PLUMBING SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PURIFYING DRINKING WATER

Abstract

In order to make available water that is as germ-free as possible, the invention provides a water installation system (1) comprising an extraction point (38) and/or an outlet, wherein the water installation system has a direction of flow (D) towards the extraction point and/or towards the outlet, and comprises at least one chemical germ barrier (200) upstream of the extraction point and/or the outlet when viewed in the direction of flow, wherein the chemical germ barrier is selected in particular from the group consisting of at least one alkalinizing and/or oxidative material, silver, chlorine, and combinations thereof.

Claims

1.-16. (canceled)

17. A water installation system, comprising: an extraction point (38) and/or an outlet, the water installation system having a direction of flow (D) towards the extraction point and/or the outlet; and a chemical germ barrier (200) upstream of the extraction point and/or the outlet, wherein the chemical germ barrier (200) comprises a material that has an alkalinizing and/or oxidative effect, the material being at least one peroxide or being selected from the group consisting of combinations of peroxides with carbonates, oxides, silver, chlorine, ozone, and the material being provided in form of granules with particles having a particle size of greater than 20 micrometers up to less than 5 mm, the material being configured such that after a stagnation phase of 5 hours an OH-concentration in the chemical germ barrier (200) increases resulting in an increase of pH to a value of 10 up to 13.

18. The water installation system (1) as claimed in claim 17, wherein the chemical germ barrier (200) is a replaceable cartridge.

19. The water installation system (1) as claimed in claim 17, wherein the water installation system comprises a water treatment device (100) selected from the group consisting of water filters, ion exchangers, nano/reverse osmosis systems, and combinations thereof.

20. The water installation system (1) as claimed in claim 17, wherein the chemical germ barrier is placed upstream of a dead branch in the water installation system.

21. The water installation system (1) as claimed in claim 17, wherein the chemical germ barrier is placed upstream of a compensation tank.

22. A method for treating drinking water, wherein the drinking water is provided in a water source (30), the method comprising: a stagnation phase in which the drinking water does not emerge from the water source (30); and an extraction phase in which the drinking water is extracted and replenished from the water source (30), wherein, during the extraction phase, the drinking water passes through a chemical germ barrier (200), and wherein the chemical germ barrier (200) is provided during the stagnation phase in a flow path of the water by a material having an alkalinizing and/or oxidative effect, with the material enriching the water in the chemical germ barrier (200) during the stagnation phase with OH-ions and/or with hydrogen peroxide, such that during the stagnation phase the drinking water has a pH in the range of 9 up to 13 and/or a hydrogen peroxide concentration of 50 mg/L at the maximum.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein the chemical germ barrier is established by the alkalinizing and/or oxidative material increasing a pH value and/or by a peroxide material generating hydrogen peroxide in stagnant water.

24. The method of claim 22, wherein an alkalinizing material is used as a chemical germ barrier (200), at least in part, and wherein the pH is increased to a value of more than 9.

25. The method of claim 24, wherein the pH is increased to a value of more than 10 and less than 13.

26. The method of claim 22, wherein a peroxide material is used as a chemical germ barrier (200), at least in part, and wherein, during the stagnation phase, the drinking water has a maximum hydrogen peroxide concentration of 50 mg/l.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0090] The invention is illustrated in more detail in the attached drawings by way of exemplary embodiments. The same and similar components are denoted by the same reference numerals, while the features of the various exemplary embodiments can be combined with one another.

[0091] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of the provision of drinking water using a drinking water filter;

[0092] FIG. 2A is a schematic view of a first embodiment of a chemical germ barrier in the form of a peroxide attachment;

[0093] FIG. 2B is a schematic view of a further embodiment of a chemical germ barrier comprising silver;

[0094] FIG. 2C is a schematic view of a further embodiment of a chemical germ barrier comprising chlorine;

[0095] FIG. 3 is a schematic view of an embodiment of a drinking water filter;

[0096] FIG. 4 is a schematic view of a gravity-driven domestic water filter;

[0097] FIG. 5 is a schematic view of a water dispenser; and

[0098] FIG. 6 is a schematic view of a filter cartridge;

[0099] FIG. 7 is a schematic view of a drinking water system comprising a reverse osmosis tank;

[0100] FIG. 8 is a schematic view of one embodiment of a shower toilet;

[0101] FIG. 9 shows a connecting piece together with a cartridge for the shower toilet.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0102] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary embodiment for the provision of drinking water. Water is provided in a water source 30, for example a water tank or via a water pipe in the building. The input water 3000 flows through a pipe 35 to the extraction or tapping point 38. The water extracted at this point of use is referred to as output water 3100.

[0103] If input water 3000 is stagnant in the water source and in the pipe 35 to the extraction point, microorganisms can proliferate therein. The invention addresses this problem by having, in this exemplary embodiment, a chemical germ barrier 200 arranged directly at the point of use 38 so that the output water 3100 is directly extracted from the drinking water system 1.

[0104] The drinking water system 1 comprises an extraction point 38 and has a direction of flow D towards the extraction point. Upstream of the extraction point 38 when viewed in the direction of flow D, the drinking water system 1 comprises at least one chemical germ barrier 200.

[0105] The chemical germ barrier is selected from the group consisting of, for example, an alkalinizing and/or oxidative material, silver, chlorine, ozone, and combinations thereof. Below, a chemical germ barrier comprising alkalinizing and/or oxidative material will often be mentioned as an exemplary embodiment. The design features of the drinking water system and its components essentially apply similarly to embodiments that include the other chemical germ barriers mentioned. This will be obvious for a person skilled in the art from the figures and the associated description.

[0106] FIG. 2A shows a chemical germ barrier 200 comprising a material 2100 that has an alkalinizing and/or oxidative effect. Like the drinking water system 1, the chemical germ barrier 200 generally has a direction of flow D, and the alkalinizing and/or oxidative material 2100 is placed upstream of the extraction point when viewed in the direction of flow D.

[0107] FIG. 2B shows a chemical barrier 200 comprising a silver-containing material. When water flows through the chemical germ barrier, the silver ions and/or the metallic silver provided by the silver-containing particles will unfold a biocidal effect in the drinking water as it passes through the chemical germ barrier. The silver-containing particles 2500 may be metallic silver components such as a silver coating on the inner surface of the housing 2040, or integrated silver fabrics or silver fleeces, or silver salts in the form of a particle bed inside the sleeve 2040. The latter embodiment is illustrated in FIG. 2B.

[0108] FIG. 2C shows a chemical germ barrier 200 comprising a dosing pump 2400 for chlorine. The dosing pump 2400 protrudes into the interior of the sleeve 2040 which defines a housing of the chemical germ barrier 200. The dosing pump 2400 has a power connection 2410. A seal 2411 is arranged between the housing wall 2040 and the dosing pump 2400. The dosing pump 2400 is connected to a port of a chlorine source 2405, through which a chloride-containing solution or chlorine gas can be supplied during operation, for example. During operation, drinking water flows through the chemical germ barrier 200 along the direction of flow D and is exposed to chlorine in the process, so that germs are killed. In terms of its basic structure, the dosing pump 2400 could likewise be designed for ozone.

[0109] FIG. 3 shows a longitudinal sectional view of an embodiment of a drinking water system 1 which, in addition to the chemical germ barrier 200, comprises a water treatment device 100 which is in the form of a membrane stack for ultrafiltration or microfiltration in the illustrated example. In this example, the chemical germ barrier comprises a material that has an alkalinizing and/or oxidative effect, and thus it is also referred to as an attachment.

[0110] The alkalinizing and/or oxidative material 2100 is provided in a sleeve 2040. The sleeve 2040 is preferably made of plastics material. Preferably, oxide granules, carbonate granules, peroxide granules, or a mixture of these materials are used as the alkalinizing and/or oxidative material. The material is provided in the form of a filling in the interior of sleeve 2040 of the attachment 200 and is denoted by reference numeral 2100 in the figures.

[0111] The attachment 200 has an inlet side 2140 and an outlet side 2410. During operation, input water enters the drinking water system 1 through the inlet side 2140 of the attachment 200 and leaves it via the extraction point 38 at the point of use.

[0112] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, a water-permeable material is provided on the inlet side 2140 of the attachment 200, in order to prevent the alkalinizing and/or oxidative material 2100 from falling out when the drinking water system 1 is being handled. For this purpose, a retention grid or a fleece 2200 can be used.

[0113] However, depending on the field of use, it is also possible for the chemical germ barrier 200 to be filled with alkalinizing and/or oxidative material (and/or silver-containing particles) during assembly, and to then be installed without providing the inlet side 2140 with a retaining material.

[0114] This also applies to the embodiment of the chemical germ barrier as illustrated in FIGS. 2A and 2C. In order to be able to handle the chemical germ barrier 200 separately and independently of an optionally provided water treatment unit, the chemical germ barrier 200 has a retention grid or a fleece 2210 on the input side and on its output side 2410 in these variants. This also keeps the bed 2100 away from downstream components during operation.

[0115] In the illustrated embodiments, the chemical germ barrier 200 has fastening means 2600 on its input side 2140 and also fastening means 2600 on its output side 2410. These may be in the form of a flange or thread, for example. The fastening means 2610 on its inlet side 2140 allow the chemical germ barrier 200 to be connected to the outlet port of a source or a pipe for inlet water 300.

[0116] The fastening means 2600 on its output side 2410 allow the chemical germ barrier 200 to be connected to a downstream water treatment device. One of the latter is illustrated in FIG. 3 by way of the example of a microfilter or ultrafilter. A membrane stack for microfiltration or ultrafiltration is arranged in a sleeve 4 which is preferably made of plastics material. In the illustrated embodiment, the membranes of the membrane stack are in the form of capillary membranes. They are folded over inside the sleeve 4 and embedded in a potting compound 5 on the permeate side. The open ends of the capillary membranes 6 thus define the outlet from the drinking water system 1. In a further embodiment, the capillary membrane can also be operated in the opposite direction. In the operation of all embodiments, the outlet may constitute the immediate extraction point for drinking water.

[0117] The sleeve 4 has fastening means 6 which may come in the form of a bayonet lock or a thread, for example. This allows the sleeve 4 around the membrane stack to be connected to the chemical germ barrier 200, in interaction with the fastening means 2600 thereof.

[0118] FIG. 4 is a schematic view of a gravity-driven domestic water filter 7. The gravity-driven domestic water filter 7 comprises a jug for receiving the filtered water. Furthermore, the domestic water filter 7 comprises a funnel 9 into which the water to be treated is poured. This water passes through a filter cartridge 10 which is filled with an ion exchange material. After having passed through the filter cartridge 10, the water passes through a sleeve that includes a chemical germ barrier 200 and a microfilter or ultrafilter, for example as shown in FIG. 3. The entire sleeve is connected to the filter cartridge 10 in a detachable manner. The chemical germ barrier 200 prevents a biofilm from growing into the membrane stack and prevents a biofilm from growing into the filter bed of the filter cartridge 10.

[0119] FIG. 5 is a schematic view of a water dispenser 11. The water dispenser 11 comprises a water container 12 which is installed in a housing 13. Provided on the housing is an actuating means 14 which the user can press. Water will then flow through the outlet 15 and into the user's cup 16 which can be placed on a support surface of the housing 13. The outlet 15 is in the form of a sleeve 18 comprising a chemical germ barrier and a microfilter or ultrafilter. The filtered water therefore emerges directly out of the filter. A contact protection 17 in the form of a peripheral wall is provided in front of the outlet 15, which prevents the user from unintentionally touching the outlet 15 and thereby contaminating it with bacteria.

[0120] Here, again, the germ barrier prevents a biofilm, which might arise from microorganisms retained by the membrane filter, from growing into the membrane filter or backwards into the water container 12.

[0121] FIG. 6 shows a filter cartridge 20 which comprises a chemical germ barrier 200. The filter cartridge 20 is in the form of a filter cartridge that can be connected into a supply line and has an inlet 22 and an outlet 23. The water to be treated flows into the housing 21 of the filter cartridge 20 via inlet 22 and leaves the housing 21 through the outlet 23. The path of the water is indicated by arrows. Such a filter cartridge 20 is also commonly referred to as a filter candle.

[0122] After passing through the inlet 22, the water to be treated first passes through a layer of activated carbon 24. After leaving the layer of activated carbon 24, part of the water to be treated passes through a layer of an ion exchange material 25. The water then reverses the flow and passes through a filter 26 and into a riser tube 27 to be directed to the outlet 23. Above the ion exchange material 25, the riser tube 27 has a bypass 28 which may be in the form of an opening in the riser tube, for example. The bypass 28 ensures that part of the water to be treated does not pass through the ion exchange material 25, but reaches the outlet 23 without ion exchange taking place. In this way, the hardness of the water can be easily adjusted by mixing softened water with non-softened water. The chemical germ barrier 200 is arranged downstream of the riser tube 27 and upstream of the outlet 23. It has a slightly larger diameter than the riser tube 27.

[0123] FIG. 7 shows an embodiment with a drinking water system 1 which comprises two chemical germ barriers 200 and a water treatment system 100. A drinking water system 1 in the form of an under-sink system for drinking water in households is arranged below a kitchen worktop 408. This under-sink system includes a water treatment device 100 with a reverse osmosis tank 402. The water treatment device 100 is supplied with input water from a water source 30. During operation, treated water can be extracted from the water treatment device 100 through extraction line 403. The reverse osmosis tank 402 has a first chamber 421 and a second chamber 422. A semipermeable membrane 411 is arranged between the chambers 421, 422. During operation, the input water is passed through the semi-permeable membrane 411. Substances dissolved in the input water are held back in the first chamber 421 so that a concentrate is produced.

[0124] The concentrate can be discharged via the concentrate line 406 and discarded via a waste water line 407. Although a so-called free outlet is usually provided here, there is a risk of backward contamination with germs from the waste water line 407. To counteract such reverse contamination, a chemical germ barrier is arranged in the concentrate line 406.

[0125] During operation, water with a significantly reduced concentration of dissolved substances enters the second chamber 422. Via a line 403, this permeate is fed to the extraction point 38, here embodied as a faucet, as the treated water. To prevent backward contamination with germs here as well, a second chemical germ barrier is arranged in the extraction line 403.

[0126] FIG. 8 shows a schematic view of an exemplary embodiment of a shower toilet 1, which comprises a germ barrier.

[0127] The shower toilet 1 comprises a toilet bowl 2 with a toilet seat 3 on which the user can sit down.

[0128] In this exemplary embodiment, the toilet bowl is in the form of a wall-mounted toilet bowl 2, which is mounted on an on-site existing wall 7, in particular on a mounting bracket (not shown).

[0129] The shower toilet 1 is connected to the on-site water pipe via a water connection 8.

[0130] This exemplary embodiment illustrates a shower toilet 1 which comprises an extendable nozzle 4 that can be extended out of the toilet bowl 2.

[0131] For controlling the nozzle 4 and the output of water therefrom, a control panel 5 is provided next to the toilet seat 3, which can be used to control various functions of the shower toilet 1, in particular the extension of the nozzle 4 in addition to the output of water.

[0132] Furthermore, the shower-toilet 1 may comprise a heater for heating the water that is discharged via the nozzle 4, a heater for the seat 3, and/or a warm-air fan for drying the cleaned buttocks of the user.

[0133] The control panel 5 is connected to an on-site electrical power outlet 6 via an electrical cable.

[0134] In this embodiment a removable cartridge 9 with an oxidizing and/or alkalinizing agent is arranged in a recess between the toilet seat 3 and the toilet bowl 2, which cartridge is effective as a germ barrier.

[0135] The cartridge 9 may in particular be filled with peroxide granules.

[0136] An exemplary embodiment of such a cartridge is shown in FIG. 9 together with the connecting piece, or fitting.

[0137] FIG. 9 shows a connecting piece 10 which, depending on the embodiment, can be installed at different locations in the supply line for the nozzle 4, for example in the rear area between the toilet seat 3 and the toilet bowl 2.

[0138] For this purpose, the connecting piece 10 has an inlet 11 and an outlet 12.

[0139] Preferably, a self-closing valve (not shown) is provided between the inlet 11 and the cartridge 9, which closes when the cartridge 9 is removed.

[0140] Thus, it will not be necessary to shut off the water supply to the shower toilet when the cartridge 9 is replaced.

[0141] In particular when filled with peroxide granules, such a cartridge 9 will even be suitable for long-term use and provides a reliable germ barrier, which in particular allows to prevent the contamination of drinking water by reverse contamination with germs.

[0142] It will be apparent to a person skilled in the art that the invention is not limited to the examples described above, but may rather be varied in various ways. In particular it is possible for the features of the individually illustrated examples to be combined or interchanged with one another.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

[0143] 1 Drinking water system [0144] 3 Capillary membrane [0145] 4 Membrane stack sleeve, sleeve [0146] 5 Potting compound [0147] 6 Fastening means [0148] 1 Shower toilet [0149] 2 Toilet bowl [0150] 3 Toilet seat [0151] 4 Nozzle [0152] 5 Control panel [0153] 6 Electrical power outlet [0154] 7 Wall [0155] 8 Water connection [0156] 9 Cartridge [0157] 10 Connecting piece [0158] 11 Inlet [0159] 12 Outlet [0160] 200 Chemical germ barrier, attachment, chlorine unit, ozone unit, silver unit [0161] 2040 Sleeve [0162] 2140 Inlet side of sleeve, inlet side of attachment [0163] 2410 Outlet side of sleeve, outlet side of attachment [0164] 2100 Alkalinizing and/or oxidative material [0165] 2200 Retention grid, fleece [0166] 2210 Retention grid, fleece [0167] 2400 Dosing pump for chlorine [0168] 2405 Chlorine source [0169] 2500 Silver-containing particles [0170] 2600 Fastening means, flange, thread [0171] 2610 Fastening means, flange, thread [0172] 7 Domestic water filter [0173] 8 Jug [0174] 9 Funnel [0175] 10 Filter cartridge [0176] 11 Water dispenser [0177] 12 Water container [0178] 13 Housing [0179] 14 Actuating means [0180] 15 Outlet [0181] 16 Cup [0182] 17 Contact protection [0183] 18 Sleeve [0184] 20 Filter cartridge [0185] 21 Housing of filter cartridge [0186] 22 Inlet of filter cartridge [0187] 23 Outlet of filter cartridge [0188] 24 Activated carbon [0189] 25 Ion exchange material [0190] 26 Filter [0191] 27 Riser tube [0192] 28 Bypass [0193] 30 Water source, water tank, water pipe [0194] 35 Pipe to extraction point, water pipe [0195] 38 Extraction point, point of use [0196] 3000 Input water [0197] 3100 Output water [0198] 100 Water treatment device, filter, microfilter/ultrafilter, membrane stack for microfiltration/ultrafiltration [0199] 300 Outlet from a source, pipe for inlet water [0200] 401 Inlet water pipe, non-treated water, water to be treated, feed [0201] 402 Reverse osmosis tank [0202] 421 First chamber of reverse osmosis tank [0203] 422 Second chamber of reverse osmosis tank [0204] 403 Permeate line, line for treated water [0205] 406 Concentrate line [0206] 407 Waste water [0207] 408 Kitchen worktop, table [0208] 411 Semipermeable membrane [0209] D Direction of flow