Liquid purification or separation – Filter – With flow controller for material being treated
Reexamination Certificate
1997-08-08
2001-01-30
Michalsky, Gerald A. (Department: 3753)
Liquid purification or separation
Filter
With flow controller for material being treated
C004S678000, C137S801000, C239S575000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06179130
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a faucet spout assembly, and particularly relates to a spout assembly of a faucet which contains a valve for selectively directing fluid through one of a pair of spout outlets.
Several systems have been developed in the past for filtering water prior to, or after, the passage of the water through a faucet for point-of-use dispensing. One such system includes a bulky canister type filter with a cartridge having a filtering media contained therein. Upon the demand for water at the faucet by an operator of a faucet valve, water passes through the filtering media in the canister and then through the faucet and is dispensed at the outlet of the spout. Typically, filters of this type are located in a storage cabinet beneath the sink where the faucet is located. At times, the canisters are difficult to access when it becomes necessary to change the filter cartridge. Also, filters of this type are located, in the water flow path, upstream of the faucet valve thereby necessitating the placement of a separate water shut-off valve adjacent the canister to turn the water off in order to replace the filter cartridge. Otherwise, the main water supply valve must be turned off during the replacement process.
Another type of water filtering unit is referred to as a counter-top unit which sets on the counter top in the vicinity of the faucet. Such units require additional plumbing lines to connect into the flow path. In addition, the counter-top units are bulky, unattractive and require considerable space in the area of the faucet and sink.
A third type of water filtering unit is referred to as an aerator-mounted unit which is assembled with the faucet system at the free end of the spout in place of the aerator. These units are unusually large and unattractive, and tend to interfere with normal use of the sink in the vicinity of the faucet and spout.
Therefore, there is a need for a water filtering system which accomplishes the water filtering task without affecting the aesthetics of the faucet, and which mounts the filtering facility in an easily accessible and convenient location for replacing filter cartridges. Further, there is a need for a water filtering system which is structurally designed to facilitate the replacement of the cartridges without the need for tools, and for a readily accessible valving facility for the fast and efficient selection of filtered or unfiltered water to be dispensed from the spout of the faucet.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is, therefore, an object of this invention to provide a water filtering system for use with a faucet which is concealed and does not affect the aesthetics of the faucet.
Another object of this invention is to provide a water filtering system which is in an easily accessible and convenient location for replacing filter cartridges of the system in a most efficient manner.
Still another object of this invention is to provide a structural mount for a filtering system which facilitates replacement of a filter cartridge without the need for tools.
A further object of this invention is to provide a readily accessible valving facility for the fast and efficient selection of filtered or unfiltered water to be dispensed from the spout of a faucet upon demand.
With these and other objects in mind, this invention contemplates a faucet spout assembly which includes a spout and a two-position valve mounted within the spout. The faucet valve assembly further includes a selector mechanism for positioning the valve in a selected one of two positions to facilitate the directing of fluid from the spout to a selected one of two outlets thereof.
This invention further contemplates at least two fluid-flow paths through the spout with one of the paths being connectable selectively to one of the two outlets of the spout and the other of the two paths being connectable selectively to the other of the two outlets of the spout.
This invention also contemplates mounting structure within a spout of a faucet for supporting a filter media therein whereby fluid to be dispensed from the spout can be selected from fluid flowing through the filter media within the spout or outside of the filter media within the spout.
Additionally, this invention contemplates mounting structure within a spout of a faucet for supporting a filter cartridge therein whereby the mounting structure can be easily disassembled to facilitate the placement of the filter cartridge within, or removal of the filter cartridge from within, the spout.
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Abstract of Japanese Publication No. 7-098068, Published Nov. 4, 1995.
Nguyen Jack T.
Segien Donald J.
Del Ponti John D.
Emhart Inc.
Michalsky Gerald A.
Weinstein Harold
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