Faucet with microbial filter
AssigneeCulligan International Company
InventorWilliam W. Norton
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A faucet-mounted filter in which a housing is positioned in flow transmitting relation with the water flow line. A microporous, filter is positioned to sealingly occlude water flow through the housing so that all water flow through the housing must pas through porous walls of the filter. The pores of the filter walls are no larger than 0.22 micron, as measured by the particles that the pores pass. Thus the filter is capable of microbial filtering.
Claims24
A faucet-mounted filter for water passing therethrough, in combination with a faucet defining a water flow line, which comprises:
- a housing positioned in said faucet in flow transmitting relation with said water flow line;
- microporous filter means positioned in said housing to sealingly occlude water flow through said housing, said filter means defining an inner and an outer end, the outer end of said filter means being at the outermost end of the water flow line in said faucet, whereby all water flow through said faucet must pass through porous walls of the filter means, the pores of said walls being no larger than 0.22 micron, whereby said filter is capable of microbial filtering.
A faucet-mounted filter for water passing therethrough, in combination with a faucet defining a first water flow line and first flow valve means for controlling flow through said first water flow line, which comprises a housing positioned in said faucet in flow transmitting relation with said first water flow line;
- microporous filter means positioned in said housing to sealingly occlude water flow through said housing, whereby water flow through said first water flow line passing through said housing must pass through porous walls of the filter means, the pores of said walls being no larger than 0.22 micron, whereby said filter is capable of microbial filtering, said housing being integrally positioned in said first water flow line.
In a faucet-mounted filter for water passing therethrough, with a faucet defining a water flow line, the improvement comprising, in combination:
- a housing positioned in said faucet in flow transmitting relation with said water flow line;
- microporous filter means positioned in said housing to sealingly occlude water flow through said housing, whereby all water flow through said housing must pass through porous walls of the filter means, the pores of said walls being no larger than 0.22 micron, whereby said filter is capable of microbial filtering, said housing communicating with external port means for draining said housing when water is not flowing therethrough, to reduce long-term standing water contact with said filter.
In a faucet-mounted filter for water passing therethrough, with a faucet defining a water flow line controlled by a valve, the improvement comprising, in combination:
- a housing positioned in said faucet downstream from said valve in flow transmitting relation with said water flow line;
- microporous filter means positioned to sealingly occlude water flow through said housing, whereby all water flow through the housing must pass through porous walls of the filter means, the pores of said walls being sized no larger that 0.22 micron, whereby microorganisms are removed from water passing through said pores.
A faucet-mounted filter for water passing therethrough, in combination with a faucet defining a first water flow line and first flow valve means for controlling flow through said first water flow line, which comprises a housing positioned in said faucet in flow transmitting relation with said first water flow line;
- microporous filter means positioned in said housing to sealingly occlude water flow through said housing, whereby water flow through said first water flow line passing through said housing must pass through porous walls of the filter means, the pores of said wall being no larger than 0.22 micron, whereby said filter is capable of microbial filtering, said housing being integrally positioned in said first water flow line, at least portions of the inner wall of said housing carrying a coating of hydrophobic material to facilitate complete drainage of the housing between uses of the faucet.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.