Abstract:
A method of connecting filter cartridge  30  with filter cover  10  by using an intermediary element  20 , wherein the intermediary element  20  includes a filter element retainer  25 , an internal outlet connection  26  and a support  23 . A first fastener A  22  is mounted at edge of the support  23 , and a second fastener B  32  is fixed on an internal wall at the top of the filter cartridge  30 . By means of fastening fastener A  22  to fastener B  32 , the middleware  20  is firmly combined with the filter cartridge  30 . A water outlet passage  16  disposed in the filter cover  10  is matched to the internal outlet connection  26 . By connecting screw A  28  on the internal outlet connection  26  with screw B  18  on the water outlet passage  16 , the intermediary element  20  is firmly fixed to the filter cover  10.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE PRESENT INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of Invention 
         [0002]    The present invention relates to a filter device and water purifier, and more particularly to a connection structure between a filter cover and a filter cartridge of a filter or water purifier, especially by means of an intermediary element that connects the filter cover with the filter cartridge while filtering fluid, and the method thereof. 
         [0003]    2. Description of Related Arts 
         [0004]    An existing filter device, such as a water purifying device, generally comprises the cover and the cartridge directly connected with each other by providing threads on the connecting portions of the cover and the cartridge respectively and then tightly screwing the cover with the cartridge. For example, first and second threaded portions are pre-formed at the cover and the cartridge respectively, such that the cover can be rotatably screwed with the cartridge via the first and second thread portions. 
         [0005]    It is obvious that the above connection method can satisfy the connection strength requirement. 
         [0006]    For example, the Chinese Utility Model Patent No. 92237985.8 discloses a portable mineralized and magnetized filter device for water faucet, wherein the cover and the cartridge there of are connected by the connection structure mentioned above. 
         [0007]    Also, the Chinese Utility Model Patent No. 03204192.6 discloses a filter device, wherein the cover and the cartridge thereof are also connected by such connection structure mentioned above. 
         [0008]    However, this threaded structure still has the following shortcomings: 
         [0009]    1. The connecting portions of the cover and the cartridge of the filter device generally have bigger diameters, 80 mm or more. Therefore, the first and second threaded portions are pre-formed at the cover and the cartridge must be correspondingly configured to match with the diameters of the cover and the cartridge. In other words, the thread molding to pre-form the first and second threaded portions at the cover and cartridge must match with the size of the cover and cartridge correspondingly. Therefore, the material and manufacturing costs of the filter device with the threaded structure are relatively high, as almost 30% of the entire cost of the filter device. 
         [0010]    2. There are generally two different sizes of core filter in the market for use in the filter cartridge, wherein one of the sizes of the filter is 10 inch long, i.e., 254 mm, while another one is 250 mm. In other words, it is always a hard time for the user to distinguish the two filters with only 4 mm difference, and it is almost non-distinguishable to human eyes. 
         [0011]    After the core filter is placed into the filter cartridge, the filter cover is then covered and fastened with the filter cartridge via the threaded structure. Practically, people are unable to observe and determine whether the core filter is tightly pressed in position by the upper filter retainer. In other words, if the filter is installed in an improper way or a wrong core filter is installed, the filter device will discharge water without any filtering that violates the whole meaning of using a filter device. 
       SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION 
       [0012]    The invention is advantageous in that it provides a connection arrangement and method of a filter device or water purifier device by means of an intermediary element to overcome the shortcomings of the conventional filters, including its high production costs and the non-observable problem during its installation procedure. 
         [0013]    Another advantage of the invention is to provide a filter device or water purifier device, wherein the contacting portions of its filter cover and filter cartridge are sealed by a sealing ring under a connecting pressure provided by an intermediary element. 
         [0014]    Accordingly, the intermediary element is first to assembled with a filter cartridge that is easily disassembled for changing the core filter. The intermediary element and the filter cartridge are fastened in position after assembled where the intermediary element has a sufficient mechanical strength to resist a predetermined pulling force. 
         [0015]    The intermediary element has a threaded outlet end for collecting filtered water. The filter cover has a out-flowing passage for guiding the purified water, wherein the flowing-out passage and a connection portion of the outlet end of the intermediary element are provided with threads for screwing with each other to form a passage for purified water and to connect the filter cover with the filter cartridge. 
         [0016]    In which, the out-flowing passage and the filter cover are connected with sufficient mechanical connection strength. 
         [0017]    According to the present invention, the filter cover and the filter cartridge are connected by the intermediary element. Since the diameter size of the out-flowing passage is smaller than that of the filter cover, the manufacturing cost of the filter device incorporating with the connection configuration, i.e. the first and second threaded portions, will be substantially reduced at least 30%. In addition, when the intermediary element is coupled at the filter cartridge, the upper filter retainer is biased against an upper end of the core filter to retain the core filter in the filter cartridge. In other words, the user can notify whether the upper filter retainer being directly pressed enough to the core filter or not. If not, the filter should be changed. Thereby, the product quality of the present invention could be guaranteed. 
         [0018]    Additional advantages and features of the invention will become apparent from the description which follows, and may be realized by means of the instrumentalities and combinations particular point out in the appended claims. 
         [0019]    According to the present invention, the foregoing and other objects and advantages are attained by providing a method of coupling a filter cover with a filter cartridge to enclose a core filter therewithin, comprising the following steps. 
         [0020]    (1) Provide an intermediary element which comprises an upper filter retainer, an internal outlet connector, and a support positioned between the upper filter retainer and the internal outlet connector, wherein a fluid passage is formed and is extended from the upper filter retainer to the internal outlet connector. 
         [0021]    (2) Provide one or more first fasteners at a peripheral edge of the support and one or more corresponding second fasteners at an inner wall of the filter cartridge at the upper opening portion thereof, wherein the first fasteners and the second fasteners are fastened with each other to firmly couple the intermediary element at the filter cartridge at a position that a retaining edge of the upper filter retainer is biased against an upper end of the core filter to retain the core filter in the filter cartridge. 
         [0022]    (3) Configure a first threaded portion at an outlet end of the internal outlet connector. 
         [0023]    (4) Configure an out-flowing passage being extended from the filter cover at a position that the out-flowing passage is coaxially aligned with the outlet end of the internal outlet connector, wherein the out-flowing passage has a second threaded portion formed at an inlet end thereof to detachably engage with the first threaded portion at the outlet end of the internal outlet connector so as to securely couple the filter cover with the intermediary element. 
         [0024]    Accordingly, when the first threaded portion is an inner threaded portion, second threaded portions is an outer threaded portions correspondingly. When the first threaded portion is an outer threaded portion, the second threaded portion is an inner threaded portion correspondingly. 
         [0025]    Accordingly, in the step (4), an opposed end of the out-flowing passage is integrated with the filter cover to form an external outlet joint. 
         [0026]    Accordingly, in the step (2), the first and second fasteners are selected from the group consisting of screw connection and locking with plug and groove connection. 
         [0027]    In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the present invention comprises a filter device comprising a filter cartridge for receiving a core filter therein; a filter cover which comprises an out-flowing passage being extended from the filter cover; and an intermediary element for securely coupling the filter cover with the filter cartridge. The intermediary element comprises, an upper filter retainer, an internal outlet connector, and a support integrally formed between the upper filter retainer and the internal outlet connector, wherein a fluid passage is formed and is extended from the upper filter retainer to the internal outlet connector. 
         [0028]    The intermediary element further has one or more first fasteners provided at a peripheral edge of the support, and one or more corresponding second fasteners provided at an inner wall of the filter cartridge at the upper opening portion thereof, wherein the first fasteners and the second fasteners are fastened with each other to firmly couple the intermediary element at the filter cartridge. 
         [0029]    The intermediary element further has a first threaded portion provided at an outlet end of the internal outlet connector, and a second threaded portion formed at an inlet end of the out-flowing passage, wherein the out-flowing passage is extended from the filter cover at a position that the out-flowing passage is coaxially aligned with the outlet end of the internal outlet connector, wherein the second threaded portion is detachably engage with the first threaded portion at the outlet end of the internal outlet connector to securely couple the filter cover with the intermediary element. 
         [0030]    Accordingly, the first fasteners and the second fasteners are fastened with each other to firmly couple the intermediary element at the filter cartridge at a position that a retaining edge of the upper filter retainer is biased against an upper end of the core filter to retain the core filter in the filter cartridge. 
         [0031]    Accordingly, an opposed end of the out-flowing passage is integrated with the filter cover to form an external outlet joint. 
         [0032]    Accordingly, the first and second fasteners can be screw connection or locking with plug and groove connection. 
         [0033]    According to the preferred embodiment, the intermediary element can substantially reduce the overall manufacturing material and cost of the filter device. During the installation of the intermediary element, the user can determined whether the core filter being pressed in order to notify the condition of the core filter, so as to ensure the proper replacement of the core filter if the core filter is not pressed tightly for providing optimum filtering operation. 
         [0034]    Still further objects and advantages will become apparent from a consideration of the ensuing description and drawings. 
         [0035]    These and other objectives, features, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, the accompanying drawings, and the appended claims. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0036]      FIG. 1  is an exploded perspective view of a filter device incorporated with an intermediary element according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, illustrating the screw connection of the first and second fasteners. 
           [0037]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a core filter for the filter device according to the above preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0038]      FIG. 3  illustrates an alternative mode of the first and second fasteners of the filter device according to the above preferred embodiment of the present invention, illustrating the locking with plug and groove connection of the first and second fasteners. 
           [0039]      FIG. 4  illustrates an alternative mode of the filter cover of the filter device according to the above preferred embodiment of the present invention, illustrating the tubing wall structure of the filter cover. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0040]    Referring to  FIGS. 1 to 3  of the drawings, a method of connecting a filter cartridge  30  with a filter cover  10  by an intermediary element is illustrated, wherein the method comprises the following steps. 
         [0041]    (1) Provide an intermediary element  20  comprising an upper filter retainer  25  at a lower portion of the intermediary element  20 , an internal outlet connector  26  at an upper portion of the intermediary element  20 , and a support  23 , wherein the support  23  is integrally extended between the upper filter retainer  25  and the internal outlet connector  26  to form a one piece integrated structure. A fluid passage is formed and extended from the upper filter retainer  25  to the internal outlet connector  26 . 
         [0042]    (2) Provide one or more first fasteners  22  at the peripheral edge of the support  23  and one or more corresponding second fasteners  32  at an inner wall of the filter cartridge  30  at the upper opening portion thereof, wherein the first fasteners  22  and the second fasteners  32  are fastened with each other to firmly couple the intermediary element  20  at the filter cartridge  30  at a position that the retaining edge  27  of the upper filter retainer  25  is biased against an upper end  42  of a core filter  40  which is disposed in the filter cartridge  30 . 
         [0043]    (3) Configure a first threaded portion  28  at the outlet end of the internal outlet connector  26 . In other words, the internal outlet connector  26  is configured to have a threaded outlet end. 
         [0044]    (4) Configure an out-flowing passage  16  being extended from the filter cover  10  at a position that the out-flowing passage  16  is coaxially aligned with the outlet end of the internal outlet connector  26 , wherein the out-flowing passage  16  has a second threaded portion  18  formed at the inlet end thereof to detachably engage with the first threaded portion at the outlet end of the internal outlet connector  26  so as to securely couple the filter cover  10  with the intermediary element  20 . In other words, the out-flowing passage  16  is configured to have a corresponding threaded inlet end to detachably and rotatably couple with the threaded outlet end of the internal outlet connector  26 . According to the preferred embodiment, the first and second threaded portions  28 ,  18  are inner and outer threaded portions. It is appreciated that the first and second threaded portions  28 ,  18  are outer and inner threaded portions that the outlet end of the internal outlet connector  26  can have the outer threaded portion to engage with the inner threaded portion of the out-flowing passage  16 . 
         [0045]    According to the preferred embodiment, the opposed end of the out-flowing passage  16  in the step 4 is integrally and downwardly extended from the cover body  11  of the filter cover  10  to communicate with an external outlet connector  14  provided thereat. 
         [0046]    Preferably, the external outlet connector  14  further has a threaded structure or other connecting structures for external connection. 
         [0047]    According to the preferred embodiment, the first fastener  22  and the second fastener  32  mentioned in the step 2 could be fastened by means of screwing with threaded structure, interlocking with plug and groove, or other coupling structures. It is appreciated that other similar structures should be included and protected in order to enable the engagement between the out-flowing passage  16  of the filter cover  10  and the outlet end of the internal outlet connector  26 . Hence, any change, any modify or any amendment based on this invention could be deemed fallen into the protection scope of this invention. 
         [0048]    As shown in  FIGS. 1 to 3 , the filter device comprises a filter cartridge  30  for receiving a core filter  40  therein, a filter cover  10 , and an intermediary element  20  coupled between the filter cartridge  30  and the filter cover  10 , wherein the intermediary element  20  forms an adapter to securely couple the filter cover  10  at the filter cartridge  30  for enclosing the core filter  40  therein. Accordingly, the intermediary element  20  comprises an upper filter retainer  25 , an internal outlet connector  26  and a support  23 , wherein a first threaded portion  28  is formed at the outlet end of the internal outlet connector  26 . 
         [0049]    As illustrated in  FIG. 3 , an out-flowing passage  16  is integrally extended from the filter cover  10 , wherein a second threaded portion  18  is formed at the inlet end of the out-flowing passage  16  to engage with the first threaded portion  28 , so as to couple the out-flowing passage  16  with the internal outlet connector  26 . In other words, the inlet end of the out-flowing passage  16  is coupled with the outlet end of the internal outlet connector  26  via the first and second threaded portions  28 ,  18 . 
         [0050]    The out-flowing passage  16  as illustrated in  FIG. 3  is only an embodiment to implement this invention, and obviously other suitable means and designs could also be adopted. For example, a tube could be used to connect the second threaded portion  18  with an external outlet connector  14 , and then the tube could be soldered to the filter cover  10  by strengthening ribs to enhance the mechanical strength. 
         [0051]    It is preferred that the components of this invention are integrated by soldering. 
         [0052]    The upper filter retainer  25 , the internal outlet connector  26  and the support  23  are integrated, wherein a fluid flow passage is formed and extended from the upper filter retainer  25  to the internal outlet connector  26 . Accordingly, when the intermediary element  20  couples between the filter cover  10  and the filter cartridge  30 , the lower portion of the intermediary element  20 , i.e. the upper filter retainer  25 , presses against the core filter  40  to retain the core filter  40  in position, while the upper portion of the intermediary element  20 , i.e. the internal outlet connector  26  is coupled with the filter cover  10  to communicate the out-flowing passage  16  with the internal outlet connector  26 . 
         [0053]    Accordingly, the core filter  40 , which is embodied as a water purifying filter, has a central water purifying channel  41  to coaxially align and communicate with the internal outlet connector  26 , wherein the purified water  141  is guided to flow from the water purifying channel  41  to the out-flowing passage  16  through the internal outlet connector  26  and is then discharged at the external outlet connector  14 . 
         [0054]    As illustrated in  FIG. 3 , the filter cover  10  further has a water inlet  15  for guiding an unpurified water  151 , such as tap water or water before filtering, to flow into the filter cartridge  30  through the water inlet passage  17 . In particular, the unpurified water  151  passes through the support  23  of the intermediary element  20  into the filter cartridge  30 . Preferably, the support  23  has a star shape for enabling the unpurified water  151  flowing between two adjacent peripheral edge ends. In addition, a partition wall  13  is downwardly extended from the filter cover  10  at a position adjacent to the water inlet passage  17  for separating the unpurified water  151  and the purified water  141 . 
         [0055]    A plurality of first fasteners  22  are provided at the support  23  that the first fasteners  22  are provided at the peripheral edge ends of the support  23 . Correspondingly, a plurality of second fasteners  32  are provided at the inner wall of the filter cartridge  30  at the upper opening portion thereof. The first fasteners  22  are detachably fastened with the second fasteners  32  to securely couple the intermediary element  20  with the filter cartridge  30 . 
         [0056]    It is worth mentioning that when the first and second fasteners  22 ,  32  are fastened with each other, the upper filter retainer  25  will automatically press against the upper end  42  of the core filter  40  so as to ensure the core filter  40  being retained within the filter cartridge  30 . 
         [0057]    The opposed end of the out-flowing passage  16  is integrated with the cover body  11  of the filter cover  10  to form an external outlet joint  14 . 
         [0058]    The first and second fasteners  22 ,  32  could be fastened by means of screwing, locking with plug and groove, or by any other suitable means, which will not be further mentioned here. 
         [0059]    According to the preferred embodiment, the first and second threaded portions  28 ,  18  are inner and outer threaded portions. It is appreciated that the first and second threaded portions  28 ,  18  can be outer and inner threaded portions that the outlet end of the internal outlet connector  26  can have the outer threaded portion to engage with the inner threaded portion of the out-flowing passage  16 . It is worth mentioning that when the upper and lower portions of the intermediary element  20  are securely coupled with the filter cover  10  and the filter cartridge  30  respectively, the filter cover  10  is securely coupled and communicated with the filter cartridge  30 . 
         [0060]    As shown in  FIG. 1 , the filter cartridge  30  has an upper sealing rim  34  to seal and couple with a sealing face of the sealing cover  12  of the filter cover  10  via a sealing ring  31 . In other words, the sealing ring  31  is disposed between the sealing rim  34  of the filter cartridge  30  and the sealing face of the filter cover  10  to couple the filter cover  10  with the filter cartridge  30  in a water-tight manner. It is worth mentioning that when the first and second threaded portions  28 ,  18  are rotatably engaged with each other, the filter cover  10  is coupled with the filter cartridge  30  to further provide a sandwiching pressure to press and deform the sealing ring  31  to ensure the sealing effect of the sealing ring  31 . 
         [0061]    Meanwhile, the present invention further has a second sealing ring  19  to seal the engagement between the first and second threaded portions  28 ,  18  in a water-tight manner, when the first and second threaded portions  28 ,  18  are rotatably engaged with each other. 
         [0062]    According to the preferred embodiment, as shown in  FIG. 1 , the first fastener  22  is a screw hole while the second fastener  32  is a latch with a corresponding screw hole. Therefore, when the screw hole of the first fastener  22  is aligned with the screw hole of the second fastener  32 , a screw  221  is detachably fastened the first and second fasteners  22 ,  32  through the screw holes. 
         [0063]    Alternatively, as shown in  FIG. 3 , the first fastener  22  is the peripheral edge of the support  23  while the second fastener  32  is a latch with a locking groove  321 . Therefore, when the support  23  is disposed and rotated at the upper opening portion of the filter cartridge  30 , the first fastener  22  is slid and locked at the locking groove  321  of the second fastener  32 . 
         [0064]      FIG. 4  illustrates an alternative mode of the present invention, which is slightly different from the above mentioned embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 3 . Instead of the cover body  11  in  FIG. 3  enveloping the external outlet joint  14  and the water inlet  15  therein, the cover body  11  in  FIG. 4  is integrated with the tubing walls of the external outlet joint  14  and the water inlet  15  to make the filter cover  10  having a compacted and firm construction. 
         [0065]    The present invention could be used for filtering liquid such as water, or for filtering gas depending on the properties of the core filter. 
         [0066]    One skilled in the art will understand that the embodiment of the present invention as shown in the drawings and described above is exemplary only and not intended to be limiting. 
         [0067]    It will thus be seen that the objects of the present invention have been fully and effectively accomplished. It embodiments have been shown and described for the purposes of illustrating the functional and structural principles of the present invention and is subject to change without departure from such principles. Therefore, this invention includes all modifications encompassed within the spirit and scope of the following claims.