Patent ID: 6945289
Filing Date: 2005-09-20
Classification: B01D,B67D,C02F

Abstract:
1. An automatic, water dispensing, filter shutoff device including a replaceable and disposable filter, the shutoff device being in removable engagement and fluid communication with a water container and adapted to disable dispensing after a predetermined amount of dispensing, substantially corresponding with the filtration capacity of the filter, has occurred, comprising: a monitoring and disabling apparatus having a shutoff mechanism moveable between dispensing and disabling locations, the disabling location being one in which the shutoff apparatus is placed in an interfering position with the engagement between the device and the water container; wherein the shutoff mechanism automatically moves into the interfering position once the predetermined amount of dispensing has occurred, and without interrupting dispensing from an engaged water container; and wherein the device is capable of distinguishing between water containers having different volumetric capacities, and of moving the shutoff mechanism to the disabling location once the filtration capacity has been met, despite engagement of the device to differently-sized water containers; whereby the used filter must first be removed and replaced with a new filter prior to reestablishing engagement and fluid communication between the shutoff device and a new water container.