Clack Corporation

Richard E Clack

Robert A Clack

Melvin R Hemp

Paul Michael Pedersen

Jack E Wies

W Roger McPherson

A filter cartridge is capable of at least one-way communication with the base of a filtration system so as to confirm that the filter cartridge is properly configured for installation and use in the filtration system. Transmission and receipt of a filter presence confirmation signal can enhance the effectiveness of the filtration system, e.g., by disabling one or more operational characteristics of the system in the absence of a confirmation signal, and/or by automatically resetting one or more counters of a capacity indicator of the system upon receipt of the confirmation signal. The filter cartridge is particularly well-adapted for use in a filtration system having a flow meter which monitors the flow of liquid through the system. In this case, the filter cartridge is operative to transmit signals to a detector on the associated base, and the operation of the flow meter and of the associated capacity indicator vary depending upon whether or not a filter presence confirmation signal is acquired by the detector.

Liquid filtration system and replaceable filter cartridge usable

A flat filter assembly may be installed in relatively narrow spaces which would otherwise be wasted such as the space beside a kitchen cabinet and the basin of a kitchen sink, inside a freezer door or on a countertop. The filter assembly includes a housing, preferably U-shaped, having a plurality of transversely extending ribs, formed in the opposed side walls of the housing, which reinforce the housing and which cause a generally serpentine flow of water through the housing during operation of the filter. Protrusions preferably are formed in the housing in addition to the ribs to strengthen further the housing and to aid in preventing the formation of channels through the granulated filter medium contained within the housing. The filter housing is preferably manufactured via a blow molding process.

Modular flat filter assembly and method of making same

A drinking water purification system includes a flat filter assembly which may be installed in relatively narrow spaces which would otherwise be wasted such as the space beside a kitchen cabinet and the basin of a kitchen sink, inside a freezer door or on a countertop. The filter assembly includes a housing, preferably U-shaped, having a plurality of transversely extending ribs, formed in the opposed side walls of the housing, which reinforce the housing and which cause a generally serpentine flow of water through the housing during operation of the filter. Protrusions preferably are formed in the housing in addition to the ribs to strengthen further the housing and to aid in preventing the formation of channels through the granulated filter medium contained within the housing. Internal or external quick connect couplers preferably connect the filter assembly to a source of untreated water and to a dispenser. An especially preferred external coupler includes an integral support element and devices for preventing water leakage when the filter assembly is disconnected from the coupler.

Water purification system employing modular flat filter assembly

New and improved filtration purification or water treatment systems for providing improved purified drinking water at a point of use are provided in a substantially leak-free fluid flow control device to which the other filtration purification system elements may be matedly engaged. Other system elements may include various filters or filter modules, as well as, system leads for conveying incoming tap water in, outgoing waste water out to drain and purified water from the filter section to a storage tank until desired for use. The fluid flow control device is preferably a unitary thermoplastic body having a number of discrete fluid flow passages extending therein. In a preferred embodiment, the fluid flow control device includes integrally formed input/output connector features, filter-receiving socket portions and an automatic shut off valve disposed in fluid flow communication with certain ones of the passages.

Fluid flow control device for water treatment systems

Provided in a reverse osmosis system (R.O.) is a fluid flow control device including an elongate unitary thermoplastic body having a generally rectangular configuration defined between spaced and opposed upper and lower major surfaces, a plurality of filter module-receiving socket formations extending normally from said lower surface at spaced apart locations along the length thereof, each socket formation including coaxially aligned radially inner and radially outer spaced apart tubular projections, and inner recess defined within said inner tubular projection and an outer annular recess defined between said inner and outer tubular projections, and aperture defined in said lower surface disposed with each said inner and outer recess; a plurality of discrete fluid flow passages defined in said body connecting certain ones of said socket apertures, female input/output connector means disposed at one end of said body, said female connector including a plurality of channel means for connecting selected ones of said passages to said system tap water source, said introducing means and said conveying means, respectively, said female connector means being adapted to polarizedly matingly sealingly and lockingly engage a complimentary male I/O connector; and a like plurality of filter modules matingly and sealingly engaged in said socket formations.

Fluid flow control device for R.O. filtration purification systems

Cartridge for filtration or absorption media

A unitary, one-piece salt grid, not subject to disassembly during shipment or installation in a brine tank, which is nestable into other grids for convenient shipment or storage prior to placement into the brine tank. The unitary salt grid includes a generally planar platform suitable for supporting and elevating granular salt above at least a portion of a concentrate brine in the bottom of the brine tank by spanning the interior area of the brine tank at a spaced position above the bottom of the tank, reinforcing ribs forming an integral part of a lower side of the platform to maintain the shape of the platform under the weight of the salt on an upper surface of the platform, and a plurality of supporting feet also forming an integral part of the platform and adapted to engage the bottom of the brine tank and support the platform at the spaced position above the brine tank bottom. The supporting feet include hollow frusto-conical sections such that the salt grids are nestable into one another.

Growing community of inventors

Windsor, WI, United States of America

Richard E Clack