In-line fluid treatment device and system

Abstract

A cartridge is used in a fluid treatment system. The cartridge may comprise a water insoluble container having holes on at least two surfaces of the container; a solid liquid treatment material within the container that can be exposed to water entering said holes; and a strippable film covering said holes. The fluid treatment system may comprise a housing with an S-Tube fluid exhaust outlet of have a securable cover with a floating retainer or neck collar.

1 . A fluid treatment device adapted to be connected to a fluid supply and a fluid exhaust, the device comprising: 
 a housing, said housing comprising a base and a cover engaged with said base to form a fluid-tight fit by a retainer that floats about the cover, said base and said cover cooperating to define a treatment chamber within said housing, said treatment chamber being adapted to accept a treatment cartridge for treating fluid in said treatment chamber;    a retainer adjusted to removably retain said cover on said base;    an in-line conduit configured to conduct fluid from the fluid supply to said treatment chamber and thence to the fluid exhaust, and to conduct fluid from the fluid supply to the fluid exhaust without passing through said treatment chamber;    a valve disposed to control the flow of fluid through the in-line conduit;    an adjustment mechanism configured so as to adjust said valve to control a portion of fluid flowing from the fluid supply that flows to said treatment chamber;    wherein one of said base and said cover comprises a generally annular lip, and the other of said base and said cover defines a generally circular opening, said lip being sized so as to fit within said opening, whereby said lip and said opening cooperate to form a generally fluid-tight fit when said base and said cover are engaged and secured by the retainer.    
   
   
       2 . The device of  claim 1  wherein said lip is biased against an edge of said opening when a pressure inside said treatment chamber is greater than a pressure outside said treatment chamber.  
   
   
       3 . The fluid treatment device of  claim 1 , wherein said fluid treatment device can sustain a fluid pressure from the fluid supply of at least 275 pounds per square inch.  
   
   
       4 . The fluid treatment device of  claim 1 , wherein said cover has a radial outwardly extending flange, wherein a diameter of said cover is greater at said flange than a diameter of said cover other than at said flange.  
   
   
       5 . The fluid treatment device of  claim 3 , wherein said retainer comprises a generally annular ring, said ring having first and second portions that overlap an extension on the cover, causing the retainer to float about the cover.  
   
   
       6 . The fluid treatment device of  claim 1  further comprising an S-Tube extending from the device to carry liquid towards a system where material from the treatment cartridge to the treatment chamber.  
   
   
       7 . The fluid treatment device of  claim 6  wherein the S-tube can swivel to adjust orientation of the S-tube with respect to the fluid treatment device.  
   
   
       8 . The fluid treatment device of  claim 6  wherein the S-tube is fixed with respect to its orientation to the fluid treatment device.  
   
   
       9 . The fluid treatment device of  claim 1 , further comprising a treatment cartridge.  
   
   
       10 . The fluid treatment device of  claim 1  wherein the treatment cartridge comprises a solid material within an enclosure, the enclosure having holes therein to allow entry of a fluid, and the holes having a covering of the water soluble or water dispersible film.  
   
   
       11 . The fluid treatment device of  claim 10 , wherein said cartridge comprises a chemical cleaning agent.  
   
   
       13 . The fluid treatment device of  claim 10 , where in said cartridge is replaceable.  
   
   
       14 . The fluid treatment device of  claim 13 , wherein said housing comprises an indicator for indicating that said cartridge is in need of replacement.  
   
   
       15 . The fluid treatment device of  claim 1 , further comprising a pressure release valve, whereby pressure in said treatment chamber may be released.  
   
   
       16 . A fluid treatment device adapted to be connected to a fluid supply and a fluid exhaust, the device comprising: 
 a housing, said housing comprising a base and a cover suitably engagable with said base to form a fluid-tight fit, said base and said cover cooperating to define a treatment chamber within said housing, said treatment chamber being adapted to accept a treatment cartridge for treating fluid in said treatment chamber;    a retainer adjusted to removably retain said cover on said base and float engage the cover;    an in-line conduit configured to conduct fluid from the fluid supply to said treatment chamber and thence to the fluid exhaust, and to conduct fluid from the fluid supply to the fluid exhaust without passing through said treatment chamber;    a valve disposed to control the flow of fluid through the in-line conduit;    an adjustment mechanism configured so as to adjust said valve to control a portion of fluid flowing from the fluid supply that flows to said treatment chamber;    wherein said in-line conduit comprises: 
 an axial bore, wherein a hollow sleeve member of said valve is fixedly received;  
 an inlet passageway configured to conduct fluid from the fluid supply into said hollow sleeve member and thence into a hollow valve member of said valve through a first plurality of orifices of said hollow sleeve member and a second plurality of orifices of said hollow valve member, said hollow sleeve member being disposed along said hollow valve member;  
 an outlet passageway extending from said hollow valve member through a third plurality of orifices of said hollow valve member, said outlet passageway being configured to conduct fluid to the fluid exhaust;  
 said hollow valve member further including a fourth plurality of orifices; and  
   a passageway, disposed between said first end of said in-line conduit and said axial bore, configured to fluidly connect said fluid treatment chamber with said axial bore.    
   
   
       17 . A fluid treatment system connected to a fluid supply and a fluid exhaust to a human waste disposal system, the fluid treatment system comprising: 
 a housing, said housing comprising a base and a cover suitably engagable with said base to form a fluid-tight fit, said base and said cover cooperating to define a treatment chamber within said housing, said treatment chamber being adapted to accept a treatment cartridge for treating fluid in said treatment chamber;    a retainer adjusted to removably retain said cover on said base; and    an S-tube transmitting fluid from the fluid exhaust to the human waste disposal system.    
   
   
       18 . The fluid treatment system of  claim 17  wherein S-tube may swivel with respect to the fluid exhaust.  
   
   
       19 . The fluid treatment system of  claim 17  wherein the S-tube does not swivel with respect to the fluid exhaust.  
   
   
       20 . A cartridge for use in a fluid treatment system comprising: 
 a water insoluble container having holes on at least two surfaces of the container;    a solid liquid treatment material within the container that can be exposed to water entering said holes; and    a strippable film covering said holes.    
   
   
       21 . The cartridge of  claim 20  wherein the strippable film is not water-soluble.  
   
   
       22 . The cartridge of  claim 20  wherein the strippable film is water-soluble.  
   
   
       23 . The cartridge of  claim 20  wherein the strippable film is a single film covering multiple holes on a single surface of the water insoluble container.  
   
   
       24 . The cartridge of  claim 22  wherein the strippable film is a single film covering multiple holes on a single surface of the water insoluble container.  
   
   
       25 . The cartridge of  claim 20  wherein the strippable film comprises multiple film strips or plugs each strip or plug covering less than all holes on a single surface of the water insoluble container.  
   
   
       26 . The cartridge of  claim 22  wherein the strippable film comprises multiple film strips or plugs each strip or plug covering less than all holes on a single surface of the water insoluble container.  
   
   
       27 . A method of using the cartridge of  claim 22  comprising placing the cartridge into a water treatment device, allowing water to flow into the water treatment device, allowing the water to dissolve or disperse the strippable film to enable water to flow into the cartridge and contact the solid material.  
   
   
       28 . A method of using the cartridge of  claim 24  comprising placing the cartridge into a water treatment device, allowing water to flow into the water treatment device, allowing the water to dissolve or disperse the strippable film to enable water to flow into the cartridge and contact the solid material.  
   
   
       29 . A method of using the cartridge of  claim 26  comprising placing the cartridge into a water treatment device, allowing water to flow into the water treatment device, allowing the water to dissolve or disperse the strippable film to enable water to flow into the cartridge and contact the solid material.  
   
   
       30 . A method of using the cartridge of  claim 27  comprising placing the cartridge into a water treatment device, allowing water to flow into the water treatment device, allowing the water to dissolve or disperse the strippable film to enable water to flow into the cartridge and contact the solid material.