Patent ID: 6303023
Filing Date: 2001-10-16
Classification: B01D,C02F

Abstract:
A filter use limitation device for monitoring use of said device based on the number of times it is rotatably connected to one or more containers adapted to be inverted during filter use and wherein each said container is provided with a normally open connecting end, said device comprising:a cap engageable with said connecting end of each said container;a pawl;a filter cartridge associated with said cap having a filter in a hollow portion of said cartridge; anda disk interposed between said cartridge and an end wall of said cap including an indicator aligned with a slot in said cap, said pawl disposed between said cartridge and said disk, and an arcuate row of ratchet teeth engageable by said pawl in succession to rotate said disk with respect to said cap a distance corresponding to the distance between each pair of adjacent of said teeth in response to advancement of said pawl each time that said cap is rotated onto said connecting end of said container, and limit stop 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 thereafter is free to advance into closed relation to said cap thereby interrupting the flow of liquid therethrough, and said limit stop means being interposed between said disk and said cap to maintain said disk in normally adjacent but spaced relation to said connecting end, said disk being rotatable to a position to advance said indicator through said slot and prevent further rotation of said disk by said pawl.