# US 10,118,839 B2 · Irradiation assembly for liquid purification assembly, purification assembly and beverage dispenser > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,118,839 B2 - Document ID: US10118839B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/327,115 - Filed: 2015-07-09 - Published: 2017-06-15 - Granted: 2018-11-06 - Earliest claimed: 2014-07-18 - Assignees: Nestec S.A. - Applicants: Nestec S.A. - Inventors: Celine Rimbault; Renaud Sublet - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10118839B2 ## CPC - C02F 1/325: {Irradiation devices or lamp constructions} - A23B 2/53: with ultraviolet light - A23B 70/50: by irradiation or electric treatment, without heating - C02F 1/008: {Control or steering systems not provided for elsewhere in subclass C02F} - C02F 2201/005: Valves - C02F 2201/3222: Units using UV-light emitting diodes [LED] - C02F 2201/3227: Units with two or more lamps - C02F 2201/3228: Units having reflectors, e.g. coatings, baffles, plates, mirrors - C02F 2201/326: Lamp control systems - C02F 2301/08: Multistage treatments, e.g. repetition of the same process step under different conditions - C02F 2303/04: Disinfection - C02F 2307/10: as part of a potable water dispenser, e.g. for use in homes or offices - E03B 9/20: Pillar fountains or like apparatus for dispensing drinking water - C02F: TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE (separation in general B01D; special arrangements on waterborne vessels of installations for treating water, waste water or sewage, e.g. for producing fresh water, B63J; adding materials to water to prevent corrosion C23F; treating radioactively-contaminated liquids G21F9/04; regeneration of reactants for recirculation into processes, see the relevant places for the processes) - A23B: PRESERVATION OF FOODS, FOODSTUFFS OR NON-ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES; CHEMICAL RIPENING OF FRUIT OR VEGETABLES - E03B: INSTALLATIONS OR METHODS FOR OBTAINING, COLLECTING, OR DISTRIBUTING WATER (drilling wells, obtaining fluids in general from wells E21B; pipe-line systems in general F17D) ## Abstract The invention relates to a liquid purification assembly using ultraviolet light irradiation against reproduction of pathogenic microorganisms, comprising an irradiation chamber (200) having an internal volume and comprising an inlet (204) and an outlet (205), the irradiation chamber (200) being provided with ultraviolet light emitting means (208) configured to irradiate liquid in the irradiation chamber (200) with ultraviolet light. The irradiation chamber (200) comprises a mechanism configured to cause a change in the internal volume of the irradiation chamber (200), said change in internal volume drawing liquid into the irradiation chamber (200) when the volume of the irradiation chamber (200) increases, and forcing liquid out of the irradiation chamber (200) when the volume of the irradiation chamber (200) decreases. The invention also relates to a beverage dispenser and to a method for purifying a liquid. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A liquid purification assembly using ultraviolet light irradiation against reproduction of pathogenic microorganisms, comprising an irradiation chamber having an internal volume and comprising an inlet and an outlet, the irradiation chamber being provided with an ultraviolet light emitting member configured to irradiate liquid in the irradiation chamber with ultraviolet light, the irradiation chamber comprises a mechanism configured to cause a change in the internal volume of the irradiation chamber, the change in internal volume drawing liquid into the irradiation chamber when the volume of the irradiation chamber increases, and forcing liquid out of the irradiation chamber when the volume of the irradiation chamber decreases. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) A liquid purification assembly according to claim 1, comprising a first one-way valve configured to allow liquid to flow through the inlet into the irradiation chamber, and a second one-way valve configured to allow liquid to flow through the outlet out of the irradiation chamber. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) A liquid purification assembly according to claim 1, comprising a cylinder closed by a wall at an end, and a mobile piston enclosed in the cylinder, the movement of the piston causing the change in inner volume of the irradiation chamber comprised between the piston and the wall closing an end of the cylinder. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) A liquid purification assembly according to claim 3, wherein the inlet and the outlet are situated on the wall closing an end of the cylinder. ### Claim 5 (depends on 3) A liquid purification assembly according to claim 3, wherein the inlet is situated on the wall closing an end of the cylinder, and the outlet is situated on the piston, or the outlet is situated on the wall closing an end of the cylinder,and the inlet is situated on the piston. ### Claim 6 (depends on 3) A liquid purification assembly according to claim 3, wherein the inlet and the outlet are situated upon the piston. ### Claim 7 (depends on 3) A liquid purification assembly according to claim 3, wherein the ultraviolet light emitting member is on the piston. ### Claim 8 (depends on 3) A liquid purification assembly according to claim 3, wherein the ultraviolet light emitting member is on the wall closing an end of the cylinder. ### Claim 9 (depends on 3) A liquid purification assembly according to claim 3, wherein the cylinder has a transparent side wall, and the ultraviolet light emitting member is on the side wall. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) A liquid purification assembly according to claim 1 comprising a deformable membrane forming a wall of the irradiation chamber, the deformation of the membrane causing the change in inner volume of the irradiation chamber. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) A liquid purification assembly according to claim 1, wherein the ultraviolet light emitting member comprises ultraviolet light-emitting diodes. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) A liquid purification assembly according to claim 1 comprising an electronic controller configured to control the volume of the irradiation chamber, and/or the lighting of the ultraviolet light emitting member. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) A liquid purification assembly according to claim 1 comprising at least a system for preventing contamination by air entering the assembly, selected from the group consisting of: a microfiltration of air before the inlet of the chamber; a loop of sterile air; and a flash heating system to sterilize and dry the irradiation chamber. ### Claim 14 A beverage dispenser comprising a liquid purification assembly using ultraviolet light irradiation against reproduction of pathogenic microorganisms, comprising an irradiation chamber having an internal volume and comprising an inlet and an outlet, the irradiation chamber being provided with an ultraviolet light emitting member configured to irradiate liquid in the irradiation chamber with ultraviolet light, the irradiation chamber comprises a mechanism configured to cause a change in the internal volume of the irradiation chamber, the change in internal volume drawing liquid into the irradiation chamber when the volume of the irradiation chamber increases, and forcing liquid out of the irradiation chamber when the volume of the irradiation chamber decreases, configured to purify the beverage before delivery by ultraviolet light irradiation. ### Claim 15 A method for purifying a liquid comprising: providing a liquid purification assembly using ultraviolet light irradiation against reproduction of pathogenic microorganisms, comprising an irradiation chamber having an internal volume and comprising an inlet and an outlet, the irradiation chamber being provided with an ultraviolet light emitting member configured to irradiate liquid in the irradiation chamber with ultraviolet light, the irradiation chamber comprises a mechanism configured to cause a change in the internal volume of the irradiation chamber, the change in internal volume drawing liquid into the irradiation chamber when the volume of the irradiation chamber increases, and forcing liquid out of the irradiation chamber when the volume of the irradiation chamber decreases, in which the irradiation chamber is at a minimal volume; increasing the volume of the irradiation chamber, thereby causing a decrease in pressure which draws liquid into the irradiation chamber through the inlet; irradiating the liquid contained in the irradiation chamber using the ultraviolet light emitting member, thereby purifying the liquid contained in the irradiation chamber; and decreasing the volume of the irradiation chamber, thereby forcing purified liquid out of the irradiation chamber.