Liquid purification or separation – Particulate material type separator – e.g. – ion exchange or... – Removable cartridge or hand-manipulated container
Reexamination Certificate
1999-06-28
2001-04-10
Cintins, Ivars (Department: 1724)
Liquid purification or separation
Particulate material type separator, e.g., ion exchange or...
Removable cartridge or hand-manipulated container
C210S449000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06214224
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to showerheads, and, more particularly, to an improved, compact showerhead, having a water filter therein.
2. Description of Related Art
Shower filters for use in conjunction with showerheads are known. These filters may be inserted into a water line, between the showerhead and the shower arm. However, because of the size of the filter and the added showerhead, this moves or offsets the showerhead so that it extends further into a shower area and, in some cases, interfering with a person taking a shower. Because of problems with size and the installation of such known shower filters, as well as the high cost of manufacturing, there exists the need in the art for a less-cumbersome, easy-to-install and move, low-cost combination showerhead and water filter device, that is also compact, and takes up a minimum of space.
Known shower filter assemblies are set forth in U.S. Pat. No. 5,503,742 to Farley, U.S. Pat. No. 5,300,224 to Farley, and U.S. Pat. No. 5,152,464 to Farley. While the foregoing prior art devices provide improved filtration of hot water passing through them, they require that a separate showerhead be attached to an outlet of the filters, thereby extending the size of the joined showerhead and shower filter.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, it is a general object of the present invention to provide an improved shower head assembly. It is a particular object of the present invention to provide a combination shower filter and showerhead. It is a still more particular object of the present invention to provide a compact showerhead and water filter combination that take up a minimum amount of space. It is a further object of the present invention to provide a compact combined showerhead and water filter that may be easily attached to an existing shower arm, and take up substantially no more space than known showerheads having no filter therein.
The showerhead of the present invention, with its replaceable filter, is compact and may be provided with a message-type spray head, to eliminate the bothersome extension of known shower filters, added before existing showerheads. The showerhead of the present invention provides a more-efficient and economical incorporation of a water filter in a showerhead having a single ergonomically designed body.
In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a combination showerhead and water filter assembly having a compact design, which utilizes the internal water filter to direct water entering the showerhead to pass through filter media held in the water filter. In this manner, chlorine and other unwanted materials in the water are filtered out in the showerhead. The combination showerhead and water filter are held in a single body or housing that is made as small as possible, to take up a minimum amount of space. Additionally the single body is easily disassembled to replace or remove the water filter held therein, and provides a compact showerhead and water filter assembly that may be used in substantially any shower, without extending too far into the shower area.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4275908 (1981-06-01), Elkins et al.
patent: 5152464 (1992-10-01), Farley
patent: 5300224 (1994-04-01), Farley
patent: 5503742 (1996-04-01), Farley
patent: 5545314 (1996-08-01), Parise et al.
patent: 5549822 (1996-08-01), Ferguson
Cintins Ivars
O'Neill James G.
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