Abstract:
A system and method for the enhancement or fortification of a potable fluid. The system is adapted to fit on existing supplies of potable fluids, such as faucets, to permit the selective introduction of beneficiating materials into the liquid supply. The system includes interchangeable, replaceable cartridges. In one aspect of the invention, the system introduces a constant concentration of beneficiating material into the water supply. In another aspect, the system has the ability to permit discrete or continuously variable concentrations of the beneficiating material. The system may also include a water filtration device that may be operated either independently or cooperatively with the system.

Description:
This application claims the benefit of the filing date of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/602,961, filed Aug. 19, 2004. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention generally relates to a device for placing nutrients, flavorings or related ingredients into a water supply, and more particularly to a device that can inject accurate, repeatable quantities of such ingredients into a potable water stream. 
     The use of potable water, especially in bottled form, is in its ascendancy, where numerous products are commonly available, including those with minerals, flavorings or related additives. Nevertheless, the vast majority of water consumed today does not include such features, instead coming from a readily-available source in the form of a conventional faucet or tap. In one form, faucet-mounted systems employ filtration devices (including, for example, user-removable cartridges) to remove impurities from the water. While these work for their intended purposes, they do nothing to address the need to add ingredients to the water, in fact achieving just the opposite. 
     Presently, a consumer can mix in commercially available additives with dispensed tap water to create a flavored or fortified beverage directly from the faucet, rather than purchasing (often expensive) bottles of water and toting them home. While this convenience, coupled with low cost, represents a huge untapped market of potential users, its utility is limited by the inability to provide the tailored attributes of its bottled counterparts, as it is more difficult for the end-user to achieve consistent, repeatable mixing of additives into faucet-dispensed water to get the desired concentration of flavoring or nutrient unless a cumbersome measuring approach is employed. Such an exercise can be especially difficult for young children and people with physical or mental frailties. 
     Prior attempts at introducing supplemental materials have dealt with dissolving or leaching solids into flowing water. For example, fluoride and cleansers have been added into water flow. The device of Herzfeld et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,634,053, shows a handle that is connectable to a hose. The handle is disclosed as being for cleaning or massaging purposes. The handle has no filter integrated with it, and the cartridge holding the concentrate does not appear to be disposable. In addition, the cartridge relies passively on the differing number and sizes of holes with which to dispense the concentrate. U.S. Pat. No. 3,777,982 to Britton, in addition to having no filter integrated with it, uses a block of liquid soluble material instead of a disposable cartridge. The stated purpose of the device is for cleaners, shampoos, detergents, fertilizers or insecticides. U.S. Pat. No. 3,191,868 to Brown et al. is attachable to a faucet, and injects its ingredient, primarily fluoride, by a leaching process rather than a disposable cartridge/bladder combination. As with the previous devices, there is no filter integrated with it. Other devices, including U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,842,429 (to Easton et al.), 2,734,632 (to De Ment), 1,991,388 (to Healy), 1,687,085 (to Dow) and UK Patent Application 2,204 253 (to Deeney et al.) all differ in the way in which additives are delivered with a water supply. 
     While these approaches to injecting materials into a water stream are currently being employed, their effectiveness is limited by one or more of the aforementioned problems and disadvantages. For example, none of the previously-discussed approaches incorporates a quickly and easily replaceable cartridge containing a beneficiation material such as flavors, vitamins, and other ingestible materials into the water flow. Moreover, the previous attempts do not use water pressure to act on a bladder containing a supply of beneficiation materials. Thus, what is needed is a device that is easily attached to a conventional water supply, such as a kitchen or related faucet, to provide repeatable quantities of on-demand beneficiated water. In the present context, a beneficiated liquid (such as water) is that which through the addition of one or more ingredients receives some form of fortification or related enhancement. What is further needed is such a device that may be integrated with a water filtration system. What is additionally needed is such a device configured with a beneficiating material-containing cartridge that is easily removable and replaceable, such that beneficiation of water can be achieved inexpensively. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     These needs are met by the present invention, wherein a device for use in fluid systems without the aforementioned disadvantages is described. In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a device for introducing ingredients into a potable fluid dispensing system is disclosed. The device includes a housing, a cartridge which can contain enhancement (also referred to as beneficiating) ingredients, and a flow mode selector for selectively allowing mixture of enhancement ingredients from the cartridge and a potable fluid flowing through the system. The enhancement ingredients can be, for example, a concentrated liquid or dissolvable solid. Specific types of such ingredients may include (but are not limited to) B, C or E vitamins, light flavoring, sweeteners, nutritional supplements, herbs, spices, proteins, fats, carbohydrates or the like. By way of example, the ingredients may include flavors, vitamins or nutrients or combinations thereof, and the device facilitates their introduction into the water flow for easy consumption. Delivery of beneficiated water according to this device is substantially less expensive than bottled water equivalents. In addition, rather than purchasing bottles that may not get recycled, the beneficiated water system delivers the end product directly into the user&#39;s container, thereby minimizing impact to the environment from containers and related packaging. 
     In one embodiment of the device, its configuration somewhat resembles that of a conventional faucet-mounted water filter, in that it is attachable to a faucet such that when the faucet is turned on, water passes through the device before being dispensed. In one mode of operation, the device can perform in a manner opposite such filters, since by its operation it is adding something to the water rather than taking something out. In another embodiment, the device may additionally include a filter such that it can perform both beneficiation and traditional filtration functions. This optional inclusion of filtration features gives the consumer yet another choice for modifying conventional tap water or other liquids. 
     One significant benefit of the present invention is its ability to provide ratiometric quantities of beneficiated product. As used in the present context, the term “ratiometric” is used to describe additive concentrations that are invariant with flow or pressure settings. Thus, when connected to a conventional faucet, the concentration of additive to the water is constant irrespective of input water pressure and corresponding water flow volume. 
     Optionally, the ingredient supply cartridge includes a substantially rigid outer shell removably attachable to the housing. As used in the present context, the term “substantially” refers to features that, while in theory would be expected to exhibit exact correspondence or behavior, may in practice embody something slightly less than exact. As such, the term denotes the degree by which a quantitative value, measurement or other related representation may vary from a stated reference without resulting in a change in the basic function of the subject matter at issue. In a preferred embodiment, the outer shell and housing are easily connectable (such as through latched, threaded, friction-based or locking fits, among others) such that tools are not required to secure the two together. The shell preferably holds a bladder, where the bladder can contain a quantity of the enhancement ingredients that can be forced out of the bladder and into a stream of water that can subsequently be dispensed to a user. When a supply of pressurized fluid (such as water from a conventional faucet) is introduced into the device, at least a portion of the fluid is routed to a region formed between the bladder and the shell. The space between the bladder and shell then fills up with water, which then presses against the bladder. Since the bladder is of a flexible and collapsible material, the pressure applied to it squeezes some of the ingredient out of the bladder and into a stream of potable fluid. The bladder may further be integrated into the ingredient supply cartridge such that together they define a single non-reusable unit, thereby promoting disposable operation. 
     The ingredients contained in the cartridge can be quickly and easily replaced by inserting a different cartridge with a different flavor and or nutrient combination based upon the preferences of the user. In addition to promoting variable concentration valving capability and consumer convenience through ease of use and tool-free replacement, the water pressure-based mixing across a bladder or related membrane and disposable cartridge construction promotes consumer confidence that the ingredients contained therein have not been tampered or otherwise contaminated. 
     Further options include the conduit having a major water flow configured to convey a first portion of the pressurized potable fluid for mixing with the enhancement ingredients, and a minor water flow configured to convey a second portion of the pressurized potable fluid to the region formed between the bladder and the shell. This second portion effects the bladder volume reduction and the displacement or expulsion of the enhancement ingredient from the bladder. A filter cartridge may be placed in selective fluid communication with the fluid inlet. This allows the water to become both filtered and beneficiated. The filter cartridge may further be disposed within the ingredient supply cartridge, and may be separately removable from the ingredient supply cartridge. In another form, the filter cartridge is integral with the ingredient supply cartridge such that together they define a single non-reusable unit. 
     The flow mode selector is preferably in the form of a valve that operates in a first and second setting. In a first setting, the valve bypasses the potable fluid around the ingredient supply cartridge such that no fluid communication and consequent mixing occurs, while in a second setting, the pressurized potable fluid can be introduced into the minor and major water flows to establish the enhancement ingredient dispensing and mixing. 
     The device may further include a concentration adjustment selector, also in the form of a valve. This valve is able to accommodate numerous settings, each permitting a different concentration of the enhancement ingredient to be mixed. In one form, the plurality of settings are discretely variable, while in another they are continuously variable. The valve (either in its continuous or discretely variable form) can further include an “on/off” setting such that the various concentration settings are only operative when the valve is in the “on” position. 
     In a preferable form, there are at least two fluid outlets in the housing, a first of which comprises a bypass spout through which the potable fluid that has not been mixed with the enhancement ingredients passes, and a second of which comprises a beneficiated spout through which the mixed enhancement ingredients and potable fluid passes. 
     According to another aspect of the invention, a replaceable cartridge for placing an enhancement ingredient into a pressurized potable water dispensing system includes a removably attachable and substantially rigid outer shell and a bladder disposed in the shell. As before, the bladder is made from a relatively flexible, collapsible material, making it responsive to pressure from the potable water. In this way, at least some of an enhancement ingredient contained within the bladder can be expelled and mixed with some of the potable water to create an enhanced potable water stream. As with the previous aspect, the potable fluid that interacts with the cartridge may be defined by first and second portions, where the first corresponds to the portion that mixes with the ingredient, while the second is using as the driving or pressurizing portion. 
     Optionally, the cartridge can be structured with an open architecture, where all of the portion of the fluid introduced into the cartridge may also be removed along a separate cartridge outlet. In this way, after the second portion of potable water passes between the bladder and the substantially rigid outer shell, it can be introduced into the stream containing the first portion of potable water. In addition to making substantially all of the water available for mixing with the ingredient, its open architecture helps prevent overpressure to the cartridge. In yet another option, the bladder is integrated into the substantially rigid outer shell such that together they define a single non-reusable unit. Such a configuration defines a truly disposable unit that can be inserted, removed and reinserted as needed until the ingredients have been depleted. As stated above, the enhancement ingredient can be flavorings, sweeteners, vitamins, herbs, spices, proteins, fats or carbohydrates or any combination of the aforementioned, and can be in liquid or solid (such as powdered solid) form, and the disposable nature of each cartridge is such that once the ingredient supply is depleted from each cartridge, it can be removed without the need for tools, and a new, fresh cartridge can be installed. 
     In another option, a filter is coupled to the replaceable cartridge so that upon passage of the potable water through the filter, at least a portion of the potable water becomes both filtered and beneficiated. In a more particular form, the filter is disposed within the substantially rigid outer shell. The filter cartridge can be made to be separately removable. In this way, the user has the ability to change out either the filter or the bladder without having to change out both simultaneously. Such a configuration is beneficial when the filter and bladder are used up at different rates. In another form, the filter and bladder are integral with the substantially rigid outer shell such that together they define a single non-reusable unit. What such a construction sacrifices in bladder and filter autonomy is made up for by overall user convenience, as replacement and renewal of a single cartridge covers both beneficiation and filtration needs. 
     According to yet another aspect of the invention, a beneficiated water system is disclosed. The system includes a water dispensing faucet that is used to control the flow of a pressurized supply of potable water, and a beneficiating ingredient dispensing device coupled to the faucet. The beneficiating ingredient dispensing device includes a housing similar to that described in the previous aspects, where a fluid conduit is intermediate a fluid inlet and at least one fluid outlet formed in the housing. The conduit includes a first water flow and a second water flow. The device also includes an ingredient supply cartridge coupled to the housing, and a flow mode selector as previously described. The portion of the water passing through the first water flow and the beneficiating ingredient mixes to form beneficiated water that is dispensed through the fluid outlet. The ingredient supply cartridge includes a substantially rigid outer shell removably attachable to the housing, and a bladder disposed in the ingredient supply cartridge, the bladder configured to contain a quantity of the beneficiating ingredient therein such that upon application of pressure thereto by a portion of the water passing through the first water flow, a region formed between the bladder and the substantially rigid outer shell expands to effect a volume reduction of the bladder and consequent displacement of at least a portion of the beneficiating ingredient disposed therein. While virtually any joined components can be considered “removable”, in the present context, it will be understood that when applied to the presently-disclosed cartridge, only those cartridge that can be attached to or separated from a housing with minimal user effort are included. As such, a cartridge that can be connected and disconnected to a housing without the need for tools to effect such connection qualifies as a removable cartridge, while one that necessitates either damage to the components once separated or the extensive use of tools does not. 
     According to still another aspect of the present invention, a method of adding an ingredient into a potable water stream includes configuring a device to selectively mix the ingredient with at least a portion of the potable water stream, coupling the device to the potable water stream, initiating a flow of the potable water stream through the device and adjusting the device such that some of the potable water stream engages the bladder to expel some of the ingredient in the bladder. Upon exiting the bladder, this part of the ingredient mixes with some of the potable water stream to create a beneficiated stream. As previously discussed, the device may include a removably attachable cartridge with the ingredient-containing bladder disposed therein. 
     Optionally, initiating the flow of the potable water stream comprises turning on a faucet disposed in the potable water stream such that the potable water stream passes through the faucet. In addition, the removably attachable cartridge connects to a housing and the housing comprises at least one valve in the form of a concentration adjustment selector to allow a user to set a preferred level of ingredient concentration. In a more detailed option, the ingredient comprises a human oral ingestion ingredient. In the present context, a human oral ingestion ingredient includes those taken through the oral route, such as by eating or drinking, and that are suitable for human consumption. In the present context, herbicides, insecticides, cleaning agents or the like do not fall within the range of human oral ingestion ingredients. Examples of suitable human oral ingestion ingredients that could be placed within the bladder include vitamins, flavorings, sweeteners, nutritional supplements, herbs, spices, proteins, fats and carbohydrates. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The following detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the present invention can be best understood when read in conjunction with the following drawings, where like structure is indicated with like reference numerals and in which: 
         FIG. 1  is an elevation view of the beneficiated water system according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a detail of an ingredient supply cartridge that forms part of the invention of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a schematic view of the flow of fluids through the system of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4  is an elevation view of an alternate embodiment of the system of the present invention, further incorporating a discretely variable flow mode selections for adjusting the concentration setting of a beneficiating ingredient; 
         FIG. 5  is a schematic view of the flow of fluids through the system of  FIG. 4 ; 
         FIG. 6  is an elevation view of an alternate embodiment of the system of the present invention, further incorporating a filtration device; 
         FIG. 7  is a schematic view of the flow of fluids through the system of  FIG. 6 ; 
         FIG. 8  is an elevation view of an alternate embodiment of the system of  FIG. 4 , further including a filtration device and a continuously variable concentration setting switch; 
         FIG. 9  is a schematic view of the flow of fluids through the system of  FIG. 8 ; and 
         FIG. 10  is a detail of a replaceable cartridge having both ingredient supply and filtration features. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Referring first to  FIG. 1 , a beneficiated water system  10  according to an aspect of the present invention is shown. In the present aspect, the system  10  is configured to introduce beneficiating or related enhancement ingredients or materials into a fluid dispensing system, such as a potable water supply, the latter of which is shown in the form of water faucet  1 . The system  10  can be mounted to faucet  1  with faucet connector  15 , and includes a housing  20 , flow mode selector  23  and ingredient supply cartridge  30 . Faucet connector  15  includes threads (not shown) that can be screwed onto matching threads of water faucet  1 . In this way, water passing through faucet  1  enters housing  20  through fluid inlet  21 . Ingredient supply cartridge  30  is configured as a disposable (i.e., one-time use) unit that can be thrown away once the supply of beneficiating ingredient inside is exhausted. In the embodiment shown, the ingredient supply cartridge  30  can be latched to the housing  20 , in which case the ingredient supply cartridge  30  is easily and quickly removed from the housing  20  by depressing a cartridge release button  35  and pulling up on the ingredient supply cartridge  30 . In one form, the cartridge release button  35  includes a spring-biased hook or related catch (not shown) that can engage a corresponding detent  36  (shown in  FIG. 2 ) or recess (not shown) such that when a user depresses the cartridge release button  35 , the bias is overcome and the detent  36  or notch (depending on the configuration) releases from the complementary part in the housing  20 . It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that other well-known methods of attaching the ingredient supply cartridge  30  to the housing  20  fall within the scope of the present invention, including (but not limited to) threaded screw connections, rotatable locking arrangements, snap-fit connections or the like. A flow mode selector  23 , which is preferably in the form of a valve and discussed in more detail below, can be moved between a bypass mode and a beneficiated mode, where the latter forces the potable water to engage with ingredient supply cartridge  30 . Fluid outlets, shown presently in the form of bypass spout  25  and beneficiated spout  27 , can be selected by flow mode selector  23 . 
     To provide beneficiation to the water flow coming out of faucet  1 , the water flow can be broken up into two or more streams within conduit  26 . In this way, one of the streams (or flowpaths) may be used to provide the driving force necessary to eject the beneficiating ingredients, while another can make up a stream with which the ejected ingredient may be mixed. An example of bifurcating the streams of water passing through faucet  1  and the beneficiated water system  10  attached thereto can be seen by referring next to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , where the input potable water flow is split into two separate streams within the housing  20 , including a major water flow  26   a  (in the form of a primary flowpath) that flows into mixing vessel  28  and a minor water flow  26   b  (in the form of a secondary flowpath) that flows into the ingredient supply cartridge  30 . A bladder  32  disposed within ingredient supply cartridge  30  contains the beneficiating ingredient, and is responsive to pressure changes brought about by the introduction of water via the minor water flow  26   b . The bladder  32  forms a protective pouch to contain the beneficiating ingredient in such a way as to minimize the chances of contamination or tampering. The ingredient supply cartridge  30  includes a shell  31  to act as a relatively rigid container for bladder  32  such that upon the introduction of fluid to force ingredients from bladder  32 , the pressurizing effect of the fluid preferentially deforms the bladder  32  rather than the shell  31  of ingredient supply cartridge  30 . By being at least relatively rigid, the ingredient supply cartridge  30  is easier for a user to handle when during insertion and removal from housing  20 . Either or both of the ingredient supply cartridge  30  and bladder  32  can be made to be disposable, thereby facilitating simple removal and replacement once the supply of beneficiating ingredient has been depleted. In one form, the bladder  32  can be sealingly placed within the ingredient supply cartridge  30  such that the combination forms a disposable (i.e., non-reusable) device. Such a configuration would provide additional resistance to tampering or the introduction of contaminants into the supply of beneficiating ingredient. In another, the ingredient supply cartridge  30  can be formed as a reusable part, while the bladder  32  can be inserted into and removed from the cartridge. Such a configuration could be used as a low-cost alternative. 
     Referring with particularity to  FIG. 3 , the minor water flow  26   b  portion enters the ingredient supply cartridge  30  through its inlet port  33   a . The minor water flow  26   b  is ported into the ingredient supply cartridge  30  between the shell  31  of the ingredient supply cartridge  30  and the bladder  32  containing the concentrated beneficiating ingredients. The minor water flow  26   b  provides the volume of liquid which displaces an equivalent volume of concentrate contained in the bladder  32  when the waterflow is active. Use of the minor water flow  26   b  is beneficial in that by relying on the inherent pressure present in the water supply, it removes the necessity to separately pressurize the cartridge or incorporate electric or magnetic dispensing devices, thereby greatly simplifying the construction of the device. The beneficiating material flows out of the ingredient supply cartridge  30  via the outlet port  33   b , then into mixing vessel  28  within the housing  20 , where it is mixed with water from primary flowpath  26   a , creating the combined flowpath  26   c  of potable water and beneficiating material that exits through the outlet in the form of beneficiated spout  27 . Flow mode selector  23  has numerous settings, including bypass mode with no spray  23   a , bypass mode with spray  23   b  and beneficiated mode  23   c . When in either of the bypass mode with no spray  23   a  or the bypass mode with spray  23   b , the potable water exits through bypass spout  25 , whereas when in beneficiated mode  23   c , the mixture of potable water and beneficiating material exits through beneficiated spout  27 . 
     While both the major and minor water flows  26   a ,  26   b  emanate from the same conduit  26  that carries potable water passing through faucet  1 , it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the two streams could come from different sources. In one such example, the minor water flow  26   b  need not be from a potable water supply, as it does not come in contact with either the major water flow  26   a  or the ingredients inside bladder  32 . In another configuration in where the portion of the water conveyed by minor water flow  26   b  is potable (such as that presently shown), such portion could be returned to either the main conduit  26  or to major water flow  26   a  (neither of which configuration is shown) in order to form part of the beneficiated stream passing through beneficiated spout  27 . 
     As mentioned above, the bladder  32  of ingredient supply cartridge  30  is configured to contain the beneficiating material, which while capable of existing in various forms as previously mentioned, is preferably of a concentrated liquid solution. Also as previously mentioned, there are numerous examples of the enhancement ingredients that can be used, including flavors, sweeteners, vitamins, nutritional supplements, herbal substances, medications (prescribed or over the counter), carbohydrates, proteins, fats, spices, juices or the like. The lower portion of shell  31  has the aforementioned inlet and outlet ports  33   a ,  33   b  which connect to appropriate fittings or related ports (not shown) within the housing  20 . In one form, the inlet and outlet ports  33   a ,  33   b  can include a frangible membrane that upon mounting to the corresponding fitting on housing  20 , may be pierced to allow respective fluid and pressure communication between the ingredients stored within bladder  32  and minor water flow  26   b  and major water flow  26   a . The ingredient supply cartridge  30  is easily and quickly inserted onto the housing  20  by aligning the ingredient supply cartridge  30  so the cartridge inlet port  33   a  and outlet port  33   b  align and connect with the fittings of housing  20 . A simple connection permits and pressing down on the ingredients supply cartridge  30  until the cartridge locks into place with detent  36  formed in cartridge inlet port  33   a  and outlet port  33   b , where detent  36  extends laterally from outlet port  33   b , and can form a locking relationship with a complementary part (such as a spring-biased notch or the like) cooperative with the cartridge release button  35 . An audible snap can be heard when the connection has been made. The O rings  34  on the cartridge inlet port  33   a  and cartridge outlet port  33   b  help seal the cartridge to the housing  20  when the ingredient supply cartridge  30  is engaged. 
     Referring with particularity to  FIG. 2 , it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that there are multiple ways to use water pressure and volume to provide the driving force necessary to promote introduction of the beneficiating material into mixture with the potable water supply. For example, another approach is to employ a piston-like fixture (not shown) within the ingredient supply cartridge  30 . The piston would press the beneficiating material out and would move downward vertically as it was being activated. In such case, the cartridge inlet port  33   a  flow is routed to an area above the piston such that the piston could move in an amount equivalent to the volume of water that was filled above the piston. Similarly, a diaphragm could be used in place of the piston. 
     There are a number of ways to prevent dripping of the beneficiating ingredient from the ingredient supply cartridge  30  when it is not engaged with the housing  20 . One of the possible ways (not presently shown) is for the ingredient supply cartridge  30  to contain tubes that would pierce through a rubber film, in a manner similar to a needle piercing through a vial of medications. When the ingredient supply cartridge  30  is removed, the rubber seal closes back up, preventing leakage. Another way to help prevent leakage is to place the output of bladder  32  such that its egress is from the top. Conduit would port the output from the top to the cartridge outlet port  33   b . Similarly, the cartridge inlet port  33   a  flow may be routed to the top of the cartridge  30  in an effort to minimize leakage of the water from the cartridge when the cartridge is removed. In another configuration, a spring loaded valve (such as a sliding or rotary valve) could be included in the cartridge  30  such that when the cartridge  30  is disengaged from housing  20 , the inlet port  33   a  and outlet port  33   b  would be sealed to prevent dripping. When the cartridge  30  is engaged, the valve would be recessed and allow the fluids to enter and exit the cartridge  30 . 
     Referring next to  FIGS. 4 and 5 , a beneficiated water system  110  according to another aspect of the present invention is shown. The present aspect is similar to that of  FIG. 1 , with the exception that the concentration of beneficiating material can varied according to the user&#39;s needs through concentration adjustment selector  129 . The concentration adjustment selector  129  is a valve that opens and closes the flow from the cartridge outlet port  133   b  and the mixing vessel  128 . While the selector  129  is presently shown as capable of providing three discrete concentration settings (specifically, “low”, “medium” and “high”), it will appreciated by those skilled in the art that continuously variable concentrations (as will be discussed below) is also possible, where concentration adjustment selector  129  may be positioned anywhere between low and high limits. Concentration adjustment selector  129  is disposed downstream of ingredient supply cartridge  130  such that it varies the amount of beneficiating material permitted to enter mixing vessel  128 . Thus, by positioning the concentration adjustment selector  129  to the “low” setting will reduce the cartridge outlet port  133   b  flow to the mixing vessel  128 , providing a low amount of beneficiation. Similarly, by positioning the concentration adjustment selector  129  to the “medium” setting will open the flow slightly compared to the low setting, thereby reducing back pressure and providing for greater flow from the cartridge outlet port  133   b  flow to the mixing vessel  128 . This selection mode provides a medium amount of beneficiation. Likewise, positioning the concentration adjustment selector  129  to the “high” setting will completely open the flow, providing for the greatest flow from the cartridge outlet port  133   b  flow to the mixing vessel  128 . This selection mode provides the greatest concentration of beneficiation. The concentration adjustment selector  129  and the flow selector  123  work in conjunction with one another such that in situations where beneficiation is desired, flow selector  123  is positioned in a beneficiated mode to allow an amount of beneficiation determined by concentration adjustment selector  129  to be selected. Similarly, in situations where no beneficiation is desired, flow selector  123  is positioned in a non-beneficiated mode, thereby routing the flow of water passing through fluid inlet  121  through bypass mode without spray  123   a  or bypass mode with spray  123   b , either to exit via bypass spout  125 . 
     Referring next to  FIGS. 6 and 7 , a beneficiated water system  210  according to another aspect of the present invention is shown, now including an integrated filter  240  with constant beneficiating material concentration. As with the ingredient supply cartridge  230 , filter  240  is easily and quickly removed and replaced. In the present aspect, the concentration adjustment selector  229  has two settings: either on or off. In the “on” position, the system  210  is configured to provide both filtration and beneficiation of the water, while in the “off” position, filtration only. Thus, if the concentration adjustment selector  229  is in the “off” position, no beneficiation material will pass to the mixing vessel  228 . In contrast, if the concentration adjustment selector  229  is in the “on” position the beneficiation process proceeds with constant concentration. While the filter  240  is shown upstream of a bifurcation point between the major and minor water flows  226   a  and  226   b  in conduit  226 , it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the filter  240  can be placed downstream of such point as well. The flow selector  223  works in a manner similar to that of the flow selector  123  of the previous aspect. 
     Referring next to  FIGS. 8 and 9 , a beneficiated water system  310  according to another aspect of the present invention is shown, now including an integrated filter  340  with the ability to deliver variable beneficiating material concentration through continuously variable concentration adjustment selector  329 . The concentration adjustment selector  329  includes both “on” and “off” positions, similar to that of the selector of  FIG. 6 ; however, variable concentrations of beneficiating materials may now be controlled. The concentration adjustment selector  329  may be positioned to be off, or when turned on, anywhere between low and high limits. In this situation, if flow selector  323  is turned to the “on” position, (such that it is set to the filter/beneficiate mode), the water will flow through conduit  326 , even if the concentration adjustment selector  329  is in the “off” position, so that the water can be filtered through integrated filter  340 . When the concentration adjustment selector  329  is in the “on” position, the water passing through conduit  326  can be both filtered and beneficiated. 
     As with the system  10  of  FIG. 4 , the present system  310  may alternately utilize a selector to allow discrete controlling of beneficiating material concentration, using for example, “low”, “medium” and “high” settings in addition to an “off” setting. As can be seen, if the flow selector  323  is positioned to allow filtration and beneficiation, the waterflow is always filtered but may or may not be beneficiated, as the on/off concentration setting on selector  329  still permits bypass of the beneficiating materials in ingredient supply cartridge  330 . For example, if the selector  329  is positioned in the “off” position, no beneficiating material will pass to the mixing vessel  328 . Positioning the concentration adjustment selector  329  to the “low” setting will reduce the cartridge outlet port  333   b  flow to the mixing vessel  328 . This selection mode provides a low amount of beneficiation. Positioning the concentration adjustment selector  329  to the “medium” setting will open the flow slightly compared to the “low” setting, providing for greater flow from the cartridge outlet port  333   b  flow to the mixing vessel  328 . Positioning the concentration adjustment selector  329  to the “high” setting will completely open the flow and thus provide for the greatest flow from the cartridge outlet port  333   b  flow to the mixing vessel  328 . 
     Referring next to  FIG. 10 , another embodiment of the present invention where the beneficiation and filtration devices  432 ,  440  are integrated into a common cartridge  430 . As with the previous embodiments, this integrated cartridge  430  can be made to be user-replaceable. Also, in a manner similar to that of the cartridge  30  of  FIG. 2 , the O rings  434  on the cartridge inlet port  433   a  and cartridge outlet port  433   b  help seal the cartridge to the housing (not presently shown) when the ingredient supply cartridge  430  is engaged. In this case, the substantial entirety of water passing through the conduit of the housing (neither of which are presently shown) enters the cartridge  430  through inlet port  433   a  and is first filtered in filter  440 . The output of the filter  440  is split, where a first filter output  444  is fluidly connected to outlet port  433   b , while a second filter output  448  opens up to the volume defined between the outer shell  431  and bladder  432  containing the enhancement ingredient (in the form of concentrate or the like). In this way, the water flowing through the second filter output  448  functions in a manner similar to that of earlier-described the minor water flow (for example, minor water flow  26   b  shown in  FIG. 3 ), where the water flowing out of the second filter output  448  displaces an equivalent volume of enhancement ingredient contained in the bladder  432 . Different flow mode selector  423  configurations are available, preferably including a valve that opens and closes the flow from the bladder  432  to the outlet port  433   b . In a first form, the flow mode selector  423  can be a simple “on/off” valve, where in the “on” position, a constant ratiometric concentration of the beneficiated solution is output. In the “off” position, no enhancement ingredient is forced out of the bladder, thereby producing only filtered water at the outlet port  433   b . In a second form, the flow mode selector  423  can be a variable valve with either discrete or continuously variable settings. In one form, the valve has four positions: high, medium, low, and off. While the selector is presently shown as capable of providing three discrete concentration settings (specifically, “low”, “medium” and “high”, such as shown in the variant in  FIG. 4 ), it will appreciated by those skilled in the art that continuously variable concentrations (as shown in the variant in  FIG. 8  and as will be discussed in more detail below) is also possible. 
     In all of the configurations depicted herein, the output is ratiometric so that the concentration of enhancement ingredients is constant irrespective of the water pressure through the system. For example, if the selector is positioned in the “low” setting, the concentration output will be constantly low over the entire spectrum of the input water pressure. In the “low” setting, a significant back pressure exists, thereby limiting the amount of force the water can put on the bladder  432 . Higher settings (corresponding to the “medium” and “high” positions of the flow mode selector  423 ) enable larger openings with lower and lower values of backpressure. For example, referring again to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the ratiometric output is generated because the main water flow in conduit  26  is split into a major water flow  26   a  and minor water flow  26   b . The volume of the minor water flow  26   b  passes between the cartridge shell  31  and the bladder  32  containing the beneficiating material therein. Changes in water pressure flowing through conduit  26  produces concomitant changes in the major and minor water flows  26   a ,  26   b . Thus, when the water pressure is turned to a higher level (such as by turning the faucet  1  to a higher setting), more water from the minor water flow  26   b  is diverted to the space between the shell  31  and bladder  32 , thus forcing a proportional amount of the beneficiating material out of the bladder  32  and into the mixing vessel  28 . Therefore, the concentration of the output is constant irrespective of the input water pressure. 
     The foregoing detailed description and preferred embodiments therein are being given by way of illustration and example only; additional variations in form or detail will readily suggest themselves to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention. Accordingly, the scope of the invention should be understood to be limited only by the appended claims.