Replaceable filter cartridge, filter cartridge housing and replaceable cartridge filter assembly

Abstract

The invention provides a replaceable cartridge type filter assembly of a replaceable filter cartridge, a filter cartridge shell and a fluid distributor, and belongs to the field of filter cartridges of filter assemblies for fluid distributors. The replaceable filter cartridge includes: a filter housing having an integrated rotatable handle; at least one inlet and at least one outlet. The rotatable handle is provided with at least one locking extension part, and the locking extension part and the end part of the rotatable handle are integrally formed. The replaceable cartridge filter assembly has a replaceable filter cartridge that can be easily installed or removed by a technician or user of the water dispenser. The replaceable cartridge has a handle with a locking extension that engages a notch formed in a cartridge housing into which the replaceable cartridge is fitted to lock the replaceable cartridge in place.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a filter cartridge for a filter assembly of a fluid dispenser. Background Art

[0002] Water dispensers typically have a series of filters through which incoming water passes before being distributed to consumers. These filters can be sediment filters, carbon filters, reverse osmosis filters, or any other filters a water consumer might want to use to improve the taste of the water, remove sediment, or purify the output water. These types of filter systems have been available for many years with replaceable cartridge systems. However, these replaceable cartridges are difficult to replace. They are often located in hard-to-reach locations within the dispenser, behind other components, and use cumbersome screw-in threads for connection.

[0003] Some systems have sought to solve some of the problems of these older, more traditional replaceable cartridge filter systems. The assembly discussed in patent publication US2019 / 0039004 is one such attempt. Nevertheless, such a system still has significant disadvantages. In this system, the replaceable cartridge is separated from the locking mechanism of the filter housing. Due to this, when the replaceable cartridge is inserted into the filter housing, the inlet and outlet of the replaceable cartridge are not always correctly aligned with the inlet and outlet of the filter housing. When the cartridge and the housing are misaligned, the locking mechanism cannot properly engage the cartridge cover, and the cartridge cover cannot be closed. As a result, a technician or user must remove the replaceable cartridge and start the whole process again when replacing the cartridge. Alternatively, if to some extent, the technician or user can force the cartridge cover to close, this will produce an unfortunate situation, in which case the seal of the cartridge and the housing inlet and outlet cannot be correctly aligned, which will cause the dispenser to leak when in use. Moreover, by forcing the cartridge cover to close, components of the cartridge or housing may break.

[0004] In addition, the barrel in a system such as US2019 / 0039004 is still difficult to remove and requires unnecessary steps for removing and replacing the barrel. In such a system, in order to remove the barrel, a technician or user must first unlock the barrel cover connected to the housing. The user then rotates the barrel cover upwards to access the replaceable barrel. The technician or user then needs to grab the handle connected to the replaceable barrel to pull the barrel out of the housing. This entire process requires the dexterity of the technician or user, particularly if they have larger hands, making it more difficult and time-consuming to remove and replace the barrel than it should be.

[0005] Therefore, there is a need for a replaceable filter cartridge assembly that makes it easier for a user to remove and replace the filter cartridge. There is also a need for a replaceable filter cartridge assembly that makes it easier and more reliable to align the inlet and outlet of both the cartridge and the housing during installation of the cartridge. Summary of the Invention

[0006] According to one aspect of the present invention, a replaceable filter cartridge for a filter assembly of a fluid dispenser may include: a filter housing having an integral rotatable handle, at least one inlet and at least one outlet; wherein the rotatable handle has at least one locking extension, the locking extension being integrally formed with an end of the rotatable handle.

[0007] According to another aspect of the present invention, a cartridge housing for a filter assembly of a fluid dispenser may include a housing defining a cavity and having a pair of sidewalls, wherein a cartridge locking recess is formed in at least one of the sidewalls.

[0008] According to another aspect of the present invention, a replaceable cartridge filter assembly for a fluid dispenser may include: a replaceable filter cartridge and a filter cartridge housing. The replaceable filter cartridge has: a filter housing; a pair of pivot connections; and a rotatable handle. The rotatable handle has at least one locking extension formed in an end of the rotatable handle, and the rotatable handle is connected to the filter housing via the pair of pivot connections, wherein the rotatable handle has a first portion disposed on one side of the pair of pivot connections; wherein the at least one locking extension is integrally formed with an end of the rotatable handle disposed on an opposite side of one of the pair of pivot connections. The filter cartridge housing defines a cavity, the filter cartridge housing having: a pair of side walls, wherein a locking recess is formed in at least one of the pair of side walls; and a handle locking latch connected to the side wall opposite the end of the side wall forming the locking recess. The replaceable cartridge filter assembly has an assembled configuration and an unassembled configuration, wherein in the assembled configuration, the replaceable filter cartridge is positioned within the cavity of the filter cartridge housing; the rotatable handle has been rotated to insert the at least one locking extension into a locking recess formed in at least one of the pair of side walls of the filter cartridge housing; and the handle locking latch engages with the first portion of the rotatable handle to lock the replaceable filter cartridge within the filter cartridge housing. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] The objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0010] Figure 1 is a front perspective view of a water dispenser depicting several embodiments of replaceable cartridge filter assemblies of the present invention installed in a filter holder of the water dispenser;

[0011] Figure 2Adepicts a filter holder removed from a water dispenser showing an exploded view of an embodiment of a pair of replaceable cartridge filter assemblies of the present invention;

[0012] Figure 2B is a top view of a filter frame showing an embodiment of a pair of filter cartridge housings of the present invention;

[0013] Figure 3A is a right side view of an embodiment of a replaceable filter cartridge of the present invention;

[0014] Figure 3B It is along Figure 2B A cross-sectional view of the filter frame taken along section line 3B-3B in FIG, depicting a right side view of an embodiment of a filter cartridge housing of the present invention;

[0015] Figure 4A is a left side view of an embodiment of a replaceable filter cartridge of the present invention;

[0016] Figure 4B It is along Figure 2B A cross-sectional view of the filter frame taken along section line 4B-4B in FIG, depicting a left side view of an embodiment of a filter cartridge housing of the present invention;

[0017] Figure 5 is a front perspective view of a water dispenser depicting several cartridge housing embodiments of the present invention without a replaceable cartridge filter cartridge installed;

[0018] Figure 6 is a perspective view depicting a first stage of inserting a replaceable filter cartridge into a filter cartridge housing;

[0019] Figure 7 is a perspective view depicting a second stage of inserting a replaceable filter cartridge into a filter cartridge housing;

[0020] Figure 8 is a perspective view depicting a third stage of inserting a replaceable filter cartridge into a filter cartridge housing;

[0021] Figure 9A is a perspective view of a replaceable cartridge filter assembly of the present invention, depicting the interaction between the handle and locking latch of the present invention;

[0022] Figure 9B is a side view of a replaceable cartridge filter assembly of the present invention, depicting the interaction between the handle and locking latch of the present invention;

[0023] Figure 10A is a perspective view of the replaceable cartridge filter assembly of the present invention with the locking latch of the present invention in the locked position; and

[0024] Figure 10Bis a side view of the replaceable cartridge filter assembly of the present invention with the locking latch of the present invention in the locked position. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0025] Reference Figure 1 , depicts an exemplary water dispenser 20 with its filter access door 21 removed. In this exemplary water dispenser 20, the water dispenser 20 has two filter racks 22, 23. The filter rack 22 contains a pair of replaceable cartridge filter assemblies 24a, 24b of the present invention. The filter rack 23 has similar components to the filter rack 22, and such components are similarly identified (e.g., 24c, 24d). Now referring to Figures 2A to 2B The replaceable cartridge filter assembly 24a of the present invention includes a replaceable filter cartridge 26a and a filter cartridge housing 28a. In use, as described in detail below, the replaceable filter cartridge 26a is positioned within the filter cartridge housing 28a to filter fluid. It should be understood that any replaceable cartridge filter assembly 24 described herein has the same components as the replaceable cartridge filter assembly 24a and functions in the same manner (i.e., 24b, 24c, 24d).

[0026] Figure 3A 、 Figure 4A An embodiment of a replaceable filter cartridge 26 of the present invention is depicted. In this embodiment, the replaceable filter cartridge 26 includes: a filter housing 30 having a cover 40; a handle 32 that is rotatably connected to the cover 40 at a pair of pivot connections 42, 44; a pair of inlets 34 and a pair of outlets 36. Each inlet 34 includes a seal 35, and each outlet 36 also has a seal 37. In this embodiment of the invention, the seals 35, 37 are O-rings. The replaceable filter cartridge 26 also includes a filter element (not shown) located within the filter housing 30. In this embodiment, the rotatable handle 32 has a first U-shaped portion 45 that extends between the two pivot connections 42, 44. The handle 32 also includes a first locking extension 46 ( Figure 3A ), which is integrally formed with the first portion 45 of the handle 32 around the pivot connection 42. In this embodiment, the handle 32 also includes a second locking extension 48 ( Figure 4A ), the second locking extension 48 is also integrally formed about the pivot connection 44 with the first portion 45 of the handle 32. It should also be understood that any water dispenser 20 utilizing the replaceable cartridge filter assemblies 24 of the present invention can utilize any number of replaceable cartridge filter assemblies 24 in as many filter holders 22 as desired. In the illustrated embodiment, the cartridge housings 28a, 28b, 28c, 28d are integrally formed with the filter holders 22, 23. In other embodiments, the cartridge housings 28a, 28b, 28c, 28d can be formed such that they are detachable or separable from their respective filter holders 22, 23, and from each other.

[0027] Figure 3B 、 Figure 4B An embodiment of a filter cartridge housing 28 of the present invention is depicted. In this embodiment, the filter cartridge housing 28 has cavities and openings formed therein; specifically, a cavity 50 for receiving the replaceable filter cartridge 26; a pair of openings 52 for receiving the inlet 34 of the replaceable filter cartridge 26; and a pair of openings 54 for receiving the pair of outlets 36 of the replaceable filter cartridge 26. The filter cartridge housing 28 also includes a pair of top sidewalls 60, 62 ( Figure 2A 、 Figure 2B ).(exist Figure 2A 、 Figure 2B , the cartridge housings 28a, 28b share a common top sidewall 61, which would have the features of sidewalls 62a, 60b if the cartridge housings 28a, 28b were separate, independent cartridge housings 28. In this embodiment, each top sidewall 60, 62 has a locking recess 64, 66 formed therein, and each locking recess 64, 66 has a corresponding opening 63, 65 formed therein. It should be understood that the number of locking recesses 64, 66 generally matches the number of extensions 46, 48 of the handle 32. The cartridge housing 28 of this embodiment also includes a locking latch 70 rotatably connected to the pair of top sidewalls 60, 62. In this embodiment, the locking latch 70 includes a bottom arm 72 and a shorter top arm 74 that, in conjunction with the back wall 73, define an opening 76 having an opening width that is substantially equal to the width of the first portion 45 of the handle 32. The locking latch 70 also includes a release handle 78. In this embodiment, when the locking latch 70 is not in the locked position, the locking latch 70 is held in the open, unlocked position by a leaf spring (not shown).

[0028] Now refer to Figure 5 In this illustration, all of the filter cartridge housings 28a, 28b, 28c, 28d are empty and do not yet have a replaceable filter cartridge 26a, 26b, 26c, 26d installed therein. To install the replaceable filter cartridge 26a, 26b into the filter cartridge housing 28a, 28b, in this embodiment, the technician or user rotates the filter holder 22 forward to provide him with easier access to the filter cartridge housings 28a, 28b. The technician or user then grasps the first replaceable filter cartridge 26 to be installed by the handle 32 and aligns the first replaceable filter cartridge 26 with its corresponding filter cartridge housing 28. Referring to Figure 6 In the exemplary embodiment depicted, the technician installs the replaceable filter cartridge 26b into the filter cartridge housing 28b. After aligning the replaceable filter cartridge 26b with the filter cartridge housing 28b, the technician or user then pushes the replaceable filter cartridge 26b into the cavity 50b of the filter cartridge housing 28b. As the technician or user pushes the replaceable filter cartridge 26b downward, the locking extensions 46b, 48b ( Figure 4A ) are formed on the top side walls 62b, 61 ( Figure 7 ) in the corresponding notches 64b, 66b ( Figure 4B ) openings 63b, 65b.

[0029] With the locking extensions 46b, 48b now in contact with the corresponding openings 63b, 65b of the recesses 64b, 66b, as shown Figure 8 As shown, a technician or user rotates the first portion 45b of the handle 32b forward and downward about the pivot connections 42b, 44b. As the first portion 45b of the handle 32b is rotated downward in this manner, the locking extensions 46b, 48b continue to further engage the corresponding recesses 64b, 66b. The engagement of the locking extensions 46b, 48b with the recesses 64b, 66b causes the replaceable filter cartridge 26b to self-align with the filter cartridge housing 28b, which causes the inlet 34b and seal 35b to properly align with the opening 52b, and causes the outlet 36b and its seal 37b to properly align with each corresponding opening 54b. Because the components of the replaceable filter cartridge 26b are self-aligned with the components of the filter cartridge housing 28b, the technician or user does not need to worry about misalignment that could cause the components to improperly seal or require the technician or user to force the cartridge cover down over the filter cartridge.

[0030] With the locking extensions 46b, 48b now engaged with the notches 64b, 66b, as shown Figure 9A 、 Figure 9B As shown, the technician or user continues to rotate the first portion 45b of the handle 32b downward until the first portion 45b of the handle 32b engages the bottom arm 72b of the locking latch 70b. As the technician or user continues to push the handle 32b downward, the first portion 45b of the handle 32b pushes the bottom arm 72b of the locking latch 70b downward, causing the rear wall 73b and the top arm 74b to rotate toward the handle 32b. As this movement continues, the first portion 45b of the handle 32b fits into the opening 76b and the top arm 74b of the locking latch 70b engages the top of the first portion 45b of the handle 32b; locking the handle 32b and the replaceable filter cartridge 26b in the cartridge housing 28b ( Figure 10A 、 Figure 10B ).

[0031] Reference again Figure 5The technician or user then installs replaceable filter cartridge 26a into filter cartridge housing 28a in the same manner as described above for installing replaceable filter cartridge 26b. Once replaceable filter cartridge 26a is installed, the technician or user rotates filter holder 22 back to the closed position and then rotates filter holder 23 outward to the open position to install replaceable filter cartridges 26c, 26d in the same manner as the other replaceable filter cartridges 26a, 26b. Once replaceable filter cartridges 26a, 26b, 26c, 26d are installed to form replaceable cartridge filter assemblies 24a, 24b, 24c, 24d, and filter holders 22, 23 are in the closed position, the technician or user can replace the filter access door and place water dispenser 20 into operation.

[0032] When it is necessary to replace the replaceable cartridge filters 26a, 26b, 26c, 26d, the technician or user removes the replaceable cartridge filters 26a, 26b, 26c, 26d in the reverse manner to which the cartridge filters 26a, 26b, 26c, 26d were installed. The technician or user removes the filter access door and tilts the filter racks 22, 23 as needed. For example, referring to Figure 10B As the filter holder 22 rotates forward, the technician or user pulls the release handle 78b outward, away from the handle 32b. This movement causes the bottom arm 72b of the locking latch 70b to push upward against the first portion 45b of the handle 32b. As the release handle 78b continues to rotate outward, the first portion 45b of the handle 32b is disengaged from the locking latch 70b. With the first portion 45b of the handle 32b disengaged from the locking latch 70b, the technician or user can grasp the handle 32b and continue to rotate it upward. As the first portion 45b of the handle 32b is rotated upward in this manner, the locking extensions 46b, 48b disengage from the corresponding notches 64b, 66b. Once the locking extensions 46b, 48b are fully disengaged from the corresponding notches 64b, 66b, the technician or user can pull the replaceable filter cartridge 26b out of the cartridge housing 28b, disengaging the seal 35b from the opening 52b and the seal 37b from its corresponding opening 54b. With replaceable filter cartridge 26b completely removed from filter cartridge housing 28b, filter cartridge housing 28b is now ready to have a new replaceable filter cartridge 26b installed therein.

[0033] Although certain embodiments and features of replaceable cartridge filter assemblies have been described herein, the scope of coverage of this patent is not limited thereto. On the contrary, this patent covers all embodiments of the teachings of this disclosure, fully falling within the scope of permissible equivalents.

Claims

1. A replaceable filter cartridge for a filter assembly of a fluid dispenser, characterized in that: The replaceable filter cartridge comprises: a filter housing having an integrated rotatable handle; at least one entrance; and At least one exit, The rotatable handle has at least one locking extension, which is integrally formed with the end of the rotatable handle.

2. The replaceable filter cartridge according to claim 1, characterized in that: The rotatable handle has a pair of locking extensions respectively formed at opposite ends of the rotatable handle.

3. The replaceable filter cartridge according to claim 2, characterized in that: The replaceable filter cartridge further includes a pair of pivot connections, wherein the rotatable handle is connected to the filter housing via the pair of pivot connections.

4. The replaceable filter cartridge according to claim 3, characterized in that: The rotatable handle has a first portion disposed on one side of the pair of pivot connections; and wherein one of the pair of locking extensions is integrally formed with one end portion of the rotatable handle on an opposite side of one of the pair of pivot connections, and the other of the pair of locking extensions is integrally formed with the other end portion of the rotatable handle on an opposite side of the other of the pair of pivot connections.

5. The replaceable filter cartridge of claim 1 further comprising a cover coupled to the filter housing, the cover having an inlet and an outlet.

6. The replaceable filter cartridge according to claim 1, wherein: Also included is a cover member connected to the filter housing, the cover member having a pair of inlets and a pair of outlets.

7. A filter cartridge housing for a filter assembly of a fluid dispenser, characterized in that: The filter cartridge housing comprises: A housing defines a cavity and has a pair of side walls, wherein at least one of the side walls has a filter cartridge locking recess formed therein.

8. The filter cartridge housing according to claim 7, wherein: A filter cartridge locking recess is formed in each of the pair of side walls.

9. The filter cartridge housing according to claim 8, wherein: Each of the pair of side walls has an opening formed therein for each filter cartridge locking recess.

10. The filter cartridge housing of claim 8, further comprising a handle locking latch connected to the side wall, wherein The filter cartridge locking recess is disposed on an opposite side of the side wall from the handle locking latch.

11. The filter cartridge housing according to claim 10, wherein: The width of the opening of the handle locking latch is configured to receive and engage a replaceable filter cartridge handle of equal width.

12. The filter cartridge housing of claim 7, further comprising: entrance; and exit.

13. The filter cartridge housing of claim 7, further comprising: a pair of entrances; and A pair of outlets.

14. A replaceable cartridge filter assembly for a fluid dispenser, comprising: Replaceable filter cartridges featuring: filter housing; a pair of pivot connections; a rotatable handle having at least one locking extension formed at an end of the rotatable handle, and the rotatable handle being connected to the filter housing via the pair of pivot connections, wherein the rotatable handle has a first portion disposed on one side of the pair of pivot connections, wherein the at least one locking extension is integrally formed with an end of the rotatable handle disposed on an opposite side of one of the pair of pivot connections; and A cartridge housing defining a cavity, the cartridge housing having: a pair of side walls, wherein a locking notch is formed in at least one of the pair of side walls; and a handle locking latch connected to the pair of side walls opposite to ends of the side walls forming the locking recess, wherein the replaceable cartridge filter assembly has an assembled form and an unassembled form, wherein, in the assembled form, the replaceable filter cartridge is located within the cavity of the filter cartridge housing, the rotatable handle has been rotated to insert the at least one locking extension into the locking recess formed in at least one of the pair of side walls of the filter cartridge housing, and the handle locking latch engages with the first portion of the rotatable handle to lock the replaceable filter cartridge into the filter cartridge housing.

15. The replaceable cartridge filter assembly for a fluid dispenser according to claim 14, wherein: The at least one locking extension is a pair of locking extensions respectively formed at both ends of the rotatable handle.

16. The replaceable cartridge filter assembly for a fluid dispenser according to claim 15, wherein: A locking recess is formed in each of the pair of side walls.

17. The replaceable cartridge filter assembly for a fluid dispenser according to claim 14, wherein: The replaceable filter cartridge also includes: entrance; and exit.

18. The replaceable cartridge filter assembly for a fluid dispenser according to claim 17, wherein: The filter cartridge housing further comprises: entrance; and exit, Wherein, in the assembled state, the inlet of the replaceable filter cartridge is located within the inlet of the filter cartridge housing, and the outlet of the replaceable filter cartridge is located within the outlet of the filter cartridge housing.

19. The replaceable cartridge filter assembly for a fluid dispenser according to claim 14, wherein: The replaceable filter cartridge also includes: a pair of entrances; and A pair of outlets.

20. The replaceable cartridge filter assembly for a fluid dispenser according to claim 19, wherein: The filter cartridge housing further comprises: a pair of entrances; and A pair of exits, Wherein, in the assembled state, the pair of inlets of the replaceable filter cartridge are located within the pair of inlets of the filter cartridge housing, and the pair of outlets of the replaceable filter cartridge are located within the pair of outlets of the filter cartridge housing.

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