Water treatment cartridge and base

Abstract

A water treatment unit includes a base and a disposable, plug-in cartridge. The cartridge contains a pair of hollow cylindrical, porous, solid water treatment elements designed to treat water flowing radially through their walls. The cylindrical elements are mounted so as to act in parallel, thereby achieving the advantages of a long, thin-walled element in a compact configuration.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELDThis invention relates to apparatus for treating water. More particularly, it relates to water filtration apparatus in the form of a disposable cartridge and a base therefor.BACKGROUND ARTThe use of disposable water treatment elements such as filters is well-known. One type of such filter is the form of a solid porous cylinder having a hollow center. When such an element is employed, the water or other liquid to be treated or filtered flows radially through the wall of the cylinder between its exterior and its hollow core. Examples of such an element are the well-known ceramic filter and the extruded solid activated carbon filters made by the method and apparatus disclosed in Koslow U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,189,092; 5,249,948; and 5,331,037. See also the co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08 / 607,294 filed Feb. 26, 1996 of Koslow, et al (pending).It is well-known that the most efficient filtration is achieved with a relatively long but thin-walled filter element. For ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

In accordance with the present invention, the desirable long and thin-walled solid porous hollow cylinder is reconfigured as two or more short cylindrical portions which are operated in a parallel fashion as a flat array. In this way, the efficiency and water volume is maintained but in a much more compact form. The filter elements are housed within a disposable cartridge which plugs into a base member from which it can be easily removed.

Problems solved by technology

However, this presents a problem, especially when the element is employed in a domestic water filtration unit such as might be maintained at a kitchen or bathroom sink.

In order to achieve the desired flow volume, a long and ungainly filter element would be required.

A second problem is that the changing of filter elements in the conventional domestic filter housing is a messy job often requiring tools and proving very difficult to open because of the large diameter pressure vessels with large threads and compression gaskets.

Entirely new problems of space and convenience would emerge when using an exceptionally long filter element.

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