A water heating appliance and a method of operating a water heating appliance having a controller and an input device are provided. The controller is configured to obtain location information for the location of the water heating appliance from a user input on the input device or from data transfer from the water heating appliance and determine the water hardness from the location information. The controller determines a descaling schedule for the water heating appliance from the water hardness.

A water heating appliance and a method of operating a water heating appliance having a controller and an input device are provided. The controller is configured to obtain location information for the location of the water heating appliance from a user input on the input device or from data transfer from the water heating appliance and determine the water hardness from the location information. The controller determines a descaling schedule for the water heating appliance from the water hardness.

The invention relates to a compressed salt block and a liquid treatment apparatus provided therein with at least one such compressed salt block. The liquid treatment apparatus comprises a housing adapted to accommodate at least one liquid treatment tank and at least one compressed salt block. The housing comprises a first space portion for accommodating the at least one liquid treatment tank, and a second space portion for accommodating at least partially the at least one compressed salt block; wherein the at least one compressed salt block comprises an extension portion which extends into a space in the first space portion between an external surface of the at least one liquid treatment tank and an inner wall surface of the housing adjacent the external surface of the at least one liquid treatment tank to thereby position the at least one compressed salt block within the housing. The compressed salt block comprises an elongated body having an irregular cross section, the cross section comprising a base side and a functional side opposing the base side, wherein at least a portion of the functional side forms an acute angle to the base side thereby forming the extension portion of the salt block.

The invention relates to a compressed salt block and a liquid treatment apparatus provided therein with at least one such compressed salt block. The liquid treatment apparatus comprises a housing adapted to accommodate at least one liquid treatment tank and at least one compressed salt block. The housing comprises a first space portion for accommodating the at least one liquid treatment tank, and a second space portion for accommodating at least partially the at least one compressed salt block; wherein the at least one compressed salt block comprises an extension portion which extends into a space in the first space portion between an external surface of the at least one liquid treatment tank and an inner wall surface of the housing adjacent the external surface of the at least one liquid treatment tank to thereby position the at least one compressed salt block within the housing. The compressed salt block comprises an elongated body having an irregular cross section, the cross section comprising a base side and a functional side opposing the base side, wherein at least a portion of the functional side forms an acute angle to the base side thereby forming the extension portion of the salt block.

An eductor for a water treatment system, including an eductor body having an inlet end and an opposite outlet end, the body defining an interior with a nozzle chamber and a flared conical portion. A jet nozzle is provided that is dimensioned for location in the nozzle chamber, defining an internal passage in fluid communication with the interior. A duckbill valve located in the jet nozzle includes a base from which project a pair of inherently biased, complementary flaps, free ends of the flaps oriented to open towards the outlet end. A mesh cap has a porous exterior wall defining a cavity in fluid communication with the interior, the cap having an open end engageable in the inlet end of the eductor body so that upon attachment of the mesh cap to the inlet end, the duckbill valve is held in position in the internal passage of the jet nozzle.

An eductor for a water treatment system, including an eductor body having an inlet end and an opposite outlet end, the body defining an interior with a nozzle chamber and a flared conical portion. A jet nozzle is provided that is dimensioned for location in the nozzle chamber, defining an internal passage in fluid communication with the interior. A duckbill valve located in the jet nozzle includes a base from which project a pair of inherently biased, complementary flaps, free ends of the flaps oriented to open towards the outlet end. A mesh cap has a porous exterior wall defining a cavity in fluid communication with the interior, the cap having an open end engageable in the inlet end of the eductor body so that upon attachment of the mesh cap to the inlet end, the duckbill valve is held in position in the internal passage of the jet nozzle.

A portable mineral water acquisition device that has an internal power supply, a drive pump, and the like includes, in a portable housing: a control unit that receives electric power from a battery; the drive pump that is controlled by the control unit and uses the battery as an electric power supply; and a water purification device that softens treated water that is pumped by the drive pump and produces delicious water.

A portable mineral water acquisition device that has an internal power supply, a drive pump, and the like includes, in a portable housing: a control unit that receives electric power from a battery; the drive pump that is controlled by the control unit and uses the battery as an electric power supply; and a water purification device that softens treated water that is pumped by the drive pump and produces delicious water.

Disclosed is a water softener that includes a water softener valve and an ion exchange tank. The water softener valve includes a valve body and valve core assembly. The valve body includes a valve chamber, and a water inlet passage and a water outlet passage in communication with the valve chamber. The valve chamber, the water inlet passage, and the water outlet passage all extend in a first orientation, and the water inlet passage and the water outlet passage are both located at a periphery of the valve chamber and are disposed on opposite sides of the valve chamber in a second orientation. The water inlet passage and the water outlet passage respectively define a water inlet and a water outlet at a same end of the valve body along the first orientation. The second orientation and the first orientation are perpendicular to each other.

The present invention relates to a method of initiating a liquid treatment process, and also a sensor for use in sensing and actuating a liquid treatment system. The sensor comprises a body having a sensing material disposed therein, the sensing material being subject to a change in size in response to a composition of a liquid flowing therethrough; an actuating means disposed within the body and associated with the sensing material; wherein the actuating means is movable between a first position and a second position in response to the change in size of the sensing material to thereby mechanically actuate a switch member, such that when the actuating means is in the first position, flow of an actuating stream of the liquid is allowed by the switch member to thereby hydraulically actuate operation of the liquid treatment system; and when the actuating means is in the second position, flow of the actuating stream of the liquid is prevented by the switch member.