Multi-stage water filter system
First Claim
1. A multi-stage water filter system comprising:
- at least a first stage water filter cartridge and a second stage water filter cartridge each, having distinct filtering characteristics;
manifold means for connecting said at least first and second stage water filter cartridges for serial flow of water therethrough;
keyed coupling means for connecting said at least first and second stage filter cartridges to said manifold means only in a preselected position for serial flow of water therethrough;
said cartridges each including an elongated filter housing having a closed upper end and a lower end provided with a longitudinally extending water inlet conduit and a longitudinally extending water outlet conduit, said longitudinally extending inlet and outlet conduits being telescopically received in said manifold means for serial flow of water therethrough;
said lower end of each of said filter housings being provided with at least one radially protecting lug, said at least one lug of said first and said second cartridges being of different circumferential position on said housing relative to said water inlet and water outlet conduits;
said keyed coupling means for said at least first and second stage filter cartridges including at least a pair of locking rings rotatably lournalled to said manifold means for limited rotary oscillation, said locking rings each having an upstanding wall, said upstanding wall of said locking rings being provided with at least one vertically extending groove for reception of said at least one lug of said lower end of each of said cartridges wherein said first and second stage water filter cartridges can only be operatively positioned in said preselected flow relation.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A water filter system having a housing for a plurality of serial-flow connected filter cartridges with distinct filtering characteristic related to the direction of flow of water being filtered. Each filter cartridge has a membrane wrapped activated carbon filter body. One of the filter bodies includes a heavy metal bacteriostat. The cartridges are each releasably retained in a manifold by keyed connectors including rotatable locking rings. Each cartridge having a distinct filtering characteristic includes a keying structure to ensure that the cartridge can only be connected to the manifold for placement in proper serial-flow relationship in the system. The filter system includes a spent filter cartridge indicator. The filter system is particularly suited for countertop placement and connection to a faucet.
142 Citations
13 Claims
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1. A multi-stage water filter system comprising:
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at least a first stage water filter cartridge and a second stage water filter cartridge each, having distinct filtering characteristics; manifold means for connecting said at least first and second stage water filter cartridges for serial flow of water therethrough; keyed coupling means for connecting said at least first and second stage filter cartridges to said manifold means only in a preselected position for serial flow of water therethrough; said cartridges each including an elongated filter housing having a closed upper end and a lower end provided with a longitudinally extending water inlet conduit and a longitudinally extending water outlet conduit, said longitudinally extending inlet and outlet conduits being telescopically received in said manifold means for serial flow of water therethrough; said lower end of each of said filter housings being provided with at least one radially protecting lug, said at least one lug of said first and said second cartridges being of different circumferential position on said housing relative to said water inlet and water outlet conduits; said keyed coupling means for said at least first and second stage filter cartridges including at least a pair of locking rings rotatably lournalled to said manifold means for limited rotary oscillation, said locking rings each having an upstanding wall, said upstanding wall of said locking rings being provided with at least one vertically extending groove for reception of said at least one lug of said lower end of each of said cartridges wherein said first and second stage water filter cartridges can only be operatively positioned in said preselected flow relation. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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Specification