FILTRATION FOR CARTRIDGE BASED BEVERAGE FORMING SYSTEMS AND RELATED METHODS

Abstract

A filtration system is adapted for use and integration with cartridge-based beverage dispensing systems that mix an additive (flavor) with a base liquid (water) as the base liquid is dispensed from a container and through the cartridge. A support frame may support an annular charcoal fabric filter element secured with an end cap and defining an inner cavity to house and surround a portion of the cartridge. A filter cage may enclose the filter element. The support frame may include a bayonet-type connector to secure the filter assembly to a container lid. Base liquid flowing from the container and through the cartridge necessarily flows first through the filter element as a user drinks from the container. Related methods for assembling the filter assembly and installing the filter assembly on a cartridge/lid assembly are also disclosed.

Claims

1.-18. (canceled)

19. An assembly for use with a cartridge-based additive delivery system including: a container lid configured to engage with a container having base liquid, the container lid having a lid base with an upper side opposite a lower side, the upper side adapted to receive and engage with an additive cartridge; and a filter assembly including a filter element and configured to removably attach to the lower side of the lid base.

20. The assembly of claim 19, wherein the filter assembly includes a container lid interface with a filter support frame comprising an inwardly extending projection adapted to engage with the lower side of the lid base.

21. The assembly of claim 20, wherein the inwardly extending projection includes a resilient cantilevered element which engages with a corresponding recess of the lower side of the lid base.

22. The assembly of claim 20, wherein the container lid interface comprises a plurality of inwardly extending projections formed symmetrically about a central axis of the filter support frame.

23. The assembly of claim 20, wherein the filter support frame includes an inner support frame secured to an outer support frame via a press fit connection.

24. The assembly of claim 20, wherein the filter assembly comprises an end cap attached to the filter support frame and adapted to support the filter element in a channel of the end cap.

25. The assembly of claim 24, wherein the end cap is at least partially convex.

26. The assembly of claim 19, wherein the filter assembly is adapted to be rotated to engage with the lower side to secure the filter assembly onto the container lid.

27. The assembly of claim 19, wherein the filter assembly is adapted to at least partially enclose at least part of the additive cartridge within a filter cage of the filter assembly while the additive cartridge is received by the upper side of the lid base.

28. The assembly of claim 19, further comprising the additive cartridge engaged with the upper side of the lid base.

29. The assembly of claim 28, wherein a lower portion of the additive cartridge extends through an opening of the container lid such that the lower portion is positioned on the lower side of the lid base.

30. The assembly of claim 19, wherein the lid base includes an upper collar on the upper side, the assembly further comprising the additive cartridge adapted to engage with and be received by the upper collar on the upper side of the lid base.

31. The assembly of claim 19, wherein the lid base includes a lower collar on the lower side, and wherein the filter assembly is configured to removably attach to the lower collar on the lower side of the lid base.

32. The assembly of claim 19, wherein the filter element is adapted to extend around at least a portion of the additive cartridge when the additive cartridge is received by the upper side of the lid base.

33. The assembly of claim 19, wherein while the filter assembly is attached to the lower side of the lid base and the container lid is engaged with the container having the base liquid, both the lower side of the lid base and the filter assembly being exposed to the base liquid.

34. A filter assembly for a cartridge-based additive delivery system comprising: a filter support frame having a flange and a container lid interface for securing the filter assembly to a container lid, the flange and the container lid interface being at an upper end of the filter support frame; a filter element secured to and positioned over the filter support frame such that an upper edge of the filter element abuts the flange and such that the filter support frame extends into an interior space of the filter element; and an end cap secured to a lower end of the filter support frame to retain the filter element on the filter support frame.

35. The filter assembly of claim 34, wherein the filter element is adapted to at least partially extend around a cartridge received by the cartridge-based additive delivery system.

36. A filter assembly adapted to engage with a lid of a portable beverage container, the filter assembly comprising: an inner support frame adapted to extend around an additive cartridge secured to the lid; a filter element abutting and extending around the inner support frame; and an inwardly extending projection formed on the inner support frame adapted to engage a corresponding recess on the lid to secure the filter assembly onto the lid, wherein the inner support frame is not adapted for a threaded connection with the lid.

37. The filter assembly of claim 36, further comprising an outer support frame coupled to and disposed exterior to the inner support frame, wherein the outer support frame extends around the filter element.

38. The filter assembly of claim 37, further comprising an outward extending flange on the inner support frame configured to snap-fit onto the outer support frame.

39. The filter assembly of claim 36, wherein the inwardly extending projection extends in a direction towards an interior space of the inner support frame.

40. The filter assembly of claim 36, wherein the filter assembly is adapted to be rotated to engage the inwardly extending projection with the corresponding recess on the lid to secure the filter assembly onto the lid.

41. The filter assembly of claim 36, wherein the inwardly extending projection is adapted to form a press fit connection with the corresponding recess.

42. The filter assembly of claim 36, further comprising an end cap attached to an end of the filter assembly opposite the inwardly extending projection, wherein the end cap is at least partially convex.

43. The filter assembly of claim 42, wherein at least a portion of the inner support frame is disposed interior to an outer surface of the end cap.

44. The filter assembly of claim 43, wherein the end cap is secured to the inner support frame via a projecting cap tab of the end cap adapted to engage with a corresponding frame recess of the inner support frame.

45. The filter assembly of claim 42, wherein the filter element is supported by the end cap.

46. The filter assembly of claim 45, wherein the filter element is positioned in a channel of the end cap.

47. The filter assembly of claim 36, wherein the filter element is adapted to extend around an additive cartridge secured to the lid.

48. The filter assembly of claim 36, wherein the inwardly extending projection includes a resilient cantilevered element adapted to engage with the corresponding recess of the lid.

49. The filter assembly of claim 36, wherein the inner support frame comprises a plurality of inwardly extending projections formed symmetrically about a central axis of the inner support frame.

Description

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] The above and other attendant advantages and features of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed description together with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals represent like elements throughout. It will be understood that the description and embodiments are intended as illustrative examples according to aspects of the disclosure and are not intended to be limiting to the scope of invention, which is set forth in the claims appended hereto. In the following descriptions of the figures, all illustrations pertain to features that are examples according to aspects of the instant disclosure, unless otherwise noted.

[0021] FIG. 1 is a perspective of a lid and filter assembly.

[0022] FIG. 2 is another perspective of the lid and filter assembly of FIG. 1

[0023] FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective of the lid and filter assembly of FIG. 1.

[0024] FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the filter assembly of FIG. 1.

[0025] FIG. 5 is a perspective of the assembled filter assembly of FIG. 4.

[0026] FIG. 6 is cross-section of the assembled filter and lid assembly of FIG. 1.

[0027] FIG. 7 is a cross section of an assembled filter and lid assembly of FIG. 1 in combination with a cartridge and container.

[0028] FIG. 8 is a pictorial illustration of a method of installing a filter assembly on a lid having a cartridge thereon.

[0029] FIG. 9 is another detailed perspective of mounting details for the filter assembly of FIG. 1.

[0030] FIG. 10 is a perspective of the lid assembly and filter assembly of FIG. 1.

[0031] FIG. 11 is a cross-section of the assembled filter and lid assembly of FIG. 1.

[0032] FIG. 12 is an exploded view of the lid assembly of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0033] Details of example embodiments of a container lid assembly and filter assembly are shown in FIGS. 1-12. Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, these are perspective views that illustrate an assembled example filter and container lid combination 300, including an example filter assembly 100 and an example container lid assembly 200 according to aspects of the disclosure. Lid assembly may include a lid base 210 having a gripping band or surface 212 extending around a skirt portion thereof. Filter assembly 100 may include an exterior filter cage 140 and an end cap 130. Further details of the components of the filter assembly 100 and lid assembly 200 will be described below.

[0034] Referring additionally to FIGS. 3 and 4, an example filter assembly 100 may include an internal support frame 110, which may support a filter element 120 thereon. Support frame 110 may include a first (bottom) end 112 including an annular bottom ring 113 having a number of recesses 115 formed therein. Recesses 115 may provide for snap fitting of an end cap 130 to the filter support frame 110. A number of radially disposed struts 116 extend from the annular bottom ring 113 to an upper annular ring 117, which includes a lid connection interface 119 comprising a number of inwardly extending projections or tabs 160, which may be cantilevered elements that interact with a bayonet type locking slots 236 on the lid assembly 200. Lid connection interface 119 functions to connect the support frame 110 and the filter assembly 100 to the lid assembly 200, as will be described. Upper annular ring 117 also includes a radially outward extending flange 118 having a number of projections 111 thereon for cooperating and aligning with an upper portion of outer filter cage 140. The filter cage may have a like number of complementarily shaped recesses 142 defined thereon for receiving the projections 111 and ensuring proper alignment of the filter cage 140 with the support frame 110. This ensures consistent flow rates and patterns through the filter cage structure and through the support frame structure. Filter cage 140 also includes an upper, inwardly extending retaining lip 162 adapted to provide a snap fit with the outward extending flange 118 to retain the filter cage 140 on the support frame 110.

[0035] An end cap 130 may engage a first end 112 of the support frame 110 and may include projecting tabs 132, which engage complementarily-shaped recesses 115 on the annular ring 113 of support frame 110 for a snap fit. End cap 130 may include an annular outer ridge or shoulder 134, which supports and retains filter element 120 on the support frame 110. End cap 130 also includes an inner ridge 136 which may form a seal with and engage a lower shoulder 114 on the support frame 110.

[0036] Filter element 120 may be a flexible, annular woven charcoal filter shaped as an annular cylinder and sized to fit snugly on the support frame 110. As will be recognized from this disclosure, and described further below, the filter element is adapted to surround, enclose or envelop at least a portion of the flavor cartridge such that all base liquid flowing from the container to the cartridge must pass through the filter element. It is preferable that the filter element have sufficient surface area and permit adequate flow volume of base liquid therethrough while minimizing the pressure drop across the filter element in order to minimize impact to the flavoring performance of the flavor cartridge.

[0037] Referring additionally to FIG. 12, lid assembly 200 may include a lid base 210, having a threaded skirt for engaging a base liquid container. Lid base 210 may have a snap fit handle 220 secured thereto. A sealing gasket 250 may be installed on the lid base 210 for sealing with a base liquid container. A filter retaining adapter 230 may include an upper flange 231, which may be secured to an underside of the lid base 210 with a snap fit, and may also include a bayonet-type retaining collar with cutouts 236, which may provide an interface for securing the filter assembly 100 to the lid assembly 200, as will be described. A one-way vent 232, which may be a silicone duck bill valve, may be provided on the lid 200 and secured with a retainer 234 to permit air to enter the interior of a base liquid container, while preventing the flow of liquid out of the container. A gripping band 212 may be an elastomeric band and may be received in a recess formed in the lid base 210.

[0038] Assembly of the filter assembly 100 may begin with placement of the filter 120 on the filter cage 110 to an extent that the upper edge of the filter 120 abuts the flange 118. End cap 130 may then be snap fit on the lower end of support frame 110, with the lower end of filter 120 engaging the shoulder 134 and filter 120 being retained on the support frame 110. An outer filter cage 140 may then be installed on the filter/support member/end cap subassembly, with the support frame projections 111 aligned with corresponding ones of the recesses 142 and lip 162 providing a snap fit engagement with the flange support frame flange 118. Filter cage 140 may include a lower circular cutout 142 for engaging and receiving end cap 130 when filter cage 140 is installed on the support frame 110. An outer surface of end cap 130 may form a flush fit with a bottom outer surface of the filter cage 140 as best seen in FIG. 7. End cap 130 may also provide sealing engagement with the bottom of filter cage 140 to prevent the flow of base liquid via the end cap/filter cage interfacing surfaces and to thus ensure that the only flow path for base liquid to interact with the flavor cartridge is through filter element 120. Filter cage 140 also includes a number of cutouts 144 which provide flow paths for the base liquid through the filter cage 140 to the filter element 120 and through the support frame 110 into the interior cavity of the filter assembly 100. Cutouts 144 may be shaped and arranged to provide for desirable flow characteristics and flow volume of base liquid from the base liquid container to the flavor cartridge, which will be partially housed within the filter assembly 100 when the beverage system is fully assembled. As will be recognized, when assembled, the support frame 110 and end cap 130 may form an internal cavity or receptacle 190, surrounded by the filter element 120, for receiving a lower end of an additive or flavor cartridge, as will be described. That is, the internal receptacle 190 defines a cartridge receiving space, which is completely surrounded by the annular filter element 120, thereby ensuring that any base liquid that interacts with or flows through the cartridge, i.e., via the cartridge base liquid inlet ports, must first flow through the filter element 120.

[0039] According to aspects of the disclosure, installation of the filter assembly 100 on the container lid 200 may be done quickly and easily by a user with a coupling and twisting motion of the filter assembly 100 relative to the lid 200. Referring additionally to FIGS. 5, 6 and 9-11, filter retaining adapter 230 may include a filter connection interface which may be a bayonet type connector integrated thereon, which may include a number of generally inverted L-shaped cutouts 236 (FIGS. 3 and 12) on an outer surface of an annular collar 233 extending from the upper flange 231. The number of cutouts 236 may correspond to the number of projecting tabs 160 on the support frame 110. The projections 160 on the support frame 110 may be cantilevered, resilient elements, each with a recess 161 on an end thereof. The cutouts 236 on the filter connection interface of the lid 100 may include a correspondingly shaped projection 237 (FIG. 12).

[0040] FIG. 7 illustrates a cross-sectional view of filtration system according to aspects of the disclosure in combination with a flavor cartridge 400 and base liquid container 500. Cartridge 400 may include one or more base liquid entry ports thereon for permitting flow of base liquid into the cartridge. Cartridge 400 may be installed on the lid 200 using a threaded cap 410 on the cartridge which may engage a threaded collar on the lid 200. A bottom portion of the cartridge 400 extends into the receptacle defined in part by the interior of the support frame 110 and end cap 130. FIG. 7 shows the general form factor for example flavor cartridges that may be used with the example lid and filter assemblies as disclosed herein. Flavor cartridges used with the filtration system may have attributes of the cartridges and additive delivery systems described in US Patent Publication No. 20170296988, published on Oct. 19, 2017, titled ADJUSTABLE ADDITIVE CARTRIDGE SYSTEMS AND METHODS, the subject matter of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0041] When container 500 is inverted, base liquid (water) may flow through the filter cage 140 to interact with the cartridge 400. Water flow proceeds through the cutouts 144 in the filter cage and through the filter element 120 to the interior receptacle defined by the support member 110 and interior of filter element 120. Filtered water may then flow in a space defined between a cartridge outer casing and the interior of filter 120 to ports in the cartridge 400. Flow may be towards the cartridge cap 410 where the filtered water may enter into a mixing zone defined in the cartridge where the water is mixed with a flavoring concentrate stored in the cartridge, as the water flows through the cartridge, and then the mixed beverage dispensed out through a spout on the cartridge. The cartridge 400 may have at least one inlet port on a bottom portion thereof to permit entry of base liquid to the cartridge in a base liquid flow path that extends to the mixing zone. As will be recognized, water is filtered as it is drawn through the cartridge and as mixed beverage is dispensed (drank) from the base liquid container. Thus, both filtration and flavoring of the base liquid occur in response to base liquid flowing from the container and through the cartridge. Water is thus filtered only while it is being dispensed and mixed with the flavoring. The supply of base liquid in the container remains unfiltered and unflavored until it is dispensed from the container and consumed by the user.

[0042] Referring additionally to FIG. 8, this figure schematically illustrates an example method that may be undertaken by a user to install a filter assembly 100 on a lid assembly having a cartridge 400 already secured thereto. To install the filter assembly 100 on the lid, a user may align the upper end of support frame 110 with annular collar 233 and align projections 160 with the cutouts 236 on the lid, slide the filter assembly onto the annular collar 233, and twist the filter assembly 100 relative to the lid 200. The recess 161 on each projection 160 will click into place when they engage the projections 237. This interaction may provide sensory (tactile and auditory) indication to the user that the filter assembly has been properly installed.

[0043] Another advantage of the configurations described herein is that the filter element never encounters mixed beverage and thus remains exposed only to the base liquid (water), which prevents contamination or clogging of the filter that might be caused by exposure to the flavoring concentrate, which thus prolongs filter life.

[0044] Another advantage of the configurations described herein is that the filter cage may provide an attractive aesthetic quality to the lid/cartridge/container assembly combination, with portions of the filter element being visible through the filter cage cutouts. In addition to providing a filtered water supply to the cartridge as base liquid is mixed with and dispensed through the cartridge, the filter aesthetic also improves user perception of the available filtering function and may enhance user enjoyment of the dispensed beverage.

[0045] Although the present implementations have been described with reference to specific example embodiments, it will be evident that various modifications and changes may be made to these embodiments without departing from the broader spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the claims. Accordingly, the specification and drawings are to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense.