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An orally operable water filter includes an outer covering formed
of a flexible, water impervious material and which defines an elongate
enclosure. A flexible microporous filter membrane, having a pore
size of not more than one micron, is disposed within the elongate
enclosure and divides the enclosure into respective fluid inlet
and fluid outlet compartments, such that the outlet may be placed
in the mouth of the user and the fluid inlet may be contacted with
a source of water to be filtered by drawing the water through the
filter using oral suction. Furthermore, the filter includes a flexible
separator, disposed at least in the outlet compartment, for preventing
the blocking of fluid over the surface of the filter membrane.
A replaceable water filter unit which can be used with a water
pitcher, water bottle, or other such water dispensing device utilizes
activated charcoal particles which are sandwiched between a pair
of pads which may be fabricated of polyester felt batting material.
The pads and charcoal particles sandwiched therebetween are installed
in a frusto-conical housing with the pads in tight abutment against
the side walls of the housing. The opposite end walls of the housing
are apertured and each of the pads is installed directly opposite
one of these end wall portions. The housing is removably installed
in the outlet portion of the water dispensing device such that the
water passes through the pads and the charcoal particles when being
dispensed.
A water filter apparatus is provided, which is especially useful
in filtering out chemicals from tap water. The filter includes upper
and lower vessels and a filter assembly between them which includes
activated charcoal for adsorbing chemicals. The filter assembly
includes a filter housing with inlet holes near the bottom of the
upper vessel and a filter vent near the top of the upper vessel
for releasing gas produced during filtering through the activated
charcoal. A ring-shaped preliminary filter lies around the inlet
holes, to avoid blocking the upward passage of gas through the vent.
The filter extends partially through the holes, to lie closely along
the path of upwardly-flowing gas bubbles, so the bubbles tend to
drag along gas forming at the inside of the preliminary filter.
A cap assembly on the upper vessel permits the escape of vented
gas while avoiding splashing. The container is preferably placed
in a refrigerator during filtering, to aid in adsorption of chemicals.
A portable water filter for household use is disclosed, comprising
a pair of releasably connected, upper and lower sections. A water
faucet is connected by a line having a severe flow restriction to
the lower section for discharge into the bottom thereof. The two
sections are connected by a threaded collar having an integral wall
separating the two sections with aperture means at its center for
upward flow of water from the lower to the upper section. Each section
contains two filtering materials, one of which in each section is
a plurality of nested, cup-shaped, paper filter elements sealed
by a mating ring to the interior surface of the respective section.
The walls of the sections are transparent to permit viewing of the
filter materials, thereby visually indicating the need for filter
replacement by the degree of discoloration thereof.
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