Filter cartridge

Abstract

A filter cartridge for use in a filter device for filtering a liquid comprises a lid (8) displaceably mounted on a housing (2) between an activation position, in which the lid (8) forms an activation compartment (10) in fluid connection with an activation port (19) of the housing (2), and a use position, in which the volume of the activation compartment (10) is reduced. The lid (8) comprises an activation opening (11) and a use opening (20). In the activation position, the activation compartment (10) within the lid (8) is fillable with liquid through the activation opening (11) of the lid (8). Displacement of the lid (8) closes the activation opening (11) of the lid (8) and reduces the volume of the activation compartment (10) to force at least a portion of the fluid from the activation compartment (10) through the activation port (19) into the housing (2) and then through a filter medium (3) until the lid (8) is in the use position and in contact with the housing (2) such that the use opening (19) of the lid (8) overlaps with an inlet port (5) of the housing (2) and allows fluid to enter into the housing (2) through the inlet port (5).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a filter cartridge for use in a filter device for filtering liquids, wherein the filter cartridge includes a housing and a filter medium disposed within the housing, and wherein the housing includes an inlet port and an outlet port, such that a fluid flow of liquid may pass through the inlet port into the housing and then through the filter medium within the housing before the fluid flow leaves the housing through the outlet port. Background Technology

[0002] Many filtration devices for liquids include at least one filter cartridge through which the liquid to be filtered can flow and be filtered. Therefore, the filter media is arranged within the housing of the filter cartridge. The housing has an inlet port and an outlet port, and the filter media is arranged within the housing such that liquid entering the housing through the inlet port must contact or traverse the filter media before leaving the housing through the outlet port. Some filter cartridges include more than one type of filter media arranged within the housing, allowing different filtration processes to be performed during a single flow of the liquid. Filter cartridges for filtering drinking water typically include one or more filter media, such as activated carbon or ion exchange materials, to remove unwanted contaminants from drinking water and substances affecting taste, odor, and water hardness.

[0003] During the use of filter cartridges to filter an increasing volume of liquid, much of the filter media within the cartridge is depleted. After a certain amount of liquid has been filtered, the filter cartridge is exhausted and needs to be removed and replaced with a new one. Therefore, filter cartridges are typically removably installed within the filtration system.

[0004] Many filter cartridges include filter media that requires some venting or flushing with water or another liquid before the cartridge can be used fully effectively. Hollow fiber filter media, in particular, require thorough venting to remove any residual air between or within the hollow fibers. For practical reasons, it is known to flow some liquid (usually water) through the housing before the actual use of the filter cartridge begins. If the amount of liquid used to vent the filter media is large enough, most or all of the air will be flushed away, resulting in improved filtration efficiency during the subsequent filtration of the liquid flowing through the housing.

[0005] If the flow of liquid through the filter device is caused by gravity, it will take some time for the preset amount of liquid to flow through the housing. Although this duration usually does not affect the daily use of such a filter device, the long duration is inconvenient for preparing the filter cartridge at the start of use and for the service life of the filter cartridge. Typically, the user inserts the filter cartridge into the device twice and waits for the preset amount of liquid to flow through the filter cartridge so that the initial venting liquid used for the filter cartridge can be removed before the filter device can be used to filter liquids.

[0006] WO 2010 / 091467 A1 discloses a filter device having a filter cartridge and a pump, whereby the pump can be manually operated to force fluid flow through the filter cartridge and be filtered. Furthermore, US 8343 347B2 discloses a portable filter device having a filter cartridge and a pump for manually operating the filter device in outdoor environments. However, such filter devices require manual operation during filtration and cannot utilize gravity, even for most applications where a short duration is not required except for rinsing during the initial activation of the filter cartridge. Typically, users do not wish to have to manually operate the pump of the filter device to filter a certain volume of liquid.

[0007] Therefore, there is a need for a filter cartridge that allows for simple and quick venting before actual use to filter liquids, but does not require manual operation of the filter unit for each filtration process during the use and service life of the filter cartridge. Summary of the Invention

[0008] This invention relates to a filter cartridge as defined in claim 1. The filter cartridge includes a cover displaceably mounted on a housing between an active position and a use position, wherein in the active position, the cover forms an active compartment fluidly connected to an active port of the housing, and in the use position, the volume of the active compartment is reduced. The cover includes an active opening and a use opening, and the cover is displaceable from the active position to the use position such that, in the active position, the active compartment inside the cover can be filled with liquid through the active opening of the cover. The displacement of the cover closes the active opening of the cover and reduces the volume of the active compartment to force at least a portion of the fluid from the active compartment into the housing through the active port, and then through the filter medium, until the cover in the use position contacts the housing such that the use opening of the cover overlaps with the inlet port of the housing and allows fluid to enter the housing through the inlet port.

[0009] To vent the filter cartridge before using it for filtering liquid, the cover can be moved or positioned into an activation position, where it forms an activation compartment defined by the cover and the cover-facing portion of the housing. The activation compartment can be filled with liquid through the activation opening of the cover. The cover can then be displaced into a use position, where the volume of the activation compartment is smaller than when the cover is in the activation position, thereby forcing the liquid out of the activation compartment through any opening in the activation compartment that allows liquid to be dispensed from it. By closing the activation opening of the cover, the liquid must leave the activation compartment through the activation port into the housing, and then through the housing until it is dispensed through the outlet port of the housing. This results in very rapid venting of the filter media disposed inside the housing. This process of venting the filter cartridge can be repeated if necessary or deemed beneficial for improving filtration efficiency during subsequent use of the filter device. To repeat the activation process, the cover can be displaced into the activation position, and the activation compartment formed by the cover can be refilled with liquid. Then, the cover can be moved into the use position, thereby reducing the volume of the activation compartment and forcing excess liquid out of the increasingly smaller activation compartment and flow through the activation port into the housing.

[0010] After completing this activation procedure that causes the filter cartridge to fully vent, the cap remains in the use position. In the use position, the use opening of the cap overlaps with the inlet port of the housing, allowing unrestricted use of the filter cartridge during subsequent use for filtering liquids flowing into the inlet port, through the housing, and out of the outlet port. No further cap displacement is required during the service life of the filter cartridge. The filtration process does not require cap removal or continuous operation or cap displacement.

[0011] Furthermore, the cover remains mounted on the filter cartridge housing. Therefore, the cover can be used to reactivate the filter cartridge throughout its entire service life. There is no risk of the cover being lost or misaligned, which would otherwise accelerate the venting process of the filter cartridge.

[0012] In one embodiment, the filter cartridge includes a forced guide for guiding the displacement of the cap relative to the housing. The forced (i.e., shape-closing) guide defines the sequence of movement of the cap between an active position and a use position, and prevents the user from displacing the cap in a manner that does not cause accelerated venting of the filter cartridge. The forced guide may define the direction of movement during displacement to facilitate manual operation of the cap during the venting process. Furthermore, the forced guide may be designed to prevent the cap from accidentally detaching from the filter cartridge housing.

[0013] In one embodiment, the filter cartridge includes a forced retainer that holds the cap within the usage position. The forced retainer includes a portion that mates with the cap to provide a shape-locking engagement. The forced retainer can be provided by a latching tongue engaging in a recess. The forced retainer can also be provided by a spring-loaded latching element, such as a pin or bolt that engages with a corresponding recess or hole. This reliable retention prevents accidental displacement of the cap during use of the filter cartridge, which could potentially hinder the use of the filter cartridge or reduce its effectiveness.

[0014] In one embodiment, the housing has a lateral surface and a housing end face facing the cover, the cover being closed on one side and having a lateral surface adapted to surround the lateral surface of the housing, the cover surrounding a portion of the housing end face and the lateral surface of the housing. The cross-section of the housing perpendicular to the lateral surface can be circular or elliptical. The cross-section can also be rectangular or polygonal. The cover can be readily displaced in an axial direction parallel to the lateral surface and perpendicular to the cross-section perpendicular to the lateral surface. The cover can be moved into an active position, where the closed side of the cover is furthest from the housing end face of the housing, or into a use position, where the closed side of the cover is close to or in contact with the housing end face of the housing. The lateral surface of the cover and the lateral surface of the closed housing provide forced guides to prevent any lateral movement of the cover relative to the housing.

[0015] In one embodiment, the lateral surface of the cover, the closed side of the cover, and the housing end face of the housing define and surround an activation compartment formed by the cover in the activated position. When the housing end face of the housing and the closed side of the cover have similar shapes, the cover can be moved into a use position, wherein the closed side of the cover is in close contact with the housing end face, thereby reducing the volume of the activation compartment to zero in the use position.

[0016] In one embodiment, the housing has a cylindrical shape, and the lid has a hollow cylindrical shape, such that the inner diameter of the lateral surface of the lid is equal to or greater than the outer diameter of the lateral surface of the housing. This shape of the lid and housing allows for rotational movement of the lid relative to the housing. If the inner and outer diameters of the corresponding lateral surfaces match, the lateral surfaces provide a forced guide that allows the lid to be displaced in an axial direction parallel to the lateral surfaces and in a circumferential direction. In the use position of the lid, the rotational displacement of the lid in the circumferential direction can be used to easily align the lid so that the use opening of the lid overlaps with the inlet port of the housing.

[0017] In one embodiment, the forced guide includes a groove within a lateral surface of the housing or cover. A protruding structure or cam above another lateral surface may engage the groove, such that the path of the groove defines and limits displacement of the cover relative to the housing. This forced guide, formed by the engaging groove and corresponding structure, provides reliable guidance during displacement and can also withstand greater forces applied to the cover during activation.

[0018] In one embodiment, a structure included in the housing is arranged to close the activation opening during a first (e.g., rotational) displacement that forms part of the displacement of the cover from the activation position to the use position, and a second displacement after the first displacement has been completed and the activation opening has been closed by the structure includes an axial displacement that reduces the size of the activation compartment.

[0019] For example, the structure may be included in the lateral surface of the housing or form an extension of the lateral surface of the housing. A first displacement moves the structure, and then brings the lateral surface into overlap with the activated opening.

[0020] In a specific example, the groove includes an activation section that forces the cap to rotate near the activation position and a venting section that forces the cap to axially displace toward the use position. The rotational displacement near the activation position provides closure of the activation opening, which is positioned within the lateral surface of the cap and displaced onto a tongue-shaped cover formed by the structure of the housing. During the rotational displacement of the cap, the volume of the activation compartment does not decrease, and liquid already filled in the activation compartment is not forced out of the activation compartment to the outside, which would result in undesirable spillage of liquid through the still-open activation opening. After the rotational displacement is complete and the activation opening is closed by the tongue-shaped cover provided by the housing, further displacement of the cap is defined by the venting section of the groove and includes an axial displacement that reduces the size of the activation compartment, forcing a corresponding amount of liquid out of the activation compartment by passage through the inlet port and through a filter medium within the housing. At the end of the displacement, the groove may form a locking section that restricts the displacement of the cap to rotational displacement only. Therefore, any pressure exerted by the fluid flowing through the filter cartridge will generate a force that tends to push the cover away from the housing in the axial direction. This force is blocked by the locking section, which only allows rotational movement of the cover that is already positioned in the use position.

[0021] In one embodiment, the groove within the lateral surface includes a helical arcuate section that provides simultaneous axial and rotational displacement of the cover relative to the housing. The aforementioned section can be helical. Therefore, a screwing motion applied to the cover and housing will result in axial displacement, which is required to vent the filter media within the housing. This screwing motion is easily executed and combines both axial and rotational displacements, which helps to ensure a smooth transition from the pure rotational displacement at the beginning and end of the cover's full displacement to the primary axial displacement required for venting the filter media.

[0022] In another embodiment of the invention, the activation opening is located within the lateral surface of the cover, near the closed side of the cover, the activation port of the housing is located within the housing end face facing the cover, and the outlet port of the housing is located within the housing end face opposite to the housing end face facing the cover. The activation port of the housing may be the same as the inlet port. However, depending on the design of the housing and cover, a separate activation port that opens during the activation process may also be provided, while the inlet port remains covered by the cover until the cover is in the use position. The arrangement of the activation port opposite the outlet port allows for a direct flow path through the housing during the activation process, which supports complete and rapid venting of the filter cartridge.

[0023] In one embodiment of the invention, the use opening is located within the lateral surface of the cover opposite the closed side of the cover, and the inlet port of the housing is located within the lateral surface of the housing, such that the use opening of the cover in the use position overlaps with the inlet port of the housing, allowing liquid to pass through into the housing via the opening and the overlapping inlet port. After the activation process, the cover is positioned in the end position and remains in the end position for the entire service life of the filter cartridge. In the end position, the use opening formed in the cover overlaps with the inlet port of the housing, which allows liquid flow through the inlet port without any adverse effects or constraints due to the substantial overlap between the cover and the housing. Depending on the requirements of the filter cartridge and housing design, the housing may have several inlet ports, and the cover may have several use openings that overlap in a manner that provides a large cross-sectional area through which liquid can enter the housing during normal use of the filter cartridge.

[0024] In one embodiment, the opening is closed by the lateral surface of the housing between the active position and the use position.

[0025] To facilitate operation and displacement of the cap during the activation process, the cap may optionally include a handle for manually displacing the cap relative to the housing. The handle may be a single knob protruding from the cap. Alternatively, the handle may be a gripping element or a protruding ring for easy gripping and movement of the cap. Attached Figure Description

[0026] The invention will be more fully understood upon reference to the following detailed description and accompanying drawings, and other features will become apparent. The drawings are merely representative and are not intended to limit the scope of the claims. In fact, those skilled in the art will appreciate upon reading the following description and consulting the drawings that various modifications and variations can be made without departing from the innovative concept of the invention. The same components depicted in the drawings are referred to by the same reference numerals.

[0027] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a filter cartridge with a cover is shown, the cover being displaceably mounted on the housing of the filter cartridge and providing an activation compartment, whereby the cover is in the activation position ready to activate the filter cartridge;

[0028] Figure 2 It shows along Figure 1 The filter cartridge shown Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of line II-II in the diagram;

[0029] Figure 3 It shows Figure 1 and Figure 2 The filter cartridge shown is a perspective view with the cover in the active position.

[0030] Figure 4 It shows Figures 1 to 3 The diagram shows a filter cartridge with the cover in the usage position.

[0031] Figure 5 It shows along Figure 4 The filter cartridge shown Figure 4 A cross-sectional view of line VV within the line; and

[0032] Figure 6 It shows Figure 4 and Figure 5 The image shows a perspective view of the filter cartridge, with the cover in the usage position. Detailed Implementation

[0033] Figures 1 to 6 An exemplary embodiment of a filter cartridge 1 is shown, the filter cartridge 1 including a housing 2 and a filter medium 3 disposed within the housing 2. The filter medium 3 includes a hollow fiber membrane having a large number of hollow fibers, which must be vented before the first use of the filter cartridge 1 in order to remove residual air from the hollow fiber membrane that reduces the efficiency of the filter cartridge 1 during use.

[0034] The housing 2 of the filter cartridge 1 has a hollow cylindrical shape with lateral surfaces 4. The housing 2 includes two inlet ports 5 located within the lateral surfaces 4 at opposite portions of the housing 2. An outlet port 6 is located at the end face 7 of the housing. The filter medium 3 is arranged inside the housing 2 in a manner that provides a flow path for the liquid, whereby the liquid enters the housing 2 through the inlet ports 5, flows through the filter medium 3, and exits the housing 2 through the outlet port 6.

[0035] The filter cartridge 1 also includes a cover 8 that is repositionably mounted to the housing 2. The cover 8 has a hollow cylindrical shape and covers the housing end face 9 facing the cover 8. However, the cover 8 can be... Figures 1 to 3 The activation position shown is the same as Figures 4 to 6 The cover 8 moves between the indicated positions. When in the activated position, the cover 8 forms an activation compartment 10, which is defined by the cover 8 and the housing end face 9 of the housing 2 facing the cover 8. The cover 8 includes an activation opening 11 located within a lateral surface 12 of the cover 8 and providing an entrance to the activation compartment 10 within the cover 8. The volume of the activation compartment 10 varies according to the displacement of the cover 8 relative to the housing 2, particularly relative to the displacement of the cover 8 relative to the housing end face 9.

[0036] The housing 2 includes two recesses 13 within the lateral surface 4, extending along the lateral surface 4 on opposite sides. The recesses 13 and some other portions of the filter cartridge 1 covered by the cover 8 are shown in dashed lines. Each recess 13 forms a forced guide for a protrusion 14 formed on the inner side 15 of the cover 8 and pointing inwards. The routes of each recess 13 are identical but opposite to each other. Each recess 13 includes an activation section 15 that forces the cover 8 to rotate only near its activated position. Each recess 13 then includes an exhaust section 16 with a helical route that also forces the cover 8 to move axially toward the housing 2, resulting in a reduction in the volume of the activation compartment 10. Opposite to the activation section 15, each recess 13 includes a locking section 17 that again forces the cover 8 to rotate only near its used position. Therefore, in both the use and activation positions of the cover 8, any axial force applied to the cover 8 cannot cause displacement of the cover 8, due to the only rotational movement allowed by the path of the groove 13 in the use and activation positions. No additional device is required to lock the cover 8 in the activation or use position for proper activation and use of the filter cartridge 1.

[0037] Preferably, before the first use of the filter cartridge 1, the cover 8 is manually moved to the activation position. The volume of the activation chamber 10 formed by the cover 8 is then filled with liquid through the activation opening 11. The cover 8 is then manually displaced toward the use position. Due to the path of the groove 13, the cover 8 begins with rotational displacement. The activation opening 11 rotates and slides over a tongue-shaped cover 18, which is formed by the structure of the housing 2, protruding axially from the housing end face 9 and having an outer surface flush with the lateral surface 4 of the housing 2. Therefore, the activation opening 11 is closed by the tongue-shaped cover 18 when the displacement of the cover 8, forced by the path of the groove 13, begins.

[0038] After the activation opening 11 is closed, the cover 8 displaces along the spiral path of the venting section 16 of the groove 13. This causes a reduction in the volume of the activation chamber 10 and forces liquid out of the activation chamber 10 and through the activation port 19 located at the housing end face 9, which faces the cover 8 and the activation chamber 10 formed therein. Due to the manual displacement of the cover 8, liquid is forced to flow through the housing 2 and the filter medium 3 inside the housing 2, thereby venting the filter cartridge 1 by removing any residual air that may remain in the filter medium 3. This process can be repeated if desired or deemed appropriate.

[0039] Then, the cover 8 is placed in the use position, and the fully vented filter cartridge 1 is inserted into the filter device to efficiently filter the liquid. To allow the liquid to easily enter the housing 2, the cover 8 includes two use openings 20 located in the lateral surface 12 of the cover 8, such that when the cover 8 is placed in the use position, each of the two use openings 20 overlaps with the corresponding inlet port 5 of the housing 2. Therefore, the liquid flowing through the filter cartridge 1 enters the housing 2 through the inlet opening 20 and the corresponding inlet port 5, flows through the filter medium 3, and exits the filter cartridge 1 through the outlet port 6 positioned opposite the cover 8.

[0040] To facilitate the manual venting process of the filter cartridge 1, the cover 8 includes a handle 21 formed on the outer surface of the cover 8 and protruding away from the housing 2.

Claims

1. A filter cartridge for use in a filtration apparatus for filtering liquids. The filter cartridge (1) includes a housing (2) and a filter medium (3) disposed within the housing (2), wherein the housing (2) has a lateral surface (4) and a housing end face (9); and The housing (2) includes an inlet port (5) and an outlet port (6) such that the fluid flow of the liquid can pass through the inlet port (5) into the housing (2) and then pass through the filter medium (3) inside the housing before the fluid flow leaves the housing (2) through the outlet port (6). Its features are, The filter cartridge (1) includes a cover (8) which is displaceably mounted on the housing (2) between an active position and a use position. In the active position, the cover (8) forms an activation compartment (10) fluidly connected to an activation port (19) of the housing (2), while in the use position, the volume of the activation compartment (10) is reduced. The end face (9) of the shell faces the cover (8). The cover (8) is closed on one side and has a lateral surface (12) adapted to surround the lateral surface (4) of the housing (2). The cover (8) surrounds a portion of the end face (9) of the housing and the lateral surface (4) of the housing (2), and the lateral surface (12) of the cover (8) and the end face (9) of the housing (2) define and surround the activation compartment (10) formed by the cover (8) at the activation position. The cover (8) includes an activation opening (11) and a use opening (20). The cover (8) is movable from the activated position to the used position, such that in the activated position, the activated compartment (10) within the cover (8) can be filled with liquid through the activated opening (11) of the cover (8); and The displacement of the cover (8) closes the activation opening (11) of the cover (8) and reduces the volume of the activation compartment (10) to force at least a portion of the fluid from the activation compartment (10) into the housing (2) through the activation port (19) and then through the filter medium (3) until the cover (8) in the use position contacts the housing (2), such that the use opening (20) of the cover (8) overlaps with the inlet port (5) of the housing (2) and allows fluid to pass through the inlet port (5) into the housing (2).

2. The filter cartridge of claim 1, wherein the filter cartridge (1) includes a forced guide for guiding the displacement of the cover (8) relative to the housing.

3. The filter cartridge of claim 2, wherein the filter cartridge (1) includes a forced retainer for holding the cover (8) in the use position.

4. The filter cartridge according to any one of claims 1-3, This includes a structure (18) in the housing (12) arranged to close the activation opening (11) during a first displacement that forms part of the displacement of the cover (8) from the activation position to the use position; and The further displacement after the first displacement has been completed and the activation opening (11) has been closed by the structure includes an axial displacement that reduces the size of the activation compartment (10).

5. The filter cartridge according to any one of claims 1-3, The shell (2) has a cylindrical shape, and the cover (8) has a hollow cylindrical shape; and The inner diameter of the lateral surface (12) of the cover (8) is equal to or greater than the outer diameter of the lateral surface (4) of the housing (2).

6. The filter cartridge according to claim 2, The shell (2) has a cylindrical shape, and the cover (8) has a hollow cylindrical shape; The inner diameter of the lateral surface (12) of the cover (8) is equal to or greater than the outer diameter of the lateral surface (4) of the housing (2); and The forced guide includes a groove (13) in the lateral surface (4, 12) of the housing (2) or the cover (8).

7. The filter cartridge according to claim 6, The groove (13) includes an activation section (15) and an exhaust section (16), the activation section being arranged to force the cover (8) to rotate near the activation position, and the exhaust section being arranged to force the cover (8) to axially displace toward the use position.

8. The filter cartridge according to claim 7, The groove (13) within the lateral surfaces (4, 12) includes a helical arc section that provides simultaneous axial and rotational displacement of the cover (8) relative to the housing (2).

9. The filter cartridge according to any one of claims 1-3, The activation opening (11) is located within the lateral surface (12) of the cover (8), near the closed side of the cover (8); the activation port (19) of the housing (2) is located within the housing end face (9) facing the cover (8); and The outlet port (6) of the housing (2) is located in the housing end face opposite to the housing end face (9) facing the cover (8).

10. The filter cartridge according to any one of claims 1-3, The opening (20) is located within the lateral surface (12) of the cover (8) opposite the closed side of the cover (8); and The inlet port (5) of the housing (2) is located within the lateral surface (4) of the housing (2) in such a way that the use opening (20) of the cover (8) arranged in the use position overlaps with the inlet port (5) of the housing (2), and allows liquid to pass through the use opening (20) and the overlapping inlet port (5) into the housing (2).

11. The filter cartridge according to any one of claims 1-3, The use opening (20) is closed by the lateral surface (4) of the housing (2) between the active position and the use position.

12. The filter cartridge according to any one of claims 1-3, The cover (8) includes a handle (21) for manually displacing the cover (8) relative to the housing (2).

13. The filter cartridge according to claim 4, The first displacement of the cover (8) from the activated position to the used position is a rotational displacement.

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