WO2000071468A1

WO2000071468A1 - Fluid filtration and dispensing system

Info

Publication number: WO2000071468A1
Application number: PCT/US2000/014756
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jeffrey Eldon Fish; Kevin Peter Mcgrath; Malcolm Daniel Poirier; Bruce Scott Williamson
Original assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
Priority date: 1999-05-26
Filing date: 2000-05-26
Publication date: 2000-11-30
Also published as: PE20010318A1; MXPA01011824A; AU5047900A

Abstract

The invention disclosed herein is a fluid filtration and dispensing system including a container having a reservoir for unfiltered fluid. A dispensing and filtering assembly is also provided and is adapted to sealingly engage the container so that the fluid reservoir is airtight. The dispensing and filtering system having a housing and a pump assembly that is adapted to increase the air pressure within the unfiltered fluid reservoir. A filter is also provided and is disposed within a fluid passageway which includes a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet. The fluid inlet is positioned within the unfiltered fluid reservoir. The filter is disposed between the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet so that fluid entering the fluid passageway through the fluid inlet must pass through the filter prior to exiting the fluid passageway via the fluid outlet. Thus, when the pump assembly is actuated, air pressure within the reservoir increases so that unfiltered fluid contained within the airtight reservoir enters the fluid inlet, flows through the fluid passageway, through the filter and through the fluid outlet.

Description

FLUID FILTRATION AND DISPENSING SYSTEM

This application claims priority from U.S. provisional application serial number 60/136,119 filed on May 26, 1999, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to a fluid filtration system, and more particularly to a fluid filtration and dispensing system that can filter and dispense water quickly.

Background of the Invention

As consumers become more health conscious, there is a heightened interest in increasing the quality of water which is utilized for human consumption. In response to this interest, there is much ongoing effort to develop systems which improve water quality by filtering the water to remove contaminants such as chlorine, iron, biological and organic contaminants, microorganisms, lead, and the like which may affect the color, taste, odor and potability of water.

Different varieties of filtration systems are currently available which assist in reducing the contaminants in water prior to use or ingestion. Such systems typically include a replaceable filter positioned within some type of housing such as a bottle, canteen, pitcher, counter-top or faucet-mounted device, or the like.

In some filtration systems, such as, for example, pitcher-type filtration systems, fluid is slowly drawn through the filter by gravity. In some filtration systems, fluid may be forced through the filter under pressure. In each of such systems, filtered fluid is typically accumulated and stored in a reservoir. In currently available filtering systems, filtered fluid may remain in the reservoir for extended periods of time. In some of these systems, the filter itself remains in contact with the freshly filtered fluid which can, in some instances, be undesirable.

As it is frequently desirable to provide freshly filtered water to a user, there remains a need for a fluid filtration system which filters and delivers a desired quantity of fluid to a user quickly. Summary of the Invention

In response to the foregoing problems and difficulties encountered by other filtration systems, the present invention is directed to a fluid filtration and dispensing system including a container such as, for example, a pitcher, bottle, canister or the like. In selected embodiments, such containers may be formed as a pitcher having a spout, a handle, and a reservoir for unfiltered fluid.

A pumping and filtering assembly is provided and is adapted to sealingly engage the container so that the unfiltered fluid reservoir is airtight. The pumping and filtering assembly includes a housing and a filter positioned within the housing. A pump assembly is further included in the pumping and filtering assembly, and is positioned at least partially within the housing. The pump assembly is configured and arranged with respect to the pumping and filtering assembly so that the pump assembly may be actuated by a user. The pump assembly is adapted to pump fluid from the unfiltered fluid reservoir and through the filter positioned within the housing.

In selected embodiments, the pump assembly includes a compressible and expandable bellows having an upper portion that is positioned exteriorly of the housing. In such embodiments, a first one-way valve is provided. The first one-way valve may be disposed in the upper portion of the bellows and is adapted to permit air to enter the bellows. A second one-way valve is also provided, the second one-way valve extending through the lower portion of the bellows. The second one-way valve enables air within the bellows to exit the bellows and enter the unfiltered fluid reservoir. Thus, as the bellows is compressed, the air within the bellows is forced through the second one-way valve into the reservoir. As the bellows expands, air from outside the pump assembly is drawn into the bellows through the first one-way valve. Thus, as the pump assembly is actuated by a user, air is forced into the reservoir of the container, increasing the air pressure within the unfiltered fluid reservoir.

A fluid passageway may also be provided, the fluid passageway having a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet. The fluid inlet is positioned within the unfiltered fluid reservoir. The fluid outlet is positioned so that fluid flowing through the fluid outlet may exit the filtration and dispensing system. A filter is disposed between the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet so that fluid entering the fluid passageway through the fluid inlet must pass through the filter before exiting the fluid passageway through the fluid outlet. The filter may be formed of a variety of filtration media such as, for example, block activated carbon, granular activated carbon, zeolites, nonwoven materials, and combinations of these and similar materials. Actuation of the pump assembly forces air into the unfiltered fluid reservoir of the container which increases the air pressure within the reservoir. The increase in air pressure forces fluid into the fluid inlet of the fluid passageway, through the filter and out of the fluid outlet and the filtration and dispensing system. The increase in air pressure also causes the fluid to flow quickly through the filter, thus making filtered fluid available in a shorter period of time.

Particular embodiments of the present invention may additionally include an indicator that provides an indication to a user that the filter should be removed and replaced with a fresh filter. Other objects, advantages and applications of the present invention will be made clear by the following detailed description of embodiments of the invention and the accompanying drawings wherein reference numerals refer to like or equivalent structures.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Figure 1 is a perspective partially exploded view of an embodiment of the fluid filtration and dispensing system of the present invention.

Figure 2 is a partial cross-sectional view of the embodiment of the fluid filtration and dispensing system depicted in Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the fluid filtration and dispensing system of the present invention.

Figure 4 is a partial cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the fluid filtration and dispensing system similar to the embodiment which is depicted in Figure 3.

Detailed Description of the Invention

The present invention is directed to a fluid filtration and dispensing system 10 which includes a container 12 that may be formed into various types of fluid dispensing devices, such as, for example, a bottle, pitcher, canister or the like. The container 12 includes an unfiltered fluid reservoir 14 and an opening 17. In selected embodiments, the container may also include a spout 16 and a handle 18. A wide variety of materials may be utilized to form the container 12, including, for example, plastics, metals, ceramics, and combinations thereof. Transparent or translucent materials such as, for example, glass, acrylic, polycarbonate, polyvinylchloride and the like may also be utilized in the present invention.

The fluid filtration and dispensing system 10 further includes a dispensing and filtering assembly 20, best shown in Figures 1 , 3 and 4. The dispensing and filtering assembly 20 may include a housing 22. The dispensing and filtering assembly 20 is adapted to sealing engage the opening 17 of the container 12 so that the reservoir 14 is airtight and fluidtight. As used herein, the term "airtight" means that, under normal operating conditions, the dispensing and filtering assembly 20 is engaged to the container 12 so that air does not pass between the dispensing and filtering assembly 20 and the container 12. As used herein, the term "fluidtight" means that, under normal operating conditions, the dispensing and filtering assembly 20 is engaged to the container 12 so that fluid within the reservoir 14 does not pass between the dispensing and filtering assembly 20 and the container 12. The container 12 and dispensing and filtering assembly 20 may be variously configured to achieve the desired sealing characteristics. For example and as shown in Figure 1 , a seal 23 is disposed about the circumference of the housing 22, the seal engaging the interior surface of the container 12 to prevent fluid and air from flowing out of the reservoir 14 around the dispensing and filtering assembly 20.

A pump assembly 24, best shown in Figures 2 and 4, is provided and is disposed at least partially within the housing 22. The upper portion 30 of the pump assembly 24, in selected embodiments and as shown in Figures 1 and 2, is disposed exteriorly of the housing 22.

The pump assembly 24 is adapted to pump air from exteriorly of the housing 12 into the airtight reservoir 14. Although a wide variety of pumping mechanisms may be utilized with the present invention, a bellows-type pump may be utilized and is shown in Figures 2 and 4. As used herein, the term "bellows" denotes a device, instrument or machine that, by alternate expansion and contraction, draws air in through a valve or orifice and expels it through another valve or orifice. The bellows may include a pleated, expansible portion.

As shown in the embodiments depicted in Figures 2 and 4, the pump assembly 24 includes a bellows 26 that includes a compressible and expandable portion 27. As shown therein, the bellows 26 is in an expanded state. The bellows 26 is formed so that, after the bellows 26 is compressed, the bellows 26 returns to an expanded state. In some embodiments, a separate biasing mechanism such as a spring-type mechanism may be utilized to return the bellows to its expanded state.

The bellows 26 depicted in the accompanying figures is compressible and expandable in the vertical direction. As used herein the term "vertical" refers to a configuration which an ordinary observer would consider to be vertical. With respect to the present invention, a surface on which the fluid filtration and dispensing system 10 is positioned would typically be horizontal, and a surface which extends perpendicularly upward or downward from the horizontal surface would be the reference point for any determination of verticality. Thus, when the fluid filtration and dispensing system 10 is positioned on a substantially horizontal surface, the bellows is compressible and expandable in the vertical direction, which is substantially perpendicular to the horizontal surface. The bellows 26 may be otherwise oriented within the fluid filtration and dispensing system so that the bellows 26 is compressible and expandable along other directions such as, for example, the horizontal direction. The bellows utilized in the present invention may be formed of a variety of materials including, for example, plastics, nonwoven fabrics and woven fabrics or any combination of such or similar materials. As used herein, the term "nonwoven" fabric or web refers to a web having a structure of individual fibers or filaments which are interlaid, but not in an identifiable repeating manner as in a knitted fabric. Nonwoven fabrics or webs can be formed by a variety of processes known to those skilled in the art such as, for example, meltblowing, spunbonding and bonded carded web processes.

As best shown in Figures 2 and 4, a first one-way valve 28 (not shown in cross- section) is disposed in the upper portion 30 of the bellows 26. The first one-way valve 28 is adapted to allow air disposed exteriorly of the fluid filtration and dispensing system 10 into the interior of the bellows 26 as the bellows expands. The first one-way valve 28 prevents air from exiting the interior of the bellows 26. In other embodiments, the one-way valve 28 may be disposed in other locations, so long as air which is disposed exteriorly of the system 10 is able to pass into the bellows 26 through the valve 28.

As also shown in Figures 2 and 4, a second one-way valve 32 (not shown in cross- section) is disposed in the lower portion of the bellows 26. The second one-way valve 32 is adapted to allow air disposed within the bellows 26 to be expelled into the unfiltered fluid reservoir 14 as the bellows 26 is compressed. A wide variety of one-way valves are readily available and may be utilized as the first and/or second one-way valves of the present invention. In other embodiments, the second one-way valve 32 may be disposed in other locations, so long as air which is disposed within the bellows 26 is expelled through the second one-way valve 32 into the unfiltered fluid reservoir 14.

A fluid passageway 36 and a filter 34 are also included in the dispensing and filtering assembly 20. As shown in Figures 2 and 4, the fluid passageway 36 includes a fluid inlet 38 and a fluid outlet 40. The fluid inlet 38 is disposed within the unfiltered fluid reservoir 14. As the air pressure within the fluid reservoir 14 is increased through repeated compression and expansion of the bellows, fluid is forced through the fluid inlet 38 and through the fluid passageway 36.

A filter 34 is disposed between the fluid inlet 38 and the fluid outlet 40 so that fluid entering the fluid inlet 38 must pass through the filter 34 before exiting the fluid passageway 36 through the fluid outlet 40. In the embodiment depicted in Figure 4, the fluid outlet 40 is positioned adjacent to the spout 16 so that freshly filtered fluid may flow from the fluid outlet 40 through the spout 16.

In use, a user depresses the upper portion 30 of the bellows 26 to compress the bellows. As the bellows 26 is compressed, air within the bellows 26 is forced out of the second valve 32 and into the unfiltered fluid reservoir 14. As the bellows 26 returns to an expanded state, air enters the bellows 26 through the first one-way valve 28. When a user repeatedly compresses the bellows 26, the air pressure within the unfiltered fluid reservoir 14 is increased, at least temporarily, to above ambient air pressure and forces fluid through the filter 34 and through the fluid outlet 40. In this way, freshly filtered fluid is readily available for a user.

In such a system, the engagement of the dispensing and filtering assembly 20 to the container 12 must withstand the increase in air pressure within the unfiltered fluid reservoir 14 and not permit the dispensing and filtering assembly 20 to disengage from the container 12. Many different types of engagement mechanisms may be utilized in the present invention, including force-fit engagement or a locking member disposed on either the dispensing and filtering assembly 20 or the housing 12.

Many available filtering materials may be utilized for the filter 34, including, for example, granular activated carbon, block activated carbon, nonwoven materials, and any combination of such or similar materials. For example and as shown in Figures 2 and 4, block activated carbon may be utilized as the filter.

The filter 34 may be variously supported by or contained within the housing 22 and/or fluid passageway 36. As shown in Figure 2, the filter 34 is disposed at approximately the midpoint along the fluid passageway 36. In the embodiment shown in

Figure 4, the filter 34 is disposed within the lower portion of the fluid passageway 36 proximate to the fluid inlet 38.

Numerous configurations of the filter 34, the housing 22, the pump assembly 24 and the fluid passageway 36 are possible so that unfiltered fluid within the reservoir 14 may be forced, under pressure, through the filter 34 and delivered to a user. Any number of these configurations may permit the filter 34 to be easily removed and replaced with a fresh filter 34. For example, the housing 22 depicted in Figure 4 may be constructed so that the housing 22 is formed of at least two sections, a first section 42 and a second section 44. The first and second sections, 42 and 44, respectively, each include threaded portions 46 and 48, respectively, which are adapted to threadably engage each other. The first and second sections may be otherwise configured so as to be releasably engaged to one another. To replace the filter 34, the first and second sections, 42 and 44, respectively, are disengaged from each other so that the filter 34 may be removed from the interior of the passageway 36 and a new filter positioned therein. The first and second sections, 42 and 44, respectively, may then be interlocked so that the filter 34 is retained therein.

Additionally, an indicator may be provided which indicates that the filter 34 has reached the end of its useful life and should be replaced with a fresh filter 34. A variety of such indicators are currently available and may be utilized with the present invention.

As used herein, any given range is intended to include any and all lesser included ranges. For example, a range of from 45-90 would also include 50-90; 45-80; 46-89 and the like.

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.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A fluid filtration and dispensing system comprising: a container including a reservoir for unfiltered fluid, and an opening; a dispensing and filtering assembly adapted to sealingly engage the opening of the container so that the fluid reservoir is airtight and fluidtight, the dispensing and filtering assembly including a pump assembly adapted to increase the air pressure within the reservoir, a filter, a fluid passageway having a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet, the fluid inlet being positioned within the fluid reservoir, the filter being disposed between the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet so that fluid entering the fluid passageway through the fluid inlet must pass through the filter prior to exiting the fluid passageway via the fluid outlet; whereby, as the pump assembly is actuated, air pressure within the reservoir increases so that unfiltered fluid contained within the airtight reservoir enters the fluid inlet, flows through the fluid passageway, through the filter and through the fluid outlet.

2. The system of claim 1 , the dispensing and filtering assembly further including a housing, the pump assembly being at least partially disposed within the housing.

3. The system of claim 1 , the pump assembly further including: a compressible and expandable bellows, the bellows disposed within the housing so that a portion of the bellows is accessible by a user, a first one-way valve extending through an upper portion of the bellows, the first one-way valve adapted to permit air to enter the bellows, and a second one-way valve extending through a lower portion of the bellows, the second one-way valve adapted to permit air to exit the bellows, the pump assembly adapted to force air disposed within the bellows out of the bellows through the second one-way valve and into the reservoir.

4. The system of claim 1 , the container comprising a pitcher.

5. The system of claim 1 , the container being formed of a transparent material.

6. The system of claim 1 , the filter being formed from a block activated carbon.