Patent ID: 6033557
Filing Date: 2000-03-07
Classification: B01D,C02F

Abstract:
A filter use limitation device for monitoring use of said device based on the number of times it is threaded onto one or more containers adapted to be inverted during filter use and wherein each container is provided with a normally open threaded end, said device comprising:a cap engageable with said threaded end of each said container;a filter cartridge associated with said cap having a filter in a hollow portion of said cartridge and a pawl at one end thereof; anda disk interposed between said cartridge and an end wall of said cap including an indicator aligned with a slot in said cap, and at least one row of ratchet teeth engageable by said pawl in succession to rotate said disk with respect to said cap a distance proportional to the distance between each pair of adjacent of said ratchet teeth each time that said cap is rotated onto said threaded end of each said container, and limit means between said disk and cap wherein liquid is normally free to flow from said liquid container through said filter cartridge, disk and cap until said disk has been rotated a selected number of times by said pawl and said disk is then movable into closed relation to said cap thereby interrupting the flow of liquid therethrough.