ACCESSOIRE DE ROBINET POUR TRAITER L'EAU

FAUCET ATTACHMENT FOR TREATING WATER

Abrégé français

Cette invention fournit un accessoire de robinet pour traiter l'eau sortant d'un robinet comportant un orifice de sortie fileté pouvant recevoir un aérateur. L'accessoire comprend un obturateur composé d'une structure intérieure cylindrique ayant un accessoire de robinet permettant d'engager le filetage du robinet afin de fixer l'accessoire de robinet au robinet; un obturateur est également situé sous l'accessoire de robinet. La structure extérieure renferme la structure intérieure et une première sortie sous l'obturateur ainsi qu'une deuxième sortie étant perpendiculaire à l'axe principal. L'eau sortant de la deuxième sortie est recueillie dans un logement qui comprend une sortie de fond permettant l'écoulement de l'eau traitée. Le logement peut être incliné dans une première position permettant à l'eau de s'écouler par la sortie de fond. Une cartouche s'utilisant avec l'accessoire est également fournie.

Abrégé anglais

The invention provides a faucet attachment for treating water issuing from a faucet of the type having a threaded outlet for receiving an aerator. The attachment has a valve assembly including a generally cylindrical inner structure having a faucet attachment for threadably engaging the thread on the faucet to seal the faucet attachment to the faucet, and a valve element below the faucet attachment. An outer structure contains the inner structure and includes a first outlet below the valve element, and a second outlet extending orthogonally with respect to said main axis. A housing receives water from the second outlet and a bottom exit is provided on the housing for dispensing treated water. The housing is movable angularly between a first position in which water leaves through the bottom exit. A cartridge is also provided for use in the attachment.

Revendications

CLAIMS
I CLAIM:
1. A faucet attachment for treating water issuing from a faucet of the type
having
a threaded outlet for receiving an aerator, the faucet attachment including:
a valve assembly having a generally cylindrical inner structure disposed
about a main axis, and an outer structure rotatably mounted about the inner
structure for limited angular motion relative to the inner structure about the
main
axis between a first position and a second position;
the inner structure including a faucet connector for threadably engaging
said thread on the faucet to seal the faucet attachment to the faucet, and a
valve
element below the faucet connector, the faucet connector and the valve element
including a locator to selectively locate the valve element angularly about
said
axis relative to the faucet connector;
the outer structure including a main body and an attachment ring
cooperating with the main body, the outer structure releasably containing the
inner structure and having a first outlet below the valve element and a second
outlet extending orthogonally with respect to said main axis, the first and
second
outlets being arranged to cooperate with the valve element so that, in said
first
position, water from the faucet will flow through the valve element and issue
from the first outlet, and in the second position water will flow through the
valve
10

element and issue from the second outlet; and
a housing for a water treatment cartridge, the housing being attached to
the outer structure, and having an inlet to receive water from the second
outlet
and a bottom exit for dispensing treated water, whereby the faucet attachment
can be assembled on the faucet by first tightening the faucet connector on the
faucet, positioning the valve element angularly on the faucet connector as
required, and then completing the assembly so that water from the faucet can
be
caused to leave by the first outlet on the valve assembly or by the exit on
the
housing by moving the housing and outer structure angularly about the main
axis
between the respective said first and second positions.
2. A faucet attachment as claimed in claim 1 in which the housing includes a
support attached to the main body and defining said exit, and a cover above
the
support and releasably attached to the support to permit removal and
replacement of the cartridge.
3. A faucet attachment as claimed in claim 2 and further including a connector
between the main body of the outer structure and the support, the connector
defining a passage connecting said second outlet to said inlet.
11

4. A faucet attachment as claimed in claim 3 in which the main body of the
outer
structure, connector, and the support are integrally formed.
5. A faucet attachment as claimed in claim 1 in which the housing is generally
cylindrical and disposed about a central axis which is substantially parallel
to
said main axis.
6. A faucet attachment as claimed in claim 1 in which the main body includes a
threaded collar extending downwardly and containing said first outlet, the
threaded collar being adapted to receive an aerator of the type normally added
to the threaded outlet on the faucet.
7. A faucet attachment as claimed in claim 2 in which the housing is generally
cylindrical and disposed about a central axis which is substantially parallel
to
said main axis.
8. A faucet attachment as claimed in claim 7 in which the main body includes a
threaded collar extending downwardly and containing said first outlet, the
threaded collar being adapted to receive an aerator of the type normally added
to the threaded outlet on the faucet.
12

9. A faucet attachment as claimed in claim 1 and further including a cartridge
of
material for treating the water, the cartridge being generally cylindrical and
having a top entrance and a bottom opening through which the water leaves, the
bottom opening being defined by a downwardly-extending neck, and in which
the bottom exit of the support contains the neck so that water will leave the
cartridge without contacting the housing.
10. A faucet attachment as claimed in claim 9 in which the housing includes a
support attached to the main body and defining said exit, and a cover above
the
support and releasably attached to the support to permit removal and
replacement of the cartridge.
11. A faucet attachment as claimed in claim 9 and further including a
connector
between the main body of the outer structure and the support, the connector
defining a passage connecting said second outlet to said inlet.
12. A faucet attachment as claimed in claim 11 in which the main body of the
outer
structure, connector and the support are integrally formed.
13

13. A faucet attachment as claimed in claim 9 in which the housing is
generally
cylindrical and disposed about a central axis which is substantially parallel
to
said main axis.
14. A faucet attachment as claimed in claim 9 in which the main body includes
a
threaded collar extending downwardly and containing said first outlet, the
threaded collar being adapted to receive an aerator of the type normally added
to the threaded outlet on the faucet.
15. A faucet attachment as claimed in claim 7 and further including a date
ring
frictionally engaged about the cover and retained on the cover by the
engagement of the cover with the support.
16. A faucet attachment for treating water issuing from a faucet of the type
having
a threaded outlet for receiving an aerator, the faucet attachment including:
a valve assembly having a generally cylindrical inner structure disposed
about a main axis, and an outer structure rotatably mounted about the inner
structure for limited angular motion about the main axis between a first
position
and a second position;
the inner structure including a faucet connector for threadably engaging
said thread on the faucet to seal the faucet attachment to the faucet, and a
valve
14

element below the faucet connector;
the outer structure including a main body and an attachment ring
cooperating with the main body, the outer structure releasably containing the
inner structure and having a first outlet below the valve element, and a
second
outlet extending orthogonally with respect to said main axis;
a generally cylindrical housing disposed about a central axis lying in
parallel with the main axis, the housing being attached to the outer structure
of
said valve assembly and having an inlet to receive water from said second
outlet
and a bottom exit for dispensing treated water, the housing being movable
angularly with respect to the main axis between a first position in which
water
leaves through a first outlet and a second position in which water passes
through
the second outlet, through the housing and leaves through the bottom exit.
17. A faucet attachment as claimed in claim 16 in which the housing includes a
support attached to the main body and defining said bottom exit, and a cover
above the support and releasably attached to the support to permit removal and
replacement of the cartridge.
18. A faucet attachment as claimed in claim 17 and further including a
connector
between the outer structure and the support, the connector defining a passage
connecting said second outlet to said inlet.
15

19. A faucet attachment as claimed in claim 18 in which the main body of the
outer
structure, the connector, and the support are integrally formed.
20. A faucet attachment for treating water issuing from a faucet, the faucet
attachment including:
a valve assembly disposed about a main axis and adapted to be attached
to the faucet, the valve assembly having an inner structure for attaching to
the
faucet and an outer structure that is rotatable about the inner structure and
the
main axis between a first and a second position;
a housing attached to the outer structure of the valve assembly; and,
a filter cartridge positioned in the housing and having a top inlet and a
downwardly extending neck defining a bottom outlet, the cartridge being
proportioned to fit in the housing with the neck projecting through said
bottom
exit such that water exiting the cartridge through said bottom outlet will not
come into contact with the housing,
wherein rotation of the outer structure to said first position permits water
to flow from the faucet into said inner structure and out of the valve
assembly
through a first outlet and, wherein rotation of said outer structure to said
second
position permits water to flow from the faucet into the inner structure and
from
the inner structure through a second opening into the housing and through the
16

filter cartridge permitting the water to exit through the neck of said filter
cartridge.
21. A faucet attachment for treating water issuing from a faucet having a
threaded
outlet for receiving an aerator, the faucet attachment including:
a valve assembly having a generally cylindrical inner structure disposed
about a main axis, and an outer structure rotatably mounted about the inner
structure for limited angular motion relative to the inner structure about the
main
axis between a first position and a second position, the outer structure being
removable from the inner structure to expose the inner structure;
the inner structure including a faucet connector for threadably engaging
said thread on the faucet with the outer structure removed for sealing the
faucet
attachment to the faucet, and a valve element below the faucet connector, the
faucet connector and the valve element including an angular locator to
selectively locate the valve element about said axis relative to the faucet
connector so that the valve element can be positioned relative to the faucet
before the outer structure is added to the inner structure;
the outer structure including a main body and an attachment ring
cooperating with the main body for assembly about the inner structure and
having a first outlet below the valve element and a second outlet extending
orthogonally with respect to said main axis, the first and second outlets
being
17

arranged to cooperate with the valve element so that, in said first position,
water
from the faucet will flow through the valve element and issue from the first
outlet, and in the second position water will flow through the valve element
and
issue from the second outlet; and
a housing for a water treatment cartridge, the housing being attached to
the outer structure, and having an inlet to receive water from the second
outlet
and a bottom exit for dispensing treated water, whereby the faucet attachment
can be assembled on the faucet by first tightening the faucet connector on the
faucet, positioning the valve element angularly on the faucet connector as
required, and then completing the assembly so that the water from the faucet
can
be caused to leave by the first outlet on the valve assembly or by the exit on
the
housing by moving the housing and outer structure angularly about the main
axis
between the respective said first and second positions.
22. A faucet attachment as claimed in claim 21 in which the housing includes a
support attached to the main body and defining said exit, and a cover above
the
support and releasably attached to the support to permit removal and
replacement of the cartridge.
18

23. A faucet attachment as claimed in claim 22 and further including a
connector
between the main body of the outer structure and the support, the connector
defining a passage connecting said outlet to said inlet.
24. A faucet attachment as claimed in claim 23 in which the main body of the
outer
structure, connector, and the support are integrally formed.
25. A faucet attachment as claimed in claim 21 in which the housing is
generally
cylindrical and disposed about a central axis which is substantially parallel
to
said main axis.
26. A faucet attachment as claimed in claim 21 in which the main body includes
a
threaded collar to receive an aerator the threaded outlet extending downwardly
and containing said first outlet.
27. A faucet attachment as claimed in claim 22 in which the housing is
generally
cylindrical and disposed about a central axis which is substantially parallel
to
said main axis.
19

28. A faucet attachment as claimed in claim 27 in which the main body includes
a
threaded collar to receive an aerator, the threaded outlet extending
downwardly
and containing said first outlet.
29. A faucet attachment as claimed in claim 21 and further including a
cartridge of
material for treating the water, the cartridge being generally cylindrical and
having a top entrance and a bottom opening through which the water leaves, the
bottom opening being defined by a downwardly-extending neck, and in which
the bottom exit of the support contains the neck so that water will leave the
cartridge without contacting the housing.
30. A faucet attachment as claimed in claim 29 in which the housing includes a
support attached to the main body and defining said exit, and a cover above
the
support and releasably attached to the support to permit removal and
replacement of the cartridge.
31. A faucet attachment as claimed in claim 29 and further including a
connector
between the main body of the outer structure and the support, the connector
defining a passage connecting said second outlet to said inlet.
20

32. A faucet attachment as claimed in claim 31 in which the main body of the
outer
structure connectors, and the support are integrally formed.
33. A faucet attachment as claimed in claim 29 in which the housing is
generally
cylindrical and disposed about a central axis which is substantially parallel
to
said main axis.
34. A faucet attachment as claimed in claim 29 in which the main body includes
a
threaded collar to receive an aerator, the threaded outlet extending
downwardly
and containing said first outlet.
21

Description

CA 02265309 1999-03-12
FAUCET ATTACHMENT FOR TREATING WATER
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to water treatment devices suitable for attachment to
a domestic water faucet having a threaded end for normally receiving an
aerator, and
more particularly to a cartridge for use in such a device.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
It has become common practice to treat tap water to further purify the water.
Devices have been developed which are placed in the water line to treat the
water
before it reaches a faucet and other devices simply collect water from the
faucet in
a jug. A replacement cartridge is included in the jug so that the water passes
through
the cartridge before collection in the jug. A third approach has been to
provide a
water treatment device which can be attached directly to the faucet and which
operates selectively to either allow water to pass directly from the faucet
without
treatment, or to pass through a water treatment cartridge before exiting from
the
structure. The present invention is of the type which attaches to the faucet.
Examples of devices which attach to faucets are to be found in U.S. Patents
5527451 to Hembree, et al and 5653868 to Yanou, et al. The general arrangement
of the devices shown in these patents minimises loss of space under the faucet
and
permits selection of flow either without treatment or through water treatment
material. In both patents, there is a side-by-side arrangement of valve
assembly and
a housing for the water treatment material. In the case of the patent to
Hanou, et
al, the housing is rotated relative to a main axis through the valve assembly
to
change from a straight flow through structure to a structure in which the
water is

CA 02265309 1999-03-12
diverted to flow through the water treatment material. This has become a
general
arrangement in structures of this kind. However, there are drawbacks.
It will be apparent that when assembling structures to conventional water
faucets, there will be a variety of positions needed due to the variation in
faucets and
also due to their location in relation to sinks and surrounding structures. It
is
therefore necessary to be able to assemble the structure on the faucet so that
the
movement necessary to operate it is always unimpaired by surrounding
structures.
Also, users may prefer to have the arrangement such that the housing
containing the
filter material is to the left of the faucet whereas others may prefer it to
the right of
the faucet. Consequently, it is necessary to provide an attachment to the
faucet
which resists accidental movement in the wrong direction and also provides a
strong
positive connection.
A typical connection is shown in the Yanou, et al patent in which the
structure is brought to bear against the faucet and clamped using a simple
friction
arrangement. The clamp is such that a tool must be applied externally and any
force
applied may result in damage to the structure and an unsightly result.
Further, a
large force is necessary to ensure positive connection so that when the user
moves
the housing to operate the device, the device will not rotate on the end of
the faucet.
It is therefore desirable to provide a water treatment device which does not
suffer from these disadvantages and which has a more positive connection
resulting
in a more positive "feel" when the structure is being operated by a user.
Another disadvantage of the prior art structure is that, once the water has
been treated, it comes into contact with surrounding structures. This is
undesirable
and it is also an object of the present invention to provide a cartridge for
use in a
-2-

CA 02265309 1999-03-12
water treatment device such that treated water will leave the cartridge
directly.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In one of its aspects, the invention provides for treating water issuing from
a faucet of the type having a threaded outlet for receiving an aerator. The
faucet
attachment has a valve assembly including a generally cylindrical inner
structure
disposed about a main axis, and an outer structure rotatably mounted about the
inner structure for limited angular motion about the main axis between a first
position and a second position. The inner structure has a faucet attachment
for
threadably engaging the thread on the faucet to seal the faucet attachment to
the
faucet, and a valve element below the faucet attachment. The outer structure
has
a main body and an attachment ring cooperating with the main body to contain
the
inner structure and includes a first outlet below the valve element, and a
second
outlet extending orthogonally with respect to said main axis. A generally
cylindrical
housing is disposed about a central axis lying in parallel with the main axis,
and the
housing is attached to the valve assembly. An inlet in the housing receives
water
from the second outlet and a bottom exit is provided on the housing dispensing
treated water. The housing is movable angularly with respect to the main axis
between a first position in which water leaves through a first outlet and a
second
position in which water passes through the second outlet, through the housing
and
leaves through the bottom exit. The faucet attachment is first assembled on
the
faucet by tightening the faucet attachment on the faucet, and then the valve
element
is positioned and located angularly in the faucet attachment before completing
the
assembly.
-3-

CA 02265309 1999-03-12
In another of its aspects, the invention provides a cartridge for use in a
faucet
attachment.
These and other aspects of the invention will be better understood with
reference to the following description and drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Fig. 1 is an isometric view of a faucet attachment according to the invention
and shown attached to a standard domestic faucet having a threaded end, the
attachment being movable between a first position to permit flow directly from
the
faucet, and a second position in which the flow is diverted through a water
treatment cartridge;
Fig. 2 is a sectional view on line 2-2 of Fig. 1 with the attachment in the
second position; and
Fig. 3 is a partial sectional view on line 3-3 of Fig. 1 and illustrating
internal
parts of the attachment with the attachment also in the second position.
Reference is first made to Fig. 1 which shows a preferred embodiment of a
faucet attachment according to the invention and designated generally by the
numeral 20. The attachment is assembled on the end of an exemplary faucet 22
so
that water emanating from the faucet will enter a valve assembly 24, and
depending
upon the position of the attachment about a main axis 26, water will either
leave via
a first outlet 28 on the bottom of the valve assembly 24 or pass through a
connector
and, after treatment in a housing 32, leave through an exit 34. The user
decides
whether or not the water is to be treated and then selects which path the
water will
follow by moving the housing angularly about axis 26 as indicated by arrows
36.
-4-

CA 02265309 1999-03-12
The structure of the attachment 20 will be described with reference to
assembly of the structure on the faucet 22.
Reference is next made to Fig. 2 in which it will be seen that the faucet
attachment 20 is shown in section with the faucet 22 indicated in ghost
outline. The
valve assembly 24 consists essentially of an inner structure indicated
generally by the
numeral 38 and an outer structure indicated generally by the numeral 40. The
inner
structure includes a faucet connector 42 which is assembled on the faucet 22
as a first
step in coupling the attachment 20 to the faucet. The faucet connector 42 is
generally cylindrical and extends about the main axis 26 and defines a
threaded recess
46 which has an internal thread matching the standard male thread on the
faucet 22.
An annular collar 48 is provided for engagement with the outer structure 40 as
will
be described, and a tubular cylindrical portion 50 extends downwardly and is
connected to the internal threaded recess 46 by an opening 52. At the lower
end of
the connector 42, there is an external ring of small, equally-spaced teeth 54
engaged
in recesses between suitably spaced inwardly facing teeth 56 formed in a valve
element 58 as will be described. This permits the valve element 58 to be
positioned
angularly relative to the connector 42 in any one of a number of positions,
the
number being equal to the number of teeth on each part.
The initial assembly consists of taking the faucet connector 42 and threading
it onto the faucet 22 using a suitable washer if necessary. The connector 42
is
tightened on the faucet by gripping the teeth 54. A suitable ring wrench, made
for
the purpose, can be slipped over the teeth 54 and used as a lever to rotate
the faucet
connector into tight engagement with the faucet. Once this is done, the
connector
42 becomes part of the faucet 22 and remains in position regardless of
adjustment
-5-

CA 02265309 2004-06-02
of the structure as will be explained. If the connector is marked while it is
being
assembled, the marks will be hidden once assembly is completed.
Turning now to the valve element 58, this part is positioned below the
connector 42 and is located angularly on the faucet connector 42 by inter
s engagement of the teeth 54 and 56. The teeth 56 are formed at the bottom of
a
cylindrical recess 60 .shaped to accommodate the cylindrical portion 50 of the
connector 42 and sealed using a suitable O-ring 62. The angular position of
the
valve element 58 can be selected by simply rotating it before it engages with
the
faucet connector 42 and then moving it vertically along axis 44 to bring it
into
engagement with the connector 42. This then sets the position in which the
resulting assembly will relate to the faucet 22 as will be described.
The valve element 58 has a second smaller cylindrical recess 64 extending
downwardly from the recess 60 and terminating at a bottom wall 66. A first
opening 68 provides passage through the bottom wall 66 and a second opening 70
is formed in a side wall 72 which defines the cylindrical recesses 60 and 64.
Because
the valve element 58 is located angularly with respect to the faucet connector
42, the
first and second openings 68, 70 are fixed in relation to the faucet, whereas
the outer
structure 40 can be rotated within limits about the axis 26.
As also seen in Fig. 2, the outer structure 40 includes a cup-shaped main body
74 defining a recess containing the inner structure 38. An attachment ring 76
is
captive above the faucet connector 42 by engagement with the collar 48 on the
connector 42 and defines an internal thread which complements an external
thread
on the main body 74. As a result, engagement of the ring 76 and the body 74
will
result in containing the inner structure within the outer structure with the
outer
-6-

CA 02265309 2004-06-02
structure free to move angularly within limits. This limited movement will be
explained more fully later but, for the moment, it is sufficient to understand
that
this angular movement dictates whether or not water from the faucet 22 will
exit
from the valve assembly 24 directly downwards out of the first outlet 28 or
through
the housing 32 where it will be treated and leave through the bottom exit 34.
Continuing for the moment with the structure, the main body 74 is
connected to the housing 32 by the integral connector 30 which defines a
passage 77
to carry water from the valve assembly 24 to the housing 32. The housing is
arranged about a central axis 78 which is parallel to the main axis 26 and
includes
a support 80 integrally attached to the connector 30 and extending upwardly
from
the bottom exit 34 to terminate at a threaded connection 82 where the support
meets a cover 84. The housing is positioned to contain a suitable cartridge 86
which
has a tubular, cylindrical outer wall 88, a top 89 having top openings 90, and
a
bottom 91 in engagement with the support 80. This engagement is enhanced by
the
flexible top which is deflected slightly on assembly to create a small
compressive
load on the support 80. The wall 88 is spaced from the inside of the housing
32 so
that water entering through the passage 77 will move upwardly about the
cartridge
and then pass through top openings 90 before moving downwardly through
cartridge
material 92 before finding its way to the exit 34. This exit is made up of the
support 80 defining a opening 94 for containing a neck 96 integrally formed
with
the bottom 91 of the cartridge 86 and having an O-ring seal 98. This means
that
water leaving the cartridge 86 passes directly out of the cartridge and can
not come
into contact with the housing thereby minimizing the risk of contaminant
buildup
on the housing affecting the treated water.
-7-

CA 02265309 2004-06-02
The threaded connection 82 is supplemented by an O-ring 100 and a date ring
102 is frictionally engaged in a suitable recess 104 in the cover 84 and held
in place
by an annular shoulder 106 on the support. The ring 102 can be rotated against
friction to a position to use markings on the ring and a base mark on the
housing
to indicate the date when a new cartridge was put in place. Once in position,
the
ring 102 is left in place as a reminder of the age of the cartridge.
The bottom wall 66 of the inner structure 38 can be seen defining the first
opening 68 which is to communicate with a duct 103 in the main body 74 which
leads to a downwardly-opening recess 144 which is part of the first outlet 28.
Also,
in section, the second opening 70 is seen leading to a passage 77 in the
connector 30.
As seen in Fig. 3, the main body 74 defines an annular slot 108 containing a
shorter but similarly shaped downwardly-extending peg 110 which forms pan of
the
valve element 58. The peg 110 is shown at one extremity of the slot 208 and in
this
position the second opening 70 in the valve element 58 is in alignment with
the
second outlet 146, and this is the second position mentioned earlier in which
flow
will pass through the cartridge material 92 (Fig. 2) and leave through the
bottom exit
34 of the housing 32. When the user rotates the housing 32, along with the
connector 30 and outer structure 40 (Fig. 2) in an anti-clockwise direction
(with
reference to Fig. 3), the result will be that the peg 110 moves to the other
extremity
of the slot I08 where no further motion can take place. The first opening 68
then
comes into alignment with duct 103 (Fig. 2) in the main body 74 and this leads
to
the downwardly-opening recess 104 so that the water exits through the first
outlet
28 of the faucet attachment. As seen in Fig. 2, the recess 104 is formed in a
tabular
projection 112 which has an external thread 116 to receive an aerator 118
shown in
_g_

CA 02265309 1999-03-12
ghost outline.
A preferred embodiment has been described to demonstrate the best mode of
making a faucet attachment according to the invention. Other embodiments can
be
made in accordance with the teachings of this description, and such
embodiments
are within the scope of the claims attached to this description.
-9-

Dessin représentatif