Filter Cartridge

Abstract

The present invention relates to a filter cartridge, particularly a gravity-operated filter cartridge, comprising a body portion having at least one water outlet, a head portion having at least one water inlet, and at least one air outlet, the head portion being disposed on top of the body portion, the body portion and the head portion together forming a housing having an interior volume, the head portion having a lower rim defining a bottom opening of the head portion, the filter cartridge further comprising a mesh located within the interior volume and attached to the head portion along the lower rim, the mesh separating the interior volume into an upper volume defined by the mesh and the head portion and a lower volume defined by the mesh and the body portion, a treatment medium being disposed in the lower volume. The filter cartridge comprises at least one hold-down device for the mesh, the hold-down device being movable from a standby position to an operating position in which the hold-down device is at least partially positioned between the mesh and the bottom opening to improve flow characteristics.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a filter cartridge, a filtering device, and a method for manufacturing a filter cartridge. [Background technology]

[0002] The above mentioned types of filtration devices are used as water filters for everyday use in homes, also called table water filters. They are mainly used to purify unwanted substances from tap water. These unwanted substances include chlorides and hardness builders such as calcium and magnesia, but also lead, which is known to get into tap water due to the use of lead pipes, especially in older homes.

[0003] Table water filters are gravity operated. No filtering is required other than pouring the water to be treated into the water filter. The water simply flows downward through the filter cartridge and into the filtered water container by gravity.

[0004] A filtering device comprising an inlet funnel with a bottom wall is known from EP 1 230 166 B1, which is provided with an opening for a filter cartridge. The filter cartridge is inserted into the opening and a seal is formed between the opening and a sealing rim of the filter cartridge. In use, water is introduced into the inlet funnel from above and then flows into the filter cartridge through the water inlet. A granular treatment medium for the water is located inside the filter cartridge. The treatment medium usually comprises ion exchange resin and / or activated carbon, although other components can be used as treatment medium as well. The water is treated in the filter cartridge and then exits below the filter cartridge through a water outlet at the bottom of the filter cartridge. The filter cartridge is also provided with an air outlet at its (filter cartridge) top for air to exit from inside the filter cartridge to above the filter cartridge at the start of the filtration process.

[0005] Inside the filter cartridge is a mesh that prevents the treatment medium from exiting the openings (water inlet and air outlet) located in the head of the filter cartridge. The mesh is fixed to the head along its lower rim. This is usually achieved by ultrasonic welding during the manufacturing process as follows: the head is placed upside down and a strip of mesh material (e.g. from a coil) is placed on top of the lower rim. An ultrasonic welding profile (sonotrode) is then placed on the mesh material contact area with the rim to cut the mesh out of the mesh material and simultaneously weld the mesh to the rim. The welding profile also comprises a dome-shaped part to deform the flat mesh material prior to the cutting and welding process. When the welding profile is placed on the mesh, the dome-shaped part presses the mesh downwards, making it dome-shaped as well.

[0006] Usually, the mesh is made of polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyamide (PA), polypropylene (PP), or polyethylene (PE). Selecting the mesh size is not a simple task. On the one hand, the mesh size is supposed to be as small as possible to reduce the amount of granular treatment media that leaves the filter cartridge. On the other hand, as the mesh size is reduced, the flow resistance of the mesh increases. If the mesh size is too small, the flow rate through the mesh will be very small, which may lead to poor consumer acceptance of how long it takes for the water to be treated. In rare cases, a very small mesh size may also cause the mesh to completely block the water flow due to the surface tension of the water preventing air from leaking through the water in the mesh.

[0007] This problem has already been addressed in DE 196 31 687 A1, which discloses a gravity-operated filter cartridge. The filter cartridge comprises a body part with a water outlet and a head part with a water inlet and an air outlet, the body part and the head part together forming a housing with an internal volume. The filter cartridge comprises a mesh insert located in the internal volume welded to the head part. The mesh insert comprises a dome-shaped mesh reinforced by ribs. The bulges of the dome-shaped mesh are directed downwards in the direction of the treatment medium. In use, the dome-shaped mesh comes into contact with the treatment medium, thereby breaking the surface tension of the water and reducing the occurrence of mesh blockades. Although this solution has been successfully applied in the past, the manufacturing effort of the filter cartridge is high due to the complexity of the mesh insert. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0008] [Patent Document 1] European Patent No. 1230166 [Patent Document 2] DE 19631687 A1 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0009] SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT EMBODIMENT An object of the present invention is to improve the flow characteristics of a filter cartridge. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] This problem is solved by a filter cartridge as claimed in claim 1.

[0011] The filter cartridge of the present invention comprises a body portion having at least one water outlet and a head portion having at least one water inlet and at least one air outlet, The head is located on top of the main body. the body portion and the head portion together form a housing having an interior volume; the head has a lower rim defining a bottom opening in the head; The filter cartridge further comprises a mesh located within the interior volume and attached to the head portion along a lower rim; The mesh separates the interior volume into an upper volume defined by the mesh and the head portion and a lower volume defined by the mesh and the body portion, with the treatment medium disposed in the lower volume. The filter cartridge is characterized by at least one hold-down device for the mesh, the hold-down device being movable from a standby position to an operative position; The operating position in teeth The hold-down device is at least partially located within the upper volume between the mesh and the bottom opening.

[0012] The filter cartridge is preferably a gravity-actuated filter cartridge. Terms such as top, bottom, upper, lower, above, below, above, below, etc. refer to the filter cartridge or parts thereof when the filter cartridge is in its operative orientation, e.g., when the filter cartridge is seated in an inlet funnel of a filtration device.

[0013] As mentioned above, the manufacturing process of the filter cartridge usually comprises a meshing step in which the mesh is formed and attached to the head of the filter cartridge. As a result of this process, the mesh has a certain shape stability. In general, the mesh can be in one of two or more or less stable positions, with the bulge of the dome-shaped mesh pointing downwards in the direction of the treatment medium and with the bulge pointing upwards. The upward orientation in particular leads to the risk that the flow of water through the mesh is reduced or completely blocked.

[0014] In its operating position, the hold-down device , smallat least partially between the mesh and the bottom opening, The bulge of the mesh In other words, at least a portion of the hold-down device protrudes downwardly from the bottom opening when in its operative position.

[0015] On the other hand, the hold-down device does not interfere with the meshing step when in the standby position, in which no part of the hold-down device is located between the mesh and the bottom opening, in other words, no part of the hold-down device protrudes downward from the bottom opening when in its standby position, and therefore the bottom opening is freely accessible.

[0016] The head portion encloses a head volume and the body portion encloses a body volume. The head volume is defined by the walls of the head portion and the bottom opening of the head portion. When the dome-shaped mesh bulges downward, the top volume is equal to the sum of the head volume and the volume defined by the dome-shaped mesh. The body volume is defined by the walls of the body portion and the top opening of the body portion. The sum of the head volume and the body volume is essentially equal to the internal volume of the filter cartridge.

[0017] Preferably, the hold-down device passes through the bottom opening in the working position, in this way the hold-down device is partially located within the head volume and partially located between the mesh and the bottom opening, the hold-down device may further be attached to the head portion stabilizing it in the working position.

[0018] The hold down device and head portion can be separate parts that are connected together, or the hold down device can be integrally formed with the head portion, which reduces the number of manufacturing steps.

[0019] If the hold-down device and the head are formed integrally, the hold-down device is preferably first formed in its standby position. In this way, engagement may be started immediately after forming the head without further steps. Also, only one additional step is required after engagement to move the hold-down device from its standby position to its working position.

[0020] The head part is preferably provided with an aperture through which the hold-down device can be introduced into the upper volume, in particular if the hold-down device and the head part are separate parts. In this way, the hold-down device can be introduced into the head part after engagement, in which case the hold-down device does not interfere with the engagement step.

[0021] Preferably, a situation in which the hold-down device is not connected to the head portion and is not located inside the upper volume is not considered to represent an operative or standby position of the hold-down device, as may occur, for example, during manufacturing, when the hold-down device is made separately from the head portion and not yet installed in the upper volume.

[0022] The filter cartridge is preferably provided with an originality seal that connects the head portion and the hold-down device in the standby position and that breaks when the hold-down device moves from the standby position to the operating position. In particular, the originality seal can be formed together with the hold-down device and the head portion when they are integrally molded. Alternatively, the originality seal may be attached to the hold-down device and the head portion when formed as separate parts. In any case, the originality seal may be a thin piece of polymer or a foil with perforations or the like, thus providing one or more predetermined breaking points. The originality seal indicates to the user that the filter cartridge has not been used before.

[0023] The hold-down device may have one stable position, several stable positions or no stable positions at all. Usually, a stable position where a force is applied to the entire filter cartridge is insufficient to change the position of the hold-down device, for example during transportation or insertion into the filtering device. The standby position and / or the working position are preferably stable positions of the hold-down device, particularly preferably the only stable positions of the hold-down device. The stable positions increase the reliability of the filter cartridge. To move the hold-down device from the stable standby position to the stable working position, the hold-down device is preferably moved, pressed, folded and / or twisted up to a certain point, against the requirement to remain in the standby position. At said point, the resistance of the hold-down device ends and / or the hold-down device may even snap over to the working position.

[0024] The head is preferably cup-shaped with a circumferential wall closed at the top by a top wall and with a lower rim at the bottom. The top wall is preferably flat. The air outlets are preferably located in the top wall. In general, the air outlets are located higher than the water inlets. The water inlets are preferably all located at the same height. Similarly, the air outlets are preferably all located at the same height.

[0025] The body is preferably tubular along the major axis X of the filter cartridge with slightly tapered side walls and closed at the bottom except for the water outlet. The body may be provided with a tapered groove running vertically along the side walls which fits over a tongue of the filter device to ensure installation of the filter cartridge within the filter device with a constant orientation about the major axis X.

[0026] The hold-down device is preferably a pin which can be inserted at least partially through the aperture into the upper volume. The pin can be easily introduced into the upper volume even after the mesh has been attached to the head part. (Straight) pins also have the advantage that only a linear movement is required during insertion, which can be easily automated. Preferably, the aperture has a seat for a certain part of the pin which has a larger cross section than the rest of the pin, in particular for the disk-shaped part. Said part provides an end stop for the movement of the pin and ensures that the desired working position of the hold-down device is reached in a reliable manner. The pin can be provided with means for holding the pin in the working position, in particular form-fitting means, which can stabilize the working position.

[0027] Alternatively, the hold-down device may be formed by forming the head part elongated at its end, preferably in the shape of a circular arc. In particular, the hold-down device is preferably formed as part of a circumferential wall and / or an upper wall of the head part, which is cut away from the remainder of the head part along its longitudinal side and connected to the remainder of the head part at its short end face. In such a configuration, the hold-down device remains flexible, so that it has stable standby and operating positions, while being easily movable from the standby position to the operating position.

[0028] The hold-down device is preferably provided with at least one hinge, in particular a film hinge, which is arranged such that the hold-down device can be moved from a standby position to an operating position by bending the hold-down device around the hinge. A film hinge can be easily integrated in a manufacturing process such as injection molding, which reduces the overall cost of the filter cartridge. In the alternative embodiment described above, the hinge may be formed on a short end face of the elongated hold-down device.

[0029] In a preferred embodiment, the filter cartridge is provided with a locking means for fixing the hold-down device in an operative position. The locking means is particularly useful when the hold-down device does not have a stable operative position. In general, the locking means increases the reliability of the filter cartridge with respect to the positioning of the hold-down device.

[0030] Preferably, the locking means comprises at least a pair of complementary locking elements to ensure a reliable connection. Preferably, the pair of complementary locking elements provides a form-fitting connection. In an advantageous embodiment, at least one of the locking elements is attached to or formed with the hold-down device and / or at least one of the locking elements is attached to or formed with the head.

[0031] Preferably, the pair of complementary locking elements consists of a push button and a through hole which can be inserted into the through hole, alternatively a push button and a complementary receptacle can also be implemented.

[0032] In alternative embodiments, the hold-down device is loosely arranged in the upper volume. In particular, loosely means that the hold-down device is not connected to the head or to the mesh. In such embodiments, the hold-down device is essentially a weight for the mesh, which is pressed down due to gravity. In these embodiments, assembly of the hold-down device can be fairly simple. In particular, the hold-down device is preferably spherical. Such a shape reduces the chances that the hold-down device will damage the mesh.

[0033] The hold-down device is preferably made of glass or metal, especially stainless steel. Such materials are very suitable for use in filter cartridges, since they have very little wear when in contact with water. Also, glass and metal usually have a fairly high density, which allows the hold-down device to be small. The diameter of the hold-down device is preferably between 10 mm and 20 mm.

[0034] The object of the present invention is also achieved by a filtration device comprising an inlet funnel and a filter cartridge as described above. The filtration device may further comprise a container in which the inlet funnel can be placed. Preferably, the inlet funnel comprises a seat in which the filter cartridge can be placed for use.

[0035] The object of the present invention is to provide a method for producing ... semiconductor device comprising the steps of: a) manufacturing a head portion; b) placing a mesh holding device in a standby position; c) attaching a mesh to the head portion, particularly the lower rim, with the head portion facing upside down; d) attaching the head and mesh to a body filled with treatment medium; The problem is also solved by a method for manufacturing a filter cartridge comprising:

[0036] Steps a) to d) can, but do not have to, be performed in the order described: for example, step b) can follow step c) or step d), especially if the head has an aperture through which a hold-down device can be introduced into the upper volume defined by the head and the mesh.

[0037] In a preferred embodiment, the method further includes step e) moving the hold down device from a standby position to an operative position, where the hold down device is at least partially positioned between the mesh and the bottom opening.

[0038] Thus, step e) can take place at the consumer or can be part of a manufacturing process, in which case step e) can be carried out either after step c) or after step d).

[0039] A preferred embodiment of the method includes steps taken during manufacture as previously described with respect to the filter cartridge itself.

[0040] The invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the drawings shown in Figures 1a to 4 below. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0041] [Figure 1a] FIG. 1 is a side view of a filter cartridge in a first embodiment of a head part according to the present invention; [Figure 1b] Bottom view of the filter cartridge of FIG. 1a [Figure 1c] Top view of the filter cartridge in FIG. 1a [Figure 1d] 1b is a cross-sectional side view of the filter cartridge of FIG. [Figure 2a] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a head portion according to the present invention; [Figure 2b] 2b is a side view of the head part of FIG. 2a with the holding device in the standby position [Figure 2c] FIG. 2b is a side view of the head part of FIG. 2a with the presser device in the operating position; [Figure 3a] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a third embodiment of a head portion according to the present invention; [Figure 3b] 3b is a cross-sectional side view of the head portion of FIG. 3a with the presser device in a standby position; [Figure 3c] FIG. 3b is a cross-sectional side view of the head portion of FIG. 3a with the hold-down device in an operative position; [Figure 4] FIG. 13 is a schematic side view of a fourth embodiment of a head portion according to the present invention; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0042] The filter cartridge 1 shown in Figures 1a to 1d comprises a body part 3 and a head part 5 arranged on top of the body part 3. The body part 3 and the head part 5 consist of a polymer, in particular PP or PE. In Figure 1a the filter cartridge 1 is shown in its working orientation with the body part 5 below the head part 5. The filter cartridge 1 may be placed in said orientation in a filtration device (not shown) for filtering water injected into the filtration device.

[0043] The body 3 is tubularly shaped along the major axis X of the filter cartridge 1 with a slightly tapered side wall 7. The body 3 is provided with a tapered groove 9 running vertically along the side wall 7, as can be seen in Figures 1b and 1d. The tapered groove 9 fits over a tongue of the filter device to ensure that the filter cartridge 1 is installed in the filter device with a constant orientation about the major axis X.

[0044] At the bottom of the body 3, four feet 11a, 11b, 11c, 11d are arranged symmetrically about the main axis X, as can be seen in FIG. 1b. The feet 11a, 11b, 11c, 11d are integrally formed with the side wall 7. The separation of the feet 11a, 11b, 11c, 11d is achieved by horizontal grooves 13a, 13b, 13c and 13d. Each foot 11a, 11b, 11c, 11d has one water outlet 15 in the form of a round hole. Filtered water can leave the filter cartridge 1 in use via the water outlets 15.

[0045] At its upper end, as can be seen in Figure 1d, the body portion 3 is provided with a seat 17 for the head portion 5. The seat 17 defines an upper opening 18 that is essentially circular in shape. The body portion 3 comprises a body volume BV defined by the side wall portion 7, the foot portions 11a, 11b, 11c, 11d, the groove portions 9, 13a, 13b, 13c, 13d, and the upper opening 18.

[0046] The head part 5 comprises a lower segment 19 and an upper segment 21 which are connected to each other by a transition part 23. The lower segment 19 has a larger cross section than the upper segment 21. The transition part 23 and the segments 19, 21 of the head part 5 form a circumferential wall part 24 of the head part 5. At the bottom of the lower segment 19, the head part 5 is provided with a flat ring-shaped lower rim 25. The lower rim 25 defines a bottom opening 26 of the head part 5. The bottom opening 26 is essentially circular. As can be seen in FIG. 1d, the lower rim 25 is arranged on the seat 17 of the body part 3.

[0047] The lower segment 19 is essentially frusto-conical. Four water inlets 27 are provided in the lower segment 19, as can be seen in figure 1c. The water inlets 27 are arranged symmetrically about the main axis X.

[0048] The upper segment 21 is also essentially frusto-conical and has two opposing recesses 29 in which the filter cartridge 1 can be gripped by a user. At its upper end, the upper segment 21 is closed by a substantially horizontal upper wall 31 which, as can be seen in Fig. 1c, is provided with four air outlets 33 which are arranged symmetrically about the main axis X. All the air outlets 33 are arranged higher than the respective water inlets 27 and, as is the case here, they are ideally arranged at the highest point of the head 5.

[0049] The head portion 5 comprises a head volume HV defined by the segments 19 , 21 , the transition segment 23 , the upper wall portion 31 and the bottom opening 26 .

[0050] The upper wall 31 is provided with a central aperture 35 surrounded by a ring-shaped pin seat 36. A pin 37 is arranged in said aperture 35, which pin 37 is a hold-down device according to the invention. In Fig. 1d the pin 37 is shown in its operating position, in which it passes through the bottom opening 26 and partially leaves the head volume HV and enters the volume BV.

[0051] The pin 37 has a main beam 39 with a cruciform cross section. An upper disk 41 and a lower disk 43 are integrally formed with the main beam 39 at either end. The upper disk 41 rests on the pin seat 36 which prohibits the pin 37 from entering completely within the head volume HV. The lower disk 43 is dome shaped.

[0052] The filter cartridge 1 has an internal volume IV consisting essentially of a head volume HV and a body volume BV. A mesh 45 is disposed within the internal volume IV and is attached to the lower rim 25 of the head portion 5. The mesh 45 is dome-shaped and consists of a mesh material made of a polymer, particularly PET, PA, PP or PE. The mesh 45 separates the internal volume IV into an upper volume UV defined by the mesh 45 and the head portion 5, particularly segments 19, 21, transition segment 23 and upper wall portion 31, and a lower volume LV defined by the mesh 45 and the bottom portion 3, particularly sidewall portion 7, foot portions 11a, 11b, 11c, 11d and groove portions 9, 13a, 13b, 13c and 13d.

[0053] A water treatment medium (not shown), ie ion exchange resin and / or activated carbon, is disposed in the lower volume LV.

[0054] During manufacture, the head part 5 is formed without pins 37 in a first step, i.e., molded by injection molding. In a second step, a mesh is attached to the head part 5. For the second step, the head part 5 is preferably placed upside down with the bottom opening 26 facing upwards. The mesh material originating from the coil is then placed on top of the rim 25. Afterwards, a sonotrode with a dome-shaped part moves under the mesh material in order to connect the mesh material with the head part 5. As a result, the dome-shaped part pushes the mesh material into the head volume HV. The sonotrode then welds the mesh material to the rim 25 (ultrasonic welding) and cuts out the mesh 45 from the remaining mesh material. In a next step, the head part 5 with the mesh 45 is attached to the body part 3 and connected to the body part 3 previously filled with the water treatment medium. Finally, the pin 37 is inserted into the head part 5 through the central aperture 35. During insertion, the pin 37 pushes the mesh 45 downwards until it snaps over and ends up in the position shown in Figure 1d. Due to the dome shape of the lower disk 43, it is highly unlikely that the pin 37 will damage the mesh 45 during insertion. In use, the pin 37 prevents the mesh 45 from snapping back upwards, which reduces the occurrence of mesh blockades.

[0055] Figures 2a, 2b and 2c show only the head 5 as well as the mesh 45 of the filter cartridge. The head 5 has a generally frusto-conical shape and comprises a circumferential wall 24, a lower rim 25 and a generally horizontal upper wall 31. The upper wall 31 is provided with four air outlets 33. The head 5 consists of a polymer, in particular PP or PE.

[0056] On its bottom side, the head 5 is provided with a bottom opening 26 defined by a lower rim 25 of the head 5. In the embodiment shown in Figures 2a, 2b and 2c, the bottom opening 26 has a circular shape. In other embodiments, the bottom opening 26 may be three-dimensional or have other shapes. Together with the lower rim 25, the circumferential wall 24 and the upper wall 31, the bottom opening 26 defines a head volume HV.

[0057] The mesh 45 is attached to the head 5 at the lower rim 25. During manufacture of the head 5, the dome-shaped part of the sonotrode presses the mesh 45 into the head volume HV before the mesh 45 is fixed to the lower rim 25. This results in the mesh 45 itself being dome-shaped.

[0058] The two arches 53, 55 as the holding down devices are initially formed as integral parts of the circumferential wall 24. The arches 53, 55 have a generally thin and elongated form. They are cut out from the remaining part of the circumferential wall 24, respectively, thereby forming two slits 61a, 61b, 61c, 61d along the respective longitudinal sides of the arches 53, 55, while they are attached to the remaining part of the circumferential wall 24 at both of their two short ends or end faces 57, 59 (only one end of each arch 53, 55 is shown in the drawings). The connection between the ends 57, 59 of the arches 53, 55 and the circumferential wall 24 is achieved by an integral hinge (film hinge).

[0059] In figures 2a and 2b, the arches 53, 55 are located in their standby position. Depending on the material of the head part 5 and their configuration, the arches 53, 55 can be moved from the standby position to their working position shown in figure 2c. This can be achieved by forcing the arches 53, 55 into the head volume HV. As a result, the arches are bent and pivoted about living hinges and finally snap over. The arches 53, 55 can be moved in unison or individually.

[0060] When the arches 53, 55 move to their working position, they open the two water inlets 27 in the circumferential wall 24. In the standby position, the water inlet 27 is mostly closed by the arches 53, 55, leaving only the aforementioned slits 61a, 61b, 61c, 61d open.

[0061] In other embodiments, the slits may not be present immediately after manufacture of the head portion 5. In such embodiments, the arches 53, 55 are initially connected to the remainder of the circumferential wall portion 24 along their elongated extensions as well as at their ends 57, 59. This additional connection may create an originality seal for the filter cartridge that is broken or perforated when the arches 53, 55 are moved to their operative position for the first time. After the initial movement to the operative position, the arches 53, 55 are reattached to the circumferential wall portion 24 only at their ends 57, 59.

[0062] The mesh 45 itself, as well as the arches 53, 55, can be forced downward and out of the head volume HV until it snaps over into the position shown in Figures 2b and 2c. This can occur by accident or can be accomplished by moving the arches 53, 55 into their respective operating positions.

[0063] In the operating position, the arches 53, 55 pass through the bottom opening 26 and partially exit the head volume HV. In said operating position, the arches 53, 55 prevent the mesh from snapping back to the position shown in Figure 2b.

[0064] Both the standby position and the operating position are stable positions of the arches 53, 55 in which the forces normally applied across the filter cartridge, for example during transportation or insertion into a filtration device, are not sufficient to change the position of the arches 53, 55.

[0065] Figures 3a, 3b and 3c show a head 5 of a third embodiment of the invention. The head 5 again comprises a lower segment 19 and an upper segment 21 connected to each other by a transition segment 23 as well as two indents 27.

[0066] The two grooves 71, 73 are formed symmetrically in the head 5. Figures 3b and 3c show cross-sectional views of the head 5. Two arms 75, 77 of thin and elongated form are located inside the head volume HV in their standby position in Figure 3b, the arms 75, 77 being holding devices. Each of the arms 75, 77 forms the bottom of one of the grooves 71, 73. The arms 75, 77 are each foldable by several film hinges. Each of the arms 75, 77 has two locking elements. The two locking elements are push buttons 79a, 79b, one formed with each of the arms 75, 77, and two through holes 81a, 81b, one formed in each of the arms 75, 77. The push buttons 79a, 79b and through holes 81a, 81b are complementary such that the push button 79a of the arm 75 can enter the through hole 81b of the arm 77 forming a form-fit connection. Similarly for the push button 79b and through hole 81a.

[0067] When the arms 75, 77 are moved from their standby position to their operating position, they are bent until the push buttons 79a, 79b and the through holes 81a, 81b interact to create said form-fit connection. Figure 3c shows the arms 75, 77 in their operating position with the push buttons 79a, 79b and the through holes 81a, 81b engaging with each other. The arms 75, 77 are held in their operating position by said form-fit connection.

[0068] In their operating position, the arms 75, 77 pass through the bottom opening 26 of the head 5. As a result, the mesh 45 attached to the rim 25 of the head 5 is prevented from bending upwards into the head volume HV.

[0069] Another embodiment of the head part 5 is shown in Figure 4. The head part 5 comprises a lower cylindrical part 91 and an upper cylindrical part 93 closed at the top by an upper wall part 31. The lower cylindrical part 91 is provided with a lower rim 25 which defines a bottom opening 26 as well as a water inlet 27 and an air outlet (not shown in Figure 4).

[0070] The dome-shaped mesh 45 is again attached to the lower rim 25 of the head 5. The embodiment shown in FIG. 4 comprises a hold-down device in the form of a small spherical ball 97 made of stainless steel. The ball 97 is free to move within the upper volume UV defined by the head 5 and the mesh 45. During manufacture, the ball 97 is inserted into the head volume HV before the mesh 45 is manufactured on the lower rim 25. If the head 5 is inverted during manufacture, the ball 97 can come to rest somewhere near the upper wall 31 and remain there while the mesh 45 is cut and welded to the lower rim 25. In this way, the ball 97 does not interfere with the manufacturing steps. Thus, during manufacture, the ball 97 is located in one of an infinite number of waiting positions inside the head volume HV.

[0071] After the mesh 45 is attached to the lower rim 25, the head portion 5 can be rotated in the direction shown in Figure 4 to move the ball 97 from its standby position to the operative position as shown, in which the hold-down device is at least partially between the mesh 45 and the bottom opening 26. The ball 97 is loosely located within the upper volume UV so that it can be repositioned during normal use. Thus, the hold-down device in this embodiment has infinite operative positions.

[0072] As the mesh 45 is attached to the rim 25, the ball 97 cannot leave the upper volume UV either. The head part 5 can then be attached to the body part 3 (not shown here) which is already filled with a water treatment medium. Due to its weight, the ball 97 can hold the mesh 45 down during normal use of the filter cartridge. This application relates to the invention described in the claims, but also includes the following as other aspects. 1. A filter cartridge (1), in particular a gravity-operated filter cartridge, comprising: The filter cartridge (1) comprises a body portion (3) having at least one water outlet (15), a head portion (5) having at least one water inlet (27), and at least one air outlet (33); The head portion (5) is disposed on the upper portion of the main body portion (3), the body portion (3) and the head portion (5) together form a housing having an interior volume (IV); The head (5) has a lower rim (25) that defines a bottom opening (26) of the head (5); The filter cartridge (1) further comprises a mesh (45) located within the interior volume (IV) and attached to the head portion (5) along the lower rim (25); the mesh (45) separates the internal volume (IV) into an upper volume (UV) defined by the mesh (45) and the head portion (5) and a lower volume (LV) defined by the mesh (45) and the body portion (3); The treatment medium is disposed in a lower volume (LV), In the filter cartridge, At least one hold-down device for the mesh (45) is movable from a standby position to an operating position; The filter cartridge (1) is characterized in that in the operating position, the hold-down device is at least partially located inside the upper volume between the mesh (45) and the bottom opening (26). 2. 2. The filter cartridge (1) according to claim 1, wherein the hold-down device passes through the bottom opening (26) in the operative position. 3. 3. The filter cartridge (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the pressing device and the head portion (5) are separate parts that are connected to each other. 4. 4. The filter cartridge (1) according to any one of the above items 1 to 3, wherein the head portion (5) is provided with an aperture (35) through which a pressing device can be introduced into the upper volume (UV). 5. 5. The filter cartridge (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that the retaining device is a pin (37) insertable at least partially through the aperture (35) into the upper volume. 6. 3. The filter cartridge (1) as described in 1 or 2 above, wherein the pressing device is formed integrally with the head portion (5). 7. The filter cartridge (1) according to any one of 1 to 6 above, characterized in that the filter cartridge (1) is provided with an originality seal that connects the head portion (5) and the holding device in a standby position and that is broken when the holding device is moved from the standby position to the operating position. 8. 8. The filter cartridge (1) as described in any one of the above 1 to 7, wherein the standby position and / or the operating position is a stable position of the pressing device. 9. The filter cartridge (1) as described in any one of 6 to 8 above, wherein the pressing device has an elongated arc shape forming a head portion at its end. 10. The filter cartridge (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the pressing device is provided with at least one hinge, in particular a film hinge, which is arranged so that the pressing device can be moved from a standby position to an operating position by folding the pressing device around the hinge. 11. 11. The filter cartridge (1) as described in any one of the above 1 to 10, further comprising a locking means for fixing the pressing device in an operating position. 12. 12. The filter cartridge (1) according to claim 11, wherein the locking means comprises at least a pair of complementary locking elements. 13. 3. The filter cartridge (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the holding device is loosely arranged in the upper volume (UV). 14. 14. A filtration device comprising the inlet funnel according to any one of 1 to 13 above and a filter cartridge (1). 15. A method for manufacturing a filter cartridge (1), comprising: The method comprises the following steps: a) producing a head portion (5); b) placing a holding device for the mesh (45) in a standby position; c) attaching a mesh (45) to the lower rim (25) of the head (5), in particular with the head (5) turned upside down; d) attaching the head portion (5) and the mesh (45) to the body portion (3) filled with the treatment medium; The method includes: [Explanation of symbols]

[0073] 1 Filter Cartridge 3 Main body 5 Head section 7 Side wall 9 Tapered groove 11a Foot section 11b Foot section 11c Foot 11d Foot section 13a Horizontal groove 13b Horizontal groove 13c Horizontal groove 13d horizontal groove 15 water outlet 17 Pedestal 18 Top opening 19 Lower Segment 21 Upper Segment 23 Transition Segment 24 Circumferential wall 25 Lower Rim 26 Bottom opening 27 Water inlet 29 Recess 31 Upper wall 33 Air outlet 35 Aperture 36 Pin seat 37 pin 39 Main beam section 41 Upper disk 43 Lower Disc 45 mesh 53 Arch 55 Arch 57 End 59 End 61a Slit 61b Slit 61c Slit 61d Slit 71 Groove 73 Groove 75 Arm 77 Arm 79a Push button 79b Push button 81a Through hole 81b Through hole 91 Upper cylindrical part 93 Lower cylindrical part 97 Ball BV Body Volume HV Head Volume IV internal volume LV lower volume UV top volume X main axis

Claims

1. A filter cartridge (1), comprising: The filter cartridge (1) comprises a body portion (3) having at least one water outlet (15), a head portion (5) having at least one water inlet (27), and at least one air outlet (33); The head portion (5) is disposed on the upper portion of the main body portion (3), the body portion (3) and the head portion (5) together form a housing having an internal volume (IV); The head (5) has a lower rim (25) that defines a bottom opening (26) of the head (5); The filter cartridge (1) further comprises a mesh (45) located within the interior volume (IV) and attached to the head portion (5) along the lower rim (25); The mesh (45) separates the interior volume (IV) into an upper volume (UV) defined by the mesh (45) and the head portion (5) and a lower volume (LV) defined by the mesh (45) and the body portion (3); A treatment medium is disposed in the lower volume (LV), the treatment medium comprising an ion exchange resin and / or activated carbon. In the filter cartridge, The filter cartridge (1) comprises at least one holding device for the mesh (45), the hold-down device being a pin (37) insertable at least partially through an aperture (35) into the upper volume (UV); The holding device is movable from a standby position to an operating position, In the standby position, the pin (37) of the pressing device does not penetrate the bottom opening (26) and does not protrude downward from the bottom opening (26); The filter cartridge (1) is characterized in that, in the operating position, the pin (37) of the holding device penetrates the bottom opening (26) and at least a part of the holding device protrudes downward from the bottom opening (26), and in the operating position, the holding device is at least partially located inside an upper volume (UV) between a mesh (45) and the bottom opening (26).

2. 2. The filter cartridge (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the hold-down device and the head part (5) are separate parts connected to each other.

3. 3. A filter cartridge (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the head (5) is provided with an aperture (35) through which a hold-down device can be introduced into the upper volume (UV).

4. 4. The filter cartridge (1) of claim 3, wherein the hold-down device is a pin (37) insertable at least partially through the aperture (35) into the upper volume.

5. The filter cartridge (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the filter cartridge (1) is provided with an originality seal that connects the head portion (5) and the holding device in the standby position and that is broken when the holding device is moved from the standby position to the operating position.

6. 2. The filter cartridge (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the hold-down device is arranged in the upper volume (UV) such that said hold-down device is not connected to the head portion (5) and the mesh (45).

7. A filtration device comprising a filter cartridge (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6 and an inlet funnel, the filtering device comprising a container into which the inlet funnel can be placed; Filtration device, characterized in that the inlet funnel comprises a seat on which the filter cartridge (1) can be placed for use.

8. A method for manufacturing a filter cartridge (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, comprising: The method comprises the following steps: a) producing the head portion (5), b) placing a hold-down device for the mesh (45) into a waiting position; c) attaching a mesh (45) to the lower rim (25) of the head (5), in particular with the head (5) upside down; d) attaching the head portion (5) and the mesh (45) to the body portion (3) filled with the treatment medium; The method includes:

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