Water filter

• US 7,143,897 B1
• Filed: 12/09/2003
• Issued: 12/05/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 12/09/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: H20 International, Inc. (Liska Biometry, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: H20 International, Inc. (Liska Biometry, Inc.)
• Inventors: Guzman, Guillermo, Worboys, Keith
• Primary Examiner(s): KIM, SUN U
• Application Number:
  US10/731,820
• Time in Patent Office: 1,092 Days
• Field of Search: 210/232, 210/236, 210/238, 210/282, 210/287, 210/350, 210/435, 210/449, 210/459, 210/460, 210/461, 210/462, 428/6, 428/8, 429/9, 459/6, 461/5, 467/8, 239/553, 239/553.3, 239/553.5, 239/537, 239/538, 239/587.1, 239/587.4, 239/588
• US Class Current: 210/460
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 35/04 Plug, tap, or cock filters filtering elements mounted in or on a faucet
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 1/18 Roses; Shower heads with means for adding soap or the like E03C1/046; jet regulators E03C1/08
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 15/40 Filters located upstream of the spraying outlets
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 15/654 using universal joints

Abstract

A showerhead having a replaceable water filter assembly. The showerhead having a compact body with releasably coupled pivotable element connected to the water filter assembly.

Claims

1. A water filter, comprising:

a body portion having an opening;

a water filter cartridge adapted to reside in said body portion, wherein said water filter cartridge is disposable;

a face portion, said face portion and body portion enclosing said water filter cartridge;

a pivotable element, said pivotable element operatively connected to a threaded inlet, for accepting water, and wherein said water filter cartridge is comprised of a recess for accepting said pivotable element, wherein said recess is comprised of an opening formed in part by a plurality of flexible side portions and wherein said flexible side portions releasably retain said pivotable element to said water filter cartridge and wherein said threaded inlet is adapted to be attached to a water pipe so that said water filter cartridge is connected to the water pipe by said pivotable element and threaded inlet;

wherein said threaded inlet is positioned outside said body portion when said water filter cartridge resides in said body portionand wherein said water filter cartridge is adapted with at least one opening for accepting water into said water filter cartridge, said pivotal element is comprised of at least one opening for allowing water to exit into said at least one opening in said water filter cartridge, said water filter cartridge is further comprised of an exit end having at least one opening for allowing water to exit said water filter cartridge, said face portion is comprised of a plurality of exit openings, said exit end of said water filter cartridge is releasably connected to said face portion and wherein said water exiting said exit end of said water filter cartridge flows out of said plurality of exit openings in said face portion.

2. A water filter according to claim 1, wherein said body portion and face portion are adapted with matching threads allowing said body portion and said face portion to be releasably coupled together to form a showerhead.

3. A water filter according to claim 1, wherein said recess is adapted with a sealing ring for preventing water leakage.

4. A water filter according to claim 1, wherein said water filter cartridge is disposable after removing said water filter cartridge from said body portion and after removing said pivotable element from said flexible side portions in said water filter cartridge.

5. A water filter according to claim 1, wherein said pivotable element is a ball joint.

6. A showerhead water filter, comprising:

a body portion having an opening;

a face portion releasably coupled to said body portion, wherein said face portion is comprised of a plurality of exit openings for passing water out of said water filter, and wherein said body portion and said face portion are coupled to form a showerhead;

a water filter cartridge adapted to reside in said body portion, wherein said water filter cartridge is attached to a pivotable element, said pivotable element operatively connected to a threaded inlet, wherein said threaded inlet has an inlet passage for accepting water, and wherein said water filter cartridge is comprised of a recess formed from a plurality of flexible flanges arranged in an annular formation, wherein said flanges releasably retain said pivotable element to said water filter cartridge and wherein said threaded inlet is adapted to be attached to a water pipe so that said water filter cartridge is connected to the water pipe by said pivotable element and threaded inlet and wherein said water filter cartridge is adapted with at least one opening for accepting water into said water filter cartridge, said pivotal element is comprised of at least one opening for allowing water to exit into said at least one opening in said water filter cartridge, said water filter cartridge is further comprised of an exit end having at least one opening for allowing water to exit said water filter cartridge, said exit end of said water filter cartridge is releasably connected to said face portion and wherein said water exiting said exit end of said water filter cartridge flows out of said plurality of exit openings in said face portion.

7. A showerhead water filter according to claim 6, wherein said threaded inlet is positioned outside said body portion when said water filter cartridge resides in said body portion.

8. A showerhead water filter according to claim 6, wherein said water filter cartridge is held completely within said body portion.

9. A showerhead water filter according to claim 6 wherein said body portion comprises about 80 percent of the axial length of said showerhead and wherein said face portion comprises approximately 20 percent of the axial length of said showerhead.

10. A showerhead filter according to claim 6 wherein said water filter cartridge is comprised of a plurality of larger openings and smaller openings for allowing water passage through said water filter cartridge.

11. A showerhead filter according to claim 10, wherein said smaller openings are located below said pivotable element for allowing water to flow into a center portion of said water filter cartridge.