FILTER ASSEMBLY FOR USE WITH A BOTTLE

A filter assembly (10) for use with a bottle (11) having a circular cross section neck or open end (12) includes a fine filtration media (17) having a mean pore size of about 1-3 microns and capable of removing contaminants of 3-4 micron size and larger, and an inner filtration media (22) disposed radially inward of the fine filtration media. The inner filtration media includes activated carbon, preferably a porous activated carbon/plastic matrix having a porosity of between about 10-150 microns. The outer housing (13) contains the fine filtration media and the inner filtration media, and is dimensioned to pass through the neck or open end of the bottle. The fine filtration media preferably comprises sheets (18, 19) on opposite faces of a microfiber filter media (20) formed of glass microfibers of varying cross-sectional diameters, with the fine filtration media in a pleated or accordion configuration. A filter assembly may also be provided having a spring pressed straw (58). The filter assembly may also include a generally tubular plastic housing (13) with a number of ribs (15) each having an inner surface and an outer surface at least 50 % larger than the inner surface. The filter element may also be provided comprising a porous rigid matrix of at least 35 % activated carbon, styrene, and metal removing polymer bound to the styrene. Also the filter assembly may have a filter element housing extending upwardly from and operatively connected to a cap and having a maximum cross-sectional area at least 20 % larger than the cap top area, for example in the form of a disc or a sphere. The filter may be formed by mating hemispherical portions, and the housing may have a novelty configuration. Cette invention se rapporte à un système de filtre (10) conçu pour être utilisé avec une bouteille (11) présentant un goulot ou une extrémité ouverte (12) ayant une section transversale circulaire. Ce système de filtre contient un milieu filtrant fin (17) ayant une poromètrie moyenne d'environ 1 à 3 microns et capable d'éliminer les contaminants de 3 à 4 microns et davantage, ainsi qu'un milieu filtrant intérieur (22) disposé radialement à l'intérieur du milieu filtrant fin. Le milieu filtrant intérieur renferme du charbon activé, de préférence une matrice de plastique et de charbon activé poreuse, présentant une porosité comprise entre environ 10 et 150 microns. Une enveloppe extérieure (13) contient le milieu filtrant et le milieu filtrant intérieur et elle est dimension