Customizable multi-stage water treatment system

摘要

A customizable multi-stage fluid treatment assembly typically includes a connector, a plurality of cartridges, and a cap. The plurality of cartridges have a treatment medium spaced within an interior volume of the individual cartridges, between the ends thereof. The ends of the plurality of cartridges are configured to receive a fluid, bring the fluid into operative contact with the treatment medium, and dispense the fluid from the opposing end of the cartridge. The connector is coupled with one end of the plurality of cartridges and has an inlet and an outlet for receiving and dispensing the fluid to and from an appliance. The cap is coupled with the other end of the plurality of cartridges, enclosing the fluid treatment assembly, which is configured to be received in a cavity of an appliance. The cartridges of the plurality of cartridges may be individually replaced with cartridges to meet customized needs.

主权项

1. A customizable multi-stage water treatment system comprising:
a base cartridge having a first end, a second end, and a sidewall extending between the first and second ends and surrounding a base interior volume, wherein a base treatment medium is spaced within the base interior volume; a first variable cartridge configured to be removably engaged by hand with the base cartridge without the use of tools, wherein the first variable cartridge includes a first coupler end engaged with the second end of the base cartridge, a first receiver end, and a first wall extending between the first coupler and first receiver ends and surrounding a first interior volume, and wherein a first treatment medium is spaced within the first interior volume; an second variable cartridge configured to be removably engaged by hand with the first variable cartridge without the use of tools, wherein the second variable cartridge includes a second coupler end engaged with the first receiver end of the first variable cartridge, a second receiver end, and a second wall extending between the second coupler and second receiver ends and surrounding a second interior volume, wherein a second treatment medium is spaced within the second interior volume; a connector coupled with the first end of the base cartridge and having an inlet for receiving an intake water from a water source and an outlet for dispensing a treated water to a user, wherein the connector is devoid of treatment medium, and wherein the base, first variable, and second variable cartridges together are configured to receive the intake water, to bring the intake water into operative contact with the base, first, and second treatment mediums, and to change the intake water to the treated water; a keyed mating arrangement that is disposed on the connector, the base cartridge, first variable cartridge, and second variable cartridge and is configured to prohibit the base cartridge from matingly engaging in a fluid tight manner with the second variable cartridge and prohibit the connector from matingly engaging in a fluid tight manner with the first and second variable cartridges; and a channel positioned within and extending between the connector and the second variable cartridge and also within the sidewall of the base cartridge, the first wall of the first variable cartridge, and the second wall of the second variable cartridge, wherein the channel is configured to transport water between the inlet of the connector and the second treatment medium of the second variable cartridge, and wherein a closed circuit for fluid travel is defined consecutively by the connector, the channel, the second treatment medium, the first treatment medium, the base treatment medium, and the connector.