Abstract:
A multi-function showerhead filter system includes a ball-like swivel-mounted inlet joint having a fluid input to the housing, the inlet joint including a fluid input cavity converging, at a distal end, into a venturi outlet. The system also includes a pressure chamber formed within the housing, downstream of the venturi outlet and in fluid communication with it, the chamber having an inlet at least equal to a largest radius of the venturi outlet. The system also includes a turbulence-inducing water filter cartridge secured within the housing downstream of the pressure chamber and having an inlet surface in fluid and mechanical communication with it. The system further includes an output within the housing, secured downstream of the filter cartridge and in fluid communication with it, the output of which is passed through the cartridge, into one of the function modes of spraying, bubbling and massaging.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Area of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to showerhead systems having an internal filtration system. 
     2. Prior Art 
     The recognition and linking of macroscopic and microscopic pathogens to the aesthetic and health qualities of water has resulted in a search for effective water disinfects and treatment procedures. The introduction of water chlorinization, as a continuous water disinfecting process, occurred early in the twentieth century. Today approximately 80% of all potable water systems in the United States use chlorine as a water disinfectant. 
     However, the treatment of water with chlorine has certain side effects. Even in lower concentrations, such as originally used by commercial food processors and bottlers, chlorine creates an objectionable odor and taste. Also, as chlorine is added to water containing pathogenic microorganisms, the highly reactive chlorine combines with fatty acids and carbon fragments to form a variety of toxic compounds. 
     Recent studies have indicated that chlorine and the compounds which chlorine forms in water can be inhaled and absorbed through the skin by persons bathing or showering. According to research findings presented at a meeting of the American Chemical Society in the 1980&#39;s, it was shown that the taking of long, hot showers is a health risk. In summary, this presentation stated that taking showers, and to a lesser extent, baths, leads to a greater exposure to toxic chemicals contaminated in the water than does drinking the water. Due to the increased temperatures and surface area, the chemicals that evaporate out of the hot water are absorbed through the skin. Moreover, the chlorine also escapes to the surrounding air and can be harmful to persons breathing the air around showers and bath, and thus increasing the chance of harmful exposure beyond that which such persons would encounter by actually drinking the water. 
     Accordingly, shower filter assemblies have been proposed in the past for filtering out chlorine and chlorine compounds from shower water. Such filter assemblies are described, for example, in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,300,224; 5,008,011; 5,152,464; 4,933,080; 5,545,314 and 6,325,930. Such solutions have, however, not proven to be cost-effective, this typically due to the requirement of use of costly special purpose filters, awkward inlet valves, limited functionality of the outlet spray of the showerhead, and inefficient internal water flow or pressurization. The instant invention addresses these limitations of the prior art. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention relates to a multi-function showerhead filter system disposed within an elongate housing. Therein, the system comprises a ball-like swivel-mounted inlet joint comprising a fluid input to said housing, said inlet joint including a fluid input cavity converging, at the distal end thereof, into a venturi outlet. The system also includes a pressure chamber formed within said housing, downstream of said venturi outlet and in fluid communication therewith, said chamber having an inlet opening at least equal in radius to a largest radius of said venturi outlet. The inventive system also includes a turbulence-inducing water filter cartridge secured within said housing downstream of said pressure chamber and having an inlet surface in fluid and mechanical communication therewith. The system further includes output means within said housing, secured downstream of said filter cartridge and in fluid communication therewith, said output means comprising means for outputting from the showerhead filter system pressurized water which is passed through said filter cartridge, into one or more of the function modes of spraying, bubbling and massaging. 
     It is accordingly an object of the present invention to provide a cost-effective multi-mode showerhead filter system. 
     It is another object to provide a showerhead filter system having a compact geometry and a wide range of swivel capability of the showerhead portion versus an inlet joint thereof. 
     It is a still further object of the invention to provide a showerhead filter system which includes a readily changeable and standardized filter, which includes internal filtration media to effectively disinfect, oxidize or reduce pathogenic microorganisms and toxic compounds which would otherwise be created by the effect of chlorine upon fatty acids, other organics, and carbon fragments within the water supply. 
     It is a yet further object to provide a system of the above type which enables outputs of one or more of the spray function, a bubbling function, and a massage function therefrom. 
     It is a still further object to accomplish the objects above set forth without the use of a showerhead filter system having long or complex pads of water flow therein 
     It is a further object to provide a showerhead filter system of the above type which will provide enhanced turbulence and, thereby, increase exposure of the water passing therethrough to the internal filtration media of the filter of the showerhead system. 
     The above and yet other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the hereinafter set forth Brief Description of the Drawings, Detailed Description of the Invention and Claims appended herewith. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a vertical diametric cross-sectional view of the inventive showerhead filter system. 
     FIG. 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the ball-like swivel mounted inlet joint of the invention, its associated pressure chamber, and the input surface to the water filter cartridge thereof. 
     FIG. 3 is a view showing the swivel capability of the inlet joint relative to the system housing. 
     FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the upper cap of the filter cartridge. 
     FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of the lower portion of FIG. 1 showing the output related mechanisms of the present system. 
     FIG. 6 is an exploded axial view of all components of the inventive system. 
     FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the screen mesh underplate of the filter cartridge. 
     FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the upper portion of the body of the housing of the present system. 
     FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a spring holding plate associated with the massage and bubbling functions. 
     FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a washer which isolates the bubbling from the massage functions of the invention. 
     FIGS. 11A thru  11 C are respective top, perspective and bottom views of an outer plate means associated with the spraying, bubbling and massage functions. 
     FIG. 12 is a separator plate which isolates the spray function from the other functions of the output of the system. 
     FIG. 13 is a filter associated with the spray function. 
     FIG. 14 is a bracket associated with the bubbling function of the system. 
     FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the impeller associated with the massage function. 
     FIG. 16 is a diametric cross-sectional view of the distal most portion of the showerhead filter system. 
     FIG. 17 is a schematic axial cross-sectional view of the turbulence inducing means of the filter cartridge. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     With reference to the vertical diametric cross-sectional view of FIG. 1, the instant inventive multi-function showerhead filter system  20  may be seen to include an upper substantially cylindrical housing  22 , an intermediate housing  24  in circumferential threaded relationship with said central housing  22 , and a distal-most assembly  26  which is secured to said housing  24  through an annular outer plate  28  and a rotatable annular central assembly  30 , the functions and relationships of which are more fully set forth below. 
     With further reference to FIG. 1, there is shown a filter cartridge  32  which is defined by vertical cylindrical walls  34  which, through spacing means  36  and O-rings  38 , are secured to said upper housing  22 . Filter cartridge  32  further includes upper cap  40  which define the upper and lower surfaces of the filter cartridge. Caps  40 / 42 , the structure of which is generically shown in FIG. 4, cover porous radial disks  44  and  46  therebeneath. Cup  40  and disk  44  define a filter inlet surface, while cup  42  and disk  46  define a filter outlet surface. Within the body of cartridge  32  is a filtration media, such as a KDF media  45  through which the water to be filtered will pass. Further, within filter cartridge  32  is generically shown turbulence inducing means  47 . See FIG.  17 . However, such means may assume any of a number of forms and positions. See, for example, the turbulence inducing means taught in U.S. Pat. No. 5,975,434 (1999) to Douglas, entitled Showerhead System with Turbulence Inducing and Water Purifying Means, which is incorporated herein by reference. Additionally, a steel of polymeric mesh  49 / 51  may be interposed between one or more of cup  40 ./mesh  44  (see FIG. 2) and cup  42 /mesh  46  (see FIG. 5) to provide a means for reducing potential media migration out or cartridge  32 . A typical value of mesh  49 / 51  is about 250 to 300. 
     In terms of the characterizing features of the instant invention, the salient feature of filter cartridge  32  is that it offer a wide inlet surface  50  (see also FIG.  2 ), such that pressurized water exiting from a venturi outlet  52  of a ball-like swivel mounted inlet joint  54  may be disbursed over a wide area at least as large as inlet opening  56  within upper axial part  22   a  of said housing  22 . There is thereby defined a pressure chamber  58  between the venturi outlet  52  of ball joint  54  and upper surface  50  of upper cap  40 . 
     As may be further noted in the views of FIGS. 1,  2  and  3 , inlet joint is substantially hollow to permit a fluid input  60  (typically attached to a water input pipe in a shower area) to fill and pressurize a cavity  62  within joint  54  which, at a distal end  64  thereof, exhibits a curved surface  66  which converges into a channel  68 . Thereby, the effect thereof is to considerably increase the pressure of water passing therethrough such that, upon the exit from channel  68 , rapid expansion occurs within venturi outlet  52 , thereby spreading pressurized water over a large conical region and through said opening  56  within housing  22   a  within the pressure chamber  58  and to input plate  40  of the filter cartridge  32 . The fluid integrity of pressure chamber  58 , is assured through the use of washer  70  at a lower interface between ball joint  54  and housing  22   a . Suitable travel of inlet joint  54  relative to housing  22  is assured through the mounting of the joint within a circumferential nut-collar  72  as well as the use of curved surfaces  74  in the uppermost portion of housing  22 . See FIG. 2. A further washer  76  is provided to yet further ensure the stability of inlet joint  54  as well as its moveability and the fluid integrity of pressure chamber  58 . It has, thereby, been discovered that through proper selection of a diameter  78  at the entrance to nut-collar  72  and a proper securement of all outer surfaces  77  of the ball-like inlet joint  54  within said collar  72  and housing  22 , a substantial range of motion (see FIG. 3) of the system housing  22  relative to the inlet joint  54  is achieved. The nature of the water flow which is emitted by venturi outlet  52  of the inlet joint to chamber  58  is shown by the series of dotted lines in FIG.  2 . The same is further shown in FIG. 3 with reference to the swivel function of the system. It may, accordingly, be appreciated that a venturi outlet in of swivel joint  54  enables a sufficient degree of water pressure to be maintained within pressure chamber  58  against input surface  50  of upper plate  40  regardless of the angle at which the housing  22  is swiveled relative to the inlet joint  54 . It is, therein, to be further appreciated that the use of a venturi outlet enables sufficient water pressure to be supplied to pressure chamber  58  even in situations of low water pressure input to system fluid inlet  60 , i.e., the narrow channel  58  at the entrance to the venturi outlet  52  provides an increased pressure within pressure chamber  58  and, thereby, to inlet surface  50  of upper plate  40  of the filter cartridge, regardless of low water pressure at inlet  60  of the swivel joint  54 . 
     With reference to FIG. 5, there is shown the lower portion of the inventive multi-function showerhead filter system. Shown therein is the water path which is followed by a multiplicity of apertures  80  (see FIG. 4) from lower cap  46  of the filter cartridge. More particularly, the radially outermost flow path  82  provides water pressure to the spray function of the apparatus, while flow path  84  furnishes pressure to the bubbling function of the system. Flow path  86  (the pathway closest to the system axis) furnishes fluid pressure to the massage function of the system. 
     More particularly, there is provided a so-called hold plate  88  (see FIGS. 5,  6  and  9 ) an important function of which is to divert water pressure to the spray function and its associated outlet channels  90 . With respect to said bubbling function, fluid flow path  84  passes through void space  92  (see FIG.  5 ), through aperture  94  in said hold plate  88  and, therefrom into springs  96  hold within annular assembly  30  (see FIG. 6) and hold plate  88 . Therefrom, water stream  44  enters void space  98  of bottom assembly  26  (see FIGS. 5 and 6) and, through apertures  100  of a separator plate  102  (see FIGS. 5,  6  and  12 ). Therefrom, water flow path  84  proceeds downwardly through bracket  104  and the two types of apertures  106  and  108  (see FIG. 14) therein which, in combination with a reciprocation action of said springs  96 , produces a bubbling effect when such a mode of operation is selected by rotation of annular assembly  30  to thereby enable the ultimate water flow pathway  82 ,  84 , or  86  which is selected by the system user. As may be noted, in the bubbling mode, water ultimately exits through apertures  110  of the bottom assembly  26  of the system (see FIGS.  5  and  6 ). 
     With respect to the water path  88  which relates to the massage function of the system, said pathway, after exiting bottom plate  46  of filter  32 , enters a void space  112  which is formed between hold plate  88  and a filter stabilizing assembly  114  (see FIGS.  5  and  6 ). Therefrom, flow path  86  proceeds through said plate  88 , through said springs  96 , through a void space  116  (see FIG. 5) and through apertures  118  within separator plate  102  (see FIGS.  6  and  12 ). Therefrom, water path  86 , associated with the massage function, will proceed through bottom housing piece  26  and will ultimately exit the system through apertures  120  (see FIGS.  5  and  6 ). 
     Shown in FIG. 10 is the geometry of spring washer  122  which assures the stabilization of springs  96  relative to rotational element  30  (see also FIGS.  5  and  6 ). 
     In FIGS. 11 a ,  11   b  and  11   c  are shown in respective top, bottom and bottom perspective views, the fine structure of outer plate  28  which is controlled by said rotating annular assembly  30 . See also FIGS. 5 and 6. Therein may be seen spray apertures  90 , and bubbling and massage apertures  110 / 120 . That is, depending upon the nature of the rotation of assembly  30 , apertures of the plate  28  will align with the desired fluid path  84  or  86 . 
     In FIG. 12 is shown said separator plate  102  which isolates the spray function from the bubbling and massage functions of the system. 
     FIG. 13 shows a filter bracket  124  and its associated apertures  126 , the function of which is to stabilize filter  104  described above (see also FIG.  6 ). 
     FIGS. 6 and 14 show said bracket  104  associated with the bubbling function of the system. 
     In FIG. 15 is shown impeller  128  which enable the massage function of the present system (see also FIGS. 1,  5  and  6 ) 
     In FIG. 16 is shown said distal most assembly  26  which defines the bottom of the structure. 
     There is thus provided a showerhead filter system which includes a readily changeable and standardized filter, which includes internal filtration media to effectively disinfect, oxidize or reduce pathogenic microorganisms and toxic compounds which would otherwise be created by the effect of chlorine upon fatty acids, other organics, and carbon fragments within the water supply. 
     Also provided is a system of the above type which enables outputs of one or more of the spray function, a bubbling function, and a massage function therefrom. 
     While there has been shown and described the preferred embodiment of the instant invention it is to be appreciated that the invention may be embodied otherwise than is herein specifically shown and described and that, within said embodiment, certain changes may be made in the form and arrangement of the parts without departing from the underlying ideas or principles of this invention as set forth in the Claims appended herewith.