Liquid purification or separation – Particulate material type separator – e.g. – ion exchange or... – Removable cartridge or hand-manipulated container
Reexamination Certificate
2000-05-08
2003-05-27
Walker, W. L. (Department: 1723)
Liquid purification or separation
Particulate material type separator, e.g., ion exchange or...
Removable cartridge or hand-manipulated container
C210S315000, C210S316000, C210S317000, C210S338000, C210S342000, C210S467000, C210S468000, C210S489000, C210S497010, C210S502100, C210S503000, C210S505000, C210S510100
Reexamination Certificate
active
06569329
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
As the public both domestically and internationally has become aware of the decline in water quality due to both chemical and biological contamination, it has become apparent that more choice, capability, and versatility would serve the general public's interest. To provide the ability to the consumer to custom tailor a high performance water filtration product both simply and economically would be advantageous. Particularly as no such product currently exists. It has also become apparent that a significant quantity of water consumed by the public is consumed outside the home. Typically, prior to the introduction of portable personal water filter bottles by Innova Pure Water, Inc., the alternative was expensive, and not always conveniently available bottled water. This changed somewhat with the introduction of the portable Innova personal water filter bottles for chlorine, taste and odor removal. But a void has remained for lead, protozoa, nitrates, bacteria, viruses, and in some areas calcium.
By separating the various filtration elements into independent rechargeable filtration or water treatment components which are interchangeable, total flexibility and utility can be attained. As will be shown by the drawings and the product descriptions attached, there are independent interchangeable filtration/water treatment modules to solve most, if not all, principal water contamination problems. The essential breakthrough to providing such a system was to develop a universal filtration element functioning as the core element about which the specialized modules would be assembled and a convenient, efficient and secure means to assemble the components to preferably the bottle cap. By separating the individual filtration/water treatment components economic advantages, as well as flexibility is achieved. Thus, the user can purchase a high performance “Sport Type” bottle with greater than 90% chlorine, lead, taste and odor removal for use as a personal portable water treatment device to take along and replenish from typical municipal treated sources. However, with the addition of secondary filters, as an example, water may be taken from other sources of unknown quality and treated for biological contamination, or other desirable treatments may be achieved.
While the internal filter generally remains constant the outer elements are changed as dictated by the treatment requirements. The method of mounting and securing the filters is unique. Each of the bottle tops, which as presently used are of 53 mm-73 mm neck diameter, provide adequate clearance and space for the external secondary treatment device. This adaptation mechanism provides two independent surfaces upon which each of the treatment elements may be assembled. Typically, the outer element is affixed to the cap either with or through the use of a friction fit and double “O” ring seals, or a thread-on adapter. An advantage is in the secure, as well as simple nature of assembly which does not require any high degree of force. It is more positive, providing excellent filter retention and sealing capability, while remaining user friendly when considering the broad range of users. With the threaded design little strength is required to either assemble or remove the filter. Thus, the following described system for water treatment/filtration brings unique advantages of economics, safety, aesthetic water quality, and freedom from many harmful biological, chemical and heavy metal contaminants.
There are several significant aspects to the invention; the first is the manner by which two independent water treatment elements are combined. The second is the individual filtration/treatment modules which are freely combined with the basic unit. A third is the option of a proper and thoroughly mixed addition of vitamin, minerals, flavorings, or the like to the filtered water. As the various water treatment units are independent, and interchangeable to meet particular requirements a treatment system has been created for the first time. The system allows the user to adapt a basic high performance filter water bottle to a biological treatment product for protozoa, a product to devitalize or exclude bacteria, or bacteria and virus. Also, secondary treatment elements for the removal of nitrates, arsenic, calcium, and specific heavy metals, as well as contaminants which are radioactive and nuclear by-products.
The secondary filter assembles over the inner filter without affecting the inner carbon composite filter in any manner. The exceptional removal ability of the carbon composite filter removes not only chlorine very effectively, up to about 91%, but also removes the residual iodine taste which is frequently a by-product of treatment for the devitalization of bacteria and virus using an iodinated ion-exchange resin. The carbon composite filter will also remove up to about 97% of the lead present at a flow rate of 10 ml/sec. Another adjunct the subject system makes available is to add a cooling element containing a product such as the “blue ice”™ produced by Rubbermaid as the outer treatment unit which is removable to place in a freezer. After dropping to 32° F. or lower, the cooling element is reassembled to the bottle top over the standard internal carbon composite filter. The cooling element drops the water in the bottle approximately 15° below ambient for a period of an hour or more. The chilled water is consequently filtered by the inner carbon composite filter. The “Blue Ice”™ cooling element may also be used alone, without the inner filter, to cool beverages that should not be filtered; i.e., milk, juices, soft drinks, etc.
The system permits the use of multiple elements and the ease of removal and reassembly permits the practical regeneration of filters with reduced capacity, such as nitrate specific filters. As a result of the high levels of nitrate contamination found in certain locals in the U.S. and Europe a personal portable water filter bottle filter may only last through one day's use. It is then removed and placed in a regeneration unit which over time; i.e. overnight, regenerates the filter which is now ready for effective use. This procedure may be replicated over and over providing an extended life to the regenerative filter which could approach one year, or more.
While a number of designs can be conceived for the regeneration of the nitrate specific ion exchange resin, the essence of such a design for everyday consumer use would hold the filter to be regenerated in a vertical plane with a reservoir both above and below the filter to be regenerated. A solution of salt (sodium chloride) mixed with water to form a brine (approximately 5%-15% by weight). Each of the two reservoirs (above and below) contains exit/entry ports for the exchange of the brine solution through the ion-exchange resin within the filter body. The top reservoir and bottom reservoirs are reversed either manually or automatically through a spring return released by a latch timer, or other such simple mechanism. By rotating the unit half way through the complete cycle a higher efficiency is achieved. The regeneration unit is also designed to place the entry end of the filter at the base for the initial regeneration cycle. The inlet/outlet ports are sized to restrict the flow through the filter during the regeneration cycle to achieve optimum time in contact of brine with resin to permit the exchange function to take place. There is a second series of inlet/outlet ports sized to allow free unrestricted flow of rinse water through the reservoirs and centered filter. The choice of the port sizes is controlled by rotating the securing collar to one of two positions; i.e., regenerate or rinse.
In function the lower reservoir is filled with salt and water, the brine, and assembled to the filter adapter, with filter, and the upper reservoir. The unit is placed into its stand and the reservoirs and filter assembly is rotated 180 degrees, bringing the reservoir with the brine to the top. As a function of the 180 degree rotat
Innova Pure Water Inc.
Nixon & Vanderhye P.C.
Ocampo Marianne
Walker W. L.
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