GB2211107A - Liquid filter - Google Patents

Abstract

A filter for connecting into a pipe in a domestic water supply comprises a chamber having inlet and outlet openings 2, 3 for connection to the pipe. Within the chamber is mounted a sleeve 8 having openings in its side walls and which is movable between a first position in which fluid flow through the chamber is permitted and a second position in which fluid flow is inhibited. A filter member 6 is located in the chamber in the flow path between the inlet and the outlet and is removable from the chamber, when the sleeve is in the second position, after removing end cap 12. As shown sleeve 6 is rotatable by knob 9, but alternatively the knob can be rotated to move the sleeve axially. <IMAGE>

Description

Liquid Filter Apparatus The present invention relates to liquid filter apparatus, and particularly to filter apparatus for use in a domestic water supply.

Conventional filters require the provision of valves either side of the filter body to allow shut off of the water flow, whereby to enable access to the filter.

The provision of such valves requires extra space and extra expense.

The present invention provides liquid filter apparatus comprising a hollow body having openings for allowing liquid flow through the body, a chamber formed in the body and connecting with the openings, a filter member mounted within the chamber, a sealable port for enabling access to the chamber, and a liquid flow shut-off mechanism, comprising a sleeve member which fits against the inner walls of the chamber and is moveable to close at least one of the openings.

This arrangement has the advantage that the liquid shut-off mechanism is built into the body which holds the filter, and there is therefore no need for the provision of separate liquid cut-off valves.

Being able to shut-off the liquid flow in this manner enables easy access to the filter, via the sealable port, for cleaning.

In a preferred embodiment the chamber is generally cylindrical and the sleeve member is a hollow cylinder which fits against the inner wall of the chamber. The sleeve member has an opening in its wall, which may be aligned with one of the openings of the hollow body so as to allow liquid into the chamber. Moving the sleeve member such that the opening in the sleeve member no longer overlaps with the opening in the hollow body causes cut off of liquid flow.

Movement of the sleeve member is preferably enabled by a rotatable knob which is connected to the sleeve member through the chamber wall.

The filter member is preferably removable for cleaning, via the sealable port. In a preferred embodiment the filter member is mounted in a frame being removable to enable access to the filter member.

features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of an embodiment thereof, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawing in which the single figure shows a longitudinal crosssection through a particular embodiment of the invention.

The filter member illustrated in the drawing comprises a hollow body 1 having an inlet 2 and outlet 3. The inlet 2 and outlet 3 can be connected in a liquid supply system such as, for example, a domestic water supply system.

The inlet 2 and outlet 3 open into a generally cylindrical chamber 4 which has walls 5. A filter member 6 is mounted in the chamber 4 in a frame 7. The filter member 6 is arranged in the path between the inlet 2 and outlet 3 so that liquid will flow through the filter and be strained.

A cylindrical sleeve member 8 is mounted in the chamber 4, the sleeve member 8 fitting against the walls 5 of the chamber 4. Knurled knob 9 is connected to the sleeve member 8 and projects through sealed opening 10 in the chamber. Rotating the knob 9 will move an opening 11 in the sleeve 8 out of registration - with the inlet 2, thus closing the inlet 2 and cutting off liquid flow to the chamber 4.

The frame 7 can be removed from the chamber 4, by removing cap 12.

This arrangement enables simple and quick access to the filter for cleaning.

Seals 15,16,17 are provided to ensure that the device is adequately liquid tight.

The illustrated embodiment has been shown with a cylindrical mesh filter 6. In practice any other suitable type of filter such as a flat filter can be used either as a replacement or supplement to the cylindrical filter.

The apparatus of the present invention is particularly suitable for use in a domestic water supply system for example in pumped shower systems, placed before the flow switch.

In the illustrated embodiment only one of the openings in the filter body is effected by the sleeve member since an arcuate slot 13 of suitable dimensions is provided adjacent to the inlet 2. However, the sleeve member can be arranged to control access to all the liquid flow openings, ie in the illustrated embodiment the sleeve could be arranged to control inlet 2 and outlet 3.

Access to the filter could be allowed from the same side on which the sleeve control is situated, although it is shown on the opposite side in the illustrated embodiment.

Also, the sleeve walls need not be continuous apart from the opening therein. As long as adequate seal is provided the sleeve walls may be any configuration.

In another embodiment, not shown, rotation of the knob 9 is used to cause linear movement of the sleeve 8 to effect movement of the opening into and out of registration with the inlet and/or outlet. This embodiment enables the chamber and sleeve to be made in cross-sections other than circular. This embodiment is also consistent with removal of the caps 12 from either of the appropriate end of the chamber from the knob 9 from the same end.

Claims (9)

CLAIMS:

1. A liquid filter apparatus comprising: hollow body having a plurality of channels for allowing the flow of liquid through the body; a chamber of substantially cylindrical shape formed in the body transversely to the body and connecting with the channels in the body; a filter member mounted within the chamber; a sealable port for enabling access to the chamber; and a liquid flow shut-off mechanism comprising a sleeve member within the chamber which is slidably mounted against the inner walls of the chamber, and a second portion external to the chamber and connected to the first portion through a liquid-tight opening, said sleeve member being slidable to seal or unseal one or more of the channels in said body.

2. The liquid filter apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein said body has two substantially cylindrical channels whose axes are aligned and which are connected to said chamber.

3. The liquid filter apparatus as set forth in claim 2, wherein the first portion of the said sleeve member is a hollow cylinder having two openings in its wall, and the second portion of said sleeve member is a knurled knob, said knurled knob being rotatable to cause rotation of said hollow cylinder within said chamber to align said openings in said hollow cylinder with said channels in said body.

4. The liquid filter apparatus as set forth in claim 3, wherein rotation of said sleeve member such that one or both of said opening in said sleeve member are out of alignment with said channels in said body causes one or both of said channels to be sealed.

5. The liquid filter apparatus as set forth in claims 3 or 4 wherein: said sleeve member and said chamber have cooperating threads, whereby said sleeve member may be slidably moved along the axis of said chamber to cause alignment or non-alignment of said opening in said sleeve member with said channels in said body.

6. The liquid filter apparatus as set forth in any of the preceding claims, wherein: said filter member is mounted on a filter frame.

7. The liquid filter apparatus as set forth in any of the preceding claims, wherein: said port is situated at the opposite end of said chamber to said second portion of said sleeve member, said port being unsealable for accessing said filter member on removal of a lid member from said port, said lid member having an associated seal.

8. The liquid filter apparatus as set forth in any of the preceding claims, wherein: said second portion of said sleeve member is detachable from said first portion of said sleeve member for accessing said filter member.

9. The liquid filter member substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawing.