Liquid purification or separation – Particulate material type separator – e.g. – ion exchange or... – With spaced non-particulate separating means
Reexamination Certificate
1999-10-21
2001-03-06
Barry, Chester T. (Department: 1724)
Liquid purification or separation
Particulate material type separator, e.g., ion exchange or...
With spaced non-particulate separating means
C210S282000, C210S290000, C210S502100, C210S503000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06197193
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
(a) Field of the Invention
This invention relates to water filtration and more particularly, but not by way of limitation, to a water filter used for filtering major water contaminants from tap water from a municipal water supply. The filtered tap water used for drinking, cooking, washing and other household uses.
(b) Discussion of Prior Art
In U.S. Pat. No. 753,780 to Woods, an old time water filter is described wherein a water filter is used with a hand pump for pumping water from a well. The filter includes a series of perforated plates, layers of sand, charcoal and sponges. In U.S. Pat. No. 4,913,808 to Haque, an interchangeable cartridge water purification system is disclosed. The cartridge includes two layers of activated carbon and a layer of anion and cation exchange resins.
In U.S. Pat. No. 5,643,444 to Garrigues et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,252,206 to Gonzalez, U.S. Pat. No. 4,368,123 to Stanley and U.S. Pat. No. 5,685,981 to Koslow different types of water filters, counter top water conditioners and filtration cartridges are described.
None of the above mentioned prior art water filtering devices disclose or teach the unique features and advantages of the subject drinking water filter used with a tap water supply as described herein.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In view of the foregoing, it is a primary object of the subject invention to provide an improved water filter used for various household uses. Also, the water filter can be used in commercial and industrial applications where treated drinking, cooking and washing water is desired or required. The water filter provides a consumer with protection against major water contaminants found in municipal water supplies.
Another object of the invention is the water filter removes the contaminants in the water to below E.P.A. recommended minimum levels.
Yet another object of the invention is the water filter is designed to remove large and small sediments in the water. Also, the filter removes chlorine, trihalomethanes, hydrogen sulfide, pesticides, herbicides, toxic heavy metals, (such as lead, organic mercury, organic arsenic and others), cysts, protozoa, (including giardia and cryptosporidium), cancer-causing organic pollutants, micro-organisms and other foreign particles and organisms. The subject invention gives treated water a sparkling clarity by screening material out of the water down to a one micron in size.
Still another object of the invention is the filter is designed to raise the water's pH, thereby lowering acidity and increasing alkalinity, which is recommended by many nutritionists.
A further object of the water filter is no plumbing is required in its use. The water filter is received in a filter housing which is attached to a standard water faucet. The filter housing can be disposed on a counter top for household use. Also, the water filter housing can be attached to a water supply line and mounted under a kitchen sink.
Another object of the invention is the water filter costs pennies per gallon, is compact and space saving in design and eliminates the need to buy, lift and carry heavy water bottles. The water filter has a filter life of treating 1500 gallons of tap water, which is a typical one year average drinking and cooking water use of a family of four. The water filter includes a replaceable filter cartridge which can be quickly and easily replaced.
The filter includes a cylindrical filter cartridge with a number of filter layers therein. The filter cartridge is adapted for receipt in a water filter housing connected to a municipal water supply. The filter cartridge includes an upper filter cap with water inlet in fluid communication with a tap water supply to the filter housing. The upper filter cap is received inside an open top portion of the cartridge. The cartridge also includes a lower filter cap with a water outlet. The lower filter cap is received inside an open bottom portion of the cartridge.
The cartridge further includes a plurality of filter pads which may be used as dividers between different layers of filtration material and along a length of the cartridge. The filter pads are designed to remove large and small sediments in the water from 1 to 100 microns in size and greater when the water is introduced through the cartridge.
In an upstream upper portion of the cartridge is layer of a granulated zinc and copper alloy. The zinc and copper alloy is known in the trade by a brand name of KDF-55. The zinc and copper alloy is used for removing chlorine and some heavy metals in the water. Also, the alloy is an excellent bacteriostat for reducing bacteria in the water.
In a center portion of the filter cartridge is a layer of granulated activated carbon. The activated carbon is used for removing chlorine, odor and color from the water being filtered. Also, the activated carbon removes organic contaminants such as pesticides, herbicides, arsenic, mercury and trihalomethanes, a cancer-causing organic pollutant.
Downstream from the layer of granulated activated carbon is a layer of a granulated ion exchange resin. The ion exchange resin has an exceptional affinity for lead and removes this contaminant to below minimum E.P.A. standards.
In a downstream bottom portion of the cartridge is a layer of granulated calcite. The calcite may be used in the filter to raise the water's pH. This feature lowers the acidity of the water and increases the alkalinity, which many nutritionists recommend.
The last stage of the filter is a one micron absolute depth filter material made of polypropylene or like material. The one micron filter material screens out cysts and protozoa, which includes giardia and cryptosporidium. Also, by filtering the water through the one micron filter material, the water is given a sparkling clarity.
These and other objects of the present invention will become apparent to those familiar with the water filters and water filtration equipment when reviewing the following detailed description, showing novel construction, combination, and elements as herein described, and more particularly defined by the claims, it being understood that changes in the embodiments to the herein disclosed invention are meant to be included as coming within the scope of the claims, except insofar as they may be precluded by the prior art.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4615799 (1986-10-01), Mortensen
patent: 5024764 (1991-06-01), Holler
patent: 5106501 (1992-04-01), Yang
patent: 5180491 (1993-01-01), Polasky
patent: 5205932 (1993-04-01), Soloman
patent: 5275737 (1994-01-01), Heskett
patent: 5378370 (1995-01-01), Brane et al.
patent: 5833859 (1998-11-01), Heskett
patent: 6033557 (2000-03-01), Gebhard
Barry Chester T.
Crabtree Edwin H.
Margolis Donald W.
Pizarro Ramon L.
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