FILTER DEVICE

Abstract

A filter unit is provided for filtering a liquid. The filter unit is intended to be connected to a cap including a first liquid passage and a second liquid passage 114. The filer unit includes: a canister; and a filter cartridge rotatably arranged within the canister, the filter cartridge includes a first filter connection for liquid to pass through, the first filter connection is intended to be connected to the first liquid passage in the cap, wherein the canister is intended to be rotatably attachable to the cap such that, when the canister is attached to the cap by a rotating action, the filter cartridge is stationary to the cap.

Claims

1. A filter unit for filtering a liquid, said filter unit is intended to be connected to a cap comprising a first liquid passage and a second liquid passage, said filter unit comprising: a canister; and a filter cartridge rotatably arranged within the canister, the filter cartridge comprises a first filter connection for liquid to pass through, said first filter connection is intended to be connected to said first liquid passage in said cap; wherein the canister is intended to be rotatably attachable to the cap such that, when the canister is attached to said cap by a rotating action, the filter cartridge is stationary to the cap.

2. The filter unit according to claim 1 wherein the filter unit has a cylindrical shape and extends along an axis A though the center of the filter unit, and the canister is intended to be rotatably attachable to the cap by rotation around axis A.

3. The filter unit according to any of claim 1 wherein the filter cartridge is concentrically arranged in the canister.

4. The filter unit according to claim 1 wherein the filter cartridge comprises: a top section comprising the first filter connection and a second filter connection intended to be connected to said second liquid passage in said cap; and a filter holder for holding at least one filter piece, said top section is attached to said filter holder.

5. The filter unit according to claim 4 wherein the at least one filter piece comprises at least one of granulated activated carbon, mesh fabric, nylon grid, cotton foam, plastic foam, polyester foam, stainless steel grid.

6. The filter unit according to claim 4 wherein a gasket is arranged to seal the junction between the filter cartridge and the canister.

7. The filter unit according to claim 4, wherein the top section comprises a third filter connection intended to be in connection with a third liquid passage in the cap.

8. The filter unit according to claim 7, wherein the filter unit is intended to function in a first mode and a second mode when connected to said cap, wherein the second and third liquid passage are arranged as an outlet when the filter unit is in said first mode when in use and the second and third liquid passage are arranged as an inlet when the filter unit is in said second mode when in use.

9. The filter unit according to claim 1, wherein the filter unit is intended to function in a first mode and a second mode when connected to said cap, wherein the first liquid passage is arranged as an inlet when the filter unit is in said first mode when in use, and the first liquid passage is arranged as an outlet when the filter unit is in said second mode when in use.

10. The filter unit according to claim 7, wherein the first filter connection, the second filter connection and the third filter connection comprises at least one gasket intended to seal the junction between said connections and corresponding liquid passages when said filter unit is connected to said cap.

11. The filter unit according to claim 1, wherein the canister comprises a canister protrusion intended for locking on to a cap protrusion in said cap when said canister is rotated relative to said cap.

12. The filter unit according to claim 11, wherein the canister is intended to be connected to said cap by a bayonet coupling.

13. The filter unit according to claim 1, wherein the canister is threaded and intended to be rotatably attached to corresponding threads in the cap when the canister is connected to said cap.

14. The filter unit according to claim 1, wherein the filter holder encloses at least part of the at least one filter piece.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0034] FIG. 1 schematically shows an exploded view of the filter unit according to at least one embodiment of the present invention.

[0035] FIG. 2 schematically shows an exploded view of the filter unit according to at least one embodiment of the present invention.

[0036] FIG. 3 schematically shows a cross-section view of the filter unit according to at least one embodiment of the present invention.

[0037] FIG. 4 schematically shows an example embodiment according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0038] FIG. 1 shows an exploded view of the filter unit 100 according to at least one embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1 a filter unit 100 is provided for filtering a liquid, said filter unit is intended to be connected to a cap 110 which comprises a first liquid passage 112 and a second liquid passage 114. The filter unit 100 comprises a canister 120 comprising a filter cartridge 130 rotatably arranged within the canister 120. The filter cartridge 130 comprises a first filter connection 140 for liquid to pass through. The first filter connection 140 is intended to be connected to said first liquid passage 112 in said cap 110. The canister 120 is intended to be rotatably attachable to the cap 110 such that, when the canister 120 is attached to said cap 110 by a rotating action, the filter cartridge 130 is stationary to the cap 110.

[0039] By the first filter connection 140 being intended to be connected to said first liquid passage 112 may be meant that the first filter connection 140 may come in contact with the first liquid passage 112 in the cap 110 when the canister 140 is attached to the cap 110. When said canister 140 is connected this way liquid may pass through said first filter connection 140 and said first liquid passage.

[0040] By the first filter connection 140 being intended to be connected to said first liquid passage 112 may be meant that the first filter connection 140 may be fitted to said first liquid passage 112 in said cap 110 when the canister 140 is attached to the cap 110. The first filter connection 140 may be intended to enclose a connection on the inside of the cap 110 to said first liquid passage 112 or a connection on the inside of the cap 110 to said first liquid passage 112 may be intended to enclose the first filter connection 140.

[0041] When the canister 120 is not attached to the cap 110, the filter cartridge 130 may be allowed to rotate freely within the canister 120. The canister 120 may be moved in contact with the cap 110 when attaching the canister 120 to said cap 110. The first filter connection 140 may then connect to the first liquid passage 112 in the cap 110.

[0042] The filter unit 100 may be intended to connect to said cap 110, more specifically the canister 120 may be intended to connect to the cap 110. The filter cartridge may be positioned within the canister 120. When the canister 120 is attached to the cap 110 they may constitute a containment within. Within this containment the filter cartridge 130 may be located. When the canister 120 is attached to the cap 110, the second liquid passage 114 in the cap 110 may be in liquid connection to the containment constituted by the canister 120 and the cap 110.

[0043] The filter unit 100 may be intended to function in two modes. When the filter unit 100 and the cap 110 are connected the liquid may pass through the filter unit 100 in these two modes, a first mode or a second mode.

[0044] When the filter unit 100 and the cap 110 are connected and in the first mode the liquid will enter the filter unit 100 through said first liquid passage 112 and the liquid will exit the filter unit 100 through said second liquid passage 114. When in the second mode the liquid will enter the filter unit 100 through said second liquid passage 114 and the liquid will exit the filter unit 100 through said first liquid passage 112. In other words, when in said first mode, the second liquid passage 114 is an outlet and the first liquid passage is an inlet. When in said second mode, the second liquid passage 114 is an inlet and the first liquid passage is an outlet.

[0045] In other words, the second liquid passage 114 may be intended as an outlet when the filter unit 100 and the cap 110 are in said first mode when in use. The second liquid passage 114 may be intended as an inlet when the filter unit 100 and the cap 110 are in said second mode when in use. The first liquid passage 112 may be intended as an inlet when the filter unit 100 and the cap 110 are in said first mode when in use. The first liquid passage 112 may be intended as an outlet when the filter unit 100 and the cap 110 are in said second mode when in use.

[0046] Preferably the mode may not be changed under operation and set beforehand. Preferably, the filter cartridge 130 may be adapted to what mode to be using in order to have proper filtering of the liquid. For example, a certain order of filtering may be desirable, such beginning to filter out larger fractions of particles and then stepwise filter out smaller particles and/or functionality of removing natural organic matter and/or organic micro-pollutants from the liquid.

[0047] When the canister 120 is attached to the cap 110, the liquid may enter the filter unit 100 and the cap 110 through the first liquid passage 112, and flow through the first filter connection 140, via the filter cartridge 130 into the containment constituted by the canister 120 and the cap 110 and subsequently exit the filter unit 100 and the cap 110 through the second liquid passage 114.

[0048] When the canister 120 is attached to the cap 110, the liquid may enter the filter unit 100 and the cap 110 through the second liquid passage 114 before reaching the containment constituted by the canister 120 and the cap 110, subsequently the liquid may pass the filter cartridge 130 and the first filter connection 140 before exiting the filter unit 100 and cap 110 through the first liquid passage 112.

[0049] The first filter connection 140 may comprise a gasket 210 intended to seal the junction between said first filter connection 140 and the first liquid passage 112 in the cap 110.

[0050] The canister 120 may be intended to be moved in a rotating motion in order to attach the canister 120 to the cap 110. When doing so, the filter cartridge 130 inside the canister 120 may be fixed to the cap 110 and may thus be allowed to rotate within the canister 120. The rotatably arranged filter cartridge 130 within the canister 120 may thus have a swivel functionality to the canister 120 when the canister 120 is connected to the cap 110, which in turn may facilitate attachment and/or detachment of the canister 120 to/from the cap 110. This may be especially advantageous when the cap 110 is fixed.

[0051] The canister may be rotated without rotating the filter cartridge within the canister. In this way the filter cartridge is intended not to be rotated relative to the cap. The filter cartridge may be intended to have a fixed position or a stationary position relative the cap when the canister is rotated.

[0052] The canister 120 may be intended to be attached or connected to the cap 110 by a bayonet coupling or similar, described in more detailed below, such that when the canister 120 and the cap 110 is placed in contact with each other, the canister 120 may be rotated relative the cap 110, the canister 120 may in this way be locked to the cap 110. This provides for quick attachment of the filter since the amount of rotation needed is significantly less than when screwing the parts together. Preferably the rotation may be more than 1 degree and less than 90 degrees, more preferably less than 45 degrees, most preferably the rotation may be less than 30 degrees.

[0053] The canister 120 may be threaded and intended to be rotatably attached to corresponding threads in the cap 110 when the canister 120 is connected to said cap 110.

[0054] FIG. 2 schematically shows an exploded view of the filter unit 100 according to at least one embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 2 the filter cartridge 130 further comprises a top section 160 comprising the first filter connection 140. The filter cartridge 130 may further comprise a second filter connection 150 intended to be connected to said second liquid passage 114 in said cap 110. The filter cartridge 130 may further comprise a filter holder 170 for holding at least one filter piece 180. Said top section 160 may be attached to said filter holder 170. The filter holder 170 may be cylindrical. The filter holder 170 may enclose the at least one filter piece 180.

[0055] When the filter holder encloses at least part of the at least one filter piece the liquid may pass the filter pieces in a desired order. In other words, when the filter holder encloses at least part of the at least one filter piece 180 the liquid may not be able to enter or exit the filter piece 180 from the sides into the rest of the cavity in the filter unit when the filter unit is in use. The liquid may then enter or exit the filter piece 180 from the bottom or top of the filter piece 180, depending on flow direction and thus if the filter functions in said first or second mode.

[0056] As previously described, the filter unit 100 may be intended to function in a first mode and a second mode when the filter unit 100 is connected to the cap 110. As described previously, the second liquid passage 114 may be intended as an outlet when the filter unit 100 and the cap 110 is in said first mode when in use. The second liquid passage 114 may be intended as an inlet when the filter unit 100 is in said second mode when in use. The first liquid passage 112 may be intended as an inlet when the filter unit 100 is in said first mode when in use. The first liquid passage 112 may be intended as an outlet when the filter unit 100 is in said second mode when in use.

[0057] Hence, the second filter connection 150 may be an outlet when the filter unit 100 is in connection to the cap 110 and in said first mode when in use. The second filter connection 150 may be an inlet when the filter unit 100 is in connection to the cap 110 and in said second mode when in use. The first filter connection 140 may be an inlet when the filter unit 100 is in said first mode when in use. The first liquid passage 112 may be intended as an outlet when the filter unit 100 is in said second mode when in use.

[0058] FIG. 2 also shows that the top section (160) comprises a third filter connection (200) intended to be in connection with a third liquid passage (116) in the cap (110).

[0059] In other words, the cap 110 may comprise a third liquid passage 116. The top section 160 may comprise a third filter connection 200 intended to be in connection with said third liquid passage 116.

[0060] The second and third liquid passages 114, 116 may be intended as outlets when the filter unit 100 is connected to said cap 110 and are in said first mode when in use. The second and third liquid passages 114, 116 may be arranged as inlets when the filter unit 100 is connected to said cap 110 and is in said second mode when in use.

[0061] Hence, the second and third filter connections 150, 200 may be arranged as outlets when the filter unit 100 is in said first mode when in use. The second and third filter connections 150, 200 may be arranged as inlets when the filter unit 100 is in said second mode when in use.

[0062] As previous mentioned, the filter cartridge 130 may be adapted to what mode to be using in order to have proper filtering of the liquid. Preferably, the mode may not be changed under operation and set beforehand.

[0063] Preferably the filter unit 100 and the cap 110 are intended to be used in said second mode, such that the first liquid passage 112 may be intended as an outlet. This may provide for improved filter functionality because [client input].

[0064] FIG. 3 schematically shows a cross-section view of the filter unit 100 according to at least one embodiment of the present invention. The filter unit 100 in FIG. 3 is shown in an assembled state according to at least one embodiment of the present invention. The first filter connection 140, the second filter connection 150 and the third filter connection 200 comprises at least one gasket 210 intended to seal the junction between said connections 140, 150, 200 and corresponding liquid passages 112, 114, 116 when said filter unit is connected to said cap 110.

[0065] In other words, the first filter connection 140 may comprise a gasket 210 intended to seal the junction between said first filter connection 140 and the first liquid passage 112 in the cap 110. The second filter connection 150 may comprise a gasket 210 intended to seal the junction between said second filter connection 150 and the second liquid passage 114 in the cap 110. The third filter connection 200 may comprise a gasket 210 intended to seal the junction between said third filter connection 200 and the third liquid passage 116 in the cap 110.

[0066] The gasket 210 may be arranged circumferentially around the first filter connection 140 when said first filter connection 140 is intended to be enclosed by the first liquid passage 112 in order to properly seal the junction between the first liquid passage 112 and the first filter connection 140.

[0067] The gasket 210 may be arranged circumferentially around the second filter connection 150 when said second filter connection 150 is intended to be enclosed by the second liquid passage 114 in order to properly seal the junction between the second liquid passage 114 and the second filter connection 150.

[0068] The gasket 210 may be arranged circumferentially around the third filter connection 200 when said third filter connection 200 is intended to be enclosed by the third liquid passage 116 in order to properly seal the junction between the third liquid passage 116 and the third filter connection 200.

[0069] As earlier described each filter connection 140, 150, 200 may be intended to enclose respective liquid passages 112, 114, 116. The gaskets 210 may then be circumferentially arranged on the inside of each filter connection 140, 150, 200 or intended to be circumferentially arranged around said liquid passages 112,114,116 in order to seal the junction between the filter connection 140, 150, 200 and the respective liquid passage 112, 114, 116 when connecting the filter unit 100 to the cap 110.

[0070] The at least one filter piece 180 may comprise at least one of granulated activated carbon, mesh fabric, nylon grid, cotton foam, plastic foam, polyester foam, stainless steel grid. The at least one filter piece 180 may comprise several filter pieces 180 of different type. For example, the different filter pieces 180 may be adapted to different types of filtering, such as filter different fractions of particles and/or the possibility of removing natural organic matter from the liquid when filtering. Using the at least one filter piece 180 with activated carbon may provide for the possibility of removing organic micro-pollutants from the liquid. Hence, the at least one filter piece 180 may be adapted to the situation and the purpose of filtering. The at least one filter piece 180 may also be adapted to the flow direction of the liquid in order to, for example, filter out larger fractions of particles before filtering the smaller and/or before removing the organic matter by filtration. As seen in FIG. 3, several units of the at least one filter piece 180 may be present, in this case three units of the at least one filter piece 180. One arranged at the bottom of the filter holder 170. One arranged within the filter holder 170. One arranged at the top of the filter holder 170. Where the top is the side of the filter cartridge 130 facing the liquid passages 112, 114, 116 of the filter unit 100 and the bottom is the opposite direction.

[0071] The at least one filter piece 180 may comprise citric acid in order to . . . [client input]

[0072] A gasket 190 may be arranged to seal the junction between the filter cartridge 130 and the canister 120. The gasket 190 may be arranged circumferentially around the top section 160. When the filter cartridge 130 is arranged within the canister 120, the gasket 190 may seal the junction between the top section 160 and the canister 120. This may provide for reduced risk of liquid leaking from the container into the environment when the cap 110 is attached to the canister 120. This may also reduce the risk of water leaking inside the filter unit 100 and thus it may reduce the risk of unfiltered water passing the filter unit 100.

[0073] FIG. 4 schematically shows an example embodiment according to the present invention. FIG. 4 shows that the filter unit 100 has a cylindrical shape and extends along an axis A though the center of the filter unit 100, and the canister 120 is rotatably attachable to the cap 110 by rotation around axis A.

[0074] The filter unit 100 may be elongated in a cylindrical shape. The axis, A, may be arranged parallel to the elongation of the filter unit 100. The cap 110 may be substantially arranged as a disc. The axis, A, may be arranged within the filter unit 100 and arranged centrally within the filter unit 100. The axis, A, may have a direction towards the cap 110. The axis, A, may be parallel to the normal to a surface of the cap 110 facing the canister 120.

[0075] The filter unit may have a cylindrical shape and extend along an axis, A, arranged centrally within the filter unit, said axis A may be arranged perpendicular to a diameter of the cylindrical shaped filter unit; the canister may be rotatably attachable to the cap such that it rotates around said axis, A.

[0076] As previously described the canister 120 may be intended to be attached to said cap 110 by a bayonet coupling or similar. FIG. 4 also show that the canister 120 may comprise a canister protrusion 230 intended for locking on to a cap protrusion 220 in said cap 110 when said canister 120 is rotated relative to said cap 110.

[0077] In other words, the cap 110 may comprise a cap protrusion 220. The canister 120 may comprise a canister protrusion 230 intended for locking on to the cap protrusion 220 when said canister 120 is rotated relative to said cap 110.

[0078] In other words, the cap 110 may be attached to the canister 120 by a connection similar to that of a bayonet coupling. The canister protrusions 230 may be intended to hook on to the cap protrusions 220 when the canister 120 is rotated relative the cap 110. The cap 110 may comprise the cap protrusions 220 alternating with slots intended for the cap protrusions 230 to enter when said canister 120 is moved in contact with the cap 110. The cap protrusions 220 may comprise stoppage protrusions hindering the canister protrusions 230 to rotate too far when the canister 120 is rotated relative the cap 110. In other words, the cap protrusions 220 may comprise stoppage protrusions intended to hinder the canister protrusions 230 to rotate passed the cap protrusion 220 to neighboring slots when the canister 120 is rotated relative the cap 110.

[0079] The cap 110 may comprise a surface 240 facing away from the liquid passages 112,114,116. The canister 120 may comprise a surface 250 intended to face the liquid passages 112,114,116 of the cap 110 when the canister 120 is assembled to the cap 110.

[0080] The canister 120 may comprise an outer surface area 260 enclosing the canister 120. The outer surface area 260 may comprise at least two sections, a first area section 262 and a second area section 264. The first area section may be arranged circumferentially around the canister 120 and in connection with the surface 250.

[0081] The first area section 262 may comprise the canister protrusions 230. In other words, the canister protrusions 230 may be arranged on the canister 120 within the first area section 262.

[0082] When bringing the canister 120 together with the cap 110, the canister protrusions 230 may pass the cap protrusions 220. Hence, the canister protrusions 230 may be intended to first pass the cap protrusions when attaching the canister 120 to the cap 110 and secondly be attached to the cap protrusions 220 when being rotated relative the cap 110.

[0083] In other words, when the canister 120 is attached to the cap 110 the canister 120 may be moved towards the cap 110, the surface 250 will end up closer to the liquid passages than the surface 240. The canister protrusions 230, located in the first area section 262, will end up closer to the liquid passages 112,114,116 than the cap protrusions 220. This makes it possible to have the canister 120 fixed to the cap 110 by rotating the canister 120 relative said cap 110 such that the canister protrusions 230 may be fixed to the cap protrusions 220. In other words, the canister protrusions 230 may enter the slots and passing the cap protrusions 220 when the canister 120 is moved in contact with the cap 110.

[0084] The canister 120 may be threaded and intended to be rotatably attached to corresponding threads in the cap 110 when the canister 120 is connected to said cap 110.

[0085] Having the bayonet coupling or similar, as described above, may be highly preferred since it may provide a quicker coupling of the canister 120 to the cap 110, and thus a faster change of filter unit 100 and more specifically a faster change of filter cartridge 130.