Vented filter cartridge for water treatment device

摘要

A filter cartridge has a shell defining an upper portion with an upper interior volume and a lower portion with a lower interior volume. The cartridge is for use in gravity-fed water treatment systems having an upper untreated supply and a lower filtered container. A hydrophilic porous particulate carbon powder block filter in a polymeric binder is disposed in the cartridge. The filter has a central opening and is open on both ends. The top end of the block is fitted with an air vent tube. The lower end of the block is fitted into a rubber gasket to direct water flow into the lower container. As water flows through the filter cartridge, air is vented through the block filter central opening and out through the vent tube.

主权项

1. A filter cartridge for a gravity-fed water treatment device comprising:
a cartridge shell defining an upper portion having an upper interior volume and a plurality of side apertures for untreated water ingress, and a lower portion having a lower interior volume, the lower portion having an opening therein for treated water egress, said cartridge shell having a predetermined length such that said upper and lower portions join at a mating point intermediate said predetermined length; a hydrophilic carbon block extending through the lower portion into the upper portion such that a portion of said carbon block is above said mating point and a portion of said carbon block is below said mating point, and said carbon block having an outer wall and a central opening defining an inner wall, the carbon block having a block cap disposed on a top of the carbon block, the block cap having a central opening therein; a sealing member extending about the cartridge shell lower portion, the sealing member supporting a bottom of the carbon block, the sealing member having an opening therein aligning, at least in part, with the carbon block central opening and open to the lower portion opening; and a vent tube in the upper portion that extends from the opening of the block cap through the cartridge shell upper portion, the vent tube being sealed at about the block cap opening, the vent tube having a vent tube outlet disposed upwardly a predetermined distance; wherein the filter cartridge receives a source of untreated water through the upper portion side apertures and supplies treated water through the cartridge shell lower portion openings, wherein the filter cartridge is configured such that untreated water is directed from the top portion through the outer and inner walls of the hydrophilic carbon block and subsequently to the lower portion via the central opening in the hydrophilic carbon block; and wherein air is vented from the lower portion lower interior volume through the vent tube and the vent tube outlet, the vent outlet being located at a height greater than a maximum height of water in the filter cartridge.