Filter assembly

Abstract

A filter assembly for a water treatment system includes a first end cap and a second end cap that secure about the ends of a filter. A central member extends through a central void in the filter. The filter assembly has corresponding non-adhesive locking mechanisms that interact to secure the filter assembly together. Two gaskets may sandwich the filter and a reflector may be positioned within the central member. An ultraviolet lamp may also be positioned within the central member.

1 . A filter assembly for a water treatment system, the filter assembly comprising:
 a filter defining a central void, the filter having a first end surface, a second end surface, and an outer surface extending between the first end surface and the second end surface;   a first end cap positioned adjacent the first end surface of the filter, the first end cap defining one or more outlet holes for water to exit the filter assembly;   a central member extending through the central void in the filter, the central member at least partially defining at least one inlet hole for receiving water that has passed through the filter into the central member;   a second end cap positioned adjacent the second end surface of the filter;   a first locking mechanism integral with one of the central member, the first end cap, or the second end cap;   a second locking mechanism integral with one of the first end cap or the second end cap, the second locking mechanism engaging the first locking mechanism to secure the filter between the first end cap and the second end cap; and   wherein the filter assembly is configured to be assembled without adhesives or fasteners other than the first and second locking mechanisms prior to installing the filter assembly in the water treatment system.   
     
     
         2 . The filter assembly of  claim 1  wherein the first locking mechanism is integral with the central member for engaging with the second locking mechanism in one of the first or second end caps. 
     
     
         3 . The filter assembly of  claim 2  wherein said at least one inlet hole is integral with said first locking mechanism. 
     
     
         4 . The filter assembly of  claim 2  including a void defined in the second end cap for receiving the first locking mechanism defined in the central member, the void including the second locking mechanism. 
     
     
         5 . The filter assembly of  claim 2  wherein the central member is integral with the first end cap and the second locking mechanism is defined in the second end cap. 
     
     
         6 . The filter assembly of  claim 1  wherein the at least one inlet hole extends at least partially beyond the second end surface of the filter. 
     
     
         7 . The filter assembly of  claim 1  including an ultraviolet lamp positioned within the central member for treating water flowing through the central member. 
     
     
         8 . The filter assembly of  claim 1  wherein one of the first end cap or the second end cap includes a shroud positioned adjacent the outer surface of the filter. 
     
     
         9 . The filter assembly of  claim 8  wherein the first locking mechanism is integral with the shroud of one of the first or second end caps and the second locking mechanism is integral with the other of the first or second end caps. 
     
     
         10 . The filter assembly of  claim 8  wherein apertures are defined in the shroud for allowing water to pass through the shroud. 
     
     
         11 . The filter assembly of  claim 1  wherein a first locking mechanism is defined on each side of the central member, and second locking mechanism is defined on each of the first end cap and the second end cap. 
     
     
         12 . A filter assembly for a water treatment system, the filter assembly comprising:
 a filter defining a central void, the filter having a first end surface, a second end surface, and an outer surface extending between the first end surface and the second end surface;   a first end cap positioned adjacent the first end surface of the filter, the first end cap defining one or more outlet holes for water to exit the filter assembly;   a second end cap positioned adjacent the second end surface of the filter;   a member extending between the first end cap and the second end cap, the member having at least one member locking mechanism, the member defining at least one water passage hole to allow for passage of water through the member; and   at least one end cap locking mechanism integral with at least one of the first end cap or the second end cap;   wherein the at least one end cap locking mechanism engages the at least one member locking mechanism through a snap-fit connection to connect the first end cap or the second end cap to the member.   
     
     
         13 . The filter assembly of  claim 12  wherein the member extends through the central void in the filter and at least partially defines the at least one water passage hole for receiving water that has passed through the filter into the member. 
     
     
         14 . The filter assembly of  claim 13  wherein the at least one water passage hole extends at least partially beyond the second end surface of the filter. 
     
     
         15 . The filter assembly of  claim 13  wherein the at least one member locking mechanism comprises a plurality of spaced apart tabs extending from an end of the member that are separated by spaced apart notches, the spaced apart notches forming the at least one water passage hole. 
     
     
         16 . The filter assembly of  claim 12  wherein the first end cap envelops the first end surface of the filter and the second end cap envelops the second end surface of the filter. 
     
     
         17 . The filter assembly of  claim 12  including an ultraviolet lamp positioned within the central void for treating water flowing through the filter. 
     
     
         18 . The filter assembly of  claim 12  including at least one of a first gasket positioned between the filter and the first end cap and a second gasket positioned between the filter and the second end cap. 
     
     
         19 . The filter assembly of  claim 12  wherein the member is integral with the first end cap or the second end cap. 
     
     
         20 . The filter assembly of  claim 12  wherein a member locking mechanism is defined on each side of the member, and an end cap locking mechanism is defined on each of the first end cap and the second end cap.