Water filter abstract
An apparatus combining a sink spray with a water filter to provide
alternate use from the same location on a sink. The sink spray contains
a valve housing which is inserted at one end into an inlet opening
in the water filter to actuate a separate valve in the water filter
and permit flow of water into the water filter from a water conduit
attached by an annular hose connection to the other end of the sink
spray valve housing. The water filter is rotatably mounted on the
valve housing and encloses a filter cartridge which filters tap
water and provides quality drinking water through an outlet opening
from the water filter.
Water filter claims
Having thus described the invention what is claimed and desired
to be secured by Letters Patent is:
1. A combination sink spray and water filter apparatus comprising
a sink spray housing, a discrete external water filter container
rotatably mounted on an exterior surface of a downstream end of
the sink spray housing, a filter media contained with the water
filter container, and the sink spray housing attached to a water
supply conduit at an upstream end so that water flowing through
the sink spray housing can be directly routed to the water filter
container.
2. A combination sink spray and water filter apparatus comprising
a sink spray housing, a discrete external water filter container
rotably mounted on a downstream end of the sink spray housing, the
sink spray housing having a groove on its exterior surface to accept
a tab mounted within an inlet to the water filter, the tab rotably
moving from a first position in the groove to a second position
in the groove to open a valve within the sink spray housing and
permit water to flow from a supply conduit through the sink spray
to the water filter container.
3. An apparatus according to claim 2 wherein the sink spray housing
is inserted a sufficient distance into the inlet of the water filter
container to mechanically open a valve within the water filter container.
4. An apparatus according to claim 3 wherein the sink spray housing
has three integral components, a first upstream component attached
at its upstream end to a water conduit and at its downstream end
integral with a second valve housing component, the valve housing
component integral at its downstream end with a downstream third
component, the third downstream component being fully inserted into
the inlet to the water filter together with a portion of the second
valve housing component which contains the groove.
5. An apparatus according to claim 4 wherein the valve housing
component and its upstream first integral component enclose a two-way
valve that is actuated alternatively by a lever mounted through
a hole in the valve housing component or by the tab from the water
filter.
6. An apparatus according to claim 4 wherein the first upstream
component is attached to the water conduit with an annular hose
connector at its upstream end.
7. An apparatus according to claim 6 wherein a downstream end of
the annular hose connector is threaded to engage corresponding threads
in the upstream portion of the first upstream component and the
downstream portion of a standard hose connector is mounted over
the downstream end of the annular hose connector.
8. A combination sink spray and water filter apparatus comprising:
(a) the sink spray having a substantially cylindrical valve housing
with a vertical integral stem depending from the valve housing and
attached to an annular hose connection which is connected to a water
source at an end upstream from the valve housing, a horizontal integral
stem depending from the valve housing on a different plane from
the vertical stem and downstream of the valve housing, an actuating
member mounted in an opening in the valve housing and controlling
the opening and closing of a valve within the valve housing, a groove
in a downstream portion of the valve housing for receipt of a locking
tab from the water filter to secondarily control the opening and
closing of the valve within the valve housing,
(b) the water filter having a cylindrical chamber enclosing a water
filter cartridge, an inlet to accommodate the the valve housing,
a valve at a downstream end of the inlet, the valve being opened
by mechanical pressure exerted by the horizontal stem and closed
by spring pressure when the horizontal stem is not present, the
locking tab integrally attached at an upstream opening to the inlet
and engaging the groove in the valve housing, the locking tab capable
of moving from a first resting position in the groove to a second
position which opens the valve in the valve housing, and an outlet
downstream from the inlet and separated from the inlet by the filter
cartridge.
9. A combination sink spray and water filter apparatus according
to claim 8 wherein the filter cartridge contains activated charcoal.
10. A combination sink spray and water filter apparatus according
to claim 8 wherein the filter cartridge contains coral sand.
11. A combination sink spray and water filter apparatus according
to claim 8 wherein the filter cartridge contains ion exchange resins.
12. A combination sink spray and water filter apparatus according
to claim 8 wherein the valves in the valve housing and the water
filter are two-way valves.
13. A combination sink spray and water filter apparatus according
to claim 8 wherein the valve housing and filter chamber are made
from high strength polymers.
14. A combination sink spray and water filter apparatus according
to claim 8 wherein the inlet is located at a bottom of the filter
chamber and the outlet at a top of the filter chamber.
15. A combination sink spray and water filter apparatus according
to claim 8 wherein the groove in the valve housing contains an entrance
notch for slidably receiving the locking tab.
Water filter description
2. Field of the Invention.
This invention relates to a sink spray. More particularly, it refers
to a combination apparatus alternatively suitable as a sink spray
or a water filter with a unique conversion feature so that the apparatus
can be easily converted from a sink spray to a water filter and
back to a sink spray.
3. Description of the Prior Art.
Sink sprays are well known products and are currently found as
a fixture in most homes, apartments and commercial kitchen facilities.
Typical sink sprays are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3498546; 4344578;
and 4148438. Another rapidly growing kitchen utility product is
a water filter device for producing quality drinking water from
normal tap water. Such filter devices were discussed in an article
by Consumer Reports dated February, 1983 pages 68-73 and page 102.
This article points out that most water filters are attached to
the home faucet outlets. Under the sink filters typically filter
all water coming out of the sink faucets including water not needed
for human consumption. Such a device shortens the life of the filter
cartridge since it is used for larger quantities of water than is
required. Sink-mounted filters are either attached to the end of
the regular sink faucet, where it suffers the same limitations as
the under sink filters, or are mounted in a separate unit on the
counter next to the sink. On these latter units a fitting on the
faucet either directs water to the filter unit or allows normal,
unfiltered water to come out of the tap. This is a useful and convenient
filter unit since it allows the homeowner to limit the filter use
solely to the drinking water. The limitation to this system is the
counter space taken up by the unit and such space near a sink is
at a premium. An improved filter unit is needed that takes up less
counter space but still allows use to be restricted solely to drinking
water.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
I have invented a drinking water filter apparatus that can be attached
to the spray hose water conduit mounted on most kitchen sinks. By
operation of a self-contained lever the apparatus permits normal
tap-water flow through the spray unit, but alternately a water filter
can be rotatably mounted on a valve housing of the spray unit to
provide production of filtered water through the filter unit.
My apparatus combines a device for spraying water affixed to a
flexible water conduit with a water filter device so that one can
easily switch from the spray mode to the water filtration mode.
The spray unit contains an annular hose connector attached to a
sink's standard flexible conduit. The annular hose connector is
in turn attached to a valve housing containing a two-way valve and
means for rotatably attaching the valve housing to the water filter
device. The filter device comprises a housing containing a water
filter cartridge and a two-way valve for permitting water to flow
from the spray unit through the filter cartridge to a water outlet.
Movement of the water filter device downward about 30 degrees with
respect to its upright mounting position causes a locking tab on
the water filter device to depress the two-way valve within the
spray unit valve housing to allow water to flow to the filter cartridge
and exit in a purified state.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The present invention may be best understood by those having ordinary
skill in the art by reference to the following detailed description
when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in
which:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the sink spray and water filter
apparatus in relation to a sink.
FIG. 2 is an elevation in section of the sink spray and water filter
apparatus in an operational mode.
FIG. 3 is an elevation in section of the sink spray in a non-operating
mode.
FIG. 4 is a plan view of the sink spray.
FIG. 5 is a side elevation view partially in section showing the
sink spray and water filter apparatus in a non-operating mode.
FIG. 6 is a detailed sectional view of the sink spray two-way valve
closed and the valve housing exterior surface features when the
apparatus is in the FIG. 5 non-operating mode.
FIG. 7 is a side elevation view partially in section showing the
sink spray and water filter apparatus in an operating mode.
FIG. 8 is a detailed sectional view of the sink spray two way valve
open and the valve housing exterior surface features when the apparatus
is operating according to FIG. 7.
FIG. 9 is a detailed elevation partially in section of the annular
hose connector.
FIG. 10 is a side view partially in section of a sink spray device
with a water filter container mounted on a downstream end.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Throughout the following detailed description the same reference
numerals refer to the same elements in all figures.
The apparatus of this invention combines a sink spray 10 with a
water filter 12 to provide a compact inexpensive way to treat tap
water.
The sink spray 10 is generally cylindrical in shape and can conveniently
be made from injection molded plastic materials such as DuPont Delrin.sctn.
or Celanese Celcon.sctn.. Three basic parts of the spray housing
include the valve housing 14 an integral cylindrical vertical stem
16 and an integral cylindrical horizontal stem 18. The valve housing
14 has an actuating lever 20 inserted through an opening 22 to the
interior of valve housing 14 where it is capable of actuating a
valve 24. Additionally, the valve housing 14 has a lock tab slot
26 which accommodates a locking tab 28 from the inlet end 30 of
the water filter 12. Movement of the locking tab 28 through groove
102 past notch 103 places it in a first position 32. When tab 28
is moved to a second position 34 it opens valve 24.
The water filter chamber 12 is usually cylindrical in shape, but
can have varied configurations. The inlet 30 is located at the bottom
31 of the chamber and the outlet 74 is located at the top 75 of
the chamber.
The vertical stem 16 of the sink spray 10 is threaded at its upstream
end to an annular hose connector 36. The annular hose connector
36 separates the vertical stem 16 from the flexible water conduit
42 which in turn is attached to a water supply. This conduit 42
provides the means for the water supply to reach the sink spray
10. The standard features of the hose parts including flexible hose
42 metal hose connector 40 and its nylon bushing 90 are connected
over the downstream end of connector 36 by insertion of a metal
snap ring 84. A washer 82 downstream from ring 84 prevents leakage
at this connection. The downstream end of connector 36 has male
threads 41 which engage the upstream threads on the inner surface
of vertical stem 16.
For purposes of this specification the water source in the conduit
42 is the furthest upstream point and the water outlet 74 is the
furthest downstream point.
The flexible water conduit 42 moves up and down through receptacle
44 attached to sink 46. Its lowest position is determined by the
upstream edge 38 of the vertical stem 16 which rests on the top
surface 45 of the recepticle 44. The flexible water conduit 42 can
be connected to any water supply source containing potable water.
Valve 24 is normally in the closed position because of the action
of spring 50 held in place by retainer 83. See FIG. 3. Movement
of lever 20 in a direction towards the horizontal stem 18 causes
an actuating member 52 attached to the lever 20 to press down on
the downstream nipple 54 of valve 24. This causes the valve 24 to
be depressed against its spring 50 and open chamber 56 to allow
the flow of water from hose 42. See FIG. 2.
When the sink spray 10 is disconnected from the water filter 12
actuation of lever 20 causes water to spray from nozzle end 60.
When in the upright position, lever 20 as shown in FIG. 3 has
no action on valve 24 and consequently no water flows through the
sink spray 10.
Upon insertion of the horizontal stem 18 into inlet 30 of water
filter 12 and fully seating it, the valve 64 contained in a valve
seat 67 within the water filter 12 is opened. This operation occurs
when spring 66 is depressed because of the movement of valve 64
in response to pressure from the leading edge of horizontal stem
18. Water flows through channel 68 and then through inlet 70 to
filter cartridge 72. The water is treated as it moves through the
filter cartridge and exits through water outlet 74. Valve 64 can
be removed when the filter material employed is sufficiently absorptive
to prevent backflow of water from the upper portion of the container
12.
The mechanism for allowing the flow of water to move from conduit
42 when the water filter 12 is in place is not lever 20 but locking
tab 28 which moves from a first position 32 as shown in FIG. 6 to
a second position 34 as shown in FIG. 8. In position 34 the tab
28 depresses the actuating member 52 and causes valve 24 to be pressed
against its spring 50 and thereby open channel 56 to allow the flow
of water.
FIG. 5 shows the sink spray 10 and water filter 12 in a resting
position and FIG. 7 shows the water filter 12 pulled down about
30 degrees to actuate valve 24 in the sink spray 10 and permit water
to flow through channels 56 57 68 70 and through the filter media
in cartridge 72 to outlet 74.
The container 12 is designed to be a throw away so that when the
capacity of the filter media is achieved, the container 12 is disconnected
from sink spray 10 and replaced by a new container 12. Activated
charcoal filters of the type described for this invention are expected
to filter about 500 gallons of water before needing to be replaced.
However larger or smaller filter containers can be employed depending
on the needs of the consumer. A window containing a color indicator
can be added to container 12 to alert the consumer when the capacity
of the filter material is exceeded.
Seal 80 in valve 24 prevents leakage of water as does washer 82.
Lock ring 84 holds the hose connection in place downstream from
the annular hose connector 36. Nylon bushing 90 contains a groove
for holding the lock ring 84. A standard hose fitting 40 is connected
to nylon bushing 90 to make the water connection.
O-rings 95 between valve cap 54 and stem 55 as well as O-rings
96 in the horizontal stem 18 prevent leakage of water. An entrance
slot 102 receives the locking tab 28 as shown in FIG. 4. Further
movement of the tab 28 locks it into position beyond notch 103 in
groove 26.
An alternate embodiment of this invention is shown in FIG. 10 wherein
a quick disconnect connector 105 having an outer adapter sleeve
106 connects a sink spray housing 10a to a water filter 12a. The
spray end of the sink spray 10a is replaced with a collar 108 containing
internal threads that engage with threads 110 on the downstream
end of sink spray housing 10a. A nozzle end 109 attached to collar
108 is juxtaposed to the upstream end 114 of the filter 12a.
The sink spray housing 10a has an actuating handle 112 opening
an internal one way valve to allow water to flow through housing
10a. The water is fed through flexible hose 42 into the vertical
stem 16a. Water flows through the water filter 12a and out through
outlet 74a when the handle 112 is depressed.
The housing 115 snaps over the upstream end 114 of the water filter
12a. O-rings 116 insure that leakage does not occur. The connector
105 has a series of ball bearings 111 retained in ball bearing holes
113 in the ball retaining housing 115. Retaining rings 117 maintain
the position of the housing 115. Downward movement of sleeve 106
causes the connector 105 to disengage and separate the sink spray
10a and the filter 12a.
The filter cartridge can contain activated charcoal, coral sand,
ion exchange resins or other filter media. The water filter container
12 can also contain additive ingredients downstream of the filter
such as calcium or magnesium to add desirable minerals to the water.
Various flavorings can be added to the water outlet 74 so that the
water runs through the flavoring and gives added taste to the water.
Equivalent valves and mechanisms can be substituted for the various
valves and mechanisms of the present invention without departing
from its scope. |