FILTER DEVICE

A filter unit is provided for filtering a liquid. The filter unit is intended to be connected to a cap including a first liquid passage and a second liquid passage 114. The filer unit includes: a canister; and a filter cartridge rotatably arranged within the canister, the filter cartridge includes a first filter connection for liquid to pass through, the first filter connection is intended to be connected to the first liquid passage in the cap, wherein the canister is intended to be rotatably attachable to the cap such that, when the canister is attached to the cap by a rotating action, the filter cartridge is stationary to the cap.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates generally to filters for purifying fluids like for example water, and particularly to disposable filters for use in devices for purifying drinking water. The filter according to the invention is intended to facilitate assembly and replacement of filter parts.

BACKGROUND

In the process of cleaning liquids, such as water, normally purifying devices of different types are used depending on the application. The purifying devices normally contain one or more filters that with time may be worn-out and which means that the purifying device need to be replaced. The purifying device with filters are normally formed in one piece such as a molded container having inlet and outlet slots for connection to a system with a liquid to be cleaned. Through the inlet and outlet slots water is allowed to enter and exit an internal cavity with a filter. Often, the purifying device is disposable because of cheap material enclosing the filters. Hence, it is common for the whole purifying device to be replaced when the filters within the purifying device are worn out. This makes it difficult to recycle the filters units efficiently and this may be intensive for natural resources, increasing the amount of waste.

The attachment and detachment of purifying devices may also be a cumbersome process since the at least two connections, an inlet and an outlet, need to be both detached and attached properly when changing the purifying unit. Depending on type of residues left in the filters from the cleaning process it may not be desirable to handle the filters in a way needed having them cleaned.

To this end there is a need to overcome at least some disadvantages in the prior art.

SUMMARY

It is an object of the present inventive concept to mitigate, alleviate or eliminate one or more of the above-identified deficiencies in the art and disadvantages singly or in combination.

According to a first aspect of the inventive concept there is provided a filter unit for filtering a liquid, said filter unit is intended to be connected to a cap comprising a first liquid passage and a second liquid passage, said filter unit comprising;

a canister; and

a filter cartridge rotatably arranged within the canister, the filter cartridge comprises a first filter connection for liquid to pass through, said first filter connection is intended to be connected to said first liquid passage in said cap; wherein the canister is intended to be rotatably attachable to the cap such that, when the canister is attached to said cap by a rotating action, the filter cartridge is stationary to the cap.

Thus, the present invention is based on the idea of providing a filter unit facilitating filter change and facilitating recycling of filter parts. The present invention may also be advantageous in that the rotatably arranged filter cartridge within the canister may have a swivel functionality to the canister when in connection to the cap, which in turn may facilitate detachment of the canister from the cap. This may be especially advantageous when the cap is fixed. By swivel functionality may here be meant that the canister may be rotated without rotating the filter cartridge within the canister. In this way the filter cartridge is intended to not to rotate relative to the cap when in connection to said cap. The filter cartridge is intended to be stationary to the cap when canister, enclosing the filter cartridge, is rotated relative to the cap. Hence, the filter cartridge may be intended to have a fixed position relative the cap when the canister is rotated.

According to an embodiment of the present invention the filter unit may have a cylindrical shape and extend along an axis A though the center of the filter unit, and the canister may be intended to be rotatably attachable to the cap by rotation around axis A.

According to an embodiment of the present invention the filter cartridge may be concentrically arranged in the canister.

According to an embodiment of the present invention the filter cartridge comprise: a top section comprising the first filter connection and a second filter connection intended to be connected to said second liquid passage in said cap; and a filter holder for holding at least one filter piece, said top section may be attached to said filter holder.

This may provide for improved swivel connection between the filter unit and the cap when the filter unit is connected to said cap. The present embodiment may also be advantageous in that it may provide for facilitated assembly and/or disassembly of the filter unit and the filter cap.

According to an embodiment of the present invention the at least one filter piece comprises at least one of granulated activated carbon, mesh fabric, nylon grid, cotton foam, plastic foam, polyester foam, stainless steel grid.

This may provide for a varied filter functionality and an adaptation of the filter to the liquid to be filtered may be done. This may provide for the possibility of removing natural organic matter and/or organic micro-pollutants from the liquid.

According to an embodiment of the present invention a gasket is arranged to seal the junction between the filter cartridge and the canister.

This may improve filter functionality since less liquid risk leaking from the container into the environment. This may also reduce the risk of water leaking inside the filter unit and thus it may reduce the risk of unfiltered water passing the filter unit.

According to an embodiment of the present invention the top section may comprise a third filter connection intended to be in connection with a third liquid passage in the cap.

This may provide for an increased liquid flow through the filter unit when in use.

According to an embodiment of the present invention the filter unit may be intended to function in a first mode and a second mode when connected to said cap; wherein the second and third liquid passage is arranged as an outlet when the filter unit is in said first mode when in use and; the second and third liquid passage are arranged as an inlet when the filter unit is in said second mode when in use.

According to an embodiment of the present invention the filter unit may be intended to function in a first mode and a second mode when connected to said cap; wherein the first liquid passage is arranged as an inlet when the filter unit is in said first mode when in use and; the first liquid passage is arranged as an outlet when the filter unit is in said second mode when in use.

At least one of the above embodiments may be advantageous in that the liquid passing the filter unit may flow through the filter unit in either direction depending on the mode.

According to an embodiment of the present invention the first filter connection, the second filter connection and the third filter connection comprises at least one gasket intended to seal the junction between said connections and corresponding liquid passages when said filter unit (100) is connected to said cap (110).

This may improve filter functionality since less liquid risk leaking from the container into the environment. This may also reduce the risk of water leaking inside the filter unit and thus it may reduce the risk of unfiltered water passing the filter unit.

According to an embodiment of the present invention the canister comprises a canister protrusion intended for locking on to a cap protrusion in said cap when said canister is rotated relative to said cap.

According to an embodiment of the present invention the canister may be intended to be connected to said cap by a bayonet coupling.

The above mentioned embodiments may provide a quick coupling of the canister to the cap. Thus, this may provide for a quick change of filter unit, and more specifically a quick change of filter cartridge.

According to an embodiment of the present invention the canister is threaded and intended to be rotatably attached to corresponding threads in the cap when the canister is connected to said cap.

The embodiment may provide a quick attachment of the canister to the cap. Thus, this may provide for a quick change of filter cartridge.

According to an embodiment of the present invention the filter holder170encloses at least part of the at least one filter piece180.

This may provide for increased filter functionality. When the filter holder encloses at least part of the at least one filter piece the liquid may pass the filter pieces in a desired order. In other words, when the filter holder encloses at least part of the at least one filter piece the liquid may not be able to enter or exit the filter piece from the sides into the rest of the cavity in the filter unit. The liquid may then enter or exit the filter piece from the bottom or top of the filter piece, depending on flow direction and thus if the filter functions in said first or second mode.

Other objectives, features and advantages of the present inventive concept will appear from the following detailed disclosure, from the attached claims as well as from the drawings.

Generally, all terms used in the claims are to be interpreted according to their ordinary meaning in the technical field, unless explicitly defined otherwise herein. Further, the use of terms “first”, “second”, and “third”, and the like, herein do not denote any order, quantity, or importance, but rather are used to distinguish one element from another. All references to “a/an/the [element, device, component, means, step, etc]” are to be interpreted openly as referring to at least one instance of said element, device, component, means, step, etc., unless explicitly stated otherwise.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1shows an exploded view of the filter unit100according to at least one embodiment of the present invention. InFIG. 1a filter unit100is provided for filtering a liquid, said filter unit is intended to be connected to a cap110which comprises a first liquid passage112and a second liquid passage114. The filter unit100comprises a canister120comprising a filter cartridge130rotatably arranged within the canister120. The filter cartridge130comprises a first filter connection140for liquid to pass through. The first filter connection140is intended to be connected to said first liquid passage112in said cap110. The canister120is intended to be rotatably attachable to the cap110such that, when the canister120is attached to said cap110by a rotating action, the filter cartridge130is stationary to the cap110.

By the first filter connection140being intended to be connected to said first liquid passage112may be meant that the first filter connection140may come in contact with the first liquid passage112in the cap110when the canister140is attached to the cap110. When said canister140is connected this way liquid may pass through said first filter connection140and said first liquid passage.

By the first filter connection140being intended to be connected to said first liquid passage112may be meant that the first filter connection140may be fitted to said first liquid passage112in said cap110when the canister140is attached to the cap110. The first filter connection140may be intended to enclose a connection on the inside of the cap110to said first liquid passage112or a connection on the inside of the cap110to said first liquid passage112may be intended to enclose the first filter connection140.

When the canister120is not attached to the cap110, the filter cartridge130may be allowed to rotate freely within the canister120. The canister120may be moved in contact with the cap110when attaching the canister120to said cap110. The first filter connection140may then connect to the first liquid passage112in the cap110.

The filter unit100may be intended to connect to said cap110, more specifically the canister120may be intended to connect to the cap110. The filter cartridge may be positioned within the canister120. When the canister120is attached to the cap110they may constitute a containment within. Within this containment the filter cartridge130may be located. When the canister120is attached to the cap110, the second liquid passage114in the cap110may be in liquid connection to the containment constituted by the canister120and the cap110.

The filter unit100may be intended to function in two modes. When the filter unit100and the cap110are connected the liquid may pass through the filter unit100in these two modes, a first mode or a second mode.

When the filter unit100and the cap110are connected and in the first mode the liquid will enter the filter unit100through said first liquid passage112and the liquid will exit the filter unit100through said second liquid passage114. When in the second mode the liquid will enter the filter unit100through said second liquid passage114and the liquid will exit the filter unit100through said first liquid passage112. In other words, when in said first mode, the second liquid passage114is an outlet and the first liquid passage is an inlet. When in said second mode, the second liquid passage114is an inlet and the first liquid passage is an outlet.

In other words, the second liquid passage114may be intended as an outlet when the filter unit100and the cap110are in said first mode when in use. The second liquid passage114may be intended as an inlet when the filter unit100and the cap110are in said second mode when in use. The first liquid passage112may be intended as an inlet when the filter unit100and the cap110are in said first mode when in use. The first liquid passage112may be intended as an outlet when the filter unit100and the cap110are in said second mode when in use.

Preferably the mode may not be changed under operation and set beforehand. Preferably, the filter cartridge130may be adapted to what mode to be using in order to have proper filtering of the liquid. For example, a certain order of filtering may be desirable, such beginning to filter out larger fractions of particles and then stepwise filter out smaller particles and/or functionality of removing natural organic matter and/or organic micro-pollutants from the liquid.

When the canister120is attached to the cap110, the liquid may enter the filter unit100and the cap110through the first liquid passage112, and flow through the first filter connection140, via the filter cartridge130into the containment constituted by the canister120and the cap110and subsequently exit the filter unit100and the cap110through the second liquid passage114.

When the canister120is attached to the cap110, the liquid may enter the filter unit100and the cap110through the second liquid passage114before reaching the containment constituted by the canister120and the cap110, subsequently the liquid may pass the filter cartridge130and the first filter connection140before exiting the filter unit100and cap110through the first liquid passage112.

The first filter connection140may comprise a gasket210intended to seal the junction between said first filter connection140and the first liquid passage112in the cap110.

The canister120may be intended to be moved in a rotating motion in order to attach the canister120to the cap110. When doing so, the filter cartridge130inside the canister120may be fixed to the cap110and may thus be allowed to rotate within the canister120. The rotatably arranged filter cartridge130within the canister120may thus have a swivel functionality to the canister120when the canister120is connected to the cap110, which in turn may facilitate attachment and/or detachment of the canister120to/from the cap110. This may be especially advantageous when the cap110is fixed.

The canister may be rotated without rotating the filter cartridge within the canister. In this way the filter cartridge is intended not to be rotated relative to the cap. The filter cartridge may be intended to have a fixed position or a stationary position relative the cap when the canister is rotated.

The canister120may be intended to be attached or connected to the cap110by a bayonet coupling or similar, described in more detailed below, such that when the canister120and the cap110is placed in contact with each other, the canister120may be rotated relative the cap110, the canister120may in this way be locked to the cap110. This provides for quick attachment of the filter since the amount of rotation needed is significantly less than when screwing the parts together. Preferably the rotation may be more than 1 degree and less than 90 degrees, more preferably less than 45 degrees, most preferably the rotation may be less than 30 degrees.

The canister120may be threaded and intended to be rotatably attached to corresponding threads in the cap110when the canister120is connected to said cap110.

FIG. 2schematically shows an exploded view of the filter unit100according to at least one embodiment of the present invention. InFIG. 2the filter cartridge130further comprises a top section160comprising the first filter connection140. The filter cartridge130may further comprise a second filter connection150intended to be connected to said second liquid passage114in said cap110. The filter cartridge130may further comprise a filter holder170for holding at least one filter piece180. Said top section160may be attached to said filter holder170. The filter holder170may be cylindrical. The filter holder170may enclose the at least one filter piece180.

When the filter holder encloses at least part of the at least one filter piece the liquid may pass the filter pieces in a desired order. In other words, when the filter holder encloses at least part of the at least one filter piece180the liquid may not be able to enter or exit the filter piece180from the sides into the rest of the cavity in the filter unit when the filter unit is in use. The liquid may then enter or exit the filter piece180from the bottom or top of the filter piece180, depending on flow direction and thus if the filter functions in said first or second mode.

As previously described, the filter unit100may be intended to function in a first mode and a second mode when the filter unit100is connected to the cap110. As described previously, the second liquid passage114may be intended as an outlet when the filter unit100and the cap110is in said first mode when in use. The second liquid passage114may be intended as an inlet when the filter unit100is in said second mode when in use. The first liquid passage112may be intended as an inlet when the filter unit100is in said first mode when in use. The first liquid passage112may be intended as an outlet when the filter unit100is in said second mode when in use.

Hence, the second filter connection150may be an outlet when the filter unit100is in connection to the cap110and in said first mode when in use. The second filter connection150may be an inlet when the filter unit100is in connection to the cap110and in said second mode when in use. The first filter connection140may be an inlet when the filter unit100is in said first mode when in use. The first liquid passage112may be intended as an outlet when the filter unit100is in said second mode when in use.

FIG. 2also shows that the top section (160) comprises a third filter connection (200) intended to be in connection with a third liquid passage (116) in the cap (110).

In other words, the cap110may comprise a third liquid passage116. The top section160may comprise a third filter connection200intended to be in connection with said third liquid passage116.

The second and third liquid passages114,116may be intended as outlets when the filter unit100is connected to said cap110and are in said first mode when in use. The second and third liquid passages114,116may be arranged as inlets when the filter unit100is connected to said cap110and is in said second mode when in use.

Hence, the second and third filter connections150,200may be arranged as outlets when the filter unit100is in said first mode when in use. The second and third filter connections150,200may be arranged as inlets when the filter unit100is in said second mode when in use.

As previous mentioned, the filter cartridge130may be adapted to what mode to be using in order to have proper filtering of the liquid. Preferably, the mode may not be changed under operation and set beforehand.

Preferably the filter unit100and the cap110are intended to be used in said second mode, such that the first liquid passage112may be intended as an outlet. This may provide for improved filter functionality because [client input].

FIG. 3schematically shows a cross-section view of the filter unit100according to at least one embodiment of the present invention. The filter unit100inFIG. 3is shown in an assembled state according to at least one embodiment of the present invention. The first filter connection140, the second filter connection150and the third filter connection200comprises at least one gasket210intended to seal the junction between said connections140,150,200and corresponding liquid passages112,114,116when said filter unit is connected to said cap110.

In other words, the first filter connection140may comprise a gasket210intended to seal the junction between said first filter connection140and the first liquid passage112in the cap110. The second filter connection150may comprise a gasket210intended to seal the junction between said second filter connection150and the second liquid passage114in the cap110. The third filter connection200may comprise a gasket210intended to seal the junction between said third filter connection200and the third liquid passage116in the cap110.

The gasket210may be arranged circumferentially around the first filter connection140when said first filter connection140is intended to be enclosed by the first liquid passage112in order to properly seal the junction between the first liquid passage112and the first filter connection140.

The gasket210may be arranged circumferentially around the second filter connection150when said second filter connection150is intended to be enclosed by the second liquid passage114in order to properly seal the junction between the second liquid passage114and the second filter connection150.

The gasket210may be arranged circumferentially around the third filter connection200when said third filter connection200is intended to be enclosed by the third liquid passage116in order to properly seal the junction between the third liquid passage116and the third filter connection200.

As earlier described each filter connection140,150,200may be intended to enclose respective liquid passages112,114,116. The gaskets210may then be circumferentially arranged on the inside of each filter connection140,150,200or intended to be circumferentially arranged around said liquid passages112,114,116in order to seal the junction between the filter connection140,150,200and the respective liquid passage112,114,116when connecting the filter unit100to the cap110.

The at least one filter piece180may comprise at least one of granulated activated carbon, mesh fabric, nylon grid, cotton foam, plastic foam, polyester foam, stainless steel grid. The at least one filter piece180may comprise several filter pieces180of different type. For example, the different filter pieces180may be adapted to different types of filtering, such as filter different fractions of particles and/or the possibility of removing natural organic matter from the liquid when filtering. Using the at least one filter piece180with activated carbon may provide for the possibility of removing organic micro-pollutants from the liquid. Hence, the at least one filter piece180may be adapted to the situation and the purpose of filtering. The at least one filter piece180may also be adapted to the flow direction of the liquid in order to, for example, filter out larger fractions of particles before filtering the smaller and/or before removing the organic matter by filtration. As seen inFIG. 3, several units of the at least one filter piece180may be present, in this case three units of the at least one filter piece180. One arranged at the bottom of the filter holder170. One arranged within the filter holder170. One arranged at the top of the filter holder170. Where the top is the side of the filter cartridge130facing the liquid passages112,114,116of the filter unit100and the bottom is the opposite direction.

The at least one filter piece180may comprise citric acid in order to . . . [client input]

A gasket190may be arranged to seal the junction between the filter cartridge130and the canister120. The gasket190may be arranged circumferentially around the top section160. When the filter cartridge130is arranged within the canister120, the gasket190may seal the junction between the top section160and the canister120. This may provide for reduced risk of liquid leaking from the container into the environment when the cap110is attached to the canister120. This may also reduce the risk of water leaking inside the filter unit100and thus it may reduce the risk of unfiltered water passing the filter unit100.

FIG. 4schematically shows an example embodiment according to the present invention.FIG. 4shows that the filter unit100has a cylindrical shape and extends along an axis A though the center of the filter unit100, and the canister120is rotatably attachable to the cap110by rotation around axis A.

The filter unit100may be elongated in a cylindrical shape. The axis, A, may be arranged parallel to the elongation of the filter unit100. The cap110may be substantially arranged as a disc. The axis, A, may be arranged within the filter unit100and arranged centrally within the filter unit100. The axis, A, may have a direction towards the cap110. The axis, A, may be parallel to the normal to a surface of the cap110facing the canister120.

The filter unit may have a cylindrical shape and extend along an axis, A, arranged centrally within the filter unit, said axis A may be arranged perpendicular to a diameter of the cylindrical shaped filter unit; the canister may be rotatably attachable to the cap such that it rotates around said axis, A.

As previously described the canister120may be intended to be attached to said cap110by a bayonet coupling or similar.FIG. 4also show that the canister120may comprise a canister protrusion230intended for locking on to a cap protrusion220in said cap110when said canister120is rotated relative to said cap110.

In other words, the cap110may comprise a cap protrusion220. The canister120may comprise a canister protrusion230intended for locking on to the cap protrusion220when said canister120is rotated relative to said cap110.

In other words, the cap110may be attached to the canister120by a connection similar to that of a bayonet coupling. The canister protrusions230may be intended to hook on to the cap protrusions220when the canister120is rotated relative the cap110. The cap110may comprise the cap protrusions220alternating with slots intended for the cap protrusions230to enter when said canister120is moved in contact with the cap110. The cap protrusions220may comprise stoppage protrusions hindering the canister protrusions230to rotate too far when the canister120is rotated relative the cap110. In other words, the cap protrusions220may comprise stoppage protrusions intended to hinder the canister protrusions230to rotate passed the cap protrusion220to neighboring slots when the canister120is rotated relative the cap110.

The cap110may comprise a surface240facing away from the liquid passages112,114,116. The canister120may comprise a surface250intended to face the liquid passages112,114,116of the cap110when the canister120is assembled to the cap110.

The canister120may comprise an outer surface area260enclosing the canister120. The outer surface area260may comprise at least two sections, a first area section262and a second area section264. The first area section may be arranged circumferentially around the canister120and in connection with the surface250.

The first area section262may comprise the canister protrusions230. In other words, the canister protrusions230may be arranged on the canister120within the first area section262.

When bringing the canister120together with the cap110, the canister protrusions230may pass the cap protrusions220. Hence, the canister protrusions230may be intended to first pass the cap protrusions when attaching the canister120to the cap110and secondly be attached to the cap protrusions220when being rotated relative the cap110.

In other words, when the canister120is attached to the cap110the canister120may be moved towards the cap110, the surface250will end up closer to the liquid passages than the surface240. The canister protrusions230, located in the first area section262, will end up closer to the liquid passages112,114,116than the cap protrusions220. This makes it possible to have the canister120fixed to the cap110by rotating the canister120relative said cap110such that the canister protrusions230may be fixed to the cap protrusions220. In other words, the canister protrusions230may enter the slots and passing the cap protrusions220when the canister120is moved in contact with the cap110.

The canister120may be threaded and intended to be rotatably attached to corresponding threads in the cap110when the canister120is connected to said cap110.

Having the bayonet coupling or similar, as described above, may be highly preferred since it may provide a quicker coupling of the canister120to the cap110, and thus a faster change of filter unit100and more specifically a faster change of filter cartridge130.