Food or edible material: processes – compositions – and products – Processes – Extraction utilizing liquid as extracting medium
Reexamination Certificate
1998-10-27
2001-08-07
Cintins, Ivars (Department: 1724)
Food or edible material: processes, compositions, and products
Processes
Extraction utilizing liquid as extracting medium
C210S679000, C210S282000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06270822
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to the field of potable water and more specifically to providing potable water having an improved taste through the use of a device and method for substantially removing chlorine from the water.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Conventional practice for removing chlorine disinfectant from chlorinated potable water calls for the filtration of water through a filter bed, usually activated carbon or charcoal. In this process the water sample is required to make intimate and relatively extended contact with the filter medium. In addition, a filtration process has a number of physical requirements which make it best suited for application to dedicated, stand-alone appliances for the production of chlorine-free water.
One requirement of a filtration method imposed by the physics involved is a measurable pressure drop through the filter bed, which restricts the rate of flow and sometimes requires the application of external pressure to force the liquid through the filter at a practical flow rate. In addition, to achieve the contact time required for complete reaction, conventional filters tend to be disposed with large volumes of filter medium. More compact filters, incorporating a smaller volume of active ingredient require a slower water flow rate to maximize contact time and, therefore, optimize chlorine removal.
Another disadvantage of filtration systems relates to biological contamination of the filter bed. Potable water, however clean, always carries some microorganisms, including bacteria. Filtration devices using activated carbon remove not only chlorine but also other organic and inorganic components found in water. These components serve as nutrients for bacteria and other microorganisms in the water. Because these filters usually retain water during periods of non-use, they provide ideal environments for growth of waterborne bacteria on the nutrients that have been accumulated in the filter bed. During periods of non-use of the filter, the bacteria and other microorganisms multiply rapidly within the filter material until they are flushed out during the next use of the device. Following a period of non-use, the first sample of water to pass through the filter will usually be heavily laden with bacteria. Incorporation of a filtration system in a device which is used intermittently, for example an automatic coffee maker, will expose the user to such bacterial contamination. Even if the bacteria are destroyed by subsequent heating of the water, as might occur in the automatic coffee maker, a variety of toxic products are released from the bacterial cells during their destruction and these harmful bacterial byproducts will be in the water used for the beverage.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to removal of chlorine from drinking water to improve its taste when being used for preparation of beverages. The present invention discloses the use of activated carbon in zero-pressure-drop devices instead of filters requiring a pressure differential. Commercial applications include potable water taste improvement without filtration, water preparation and storage pitchers and the like which do not require filtration, devices which remove chlorine from make-up water for concentrated juices, devices which remove chlorine from water for coffee and tea, and other applications as will come to mind to one of ordinary skill in the art, for example removal of chlorine from water to be used for holding tropical fish, fresh water bait fish, and other related applications.
Additionally, a method to enhance the adsorptive affinity of activated carbon for chlorine in potable water is disclosed. Ordinary activated carbon, which is minimally active for chlorine reduction, is rendered highly active and able to be applied in much smaller quantities than presently known in the art. Accordingly, with the foregoing in mind, the present invention advantageously provides a device and associated methods for removal of chlorine from potable water without the use of a filter.
It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide a device usable for substantially removing chlorine from potable water without the need for filtration.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a chlorine removal device for potable water using cellulose as the adsorbent.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a method for producing enhanced activated carbon having an increased adsorptive capacity for chlorine.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a chlorine removal device using enhanced activated carbon.
It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a disposable device for chlorine removal from potable water employing cellulose as the adsorbent.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a disposable product for chlorine removal from potable water employing enhanced activated carbon as the adsorbent.
It is still another object of the present invention to provide an automatic coffee maker having a chlorine removal device incorporated in its water reservoir to substantially dechlorinate water for making coffee.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide an easily portable, disposable chlorine removal device that may be used anywhere for conveniently providing substantially dechlorinated potable water.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4119019 (1978-10-01), Reid
patent: 4707263 (1987-11-01), Nishimori et al.
patent: 4749481 (1988-06-01), Wheatley
patent: 5393548 (1995-02-01), Heiligman
patent: 5505120 (1996-04-01), Albertson
patent: 5538629 (1996-07-01), Blaney et al.
Allen Dyer Doppelt Milbrath & Gilchrist, P.A.
Cintins Ivars
Tekquest Industries
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