Water filter system for domestic and commercial use

Abstract

A water filter system has a housing with the channel formed adjacent a bottom thereof and at least one chamber formed therein, and at least one filter removably received in the chamber. The channel is adapted to connect with a water inlet line. The channel is also adapted to connect with a water outlet line. The filter is in communication with the channel at a bottom thereof. The filter and an inner wall of the chamber define an annulus therebetween. The filter has an interior passageway that opens to a filter media. The filter media is disposed such that water flows from the channel and into the interior passageway, through the filter media, and into the annulus. The annulus then communicates with the channel.

1 . A water filter system comprising:
 a housing having a channel formed adjacent a bottom thereof, the channel adapted to be connected with a water inlet line, said housing having at least one chamber therein, the channel adapted to connect with a water outlet line, said housing having a cavity formed at an upper end of the at least one chamber;   at least one filter removably received in the at least one chamber, said at least one filter being in communication with the channel; at the bottom thereof, the at least one filter and an inner wall of the at least one chamber defining an annulus therebetween, the at least one filter having an interior passageway that opens to a filter media, the filter media being disposed such that water flows from the channel and into the interior passageway and through the filter media and into the annulus, the annulus communicating with the channel; and   an outer cap releasably affixed within the cavity, said outer cap covering an upper end of said at least one filter, the cavity having a plurality of ramps formed on an inner wall thereof so as to extend inwardly from the inner wall of the cavity, said outer cap having a plurality of arms extending outwardly of an outer surface thereof, the plurality of arms being respectively slidable along the plurality of ramps such that a rotation of said outer cap causes said outer cap to be fixedly engaged within the cavity of the housing.   
     
     
         2 . The water filter system of  claim 1 , said at least one filter having a top cap affixed over an upper end thereof and a bottom cap affixed over a lower end thereof. 
     
     
         3 . The water filter system of  claim 2 , the channel having a receptacle formed adjacent the bottom of said housing, the bottom cap of said at least one filter being received in the receptacle. 
     
     
         4 . The water filter system of  claim 3 , the bottom cap having a tubular member extending downwardly therefrom, the tubular member being received in the receptacle, at least one of an inner wall of the receptacle or an exterior of the tubular member having an O-ring seal thereon, the O-ring seal forming a liquid-tight seal between the receptacle and the tubular member. 
     
     
         5 . The water filter system of  claim 4 , the receptacle having a funnel area at an upper end thereof, the funnel area adapted to guide the tubular member into an interior of the receptacle. 
     
     
         6 . The water filter system of  claim 2 , the top cap of said of said at least one filter having a handle hingedly mounted at a top thereof, the handle being movable between an outwardly extending position and a position laying flat against a surface of the top. 
     
     
         7 . The water filter system of  claim 1 , said outer cap having a handle extending upwardly from an upper surface thereof, the handle being adapted to be engaged by human hands so as to cause the outer cap to rotate such that the plurality of arms respectively engage the plurality of ramps. 
     
     
         8 . The water filter system of  claim 1 , said outer cap having at least one O-ring extending circumferentially therearound, the at least one O-ring interposed in liquid-tight sealing relationship between an exterior of the outer cap and an inner wall of the cavity. 
     
     
         9 . A water filter system comprising:
 a housing having a channel formed adjacent a bottom thereof, the channel adapted to be connected with a water inlet line, said housing having at least one chamber therein, the channel adapted to connect with a water outlet line, said housing having a cavity formed at an upper end of the at least one chamber;   at least one filter removably received in the at least one chamber, said at least one filter being in communication with the channel at the bottom thereof, the at least one filter and an inner wall of the at least one chamber defining an annulus therebetween, the at least one filter having an interior passageway that opens to a filter media, the filter media being disposed such that water flows from the channel and into the interior passageway and through the filter media and into the annulus, the annulus communicating with the channel; and   an outer cap releasably affixed within the cavity, said outer cap covering an upper end of said at least one filter, said outer cap having a pressure relief valve affixed thereto or formed thereon, the pressure relief valve having a button positioned at a top surface of the outer cap, the outer cap having a spring urging against an underside of the button, the outer cap having a valve member slidably positioned therein, the button being depressable so as to overcome the resistance of the spring such that an underside of the button urges against the valve member so as to release pressure from an interior of said housing.   
     
     
         10 . The water filter system of  claim 9 , the at least one chamber comprising three chambers, the at least one filter comprising three filters, the three filters been respectively received in the three chambers. 
     
     
         11 . The water filter system of  claim 9 , further comprising:
 a water inlet line connected to one end of the channel of said housing; and   a water outlet line connected to an opposite end of the channel of said housing.   
     
     
         12 . The water filter system of  claim 11 , further comprising:
 a discharge line connected to the channel adjacent to the opposite end of the channel of said housing; and   a valve cooperative with said water outlet line and with said channel and with the water discharge line, said valve being movable between a first position in which water flows from the channel to the water outlet line and a second position in which water from the channel is directed from the channel to the discharge line.   
     
     
         13 . The water filter system of  claim 12 , further comprising:
 a valve affixed to the water inlet line, said valve movable between a first position blocking water flow from entering the channel and a second position allowing water flow to the channel.   
     
     
         14 . The water filter system of  claim 9 , said at least one chamber comprising a pair of chambers, the channel extending between the pair of chambers with a blocking element disposed in the channel between the pair of chambers so as to direct water into the respective filter of the at least one filter.