Patent ID: 6405875
Filing Date: 2002-06-18
Classification: C02F

Abstract:
A gravity-flow cyst-reducing water filtration device, comprising, in combination:a removable high surface area cyst-reducing filtration member that provides at least 99.95% removal of 3-4 &mgr;m particles when tested in accordance with NSF standard 53, Drinking Water Treatment Unitsâ€”Health Effects (September 1997), said cyst-reducing filtration member being connected to a bottom rim of a filtration cartridge sleeve of a water filter carafe, said cartridge sleeve being integral with a bottom surface of an untreated water reservoir of said water filter carafe, wherein said cartridge sleeve further comprises an air vent hole located proximate to a top rim of said sleeve, and wherein said sleeve further contains a filtration cartridge that is filled with an ion-exchange resin and carbon granules, said filtration cartridge further having at least one untreated water inlet port located in a cap that is attached to said filtration cartridge at a top end, and at least one treated water outlet port located at a bottom end of said filtration cartridge, wherein said untreated water inlet port of said filtration cartridge is in fluid communication with said untreated water reservoir of said water filter carafe, and wherein said cyst-reducing filtration member is in fluid communication with said treated water outlet port of said filtration cartridge; a membrane attached to said air vent hole, said membrane having at least one hydrophobic side, said hydrophobic side facing the inside of said cartridge sleeve upon attachment; and sealing means for forming a water-tight seal between said cyst-reducing filtration member and said cartridge sleeve of said carafe, said sealing means comprising means selected from the group of: (i) a gasket permanently attached to an outside periphery of said cyst-reducing filtration member; (ii) an annular member having an upper surface and a lower surface permanently connected to an outside periphery of said cyst-reducing filtration member, said annular member having a gasket abutting thereagainst; (iii) an annular rim attached proximate to a topmost surface of said cyst-reducing filtration member, said annular rim having an upright edge extending above said surface and receiving a bottom rim of said cartridge sleeve; and (iv) an annular member permanently connected to an outside periphery of said cyst-reducing filtration member, said annular member incorporating an integral groove having a gasket securely placed therewithin.