Patent ID: 7294257

Claim:
A filter unit for filtering particulates and other foreign matter from a water supply, comprising a filtering chamber, at least a portion of an exterior of the filtering chamber being provided with a mesh through which water may enter the filtering chamber in use, the mesh being sized to filter particulates and other foreign matter from the water, the filter unit further comprising an outlet through which filtered water exits the filter unit, and a rotatable member located within the filtering chamber, the rotatable member having at least one outlet spaced from an internal face of a mesh, the axis of rotation of the rotatable member being such that the at least one outlet traverses at least a substantial portion of the internal face of a mesh, the filter unit further comprising a dedicated pump having an inlet communicating with the filtering chamber and an outlet communicating solely with the rotatable member such that operation of the pump causes filtered water from within the filtering chamber to be pumped through the rotatable member to exit the at least one outlet and impinge on the internal face of the mesh so as to cause particulates and other foreign matter located on an external face of the mesh to be dislodged, and; a tank housing in which the filter unit is located, the tank housing being provided with an inlet for entry of water into the tank unit and the outlet of the filter unit forming the outlet of the tank housing; further comprising a switch enabling periodic operation of the dedicated pump.