Water treatment apparatus

• US 20060169629A1
• Filed: 08/07/2003
• Published: 08/03/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 08/07/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Strix Limited (Strix Group Plc)
• Original Assignee: Strix Limited (Strix Group Plc)
• Inventors: Garvey, Vincent J, Donnelly, Vincent J
• Granted Patent: US 8,454,826 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 210/232
• CPC Class Codes: A47J 27/21183 Water filters water filters for coffee machines A47J31/605
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2201/34 Seals or gaskets for filtering elements
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2201/4015 Bayonet connecting means
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2201/4046 Means for avoiding false mounting of different parts
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 35/147 Bypass or safety valves
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 35/30 Filter housing constructions
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 36/001 Filters in combination with devices for the removal of gas, air purge systems
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 1/003 using household-type filters for producing potable water, e.g. pitchers, bottles, faucet mounted devices C02F9/20 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2201/006 Cartridges
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2307/04 as part of a pitcher or jug

Abstract

A water treatment cartridge has a major and a minor axis in a horizontal cross-section and mounting lugs provided at the upper end of the cartridge, generally aligned with the major axis of the cartridge.

Claims

1. A water treatment cartridge, said water treatment cartridge having a major and a minor axis in a horizontal cross-section, with mounting lugs being provided at the upper end of the cartridge, generally aligned with the major axis of the cartridge.

2. A water treatment cartridge as claimed in claim 1 wherein no mounting lugs extend from any other part of the cartridge.

3. A water treatment cartridge as claimed in claim 1 wherein the cartridge is provided with a sealing surface, preferably a circular sealing surface, arranged radially inwardly of the mounting lugs.

4. A mounting part of or for a water treatment cartridge, said mounting part having a generally circular sealing surface, and having mounting lugs arranged at opposed ends thereof along an elongate direction of the mounting.

5. A water treatment cartridge having a mounting part as claimed in claim 4 as an integral part thereof or a separate element.

6. Apparatus as claimed in claim 4 wherein the cartridge body, is generally elliptical in horizontal cross-section.

7. Apparatus as claimed in claim 4 wherein the mounting lugs are planar and extend for a significant distance around the periphery of the cartridge, most preferably at least 15°

around the periphery.

8. Apparatus as claimed in claim 4 wherein the mounting lugs are arcuate in shape.

9. Apparatus as claimed in claim 4 wherein the mounting lugs mount the cartridge in a bayonet type fitting.

10. Apparatus as claimed in claim 4 wherein the lower edge of the lug periphery is chamfered such that as the mounting lug is rotated onto a receiving surface, the chamfer acts to cam the cartridge into sealing engagement with a or the seal.

11. Apparatus as claimed in claim 10 wherein the chamfer profile is substantially the same around the entire lug periphery.

12. Apparatus as claimed in claim 4 wherein the cartridge, or at least the lugs thereof, are made from a plastics material, preferably a heat resistant plastics material.

13. Apparatus as claimed in claim 12 wherein the plastics material is resistant to degradation by gamma radiation.

33. Apparatus as claimed in claim 4 wherein the cartridge comprises a cartridge body whose upper end is closed by a cap.

34. Apparatus as claimed in claim 4 further comprising a grille provided at the bottom of the container body.

35. Apparatus as claimed in claim 34 wherein the grille retains treatment particles away from a restricted opening in the base of the container body.

36. Apparatus as claimed in claim 35 wherein the grille is snap fitted into the container body which is provided with suitable retaining means, for example a retaining lip formed on its inside surface.

37. Apparatus as claimed in claim 34 wherein the grille is formed with an upwardly dished outer portion in which air will collect in preference to the grille surface and which when arranged within the container body is spaced from the container body such that air can escape between the container body and the dished portion of the grille.

44. Apparatus as claimed in claim 4 wherein means are provided on the cartridge which prevent the cartridge being used in an inappropriate appliance.

48. Apparatus as claimed in claim 4 wherein the treatment cartridge has associated with it a counter which can be used to indicate the degree of usage of the cartridge.

49. Apparatus as claimed in claim 48 wherein the cartridge is provided with means which, upon rotation of the cartridge into or out of position engage with an actuator for resetting a usage counter.

52. Apparatus as claimed in claim 4 wherein the cartridge also comprises a particle filter.

14-18. -18. (canceled)

19. A water treatment cartridge comprising a sealing surface arranged inwardly of its periphery, said sealing surface being formed, at least in part, by at least a portion of an inwardly facing, downwardly extending wall.

21. Apparatus as claimed in claim 19 wherein the sealing surface is formed around the corner between an upwardly and inwardly facing surface of the upper part of the cartridge.

22. Apparatus as claimed in claim 21 wherein the corner is rounded or chamfered.

23. Apparatus as claimed in claim 19 wherein the inwardly facing wall tapers inwardly from top to bottom.

25. Apparatus as claimed in claim 19 wherein the inwardly facing wall forms the radially outer wall of an annular channel extending around the top of the cartridge.

26. Apparatus as claimed in claim 25 wherein water inlet openings are provided in the inwardly facing wall.

27. Apparatus as claimed in claim 26 wherein water inlet openings are also provided in the radially inner, outwardly facing wall of the channel.

28. Apparatus as claimed in claim 27 wherein the inner wall has a smaller open area than the outer.

30. Apparatus as claimed in claim 27 wherein the inlet openings are provided in a lower part of the outer wall and an upper part of the inner wall.

31. Apparatus as claimed in claim 25 wherein vent openings are provided at the top of the enclosed area.

32. Apparatus as claimed in claim 25 wherein one or more ribs extend across the annular channel.

20. A water treatment appliance comprising a downwardly depending wall, and a seal mounted on the outwardly facing surface of the wall for engagement with a sealing surface provided on a water treatment cartridge.

24. A water treatment cartridge comprising an upper surface having an inwardly facing downwardly depending wall, said wall being inwardly tapering.

29. A water treatment cartridge having an upper surface provided with an annular channel, water inlet openings being provided on both the inner and outer walls of the annular channel.

38-39. -39. (canceled)

40. A water treatment cartridge having a cartridge body which tapers in a curved manner from the top to the bottom of the cartridge.

41. Apparatus as claimed in claim 40 having a major and minor axes and the taper aligned with the major axis of the cartridge.

42. Apparatus as claimed in claim 40, wherein the curve extends substantially to the centre line of the cartridge.

43. Apparatus as claimed in claim 40 wherein both the front and rear walls of the cartridge are so tapered.

45. A liquid heating appliance comprising a water treatment cartridge, means being provided on the cartridge and on a mounting location for the cartridge to prevent an incorrect cartridge being mounted therein.

46. Apparatus as claimed in claim 45 wherein one or more keys provided in a portion of the cartridge with a complementary key being provided in the mounting location.

47. Apparatus as claimed in claim 46 wherein the key(s) are provided on a peripheral surface of the cartridge, in a mounting lug for the cartridge or on an inner wall of the cartridge.

50. A water treatment cartridge comprising means which, upon rotation of the cartridge into or out of position engage with an actuator for resetting a usage counter for the cartridge.

51. A water treatment appliance comprising a counter indicating usage of a treatment cartridge, and an actuator for resetting said counter automatically when the cartridge is removed or replaced.

53-61. -61. (canceled)

62. A water treatment apparatus having a water treatment cartridge mounted in a water receiving vessel which receives a hopper for containing untreated water, said hopper having valve means which is opened by an upper surface of the cartridge when the hopper is placed on the vessel.

63. A water treatment cartridge having an upper surface provided with an annular channel, water inlet openings being provided on at least one wall of the channel.

64. A water treatment cartridge having planar mounting lugs provided at the upper end of the cartridge.