Fluent material handling – with receiver or receiver coacting mea – With signal – indicator – recorder – inspection means or exhibitor – Level or pressure in receiver
Reexamination Certificate
2001-10-24
2003-05-13
Douglas, Steven O. (Department: 3751)
Fluent material handling, with receiver or receiver coacting mea
With signal, indicator, recorder, inspection means or exhibitor
Level or pressure in receiver
C141S192000, C141S286000, C222S189060, C210S282000, C210S464000, C210S469000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06561234
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention generally relates to the dispensing of filtered, bottled water. More specifically, the invention relates to a shutoff device that monitors the number of bottles used and then disables further use of the filter when the filter has reached the end of its useful life. The device can also provide an early warning signal to the user that the filter is nearing the end of its useful life.
Self-contained filters for removing unwanted minerals and chemicals such as chlorine have become increasingly popular with bottled water users. These filters may be threadably attached or otherwise connected to the opening of a bottled water container, or may be contained within the water dispenser unit. Various devices are also known for monitoring water flow and then interrupting water flow after a predetermined use.
Some prior art devices have provided techniques for opening a pressure vessel containing a carbon filter used in water purification. However, such techniques are cumbersome and undesirable for the user. Thus, it is desirable to provide an economical self-contained dispenser shutoff and filter cartridge which may be easily replaced when a monitor indicates that the filter has reached the end of its useful life.
In general, prior art patents and known water dispensing disabling devices (herein termed “shutoff devices”) with a filter have tended to concentrate on ways of interrupting water flow through the bottle opening once the filter has reached the end of its useful life, by physically blocking water flow. However, this may result in an interruption in dispensing when the water container still has a substantial volume of water in it, which is not desirable from a user viewpoint. To overcome this problem, some prior art devices provide specific shutoff mechanisms so that when the filter cartridge is removed, dispensing is stopped; these devices also require a separate filter monitor device to visually or audibly warn the user that the filter has reached the end of its useful life. Many such shutoff devices have also tended to have a number of moving parts, increasing the risk of part malfunction.
However, there is a need for a water filter shutoff device which monitors water usage and automatically disables dispensing when the filter has reached the end of its useful life, without the need to rely on visual or audible warning signals. Such a filter shutoff device would also preferably meet the following constraints. Given space constraints, the shutoff device preferably is integral with the filter, and should not unduly impede flow through the filter. The shutoff device would also preferably allow presetting at the time of manufacture to change the allowable water flow or application uses, so that the device could be used with differently rated filters and differently sized water containers. The device should be economical to manufacture and preferably not require an entirely new mold or any substantial additional investment in assembly equipment or fixtures, while also being relatively simple in design with few moving parts to reduce quality control risks. The shutoff device would also preferably disable dispensing, without interrupting water flow from the currently used water container, when a monitor indicates the useful life of the filter is over.
A filter shutoff device preferably meets NSF criteria, including qualifying as a filter “performance indication device” (PID) under NSF standards, and include component materials that have existing NSF approval for extraction. If no filter monitor/PID is provided for a water dispenser with a filter, obtaining NSF approval currently requires that the filter be tested to work at 200% of its rated capacity. If a PID is provided, the filter need only be tested to work at 120% of its rated capacity for NSF approval. For example, if a filter is rated for 150 gallons, and a filter PID is provided, the filter need only have a capacity of 180 gallons, as opposed to 300 gallons if no filter PID is provided. This is a significant added cost feature for a filter manufacturer, since providing a filter capable of filtering 300 gallons requires additional media content resulting in a significant added cost.
Filter shutoff devices must also be provided with venting in some manner to allow continuous water flow, without “lock up”. One problem with such devices is that, upon initial use, as water from the inverted water bottle flows into the device, water pressure/water hammer conditions may cause unfiltered water to leak or spurt out of the venting channels and into the dispensing unit. A sufficient volume of water may escape filtration in this manner, such that the device may not receive NSF approval for, e.g., lead testing. It is also desirable to provide a filter shutoff device which overcomes this problem.
Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a shutoff device integral with a filter and useable with a water dispenser, in which the water dispenser is automatically disabled at the end of the useful life of the filter.
Another object of the invention is to provide a filter shutoff device which does not impede or interrupt water flow between the water dispensing device and a water source such as an inverted water bottle. A further object is to provide such a device that qualifies as filter PID under NSF standards, enabling the more economical manufacture of the filter.
Yet another object is to provide a filter shutoff device which may be manufactured in an economical manner, such that the device monitors the number of water containers used, disables further dispensing after a predetermined number of uses, and then may be discarded and replaced with a new device.
A further object is to provide a filter shutoff device which automatically disables the connection between the device and a water container, rather than simply providing a visual indication of end of filter life, and rather than maintaining the ability to make this connection and physically impeding or interrupting water flow.
A still further object is to provide such a device with an appropriate size and configuration, together with appropriately located and sized vent holes, to ensure that unfiltered water does not leak out of the device and be dispensed.
DEFINITION OF CLAIM TERMS
The following terms are used in the claims of the patent as filed and are intended to have their broadest meaning consistent with the requirements of law. Where alternative meanings are possible, the broadest meaning is intended. All words used in the claims are intended to be used in the normal, customary usage of grammar and the English language.
“Automatic filter shutoff device” means a device in fluid communication with a water container which filters water and then interferes with the ability to dispense water from the container after a predetermined amount of water usage (i.e., the “shutoff” feature), which may generally correspond to the useable life of the filter, has been reached. “Automatic” in this context means that shutoff occurs without the need for user intervention, such as without the need for the user to respond to a visual or audible signal from a filter monitor.
“Monitoring and disabling mechanism” means a mechanism which monitors filter life by monitoring water usage, and which includes a shutoff feature.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The objects mentioned above, as well as other objects, are solved by the present invention, which overcomes disadvantages of prior filter shutoff devices for water dispensers, while providing new advantages not believed associated with such devices.
In one preferred embodiment, An automatic filter shutoff device is provided, and is removably connected to a water container and in fluid communication with a water dispenser. The device is adapted to monitor water dispensing and disable dispensing after a predetermined amount of water usage. The device includes a housing containing a water filter and removably connected to the water container; and a monitoring and disabling mechanism having a shutoff a
Griffin Steven A.
Marszalec Michael S.
Meinert Howard
Pluta Michael
Douglas Steven O.
Elkay Mfg. Co.
Mazza Michael P.
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