Abstract:
A fluid conditioning unit is provided that includes a housing, a cap, a cartridge device, and a filter cartridge. The cap is threadably secured to and unsecured from the housing by rotation about an axis of the housing. The cap forms a removable seal with the housing when secured thereto. The cartridge device is secured to the cap in a manner that restricts movement of the cartridge device with respect to the cap along the axis but allows rotation of the cartridge device with respect to the cap about the axis. The filter cartridge is removably secured to the cartridge device and is disposed in the housing along the axis.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/254,448 filed on Nov. 12, 2015, claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/342,403 filed on May 27, 2016, claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/342,373 filed on May 27, 2016, and claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/342,380 filed on May 27, 2016, the entire contents of which are incorporated by reference herein. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Disclosure 
         [0003]    The present disclosure is related to fluid conditioning systems. More particularly, the present disclosure is related to caps for such fluid conditioning systems, where the caps include filter cartridge sealing and removal devices and/or locking devices. 
         [0004]    2. Description of Related Art 
         [0005]    Fluid conditioners that treat an incoming fluid, such as tap water, are known. As used herein, the term “conditioned fluid” shall mean a fluid that has been filtered, (distilled), deionized, demineralized (e.g., via reverse osmosis), softened, anti-scaled, exposed to any other fluid treatment process—including the addition of one or more additives or components, and any combinations thereof. 
         [0006]    In many prior art systems, the fluid conditioner conditions the fluid by filtering. Here, the fluid conditioner forces the fluid through a filter cartridge that is sealed or housed within a container. 
         [0007]    Additionally, many prior art systems often have a cap that can be selectively removed to allow access to the interior of the container so that the filter cartridge can be installed/removed and can be selectively secured to the container to seal filter cartridge in the container in a fluid tight manner. 
         [0008]    Since the fluid in the system may be pressurized, the removable cap often includes a locking device, which mitigates inadvertent removal of the cap—either by the operator or by the vibration and/or pressure acting on the cap. 
         [0009]    It has been determined by the present disclosure that the sealing and removal of filter cartridges from the interior of the container can be made difficult by the force of the cartridge seals and the inner wall of the container. This force can be compounded by the length of the cartridge, which increases the distance that the seals must be displaced through the container into the desired position. Advantageously, present disclosure provides fluid conditioning systems that have a cap with a filter cartridge sealing and removal device. 
         [0010]    Additionally, it has been determined by the present disclosure that the caps of the prior art have complicated locking devices that require, for example, two hand operation and/or multiple locking and unlocking steps. Advantageously, present disclosure also provides fluid conditioning systems that have caps with improved locking devices. 
         [0011]    Accordingly, the present disclosure provides for fluid conditioning systems that provide enhanced utility and ease of use as compared to prior art fluid conditioners. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0012]    A fluid conditioning system is provided that includes a reverse osmosis unit, having a cap with a filter cartridge sealing and removal device. The filter cartridge sealing and removal device is structured to allow the simple action of installing the cap to seal the filter cartridge and the removal of the cap to withdraw the cartridge. Moreover, the filter cartridge sealing and removal device is structured to minimize the axial and rotational friction imparted to the seals during the installation and removal. 
         [0013]    A fluid conditioning system is also provided that—either alone or in combination with the aforementioned filter cartridge sealing and removal device—includes a cap with a locking device. The locking device is structures so that the simple action of unscrewing the cap also moves the locking device to an unlocked state, which simplifies the use of the system. 
         [0014]    In some embodiments, a fluid conditioning unit is provided that includes a housing, a cap, a cartridge device, and a filter cartridge. The cap is threadably secured to and unsecured from the housing by rotation about an axis of the housing. The cap forms a removable seal with the housing when secured thereto. The cartridge device is secured to the cap in a manner that restricts movement of the cartridge device with respect to the cap along the axis but allows rotation of the cartridge device with respect to the cap about the axis. The filter cartridge is removably secured to the cartridge device and is disposed in the housing along the axis. 
         [0015]    In some embodiments either alone or in combination with one or more of the aft mentioned embodiments, the unit can include a first seal for removably sealing the cartridge device and an inner surface of the housing and a second seal for removably sealing the cartridge device and the filter cartridge. 
         [0016]    In some embodiments either alone or in combination with one or more of the afore and/or aft mentioned embodiments, the second seal is sufficient so that the filter cartridge remains attached to the cartridge device during removal of the cap from the housing. 
         [0017]    In some embodiments either alone or in combination with one or more of the afore and/or aft mentioned embodiments, the cap includes first and second portions that are secured to one another in a manner that secures the cartridge device and the cap to one another to prevent movement of the cartridge device with respect to the cap along the axis but allow rotation of the cartridge device with respect to the cap about the axis. 
         [0018]    In some embodiments either alone or in combination with one or more of the afore and/or aft mentioned embodiments, the filter cartridge is a cartridge selected from the group consisting of a particle filter cartridge, a chlorine filter cartridge, and an ion removing filter cartridge. 
         [0019]    In some embodiments either alone or in combination with one or more of the afore and/or aft mentioned embodiments, the cartridge device includes a manifold that collect two separate fluid streams from the filter cartridge and to separately direct the two separate fluid streams from the housing. 
         [0020]    In some embodiments either alone or in combination with one or more of the afore and/or aft mentioned embodiments, the filter cartridge is a reverse osmosis membrane. The housing can include an incoming water inlet, a concentrate outlet, and a permeate outlet. The incoming water inlet is in fluid communication with one end of the reverse osmosis membrane, while the cartridge device is in fluid communication with an opposite end of the reverse osmosis membrane. 
         [0021]    In some embodiments either alone or in combination with one or more of the afore and/or aft mentioned embodiments, the cartridge device includes a manifold that directs concentrate from the reverse osmosis membrane to the concentrate outlet and directs permeate from the reverse osmosis membrane to the permeate outlet. Here, the cartridge device can seal the concentrate and permeate from one another. 
         [0022]    In some embodiments either alone or in combination with one or more of the afore and/or aft mentioned embodiments, the cap can include a locking device that locks the cap to the housing once the cap is threadably secured to the housing. 
         [0023]    In some embodiments either alone or in combination with one or more of the afore and/or aft mentioned embodiments, the locking device includes a handle usable by a user to impart threading and unthreading forces to the cap. 
         [0024]    In some embodiments either alone or in combination with one or more of the afore and/or aft mentioned embodiments, the locking device is configured so that the unthreading forces on the handle also moves the locking device to an unlocked state. 
         [0025]    In some embodiments either alone or in combination with one or more of the afore and/or aft mentioned embodiments, the locking device is configured so that the threading forces on the handle moves the locking device to a locked state once the cap is threadably secured to the housing. 
         [0026]    In some embodiments either alone or in combination with one or more of the afore and/or aft mentioned embodiments, the cap can include a pressure relief device configured to relieve pressure from within housing when removing the cap from the housing. 
         [0027]    In some embodiments either alone or in combination with one or more of the afore and/or aft mentioned embodiments, the pressure relief device is positioned adjacent to the handle. 
         [0028]    In some embodiments either alone or in combination with one or more of the afore and/or aft mentioned embodiments, the cap can include first and second portions that are secured to one another in a manner that secures the cartridge device and the cap to one another to prevent movement of the cartridge device with respect to the cap along the axis but allow rotation of the cartridge device with respect to the cap about the axis. Here, the locking device can include a locking arm secured between the first and second portions. 
         [0029]    In another embodiment either alone or in combination with one or more of the afore and/or aft mentioned embodiments, a fluid conditioning unit is provided that includes a housing and a cap. The housing has a first thread and a locking feature, while the cap has a second thread, a handle and a locking arm. The first and second threads are selectively engagable and disengagable from one another. The locking arm is movable between a locked position and an unlocked position. The locking arm, when in the locked position, is receivable in the locking feature to prevent unthreading of the cap from the housing. Conversely, the locking arm, when in the unlocked position, is free from the locking feature to allow unthreading of the cap from the housing. The handle is movable, with respect to the cap during threading and unthreading of the cap from the housing, between a first position and a second position. The first position corresponds to the locked position and the second position corresponds to the unlocked position so that when a user applies an unthreading force to the handle, the handle moves to the second position and moves the arm to the unlocked position and so that when a user applies a threading force to the handle, the handle moves to the first position and moves the arm to the locked position. 
         [0030]    In some embodiments either alone or in combination with one or more of the afore and/or aft mentioned embodiments, the cap can include a guide stud operatively securing the handle and the locking arm to the cap. The handle has a slot through which the stud is received so that the handle can move, with respect to the cap during threading and unthreading of the cap from the housing, by the stud sliding in the slot between the first and second positions. 
         [0031]    In some embodiments either alone or in combination with one or more of the afore and/or aft mentioned embodiments, the cap can include an outer ring having first and second portions. The guide stud secures the handle, the locking arm, and the first and second portions of the outer ring to one another. 
         [0032]    In some embodiments either alone or in combination with one or more of the afore and/or aft mentioned embodiments, the locking arm is held in position between the first and second portions in a pivotable manner with the locking arm normally biased to the locked position. 
         [0033]    In some embodiments either alone or in combination with one or more of the afore and/or aft mentioned embodiments, the handle and the first and second portions include corresponding cam surfaces that interact with one another during movement of the handle between the first and second positions to move the arm between the locked and unlocked positions, respectively. 
         [0034]    In some embodiments either alone or in combination with one or more of the afore and/or aft mentioned embodiments, the handle is normally biased to the first position, which normally biases the arm to the locked position. 
         [0035]    The above-described and other features and advantages of the present disclosure will be appreciated and understood by those skilled in the art from the following detailed description, drawings, and appended claims. 
     
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0036]      FIG. 1  is a schematic depiction of an exemplary embodiment of a fluid conditioning system according to the present disclosure in use with a fluid fed cleaning brush on an extension pole; 
           [0037]      FIG. 2  is a top, partial perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a fluid conditioning system according to the present disclosure; 
           [0038]      FIG. 3  is a top perspective view of a single conditioning unit having an exemplary embodiment of a cap according to the present disclosure; 
           [0039]      FIG. 4  is a top perspective view of the conditioning unit of  FIG. 3  having the container removed to illustrate a filter cartridge sealing and removal device according to the present disclosure; 
           [0040]      FIG. 5  is a side view of the conditioning unit of  FIG. 4 ; 
           [0041]      FIG. 6  is an exploded view of the condition unit of  FIG. 4 ; 
           [0042]      FIG. 7  is a magnified sectional view of the conditioning unit of  FIG. 3  in a sealed state; 
           [0043]      FIG. 8  is a magnified sectional view of the conditioning unit of  FIG. 3  in an unsealed state; 
           [0044]      FIG. 9  is a top perspective view of the conditioning unit of  FIG. 3  illustrating an exemplary embodiment of a locking device according to the present disclosure with the cap shown in a locked state; 
           [0045]      FIG. 10  is a top perspective view of the conditioning unit of  FIG. 9  illustrating the locking device in an unlocked state during cap removal; 
           [0046]      FIG. 11  illustrates the locking device of  FIG. 10  in the unlocked state after cap removal; 
           [0047]      FIG. 12  is a top perspective view of the conditioning unit of  FIG. 9  illustrating the locking device in an unlocked state during installation; 
           [0048]      FIG. 13  is an exploded view of an exemplary embodiment of a first portion of the cap of the present disclosure; 
           [0049]      FIG. 14  is a top perspective view of an alternate exemplary embodiment of a filter cartridge sealing and removal device according to the present disclosure in use with the cap; 
           [0050]      FIG. 15  is a partial sectional view of the filter cartridge sealing and removal device of  FIG. 14  in use with an RO cartridge; 
           [0051]      FIG. 16  is a magnified view of  FIG. 15 ; 
           [0052]      FIG. 17  is a partially exploded view of the filter cartridge sealing and removal device of  FIG. 14 ; 
           [0053]      FIG. 18  is a first side exploded view of the filter cartridge sealing and removal device of  FIG. 14 ; and 
           [0054]      FIG. 19  is a second side exploded view of the filter cartridge sealing and removal device of  FIG. 14  taken ninety degrees from the first side view. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0055]    Referring to the drawings and in particular to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , an exemplary embodiment of a fluid conditioning system according to the present disclosure is shown and is referred to as reference numeral  10 . System  10  includes a fluid conditioner  12  in communication with a controller  14 , which is configured to operate system  10 . 
         [0056]    Conditioner  12  is shown by way of example in fluid communication with a fluid-fed cleaning brush  16  via one or more tubes  18  and is secured to an extension pole  20  so that the conditioned fluid can clean a desired surface  22 . Of course, other uses of system  10  are contemplated by the present disclosure. 
         [0057]    As discussed above, “conditioned fluid” means fluid that has been filtered, deionized, demineralized, softened, exposed any other fluid treatment process—including the addition of one or more additives or components, and any combinations thereof. Accordingly, conditioner  12  can include a particle filter, a chlorine filter (i.e., activated carbon), an ion remover (e.g., deionization resin and/or reverse osmosis membrane), a UV sterilizer, and any combinations thereof. When disclosing “particle filtration”, it is contemplated by the present disclosure for conditioner  12  to be sufficient for any desired filtration level such as, but not limited to, nano-filtration, ultra-filtration, micro-filtration, and others. 
         [0058]    By way of example, conditioner  12  can be a pure water system as shown and described in Applicant&#39;s own U.S. application Ser. No. 14/684,071 filed on Apr. 10, 2015, the contents of which are incorporated in their entirety herein. Conditioner  12  can also include the system as shown and described in Applicant&#39;s own U.S. application Ser. No. 62/160,832 filed on May 13, 2015, the contents of which are incorporated in their entirety herein. 
         [0059]    Conditioner  12  is shown in  FIG. 2  having a frame  24  retaining an optional motorized pump  26  and a plurality of conditioning units  28 . It is contemplated by the present disclosure for system  10  to include no pump, but rather to operate on line pressure alone. Further, it is contemplated by the present disclosure for system  10 , when pump  26  is present, to have an A/C pump, D/C pump, or both—where the pump can be controlled to allow flow at line pressure or to assist the flow as desired. 
         [0060]    In the illustrated embodiment, units  28  include a pre-filter unit  30 , at least one reverse osmosis (RO) unit  32  (two shown), and a deionizing (DI) unit  34 . The illustrated embodiment includes, in a direction of flow through conditioner  12 , pre-filter unit  30 , pump  26 , RO units  32 , and DI unit  34 . Of course, other positions and combinations of pump  26  and units  30 ,  32 ,  34  are contemplated by the present disclosure. 
         [0061]    Conditioner  12  is preferably controlled and monitored by controller  14  to selectively pass incoming fluid through one or more of units  30 ,  32 ,  34  to provide conditioned fluid of desired quality. 
         [0062]    Turning now to  FIGS. 3 and 4 , conditioning unit  28  is shown configured for use with a filter cartridge  36  in a housing  38 . As discussed above, filter cartridge  36  can be a particle filter cartridge, a chlorine filter cartridge, an ion removing filter cartridge (e.g., deionization resin and/or reverse osmosis membrane), other filter cartridges, and any combinations thereof. Here, unit  28  is shown in use with an exemplary embodiment of cap  40  according to the present disclosure. Cap  40  includes a filter cartridge sealing and removal device  42  and/or a locking device  44 . 
         [0063]    Cartridge device  42  advantageously seals or attaches cartridge  36  to cap  40  in a manner that allows the simple action of installing and removing the cap from housing  38  to seal and remove the cartridge from the housing in an axial manner (i.e. along axis A) and, preferably with minimal rotation about the axis as will be described in more detail below. 
         [0064]    Locking device  44  is advantageously configured so that the simple action of unscrewing cap  40  from housing  38  also moves the locking device to an unlocked state, but the action of screwing the cap to the housing leaves the locking device in a locked state. 
         [0065]    The details of cap  40  having cartridge sealing and removal device  42  are described with simultaneous reference to  FIGS. 4-8 . 
         [0066]    Cap  40  can include, in some embodiments, a pressure relief device  46 , which the operator can use to relieve pressure from within conditioning unit  28  before removing cap  40  from housing  38 . Cap  40  can also include, in some embodiments, a handle  48  that assists the user to grip the cap during installation and removal. Preferably, pressure relief device  46  is positioned adjacent to handle  48  so that the user can use the same hand with which they grasp the handle to depress and, thus, open the pressure relief device. 
         [0067]    Cap  40  includes a first portion  50  and a second portion  52 . First portion  50  is configured to secure cap  40  to housing  38 , while second portion  52  is configured to secure the cap to filter cartridge  36 . 
         [0068]    First portion  50  and housing  38  have corresponding threads  54  configured to removably secure the cap and housing to one another in a fluid tight manner via rotation about the axis. It should be recognized that first portion  50  and housing  38  are described by way of example only as having corresponding threads  54 . Of course, it is contemplated by the present disclosure for first portion  50  and housing  38  to include any corresponding interlocking rotational features. 
         [0069]    Second portion  52  includes one or more seals  56 - 1  shown in  FIGS. 5-8  (only one shown). Seal  56 - 1  is illustrated as an o-ring or gasket that seals second portion  52  to an inner surface  58  of housing  38  when cap  40  is secured to the housing. In some embodiments, inner surface  58  includes a sloped or tapered lead-in  60 , which allows cap  40  to be substantially threaded onto housing  38  before seal  56 - 1  is completely engaged to surface  58 . In this manner, cap  40  is configured to minimize the axial friction imparted along axis A to seal  56 - 1  by the interaction of the seal on the inner surface  58  during installation of the cap. Since device  42  rotates freely with respect to cap  40 , installation of the cap only requires seal  56 - 1  to move with respect to surface  58  axially along axis A and, not, rotationally, which reduces the frictional force imparted to the seal. 
         [0070]    It should be recognized that seal  56 - 1  is illustrated on an outer diameter of second portion  52  and surface  58  is shown as an inner diameter of housing  38 . Of course, it is contemplated by the present disclosure for seal  56 - 1  and surface  58  to have other configurations that minimize the axial friction imparted to the seal. For example, surface  58  can be a horizontal surface (e.g. normal to axis A) and seal  56 - 1  can be on that surface or on a bottom face of second portion  52 . Moreover, it is contemplated by the present disclosure for seal  56 - 1  to be on housing  38  and surface  58  to be on device  42 . 
         [0071]    Second portion  52  further includes one or more seals  56 - 2  shown in  FIG. 6  (only one shown). Seal  56 - 2  is illustrated as an o-ring or gasket that seals second portion  52  to an inner surface of cartridge  36  so as to attach the second portion and the cartridge to one another. Thus, second portion  52  of cap  40  and cartridge  36  are attached to one another by insertion of seal  56 - 2  into the cartridge. Preferably, the attachment between seal  56 - 2  and cartridge  36  is stronger than the attachment between seal  56 - 1  and inner surface  58  of housing  38 . In this manner, cartridge  36  remains attached to second portion  52  of cap  40  during and after removal of the cap from housing  38 . 
         [0072]    Although not illustrated, it is further contemplated by the present disclosure for the attachment of second portion  52  and/or cartridge  36  to have one or more other interlocking features. Similar to the discussion above regarding seal  56 - 1 , since device  42  rotates freely with respect to cap  40 , installation of the cap only requires seal  56 - 2  to move with respect to the inner surface of cartridge  36  axially along axis A and, not, rotationally, which reduces the frictional force imparted to the seal. 
         [0073]    First and second portions  50 ,  52  are secured to one another in a manner that allows the portions to rotate with respect to one another, but remain secured to one another. Thus, the rotation of first portion  50  about axis A during rotational engagement of cap  40  and housing  38  results in second portion  52 —with cartridge  36  attached thereto—moving in the axial direction along axis A. Accordingly, cap  40  acts to install and remove cartridge  36  axially into housing  38  via the simple rotation of first portion  50  of the cap and housing with respect to one another about axis A. Moreover, the rotation first portion  50  is not imparted to second portion  52  such that cap  40  is further configured to minimize the rotational friction imparted about axis A to seals  56 - 1  and  56 - 2  by the interaction of seal  56 - 1  on the inner surface  58  and seal  56 - 2  on the inner surface of cartridge  36 , as well as any seals on filter cartridge  36 , during installation of the cap. 
         [0074]    In short, cap  40  is configured to perform multiple functions in a simple, easy to use form—namely to close housing  38  in a fluid tight manner, drive cartridge  36  into and out of the housing during the closing of the housing, and minimize damage to seals  56 - 1 ,  56 - 2  and reduce the forces and/or torque required during the installation and removal process. 
         [0075]    The details of cap  40  having locking device  44  are described with simultaneous reference to  FIGS. 9-11 . Locking device  44  is advantageously configured so that the simple action of unscrewing cap  40  from housing  38  also moves the locking device to an unlocked state, but the action of screwing the cap to the housing puts the locking device in a locked state at or near the end of rotation. 
         [0076]    Cap  40  is shown having locking device  44  in a locked state  62  in  FIG. 9  and in an unlocked state  64  in  FIG. 10 . In the locked state  62 , locking device  44  interacts with features  66  of housing  38  to prevent rotation of cap  40  with respect to the housing. However in the unlocked state  64 , locking device  44  is moved so that it no longer interacts with features  66  of housing  38  to allow rotation of cap  40  with respect to the housing. 
         [0077]    First portion  50  includes handle  48 , an outer ring  70 , and a pair of lock arms  72 . Handle  48  and arms  72  are secured to outer ring  70  by a pair of guide studs  74 . Handle  48  includes a slot  76  at either end through which studs  74  are received. Thus, handle  48  can move, with respect to arms  72  and outer ring  70 , by sliding studs  74  in slots  76 . Arms  72  are normally biased, by springs  86 , to the locked state  62 . In addition to springs  86 , arms  72  can further include one or more springs (not shown) such as torsional springs at the pivot point of the arms with respect to outer ring  70 . 
         [0078]    It is contemplated by the present disclosure for housing  38  and cap  40  to be made of any material sufficient to withstand the use as conditioner  12 . By way of example only, it is contemplated by the present disclosure for locking device  44 , features  66 , and lock arms  72  to be made of different material and shapes to improve the durability of the locking mechanism and in combination with the spring force increase or decrease the force required to lock/unlock. Thus, locking device  44 , features  66 , and lock arms  72  are contemplated by the present disclosure as being made of PVC, POM, zinc, aluminum, and any other polymer or metallic material. Moreover, it is contemplated by the present disclosure for housing  38  and/or cap  40  to be made of materials that can be manufactured by mass production processes such as, but not limited to, injection molding, die casting, machining, others, and any combinations thereof. 
         [0079]    Handle  48  has a first position shown in  FIG. 9  with respect to outer ring  70  that corresponds to locked state  62 . Here, studs  74  are slid in slots  76  towards a leading edge  78  of handle  48  and arms  72  are pivoted to a lowered position in which they interact with feature  66 . Leading edge  78  is defined as the edge of handle  48  that is towards the direction of unthreading U of cap  40  from housing  38 . 
         [0080]    Handle  48  also has a second position shown in  FIG. 10  with respect to outer ring  70  that corresponds to unlocked state  64 . Here, studs  74  are slid in slots  76  towards a trailing edge  80  of handle  48  and arms  72  are pivoted to an upper position in which they cannot interact with feature  66 . Trailing edge  80  is defined as the edge of handle  48  that is towards the direction of threading T of cap  40  onto housing  38 . 
         [0081]    When the user applies force to handle  48  in the unthreading direction U as in  FIG. 11 , slots  76  of the handle slide on studs  74 , which compresses springs  86 , until the studs are towards trailing edge  80  of the handle and arms  72  are pivoted to their upper position in which they cannot interact with feature  66  or reduced the interference, allowing cap  40  to be unthreaded from housing  38 . 
         [0082]    Conversely, when the user applies force to handle  48  in the threading direction T as in  FIG. 12 , slots  76  of the handle slide on studs  74 , biased by springs  86 , until the studs are towards leading edge  78  of the handle and arms  72  are pivoted to their lower upper position in which they interact with feature  66 , locking cap  40  to housing  38 . 
         [0083]    An exemplary embodiment of the structure of first portion  50  is shown in  FIG. 13 . Here, outer ring  70  has a split ring structure—namely has ring portions  70 - 1 ,  70 - 2 . Portions  70 - 1 ,  70 - 2  are joined to one another by studs  74  to form ring  70 . When portions  70 - 1 ,  70 - 2  are joined to one another, arms  72  are held in position between the portions in a pivotable manner. Additionally, when portions  70 - 1 ,  70 - 2  are joined to one another, first portion  50  is clamped around second portion  52  in a manner that prevents movement of the first and second portions with respect to one another along axis A, yet allows the first and second portions to rotate with respect to one another. In this view, it can be seen that handle  48  has a cam surfaces  82  (only one shown) that interacts with corresponding cam surfaces  84  on arms  72  (only one shown) to pivot the arms between the upper and lower positions depending on the position of handle  48  with respect to outer ring  70 . 
         [0084]    Referring now to  FIGS. 14-19 , a cap  140  having an alternate exemplary embodiment of a filter cartridge sealing and removal device  142  according to the present disclosure is shown. 
         [0085]    Cap  140  includes a first portion  150  as discussed above and a second portion  152 . First portion  150  is configured to secure cap  140  to housing  138  in the manner discussed above. Second portion  152  is configured to secure the cap to filter cartridge  136 , which in this embodiment is a reverse osmosis cartridge. 
         [0086]    As is known in the art, the reverse osmosis process separates an incoming water stream (A) into a concentrate stream (B) of concentrated contaminates and a permeate stream (C) of purified water. Thus, in this embodiment, second portion  152  also acts as a manifold to collect streams (B, C) from cartridge  136  and to separately direct the flow of these streams from housing  138 . 
         [0087]    Housing  138  has an incoming water inlet  188  through which incoming stream (A) is input into conditioner  112 . Housing  138  further includes a concentrate outlet  190  through which concentrate stream (B) exits conditioner  112  and a permeate outlet  192  through which permeate stream (C) exits the conditioner. 
         [0088]    Second portion  152  includes a first or concentrate chamber  194  and a second or permeate chamber  196 . When second portion  152  is sealed to cartridge  136 , concentrate chamber  194  is in fluid communication with concentrate stream (B) and concentrate outlet  190 , while permeate chamber  196  is in fluid communication with permeate stream (C) and permeate outlet  192 . 
         [0089]    Second portion  152  includes one or more seals  156 - 1  at the top surface, the bottom surface, and between chambers  194 ,  196 . Seals  156 - 1  are illustrated as o-rings or gaskets that seals second portion  152  to inner surface  158  of housing  138  when cap  140  is secured to the housing. In some embodiments, inner surface  158  includes a sloped or tapered lead-ins  160 , which allows cap  140  to be substantially threaded onto housing  138  before seals  156 - 1  are completely engaged to surface  158 . 
         [0090]    Second portion  152  further includes one or more seals  156 - 2  (two shown) that attach cartridge  136  to cap  140  insertion of seal  156 - 2  into the cartridge. Seals  156 - 2  are illustrated as o-rings or gaskets that seal an inner surface of second portion  152  to an outer surface of cartridge  136 . 
         [0091]    Since device  142  rotates freely with respect to cap  140 , installation of the cap only requires seals  156 - 1 ,  156 - 2  to move with respect to cartridge  136  and housing  138  axially along axis A and, not, rotationally, which reduces the frictional force imparted to the seals. In this manner, device  142  is configured to minimize the axial friction imparted along axis A to seals  156 - 1 ,  156 - 2  by the interaction of the seals installation of the cap. 
         [0092]    In short, cap  140 , due to device  142 , is configured to perform multiple functions in a simple, easy to use form—namely to close housing  138  in a fluid tight manner, drive cartridge  136  into and out of the housing during the closing and opening of the housing, form a manifold for the permeate and concentrate streams, and minimize damage to seals  156 - 1 ,  156 - 2  and reduce the forces and/or torque required during the installation and removal process. 
         [0093]    It should also be noted that the terms “first”, “second”, “third”, “upper”, “lower”, and the like may be used herein to modify various elements. These modifiers do not imply a spatial, sequential, or hierarchical order to the modified elements unless specifically stated. 
         [0094]    While the present disclosure has been described with reference to one or more exemplary embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the disclosure without departing from the scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the present disclosure not be limited to the particular embodiment(s) disclosed as the best mode contemplated, but that the disclosure will include all embodiments falling within the scope of any claims hereafter presented. 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
             
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
               
                 PARTS LIST 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 system 10 
                 lead-in 60 
                 permeate outlet 192 
               
               
                 conditioner 12 
                 locked state 62 
                 first chamber 194 
               
               
                 controller 14 
                 unlocked state 64 
                 second chamber 196 
               
               
                 brush 16 
                 features 66 
                 seals 156-1 
               
               
                 tubes 18 
                 outer ring 70 
                 inner surface 158 
               
               
                 pole 20 
                 ring portions 70-1, 70-2 
                 lead-ins 160 
               
               
                 surface 22 
                 lock arms 72 
                 seals 156-2 
               
               
                 frame 24 
                 guide studs 74 
                   
               
               
                 pump 26 
                 slot 76 
                   
               
               
                 conditioning units 28 
                 leading edge 78 
                   
               
               
                 pre-filter unit 30 
                 unthreading direction U 
                   
               
               
                 DI unit 32 
                 trailing edge 80 
                   
               
               
                 RO unit 34 
                 threading direction T 
                   
               
               
                 filter cartridge 36 
                 cam surfaces 82 
                   
               
               
                 housing 38 
                 cam surfaces 84 
                   
               
               
                 cap 40 
                 spring 86 
                   
               
               
                 cartridge device 42 
                 conditioner 112 
                   
               
               
                 locking device 44 
                 cartridge 136 
                   
               
               
                 pressure relief device 46 
                 housing 138 
                   
               
               
                 handle 48 
                 cap 140 
                   
               
               
                 first portion 50 
                 device 142 
                   
               
               
                 second portion 52 
                 first portion 150 
                   
               
               
                 axis A 
                 second portion 152 
                   
               
               
                 threads 54 
                 incoming water stream (A) 
                   
               
               
                 seal 56-1 
                 concentrate stream (B) 
                   
               
               
                 seal 56-2 
                 permeate stream (C) 
                   
               
               
                 inner surface 58 
                 water inlet 188 
                   
               
               
                   
                 concentrate outlet 190