Multistage shower water filter and water filtering method

Abstract

A multistage shower filter assembly for water filtering having an in-line reversible filter, changeable by unscrewing two portions of the housing. The housing exterior includes a plurality of gripping means to allow easy opening and closing of the housing and to prevent slippage of the hands of a user gripping the two portions, even when wet. The multistage shower filter assembly includes a separate internal multistage filter element that may be easily inserted into or removed from the multistage shower filter assembly to allow the internal filter element to be easily reversed for longer use.

Claims

1. An in-line multistage shower water filter assembly comprising, in combination: a substantially cylindrical hollow body comprised of substantially cylindrical separable top and bottom housing portions having an internal hollow chamber formed there between; the substantially cylindrical separable top housing portion including a first domed end, and a second open end, with a raised lip and an exteriorly threaded male portion adjacent said raised lip at said second open end, and the bottom housing portion including a first domed end, and a second open end, with a raised skirt and an interiorly threaded female portion adjacent said raised skirt, so that when said separable top and bottom housing portions are screwed together they will form a substantially cylindrical in-line shower water filter having a raised central strengthened area, formed by said raised lip and said raised skirt; an inlet and an outlet connected to the respective first domed ends of said separable top and bottom housing portions to allow the flow of water into and out of said internal hollow chamber; a separate multistage filter element mounted within said internal hollow chamber; said separate filter element being held in said internal hollow chamber and clamped between said separable top and bottom housing portions by internal wall means, and having a top wall, a bottom wall and an annular side wall forming an inner hollow chamber; a filter media substantially filling said inner hollow chamber of said separate multistage filter element, inside the body being incorporated the next filtration stages with: granulated activated coconut carbon filter, a unique structure of polypropylene cotton, kinetic degradation fluxion 55, calcium sulfite, alkaline ceramic balls, magnetic energy ceramic balls, nano silver antibacterial ceramic balls, Kangen water ceramic filter discs, Kangen water plus ceramic balls, hydrogen water ceramic balls, oxidation/reduction potential water magnesium granules, alkaline water calcium ceramic balls, alkaline water plus antioxidant ceramic balls, oxidation/reduction potential water negative potential ceramic balls, tourmaline ceramic balls, maifan stone, potassium metasilicate ceramic balls, vitamin C ceramic balls, microporous antibacterial ceramic balls, negative ion ceramic balls, far-infrared ceramic balls, zeolite bioceramic balls, activated alumina balls, laundry ceramic granules, laundry balls, dechlorination balls, germanium balls, magnetic energy ceramic balls, aquarium ceramic granules, aquarium ceramic-filled balls, shungite, quartz, silicon pulp; and said separable top and bottom housing portions having interior and exterior surfaces and including gripping portions formed on the exterior surfaces thereof adjacent said raised lip and said raised skirt, said gripping portions being comprised of a plurality of strengthening ribs which allow said separable top and bottom housing portions to be more easily gripped when screwing them together or taking them apart.

2. A method for removing impurities from water of an in-line multistage shower water filter assembly comprising, in combination: a substantially cylindrical hollow body comprised of separable substantially cylindrical top and bottom housing portions having an internal hollow chamber formed there between; an inlet and an outlet connected to respective domed ends of said separable top and bottom housing portions to allow the flow of water into and out of said internal hollow chamber; a separate multistage filter element mounted within said internal hollow chamber; a separate multistage filter element mounted within shower head internal hollow chamber; said separate filter element being held in said internal hollow chamber clamped between internal wall means formed on said separable top and bottom housing portions, and having a top wall, a bottom wall and an annular side wall forming an inner hollow chamber; a filter media substantially filling said inner hollow chamber of said separate multistage filter element, inside the body being incorporated the next filtration stages with: granulated activated coconut carbon, unique structure of polypropylene cotton, kinetic degradation fluxion 55, calcium sulfite, alkaline ceramic balls, magnetic energy ceramic balls, nano silver antibacterial ceramic balls, Kangen water ceramic filter discs, Kangen water plus ceramic balls, hydrogen water ceramic balls, oxidation/reduction potential water magnesium granules, alkaline water calcium ceramic balls, alkaline water plus antioxidant ceramic balls, oxidation/reduction potential water negative potential ceramic balls, tourmaline ceramic balls, maifan stone, potassium metasilicate ceramic balls, vitamin C ceramic balls, microporous antibacterial ceramic balls, negative ion ceramic balls, far-infrared ceramic balls, zeolite bioceramic balls, activated alumina balls, laundry ceramic granules, laundry balls, dechlorination balls, germanium balls, magnetic energy ceramic balls, aquarium ceramic granules, aquarium ceramic filled balls, shungite, quartz, silicon pulp; said separable, substantially cylindrical top and bottom housing portions having interior and exterior surfaces and including threaded connecting means, on open ends thereof having enlarged strengthened mating areas, away from the domed ends, enabling said separable, substantially cylindrical top and bottom housing portions to be screwed together and taken apart by turning the same with respect to each other; and gripping portions, formed on the exterior surfaces of each of said separable, substantially cylindrical top and bottom portions; each of the gripping portions including a plurality of ribs formed on the exterior surface thereof adjacent to the enlarged, strengthened mating areas, to allow said separable top and bottom housing portions to be more easily gripped when screwing them together or taking them apart.

3. The in-line multistage shower water filter assembly of claim 2 wherein said separable, substantially cylindrical top and bottom housing portions include raised lip and skirt areas which form a raised central area for strengthening said in-line multistage shower filter assembly when it is formed by said screwed together substantially cylindrical top and bottom housing portions.

4. The in-line multistage shower water filter assembly of claim 2 wherein said separable substantially cylindrical top and bottom housing portions include enlarged strengthened mating areas comprised of a raised lip on the top housing portion adjacent a threaded male connection and a raised skirt on the bottom housing portion adjacent an internal threaded connection, so that when said separable substantially cylindrical top and bottom housing portions are screwed together they will form said in-line shower water filter with a raised central strengthened area having a top and a bottom area; and said gripping portions are formed in reduced diameter portions of said in-line multistage shower water filter assembly adjacent said top and bottom areas of said raised central strengthened area.

5. The in-line multistage shower water filter assembly of claim 4 wherein said threaded male connection and said internal threaded connection are formed so as to provide an in-line multistage shower water filter assembly with substantially equal size separable, substantially cylindrical top and bottom portions.

6. An in-line multistage shower water filter assembly comprising, in combination: a substantially cylindrical hollow body comprised of separable substantially cylindrical top and bottom housing portions having domed ends and an internal hollow chamber formed between open ends; an inlet connected to the domed end of said substantially cylindrical top housing portion and an outlet connected to the domed end of said substantially cylindrical bottom housing portion to allow the flow of water into and out of said internal hollow chamber; a separate filter element mounted within said internal hollow chamber; said separate filter element being held in said internal hollow chamber clamped between the domed ends of said separable top and bottom housing portions and having a top wall, a bottom wall and an annular side wall forming an inner hollow chamber; a filter media substantially filling said inner hollow chamber of said separate multistage filter element, inside the body being incorporated the next filtration stages with: granulated activated coconut carbon, unique structure of polypropylene cotton, kinetic degradation fluxion 55, calcium sulfite, alkaline ceramic balls, magnetic energy ceramic balls, nano silver antibacterial ceramic balls, Kangen water ceramic filter discs, Kangen water plus ceramic balls, hydrogen water ceramic balls, oxidation/reduction potential water magnesium granules, alkaline water calcium ceramic balls, alkaline water plus antioxidant ceramic balls, oxidation/reduction potential water negative potential ceramic balls, tourmaline ceramic balls, maifan stone, potassium metasilicate ceramic balls, vitamin C ceramic balls, microporous antibacterial ceramic balls, negative ion ceramic balls, far-infrared ceramic balls, zeolite bioceramic balls, activated alumina balls, laundry ceramic granules, laundry balls, dechlorination balls, germanium balls, magnetic energy ceramic balls, aquarium ceramic granules, aquarium ceramic filled balls, shungite, quartz, silicon pulp; said separable, substantially cylindrical top and bottom housing portions having interior and exterior surfaces and include threaded connecting means at the open ends thereof enabling said separable, substantially cylindrical top and bottom housing portions to be screwed together and taken apart by turning the same with respect to each other; gripping portions formed on the exterior surfaces of each of said separable, substantially cylindrical top and bottom portions; each of the gripping portions including a plurality of strengthening ribs formed on the exterior surface thereof adjacent to enlarged strengthened mating areas, to allow said separable top and bottom housing portions to be more easily gripped when screwing them together or taking them apart; and the enlarged, strengthened mating areas of said separable substantially cylindrical top and bottom housing portions including a raised lip on the top housing portion adjacent a threaded male connection and a raised skirt on the bottom housing portion adjacent an internal threaded connection, so that when said separable substantially cylindrical top and bottom housing portions are screwed together said in-line multistage shower water filter will be formed with a raised central strengthened area having a top and a bottom area.

7. An in-line multistage shower water filter assembly of claim 1 wherein said substantially cylindrical separable top and bottom housing portions are easily connected and taken apart so as to allow said separate filter element to be easily removed and reversed for reinsertion back into said internal hollow chamber whereby when said substantially cylindrical separable top and bottom housing portions are connected together again, water flowing through said in-line filter assembly will backflush said reversed separate filter element to clean the same.

8. An in-line multistage shower water filter assembly of claim 1 wherein said separate filter element is an in-line assembly that allows water to pass directly through said separate filter element.

9. An in-line multistage shower water filter assembly of claim 1 wherein said separate filter element is bi-directional and defines an in-line assembly having a single fluid flow path, which is parallel to a longitudinal axis of the multistage shower filter assembly.

10. An in-line multistage shower water filter assembly of claim 2 wherein said substantially cylindrical separable top and bottom housing portions are easily connected and taken apart so as to allow said separate filter element to be easily removed and reversed for reinsertion back into said internal hollow chamber whereby when said substantially cylindrical separable top and bottom housing portions are connected together again, water flowing through said in-line filter assembly will backflush said reversed separate multistage filter element to clean the same.

11. An in-line multistage shower water filter assembly of claim 2 wherein said separate filter element is bi-directional and defines an in-line assembly having a single fluid flow path, which is parallel to a longitudinal axis of the multistage shower filter assembly.

12. An in-line multistage shower water filter assembly of claim 3 wherein said substantially cylindrical separable top and bottom housing portions are easily connected and taken apart so as to allow said separate filter element to be easily removed and reversed for reinsertion back into said internal hollow chamber whereby when said substantially cylindrical separable top and bottom housing portions are connected together again, water flowing through said in-line filter assembly will backflush said reversed separate multistage filter element to clean the same.

13. An in-line multistage water shower water filter assembly of claim 3 wherein said separate filter element is an in-line assembly that allows water to pass axially through said separate multistage filter element.

14. An in-line multistage water shower filter assembly of claim 3 wherein said separate filter element is bi-directional and defines an in-line assembly having a single fluid flow path, which is parallel to a longitudinal axis of the multistage shower filter assembly.

15. An in-line multistage water shower filter assembly of claim 4 wherein said separate filter element is an in-line assembly that allows water to pass axially through said separate multistage filter element.

16. An in-line multistage shower water filter assembly of claim 5 wherein said substantially cylindrical separable top and bottom housing portions are easily connected and taken apart so as to allow said separate filter element to be easily removed and reversed for reinsertion back into said internal hollow chamber whereby when said substantially cylindrical separable top and bottom housing portions are connected together again, water flowing through said in-line filter assembly will backflush said reversed separate multistage filter element to clean the same.

17. An in-line multistage shower water filter assembly of claim 5 wherein said separate filter element is an in-line assembly having a single fluid flow path that is parallel to a longitudinal axis of the shower filter assembly that allows water to pass directly through said separate filter element, and wherein said separate multistage filter element is bi-directional.

18. An in-line multistage shower water filter assembly of claim 6 wherein said substantially cylindrical separable top and bottom housing portions are easily connected and taken apart so as to allow said separate filter element to be easily removed and reversed for reinsertion back into said internal hollow chamber whereby when said substantially cylindrical separable top and bottom housing portions are connected together again, water flowing through said in-line multistage filter assembly will backflush said reversed separate multistage filter element to clean the same.

19. An in-line multistage shower water filter assembly of claim 6 wherein said separate multistage filter element is an in-line assembly that allows water to pass axially through said separate multistage filter element.

20. An in-line multistage shower water filter assembly of claim 7 wherein said substantially cylindrical separable top and bottom housing portions are easily connected and taken apart so as to allow said separate multistage filter element to be easily removed and reversed for reinsertion back into said internal hollow chamber whereby when said substantially cylindrical separable top and bottom housing portions are connected together again, water flowing through said in-line multistage shower water filter assembly will backflush said reversed separate filter element to clean the same, said separate filter element is an in-line assembly having a single fluid flow path that is parallel to a longitudinal axis of the shower filter assembly that allows water to pass axially through said separate filter element, and wherein said separate multistage filter element is bi-directional.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0030] The objects and features of the present invention, which are believed to be novel, are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The present invention, both as to its organization and manner of operation, together with further objects and advantages, may best be understood by reference to the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0031] FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of the preferred embodiment of the multistage shower water filter assembly of the present invention;

[0032] FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along line 2-2 of FIG. 1, looking in the direction of the arrows; and

[0033] FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the multistage shower water filter of the present invention, showing the separate housing portions and an internal filter housing containing a filter medium therein which may be removed and/or rotated upon opening thereof.

[0034] FIG. 4 is a side elevational view and partly sectional view of the preferred embodiment of the multistage shower water filter and shower head assembly of the present invention, also showing an adapter between the shower water filer and shower head assembly;

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0035] The following description is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to make and use the invention and sets forth the best modes contemplated by the inventor of carrying out his invention. Various modifications, however, will remain readily apparent to those skilled in the art, since the generic principles of the present invention have been defined herein specifically to provide an improved shower water filter assembly.

[0036] It has been found by long use and experiment that there is so much water flowing through the filter material in a shower water filter that the multistage shower filter must be cleaned, i.e., backflushed, and/or the filter material or multistage shower filter actually replaced much more frequently than previously thought. In fact it is now recommended by some multistage shower filter manufacturers that the shower filter be backflushed at least every thirty (30) days. In addition, depending on the quality of the water in a given area, and the temperature of the water flowing through the shower filter, the length of time between backflushing and/or changing may be shortened even further. However, with known shower water filters it is not convenient to backwash the filter and/or change the filter medium.

[0037] The device of the present invention provides for an easily opened device in which a shower water filter may have its internal filter, containing the filter media backflushed at regular intervals. Turning now to the drawings, FIGS. 1-3 show a shower water filter assembly 4 of the present invention, adapted to be secured between the outlet end of a shower arm or waterpipe and a shower head (shown in FIG. 4), in a known manner. It will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that the internally threaded inlet 1 may be secured to the end of a shower arm, or the like, while the exteriorly threaded outlet end 11 may be secured to the inlet of a shower head. The inlet 1 is secured to, or preferably formed integrally with, a first half of a body of a multistage shower filter, comprising a top or male portion 16. The top portion 2 is capable of being inserted and held in a second half of a body of a multistage shower filter, comprising a bottom or female portion 10, having the outlet 11 secured to, or preferably formed integrally therewith.

[0038] FIG. 4 shows an adapter 24 below the shower water filter assembly 23, and above a shower head 25, with medium 22 inside the shower head 25 also shown by way of a cut out view in FIG. 4.

[0039] The top portion 2 includes a securing means, such as an annular threaded lower portion 20, which cooperates with and is securely held in a further securing means, such as an internally threaded annular upper portion 17 of bottom portion 10. The annular internal threads of bottom portion 17 are secured to the annular threaded lower portion 15, in any desired manner, such as by a user holding onto a gripping area 3, 9 formed on the external surfaces of both the top portion 2 and bottom portion 10 and screwing the portions into each other. To allow the top and bottom portions to be more easily gripped and turned, gripping or non-slip means, such as a plurality of ribs 5 are formed integrally with the top and bottom portions 16, 10, in reduced diameter gripping areas 3, 9.

[0040] As shown, the assembly 4 is preferably substantially cylindrical in shape with substantially domed ends. The top portion 2 includes a raised lip 6 below gripping area 3, while bottom portion 10 includes a raised skirt, or the like 8, formed above the gripping area 9. Therefore, when the top and bottom portions 16 and 10 are screwed together, raised lip 6 and raised skirt 8 cooperate to form a raised central area 7 on the assembly 4, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. In use, the raised lip 6 will prevent water from entering between the assembled top and bottom portions.

[0041] When the top and bottom portions 16, 10 are assembled, an internal, hollow filter chamber 12 is contained within the assembly 4 and is bounded by the top and bottom portions. A filter element 19 is captured within the internal chamber 12, and includes a substantially flat, circular top wall 14, having a screen or the like therein to allow water from the inlet 1, to flow in the direction of the arrows, through the same, into an inner chamber 16 formed by an annular side wall 18. A substantially flat, circular bottom wall 20 having a further screen therein is secured to the other end of annular wall 18 to allow water to flow out the outlet 11 after having passed through filter media in the filter element 19. The walls 14, 18 and 20 of the filter element 19 are secured together in any desired manner, such as by being permanently bonded together with any desired filter media 21 filling inner chamber 16.

[0042] The upper and lower portions 16 and 10 of assembly 4 may be fabricated in any desired manner, using any acceptable material, such as by molding a plastic material to form the two portions in such a manner that they are sized and dimensioned so as to be capable of being easily sealingly screwed together and apart.

[0043] In use, the filter element 19 is first assembled with filter media 21 therein, and inserted into one of the upper and lower portions 16 and 10. These portions are then screwed together until the filter element 19 is securely held in chamber 12, between internal wall means 46, 48. To prevent water from bypassing the filter element 19 in the internal chamber 12, sealing means, such as O-ring seals 13, 52, are inserted and held in annular openings formed in each of the internal wall means 46, 48.

[0044] After having been used for a predetermined period of time in a shower, depending on the water being used, the filter media 21 in the filter element 19 will become partially blocked or clogged, thereby loosing its effectiveness and slowing down the flow of water through the multistage shower filter assembly 4. However, the upper and lower portions 16 and 10 may then be easily screwed apart, with the upper portion still attached to the shower arm, by gripping the gripping areas 3 and 9 and turning the same so as to separate the top and bottom portions and open the internal chamber 12. The filter element 19 may then be easily removed and reversed, i.e., turned 180 degrees, and the portions 16 and 10 screwed back together with the filter element 19 in this reversed position. Further flow of water through the reassembled filter, with the filter element 19 in the reversed position, will backflush the filter media 21 in the filter element to provide continued efficient use of the filter media in the filter element, and thereby provide for a longer useful life thereof, as well as the elimination of waste, some of it toxic, as occurs with current filters, which require the filter element and/or filter media to be discarded once blocked or clogged.

[0045] Accordingly, as will be apparent to those skilled in the art, the assembly of the present invention provides considerable advantages in ease and flexibility of manufacture, as well as the separating of the separate portions of the assembly, and the installation and removal of the filter element contained therein.

[0046] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that various adaptations and modifications of the just-described preferred embodiment can be configured without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. Therefore, it is to be understood that, within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced other than as specifically described herein.