Abstract:
This invention relates to a color coded counter mechanism for a fluid treatment filter device which indicates to the consumer when to replace the filter. It also includes a selective means in the counter mechanism for permitting the filter device to be used in countries having different standards of filtration without requiring a new counter mechanism for each country.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    The present invention relates to a fluid treatment device and, more particularly, to a water filter system having a plurality of selective filter usage counter mechanisms for monitoring the number of uses of the replaceable filter cartridge and including a color coding element for visual inspection to permit the user to determine the status of the filter.  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    Fluid treatment devices are known and used in homes for removing contaminants from normal tap water. Since the filters fail to perform after many successive uses, an indicator must be visible and readable to the user to permit the user to determine when to replace a filter. Duncan, U.S. Pat. No. 5,190,643; Gebhard, U.S. Pat. No. 6,033,557; Tanner, U.S. Pat. No. 5,882,507; Lund, U.S. Pat. No. 5,785,844; Hoffman, U.S. Pat. No. 6,074,550; Huang et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,873,995; Levene, U.S. Pat. No. 5,665,224; Land, U.S. Pat. No. 5,536,394 and Bailey, U.S. Pat. No. 6,001,249 all pertain to filter systems with an indicator to tell when the filters needs to be replaced. Such devices include float mechanisms, rachet and pawl mechanisms and the like.  
         OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0003]    It is an object of this invention to provide a device for fluid treatment which will enable the user to determine at any time the status of the filter by color coding. A further object of this invention is to provide a fluid filter usage indicating mechanism which will permit the consumer to change the cycle depending upon the statutory usage required in various countries around the world where replacement filters must be changed according to existing regulations which are known to vary from country to country.  
           [0004]    Yet another object of this invention is to provide a unit which is readily assembled and will not dislodge, tilt, come apart or disintegrate under adverse conditions.  
           [0005]    Still a further object of this invention is to provide a filter unit in which color coding is used which will not scratch or bleed off during use or washing. This is particularly true where dishwashers are used which might cause the color dyes on the system to be washed away or otherwise destroyed.  
           [0006]    Yet another object of this invention is to provide fluid treatment mechanisms which will fully drain all liquid from the assembly after it is immersed and washed.  
           [0007]    Yet another object of this invention is to provide a filter cartridge mechanism which will operate when the cap is replaced regardless of the orientation of the placement.  
           [0008]    Another object of this invention is to provide a fluid filter mechanism which will have a minimum useful life of at least 3,000 cycles at one filter change setting or 7,000 cycles at another filter change setting depending upon the country of use thus permitting up to approximately 9.6 years of use if the product is used twice a day.  
           [0009]    Yet a further object of this invention is to permit the replacement mechanism to indicate when the filter cartridge must be replaced when the amount of water discharged through the cartridges is at least about 80% of the approved capacity of the cartridges.  
           [0010]    Still a further object of this invention is to provide a fluid filter mechanism which cannot be disassembled except by destruction of the item, thus avoiding accidental loosening of parts which might fall off during washing or other uses.  
           [0011]    Yet another object of this invention is to permit the counter mechanism to accurately count the number of times the container has been filled.  
           [0012]    In summary, this invention relates to a fluid treatment and filter counter mechanism which monitors the number of uses of the filter cartridge indicating when it must be replaced, such as by, for example, color coding. The counter mechanism also includes a plurality of selective filter counter mechanisms depending upon the requirements of a particular country.  
           [0013]    It will be appreciated that relative terms such as left, right, up, down, clockwise, and counterclockwise are for convenience only and are not intended to be limiting.  
           [0014]    These objects and summary will be understood from a detailed reading of the following description including the drawings which are as follows: 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0015]    [0015]FIG. 1 is perspective view of a fluid treatment device;  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 2 is top plan view of a fluid treatment device;  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 3 is fragmentary cross-sectional side;  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 4 is exploded view of the assembly;  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 5 is top plan view of the chassis assembly with portion shows in phantom line and showing color coding;  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 6 is fragmentary cross-section enlarged takes along the line  6 - 6  of FIG. 5 and viewed in the direction of the arrows;  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 7 is fragmentary cross-section taken along line  7 - 7  of FIG. 5 and viewed in the direction of the arrows;  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 8 is fragmentary cross-section taken along line  8 - 8  of FIG. 5 and viewed in the direction of the arrows;  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 9 is top plan viewed of the chassis assembly with portions show in phantom lines indicating one position of the pawl;  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 10 is fragmentary cross-section enlarged take along the line  10 - 10  of FIG. 9 and viewed in the direction of the arrows.  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 11 is top plan view of the chassis assembly with portion shows in phantom lines;  
         [0026]    [0026]FIG. 12 is fragmentary cross-section enlarged takes along the line  12 - 12  of FIG. 11 and viewed in the direction of the arrows;  
         [0027]    [0027]FIG. 13 is top plan viewed of the chassis assembly with portion shows in phantom lines and indicating another position of the pawl;  
         [0028]    [0028]FIG. 14 is fragmentary cross-section enlarged takes along the line  14 - 14  of FIG. 12 and viewed in the direction of the arrows; and  
         [0029]    [0029]FIG. 15 is bottom plan view of water treatment chassis.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
     FIGS.  1 ,  2 , and  3   
       [0030]    [0030]FIGS. 1, 2, and  3  show a fluid treatment device D. The fluid treatment device D has a removable and replaceable cap C having an outer lid X and an inner lid Y. In the embodiment shown, the removable and replaceable cap C as a generally elliptical shape. The device D includes a pouring spout P which is formed and extends along one side thereof and a handle H on the opposite side thereof. A lip  2  is formed on the removable and replaceable inner lid Y. A window W located on the removable and replaceable cap C for viewing a painted consumer indicator dial subsequently described.  
         [0031]    [0031]FIG. 3 shows a filter  4  placed between first chamber  6  and second chamber  8 . When the consumer wants to drink filtered water, the consumer lifts lid Y, and unfiltered water is poured into first chamber  6 , the water goes through filter  4  and into the second chamber  8 , thereby being filtered.  
       FIGS.  4  Through  15   
       [0032]    [0032]FIG. 4, shows a chassis bottom cover  10  of mechanism M. The chassis  10  comprises a gear and ratchet plate  12  and pawl follower  14  and a hub  16 . The gear and ratchet plate  12  is secured to the hub  16  by a lock washer  36  or a nut or other fastener. The gear and ratchet plate  12  includes gear teeth  18 , a plurality of ratchet wheels  20  and  22 , a slot  24 , and color indicator  26 . A return spring  28  engages with the gear teeth  18  causing the gear teeth  18  to go counterclockwise.  
         [0033]    The follower  14  can be set at the large diameter ratchet wheel  20  or can be set at the smaller diameter  22 , depending on the filter cycle used.  
         [0034]    [0034]FIG. 6 shows the pawl follower  14  and an enlarged fragment  30  of this assembly. A portion  32  rides over portion  34  and, when depressed, indexes either ratchet wheel  20  or ratchet wheel  22 . The lock washer  36  locks spindle  38  so every part will be secured when the lid Y is removed or replaced on the cap C.  
         [0035]    Follower  14  is positioned on the teeth  38  of gear  22 . A return arm  40  is set at the end of slot  24 . A reset spring  42  is positioned on pin  44  and engages in hole  46 . A pawl  48  mounted on pin  50  engages teeth  18  of the gear and ratchet plate  12 . The return arm  40  is fixed on spindle  38 . The reset spring  42  is mounted on pin  52 . Pawl followers  14  is mounted on pin  54  and has a slot  56 . An opening  58  in the pawl and ratchet  14  engages a push button  60  having a cam top  62  and a bottom projection  64  which enters opening  66 . The button  60  is received in a cap  68  of a chassis cover  70 . Bottom projection  64  is raised upwardly into opening  58  causing the pawl and ratchet  14  to moved on pin  54  positioned on slot  56  to index a pawl  72 . Pawl and ratchet  14  can be shifted from gear  20  to gear  22 , when a pin  74  is moved in a slot or opening  76  from one position  78  to another position  80 .  
         [0036]    It is possible to provide more concentric ratchet wheels than the two shown and additional slots in the opening  76 . The return arm  40  is provided with an opening  82  and mounted on the spindle  38  extending to the gear and ratchet plate  12 . The return arm  40  exits from the chassis cover  70  and an opening  84  and is secured by lock washer  36 . Cover chassis  70  has a view sleeve  86  with window W. The cover chassis  70  is locked by means of snap members  88  to the chassis.  
         [0037]    Hub handle  16  is rotated in order to reset the gear and ratchet plate  12 . Each time the chassis  10  and its assembly are indexed the selective ratchet wheel  20  or  22  causes the color coding indicator  26  on the gear and ratchet plate  12  to be exposed to the window W. As will be noted in FIGS. 5, 9, and  11 , color runs from green in the lighter area G to the darker yellow H to darkest area red J, thus indicating to the consumer the status of the filter in the device D. Holes  90  mounted with bolt  92  keep the chassis cover on cap C tight.  
       Operation  
       [0038]    In the operation of the fluid treatment device D, the knob  94  is rotated substantially until the green color indicates at the window W. This begins the sequence of operation of the ratchet and pawl mechanism  20  and  22  depending on which one is used. The pin  74  shifts from position  78  to position  80  in order changes the gearing counter mechanism.  
         [0039]    While this invention has been described as having preferred design, it is understood that it capable of further modification, uses and/or adaptations following in general the principle of the invention and including such departures from the present disclosure as come within known or customary practice in art to which the invention pertains, and as may be applied to the essential features set forth, and fall within the scope of the invention or the limits of the appended claims.