# US 9,517,958 B2 · System for water filtration

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- Number: US 9,517,958 B2
- Document ID: US9517958B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 14/168,342
- Filed: 2014-01-30
- Published: 2015-07-30
- Granted: 2016-12-13
- Earliest claimed: 2014-01-30
- Assignees: Response Products Limited
- Applicants: Response Products Limited
- Inventors: Peter G. Spiegel; Michael A. Pedersen
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9517958B2

## CPC

- C02F 9/20: Portable or detachable small-scale multistage treatment devices, e.g. point of use or laboratory water purification systems
- B01D 61/025: {Reverse osmosis; Hyperfiltration}
- C02F 1/283: {using coal, charred products, or inorganic mixtures containing them}
- C02F 1/441: {by reverse osmosis}
- B01D 2311/2626: Absorption or adsorption
- B01D 2311/2642: Aggregation, sedimentation, flocculation, precipitation or coagulation
- B01D 2313/50: Specific extra tanks
- C02F 1/003: {using household-type filters for producing potable water, e.g. pitchers, bottles, faucet mounted devices (C02F9/20 takes precedence)}
- C02F 1/442: {by nanofiltration}
- C02F 2209/005: Processes using a programmable logic controller [PLC]
- C02F 2209/42: Liquid level
- C02F 2301/046: Recirculation with an external loop
- C02F 2307/10: as part of a potable water dispenser, e.g. for use in homes or offices
- C02F: TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE (separation in general B01D; special arrangements on waterborne vessels of installations for treating water, waste water or sewage, e.g. for producing fresh water, B63J; adding materials to water to prevent corrosion C23F; treating radioactively-contaminated liquids G21F9/04; regeneration of reactants for recirculation into processes, see the relevant places for the processes)
- B01D: SEPARATION (separating solids from solids by wet methods B03B, B03D; by pneumatic jigs or tables B03B; by other dry methods B07; magnetic or electrostatic separation of solid materials from solid materials or fluids, separation by high-voltage electric fields B03C; centrifuges, vortex apparatus B04; presses per se for squeezing-out liquid from liquid-containing material B30B9/02; treatment of water C02F, e.g. softening by ion-exchange C02F1/42; {arrangements of air intake cleaners in gas turbine plants F02C7/05} ; arrangements or mounting of filters in air-conditioning, air-humidification or ventilation F24F13/28)

## Abstract

The water filtration system may include a support base. A first receptacle may be detachably disposed on the support base and configured to store source water. A second receptacle may be detachably disposed on the support base and configured to store supply water. A filter system may be disposed between the first receptacle and the second receptacle.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A point-of-use countertop water filtration system, comprising:
a support base;
a first receptacle detachably disposed on the support base and configured to store source water, the first receptacle comprising an outlet port and an inlet port, wherein the first receptacle comprises a fill opening configured to receive the source water, wherein the first receptacle comprises an openable lid configured to open and close access to the fill opening;
a second receptacle detachably disposed on the support base and configured to store supply water, the second receptacle comprising an inlet port, wherein the second receptacle comprises a dispense opening configured to deliver the supply water to a user, wherein the second receptacle comprises a dispense actuator configured to open and close access to the dispense opening;
a handle in rotatable communication with the first receptacle, wherein the handle is attached to an inner portion of the first receptacle such that the handle is stored within the first receptacle when the openable lid is closed, wherein the handle comprises a protrusion extending through a hole in the first receptacle, wherein a fastener is disposed into the protrusion, wherein the handle comprises a stop configured to engage a notch in the first receptacle to limit the rotation of the handle;
a cap disposed over the fastener; and
a filter system disposed between the first receptacle and the second receptacle, the filter system comprising
an inlet port, a first outlet port, and a second outlet port,
a first filter comprising a sediment filter or a combination of a sediment filter and a carbon filter,
a second filter comprising a reverse osmosis membrane, and
a third filter comprising a carbon filter,
wherein the first filter is configured and disposed to receive water from the inlet port of the filter system and to filter and deliver first filtered water to the second filter,
wherein the second filter is configured and disposed to receive the first filtered water from the first filter, to deliver a first portion of the first filtered water to the first outlet port of the filter system, the first portion of the first filtered water being waste water that is delivered back to the first receptacle, and to filter and deliver a second portion of the first filtered water, the second portion of the first filtered water being second filtered water,
wherein the third filter is disposed between the second filter and the second receptacle and is configured to receive the second filtered water from the second filter and to filter and deliver third filtered water to the second outlet port of the filter system;
wherein, when the first and second receptacles are attached to the support base, the outlet port of the first receptacle is disposed in fluid communication with the inlet port of the filter system, the first outlet port of the filter system is disposed in fluid communication with the inlet port of the first receptacle, and the second outlet port of the filter system is disposed in fluid communication with the inlet port of the second receptacle.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The water filtration system of claim 1, wherein:
100% of the water that enters the first filter passes to the second filter;
less than 100% of the water that enters the second filter passes to the third filter; and
100% of the water that enters the third filter passes to the second receptacle.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The water filtration system of claim 1, wherein:
about 1% to about 30% of the water that enters the second filter passes to the third filter, the remaining water constituting the waste water that is delivered back to the first receptacle.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The water filtration system of claim 1, further comprising:
a flow restrictor disposed between and in fluid communication with the first outlet port of the filter system and the inlet port of the first receptacle, the flow restrictor being set to create a back pressure on the second filter that enables the second portion of the first filtered water to pass through the second filter to produce the second filtered water.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

The water filtration system of claim 4, further comprising:
a return check valve disposed between and in fluid communication with the flow restrictor and the inlet port of the first receptacle, the return check valve being configured to prevent water flow from the first receptacle to the reverse osmosis membrane.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The water filtration system of claim 1, further comprising:
a forward check valve disposed between and in fluid communication with the second outlet port of the filter system and the inlet port of the second receptacle, the forward check valve being configured to prevent water flow from the second receptacle to the filter system.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The water filtration system of claim 1, further comprising:
a pump disposed between and in fluid communication with the outlet port of the first receptacle and the inlet port of the filter system.

### Claim 8 (depends on 7)

The water filtration system of claim 7, wherein the pump is automatically primed by the fluid flow from the outlet port of the first receptacle to the pump being configured to be gravity fed.

### Claim 9 (depends on 7)

The water filtration system of claim 7, wherein the pump is the sole source for generating hydraulic pressure that facilitates fluid flow from the first receptacle through the filter system to the second receptacle, and that facilitates fluid flow from the first receptacle through only a portion of the filter system back to the first receptacle via a flow restrictor.

### Claim 10

A point-of-use countertop water filtration system, comprising:
a support base;
a first receptacle detachably disposed on the support base and configured to store source water, the first receptacle comprising an outlet port and an inlet port, wherein the first receptacle comprises a fill opening configured to receive the source water, wherein the first receptacle comprises an openable lid configured to open and close access to the fill opening;
a second receptacle detachably disposed on the support base and configured to store supply water, the second receptacle comprising an inlet port, wherein the second receptacle comprises a dispense opening configured to deliver the supply water to a user, wherein the second receptacle comprises a dispense actuator configured to open and close access to the dispense opening;
a handle in rotatable communication with the first receptacle, wherein the handle is attached to an inner portion of the first receptacle such that the handle is stored within the first receptacle when the openable lid is closed, wherein the handle comprises a protrusion extending through a hole in the first receptacle, wherein a fastener is disposed into the protrusion, wherein the handle comprises a stop configured to engage a notch in the first receptacle to limit the rotation of the handle;
a cap disposed over the fastener;
a filter system disposed between the first receptacle and the second receptacle, the filter system comprising
an inlet port, a first outlet port, and a second outlet port,
a first filter comprising a sediment filter or a combination of a sediment filter and a carbon filter,
a second filter comprising a reverse osmosis membrane, and
a third filter comprising a carbon filter,
wherein the first filter is configured and disposed to receive water from the inlet port of the filter system and to filter and deliver first filtered water to the second filter,
wherein the second filter is configured and disposed to receive the first filtered water from the first filter, to deliver a first portion of the first filtered water to the first outlet port of the filter system, the first portion of the first filtered water being waste water that is delivered back to the first receptacle, and to filter and deliver a second portion of the first filtered water, the second portion of the first filtered water being second filtered water,
wherein the third filter is disposed between the second filter and the second receptacle and is configured to receive the second filtered water from the second filter and to filter and deliver third filtered water to the second outlet port of the filter system; and
a flow restrictor disposed between and in fluid communication with the first outlet port of the filter system and the inlet port of the first receptacle.

### Claim 11

A point-of-use countertop water filtration method, comprising:
providing a support base;
providing a first receptacle detachably disposed on the support base and configured to store source water, the first receptacle comprising an outlet port and an inlet port, wherein the first receptacle comprises a fill opening configured to receive the source water, wherein the first receptacle comprises an openable lid configured to open and close access to the fill opening;
providing a second receptacle detachably disposed on the support base and configured to store supply water, the second receptacle comprising an inlet port, wherein the second receptacle comprises a dispense opening configured to deliver the supply water to a user, wherein the second receptacle comprises a dispense actuator configured to open and close access to the dispense opening;
providing a handle in rotatable communication with the first receptacle, wherein the handle is attached to an inner portion of the first receptacle such that the handle is stored within the first receptacle when the openable lid is closed, wherein the handle comprises a protrusion extending through a hole in the first receptacle, wherein a fastener is disposed into the protrusion, wherein the handle comprises a stop configured to engage a notch in the first receptacle to limit the rotation of the handle;
providing a cap disposed over the fastener; and
providing a filter system disposed between the first receptacle and the second receptacle, the filter system comprising
an inlet port, a first outlet port, and a second outlet port,
a first filter comprising a sediment filter or a combination of a sediment filter and a carbon filter,
a second filter comprising a reverse osmosis membrane, and
a third filter comprising a carbon filter,
wherein the first filter is configured and disposed to receive water from the inlet port of the filter system and to filter and deliver first filtered water to the second filter,
wherein the second filter is configured and disposed to receive the first filtered water from the first filter, to deliver a first portion of the first filtered water to the first outlet port of the filter system, the first portion of the first filtered water being waste water that is delivered back to the first receptacle, and to filter and deliver a second portion of the first filtered water, the second portion of the first filtered water being second filtered water,
wherein the third filter is disposed between the second filter and the second receptacle and is configured to receive the second filtered water from the second filter and to filter and deliver third filtered water to the second outlet port of the filter system;
wherein, when the first and second receptacles are attached to the support base, the outlet port of the first receptacle is disposed in fluid communication with the inlet port of the filter system, the first outlet port of the filter system is disposed in fluid communication with the inlet port of the first receptacle, and the second outlet port of the filter system is disposed in fluid communication with the inlet port of the second receptacle.

### Claim 12

A point-of-use countertop water filtration system, comprising:
a support base;
a first receptacle disposed on the support base and configured to store source water, the first receptacle comprising an outlet port and an inlet port, wherein the first receptacle comprises a fill opening configured to receive the source water, wherein the first receptacle comprises an openable lid configured to open and close access to the fill opening;
a second receptacle disposed on the support base and configured to store supply water, the second receptacle comprising an inlet port, wherein the second receptacle comprises a dispense opening configured to deliver the supply water to a user, wherein the second receptacle comprises a dispense actuator configured to open and close access to the dispense opening;
a handle in rotatable communication with the first receptacle, wherein the handle is attached to an inner portion of the first receptacle such that the handle is stored within the first receptacle when the openable lid is closed, wherein the handle comprises a protrusion extending through a hole in the first receptacle, wherein a fastener is disposed into the protrusion, wherein the handle comprises a stop configured to engage a notch in the first receptacle to limit the rotation of the handle;
a cap disposed over the fastener; and
a filter system disposed between the first receptacle and the second receptacle, the filter system comprising
an inlet port, a first outlet port, and a second outlet port,
a sediment and/or carbon filter,
an RO filter, and
a carbon filter,
wherein the sediment and/or carbon filter is configured and disposed to receive water from the inlet port of the filter system and to filter and deliver first filtered water to the RO filter,
wherein the RO filter is configured and disposed to receive the first filtered water from the sediment and/or carbon filter, to deliver a first portion of the first filtered water to the first outlet port of the filter system, the first portion of the first filtered water being waste water that is delivered back to the first receptacle, and to filter and deliver a second portion of the first filtered water, the second portion of the first filtered water being second filtered water,
wherein the carbon filter is disposed between the RO filter and the second receptacle and is configured to receive the second filtered water from the RO filter and to filter and deliver third filtered water to the second outlet port of the filter system;
wherein the outlet port of the first receptacle is disposed in fluid communication with the inlet port of the filter system, the first outlet port of the filter system is disposed in fluid communication with the inlet port of the first receptacle, and the second outlet port of the filter system is disposed in fluid communication with the inlet port of the second receptacle.

### Claim 13

A point-of-use countertop water filtration system, comprising:
a support base;
a first receptacle disposed on the support base and configured to store source water, the first receptacle comprising an outlet port and an inlet port, wherein the first receptacle comprises a fill opening configured to receive the source water, wherein the first receptacle comprises an openable lid configured to open and close access to the fill opening;
a second receptacle disposed on the support base and configured to store supply water, the second receptacle comprising an inlet port, wherein the second receptacle comprises a dispense opening configured to deliver the supply water to a user, wherein the second receptacle comprises a dispense actuator configured to open and close access to the dispense opening;
a handle in rotatable communication with the first receptacle, wherein the handle is attached to an inner portion of the first receptacle such that the handle is stored within the first receptacle when the openable lid is closed, wherein the handle comprises a protrusion extending through a hole in the first receptacle, wherein a fastener is disposed into the protrusion, wherein the handle comprises a stop configured to engage a notch in the first receptacle to limit the rotation of the handle;
a cap disposed over the fastener; and
a filter system disposed between the first receptacle and the second receptacle, the filter system comprising
a filter base having an inlet port, a first outlet port, and a second outlet port, and
one or more filters attached to a top portion of the filter base;
wherein the outlet port of the first receptacle is disposed in fluid communication with the inlet port of the filter system, wherein the first outlet port of the filter system is disposed in fluid communication with the inlet port of the first receptacle, and wherein the second outlet port of the filter system is disposed in fluid communication with the inlet port of the second receptacle.