Water treatment apparatus

• US 8,454,826 B2
• Filed: 08/07/2003
• Issued: 06/04/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 08/07/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Strix Limited (Strix Group Plc)
• Original Assignee: Strix Limited (Strix Group Plc)
• Inventors: Donnelly, Vernon J., Garvey, Vincent J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lithgow, Thomas M
• Application Number:
  US10/523,848
• Publication Number:
  US 20060169629A1
• Time in Patent Office: 3,589 Days
• Field of Search: 210/232, 210/91, 210/282
• US Class Current: 210/232
• CPC Class Codes: A47J 27/21183 Water filters water filters for coffee machines A47J31/605
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2201/34 Seals or gaskets for filtering elements
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2201/4015 Bayonet connecting means
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2201/4046 Means for avoiding false mounting of different parts
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 35/147 Bypass or safety valves
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 35/30 Filter housing constructions
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 36/001 Filters in combination with devices for the removal of gas, air purge systems
• 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 2201/006 Cartridges
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2307/04 as part of a pitcher or jug

Abstract

A water treatment cartridge has a major and a minor axis in a horizontal cross-section and mounting lugs provided at the upper end of the cartridge, generally aligned with the major axis of the cartridge.

Claims

1. A mounting part of or for a water treatment cartridge, said mounting part having a generally circular sealing surface, major and minor axes in a horizontal cross-section wherein the major axis is longer than the minor axis, and mounting lugs arranged at opposed ends of the mounting part along an elongate direction generally aligned with the major axis, wherein the sealing surface is arranged radially inward of the mounting lugs and is formed by at least a portion of an inwardly facing, downwardly depending wall that forms a radially outer wall of an annular channel for receiving water that can pass through the cartridge by the force of gravity.

2. A water treatment cartridge having a mounting part as claimed in claim 1 as an integral part thereof or a separate element.

3. Apparatus as claimed in claim 2 wherein the cartridge comprises a cartridge body whose upper end is closed by a cap.

4. Apparatus as claimed in claim 2 wherein the cartridge comprises a cartridge body and a grille provided at a bottom of the cartridge body.

5. Apparatus as claimed in claim 4 wherein the grille retains treatment particles away from a restricted opening in a base of the cartridge body.

6. Apparatus as claimed in claim 5 wherein the grille is snap fitted into the container cartridge body which is provided with suitable retaining means.

7. Apparatus as claimed in claim 6 wherein the suitable retaining means comprises a retaining lip formed on its inside surface.

8. Apparatus as claimed in claim 4 wherein the grille is formed with an upwardly dished outer portion that collects air to the grille surface and which when arranged within the cartridge body is spaced from the cartridge body such that air escapes between the cartridge body and the dished portion of the grille.

9. Apparatus as claimed in claim 2 wherein means are provided on the cartridge which prevent the cartridge being used in an inappropriate appliance.

10. Apparatus as claimed in claim 2 wherein the cartridge has associated with it a counter used to indicate a degree of usage of the cartridge.

11. Apparatus as claimed in claim 10 wherein the cartridge is provided with means which, upon rotation of the cartridge into or out of position engage with an actuator for resetting a usage counter.

12. Apparatus as claimed in claim 2 wherein the cartridge also comprises a particle filter.

13. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the cartridge is generally elliptical in horizontal cross-section.

14. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the mounting lugs are planar and extend at least 15°

around the periphery of the cartridge.

15. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the mounting lugs are arcuate in shape.

16. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the mounting lugs mount the cartridge in a bayonet type fitting.

17. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein a lower edge of each lug periphery is chamfered such that as the mounting lug is rotated onto a receiving surface, and the chamfer acts to cam the cartridge into sealing engagement with a seal.

18. Apparatus as claimed in claim 17 wherein the chamfer profile is substantially the same around the entire lug periphery.

19. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the cartridge, or at least the lugs thereof, are made from a plastics material.

20. Apparatus as claimed in claim 19 wherein the plastics material is resistant to degradation by gamma radiation.

21. Apparatus as claimed in claim 19 wherein the plastics material comprises a heat resistant plastics material.