Valve opener, filter cartridge and filter device

Abstract

The invention relates to a valve opener (4) for opening a valve (3.4) of an inlet funnel (3) for a filter device (1), wherein the valve opener (4) can be inserted into a receiving chamber (3.2) of the inlet funnel (3) along an assembly direction (100), wherein the receiving chamber (3.2) is designed to receive a filter cartridge (2), in particular according to one of the preceding claims, and has a base (2.5) in which the valve (3.4), which can be actuated between a closed position and an open position, is arranged, wherein the valve opener (4) has a funnel contact surface (4.3) which is in contact with the inlet funnel (3) when the valve opener (4) is arranged in the receiving chamber (3.2), wherein the valve opener (4) has a filter contact surface (4.4) which is in contact with the filter cartridge (2) when the filter cartridge (2) is arranged in the receiving chamber (3.2), wherein the valve opener (4) has a receiving opening (4.1) into which a valve body (3.5) of the valve (3.4) at least partially protrudes when the valve opener (4) is arranged in the receiving chamber (3.2), wherein an edge of the receiving opening (4.1) comprises a valve lifter (4.2) which enters into a frictional and / or form-fitting connection with the valve body (3.5) when the valve body (3.5) protrudes into the receiving opening (4.1), and wherein the valve opener (4) has a restoring means (4.5) which exerts a restoring force on the valve lifter (4.2) in order to transfer the valve body (3.5) into the open position after the frictional and / or form-fitting connection has been established, wherein the valve opener (4) is designed in such a way that the valve lifter (4.2) is arranged between the filter contact surface (4.4) and the funnel contact surface (4.3) along the assembly direction (100).

Description

[0001] DESCRIPTION

[0002] title

[0003] Valve opener, filter cartridge and filter device

[0004] State of the art

[0005] The present invention relates to a valve opener for opening a valve of an inlet funnel for a filter device, wherein the valve opener can be inserted into a receiving space of the inlet funnel along a mounting direction, wherein the receiving space is designed to receive a filter cartridge, in particular according to one of the preceding claims, and has a base in which the valve is arranged, which can be actuated between a closed position and an open position, wherein the valve opener has a funnel contact surface which is in contact with the inlet funnel when the valve opener is arranged in the receiving space, wherein the valve opener has a filter contact surface which is in contact with the filter cartridge when the filter cartridge is arranged in the receiving space, wherein the valve opener has a receiving opening into which a valve body of the valve protrudes at least partially,when the valve opener is arranged in the receiving space, wherein an edge of the receiving opening comprises a valve lifter which enters into a frictional and / or positive connection with the valve body when the valve body protrudes into the receiving opening, and wherein the valve opener has a restoring means which exerts a restoring force on the valve lifter to transfer the valve body into the open position after the frictional and / or positive connection has been established.

[0006] Such valve openers are known in principle from the prior art and serve to open the valve located below the filter cartridge in the inlet funnel within a filter device, thus enabling the water to be filtered using the filter cartridge. The filter device can then typically be used to optimize water quality. The filter cartridges contain a filter medium in the form of granules for the chemical and / or mechanical removal or reduction of organic and inorganic contaminants.

[0007] The document WO 2022 / 207 155 A1 discloses a generic valve opener which is intended to grip the valve body by means of a gripping edge designed as a ring strip and to lift it into its open position due to an elastic deformation of parts of the valve opener, as illustrated, for example, in Figure 7A.

[0008] The disadvantage of this arrangement is that when the valve opener is inserted into the receiving space of the inlet funnel, it cannot assume a stable position, but can easily slip if the filter device or the inlet funnel is tilted. When the filter cartridge is then inserted, there is a risk that the valve opener has previously left its ideal central position on the pipe section, and the pressure could damage the valve opener or the valve. The risk of lateral tilting is further increased by the fact that some opening systems must exert a horizontal force component on the valve body to open the valve. This creates a horizontal counterforce on the valve opener, which can cause it to tilt.

[0009] Disclosure of the invention

[0010] It is an object of the present invention to provide a valve opener that eliminates the disadvantages mentioned in connection with the prior art and instead ensures reliable and convenient operation and functionality. Furthermore, the valve opener should be simpler and thus more cost-effective to manufacture.

[0011] The above object is achieved by a valve opener according to claim 1.

[0012] The subject matter of the present invention relates to a valve opener for opening a valve of an inlet funnel for a filter device, wherein the valve opener can be inserted into a receiving space of the inlet funnel along a mounting direction, wherein the receiving space is designed to receive a filter cartridge and has a base in which the valve is arranged, which can be actuated between a closed position and an open position, wherein the valve opener has a funnel contact surface which is in contact with the inlet funnel when the valve opener is arranged in the receiving space, wherein the valve opener has a filter contact surface which is in contact with the filter cartridge when the filter cartridge is arranged in the receiving space, wherein the valve opener has a receiving opening into which a valve body of the valve protrudes at least partially when the valve opener is arranged in the receiving space,wherein an edge of the receiving opening comprises a valve lifter which forms a frictional and / or positive connection with the valve body when the valve body protrudes into the receiving opening, and wherein the valve opener has a restoring means which exerts a restoring force on the valve lifter to transfer the valve body into the open position after the frictional and / or positive connection has been established, wherein the valve lifter is further arranged along the mounting direction between the filter contact surface and the funnel contact surface.

[0013] The valve opener according to the invention has the advantage over the prior art in that it has a filter contact surface and a funnel contact surface, between which the valve opener is locked and clamped when it is inserted into the receiving space of the inlet funnel together with a filter cartridge. This ensures safe and reliable positioning of the valve opener and, in particular, prevents the valve opener from slipping from its ideal position and damaging the valve opener or the valve. This is achieved by arranging the actual valve lifter longitudinally between the filter contact surface and the funnel contact surface.The term "between" in the sense of the present invention means in particular that the projection of the elements (valve lifter, funnel contact surface, filter contact surface) onto the longitudinal axis (i.e. along the transverse plane) would then lead to a specific sequence along the longitudinal axis, namely in the assembly direction first the filter contact surface, then the valve lifter and finally the funnel contact surface.

[0014] Advantageous embodiments and further developments of the invention can be found in the dependent claims and the description with reference to the drawings.

[0015] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the valve opener is arranged in the assembly direction between the filter cartridge, which can be inserted into the inlet funnel, and the bottom of the inlet funnel. This has the advantage that the valve opener is clamped between the bottom of the filter cartridge and the bottom of the inlet funnel. However, it is also conceivable for the filter cartridge to have an indentation in the region of its bottom, counter to the assembly direction, in which the valve opener is at least partially arranged.

[0016] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the return means is formed on or on the funnel contact surface and, in particular, comprises an elastically deformable return means, preferably in the form of a spring element or an elastomer. It is conceivable that the return means is elastically prestressed when the filter cartridge is manually pressed into the receiving space, and that the prestress is released upon release, leading to the valve body being moved into the open position. Advantageously, the valve opener is supported, in particular via the funnel contact surface, directly or indirectly on the bottom of the inlet funnel.For this purpose, the funnel contact surface is covered with an elastomer, which compresses when the filter cartridge is pushed in and expands again when released, thereby moving the valve body, which is gripped by the edge of the receiving opening, into its open position opposite to the assembly direction. Instead of the elastomer, a circumferential flexural or spiral spring between the funnel contact surface and the bottom of the inlet funnel is also conceivable.

[0017] In a further variant of the invention, the restoring means comprises a swelling element that swells upon contact with water, thereby increasing its volume. It is conceivable that the swelling of the swelling element generates the restoring force for transferring the valve body into the open position, with the swelling element being supported, in particular, on the bottom of the inlet funnel or on a pipe section of the valve to generate the restoring force.

[0018] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the return means comprises an expansion edge surrounding the valve, which rests on a curve of a pipe section of the valve that protrudes from the bottom of the inlet funnel into the receiving space. The expansion edge also makes it possible to transfer the valve body from the open position to the closed position.

[0019] A further subject of the present invention is a filter cartridge for an inlet funnel of a filter device, wherein the filter cartridge has a filter chamber in which a filter medium for filtering a liquid is arranged, wherein the filter cartridge has at least one inlet opening through which the liquid to be filtered enters the filter chamber, and wherein the filter cartridge has at least one outlet opening in the region of its base through which the filtered liquid leaves the filter cartridge, characterized in that the filter cartridge has the valve opener according to the invention.

[0020] The valve opener can be firmly, particularly rigidly, connected to the filter cartridge. It is conceivable that the filter contact surface is connected, preferably glued, to the base of the filter cartridge. The user then only needs to insert the filter cartridge together with the valve body into the receiving space. Alternatively, it is also conceivable that the filter cartridge and the valve opener exist as separate parts that are not firmly connected to one another and are inserted into the receiving space one after the other. According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the base of the filter cartridge is flat or has a funnel-shaped taper.Preferably, the filter cartridge has a main flow direction that extends substantially from the inlet opening along a longitudinal axis of the filter cartridge to the outlet opening, wherein the funnel-shaped taper is formed along the main flow direction and / or in a transverse plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis in the center of the base of the filter cartridge. It is conceivable that the valve opener is arranged behind the base of the filter cartridge along the main flow direction, and that the valve opener and the base of the filter cartridge, in particular, do not overlap in a transverse plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.

[0021] This advantageously prevents dead spaces in which standing water forms, thus preventing the formation of germs. In addition, the cartridge empties more effectively before being removed from the inlet funnel, thus increasing ease of use. A cartridge with a base in the form of a funnel-shaped taper is particularly advantageous in this regard, with the outlet opening preferably located in the center of the funnel-shaped taper. In this way, all areas of the filter are flowed through as evenly as possible in the direction of the outlet opening, effectively preventing the formation of dead spaces. The filter medium comprises, in particular, granules for the chemical and / or mechanical removal or reduction of organic or inorganic contaminants in water. In order for the filter cartridge to always develop a sufficient cleaning effect using its filter medium, the filter cartridge must be changed at regular intervals.The reduction of dead spaces in the filter cartridge according to the invention makes changing the filter cartridge more convenient, as the risk of contamination from water dripping from the filter cartridge when removing the used filter cartridge from the inlet funnel is reduced. The filter cartridge preferably has a single or multiple inlet openings. The filter cartridge also preferably has a single or multiple outlet openings. Furthermore, the filter cartridge preferably has a clamping surface by means of which the filter cartridge is clamped in the inlet funnel.

[0022] A further subject of the present invention is a filter device comprising a filter jug, an inlet funnel, and the filter cartridge according to the invention, wherein the inlet funnel can be inserted into the filter jug, and wherein the filter cartridge and the valve opener can be inserted into the inlet funnel such that the valve opener is arranged along the longitudinal direction between the bottom of the filter cartridge and the bottom of the inlet funnel. Preferably, the bottom of the filter cartridge and the valve and / or the bottom of the filter cartridge and the valve opener do not overlap in a transverse plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.

[0023] Short description of the drawings

[0024] Figure 1 shows a schematic sectional view of a valve opener and / or a filter cartridge according to an exemplary first embodiment of the present invention.

[0025] Figure 2 shows a schematic sectional view of a valve opener and / or a filter cartridge according to an exemplary second embodiment of the present invention.

[0026] Figure 3 shows a schematic sectional view of a valve opener and / or a filter cartridge according to an exemplary third embodiment of the present invention.

[0027] Embodiments of the invention

[0028] In the various figures, identical parts are always provided with the same reference symbols and are therefore usually named or mentioned only once.

[0029] Figure 1 illustrates a schematic sectional view of a valve opener 4 and / or a filter cartridge 2 according to an exemplary first embodiment of the present invention.

[0030] The present example illustrates a filter device 1 comprising a filter jug ​​5 for serving filtered water. The filter jug ​​5 is provided with a spout, a handle, and a lid, for example.

[0031] An inlet funnel 3 is inserted into the filter jug ​​5. The inlet funnel 3 has an access opening 3.1 through which unfiltered water can be poured into the inlet funnel 3. In addition, the inlet funnel 3 has an outlet 3.8 in its base 3.3 at its lower end, through which the water flows from the inlet funnel 3 into the reservoir of the filter jug ​​5. Between the outlet 3.8 and the access opening 3.1, a receiving space 3.2 is provided, into which a filter cartridge 2 can be inserted. In the area of ​​the outlet 3.8, the inlet funnel 3 has a valve 3.4, which comprises a pipe section 3.6, which opens into the outlet 3.8, and a valve body 3.5. The valve body 3.5 is movable within the pipe section 3.6 between a closed position and an open position. In the closed position no water can enter the valve 3.4 from the inlet funnel 3 in the direction of the reservoir, while in the open position water can flow from the valve 3.4 in the direction of the reservoir. The closed position is in particular a position in which the valve body 3.5 rests on the outlet 3.8 due to its gravity and thus closes it. In the open position the valve body 3.5 is slightly raised relative to the outlet 3.8, whereby the outlet is opened. Figure 1 schematically illustrates the valve 3.4 in the closed position. The pipe section 3.6 protrudes from the base 3.3 of the inlet funnel 3 in the direction of the filter cartridge 2, counter to the assembly direction 100, and thereby accommodates the valve body 3.5.

[0032] In the present example, the filter cartridge 2 is inserted into the receiving space 3. The filter cartridge 2 is inserted by a user through the access opening 3.1 along an assembly direction 100 into the receiving space 3 of the inlet funnel 3. The assembly direction 100 extends essentially parallel to a longitudinal axis 102 of the filter cartridge 2.

[0033] The filter cartridge 2 has at least one inlet opening 2.3 on its upper side, which in the present case is designed purely by way of example in the form of several parallel inlet slots. On its underside, the filter cartridge has at least one outlet opening 2.4, which in the present case is designed purely by way of example in the form of several openings in the base 2.5 of the filter cartridge 2. Extending along the longitudinal axis 102 between the inlet openings 2.3 and the outlet openings 2.4 is a filter chamber 2.1 which is at least partially filled with a filter medium 2.2. The filter medium 2.2 comprises, in particular, granules for the chemical and / or mechanical removal or reduction of organic or inorganic contaminants in the water flowing through the filter cartridge 2 along a main flow direction 101 from the inlet openings 2.3 to the outlet openings 2.4.For special applications, it is preferable to enhance the granules so that additives such as minerals are added to the water flowing through them, which contribute to the well-being of the user who consumes the water.

[0034] The filter cartridge 2 is a wearing part, i.e., a filter cartridge 2 in use must be replaced by a user with a new filter cartridge 2 after a certain period of time or after a certain number of usage cycles. In this case, the used filter cartridge 2 is removed from the receiving space 3.2 opposite to the mounting direction 100, and a new filter cartridge 2 is inserted along the mounting direction 100.

[0035] When using the filter cartridge 2, two requirements in particular should be met: Firstly, when removing the previously used filter cartridge 2, as little (old) water as possible should flow out of the filter cartridge 2 so that the area surrounding the filter device 1 is not contaminated and operating comfort is not impaired. Secondly, to achieve a high filtering effect, the entire bed of filter medium should be flowed through as comprehensively and homogeneously as possible. Both objectives can be achieved with the filter cartridge 2 by ensuring that the base 2.5 of the filter cartridge 2 is flat or essentially flat. In the present example, the base 2.5 of the filter cartridge 2 extends perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 102.This has the advantage that - unlike the state of the art - no dead spaces are created by a complicated shape of the bottom area, which could then serve as a reservoir for old water or impair the homogeneous flow through the filter medium 2.2.

[0036] The flat design of the base 2.5 of the filter cartridge 2 is made possible by the fact that the base 2.5 ends along the longitudinal axis 102 above the valve 3.4 and its pipe section 3.6. This means that the valve 3.4 is always arranged between the base 2.5 of the filter cartridge 2 and the base 3.3 of the inlet funnel 3 in the main flow direction 101 or assembly direction 100. In a transverse plane 103 perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 102, neither the base 2.5 of the filter cartridge 2 and the base 3.3 of the inlet funnel 3, nor the base 2.5 of the filter cartridge 2 and the valve 3.4 overlap, not even partially. Only in this way can a completely flat base 2.5 be realized.

[0037] In order for the filter cartridge 2 to exert its filtering effect, the valve 3.4 must be moved from the closed position to the open position. For this purpose, the system has a valve opener 4, which is preferably placed on the pipe section 3.6 and surrounds it circumferentially. The valve opener 4 is arranged along the longitudinal axis 102 or along the main flow or assembly direction 101, 100 between the base 2.5 of the filter cartridge 2 and the base 3.3 of the inlet funnel 3. Here, too, the valve opener 4 overlaps neither the base 2.5 of the filter cartridge 2 nor the base 3.3 of the inlet funnel 3 in the transverse plane 103. The valve opener 4 is also arranged in the receiving space 3.2 and has a central receiving opening 4.1, through which the valve body 3.5 protrudes when the valve opener 4 is arranged in the receiving space 3.2. The diameter of the receiving opening 4.1 is dimensioned so tightly that the valve opener 4 is only slipped over the valve body 3.5 under the action of force, and the receiving opening 4.1 thereby expands, particularly elastically. This results in the edge of the receiving opening 4.1 subsequently forming a frictional connection with the surface of the valve body 3.5. The edge of the receiving opening 4.1 thus forms a valve lifter 4.2, since lifting the edge via the frictional connection with the valve body 3.5 leads to a lifting of the valve body 3.5. The valve 3.4 is thus moved into the open position.

[0038] In order to ensure that sufficient force can be exerted on the valve lifter 4.2 in the assembly direction 100 so that it slips over the valve body 3.5, the valve opener 4 has a filter contact surface 4.4 on its upper side, via which the valve opener 4 is in contact with the filter cartridge 2. When the filter cartridge 2 is pressed by a user into its seat in the receiving space 3.2, the valve opener 4 is also pressed towards the bottom 3.3 of the inlet funnel 3 via the filter contact surface 4.4, causing the valve body 3.5 to slide into the receiving opening 4.1.

[0039] On a side facing the bottom 3.3 of the inlet funnel 3, the valve opener 4 has a funnel contact surface 4.3. This funnel contact surface 4.3 is in direct or indirect contact with the bottom 3.3 and ensures that - as soon as the pressure towards the bottom 3.3 of the inlet funnel 3 is released by the user - a counterforce is exerted on the valve lifter 4.2 counter to the installation direction 100. For this purpose, the valve opener 4 has an elastically deformable return means 4.5. In the present example, the return means 4.5 comprises an elastomer which, under the pressure of the user, is initially elastically compressed in the installation direction 100 and - after the pressure is released by the user - then increases in volume again counter to the installation direction 100, in particular until it has (almost) reached its original volume again. During this return movement, the valve lifter 4.2 is already in frictional engagement with the valve body 3.5 and carries it along in the opposite direction to the mounting direction 100. The valve 3.4 is opened in this way. It is particularly important that the valve lifter 4.2 of the valve opener 4 is always arranged in the longitudinal direction 102 between the funnel contact surface 4.3 and the filter contact surface 4.4.

[0040] In an alternative variant, the restoring means 4.5 comprises a swelling element that swells upon contact with water, thereby increasing its volume. It is conceivable that this swelling element comes into contact with the water to be filtered and swells upon first use of the filter device 1 with the new valve opener 4. The swelling of the swelling element then generates the restoring force for moving the valve body 3.5 into the open position, with the swelling element being supported in particular on the bottom 3.3 of the inlet funnel 3 during the swelling process to generate the restoring force. The material of the swelling element comprises, for example, a so-called superabsorbent. Such a superabsorbent comprises, in particular, cross-linked polymers that can absorb up to a thousand times their own weight in water, converting it into a solid gel.The superabsorbent experiences an increase in volume due to the absorbed water, which causes the vertical movement of the valve body 3.5. This absorption effect is caused by a cross-linked and partially neutralized polyacrylic acid. Osmotic (negative) pressure builds up in the cross-linked polymer particle due to the sodium ions bound there. As a result, surrounding water is drawn into the interior. The water absorption continues until the elastic restoring forces of the expanded polymer network compensate for the osmotic forces. The degree of cross-linking essentially controls the capacity and rate of water absorption.

[0041] The valve opener 4 can either be firmly connected, i.e. in particular rigidly, to the filter cartridge 2 or be designed as a separate part from the filter cartridge 2. If the valve opener 4 and cartridge 2 are firmly connected to one another, then there is in particular an adhesive connection between the filter contact surface 4.4 and the base 2.5 of the filter cartridge 2 or, preferably, the housing of the filter cartridge 2 and the valve opener 4 are formed integrally with one another. The valve opener 4 is then advantageously automatically inserted into the receiving space 3.2 when a filter cartridge 2 is inserted into the receiving space 3.2 by the user. It is conceivable that during a subsequent cartridge change, the valve lifter is also replaced or remains in the inlet funnel and interacts again with the new filter cartridge in the manner described.

[0042] In the separate embodiment, the user must first insert the valve opener 4 along the assembly direction 100 into the receiving space 3.2, before subsequently inserting the filter cartridge 2 into the receiving space 3.2. Only by inserting the filter cartridge 2 is sufficient pressure exerted on the valve opener 4 such that the receiving opening 4.1 slides over the valve body 3.5 and the valve body 3.5 is thus frictionally received in the receiving opening 4.1. The valve opener 3.4 extends in the circumferential direction about the longitudinal axis 102 around the pipe section 3.6 of the valve 3.4 and, after insertion, has at least partial direct or indirect contact with the bottom 3.3 of the inlet funnel 3 with its funnel contact surface 4.3. This has the advantage that the valve opener 3.4, after insertion into the receiving space 3.2, can be pushed through the pipe section 3.6 is already held in its (correct) position by a form-fitting manner until the filter cartridge 2 is also inserted into the receiving space 3.2. In particular, the risk of the valve opener 3.4 slipping while no filter cartridge 2 is yet securing the valve opener 2 is eliminated. In this way, it is ensured that the pressure generated when the filter cartridge 2 is inserted does not lead to damage to the valve 3.4 or the valve opener 4, but only brings about the desired frictional connection between the valve lifter 4.2 and the valve body 3.6. This advantage is achieved in particular by the fact that in the valve opener 4 in question, the valve lifter 4.2 is always arranged between the funnel contact surface 4.3 and the filter contact surface 4.4 in the longitudinal direction 102 or assembly direction 100.

[0043] Figure 2 illustrates a schematic sectional view of a valve opener 4 and / or a filter cartridge 2 according to an exemplary second embodiment of the present invention. The second embodiment is essentially similar to the first embodiment explained with reference to Figure 1, so that all the above statements also apply to this example. However, there are two differences between the first and second embodiments:

[0044] The first difference is that the base 2.5 of the filter cartridge 2 according to the second embodiment is not flat, but has a funnel-shaped taper. The funnel-shaped taper extends in the assembly direction 100 toward the valve 3.4. It is thus formed in the center of the base 2.5 of the filter cartridge 2, with one or more outlet openings 2.4 of the filter cartridge 2 optionally also being formed in this center or at an outermost tip of the taper pointing toward the valve 3.4. This has the advantage that the residual emptying of the filter cartridge 2 upon its removal from the inlet funnel 3 is even more efficient. The flow through the filter medium 2.2 during use of the filter cartridge 2 is also even more homogeneous.

[0045] The second difference is that the return means 4.5 is not in the form of a compressible elastomer, but comprises a spiral spring that at least partially surrounds the pipe section 3.6. The spiral spring protrudes obliquely in the longitudinal direction 102 from the funnel contact surface 4.3 towards the bottom 3.3 of the inlet funnel 3. When pressure is exerted on the valve opener 4 via the filter cartridge 2, the spiral spring bends until it runs almost parallel to the transverse plane 103. When the pressure decreases, the spiral spring returns to its original shape and displaces the valve lifter 4.2 counter to the assembly direction 100, thereby opening the valve 3.4. As an alternative to the spiral spring, a spiral spring surrounding the pipe section 3.6 could also be arranged at this point.

[0046] Figure 3 illustrates a schematic sectional view of a valve opener 4 and / or a filter cartridge 2 according to an exemplary third embodiment of the present invention. The third embodiment is essentially similar to the first embodiment explained with reference to Figure 1, so that all of the above statements also apply to this example.

[0047] The third embodiment differs from the first embodiment only in that the return means 4.5 is not in the form of the elastomer but as a circumferential expansion edge on the valve opener 4.

[0048] The expansion edge is formed in the area of ​​the funnel contact surface 4.3 and circumferentially delimits a circular opening of the valve opener 4, which is arranged above the pipe section 3.6 of the valve 3.4 when the valve opener 4 is arranged in the receiving space 3.2, so that the pipe section 3.6 is received in the circular opening. The pipe section 3.6 protrudes from the bottom 3.3 of the inlet funnel 3 in the direction of the filter cartridge 2, counter to the assembly direction 100, and thereby accommodates the valve body 3.5. A curve 3.7 is formed in the transition area between the pipe section 3.6 and the bottom 3.3 of the inlet funnel 3. The curve 3.7 causes the maximum diameter of the pipe section 3.7 to increase in the assembly direction 100.

[0049] When the valve opener 4 is moved toward the bottom 3.3 of the inlet funnel 3 by the pressure of the filter cartridge 2, the expansion edge slides over the curve 3.7, elastically increasing the diameter of the expansion edge. As soon as the pressure decreases, the expansion edge contracts again, causing the valve opener to slide upwards in the opposite direction to the mounting direction 100, thereby moving the valve 3.4 into its open position. List of Reference Symbols

[0050] 1 filter device

[0051] 2 filter cartridges

[0052] 3 inlet funnels

[0053] 4 valve openers

[0054] 5 filter jug

[0055] 2 filter cartridges

[0056] 2.1 Filter chamber

[0057] 2.2 Filter medium

[0058] 2.3 Inlet opening

[0059] 2.4 Outlet opening

[0060] 2.5 Bottom of the filter cartridge

[0061] 2.6 Funnel-shaped taper

[0062] 3 inlet funnels

[0063] 3.1 Access opening

[0064] 3.2 Recording room

[0065] 3.3 Bottom of the inlet funnel

[0066] 3.4 Valve

[0067] 3.5 Valve body

[0068] 3.6 Pipe section of the valve

[0069] 3.7 Rounding of the pipe section

[0070] 4 valve openers

[0071] 4.1 Receiving opening

[0072] 4.2 Valve lifter

[0073] 4.3 Funnel contact surface

[0074] 4.4 Filter contact surface

[0075] 4.5 Restoring agents

[0076] 100 Mounting direction

[0077] 101 Main flow direction

[0078] 102 Longitudinal axis

[0079] 103 Transverse plane

Claims

PATENT CLAIMS 1. Valve opener (4) for opening a valve (3.4) of an inlet funnel (3) for a filter device (1), wherein the valve opener (4) can be inserted along a mounting direction (100) into a receiving space (3.2) of the inlet funnel (3), wherein the receiving space (3.2) is designed to receive a filter cartridge (2) and has a base (2.5) in which the valve (3.4) is arranged, which can be actuated between a closed position and an open position, wherein the valve opener (4) has a funnel contact surface (4.3) which is in contact with the inlet funnel (3) when the valve opener (4) is arranged in the receiving space (3.2), wherein the valve opener (4) has a filter contact surface (4.4) which is in contact with the filter cartridge (2) when the filter cartridge (2) is arranged in the receiving space (3.2), wherein the Valve opener (4) has a receiving opening (4.1) into which a valve body (3.5) of the valve (3.4) protrudes at least partially when the valve opener (4) is arranged in the receiving space (3.2), wherein an edge of the receiving opening (4.1) comprises a valve lifter (4.2) which enters into a frictional and / or positive connection with the valve body (3.5) when the valve body (3.5) protrudes into the receiving opening (4.1), and wherein the valve opener (4) has a restoring means (4.5) which exerts a restoring force on the valve lifter (4.2) to transfer the valve body (3.5) into the open position after the frictional and / or positive connection has been established, characterized in that the valve opener (4) is designed such that the valve lifter (4.2) is arranged along the mounting direction (100) between the filter contact surface (4.4) and the funnel contact surface (4.3).

2. Valve opener (4) according to claim 1, wherein the valve opener (4) is arranged in the assembly direction (100) between the filter cartridge (2) insertable into the inlet funnel (3) and the bottom (3.3) of the inlet funnel (3).

3. Valve opener (4) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the return means (4.5) is formed on or on the funnel contact surface (4.3) and in particular comprises an elastically deformable return means (4.5), preferably in the form of a spring element or an elastomer.

4. Valve opener (4) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the return means (4.5) comprises an expansion edge surrounding the valve (3.4) which rests on a curve (3.7) of a pipe section (3.6) of the valve (3.4) projecting from the bottom (3.3) of the inlet funnel (3) into the receiving space (3.2).

5. Valve opener (4) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the return means (4.5) comprises a swelling element which increases its volume upon contact with water.

6. Filter cartridge (2) for an inlet funnel (3) of a filter device (1), wherein the filter cartridge (2) has a filter chamber (2.1) in which a filter medium (2.2) for filtering a liquid is arranged, wherein the filter cartridge (2) has at least one inlet opening (2.3) through which the liquid to be filtered enters the filter chamber (2.1), and wherein the filter cartridge (2) has at least one outlet opening (2.4) in the region of its base (2.5) through which the filtered liquid leaves the filter cartridge (2), characterized in that the filter cartridge (2) has a valve opener (4) according to one of the preceding claims.

7. Filter cartridge (2) according to claim 6, wherein the valve opener (2) is fixedly connected to the filter cartridge (2).

8. Filter cartridge (2) according to one of claims 6 or 7, wherein the bottom (2.5) of the filter cartridge (2.1) is flat or has a funnel-shaped taper (2.6).

9. Filter cartridge (2) according to claim 8, wherein the filter cartridge (2) has a main flow direction (101) which extends substantially from the inlet opening (2.3) along a longitudinal axis (102) of the filter cartridge (2) to the outlet opening (2.4), wherein the funnel-shaped taper (2.6) is formed along the main flow direction (101) and / or is formed in a transverse plane (103) perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (102) in the center of the base (2.5) of the filter cartridge (2).

10. Filter cartridge (2) according to one of claims 6 to 9, wherein the valve opener (4) is arranged behind the base (2.5) of the filter cartridge (2) along the main flow direction (101) and the valve opener (4) and the base (2.5) of the filter cartridge (2) in particular do not overlap in a transverse plane (103) perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (102).

11. Filter device (1) comprising a filter jug ​​(5), an inlet funnel (3) and a filter cartridge (2) according to one of claims 9 to 10, wherein the inlet funnel (3) can be inserted into the filter jug ​​(5) and wherein the filter cartridge (2) and the valve opener (4) are insertable into the inlet funnel (3) in such a way that the valve opener (4) is arranged along the longitudinal direction between the bottom (2.5) of the filter cartridge (2) and the bottom (3.3) of the inlet funnel (3).

12. Filter device (1) according to claim 11, wherein the bottom (2.5) of the filter cartridge (2) and the valve (3.4) and / or the base (2.5) of the filter cartridge (2) and the valve opener (4) in particular do not overlap in a transverse plane (103) perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (102).

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