초록 ▼

A faucet-mounted water filtration device includes a gate valve that is used to select between discharge options. The gate valve contains a thumb rest which is configured to allow manual valve actuation while supportedly engaging a user's thumb. First discharge option includes a conventional bottom d

A faucet-mounted water filtration device includes a gate valve that is used to select between discharge options. The gate valve contains a thumb rest which is configured to allow manual valve actuation while supportedly engaging a user's thumb. First discharge option includes a conventional bottom discharge into a sink. A second discharge option exists as a water fountain that is formed as a compact, integral feature of the water filtration device. A flow indicator permits a user to check whether the filtration cartridge is working properly.

대표청구항 ▼

[ We claim:] [1.] A faucet-mounted water filtration device for use in supplying drinking water on a demand basis comprising:a filter;a housing having structure defining:an inlet,a first outlet providing means for directing a flow of rater in a substantially downward direction,a second outlet providi

[ We claim:] [1.] A faucet-mounted water filtration device for use in supplying drinking water on a demand basis comprising:a filter;a housing having structure defining:an inlet,a first outlet providing means for directing a flow of rater in a substantially downward direction,a second outlet providing means for directing said flow of water in a substantially upward direction, andan internal filter-receiving cavity containing said filter;means for sequentially guiding a flow of water in downstream direction from said inlet through said filter and out said first outlet,said means for sequentially guiding including valve means interposed between said filter and said second outlet for selectively directing said flow of water through said second outlet by diverting said flow of water from said first outlet,said valve means including a thumb rest, the thumb rest configured to supportedly engage a user's thumb, connected to a body of said valve means, said thumb rest protruding external to said housing for manual actuation of said valve means; andmeans for operably coupling said housing with a water faucet. [10.] The water filtration device of claim 1 wherein said sequentially guiding means includes a first hole leading to a first flow pathway segment connecting said first hole with said first outlet,a second hole leading to a second flow pathway segment connecting said second hole with said second outlet, anda wall separating said first aperture from said second aperture on a drain side of said valve means. The water filtration device of claim 10 wherein said valve means is a gate valve providing means for selectively directing water through one of said first hole and said second hole. [12.] The water filtration device of claim 10 wherein said first flow pathway segment includes means for visually indicating said flow of water when said flow of water is passing through said first flow pathway segment. The water filtration device of claim 12 wherein said visually indicating means includes a transparent view window. The water filtration device as set forth in claim 13 wherein said visually indicating means includes a rotatable member providing means for showing a rotation within view of said window when said flow of water is passing through said first flow pathway segment. The water filtration device as set forth in claim 14 wherein said rotatable member is a paddle wheel. A method of using a faucet-mounted water filtration device to supply drinking water on a demand basis, where said water filtration device includes a water control valve for dispensing filtered water and said water control valve is actuated for the selective flow of filtered water by manipulating a thumb rest connected to said water control valve, said method comprising the steps of:connecting a water filtration device including a water fountain to a water faucet at a position downstream of a water control valve in a water faucet; andactuating said water control valve to flow water through said water filtration device for filtration of said water,wherein said step of actuating said water control valve includes manipulating a thumb rest, the thumb rest configured to supportedly engage a user's thumb operably coupled with a body of said water control valve to flow filtered water in a substantially upward direction. The method as set forth in claim 16 wherein said step actuating said water control valve includes the step of actuating a gate valve by longitudinal sliding motion.