Method and apparatus for purifying and dispensing water
US4528093A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 15, 1983 |
| Grant date | Jul 9, 1985 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 15, 2003 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB01D2313/903
- WIPO fieldChemical engineering
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
An apparatus and method for purifying and dispensing water for use in a coin operated vending machine is disclosed. The apparatus includes a pair of filters where the preliminary filtering of raw water occurs, a reverse osmosis unit pump and a reverse osmosis unit where the main purification takes place. The permeate output of the reverse osmosis unit passes through a conductivity sensor. If the conductivity is below a predetermined level, the water is sent to a storage tank. If the water is above that level then it is sent back to the reverse osmosis unit pump for further processing by the reverse osmosis unit. Water is extracted from the storage tank by a continuously operating pump which transmits the water through an ultraviolet sterilizer. During a vend cycle the water passing through the ultraviolet sterilizer is dispensed while in the absence of a vend cycle the water passing through the ultraviolet sterilizer is passed back into the storage tank. The apparatus further includes an arrangement for selectively adding to the dispensed water minerals for enhancing its taste and in addition an arrangement for selectively adding to the dispensed water electrolytes normally lost by…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.