Liquid purification or separation – Structural installation – Closed circulating system
Reexamination Certificate
1999-03-03
2001-02-20
Simmons, David A. (Department: 1724)
Liquid purification or separation
Structural installation
Closed circulating system
C201S045000, C201S045000, C137S268000, C422S261000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06190547
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates generally to a single canister for holding and dispensing multiple dispersants including bacteria killing minerals and bacteria killing chemicals which can simultaneously but separately be dispersed to kill both bacteria and or algae in recirculating water systems commonly used in swimming pools, spas and the like and to improvements to bacteria killing minerals.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The concept of treating water with chemicals such as chlorine or bromine to kill bacteria is old in the art. One of the methods of dispensing bacteria killing chemicals into the water is to use a dispersal valve that allows a portion of the water to flow through the water soluble chemical which is located in a single compartment within the dispersal valve. Typically, a chemical such as chlorine is used to kill the bacteria.
The prior art includes devices that hold two solids and separately dispenses the dissolvable solids into the water, such as the device shown in U.S. Pat. No. 3,378,027. The patent shows a water treatment apparatus having two separate compartments, each for holding a dissolvable solid chemical therein. Once the chemicals are dissolved they are allowed to flow into a storage tank.
Another apparatus for dispensing two different chemicals is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,251,656 which shows a multiple chemical feeder for swimming pools. The feeder has a first compartment for holding a canister containing a solid chemical, and a second compartment for holding a collapsible container having a liquid chemical dispersant. The solid chemical is dissolved and dispensed by the flow of water through it. The liquid chemical is dispensed by exerting pressure on the outside of a collapsible container to force the liquid chemical out of the dispenser and into the system. The chemicals are maintained separately from one another until they are introduced into the fluid stream. In the present invention, one portion of a bifurcated fluid stream flows through a chemical dispersant, such as chlorine, and the other portion flows through bacteria killing minerals to provide a system where the levels of the chemical dispersants can be maintained at a lower level than if chemicals were solely relied upon to maintain a low bacteria level. The advantage of using a lower level of chemicals is the corresponding reduction in chlorine smell. After passing through the canisters, the bifurcated stream is reunited and then directed into the liquid stream flowing through the dispersal valve.
The invention allows one to use a prior art single compartment dispersal valve to hold a single canister wherein two different materials can be separately dissolved and simultaneously dispersed into a bifurcated fluid mixing stream with the bifurcated fluid mixing steam subsequently combined into a single stream for delivering the chemical and mineral dispersants into the liquid stream through a single dispersal valve.
In one embodiment two canisters are employed to dispense both the bacteria killing chemicals and the bacteria killing mineral, and in another embodiment only a single canister is used to dispense both the bacteria killing chemicals and the bacteria killing minerals.
The invention further includes improved bacteria killing minerals which can be used in the dispersal valve. One improved bacteria killing mineral comprises zinc metal particles and a limestone carrier with at least some of the limestone having a silver chloride coating thereon. A further improved bacteria killing mineral comprises zinc metal particles having a coating of silver chloride with a further coating of porous epoxy thereon. The zinc, silver and silver chloride are believed to yield ions that inhibit bacteria and algae, while the limestone neutralizes acids formed during the water treatment process. The combination of a water chemical treatment and a mineral treatment provides a treatment system that lowers the necessary amount of chemical in the water. A suitable bacteria killing mineral for use in the single canister with two compartments comprises zinc metal particles with a portion of the zinc metal particles covered with either silver metal or silver chloride.
An adhesive is used to secure the limestone and the silver chloride or the zinc and the silver chloride. By forming the adhesive in a matrix, one can maintain both bacteria killing minerals and the bacteria killing chemical in a reactive state.
Although an adhesive is described, a mechanical restraint or other mechanism for maintaining the minerals in fluid proximity to one another can be used.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART
U.S. Pat. No. 3,378,027 shows a water treatment apparatus having two separate compartments each for holding dissolvable chemicals therein. Once the chemicals are dissolved with water, the dissolvable chemicals are allowed to flow into a storage tank.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,504,387 shows a water purification system that uses charcoal granules impregnated with silver ions to kill bacteria.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,608,247 discloses a composition for bacterial treatment of water that uses a combination of a carrier with a layer of elemental silver on the carrier. The silver is released by the mechanical interaction of adjacent particles. The silver and carrier are located in a filler material that reduces the rate of release of the silver into the fluid stream.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,610,783 shows a system for the control of algae where the water is forced through staggered holes located in a set of zinc disks.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,642,192 shows a method for treating fluid to remove dissolved chlorine and nitrates by passing the water through a metal particulate matter such as aluminum, iron, steel, zinc, copper or mixtures and alloys thereof.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,662,387 discloses an inline dispersal valve with a canister keyed to the dispersal valve.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,867,196 shows a dispenser with three chambers to obtain uniform and controlled release of the calcium hypochlorite.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,935,116 shows a canister that contains two dissimilar metals that are spaced from one another with one of the metals being silver to produce a simple voltaic cell that release silver ions into the water as the water flows between the two dissimilar metals.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,964,185 shows a system for dispensing a chemical into a fluid stream and for determining how much of the chemical has been dispensed into the fluid stream.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,041,219 discloses a dual chamber water filter with a metallic filtration particulate located in the inlet chamber and a charcoal filtration particulate located in the outlet chamber with the metallic filtration particulate positioned so that water flows upward through it to reduce compaction of the metallic filtration particulate.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,218,983 and King U.S. Pat. No. 5,076,315 disclose a dispersal valve with a canister for dispensing a water soluble chemical into a fluid stream.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,251,656 shows a multiple chemical feeder for swimming pools that has a first compartment for holding a canister containing a solid chemical and a second compartment containing a liquid chemical. The solid chemical is dissolved by the flow of water through it. The liquid chemical is dispensed by exerting pressure on the outside of a collapsible container to force the liquid chemical out of the dispenser and into the system.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,352,369 discloses a method of treating water to kill bacteria using a silver catalyst which comprises and aluminum matrix with silver deposited thereon, and the aluminum matrix and the silver having been heated between 750° C. and 1050° C.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,107,456 discloses a portable water treating system having a bed of germicidal filter material that has activated carbon filter stacked on the germicidal filter materiel.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,092,245 shows a liquid purification system using biocatalysts formed by wet processing silver oxide, zinc oxide and lampblack.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,407,865 discloses a process of coating a sterilizing filter material comprised of particulate silver m
Dorrans James
Edelson Robert
King Joseph A.
Jacobson & Johnson
King Technology Inc
Lawrence Frank M.
Simmons David A.
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