MULTI-STAGE SPIRIT FILTER

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a filter designed to purify alcohol, particularly spirits, and more specifically to a reusable multi stage spirit filter. The filter unit is adapted to connect with two fluid containers, the filter adapted receive commercial filter cartridges of the be a refillable filter. Typical filter materials being selected from activated charcoal or carbon, or an ion exchange resin. The reusable filter that can be repeatedly used to clean or polish spirits to remove the impurities thereby improving the taste of spirits.

Claims

1. A multi stage filter device, comprising a first container having a connection member; a second container having a connection member; a filter sized and adapted at a first end to attach to the connection member on the first container, said filter being sized and adapted at a second end to attach to the connection member on the second container; said filter containing one or more filtering components selected from activated charcoal and ion exchange resin, wherein when a fluid to be filtered is introduced into the first container, and the first and second containers and filter are positioned in a vertical orientation, the fluid passes through the filter into the lower container.

2. The multi stage filter device of claim 1, wherein the filter contains one of more of charcoal, carbon, activated charcoal, activated carbon, cationic ion exchange resin, or anionic ion exchange resin.

3. The multi stage filter device of claim 1, wherein the filter is attached to the connection members on the first and second containers by corresponding screw threads or by a bayonet fitting.

4. The multi stage filter device of claim 1, wherein the fluid to be filtered is introduced into the first container prior to attaching the filter to the second container.

5. The multi stage filter device of claim 1, wherein the first container additionally comprises an opening, said fluid to be filtered is introduced into the first container through the opening.

6. The multi stage filter device of claim 1, further comprising one or more connector caps sized and adapted at a first end to attach to said first and second end of said filter.

7. The multi stage filter device of claim 6, wherein the connector caps are attached at the first end to the filter by corresponding screw threads or bayonet fittings.

8. The multi stage filter device of claim 6, wherein the one or more connector caps have a second end that is sized and adapted to attach to the connection member on said first and second container.

9. The multi stage filter device of claim 8, wherein said one or more connector caps are attached to the first and second containers by corresponding screw threads or bayonet fittings.

10. The multi stage filter device of claim 1, wherein the filter comprises an indicator or a vent.

11. A method of filtering a fluid using the device of claim 1, comprising the steps: attaching the second container to the second end of the filter; introducing a fluid to be filtered into the first container; attaching the first container to the first end of the filter; and inverting the device, wherein the fluid to be filtered passes through the filter into the second container.

12. The method of filtering a fluid using the device of claim 1, wherein the filter contains one of more of charcoal, carbon, activated charcoal, activated carbon, cationic ion exchange resin, or anionic ion exchange resin.

13. The method of filtering a fluid according to claim 10, wherein the fluid is selected from the group consisting of whisky, vodka, rum, gin, tequila, brandy, schnapps, mezcal, bourbon, scotch, vermouth, absinthe, and soju.

14. A method of filtering a fluid using the device of claim 1, comprising the steps: attaching the second container to the second end of the filter; attaching the first container to the first end of the filter; and introducing a fluid to be filtered into the opening on the first container; wherein the fluid to be filtered passes through the filter into the second container.

15. The method of filtering a fluid using the device of claim 14, wherein the filter contains one of more of charcoal, carbon, activated charcoal, activated carbon, cationic ion exchange resin, or anionic ion exchange resin.

16. The method of filtering a fluid according to claim 14, wherein the spirit is selected from the group consisting of whisky, vodka, rum, gin, tequila, brandy, schnapps, mezcal, bourbon, scotch, vermouth, absinthe, and soju.

17. A kit for filtering fluid, said kit comprising: a first container having a connection member; a second container having a connection member; a filter sized and adapted at a first end to attach to the connection member on the first container, said filter being sized and adapted at a second end to attach to the connection member on the second container; said filter containing one or more filtering components selected from activated charcoal and ion exchange resin; and instructions for use.

18. The kit of claim 17, additionally comprising one or more connector caps sized and adapted at a first end to attach to said first and second end of said filter.

19. The kit of claim 17, wherein the one or more connector caps have a second end that is sized and adapted to attach to the connection member on said first and second container.

20. The kit of claim 17, additionally comprising charcoal, carbon, activated charcoal, activated carbon, cationic ion exchange resin, or anionic ion exchange resin for use in the filter.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] To easily identify the discussion of any particular element or act, the most significant digit or digits in a reference number refer to the figure number in which that element is first introduced.

[0026] FIG. 1 illustrates an assembled item 100 in accordance with one embodiment.

[0027] FIG. 2 illustrates an exploded item 200 in accordance with one embodiment.

[0028] FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of a filter item 300 in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.

[0029] FIG. 4 illustrates working examples of item 400 in accordance with several embodiments of the invention.

[0030] FIG. 5 illustrates an assembled item 500 in accordance with one embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0031] Devices and methods for carrying out the invention are presented in terms of embodiments depicted within the FIGS. However, the invention is not limited to the described embodiments, and a person skilled in the art will appreciate that many other embodiments of the invention are possible without deviating from the basic concept of the invention, and that any such work around will also fall under scope of this invention. It is envisioned that other styles and configurations of the present invention can be easily incorporated into the teachings of the present invention, and the configurations shall be shown and described for purposes of clarity and disclosure and not by way of limitation of scope.

[0032] The present disclosure describes two containers in fluid communication configured, when assembled, in a vertical orientation and separated by a filter cartridge. Both of the containers are engaged with the filter cartridge via watertight seals. When a fluid is introduced into the upper container, the fluid percolates through the filter into the lower container. It is contemplated that the device is particularly suited for the filtration of spirits, specifically spirits selected from the group consisting of whisky, vodka, rum, gin, tequila, brandy, schnapps, mezcal, bourbon, scotch, vermouth, absinthe, and soju.

[0033] FIG. 1 illustrates an assembled embodiment of the invention. A first container 102 is attached to a filter 106 via a first connector cap 108. A second container 104 is attached to the filter 106 via a second connector cap 110. The first container 102 has a second end of first container 112, which may be open or it may be closed. The second container 104 also has a second end of second container 114 which is typically closed.

[0034] The device may also have a built in LED indicator 116, which indicates when the filter requires changing. The indicator may have a series of lights that illuminate in order, corresponding to the number of times the filter has been used. An optional reset controller may be present to allow the operator to switch off the indicator lights, particularly after the filter has been recharged or replaced.

[0035] FIG. 2 illustrates an exploded embodiment of the invention. The first container 102 has a connecting means on first end of first container 202 that is sized and shaped to connect with either the connecting means on first end of first connector cap 204 or the connecting means on first end of filter 208.

[0036] The second container 104 has a connecting means on first end of second container 216 that is sized and shaped to connect with either the connecting means on first end of second connector cap 214 or the connecting means on second end of filter 210.

[0037] The connecting means on second end of first connector cap 206 is sized and shaped to connect with connecting means on first end of filter 208. The connecting means on second end of second connector cap 212 sized and shaped to connect with connecting means on second end of filter 210.

[0038] The first connector cap 108 and second connector cap 110 are designed and fabricated to be fluid impermeable. The function of the connector caps, 108 and 110, are two-fold. Firstly, they protect the filter from contamination and damage while not in use, and secondly that allow connection to the first and second containers, 102 and 104, for ease of storage.

[0039] When not in use, in an embodiment of the invention, the first container 102 is attached via the connecting means on first end of first container 202 to the first connector cap 108 via the connecting means on first end of first connector cap 204. The first connector cap 108 is attached via the connecting means on second end of first connector cap 206 to the filter 106 via the connecting means on first end of filter 208. The filter 106 is attached via the connecting means on second end of filter 210 to the second connector cap 110 via the connecting means on second end of second connector cap 212. The second connector cap 110 is attached via the connecting means on first end of second connector cap 214 to the second container 104 via the connecting means on first end of second container 216.

[0040] When in use, first connector cap 108 and second connector cap 110 are disconnected from the first container 102, second container 104 and filter 106. The first container 102 is attached directly to via the connecting means on first end of first container 202 to the filter 106 via the connecting means on first end of filter 208. The second container 104 is attached directly via the connecting means on first end of second container 216 to the filter 106 via the connecting means on second end of filter 210.

[0041] In one embodiment of the invention, the device is assembled for use with a closed second end of second container 114 positioned on a flat surface and the second end of first container 112 open to receive fluid. The fluid to be filtered is poured into the open second end of first container 112 where it percolates through the filter 106, to be collected in the 104.

[0042] In operation, the vertical orientation of the filter and meshes permits the meshes adjacent the connecting means on first end of filter 208 and connecting means on second end of filter 210 to act simultaneously as a vent and a filter. Thus, as the fluid flows through the lower portion of the meshes, air can escape through the upper portions of the meshes, thereby equalizing the air pressure within the assembled device 200.

[0043] In a further embodiment, the where the second end of first container 112 is sealed, the fluid to be filtered is introduced into the first container 102 when it is inverted. The filter 106 is then threaded onto the first container 102 and the 104 threaded onto the 106. When assembled and all parts are connected in a fluid tight manner, the device is inverted. The fluid then percolated from the first container 102 down through the filter 106 to the second container 104. If additional cycles of filtering are required, the device can be reinverted.

[0044] The device may also optionally have a built in LED indicator 116, which indicated when the filter requires changing.

[0045] The connecting means are shown in FIG. 2 as cooperating screw threads on the various different parts of the device, but a worker skilled in the art would understand that numerous connection means, such as bayoneted fittings or friction fit connectors used in conjunction with various seals, washers, or gaskets could be substituted.

[0046] FIG. 3 illustrates an embodiment of the 106. The filter 106 has a mesh retainer 302 situated adjacent the connecting means on first end of filter 208. The filter 106 also has a mesh retainer 302 situated adjacent the connecting means on second end of filter 210 (not shown). The purpose of the mesh retainer 302 is to contain the filtering components within the body of the filter 106.

[0047] An optional venting system, not shown, may be present within the filter 106, typically between the mesh retainers. The purpose of the venting system is to relieve any airlocks or vacuums that may build up in the device during use. The vent will accelerate the movement of fluid through the filter components. The vent is not always necessary, as the build up of a slight airlock or vacuum may be a desirable feature, because the slower the fluid moves through the charcoal or resin, the more time there is for impurities to be adsorbed onto the filter components.

[0048] The components suitable for filtering fluids, in particular spirits, are selected from the group of charcoals and ion exchange resins. Specifically, activated charcoal and either weak or strong cationic or anionic resins. The resins are typically in the form of beads or micro beads having a radius of between 0.25-0.6 mm. The beads or microbeads are usually made from polyacrylic or polystyrene.

[0049] The mesh retainer 302 is chosen such that the gauge of the mesh is sufficient to retain the selected charcoals and/or ion exchange resins in place within the filter 106 during the filtration process.

[0050] In alternative embodiments of the invention, the filter 106 is sized to accommodate commercially available filter cartridges.

[0051] FIG. 4 illustrates an in-use schematic of an embodiment of the device. The devices shown to the left and center indicate positioning of filtered fluid 402 in the first container 102. The filtered fluid 402 percolates through the filter 106 under the force of gravity, into the second container 104. When all of the filtered fluid 402 has passed through the filter 106, the 104 can be separated from the filter 106 and decanted into a storage container (not shown).

[0052] FIG. 5 illustrates a different combination of sizes of first container 102, filter 106 and second container 104. Many other shapes and sizes of parts are contemplated. Typically, the first container 102 and second container 104 are sized to accommodate the contents of a standard 75c1 bottle of spirits. Shorter and wider configurations are designed to fit inside standard refrigerator shelving units.

[0053] The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention and method of use to the precise forms disclosed. Many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiments described were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application, and to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is understood that various omissions or substitutions of equivalents are contemplated without departing from the spirit or scope of the claims of the present invention.