SK49899A3 - A water treatment cartridge for use in domestic water treatment apparatus and domestic water treatment apparatus including such a cartridge - Google Patents

Abstract

A replacement water treatment cartridge for a domestic water filter jug comprising a cup-shaped receptacle (21A) containing water treatment medium (26A) and fitted with a removable water impervious membrane (35A, 36A) which covers both the open top of the receptacle (21A) and an outlet (24A) in the bottom of the receptacle (21A). The exterior of the receptacle (21A) has a spiral groove (37) formed in a neck portion (38) thereof near its brim, and a peripheral flange (19A) at the lower end of that neck portion (38). The membranes (35A and 36A) are fitted for storage to retain moisture within the water treatment medium contained within the receptacle (21A). When the cartridge is to be installed, the membranes (35A and 36A) are removed and the cartridge is screwed into a respective opening in the base of a hopper, the peripheral flange (19A) forming a watertight seal with structure of the hopper.

Description

The invention relates to a water treatment cartridge intended for use in a domestic water treatment device such as a water filter kettle, furthermore to a device for carrying such a water treatment cartridge in a container and a domestic water treatment device, in particular a water filter kettle equipped with such a water treatment insert.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The water filtering pots usually consist of a removable funnel, which is carried on the edge of a deep container, which is formed by a kettle. The funnel is adapted to accommodate a water filter insert, which generally consists of a shaped container having inlet and outlet slots to allow water to enter the inner cavity of the insert containing the water treatment medium and re-exit the water. from this inner cavity.

In use, the insert is positioned in the funnel so that the inlet slits are open to the chamber formed by the inner space of the funnel, while the outer slits are open to the container below the funnel. If unfiltered water is poured into the funnel, it flows through the liner where it is cleaned and then flows out of the liner into the container. Both the liner and the water treatment medium are designed and positioned so as to ensure that the treated water will remain in the liner for a sufficient period of time sufficient to effect proper cleaning thereof.

The water treatment medium used in such liners typically comprises a particulate filter and may also contain granules or grains of adsorbent material such as activated carbon. Moisture is introduced into the water treatment medium during manufacture. This moisture helps to efficiently carry out water filtration and purification. It is therefore very important that during storage of the liner it is necessary to prevent the water treatment medium from drying out completely.

However, a problem with known liners is that the inlet and outlet slots allow moisture to escape freely from the liners during storage, thereby reducing the efficiency and effectiveness of the water treatment medium.

A known solution to the above problem is the packaging of water treatment inserts in preparation for sale in tight plastic containers. However, this process increases the overall cost of manufacturing these liners.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a water treatment cartridge for use in a domestic water treatment device, such as a water filter kettle, which cartridge is characterized by the features set forth in the first claim.

Advantageous features of the water filter cartridge are claimed in the dependent claims 2 to 7.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a domestic water treatment device, in particular a water filter kettle, has been developed with a water treatment insert in accordance with an aspect of the present invention, which is provided with said first wherein removable cover means have been removed from the insert.

The use of a reticulated grid, usually mesh, to cover the holes of the water filter cartridge is the subject of International Patent Application PCT / GB 97/02120, filed August 6, 1997 by Brita Water Filter Systems Limited. The web may be made of metal fibers or a suitable plastics material and may have dimensions of an intermediate diameter in the range of 50 µm to 300 µm, preferably 80 µm to 200 µm.

An advantage of the water filter cartridge of the present invention is that the water treatment medium is maintained in a wet state until its use is required, without the need for expensive and laborious packaging of the inserts.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The two types of water filter cartridge and funnel for a water filter kettle in which the present invention is embodied will now be described by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a water filter kettle in which a funnel carrying a water filter insert is mounted, the funnel and the insert being shown in a front view, and wherein the portion of the funnel carrying the insert is cut off to expose the lid of the insert; so that a partial cut is made here;

Fig. 2 shows a view of the liner lid and the respective surrounding portion of the container as seen in the direction of the arrow A of FIG. 1;

Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line III-III in FIG. 2;

Fig. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 3 showing an opening in the funnel base adapted to accommodate another shape of the water filter cartridge; and FIG. 5 is a partial cross-sectional view of the water filter cartridge to be inserted into the opening in the funnel shown in FIG. 4 in the filled state.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In FIG. 1, there is shown a water filter kettle 10 having a funnel 11 mounted therein. This funnel 11 has a generally cup-like shape and is provided with a cylindrical side wall 12, a base 13 and an outwardly extending peripheral flange 14 formed around its edge. The funnel 11 is housed in the interior of the deep container formed by the water filter kettle 10, the peripheral flange 14 of which is seated on the edge of the deep container.

which is radial

spiral

The funnel base 13 is sloped radially inwardly, that is, away from the peripheral flange 14 and towards the opening 15 in its center. This opening 15 is formed by a tubular portion 16 integral with the base 13 and extending therefrom away from the flange 14. The end of the tubular portion 16 spaced from the peripheral flange 14 forms an inwardly directed flange 17 a groove 18 is formed in the opening in the tubular portion 16 between the inner base facing the flange 17.

and towards

This radially inwardly extending flange 17 forms an annular seat for a radially outwardly extending peripheral flange 19 that is formed around the edge of the cup-shaped container 21. This cup-shaped container 21 has a side wall 22 that tapered conically toward the base 23. In FIG. . 3 it is shown that the base 23 is provided with an aperture 24 formed therein, the aperture 24 being covered by a mesh grid 25 which forms, for example, a sieve.

A water treatment medium 26 is contained in the cup-shaped container 21. The upper end of the cup 21 is open and serves as an entrance to the cup 21.

The opening 24 serves as an exit from this cup-shaped container

21. When these parts are so installed, the cup 21 containing the water treatment medium 26 serves as a water filter cartridge, but its open inlet is covered by a mesh-like member 27 which is screwed into an opening in the tubular portion 16. and which retains the peripheral flange 19 of the cup-shaped container 21 in its annular fit formed by the flange 17.

The mesh member 27 has the shape of an inverted cup and includes a crown portion 28 and a respective housing portion 29. Both the crown portion 28 and the housing portion 29 are provided with a series of slits 30 formed therein. The radially outwardly protruding annular flange 32 is integrally formed with the housing portion 29 and is positioned at a suitable distance from the edge of the cup-shaped member 27 so as to abut the corresponding annular arm 33 formed at the upper end of the tubular portion 16 of the funnel 11, this edge abuts the circumferential flange 19 as shown in FIG.

An external helical thread which engages the helical groove 18 is formed on the outer surface of the sheath member 29 between the annular flange 32 and the rim of the mesh-like member 27 in the shape of a cup.

The seating of the annular flange 32 in the annular arm 33, the seating of the peripheral flange 19 on the annular flange 17 and the seating of the cup-shaped member 27 on the peripheral flange 19 ensure that there is a substantially watertight seal between the inner space of the insert. the inner space of the mug-shaped housing part 29 on the one hand, and the inner space of the funnel 11 and the deep container below the funnel 11 on the other.

The spikes 34, which depend on the structure of the mesh member 27, protrude into the interior of the cup-shaped container 21 through an open opening forming its inlet.

Replacing the water treatment medium 26 when this need arises is a very easy and simple matter. The mesh member 27 is unscrewed and removed. The cup-like container 21 is then lifted upward through an opening in the tubular portion 16. The replacement insert is inserted in its place, after which the mesh member 27 is also screwed back into place.

In accordance with the present invention, for storage purposes, the respective inlet formed by the upper end of the cup 21 and the aperture 24 in its base 23 is covered by a removable lid 35 and 36 forming a removable membrane made of, for example, foil or plastic. This removable diaphragm 35 and 36 is sealed to the cup-shaped container 21 such that appropriate moisture is maintained in the space of the water treatment medium 26 contained therein during insertion.

Preferably, each removable lid 35 and 36 is provided with a portion that can be easily gripped by the fingers, which facilitates its removal when it is necessary to use the insert. However, placing the spikes 34 in the mesh member 27 eliminates the need to remove the lid 35 from the inlet of the cup prior to installation. This is due to the fact that, as shown in FIG. 3, the spikes 34 pierce the diaphragm 35 when the mesh-like member 27 is screwed into position to engage the peripheral flange 19 in its annular fit. For the sake of clarity, the membrane 36 shown in FIG. 3 in dotted lines, in its position overlapping the outlet opening 24.

Any shape of the lid may be used, provided that when the lid is secured through the inlet and / or outlet of the filter cartridge cup 21, it is capable of preventing moisture leakage from the water treatment medium 26 contained in the cartridge and may be removed if necessary. and open.

For example, the lid may be a member clipped or clipped. Such a member, clipped or clipped, may be adapted to be reattached to the insert after use. This is particularly advantageous when the water treatment medium 26 has to be recycled as such, since reattaching the clamp or clip clip member facilitates the storage of the used water treatment medium 26 in the liner until it has to be recycled. A further advantage is that when the insert with the member clipped or clip is removed, there is no risk of spillage of the water treatment medium 26.

The liner installation means embodying the present invention is not limited to attaching to the removable funnel 11 of the water filter kettle 10, as described above with reference to the illustration of FIG. 1 to FIG. Third

A water filter kettle has been proposed in which the interior of the deep container formed by the kettle is divided into two parts by means of a wall extending through the interior, the installation described above with reference to FIG. 1 to FIG. 3, will be very suitable for use at this location, as the liner is replaced from above.

Another type of insert in which the present invention is embodied is designed to be screwed from below into a tubular portion that forms an opening in the funnel base. In FIG. 4 shows such an installation, and FIG. 5 shows the replacement of the insert and its attachment. The parts of the apparatus shown in FIG. 4 and portions of the insert shown in FIG. 5, which are similar to the corresponding parts of the apparatus described above with reference to FIG. 1 to FIG. 3, are designated with the same reference numerals but with the letter A.

The peripheral flange 19A of the container 21A is formed at a location in the side wall 22A which is spaced from the rim of the cup-shaped container 21A. A spiral groove 37 is formed on the outer surface of that portion of the side wall 22A that forms the neck portion 38, and which lies between the rim of the container 21A and the peripheral flange 19A. Hole in tubular portion 16A. which forms an opening 15A in the base 13A of the funnel 11A, forms a helical thread which engages with the helical groove 37.

In FIG. 5 shows a container 21A secured by removable cover membranes 35A and 36A. In order to install the replacement container 21A, the removable cover membranes 35 and 36 are peeled off by the fingers adapted to this purpose, then the neck portion 38 is screwed into the hole in the tubular portion 16A until the peripheral flange 19A abuts its lower end. and there is a waterproof seal.

The mesh member 27A. which has the shape of an inverted cup overlaps the insert inlet, which is formed by an open opening in the upper end of the container 21A. This mesh member 27A is similar to the mesh member 27 described above with reference to the illustration of FIG. 1 to FIG. 3, but does not include those portions of the sheath portion 29 that project below the annular flange 32. The annular flange 32A of the mesh-like member 27A abuts the respective annular arm 33A to provide a watertight seal.

The mesh size of the web 25 and 31 is sufficient to allow water to pass through the web 25 and 31, but is at the same time smaller than the particles of the water treatment medium 26, so that during operation the particles of the medium 26 escape from the container. and 21A avoided. Usually, an intermediate diameter of about 50 μπι to 300 μπι is chosen, preferably in the range of 80μπ to 200 μπι.

As an alternative solution to the use of openings that are covered by a reticulated mesh, such as netting, narrow slits may be used and the width of the slots must be smaller than the particle size of the water treatment medium 26 so that the slots prevent the particles from passing through these slits.

Although in the embodiments described above with reference to the drawings, the containers are screwed into the opening formed in the tubular part of the funnel, it is to be understood that any other suitable means for connecting the insert and the funnel may also be used. For example, the insert may be adapted to be pushed or snapped into a fixed connection in an opening in the funnel base.

In use, unfiltered water is poured into the funnel space 11, 11A. This water flows through the mesh-covered slits 30, 30A in the mesh member 27. 27A and then through the water treatment medium 26, 26A in the cup-shaped container 21, 21A. In the case of turbulent backflow of water in the cup-shaped container 21, 21A. caused by pouring water into the funnel space 11. HA. then the seal between the mesh member 27, 27A and the base 13, 13A of the funnel H. 11A ensures that water can only move upwards into the funnel space of the HA through the mesh 31, 31A. thereby preventing particles of the water treatment medium 26, 26A from escaping into the funnel space 11, 11A.

Once the water has been filtered by passing through the water treatment medium 26, 26A, it then leaves the liner through the mesh 25, 25A at its bottom. The presence of this netting 25, 25A prevents the particles of medium 26, 26A from entering into a portion of the interior of the container below the funnel 11, 11A. which already contains filtered water.

Cups 21, 21A and / or funnel 11, 11A.

which have been described above can be produced by pressing.

The mesh 25, 25A, 31, 3IA may be incorporated directly into the goblet 21, 21A or the mesh member 27, 27A already during the pressing process, for example in accordance with the solution disclosed in PCT / GB 97 / 02,120th

The advantage of using a water filter cartridge with a removable lid in accordance with the present invention in a funnel attached via an outlet member or other similar means in a water filter kettle is that the cost of replacing the water filter cartridge is much lower, as each such an insert must only be provided with a removable seal and not yet with a permanent cap or inlet.

Claims (8)

A water treatment cartridge for use in a domestic water treatment device, such as a water filter kettle, the cartridge comprising a container having an inlet and an outlet, between which a water treatment medium contained in the container is disposed, wherein: removable cover means attached to the container to cover the inlet, characterized in that said removable cover means are impermeable to moisture, and wherein the other removable cover means are impermeable to moisture, the overlapped outlet, wherein the means also positioned so as to be positioned such that the water treatment medium is maintained in a moist condition within the container space by means of removable cover means and other removable cover means until the liner has to be used on a domestic water treatment device wherein the removable cover means and other removable cover means are provided; p Rostriedky odobraté. The water treatment cartridge according to claim 1, wherein each of the removable cover means and the other removable cover means comprises a removable membrane. Water treatment cartridge according to claim 2, characterized in that the removable membrane is formed of a foil material. Water treatment cartridge according to claim 2, characterized in that the removable membrane is formed from a plastic film. A water treatment cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the removable cover means and the other removable cover means are provided with a clamp member. Water treatment cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the inlet and / or outlet is provided with a plurality of apertures formed in the container, each aperture being sized to prevent passage of the water treatment medium which it is in the form of particles. Water treatment cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the container is cup-shaped and is provided with means by which it can be deposited in a domestic water treatment device and extends from the edge thereof, and when using the insert, the opening to the cup-shaped container is open and creates an inlet that is covered by the other cover means until the insert has to be used. A domestic water treatment device, in particular a water filter kettle, equipped with a water treatment insert according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the removable cover means and other removable cover means have been removed from the insert.