Single-use long-life faucet-mounted water filtration devices

Abstract

Single-use long-life faucet mounted water filtration devices are disclosed. A bathroom water filtration device having two outlets for filtered water is disclosed. Additionally, a fountain head is included for use in the bathroom water filtration device. The water filtration device is of unibody construction formed by ultrasonically welding certain parts thereof together. Since the devices disclosed are disposable, no filter replacement or other maintenance is performed. A gate, magnet, sensor and electronics provide an indication of filter performance enabling disposal of the water filtration device and installation of a new device. A kitchen water filtration device is larger than the bathroom device. Both the kitchen and bathroom water filtration devices are small and are mounted behind the faucet connection so as to facilitate full utilization of the sink or wash basin.

1 - 7 . (canceled)  
     
     
         8 . A single use water filtration device comprising: a front housing connectable to a water faucet; a filter housing having an inlet and an outlet; said front housing non-removably affixed to said filter housing; a water filter non-removably contained within said filter housing; and, said housing includes a chamber in communication with said filter.  
     
     
         9 . A single use water filtration device as claimed in  claim 8  wherein said outlet resides in said chamber.  
     
     
         10 . A single use water filtration device as claimed in  claim 8  further comprising a second outlet residing in said chamber.  
     
     
         11 . A single use water filtration device as claimed in  claim 8  wherein said filter diameter is less than or equal to 1.6 inches.  
     
     
         12 . A single use water filtration device as claimed in  claim 8  wherein said filter diameter is less than or equal to 2.2 inches.  
     
     
         13 . A single use water filtration device as claimed in  claim 8  wherein said filtration device is faucet mounted and wherein said filter resides rearwardly of said faucet.  
     
     
         14 - 28 . (canceled)  
     
     
         29 . A single-use water filtration device comprising: a filter housing; a front housing ultrasonically welded to said filter housing; a filter; and, a first end cap and a second end cap; said filter non-removably contained within said first and second end caps.  
     
     
         30 . A single-use water filtration device as claimed in  claim 29  wherein said housing includes at least one inlet and at least one outlet and wherein said front housing includes a diverter valve for directing unfiltered water into the filter housing for filtering or through the housing for use of the unfiltered water.  
     
     
         31 . A single-use water filtration device as claimed in  claim 29  wherein said front housing includes a continuous periphery and said continuous periphery is ultrasonically welded to said filter housing.  
     
     
         32 . A single-use water filtration device as claimed in  claim 31  wherein said filter housing includes a recess whose shape is the reciprocal of said continuous periphery of said front housing and said continuous periphery of said front housing fits within said recess in said filter housing.  
     
     
         33 . A single-use water filtration device as claimed in  claim 29  wherein said filter housing includes at least one protrusion which interengages a corresponding aperture in said front housing.  
     
     
         34 . A single-use water filtration device as claimed in  claim 29  further comprising a filter housing end cap ultrasonically welded to said filter housing.  
     
     
         35 . A single-use water filtration device as claimed in  claim 34  wherein said filter housing end cap includes at least one spacer which spaces one of said filter end caps apart from said housing end cap.  
     
     
         36 . A single-use water filtration device as claimed in  claim 34  wherein said filter housing end cap includes a closed end and an open end.  
     
     
         37 . A single-use water filtration device as claimed in  claim 36  further comprising a gate pivotally mounted to said one of said filter end caps; said gate includes a magnetic portion; a sensor, electronics associated therewith and a filter performance indicator, mounted in said open end of said filter housing end cap; a filter housing end plate affixed to said filter housing end cap; said gate swinging from a first position to a second position actuating said sensor; and, said electronics outputting a signal to an indicator of the performance of the filter.  
     
     
         38 . A single-use water filtration device as claimed in  claim 30  wherein said filter housing includes a second outlet having a valve seat, and wherein said water filtration device includes a valve operable against said seat of said second outlet.  
     
     
         39 . A single-use water filtration device as claimed in  claim 38  further comprising a spring and a plunger; said spring operable between said filter housing and said plunger; said plunger extending through said second outlet of said filter housing and said valve affixed to said plunger; said spring urging said valve against said valve seat; and, said valve being unseated when said plunger is urged against the force of said spring.  
     
     
         40 . A single-use water filtration device as claimed in  claim 39  further comprising an end cap of said filter housing and a lever pivoted on said end cap of said filter housing; and, said lever being in engagement with said plunger and depressing said plunger when pushed by hand.  
     
     
         41 . A single-use water filtration device as claimed in  claim 40  further comprising a fountain head rotatably secured in said plunger.  
     
     
         42 . A single-use water filtration device comprising: a filter housing; a front housing affixed to said filter housing; a filter; a first end cap and a second end cap; said filter affixed to said first and second end caps; said filter and said end caps residing within said filter housing; said filter housing having at least one inlet and a first and second outlet for expelling filtered water; and, said front housing includes an adapter for connecting and disconnecting to and from, respectively, a water faucet and said front housing further includes an outlet for unfiltered water.  
     
     
         43 . A single-use water filtration device as claimed in  claim 42  wherein said filter is carbon activated and includes a filter pre-wrap.  
     
     
         44 - 52 . (canceled)  
     
     
         53 . A water filtration device as claimed in  claim 8  wherein said filter is a carbon-based filter.  
     
     
         54 - 63 . (canceled)