Tanner, John D. (Plymouth, MN, US)
Emmons, David James (Plymouth, MN, US)

Plaque It!

10/665948

10/28/2008

09/18/2003

Images are available in PDF form when logged in. To view PDFs, Login  or  Create Account (Free!)

Click for automatic bibliography generation

PUR Water Purification Products Inc. (Cincinnati, OH, US)

210/472

210/436, 210/510.1, 210/444, 210/437

B01D35/00; B01D35/28; B01D27/00

210/232, 210/443, 210/458, 210/436, 210/238, 210/510.1, 210/455, 210/437, 210/459, 210/438, 210/472, 210/440, 210/460, 210/501, 210/435, 210/457, 210/502.1, 210/450

0101224		March, 1870	Butler
0117960		August, 1871	Andrews
0140165		June, 1873	Richardson et al.
0263266		August, 1882	Walsh
0724210		March, 1903	Scherer
0761643		June, 1904	Backman
0764327		July, 1904	Zessin
1140633		May, 1915	Trucano
1474905	Tool joint	November, 1923	Keszthelyi
1884551	Casing head	October, 1932	Boynton
D116209		August, 1939	Kornegg
D117566		November, 1939	Koehler
D126731		April, 1941	Kraissl, Jr.
D128316		July, 1941	Roffy
D132610		June, 1942	Zuckermann
D133177		July, 1942	Gross
D136021		July, 1943	Kraissl, Jr.
D143545		January, 1946	Pond et al.
2401974	Pipe	June, 1946	Siebels
2435941	Sealing means for feed and discharge conduits of centrifugal separator bowls	February, 1948	Jones
2471069	Oil or liquid filter	May, 1949	LeClair
2475635	Multiple conduit	July, 1949	Parsons
D170472		September, 1953	Monsarrat
2727759	Valved couplers for fluid-conducting conduits	December, 1955	Elliott
2850264	Dual passage concentric pipe drill string coupling	September, 1958	Grable
D188688		August, 1960	Sicard
2951515	Fluid flow control apparatus	September, 1960	Johnson
3065807	Dual passage well drilling pipe	November, 1962	Wells
D195874		August, 1963	Rosaen
D198153		May, 1964	Baker et al.
D199139		September, 1964	Kudlaty
D199918		December, 1964	Vander Pyl
3171448	Fluid connection	March, 1965	Fromm
D202147		August, 1965	Peters
3202442	Coupling	August, 1965	Abbey et al.
3208539	Apparatus for drilling wells	September, 1965	Henderson
D206281		November, 1966	Sunstrom et al.
3297100	Dual drill stem method and apparatus	January, 1967	Crews
D208752		September, 1967	Payne
D216978		March, 1970	Greene
D217547		May, 1970	Broyhill
3513887	AUTOMATIC SHUT-OFF CLOSED CIRCUIT COUPLING	May, 1970	Limandri
D217818		June, 1970	Truesdell
D220263		March, 1971	Hughes
D221850		September, 1971	Anderson
D222641		November, 1971	Roosa
3638970	JOINT FOR DOUBLE-WALLED DRILL PIPE	February, 1972	Sandquist et al.
D224105		July, 1972	Turturro
3715032	FLUID TREATMENT DEVICES	February, 1973	Nicko
D227565		July, 1973	Ehret
D227886		July, 1973	Martinez
3753287	METHOD OF INTERCONNECTING TWO COAXIAL TUBE SYSTEMS	August, 1973	Ziemek et al.
3768476	URINARY IRRIGATION AND DRAINAGE SYSTEM	October, 1973	Raitto
D230358		February, 1974	Mann
3793810	DEFOAMING DEVICE FOR MEDICAL HUMIDIFIER	February, 1974	McPhee
D230735		March, 1974	Lents
D230849		March, 1974	Takehayasi
D234197		January, 1975	Lieberman
D234356		February, 1975	Holben et al.
D235143		May, 1975	Ehret
D235542		June, 1975	Blocker
D236265		August, 1975	Dussardier
D238172		December, 1975	Blackstone
D240300		June, 1976	Gelman et al.
3980112	Conduit assembly for conveying volatile fluids	September, 1976	Basham
D241936		October, 1976	Rosaen
D242043		October, 1976	Corder et al.
D242249		November, 1976	Corder et al.
D243458	Filter	February, 1977	Pall
4022205	Fluid connectors	May, 1977	Tenczar
4026581	Releasable coupling	May, 1977	Pasbrig
D246109	Fluid filter	October, 1977	Rosaen
4053247	Double sleeve pipe coupler	October, 1977	Marsh, Jr.
D246376	Filter	November, 1977	Pall
D248485	Filter	July, 1978	Strauss et al.
4106796	Connector for duct systems for low temperature fluids	August, 1978	Asztalos et al.
D249275	Portable water filter	September, 1978	Mackay et al.
D249542	Water filter	September, 1978	Aldridge et al.
4115201	Oil reclaimer	September, 1978	Malec
D250124	Module for filter media	October, 1978	Glaspie et al.
D250415	Filter head	November, 1978	Rosaen et al.
D251380	Filter	March, 1979	Casamitjana
4149739	Dual passage pipe for cycling water to an undersea mineral aggregate gathering apparatus	April, 1979	Morris
D253715	Water filter	December, 1979	Emery
D254145	Inline water filter	February, 1980	Wilcock
D255045	Filter casing	May, 1980	Kronsbein
D256944	Water filter	September, 1980	Fox, Jr.
4231361	Breathing apparatus flow device	November, 1980	Wise
D260175	Fluid filter unit	August, 1981	Hein et al.
D263496	Filter	March, 1982	Kimball et al.
4354490	Connector for ambulatory dialysis system	October, 1982	Rogers
D269294	Filter cartridge	June, 1983	Rakocy et al.
4400019	Multilayer pipe joint	August, 1983	Fruck
D270947	Unitary, disposable filter unit	October, 1983	Mehra et al.
D271235	Water filter	November, 1983	Ward
D271325	Filter housing blank	November, 1983	Gedye
D271416	Filter cartridge frame	November, 1983	Mayer
4433973	Reusable tube connector assembly	February, 1984	Kurtz et al.
D273330	Medical fluid filter	April, 1984	Rouch
D274462	Filter cartridge housing	June, 1984	Rakocy et al.
D274745	Filter cartridge	July, 1984	Want
D274930	Water filter unit	July, 1984	Joe
D275309	Regenerative unit for counter top water purifiers	August, 1984	Stanley
D275310	Counter top water purifier	August, 1984	Stanley
D275513	Combination liquid flow conducting transparent canister and cross tube assembly for liquid filters	September, 1984	Johnson
D277305	Water filter	January, 1985	Grube
D278082	Spa filter	March, 1985	Cowley
D278650	Water purifier	April, 1985	Slovak et al.
4508135	Combined inlet and outlet fitting	April, 1985	Schlesch et al.
4526572	Medical connector	July, 1985	Donnan et al.
4540489	Compact water purifying device	September, 1985	Barnard
4551146	Connector for ambulatory dialysis system	November, 1985	Rogers
D284300	Filter cartridge	June, 1986	Hodgkins
D285958	Water filter	September, 1986	Koizumi et al.
4613166	Connecting concentric tube systems	September, 1986	Schmidtchen
4619640	Blood transfusion connector assembly	October, 1986	Potolsky et al.
4636204	Coupling for the connection of flexible tubes and the like	January, 1987	Christopherson et al.
D288707	Water purifier	March, 1987	Macevicz et al.
D289317	Water filter	April, 1987	Mezey et al.
4655762	Ambulatory dialysis system and connector	April, 1987	Rogers
D291593	Air filtration unit housing for use with laser surgery	August, 1987	Robertson
4708371	Coupling for a fuel manifold	November, 1987	Elsworth et al.
D294167	Cover plate for a filter cartridge	February, 1988	Meissner
4724074	Self-venting drain assembly	February, 1988	Schaupp
4725354	Filtering system	February, 1988	Thomsen et al.	210/232
4732414	Joint for coaxial pipe	March, 1988	Inaba
4735716	Quick-change filter cartridge and head therefor	April, 1988	Petrucci et al.
D295674	Air-filter	May, 1988	Ogasawara et al.
D296000	Water purifier or similar article	May, 1988	Padilla
D296460	Cartridge for filtration or absorption media	June, 1988	Clack
D296463	Water filter or similar article	June, 1988	Padilla
D296925	Twist on disposable filter	July, 1988	Groezinger et al.
D297349	Process filter housing	August, 1988	Kronsbein
4783271	Temperature responsive bypass filter assembly	November, 1988	Silverwater
4857189	Filter cartridge with a lugged concentric closure portion	August, 1989	Thomsen et al.
D304363	Water filter	October, 1989	Ruesch
D305934	Filter for treating blood	February, 1990	Sone
D306340	Filter housing	February, 1990	Whiting
D306640	Liquid filter cartridge for swimming pools or the like	March, 1990	Kott
D306754	Combined quick-change filter cartridge and head	March, 1990	Petrucci et al.
D306755	Head for a quick-change filter cartridge	March, 1990	Petrucci et al.
D307173	Countertop water filter	April, 1990	Boehnke
D307933	Countertop water filter	May, 1990	Baer
D308092	Faucet filter	May, 1990	Geneve et al.
4921282	Undermoderated nuclear reactor	May, 1990	Meisinger
4922971	Hose assembly, clip therefor and method of making the same	May, 1990	Grantham
4925218	Double-walled pipeline system	May, 1990	Kunz et al.
D309487	Portable water filter	July, 1990	Lieberman
D309492	In-line water filter	July, 1990	Boehnke
D309494	Water filter housing	July, 1990	Riley
4948505	Quick-change filter cartridge and head therefor	August, 1990	Petrucci et al.
D310707	Portable water purifier for home use	September, 1990	Sedman
D311570	Water filter cartridge housing or similar article	October, 1990	Woodruff
D312863	Filter cartridge	December, 1990	Hankammer
D313643	Portable water filter	January, 1991	Luzenberg, Jr.
D313832	Combined quick-change filter cartridge and head	January, 1991	Petrucci et al.
D314226	Water filter for home use	January, 1991	Devine et al.
D314607	Water purifier	February, 1991	Kapec et al.
D314616	Disposable filter holder	February, 1991	Pepper
D314809	Head for a quick-change filter cartridge	February, 1991	Petrucci et al.
D315013	Head for a quick-change filter cartridge	February, 1991	Petrucci et al.
4989636	Coupling for pressure of vacuum fluid system	February, 1991	Hunter et al.
D315779	Water filter	March, 1991	Strand et al.
D316290	Floating water purifier	April, 1991	Judd, Jr.
5011193	Device for the tight, dismantlable coupling of two tubes, particularly for a fuel transfer installation	April, 1991	Porte
D316740	Filter housing	May, 1991	Kopf
D316741	Water filter	May, 1991	Kurth et al.
D317040	Combined quick-change filter cartridge and head	May, 1991	Petrucci et al.
5015374	Closure cap for dialyzers	May, 1991	Mathieu et al.
D317346	Filter	June, 1991	Ito et al.
D318091	Water purifier	July, 1991	Sherman
D318092	Water filter or similar article	July, 1991	Ferguson
D318093	Water filter or similar article	July, 1991	Ferguson
D318094	Water purifier	July, 1991	Sherman
D318713	Combined pressure regulator and filter	July, 1991	Miyake et al.
5027855	Coupling, in particular a quick-acting coupling for fluid conduits	July, 1991	Jaggi
D319288	Water filter	August, 1991	Spokoiny
D319864	Combined refrigerator jug and water filter	September, 1991	Geneve et al.
D320062	End cap for a filter cartridge	September, 1991	Meissner
D320256	Combined water filter and stand therefor or similar article	September, 1991	Giordano et al.
D320640	Water filter	October, 1991	Goodwin
5056831	Fitting construction for connection of pipes and pipe assembly	October, 1991	Ho
D321394	Quick-change filter cartridge	November, 1991	Petrucci et al.
D321550	Water filter	November, 1991	Laughlen et al.
D321745	Water filter	November, 1991	Murrell
D322836	Top cap of a quick-change filter cartridge	December, 1991	Petrucci et al.
D323203	Water filter	January, 1992	Federsen
5082557	Control head for water purifier	January, 1992	Grayson et al.
D323873	Micro filter for water or gas	February, 1992	Yanou et al.
D323874	Counter-top water filter	February, 1992	Hirman et al.
5087086	Quick connect coupling with pressure relief	February, 1992	Snedeker
D324721	Water purifier	March, 1992	Kapec et al.
5114572	Filter assembly and cartridge therefor	May, 1992	Hunter et al.	210/120
5129423	No-spill fluid security coupling	July, 1992	Fournier et al.
D328487	Water filter cartridge housing or similar article	August, 1992	Woodruff
D328942	Water purifier	August, 1992	Igami et al.
D330746	Filter housing	November, 1992	Zazulia
D331446	Water filter	December, 1992	Gidman
D331963	Filter housing	December, 1992	Williams
D332131	Water filter housing	December, 1992	Chez
5176415	Taper fitting with protective skirt	January, 1993	Choksi
5186502	Double-containment pipe fittings and system	February, 1993	Martin
5198107	Filters for heavy duty internal combustion engines	March, 1993	Ponce
H001157	Filter	April, 1993	Yanou et al.
5203384	Combination casting for a blending dispenser	April, 1993	Hansen
D336011	Filter cartridge	June, 1993	Bannigan
D336760	Combined water filter and container	June, 1993	Raunkjaer
D338705	Water filter	August, 1993	Spokoiny
D338946	Faucet mounted water purifier	August, 1993	Taylor et al.
5240289	Plug-type connection for a tubular body	August, 1993	Gottling et al.
5273083	Bottle cap and valve assembly for a bottled water station	December, 1993	Burrows
D342986	Cover for a faucet mounted water filter	January, 1994	Kurth
D343673	Water filter urm	January, 1994	Bannigan
D344322	Water filter	February, 1994	Kasner et al.
D344328	Air filter cartridge	February, 1994	Price
5286067	Taper fitting with protective skirt	February, 1994	Choksi
D345412	Filter for use on water conduits	March, 1994	Myrvik et al.
D347462	Water purification unit	May, 1994	Douglas
5312377	Tapered luer connector	May, 1994	Dalton
D348305	Water filter	June, 1994	Bannigan
D349567	Cylindrical filter element	August, 1994	Miller et al.
5336406	Replaceable filter cartridge and head assembly with safety shut-off valve	August, 1994	Stanford et al.
D351014	Combined water dispenser and filter	September, 1994	Hansen
D352091	Water purification unit	November, 1994	LeMire et al.
D353440	Water purifier	December, 1994	Ito et al.
D354795	Water filter	January, 1995	Heligman
D354796	Filter	January, 1995	Smith, Sr.
D356852	Fuel filter cartridge	March, 1995	Janik et al.
D357058	Water purification unit	April, 1995	Engelhard
D357737	Box filter	April, 1995	Spearman
D358868	Faucet mounted water treatment device	May, 1995	Hembree et al.
D360929	Water filter	August, 1995	Albertson
5449204	Double containment fitting	September, 1995	Greene et al.
D363759	Combined filter and connector	October, 1995	Schafer et al.
D363760	Water filter	October, 1995	Morem et al.
5456830	Replaceable filter cartridge for actuating safety shut-off valve in mounting head	October, 1995	Stanford et al.
D365380	Combined faucet attachment and water filter	December, 1995	Wilcock
D366095	Countertop water filter	January, 1996	Farley
D366516	Filter element	January, 1996	Stewart
5479970	Funnel	January, 1996	Trani
5486288	Mounting head with safety shut-off valve for replaceable filter cartridge	January, 1996	Stanford et al.
5520228	Fuel extraction coupling for nozzle	May, 1996	Fink, Jr. et al.
D370522	Magnetic water treatment filter	June, 1996	Colburn
D370711	Water filter cartridge	June, 1996	Serenko et al.
D372069	Cartridge for water purifier	July, 1996	Brancazio et al.
D372515	Water purification unit	August, 1996	Douglas
D372760	Water purifier	August, 1996	Brancazio et al.
5547231	Fittings for use with double wall pipeline systems having support fins	August, 1996	Sharp
D374064	Water purifier	September, 1996	Brancazio et al.
D374476	Cylindrical cage for a filter	October, 1996	Page et al.
D374911	Filter housing	October, 1996	Kahana
D374912	Filter housing	October, 1996	Engelander
D377515	Water filter cartridge	January, 1997	Hembree et al.
D377677	Water purification unit	January, 1997	Robbins
5591332	Filter assembly with automatic shut-off and quick-connect filter cartridge	January, 1997	Reid et al.	210/235
D377826	Water purification unit	February, 1997	Robbins
5598877	Reusable liquid dispenser	February, 1997	Reidel
5636875	Two-part tubular connector made of polymers as well as conduit system incorporating such connector and pipes made of the same polymers	June, 1997	Wasser
D380535	Combined filter cartridge and lid therefor	July, 1997	Joergensen
D380536	Filter for an air cleaner	July, 1997	Ellwood
D383192	Water filter	September, 1997	Johnson
D384128	Water filter housing	September, 1997	Scott
D385330	Water filter housing	October, 1997	Edman et al.
D385945	Water filter	November, 1997	Ullmann
D385946	Water purifier	November, 1997	Harrison et al.
D386241	Outlet filter for waste water treatment tank	November, 1997	Nurse, Jr.
D386242	Countertop filter	November, 1997	Clack et al.
D388154	Water filter housing	December, 1997	Pesa
D388500	Water filter cartridge	December, 1997	Burchard et al.
5695168	Automatic valving unit, and pressure vessel having automatic valving	December, 1997	Williams	251/149.4
D390629	Water filter	February, 1998	Ullmann
D390910	Filter	February, 1998	Sundquist
D391338	Canister for inline feeder	February, 1998	King
D391624	Canister for inline feeder	March, 1998	King
D392732	Air filtration unit	March, 1998	Veloz
5746454	Pipe coupling assembly	May, 1998	Webb
5753107	Dripless purification manifold and cartridge	May, 1998	Magnusson et al.
5753111	Photographic processor and improved filter assembly	May, 1998	Patton et al.
D396088	Water filter	July, 1998	Hsu
D397764	Housing for a water filter	September, 1998	Strand
D398368	Filter cartridge assembly	September, 1998	Schroer
D398369	Faucet mounted water treatment device	September, 1998	Hayes et al.
D398703	Faucet mounted water treatment apparatus	September, 1998	Hayes et al.
D399299	Liquid filter	October, 1998	Golan
D399300	Filter	October, 1998	Goodson
D399944	Conical filter	October, 1998	Gillingham et al.
D401306	Filter element	November, 1998	Ward et al.
D401684	Air Filter	November, 1998	Shelton et al.
D402734	Cylindrical filter element	December, 1998	Rao et al.
D402735	Filter	December, 1998	Kott
D403414	Cylindrical pleated air filter with top and sidewall filtering areas	December, 1998	Shelton et al.
D403416	Air filter with top filtering area and tapered sidewall filtering area	December, 1998	Shelton et al.
D403740	Filter	January, 1999	Kott et al.
D403741	Cylindrical filter element	January, 1999	Rao et al.
D404113	Element of a water purifier	January, 1999	Denkewicz, Jr. et al.
D404114	Element of a water purifier	January, 1999	Denkewicz, Jr. et al.
D404796	Cylindrical filter element	January, 1999	Miller et al.
D404797	Filter	January, 1999	Jameson et al.
D405156	Countertop filter	February, 1999	Vanderhoef
D405157	Water filter cartridge	February, 1999	Hayes et al.
D405867	Water purifier	February, 1999	Denkewicz, Jr. et al.
D405868	Water purifier	February, 1999	Denkewicz, Jr. et al.
D406314	Water purifier	March, 1999	Denkewicz, Jr. et al.
D406315	Cylindrical filter element	March, 1999	Rao et al.
D406316	Cylindrical filter element	March, 1999	Rao et al.
D406874	Low profile shower filter housing	March, 1999	Farley
D407462	Water purification unit	March, 1999	Bishop et al.
D407808	Filter element having circular sleeve	April, 1999	Nepsund et al.
5891334	Filter cartridge retaining assembly	April, 1999	Gundrum et al.	210/232
D409715	Portable water filter	May, 1999	Cruz et al.
D410064	Filtration cartridge	May, 1999	Hunter et al.
D410274	Filter	May, 1999	Bradshaw
D410520	Canister for inline feeder	June, 1999	King
D410727	Inlet filter	June, 1999	Khamis et al.
D410728	Faucet mount water filter unit	June, 1999	Kurth et al.
5922196	Liquid filter with connection flange	July, 1999	Baumann
5925250	Concentrator & Filter having protected end portion	July, 1999	Rocha
5927762	Pipe coupling assembly system and method	July, 1999	Webb
D412552	Housing for a water purification unit	August, 1999	Burrows
D412963	Water purifier	August, 1999	Nelsen et al.
5931184	Safety hose for delivering water to an appliance	August, 1999	Armenia et al.
5934712	Double containment pipe mechanical joints	August, 1999	Friedrich et al.
D413961	Filtration apparatus	September, 1999	Bassett
D414544	Filter element	September, 1999	Ward et al.
D415245	Cylindrical filter element	October, 1999	Miller et al.
D416072	Showerhead filter	November, 1999	Douglas
D416308	Safety filter element	November, 1999	Ward et al.
5988690	Device for connecting tube to endpiece	November, 1999	Bogard
5996653	Valve assembly and apparatus	December, 1999	Piccinino, Jr.
6007107	Fluid coupling for matching delivery and supply lines irrespective of the relative rotational positions of the coupling members	December, 1999	Kazarian
6027644	Dripless purification manifold and cartridge	February, 2000	Magnusson et al.	210/235
6051144	Liquid filtration system and replaceable filter cartridge usable therewith	April, 2000	Clack et al.
6062608	Coaxial flue-system for direct-vent fireplaces	May, 2000	Gerth
6076862	Concentric snap-together direct vent structure and associated fabrication methods	June, 2000	Barth et al.
D428128	Conical filter	July, 2000	Gillingham et al.
D431629	Effluent filter	October, 2000	Meyers
D432205	Filter	October, 2000	Tien Lin
D432622	Filter cartridge	October, 2000	Thompson et al.
D433094	Cartridge connector	October, 2000	Magnusson et al.
D435084	Water filter	December, 2000	Northen et al.
D435631	Filter cartridge	December, 2000	Janik et al.
D435640	Combined cartridge filter and tube frame structure	December, 2000	Oussoren
6170522	Self-seal type double-pipe joint	January, 2001	Tanida
6179001	Quick connect coupling with concentric configuration	January, 2001	Schutz
D438282	Water filter	February, 2001	Liu
6193884	Dripless purification manifold and cartridge	February, 2001	Magnusson et al.
D438592	Faucet-mounted water treatment device	March, 2001	Gaston et al.
D439304	Liquid filter cartridge pack	March, 2001	Tilp et al.
D439963	Panel filter	April, 2001	Gieseke et al.
D440293	Coalescer filter	April, 2001	Gieseke et al.
D440294	Filter cartridge	April, 2001	Bilek
D440295	Air filter	April, 2001	Honma
D441048	Shower filter housing	April, 2001	Archer
D441421	Filter cartridge	May, 2001	Aldred et al.
D441422	Filter element	May, 2001	Jensen
6234538	Connector element	May, 2001	Lauer
6245229	Point-of-use water treatment system	June, 2001	Kool et al.
D444536	Shower hose filter	July, 2001	Farley
6258269	Self vent drain valve	July, 2001	Knight
6264833	Coolant filter assembly for a vehicle	July, 2001	Reamsnyder et al.
6274038	Water purifier with adjustable volume in dwell passage	August, 2001	Reid	210/206
D449878	Filter cassette	October, 2001	Bjersten
6308836	Filter and filter cartridge with peripheral stop for filtering liquids circulating in an engine or in a hydraulic equipment	October, 2001	Guichaoua et al.	210/440
D450826	Air filter	November, 2001	Song
D452552	Offset filter housing	December, 2001	Spiegelman et al.
6325115	Valve	December, 2001	Cowland et al.
D453952	Faucet-mounted water treatment device	February, 2002	Gaston et al.
D454173	Filter cartridge container	March, 2002	Almasian et al.
D454615	Water purifier	March, 2002	Neal
D455194	Filter housing header	April, 2002	Kurth et al.
D455814	Cartridge for a water purification and treatment system	April, 2002	Magnusson et al.
D455826	Filter Apparatus	April, 2002	Gillingham et al.
D456485	Filter element	April, 2002	Hiranaga et al.
D456486	Filter housing header	April, 2002	Kurth et al.
D456877	Filter cartridge housing	May, 2002	Wilder et al.
D457231	Filter for an analysis apparatus	May, 2002	Crafoord
D457596	Water filter	May, 2002	Guzman et al.
D458341	Ribbed filter	June, 2002	Pratt
D458670	Filter cartridge top	June, 2002	Bosyi et al.
6418987	Fluid recovery cap system	July, 2002	Colasacco
D463524	Filter element	September, 2002	Ellis et al.
D464129	Filter element with pinched seal	October, 2002	Xu et al.
6464261	Pipe coupling	October, 2002	Dybevik et al.
6471249	Adjustable pipe connector	October, 2002	Lewis
D465258	Filter element	November, 2002	Hiranaga et al.
6485641	Water filter cartridge having a proportional flow feeder	November, 2002	McLeod
6649056	Filter assembly	November, 2003	Fritze	210/315
20020020450	Coupling for fluid pipes	February, 2002	Ishiwata
20020036162	Appliance with iodinated water source	March, 2002	Magnusson et al.
20020093195	Connection of double-walled pipes	July, 2002	Poehler
20020100720	Filter arrangement for liquids	August, 2002	Jainek
20020158006	Cartridge filter element with housing seal retainer	October, 2002	Thomas

CH674944	August, 1990
DE1218237	June, 1966
DE3327804	April, 1985
DE3622020	January, 1988
EP0023548	June, 1980			Multipart filter housing for the incorporation of several cartridge-shaped filter elements.
EP0335571	October, 1989			Spiral wrapped fluid treatment element
EP0616827	February, 1994			Liquid filter.
EP0618393	March, 1994			Coupling device for hoses and/or circuits
EP1216740	December, 2001			Filter for liquids
FR2596134	September, 1987
GB2198963	June, 1988
GB2261042	May, 1993
JP2003053336	February, 2003			WATER CLEANER
SU631742	November, 1978
WO/2001/026772	April, 2001			RECYCLABLE FILTER CARTRIDGE AND PRESSURE VESSEL

Menon, Krishnan S.

Kurtz, Benjamin

Alexander, Richard L.
Paul, Andrew A.
Mcdow, Kelly L.

Pursuant to 35 U.S.C. §119(e), this application claims the benefit of U.S. application Ser. No. 60/473,271, filed May 23, 2003.

What is claimed is:

1. A water treatment cartridge for treating water, said water treatment cartridge capable of sealingly and releasably engaging a water treatment device, said water treatment cartridge comprising: (a) a housing, an inlet for introducing water into said water treatment cartridge, an outlet port for egress of treated water from said water treatment cartridge, and a treatment media for treating water, said treatment media being in fluid communication with said inlet and said outlet port; (b) a first tube comprising an inside surface, an outside surface, a proximal end, and a distal end, wherein at least one of said inside surface and said outside surface comprises a sealing surface; and (c) a second tube comprising an inside surface, an outside surface, a proximal end, and a distal end, wherein at least one of said inside surface and said outside surface comprises a sealing surface; wherein said first tube extends from said housing and surrounds said outlet port forming a treated water passageway; wherein said second tube surrounds said first tube such that a gap is formed between said first tube, said second tube, and an outer surface of said housing; and wherein said gap is disposed between said inlet and said outlet port; and wherein said second tube extends from said first tube, and said first tube extends from said water treatment cartridge housing.

2. The water treatment cartridge of claim 1, wherein at least one said sealing surface of said second tube and at least one said sealing surface of said first tube are coplanar.

3. The water treatment cartridge of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of said inside surface of said first tube and at least a portion of said inside surface of said second tube are sealing surfaces.

4. The water treatment cartridge of claim 1, wherein said distal end of said second tube extends from said water treatment cartridge housing a greater distance than said distal end of said first tube.

5. The water treatment cartridge of claim 1, wherein said first and second tubes are without o-rings.

6. The water treatment cartridge of claim 1, wherein the diameter of said inside surface of said second tube is from about 1 cm to about 5 cm, and wherein the diameter of said outside surface of said first tube is from about 0.5 cm to about 3 cm.

7. The water treatment cartridge of claim 1, wherein a portion of said outside surface of said second tube is a cam surface.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention is generally related to the art of water treatment devices and cartridges for use in the same, and more specifically to preventing recontamination of treated water by the use of water treatment devices and cartridges.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Water may contain many different kinds of contaminants including, for example, particulates, harmful chemicals, and microbiological organisms, such as bacteria, parasites, protozoa, and viruses. In a variety of circumstances, these contaminants must be removed before the water can be used. Any harmful contaminants must be removed from water before it is potable, i.e., fit to consume. Despite modern water treatment means, the general population is at risk, and in particular infants and persons with compromised immune systems are at considerable risk.

In the U.S. and other developed countries, municipally treated water typically includes one or more of the following impurities: suspended solids, bacteria, parasites, viruses, organic matter, heavy metals, and chlorine. Breakdown and other problems with water treatment systems sometimes lead to incomplete removal of bacteria and viruses. In non-developed countries, there are deadly consequences associated with exposure to contaminated water, as some of them have increasing population densities, increasingly scarce water resources, and no water treatment utilities. It is common for sources of drinking water to be in close proximity to human and animal waste, such that microbiological contamination is a major health concern. As a result of waterborne microbiological contamination, an estimated six million people die each year, half of which are children under 5 years of age.

While many different water treatment medias have been developed to remove these contaminants, these medias are often placed into devices or systems that promote, or do not adequately guard against, recontamination of treated water. For instance, the interface between the cartridge and device of many water treatment systems often include only single barrier between the contaminated water being treated, and the treated water (See U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,735,716, 4,857,189, 4,948,505, and 5,486,288). Thus, any breach of the single barrier will most likely lead to recontamination of the treated water being consumed.

Also, many systems are configured to allow for contamination of the device outlet when changing water treatment cartridges (See U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,735,716, 4,857,189, 4,948,505, and 5,486,288). That is, devices are often designed such that contaminated water directly contacts one or more parts of the device that is responsible for delivering treated water.

Still further, the barriers of many water treatment cartridges are often oriented such that they may be easily contaminated by the user, or susceptible to being damaged as they are packaged, shipped, or otherwise handled (See U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,735,716, 4,857,189, 4,948,505, 5,695,168, 5,114,572, U.S. Pub. No. 2002/0100720, and WO 01/26772).

Additionally, many water treatment cartridges are designed in a way that fails to allow the interface to mechanically function to actuate valves seated in the water treatment devices that the water treatment cartridges are being interfaced with, and those that do often fail to utilize a mechanical advantage in actuating an inlet and/or an outlet valve (See U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,256,285, 5,607,582, and 5,753,111).

Due to the above concerns and general interest in improving the quality of water, there is a continuing desire to provide a water treatment system which decreases the likelihood of re-contaminating treated water. Additionally, there is a desire to provide a water treatment cartridge that can accomplish the foregoing and is also capable of mechanically actuating valves.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect of the invention, a cartridge for treating water is provided. The cartridge is capable of releasably engaging with a water treatment device. The cartridge includes a housing, an inlet for introducing untreated water into the cartridge, an outlet port for egress of treated water from the cartridge, and a treatment media for treating untreated water. The treatment media is in fluid communication with the inlet and the outlet port. The cartridge further includes a first tube having an inside surface, an outside surface, a proximal end, and a distal end, where the inside surface and/or the outside surface is a sealing surface. The cartridge further includes a second tube having an inside surface, an outside surface, a proximal end, and a distal end, where the inside surface and/or the outside surface is a sealing surface. The first tube extends from the housing and surrounds the outlet port. At least a portion of the first tube or the second tube surrounds the other such that a gap is formed between the first tube and the second tube. The gap is capable of holding a volume of water.

In another aspect of the invention, a device for releasably engaging a water treatment cartridge as mentioned above is provided. The device includes an outlet housing having an inside surface and an outside surface. The outlet housing includes at least one sealing surface. The device further includes a vent housing having an inside surface and an outside surface. The vent housing includes at least one sealing surface. At least a portion of the inside surface of the outlet housing forms and defines a treated water outlet passageway. At least a portion of the outside surface of the outlet housing and the inside surface of the housing forms and defines an air vent. The device engages with the cartridge such that the first tube sealingly engages the outlet housing. The second tube sealingly engages the vent housing such that the inside surface of the first tube and the inside surface of the outlet housing are in fluid communication. The outside surface of the first tube and the inside surface of the second tube are in fluid communication.

Other aspects of the invention, including methods of using the cartridge, are apparent from the detailed description below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

While the specification concludes with claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the invention, it is believed that the present invention will be better understood from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a water treatment cartridge made in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a bottom plan view of an alternate embodiment of the inlet and second end of the cartridge of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the water treatment cartridge of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional side view of the water treatment cartridge of FIG. 1 taken along the line A-A.

FIG. 5-A is a top plan view of the water treatment cartridge of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5-B is a cross-sectional side view of the water treatment cartridge of FIG. 1 taken along the line A-A.

FIG. 6-A is a side view of an alternate embodiment of the second tube of FIG. 1, wherein the second tube extends outward from the first tube.

FIG. 6-B is a side view of an alternate embodiment of the second tube of FIG. 1, wherein the second tube extends inward from the first tube.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the second tube of FIG. 1, wherein the second tube comprises a cam surface.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional side view of the water treatment cartridge of FIG. 2 taken along the line A-A.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional side view of the water treatment cartridge of FIG. 1 taken along the line A-A.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the water treatment cartridge of FIG. 2.

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional side view of an alternate embodiment of the water treatment cartridge of FIG. 1 taken along the line A-A, wherein the cartridge comprises a third tube, and wherein the cartridge is engaged to a vent housing and an outlet housing of a countertop water treatment device, said device shown as a partial view of a cross-section.

FIG. 12 is cross-sectional side view of a water treatment cartridge outside the scope of the present invention, having no second tube, engaged to an outlet housing of a device outside the scope of the present invention, said device having no vent housing.

FIG. 13 is a partial view of the outlet housing of FIG. 12 without a water treatment cartridge engaged, and with an illustration of contaminated water running down the outside of and into the outlet housing.

FIG. 14-A is a bottom plan view of the water treatment cartridge of FIG. 11.

FIG. 14-B is a cross-sectional side view of the water treatment cartridge of FIG. 11, and an alternate embodiment of the pressure vessel of the device of FIG. 11.

FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional side view of the water treatment cartridge of FIG. 2, and a partial cross-sectional side view of an alternate embodiment of the device of FIG. 11, said device having a valve.

FIG. 16 is an exploded perspective view of the water treatment cartridge of FIG. 2, and an exploded perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the device of FIG. 11, said device being a faucet-mounted device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

As used herein, the term “cam surface” refers to the sum of all surfaces that physically touch a follower of a valve for the purpose of actuating the valve. Cam surface is further defined and illustrated in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/424,200 (Fluidic Cartridges And End Pieces Thereof).

As used herein, the term “coaxial” means a first body being fully within a second body (e.g., a first cylinder being fully within a second cylinder, a first tube completely surrounding a second tube, etc.).

As used herein, the term “concentric” means having a common center.

As used herein, the term “fluid” refers to a gas or a liquid.

As used herein, the phrase “sealingly engage(d)” or “sealing engagement” refers to the meeting of at least two sealing surfaces, or portions thereof, forming a barrier to the flow of a fluid.

As used herein, the term “sealing surface” refers to a predetermined surface, or portion thereof, capable of forming a barrier to the flow of a fluid when engaged with another surface. The surface may include, but is not limited to, a smooth, highly polished surface or an o-ring that sealingly engages with said polished surface.

As used herein, the term “surround” means to enclose at least a portion.

As used herein, the term “tube” means a hollow elongated structure for conveying or holding fluids. A tube may be, but is not limited to being cylindrical. For instance, a tube of the present invention may be in the form of a pentagon, hexagon, octagon, etc.

Other terms used herein are defined in the specification where discussed.

Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Numerals with the same last two digits represent the same or similar (not necessarily embodiments) elements throughout the figures (e.g., 22 , 122 , 222 , etc.). Water treatment devices and cartridges of the present invention may be used where potable water is desired, including, but not limited to, refrigerators having ice-makers and/or water ports; water stands or coolers; faucet-mounted, counter-top, under-the-sink, and/or whole-house water treatment appliances; coffee makers, etc.

As shown in FIG. 1, an embodiment of a water treatment cartridge 20 comprises a housing 22 , and an inlet 24 , an outlet port 26 , a first tube 28 , a second tube 30 , a gap 32 , and a water treatment media 34 . The housing 22 , as shown in an embodiment of the invention, may be cylindrical, however, it may be various shapes and sizes. The housing 22 may be made from one or more of a variety of materials, including, but not limited to, one or a combination of plastics, metal and alloys thereof, fiberglass, etc. The housing 22 may consist of a cap at the end(s) of formed treatment media (e.g., 34 ), or may form a well-defined compartment that holds loose treatment media.

The inlet 24 , as shown in an embodiment of the invention, may be a portion of exposed media 34 capped by the housing 22 both ends. That is, water may enter the cartridge 20 through the exposed portion of the media 34 . As shown in FIG. 2, the inlet 224 may optionally be a circular opening and located at the second end of the cartridge 220 , opposite the location of the outlet port 26 . The inlet 224 may have optionally been placed on the side or the first end of the cartridge 220 .

As illustrated in FIG. 3, the outlet port 26 may be a circular opening, concentric and coaxial with the longitudinal axis 36 of the cartridge 20 . The inlet 24 and outlet port 26 may be of varying size and oriented in any manner that best serves the application. Thus, the inlet 24 and outlet port 26 can be oriented in the same proximity (e.g., sharing the same opening), in near proximity (e.g., sharing the same surface or end), or in distant proximities from one another (e.g., located at opposite ends).

As shown in FIG. 3, the first tube 28 and second tube 30 extend from the housing 22 such that the first tube 28 surrounds the outlet port 26 , and the second tube 30 surrounds the first tube 28 , such that a gap 32 is formed between the outside surface of the first tube 28 and the inside surface of the second tube 30 , where the top of the housing 22 acts as an uninterrupted floor 38 (that is, a floor without openings) for the gap 32 . The first and second tubes 28 and 30 may extend from the housing 22 in such a manner that no leak path is created between the proximal ends of the first 28 or second 30 tubes and the housing 22 . That is, water may only escape over the distal ends of either the first 28 or second 30 tubes (that is, the proximal portion of the gap 32 is open), otherwise, the water may be held in the gap 32 for an extended period of time (depending on other conditions) because there is no other means of escaping (that is, the distal portion of the gap 32 is water tight). The gap 32 may be capable of holding some volume of water when the cartridge 20 is not sealingly engaged to a device (as discussed below), preferably from about 0.1 milliliters (herein, “ml”) to about 6 ml, more preferably from about 1.6 ml to about 4.5 ml, and most preferably from about 2.2 ml to about 3 ml. Additionally, the gap 32 may be capable of holding some volume of water when the cartridge 20 is sealingly engaged to a device (as discussed below), preferably from about 0.1 ml to about 5.5 ml, more preferably from about 0.5 ml to about 3 ml, and most preferably from about 0.8 ml to about 1.2 ml.

As shown in FIG. 3, the first tube 28 may be circular, and may concentrically and coaxially surround the outlet port 26 , but may surround the outlet port 26 in any manner. The first tube 28 may be made from one or more of a variety of materials, including, but not limited to, one or a combination of plastics, metal and alloys thereof, fiberglass, etc. As shown in FIG. 4, the first tube 28 acts as an uninterrupted extension of the outlet port 26 . The inside or outside surface of the first tube 28 may be a sealing surface 44 , and may comprise one or more o-rings, or other such sealing surface, and may be supported by one or more ribs 40 (See FIG. 16). As illustrated by an embodiment of the invention, the sealing surface 44 of the first tube 28 is a portion its inner surface that is highly polished for sealingly engaging with an o-ring. When the first tube 28 is without an o-ring, there is no chance of nicking or tearing, or in some other way breaching the integrity of the o-ring (packaging, shipping, consumer handling, etc.). Also, when the sealing surface of the first tube 28 is the inside surface, the diameter of the first tube 28 may be kept at a distance that prevents the average consumer from being able to touch the sealing surface, causing a scratch which might allow for a leak, or touching the sealing surface with contaminated hands, resulting in contaminated water, etc. When the sealing surface of the first tube 28 is the outside surface, the gap 32 between the first tube 28 and second tube 30 may be kept a distance that prevents the occurrence of these concerns.

Additionally, the height of the first tube 28 in relation to its sealing surface 44 may be important in protecting the sealing surface of the first tube 28 . That is, the sealing surface of the first tube 28 , whether located on the inner or outer surface, may be oriented on the first tube 28 such that some portion of the first tube 28 extends beyond the sealing surface to protect it. The first tube 28 may preferably extend beyond the distal portion of the sealing surface 44 by distance L 1 , preferably from about 0.1 centimeters (herein, “cm”) to about 2 cm, more preferably from about 0.2 cm to about 1 cm, and most preferably from about 0.3 cm to about 0.5 cm. Also, the height of the second tube 30 may protect the sealing surface 44 of the first tube 28 by extending beyond the sealing surface 44 of the first tube 28 and beyond the distal end of the first tube 28 itself.

As illustrated in FIGS. 5-A and 5 -B, the second tube 30 may be circular, and may concentrically and coaxially surround the first tube 28 and or the outlet port 26 , but may surround the first tube 28 and or the outlet port 26 in any manner. The second tube 30 may be made from one or more of a variety of materials, including, but not limited to, one or a combination of plastics, metal and alloys thereof, fiberglass, etc. The inside or outside surface of the second tube 30 may be a sealing surface 46 . As shown in an embodiment of the invention, the sealing surface 46 is a portion of the inner surface of the second tube 30 and is highly polished for sealingly engaging with an o-ring. The second tube 30 may or may not comprise one or more o-rings, or other such sealing surface, and may or may not be supported by one or more ribs. As shown in FIG. 6-A, the second tube 6 A 30 need not extend from the housing 22 , but may extend outward from the first tube 28 , such that the floor 6 A 38 of the gap 6 A 32 is formed as part of the second tube 6 A 30 as it extends from the first tube 28 . Additionally, as shown in FIG. 6-B, the second tube 6 B 30 may extend inward from the first tube 28 . As shown in FIG. 7, the second tube 730 may also act as a cam surface 42 , as described in U.S. patent application Ser. No.10/424,200 and as further described and illustrated below (See FIG. 15).

When the second tube 30 is without an o-ring, there is no chance of nicking or tearing, or in some other way compromising the integrity of the o-ring. Also, when the sealing surface 46 of the second tube 30 is the inside surface, the diameter of the second tube 30 may be kept at a distance which keeps the gap 32 a distance that prevents the average consumer from being able to touch the sealing surface, causing a scratch which might allow for a leak, or touching the sealing surface 46 with contaminated hands, resulting in contaminated water, etc. When the outside surface of the second tube 30 is without an o-ring, and is not a sealing surface, it may be more readily used as a cam surface (e.g., 42 ) as described above.

Additionally, the height of the second tube 30 in relation to the sealing surface 46 of the second tube 30 may be important in protecting the sealing surface 46 . That is, the sealing surface 46 of the second tube 30 , whether located on the inner or outer surface, may be oriented on the second tube 30 such that some portion of the second tube 30 extends beyond the sealing surface 46 to protect it. The second tube 30 may preferably extend beyond the distal portion of its sealing surface 46 a distance L 2 (See FIG. 5-B), preferably from about 0.1 cm to about 1.5 cm, more preferably from about 0.2 cm to about 0.9 cm, and most preferably from about 0.3 cm to about 0.5 cm. Further, as shown in FIG. 8, the height of the first tube 828 may also protect the sealing surface 846 of the second tube 830 by extending beyond the sealing surface 846 of the second tube 830 and beyond the distal end of the second tube 830 itself.

As shown in FIG. 9, the distance L 3 (the height of the housing 22 ), from the first end of the housing 22 to the second end of the housing 22 may be preferably from about 3 cm to about 20 cm, more preferably from about 5 cm to about 15 cm, and most preferably from about 6.7 cm to about 8.4 cm. The distance L 4 (the height of the first tube 28 ), from the first end of the housing 22 to the distal end of the first tube 28 may preferably be from about 0.5 cm to about 3 cm, more preferably from about 1 cm to about 2 cm, and most preferably from about 1.2 cm to about 1.4 cm. The distance L 5 (the height of the second tube 30 ), from the first end of the housing 22 to the distal end of the second tube 30 may preferably be from about 0.5 cm to about 3 cm, more preferably from about 0.7 cm to about 2 cm, and most preferably from about 1 cm to about 1.5 cm. The distance L 6 , from the distal end of the first tube 28 to the distal end of the second tube 30 may preferably be from about 0 cm to about 1 cm, more preferably from about 0.1 cm to about 0.5 cm, and most preferably from about 0.2 cm to about 0.3 cm. The distance L 7 (the height of the second tube 30 ), from the proximal end of the first tube 28 to the distal end of the second tube 30 may preferably be from about 0.5 cm to about 3 cm, more preferably from about 0.7 cm to about 2.2 cm, and most preferably from about 1 cm to about 1.5 cm. The distance L 8 (the height of the first tube 28 ), from the proximal end of the second tube 30 to the distal end of the first tube 28 may preferably be from about 0.5 cm to about 3 cm, more preferably from about 0.9 cm to about 2 cm, and most preferably from about 1 cm to about 1.5 cm.

The distance L 9 , from the longitudinal axis 36 of the cartridge 20 to the inner surface first tube 28 may preferably be from about 0.3 cm to about 1.5 cm, more preferably from about 0.4 cm to about 1 cm, and most preferably from about 0.6 cm to about 0.8 cm. The first tube 28 may preferably have an inside diameter L 10 , from about 0.5 cm to about 3 cm, more preferably from about 0.9 cm to about 2.2 cm, and most preferably from about 1.2 cm to about 1.5 cm.

The distance L 11 , from the longitudinal axis 36 of the cartridge 20 to the inner surface of the second tube 30 may preferably be from about .5 cm to about 2.5 cm, more preferably from about 0.8 cm to about 2 cm, and most preferably from about 1 cm to about 1.3 cm. The second tube 30 may preferably have a diameter L 12 , from about 1 cm to about 5 cm, more preferably from about 1.7 cm to about 4 cm, and most preferably from about 2 cm to about 2.5 cm. The gap 32 may have an inner diameter of preferably from about 0.5 cm to about 3.5 cm, more preferably from about 1 cm to about 2.5 cm, and most preferably from about 1.5 cm to about 2 cm, and an outer diameter of preferably from about 1 cm to about 5 cm, more preferably from about 1.5 cm to about 4 cm, and most preferably from about 2 cm to about 2.6 cm. The greatest distance L 13 , between the outside surface of the first tube 28 and the inside surface of the second tube 30 may preferably be from about 0.1 cm to about 2.5 cm, more preferably from about 0.2 cm to about 1.2 cm, and most preferably from about 0.3 cm to about 0.5 cm.

The distance L 14 , from the first end of the housing 22 to the distal portion of the sealing surface 44 of the first tube 28 may preferably be from about 0.4 cm to about 2 cm, more preferably from about 0.5 cm to about 1.5 cm, and most preferably from about 0.8 cm to about 1 cm. The distance L 15 , from the first end of the housing 22 to the distal portion of the sealing surface 46 of the second tube 30 may preferably be from about 0.4 cm to about 2.5 cm, more preferably from about 0.5 cm to about 2 cm, and most preferably from about 0.7 cm to about 1 cm.

It may be desirable to, for reasons of cartridge 20 compactness, limit the height of the first and second tubes 28 and 30 as much as possible while maintaining a sealing surface 44 and 46 on each tube. The less the height of the tubes 28 and 30 for engaging a device are, the greater the height the housing 22 or the treatment media 34 may be per fixed distance (See U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/424,200). Thus, it is foreseeable that the first tube 28 and the second tube 30 may be the same minimum height. Additionally, it is foreseeable that each of the sealing surfaces 44 and 46 may extend from the first end of the housing 22 the same distance (thus, each of the tubes 28 and 30 would extend beyond each of the sealing surfaces 44 and 46 , respectively, the same distance).

As mentioned above, the height of the first tube 28 may be used to protect its sealing surface 44 and the sealing surface 46 of the second tube 30 . Likewise, the height of the second tube 30 may be used to protect its sealing surface 46 and the sealing surface 44 of the first tube 28 . Thus, the relationship between first tube 28 and second tube 30 height may be important. For instance, the second tube 30 may have a height preferably from about 1 time to about 2.5 times, more preferably from about 1.1 times to about 2 times, and most preferably from about 1.2 times to about 1.3 times the height of the first tube 28 (e.g., if the second tube 30 is 1.1 times the height of the first tube 28 , and the first tube 28 is 1.2 cm high, then the second tube 30 will be 1.3 cm high). Conversely, the first tube 28 may have a height preferably from about 1 time to about 2.5 times, more preferably from about 1.1 times to about 2 times, and most preferably from about 1.2 times to about 1.3 times the height of the second tube 30 .

The distal end of the second tube 30 may extend from the first end of the cartridge housing 22 preferably from about 1 time to about 2.5 times, more preferably from about 1.1 times to about 2 times, and most preferably from about 1.2 times to about 1.3 times that of the distal end of the first tube 28 (e.g., if the distal end of the second tube 30 extends 1.1 times that of the distal end of the first tube 28 from the cartridge housing 22 , and the distal end of the first tube 28 extends 1.2 cm from the cartridge housing 22 , then the distal end of the second tube 30 will extend 1.3 cm from the cartridge housing 22 ). Conversely, the distal end of the first tube 28 may extend from the first end of the cartridge housing 22 preferably from about 1 time to about 2.5 times, more preferably from about 1.1 times to about 2 times, and most preferably from about 1.2 times to about 1.3 times that of the distal end of the second tube 30 .

The distal portion of the sealing surface 46 of the second tube 30 may extend from the cartridge housing 22 preferably from about 1 time to about 3 times, more preferably from about 1.1 times to about 2 times, and most preferably from about 1.3 times to about 1.4 times that of the distal portion of the sealing surface 44 of the first tube 28 (e.g., if the distal portion of the sealing surface 46 of the second tube 30 extends 1.1 times that of the distal portion of the sealing surface 44 of the first tube 28 from the cartridge housing 22 , and the distal portion of the sealing surface 44 of the first tube 28 extends 0.9 cm from the cartridge housing 22 , then the distal portion of the sealing surface 46 of the second tube 30 will extend 1 cm from the cartridge housing 22 ). Conversely, the distal portion of the sealing surface 46 of the first tube 28 may extend from the cartridge housing 22 preferably from about 1 time to about 3 times, more preferably from about 1.1 times to about 2 times, and most preferably from about 1.3 times to about 1.4 times that of the distal portion of the sealing surface 46 of the second tube 30 .

At least one sealing surface of the second tube 30 may extend from the cartridge housing 22 preferably from about 1 time to about 3 times, more preferably from about 1.1times to about 2 times, and most preferably from about 1.3 times to about 1.4 times that of at least one sealing surface of the first tube 28 . Conversely, at least one sealing surface of the first tube 28 may extend from the cartridge housing 22 preferably from about 1 time to about 3 times, more preferably from about 1.1 times to about 2 times, and most preferably from about 1.3 times to about 1.4 times that of at least one sealing surface of the second tube 30 .

Water treatment media 34 may be contained within the cartridge housing 22 , and may function in a variety of ways as known in the art, including, but not limited to, the removal or neutralization of contaminants such as by size exclusion, electrolysis, absorption, adsorption, oxidation, reduction, chemical disinfection, ion exchange, etc. Examples of contaminants include microorganisms, viruses, bacteria, pathogens, protozoa, organic matter, inorganic material, etc. Also, beneficial additives such as flavorants, vitamins, minerals, nutrients, etc. may also be added. Examples of suitable water treatment medias known in the art are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,167,225, 2,335,458, 4,172,796, 4,493,772, 4,764,274, 4,025,438, 4,094,779, and 6,337,015. For example, water treatment medias may include, but are not limited to, one or a combination of carbon (e.g., activated carbon, such as a tube of porous carbon, or a block of porous carbon, or carbon powder sintered with a plastic binder or the like), ion exchange media (e.g., in the form of resin beads, flat filtration membranes, fibrous filtration structures, etc.), zeolite particles or coatings (e.g., silver loaded), polyethylene, or charge-modified melt-blown or micro-fiber glass webs, alumina, diatomaceous earth, etc. The water treatment media 34 of this invention may comprise other conventional water treatment medias as described in U.S. patent application Ser. Nos. 09/935,810, 09/935,962, 09/628,632, 09/832,581, 09/832,580, 09/736,749, 09/574,456, 09/564,919, and 09/347,223.

As shown in FIG. 10, the housing 1022 may additionally comprise a channel 48 , a notch 50 , a cam 52 , a shoulder 54 , and an o-ring 56 as described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,525,214, 5,527,451, 5,928,504, and 6,241,103.

As shown in FIG. 11, the cartridge 20 may be used in a water treatment device 60 comprising an inlet housing 62 , a pressure vessel 64 , a vent housing 66 , and an outlet housing 68 . A water treatment cartridge and device may collectively be referred to as a “water treatment system”. A first 70 and second 72 o-ring may surround each of the inner or outer surfaces of the outlet 68 and vent 66 housings, respectively. These o-rings 70 and 72 may be protected from the user, such that the first 70 and second 72 o-rings may be oriented within the device 60 such that they are out of reach of the average user so that he/she may not damage or contaminate the o-rings 70 and 72 . The first tube 28 of the cartridge 20 may sealingly engage the outlet housing 68 and the second tube 30 may sealingly engage a vent housing 66 . The first tube 28 may fit over or into the outlet housing 68 , such that the inside of the first tube 28 and the inside of the outlet housing 68 are in fluid communication. Likewise, the second tube 30 may fit over or into the vent housing 66 , such that the inside of the second tube 30 and the inside of the vent housing 66 are in fluid communication.

The function of the water treatment device 60 and cartridge 20 will now be described. Once the cartridge 20 is sealingly engaged to the device 60 as shown in FIG. 11 , the pressure vessel 64 may be secured (e.g., friction fitted, threadably fitted, bolted, screwed, fastened, snap fitted, latched, etc.) to the device 60 such that contaminated water enters the system through the inlet housing 62 and fills the pressure vessel 64 , surrounds the cartridge housing 22 and the outside surface of the second tube 30 , and enters the cartridge 20 via the treatment media 34 . Water is treated as it moves through the treatment media 34 , and then exits the cartridge 20 through the outlet port 26 . Treated water is forced along the inside surface of the first tube 28 , unable to penetrate the first o-ring 70 , and is forced through the outlet housing 68 .

There are several situations that might occur in any water treatment system that allow contaminated water to be mixed with treated water. The cartridge 20 of the present invention, however, protects against many of such potential problems. For example, the contaminated water, as it fills the pressure vessel 64 , challenges the integrity of the second o-ring 72 . If there is a tear in the second o-ring 72 , or the second tube 30 fails to sealingly engage the vent housing 66 , the first tube 28 being sealingly engaged to the outlet housing 68 will act to prevent contaminated water from penetrating the outlet housing 68 and the treated water. Before contaminated water that passed by the second o-ring 72 challenges the integrity of the first o-ring 70 , the gap 32 will be filled with contaminated water. The gap 32 will act to safely hold the contaminated water, depending on the size of the gap 32 and the volume of contaminated water leaking past the second o-ring 72 . The water treatment device 60 may also be designed to prevent, or lessen the extent by which contaminated water challenges the integrity of the first o-ring 70 by venting contaminated water that overfills the gap 32 safely away from the treated water supply.

Contaminated water might be mixed with treated water when changing the water treatment cartridge 20 . As shown in FIG. 12, in a cartridge 1220 and device 1260 that are different from the ones previously described and not examples of embodiments of the invention, or alternatives thereof, the cartridge 1220 has only a first tube 28 between contaminated water and the outlet port 26 . Such will most certainly contribute to the recontamination of treated water. For instance, as shown in FIG. 13, when changing the water treatment cartridge 1220 , after the pressure vessel 64 has been removed, water adheres around the area where sealing engagement occurred, such that when the cartridge 1220 is removed, contaminated water 74 drips and runs from the outside surface of the outlet housing 68 , even rolling to the inside surface of the outlet housing 68 . Thus, when a new cartridge is inserted, contaminated water 74 below the site of sealing engagement will be pushed through the outlet housing 68 where it is able to re-contaminate already treated water. However, in the water treatment device 60 and cartridge 20 previously illustrated in FIG. 11, such collection of water occurs outside of the second tube 30 , such that the first tube 28 and the outlet housing 68 should remain free from contact with contaminated water. Any contaminated water that is trapped by the sealing engagement of a new water treatment cartridge 20 may rest in the gap 32 .

As shown in FIGS. 14-A and 14 -B, the cartridge 1420 may also have a third tube 76 which sealingly engages a plug housing 78 of the pressure vessel 1464 . The plug housing 78 may be located on the pressure vessel 1464 such that an opening 80 through the pressure vessel 1464 is formed. An o-ring 82 may surround the plug housing 78 , such that the third tube 76 of the cartridge 1420 may seal the opening 80 of the pressure vessel 1464 . Thus, if contaminated water entered the device 1460 , and no cartridge 1420 was inserted, contaminated water would egress through the opening 80 . However, if the cartridge 1420 comprising a third tube 76 was inserted into the pressure vessel 1464 , the pressure vessel 1464 would fill with contaminated water as described above. The third tube 76 and the plug housing 78 would prevent one from mistakenly operating the water treatment device 1460 without a water treatment cartridge 1420 in place.

As shown in FIG. 15, and as mentioned above, a portion of the second tube 30 of the cartridge 20 may function as a cam surface (e.g., 42 ), such that it contacts and actuates a follower 84 of a valve 86 as the cartridge 20 is inserted into the device 1560 , such that the valve 86 is actuated. The term “actuate” or “actuated” refers to mechanical action or motion and/or maintaining a position against a force (e.g., moving a follower or holding a follower in an open position).

As shown in FIG. 16, the cartridge 1620 may also be used in other devices 1660 utilizing a pressure vessel 1664 . However, the cartridge 20 of the present invention need not be used in a device having a pressure vessel.

The present invention may additionally include information that will communicate to the consumer, by words and/or by pictures, that use of the present invention will provide benefits that include assuring the integrity of a treated water supply, and this information may include the claim of superiority over other water treatment products. In a highly desirable variation, the information may include that use of the invention protects against re-contamination of already treated water. Accordingly, the use of packages in association with information that will communicate to the consumer, by words and or by pictures, that use of the invention will provide the particular and related benefits as previously mentioned. The information can include, e.g., advertising in all of the usual media, as well as statements and icons on the package, or the filter itself, to inform the consumer.

All documents cited are, in relevant part, incorporated herein by reference; the citation of any document is not to be construed as an admission that it is prior art with respect to the present invention.

While particular embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described, it would be obvious to those skilled in the art that various other changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is therefore intended to cover in the appended claims all such changes and modifications that are within the scope of this invention.