US 12,084,338 B2Granted

Method and apparatus for customized filtration and enhancement of drinking water

AssigneeQuench USA, Inc.

InventorsAndrew Troy Nuttall, Todd Chamberlain Peterson, Theodore Hertz

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Abstract

A water-dispensing device includes a source water intake, a spigot, and first and second filters arranged between the intake and the spigot. The first filter includes a first inlet and outlet. At least the first inlet includes a first electrically controlled valve for selectively placing the first filter in fluid communication with the intake. The second filter includes a second inlet and outlet. At least the second inlet includes a second electrically controlled valve for selectively placing the second filter in fluid communication with the intake. A controller is configured to: (i) receive a water selection from a user, and (ii) configure the first and second valves based on the selection such that water flowing from the intake toward the spigot will enter any of the first and second filters corresponding to the selection and bypass any of the first and second filters that do not correspond to the selection.

Claims18

Dependent claims

A water-dispensing device comprising:

a source water intake;
a spigot arranged downstream from the source water intake;
a first filter arranged between the source water intake and the spigot, the first filter including a first inlet and a first outlet, at least the first inlet including a first electrically controlled valve for selectively placing the first filter in fluid communication with the source water intake;
a second filter arranged between the source water intake and the spigot, the second filter including a second inlet and a second outlet, at least the second inlet including a second electrically controlled valve for selectively placing the second filter in fluid communication with the source water intake;
and
a controller configured to:
(i) in response to receiving a first water selection from a user, configure the first valve and the second valve such that water flowing from the source water intake toward the spigot will bypass both the first filter and the second filter,
(ii) in response to receiving a second water selection from the user different from the first water selection, configure the first valve and the second valve such that water flowing from the source water intake toward the spigot will enter the first filter and bypass the second filter,
(iii) in response to receiving a third water selection from the user different from the first and second water selections, configure the first valve and the second valve such that water flowing from the source water intake toward the spigot will bypass the first filter and enter the second filter, and
(iv) in response to receiving a fourth water selection from the user different from the first, second, and third water selections, configure the first valve and the second valve such that water flowing from the source water intake toward the spigot will enter the first filter and then enter the second filter from the first filter.

7 more elements

A method for operating a water-dispensing device having a controller and first and second filters arranged between a source water intake and a downstream spigot, the first filter having a first inlet and a first outlet, at least the first inlet including a first electrically controlled valve, the second filter having a second inlet and a second outlet, at least the second inlet including a second electrically controlled valve, the method comprising:

receiving, by the controller, a water selection from a user;
configuring, by the controller:
(i) the first valve and the second valve such that water flowing from the source water intake toward the spigot will bypass both the first filter and the second filter in response to receiving a first water selection from a user,
(ii) the first valve and the second valve such that water flowing from the source water intake toward the spigot will enter the first filter and bypass the second filter in response to receiving a second water selection from the user different from the first water selection,
(iii) the first valve and the second valve such that water flowing from the source water intake toward the spigot will bypass the first filter and enter the second filter in response to receiving a third water selection from the user different from the first and second water selections, and
(iv) the first valve and the second valve such that water flowing from the source water intake toward the spigot will enter the first filter and then enter the second filter from the first filter in response to receiving a fourth water selection from the user different from the first, second, and third water selections;
and
initiating, by the controller, water flow from the source water intake.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 18/133,635Filed 12 Apr 2023 · us provisional application
Priority: 13 Apr 2022
Published: US 2023/0331537 A119 Oct 2023
Granted: 10 Sep 2024
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification27 codes

B67D 1/12
Details: flow or pressure control devices or systems , e.g. valves, gas pressure control, level control in storage containers
B01D 29/56
With multiple filtering elements, characterised by their mutual disposition: in series connection
B01D 29/60
Filters with filtering elements stationary during filtration, e.g. pressure or suction filters, not covered by groups B01D24/00 - B01D27/00;…:…
B01D 29/608
Integrally combined with devices for controlling the filtration: by temperature measuring