GB2504501A

GB2504501A - Jug water filter cartridge

Info

Publication number: GB2504501A
Application number: GB201213572A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Charles Joseph Williamson
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2012-07-31
Filing date: 2012-07-31
Publication date: 2014-02-05
Also published as: GB201213572D0

Abstract

A re-usable jug water filter cartridge has an opening so that filter material can be inserted into, and removed from, the cartridge. The opening can be closed securely to maintain the filter material within the cartridge when it is in use. Apertures (2, Fig. 1), 9 in a lower and upper surface of the cartridge enable the passage of liquid and escape of air from the cartridge. The cartridge also comprises deflectors 18 to direct water away from the side of the filter cartridge body (1, Fig. 1) and towards the middle of the filter material. The cartridge also comprises cushioning means such that the filter material is maintained in contact with the internal surface of the cartridge whilst also allowing expansion of the filter material within the body of the cartridge. The cushioning means eliminates voids within the filter material. Preferably, the cushioning means is a resilient sponge-like material (12, Fig. 8) bounded by a permeable membrane (13, Fig. 8) housed within a lid (4, Fig. 1) of the cartridge. Alternatively, the cushioning means may be provided by a flexible and resilient diaphragm (17, Fig. 10) or a sprung unit (15, Fig. 9).

Description

Reusable Jug Water Filter Cartridge

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention concerns a container that is a re-usable, or refillable, jug water filter cartridge for holding the filter material that is used in the filter cartridges of domestic (counter-top) jug water filters.

The container essentially comprises a body and a lid that can be opened (or that is removable) for the purpose of introducing the filter material and also for the purpose of removing the filter material when exhausted. When the fiiter material is introduced into the container it becomes a jug water filter cartridge. The container can be manufactured in any shape or size so that it can fit any jug (or pitcher) water filter device. The removable (or open-able) surface can be on the upper surface, the lower surface or even both surfaces and this may facilitate cleaning of the container between uses. Loose filter material can be introduced directly into the cartridge or, if available, a filter bag may be used.

DESCRIPTION

BACKGROUND

Jug Water Filter devices are in widespread use in the domestic environment as counter-top devices used for the filtration of tap water to e.g. reduce hardness of the water and to improve taste. The filter devices contain a filter cartridge that houses filter material and, when placed in a jug water filter the cartridge is able to purify the water that permeates through it. Water flows from an upper compartment (or reservoir), under the influence of gravity through the filter cartridge and into the lower reservoir (the jug). There are many examples of jug water filter cartridges and they are well described elsewhere, in both design and function.

The filter cartridges contain filter material and the cartridges are inserted into the filter device so that liquid has to flow through the filter material as it passes from an upper compartment or reservoir and into a lower holding compartment: the jug. The filter material gradually becomes exhausted as water is filtered and the cartridge requires replacement on a periodic basic. This is approximately on a monthly basis and various examples of jug water filters have means of prompting timely cartridge replacement to maintain optimal filtering function. The problem to be addressed is the need for regular replacement of the entire filter cartridge which is costly in both monetary and environmental considerations.

STATEMENT OF THE INVENTION

To overóome the wasteful nature of disposable filter cartridges the present invention proposes a reusable (or refillable) container for holding the filter material in the filter jug i.e. a reusable jug water filter cartridge. Loose filter material can be introduced directly into the reusable filter cartridge and then when the filter material is exhausted it can be simply emptied and the cartridge refilled with fresh filter material.

The invention is based on the understanding that it is only the filter material inside the cartridge that needs replacing. Consequently a container is described that is effectively a reusable cartridge. With the re-usable cartridge it is necessary to replace only the filter material itself as the filter cartridge body can be reused an indeterminate number of times. This is both less costly, as only the filter medium requires replacement, and also less environmentally damaging as the filter cartridge body does not need replacing with each renewal of filter medium.

The invention consists of a cartridge body that holds the filter material, with an opening (or openings) and a lid (or surface) that fits the opening securely but that is also easily removable. The opening enables filter material to be introduced directly into the cartridge and then removed once it is exhausted. Apertures or fine perforations in at least the upper and lower surfaces of the cOntainer enable the passage of liquid and escape of air from the container whilst retaining the filter material. A means of directing or deflecting the flow of water away from the side of the filter cartridge body and towards the middle of the filter material promotes optimal filtration of the water. The device also includes cushioning means to permit expansion of the filter material (maintaining the integrity of the cartridge body if the contents expand) and also compression of the filter material; to eliminate voids within the filter material. Creation of a void would permit water to pass through the cartridge without sufficient contact with the filter material resulting in insufficient filtering of the water.

The cushioning means is preferably achieved by resilient sponge-like material housed within the lid bounded at its extremity by a porous membrane; it may also be achieved by other means such as a more rigid "sprung" device which is perforated to permit the flow of water. The cushioning means may be incorporated into the structure of the cartridge, preferably housed within the lid or it may be removable.

The deflector means is provided by one or more "deflector rings" inside the body of the cartridge which may be either fixed or removable and these direct the flow of water away from the side of the cartridge and towards the middle of the filter material. The cushioning means provides additional guidance for the flow of water by having a non-permeable outer perimeter that channels the water towards the middle of the cartridge.

The means of engagement by which the lid is attached to the cartridge body ensures secure holding of the filter material. The lid may have means of facilitating removal for example a form of handle to assist with gripping for twisting and lifting of the lid.

The means of engagement of the lid is preferably by means of being screwed on; with corresponding threaded sections between the opening and the lid but it may also be provided by other means such as being hinged, "clipped-on", or it may engage by means of a simple friction-fit.

The cartridge body may incorporate lifting means to aid removal of the cartridge from the filter device in which the cartridge is fitted.

The filter cartridge can be any shape or size. The dimensions of the cartridge will be determined by the filter device for which it is intended.

INTRODUCTION TO THE DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A sample embodiment of the invention shall be explained more closely with reference to accompanying drawings illustrated by way of non-limiting example in which: Figure 1 shows a lateral view of the filter cartridge with lid separated.

Figure 2 shows a lateral expanded sectional view of the upper half of the filter cartridge with alternative seating means and simple friction fit of lid.

Figure 3 is a lateral sectional expanded view showing lid engagement and means of deflecting/directing the flow of water.

Figure 4 shows an expanded sectional view of alternative deflector means.

Figure 5 shows alternative method of lid engagement.

Figure 6 shows view from above into the filter cartridge body.

Figure 7 is a view of the lid from above.

Figure 8 shows a lateral sectional view of the lid detailing the cushioning means housed within the lid.

Figure 9 shows an alternative cushioning device.

Figures 10 and 11 show another cushioning means.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In figure 1, a reusable filter cartridge consists of the filter body I which has apertures or fine perforations 2 on the lower surface 3 and which is bounded above by a lid 4 that also has apertures or fine perforations 9 on top and on the side. The lid has a means of gripping 6 to facilitate opening/closing of the lid and which can possibly be used also to facilitate removal of the cartridge from the filter device. The cartridge body has a rim 5 that has apertures or fine perforations 8, and the lid, when closed, is housed within the rim. The external lower edge of the rim forms a seating surface when the cartridge is placed irna jug water filter device thereby ensuring a seal between cartridge and upper reservoir of filter jug. There may alternatively be a sealing lip or ring circumferentially around the lower edge of the rim to ensure a seal (see 10, figure 2). The cartridge body may have lifting means 7 to facilitate removal of the cartridge from the jug filter device but this may also be achieved by the means of gripping of the lid. The apertures or fine perforations in the cartridge (lid and body) may be additionally lined with a permeable membrane that allows passage of water and air but restricts passage of very fine particles of filter material.

In figure 2 the lid 4 is shown in closed position in relation to the cartridge rim 5 with a simple friction fit. The apertures in the lid and the rim are positioned in such a way that with the lid closed the flow of fluid is still possible into the cartridge. The sealing lip 10 around the lower edge of the rim is an alternative means of seating between the cartridge and the upper reservoir of the filter jug.

The means of engagement of the lid with the cartridge body is preferably by being screwed together (as in figure 3) with corresponding thread 11 on the lid and on the rim of the cartridge. Although having a thread for screw-type engagement, the lid will also maintain apertures or fine perforations 9 for the introduction of water. The apertures 9 are an indication only of the presence of the apertures and do not indicate the actual number of apertures. An alternative means of engagement of the lid is shown in figure 5 with a hinge 16 attaching the lid permanently to the cartridge body. The hinged means of engagement may be preferred particularly with a lid that is not circular in shape. A further means of engagement may simply be a matter of the lid and cartridge rim being pushed together: a simple friction fit or clipped into position. The means of directing/deflecting the flow of water is arranged circumferentially -forming a "deflector ring" (or rings) 18 inside the body of the cartridge -and forms a seal around the inside perimeter of the cartridge, with the upper surface of the deflector 19 sloping down towards the middle of the cartridge.

As water flows through the cartridge the deflector rings guide the water to flow away from the surface of the cartridge and towards the middle of the filter material thereby ensuring that all the water passes through the filter material.

The means of deflection may be fixed permanently inside the cartridge (as part of the structure of the cartridge) or alternatively it may be removable either singly or grouped (minimum number of two) as a deflector arrangement.

Figure 4 shows a sectional view of a deflector arrangement: a number of deflector rings 18 are linked and supported by longitudinal supports 20 toform a removable deflector arrangement. The removable deflector ring or deflector arrangement would fit through the opening in the cartridge and in this embodiment the rings in the arrangement would be of gradually reducing diameter to fit the slightly tapered shape of the cartridge.

Figure 6 shows a view of the cartridge body from above with lid removed. In this embodiment the cartridge is circular in shape but it can be made in any shape. The fine perforations or apertures 2 in the base of the cartridge enable escape of water and the lifting means 7 attached to the rim of the cartridge could facilitate ease of removal of the cartridge from the filter device. The lifting means may be considerably larger than depicted in this embodiment. For clarity, the means of deflection is not shown.

Figure 7 is a view of the lid from above. Fine apertures or perforations 9 in the top surface enable flow of liquid/escape of air. The diagram is purely representative and does not indicate the number of apertures in the lid. The structure 6 is to aid gripping to enable opening and closing of the lid and may possibly also facilitate removal of the cartridge from the filter jug.

When the filter cartridge is in use the filter material may expand slightly exerting force against the cartridge body or it may sett!e within the cartridge and create voids where fluid may pass without contacting the filter material. To overcome this problem the invention includes cushioning means that accommodates expansion/contraction of the filter material and the cushioning means may be housed permanently within the structure of the cartridge, preferably housed within the lid, or it may be removable and placed anywhere within the cartridge.

The cushioning means is achieved preferably by a cushioning device as in figure 8 which shows the cushioning device housed within the lid, consisting of a resilient sponge-like material 12 bounded by a porous membrane 13-the outer perimeter of the membrane 21 is non-porous and is an additional means of deflection: guiding the flow of water towards the middle of the filter material. If the cushioning device were removable, it would have the sponge-like material encased fully in the porous membrane, again with the outer perimeter being non-poroua An alternative cushioning means may be achieved by other means such as a more rigid sprung device as shown in figure 9, with the perforated surfacel4 permitting flow of water whilst the sprung tension 15 provides continual pressure whilst also accommodating expansion of the filter material. As. with the previous cushioning means, the outer perimeter 22 would be impervious to water and would direct the flow of water towards the middle of the filter material. The cushioning means may also be provided by a (perforated) flexible and resilient diaphragm as shown in figures 10 and Ii respectively, with the diaphragm 17 housed in the lid and/or the base of the cartridge. In this embodiment the diaphragm in the lid would not be perforated around the outside perimeter 23.

Claims

CLAIMSWhat is claimed is: 1. A re-usable jug water filter cartridge that accepts loose filter material directly into the cartridge, with at least one part that can be opened for insertion/removal of filter material and said opening can be closed securely to maintain the filter material within the container when it is in use, means to permit passage of fluid through the cartridge and escape of air from the cartridge, deflection means to divert or deflect flow of fluid away. from container side and into the middle of filter material, cushioning means such that the filter material is maintained in contact with the internal surface of the container whilst also allowing expansion of the filter material within the body of the container.
2. A re-usable jug water filter cartridge, according to claim 1, in which at least part of the upper surface can be easily opened -and closed securely -to accommodate either (or both) loose filter material: or filter material enclosed within a flexible porous structure; a filter bag or similar.
3. A re-usable jug water filter cartridge, according to claim 1, in which deflection means is provided permanently attached inside the cartridge or as part of the structure of the cartridge.
4. A re-usable jug water filter cartridge1 according to claim 1 in which removable deflection means is provided.
5. A re-usable jug water filter cartridge, according to claim 4, in which deflection means is provided by a removable arrangement of multiple deflectors.
6. A re-usable jug water filter cartridge, according to claim 1, in which the cushioning means is provided within the lid and/or base ofthe container.
7. A re-usable jug water filter cartridge body, according to claim 1 in which the cushioning means is removable and can be placed in variable position within the cartridge.
8. A re-usable jug water filter cartridge, according to claim 6, in which the cushioning means is provided by resilient sponge-like material bounded by a permeable membrane housed within the lid of the cartridge.
9. A re-usable jug water filter cartridge, according to claim 6, in which the cushioning means is provided by a sprung unit housed within the lid of the cartridge and perforated to allow passage of water.
1O.A re-usable jug water filter cartridge, according to claim 6 in which the cushioning means is provided by a flexible and resilient diaphragm, perforated to allow passage of water, housed within the lid and/or base of the cartridge.
11. A re-usable jUg water filter cartridge, according to claim 6, in which the cushioning means also incorporates deflection means to ensure water is guided towards the middle of the filter material.
12.A re-usable jug water filter cartridge, according to claim 1, in which at least the upper and lower surfaces have apertures to permit the flow of liquid through the container and also allow the escape of any air within the container.
13. A re-usable jug water filter cartridge body, according to claim 1, in which the apertures and/or the expansion means are lined with a fine mesh-like material or permeable membrane to prevent escape of tine particles of filter material.
14.A re-usable jug water filter cartridge body, according to claim 1, in which lifting means facilitates easy removal of theunit from the jug water filter itself.
15.A re-usable jug water filter cartridge according to claim 1, the shape and size of which can be manufactured in order to fit any jug-type water filter device.