IP Library › Granted Patent US 12,667,810
Granted Patent B2
US 12,667,810 · App. 18/036,191 · Granted Jun 30, 2026

Device and method for protecting drinking water from microorganisms

Inventors: Jürgen Johann (Mondsee, AT); Katharina Weitgasser (Wals, AT)
Assignee: BWT Holding GmbH
B01D61/18B01D61/20B01D63/0241C02F1/444C02F1/722B01D2311/2634B01D2321/164C02F2303/20
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,667,810
App. No.
18/036,191
Granted
Jun 30, 2026
Kind
B2
Abstract

A water filter comprises an ultrafilter or microfilter, in particular a membrane stack for ultrafiltration or microfiltration, which has a direction of flow (D) and contains an alkalinizing and/or oxidative material that is placed upstream of or within the membrane stack when viewed in the direction of flow.

Claims (31)

1 . A water filter ( 1 ), comprising:

a membrane filter with a membrane stack ( 5 ),

wherein the membrane filter has a direction of flow (D) and comprises an alkalinizing and/or oxidative material ( 3 ),

wherein the alkalinizing and/or oxidative material ( 3 ) is placed directly upstream of the membrane stack ( 5 ) or within the membrane stack ( 5 ) and in contact therewith.

2 . The water filter as in claim 1 ,

wherein the membrane filter is an ultrafilter or microfilter.

3 . The water filter as in claim 2 ,

wherein the alkalinizing and/or oxidative material ( 3 ) is placed upstream of the ultrafilter or microfilter.

4 . The water filter as in claim 1 ,

wherein the alkalinizing and/or oxidative material ( 3 ) is placed within the membrane stack ( 5 ) and in contact therewith.

5 . The water filter ( 1 ) as in claim 1 ,

wherein the membrane stack ( 5 ) comprises a plurality of hollow-fiber membranes for ultrafiltration or microfiltration, the plurality of hollow-fiber membranes having open ends at an outlet side of the water filter ( 1 ).

6 . The water filter ( 1 ) as in claim 1 ,

wherein the alkalinizing and/or oxidative material ( 3 ) contains at least one material selected from the group consisting of oxides, carbonates, and peroxides.

7 . The water filter ( 1 ) as in claim 1 ,

wherein the alkalinizing and/or oxidative material ( 3 ) comprise one or more of magnesium peroxide, calcium peroxide, sodium peroxide, potassium peroxide, and zinc peroxide.

8 . The water filter ( 1 ) as in claim 1 ,

wherein the alkalinizing and/or oxidative material ( 3 ) comprise calcium carbonate and/or magnesium carbonate.

9 . The water filter ( 1 ) as in claim 1 ,

wherein the alkalinizing and/or oxidative material ( 3 ) comprise calcium oxide and/or magnesium oxide.

10 . The water filter ( 1 ) as in claim 1 ,

wherein the alkalinizing and/or oxidative material ( 3 ) comprises particles having a particle size in a range between 0.5 millimeters and 2.5 millimeters.

11 . The water filter ( 1 ) as in claim 5 ,

wherein the alkalinizing and/or oxidative material ( 3 ) is arranged in form of a loose bed upstream of or within the membrane stack ( 5 ) and in contact therewith.

12 . The water filter ( 1 ) as in claim 1 ,

wherein the alkalinizing and/or oxidative material ( 3 ) is present in a form of a loose bed.

13 . The water filter ( 1 ) as in claim 1 ,

wherein the water filter has an inlet side ( 8 ) and an outlet side ( 7 ),

wherein the inlet side is configured for being connected to a water pipe or a water tank.

14 . The water filter ( 1 ) as in claim 1 ,

wherein the water filter is configured for being used as a filter cartridge for a machine for preparing hot and/or cold beverages, and/or for an under-sink water filter.