MXPA97003005A

MXPA97003005A - Container to filter liquids, particularly water for be

Info

Publication number: MXPA97003005A
Application number: MXPA/A/1997/003005A
Authority: MX
Inventors: Moretto Leonida
Original assignee: Laica Lavorazione Italiana Casalinghi Snc Di; Moretto Leonida
Priority date: 1994-10-28
Filing date: 1997-04-24
Publication date: 1998-02-01

Abstract

The present invention relates to a container for filtering liquids, characterized in that it comprises: a container mounted in the container, the container includes a receptacle for the liquid to be filtered, and filtering means for filtering the liquid that passes from the receptacle towards the container, a removably fitted lid on the container for the access, and a counting device for detecting and counting the occasions in which the container is accessed to empty this liquid that is to be filtered, the counting device is mounted ao contained on the lid, or on the lid and the container and configured and accommodated to be operated by removing the lid from the container and / or replacing the lid to detect and count the occasions on which it is accessed to the container by means of the ta

Description

CONTAINER TO FILTER LIQUIDS, PARTICULARLY WATER TO DRINK TECHNICAL FIELD The object of the invention is a container for filtering liquids, particularly water for drinking, according to the preamble of the main claim. The container is of the type having a replaceable filter cartridge and in which, to ensure efficient filtration, the filter cartridge has to be removed and replaced after a certain number of cycles, and / or after a predetermined period of time. weather.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION According to the prior art, it is until the user remembers to replace the cartridge, once its filtering capacity must be considered exhausted. However, it can not be entirely easy to remember the number of filtration cycles carried out after the last cartridge replacement. The purpose of the invention is to provide a filter container, the structure and operation of REF: 24598 which are such as to facilitate the user's task of periodically checking the efficiency of the filter cartridge, in order to replace it once the cycles filtering devices provided, have been carried out.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION This objective is achieved by a container formed in accordance with the following claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The features and advantages of the invention will become clearer from the detailed description of some preferred but not exclusive modalities thereof, illustrated in the appended dibrits, in which: Figure 1 is a front elevational view of a container according to the invention, shown in partial section, Figure 2 is a partially sectioned plan view of a detail of the container from above; Figure 3 is a perspective view, partially sectioned, of an additional detail of the same container, from above; Figure 4 is an exploded perspective view of the detail of Figure 3, from below, Figure 5 is a longitudinal section of a first variant of the container of the previous drawings, shown only partially, Figure 6 is a section taken on line VI-VI of Figure 4, Figure 7 is a partially sectioned plan view of the container of Figures 5 and 6, from above, Figure 8 is a longitudinal section of a second variant of the container of the previous drawings, shown only partially, Figure 9 is a section taken on line IX-IX of Figure 8, Figure 10 is a plan view, partly in section, of the container of Figures 8 and 9, from above, Figure 11 is a longitudinal section of a third variant of the container of the previous drawings, shown only partially, Figure 12 is a section taken on line XII-XII of Figure 11, Figure 13 is a plan view, partly in section, of the container of Figures 11 and 12, from above, Figure 14 is a longitudinal section of a fourth variant of the container of the previous drawings, shown only partially, Figure 15 a section taken on the line XV-XV of Figure 14, Figure 16 is a plan view, partially sectioned, of the container of Figures 14 and 15, from above, Figures 17, 18 and 19 are partially sectioned lateral elevation views, of three additional variants of the container of the invention.

MODALITIES OF THE INVENTION In Figures 1 to 3, a container according to the present invention is generally indicated 1; it comprises a jar 2 with a handle or handle 3 and a spout 4 for emptying the filtered water, a funnel-shaped container 5 housed in the jar 2, and supported with the shape that engages in a mouth portion 7 thereof. , and a lid 8 removably positioned to close the container 5. The container 5 defines, in a known manner, a receptacle 9, at the base of which there is a housing 10 for a filter cartridge 11, replaceable, for example, after a predetermined number of filtration cycles. By way of indication, it can be assumed that the cartridge 11 is accommodated to perform 30 filtration cycles, and has to be replaced after the completion of the thirtieth cycle. A check projection 12, in the form of a plate, projects radially in an inward direction from the wall of the receptacle 9 of the container 5, on the side facing the spout 4. According to the invention, the cover 8 has a device , generally indicated at 15, to count the number of filtration cycles carried out by the cartridge 11. The device 15 comprises an indicator disc 16, which is rotatable about a pin 17, integral with the cover 8, and is pushed elastically against the front wall 21 of the cover 3, by means of a helical spring IB which limits with the head of a rod 19 driven inside the pin 17. A spade 22, graduated in numbered sectors is printed on the face of disc 16 facing wall 21; for each sector of the scale 22, the outer edge of the disk 16 has a respective trapezoidal tooth 23, with a face 24 that is substantially vertical or placed in a plane containing the axis of rotation of the disk, and with two sides 25a, 25b tapering as inclined planes. The teeth are separated by respective recesses with flat bases 26. One of the recesses 26 between two adjacent teeth of the disc 16 is at least partially blocked by a bridge 27 provided to stop the disc 16 after completion of a predetermined rotation, as will be explained later. In the illustrated embodiment, the bridge 27 is shown in a fictitious angular position, purely by way of example, and for clarity of the drawing; this could effectively be diametrically opposed to the sector that carries the word "STOP" and from here in a position not visible in the drawing. The opposite face of the disk 16 has a handle 28 (which serves for manual rotation of the disk 16) and an opposite indicator arrow 29. In addition to the tang 17, the wall 21 of the lid 8 has a window 30 extending through the lid, to enable the scale 22 to be observed from the outside of the container 5, an indicator arrow 31 which is designed to correspond to the arrow 29, for the initial positioning of the disc 16 after the filter cartridge 11 has been replaced, a unidirectional stop tooth 32 for the disc 16, to prevent it from rotating in a backward direction, and two appendages or projections, indicated 33 and 34, respectively. The appendix 33 serves as a shoulder for a spring 35, which pushes a latch 36 elastically within the stop or limit against the appendix 34. The latch 36 is supported for pivotal movement on the spigot 17, and carries a stop tooth unidirectional 37, to advance the? disc, as well as a cam profile 38 with a ramp or inclined plane, which may cooperate with the detent projection 12 of the receptacle portion 9, to cause complete osation of the latch 36, as a result of each subsequent opening and closing. of the lid 8. The latch 36 with the unidirectional stop tooth 32 and the group of teeth 23 formed on the edge of the disc 16, constitute a drainage or exhaust ratchet mechanism for the gradual rotation of the disc 16 after each opening and subsequent closure of the cover 8. It can be seen that, as it rotates around its own axis, the disc 16 can pass over the tooth 32 and the tooth 37, due to the elasticity of its assembly on the spike 17. The container just described operates as follows. The water to be filtered is first introduced into the container 5 after the lid 8 has been removed. When the lid is removed, the latch is pivoted in the direction indicated by the arrow A under the spring action 35, and the abutment tooth 37 formed thereon is passed over the adjacent tooth which was previously engaged by sliding on the inclined planes of the sides 25a, 25.}. b of it. The latch is thus prepared to draw the disk 16 after the subsequent closure of the container by means of the lid 8. When this occurs, the coupling between the detent projection 12 on the container and the cam profile 38 on the latch, causes the latter to pivot around its own axis in the direction indicated by arrow B, dragging the disc indicated by a step. However, when after the end of the 30th opening and closing cycle of the lid 8, the unidirectional stop tooth 37 of the latch 36 is carried to the bridge-shaped crosspiece 27, between two adjacent teeth 23, while the unidirectional stopper 32 correctly prevents the disk from rotating backwards, preventing any further rotation of the disk 16, possibly with the screen through the window 30 of an indication that warns that the cartridge 11 must be replaced. In the variations of the container of the invention, similar or functionally equivalent details are indicated by the same reference numerals as in the embodiment just described. The container of Figures 5 through 7 differs from the described embodiment in that the spring 35 is formed integrally with the latch 36. The remaining details and the operation of the counter device are equivalent to those of the container 1. The container of Figure 8 at 10 differs from the previous one in that, instead of the indicator disc, it has a counter device 40 in the form of a drum, supported for rotation between two shoulders 41a, 41b, and rotated in stages around its own axis by the mechanism of the drainage or detent ratchet 42, of which the secure L, indicated at 43, is supported on the cover 8 on a rod 48, and is elastically driven by a spring 49. The latch 43 comprises an elastic arm 44 which has two hooks 45a, 45b, each in engagement with a respective group of teeth 46a, 46b, and pivots about the rod 48 by interference with the check projection 12, upon each subsequent opening and closing of the lid on the container 5. In the container of Figures 11 through 13, the lock 36 is slidable longitudinally on the lid 8 more than pivotable. The cam profile 38 is a profile with an inclined plane cooperating with a corresponding inclined plane 50 on the detent projection 12. On one side, the latch 36 carries an elastic arm 51 on the free end of which a hook 52 is formed.; on the opposite side, the latch has a detent formation 53 to limit the rotation of the indicator disc 16 in one direction. The indicator disc 1-6 has a plurality of teeth 54 with sawtooth profiles on its upper face facing the surface 21 of the cover 8. The embodiment of Figures 14 to 16 differs from the previous embodiment essentially in that , in this embodiment, the scoring form 53 is replaced by a separate hook 60 mounted for limited pivoting movement on the cover 8, with the ability for an arm 61 of the hook 60 to be retained against a side wall 62 of the lid 8. The additional embodiments of the container of the invention are described with reference to Figures 17 to 19. All these modalities have in common the fact that the counter device 15 associated with the lid 8 of the container, has electronic means of counting which make it possible to memorize the number of openings and closures of the container 1 carried out, in order to warn the user automatically by a signal, for example, a sound signal or sual, that the filter cartridge 11 must be replaced.

The provision is also made for the insertion of an appropriate stopwatch in the device, to warn that the cartridge 11 has expired, for example, due to age, and that therefore it must be replaced, notwithstanding the number of openings and closures of the cover 8. In the embodiment shown in Figure 17, the account that can be read on the display 71 visible through the window 30 is operated by the check projection 12, which operates a push button 70 mounted on the electronic counter device 15 fixed to the cover 8. In the embodiment shown in Figure 18, the electronic counter device 15 is operated by a lever 80, a front portion 81 of which acts on the push button 70 which, after closing the lid 8 it also rotates the numbering on the screen 71, visible on the upper wall of the electronic device 15. In a further variant of the device of the invention, the screen 71 (Figure 19) is or This is caused by a magnetic mass 90 driven by a magnet 91 mounted on the receptacle 9. Naturally, an attraction or repulsion effect of the magnet 91 on the magnetic mass 90 can be provided without distinction.

It is noted that in relation to this date, the best method known to the applicant to carry out the aforementioned invention, is that which is clear from the present description of the invention.

Having described the invention as above, property is claimed as contained in the following:

Claims

1. A container for filtering liquids, particularly drinking water, comprising a container for the liquid to be filtered, and an openable lid on the container for access thereto, characterized in that it comprises a counter device associated with the container and / or lid , to detect and count the occasions in which the container is accessed through the lid.

2. The container according to claim 1, characterized in that the device The meter comprises a ratchet mechanism mounted on the cover or on the container, and operatively associated with a screen, the ratchet mechanism comprises a check projection in operation, which cooperates with a profile on the container or on the cover, respectively, in order to advance the screen gradually as a result of each opening and closing of the lid.

3. A container according to claim 2, characterized in that the ratchet mechanism is of the escape type.

4. A container according to claim 3, characterized in that the ratchet mechanism and the screen are mounted on the lid, and the operation of the projection retention is formed on the container in a position such as to interfere with the profile during opening and closing the lid.

5. A container according to claim 3, characterized in that the ratchet mechanism comprises a disc-shaped element with teeth and a latch acting on the teeth of the disc-shaped element, both of which are coupled on the lid, coaxially one with the other. other.

6. A container according to claim 1, characterized in that the counter device is electronic or electromechanical, and because it comprises a pulse generator, which can generate a pulse for each opening and / or closing of the lid, a counter for counting the pulses generated by the generator, and a screen to visually show the counted pulses.