Liquid purification or separation – With alarm – indicator – register – recorder – signal or...
Reexamination Certificate
1999-10-18
2001-09-11
Drodge, Joseph W. (Department: 1723)
Liquid purification or separation
With alarm, indicator, register, recorder, signal or...
C210S086000, C210S094000, C210S456000, C116S228000, C137S558000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06287456
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to water filtration mechanisms, and more particularly to water filtration mechanisms which indicate the cumulative volume of fluid which has passed through the filter.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
There is much ongoing effort to continually improve the quality of water which is utilized for human consumption. There exist a variety of systems which improve water quality by filtering the water to remove contaminants such as chlorine, iron, biological and organic contaminants, microorganisms, lead, and the like which affect the color, taste and odor of the water. Some filtering systems provide an indication as to when the useful life of the filter has been reached, and the filter must be changed. It is important to provide an indication that a filter has reached the end of its useful life as a filter which is utilized after its effectiveness has diminished may reintroduce contaminants which are contained within the filter into water flowing through the filter. Frequently, these “end of life” indicators utilize complex mechanisms which frequently include multiple moving or electronic components to determine when the useful life of the filter has been reached. Thus, there remains a need for a simple filtration system which enables a user to easily determine when the useful life of a filter has been reached and to easily replace that filter and reset the indicator to measure the useful life of the new filter.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In response to the foregoing problems and difficulties encountered by those of skill in the art, the present invention is directed toward a fluid filtration system including a housing having an inlet and an outlet. A filter is disposed within the housing so that fluid entering the inlet must flow through the filter before exiting the housing through the outlet. Selected embodiments of the filtration system may include a diverter which diverts water from entering the inlet. A channel having at least one orifice is positioned between the inlet and the outlet so that a portion of the water flowing into the water inlet flows through the orifice and into the channel. A reservoir is in fluid communication with the channel so that fluid flowing into the channel is collected in the reservoir. In selected embodiments, at least a portion of the reservoir is visible from exteriorly of the housing. Additional embodiments of the water filtration system may further include an indicator such as a float which may be positioned within the reservoir, the indicator adapted to indicate the level of fluid contained within the reservoir. Shut-off mechanisms may further be incorporated into the system of the present invention to prevent use of the filter after it has reached the end of its useful life.
Other objects, advantages and applications of the present invention will be made clear by the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment of the invention and the accompanying drawings wherein reference numerals refer to like or equivalent structures.
REFERENCES:
patent: D. 363760 (1995-10-01), Morem et al.
patent: D. 386041 (1997-11-01), Tanner et al.
patent: D. 390629 (1998-02-01), Ullmann
patent: D. 406536 (1999-03-01), Huang et al.
patent: 483951 (1892-10-01), Williams
patent: 669347 (1901-03-01), Quinn
patent: 803029 (1905-10-01), Threlfall
patent: 1924468 (1933-08-01), Stone
patent: 2638581 (1953-05-01), Marvel
patent: 3013431 (1961-12-01), Splettstoeser
patent: 3834230 (1974-09-01), Auerbach
patent: 4116371 (1978-09-01), Towns et al.
patent: 4183450 (1980-01-01), Downing et al.
patent: 4196081 (1980-04-01), Pavia
patent: 4431533 (1984-02-01), Wrede
patent: 4496906 (1985-01-01), Clack
patent: 4741697 (1988-05-01), Herbison
patent: 4779456 (1988-10-01), Cantoni
patent: 4806912 (1989-02-01), Clack
patent: 4895648 (1990-01-01), Hankammer
patent: 4986901 (1991-01-01), Nohren, Jr. et al.
patent: 4998228 (1991-03-01), Eger et al.
patent: 5076912 (1991-12-01), Belz et al.
patent: 5190643 (1993-03-01), Duncan et al.
patent: 5296148 (1994-03-01), Colangelo et al.
patent: 5328597 (1994-07-01), Boldt, Jr. et al.
patent: 5457665 (1995-10-01), Reid
patent: 5458766 (1995-10-01), Ehara et al.
patent: 5536394 (1996-07-01), Lund et al.
patent: 5536395 (1996-07-01), Kuennen et al.
patent: 5785844 (1998-07-01), Lund et al.
patent: 5882507 (1999-03-01), Tanner et al.
patent: 142324 (1920-05-01), None
patent: 233457 (1925-05-01), None
patent: 378291 (1932-08-01), None
patent: 2162647 (1986-02-01), None
DE 29805098 U1, Jun. 10, 1998, Ratner, Abstract.
Fish Jeffrey Eldon
Gadsby Elizabeth Deibler
Cecil Terry K.
Drodge Joseph W.
Kimberly--Clark Worldwide, Inc.
Klembus Nancy M.
Kyriakou Christos S.
LandOfFree
Filtration system with filtrate volume indicator does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Filtration system with filtrate volume indicator, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Filtration system with filtrate volume indicator will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2522853