초록 ▼

An apparatus for filtering water has a valve head and a filtration/purification canister removably mountable thereon. Connecting the canister to the valve head automatically opens a check valve in the valve head to permit water to flow from the valve head into and through the canister, and then back

An apparatus for filtering water has a valve head and a filtration/purification canister removably mountable thereon. Connecting the canister to the valve head automatically opens a check valve in the valve head to permit water to flow from the valve head into and through the canister, and then back to and through the valve head to an outlet port. Disconnecting the canister from the valve head automatically closes the check valve, stopping the flow of water. A bypass valve is provided in the valve head to permit a sanitizing solution to flow through the valve head and along the lines of the water distribution system to sanitize the system, while bypassing the canister. The outlet port may be directly connected to an appliance that uses water, to eliminate possible contamination that may occur when water is brought indirectly from the outlet port to the appliance instead.

대표청구항 ▼

1. An apparatus for filtering and/or conditioning and/or purifying a fluid, comprising a valve head having a first passageway extending through it and being adapted to be connected to a fluid transmission line,a first check valve positioned in the first passageway of the valve head for blocking flow

1. An apparatus for filtering and/or conditioning and/or purifying a fluid, comprising a valve head having a first passageway extending through it and being adapted to be connected to a fluid transmission line,a first check valve positioned in the first passageway of the valve head for blocking flow of fluid through the first passageway when the valve is closed,the first check valve including a movable valve disc that closes the first check valve when the valve disc rests against a valve seat and that permits flow of fluid through the first check valve when the valve disc is not resting against the valve seat,an outlet port formed at an outlet end portion of the first passageway in the valve head,a pressure vessel,means positioned in the pressure vessel for filtering and/or conditioning and/or purifying a fluid,the pressure vessel having an inlet port that is in fluid communication with the outlet port formed at the outlet end portion of the first passageway in the valve head when the pressure vessel is connected to the valve head,the pressure vessel having a first passageway extending from the inlet port of the pressure vessel to the means for filtering and/or conditioning and/or purifying a fluid,the pressure vessel having a second passageway extending from the means for filtering and/or conditioning and/or purifying a fluid to an outlet port of the pressure vessel,the valve head having a second passageway extending through it and adapted to be connected to a fluid receiving line at an outlet port of the second passageway of the valve head,the valve head having an inlet port formed at an inlet end portion of the second passageway of the valve head,the inlet port formed at the inlet end portion of the second passageway in the valve head being in fluid communication with the outlet port of the pressure vessel when the pressure vessel is connected to the valve head,connecting/disconnecting means formed on the valve head and the pressure vessel for connecting the pressure vessel to the valve head, when desired, to permit flow of fluid from the first passageway in the valve head to the inlet port of the pressure vessel, and for disconnecting the pressure vessel from the valve head, when desired, to stop flow of fluid from the outlet port of the first passageway of the valve head,actuating means for automatically opening the first check valve in the valve head when the pressure vessel is connected to the valve head,the actuating means including a pin positioned in the first passageway of the valve head between the valve disc and the outlet port at the outlet end portion of the first passageway of the valve head, the pin having a first end portion that engages the valve disc, and the pin having a second end portion,the actuating means further including an end portion of the pressure vessel that engages the second end portion of the pin when the pressure vessel is connected to the valve head causing the pin to push against and lift the valve disc of the first check valve off the valve seat to open the first check valve, anda second check valve positioned in the second passageway of the valve head for blocking backflow of fluid from the second passageway of the valve head when the pressure vessel is not connected to the valve head,the outlet port of the pressure vessel including a tube having a passageway extending through the tube through which fluid that has been filtered and/or conditioned and/or purified moves to exit the pressure vessel,the tube having an exterior surface portion, andthe exterior surface portion having an annular groove formed therein,the pressure vessel further includinga flapper valve for reducing/preventing backflow of fluid from the inlet port of the pressure vessel,the flapper valve comprising a flexible disc mounted on the tube in the annular groove formed on the tube, the flexible disc having a central opening formed therein through which the tube extends,the flexible disc extending across the first passageway of the pressure vessel, the flexible disc flexing in a first direction to open the first passageway of the pressure vessel when pushed by inbound fluid entering the pressure vessel to permit inbound flow of fluid to pass it as inbound fluid flows through the first passageway of the pressure vessel, andthe flexible disc flexing in a second direction to abut against a portion of an interior wall of the pressure vessel along the first passageway of the pressure vessel to close the first passageway of the pressure vessel when pushed by a back flow of fluid from the pressure vessel along the first passageway of the pressure vessel. 2. The apparatus of claim 1, the second check valve includinga valve housing, the valve housing having an annular ring having an annular inner wall surface, the annular inner wall surface having an annular ledge formed thereon creating a valve seat, anda movable valve disc contained in the housing that closes the second check valve when the valve disc rests against the valve seat and that permits flow of fluid through the second check valve when the valve disc is not resting against the valve seat, the valve disc having a guide pin formed on and extending downstream from its downstream face that is engaged by and slides in a guide pin holder to keep motion of the valve disc on a line that permits proper seating of the valve disc on the valve seat when the second check valve is closed, the guide pin holder being positioned downstream of the annular ring of the second check valve. 3. The apparatus of claim 1, the connecting/disconnecting means comprising a twist-on structure. 4. The apparatus of claim 1, the pressure vessel comprisinga cover having a top wall, a side wall extending downwardly from the top wall, the side wall of the cover having a lower end portion, and a cover rim formed on the lower end portion of the side wall of the cover,a bowl having a bottom wall, a side wall extending upwardly from the bottom wall, the side wall of the bowl having an upper end portion, and a bowl rim formed on the upper end portion of the side wall of the bowl,the cover rim and the bowl rim being joined together to form a sealed seam portion of the pressure vessel, anda reinforcement member secured around the pressure vessel for reinforcing the pressure vessel. 5. The apparatus of claim 4, the reinforcement member comprising a metal ring or a metal clamp or carbon, fiberglass, aramid or other suitable fibers or materials wrapping around the pressure vessel. 6. The apparatus of claim 1, the pressure vessel having a bottom wall having a passageway extending through it for venting purposes, the passageway being defined by a wall,an automatic venting device positioned in the passageway for automatically venting air and for breaking any unwanted vacuum,the automatic venting device including a vent sleeve positioned in a chamber formed in the passageway, the vent sleeve having a downstream end portion and an upstream end portion, the vent sleeve being defined by a solid cylindrical wall having an annular inwardly extending ledge formed at the downstream end portion of the vent sleeve, the vent sleeve having a plurality of cutouts in its cylindrical wall extending from the upstream end portion of the vent sleeve toward the downstream end portion of the vent sleeve, the ledge having an upstream side and a downstream side,means positioned downstream of the ledge for creating a valve seat and for sealing between the valve seat and the wall of the passageway, anda ball having a density slightly greater than the density of the fluid being filtered and/or conditioned and/or purified, the ball being positioned in the vent sleeve,the venting device remaining in an open position until the ball is pushed by the fluid into engagement with the valve seat to close the passageway. 7. The apparatus of claim 1, further including a color-coded, snap-on ring mounted around an outlet port formed at an outlet portion of the second passageway in the valve head to assist in distinguishing such outlet port from an inlet port formed at an inlet portion of the first passageway in the valve head. 8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said second check valve positioned in said second passageway also blocks backflow of fluid from said fluid receiving line at the outlet port of the second passageway of the valve head when the pressure vessel is connected to said valve head and there is a back pressure of fluid from said fluid receiving line at said outlet port of the second passageway of the valve head. 9. The apparatus of claim 1, the first check valve includinga valve housing, the valve housing having an annular ring having an annular inner wall surface, the annular inner wall surface having an annular ledge formed thereon creating a valve seat, anda movable valve disc contained in the housing that closes the first check valve when the valve disc rests against the valve seat and that permits flow of fluid through the first check valve when the valve disc is not resting against the valve seat, the valve disc having a guide pin formed on and extending upstream from its upstream face that is engaged by and slides in a guide pin holder to keep motion of the valve disc on a line that permits proper seating of the valve disc on the valve seat when the first check valve is closed, the guide pin holder being positioned upstream of the annular ring of the first check valve. 10. An apparatus for filtering and/or conditioning and/or purifying a fluid, comprising a valve head having a first passageway extending through it and being adapted to be connected to a fluid transmission line,a first check valve positioned in the first passageway of the valve head for blocking flow of fluid through the first passageway when the valve is closed,the first check valve including a movable valve disc that closes the first check valve when the valve disc rests against a valve seat and that permits flow of fluid through the first check valve when the valve disc is not resting against the valve seat,an outlet port formed at an outlet end portion of the first passageway in the valve head,a pressure vessel,means positioned in the pressure vessel for filtering and/or conditioning and/or purifying a fluid,the pressure vessel having an inlet port that is in fluid communication with the outlet port formed at the outlet end portion of the first passageway in the valve head when the pressure vessel is connected to the valve head,the pressure vessel having a first passageway extending from the inlet port of the pressure vessel to the means for filtering and/or conditioning and/or purifying a fluid,the pressure vessel having a second passageway extending from the means for filtering and/or conditioning and/or purifying a fluid to an outlet port of the pressure vessel,the valve head having a second passageway extending through it and adapted to be connected to a fluid receiving line at an outlet port of the second passageway of the valve head,the valve head having an inlet port formed at an inlet end portion of the second passageway of the valve head,the inlet port formed at the inlet end portion of the second passageway in the valve head being in fluid communication with the outlet port of the pressure vessel when the pressure vessel is connected to the valve head,connecting/disconnecting means formed on the valve head and the pressure vessel for connecting the pressure vessel to the valve head, when desired, to permit flow of fluid from the first passageway in the valve head to the inlet port of the pressure vessel, and for disconnecting the pressure vessel from the valve head, when desired, to stop flow of fluid from the outlet port of the first passageway of the valve head,actuating means for automatically opening the first check valve in the valve head when the pressure vessel is connected to the valve head,the actuating means including a pin positioned in the first passageway of the valve head between the valve disc and the outlet port at the outlet end portion of the first passageway of the valve head, the pin having a first end portion that engages the valve disc, and the pin having a second end portion,the actuating means further including an end portion of the pressure vessel that engages the second end portion of the pin when the pressure vessel is connected to the valve head causing the pin to push against and lift the valve disc of the first check valve off the valve seat to open the first check valve, anda second check valve positioned in the second passageway of the valve head for blocking backflow of fluid from the second passageway of the valve head when the pressure vessel is not connected to the valve head,the valve head having a third passageway extending therethrough for venting purposes, the third passageway being defined by a wall, and the apparatus further includingan automatic venting/vacuum breaking device positioned in the third passageway for automatically venting air contained in the apparatus and for breaking any unwanted vacuum formed in the apparatus,the automatic venting/vacuum breaking device includinga vent sleeve positioned in a chamber formed along the third passageway, the vent sleeve having a downstream end portion and an upstream end portion, the vent sleeve being defined by a solid cylindrical wall,a ball having a density slightly greater than the density of the fluid being filtered and/or conditioned and/or purified by the apparatus, the ball being positioned in the vent sleeve,an o-ring positioned downstream of the vent sleeve in the third passageway for forming a valve seat that receives a portion of the ball to close the automatic venting/vacuum breaking device, andair directing means formed in the vent sleeve for directing air being vented past the ball and then back toward the ball to prevent the ball from prematurely abutting against the valve seat until most, if not all, of the air has been vented,the automatic venting/vacuum breaking device remaining in an open position until the ball is pushed by the fluid into engagement with a portion of the o-ring creating a seal between the ball and the o-ring and the o-ring and the portion of the wall defining the third passageway, thereby closing the third passageway, andthe air directing means includinga plurality of cutouts formed in the vent sleeve and extending from the upstream end portion of the vent sleeve toward the downstream end portion of the vent sleeve forming passageways along which air may move along past the ball via the passageways directly into the vent sleeve from the passageways downstream of the ball, andan annular inwardly extending flange formed on the downstream end portion of the vent sleeve which directs air that has moved past the ball into the vent sleeve downstream of the ball to rebound off the annular inwardly extending flange back toward the ball. 11. An apparatus for filtering and/or conditioning and/or purifying a fluid, comprising a valve head having a first passageway extending through it and being adapted to be connected to a fluid transmission line,a first check valve positioned in the first passageway of the valve head for blocking flow of fluid through the first passageway when the valve is closed,the first check valve including a movable valve disc that closes the first check valve when the valve disc rests against a valve seat and that permits flow of fluid through the first check valve when the valve disc is not resting against the valve seat,an outlet port formed at an outlet end portion of the first passageway in the valve head,a pressure vessel,means positioned in the pressure vessel for filtering and/or conditioning and/or purifying a fluid,the pressure vessel having an inlet port that is in fluid communication with the outlet port formed at the outlet end portion of the first passageway in the valve head when the pressure vessel is connected to the valve head,the pressure vessel having a first passageway extending from the inlet port of the pressure vessel to the means for filtering and/or conditioning and/or purifying a fluid,the pressure vessel having a second passageway extending from the means for filtering and/or conditioning and/or purifying a fluid to an outlet port of the pressure vessel,the valve head having a second passageway extending through it and adapted to be connected to a fluid receiving line at an outlet port of the second passageway of the valve head,the valve head having an inlet port formed at an inlet end portion of the second passageway of the valve head,the inlet port formed at the inlet end portion of the second passageway in the valve head being in fluid communication with the outlet port of the pressure vessel when the pressure vessel is connected to the valve head,connecting/disconnecting means formed on the valve head and the pressure vessel for connecting the pressure vessel to the valve head, when desired, to permit flow of fluid from the first passageway in the valve head to the inlet port of the pressure vessel, and for disconnecting the pressure vessel from the valve head, when desired, to stop flow of fluid from the outlet port of the first passageway of the valve head,actuating means for automatically opening the first check valve in the valve head when the pressure vessel is connected to the valve head,the actuating means including a pin positioned in the first passageway of the valve head between the valve disc and the outlet port at the outlet end portion of the first passageway of the valve head, the pin having a first end portion that engages the valve disc, and the pin having a second end portion,the actuating means further including an end portion of the pressure vessel that engages the second end portion of the pin when the pressure vessel is connected to the valve head causing the pin to push against and lift the valve disc of the first check valve off the valve seat to open the first check valve, anda second check valve positioned in the second passageway of the valve head for blocking backflow of fluid from the second passageway of the valve head when the pressure vessel is not connected to the valve head,the pressure vessel having a neck,the connecting/disconnecting means comprising a bayonet-style mount including a plurality of pins mounted on the valve head, and a plurality of grooves formed on the neck, each groove having a first end portion where a corresponding pin from the plurality of pins mounted on the valve head may be inserted and moved along the groove by turning the pressure vessel until a second end portion of the groove is reached, thereby securing the pressure vessel to the valve head, and the apparatus further includinga plurality of indents formed in the end portion of the pressure vessel, and a plurality of spring-loaded plungers mounted on the valve head which click into the corresponding indents and push against the end portion of the pressure vessel when the pressure vessel is connected to the valve head. 12. The apparatus of claim 11, the actuating means including a raised cam formed on the end portion of the pressure vessel that engages the second end portion of the pin when the pressure vessel is connected to the valve head causing the pin to push against and lift the valve disc of the first check valve off the valve seat of the first check valve to open the first check valve. 13. An apparatus for filtering and/or conditioning and/or purifying a fluid, comprising a valve head having a first passageway extending through it and being adapted to be connected to a fluid transmission line,a first check valve positioned in the first passageway of the valve head for blocking flow of fluid through the first passageway when the valve is closed,the first check valve including a movable valve disc that closes the first check valve when the valve disc rests against a valve seat and that permits flow of fluid through the first check valve when the valve disc is not resting against the valve seat,an outlet port formed at an outlet end portion of the first passageway in the valve head,a pressure vessel,means positioned in the pressure vessel for filtering and/or conditioning and/or purifying a fluid,the pressure vessel having an inlet port that is in fluid communication with the outlet port formed at the outlet end portion of the first passageway in the valve head when the pressure vessel is connected to the valve head,the pressure vessel having a first passageway extending from the inlet port of the pressure vessel to the means for filtering and/or conditioning and/or purifying a fluid,the pressure vessel having a second passageway extending from the means for filtering and/or conditioning and/or purifying a fluid to an outlet port of the pressure vessel,the valve head having a second passageway extending through it and adapted to be connected to a fluid receiving line at an outlet port of the second passageway of the valve head,the valve head having an inlet port formed at an inlet end portion of the second passageway of the valve head,the inlet port formed at the inlet end portion of the second passageway in the valve head being in fluid communication with the outlet port of the pressure vessel when the pressure vessel is connected to the valve head,connecting/disconnecting means formed on the valve head and the pressure vessel for connecting the pressure vessel to the valve head, when desired, to permit flow of fluid from the first passageway in the valve head to the inlet port of the pressure vessel, and for disconnecting the pressure vessel from the valve head, when desired, to stop flow of fluid from the outlet port of the first passageway of the valve head,actuating means for automatically opening the first check valve in the valve head when the pressure vessel is connected to the valve head,the actuating means including a pin positioned in the first passageway of the valve head between the valve disc and the outlet port at the outlet end portion of the first passageway of the valve head, the pin having a first end portion that engages the valve disc, and the pin having a second end portion,the actuating means further including an end portion of the pressure vessel that engages the second end portion of the pin when the pressure vessel is connected to the valve head causing the pin to push against and lift the valve disc of the first check valve off the valve seat to open the first check valve, anda second check valve positioned in the second passageway of the valve head for blocking backflow of fluid from the second passageway of the valve head when the pressure vessel is not connected to the valve head, anda compressible member positioned within a bore located within and substantially surrounded by the means for filtering and/or conditioning and/or purifying a fluid for accommodating possible expansion of the fluid,the bore having a center axis,the compressible member protecting against damage to the pressure vessel and/or means for filtering and/or conditioning and/or purifying a fluid caused by freezing if the fluid freezes and expands in the pressure vessel by providing space for fluid to expand, the fluid expanding into and compressing the compressible member as the fluid freezes,the compressible member having an outer surface facing radially outwardly away from the center axis of the bore toward the means for filtering and/or conditioning and/or purifying a fluid surrounding it, anda majority of the outer surface of the compressible member being spaced out of contact with the means for filtering and/or conditioning and/or purifying a fluid. 14. The apparatus of claim 13, the compressible member being a polyfoam material. 15. An apparatus for filtering and/or conditioning and/or purifying a fluid, comprising a valve head having a first passageway extending through it and being adapted to be connected to a fluid transmission line,a first check valve positioned in the first passageway of the valve head for blocking flow of fluid through the first passageway when the valve is closed,the first check valve including a movable valve disc that closes the first check valve when the valve disc rests against a valve seat and that permits flow of fluid through the first check valve when the valve disc is not resting against the valve seat,an outlet port formed at an outlet end portion of the first passageway in the valve head,a pressure vessel,means positioned in the pressure vessel for filtering and/or conditioning and/or purifying a fluid,the pressure vessel having an inlet port that is in fluid communication with the outlet port formed at the outlet end portion of the first passageway in the valve head when the pressure vessel is connected to the valve head,the pressure vessel having a first passageway extending from the inlet port of the pressure vessel to the means for filtering and/or conditioning and/or purifying a fluid,the pressure vessel having a second passageway extending from the means for filtering and/or conditioning and/or purifying a fluid to an outlet port of the pressure vessel,the valve head having a second passageway extending through it and adapted to be connected to a fluid receiving line at an outlet port of the second passageway of the valve head,the valve head having an inlet port formed at an inlet end portion of the second passageway of the valve head,the inlet port formed at the inlet end portion of the second passageway in the valve head being in fluid communication with the outlet port of the pressure vessel when the pressure vessel is connected to the valve head,connecting/disconnecting means formed on the valve head and the pressure vessel for connecting the pressure vessel to the valve head, when desired, to permit flow of fluid from the first passageway in the valve head to the inlet port of the pressure vessel, and for disconnecting the pressure vessel from the valve head, when desired, to stop flow of fluid from the outlet port of the first passageway of the valve head,actuating means for automatically opening the first check valve in the valve head when the pressure vessel is connected to the valve head,the actuating means including a pin positioned in the first passageway of the valve head between the valve disc and the outlet port at the outlet end portion of the first passageway of the valve head, the pin having a first end portion that engages the valve disc, and the pin having a second end portion,the actuating means further including an end portion of the pressure vessel that engages the second end portion of the pin when the pressure vessel is connected to the valve head causing the pin to push against and lift the valve disc of the first check valve off the valve seat to open the first check valve, anda second check valve positioned in the second passageway of the valve head for blocking backflow of fluid from the second passageway of the valve head when the pressure vessel is not connected to the valve head,the pressure vessel including a compressible column mounted therein and substantially surrounded by the means for filtering and/or conditioning and/or purifying a fluid for accommodating possible expansion of the fluid,the compressible column protecting against damage to the pressure vessel and/or means for filtering and/or conditioning and/or purifying a fluid caused by freezing if the fluid freezes and expands in the pressure vessel by providing space for fluid to expand, the fluid expanding into and compressing the compressible column as the fluid freezes,the outlet port of the pressure vessel including a tube having a first end portion, a second end portion, and a passageway extending through the tube from a first end of the tube to a second end of the tube through which fluid that has been filtered and/or conditioned and/or purified in the pressure vessel moves to exit the pressure vessel,the tube having an interior surface portion and an exterior surface portion,the tube having a plurality of fins formed on the interior surface portion of the tube at the first end portion of the tube, the fins extending inwardly into the passageway of the tube and being oriented to extend parallel to a center axis of the tube for blocking the compressible column from entering the tube and plugging the passageway extending there through if the compressible column inadvertently breaks loose from where it is mounted in the pressure vessel, andthe tube at its first end portion having a plurality of cutouts made therein to permit flow of fluid that has been filtered and/or conditioned and/or purified in the pressure vessel to continue to enter the tube if the compressible column breaks loose from where it is mounted in the pressure vessel and abuts against the first end of the tube.