Water filter abstract
The present invention relates to a water filter including an outer
connector, an inner connector, a flow control sheet and a strainer.
A flange extends from the periphery of the upper surface of the
outer connector with at least two protrusions extending therefrom.
A plurality of guiding ribs is formed at the inner surface of the
sidewall of the outer connector near the bottom surface of the outer
connector and radiating from the center of the outer connector.
A board is formed at the inner surface of the sidewall of the outer
connector connecting with upper ends of the guiding ribs. A plurality
of puncturing posts projects from the upper surface of the board.
A rim extends from the periphery of the upper surface of the inner
connector with at least two positioning cutouts being defined therein.
The inner connector is received in the outer connector with the
positioning cutouts respectively engagingly receiving the protrusions
of the outer connector. A plurality of annular posts is formed in
the inner connector with a plurality of guiding apertures being
defined therethrough. The guiding apertures are above the puncturing
posts of the outer connector. Thus, the water filter is ready to
disassemble for cleaning and easy to assemble or disassemble in
a DIY manner. Furthermore, the water filter is simple and for which
a mold is ready to design and fabricate with low cost thereby facilitating
to mass-produce.
Water filter claims
What is claimed is:
1. A water filter comprising: an outer connector, a flange extending
from the periphery of the upper surface of the outer connector,
at least two protrusions extending from the upper surface of the
flange, a plurality of guiding ribs being formed at the inner surface
of the sidewall of the outer connector near the bottom surface of
the outer connector and radiating from the center of the outer connector,
a board being formed at the inner surface of the sidewall of the
outer connector connecting with upper ends of the guiding ribs,
a plurality of puncturing posts projecting from the upper surface
of the board; an inner connector, a rim extending from the periphery
of the upper surface of the inner connector, at least two positioning
cutouts being defined in the rim, the inner connector being received
in the outer connector with the positioning cutouts respectively
engagingly receiving the protrusions of the outer connector; a plurality
of annular posts being formed in the inner connector, a plurality
of guiding apertures being defined through the annular posts of
the inner connector, the guiding apertures being above the puncturing
posts of the outer connector; a flow control sheet tightly engaging
with the upper surface of the inner connector, a plurality of through
holes being defined in the flow control sheet, a protruding portion
projecting from the center of the flow control sheet, a plurality
of recesses being defined in the protruding portion, an O-shaped
ring being received in the recesses; and a strainer mounted on the
upper surface of the flow control sheet, a plurality of finestras
being defined in the strainer.
2. The water filter as claimed in claim 1 wherein a positioning
ring projects from the upper surface of the inner connector for
tightly engaging with the flow control sheet.
3. The water filter as claimed in claim 1 wherein the annular
posts have different diameters and heights.
4. The water filter as claimed in claim 1 wherein each puncturing
post is in a triangular pyramid shape.
5. The water filter as claimed in claim 1 wherein each finestra
of the strainer is generally triangular.
Water filter description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to a water filter, and particularly
to a water filter which is used for connection with a faucet for
leaching, guiding and saving water.
[0003] 2. Prior Art
[0004] In general, a conventional water filter is connected to
an outlet portion of a faucet for leaching, guiding and saving water.
There are various structures or types of water filters. Referring
to FIGS. 4-6 a conventional water filter mainly includes an outer
connector 60 an inner connector, a flow control sheet 80 and a
strainer 90 (Showed in FIG. 4).
[0005] A positioning post 61 is formed at the center of the outer
connector 60 with one end near the bottom surface of the outer connector
60 and the other end projecting from the upper surface of the outer
connector 60. A plurality of puncturing posts 62 is formed at the
outer connector 60 about the positioning post 61 and is arranged
in several circles with different diameters. The heights of the
puncturing posts are gradually reduced along a direction away from
the positioning post 61. A plurality of ribs 63 is formed at the
inner surface of the sidewall of the outer connector 60 (Showed
in FIG. 5).
[0006] A plurality of apertures 71 is evenly defined about the
center of the inner connector 70. A plurality of cutouts 72 is defined
in the outer surface of the sidewall of the inner connector 70 (Showed
in FIG. 6). When the inner connector 70 is received in the outer
connector 60 the cutouts 72 of the inner connector 70 engagingly
receive and position the ribs 63 of the outer connector 60. The
upper surfaces of the outer and inner connectors 60 70 are coplanar
(Showed in FIG. 4).
[0007] When the conventional water filter is attached to an outlet
portion of a faucet (not shown) and the faucet is turned on, water
will flow into the water filter, from the strainer 90 through the
flow control sheet 80 into the apertures 71 of the inner connector
70 towards the puncturing posts 62 for piercing air bubbles in
the water, and then out of the outer connector 60. Since the air
bubbles in the water are pierced by the puncturing posts 62 the
water flowing out of the outer connector 60 has no air bubbles and
therefore is filtered. Thus, the water filter has a filtration function.
[0008] However, when it is desired to disassemble the water filter
for cleaning after a period of time of use, the water filter cannot
be detached directly by tools (not shown) since the inner and outer
connectors 70 60 are engaged with the cutouts 72 receiving the
ribs 63 and the upper surfaces of the inner and outer connectors
70 60 being coplanar. Maybe a sharp member (not shown) is used
to extend through the bottom surface of the outer connector 60 and
is applied with force to push the inner connector 70. However, the
outer and inner connectors 60 70 are not ready to detach since
they are in tight engagement. Furthermore, since the inner and outer
connectors 70 60 are made of plastic, once the force is over applied,
the outer and inner connectors 60 70 are easy to be damaged, even
adversely affect the function of the water filter. Thus, the conventional
water filter is inconvenient for users to assemble or disassemble
in a DIY manner, even not practical.
[0009] Moreover, the outer and inner connectors 60 70 are complicated
due to the configurations of the puncturing posts 62 the ribs 63
and the cutouts 72 and therefore a mold for the water filter is
complicated too, which results in high manufacture cost. Thus, it
is desired to improve the conventional water filter.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide
a water filter which is ready to disassemble for cleaning and easy
to assemble or disassemble in a DIY manner.
[0011] Further object of the present invention is to provide a
water filter which is simple and for which a mold is ready to design
and fabricate with low cost thereby facilitating to mass-produce.
[0012] To achieve the above-mentioned objects, a water filter in
accordance with the present invention includes:
[0013] an outer connector, a flange extending from the periphery
of the upper surface of the outer connector, at least two protrusions
extending from the upper surface of the flange, a plurality of guiding
ribs being formed at the inner surface of the sidewall of the outer
connector near the bottom surface of the outer connector and radiating
from the center of the outer connector, a board being formed at
the inner surface of the sidewall of the outer connector connecting
with upper ends of the guiding ribs, a plurality of puncturing posts
projecting from the upper surface of the board;
[0014] an inner connector, a rim extending from the periphery of
the upper surface of the inner connector, at least two positioning
cutouts being defined in the rim, the inner connector being received
in the outer connector with the positioning cutouts respectively
engagingly receiving the protrusions of the outer connector;
[0015] a plurality of annular posts being formed in the inner connector,
a plurality of guiding apertures being defined through the annular
posts of the inner connector, the guiding apertures being above
the puncturing posts of the outer connector;
[0016] a flow control sheet tightly engaging with the upper surface
of the inner connector, a plurality of through holes being defined
in the flow control sheet, a protruding portion projecting from
the center of the flow control sheet, a plurality of recesses being
defined in the protruding portion, an O-shaped ring being received
in the recesses; and
[0017] a strainer mounted on the upper surface of the flow control
sheet, a plurality of finestras being defined in the strainer.
[0018] Wherein a positioning ring projects from the upper surface
of the inner connector for tightly engaging with the flow control
sheet.
[0019] Wherein the annular posts have different diameters and heights.
[0020] Wherein each puncturing post is in a triangular pyramid
shape.
[0021] Wherein each finestra of the strainer is generally triangular.
[0022] Other objects, advantages and novel features of the present
invention will be drawn from the following detailed embodiment of
the present invention with attached drawings, in which:
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0023] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a water filter of the
present invention;
[0024] FIG. 2 is a top plan view of a strainer of the present invention;
[0025] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing water flowing through
the water filter of the present invention;
[0026] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a conventional water
filter;
[0027] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an outer connector of the
conventional water filter; and
[0028] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an inner connector of the
conventional water filter.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0029] Referring to FIGS. 1-2 a water filter of the present invention
includes:
[0030] an outer connector 10 made of resilient plastic, the outer
connector 10 being generally hollow, a flange 11 extending from
the periphery of the upper surface of the outer connector 10 at
least two protrusions 12 symmetrically extending from the upper
surface of the flange 11 a plurality of guiding ribs 13 being formed
at the inner surface of the sidewall of the outer connector 10 near
the bottom surface of the outer connector 10 and radiating from
the center of the outer connector 10 a horizontal board 14 being
formed at the inner surface of the sidewall of the outer connector
10 connecting with upper ends of the guiding ribs 13 a plurality
of puncturing posts 15 each being in a triangular pyramid shape
and projecting from the upper surface of the board 14;
[0031] an inner connector 20 made of resilient plastic, the inner
connector 20 being generally hollow, a positioning ring 21 projecting
from the upper surface of the inner connector 20 a rim 22 extending
from the periphery of the upper surface of the inner connector 20
at least two positioning cutouts 23 being symmetrically defined
in the rim 22 the positioning cutouts 23 respectively engagingly
receiving the protrusions 12 of the outer connector 10 when the
inner connector 20 is received in the outer connector 10;
[0032] two annular posts 24 extending downwardly from the upper
wall of the inner connector 20 about the center of the inner connector
20 with different diameters and heights, a plurality of guiding
apertures 241 being defined through the annular posts 24 of the
inner connector 20 with even spacing, the guiding apertures 241
being above the puncturing posts 15 of the outer connector 10;
[0033] a flow control sheet 30 made of resilient plastic, the flow
control sheet 30 tightly engaging with the outer surface of the
positioning ring 21 of the inner connector 20 a plurality of through
holes 31 being defined in the flow control sheet 30 a protruding
portion 32 projecting from the flow control sheet 30 a plurality
of recesses 321 being defined in the protruding portion 32 an O-shaped
ring 33 being received in the recesses 321; and
[0034] a strainer 40 made of resilient plastic, the strainer 40
being generally a conical sheet, a plurality of triangular finestras
41 being defined in the strainer 40 (see FIG. 2), the strainer 40
being mounted on the upper surface of the flow control sheet 30.
[0035] Referring to FIGS. 1-3 after assembly, the water filter
is attached to an outlet portion 51 of a faucet 50 (see FIG. 3).
[0036] When a user opens the faucet 50 water flows into the water
filter of the present invention. Firstly, the water is primarily
leached by the strainer 40. Then the water in turn flows through
the recesses 321 and the through holes 31 of the flow control sheet
30 into the guiding apertures 241 of the annular posts 24 of the
inner connector 20 to the puncturing posts 15 of the outer connector
10 for piercing air bubbles in the water (see FIG. 3) and along
the guiding ribs 13 of the outer connector 10. Therefore, the water
does not contain air bubbles therein and is transparent. Thus the
water filter of the present invention has functions of leaching,
guiding and saving water.
[0037] When it is desired to disassemble the water filter for cleaning
after a period of time of use, the water filter can be detached
directly from the outlet portion 51 of the faucet 50 and then can
be disassembled to be separated parts of the strainer 40 the flow
control sheet 30 the inner connector 20 and the outer connector
10.
[0038] Since the inner and outer connectors 20 10 are engaged
with the rim 22 of the inner connector 20 abutting against the flange
11 of the outer connector 10 and the positioning cutouts 23 of
the rim 22 receiving the protrusions 12 of the flange 11 if desired,
a user can directly insert a nail of his or her finger (not shown)
between the rim 22 of the inner connector 20 and the flange 11 of
the outer connector 10 thereby readily detaching the inner and outer
connectors 20 10 for cleaning. Thus, it is convenient for users
to assemble or disassemble the water filter in a DIY manner, and
therefore it is practical.
[0039] Moreover, the outer and inner connectors 10 20 are relatively
simple due to the configurations of the radiated guiding ribs 13
the horizontal board 14 the puncturing posts 15 and the annular
posts 24. Therefore, a mold for fabricating the water filter of
the present invention is relatively easy to design and fabricate,
which results in low manufacture cost thereby facilitating to mass-produce.
[0040] As mentioned above, the water filter of the present invention
is simple and ready to be assmebled and disassembled.
[0041] It is understood that the invention may be embodied in other
forms without departing from the spirit thereof. Thus, the present
examples and embodiments are to be considered in all respects as
illustrative and not restrictive, and the invention is not to be
limited to the details given herein. |