Abstract:
A reversible fluid filtration system includes a receiver unit and a fluid filtration unit. The receiver unit has a first side and second side with a fluid channel therebetween. The fluid filtration unit includes filter media positioned between a first end and a second end. Openings in the first end are fluidly connected with the openings in the second end via the filter media. The first end and second end are independently attachable to the receiver unit via the second side. Attachment of the filtration unit first end to the receiver unit allows filtration of fluid entering the receiver unit fluid channel. Attachment of the filtration unit second end to the receiver unit allows fluid entering the receiver unit to remove solid material from the filter media and recharge the filter media.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/308,758, filed on Jun. 19, 2014, entitled “Fluid Vessel With Removable and Reversible Filtration Unit,” which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/943,282, filed on Feb. 21, 2014, entitled “Pitcher With Filtration,” the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    The present disclosure relates generally to residential fluid filtration systems, and more particularly, to high capacity vessels, water bottles or similar devices with a filtration unit having an inlet portion for forming a fluid tight seal with a fluid source and the corresponding filtration unit, as well as the filtration unit itself. 
         [0003]    One common type of filtered water pitcher uses charcoal activated filters and includes a pitcher having an upper reservoir to which the filter is connected. The water drains through the filter by gravity into a bottom reservoir. With this type of device, the filter cartridge must be replaced when it becomes dirty. Also, the pitcher cannot be fully filled because of the upper reservoir, and because it relies upon gravity, it takes a relatively long period of time to produce a pitcher full of filtered water. Many additional products exist that use similar types of filtration technology. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0004]    According to one aspect of the disclosure, a reversible fluid filtration system is provided with a receiver unit and a fluid filtration unit. The receiver unit includes a first side and an opposite second side and defines a fluid channel. The first side has a first sealing member configured for releasable engagement with a fluid delivery unit connected to a fluid source. The fluid filtration unit has a first end configured for removable attachment to the receiver unit at the second side and a second end. A filtration channel is defined between the first end and second end. The first end defines a filter inlet and the second end defines a filter outlet. A unit of filter media is positioned between the first and second ends with the filter outlet in fluid communication with the fluid channel when the first end is attached to the receiver unit. When the first sealing member is engaged with the fluid delivery unit and the fluid source is under pressure, the fluid from the fluid source is forced through the filter media in a first direction and from the filter outlet. The second end of the fluid filtration unit is configured for removable attachment to the receiver unit via the second side, thereby allowing the fluid filtration unit to be reversed whereupon fluid from the fluid source under pressure is forced through the filter media in a second direction opposite of the first direction, thereby removing at least a portion of material present on the filtration media. 
         [0005]    In another embodiment, a reversible fluid filtration system includes a receiver unit and a filtration unit. The receiver unit defines a fluid channel extending from a first side to a second side and a fluid inlet on the first side connected to the fluid channel. The filtration unit includes a solid side wall circumscribing an axis defining a flow chamber. The side wall extends between and each of a first perforate end cap and a second perforate end cap and is sealingly connected to the end caps. A plurality of porous hollow fiber membranes are positioned within the flow chamber in fluid communication with the perforate portions of the first and second end caps. The first and second end caps each includes a sealing member. Each of the first and second end caps is respectively configured for independent releasable fluid tight attachment to the receiver unit via the second side. The filtration unit may thus be fluidly connected to the fluid inlet through the fluid channel via either the first or second end cap, which fluidly connects the inlet with the perforate portions of the attached end cap and the perforate portions of the opposite end cap through the plurality of porous hollow fiber membranes. 
         [0006]    In yet another embodiment, a reversible fluid filtration system is provided having a receiver unit and a fluid filtration unit. The receiver unit has a first side and an opposite second side and defines a fluid channel. The first side includes a first sealing member configured for releasable engagement with a fluid delivery unit connected to a fluid source. The fluid filtration unit extends in an axial direction between a first end cap and a second end cap. A filtration channel is defined between the respective end caps. The first end cap has an outer area portion with openings and an inner area portion that is solid. The second end cap has an outer area portion that is solid and an inner area portion with openings. The fluid filtration unit includes filter media extending from the inner area portion of the first end cap to the inner area portion of the second end cap. The first end cap openings are fluidly connected to the second end cap openings through the filter media. The first end cap and second end cap are each configured to independently attach to the receiver unit via the second side thereby forming a substantially fluid tight connection between the fluid channel and the respective openings in the first end cap and second end cap through the filtration media when either of the first end cap or the second end cap is attached to the receiver unit. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0007]    Aspects of the preferred embodiment will be described in reference to the drawings in which: 
           [0008]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a fluid pitcher assembly with the filtration unit as disclosed herein; 
           [0009]      FIG. 2  is a view of the underside of the lid of the pitcher of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0010]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the filter unit of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0011]      FIG. 3A  is a perspective view looking up at the filter unit of  FIG. 3 ; 
           [0012]      FIG. 3B  is a longitudinal sectional view of the filter unit of  FIG. 3 : 
           [0013]      FIG. 4  is a depiction of a backwash attachment for filter rejuvenation as disclosed herein; 
           [0014]      FIG. 5  is a vertical cross sectional view of the pitcher assembly of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0015]      FIG. 5A  is an enlarged cross sectional view of the connection between the filter unit and the lid of the pitcher; and 
           [0016]      FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the filter unit. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0017]    Referring to the drawings, wherein like numerals represent like elements throughout, and particularly  FIG. 1 , there is shown a fluid storage and dispensing assembly  2  including a fluid chamber or reservoir  4  in the form of a water pitcher that is defined by a side wall  6 , a closed bottom end  8  and a spaced upper open end  10 . A lid  12  is removably connected to the sidewall  6  proximate the upper end. A fluid filtration unit  14  is removably affixed to the underside of the lid and extends into the reservoir  4 . 
         [0018]    More specifically, the lid  12  includes a first surface  16  forming the outside of the lid and a second surface  18  forming the inside or underside of the lid  12 . A fluid inlet  20  is provided in the lid  12  between the two surfaces  16  and  18 . The fluid inlet  20  has an axis parallel to the axis of the side wall  6  of the reservoir  4 . 
         [0019]    As shown in  FIG. 5 , a fluid sealing member  22  with a central aperture  24  is mounted in the fluid inlet  20 . The fluid sealing member  22  may be in the form of a rubber gasket having a flange  26  positioned against the outside  16  of the lid  12  and a tubular body portion  28  extending down from the flange  26  into the fluid inlet  20 . The fluid sealing member  22  is designed to provide a releasable attachment to the outlet of a source of pressurized fluid such a faucet and provide a fluid tight seal therebetween. A pair of spaced clamps  29  may be provided on the side of the lid  12  to attach to a suitable projection (not shown) on the side wall  6  of the pitcher to clamp the lid  12  to the pitcher  4 . 
         [0020]    The pitcher  4  includes a pouring spout  30  at the upper end of the side wall  6 . A handle  32  is affixed to the side wall  6  having an upper first end  34  affixed to the side wall  6  at a point slightly spaced downward from the open end  10  of the pitcher  4  and a lower end  36  connected to the pitcher at a point spaced upwardly from the bottom end  8 . As shown in  FIG. 5 , the handle  32  is hollow with the interior  38  of the handle communicating with the interior of the pitcher at the upper end  34  through an opening  37  in the side wall  6 . The lower end  36  of the handle  32  is closed. A drain hole  40  is provided in the handle  32  adjacent the lower end  36 . A removable plug  42  may be provided in the drain hole  40  for closing the drain hole  40  during regular use of the pitcher. The plug  42  may be removed when filling the pitcher through the filter unit  14  so that the liquid in the reservoir will not rise to a point where it could separate the lid from the reservoir under the pressure of the incoming fluid. With the plug  42  removed, when the fluid level rises to the point where the upper end  34  of the handle opens to the interior of the pitcher  4 , the fluid will flow out of the interior of the pitcher  4  into the interior  38  of the handle  32  and down through the drain hole  40  at the bottom of the handle  32 . A timer  43  may be mounted in the lid  12  to keep track of filter use. 
         [0021]    As shown particularly in  FIGS. 3, 3A and 3B , the filtration unit  14  may be in the form of a filter cartridge that includes an outer casing  44  defined by a circular side wall  46  circumscribing an axis. The side wall  46  includes an upper and lower end, the upper end of which has an upper end cap  48 . The lower end is closed by a bottom end cap  50 . 
         [0022]    A filter media is in the form of a bundle of hollow fiber membranes  52  mounted in the casing  44 . The hollow fiber membranes  52  have their upper and lower ends mounted in an upper and lower membrane cup  54  and  56  respectively. Each membrane cup  54  and  56  includes a cylindrical side portion  58  and a flat bottom portion  60  closing the bottom end of each cup  54  and  56 . The bottom portion  60  of each of the cups  54  and  56  includes a series of perforations  62  therethrough. The hollow fiber membranes  52  initially have their ends extending through the perforations, but have them cut flush with the outside surface of the bottom portion  60  before being assembled into the casing. The upper and lower ends are embedded in a resin  64  in their respective membrane cup  54  or  56  to secure the membranes  52  to their respective cup. 
         [0023]    The resin  64  may be any suitable non-porous water proof sealant such as a water proof silicon. The hollow fiber membranes  52  may be formed from the resins set for by way of example in U.S. Pat. No. 8,307,799, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. The pores of the hollow fiber membrane may have a size between approximately 0.05 and 0.5 microns and, preferably, between 0.05 and 0.2 microns. 
         [0024]    The upper and lower membrane cups  54  and  56  are sealingly attached to an upper and lower end cap  48  and  50  respectively. In the case of the upper end cap  48 , such cap is generally flat and includes an inner portion  66  which covers the bottom of the upper membrane cup  54  thereby sealing the upper ends of the hollow fiber membranes. A plurality of circumferentially spaced openings  68  are provided in the upper end cap positioned radially outward of the outside surface cup portion  54 . A plurality of fittings shown in the form of circumferentially spaced tabs  70  extend radially outwardly from the circumference of the end cap  54  as shown. 
         [0025]    The bottom end cap  50 , as shown in  FIG. 3A , is generally flat with a central opening  72  therein resulting in the bottom of the membrane cup  56  and therefore the lower ends of the hollow fiber membranes  52  being exposed. The diameter of the opening  68  should be slightly less than the outer diameter of the lower membrane cup  56  to provide support for the membrane  56 . The bottom end cap  50  is sealingly connected to the bottom membrane cup  56  so no fluid can leak between the outside of the membrane cup  56  and the end cap into the opening. As with the upper end cap  48 , the bottom end cap  50  includes a plurality of circumferentially spaced tabs  74  each of which extends outwardly from the circumference of the end cap  50  as shown. 
         [0026]    The upper and lower end caps  54  and  56  are sealed to the casing  44 . This results in a chamber  76  being formed between the inner surface of the casing  44  and the bundle of hollow fiber membranes  52 . 
         [0027]    Referring to  FIGS. 2 and 5 , the underside of the lid  12  is provided with a series of circumferentially spaced slots  78  that communicate with a groove  80  in the side wall of the fluid inlet  20 . The slots  78  provide an opening for the tabs  70  on the upper end cap  48  to be inserted into the lid  12  and turned into the groove  80  to provide a bayonet connection between the upper end cap  48  of the filter cartridge  14  and the lid  12 . An O-ring seal  82  is provided in a groove in the underside of the lid to seal against a sealing surface  84  on the upper surface of the end cap  48 . 
         [0028]    The filter cartridge  14  is adapted for the influent to enter the filter cartridge through the openings  68  in the upper end cap  48 , pass into the chamber  76  of the filter cartridge  14  formed between the bundle of hollow fiber membranes  52  and the interior of the side wall  46  of the casing  44  and then into the membranes and out through the opening  72  in the bottom end cap  50 . 
         [0029]    In use, the filter cartridge  14  is attached to the lid of the reservoir by inserting the tabs  70  into the slots  78  of the underside of the lid  12  and twisting the filter cartridge  14  to secure the bayonet connection. With this arrangement, the filter cartridge  14  is sealed against the lid  12  and the lid  12  may be secured to the pitcher  4  by the clamps  29 . 
         [0030]    Other types of arrangements may be used to connect the filter cartridge to the lid. Threaded male and female members may be provided on the lid and filter cartridge. Also, a threaded ring may be provided between the two members that rotates in one direction tightening the fluid seal and rotates in the other direction to loosen the seal. 
         [0031]    The assembled filter cartridge  14 , lid  12  and pitcher  4  may then be attached to a source of fluid such as a faucet by means of the fluid sealing member  22  or other appropriate connection, such as an adapter that threads onto the pipe or faucet. The source of fluid may then be turned on, and the pressure of the incoming fluid will cause the fluid to flow through the opening  24  in the sealing member  22  of the lid  12 , the openings  68  in the upper end cap  48  and into the chamber  76  between the hollow fiber membranes  52  and the interior surface of the side wall  46  of the casing  44 . The influent under pressure will then pass through the walls of the hollow fiber membranes  52  into the interior thereof and then out through the bottom ends of the membranes through the bottom opening  72  in the bottom end cap  50 . An orifice  25  may be included in the fluid inlet  20  for relieving a portion of the pressure from the fluid source through the filtration unit  14 . 
         [0032]    The plug  42  in the bottom of the handle  32  should be removed so that when the effluent flows into the reservoir  4  and fills the reservoir  4  up to the point of the opening into the handle  32 , additional effluent will flow through the handle  32  and out the drain opening  40  thereby indicating that the pitcher has been filled and the source of incoming fluid can be shut off. 
         [0033]    When the filtration unit  14  becomes clogged or dirty, it can be rejuvenated rather than discarded. To clean the filtration unit, the filter cartridge  14  can be unscrewed from the lid  12  and reversed, attaching the normally discharge end (or lower end as described above) to the underside of the lid  12  using the tabs  74  on the bottom end cap  50  to connect the bayonet connection. A fluid under pressure such as water from a faucet can be caused to flow into the filter unit through the opening  72  in the normally discharge end, whereby the fluid flows into the interior of the hollow fiber membranes and then out through the walls thereof into the channel  76  between the bundle of hollow fiber membranes  52  and the interior of the side wall  46  of the casing  44 . The fluid will then flow out through the openings  68  in the influent or upper end cap  48 , carrying along with it the filtered particles that have accumulated. 
         [0034]    An alternative arrangement is shown in  FIG. 4 . In that arrangement, the filter cartridge  14  is removed from the lid of the pitcher for rejuvenation. A backwash adapter  86  is provided that includes a body  88  having an aperture  90  therein adapted to be sealingly connected to the normally discharge end of the hollow fiber membrane bundle  14 . This connection may be similar to the connection between the filter cartridge and lid as described above. The connection may include a series of circumferentially spaced slots that communicate with groove  92  in the side wall of the opening of the body of the adapter. The slots provide an opening for the tabs  74  of the normally discharge end of the fluid cartridge to be inserted into the adapter and turned into the groove to provide a bayonet connection. An O-ring seal  94  is provided in a groove in the underside of the lower portion of the adapter to seal against a sealing surface  96  on the bottom end cap  56  of the filter cartridge. 
         [0035]    The adapter includes a connector  98  to sealingly engage a source of a fluid under pressure such as a water faucet. This connection may be a rubber sealing grommet  100  with a central opening  101  mounted in the body  88  of the adapter as shown, a threaded connection or the like. With the connector  98  attached to a source of pressurized fluid such as a water faucet, when the water is turned on, water will be forced to flow into the normally effluent end of the cartridge  14 , through the hollow fiber membranes, out through the walls thereof, into the chamber  76  and out through the opening  68  into upper end cap  48  removing the collected filtered particles. 
         [0036]    Although the filter cartridge has been described as having the fluid to be filtered flow from the outside though the walls of the hollow fiber membranes into membranes and then out through the ends of the hollow membrane, the filter cartridge could be arranged to have the flow from the inside of the hollow fiber membranes out through the walls thereof. 
         [0037]    Further, as those skilled in the art understand, the filter cartridge and filtration unit is not limited to including hollow fibers only. Embodiments can exist that include a secondary filter media, such as activated carbon, in combination with hollow fibers such that fluid from a connected source may be filtered through both media. An example of such an embodiment is shown in  FIG. 6  wherein a bottom unit  104  is shown containing a sack of activated charcoal  106  attached to the discharge end of the hollow membrane filter cartridge  14 . The unit may include a cup-like container  108  in which a sack containing the activated charcoal is contained. The unit may be attached to bottom (effluent end) of the hollow fiber membrane filter cartridge  14  by means of a bayonet connection such as described in connection with the connection of the lid to the filter unit. The bottom of the cup-like container  108  has perforations  110  to allow the filtered fluid to exit the unit. Although the unit is shown attached to the effluent end, arrangements may be had that provide the charcoal unit to be positioned on the influent side of the hollow membrane filter cartridge. 
         [0038]    With the above described arrangement, a filtration unit is provided in which the reservoir can be completely filled, the filter cartridge can be rejuvenated by being backwashed, and does not rely on gravity for filling the reservoir. 
         [0039]    While specific embodiments have been set forth above for purposes of illustration, the foregoing description should not be deemed a limitation of the invention herein. Accordingly, various modifications, adaptations and alternatives may occur to one skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention and scope of the claimed coverage.