TITLE OF THE INVENTION

"An Interactive liquid treatment system with selective predetermined quality enhancement"

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an interactive liquid treatment system with selective predetermined quality enhancement, more particularly to a water purification system comprising an electronically programmed purification technology optimization process to maintain the predetermined water quality.

OBJECTIVE OF THE INVENTION

It is an objective of the present invention, to provide a new and improved apparatus for purification of water that provides the user with an option to select the desired level of purity and mineral content of the purified water.

It is a further objective of the invention, to provide the said apparatus which includes a mineral dispensing system with TDS sensor for storage of purified water at the desired TDS or mineral selected by the user.

It is a further objective of the invention, to provide the said apparatus with a system for purifying and dispensing water that includes an arrangement to select the taste of the purified water by alternating the level of TDS of the purified water.

It is a further objective of the invention, to provide the interactive liquid treatment system with selective predetermined quality settings that can be set by the user for the said system to automatically select the purification process to the match set quality of the liquid

It is still another objective of the invention to provide the said apparatus with a purification system which includes a Filtration Unit, a Purification Unit, a Mineral Supplement and Disinfectant unit and a Purified Water Storage Unit that provides double purified drinking water which can be adjusted to achieve a desired TDS level in the dispensing system.

RELEVANT PRIOR ART OF THE INVENTION

During the supply or utilization of water for human consumption, water is generally maintained at a particular level of purity in order to ensure safe potable drinking water for humans and animals. In addition, alternate levels of water purity must be maintained for plants, marine animals, and many industrial, pharmaceutical and medical applications. One of the means for measuring the purity of a fluid substance, such as drinking water, is a measure of the total dissolved solids (TDS) in the liquid. TDS is a measure of the total amount of mobile charged ions, such as minerals, salts, and metals dissolved in a liquid, and often is expressed as parts per million (ppm).

Lower levels of TDS in drinking water allow cells to hydrate more efficiently when consumed by the human body. Conversely, high levels of TDS in drinking water increase the probability of harmful contaminants that may increase health risks or hinder absorption of water molecules on a cellular level. In response to the increased risks presented by high TDS levels in water for human consumption, TDS meters have been developed that provide a means to measure the TDS level of a liquid.

Since electrical conductivity of water is directly related to the concentration of dissolved ionized solids in the water, the electrical conductivity method often is utilized by TDS meters. Ions from dissolved solids in the water create the ability for water to conduct electric current. Hence, this electric current can be measured using a conductivity meter. Since pure H20 has a conductivity of zero, the TDS level of a liquid can be calculated by converting the electrical conductivity using a particular factor into a TDS reading, generally in ppm. A TDS meter utilizing the electrical conductivity method provides a low-cost, easy-to-use mechanism for measuring overall water quality.

Patent Documents US4528093 A and patent application JP2003225662A discloses a water purifier that comprises a sediment filtration unit, a pre- carbon filtration module, UV filtration module, a reverse osmosis module and a TDS senor module that assess the TDS of the incoming water. Patent document AT402290B discloses a UV lamp that is fitted to the purifier that can provide UV purification to the inlet water

In the above patent documents or the like, the TDS of the drinking water is measured at the source or at the outlet. Once the TDS level of the liquid is known, the liquid may be subsequently utilized, or appropriate measures may be taken to correct the TDS level, most commonly reduced with a water purifier or filter for drinking water for human consumption. These and other similar purification methods ensure that the TDS of the water is reduced and provides water at 0 TDS.

One other problem that the TDS of the water creates is it affects the taste of water and beverages, and can mean that sodium, calcium, chloride, and magnesium may all be detectable in your final product {Reference Total Dissolved Solids - health Canada Published September 1978 updated January 1991). Depending on the quantities and combinations of the dissolved materials, water can taste alkaline (bitter), salty or metallic. TDS of the water affects the taste and the palatability of the water. A very low or very high TDS makes the drinking water bitter and alkaline and also the varying levels of TDS of water imparts the characteristic taste to the consumer. A consumer who wishes to consume water which is a little alkaline can tolerate TDS up to 60 ppm per litre.

In view of the foregoing, there is a need for methods and apparatuses that enables the user to choose the desired TDS of the purified water. The present invention provides the user with means to chose the desired TDS of the purified water and in turn select the taste of the water from the dispensing unit. The methods and apparatuses should encourage user to have better option of selecting the palatability of water without being overly burdensome for the user. In addition, methods and apparatuses should provide this encouragement without undue increased costs in the manufacture of the TDS meter

ABSTRACT OF THE INVENTION

The present invention pertains to the Interactive liquid treatment system with selective predetermined quality enhancement which comprises of a water inlet system, a filtration unit, a purification unit, and a dispensing unit to provide purified drinking water. The said filtration unit further comprises a sediment filter and/or chemi-block media such as a carbon filter which treats the raw water from the source. The said purification unit comprises a Reverse Osmosis purifier, an Ultra filtration / Nano filtration purifier. The said purification system provides complete purification of the treated water from the filtration unit. The said mineral supplement and disinfection unit of the present invention comprises a Mineral chamber with stored minerals and an ultraviolet purification chamber. The Purified water storage Unit comprises a storage tank, a (Total Dissolved Solids) TDS sensing unit with digital display A and a TDS input unit with digital display B. The TDS sensing unit calibrates the TDS of the purified water stored in the storage tank and the TDS input unit allows user to input desired TDS of the water purified water. The TDS Sensing unit further comprises a Logic PCB that connects to the purification Unit and, the Mineral supplement and disinfection unit. The said liquid treatment system of the present invention further comprises a mineral dispenser to dispense minerals in to the purified water in the storage unit. The fluid purification and dispensing apparatus of the present invention provides user to select desired TDS of the purified water and modify the taste of the drinking water.

;BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The embodiments herein will be better understood from the following detailed description with reference to the drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a general Process Flow diagram of Interactive liquid treatment system, as disclosed in the embodiments herein;

DETAILED SPECIFICATION OF THE INVENTION

The Interactive liquid treatment system with selective predetermined quality enhancement for providing purified water from a water source according to the present invention comprises a water inlet system, a filtration unit, a purification unit, a Mineral Supplement and disinfection unit and a Purified water storage unit.

The said water inlet system comprises a valve or pipe of connecting means, one end of which connects to the water source and the other end of the means connects to the filtration unit.

The said filtration unit further comprises a sediment filter and/or a chemi-block media such as a carbon filter. The said sediment filter treats raw water by removing sediments, particulate or other such materials. The said carbon filter of the filtration unit comprises carbon, activated charcoal or the like to remove organic compounds and compounds such as those found in pesticides and dissolved gases such as chlorine. The carbon filter also removes undesirable taste prior to actual purification of the source water.

The said purification unit of the present system comprises of an Ultra filtration (UF)/ nano filtration (NF) unit and a Reverse Osmosis (RO) filtration unit. The R.O filtration system and the Ultra/Nano filtration system are alternatively connected to the Chemi-block filter of the filtration unit.

The ultra filtration system has a membrane filter which is a hollow membrane filter and is ideal for the removal of colloids, proteins, bacteria, pyrogens, proteins, and macromolecules larger than the membrane pore size from water.

The Said ultra filtration system of the present invention is replaced with filtration system serving the purpose of purification by filtration more particularly a Nano filtration system or the like The said reverse osmosis unit of the filtration system comprises a RO membrane having minute pores to strains salts and microorganisms. A pump means and a reject water valve is also provided in RO filtration unit. The pump creates the required osmotic pressure to force water through the pores of the membrane. The reject water valve controls and allows the out flow of rejected water.

The said Mineral supplement and disinfection unit further comprises a Mineral chamber with stored minerals and an ultraviolet purification chamber. The said Mineral chamber is operationally located to dispense minerals into the purified water. The Mineral chamber comprises of stored minerals which exhibits the characteristics of dissolved solids in the water. The mineral supplements are water soluble and dissolve in the purified water to alter the taste of the output water. The said mineral dispenser is activated when the TDS of the purified water is lesser than the input TDS.

The outlet from the R.O filtration unit and the outlet from the Ultra filtration or Nano filtration unit is connected to an Ultraviolet purification chamber that is provided by UV radiation of 253.7 nm wavelength by means of an UV lamp. This enables deactivation of disease causing microorganism and provides additional purification.

The said purified water storage unit of the present invention comprises a storage tank, a TDS sensing unit with digital display A and a TDS input unit with digital display B. The storage tank collects the water purified from the purification system and the said TDS sensing unit senses the TDS of the stored water. The TDS of the purified is displayed in the digital display A. The TDS input unit facilitates the user input for TDS, wherein the user can select TDS between 0 and 150 and more particularly between 30, 60, 90, 120 and 150. The TDS Sensing unit further comprises a Logic PCB that connects to the purification Unit and the Mineral supplement and disinfection unit. The said Logic PCB called as the electronic brain generates command that can optimize the purification process by selecting the ideal technology and process to meet the desired quality in terms of TDS level, and purity in terms of microbial safety. The Logic PCB performs the said optimization by alternately cut off R.O filtration module or Ultra filtration/ Nano filtration module in the purification unit.

Optionally the Purified water storage tank includes an audio system such as a speaker or the like which provide audio alert of the TDS of the purified water

The method of water purification using the integrated liquid treatment system with selective predetermined quality enhancement of the present invention wherein,

a) The water from the source enters v/o the water in let system into the filtration Unit,

b) The water in the filtration Unit passes through to the sediment filter and/or chemi-block media such as a carbon filter, wherein the raw water undergoes treatment and passes on to the purification system,

c) The water in the purification system enters the inlet of the Reverse osmosis unit (or) ultra filtration unit (or) Nano filtration unit and the purified water is collected in the Mineral Supplement and disinfection Unit,

d) The Purified water in from the purification Unit is treated via the Ultraviolet Chamber for disinfection and is processed to the Purified water storage tank

e) The purified water is collected in the Storage tank, where the TDS sensor system detects the TDS of the stored water,

f) The user sets the desired TDS of the stored water via the TDS input unit from 30 to 150 and TDS Sensor matches the TDS of the water stored in the Storage unit,

g) If the set TDS if lesser than the TDS of the purified water in the Storage tank the Logic PCB initiates purification of source water via the R.O purification unit

h) If the set TDS is greater that the TDS of the purified water in the Storage tank, the Logic PCB

initiates purification of source water via the Ultra filtration (or) Nano filtration module and

the addition of mineral supplements from the Mineral Chamber i) The purified water is stored in the Storage unit and is suitable for all purposes including

drinking, j) The Purified water undergoes steps d to h until the water in the Storage tank meets the input

TDS of the user.

The Interactive liquid treatment system with selective predetermined quality enhancement of the present invention provides user to select desire TDS of the dispensing water between 0 to 200 and more particularly 30 to 150 in options such as 30, 60, 90,120 and 150.

When the TDS of the purified water in the Liquid treatment system is lesser than the Input TDS, the said Mineral dispenser dispenses required minerals to dispense water at desired TDS and taste.

The said treatment system allows user to set the desired quality of the purified water to be stored on the Storage tank, while the Logic PCB program select the purification process from R.O. process and Ultraviolet radiation or Ultra filtration and Ultraviolet radiation process to the match set quality of the dispensed water.

The method of purification of water using the apparatus as mentioned in the present invention, wherein the initial operation of the water purification is performed via the Reverse osmosis purification module.

The initial source water is purified by the Reverse osmosis purification system for the first five minutes and more particularly three minutes or first level after which the TDS sensing unit detects the TDS of the water in the storage tank and activates the right purification process R.O. or U.F. or N.F> to meet the set TDS of the purified water in the said storage tank..

Additionally the water flow in the interactive liquid treatment system comprises an in the said filtration Unit, Purification Unit, mineral supplement and disinfection unit and purified water storage unit comprises one or more NRV (Non return valve)to prevent back flow of water within the system

Optionally, the fluid purification and sensor based dispensing system of the present invention include additional TDS sensor to sense and display the TDS of the source water.

The Interactive liquid treatment system with selective predetermined quality enhancement of the present invention facilitates the option of the user to chose the TDS of the drinking water and in turn adjust the taste of the purified water

It is apparent from the foregoing that a new and improved method and apparatus for purifying and dispensing water with desired TDS has been provided. While only the preferred embodiments have been described, as will be apparent to those familiar in the art, certain changes and modification can be made without departing from the Scope of the Invention as defined in the following claims.

Claims:

1. An Interactive liquid treatment system with selective pre-determined quality enhancement for providing purified water from a source comprising of a water inlet system, a filtration unit, a purification unit, a mineral supplement and disinfection unit and a purified water storage unit with a TDS input unit.

2. The interactive Liquid treatment system in accordance to claim 1, where in the filtration unit further comprises a sediment filter, chemi block media such as carbon filter or the like.

3. The interactive Liquid treatment system and method in accordance to Claim 1, wherein the Purification system further comprises an Ultra filtration (UF) unit and/or Nano-filtration unit, a Reverse Osmosis (RO) filtration unit,.

4. The Ultra filtration (UF and/or Nano) unit and the Reverse Osmosis (RO) filtration unit in accordance to the Claim 4, of the Purification system is alternatively connected to the Carbon filter and Ultra violet (UV) /Disinfection medium purification chamber.

5. An interactive liquid treatment system with selective pre-determined quality enhancement in accordance to the Claim 1, further comprises a mineral supplement and disinfection unit system to dispense minerals in to the purified water and disinfection of the purified water.

6. The interactive Liquid treatment system in accordance to Claim 1, wherein the purified water storage unit further comprises a storage tank, a TDS sensing unit with digital display 'A' ,a TDS input unit with digital display 'B' and a Logic PCB to generate command.

7. The TDS Input unit in accordance with the Claim 7 allows user to input the selective pre¬determined TDS of the purified water in the storage unit.
8.

9. The TDS Input unit in accordance with the Claim 8 facilitates the user input for pre¬determined TDS, wherein the user can select TDS values between 30 and 150.

10. The method of water purification using the integrated liquid treatment system with selective pre-determined quality enhancement wherein

a) The water from the source enters via the water inlet system into the filtration unit,

b) The water in the filtration unit passes through to the sediment filter and/or chemi-block media such as a carbon filter, wherein the raw water undergoes treatment and passes on to the purification system,

c) The water in the purification system enters the inlet of the Reverse osmosis unit (or) Ultra filtration Unit (or) Nano filtration Unit and the purified water is collected in the Mineral Supplement and disinfection Unit,

d) The Purified water in from the purification Unit is treated via the Ultraviolet Chamber for disinfection and is processed to the Purified water storage tank

e) The purified water is collected in the Storage tank, where the TDS sensor system detects the TDS of the stored water,

f) The user set the desired TDS of the stored water via the TDS input unit from 30 to 150 and TDS Sensor matches the TDS of the water stored in the Storage unit,

g) If the set TDS if lesser than the TDS of the purified water in the Storage tank the Logic PCB initiates purification of source water via the R.O purification unit

h) If the set TDS is greater that the TDS of the purified water in the Storage tank, the Logic PCB initiates purification of source water via the Ultra filtration (or) Nano filtration module and the addition of mineral supplements from the Mineral Chamber

i) The purified water is stored in the Storage unit and is suitable for all purposes including drinking.

j) The Purified water undergoes steps d to i until the water in the Storage tank meets the input TDS of the user.

11. The method of water purification using the interactive liquid treatment system with selective pre-determined quality enhancement, in accordance with Claim 11, enables the system to select the purification process to match desired quality of the water