# US 9,872,584 B2 · Media cartridge with linear, adjustable bypass

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- Number: US 9,872,584 B2
- Document ID: US9872584B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 14/913,812
- Filed: 2014-09-11
- Published: 2016-12-08
- Granted: 2018-01-23
- Earliest claimed: 2014-09-11
- Assignees: 3M Innovative Properties Company
- Applicants: 3M Innovative Properties Company
- Inventors: Justin M. Mazzoni; Laurence W. Bassett; Hemang R. Patel
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9872584B2

## CPC

- A47J 31/605: {Water filters}
- B01D 15/362: {Cation-exchange}
- B01D 35/147: Bypass or safety valves
- B01J 39/07: in the weakly acidic form
- C02F 1/42: by ion-exchange (ion-exchange in general B01J)
- B01D 2201/302: having inlet or outlet ports
- C02F 1/001: {Processes for the treatment of water whereby the filtration technique is of importance (C02F1/44 takes precedence; construction of filters in general B01D24/00 - B01D41/00)}
- C02F 1/283: {using coal, charred products, or inorganic mixtures containing them}
- C02F 2001/425: {using cation exchangers}
- C02F 2103/02: Non-contaminated water, e.g. for industrial water supply
- C02F 2201/006: Cartridges
- C02F 2209/40: Liquid flow rate
- C02F 2301/043: Treatment of partial or bypass streams
- C02F 2307/10: as part of a potable water dispenser, e.g. for use in homes or offices
- C02F 2307/12: as part of household appliances such as dishwashers, laundry washing machines or vacuum cleaners
- A47J: KITCHEN EQUIPMENT; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; APPARATUS FOR MAKING BEVERAGES
- 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)
- B01J: CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROCESSES, e.g. CATALYSIS OR COLLOID CHEMISTRY; THEIR RELEVANT APPARATUS
- 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)

## Abstract

Provided are media cartridges that have adjustable bypasses using linear movement, and systems and methods that use them. Aspects include an adjustable bypass filter cartridge where a treated stream and an adjusted non-treated stream combine prior to post-filtration and the percentage or ratio of treated the and the non-treated water is adjustable at the time of installation from the outside of the filter cartridge with a known or predictable level of bypass. Media cartridges comprise: an inlet in fluid communication with a feed chamber and an outlet in fluid communication with a mixing compartment; a media compartment containing a media; a bypass port in fluid communication with the feed chamber and the mixing compartment; and a bypass regulator that is adjustable by linear movement. Such cartridges maybe adjusted to meet the needs of a wide variety of end uses.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A media cartridge comprising:
An inlet in fluid communication with a feed chamber and an outlet in fluid communication with a mixing compartment;
A media compartment containing a media;
A bypass port in fluid communication with the feed chamber and the mixing compartment; and
A bypass regulator that is adjustable by linear movement, said bypass regulator comprising a valve;
Wherein the mixing compartment comprises an insert therein that is in fluid communication with the media compartment and the bypass port, the insert comprising the bypass regulator, the bypass port, a filter element in a filter element cover, a first end cap of the filter element affixed thereto, an end cap sleeve, and an elastic device;
Wherein a first fluid path is defined by the feed chamber and the media compartment such that fluid flowing through the first fluid path contacts the media to form a treated fluid that enters the mixing compartment; and a second fluid path is defined by the feed chamber and the bypass port such that fluid flowing through the second fluid path does not contact the media and is untreated upon entry into the mixing compartment.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The media cartridge of claim 1, wherein the bypass regulator is adjustable by either translation or rotation of a drive.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The media cartridge of claim 1, wherein the valve in conjunction with the elastic device moves linearly upon application of force to the valve by a drive.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The media cartridge of claim 1, wherein the valve comprises the bypass port, and in a closed position, a portion of the first end cap blocks the bypass port; and in an open position, the bypass port is unblocked.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The media cartridge of claim 1, wherein the end cap sleeve comprises the bypass port, and in a closed position, a portion of the valve or the first end cap blocks the bypass port; and in an open position, the bypass port is unblocked.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The media cartridge of claim 1, wherein the elastic device is a spring.

### Claim 7 (depends on 6)

The media cartridge of claim 6, wherein the spring is assembled with the first end cap.

### Claim 8 (depends on 6)

The media cartridge of claim 6, wherein the spring is assembled with the end cap sleeve.

### Claim 9 (depends on 6)

The media cartridge of claim 6, wherein the spring is assembled with a second end cap of the filter element.

### Claim 10 (depends on 1)

The media cartridge of claim 1 further comprising a conduit connected to the mixing compartment such that treated fluid passes through the conduit before entering the mixing compartment.

### Claim 11

An ion exchange resin cartridge comprising:
An inlet in fluid communication with a feed chamber and an outlet in fluid communication with a mixing compartment;
A media compartment containing one or more ion-exchange resins;
A bypass port in fluid communication with the feed chamber and the mixing compartment; and
A bypass regulator that is adjustable by linear movement, said bypass regulator comprising a valve;
Wherein the mixing compartment comprises an insert therein that is in fluid communication with the media compartment and the bypass port, the insert comprising the bypass regulator, the bypass port, a filter element in a filter element cover, a first end cap of the filter element affixed thereto, an end cap sleeve, and an elastic device;
Wherein a first fluid path is defined by the feed chamber and the media compartment such that fluid flowing through the first fluid path contacts the one or more ion-exchange resins to form a treated fluid that enters the mixing compartment; and a second fluid path is defined by the feed chamber and the bypass port such that fluid flowing through the second fluid path does not contact the one or more ion-exchange resins and is untreated upon entry into the mixing compartment.

### Claim 12 (depends on 11)

A beverage preparation system comprising:
the ion exchange cartridge of claim 11 wherein the ion-exchange resin comprises a weak acid cation (WAC) exchange resin; and
wherein the system is effective to provide water having a desired hardness.

### Claim 13 (depends on 1)

A method of fluid treatment comprising:
Providing the media cartridge of claim 1;
Passing a fluid through the inlet of the media cartridge and into the feed chamber;
Flowing a first portion of the fluid from the feed chamber through the media compartment containing a media to form a treated fluid and flowing the treated fluid into the mixing compartment;
Flowing a second portion of the fluid that does not contact the media and is an untreated fluid through the bypass port into the mixing compartment;
Combining the treated fluid and the untreated fluid in the mixing compartment;
Flowing contents of the mixing chamber through the outlet; and
Regulating flow through the bypass port by using the bypass regulator that is adjustable by linear movement.

### Claim 14 (depends on 13)

The method of claim 13, further comprising filtering the contents of the mixing chamber through the filter element located in the mixing chamber.

### Claim 15 (depends on 1)

A water treatment system comprising:
the media cartridge of claim 1; and
a head assembly operatively associated with the media cartridge, the head assembly comprising an unprocessed fluid port, a processed fluid port, a drive, and an adjuster, wherein the drive imparts linear force onto the bypass regulator upon movement of the adjuster.

### Claim 16 (depends on 15)

The water treatment system of claim 15, wherein the head assembly further comprises a vent.