Faucet-mounted water filtration device including gate position sensor

• US 7,252,757 B2
• Filed: 07/01/2004
• Issued: 08/07/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 09/09/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Clarity Filters LLC
• Original Assignee: Clarity Filters LLC
• Inventors: Warren, William, Lewis, Gordon, Rizzari, Robert
• Primary Examiner(s): Cecil; Terry K.
• Application Number:
  US10/883,156
• Publication Number:
  US 20050092661A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,132 Days
• Field of Search: 210/87, 210/91, 210/138, 340/607, 137/554
• US Class Current: 210/87
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 27/005 Making filter elements not provided for elsewhere
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 27/08 Construction of the casing
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 27/101 Filter condition indicators
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 35/04 Plug, tap, or cock filters filtering elements mounted in or on a faucet
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 35/143 Filter condition indicators
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 35/30 Filter housing constructions
• 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 1/283 using coal, charred products, or inorganic mixtures containing them
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2209/445 Filter life
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2307/06 Mounted on or being part of a faucet, shower handle or showerhead

Abstract

Single-use long-life faucet mounted water filtration devices are disclosed. A bathroom water filtration device having two outlets for filtered water is disclosed. Additionally, a fountain head is included for use in the bathroom water filtration device. The water filtration device is of unibody construction formed by ultrasonically welding certain parts thereof together. Since the devices disclosed are disposable, no filter replacement or other maintenance is performed. A gate, magnet(s), sensor and electronics provide an indication of filter performance enabling disposal of the water filtration device and installation of a new device. A kitchen water filtration device is larger than the bathroom device. Both the kitchen and bathroom water filtration devices are small and are mounted behind the faucet connection so as to facilitate full utilization of the sink or wash basin.

Claims

1. A water filtration device comprising:

a water filter housing having an inlet and an outlet;

said water filter housing includes an end cap;

a water filter non-removably contained within said water filter housing and including a filter end cap on an end thereof;

a wet chamber formed within said water filter housing between said housing end cap and said filter end cap;

a passageway communicating between said wet chamber and said water filter;

a gate having a protrusion and a first magnet affixed thereto residing in said chamber;

said filter end cap includes an opening for filtrate to flow therethrough and a second magnet affixed thereto;

said gate moving about a fixed axis at an end thereof and swinging between a first position and a second position, an electronic gate position sensor residing in said end cap of said water filter housing;

said gate position sensor being actuated when filtrate flows through said cap opening causing said gate to swing to said second position and said first magnet to be in proximity to said sensor; and

, said first and second magnets being coupled each to the other and said protrusion at least partially residing in said opening when said gate is in said first position.

2. A water filtration device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said gate is pivotably connected to said filter end cap.

3. A water filtration device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said gate includes a generally conically shaped protrusion and said filter end cap includes a cylindrical passageway extending therefrom.

4. A water filtration device as claimed in claim 3 wherein said generally conically shaped protrusion resides partially within said cylindrical passageway extending from said filter end cap when no water is flowing through said water filtration device.

5. A water filtration device as claimed in claim 4 wherein said generally conically shaped protrusion exits said cylindrical passageway extending from said filter end cap when water is flowing through said water filtration device.

6. A water filtration device as claimed in claim 5 further comprising electronics and a light emitting diode;

said electronics output a signal to said light emitting diode which indicates the performance of the water filtration device.

7. A water filtration device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said water filter is affixed to said water filter end cap and a second water filter end cap;

and, said water filter end cap includes a first hinge member and said gate includes a second hinge member which coacts with said first hinge member to enable'"'"'said gate to swing between said first and second positions.

8. A water filtration device as claimed in claim 7 further comprising said gate pivotally mounted to one of said filter end caps;

electronics associated with said sensor and a filter performance indicator mounted in an open end of said filter housing end cap;

a filter housing end plate affixed to said filter housing end cap;

said gate swinging from a first position to a second position actuating said sensor; and

, said electronics outputting a signal to said filter performance indicator.