Liquid purification or separation – With repair or assembling means – Placement of container opens flow controller
Reexamination Certificate
1999-03-03
2001-02-27
Drodge, Joseph W. (Department: 1723)
Liquid purification or separation
With repair or assembling means
Placement of container opens flow controller
C210S117000, C210S418000, C210S419000, C210S420000, C210S484000, C210SDIG009
Reexamination Certificate
active
06193884
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to water purification and filtration systems and, in particular, to a disposable cartridge system having a manifold which cooperates with the cartridge to interrupt the supply and return lines during cartridge changes to prevent drainage from the supply system.
A particular problem experienced with the changing of single appliance water purification/filtration cartridges is the necessity of dealing with drainage released from the supply and return lines with the release of the cartridge from a system manifold. Unless shutoff valves are provided in the system supply lines that mate to the manifold, water typically drains from one or both of the conduits with the removal of the cartridge from the manifold. The sporadic frequency of the cartridge changes and attendant operator forgetfulness to the problem typically results in drainage. That is, the maintenance personnel forget to mount a catch pan or other spill prevention appliance beneath the manifold and it becomes necessary to clean up the spill.
A number of cartridge systems which are subject to the foregoing problem are disclosed at U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,746,171; 4,515,692; 4,915,831; 4,877,521; and 5,354,464. The cartridges of the disclosed systems variously provide projecting bayonet return ports which mate with recessed outflow cavities at the manifold. Twist lock mountings to the manifold are also provided at some of the cartridges. Cartridge interlock retainers are also disclosed. However, flow control valving is not provided at either the manifold or cartridge for any of the foregoing systems. Nor do any of the cartridges include surfaces which cooperate with associated valving.
In appreciation of the foregoing problem and inconvenience, the present manifold and cartridge system was developed. In contrast to conventional cartridges, the manifold of the invention provides a bayonet fitting at a center out flow port which couples to a recess at the cartridge. Seals displaced along the fitting and internal to the cartridge contain viral contaminants to the cartridge. A spring biased stem valve at the manifold inlet port cooperates with a raised, tapered surface at the cartridge to permit flow only upon the rotational seating and locking of the cartridge to the manifold. A one-way check valve at the outlet port to prevents back flow. In an alternative construction, a slotted or split stem, check valve provides noise free operation. The system finds particular advantage with cartridge based appliance systems, such as ice makers and chilled water dispensers at a refrigerator or water cooler, and for under cabinet cartridge mountings, such as at sinks.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is therefore a primary object of the invention to provide a cartridge based water purification and filtration system that prevents drainage from the supply and return lines upon removing a treatment cartridge.
It is a further object of the invention to provide a supply manifold containing shut off valves at one or both of provided supply and return ports.
It is a further object of the invention to provide a manifold having a stem valve at a supply port which cooperates with a surface at the treatment cartridge, such that with cartridge mounting and rotation or removal the valve retracts and extends to control supply flow.
It is a further object of the invention to provide a manifold having a projecting surface or bayonet fitting which contains a number of O'ring seals and which fitting mounts to a mating outlet recess at the cartridge which is backed by additional seals at the cartridge to prevent bypass migration of contaminants.
It is a further object of the invention to provide a manifold having channel ways which interlock to flanged shoulders at the cartridge, upon rotation of the flanges into the channelways.
It is a further object of the invention to provide a cartridge container having an infeed flow cavity defined between a sealed external housing and internal liner whereby flow is directed to the bottom of the cartridge and thence through filtration and purification treatment media supported in the liner and to the outlet port.
Various of the foregoing objects, advantages and distinctions of the invention are obtained in a presently preferred system which provides a manifold having integral flow control valves at inlet and outlet ports. The valves cooperate with a treatment cartridge to prevent drainage of liquid from the manifold supply lines during the changing of a treatment cartridge. Extraneous shut-offs are thereby avoided at the primary supply system.
The manifold is molded to provide a central tubular out flow or “bayonet” fitting. O'ring seals are fitted to the fitting to mate with a recessed port at the treatment cartridge to seal out flow from the cartridge. Radially displaced from the bayonet fitting are a number of channelways which interlock with shoulders of a mounted cartridge.
Depending from the manifold is a stem valve which controls flow from the inlet port. Raised surfaces at the cartridge contact the valve with the seating and rotation of the cartridge to the channelways. Supply flow is thereby enabled and disabled with a corresponding extension and retraction of the valve.
The treatment cartridge provides an open ended housing which supports a concentrically mounted internal liner. Radial flanges at the liner displace the liner from the housing and form an infeed channel. Flow is re-directed from a cartridge end cap. Successive stages of filtration and purification media treat the water prior to directing the water through a central recess which mates to the bayonet fitting.
A one-way check valve at the manifold outlet port permits liquid out flow but prevents back flow. A tapered valve stem is normally biased to a closed condition at the manifold to mate with a seat surface and opens upon liquid outflow being directed against the valve stem. In another construction, the valve includes a split, cylindrical stem and is constructed to provide surfaces that promote non-symmetrical flow to prevent valve oscillation and nuisance audible sounds.
Also disclosed is a dual cartridge manifold. Interconnected, manifolds support a filter cartridge and a purification cartridge.
Still other objects, advantages and distinctions of the invention are discussed below in relation to the appended drawings. To the extent various modifications and improvements have been considered, they are described as appropriate. The description should not be literally construed in limitation of the scope of the invention, which rather should be interpreted to include all those equivalent embodiments within the scope of the further appended claims.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5215655 (1993-06-01), Mittermaier
patent: 5486288 (1996-01-01), Stanford et al.
patent: 5548893 (1996-08-01), Koelfgen
Botts David M.
Lonneman Alan
Magnusson Jan H.
Drodge Joseph W.
Fleming Michael A.
Patterson Thuente Skaar & Christensen P.A.
PentaPure Incorporated
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