Liquid purification or separation – With repair or assembling means
Reexamination Certificate
2000-09-11
2002-01-08
Simmons, David A. (Department: 1724)
Liquid purification or separation
With repair or assembling means
C210S285000, C210S286000, C210S443000, C210S473000, C210S502100, C210S506000, C210S282000, C222S189060, C062S339000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06337015
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a water filtration apparatus for mounting on the exposed or visible exterior surfaces of a refrigerator. More specifically, the present invention is an apparatus with a readily replaceable filter cartridge for providing filtered water to the interior of a refrigerator cabinet so that filtered water is available for the refrigerator's ice maker or chilled water dispenser.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Water intended for human consumption is expected to be either free of harmful constituents or contain concentrations of such constituents that are below harmful levels. To provide potable water for use in homes and businesses, municipalities utilize industrial scale processes in an effort to eliminate or reduce harmful constituents present in water drawn from large, naturally occurring water sources. Potable water is also frequently obtained on a smaller size scale from wells and springs and usually without any treatment prior to consumption.
Unfortunately, the potability of a particular water supply is sometimes questionable. The consistency and efficiency of treatment by municipalities may vary due to numerous factors such as heavy rainfall, equipment failures, and usage levels. Depending upon the seriousness of a variation in treatment, a municipality may be forced to notify its consumers that further treatment of the water supplied, e.g. boiling, is required at the point of use before consumption is safe. Water obtained directly from a natural source may also become suspect depending upon environmental conditions near the source. For examples, wells and springs can be contaminated due to rain water run-off washing a contaminant into the source.
Various water filtration devices have been developed. Such devices range from those located at the point-of-use (e.g. the spigot of a kitchen sink, gravity-flow dispensers such as dispensers, and low-pressure dispensers such as sports bottles) to the generally bulkier point-of-entry units hidden from view within the plumbing of a home or office. Many of these devices use activated charcoal in at least one stage of the filtration process. Activated charcoal helps to remove strong odors and tastes from water. More specifically, activated charcoal can remove chlorine and sediment from water.
Generally, the currently available devices for water filtration on a nonindustrial scale may be divided into two categories: point-of-use and point-of-entry filtration systems. Typically, a point-of-entry system provides for the filtration of water at the point where the supply enters a dwelling or area of use. The point-of-entry system filters the entire water supply, and filtered water is then distributed to various points of use after filtration. As an example, a point-of-entry system may be located in the basement, cellar, or other location hidden from plain view. In contrast to point-of-use systems, point-of-entry systems may be larger in physical size because of the volumetric rate of water that must be filtered in order to supply filtered water to all of the points-of-use within a dwelling or other use area. Furthermore, a point of entry system may be less efficient because water may be filtered unnecessarily. For example, the homeowner may desire filtered water for the kitchen and bathrooms but not for outdoor spigots or laundry.
Point-of-use systems, on the other hand, provide for filtration of the water at the point of consumption or application. For example, point-of-use systems may be located at the kitchen sink ensuring that potable, filtered water is used in cooking and kitchen cleaning. Such systems may consist of a device, visible to the user, attached to the end of a faucet. Other systems may consist of a filter located within a pitcher such that water placed into the top of the pitcher filters water through to a bottom compartment for storage until consumption. Still other systems, due to size and bulkiness, may be located under a sink or within a nearby kitchen cabinet.
Point-of-use water filtration systems for refrigerators have also been developed as automatic ice-makers and chilled water faucets or dispensers are now common features on many of the commercially available models. For those consumers not having point-of-entry systems, the water must be filtered prior to ice formation or water dispensing if unwanted contaminants are to be removed before use. Point-of-use filtration systems for use in conjunction with household refrigerators are varied as described below.
For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,320,752, issued to Clack et al., describes a water purification system employing a modular flat filter assembly for installation inside a freezer door, beside a kitchen cabinet, or on a countertop. The U-shaped filter housing is charged with a granulated filtration medium such as activated charcoal. The filter housing has a plurality of staggered ribs and protrusions formed in the walls of the housing. These features allegedly provide structural support against water pressure within the filter housing and prevent flow channels from forming in the granulated filtration medium. While the filter assembly is described as flat, the use of granular filter media, staggered ribs, and protrusions add bulk and thickness to the filter assembly. Furthermore, the unit is not intended for mounting on the exterior surfaces of the refrigerator where the filter media may be readily accessed and replaced when necessary. Instead, like other point-of-use water filtration systems used in conjunction with refrigerators, the filtration apparatus is difficult to reach and access without moving the refrigerator or opening the refrigerator/freezer doors.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,982,406, issued to Hanson et al., illustrates a refrigerator water storage dispensing system with water filter. The system includes a water storage tank and a filter cartridge assembly that are installed within the interior of a refrigerator for removing undesired constituents from the chilled water stream immediately prior to being dispensed. The filter media is contained within a cartridge constructed from an elongated hollow cylindrical casing or tube. The filter container is described as having an overall height of 13 inches and is filled with a granular material such as granular activated charcoal. The system occupies a substantial amount of space within the interior of the refrigerator cabinet because it requires a location for both the water tank and the filter cartridge. In addition, the filter cartridge is not readily accessible for replacement of the filter media because the cartridge is located within the interior of the refrigerator cabinet and must be accessed by opening the doors to the refrigerator and relocating any food products that might interfere with such access.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,207,994, issued to Offlee, describes a refrigerator system utilizing assemblies to enable dispensing cold water or ice made from purified water. The system consists of a cabinet located near the refrigerator containing a water tank, pump, and filter that is connected by piping to the refrigerator. Another tank may be located within the refrigerator for water storage. When the water level in the refrigerator tank falls below a certain level, the pump is activated and filtered water is pumped from the cabinet into the tank within the refrigerator. Water in the cabinet tank may be passed through a filter and then to the pump. Alternatively, the cabinet tank may be stocked with water that has already been filtered such that no filter is required for the cabinet. This system requires a substantial amount of space near the refrigerator for locating the cabinet. Unlike the present invention, the filter is not located on the exterior of the refrigerator or the cabinet where filter replacement may be more readily facilitated. In addition, this system requires a pump which must be powered and eventually replaced when worn.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,571,953, issued to Caruso, describes a combined refrigerator and water filtration unit. While the filtering apparatus
Dority & Manning, P.A
Kimberly--Clark Worldwide, Inc.
Prince Fred
Simmons David A.
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