic tank, and one or more sand filter modules (12, 14). The recirculating pump tank has a pump (48) connected to a pump outlet line (32) connected to the sand filter modules. A distribution pipe (28) connected to the pump outlet line is positioned to spray water over a surface of the sand filters. The pump is controlled by a timer (74) to periodically pump water to dose the sand filters. The sand filters have one or more collection pipes (34, 36) at the bottom of the filter for collecting filtrate and returning the filtrate to the recirculating pump tank via a return line (42) by gravity feed. A recirculating valve (52) in the recirculating pump tank is connected between the return line and a discharge line exiting the recirculating pump tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 1987
    Date of Patent: April 4, 1989
    Inventor: Robert B. Mayer
  • Patent number: 4814078
    Abstract: A cartridge for a water filter system has a closed housing with only an inlet and an outlet formed in the lower surface thereof. A discharge tube extends from the outlet at the bottom, through the housing, to a position near the top of the housing. There, an elongated sleeve of filter material filters the water leaving the housing. The space between the inlet and the filter sleeve is filled with three different filter materials, most of which is activated charcoal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 1987
    Date of Patent: March 21, 1989
    Assignee: Associated Mills Inc.
    Inventors: Richard J. Stern, Alfons Rundzaitis, Samuel F. Peterson
  • Patent number: 4804465
    Abstract: A water treatment system including a pair of tank assemblies 110, 112 interconnected by a valve module 114 for controlling the communication of water to be treated to an on-line tank and the regeneration of an exhausted tank. Each tank assembly includes a compartment containing a water softening resin 125 and a compartment centering an iron filter media. The valve module is connected to a regeneration solution reservoir 150 by brine conduits 164, 220. A pumping assembly 192 automatically transfers a predetermined amount of a supplemental regenerant fluid from a well 168 into the regeneration solution reservoir at the conclusion of a regeneration cycle. The pumping assembly includes upper and lower chambers 194a, 196a communicating with the supplemental regenerant fluid reservoir 168 and brine supply conduits 164, 220 respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 1987
    Date of Patent: February 14, 1989
    Assignee: Kinetico, Inc.
    Inventor: Keith E. Brown
  • Patent number: RE35667
    Abstract: The invention provides a faucet-mounted water filter comprising an upright tubular diverter body that is adapted to be secured to the open end of the water faucet. At the bottom of the diverter body is a water outlet through which unfiltered water can be dispensed. In the diverter body is a valve with a valve outlet duct projecting from one side of the diverter body. A manually movable valve handle projects from the diverter body and is connected to the valve for directing the flow of water either through the water outlet (when unfiltered water is required) or for diverting water through the outlet duct. A filter housing is mounted upon the duct and is preferably connected to the diverter by means of the duct. A carbon block filter element is provided in the filter housing which includes a vertical water inlet surface on an outside wall and a water outlet at the bottom. The filter housing includes an annular water distribution chamber for unfiltered water which surrounds the filter element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 25, 1997
    Assignee: Ultrapure Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Randy B. Heiligman