Filtering device

[0002] The present invention is directed to a filtering device and, particularly, to a filtering device applied to a filter for purifying home water.

[0003] The most common types of water filter found in the market are usually manufactured from clay, which is a particularly suitable material, since it keeps the temperature of water lower when compared to other materials.

[0004] Such filters comprise basically an upper reservoir and a lower reservoir, the upper reservoir being suitable for storing the water to be filtered and the lower reservoir being suitable for storing the filtered water. The most common construction in this type of filter is in the form of substantially cylindrical reservoirs, the upper reservoir being a body having a lid and a base which is usually flat and suitable to be supported upon the upper edge of the lower reservoir which, in turn, is in the shape of a cup having a support base in addition to a tap for the outflow of the filtered water.

[0005] A filtering member, also known as filter core, which comprises a substantially cylindrical hollow body usually manufactured from porous ceramic and which is attached to the inner lower portion of the upper reservoir through a usually threaded tubular projection and manufactured from plastic material. Said core is submerged in the water inside the upper reservoir.

[0006] The water purification is accomplished when the water, due to the gravity, is urged from the upper reservoir through the micropores of the core walls towards the lower reservoir and in such a way that it prevents the particles contained in the water from reaching the lower reservoir.

[0007] Since the most common type of core, manufactured from ceramic only, does not provide a suitable filtration, it is envisaged the filling of the hollow body thereof with activated carbon and other elements which complement the filtration, so that, when passing through the micropores, the water can be further purified by said carbon and the other elements, resulting in a purer water for consumption. The main purpose of the carbon is to prevent the chemical contamination, the taste of chlorine, as well as bacteria.

[0008] To enable this type of construction, that is, a core filled with carbon, it should be provided with a screen positioned at the output of said tubular projection the purpose of which is to prevent the passage of the activated carbon particles and the other elements which complement the filtration to the lower reservoir.

[0009] This type of core reduces the problem of unsatisfactory filtration of the common cores, however, it brings about a problem that prevents such construction from having a good yield. The problem occurs due to both the composition and functioning of the core, that is, in view of the fact that the water passes through the ceramic walls and flows only along the internal walls thereof, the water contacts only the carbon and the other elements closely in contact with said internal walls of the core, the most part, or the substantially central part of the carbon and the other filtering elements being accordingly useless.

[0010] The result of this problem is that the carbon and the other elements which complement the water filtration which are effectively used in this type of construction, saturate quickly, thus requiring a more frequent replacement of the core.

[0011] The object of this invention is to provide a water filter of a device that improves the efficiency in the water filtration carried out by ceramic cores, thus eliminating the need to use cores filled with activated carbon or further elements to accomplish the filtration, and which, moreover, also can be replaced without having to replace the core.

[0012] Such object is attained through a filtrating device, adaptive to a filtering core to be used in a water filter, the core having a tubular projection, the device comprising a recipient filled with filtering elements, the recipient being associated to the tubular projection and trapping the water previously filtered by the core.

[0013] This invention will be described below in further details based on an example of realization represented in the drawings.

[0014] FIG. 1—a partial view in section of the upper reservoir illustrating the core attached thereto, in addition to the filtering element object of this invention shown in section; and

[0015] FIG. 2—a top view of the filtering device object of this invention.

[0016] As can be seen in details in FIG. 1, and also as known in the art, the filtering core 10 is attached to the lower inner portion of the upper reservoir 12 through a tubular projection 1a4, generally having a threaded wall, which extends partially outwardly from the lower portion of the lower wall of the reservoir 12 and fixed through a nut 15. The filtered water through the core walls 10 is directed through the tubular projection 14 into the lower reservoir 13 where it is accumulated to be consumed by being removed through a tap (not shown).

[0017] In order to improve the ability to filter the water in home water filters and overcome the drawbacks of using the core filled with carbon, it is envisaged, according to this invention, the positioning of a filtering device 1 at the core 10 output as can be seen in FIG. 1.

[0018] The filtering device 1 comprises basically a cup-shaped recipient 3 having a lid 4 which can be fitted to the recipient 3, the lid 4 also being provided with a joining member 8 for fixing the device 1 to the tubular projection 14 of the core 10.

[0019] The joining member 8 provided in the central portion of the lid 4 has a tubular shape and should have the inner diameter threaded and sized so that it can be threaded to the projection 14 of the core 10. Such member 8 traps the water previously filtered by the core 10 and conveys same to the filtering device 1. The joining member 8 should be constructed in such a way that it can be associated to the projection 14 of the core 10, and therefore, it may be attached through an inner or outer thread, or even by being fitted thereto. The recipient 3 should be filled up to almost the upper edge of activated carbon and the other elements that complement the filtration 2 of the water.

[0020] An extension 9 of the member 8 gets into the recipient 3 up to its lowest portion by penetrating the coal and other the filtering elements 2 therein.

[0021] Also, as can be seen from FIG. 2, a plurality of ribs 5 are radially disposed in the central portion of the lid 4, thus interconnecting the upper face thereof with the outer wall of the joining member 8 in order to structurally reinforce the whole assembly.

[0022] The functioning of the filtering device 1 object of this invention is optimal since the carbon and the other filtering elements 2 are fully utilized and actuate during the filtering operation. This occurs because the water is conveyed to the lowest portion of the recipient 3 through the extension 8 and directed towards the sides thereof and accumulating therein until its level reaches the water output opening 7 or multiple openings 7 provided in the upper portion of the side wall 6 of said recipient 3 and overflows into the lower reservoir 13. Thus, the water shall remain in contact with the carbon and the other elements 2 through the whole path 19 and the impurities thereof shall be retained more efficiently and longer when compared to the filtering types presently know. The openings 7 can also be provided on the lid 4 and be made from circular holes or tears.

[0023] Optionally, and depending on the type of carbon and other elements which complement the filtration 2, the recipient 3 can be provided in its inner cavity with a pervious membrane (not shown) the purpose of which is to retain same below the level of the openings 7.

[0024] Moreover, since it is adaptive to the water filters already in the market, the filtering device 1 can be used and replaced irrespective of both the need to replace the core 10 and the manufacturer that makes same, thus providing a cost-effective maintenance.

[0025] Another advantage resulting from the use of the device 1 object of this invention, is that a filter that has been common, begins to have a bactericide action in addition to eliminate agricultural defensives, heavy metal and other chemicals, for example, chlorine, which may be present in the water.

[0026] The material used for manufacturing the device object of this invention shall be preferably a plastic material, but it can be replaced by any other equivalent material.

[0027] Evidently, although a cylindrical filtering device 1, applicable to home water filters, has been described herein, the object of this invention can be applicable for the filtration of other fluids in other devices other than a home water filter and, moreover, it can evidently have further shapes other than cylindrical, and any other material other than activated carbon may be used therefor.

[0028] Although a preferred example of realization has been described, it should be understood that the scope of this invention encompasses other possible variations, being limited solely by the content of the accompanying claims, the possible equivalents being included therein.