Patent ID: 8877056
Filing Date: 2014-11-04
Classification: B01D,B64D,C02F

Abstract:
1. A potable water distribution system, comprising a distribution line having an inlet port and at least one outlet port, a filtering and/or conditioning and/or purifying device mounted along the distribution line for filtering and/or conditioning and/or purifying a fluid received from the distribution line before said fluid exits from the potable water distribution system through an outlet port of the distribution line, valve means connected to the distribution line for controlling when fluid may exit the potable water distribution system through an outlet port of the distribution line, and an apparatus mounted between the distribution line and the filtering and/or conditioning and/or purifying device for bypassing fluid moving in the distribution line past said filtering and/or conditioning and/or purifying device, the apparatus comprising a body having a first passageway extending through it, an inlet port formed at an inlet end portion of the first passageway, the inlet port of the first passageway being connected to the distribution line to receive fluid therefrom, an outlet port formed at an outlet end portion of the first passageway, the outlet port of the first passageway being connected to an inlet port of the filtering and/or conditioning and/or purifying device to permit fluid to flow from the outlet port of the first passageway into the inlet port of the filtering and/or conditioning and/or purifying device, the body having a second passageway extending through it, an inlet port formed at an inlet end portion of the second passageway, the inlet port of the second passageway being connected to an outlet port of the filtering and/or conditioning and/or purifying device to permit fluid to flow from the outlet port of the filtering and/or conditioning and/or purifying device to the inlet port of the second passageway, an outlet port formed at an outlet end portion of the second passageway, the outlet port of the second passageway being connected to a fluid receiving line leading to an outlet port of the distribution line to permit fluid to flow from the outlet port of the second passageway into the fluid receiving line, the body having a third passageway extending between the first passageway and the second passageway, and a bypass valve having a portion that when positioned in a blocking position in the third passageway blocks flow of fluid through the third passageway and that when withdrawn from a blocking position in the third passageway opens the third passageway to permit fluid to flow through the third passageway; wherein said first passageway and said second passageway communicate with each other through said filtering and/or conditioning and/or purifying device when said bypass valve is closed, and wherein said first passageway and said second passageway communicate with each other through said third passageway when said bypass valve is open; and wherein the first passageway and the second passageway remain open and accessible along their entire lengths to sanitizing solution when the bypass valve is open and sanitizing solution is introduced into the distribution line, the body having a first member and a second member, the second member being mounted on the first member, the first passageway extending through the body being defined by a first bore formed in and extending through the first member of the body and a first bore formed in and extending through the second member of the body, the first bore in the first member of the body being aligned with the first bore in the second member of the body, the second passageway extending through the body being defined by a second bore formed in and extending through the first member of the body and a second bore formed in and extending through the second member of the body, the second bore in the first member of the body being aligned with the second bore in the second member of the body, and further including a first inlet tube positioned in the first bore of the first member of the body, the first inlet tube having a first end portion and a second end portion, the first end portion of the first inlet tube being configured to connect to the distribution line, and the second end portion of the first inlet tube being provided with a side opening to permit fluid to flow from the first passageway into and through the third passageway when the bypass valve is open, and sealing means for sealing between the first inlet tube and the first member of the body, a first outlet tube positioned in the first bore of the second member of the body, the first outlet tube having a first end portion and a second end portion, the second end portion of the first outlet tube being configured to receive the inlet port of the filtering and/or conditioning and/or purifying device, and sealing means for sealing between the first outlet tube and the second member of the body, a second inlet tube positioned in the second bore in the second member of the body, the second inlet tube having a first end portion and a second end portion, the first end portion of the second inlet tube being configured to connect to the outlet port of the filtering and/or conditioning and/or purifying device, and the second end portion of the second inlet tube being provided with a side opening to permit fluid to flow from the third passageway through the opening into the second passageway when the bypass valve is open, and sealing means for sealing between the second inlet tube and the second member of the body, a second outlet tube positioned in the second bore of the first member of the body, the second outlet tube having a first end portion and a second; end portion, the second end portion of the second outlet tube being configured to connect to the distribution line, and sealing means for sealing between the second outlet tube and the first member of the body, the first bore formed in the first member of the body having a first end portion and a second end portion, the second end portion of the first bore formed in the first member of the body being adjacent to the first bore formed in the second member of the body, the second bore formed in the first member of the body having a first end portion and a second end portion, the first end portion of the second bore formed in the first member of the body being adjacent to the second bore formed in the second member of the body, the third passageway being formed in the first member of the body and extending from the second end portion of the first bore formed in the first member of the body through the first member of the body to the first end portion of the second bore formed in the first member of the body, and sealing means for sealing between the first member of the body and the second member of the body.