Filters for Non-Plumbed Appliances

Non-plumbed appliances and filters are provided. A filter includes a body which includes a sidewall extending along a longitudinal axis between a first end wall and a second end wall, the body defining a body interior. The filter further includes an inlet defined in the body, and a nozzle protruding from the second end wall along the longitudinal axis and defining an outlet, the nozzle offset along an outer surface of the second end wall from a centroid of the outer surface. The filter further includes a tab configured on the body, and a filter medium disposed within the body interior, the filter medium operable to remove contaminants from water flowing through the filter medium.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present subject matter relates generally to filters utilized for contaminate removal in appliances, and in particular non-plumbed appliances such as stand-alone ice making appliances.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Filters are generally utilized to filter contaminates from liquids such as water before the liquids are utilized in various applications. For example, filters are frequently utilized in appliances to filter water before the water is consumed. A filter may be installed in, for example, a refrigerator appliance or ice maker to filter water before the water is output to a user.

In many cases, such as in refrigerator appliance applications, the filter is installed into the water line such as water flowing through the supply water line is flowed through the filter. However, the filter is typically not submerged in water or another liquid. Some appliances which utilize water, however, are non-plumbed appliances which thus do not include a supply water line and rather include a water tank into which water is initially supplied. Accordingly, it would be desirable for such appliances to utilize filters to filter contaminates from the water supplied to the water tank and which are thus capable of being partially or fully submerged in water.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with one embodiment, a non-plumbed appliance is provided. The non-plumbed appliance includes a water tank defining a storage volume, and a pump in fluid communication with the storage volume for actively flowing water from the water tank. The non-plumbed appliance further includes a filter disposed within the storage volume such that water is flowable from the storage volume through the filter to the pump. The filter includes a body which includes a sidewall extending along a longitudinal axis between a first end wall and a second end wall, the body defining a body interior. The filter further includes an inlet defined in the body and an outlet defined in the body proximate the second end wall relative to the first end wall along the longitudinal axis. The filter further includes a filter medium disposed within the body interior, the filter medium operable to remove contaminants from water flowing through the filter medium. The filter medium defines an interior passage. A flow path is defined for water through the inlet into the interior passage and from the interior passage through the filter medium to the outlet.

In accordance with another embodiment, a stand-alone ice making appliance is provided. The stand-alone ice making appliance includes a container defining a first storage volume for receipt of ice, a water tank defining a second storage volume for receipt of water, a pump in fluid communication with the second storage volume for actively flowing water from the water tank, and a reservoir defining a third storage volume, the third storage volume in fluid communication with the pump for receiving water that is actively flowed from the water tank. The stand-alone ice making appliance further includes an ice maker, the ice maker in fluid communication with the third storage volume for receiving water from the reservoir. The stand-alone ice making appliance further includes a filter disposed within the second storage volume such that water is flowable from the second storage volume through the filter to the pump. The filter includes a body which includes a sidewall extending along a longitudinal axis between a first end wall and a second end wall, the body defining a body interior. The filter further includes an inlet defined in the body and an outlet defined in the body proximate the second end wall relative to the first end wall along the longitudinal axis. The filter further includes a filter medium disposed within the body interior, the filter medium operable to remove contaminants from water flowing through the filter medium. The filter medium defines an interior passage. A flow path is defined for water through the inlet into the interior passage and from the interior passage through the filter medium to the outlet.

In accordance with another embodiment, a filter is provided. The filter includes a body which includes a sidewall extending along a longitudinal axis between a first end wall and a second end wall, the body defining a body interior. The filter further includes an inlet defined in the body. The filter further includes a nozzle protruding from the second end wall along the longitudinal axis and defining an outlet, the nozzle offset along an outer surface of the second end wall from a centroid of the outer surface. The filter further includes a tab configured on the body. The filter further includes a filter medium disposed within the body interior, the filter medium operable to remove contaminants from water flowing through the filter medium. The filter medium defines an interior passage. A flow path is defined for water through the inlet into the interior passage and from the interior passage through the filter medium to the outlet.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure is directed generally to filters which may be utilized in non-plumbed appliances. A non-plumbed appliance is a stand-alone appliance that is not connected to plumbing or another water source that is external to the appliance, such as a refrigerator water source. Rather, water is initially supplied to the appliance manually by a user, such as by pouring water into a water tank of the appliance. Examples of non-plumbed appliances in accordance with the present disclosure include stand-alone ice making appliances. It should be understood, however, that the present disclosure is not limited to the above disclosed appliances, and rather that any suitable non-plumbed appliance is within the scope and spirit of the present disclosure. Further, it should be understood that the use of filters in accordance with the present disclosure is not limited to non-plumbed appliances.

In general, a non-plumbed appliance includes a water tank (or reservoir). The water tank may define a storage volume into which a user can supply water for use in the non-plumbed appliance. A filter, as discussed herein, may be disposed in the storage volume for filtering water in the storage volume before the water exits the storage volume. A non-plumbed appliance may further include a pump in fluid communication with the storage volume for actively flowing water from the storage volume. The filter may filter water that is being actively flowed from the storage volume by the pump. The pump may supply the filtered water to other components of the non-plumbed appliance for use thereby.

Referring now toFIG. 1, one embodiment of non-plumbed appliance, in this case a stand-alone ice making appliance10, in accordance with the present disclosure is illustrated. As shown, appliance10includes an outer casing12which generally at least partially houses various other components of the appliance therein10. A container14is also illustrated. Container14defines a first storage volume16for the receipt and storage of ice18therein. A user of the appliance10may access ice18within the container14for consumption or other uses. Container14may include one or more sidewalls20and a base wall22(seeFIG. 2), which may together define the first storage volume16. In exemplary embodiments, at least one sidewall20may be formed from a clear, see-through (i.e. transparent or translucent) material, such as a clear glass or plastic, such that a user can see into the first storage volume16and thus view ice18therein. Further, in exemplary embodiments, container14may be removable, such as from the outer casing12, by a user. This facilitates easy access by the user to ice within the container14and further, for example, may provide access to a water tank24(seeFIG. 2) of the appliance10.

Notably, appliances10as discussed herein include various features which allow the appliances10to be affordable and desirable to typical consumers. For example, the stand-alone feature reduces the cost associated with the appliance10and allows the consumer to position the appliance10at any suitable desired location, with the only requirement in some embodiments being access to an electrical source. The removable container14allows easy access to ice and allows the container14to be moved to a different position from the remainder of the appliance10for ice usage purposes. Additionally, in exemplary embodiments as discussed herein, appliance10is configured to make nugget ice (as discussed herein) which is becoming increasingly popular with consumers.

Referring toFIGS. 2 through 5, various other components of appliances10in accordance with the present disclosure are illustrated. For example, as mentioned, appliance10includes a water tank24. The water tank24defines a storage volume26(also known as a second storage volume) for the receipt and holding of water. Water tank24may include one or more sidewalls28and a base wall30which may together define the second storage volume26. In exemplary embodiments, the water tank24may be disposed below the container14along a vertical direction V defined for the appliance10, as shown.

As discussed, in exemplary embodiments, water is provided to the water tank24for use in forming ice. Accordingly, appliance10may further include a pump32. Pump32may be in fluid communication with the second storage volume26. For example, water may be flowable from the second storage volume26through an opening31defined in the water tank24, such as in a sidewall28thereof, and may flow through a conduit to and through pump32. Pump32may, when activated, actively flow water from the second storage volume26therethrough and from the pump32.

Water actively flowed from the pump32may be flowed (for example through a suitable conduit) to a reservoir34. For example, reservoir34may define a third storage volume36, which may be defined by one or more sidewalls38and a base wall40. Third storage volume36may, for example, be in fluid communication with the pump32and may thus receive water that is actively flowed from the water tank24, such as through the pump32. For example, water may be flowed into the third storage volume36through an opening42defined in the reservoir34.

Reservoir34and third storage volume36thereof may receive and contain water to be provided to an ice maker50for the production of ice. Accordingly, third storage volume36may be in fluid communication with ice maker50. For example, water may be flowed, such as through opening44and through suitable conduits, from third storage volume36to ice maker50.

Ice maker50generally receives water, such as from reservoir, and freezes the water to form ice18. While any suitable style of ice maker is within the scope and spirit of the present disclosure, in exemplary embodiments, ice maker50is a nugget ice maker, and in particular is an auger-style ice maker. As shown, ice maker50may include a casing52into which water from third storage volume36is flowed. Casing52is thus in fluid communication with third storage volume36. For example, casing52may include one or more sidewalls54which may define an interior volume56, and an opening58may be defined in a sidewall54. Water may be flowed from third storage volume36through the opening58(such as via a suitable conduit) into the interior volume56.

As illustrated, an auger60may be disposed at least partially within the casing52. During operation, the auger60may rotate. Water within the casing52may at least partially freeze due to heat exchange, such as with a refrigeration system as discussed herein. The at least partially frozen water may be lifted by the auger60from casing52. Further, in exemplary embodiments, the at least partially frozen water may be directed by auger60to and through an extruder62. The extruder62may extrude the at least partially frozen water to form ice, such as nuggets of ice18.

Formed ice18may be provided by the ice maker50to container14, and may be received in the first storage volume16thereof. For example, ice18formed by auger60and/or extruder62may be provide to the container14. In exemplary embodiments, appliance10may include a chute70for directing ice18produced by the ice maker50towards the first storage volume16. For example, as shown, chute70is generally positioned above container14along the vertical direction V. Thus, ice can slide off of chute70and drop into storage volume16of container14. Chute70may, as shown, extend between ice maker50and container14, and may include a body72which defines a passage74therethrough. Ice18may be directed from the ice maker50(such as from the auger60and/or extruder62) through the passage74to the container14. In some embodiments, for example, a sweep64, which may for example be connected to and rotate with the auger, may contact the ice emerging through the extruder62from the auger60and direct the ice through the passage74to the container14.

As discussed, water within the casing52may at least partially freeze due to heat exchange, such as with a refrigeration system. In exemplary embodiments, ice maker50may include a sealed refrigeration system80. The sealed refrigeration system80may be in thermal communication with the casing52to remove heat from the casing52and interior volume56thereof, thus facilitating freezing of water therein to form ice. Sealed refrigeration system80may, for example, include a compressor82, a condenser84, a throttling device86and an evaporator88. Evaporator88may, for example, be in thermal communication with the casing52in order to remove heat from the interior volume56and water therein during operation of sealed system80. For example, evaporator88may at least partially surround the casing52. In particular, evaporator88may be a conduit coiled around and in contact with casing52, such as the sidewall(s)54thereof. During operation of sealed system80, refrigerant exits evaporator88as a fluid in the form of a superheated vapor and/or vapor mixture. Upon exiting evaporator88, the refrigerant enters compressor82wherein the pressure and temperature of the refrigerant are increased such that the refrigerant becomes a superheated vapor. The superheated vapor from compressor82enters condenser84wherein energy is transferred therefrom and condenses into a saturated liquid and/or liquid vapor mixture. This fluid exits condenser84and travels through throttling device86that is configured for regulating a flow rate of refrigerant therethrough. Upon exiting throttling device86, the pressure and temperature of the refrigerant drop at which time the refrigerant enters evaporator88and the cycle repeats itself. In certain exemplary embodiments, as illustrated inFIGS. 5 through 6, throttling device86may be a capillary tube. Notably, in some embodiments, sealed system80may additionally include fans (not shown) for facilitating heat transfer to/from the condenser84and evaporator88.

As discussed, in exemplary embodiments, ice18may be nugget ice. Nugget ice is ice that that is maintained or stored (i.e. in first storage volume16of container14) at a temperature greater than the melting point of water or greater than about thirty-two degrees Fahrenheit. Accordingly, the ambient temperature of the environment surrounding the container14may be at a temperature greater than the melting point of water or greater than about thirty-two degrees Fahrenheit. In some embodiments, such temperature may be greater than forty degrees Fahrenheit, greater than fifty degrees Fahrenheit, or greater than 60 degrees Fahrenheit.

Ice18held within the first storage volume16may gradually melt. The melting speed is increased for nugget ice due to the increased maintenance/storage temperature. Accordingly, drain features may advantageously be provided in the container for draining such melt water. Additionally, and advantageously, the melt water may in exemplary embodiments be reused by appliance10to form ice.

For example, in some embodiments as illustrated inFIG. 5, a drain aperture90may be defined in the base wall22. Drain aperture90may allow water to flow from the first storage volume16and container14generally. Further, in exemplary embodiments, water flowing from the first storage volume16and container14may, due to gravity and the vertical alignment of the container14of water tank24, flow into the second storage volume26.

In exemplary embodiments, appliance10may further include a controller110. Controller110may for example, be configured to operate the appliance10based on, for example, user inputs to the appliance10(such as to a user interface thereof), inputs from various sensors disposed within the appliance10, and/or other suitable inputs. Controller110may for example include one or more memory devices and one or more microprocessors, such as general or special purpose microprocessors operable to execute programming instructions or micro-control code associated with appliance10operation. The memory may represent random access memory such as DRAM, or read only memory such as ROM or FLASH. In one embodiment, the processor executes programming instructions stored in memory. The memory may be a separate component from the processor or may be included onboard within the processor.

In exemplary embodiments, controller110may be in operative communication with the pump32. Such operative communication may be via a wired or wireless connection, and may facilitate the transmittal and/or receipt of signals by the controller110and pump32. Controller110may be configured to activate the pump32to actively flow water. For example, controller110may activate the pump32to actively flow water therethrough when, for example, reservoir34requires water. A suitable sensor(s), for example, may be provided in the third storage volume36. The sensor(s) may be in operative communication with the controller110may be transmit signals to the controller110which indicate whether or not additional water is desired in the reservoir34. When controller110receives a signal that water is desired, controller110may send a signal to pump32to activate that pump.

It should additionally be noted that, in exemplary embodiments, controller110may be in operative communication with the sealed system80, such as with the compressor82thereof, and may activate the sealed system80as desired or required for ice making purposes.

Referring now toFIGS. 6 through 12, in exemplary embodiments as shown, a filter150may be provided. The filter150may, for example, be utilized in a non-plumbed appliance, and may thus be disposed in a storage volume26of the water tank24of the non-plumbed appliance for filtering water that is provided in the storage volume26, such as before the water is flowed from the storage volume26. Accordingly, water within the storage volume26may flow through filter150, and from filter150to downstream components of the non-plumbed appliance such as pump32.

Specifically, filter150may include a filter medium152which is operable to remove contaminants from water flowing through the filter medium152. Contaminants may include but are not limited to dirt, sediment, sand, rust, lead, cysts and other debris which may be mechanically filtered from the water, as well as chlorine, chloramine, and volatile organic compounds such as chloroform, lindane, and atrazine which can be adsorbed into pore surfaces in the filter medium152. Any suitable filter medium152may be utilized, including for example, activated carbon blocks, pleated polymer sheets, spun cord materials, or melt blown materials. In exemplary embodiments, a filter medium152may include a bacteriostatic agent such as silver or other additives.

Filter150may further include a body170which generally houses the filter medium152. Accordingly, filter medium152in these embodiments is disposed within a body interior172of the body170. Further, in exemplary embodiments, filter medium152may for example have a hollow cylindrical shape which defines an interior passage154. As discussed herein, water may be filtered via a flow path from interior passage154through filter medium152into body interior172.

Body170may, for example, include a sidewall174which extends along a longitudinal axis171between a first end wall176and a second end wall178. The sidewall174may, for example, have a hollow cylindrical shape. One or more inlets180and one or more outlets182may be defined in the body170. Unfiltered water may flow into the body170through the inlets180, and filtered water may flow from the body170through outlets182.

In exemplary embodiments as illustrated inFIGS. 6, 7 and 12, an inlet180may be defined proximate the first end wall176relative to the second end wall178along the longitudinal axis171(i.e. closer to the first end wall176than the second end wall178along the longitudinal axis171). The inlet180, for example, may be defined in the sidewall174and contiguous with the first end wall176, as shown. Notably, the inlet180may only extend about a portion of the periphery of sidewall174and thus may not be an entirely peripheral or circumferential inlet. This facilitates correct orientation of the filter150, as the inlet180is desirably located at a bottom of the filter150along the vertical direction V when the filter150is correctly disposed within the storage volume26. In alternative embodiments, the inlet180may be defined in the first end wall176, and may for example be contiguous with the sidewall174. Notably, the inlet180in these embodiments may be offset along an outer surface177of the first end wall176from a centroid of the outer surface177, thus facilitating correct orientation of the filter150. For example, the inlet180may be disposed at or adjacent to the periphery of the first end wall176(and may, for example, only extend about a portion of this periphery).

As further illustrated for example inFIGS. 6 through 9 and 12, an outlet182may be defined proximate the second end wall178relative to the first end wall176along the longitudinal axis171(i.e. closer to the second end wall178than the first end wall176along the longitudinal axis171). For example, in exemplary embodiments as illustrated, a body170may include a nozzle184which protrudes (i.e. away from interior172) from the second wall178along the longitudinal axis171. The nozzle184(through which water may flow) may define the outlet182, as shown.

The nozzle184(and thus the outlet182) may, as shown, be offset along an outer surface179of the second end wall178from a centroid of the outer surface179, thus facilitating correct orientation of the filter150. Alternatively, however, the nozzle184(and thus the outlet182) may be aligned with the centroid of the outer surface179.

Water may flow from the storage volume26and the filter150through an opening31in the water tank24. In exemplary embodiments, a female fitting186may be disposed within the opening31. Female fitting186may facilitate a connection between the filter150and a downstream conduit (which for example is a component of or leads to the pump32). When connected, the nozzle184may extend into the female fitting186, and may for example meet a positive stop within the female fitting186as shown.

As mentioned, water may flow on a particular flow path through filter150and filter medium152thereof to be filtered before being exhausted through outlet182. For example, in exemplary embodiments as illustrated inFIGS. 7 and 12, a flow path may be defined through an inlet180into the interior passage154, from the interior passage154through the filter medium152into the body interior172, and from the body interior172to the outlet182. For example, a seal ring188may be disposed in the body interior172. The seal ring188may be connected to the filter medium152, i.e. to an end thereof, and may provide a partition to separate filtered and unfiltered water in the interior172. Water may flow through the inlet180into the interior172(i.e. in an unfiltered portion thereof), and in the interior172may flow through the seal ring188into the interior154. The water may then flow from the interior154through the filter medium152to the interior174(i.e. a filter portion thereof), and from interior174through nozzle184and outlet182. Notably, sidewall174in exemplary embodiments as illustrated inFIGS. 6 through 12may include a protrusion190which extends outwardly away from the interior172. The protrusion190may extend the entire length of the sidewall174along the longitudinal axis172or only along a portion of the length, and may extend through only a portion of the periphery of the sidewall174. The protrusion190may provide extra room in the interior172for water flowed through the filter medium152to be allowed to flow around the filter medium152to the nozzle184and outlet182.

In some embodiments, as illustrated inFIGS. 6, 8 and 9, a protrusion192may extend from the second end wall178, such as away from the interior172along the longitudinal axis171. The protrusion192may at least partially, or in some embodiments fully, surround the nozzle184. Nozzle184may protrude from the protrusion192along the longitudinal axis171. The protrusion192may, when the nozzle184is properly seated in the opening31and optional female fitting186, contact a sidewall28of the water tank24(i.e. the sidewall28in which the opening31is defined). Accordingly, the protrusion192may act as a stop which facilitates proper installation of the filter150within the storage volume26.

Referring now toFIGS. 6, 7 and 10-12, filter150may further include a tab200, and water tank24may include a mating coupler202. The tab200and mating coupler202may interact via contact with each other to facilitate proper installation of the filter150within the storage volume26, and to further secure the filter150within the storage volume26and maintain the position of the filter150within the storage volume26despite the filter150being partially or fully submerged in water.

The mating coupler202may be configured on a sidewall28(i.e. the sidewall opposite the sidewall28in which the opening31is defined along the longitudinal axis171). In exemplary embodiments as illustrated, for example, the mating coupler202may be a mating projection202that extends from the sidewall28into the storage volume26. The mating projection202may, for example, include a bottom surface204that is parallel to or angled to (i.e. for example between 5 and 30 degrees) the longitudinal axis171. When secured, the tab200may contact the bottom surface204. In alternative embodiments, the mating coupler202may be a mating depression that is defined in the sidewall28extending away from the storage volume26. When secured, the tab200may contact surfaces defining the depression.

In some embodiments, as illustrated inFIGS. 6, 7 and 10-11, the tab200may extend from the body170(for example the sidewall174as shown), such as away from the interior172along the longitudinal axis171. Notably, the tab200may only extend about a portion of the periphery of body170, such as the sidewall174, and thus may not be an entirely peripheral or circumferential inlet. This further facilitates correct orientation of the filter150, as the inlet180is desirably located at a bottom of the filter150along the vertical direction V when the filter150is correctly disposed within the storage volume26. In exemplary embodiments, the tab200and inlet180are thus disposed opposite each other about the periphery of the body170and sidewall174thereof. In alternative embodiments, the tab200may extend from the first end wall176, such as away from the interior172along the longitudinal axis171. Notably, the tab200in these embodiments may be offset along an outer surface177of the first end wall176from a centroid of the outer surface177, thus facilitating correct orientation of the filter150. For example, the tab200may be disposed at or adjacent to the periphery of the first end wall176(and may, for example, only extend about a portion of this periphery).

In other embodiments, as illustrated inFIG. 12, the filter150may further include a lever210. The lever210may, for example, extend from the body170, such as the sidewall174thereof (and may for example be positioned opposite the inlet180about the periphery of the sidewall174). The tab200may extend from the lever210, such as at a location along the lever210between the sidewall174and an end212of the lever210. The lever210and end212thereof may be manipulated by a user to facilitate both installation and removal of the filter150.