IP Library Granted Patent US 9,027,361
Granted Patent B2
US 9,027,361 · App. 13/688,701 · Granted May 12, 2015

Water filter

Inventors: Timothy Scott Shaffer (LaGrange, KY); William A. Baker (Louisville, KY)
Assignee: General Electric Company
B01D35/1573B01D2201/302F25D23/126F25D2323/121
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,027,361
App. No.
13/688,701
Granted
May 12, 2015
Kind
B2
Abstract

A water filter is provided. The water filter includes a casing with a filtering media disposed within the casing. The water filter also includes a plug and a water soluble support. The plug can impede a flow of water through the chamber in order to encourage replacement of the water filter.

Claims (29)

1. A water filter, comprising:

a casing that defines a chamber for receipt of water to be filtered;

a filtering media disposed within the chamber of said casing, wherein said casing and said filtering media define a path for a flow of water through the chamber of said casing;

an annular plug positioned within the chamber of said casing and in the path for the flow of water through chamber of said casing; and

a plurality of water soluble supports positioned on and fixed to said plug;

wherein said plurality of water soluble supports is configured to position said plug to permit the flow of water through the chamber of said casing, wherein said plug hinders the flow of water through chamber of said casing when said plurality of water soluble supports has dissolved.

2. The water filter of claim 1 , further comprising a cap, wherein said casing defines an opening that permits access to the chamber of said casing, said cap mounted to said casing at the opening of said casing, said cap defining an inlet and an outlet, the inlet of said cap permitting a flow of liquid into the chamber of said casing, the outlet of said cap permitting a flow of liquid out of the chamber of said casing.

3. The water filter of claim 2 , wherein said plug and said plurality of water soluble supports are positioned at the outlet of said cap.

4. The water filter of claim 3 , wherein each water soluble support of said plurality of water soluble supports extends between said plug and said cap in order to hinder said plug from obstructing the flow of liquid out of the chamber of said casing.

5. The water filter of claim 1 , wherein said plurality of water soluble supports comprises polyvinyl alcohol.

6. The water filter of claim 1 , said plurality of water soluble supports is configured to dissolve in water in about six months.

7. The water filter of claim 1 , wherein said filtering media comprises activated carbon.

8. The water filter of claim 1 , wherein said plurality of water soluble supports comprises at east four water soluble supports.

9. The water filter of claim 1 , wherein the water soluble supports of said plurality of water soluble supports are uniformly distributed on a bottom surface of said plug.

10. A refrigerator appliance, comprising:

a cabinet that defines a chilled compartment for receipt of food items for storage;

a water filter mounted to said cabinet, said water filter comprising:

a casing that defines a chamber for receipt of water to be filtered;

a filtering media disposed within the chamber of said casing, wherein said casing and said filtering media define a path for a flow of water through the chamber of said casing;

an annular plug positioned within the chamber of said casing and in the path for the flow of water through chamber of said casing; and

a plurality of water soluble support or and fixed to said plug;

wherein said plurality of water soluble supports is configured to position said plug to permit the flow of water through the chamber of said casing, wherein said plug hinders the flow of water through chamber of said casing when said plurality of water soluble supports has dissolved.

11. The refrigerator appliance of claim 10 , further comprising a cap, wherein said casing defines an opening that permits access to the chamber of said casing, said cap mounted to said casing at the opening of said casing, said cap defining an inlet and an outlet, the inlet of said cap permitting a flow of liquid into the chamber of said casing, the outlet of said cap permitting a flow of liquid out of the chamber of said casing.

12. The refrigerator appliance of claim 11 , wherein said plug and said plurality of water soluble supports are positioned at the outlet of said cap.

13. The refrigerator appliance of claim 12 , wherein each water soluble support of said plurality of water soluble supports extends between said plug and said cap in order to hinder said plug from obstructing the flow of liquid out of the chamber of said casing.

14. The refrigerator appliance of claim 10 , wherein each water soluble support of said plurality water soluble supports comprises polyvinyl alcohol.

15. The refrigerator appliance of claim 10 , each water soluble support of said plurality of water soluble supports is configured to dissolve in water in about six months.

16. The refrigerator appliance of claim 10 , wherein said plurality of water soluble supports comprises at least four water soluble supports.

17. The refrigerator appliance of claim 10 , wherein the water soluble supports of said plurality of water soluble supports are uniformly distributed on a bottom surface of said plug.

Assignments (2)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jun 13, 2016
From: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
To: HAIER US APPLIANCE SOLUTIONS, INC.
Reel/Frame 038969/0001 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Nov 29, 2012
From: SHAFFER, TIMOTHY SCOTT; BAKER, WILLIAM A.
To: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
Reel/Frame 029374/0072 →
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20140144173A1 · May 29, 2014