Counter top water filtration system

An apparatus for reducing the breakout force required to remove an installed filter media cartridge, the apparatus comprising:

• a sealing end cap with O-Ring seals;
• a handle;
• and
• a swiveling joint, separate from but operatively connected to the handle, for removing the filtration media cartridge such that the O-Ring seals are disengaged without rotation and wherein the two force components required to remove the filtration media cartridge are effectively reduced to a translation force component.

A method for disengaging an installed filter media cartridge from a filtration system comprising the acts of:

• providing an apparatus for reducing the breakout force required to remove an installed filter media cartridge, the apparatus comprising:
• a sealing end cap with 0-Ring seals;
• a handle;
• and
• a swiveling joint, separate from but operatively connected to the handle, for removing the filtration media cartridge such that the O-Ring seals are disengaged without rotation and wherein the two force components required to remove the filtration media cartridge are effectively reduced to a translation force component;
• providing filter media cartridge removal ramps having a cam profile which is initially very shallow;
• rotating the handle with respect to the end cap such that the handle engages the filter media cartridge removal ramps while the end cap remains in place in the operating position;
• and
• continuing to rotate the handle such that the end cap starts to translate due to the removal ramps such that the end cap follows the handle in the translation.

A method for installing an installed filter media cartridge into a filtration system comprising the acts of:

• providing an apparatus for reducing the breakout force required to remove an installed filter media cartridge, the apparatus comprising:
• a sealing end cap with O-Ring seals;
• a handle;
• and
• a swiveling joint, separate from but operatively connected to the handle, for removing the filtration media cartridge such that the O-Ring seals are disengaged without rotation and wherein the two force components required to remove the filtration media cartridge are effectively reduced to a translation force component;
• providing filter media cartridge removal ramps having a cam profile which is initially very shallow;
• inserting the filter media cartridge into the operating position in the system;
• and
• rotating the handle with respect to the end cap, which does not rotate during installation, such that the handle engages the filter media cartridge removal ramps thereby reducing the effort required to accomplish installation.

A pressure vessel for use in a liquid filtration system comprising:

• a first pressure element, the first pressure element comprising:
• a first hollow area for encasing a first filter media cartridge and a second hollow area interior of the first hollow area for removably receiving a second filter media cartridge;
• and
• an second pressure element having an open end and including structure for operatively removably positioning the second filter media cartridge interior of the first filter media cartridge, the first and the second pressure elements being operatively connected.