Self-cleaning faucet filter

Details Self-cleaning faucet filter Self-cleaning faucet filter

1999-09-13

2001-06-05

Drodge, Joseph W. (Department: 1723)

Liquid purification or separation

Flow, fluid pressure or material level, responsive

Fluid pressure responsive by-pass

C210S106000, C210S433100, C210S449000, C210S497010, C137S801000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06241880

ABSTRACT:

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a filter device and in particular to a self-cleaning filter device that is adapted for use on a faucet, particularly a kitchen sink faucet where water is used for cooking and drinking.
The self-cleaning filter device is incorporated into modern faucets by replacing the threaded end orifice or aerator with the modular self-cleaning filter device. The filter device includes a screen-type filter or a porous-type filter commonly made of a ceramic or metal material.
In a conventional filter device, particulate matter is trapped in the surface of the filter unit. The particulate matter either remains on the surface where it accumulates affecting the efficiency of the filter unit to pass water or more disturbing, eventually dissolves and passes as dissolved matter or reduced-size particulate matter. Worse, accumulated particulate matter can provide a bed for propagation of bacteria, mold or other deleterious microbes. Ideally, it would be beneficial to flush the surface of the filter unit after each passage of water. In this manner particulate matter will not accumulate and adversely affect the performance of the filter unit as described above.
It is therefore an object of this invention to provide a filter device that is self-cleaning to prevent the accumulation of particulate matter deposited on the filtering element. Additionally, it is an object of this invention that the self-cleaning filter device operate automatically, and at least one before or after water passes through the filter device.
In accordance with this invention, a filter device has been devised that is automatically self-cleaning and provides a flushing action over the surface of the filtering element of the filtering unit both before and after water passes through the unit. The filter device is primarily adapted for use as a water filter for a faucet, but can be adapted for other uses where the flushing fluid is disposable or returnable to a fluid reservoir.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The filter device of this invention is a self-cleaning liquid filter that automatically flushes the filtering element of a filter unit in the filter device. The filter device can be used in any liquid system where it is desirable to filter a liquid stream using a portion of the liquid stream as a flushing medium. The liquid system should include a means, such as a return conduit, to return the flushing medium to the liquid source or alternately a discharge conduit for delivering the flushing medium to a disposal means such as a drain.
The preferred use for the self-cleaning filter device is a faucet filter where the water used for flushing the filtering element of the filter unit is shunted to the sink for disposal down the drain.
The self-cleaning faucet filter of the preferred embodiment comprises a filter device in modular form that includes an integral threaded connector and is adapted to replace the aerator unit or end nozzle of a conventional modern faucet. The modular filter device includes a housing with a main passage for filtered water to pass and a by-pass passage for shunting flushing water to a side discharge spout. Between the passages is a spring-biased flap valve which closes under pressure of the flowing water. The spring bias is preferably provided by the flap element which functions both as a closure flap and as a leaf spring to resist closure, and return the flap valve to an open position when the pressure is removed.
With the by-pass passage sized as a fraction of the main passage, water initially flows over and around the filter unit and out the open by-pass passage as pressure increases from zero on opening the faucet valve to the discharge pressure through the filter unit. As pressure begins to build, the flap valve closes, directing all flow through the main passage, through the filter unit and out the faucet for use.
In a reverse manner as the faucet valve is turned off, the water pressure falls off and at some point impedance to flow caused by the filter unit is greater than the bias of the flap element. The flap valve opens, allowing a charge of water to pass over and around the filter unit to exit the by-pass passage before water flow ceases altogether.
In this manner the filter unit is flushed before and after a water discharge from the faucet. Any accumulated particulate matter is flushed from the filtering element of the filter unit to the by-pass passage.
As noted, the by-pass passage can be connected to a hose or other type of conduit for remote disposal or return to the fluid source, which is practical for fuel and other valuable fluids. However, in the preferred embodiment as a faucet filter the self-cleaning filter device simply has a by-pass discharge in the form of a side spout to shunt the flushing water to the side of the main water flow for disposal down the sink drain.
Other features, advantages, and objects of the present invention will become apparent with reference to the following description and accompanying drawings.


REFERENCES:
patent: 593573 (1897-11-01), Franke et al.
patent: 1261439 (1918-04-01), Richards
patent: 2014063 (1935-09-01), Brady et al.
patent: 4604202 (1986-08-01), Movshovitz
patent: 4949747 (1990-08-01), Rosenberg

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