The invention relates to a program-controlled apparatus (1) for washing items that is equipped with a water purification system (8) for purifying the wash liquor by removing detergent and suspended soil, which purification system (8) utilizes addition of flocculant, wherein the amount of flocculant that is added is controlled to minimize the total amount of flocculant used without compromising the efficacy of the purification treatment.

A filter cartridge assembly for an ice making appliance having a rectilinear filter cartridge with a plurality of partitions that are positioned within an internal chamber, form multiple sub-chambers, and create a non-linear pathway for the flow of water through the filter cartridge. Filter media positioned in the sub-chambers of the filter cartridge are configured to remove dissolved solids from water travelling through the filter cartridge and used by the appliance to create ice, including clear ice.

A micro-bubble generating system according to an embodiment of the present invention may include an electrolytic bath configured to generate primary micro-bubbles; a water supply hose which is connected to an outlet end of the electrolytic bath; and a micro-bubble generating device which is connected to the outlet end of the water supply hose to generate secondary micro-bubbles having a smaller diameter than the primary micro-bubbles.

A washing appliance such as a dishwasher or laundry washing machine comprises an ion-exchange water softening section and a brine generator to supply brine to the water softening section to regenerate ion-exchange resins therein, and a valve (such as a float valve) in a water supply conduit to the brine generator. The valve permits water to flow into the brine generator but blocks back-flow of liquid from the brine generator to the water supply conduit.

An auxiliary gray water supply device captures used wash water from a commercial warewashing machine for supply to a pre-rinse station without substantial modification of the commercial warewashing machine. The captured wash water and treatment agent are delivered to a pre-rinse station for pre-rinsing of dishes that will be washed within the commercial warewashing machine.

A coalescing removal separator includes a separator tank having a separator input configured to receive a fluid flowing through a system having entrained gasses and solid particles, having a tank wall configured to form a volume/chamber inside the separator tank to process the fluid, and having a separator output configured to provide processed fluid that is free of at least some of the entrained gasses and solid particles; and a coalescing media arranged in the volume/chamber of the separator tank, the coalescing media having at least one helically wound brush with a stem and intertwined bristles substantially filling the volume/chamber of the separator tank and being configured to enable the at least some of the entrained gasses and solid particles to come out of the fluid.

A system and method for washing items with water includes a water inlet and a container for receiving the items to be washed. The system comprises a water purification apparatus for purifying water introduced through said water inlet to produce purified water. The water purification apparatus comprises at least one filter for filtering off particulate solids, a reverse osmosis device, and at least one deionizing filter. The system further comprises a reservoir for storing purified water produced by the water purification apparatus, said reservoir being connected to said water purification apparatus and said container, so that the items are washable inside the container with the purified water.

An electro-chemical activation (ECA) system includes an anode chamber, a cathode chamber, and a neutralization chamber. The anode chamber includes an anode configured to convert water having an alkaline-metal chloride into an anodic electrolyte that includes hypochlorous acid. The cathode chamber includes a cathode configured to convert water into a cathodic electrolyte. The neutralization chamber includes a neutralization cathode configured to remove protons from the anodic electrolyte after it leaves the anode chamber. The ECA system is configured to recirculate the anodic electrolyte back through the anode chamber and the neutralization chamber at least one more time to produce a concentrated chlorine solution. The ECA system is further configured to recirculate the cathodic electrolyte back through the cathode chamber at least one additional time to produce a concentrated alkaline solution.

A water tank for a domestic appliance, having a tank base, wherein there is provided on the tank base, for the sealed connection of a filter cartridge, an annular tank sealing surface which surrounds a tank passage opening for the flow of water through the wall of the tank base to the domestic appliance, characterized in that a water passage which bypasses the tank sealing surface is provided from outside the tank sealing surface inward to the tank passage opening, which water passage can be closed by a filter-side actuation element upon insertion of the filter cartridge, in that the tank sealing surface and/or the filter sealing surface of the filter cartridge have a varying radius in relation to a central axis (A), such that the tank sealing surface and/or the filter sealing surface comprise radial indentations and/or radial protuberances.

A water tank for a household appliance having a connection for a filter cartridge, wherein an annular tank sealing face is provided on the tank bottom for the tight connection of the filter cartridge and the tank sealing face encloses a tank passage opening for the water from the filter cartridge to flow through the wall of the tank bottom to the household appliance, characterized in that the tank sealing face along its circumference has a variable radius in relation to a central axis, so that the tank sealing face comprises radial concavities and/or radial convexities, wherein the convexities and/or concavities have a round profile, and wherein the concavities and/or convexities are configured to periodically oscillate around a circular line.