The Clorox Company

Brita Gmbh

Edward B Rinker

Ilya Ilyin

Simon S Litvin

Alexander Chaliyan

Dmitry Logatchev

Michael Gershman

Semyon Kogan

Valery Pavlov

Jonathan McDonald

Russell E Bell

John F Wadsworth

Nikhil P Dani

Kaj A Johnson

Daniel T Carty

Carl M Kling

William Patrick Conley

Fredrick G Doolittle

Elizabeth Hedberg

Janet Elizabeth Lane

Scott L Cumberland

Toni L Lynch

Eric P Taylor

Carlos Enriquez

Elizabeth Lane

Patrick C Joyce

In one example, a fluid container includes a reservoir that includes a reservoir wall. A cover is configured to engage the reservoir, and the cover includes a spout configured and arranged for fluid communication with the reservoir, and the spout is disposed at one end of the cover. The fluid container also includes a filter cage configured to releasably engage the cover in a location near the spout. When the filter cage is engaged with the cover, and the cover is disposed on the reservoir, a small gap is defined between the front of the spout and the front of the filter cage.

Filter cartridge placement in filter as you pour system

In one example, a water pitcher is provide that includes a candle defining a receptacle with a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet and configured to removably receive a filter cartridge. As well, the candle includes a filter seat that cooperates with the filter cartridge to form a substantially fluid-tight seal when the filter cartridge is positioned in a sealing range defined by the candle. A filter management element is configured and arranged so that when the filter cartridge is aligned in the receptacle but resides outside the sealing range, and a force is exerted on the filter management element, the force is transferred to the filter cartridge by way of the filter management element so as to move the filter cartridge into the sealing range.

Mechanisms and systems for filter seating

In one example, a pitcher is provided that includes a chassis in which an untreated water reservoir is received. The untreated water reservoir has a candle that defines a receptacle with a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet, where the fluid outlet is arranged for fluid communication with the treated water reservoir, and the receptacle is configured to receive a filter cartridge. The candle also includes a filter seat that cooperates with the filter cartridge to form a substantially fluid-tight seal when the filter cartridge is positioned in a sealing range defined by the candle. The pitcher also includes a structural element that is connected to a portion of the pitcher and has a protruding portion that is located near the filter cartridge when the filter cartridge resides in the sealing range.

Water pitcher system

In one example, a flume is provided that is suitable for use in connection with a filter cartridge of a water filtration system. The flume includes a hollow body that can be received within a chassis of a pitcher, and the hollow body further includes an inlet and an outlet. Flume surfaces within the hollow body cooperate to at least partly define a fluid passage extending from the inlet to the outlet. A contact portion of the flume is located proximate the outlet and engageable with a filter cartridge such that when the contact portion is engaged with the filter cartridge, a portion of the filter cartridge engaged by the flume is located outside of the fluid passage.

Mechanisms and systems for directing water flow in a fluid container

An enhancement water system to produce a serving of enhanced filtered water is described. The present system describes a faucet mount water enhancement system that includes a housing with an inlet and an outlet, a source of water at the inlet, and a filter component within the housing. Source water is converted into treated water as it flows through the filter component under the influence of pressure. The housing further includes an outlet for outflow of treated water. A first enhancement module is disposed outside the housing adjacent the outlet and the first enhancement module is effective to dispense a desired amount of a first enhancement for use in combining with treated water dispensed from the outlet.

Control scheme for enhanced filtered water systems

An enhancement control system that can be used as part of an enhanced water system to produce enhanced filtered water is described. The enhancement control system includes at least one enhancement delivery element that can dispense an enhancement(s) into filtered water in response to an enhancement delivery instruction(s). The enhancement control system can also include an input element that can enable transmittal of the enhancement delivery instruction(s) from a user to the enhancement delivery element(s). The control system can also include a memory element that can store information about the user and the user's preferences and information about the enhanced water system. The control system can also include a communication element that can provide information from the enhanced water system to the user. The control system can also include a monitor element that can gather data from outside the enhanced water system, such as user health information or environmental information, and provide the data to the enhanced water system. In some embodiments, a control logic element can be used to coordinate and control operation of the elements of the enhanced water system.

A system for enhancing water is described. The system includes a housing with an inlet and an outlet, source water at the inlet, which can flow through a filter component in the housing and thus become treated water, and at least one enhancement module that can dispense an enhancement into the treated water as it flows through the outlet. Water can flow through the system only by the force of gravity, pressure in a building's water line, and/or hand pumps. Enhancement that can be used in the system include flavorings, dyes, minerals, vitamins, herbal supplements, nutritional supplements, phytonutrients, probiotics, homoepathic remedies, amino acids, enzymes, hormones, standard prescription medications, and over-the-counter medications, and combinations thereof. A control is also provided, through which a consumer can regulate an amount of enhancement that is added to the treated water.

Filtered water enhancements

A filtering device for a gravity-flow liquid treatment system includes a first filter component that can be either exposed or adjacent to a substantially transparent region in at least a portion of a filter housing. The first filter component is capable of providing a visual indication of exposure to at least one contaminant. The contaminants for which the first filter component can indicate exposure include particles, inorganic, and organic contamination. Particle contamination is indicated by a change in color of the first filter component through particle collection. Inorganic and organic contaminants are indicated by reaction with at least one agent capable of undergoing a color-change reaction in response to at least one contaminant. Water treatment systems and filtration devices that include at least one agent capable of undergoing a color-change reaction and thus give a visual indication of exposure to at least one contaminant for use in both gravity-driven and pressure-driven environments are also described.

Water contaminant indicators

A porous composite block is provided that contains at least two groups of binding agent particles. The first binding agent particles have an average particle size between about 5 &#x3bc;m and 200 &#x3bc;m. The second binding agent particles have an average particle size no larger than half the average particle size of the first binding agent particles and also between about 10 nm and 30 &#x3bc;m. The porous composite block can also contain active grains and active granules such that the granules are smaller than the grains. The grains and the granules can be capable of treating water. A method of forming a porous composite block and a water treatment system are also provided.

Multiple-component binder systems for porous composite blocks

A filter medium capable of removing microorganisms from a fluid such as water. The filter medium includes particles of activated carbon, particles of a substantially insoluble inorganic material having an isoelectric point greater than the fluid being filtered. A low melt index binder, preferably with a melt index of less than about 1 gram per 10 minutes, binds the particles of activated carbon and particles of inorganic material, such that the binder will become tacky at elevated temperatures without becoming sufficiently liquid to substantially wet the particles of activated carbon and inorganic material.

Microorganism-removing filter medium having high isoelectric material and low melt index binder

A faucet mounted water filter is described, comprising a base having a water inlet upstanding from a first end of the base and attachable to a water faucet, a first water outlet downwardly directed from the first end of the base for discharging unfiltered water, a second water outlet downwardly directed from a second end of the base for discharging filtered water and a filter cartridge seat disposed on the second end of the base, a replaceable filter cartridge comprising a unitary subassembly including a closed outer cylindrical shell having top and side walls defining a chamber therein, a filter element disposed with the filter chamber and a filter cartridge base, a latch device for demountably securing the filter cartridge in the housing cartridge seat, a diverter valve for selectively permitting the flow of water through the housing first water outlet and the filter cartridge, and an end-of-use indicator for determining the status of the filter element during use.

Faucet mounted water filter

A faucet mounted water filter is described, comprising a base having a water inlet upstanding from a first end of the base and attachable to a water faucet, a first water outlet downwardly directed from the first end of the base for discharging unfiltered water, a second water outlet downwardly directed from a second end of the base for discharging filtered water and a filter cartridge seat disposed on the second end of the base, a replaceable filter cartridge comprising a unitary subassembly including a closed outer cylindrical shell having top and side walls defining a chamber therein, a filter element disposed with the filter chamber and a filter cartridge base, latch means for demountably securing the filter cartridge in the housing cartridge seat, a diverter valve for selectively permitting the flow of water through the housing first water outlet and the filter cartridge, and an end-of-use indicator for determining the status of the filter element during use.

Growing community of inventors

Oakland, CA, United States of America

Edward B Rinker