Faucet-mounted water filtration device

[0002] The present application hereby claims priority based on Provisional Application Serial No. 60/200,799, filed May 1, 2000.

[0003] The present invention relates to a fluid filtration and dispensing device. More specifically, the present invention is directed to a “point of use” water filtration device that allows selection between a flow of filtered or unfiltered water.

[0004] Fluid filtration devices have been developed for applications not requiring the scale or volume of municipal or industrial filtering systems. Such devices range from those located at the “point of use” (e.g., the faucet of a kitchen sink, gravity-flow dispensers such as water pitchers, and low-pressure dispensers such as sports bottles) to generally bulkier “point-of-entry” units hidden from view and incorporated within the plumbing system of a building or facility.

[0005] Some point-of-use systems are designed for installation at the end of a conventional faucet assembly. However, these systems tend to be bulky and take up valuable space in and around the sink and faucet. Also, current faucet mounted devices are generally off-set to the side of the tap and may require a large housing to contain the filter media. In addition to consuming needed sink space, these units may not be aesthetically acceptable to consumers.

[0006] Accordingly, a need exists for an improved point-of-use faucet mounted water filtration device suitable in size and scale for residential or office use. For example, an improved system is desirable that allows a user to select between filtered or unfiltered fluid and saves space when used with a conventional faucet assembly.

[0007] Objects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in the following description, or may be apparent from the description, or may be learned through practice of the invention.

[0008] An improved compact or “slim” profile fluid filtering device is provided by the present invention. The filtering device is particularly suited as a point-of-use filter device that is attachable to a conventional faucet for filtering water dispensed from the faucet. The filtering device thus has residential as well as industrial or commercial business applications.

[0009] In one embodiment, the filtering device includes a housing having a forward end, a rear end, a top surface, and a bottom surface. A mounting mechanism is provided on the top surface proximate to the forward end of the housing. This mounting mechanism may take on various configurations for removably attaching the filtering device to a supply source, such as a faucet or spigot. A fluid inlet is defined through the top surface of the housing, and at least one fluid outlet is defined through the bottom surface of the housing. Separate fluid outlets may be defined for filtered and unfiltered flows.

[0010] A variably positionable valve member is operationally disposed within the housing between the fluid inlet and the fluid outlets. In one embodiment, this valve member is a ball valve seated in a corresponding concave cavity or recess defined internally in the housing. The valve member is rotatable relative to the housing between a filtered position and an unfiltered position.

[0011] At least one elongated filter is disposed generally longitudinally within a portion of the housing that extends rearward of the mounting mechanism. This filter is in fluid communication with the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet. The filter is preferably removable from the housing.

[0012] An actuator is provided to move the valve member between the filtered and unfiltered positions. The actuator may extend forward of the mounting mechanism at the forward end of the housing and is connected to the valve member through the housing. In one embodiment, this connection is made by axle ends connected to the valve member that extend through the housing. The actuator is connected to the axle such that movement of the actuator relative to the housing moves the valve member between the filtered and unfiltered positions. In the filtered position, the valve member directs fluid entering the fluid inlet to the filter. The fluid is conducted through the filter and then out the filtered fluid outlet. In the unfiltered position, the valve member directs fluid entering the fluid inlet directly to a fluid outlet without passing through the filter.

[0013] The device, and particularly the housing, is configured such that upon mounting the device to the end of a supply member, such as a generally horizontally disposed faucet or spigot, the portion of the housing containing the filter extends longitudinally adjacent to the supply member and rearwardly from the end of the supply member. In this manner, the filtering device does not take up or interfere with the usable space in the sink or basin and extends adjacent to and underneath of the faucet or spigot. The same concept applies if the supply member is a generally vertically disposed faucet. In this case, the housing portion containing the filter may be angled relative to the portion incorporating the mounting mechanism, or may be pivotal relative thereto, so as to extend generally adjacent to the vertically disposed faucet.

[0014] The housing may preferably include a longitudinally extending recess defined in the top surface thereof to accommodate the supply member. A portion of the underside of the faucet may extend into or “nest” in this recess. With this embodiment, the housing may also define longitudinally extending lobes on each side of the recess. The filter is disposed in at least one of these lobes.

[0015] It may be desired that the filtering device includes an additional filter. In the embodiment wherein the housing includes longitudinally extending lobes, this additional filter may be disposed in the other lobe. The filters may be made of different filtering media such that one of the filters removes a first contaminant or set of contaminants and the other filter removes a second type of contaminant from the fluid or water flowing through the filters.

[0016] It may be desirable that the filters are removably inserted into the housing to facilitate replacement. In one embodiment, the filters are insertable through the rear end of the of the housing. The filters may be mounted to a cap member that is attachable to the rear end of the housing. In an embodiment wherein two filters are utilized and are arranged so as to extend generally parallel and longitudinally from the cap member, a fluid conduit or passage is provided in the cap member so that the fluid may pass from one filter to the other.

[0017] The actuator may be a pivotally mounted switch or similar device and is operated by a user simply pressing on the actuator switch in a direction to move the valve body between the filtered and unfiltered positions. This switch may define a forwardmost projection of the filtering device.

[0018] It may also be desired to provide a visible indicator configured on the housing to give the user a visible indication of the depletion state of the filter. This indicator may be a mechanical type indicator that, for example, simply counts the number of actuations of the device, or may be an electronic counter volume meter, or timing indicator. A power supply, such as a battery, and circuitry for the electronic indicator may be housed in one of the side lobes of the housing.

[0019] As described in greater detail herein, the filters may be made of any manner of suitable filtering media for removing particular contaminants from the fluid or water source.

[0020] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the filtering device according to the invention in combination with a conventional faucet;

[0021] FIG. 2 is an alternative perspective view of a filtering device according to the invention;

[0022] FIG. 3A is a partial cross-sectional view of the filtering device taken along the line indicated in FIG. 1 and particularly shows the device in the unfiltered position;

[0023] FIG. 3B is a partial cross-sectional view of the filtering device taken along the line indicated in FIG. 1 and particularly illustrating the device in the filtered position;

[0024] FIG. 4 is a top cross-sectional view of the filtering device taken along the line indicated in FIG. 1 particularly illustrating fluid flow through the device in the filtered position; and

[0025] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the filtering device according to the invention showing indicator elements.

[0026] Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments of the invention, one or more examples of which are set forth below. Each example is provided by way of explanation of the invention, and not limitation of the invention. In fact, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the present invention without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention. For instance, features illustrated or described as part of one embodiment, can be used on another embodiment to yield a still further embodiment. Thus, it is intended that the present invention include such modifications and variations.

[0027] The present invention relates to a filtering device that can be connected to a point-of-use supply member, such as a conventional faucet. For purposes of the following description, the filtering device according to the invention will be illustrated and described with respect to an embodiment wherein it is connected to a conventional faucet. It should be appreciated that this configuration is not a limitation of the invention. The filtering device may be utilized with any type of supply member, such as a hose, pipe, spigot, etc. Also, while the invention is illustrated and described in terms of a faucet mounted filtering device for filtering water, it should be appreciated that the filtering device is not limited to water filtration, and may be utilized in any application requiring a filtered fluid.

[0028] A detailed description of the mechanical components and operation of embodiments of the filtering device is provided below followed by a detailed discussion related to suitable filter materials or media particularly useful in the present invention.

[0029] Particular embodiments of the filtering device are illustrated in the figures. It should be appreciated that certain features, such as seals and fluid pressure containment structure, are not shown or described in great detail as one skilled in the art could readily configure any number of variations of such components for use in the present invention.

[0030] An embodiment of filtering device 10 according to the invention includes a housing, generally 14. Housing 14 may be formed of any suitable material, such as a formed or molded plastic, metal, or the like. The housing 14 has a forward end 16, a rear end 18, a top surface 20, and a bottom surface 22. In the depicted embodiment, the housing tapers in the direction of forward end 16 from rear end 18 such that body 14 has a general trapezoidal shape. This shape contributes to the aesthetically pleasing profile of the filtering device 10.

[0031] A mounting mechanism, generally 38, is provided for filtering device 10. The mounting mechanism 38 may include any suitable and known device for connecting housing 14 to the end of a fluid supply member, such as a conventional spigot or faucet 12 illustrated in the figures. In the embodiment illustrated, mounting mechanism 38 incorporates a conventional threaded coupling member 40. Threaded coupling 40 is not illustrated in great detail since such devices are well understood by those skilled in the art. It should be appreciated that other coupling devices may also be utilized, including quick connect devices, snap-fit devices, etc.

[0032] A fluid inlet 42 is defined through top surface 20 of housing 14. In the embodiment illustrated, fluid inlet 42 is defined by threaded coupling member 40 such that when the member 40 is engaged with the end of a supply member 12, fluid from the supply member is conducted directly to fluid inlet 42. This configuration is more clearly illustrated in the cross-sectional views of FIGS. 3A and 3B.

[0033] At least one fluid outlet is defined through bottom surface 22 of the housing 14. In the embodiment illustrated, an unfiltered fluid outlet 46 is defined in the housing 14 directly opposite from fluid inlet 42. A separate filtered fluid outlet 48 is also defined through the bottom surface 22 offset from fluid inlet 42. The operation of filtered fluid outlet 48 will be described in greater detail below.

[0034] A positionable valve member, such as ball valve 70 is operationally disposed within housing 14 between fluid inlet 42 and fluid outlets 46, 48. Ball valve 70 is rotationally disposed within a generally concave cavity or recess 34 defined in a forward portion of housing 14. Ball valve 70 has a first unfiltered fluid channel 72 defined therethrough, and a second filtered fluid channel 74 defined therethrough generally parallel to first channel 72. Suitable sealing devices, such as O-rings or gasket material 76, are provided between cavity 34 and ball valve 70 to ensure a fluid-tight seal between the components. It should be appreciated that the ball valve arrangement illustrated in the figures is but one embodiment of any number of variations of positionable valves that may be utilized to direct flow within the present invention.

[0035] Filtering device 10 also includes at least one elongated filter disposed longitudinally within a portion of housing 14 rearward of mounting mechanism 38. In the illustrated embodiments, two such filters 52aand 52bare illustrated. Filters 52aand 52bare generally elongated cylinder type filters having outer circumferential surfaces 54a, 54band inner channels 56a, 56b. Each filter has a forward end 58a, 58band a rear end 60a, 60b. This cylinder configuration may be preferred in that the filters are readily molded in this shape. When two such filters are utilized, each filter may be of a different type of filtering media so that each filter eliminates a different particular contaminant(s) from fluid passing therethrough.

[0036] The filters 52a, 52bare in fluid communication with fluid inlet 42 and filtered fluid outlet 48. The filters are inserted into respective cavities 28a, 28bdefined in housing 14, for example in side lobes 32 of the housing 14. The filters 52a, 52bare removably seated in the housing cavities 28a, 28bby means of an end cap member 78. Referring particularly to FIG. 2, rear ends 60a, 60bof the filters are mounted onto cap member 78 so as to extend longitudinally therefrom. The cap member 78 is then connected to body 14 so that the filters reside within their respective cavities. In this regard, any conventional latching or attaching mechanism may be utilized to seat cap member 78 to rear end 18 of housing 14. In the embodiment illustrated, a simple resilient latch member 36 is provided on each side of housing 14. The latches 36 snap into recesses 80 provided on the sides of cap member 78. In this manner, an operator simply needs to manually release the latches 36 to pull cap member 78 and attached filters away from housing 14 so that the filters may be inspected, replaced, etc. Suitable seals 81 are provided between cap member 78 and rear end 18 of housing 14.

[0037] An actuator 62 extends forward of mounting mechanism 38 at the forward end 16 of the housing. The actuator 62 may define the forwardmost point of filtering device 10. The actuator 62 is mechanically connected to the valve member, such as ball valve 70, through housing 14. In the embodiment illustrated, axle ends 64 extend from ball valve 70 through the sides of housing 14. The actuator 62 includes side arms that are rigidly connected to axle ends 64. In this manner, movement of actuator 62 in an up or down direction results in relative movement of ball valve 70 within housing 14. A recess or depression 66 may be provided on the upper surface of actuator 62 for defining a convenient place for the user to depress the actuator. In this configuration, actuator 62 acts as a “switch” that is movable between a filtered position and an unfiltered position. The unfiltered position is illustrated particularly in FIG. 3A. In the unfiltered position, ball valve 70 is rotated such that channel 72 is in direct alignment with fluid inlet 42 and unfiltered fluid outlet 46. Thus, fluid from the supply member will flow directly through the device 10 without passing through the filter elements.

[0038] FIG. 3B illustrates actuator 62 after it has been depressed by the user. Actuator 62 has caused the ball valve 70 to rotate such that the second or filtered fluid channel 74 is brought into alignment with fluid inlet 42. The unfiltered fluid outlet 46 is blocked by ball valve 70. Fluid flow through the filters will be described in greater detail below.

[0039] As can be seen in the figures, upon mounting of filtering device 10 to the end of supply member 12, the portion of housing 14 containing the filter or filters extends rearwardly from the end of the supply member and is disposed longitudinally adjacent to the supply member. In this manner, filtering device 10 takes up minimal critical space around supply member 12 and any associated sink or basin. To further minimize space, it may be desirous to provide a longitudinally extending recess 30 in top surface 20 of housing 14. This surface 30 may be defined between side lobes 32 that house filters 52aand 52b. The recess 30 allows for a decreased clearance space between the underside of supply member 12 and top surface 20 of housing 14. Although not particularly illustrated in the figures, it should be appreciated that the longitudinal recess 30 may actually allow for side portions of the housing to wrap at least partially around supply member 12 such that the supply member “nests” in the recess 30. In the embodiment illustrated, the rear portion of the housing containing the filters lies in a common plane with the forward end of the housing. This embodiment is particularly useful if the faucet is a generally horizontally extending faucet.

[0040] It should be appreciated that filtering device 10 is not limited to configuration with a generally horizontal supply member 12. Vertically extending faucets are also well known in the art and the present filtering device is just as useful with these devices. When configured with such a vertical supply member, the rear portion of housing 14 containing filters 52a, 52b, would desirably be disposed at an angle relative to the front portion of housing 14 that defines fluid inlet 42 and contains mounting mechanism 38. For example, the rear portion of the housing containing the filters may be disposed at any desired angle to compliment the angle of the faucet so that the substantial portion of the filtering device 10 is disposed longitudinally adjacent to the faucet. The housing may be molded so that the rear portion of the housing and the forward portion of the housing define an angle therebetween. In an alternative embodiment not illustrated in the figures, the rear portion of housing 14 may be pivotally mounted to the forward portion of the housing 14. It should be appreciated that this pivotal configuration would require a fluid tight pivotal seal between the components. It is well within the level of those skilled in the art to configure such a fluid tight connection. It should thus be appreciated that housing 14 is not limited by any particular configuration so long as the substantial portion of the housing containing the filters extends longitudinally adjacent to supply member 12 regardless of the orientation of the supply member.

[0041] Fluid flow through the filters is particularly illustrated in FIGS. 3A, 3B, and the top cross-sectional view of FIG. 4. Once actuator 62 has been depressed by the user into the position illustrated in FIG. 3B, filtered fluid channel 74 of ball valve 70 is brought into alignment with fluid inlet 42. The downstream end of channel 74 is brought into alignment with an inlet conduit 44 defined in the housing. Conduit 44 directs the fluid into cavity 28a, as particularly seen in FIGS. 2 and 3A. The filter 52ais radially positioned within cavity 28aby means of an alignment nub 37a. A seal 79ais provided around the alignment nub 37ato ensure a fluid tight seal therewith. The fluid enters cavity 28aand passes and flows around outer circumferential surface 54aof filter element 52a. The fluid will pass through the filter into channel 56a. From this channel, the fluid will flow through an inlet 86 of a fluid channel 82 defined through cap member 78. The fluid will flow out of an outlet, such as a circumferential port 84 of fluid channel 82, into the other filter element channel 28b, as particularly seen in FIG. 4. Filter element 52bis also held in its respective cavity 28bby means of an alignment nub 37band respective seal 79b. The fluid will flow around outer circumferential surface 54band through filter element 52b, and into channel 56b. The fluid will then flow from channel 56binto an inlet 51 of a filtered fluid conduit 50, as particularly seen in FIGS. 3B and 4. From conduit 50, the filtered fluid will flow out of filtering device 10 through filtered fluid outlet 48. It should be appreciated that the fluid conduits and direction of fluid through the filters illustrated in the figures is but one example of any number of variations. For example, the fluid could also be directed initially into the inner channels of the filter elements so as to flow radially outward and into the respective cavities housing the filters.

[0042] It may also be desired to provide an indicator 88 within filtering device 10 so as to give the user a visible indication of the state of the filter. This indicator 88 may comprise any manner of mechanical or electrical device. For example, indicator 88 may be a simple mechanical counter that counts each cycle of the actuator 62. Upon reaching a predetermined number of cycles, the indicator may provide some visible indication, such as a change of color, a visible flag, or the like.

[0043] An alternative embodiment of the invention is illustrated in FIG. 5. In this embodiment, a single filter 52 is housed in side lobe 32aof housing 14. In this embodiment, it should be understood that unfiltered fluid would be directed either around the outer circumferential surface of filter 52 so as to pass through the filter and out of channel 56 before being dispensed out of filtering device 10. Alternatively, the unfiltered fluid may pass into channel 56 and radially outward into the respective cavity for the filter 52. The supply and return conduits or channels within the filter housing would be provided accordingly. In this embodiment, filter 52 is mounted to a single end cap 78a. An alignment nub 39 may be provided on the forward end of the filter 52 to ensure proper rotational positioning of filter 52 within its cavity defined in side lobe 32a.

[0044] The embodiment of FIG. 5 utilizes an electronic indicator, such as a light-emitting diode (LED) display 90. Display 90 may take on any manner of visible indications. For example, in the embodiment illustrated, each LED may represent a certain number of cycles of the actuator 62. Upon indication of a predetermined number of cycles, the user would know to replace the filter element 52. The circuitry and a power supply, such as battery 92, may be housed within the opposite side lobe 32bof the housing 14.

[0045] A detailed description of filtering materials and media that may form the filter elements for the present invention is provided below.

[0046] As used herein, the term “charge-modified material” means any material that has an electric charge upon at least some of its surfaces. The charge may be cationic or anionic, and of any magnitude.

[0047] As used herein, the term “nonwoven web” means a web or fabric having a structure of individual fibers or threads which are interlaid, but not in an identifiable manner as in a knitted or woven fabric. Nonwoven webs generally may be prepared by methods which are well known to those having ordinary skill in the art. Examples of such processes include, by way of illustration only, meltblowing, coforming, spunbonding, carding and bonding, air-laying, and wet-laying. Meltblowing, coforming, and spunbonding processes are exemplified by the following references, each of which is incorporated herein by reference:

[0048] (a) meltblowing references include, by way of example, U.S. Pat. No. 3,016,599 to R. W. Perry, Jr., U.S. Pat. No. 3,704,198 to J. S. Prentice, U.S. Pat. No. 3,755,527 to J. P. Keller et al., U.S. Pat. No. 3,849,241 to R. R. Butin et al., U.S. Pat. No. 3,978,185 to R. R. Butin et al., and U.S. Pat. No. 4,663,220 to T. J. Wisneski et al. See, also, V. A. Wente, “Superfine Thermo plastic Fibers”, Industrial and Engineering Chemistry,Vol. 48, No. 8, pp.1342-1346 (1956); V. A. Wente et al., “Manufacture of Superfine Organic Fibers”, Navy Research Laboratory, Washington, D.C., NRL Report 4364 (111437), dated May 25, 1954, United States Department of Commerce, Office of Technical Services; and Robert R. Butin and Dwight T. Lohkamp, “Melt Blowing—A One-Step Web Process for New Nonwoven Products”, Journal of the Technical Association of the Pulp and Paper Industry,Vol. 56, No.4, pp. 74-77 (1973);

[0049] (b) coforming references include U.S. Pat. No. 4,100,324 to R. A. Anderson et al. and U.S. Pat. No. 4,118,531 to E. R. Hauser; and

[0050] (c) spunbonding references include, among others, U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,341,394 to Kinney, U.S. Pat. No. 3,655,862 to Dorschner et al., U.S. Pat. No. 3,692,618 to Dorschner et al., U.S. Pat. No. 3,705,068 to Dobo et al., U.S. Pat. No. 3,802,817 to Matsuki et al., U.S. Pat. No. 3,853,651 to Porte, U.S. Pat. No. 4,064,605 to Akiyama et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,091,140 to Harmon, U.S. Pat. No. 4,100,319 to Schwartz, U.S. Pat. No. 4,340,563 to Appel and Morman, U.S. Pat. No. 4,405,297 to Appel and Morman, U.S. Pat. No. 4,434,204 to Hartman et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,627,811 to Greiser and Wagner, and U.S. Pat. No. 4,644,045 to Fowells.

[0051] A “nonwoven charge-modified microfiber glass web” may be prepared from a fibrous web which incorporates glass fibers having a cationically-charged coating thereon. Generally, such microfibers would be glass fibers having a diameter of about 10 microns or less. The coating includes a functionalized cationic polymer which has been crosslinked by heat; in other words, the functionalized cationic polymer has been crosslinked by heat after being coated onto the glass fibers. Such a fibrous filter is prepared by a method which involves providing a fibrous filter which includes glass fibers, passing a solution of a functionalized cationic polymer crosslinkable by heat through the fibrous filter under conditions sufficient to substantially coat the fibers with the functionalized cationic polymer, and treating the resulting coated fibrous filter with heat at a temperature and for a time sufficient to crosslink the functionalized cationic polymer present on the glass fibers. The functionalized cationic polymer may be an epichlorohydrin-functionalized polyamine or an epichlorohydrin-functionalized polyamido-amine.

[0052] In general, when used as a filter media, a “charge-modified microfiber glass web” will contain at least about 50 percent by weight of glass fibers, based on the weight of all fibers present in the filter media. In some embodiments, essentially 100 percent of the fibers will be glass fibers. When other fibers are present, however, they generally will be cellulosic fibers, fibers prepared from synthetic thermoplastic polymers, or mixtures thereof.

[0053] As used herein, the terms “cationically-charged” in reference to a coating on a glass fiber and “cationic” in reference to the functionalized polymer mean the presence in the respective coating and polymer of a plurality of positively-charged groups. Thus, the terms “cationically-charged” and “positively-charged” are synonymous. Such positively-charged groups typically will include a plurality of quaternary ammonium groups, but they are not necessarily limited thereto.

[0054] The term “functionalized” is used herein to mean the presence in the cationic polymer of a plurality of functional groups, other than the cationic groups, which are capable of crosslinking when subjected to heat. Thus, the functional groups are thermally crosslinkable groups. Examples of such functional groups include epoxy, ethylenimino, and episulfido. These functional groups readily react with other groups typically present in the cationic polymer. The other groups typically have at least one reactive hydrogen atom and are exemplified by amino, hydroxy, and thiol groups. It may be noted that the reaction of a functional group with another group often generates still other groups which are capable of reacting with functional groups. For example, the reaction of an epoxy group with an amino group results in the formation of a β-hydroxyamino group.

[0055] Thus, the term “functionalized cationic polymer” is meant to include any polymer which contains a plurality of positively charged groups and a plurality of other functional groups which are capable of being crosslinked by the application of heat. Particularly useful examples of such polymers are epichlorohydrin-functionalized polyamines and epichlorohydrin-functionalized polyamido-amines. Both types of polymers are exemplified by the Kymene® resins which are available from Hercules Inc., Wilmington, Del. Other suitable materials include cationically-modified starches, such as RediBond, from National Starch.

[0056] As used herein, the term “thermally crosslinked” means the coating of the functionalized cationic polymer has been heated at a temperature and for a time sufficient to crosslink the above-noted functional groups. Heating temperatures typically may vary from about 50° C. to about 150° C. Heating times in general are a function of temperature and the type of functional groups present in the cationic polymer. For example, heating times may vary from less than a minute to about 60 minutes or more. Heating times and temperatures are also determined by the amount of solution in the web which must be evaporated.

[0057] As discussed briefly above, a nonwoven charge-modified meltblown web may consist of hydrophobic polymer fibers, amphiphilic macromolecules adsorbed onto at least a portion of the surfaces of the hydrophobic polymer fibers, and a crosslinkable, functionalized cationic polymer associated with at least a portion of the amphiphilic macromolecules, in which the functionalized cationic polymer has been crosslinked. Crosslinking may be achieved through the use of a chemical crosslinking agent or by the application of heat. Desirably, thermal crosslinking, i.e., the application of heat, will be employed. In general, the amphiphilic macromolecules may be of one or more of the following types: proteins, poly(vinyl alcohol), monosaccharides, disaccharides, polysaccharides, polyhydroxy compounds, polyamines, polylactones, and the like. Desirably, the amphiphilic macromolecules will be amphiphilic protein macromolecules, such as globular protein or random coil protein macromolecules. For example, the amphiphilic protein macromolecules may be milk protein macromolecules. The functionalized cationic polymer typically may be any polymer which contains a plurality of positively-charged groups and a plurality of other functional groups which are capable of being crosslinked by, for example, chemical crosslinking agents or the application of heat. Particularly useful examples of such polymers are epichlorohydrin-functionalized polyamines and epichlorohydrin-functionalized polyamido-amines. Other suitable materials include cationically modified starches.

[0058] The nonwoven charge-modified meltblown web may be prepared by a method which involves providing a fibrous meltblown filter media which includes hydrophobic polymer fibers, passing a solution containing amphiphilic macromolecules through the fibrous filter under shear stress conditions so that at least a portion of the amphiphilic macromolecules are adsorbed onto at least some of the hydrophobic polymer fibers to give an amphiphilic macromolecule-coated fibrous web, passing a solution of a crosslinkable, functionalized cationic polymer through the amphiphilic macromolecule-coated fibrous web under conditions sufficient to incorporate the functionalized cationic polymer onto at least a portion of the amphiphilic macromolecules to give a functionalized cationic polymer-coated fibrous web in which the functionalized cationic polymer is associated with at least a portion of the amphiphilic macromolecules, and treating the resulting coated fibrous filter with a chemical crosslinking agent or heat. Desirably, the coated fibrous filter will be treated with heat at a temperature and for a time sufficient to crosslink the functionalized cationic polymer.

[0059] It is to be understood that changes and variations may be made by those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the spirit or the scope of the present invention, which is set forth in the following claims.