Water Purifier

Abstract

A water purifier system is provided including a housing having a first, upper reservoir and a second, lower reservoir. A filter cartridge is arranged to be received within the housing, the filter cartridge having at least one inlet for receiving water from the first reservoir and at least one outlet for dispensing water into the second reservoir. A UV source is disposed within the second reservoir for purifying the water contained therein, and a control interface is removably connected to the housing for controlling the operation of the UV source.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a water purifier according to an aspect of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a partial top perspective view of the water purifier of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the water purifier housing according to an aspect of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the water purifier of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a water purifier according to the present invention taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the water purifier taken along line 6-6 of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the water purifier taken along line 7-7 of FIG. 5;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a base which may be used with the water purifier according to an aspect of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the water purifier according to the present invention placed on the base;

FIG. 10 is a front elevational view of an adapter which may be used with the water purifier according to an aspect of the present invention;

FIG. 11 is a rear perspective view of the adapter of FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is a top perspective view of another embodiment of an adapter which may be used with the water purifier according to an aspect of the present invention;

FIG. 13 is a front elevational view of the adapter of FIG. 12;

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of an adapter according to the present invention connected to the water purifier;

FIG. 15 is a front elevational view of a filter cartridge which may be used with the water purifier according to an aspect of present invention;

FIG. 16 is a top plan view of the filter of FIG. 15;

FIG. 17 is a partial bottom perspective view of the filter of FIG. 15;

FIG. 18 is a block diagram depicting control electronics for the water purifier according to an aspect of the present invention.

Claims

1. A water purifier system, comprising: a housing having a first, upper reservoir and a second, lower reservoir;a filter cartridge arranged to be received within the housing, the filter cartridge having at least one inlet for receiving water from the first reservoir and at least one outlet for dispensing water into the second reservoir;a UV source disposed within the second reservoir for purifying the water contained therein; anda control interface removably connected to the housing for controlling the operation of the UV source.

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein the housing comprises a pitcher.

3. The system according to claim 1, wherein the first reservoir is removable from the housing.

4. The system according to claim 1, wherein the housing includes a handle.

5. The system according to claim 1, further comprising a lid at least partially covering the first reservoir.

6. The system according to claim 1, wherein the housing includes a receptacle within the second reservoir arranged to receive the filter cartridge.

7. The system according to claim 6, wherein the receptacle is disposed along a wall of the housing.

8. The system according to claim 6, further comprising sealing means disposed between the receptacle and the filter cartridge.

9. The system according to claim 6, wherein the receptacle includes a first opening in communication with the first reservoir and a second opening opposite the first opening and in communication with the second reservoir, the second opening angled with respect to the first opening.

10. The system according to claim 1, wherein the filter cartridge includes a filter housing having a first end and a second end, wherein the second end is angled with respect to the first end.

11. The system according to claim 10, wherein the filter housing includes a key member arranged to be received by the water purifier housing to ensure proper orientation of the filter cartridge therein.

12. The system according to claim 1, wherein the filter cartridge includes filter media comprising a carbon/ion resin.

13. The system according to claim 1, wherein the UV source is mounted to a bottom plate of the housing.

14. The system according to claim 1, wherein the UV source is mounted generally centrally within the second reservoir.

15. The system according to claim 1, wherein the UV source is surrounded by a water-tight shield.

16. The system according to claim 1, wherein the first reservoir includes a hood on an underside thereof arranged to receive and locate the UV source.

17. The system according to claim 1, wherein the control interface includes a base arranged to receive the housing thereon.

18. The system according to claim 1, wherein the control interface includes an adapter arranged to be connected to the housing.

19. The system according to claim 18, wherein the adapter includes a retractable power cord for connecting to the housing.

20. The system according to claim 1, wherein the control interface includes a controller and a control panel in communication therewith for receiving user input and displaying output signals.

21. The system according to claim 20, wherein the control panel includes an indicator for alerting a user that the filter cartridge should be changed.

22. The system according to claim 20, wherein the control panel includes an indicator that the UV source is in operation.

23. The system according to claim 20, wherein the control interface includes a user-selectable switch in communication with the controller for selecting a consumption rate of water.

24. The system according to claim 20, further comprising a UV sensor in communication with the controller for sensing an output of the UV source.

25. The system according to claim 24, wherein the UV sensor is disposed in the second reservoir spaced from the UV source.

26. A water purifier system, comprising: a pitcher housing having a removable upper reservoir and a lower reservoir, the lower reservoir including a receptacle disposed along a wall thereof;a filter cartridge arranged to be received at least partially within the receptacle, the filter cartridge having at least one inlet for receiving water from the first reservoir and at least one outlet for dispensing water into the second reservoir, the filter cartridge having a filter housing including a first end and a second end, the second end angled with respect to the first end;a UV lamp disposed within the second reservoir for purifying the water contained therein;an adapter removably connected to the housing, the adapter including a user-selectable switch for selecting a consumption rate of water; anda controller disposed within the adapter in communication with the UV lamp and the switch for controlling the operation of the UV lamp and determining a life of the filter cartridge based on a selected consumption rate.

27. A filter cartridge for use in a water purifier system, the filter comprising: a filter housing having a first end and a second end, the second end angled with respect to the first end;filter media provided within the filter housing for purifying water flowing therethrough;at least one inlet disposed at the first end for receiving water into the filter housing; andat least one outlet disposed at the second end for dispensing water from the filter housing.

28. The filter cartridge according to claim 27, further comprising a key member disposed on the filter housing and arranged to be received by the water purifier system for orienting the filter cartridge.

29. The filter cartridge according to claim 27, wherein the first end includes a handle.

30. The filter cartridge according to claim 27, wherein the first end includes an air vent.

31. The filter cartridge according to claim 27, wherein the filter housing is generally cylindrical.