WO2017030962A1

WO2017030962A1 - Systems and methods for treatment of water for appliances

Info

Publication number: WO2017030962A1
Application number: PCT/US2016/046784
Authority: WO
Inventors: Laird Washburn; Sean Terry; J. David WASHBURN; Scott Wilson; Joshua Carter
Original assignee: Laird Washburn; Sean Terry; Washburn J David; Scott Wilson; Joshua Carter
Priority date: 2015-08-14
Filing date: 2016-08-12
Publication date: 2017-02-23

Abstract

Water treatment systems and devices are disclosed for use in treating water at a point of use for an appliance. The treated water prevents enhances performance of the appliance, inhibits hard water buildup, and may remove existing hard water build up. The systems and devices include fixed and removable components for delivering water treatment composition.

Description

SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR

TREATMENT OF WATER FOR APPLIANCES

BACKGROUND

[0001] The present disclosure relates to systems and methods of treating water. More specifically, the disclosure relates to treatment of water intended for use in an appliance, such as a dishwasher.

[0002] Fresh water supplies across the world are typically derived from underground aquifers or streams originating in terrain rich with alkaline earth metals, including calcium (Ca²⁺) and magnesium (Mg²⁺). As a result, much of the fresh water available for residential use is enriched with cationic mineral with an alkaline pH. Such water is frequently referred to as "hard water."

[0003] A number of technologies have been developed to soften water— that is to remove or replace alkaline earth metals of the fresh water. Water treatment systems for such purposes typically substitute calcium and magnesium ions contained in hard water with alkaline ions such as sodium (Na⁺) and potassium (K⁺). For this softening function, conventional water softeners often include a softening tank to soften raw water. The softening tank is filled with an ion exchange resin loaded with sodium or potassium ions. The sodium and potassium ions exchange with the calcium and magnesium ions in the fresh water supply. Eventually, however, the ion exchange resin become saturated with the alkaline earth metals and must be recharged— stripped of the unwanted ions and replaced with more alkaline ions. Because many people are concerned with their consumption of sodium, such ion exchange systems are often left unplumbed to the kitchen and treat only water for other areas of a house.

[0004] Hard water, if left untreated, may be detrimental to a home's water system, forming deposits that result in scale and buildup of minerals, and potential corrosion of metals. Additionally, with hard water, soap solutions form a white precipitate (soap scum) and do not lather as well as with soft water. This white precipitate may manifest itself as spots on dishes. [0005] There is, therefore, a need to treat water without adversely affecting the water supply of a household. Furthermore, it would be beneficial if such a system were able to treat water for an appliance to enhance its cleaning ability while removing any mineral build up already existing in a water system.

SUMMARY

[0006] In one aspect, a water treatment device is disclosed. The water treatment device includes an inlet configured to couple to a water supply, an outlet configured to couple directly to an appliance, a water treatment path configured to direct the flow of water entering the inlet to the outlet, and a water treatment composition disposed in the water treatment path. The water treatment composition fills at least one cross section of the water treatment path such that all water passing through the water treatment path must pass through the water treatment composition. In some embodiments, wherein the outlet is configured to connect to the appliance through a supply line.

[0007] In some embodiments, the water treatment composition includes a chemical selected from the group consisting of citric acid, polyphosphates, and combinations of the same. In some embodiments, the water treatment composition is in a form selected from the group consisting of tablets, a slurry, a gel, an amorphous powder, a mixture of crystalline materials, and a concentrated solution.

[0008] In some embodiments, the water treatment device further includes a housing and a cartridge disposed in the housing. The cartridge contains the water treatment composition and the water treatment path passes through the cartridge. In some embodiments, the water treatment composition is enclosed within a water permeable bag. In another aspect, a washing appliance is disclosed. The washing appliance includes a washing chamber configured to wash articles within the washing chamber, and a water treatment device having an inlet configured to couple to a water supply and an outlet coupled to the washing chamber, a water treatment path configured to direct the flow of water entering the inlet to the outlet, and a water treatment composition disposed in the water treatment path. The water treatment composition fills at least one cross section of the water treatment path such that all water passing through the water treatment path must pass through the water treatment composition.

[0009] In some embodiments, the water treatment composition includes a chemical selected from the group consisting of citric acid, polyphosphates, and mixtures of the same. In some embodiments, the water treatment composition is in the form selected from the group consisting of tablets, a slurry, a gel, an amorphous powder, a mixture of crystalline materials, and a concentrated solution.

[0010] In some embodiments, the washing appliance further includes a housing and a cartridge disposed in the housing. The cartridge contains the water treatment composition and the water treatment path passes through the cartridge. In some embodiments, the water treatment path extends to a lower portion of the water treatment composition.

[0011] In another aspect, a method of treating water for an appliance is disclosed. The method includes accessing a supply of untreated water, intermittently passing a stream of the untreated water through a water treatment composition, resulting in an intermittent stream of treated water, and directing the entire stream of treated water into a single appliance.

[0012] In some embodiments, the appliance is a dishwasher. In some embodiments, the water treatment composition includes a chemical selected from the group consisting of citric acid, polyphosphates, and mixtures of the same. In some embodiments, the water treatment composition is in a form selected from the group consisting of tablets, a slurry, a gel, an amorphous powder, a mixture of crystalline materials, and a concentrated solution.

[0013] In some embodiments, the method further includes intermittently bypassing the stream of untreated water directly into the single appliance. In some embodiments, the method further includes intermittently passing the stream of the untreated water through a second water treatment

composition, resulting in a second intermittent stream of treated water, and directing the entire second intermittent stream of treated water into the single appliance. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] FIG. 1 illustrates a water treatment system mounted to a dishwasher.

[0015] FIG. 2 illustrates a water treatment system contained within a dishwasher.

[0016] FIG. 3 illustrates a cross section of a water treatment system mounted in line with a water source.

[0017] FIG. 4 illustrates a cross section of another embodiment of a water treatment device mounted in line with a water source.

[0018] FIG. 5 illustrates a water permeable container that may enclose a water treatment composition in the water treatment device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0019] As used herein, the term "point of use" refers to the place where the treated water is delivered. For example, a dishwasher would have a "point of use" at the connection to the dishwasher and a washing machine would have a point of use at the connection to the wall. In some

embodiments of the invention, the water treatment systems may be a point of use for connection to an appliance, or they may be a point of use within the appliance themselves.

[0020] In some embodiments, a water treatment system may have components that are removed for replacing water treatment composition. As used herein, the term "fixed components" are components that are not intended to be removed for replacing water treatment composition. In such systems, parts that are intended to remain in the same physical location whether in water treatment operation or in water treatment composition replacement, such components are fixed components.

[0021] As used herein, the term "removable components" refers to components that are intended to be removed for replacing water treatment composition. In such systems, parts that are intended to be removed from their physical location when replacing the water treatment composition, such components are removable components. [0022] As used herein, the term "polyphosphates" refers to tetrahedral PC¼ units linked together by sharing oxygen atoms such as those depicted below.

In some forms, the polyphosphates may be cyclic. In other forms, the polyphosphates may be linear.

[0023] The water treatment system and its various components disclosed herein may be used with various methods for treating water. An

embodiment of a water treatment device 10 coupled to a dishwasher 12 is generally depicted in FIG. 1. Treated water is supplied to the dishwasher 12 through the water treatment device 10, which is located at the point of use of the dishwasher 12. The water treatment device 10 has an inlet 14 that connects to an untreated water supply 16 and an outlet 18 that connects to a supply hose 20 for the dishwasher 12.

[0024] During use, untreated water is delivered through the water supply 16 to the water treatment device 10. The untreated water flows through the water treatment device 10 where the water mixes with a treatment composition 25 (see FIG. 3) housed in a treatment housing 22. After mixing with the treatment composition 25, the treated water exits the water treatment system 10 through the outlet 18 and flows through the supply hose 20 to the dishwasher 12. A washing chamber 3 of the dishwasher 12 fills with the treated water and runs through a normal wash cycle. Periodically the dishwasher 12 will drain the washing chamber 3 through drain hose 24 and may refill it again with treated water.

[0025] FIG. 2 illustrates an embodiment of a washing system 9 having a water treatment device 10 contained within an appliance, such as a dishwasher 13. In this embodiment, untreated water is supplied directly to the dishwasher 13 through the supply line 17, which is connected to a water source 16. Within the dishwasher 13, the supply line 17 delivers untreated water to an inlet 14 of the water treatment device 10 where it mixes with a treatment composition 25 (see Fig. 3). Treated water flows out an outlet 18 of the water treatment device 10 for use in the dishwasher 13. The dishwasher 13 fills with the treated water and runs through a normal wash cycle. Periodically the dishwasher 13 will drain through drain hose 24 and may refill again with treated water from the water treatment device. An access panel 15 provides access to the water treatment device 10 allowing removable components, such as the water treatment composition 25, to be replaced.

[0026] In some embodiments, the supply line 17 may divide into different lines each having a supply valve controlled by a control panel 7 (not shown) or control circuit (not shown) of the dishwasher 13. At least one line is coupled to the water treatment device 10 and another line may supply untreated water directly to the appliance. In some embodiments, there may be a second water treatment device having a treatment composition different from the treatment composition 25 of the first device 10. During use, the control panel 7 will selectively actuate the valve for the line from the water treatment device 10, the direct line with untreated water, and the second water treatment device if it is present. By selectively actuating the valves, the washing system 9 can optimize the use of the treatment composition. For example, in an initial rinse cycle, untreated water may be used. In a wash cycle, a treatment composition enhancing the efficacy of detergent may be used, and in a final rinse cycle, a treatment composition designed to resist spotting may be used.

[0027] The water treatment system of FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 differs from existing water treatment systems that may use similar water treatment compositions. Traditionally, a water treatment device must use low concentrations in order to service a whole house. Because it can be difficult to control low concentrations, existing systems using similar treatment compositions 25 split the stream of water, treating one stream at a higher concentration and then mixing the treated stream back into the untreated stream to dilute the treatment composition. In contrast, embodiments of water treatment systems disclosed herein are suitable for treating an intermittent stream of water at high concentrations that would be unsuitable for whole home use, such as in drinking water, bathing water, or for food preparation.

[0028] FIG. 3 illustrates a cross-section of a point of use water treatment device 10 suitable for use with the water treatment systems of FIG. 1 and FIG. 2. The water treatment device 10 includes an inlet 14 and an outlet 18 through which an untreated water flow enters and treated water exits the water treatment device 10. The inlet 14 and outlet 18 are fixed components that remain connected to the untreated water supply and the appliance. The water treatment device 10 has a water treatment path, as illustrated by arrows 27. The water treatment path may be defined by a cavity in the water treatment device 10, passageways within the water treatment device 10, or other techniques as known in the art for channeling liquids. The water treatment device 10 includes a water treatment composition 25 disposed in the water treatment path of the device 10. The water treatment composition 25 fills at least one cross section of the water treatment path, such that water passing through the water treatment device 10 must pass through the water treatment composition 25. While FIG. 3 illustrates an embodiment having a removable cartridge 24 and housing 22, embodiments are not limited to this configuration.

[0029] FIG. 4 illustrates a cross-section of another embodiment of a point of use water treatment device 50. In this embodiment, there is no separate, removable cartridge and the water treatment device includes a removable housing 52 that is replaceable. The water treatment composition 25 is contained in the removable housing 52. The combination of the inlet 14, outlet 18, removable housing 52, and a central tube 54 form a water treatment path shown by arrows 56. The water treatment composition 25 fills a cross section of the water treatment path between the central tube 54 and an inner wall of the removable housing 52. While the water treatment device 50 is shown having the central tube 54, other embodiments do not have a central tube 54, or may have a tube that does not extend as far as the tube shown in FIG. 4. [0030] FIG. 5 illustrate a water permeable container 60 that may enclose the water treatment composition 25 in some embodiments. The water- permeable container 60 may be made of a variety of materials. Such materials include spun bound fibers such as spun bound polyethylene, polypropylene, polyesters, and similar polymeric material that are water- permeable. As shown in FIG. 5, the water-permeable bag 60 may include a zipper 62. Thus, the zipper 62 in a closed configuration makes the water treatment composition 25 only accessible through the water-permeable material of the bag walls 64. In an open configuration, the zipper 62 enables an operator to add, remove, refill, or otherwise manipulate the amount of water treatment composition 25 in the water-permeable container 60. In some embodiments, the water-permeable container 60 may be flexible. In other embodiments, the water permeable container 60 may be rigid.

[0031] In some embodiments, the zipper may be replaced with stitching, contact adhesive, heat-activated adhesive, hook and pile fasteners

(Velcro®), plastic zippers with or without interlocking teeth and sliders. In some embodiments, the fastener for a bag or container can be releasable. In some embodiments, the fastener for a bag or container can be resealable.

[0032] The water treatment composition 32 may be any of a variety of materials used to treat water to enhance the performance of an appliance. In some embodiments, the water treatment composition is selected from citric acid, polyphosphates, and mixtures of the same. When the water treatment composition includes both citric acid and polyphosphates, the proportion of the two may be selected to enhance the performance of the water treatment device or the appliance associated with the system.

Because the water is not used in other applications, such as drinking water, it is possible to use compositions that would otherwise be undesirable.

[0033] For example, in a system servicing a water supply for an appliance such as a dishwasher, the water treatment composition may include a ratio of from about 1 :40 to about 2:5 ounces of polyphosphate to citric acid. The ratio may be from about 1 :20 to about 1 :5 ounces of polyphosphate to citric acid. The ration may be about 1 : 10 ounces of polyphosphate to citric acid. While the concentration of polyphosphate to citric acid may be similar to other application, during use the resulting treated water will have a much higher concentration of treatment composition since the entire stream is treated. In some embodiments, the water treatment composition may be in the form of a compressed pellet. In those

embodiments, the pellets may be in a container such as a bag, or may be added to a cartridge without being in a bag.

[0034] Although the invention has been described with reference to the accompanying sheets of drawings, further modifications may be made while still falling within the same inventive principles stated in the appended claims.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A water treatment device comprising:

an inlet configured to couple to a water supply;

an outlet configured to couple directly to an appliance;

a water treatment path configured to direct the flow of water entering the inlet to the outlet; and

a water treatment composition disposed in the water treatment path, the water

treatment composition filling at least one cross section of the water treatment path such that all water passing through the water treatment path must pass through the water treatment composition.

2. The water treatment device of claim 1 , wherein the water treatment composition comprises a chemical selected from the group consisting of citric acid, polyphosphates, and combinations of the same.

3. The device of claim 2, wherein the water treatment composition is in the form selected from the group consisting of: tablets, a slurry, a gel, an amorphous powder, a mixture of crystalline materials, and a concentrated solution.

4. The device of claim 1 , further comprising a housing and a cartridge disposed in the housing, wherein the cartridge contains the water treatment composition and the water treatment path passes through the cartridge.

5. The device of claim 1 , wherein the water treatment composition is enclosed within a water permeable bag.

6. The device of claim 1 , wherein the outlet is configured to connect to the appliance through a supply line.

7. A washing appliance comprising:

a washing chamber configured to wash articles within the washing chamber; and a water treatment device comprising an inlet configured to couple to a water supply and an outlet coupled to the washing chamber, a water treatment path configured to direct the flow of water entering the inlet to the outlet, and a water treatment composition disposed in the water treatment path, the water treatment composition filling at least one cross section of the water treatment path such that all water passing through the water treatment path must pass through the water treatment composition.

8. The washing appliance of claim 7, wherein the water treatment composition comprises a chemical selected from the group consisting of citric acid,

polyphosphates, and mixtures of the same.

9. The washing appliance of claim 8, wherein the water treatment composition is in the form selected from the group consisting of tablets, a slurry, a gel, an amorphous powder, a mixture of crystalline materials, and a concentrated solution.

10. The washing appliance of claim 7, further comprising a housing and a cartridge disposed in the housing, wherein the cartridge contains the water treatment composition and the water treatment path passes through the cartridge.

1 1. The washing appliance of claim 7, wherein the water treatment path extends to a lower portion of the water treatment composition.

12. The washing appliance of claim 7, further comprising:

a second water treatment device comprising an a second inlet configured to couple to the water supply and a second outlet coupled to the washing chamber, a second water treatment path configured to direct the flow of water entering the second inlet to the second outlet, and a second water treatment composition disposed in the second water treatment path, the second water treatment composition filling at least one cross section of the second water treatment path such that all water passing through the second water treatment path must pass through the second water treatment composition; and

a control panel configured to selectively direct the water supply to the water

treatment device and the second water treatment device.

13. A method of treating water for an appliance, the method comprising:

accessing a supply of untreated water;

intermittently passing a stream of the untreated water through a water treatment composition, resulting in an intermittent stream of treated water; and directing the entire stream of treated water into a single appliance.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the appliance is a dishwasher.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein the water treatment composition comprises a chemical selected from the group consisting of citric acid, polyphosphates, and mixtures of the same.

16. The method of claim 13, wherein the water treatment composition is in the form selected from the group consisting of tablets, a slurry, a gel, an amorphous powder, a mixture of crystalline materials, and a concentrated solution.

17. The method of claim 13, further comprising:

intermittently bypassing the stream of untreated water directly into the single

appliance.

18. The method of claim 17, further comprising:

intermittently passing the stream of the untreated water through a second water treatment composition, resulting in a second intermittent stream of treated water; and

directing the entire second intermittent stream of treated water into the single

appliance.