Patent Abstract:
There is disclosed a unique water treatment system which incorporates a unique primary valve. The primary valve comprises an interconnected first part and second part. The first part attaches to a water source and provides untreated water to water treatment units which are controlled by the second part of the primary valve. Untreated water flows to a first water treatment unit and subsequently through a valve to the second part of the primary valve and to use or to a second water treatment unit. From the second water treatment unit the water flows to the second part of the primary valve and to use. The second part of the primary valve has a unique bore and slideable shaft valve structure. The water treatment units can purify the water and/or add substances to the water.

Full Description:
This application is a continuation of U.S. Application 61/633,281 filed Feb. 7, 2012 which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is directed to a valve for use in water treatment systems where an input water can be diverted to optionally be treated more than one time. More particularly the input water can be subject to at least two purification steps or optionally to at least one purification step and at least one substance additive step, or two substance addition steps. 
     In most of the home water purification systems the water will undergo a single treatment step. This usually will be a water purification step. In such systems there is a valve with a set flow of water from a water source, such as a spout at a sink. At the spout water source there usually is a diverter valve where the water can be diverted and passed to the purification step or it can be flowed directly into the sink. The water would be flowed into the sink in the instances where the water would be used for cleaning purposes such as countertop, dish or pan or pot cleaning. Also the water would be flowed directly into the sink when the water would be used for watering plants. When for personal use, the water diverted to purification usually would be flowed to a single purification step and then to use. That is, the water is flowed directly from a purification step to use. These purification steps will remove particulates and various dissolved substances. These systems use a simple one part diverter valve. Such a one part diverter valve is used on the present water purification products available from Western Water International, Inc. of Forestville, Md. and available under the AQUASPACE trademark. 
     The present invention is directed to a water treatment system that besides having a water purification step, also optionally has an additional water treatment step. After the water flows through the water purification step it can be flowed directly to use or it can be flowed to an optional second treatment step. This optional second treatment step usually is in a series arrangement with the first purification step. Between the first step purification step and the second treatment step there is a T-junction valve. This T-junction valve is operated in conjunction with a unique primary diverter valve that is attached to a water source, such as a spout. This primary diverter valve besides having in a first part for flowing the source water directly to use or to a purification step, can in a second part receive diverted the water either from the water purification step or the water purification step and an additional water treatment step. The present system provides the versatility to flow water directly to use, flow the water to a purification step, or flow the water from the purification step to an additional water treatment step such as a substance addition step. In the second part of the diverter valve there is an input channel from the water purification step and separate input channel from the water treatment step such as a substance addition step. This second stage has a valve, such as a slider valve, with a plurality of inlet channels and an outlet channel. The outlet channel flows the water to ultimate use. The inlet channels are arranged to be in alignment either with the inlet from the water purification step or the inlet from the water treatment step such as a substance addition step. When in an alignment with the water purification step, water from the water purification step will flow through the second part of the diverter section and to the outlet channel for use. When in an alignment with a substance addition step, water from the substance addition step will flow through the second part of the primary valve and to the outlet channel for use. This two part primary valve provides for the versatility of having the water undergo a single or multiple treatment steps. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention comprises a primary valve for use in a water treatment system being comprised of a valve body, the valve body having a first part and a second part, the first part and the second part being interconnected. The first part being comprised of an inlet for untreated water and an outlet for untreated water and a diverter section to allow the untreated water entering the first part to be diverted to a conduit connecting to the water treatment system. The second part having at least a first channel and a second channel for receiving treated water from the water treatment system, the second part incorporating a slideable shaft valve and an outlet for treated water, the slideable shaft valve connecting at least one of the at least a first channel and a second channel to an outlet for treated water of the second part. The first part inlet for water has a structure for attaching the first part to a source of water such as sink faucet outlet. 
     The second part is comprised of an elongated section, the elongated section containing the slideable shaft valve, the slideable shaft valve moveable at least from a first position to a second position, in a first position the slideable shaft valve connecting one of the at least a first and a second channel to the outlet for treated water and in another position connecting another of the at least first and second channels to the outlet for treated water. 
     A primary valve wherein the elongated section has therein a bore and a slideable valve shaft, the bore being in communication with the at least one of a first and second channel and the outlet channel for treated water. The slideable shaft valve has an elongated structure with a seal adjacent each end and a seal between the seals adjacent each end, this latter seal being at about a midpoint between the seals adjacent each end. Additionally the slideable shaft valve has an end gripping member on each end. 
     The invention additionally comprises a water treatment system incorporating the primary valve. The water treatment system comprises at least a first water treatment unit and a second water treatment unit, a primary valve for controlling the flow of treated water from the first water treatment unit and the second water treatment unit, and a secondary valve connecting the at least a first water treatment unit and the at least a second water treatment unit. The primary valve is comprised of a valve body, the valve body having a first part and a second part, the first part and the second part being interconnected. The first part is comprised of an inlet for untreated water and an outlet for treated water, the first part having a diverter section to allow the untreated water entering the first part to be diverted to a channel connecting to at least the first water treatment unit. The second part having at least a first channel and a second channel for receiving treated water from at least the first water treatment unit or the at least second water treatment unit, the second part incorporating a slideable shaft valve and an outlet for treated water, the slideable shaft valve connecting at least one of the at least a first channel and a second channel to the outlet for treated water. 
     The secondary valve is a T-valve which receives treated water from the at least first water treatment unit and flows this treated water to one of the primary valve or the at least one second water treatment unit. The first conduit via the T-valve can be connected to the primary valve with treated water flowing directly to the outlet for treated water. 
     The second channel can be connected to the T-valve with treated water from the first water treatment unit flowing through a conduit to the second water treatment unit and into the second channel, and subsequently flowing to the outlet channel for treated water. 
     The second part is comprised of an elongated section, the elongated section containing the slideable shaft valve, the slideable shaft valve moveable at least from a first position to a second position, in a first position the slideable shaft valve connects one of the at least a first and a second channel to the outlet channel for treated water and in another position connects another of the at least first and second channels to the outlet channel for treated water. 
     The elongated section has therein a bore and a slideable shaft, the bore being in communication with the at least a first and second channel and the connected outlet for treated water. The elongated section preferably has a seal adjacent each end and a seal between the seals adjacent each end. 
     The first water treatment step usually will remove substances from the untreated water with the second water treatment unit adding at least one substance to water from the first water treatment unit. 
     Optionally, the first water treatment unit can add at least one substance to the untreated water and the second water treatment unit can add a second substance to the water from the first water treatment unit. 
     Additionally, the first water treatment unit can remove at least one substance from the untreated water and the second water treatment unit can remove a second substance from the water from the first water treatment unit. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a rear elevation view of the primary valve showing the valve body of the first part and the second part. 
         FIG. 2  is top plan view of the primary valve of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is a bottom plan view of the primary valve of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 4  is a side elevation view of the primary valve of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 5  is a front elevation view of the primary valve of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional view of the second part of the primary valve of  FIG. 1  showing the receipt of treated water from one of the water treatment units. 
         FIG. 7  is a cross-sectional view of the second part of the primary valve of  FIG. 1  showing the receipt of treated water from another of the water treatment units. 
         FIG. 8  is a cross-section of the primary valve showing the first part receiving water and flowing the water directly through the primary valve. 
         FIG. 9  is a cross-section of the primary valve showing the first part receiving water and flowing the water to the second part of the primary valve. 
         FIG. 10  is a design for a water treatment system incorporating the primary valve, a T-valve and two water treatment units. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention will be described in more detail in its preferred embodiments with reference to the drawings. The primary valve and the water treatment systems utilizing the primary valve are described in detail. It is to be understood that these preferred embodiments of the inventions may be modified in various ways, however all such modifications are considered to be within the present invention. 
       FIGS. 1 to 9  are directed to the primary valve.  FIG. 10  shows the primary valve incorporated into a water treatment system. The primary valve  10  is comprised of a first part  12  and a second part  30 . The first part  12  is shown as being cylindrical but it can be of differing shapes. It has an upper section  14  and a lower section  18 . The upper section has gripping enhancements  15  and an opening  16  for attachment to a source of water such as faucet. This section  14  rotates on lower section  18 . Lower section  18  has an opening  17  for water that passes directly through first part  12 . This would be untreated water that is being flowed directly to use. Channel  26  with opening  20  delivers the untreated water to one or more water treatment units (See  FIG. 10 ). This is shown in more detail in  FIG. 2 . The exterior of channel  26  has a surface adapted to hold a flexible conduit line.  FIG. 2  is a top plan view of the primary valve of  FIG. 1  and shows the first part  12  in more detail. The opening  16  is threaded with treads  19  as is shown in  FIGS. 8 and 9 . Aperture  16   a  will either flow water directly through the first part or will flow the water through channel  26  to the water treatment units. This is controlled by pin shaft  22  with gripping surface  23 . The operation of the valve section associated with this actuating pin shaft  22  is shown in more detail in  FIGS. 8 and 9 .  FIG. 3  is a bottom plan view of the primary valve and shows a screen  24  that aerates the flowing water that flows directly through the first part  12 . The views in these  FIGS. 1 to 3  also show the second part  30  which is comprised of a second part body portion  32 . This is the main section of the second part  30  and holds a sliding valve. The sliding valve is comprised of valve shaft  34  with end caps  36  and  38  and bore  34   a . The end caps  36  and  38  serve as gripping means and limit the travel of valve shaft  34  in bore  34   a . There are two inputs into the second part body portion  32 . These are channels  42  and  44 . Channel  42  has threads  43  for attaching a conduit from the water treatment units of  FIG. 10 . There is an opening  48  in channel  42 . Also a part of the second part  30  is channel  44  with associated opening  46 . Threads  45  attach a conduit to channel  44 . Channel  39  flows treated water to exit fitting  40  which has a screen  43  to aerate the treated water prior to being dispensed for use at channel exit  29 . This treated water usually has undergone two or more treatments in the water treatment units of  FIG. 10 . 
       FIG. 4  is a side elevation view and  FIG. 5  a front elevation view of the primary valve  10 . Shown in these views are the first part  12  and the second part  30 . In the first part there is shown lower section  18  and upper section  14  which has gripping enhancements  15 . Pin shaft  22  has a gripping surface  23 . Pin shaft  22  actuates a valve section to divert the flow of input untreated water to treatment through channel  26  or to pass directly to exit  24  and use as untreated water. Channel  26  with opening  20  flows untreated water to the water treatment units shown in  FIG. 10 . Untreated water can be flowed directly from the first section  12  through exit  17 . Second part  30  has second part body portion  32 . Shaft  28  attaches the second part to the first part. There is shown as a part of the second part a valve shaft  34  and valve shaft grips  36  and  38 . These are on opposite ends of valve shaft  34 . Exit channel  39  flows the treated water from the second part  30  to dispensing aperture  29 . Shown here and in more detail in  FIGS. 8 and 9  is the dispensing aperture cap  40  with grip surface  41 . Shown in  FIG. 4  are channel  44 , threads  45  and channel opening  46 . 
       FIGS. 6 and 7  are cross-sectional views of the second part  30  with the valve shaft  34  in bore  34   a . The valve shaft  34  is in the two different positions as shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 . These views show channel  44  with threads  45  and input opening  46  and channel  42  with threads  43  and input opening  48 . Also shown in these views are threads  31  attaching valve shaft grip  38  the valve shaft  34 . The valve shaft  34  rides in bore  34   a . The valve shaft  34  is divided into two sections by valve gaskets  33 ,  35  and  37 . These gaskets can be O-ring gaskets. Valve gaskets  33  and  37  are adjacent to each end of valve shaft and valve gasket  35  is at about a midpoint. Each valve gasket provides a seal with valve shaft bore  34   a  to create chambers  60  and  62 . Input channel  44  feeds into chamber  60  and input channel  48  feeds into chamber  62 . Depending on the position of valve shaft  34  either chamber  62  feeds into exit channel  39  ( FIG. 6 ) or feeds into exit channel  39 . 
       FIGS. 8 and 9  are cross-sections of the primary valve  10  with input untreated water flowing directly through the first part  12  ( FIG. 8 ) or being diverted to the second part  30  ( FIG. 9 ). Untreated water enters into upper part  14  through opening  16  that has threads  19  for attaching to a faucet or the like. The water flows to opening  16   a  and to the valve chamber  21 . Pin shaft  22  is spring loaded to the position in  FIG. 8  for the water to flow directly through the first part  12  by spring  25 . The untreated water flows through valve chamber  21  and through exit chamber  11  and screen  24  to exit at opening  17  as untreated water.  FIG. 9  shows the input untreated water being flowed to the second part  30 . The shaft pin  22  is adjusted so that the water cannot flow to chamber  11  as in  FIG. 8  but must flow through channel  26  and to one or more water treatment units  50  and  52  (see  FIG. 10 ). The treated water returning from the water treatment units flows into input channel  44  through aperture  46  and into bore  34   a  and chamber  60 . The treated water then flows to use through channel  39  to exit at opening  43 . Fitting  40  holds an aerating screen  41  and it threaded onto channel  39 . A gasket  47  forms a seal of fitting  40  onto channel  39 . 
       FIG. 10  shows the primary valve  10  as a part of a water treatment system. The parts of the primary valve  10  are the same as set out in detail in  FIGS. 1 to 9 . In the operation of this water treatment system untreated water from the primary valve  10  flows through conduit  51  to the first treatment unit  50 . This treatment unit may function to purify the water or it can add a substance to the water. The so treated water then flows from water treatment unit  50  through conduit  53  to a valve  54 . A preferred valve  54  is a T-valve. From valve  54  the water can either flow through conduit  55  to the second part  30  of the primary valve  10  or it can flow through conduit  57  to the a second treatment unit  52 . The second treatment unit  52  like the first treatment unit  50  can further purify the water or it can add a substance to the water. If a substance was added to the water in the first treatment unit  50  a second substance can be added in the second treatment unit  52 . The treated water from the second treatment unit flows through conduit  59  to inlet  46  of channel  44  of the second part  30 . As shown in  FIG. 10  treated water will flow directly from the first treatment unit  50  to the second part  30  through inlet  48  of channel  42 . The treated water flows into bore  34   a  and into channel  39  and through outlet  43  to use. Depending on the position of valve shaft  34  in bore  34   a  treated water will either flow to the second part  30  through conduit  55  or to the second treatment unit conduit  59 . Consequently the operation of the primary valve  10  is dependent in a first step on the position of pin shaft  22  which controls the flow of untreated water either directly through the first part  12  or diverted to the second part  30 . In the second part the flow of treated water is controlled by the position of valve shaft  34  in bore  34   a . This will determine if the water goes through only the first treatment unit or through the first treatment unit and the second treatment unit. 
     As noted the first and the second treatment steps can both be purification steps or substance addition steps. Usually the first treatment step will be a water purification step and the second treatment step a substance addition. In the water purification step the media used to purify the water can be any known purification media. However, the preferred purification media are available from Western Water International of Forestville, Md. under the AQUASPACE brand. The components that can be added to water include medicinals, minerals, vitamins, and substances to either raise or lower the Ph of the water. The Ph, for instance can be raised by the addition alkali or alkaline earth compounds. The Ph can be lowered through the addition of organic or inorganic acids. This can be accomplished by the use of the present water treatment systems which incorporate the present primary valve  10 .

Technology Classification (CPC): 8