Patent Publication Number: US-2010108583-A1

Title: Installation system with recycling capabilities for alkaline water ionizer machine or a reverse osmosis system

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     Not Applicable 
     STATEMENT RE: FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH/DEVELOPMENT 
     Not Applicable 
     BACKGROUND 
     The present invention relates generally to an installation system with recycling capabilities for an alkaline water ionizer machine. 
     Drinking water is very important to the health of a person. Unfortunately, tap water lacks certain characteristics that may be beneficial for people. By way of example and not limitation, tap water does not typically have “good” oxidation reduction potential (i.e., antioxidants). Additionally, tap water appears to be acidic and not efficient at hydrating a person. Accordingly, water ionization units have been developed to produce water that has “good” oxidation reduction potential, is alkaline and able to hydrate a person&#39;s body better than typical tap water. These systems are generically known as an Alkaline Water Ionizer Machine. Such a machine is currently being manufactured and sold by Enagic USA, Inc. The Enagic SD501 ionizer unit (aka Kangen Water unit) receives tap water and processes tap water to output water that has “good” oxidation reduction potential, is alkaline and able to hydrate the body better. Moreover, the output of the Kangen Water unit emulsifies and breaks down oils and pesticides better compared to tap water. 
     To install an alkaline water ionizer unit or a unit similar to the Kangen Water unit, the inlet of the alkaline water ionizer unit is fluidically connected to the nozzle end of a water faucet of a kitchen sink by way of a diverter. In particular, there may be a hose or tube that runs from the alkaline water ionizer unit, along the top of the kitchen counter to the base of the kitchen faucet then along the neck or spout thereof where it attaches the diverter. This set up obstructs the kitchen faucet, restricts the mobility of the kitchen faucet, and makes use of the kitchen faucet cumbersome. Typically, the diverter operates by rotating a lever on its side to divert water from the kitchen faucet to the alkaline water ionizer unit. Unfortunately, the kitchen faucet cannot be used to simultaneously (1) supply water to the alkaline water ionizer unit and (2) supply water for normal kitchen use such as washing dishes. The diverter also complicates use of the kitchen faucet in that the diverter is made from plastic and frequently loosens and falls off of the kitchen faucet. 
     The alkaline water ionizer unit may additionally have two outlet tubes wherein the first outlet tube produces “good” water and the second outlet produces “by-product” water. The “good” water is drinkable. The “by-product” water is not drinkable due to its high acidity and is typically drained in the kitchen sink. In particular, the by product water hose runs from the alkaline water ionizer unit along the kitchen counter and attaches to a plastic arm with a suction cup that sticks to the counter or the inside wall of the kitchen sink to drain the “by-product” water into the kitchen sink. Accordingly, there are a plurality of exposed hoses on the kitchen work space cluttering the kitchen tabletop. Although the benefits of water produced by the alkaline water ionizer unit may be great, the installation of the alkaline water ionizer unit may not be aesthetically pleasing. 
     During operation of the Kangen Water unit, a significant amount of “by-product water” is drained and wasted to produce “good” water or Kangen water. For example, one gallon of “by-product” water may be drained to produce two gallons of “good” water. The “by-product” water is drained into the kitchen sink. Accordingly, a significant amount of water is wasted to produce the “good” water. 
     Accordingly, there is a need in the art for an improved installation kit to make installation of the alkaline water ionizer unit more aesthetically pleasing and also for reclaiming wasted “by-product” water. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY 
     The installation kit for an alkaline water ionizer unit described herein addresses the deficiencies identified above, described below and those that are known in the art. Although the installation kit and other aspects (e.g., system for reclaiming water) are described herein in relation to an alkaline water ionizer unit. The installation kit and the other aspects may be applied to a reverse osmosis system. 
     The installation kit may comprise a two way faucet for routing tap water through the faucet body and into the alkaline water ionizer unit. From the alkaline water ionizer unit, two hoses, one for “good” water and the other for “by-product” water, may extend out of the alkaline water ionizer unit. The “by-product” water hose of the unit may be connected to a fluid flow path that leads to either a storage tank or the drain of the kitchen sink. When an on-off valve is switched to the “on” position, the “by-product” water flows into the storage tank  18  for later use. When the on-off valve is closed, the “by-product” water is bypassed into the drain of the kitchen sink. 
     More particularly, the two way faucet for delivering water may deliver water to an inlet of a alkaline water ionizer unit. The two way faucet may also receive by product water produced by the alkaline water ionizer unit. The two way faucet may comprise a device body, a first fluidic pathway, a second fluidic pathway and a valve for regulating water flow. The first fluidic pathway, the second fluidic pathway and the valve may be disposed within the two way faucet body. The first fluidic pathway may have an inlet connectable to a water source. The first fluidic pathway may also have an outlet connectable to the inlet of the alkaline water ionizer unit. The second fluidic pathway may have an inlet connectable to a by product outlet of the alkaline water ionizer unit. For example, the inlet may be a tube with a barbed end portion. The by-product outlet may be a hose that slides over the barbed tube. The second fluidic pathway may also have an outlet. The valve may be disposed between the inlet and outlet of the first fluidic pathway for regulating water flow through the first fluidic pathway. The valve may be a ceramic disc valve. One benefit of the two way faucet for installing the alkaline water ionizer unit is that the kitchen faucet may be used normally to wash dishes while contemporaneously supplying water to the alkaline water ionizer unit. Additionally, since the installation device is not directly mounted to the kitchen faucet, the kitchen faucet retains its mobility. There are no loose hoses that interfere with use of the kitchen faucet. Additionally, the two way faucet for installing the alkaline water eliminates the above the counter drain system for the by product water. 
     It is contemplated that the inlet of the second fluidic pathway may swivel with respect to the device body. The inlet of the second fluidic pathway and the outlets of the first and second fluidic pathways may have barbs for connecting to tubes. The inlet of the first fluidic pathway may be threaded. 
     A system for reclaiming by product water from an alkaline water ionizer unit is also disclosed herein. The system may comprise a two way faucet and a diverter valve. The two way faucet may be for the purposes of delivering water to the alkaline water ionizer unit and receiving by product water from the alkaline water ionizer unit. The two way faucet may comprise an outlet through which by product water of the alkaline water ionizer unit flows. The diverter valve may be connected to the outlet of the second fluidic pathway. The diverter valve may be traversable between first and second positions. At the first position, the diverter valve may be closed and the water may flow through a first outlet of the diverter. At the second position, the diverter valve may be open and the water may flow through the second outlet of the diverter. 
     It is contemplated that the reclaim tank may be in fluid communication with the second outlet of the diverter valve. Also, it is contemplated that the first outlet of the diverter valve may be connected to a drain of a kitchen sink. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       These and other features and advantages of the various embodiments disclosed herein will be better understood with respect to the following description and drawings, in which like numbers refer to like parts throughout, and in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic diagram of an installation device for installing an alkaline water ionizer unit and a diverter device for reclaiming “by-product” water from the alkaline water ionizer unit; 
         FIG. 2  is a cross sectional view of the installation device; 
         FIG. 3  is an exploded perspective view of a faucet attached to the tabletop shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4  is an exploded perspective view of the internals of the faucet shown in  FIG. 1 ; and 
         FIG. 4A  is a top view of a retaining clip. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Referring now to  FIG. 1 , the alkaline water ionizer unit  10  has an inlet hose  12  for receiving tap water. The alkaline water ionizer unit  10  additionally has two outlet hoses  14 ,  16  which are the “good” water outlet hose  14  and the “by-product” water outlet hose  16 . When the tap water is introduced into the alkaline water ionizer unit  10  via the inlet hose  12 , the alkaline water ionizer unit  10  processes the tap water. The alkaline water ionizer unit  10  produces “good” water which is output through the “good” water outlet hose  14 . The “good” water is the water which is primarily drinkable by the household residence. The alkaline water ionizer unit  10  produces the “by-product” water which flows out of the “by-product” water outlet hose  16 . This “by-product” water may be drained into the kitchen drain or diverted to a storage tank  18  for later use. The “by-product” water that is stored in the storage tank  18  is not necessarily undrinkable water. However, the “by-product” water may have other beneficial uses which include cleaning and other additional uses. 
     The installation system for the alkaline water ionizer unit  10  may comprise a faucet  20  (see  FIG. 2 ). The faucet  20  may have a faucet body  22  with two separate fluid flow paths  24  and  26 . The flow path  24  feeds tap water to the alkaline water ionizer unit  10 . The “by-product” water of the alkaline water ionizer unit  10  is connected to the flow path  26 . A ceramic disc valve  28  may be disposed within the flow path  24  to regulate the amount of tap water flowing into the alkaline water ionizer unit  10 . The ceramic disc valve  28  may have a handle  30  for closing or opening the ceramic disc valve  28  fully open, fully close or at an intermediate position. It is also contemplated that other types of flow regulators may be implemented instead of ceramic disc valves such as butterfly valves, ball valves, etc. 
     The faucet body  22  may be mounted to the tabletop  32  of the kitchen sink  34 , as shown in  FIG. 3 . The faucet body  22  may have a threaded stud  36  for attaching the faucet body  22  to the tabletop  32  of the kitchen sink  34 . The threaded stud  36  may be disposed within a hole  38  fabricated in the tabletop  32  of the kitchen sink  34 . A washer  40  and a seal  42  may be disposed between the bottom surface  44  of the faucet body  22  and the tabletop  32  of the kitchen sink  34 . The threaded stud  36  may protrude through the hole  38  and extend under the tabletop  32  of the kitchen sink  34 . A washer  46 , spacer  48  and lock washer  50  may be disposed below the tabletop  32  and about the threaded stud  36 . A nut  52  may be threaded onto the threaded stud  36  to secure the faucet body  22  to the tabletop  32  of the kitchen sink  34 . The washer  40  may have a T-shaped aperture  54  for receiving the threaded stud  36  as well as an outlet  56  of the flow path  26 . The washer  40  may be chrome plated for providing an aesthetically pleasing device. The faucet body  22  may rest on the washer  40  and cover the entire aperture  54 . The washer  40  may cover the entire aperture  38 . The seal  42  may be disposed completely under the washer  40  about its periphery. The seal  42  may provide a water seal to prevent water on the tabletop  32  of the kitchen sink  34  from seeping into the hole  38 . The washer  46  may have a slot for receiving the threaded stud  36  and the outlet  56  of the flow path  26 . The slot  58  provides for easy removal and easy insertion of the washer  46  onto the threaded stud  36 . The spacer  48 , lock washer  50  and nut  52  do not have to be removed for removal or mounting of the washer  46 . Since the threaded stud  36  and the outlet  56  are positioned close to each other, the spacer  48  shown in  FIG. 3  provides additional space for the connection of various tubes to the threaded stud  36  and the outlet  56 . 
     Once the faucet body  22  is attached to the tabletop  32  of the kitchen sink  34 , the tap water source is connected to the threaded stud  36 . The threaded stud  36  is hollow (see  FIG. 4 ) and forms the fluid flow path  24  for providing the tap water to the alkaline water ionizer unit  10 . The tap water source may be connected to the threaded stud  36  through various fittings that are known in the art or developed in the future. The inlet hose  12  may be connected to the outlet  60  for completing the fluid flow path  24  from the tap water source to the alkaline water ionizer unit  10 . The ceramic disc valve  28  may be used to regulate the amount of water flowing to the alkaline water ionizer unit  10 . The “by-product” water outlet hose  16  may be connected to the inlet  62  of the fluid flow path  26 . The outlet  56  of the fluid flow path  26  may be in fluid communication with a diverter system  64  (see  FIG. 1 ). A primary hose  66  may be connected to the outlet  56  and in fluid communication with the storage tank  18 . The primary hose  66  may be connected to an on-off valve  68 . The on-off valve  68  may be a ball valve, butterfly valve, or any other valve capable of closing off flow through the primary hose  66 . In the orientation shown in  FIG. 1 , the on-off valve  68  permits water to flow through the primary hose  66  and into the storage tank  18 . When the on-off valve  68  is rotated to a closed position, “by-product” water cannot flow to the storage tank  18 . Pressure is built up within the primary hose  66  and forces water through the bypass hose  70  (see  FIG. 1 ) which is connected to the primary hose  66 . The bypass hose  70  may be tapped into the kitchen sink drain via methods known in the art. When the on-off valve  68  is in the closed position, the “by-product” water  16  is now drained as waste water. The diverter system  64  permits the user to open the on-off valve  68  to collect “by-product”water in storage tank  18  for later use or to close the on-off valve  68  to drain the “by-product” water into the kitchen sink drain. 
     The installation system described above provides an aesthetically pleasing installation of the alkaline water ionizer unit  10 . The mobility of the kitchen faucet is not impaired. Also, the kitchen faucet can be used independent of whether water is supplied to the alkaline water ionizer unit. Also, it provides a diverter system  64  for providing the option to store “by-product” water for later use or to drain the “by-product” water in the kitchen sink. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 4 , the faucet  20  may include the faucet body  22 . The ceramic disc valve  28  may be threadingly engaged to the faucet body  22 . More particularly, the faucet body  22  may have a through hole which extends from a side of the faucet body  22  and intersects the fluid flow path  24 . The ceramic disc valve  28  is threaded into such through hole. A water tight seal is formed between the threads of the ceramic disc valve  28  and the threads of the through hole by any means known in the art or developed in the future. The ceramic disc valve  28  may be threaded into the through hole with the assistance of a wrench applied to a hex portion  72 . A knurled post  74  may extend from the hex portion  72 . The knurled post  74  may be rotated clockwise or counterclockwise to open or close the ceramic disc valve  28 . When the ceramic disc valve  28  is in the open position, tap water is permitted to flow from the source to the alkaline water ionizer unit  10  through fluid flow path  24 . When the ceramic disc valve  28  is in the closed position, fluid flow through the fluid flow path  24  is stopped. The knurled post  74  may also be positioned at an intermediate position between fully open and fully closed such that a metered amount of tap water flows through the fluid flow path  24 . A protective cap  76  may be threaded over the hex portion  72  and onto the threads  78  of the ceramic disc valve  28 . The knurled post  74  may protrude out through an aperture  80  of the protective cap  76 . The knurled portion  82  may extend out of the protective cap  76 . A base portion of the handle  30  may have a knurled cavity  84  which is sized and configured to mate with the knurled portion  82  of the knurled post  74 . Upon engagement, the handle  30  is operative to rotate the knurled post  74  in the clockwise direction or the counterclockwise direction. To insure that the handle  30  remains secured to the knurled post  74 , a screw  86  may be inserted through the base portion of the handle  30  and attached to the knurled post  74 . The head of the screw  86  may be seated within the handle  30 . Once the screw  86  is tightened onto the knurled post  74 , the handle  30  cannot be pulled off of the knurled post  74 . A cover  88  may be frictionally engaged to the handle  30  to hide the head of the screw  86 . 
     The outlet  60  may be an elbow fitting. The outlet  60  may have a first portion  90  which is generally perpendicular to a second portion  92 . The first portion  90  may swivel three hundred sixty degrees about the second portion  92 . The second portion  92  may have two o-ring grooves  94   a, b . O-rings  96   a, b  may be disposed about the o-ring grooves  94   a, b . The second portion  92  may additionally have a retaining clip groove  98 . A retaining clip  100  (see  FIG. 4A ) is removably insertable onto the retaining clip groove  98 . A conically shaped protective cover  102  may be slidably disposed about the second portion  92  above the retaining clip groove  98 . The outer periphery  104  of the conical protective cover  102  may be flush with the outer periphery  106  of the faucet body  22  such that the conical protective cover  102  provides an aesthetically pleasing appearance. 
     When the second portion  92  is inserted into the aperture  108  of the faucet body  22 , the o-rings  96   a, b  provide a water tight seal. The retaining clip  100  limits the amount that the second portion  92  may be inserted into the aperture  108  of the faucet body  22 . The threads  110  of the conical protective cover  102  may be threaded onto the threads  112  of the faucet body  22 . The retaining clip  100  is disposed between the conical protective cover  102  and the upper end  114  of the faucet body  22 . The outlet  60  may slide up and down but is limited in movement due to the retaining clip  100  being sandwiched between the conical protective cover  102  and the upper end of the faucet body  22 . 
     The inlet  62  may comprise an outer housing  116 . The outer housing  116  may swivel three hundred sixty degrees about post  122 . The outer housing  116  may define an inner chamber  118 . A distal end of the outer housing  116  may have an o-ring  120  providing a water tight seal against the faucet body  22 . The post  122  may be inserted through the outer housing  116 . The post  122  may have a first o-ring  124  which is sealed against a first raised surface  126   a  of the outer housing  116 . The post  122  may additionally have a second o-ring  124   b  which is sealed against a second raised surface  126   b  of the outer housing  116 . A third o-ring  124   c  may extend out of the outer housing  116 . The o-ring  124   c  engages an inner surface of the aperture  128  of the faucet body  22 . The o-ring  120  rests against the exterior surface of the faucet body  22 . These o-rings  120  and  124   c  provide a water tight seal against leakage of water as water flows through the inlet  62  and the outlet  56 . 
     In an aspect of the faucet  20 , referring to  FIG. 4 , the fluid flow path  26  may be rendered inoperative in the event that a home owner or other decision maker desires to have the “by-product” water outlet hose  16  drain into the kitchen sink instead of through the fluid flow path  26 . To this end, the post  122  may be removed from the faucet body  22 . Additionally, the outer housing  116  is detached from the faucet body  22 . A cap  132  may be screwed into the aperture  128  of the faucet body  22 . The “by-product” water hose  16  may drain directly into the sink as shown by the dash lines in  FIG. 1 . 
     Appropriate hoses, tubes, etc. may be attached to the inlets and outlets  36 ,  62 ,  60 ,  56  for the purposes of routing water to and from the alkaline water ionizer unit  10 . Any means known in the art or developed in the future may be used to connect the hoses, tubes, etc. to the respective inlets and outlets  36 ,  62 ,  60 ,  56 . For example, the outlets  60 ,  56  may have barbs  130 . Tubes or hoses may be slipped over the outlets  60 ,  56 . The inner diameter of the tubes and hoses may be sized and configured to frictionally fit over the outlets  60 ,  56 . The barbs  130  prevent the tube and holes from slipping off of the outlets  60 ,  56 . Additionally, the inner surface of the tube and the outer surface of the outlets  60 ,  56  as well as the barbs  130  provide a water tight seal between the outlets  60 ,  56  and the tube or hose. Similarly, the inlet  62  may also have barbs  130 . Tubes or hoses may be slipped over the inlet  62 . The barbs  130  prevent the tube or hose from slipping off of the inlet  62 . Also, the barbs  130  and the tight fit between the inner diameter of the tube or hose and the exterior surface of the inlet  62  form a water tight seal. The inlet  36  of the fluid flow path  24  may be a threaded stud  36 . The threaded stud may be hollow and be connected to the fluid flow path  24  within the faucet body  22 . A hose or tube from the tap water source may be connected to the threaded stud or inlet  36  for providing tap water to the alkaline water ionizer unit  10  via known fittings in the art or developed in the future. 
     The fluid flow paths  24 ,  26  may be sized to allow full flow of water through the alkaline water ionizer unit  10  from the tap water source and also to allow full flow of “by-product” water from the alkaline water ionizer unit  10  to the outlet  56  of the faucet  20 . The ceramic disc valve  28  may limit or restrict the flow rate of tap water flowing through to the alkaline water ionizer unit  10 . However, the sizes of the inlets and outlets  36 ,  62 ,  60 ,  56  are preferably sized to be sufficiently large to handle the flow of tap water through the system. By way of example and not limitation, the inlet  36 , outlet  60  and the inlet  62  may have an inner diameter of approximately one quarter inch (¼″). The outlet  56  may have an inner diameter of five sixteenths of an inch ( 5/16″). 
     It is contemplated that the exterior surfaces of the conical protective cover  102 , the outlet  60 , the faucet body  22 , the post  122  and the outer housing  116  have a chrome finish, satin nickel finish or other aesthetically pleasing finish. Preferably, the finish is resistant to corrosion. 
     The installation system described above may be used to install the Kangen water unit or other alkaline water ionizer units that are in the marketplace or developed in the future. Additionally, the installation system described above may be used to install a reverse osmosis system. In particular, the reverse osmosis system is provided with tap water through an inlet hose. The reverse osmosis system has two outlet hoses similar to the alkaline water ionizer unit which are the “good” water outlet hose and the “by-product” water outlet hose. The various aspects discussed herein in relation to the alkaline water ionizer system may be used to install the reverse osmosis system. By way of example and not limitation, the alkaline water ionizer unit discussed above may be replaced with the reverse osmosis system. Tap water may be routed to the reverse osmosis system through the first fluid path  24  as described above in relation to the alkaline water ionizer unit. The reverse osmosis system produces “by product” water which may be routed through the second fluid path  26  as described above in relation to the alkaline water ionizer unit. Alternatively, the by product water of the reverse osmosis system may be directly drained into the sink as described above in relation to the alkaline water ionizer unit. Additionally, the diverter system may be installed under the sink or at another convenient location to divert the “by product” water of the reverse osmosis system to the storage tank or to the kitchen sink drain. 
     The above description is given by way of example, and not limitation. Given the above disclosure, one skilled in the art could devise variations that are within the scope and spirit of the invention disclosed herein, including various ways of connecting the hoses/tubes to the inlets and outlets of the faucet body  22 . Further, the various features of the embodiments disclosed herein can be used alone, or in varying combinations with each other and are not intended to be limited to the specific combination described herein. Thus, the scope of the claims is not to be limited by the illustrated embodiments.