US4676896A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Faucet mounted purifier
Assignee: Bank of America NA
•
Filing: 1986-01-17
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Granted: 1987-06-30
•
Expires: 2006-01-17
Abstract
Abstract A water purifier unit mounted on the outlet end of a faucet includes a housing defining an inlet port, a labyrinth flow passage, and an output port. The flow passage communicates between the inlet and outlet ports, with the housing carrying a wall formed of ultraviolet-transmissive material adjacent to the labyrinth flow passage. An ultraviolet radiation source is positioned to irradiate the labyrinth flow passage through the wall. In the illustrative embodiment, means are provided for mounting the unit with the inlet port directly connected to the outlet of the faucet.
Inventors
- 👤 William W. Norton
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 10:32
CPC Classifications
E; E03; E03C; E03C1/00; E03C1/02; E03C1/04; E03C1/0404; C; C02; C02F; C02F1/00; C02F1/30; C02F1/32; C02F1/325; C02F2201/00; C02F2201/32; C02F2201/322; C02F2201/3228; C02F2201/326; C02F2301/00; C02F2301/02; C02F2301/028; E03C2201/00; E03C2201/40
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
126 words
A water purification unit, which comprises: a housing defining an inlet port and an outlet port; said housing including ultraviolet-transmissive means, a flow passage between said inlet port and said outlet port; an ultraviolet radiation source positioned to irradiate said flow passage through said ultraviolet transmission means; said flow passage being configured to require the water to flow by said ultraviolet radiation source at least twice to enhance the ultraviolet irradiation of the water; a faucet having a distal outlet end thereof connected to said inlet port so that there is no significant place downstream of said housing outlet port for water to be retained and to grow stagnant; and means other than said outlet port for draining said flow path when the faucet is off.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
126 words
A water purification unit, which comprises: a housing defining an inlet port and an outlet port; said housing including ultraviolet-transmissive means, a flow passage between said inlet port and said outlet port; an ultraviolet radiation source positioned to irradiate said flow passage through said ultraviolet transmission means; said flow passage being configured to require the water to flow by said ultraviolet radiation source at least twice to enhance the ultraviolet irradiation of the water; a faucet having a distal outlet end thereof connected to said inlet port so that there is no significant place downstream of said housing outlet port for water to be retained and to grow stagnant; and means other than said outlet port for draining said flow path when the faucet is off.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
43 words
The unit of claim 1 in which said ultraviolet radiation source is a cylindrical ultraviolet tube backed by a parabolic reflector, said bulb and reflector being positioned to provide ultraviolet radiation which mostly passes through said ultraviolet-transmissive means at substantially right angles thereto.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
The unit of claim 2 including electrical power means for operating said ultraviolet tube connected thereto.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
The unit of claim 3 in which a switch is present to energize said ultraviolet tube when said faucet is turned on.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
28 words
The unit of claim 3 in which said electrical power means includes a remotely located transformer, whereby the unit which is carried on a faucet may be small.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
43 words
The unit of claim 1 in which said ultraviolet radiation source is a cylindrical ultraviolet tube backed by a parabolic reflector, said bulb and reflector being positioned to provide ultraviolet radiation which mostly passes through said ultraviolet-transmissive means at substantially right angles thereto.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
181 words
A water purification unit which comprises: a housing which defines an inlet port; said housing also defining an outlet port, a labyrinth passage communicating between said inlet and outlet ports, and a wall formed of ultraviolet-transmissive material; a cylindrical ultraviolet tube backed by a parabolic reflector; said cylindrical tube being positioned in parallel relation to said wall in a position to cause ultraviolet radiation to pass through said wall into said labyrinth passage; said parabolic reflector being positioned to direct reflected ultraviolet radiation through said wall into said labyrinth passage at substantially right angles thereto; power means for energizing said ultraviolet tube; a faucet having a distal outlet end thereof connected to said inlet port so that there is no significant place downstream of said housing outlet port for water to be retained and to grow stagnant; and means other than said outlet port for draining said labyrinth passage when the faucet is off; said power means being positioned remotely from said bulb and faucet; electric wire connecting said power means and bulb; and switch means for activating said power means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
181 words
A water purification unit which comprises: a housing which defines an inlet port; said housing also defining an outlet port, a labyrinth passage communicating between said inlet and outlet ports, and a wall formed of ultraviolet-transmissive material; a cylindrical ultraviolet tube backed by a parabolic reflector; said cylindrical tube being positioned in parallel relation to said wall in a position to cause ultraviolet radiation to pass through said wall into said labyrinth passage; said parabolic reflector being positioned to direct reflected ultraviolet radiation through said wall into said labyrinth passage at substantially right angles thereto; power means for energizing said ultraviolet tube; a faucet having a distal outlet end thereof connected to said inlet port so that there is no significant place downstream of said housing outlet port for water to be retained and to grow stagnant; and means other than said outlet port for draining said labyrinth passage when the faucet is off; said power means being positioned remotely from said bulb and faucet; electric wire connecting said power means and bulb; and switch means for activating said power means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
23 words
The unit of claim 7 in which said switch means is adapted to energize said ultraviolet tube when the faucet is turned on.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1990-06-29 | 1990-12-29 | 1991-06-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1994-06-29 | 1994-12-29 | 1995-06-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1998-06-29 | 1998-12-29 | 1999-06-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |