Water filter cartridge end-of-life mechanism
AssigneeRecovery Engineering, Inc.
InventorsJohn D. Tanner, David J. Emmons
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A filter cartridge end-of-life mechanism and a filter cartridge assembly for a water treatment device. The end-of-life mechanism comprises a float which is moved along an escapement path each time the device is filled. A counting mechanism connected to the float provides a continuous visual indication of the amount of useful life remaining in the filter cartridge. The cartridge assembly includes a tray detachably connected to a filter cartridge. The tray is positioned beneath the outlet end of the cartridge to remove water treatment particles from the treated water.
Claims25
A filter cartridge end-of-life mechanism for a gravity-fed water treatment device, comprising:
- a float which rises in a first direction to an upper stop when the water treatment device is filled, and falls back in an opposite direction to a lower stop after the water has been treated;
- and
- a mechanism for automatically counting the number of times the water treatment device has been filled, including structure defining an escapement path, a member advancing along said path each time said float rises and falls.
A filter cartridge end-of-life mechanism for a gravity-fed water treatment device, comprising:
- means for automatically counting the number of times the water treatment device has been filled, including a member moved by the water;
- and
- means, mechanically cooperating with said fill-counting means, for continuously visually indicating the amount of useful life remaining in the filter cartridge.
A filter cartridge end-of-life mechanism for a gravity-fed water treatment device, comprising:
- (a) a float guided by a structural configuration to rise along a generally vertical axis when the water treatment device is filled, and fall along said axis after the water has been treated;
- and
- (b) a fill-counting mechanism comprising structure defining a generally circular and generally horizontal path along which said float rotates about said axis each time said float rises and falls, said axis of said float being generally perpendicular to said path.
A filter cartridge end-of-life mechanism for a gravity-fed water treatment device, comprising:
- a float which rises when the water treatment device is filled, and falls after the water has been treated;
- and
- means for counting the number of times the water treatment device has been filled, including an escapement mechanism wherein said float is advanced along an escapement path each time said float rises and falls;
- said float including at least one protrusion extending therefrom to engage said escapement path.
A filter cartridge end-of-life mechanism for a gravity-fed water treatment device, comprising:
- (a) a mechanism for automatically counting the number of times the water treatment device has been filled, including a float and including structure defining a path, a member advancing along said path each time said float rises and falls;
- and
- (b) a visual indicator constructed and arranged, in connected cooperation with said counting mechanism, to provide a continuous visual indication of the amount of useful life remaining in the filter cartridge.
A filter cartridge end-of-life mechanism according to claim 23, wherein said float is said member.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.