Water filter with water enrichment

The present invention describes a water filter apparatus (100, 100a) with integrated nutrient enrichment and/or enhancement. Desired nutrients, ions, hydrogen ions, ceramic, stones, metal etc. packed in granules or balls are selectively disposed inside a stick capsule (160), shell capsule (180) or hydrogen capsule (190). One or two stick capsules (160) are located inside a filter element (150). The stick capsule has a tapered end (162) and in association with T-shaped posts (157) formed on an inside of a cap (151) of the filter element, dynamic flow of water along the tapered end (162) induces nutrient-rich water to flow through perforations (165) at the end of the stick capsule (160), mixes/blends the two streams of water before water is discharged through a faucet (144). The filtered water is also enhanced by treating the water through flavor treatment, anti-bacterial, anti-chlorine, activated carbon and so on.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to a cartridge water filter apparatus and a water enrichment system. The filtered water is enriched and/or enhanced by infusing nutrients, minerals, ions, hydrogen and so on before water is discharged for consumption.

BACKGROUND

With greater health awareness, there is a need for more filtered water at home, offices, schools and so on. Existing reverse osmosis and nano-membrane filters are highly effective in removing contaminants but they also remove beneficial calcium, magnesium, etc. Hence, there is a need to enrich or enhance filtered water by remineralizing, adding nutrients, vitamins, herbs, flavours, ions and so on back into the water after filtering. Desirably, the water filter of the present invention gives users flexibility to choose the desired types and combinations of enrichment or enhancement without having to invest money on different filter apparatuses.

SUMMARY

The following presents a simplified summary to provide a basic understanding of the present invention. This summary is not an extensive overview of the invention, and is not intended to identify key features of the invention. Rather, it is to present some of the inventive concepts of this invention in a generalised form as a prelude to the detailed description that is to follow.

The present invention seeks to provide a water filter apparatus and capsules containing desirable nutrients, minerals, ions, hydrogen and so on to enrich or enhance the filtered water. The nutrient-rich water is also mixed and blended in with the filtered water before water is discharged for consumption or use. Desirably, the filter apparatus is compact and has a small footprint. The other advantages are that the filter apparatus does not need electricity to operate and is easy to maintain and clean.

In one embodiment, the present invention provides a water filter apparatus.

In another embodiment, the present invention provides a system for water filtering and enriching.

In yet another embodiment, the present invention provides a kit for a water filter apparatus.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

One or more specific and alternative embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the attached drawings. It shall be apparent to one skilled in the art, however, that this invention may be practised without such specific details. Some of the details may not be described at length so as not to obscure the invention. For ease of reference, common reference numerals or series of numerals will be used throughout the figures when referring to the same or similar features common to the figures.

FIG. 1Ashows an exploded view of the water filter100according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown inFIG. 1A, the water filter100is made up of a base member110, a filter housing120connected to the base member110, a filter element150disposed inside the filter housing120and a stick capsule160disposed inside the filter element150; water, supplied through an inlet fitting130, flows into the base member110, fills a volume between the filter housing120and filter element150, and permeates through the filter element150and flows into an interior volume of the filter element. Some of the filtered water flows down the exterior of the stick capsule160to an interior volume of the base member and then flows out of a faucet144through an outlet fitting140and spout142; at the same time, some of the filtered water flows down an interior volume of the stick capsule160, in which is disposed granules/balls containing desirable nutrients, inorganic ions, organic ions, anti-bacterial surfaces, vitamins, herbs, flavoring, activated carbon and so on, which a user can choose. The filtered water enriched, enhanced and/or infused with some of the desired nutrients, ions, vitamin, herbs or flavour and treated with anti-bacteria, anti-chlorine and so on is dynamically sucked or drawn out through openings165(as seen inFIG. 3C) at the lower, tapered end162of the stick capsule160by a stronger annular flow of filtered water surrounding the exterior, lower end of the stick capsule160; such induced, suction flow of nutrient-rich water from inside the capsule160makes use of Bernoulli's principle but is not limited only by this principle; this dynamically induced suction flow will be clearer whenFIG. 3Gis described. When a hydrogen capsule190is disposed inside a cavity116in the base member110, the nutrient-rich water is further enhanced by releasing into it a certain amount of hydrogen ions contained in the hydrogen capsule190before the nutrient-rich water is discharged through the faucet144.

As seen inFIG. 1A, it is possible that a second stick capsule160is connected end-to-end in a butt joint with the (first, lower) stick capsule160, so that the second stick capsule160may contain the same or other desirable nutrients, inorganic ions, organic ions, anti-bacterial surfaces, vitamins, herbs, flavouring and so on, that is/are different from those in the first stick capsule. Some of these nutrient rich granules can be obtained from Shandong Muqi Health Sci-Tech Co. Ltd (contactable at www.imuqi.cn), which may be manufactured according to China patent publication no. CN104607039 (application no. 201510026980.7). Another supplier is Gau-Jiuh International Co., Ltd. (contactable at www.gau-jiuh.com.tw). The nutrient rich granules may be in the form of balls of Tourmaline, oxidation-reduction potential (ORP) negative potential ceramic, negative ion ceramic, mineral water ceramic, Maifanshi stone ceramic, far infra-red stone, magnetic energy, hydrogen rich, micro-porous antibacterial, inhibiting scale, filter ceramic, chlorine removal, hydrogen water media-rolled typed Magnesium metal, and so on.

As seen inFIG. 1A, a stepped-opening111is formed on an upper face of the base member110; the stepped-opening111has a big stepped opening and a small stepped opening. A side wall112of the big(ger) stepped-opening111is threaded to match threads122formed on a rim of the filter housing120. An O-ring or seal (not shown inFIG. 1A) may be disposed at the sidewall112or thread122to ensure a leak-proof connection.

Also as seen inFIG. 1A, a cap151is sealed to closed a lower, open end of the (hollow) filter element150. If the filter element is open at both ends, an upper cap may be used to seal the upper end, as seen inFIG. 2B. As an eg., the filter element150may have a diameter of about 50 mm (or 2 inches) and a length of about 250 mm (or 10 inches). The cap151terminates or projects out with an exterior neck152. An O-ring153may be disposed between the cap151and the neck152for leak-proof sealing. In one embodiment, an exterior surface of the neck152is threaded for connection with a thread matching directly on the smal(ler) stepped-opening111, such as threaded connection114; such a threaded connection114may be of M24 size; in another embodiment, it is possible that the exterior surface of the neck152is non-threaded and the plain cylindrical neck152is pushed fit into the smal(ler) non-threaded stepped-opening114.

The base member110is compact in size.FIG. 1Bshows a substantially circular outline at the top of the base member110transitioning to a substantially oval outline at the bottom of the base member (as shown inFIG. 1C). In a counter-top embodiment, the bottom of the base member is provided with a luminous silicon ring119, which makes the base member visible at night. In a below-sink or in-cabinet embodiment, an L-bracket is provided to fix the bottom of the base member to a wall or sidewall.

FIG. 2Ashows a filter apparatus100aaccording to a variation of the above embodiment. In the filter apparatus100a, the filter element150may be supplied with an existing cap11, where the neck12may be threaded with a size like M12-M17, ¼ BSP or ¼ NPS. Element13is an O ring provided for water tight sealing. To fit the neck12to the smal(ler) stepped-opening111, such as threaded connection114, an adaptor200is provided for intermediate connection between the neck12and the base member110. This embodiment is useful as some users already have filter elements supplied with existing necks12that do not fit with the base member110. After these filter elements have been used up, users can then buy the filter elements150with caps151that fit with the base member110, and so can enrich the filtered water according to one's needs. By providing these adaptors200, the existing filter elements with necks12are not wasted.

FIGS. 2A-2Bshow the adaptor200. The adaptor200has a T-shaped head202, a threaded end204and an interior opening206. The interior opening206is threaded for connection with the threaded neck12, whilst the threaded end204connects with the threaded connection114at the base member110. The peripheral edge of the T-shaped head202has notches, which notches allow a user to turn the adaptor200during installation into the base member110or to turn the adaptor for removal, for eg, during maintenance or cleaning. A key300, shown inFIG. 6A, is supplied for turning the adaptor200, besides turning a closure cap195associated with the cavity for receiving the hydrogen capsule190and port opening118or a bleed valve124associated with the filter housing120of the present invention.

To further enrich and/or enhance the nutrient-rich water, it is possible to provide a shell capsule180to contain some desired material in a small quantity, such as magnesium, germanium, pearl and so on. In one embodiment, the shell capsule180is made of two hollow halves181,182, which can be opened and then kept closed by means of some catches. The shell capsule180has perforated holes184. An upper surface of the upper half capsule181has a plurality of short pins183. These pins183ensure that the holes184at the upper surface of the shell capsule are not blocked/obstructed when the shell capsule180is in contact with the end of the stick capsule160, so nutrient-rich water is able to flow through the shell capsule180. In addition, the shell capsule180has a stepped shoulder186, which allows the shell capsule180to be located in the base member110, for eg., near the end of the smal(ler) stepped-opening111.

Referring back,FIG. 3Ashows an assembly of two stick capsules160inside the filter element150. The stick capsules160are butt joined by a pair of matching male and female connectors170a,170b, as seen inFIG. 3B. These matching male and female connectors can also be inverted when in use, as seen inFIG. 3A. Matching notches171and grooves172ensure the male and female connectors170a.170bfit in a pair.FIG. 3Dshows an enlarged end view of the connectors170a,170b, where the interior cavity is open as defined by slots173. Similarly, the body of the stick capsule160is perforated with holes161and the end of the stick capsule160is also perforated with holes165, as seen inFIG. 3C.

FIG. 3E-3Fshow views of the filter element cap151, whilstFIG. 3Gshows part of the stick capsule160when assembled inside the cap151(by inserting the stick capsule160through the centre opening of the cap151). The inside of the cap151has two concentric sidewalls154,155; the outer concentric sidewall154is shaped and dimensioned to fit with an outside surface the filter element150, whilst the inner concentric sidewall155is shaped and dimensioned to fit with an inside surface of the filter element. Projecting radially inward from the inner sidewall155are six T-shaped posts157for loosely locating the tapered end162of the stick capsule160. The tapered end162of the stick capsule has 4 ribs163; when the tapered end162is located inside the cap151by the T-shaped posts, there is an annular space through which the nutrient-rich water flows (as shown by arrows A1and A2inFIG. 3G). Inventor has selected 4 ribs163in association with 6 numbers of T-shaped posts157so that any angular orientation between the ribs163and T-shaped posts157would not impede the water flow around the tapered end162of the stick capsule160. As the nutrient-rich water flows down the tapered end, there is an increase in the flow speed; this increased flow speed creates a lower pressure (LP) region at the end of stick capsule160according to Bernoulli's principle, but is not solely bound by this principle. As the end of the stick capsule is perforated with holes165, the nutrient-rich water inside the stick capsule160is gradually induced, drawn or sucked out of the stick capsule (as shown by arrows B1and B2) and mix/blend with the outer streams of water. When the faucet is not discharging nutrient-rich water or the filtered water is substantially not flowing, the nutrient-rich water does diffuse out through holes or perforations161formed along the length of each stick capsule. For eg., there may be four rows of holes/perforations161. An advantage of the present invention is the creating of a dynamic flow of water around the tapered end of the stick capsule, creating turbulence in the water flow by the T-shaped posts, inducing/sucking of nutrient-rich water through the end of the stick capsule and mixing/blending of the nutrient-rich water with the rest of the filtered water flowing out from inside the filter element150. In this way, the present invention provides a filter apparatus in which a user has freedom to choose combinations of nutrients, ions, flavours or treatment of the filtered water for consumption or use without having to buy several types of filter apparatuses dedicated for each nutrient or treatment. Coupled with the compact sizes of the component parts, the filter apparatus100,100ais also made more affordable and of an esthetic design. In addition, there is no need for electricity to operate this filter apparatus.

FIG. 5Ashows the hydrogen capsule190is made up of two parts190a,190b. The interior of the hydrogen capsule is hollow and the shell of the hydrogen capsule190is perforated with holes191. As described above, hydrogen rich granules or balls are contained in the hydrogen capsule and hydrogen is slowly infused or transformed by immersion into the water. As can be seen inFIG. 5Athere is a pin192on an end of the left hand part190a, also seen in the end view inFIG. 5B. The pin192ensures that the there is a gap between the end of the left hand part190awhen the hydrogen capsule190is assembled inside the cavity116, so that water flow around and through the hydrogen capsule is not impeded. As seen fromFIG. 5A, the right hand part190bis substantially tapered; the tapered end part fits snugly with an interior of the closure cap195(as seen inFIG. 5C) so that the hydrogen capsule190is inserted into the cavity116in only one direction.FIG. 5Dshows an exterior surface of the closure cap195has grooves196. There are 11 grooves; the grooves are arranged so that a pair of opposing grooves196engage with a pair of teeth304formed on the key300, such that the pair of teeth304lay on a plane305(as seen inFIG. 6C); the 11 numbers of grooves and arrangement of two substantially opposing grooves on a plane ensure one direction of fitting the teeth304into the grooves196.

Referring back,FIG. 6Bshows a section X of the key300through teeth303. Teeth303is shaped and dimensioned to engage with notches on the T-shaped adaptor head202for turning the adaptor200into or out of the base member110. Near the teeth304, there is a notch306; the notch306is for engaging with a bleed valve124located on top of the filter housing120. By bleeding air from inside the filter housing, water can occupy the entire volume inside the filter apparatus. Also as seen inFIG. 6A, the sides of the key300are formed with striations302, which help to provide positive grip between a user's thumb and fingers.

As a reader would realise, the filter apparatus100,100aof the present invention is compact and does not require electricity to operate. Another advantage is the ease of maintenance, and a wide choice of enriching materials a user can choose from according to one's need.

While specific embodiments have been described and illustrated, it is understood that many changes, modifications, variations and combinations thereof could be made to the present invention without departing from the scope of the invention. For eg., the filter element150may be made of ceramic, PP, cotton fibres, membrane and so on. Preferably, the materials of the filter housing, base member, fittings, capsules, cap and so on are selected from food grades of polymers such as PP, PCTG, ABS, PA, etc. FDA grades of PP, PCTG, ABS, PA, etc are also preferred. BPA-free PCTG is also preferred; preferably, the tubings are made from FDA grade TPU. Whilst a counter-top water filter apparatus has been shown and illustrated, the manner of filtering and enriching filtered water is applicable for an under-sink filter apparatus; it is also possible that the above filtering and enriching system be incorporated into an in-cabinet type of filtering apparatus.