3m Innovative Properties Company

Cuno, Inc.

Thomas D Holler

Laurence W Bassett

Andrew Matthew Candelora

Brian J Tubby

Robert A Astle

Karl J Fritze

Hemang R Patel

Mahesh Z Patel

The present disclosure relates to a new fluid filter system including, but not limited to, structure for enabling a filter cartridge to be installed and removed from a manifold with a straight line push/pull motion, an innovative latching mechanism and an innovative water manifold, the latching mechanism providing a unique mechanism interface between an innovative manifold and a filter cartridge, the latching mechanism providing a compact and simple mechanism between the innovative manifold and the filter cartridge that significantly reduces the installation and removal force previously found with fluid filtration cartridges by including a low force filter cartridge installation and removal mechanism for utilization by the end consumer and the manifold assembly includes an inlet and an outlet port, the manifold assembly having structure for maintaining a substantially constant volumetric cavity of the fluid filtration system that contains fluid during installation and operation of the filter therein and removal of the filter therefrom and that has an automatic shut-off system, as the inlet water pressure increases past a predetermined desired maximum system operating pressure, the inlet water will automatically be shut-off, i.e., will not flow into (or out of) the filter cartridge.

Fluid filtration system

A fluid filtration system is disclosed comprising a manifold assembly comprising a mounting bracket, an alignment collar connected to the mounting bracket, and a latch assembly moveable with respect to the mounting bracket and alignment collar. The system further comprises a filter cartridge comprising a filter cartridge outer surface and a cartridge latching structure formed on the filter cartridge outer surface to interact with the latch assembly. When the filter cartridge is aligned with the alignment collar and inserted into the manifold assembly, the filter cartridge is (i) latched into the manifold assembly by translating the filter cartridge into the manifold assembly to cause movement of the latch assembly to engage the cartridge latching structure; and (ii) unlatched from the manifold assembly by translating the filter cartridge into the manifold assembly to cause movement of the rotating latch assembly to disengage the cartridge latching structure.

Novel systems and methods for operatively utilizing nutrient/flavor impregnated media(s) operatively contained in devices, such as, for example, product structures or the like, capable of introducing the nutrients/flavors in a single serving (4-12 oz) dose packets, or multiple servings, such as, for example, a pitcher (up to 64oz) or a gallon or half gallon of flavored and enhanced water operatively connected to complimentary dispensing system, presently preferably, tied to a water filtration device, such as, for example, bottle less water coolers and one that could be mounted inside a refrigerator dispensing system, and the manufacture of such low cost media(s) and dispensing systems.

Systems and methods of dispensing individual servings of flavored and enhanced water

A fluid treatment system is provided, the system including a fluid treatment cartridge for treating fluid passing therethrough. The cartridge has an inlet through which untreated fluid enters the cartridge and an outlet from which treated fluid exits the cartridge. The cartridge also has a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag for storing data. The fluid treatment system also includes a connection manifold configured to detachably support the fluid treatment cartridge. The connection manifold has an inlet flow path for directing untreated fluid to the inlet of the cartridge and an outlet flow path for directing treated fluid from the outlet of the cartridge, and a data sensor for reading data stored on the RFID tag. Data stored on the RFID tag can be read by the data sensor and evaluated. Use of the fluid treatment system can be deterred based upon the evaluated data.

System for monitoring the performance of fluid treatment cartridges

A medium having a support structure configured for circulation of a fluid therein, such as a replaceable filter cartridge, including a sanitizing agent which contains one or more reactants that are chemically configured for delivering chlorine dioxide or other sanitizing agents in a controlled dose to sanitize, deodorize, and disinfect upon being wetted by the fluid and positioned in the medium support structure to be exposed to the fluid circulating therein.

Growing community of inventors

Glastonbury, CT, United States of America

Thomas D Holler