WO2000063121A1 - Systeme de filtrage de fluides comprenant un mecanisme pour augmenter le debit d'un fluide a travers le filtre - Google Patents

Systeme de filtrage de fluides comprenant un mecanisme pour augmenter le debit d'un fluide a travers le filtre Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2000063121A1
WO2000063121A1 PCT/US2000/011147 US0011147W WO0063121A1 WO 2000063121 A1 WO2000063121 A1 WO 2000063121A1 US 0011147 W US0011147 W US 0011147W WO 0063121 A1 WO0063121 A1 WO 0063121A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
container
fluid
filtration system
reservoir
sealing member
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US2000/011147
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Jeffrey E. Fish
Original Assignee
Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. filed Critical Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
Priority to AU46636/00A priority Critical patent/AU4663600A/en
Publication of WO2000063121A1 publication Critical patent/WO2000063121A1/fr

Links

Classifications

    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C02—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
    • C02F—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
    • C02F1/00—Treatment of water, waste water, or sewage
    • C02F1/001—Processes for the treatment of water whereby the filtration technique is of importance
    • C02F1/003—Processes for the treatment of water whereby the filtration technique is of importance using household-type filters for producing potable water, e.g. pitchers, bottles, faucet mounted devices
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C02—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
    • C02F—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
    • C02F2307/00—Location of water treatment or water treatment device
    • C02F2307/04—Location of water treatment or water treatment device as part of a pitcher or jug

Definitions

  • FLUID FILTRA ⁇ ON SYSTEM INCLUDING A MECHANISM FOR INCREASING THE FLOW THROUGH THE FILTER
  • the present invention relates generally to fluid filtration systems.
  • fluid is drawn through the filter by gravity alone.
  • fluid may be filtered at a rate that is slower than desirable.
  • block activated carbon as the filtering media, as better absorption of certain contaminants may be obtained.
  • block activated carbon may not be utilized in some gravity-flow systems as gravity alone is insufficient to cause the water to flow through the activated block carbon.
  • fluid may be urged to flow through the filter at an increased rate by altering the air pressure proximate to the filter. For example, by lowering the air pressure below the filter and/or increasing the air pressure above the fluid which is present above the filter, the fluid is urged to flow through the filter at a faster rate so that a user will have access to filtered water in a shorter period of time.
  • the present invention is directed to a fluid filtration system including a container such as, for example, a pitcher, bottle, canister, or the like.
  • the container includes an opening and an interior that is defined, at least in part, by an interior wall surface of the container.
  • the container may be formed from a variety of materials, such as, for example, metals, ceramics, and plastics including transparent or translucent materials.
  • a filter assembly may be mounted to the container, and, in selected embodiments, at least a portion of the filter assembly is disposed within the container.
  • the filter assembly may divide the interior of the container into a first chamber disposed above the filtration media that receives unfiltered fluid and a second chamber disposed below the filtration media that retains the filtered fluid.
  • the filter assembly may include a filter carrier having a surface that sealingly engages at least a portion of the interior wall surface of the container.
  • the filter carrier may be adapted to support filtration media such as, for example, block activated carbon, granular activated carbon, nonwoven materials, and combinations of such and other media.
  • the filtration media may be removed from the filter assembly to permit fresh filtration media to be utilized.
  • the filter assembly including the filtration media may be removed from the filtration system and replaced with a new filter assembly containing fresh filtration media.
  • the filter assembly engages the container in a manner such that fluid passing through the opening of the container flows through the filtration media supported by the filter assembly.
  • the filtration media may be configured to fit within the container without the use of a filter carrier and/or filter assembly.
  • a sealing member such as, for example, a flap or the like, may be disposed between at least a portion of the filter assembly and the interior wall surface of the container.
  • the sealing member may be pivotably attached to the interior wall surface of the container.
  • the sealing member may be pivotably attached to the filter assembly.
  • the sealing member is positioned along the circumference of the filter assembly or interior wall surface of the container so that the sealing member is aligned with the spout of the container.
  • the sealing member may be movable between a first position that enables fluid to flow out of the container, and a second position in which the sealing member sealingly engages both the interior wall surface of the container and the filter assembly.
  • the sealing member when the sealing member is disposed in its second position, the reservoir or second chamber that is disposed below the filter assembly is sufficiently airtight to allow the air pressure above the fluid disposed on the filtration media to be higher than the air pressure below the filtration media.
  • the sealing member remains in its second position until fluid flowing out of the reservoir toward the opening of the container forces the sealing member into the first position.
  • Other embodiments of the present invention may include a depressible mechanism, operable by a user, to move the sealing member between the first and second positions.
  • a mechanism is provided which enables the air pressure within the second chamber, below the filtration media, to be lowered with respect to the air pressure within the first chamber above the fluid disposed on the filtration media.
  • selected embodiments may include a pump assembly adapted to be actuated by a user.
  • the pump assembly may be disposed within a handle of the container.
  • the handle and pump assembly may be integrally formed.
  • the container and the handle may be formed independently and subsequently attached to each other. This permits the handle and container to be formed of different materials.
  • actuation of the pump assembly urges the sealing member against the interior wall surface of the container to form an airtight seal. This enables sufficient air to be removed from the second chamber or reservoir, creating an air pressure differential across the filtration media and increasing the rate of fluid flow through the filtration media and into the second chamber or reservoir.
  • the pump assembly includes a one-way check valve and a resilient compressible bulb in fluid communication with the reservoir.
  • the bulb is compressed, forcing air within the bulb to exit the handle.
  • air from the reservoir is drawn through the check valve and into the bulb and the handle.
  • the air may exit the bulb and handle in a variety of ways.
  • the container may further include an airtight lid, and air from the reservoir may be pumped into the first chamber above the fluid that is disposed directly above filter media through a second one-way check valve, thus further increasing the pressure differential above and below the filter media.
  • Particular embodiments of the present invention may additionally include an indicator that provides an indication to a user that the filtration media should be removed and replaced with new filtration media.
  • Figure 1 is a side view of an embodiment of the fluid filtration system of the present invention.
  • Figure 2 is a top view of an embodiment of the fluid filtration system of the present invention.
  • Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of the embodiment of the present invention depicted in Figure 2 taken along lines 3-3.
  • Figure 4 is a cross-sectional side view of an embodiment of the filter assembly of the present invention.
  • Figure 5 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the fluid filtration system of the present invention.
  • the present invention is directed to a fluid filtration system 10 which includes a container 12 which may be variously configured as a pitcher, bottle, canister or the like.
  • the container 12 may include an opening 14, a spout 16, a handle 18, and an interior 20.
  • the interior 20 of the container 12 is defined, in part, by an interior wall surface 22.
  • the container 12 may be variously configured and may be formed from a variety of materials, such as, for example, metals, plastics, and ceramics.
  • plastics such as, for example, polyethylene, polyethylene terephthalate, polyvinylchloride, polycarbonate and polyacrylate may be utilized. These materials may also be transparent or translucent materials.
  • a filter assembly 24, as shown in Figures 1 - 4, is mounted within or otherwise attached to the container 12.
  • the filter assembly 24 may be at least partially disposed within the interior 20 of the container 12.
  • a first chamber 25 may be formed above the filter assembly.
  • a reservoir or second chamber 26 may be formed within the interior 20 of the container 12 below the filter assembly 24.
  • the filter assembly 24 sealingly engages the container 12 to prohibit fluid flow between the periphery of the filter assembly 24 and the interior wall surface 22. This prevents fluid from flowing from the first chamber 25 into the second chamber or reservoir 26 without first passing through the filter media.
  • a variety of mechanisms may be utilized to prevent fluid flow between the periphery of the filter assembly 24 and the interior wall surface 22, and such arrangements are well known to those skilled in the art.
  • at least a portion of the filter assembly 24 may be integrally formed or permanently secured to the container 12. In other embodiments, the filter assembly 24 may be removably mounted to the container 12.
  • a seal 28 may be positioned around the periphery of the filter assembly 24, the seal 28 being disposed within a channel 27 formed in the filter carrier 30. If desired, the filter assembly 24 may contact and/or rest upon a shoulder 29, depicted in Figure 3, which extends inwardly from the interior wall surface 22. In other embodiments, the filter assembly 24 may abut directly and firmly against the interior wall surface 22. In some embodiments, the seal 28 may be disposed between the shoulder 29 and the filter assembly 24. Fluid flowing into the opening 14 of the container 12 is directed by gravity to flow into the filter assembly 24, which filters the fluid before it flows into the reservoir 26. The filter assembly 24 may be variously configured to filter this fluid.
  • the filter assembly 24 may include a filter carrier 30.
  • the filter carrier 30 supports the filtration media 32 and sealingly engages the filtration media 32 to inhibit fluid from passing through the filter assembly 24 without passing through the filtration media 32.
  • the configuration and construction of the filter carrier 30 may vary with the type of filtration media utilized.
  • a wide variety of filtering materials may be utilized for the filtration media 32, including, for example, granular activated carbon, block activated carbon, nonwoven materials, and any combination of such or similar materials.
  • block activated carbon may be utilized as the filtration media 32.
  • the filter carrier 30 may be integrally molded to the block activated carbon filtration media 32.
  • at least one seal may be disposed between the filter carrier 30 and the filtration media 32 to ensure that fluid does not pass out of the filter carrier 30 without flowing through the filtration media 32.
  • the filtration media 32 may be removed from the filter carrier 30 so that when the filtration media 32 has reached the end of its useful life, new filtration media 32 may be placed within the filter carrier 30.
  • Such embodiments may also include an indicator adapted to indicate that the filtration media 32 should be removed and replaced with new filtration media.
  • a variety of "end-of-life" filter indicators are currently available which may be utilized with the present invention.
  • a sealing member 34 is provided in the present invention.
  • the sealing member 34 may be attached to the filter assembly 24 in a variety of ways so that the sealing member 34 is easily movable between a first position, depicted in Figure 4, and a second position, depicted in Figure 3.
  • the sealing member 34 may be slidably or rotatably attached to the filter assembly 24, or pivotably attached to the filter assembly 24 such as shown in Figure 4.
  • sealing member 34 When the sealing member is in its first position as shown in Figure 4, fluid contained within the reservoir 26 may flow past the sealing member 34 and out of the container 12. When the sealing member 34 is in its second position, the peripheral surface 36 of the sealing member 34 abuts at least a portion of the interior wall surface 22 of the container 12. In this manner, an airtight seal may be formed between the sealing member 34 and the interior wall surface 22, the periphery of the sealing member 36 and the filter assembly 24 sealingly engaging the interior wall surface 22 of the container 12.
  • a lip, shoulder, shelf or other type of protruding member may be provided which extends outwardly from the wall surface 22 to assist in the formation of an airtight seal.
  • airtight is defined as being sufficiently resistant to the flow of air so that the air pressure within the reservoir 26 may be altered so that the air pressure as measured within the reservoir 26 is below ambient air pressure, or is below the air pressure as measured above the filtration media.
  • the sealing member 34 may alternately be attached to the container 12.
  • the peripheral surface 36 of the sealing member 34 would form a seal against the filter assembly 24 when the sealing member 34 is in its second position.
  • the present invention may include a mechanism that lowers the air pressure below the filtration media in the second chamber or reservoir 26 with respect to the air pressure above the fluid disposed on the filtration media.
  • the mechanism may include a pump assembly 40 which may be easily actuated by a user to remove at least a portion of the air from the reservoir 26 when the sealing member 34 is in its second, sealing position. By removing an amount of air from the airtight reservoir 26, a slight differential between the air pressure above and below the filtration media 32 may be created. This pressure differential tends to increase the rate of flow through the filtration media 32 and into the reservoir 26.
  • the pump assembly 40 includes a hollow, resilient compressible bulb 44 that is integrally formed with the handle 18. As shown in that particular embodiment, the interior of the handle 18 is hollow. In certain embodiments, the pump assembly may be formed independently of the handle 18 and the container 12. In such embodiments, the pump assembly 40 may be subsequently attached or connected to any of a number of locations on the container 12.
  • a first one-way valve 46 is positioned between the handle 18 and the second chamber or reservoir 26.
  • a variety of commercially available one-way valves may be utilized in the present invention.
  • the valve 46 only permits air to flow from the reservoir 26 into the interior of the handle 18.
  • a second one-way valve 48 also not shown in cross-section, is provided which only permits air to flow out of the interior of the handle 18.
  • the second one-way valve 48 may be positioned so that air from the interior of the handle 18 is vented into the first chamber 25 above the fluid which is disposed upon the filtration media 32 or is vented exteriorly of the container 12.
  • a lid 38 may be provided which engages the opening 14 of the container 12. After fluid has been poured into the opening 14, the lid 38 may be placed on and secured to the container 12. in such embodiments, the pump assembly 40 may move air from the second chamber 26 into the first chamber 25 above the fluid positioned above the filter assembly 24. Movement of the air in such a manner will further increase the pressure differential above and below the filter media and therefore increase the rate of flow of fluid through the filtration media 32.
  • Figure 1 depicts a user compressing the handle 18 and the resilient compressible bulb 44 to increase the flow of fluid through the filter assembly 24. As shown in Figure 1 , a depressible mechanism 50 may also be provided.
  • the mechanism 50 is connected to the sealing member 34 so that, when depressed by a user, the mechanism 50 causes the sealing member 34 to move to its first, open position. When the mechanism 50 is released, the sealing member 34 returns to its second, closed position. In other embodiments, the sealing member 34 may be biased to remain in its second, closed position unless the mechanism 50 is depressed. While the invention has been described in detail with respect to specific embodiments thereof, it will be appreciated that those skilled in the art, upon attaining an understanding of the foregoing, may readily conceive of alterations to and variations of the embodiments disclosed herein. Such alterations and variations are believed to fall within the scope and spirit of the present invention and the appended claims.

Landscapes

  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Hydrology & Water Resources (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Environmental & Geological Engineering (AREA)
  • Water Supply & Treatment (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Organic Chemistry (AREA)
  • Filtering Materials (AREA)
  • Water Treatment By Sorption (AREA)

Abstract

La présente invention concerne un système de filtrage de fluides comprenant un récipient définissant un réservoir et une ouverture dans celui-ci. Le milieu filtrant peut être placé dans le réservoir et est conçu pour diviser le réservoir en une première et une seconde chambre. La première chambre est conçue pour recevoir un fluide non filtré. La seconde, elle, pour retenir le fluide filtré lors de son passage à travers le milieu filtrant. Le fluide entrant dans la première chambre ne peut pas entrer dans la seconde chambre sans avoir au préalable passé à travers le milieu filtrant. On prévoit un mécanisme pour abaisser la pression à l'intérieur de la seconde chambre par rapport à celle de la première de manière que le fluide entrant dans la première chambre soit à traverser le milieu filtrant pour aboutir dans la seconde chambre.
PCT/US2000/011147 1999-04-20 2000-04-20 Systeme de filtrage de fluides comprenant un mecanisme pour augmenter le debit d'un fluide a travers le filtre WO2000063121A1 (fr)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AU46636/00A AU4663600A (en) 1999-04-20 2000-04-20 Fluid filtration system including a mechanism for increasing the flow through the filter

Applications Claiming Priority (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US13022399P 1999-04-20 1999-04-20
US60/130,223 1999-04-20
US52267300A 2000-03-10 2000-03-10
US09/522,673 2000-03-10

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2000063121A1 true WO2000063121A1 (fr) 2000-10-26

Family

ID=26828266

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/US2000/011147 WO2000063121A1 (fr) 1999-04-20 2000-04-20 Systeme de filtrage de fluides comprenant un mecanisme pour augmenter le debit d'un fluide a travers le filtre

Country Status (3)

Country Link
AU (1) AU4663600A (fr)
PE (1) PE20001406A1 (fr)
WO (1) WO2000063121A1 (fr)

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
USD743742S1 (en) 2012-01-02 2015-11-24 Brita Gmbh Drinking bottle
EP4174031A1 (fr) * 2021-10-26 2023-05-03 Brita Se Dispositif de traitement de liquide

Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE1124891B (de) * 1959-03-20 1962-03-08 Friedrich W Schmitz Maschinen Vakuumfilter
US3430769A (en) * 1966-12-01 1969-03-04 William A Sanzenbacher Apparatus for preparing drinkable water
DE1536755A1 (de) * 1966-12-15 1970-02-26 Heinz Ahlswede Geraet zum Filtern von Fluessigkeiten,insbesondere fuer Aquarien oder galvanische Baeder
US4714550A (en) * 1985-09-23 1987-12-22 Water Systems Development Corporation Canteen carried water purifier system
US5225078A (en) * 1992-03-04 1993-07-06 Ametek, Inc. Plymouth Products Division Pour-through pitcher filter
DE19524587A1 (de) * 1995-07-06 1997-01-09 A Dr Med Hechmat Vorrichtung zur Gewinnung von Trinkwasser aus verseuchtem Schmutzwasser
US5733448A (en) * 1997-02-26 1998-03-31 Kaura; Kamaljit S. Manually pressurized water filtering container

Patent Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE1124891B (de) * 1959-03-20 1962-03-08 Friedrich W Schmitz Maschinen Vakuumfilter
US3430769A (en) * 1966-12-01 1969-03-04 William A Sanzenbacher Apparatus for preparing drinkable water
DE1536755A1 (de) * 1966-12-15 1970-02-26 Heinz Ahlswede Geraet zum Filtern von Fluessigkeiten,insbesondere fuer Aquarien oder galvanische Baeder
US4714550A (en) * 1985-09-23 1987-12-22 Water Systems Development Corporation Canteen carried water purifier system
US5225078A (en) * 1992-03-04 1993-07-06 Ametek, Inc. Plymouth Products Division Pour-through pitcher filter
DE19524587A1 (de) * 1995-07-06 1997-01-09 A Dr Med Hechmat Vorrichtung zur Gewinnung von Trinkwasser aus verseuchtem Schmutzwasser
US5733448A (en) * 1997-02-26 1998-03-31 Kaura; Kamaljit S. Manually pressurized water filtering container

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
USD743742S1 (en) 2012-01-02 2015-11-24 Brita Gmbh Drinking bottle
USD744781S1 (en) 2012-01-02 2015-12-08 Brita Gmbh Drinking bottle
EP4174031A1 (fr) * 2021-10-26 2023-05-03 Brita Se Dispositif de traitement de liquide

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
AU4663600A (en) 2000-11-02
PE20001406A1 (es) 2000-12-12

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