Single-use long-life faucet-mounted water filtration devices

• US 7,258,781 B2
• Filed: 07/03/2003
• Issued: 08/21/2007
• 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:
  US10/613,950
• Publication Number:
  US 20040069696A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,510 Days
• Field of Search: 210/91, 210/87, 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, 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 a housing end cap affixed thereto;

a wet chamber formed within said water filter housing;

a dry chamber formed within said housing end cap;

a water filter non-removably contained within said water filter housing and including at least one filter end cap;

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

a gate having a magnet affixed thereto resides in said wet chamber;

said gate swinging from a first position to a second position when water flows through said filter;

said gate mounted to said filter end cap and rotates about a fixed axis located at one end of said gate when moving from said first to said second position;

a gate position sensor resides in said dry chamber of said housing end cap; and

, said gate position sensor being actuated when said gate swings to said second position and said magnet is in proximity to said sensor.

2. A water filtration device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said sensor includes an electric circuit measuring the time said gate is in said second position.

3. A water filtration device as claimed in claim 1 further comprising an indicator for displaying performance of said filter.

4. A water filtration device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said sensor includes an electric circuit performing an algorithm totalizing the flow of filtered water through said device.

5. A water filtration device as claimed in claim 4 wherein said algorithm totalizes flow rate times time.

6. A water filtration device as claimed in claim 5 further comprising an indicator for displaying performance of said filter.

7. A water filtration device as claimed in claim 4 further comprising an indicator for displaying performance of said filter.

8. A water filtration device as claimed in claim 1 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.

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

and, said first end cap of said filter 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.

10. A water filtration device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said filter is a carbon-based filter.

11. A water filtration device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said sensor includes a switch;

said magnet opening and closing said switch; and

, an electric circuit for measuring the time when said switch is closed.

12. A water filtration device as claimed in claim 11 wherein said electric circuit is an integrated circuit.

13. A water filtration device as claimed in claim 11 wherein said switch is a reed switch.

14. A water filtration device as claimed in claim 11 wherein said electric circuit has three discrete outputs.