Method of using a filter media for filtration

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11066311-B2
Application number	US-201415038996-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Dec 8, 2014
Priority date	Dec 18, 2013
Publication date	Jul 20, 2021
Grant date	Jul 20, 2021

Abstract

A filter media can be configured to be securable in an at least partially curved configuration and/or received in a filter housing to form a filter assembly. Water filter media can be adapted for filter-as-you-pour filtration in the context of container (e.g., pitcher) systems where filtering is achieved as the user pours water from the container. The filter housing can have a frame and an optional casing securable about the frame. A filter assembly can include a filter media within, connected to, or associated with a filter housing. The filter media can be securable in an at least partially curved configuration and/or within, connected to, or associated with the filter housing.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A method of using a filter media for filtration, comprising:
1. providing a housing having,
a frame extending along a longitudinal axis from a first end to a second end to define a channel within the frame, wherein the frame includes a first plurality of radial openings through a surface of the frame, wherein the first plurality of openings are defined between a plurality of first support members of the frame extending between the first end and the second end and one or more second support members of the frame that connect to one or more first support members of the plurality of first support members, wherein the plurality of first support members extend to and between a first end cap at the first end and a second end cap at the second end, wherein the frame defines a slot that extends parallel to the longitudinal axis and located entirely within a radial outer periphery defined by the first and second support members; and
a casing secured about at least a portion of the frame and at least partially covering at least a portion of the frame while maintaining a space between at least a portion of the casing and at least a portion of the frame, the casing comprising a second plurality of radial openings in fluid communication with the channel via the first plurality of radial openings in the frame, wherein the second plurality of radial openings in the casing, the first plurality of radial openings in the frame, the channel, and an aperture in the first end of the frame form a fluid flow path; and

2. providing an activated carbon filter media as the filter media, wherein the filter media is not granular, a foam, or a block positioned in the space between the frame and the casing such that at least a portion of the filter media presents a curved surface to a fluid to be filtered; and
positioning a first end and a second end of the filter media in the slot formed by the frame to attach the filter media to the frame;
wherein the fluid can flow through the fluid flow path and pass through the filter media at the curved surface.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the filter media comprises an activated carbon fibrous textile material.

3. The method of claim 2 , wherein the fluid is passed through the filter media at atmospheric pressure and under gravitational force.

4. The method of claim 3 , further comprising:
wherein the first end cap and the second end cap define an outer dimension of the provided housing;
wherein the casing is secured relative to the frame within the outer dimension defined by the first and second end cap.

5. The method of claim 3 , further comprising:
wrapping the activated carbon textile material around the frame of the provided housing; and
holding the provided filter media in the curved surface configuration in the housing;
wherein the fluid flow path through the second plurality of radial openings in the casing and the first plurality of radial openings in the frame allows the fluid to flow through the fluid flow path and pass through the wrapped activated carbon textile material.

6. The method of claim 2 , further comprising:
holding the provided filter media presenting the curved surface in the housing.

7. The method of claim 6 , wherein providing the frame includes providing (i) the frame defining a boundary of the channel disposed at least partially within the frame and extending between the first and second ends, the first plurality of radial openings in the frame being in fluid communication with the channel, (ii) the first end having the aperture therein, the aperture being in fluid communication with the channel, (iii) the first and second ends being separated by a length.

8. The method of claim 7 further comprising:
passing the fluid through the second plurality of radial openings in the casing;
passing the fluid through the first plurality of radial openings in the frame after the fluid has passed through the second plurality of radial openings in the casing;
passing the fluid through the channel; and
passing the fluid through the aperture.

9. The method of claim 8 , wherein the filter media is positioned about at least a portion of the frame while being held in the at least partially curved configuration.

10. The method of claim 2 , wherein the plurality of first support members extend along the longitudinal axis of the frame and are spaced apart from one another to form the first plurality of radial openings.

11. The method of claim 10 , wherein providing the housing having the frame and the first and second end caps includes providing the first end cap to have a first radially extending flange portion extending a first radial distance past the plurality of longitudinal members and providing the second end cap to have a second radially extending flange portion extending a second radial distance past the plurality of longitudinal members.

12. The method of claim 2 , wherein the filter media comprising the activated carbon filter media further includes granular and/or particulate carbon impregnated and/or entwined in the activated carbon filter media.

13. The method of claim 1 , wherein the fluid is passed through the filter media at the curved surface through the fluid flow path at a flow rate between about 0.3 GPM and about 3.0 GPM.

14. The method of claim 1 , wherein the fluid is passed through the filter media at the curved surface at a flow rate between about 0.5 GPM and about 0.8 GPM.

15. A method of using a filter media for filter as you pour filtration, comprising:
providing a frame formed extending from a first end to a second end, wherein the frame includes a plurality of first radial openings through a curved surface of the frame, wherein the first radial openings are defined between a plurality of first support members extending between the first end and the second end and one or more second support members that connect to one or more first support members of the plurality of first support members, wherein the frame defines a slot that extends parallel to the longitudinal axis and located entirely within a radial outer periphery defined by the first and second support members;
positioning a filter media formed of a non-granular, non-foam, non-block, activated carbon media about the curved surface of the frame of the frame such that at least a portion of the filter media forms a curved surface configured to engage a fluid to be filtered;
positioning a first end and a second end of the filter media in the slot formed by the frame to attach the filter media to the frame;
placing a casing member around at least a portion of the filter media and the frame to at least assist in securing the filter media to the frame, the casing member have a second plurality of radial openings; and
providing a flow path through the second plurality of radial openings, the filter media, the first plurality of radial openings, and along a longitudinal channel in the frame.

16. The method of claim 15 , further comprising:
positioning the filter media within a receptacle;
filling the receptacle with a fluid at a position away from a location of the filter media; and
passing the fluid through the filter media at the curved surface.

17. A method of using a filter media for filtration, comprising:
1. providing a housing having,
a frame having (a) a first end separated from a second end along a longitudinal axis and a plurality of axial support members extending along the longitudinal axis of the frame between the first end and a second end and (b) a plurality of circumferential support members extending betwe

Assignees

• Brita Lp
• Brita I P

Inventors

• Dani Nikhil P
• Mcdonald Jonathan
• Doan Nicole
• Wiegele Jonathan Taylor

Classifications

• B01D35/30

  Filter housing constructions · CPC title

• C02F1/283

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• C02F2101/20

  Heavy metals or heavy metal compounds · CPC title

• C02F2307/02

  as part of a bottle · CPC title

• C02F2303/185

  The treatment agent being halogen or a halogenated compound · CPC title