Water filter system

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10022658-B2
Application number	US-201414483593-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Sep 11, 2014
Priority date	Sep 15, 2011
Publication date	Jul 17, 2018
Grant date	Jul 17, 2018

Abstract

A water filter system includes a removable filter unit having a body portion including a proximal end and a distal end. The proximal end is adapted to be inserted into a filter head assembly. A laterally extending key member is disposed on the body portion and adapted to engage a key slot in the filter head assembly. An engagement protrusion extends from the proximal end. The engagement protrusion includes a first portion that has a first radius of curvature and a second portion opposing the first portion that includes a second radius of curvature that is larger than the first radius of curvature.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A water filter system comprising:
a removable filter unit having a body portion including a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the proximal end is adapted to be rotationally inserted into a filter head assembly;
a laterally extending key member disposed on the body portion and adapted to rotationally engage a key slot in the filter head assembly;
an engagement surface traversing around a portion of the body portion at an angle; and
an engagement protrusion extending from the proximal end, the engagement protrusion having an engagement wall defining an end aperture, wherein the engagement wall includes a first angled portion that slopes to the end aperture at a first angle and a second angled portion that slopes to the end aperture at a second angle, wherein the first angle is different than the second angle, wherein a sidewall of the engagement protrusion includes a seal, and the sidewall of the engagement protrusion at the seal includes a single set of opposing first and second portions, the first portion having a first radius of curvature and the second portion having a second radius of curvature that is larger than the first radius of curvature.

2. The water filter system of claim 1 , wherein the first angle is within a range of about 15 degrees to about 90 degrees relative to a longitudinal axis of the filter unit.

3. The water filter system of claim 1 , wherein the second angle is within a range of about 5 degrees to about 85 degrees relative to a longitudinal axis of the filter unit.

4. The water filter system of claim 1 , wherein the first angle is about 67.7 degrees relative to a longitudinal axis of the filter unit and the second angle is about 51 degrees relative to the longitudinal axis of the filter unit.

5. The water filter system of claim 1 , further comprising:
a side aperture disposed in the sidewall of the engagement protrusion.

6. The water filter system of claim 1 , wherein the engagement wall includes a third angled portion that slopes to the end aperture at a third angle, the third angle being different than the first and second angles and within a range of about 10 degrees to about 85 degrees relative to a longitudinal axis of the filter unit.

7. The water filter system of claim 6 , wherein the third angle is about 46.9 degrees.

8. The water filter system of claim 5 , wherein the side aperture is disposed proximate the first angled portion.

Assignees

• Whirlpool Co

Inventors

• Kruckenberg Christopher A
• Morrison John W
• Spindler Jeffrey A

Classifications

• B01D2201/4015

  Bayonet connecting means · CPC title

• C02F1/003

  using household-type filters for producing potable water, e.g. pitchers, bottles, faucet mounted devices (C02F9/20 takes precedence) · CPC title

• B01D2201/4046

  Means for avoiding false mounting of different parts · CPC title

• C02F2201/006

  Cartridges · CPC title

• C02F2307/12

  as part of household appliances such as dishwashers, laundry washing machines or vacuum cleaners · CPC title