In-line fluid treatment device and system

Abstract

A cartridge is used in a fluid treatment system. The cartridge may comprise a water insoluble container having holes on at least two surfaces of the container; a solid liquid treatment material within the container that can be exposed to water entering said holes; and a strippable film covering said holes. The fluid treatment system may comprise a housing with an S-Tube fluid exhaust outlet of have a securable cover with a floating retainer or neck collar.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to a fluid treatment device adapted to be disposed in-line with the path of fluid flow and replaceable chemistry that can be added to the device. The present invention is in particular suitable for use as an in-line cleaning device for a toilet bowl. [0003] 2. Background of the Art [0004] There are many devices available for treating fluid. In-line fluid treatment devices, which are adapted to be connected to a fluid supply and a fluid exhaust, whereby all the fluid from the supply must pass through the fluid treatment device to reach the exhaust, are known. In-line fluid treatment devices are advantageous, in that they permit treatment of all the fluid flowing through a particular supply. In addition, although in-line devices may be attached to secondary fluid lines or devices, they may also be installed on the primary fluid line, permitting relatively simple installation and maintenan...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0007] One embodiment of an in-line fluid treatment device described herein includes a housing with a base and a cover, the base and covers engaging to form a fluid-tight fit. The base and cover cooperate to define a treatment chamber within the housing. The embodiment also comprises a retainer for removably retaining the cover on the base. A treatment cartridge is disposed within the treatment chamber, the treatment cartridge being adapted to treat fluid passing through the treatment device. The embodiment further comprises an in-line conduit for conducting fluid from the fluid supply to the treatment chamber, and thence to the exhaust, and likewise for conducting fluid from the fluid supply directly to the fluid exhaust. The embodiment also comprises a valve for controlling the flow of fluid through the in-line conduit, and an adjusting mechanism for adjusting the valve, so as to control the portion of fluid from the fluid supply that flows to the treatment chamber. One aspect improving conformance of the device to a wider variety of appliances to which the device may be attached is an S-type attachment of the water line hose to the housing, with the attachment being rotatable or at a minimum positionable at an orientation approximately horizontal (e.g., parallel to both the base of a tank to which the device is attached and oriented / orientable in a direction parallel to the width of the tank, approximately perpendicular to the back-to-front orientation of a toilet seat.

[0010] In still another embodiment of an in-line fluid treatment device as described herein, the retainer is a generally annular ring sized so as to fit over a portion of both the cover and the base so as to hold the cover and the base together and integrated with the cover so that the cover may rotate within the annular ring of the retainer without engaging threads on the retainer and not be removable from the retainer without altering or breaking the structure of the retainer. The retainer or the cover may have threads thereon to engage the base in an opening and closing format so that active material may be inserted and replaced within a space formed by the cover and base.

Problems solved by technology

Thus, as pressure increases, any deformation of the housing results in a tighter seal, rather than in the formation of leaks.

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