Gas separation: apparatus – Solid sorbent apparatus – Plural solid sorbent beds
Reexamination Certificate
1999-07-14
2001-06-26
Spitzer, Robert H. (Department: 1724)
Gas separation: apparatus
Solid sorbent apparatus
Plural solid sorbent beds
C096S128000, C096S136000, C096S142000, C096S223000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06251172
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a method and apparatus for producing water from the air and for treating the water to obtain potable water.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
While municipal water is available in various locations, concerns have been raised recently regarding the quality of municipal water. For example, it has been known for municipal water to become contaminated after it has left a treatment plant prior to its delivery to a consumer.
In view of these concerns, recently consumers have commenced purchasing bottled water. One disadvantage of this approach is that the consumer does not have any control over the quality of the bottled water. Further, if a consumer goes through a substantial amount of bottled water, then, to avoid frequent purchases, substantial storage space is required to store the bottled water.
In particular, consumers have purchased water coolers wherein a jug of water is connected to a cooling and dispensing unit (typically on the order of five gallon jugs). These jugs are cumbersome to store. Further, they are awkward to manage in that the jug must typically be inverted in order to connect it in a flow communication with the dispenser.
In offices, water coolers have been provided wherein the cooler is connected to the plumbing of the building. While these provide a continual source of water, they are difficult to install as they must be connected to the water supply for the building.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with the instant invention, there is provided a portable unit which may provide potable water. The unit may be located indoors or outdoors. For example, the unit may be provided as an individual unit within an office. The unit is connected to a source of power (it may be plugged in to an electrical outlet). The unit obtains water from the air and therefore the unit operates independently of the water supply to the building. It will be further appreciated that the unit may be provided outdoors at any location where power may be provided.
The unit operates by extracting water from the air. Various processes for obtaining water from the air are known. For example, water may be condensed from the air by means of a desiccant or by contacting the air with a chilled surface. The recovered water may then be filtered and purified. The water is stored in a reservoir and subsequently dispensed on demand by a user.
In accordance with this invention, the water in the reservoir may be occasionally treated to ensure that the water remains potable. Further, the water may be passed through a filter member or the like to add minerals to the water to improve the taste of the water.
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The Water Machine, An Atmospheric Water Maker, International Water Machines, Inc. (undated).
Bereskin & Parr
Fantom Technologies Inc.
Mendes da Costa Philip C.
Spitzer Robert H.
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