Patent Publication Number: US-2004047675-A1

Title: Filter cartridge cleaning kit

Description:
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001] 1. Field of the Invention  
       [0002] The invention relates to a tool for cleaning pool/spa filtering equipment. Particularly, the invention relates to a kit containing an assembly of multiple cleaning tools configured to be used for cleaning various filtering surfaces of the filter cartridge.  
       [0003] 2. Background of the Invention  
       [0004] The safe and efficient handling and distribution of swimming pool chemicals and the effective removal of surface water debris from swimming pools is a constant maintenance requirement. Conventionally, swimming pools include a water filtration system for purifying the swimming pool water by preventing solids, semi-solids and various oils from reentering the pool. Typically, such a system is provided with a pump which circulates water within the swimming pool, causing the pool water to pass through a filter.  
       [0005] A typical filter device or a pool skimmer can be installed on the side of the swimming pool at or about the desired water level and regardless of its overall structure necessarily includes a filter cartridge. The filter cartridge is an assembly which may, for example, contain a reusable core and a coreless element receiving the core.  
       [0006] Either of the filter cartridge components, and particularly the coreless element is provided with a pleated material, such as paper, blocking solid and semi-solid particles flowing in with the pool water from reentering the pool. The effective life of the filter depends upon the degree of contamination of the surface of the pleated material. To provide the filtering components with maximum longevity, it is imperative that the pleated material be periodically cleaned.  
       [0007] The filter cartridge can be cleansed of coarse dirt and debris by pressure washing inside and out with a garden hose. However, because of the narrow pleats, it is difficult to use a hose for effectively delivering water to narrow trough-like areas. Particularly, the difficulty arises during cleaning the inner surface of the filter cartridge, which is typically a long structure having a relatively small inner diameter. After hosing and drying the cartridge, the filtering surface areas have to be carefully brushed or vacuumed to remove fine particles.  
       [0008] Such fluids as algae, suntan oil, and body oil, which are typically present in the pool water and tend to form a coating on the filter pleats, may not be thoroughly removed by hosing or vacuuming. Accordingly, the filtering surfaces require brushing or any other action associated with frictional contact between a cleaning element and the filtering surface. Yet, the use of brushes has to be carefully monitored to prevent the delicate filtering material from being damaged.  
       [0009] While numerous types of cleaning tools are marketed, applicant is not aware of a combination of tools specifically designed to allow the user to effectively clean inner and outer surfaces of the filter cartridge used in swimming pools and spa. Many pool owners often use tools that are not suitable for accomplishing such a simple, but at the same time, delicate task as cleaning the pleated surfaces of the filter cartridge. As a consequence, the filters are frequently damaged and should be replaced.  
       [0010] It is, therefore, desirable to provide a filter cartridge cleaning modular system capable of effectively cleaning the inner and outer surfaces of various filtering components.  
       OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION  
       [0011] It is an object of the present invention to provide a kit containing a variety of necessary tools shaped and dimensioned to safely and effectively clean the inner and outer surfaces of a filter cartridge used in pools and spas.  
       [0012] A further object of the invention is to provide an assembly for cleaning filtering components of the filter cartridge having a combination of cleaning elements selectively adjustable on a common tool carrier.  
       [0013] Yet another object of the invention is to provide an assembly for cleaning filtering components having a simple and easily adjustable structure facilitating effective cleaning of the differently dimensioned inner and outer surface of the filtering cartridge.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0014] Consistent with the foregoing objects, the invention discloses a kit having a compact structure which includes an array of compartments. Each of the compartments is shaped and dimensioned to receive a respective, uniquely shaped cleaning tool of an inventive cleaning assembly.  
       [0015] One of the advantages of the inventive kit is convenience offered by a single package which contains various, but necessary tools, which are, otherwise, sold separately. Accordingly, the inventive kit can save the user from unnecessary aggravation typically associated with purchasing individual cleaning tools. A further advantage of the kit is an arrangement having a series of illustrations showing how to correctly use each of the purchased tools so as to maximize the cleaning effect and to prevent filtering surfaces from being damaged.  
       [0016] In accordance with one aspect of the invention, the inventive cleaning assembly includes a tool carrier and various individual tools selectively attachable to the tool carrier to provide effective cleaning of different filtering surfaces. At least one of the tools can provide effective brushing of a filtering surface to be cleaned while watering this surface. The brushing tool has a combination of tufts or bristles and an array of openings arranged on a holder in a manner allowing the user to gently rub the surface which, at the same time, is amply watered to minimize damaging contact between the bristles and the filtering surface.  
       [0017] Accordingly, one of the advantages of the inventive cleaning assembly is the provision of the brushing tool minimizing a possible damage that often occurs due to excessive frictional contact between the filtering surface to be cleaned and the bristles. Furthermore, the brushing tool allows the user to effectively clean filtering surfaces in a time-efficient manner.  
       [0018] Another aspect of the invention includes a nozzle-like cleaning tool particularly suitable for treating narrow troughs of the pleated filtering surfaces of the filter cartridge. Due to the elongated conical spout of the nozzle-like tool, water traversing a hollow housing of this tool can be conveniently directed to the desired areas, which are usually trough-like formations provided on the outer and, particularly, on the inner surface of the filter cartridge.  
       [0019] A further aspect of the invention is directed to a simple structure allowing the user to selectively mount, use, and replace the cleaning tools of the inventive assembly on the tool carrier.  
       [0020] In accordance with a further aspect of the invention, the inventive kit may further include a compartment shaped and dimensioned to house a water-disinfecting and/or cleaning tablet. 
     
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
     [0021]FIG. 1 is an isometric view of the inventive kit containing an assembly for cleaning a filter cartridge.  
     [0022]FIG. 2 is a sectional view of a proximal end of a tool carrier provided with a fluid-controlling mechanism of the inventive assembly;  
     [0023]FIG. 3 is an isometric exploded view of the inventive assembly for cleaning the filter cartridge components;  
     [0024]FIG. 4 illustrates the applicability of one of the embodiments of the cleaning assembly shown in FIG. 1;  
     [0025]FIG. 5 illustrates the applicability of another embodiment of the cleaning assembly shown in FIG. 2;  
     [0026]FIG. 6 is an isometric view of another tool of the inventive assembly;  
     [0027]FIG. 7 is a top view of the tool shown in FIG. 6; and  
     [0028]FIG. 8 is an isometric view of a water-disinfecting table forming a part of the inventive assembly and kit. 
    
    
     SPECIFIC DESCRIPTION  
     [0029] Referring generally to FIGS.  1 - 8 , and particularly to FIG. 1, an inventive kit  10  is configured to conveniently compartmentalize a cleaning assembly  12  including a multiplicity of cleaning tools, each of which is shaped and dimensioned to provide effective cleaning of a respective surface of the filter cartridge. The kit  10  is provided with a plurality of separate compartments  14 ,  16  each shaped and dimensioned to house a respective tool. Thus, the kit  10  has a space-efficient and aesthetically appealing structure. In addition, the kit  10  provides the buyer with illustrative instructions  15  clearly showing the concrete application of each of the cleaning tools.  
     [0030] The cleaning assembly  1  includes an elongated tool carrier  18  (FIGS. 1, 3) allowing the user to extend the tools, which are removably coupled to the distal end of the carrier, to hard-to-reach inner  24  and outer  26  surfaces of the filter cartridge, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. A hollow elongated shaft  28  (FIG. 1) of the tool carrier  18  is formed with a handle  20  having a textured surface, for example, an array of spaced ribs  22 , which can provide the user with a reliable grip on the tool carrier during a cleaning operation. The outer diameter of the handle  20  is somewhat larger than the outer diameter of the hollow shaft  28 . The interior of the hollow shaft  28  and the handle  20  form a guide channel for delivering fluid from a main towards the surfaces to be cleaned. The handle  20  terminates with a flange  30  provided with an inner threaded surface  32  (FIG. 1) dimensioned to engage a hose or a faucet.  
     [0031] To control water delivery, the assembly  12  is provided with a fluid-controlling mechanism  38  (FIGS. 1, 2), which includes a ball valve  40  and an actuator  42 , better seen in FIG. 2. The ball valve  40  is displaceably mounted within a ball-seat area  41  of the interior of the handle  20  and is located adjacent to an inner threaded surface  32  of the flange  30 . The ball-seat area  41  is configured with an inner diameter which is somewhat smaller than an inner diameter of the flange  30  and is dimensioned to allow the ball valve  40  to rotate between a closed and open position. A ball-valve actuator  42  is removably mounted on the outer surface of the flange  30  and includes a lever  44  coupled to the ball valve  40  by a suitable fastener  43  (FIG. 2). The lever  44  is dimensioned to provide the user with a comfortable grip. In the open position, the ball valve  40  provided with an inner passage is displaced so that the passage is aligned with the interior of the hollow shaft  28  and is, thus, traversed by water running toward the distal end of the hollow shaft. In response to an external force applied by the user, the lever  44  displaces the ball valve  40  in the closed position, in which the flow of water is blocked. To reliably seal the interior of the hollow shaft  28 , an O-ring seal  46  (FIG. 2) is provided between the threaded surface  32  and the ball-seat area  41  of the flange  30 . The O-ring seal  46  can be provided with radially spaced lugs engaging between threads of the threaded surface  32  and positioned to prevent excessive penetration of the hose into the flange  30 . Another O-ring seal  50  (FIG. 2) is juxtaposed with the downstream region of the ball-seat area to ensure a reliable seal preventing water from traversing the interior of hollow shaft  28  in the closed position of the ball valve. To prevent the possibility of radial displacement of the actuator  42  if a fastener  43  gets loose, the outer surface of the flange  30  has a guide surface  52  (FIG. 1) extending complementary to and partially surrounding an annular surface of a base  54  (FIG. 2) of the lever  44 .  
     [0032] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 6, the inventive assembly includes a brush  34  particularly shaped and dimensioned to provide effective cleaning of the outer surfaces  26  (FIG. 4) of the filtering components. A housing  56  is provided with a flange  58 , which has an outer threaded surface  68  engaging an inner threaded surface of a flange  70  ( FIG. 1) formed on the distal end of the hollow shaft  28 , and has a hollow interior in flow communication with the interior of the hollow shaft  28  of the tool carrier. To provide such a flow communication, the housing  56  receives in a press-fit manner a bristle holder  64  (FIGS. 6, 7) provided with alternating rows of bristles  60  and openings  62 . The openings  62  can be either uniformly dimensioned or variously dimensioned and shaped so that the openings of different rows are not identical. In addition, the openings forming the same row can have either uniform or different shapes and sizes. The openings  62  forming one of the rows of openings can be aligned with or offset from the openings of the other row, as shown in FIG. 7. All of these arrangements of the openings  62  are intended to provide effective cleaning of differently dimensioned various surfaces of the filtering components.  
     [0033] Turning to FIG. 3, a tool  36  has a hollow body  66  formed with an inner threaded surface and an elongated, relatively narrow conical spout  68  sized to direct a jet of water to the desired narrow regions of the filtering pleats.  
     [0034] Note that the threaded surfaces of the tools and the flange  70  can be provided so that it is the tools that have the inner threaded surface engaging the outer threaded surface of the flange  70 . Also, other types of telescopic connections between the tools and the tool carrier can be utilized as long as such a connection is waterproof. In general, the entire cleaning assembly  12  is made from polymeric material. However, other types of materials resistant to corrosion can be used as well.  
     [0035] In addition, the kit  10  can be further provided with an additional compartment housing at least one cleaning and/or water-disinfecting tablet  80  containing a detergent, as shown in FIG. 8. The tablet  80  is 100% soluble and is pre-measured to be placed in a skimmer or used with the tool carrier. For example, the tablet  80  can be placed in the handle between the ball-seat area  41  and the threaded surface  32 . Alternatively, the tablet can be received in the distal end of the hollow shaft  28  and placed on a seat located immediately upstream from the inner threaded surface of the flange  70 . To place the tablet  80  on the seat, the tablet is dimensioned to be small enough so it can be carried through the diameter of the flange  70  and allow a washing liquid to pass by towards the distal end of the tool carrier. Furthermore, the inventive kit can have a separate compartment sized and shaped to receive the tablet  80 .  
     [0036] While this disclosure has described various aspects of the present invention, the latter is not limited thereto, and is susceptible to numerous changes and modifications as known to those skilled in the art. Therefore, the invention is not limited to the details shown and described herein, and includes all such changes and modifications as are encompassed by the scope of the appended claims.