Filtration system and mount for beverage dispensers and automatic beverage brewing machines

• US 5,342,518 A
• Filed: 06/25/1993
• Issued: 08/30/1994
• Est. Priority Date: 02/14/1990
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Iraco Filtration Systems, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Iraco Filtration Systems, Inc.
• Inventors: McQueen, Al, Posner, Mark A.
• Primary Examiner(s): SPEAR JR, FRANK
• Application Number:
  US08/082,679
• Time in Patent Office: 431 Days
• Field of Search: 210/232, 210/391, 210/541, 210/447
• US Class Current: 210/232
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2321/02 Forward flushing
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 29/114 arranged for inward flow filtration B01D29/15, B01D29/33 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 29/117 arranged for outward flow filtration B01D29/23, B01D29/35 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 29/58 arranged concentrically or coaxially
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 29/86 Retarding cake deposition on the filter during the filtration period, e.g. using stirrers B01D29/908 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 35/303 the housings being modular, e.g. standardised
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 61/18 Apparatus therefor
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 63/06 Tubular membrane modules
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 65/00 Accessories or auxiliary operations, in general, for separation processes or apparatus using semi-permeable membranes
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 65/08 Prevention of membrane fouling or of concentration polarisation
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 1/444 by ultrafiltration or microfiltration
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2201/006 Cartridges

Abstract

A filtration system having an in-line filter cartridge with the inlet at one end of the filter cartridge and the outlet at the opposite end of the cartridge. The filter cartridge is connected to the cartridge mounting on the fluid conduits via quick-disconnect couplers with built-in automatic water shutoff capability which enables the filter cartridge to be installed and removed in a horizontal movement. A recirculating bypass is provided in the system which includes a pair of bypass branch lines to recirculate the fluid and prevent trapped stagnant water in the bypass lines. In a shown preferred usage, the filtration system utilizes a filtration cartridge and mount to allow filter cartridges to be easily mounted upon and removed from automatic beverage dispensers.

Claims

1. A beverage dispenser filtration cartridge system, comprising:

(a) a coffee/tea brewing machine having means for defining a flow path for accepting tap water at an input, the flow path having two connect/quick disconnect means and the brewing machine providing enhanced beverage-styled water for consumption at an output, the flow path being disposed between the brewing machines input and the output; and

(b) a filter cartridge having two quick connect/disconnect means, the cartridge providing through flow treatment of fluid flowing through the flow path, the cartridge having an inlet fluid filter coupling at one end of the filter cartridge and an outlet fluid filter coupling at an opposite end of the cartridge, the inlet coupling providing detachable fluid access to a first conduit along the flow path within the beverage dispenser and the outlet coupling providing detachable fluid access to a second conduit along the flow path within the beverage dispenser, the filter cartridge being detachably mountable and replaceable to the flow path.

2. The beverage dispenser filtration system of claim 1, wherein the beverage dispenser is an automatic drip coffee machine.

3. A beverage dispenser filtration cartridge system, comprising:

(a) a beverage dispenser for accepting tap water at an input and providing enhanced beverage-styled water for consumption at an output, a beverage flow path being disposed between the input and the output;

(b) a filter cartridge for providing through flow treatment of fluid flowing through the flow path, the cartridge having an inlet fluid filter coupling at one end of the filter cartridge and an outlet fluid filter coupling at an opposite end of the cartridge, the inlet coupling providing detachable fluid access to a first conduit along the flow path within the beverage dispenser and the outlet coupling providing detachable fluid access to a second conduit along the flow path within the beverage dispenser, the filter cartridge being detachably mountable and replaceable to the flow path; and

(c) an integral filter mount wherein the first and second conduits are within an external wall of the dispenser, the conduits allowing the filter cartridge to be externally placed on the wall and to conduct fluid access to the flow path placed internally of the wall.

4. The beverage dispenser filtration system of claim 3, further comprising an input fluid connection for connecting the dispenser to an external water source and allowing fluid flow into the dispenser, the input fluid connection having fluid flow access to the inlet coupling within the external wall to provide fluid flow into the externally placed cartridge, the outlet fluid coupling allowing treated water to flow from the externally placed cartridge through the dispenser to the dispenser output for serving enhancement.

5. The beverage dispenser filtration system of claim 4, wherein the inlet and outlet couplings are quick-disconnect couplers, and the cartridge'"'"'s in-line orientation is in a plane of installation such that the cartridge can be installed and removed with a motion substantially perpendicular to the plane of installation.

6. The beverage dispenser filtration system of claim 5, wherein the fluid passing the inlet fluid coupling is evenly disbursed throughout the cartridge'"'"'s cross-sectional area for through flow treatment.

7. The beverage dispenser filtration system of claim 6, wherein the inlet and outlet fluid couplings are symmetrically identical.

8. A beverage dispenser filtration cartridge system, comprising:

(a) a beverage dispenser for accepting tap water at an input and providing enhanced beverage-styled water for consumption at an output, a beverage flow path being disposed between the input and the output;

(b) a filter cartridge for providing through flow treatment of fluid flowing through the flow path, the cartridge having an inlet fluid filter coupling at one end of the filter cartridge and an outlet fluid filter coupling at an opposite end of the cartridge, the inlet coupling providing detachable fluid access to a first conduit along the flow path within the beverage dispenser and the outlet coupling providing detachable fluid access to a second conduit along the flow path within the beverage dispenser, the filter cartridge being detachably mountable and replaceable to the flow path; and

(c) an integral filter mount wherein the mount is fastened to an external wall of the dispenser, the first and second conduits being within the mount, the conduits allowing the filter cartridge to be placed externally of the wall and to conduct fluid flow along the flow path having fluid access leading into the dispenser.

9. The beverage dispenser filtration system of claim 8, wherein the external filter mount is externally fastenable upon the wall of preexisting beverage dispensers for providing filtration cartridge capacity using preexisting fluid connections.

10. The beverage dispenser filtration system of claim 8, further comprising a preexisting input fluid connection for allowing the dispenser to be connected to an external water source and allowing fluid flow through the dispenser to the dispenser output for serving enhancement, a first external fluid conduit providing fluid flow access to the input fluid connection from the outlet coupling within the external filter mount, the first external fluid conduit allowing treated water to flow from the externally placed cartridge through the outlet fluid coupling into the dispenser, and a second external fluid conduit providing fluid flow access to the inlet fluid coupling from the external water source, the second external fluid conduit allowing water from the source to flow into the filter for treatment.

11. The beverage dispenser filtration system of claim 10, wherein the inlet and outlet couplings are quick-disconnect couplers, and the cartridge'"'"'s in-line orientation is in a plane of installation such that the cartridge can be installed and removed with a motion substantially perpendicular to the plane of installation.

12. The beverage dispenser filtration system of claim 11, wherein the fluid passing the inlet fluid coupling is evenly disbursed throughout the cartridge'"'"'s cross-sectional area for through flow treatment.

13. The beverage dispenser filtration system of claim 12, wherein the inlet and outlet fluid couplings are symmetrically identical.

14. Beverage dispenser filtration cartridge system, comprising:

a. a coffee/tea brewing machine having means for defining a flow path for accepting tap water at an input, the flow path having two quick connect/disconnect means and the brewing machine providing enhanced beverage-styled water for consumption at an output, the flow path being disposed between the brewing machine'"'"'s input and the output;

b. a filter cartridge having two quick connect/disconnect means, the cartridge providing through flow treatment of fluid flowing through the flow path, the cartridge having an inlet fluid filter coupling at one end of the filter cartridge and an outlet fluid filter coupling at an opposite end of the cartridge, the inlet coupling providing detachable fluid access to a first conduit along the flow path within the beverage dispenser and the outlet coupling providing detachable fluid access to a first conduit along the flow path within the beverage dispenser and the outlet coupling providing detachable fluid access to a second conduit along the flow path within the beverage dispenser, the filter cartridge being detachably mountable and replaceable to the flow path;

c. a coffee/tea brewing machine wherein the inlet and outlet couplings are quick-disconnect couplers, and the cartridge'"'"'s in-line disconnect couplers, and the cartridge'"'"'s in-line orientation is in a plane of installation such that the cartridge can be installed and removed with a motion substantially perpendicular to the plane of installation; and

d. a coffee/tea brewing machine wherein the inlet and outlet couplings are quick-disconnect couplers, and the catridge'"'"'s in-line orientation is in a plane of installation such that the cartridge can be installed and removed with a motion substantially perpendicular to the plane of installation.

15. The beverage dispenser filtration system of claim 14, wherein the beverage dispenser is an automatic drip coffee machine.

16. The beverage dispenser filtration system of claim 15, further comprising an integral filter mount wherein the first and second conduits are within an external wall of the dispenser, the conduits allowing the filter cartridge to be externally placed on the wall and to conduct fluid access to a fluid path placed internally of the wall.

17. The beverage dispenser filtration system of claim 16, further comprising an input fluid connection for connecting the dispenser to an external water source and allowing fluid flow into the dispenser, the input fluid connection having fluid flow access to the inlet coupling within the external wall to provide fluid flow into the externally placed cartridge, the outlet fluid coupling allowing treated water to flow from the externally placed cartridge through the dispenser to the dispenser output for serving enhancement.

18. The beverage dispenser filtration system of claim 17, wherein the fluid passing the inlet fluid coupling is evenly disbursed throughout the cartridge'"'"'s cross-sectional area for through flow treatment.

19. The beverage dispenser filtration system of claim 18, wherein the inlet and outlet fluid couplings are symmetrically identical.

20. The beverage dispenser filtration system of claim 14, further comprising an external filter mount wherein the mount is fastened to an external wall of the dispenser, the first and second conduits being within the mount, the conduits allowing the filter cartridge to be placed externally of the wall and to conduct fluid flow along a fluid path having fluid access leading into the dispenser.

21. The beverage dispenser filtration system of claim 20, wherein the external filter mount is externally fastenable upon the wall of preexisting beverage dispensers for providing filtration cartridge capacity using preexisting fluid connections.

22. The beverage dispenser filtration system of claim 20, further comprising a preexisting input fluid connection for allowing the dispenser to be connected to an external water source and allowing fluid flow through the dispenser to the dispenser output for serving enhancement, a first external fluid conduit providing fluid flow access to the input fluid connection from the outlet coupling within the external filter mount, the first external fluid conduit allowing treated water to flow from the externally placed cartridge through the outlet fluid coupling into the dispenser, and a second external fluid conduit providing fluid flow access to the inlet fluid coupling from the external water source, the second external fluid conduit allowing water from the source to flow into the filter for treatment.

23. The beverage dispenser filtration system of claim 22, wherein the fluid passing the inlet fluid coupling is evenly disbursed throughout the cartridge'"'"'s cross-sectional area for through flow treatment.

24. The beverage dispenser filtration system of claim 23, wherein the inlet and outlet fluid couplings are symmetrically identical.