U.S. patent application number 10/506712 was filed with the patent office on 2005-06-02 for water filter and treatment system and component.
This patent application is currently assigned to OTV SA. Invention is credited to Bryant, Steven John, Fleisig, Jonathan Charles, Underwood, Lee, Wilson, Graeme Mark.
Application Number | 20050115877 10/506712 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 9932593 |
Filed Date | 2005-06-02 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050115877 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Underwood, Lee ; et
al. |
June 2, 2005 |
Water filter and treatment system and component
Abstract
A water treatment system comprising a separable water treatment
component and a host water treatment apparatus is described. The
component is useable in the host apparatus, and has an electronic
circuit which is adapted to co-operate with an electronic circuit
in the host apparatus. In typical operation, the electronic circuit
of the component includes at least a data tag, and the presence of
the data tag is identified by the electronic circuit of the host
apparatus upon correct fitment and/or installation of the
component, which creates a two-way communication protocol. The host
apparatus can then upload relevant data from the data tag, etc.,
and the component's circuit can download the relevant information
from the host apparatus. The present invention provides the
benefits of electrical co-operation and data tagging.
Inventors: |
Underwood, Lee; (Bucks,
GB) ; Wilson, Graeme Mark; (Bucks, GB) ;
Fleisig, Jonathan Charles; (Bucks, GB) ; Bryant,
Steven John; (Bucks, GB) |
Correspondence
Address: |
DRINKER BIDDLE & REATH
ATTN: INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY GROUP
ONE LOGAN SQUARE
18TH AND CHERRY STREETS
PHILADELPHIA
PA
19103-6996
US
|
Assignee: |
OTV SA
L'Aquarene, 1 Place Montgolfier
St Maurice, Cedex
FR
94417
|
Family ID: |
9932593 |
Appl. No.: |
10/506712 |
Filed: |
September 7, 2004 |
PCT Filed: |
March 7, 2003 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/GB03/00975 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
210/143 ; 210/85;
700/273; 700/3 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B01D 2201/52 20130101;
C02F 1/008 20130101; B01D 35/143 20130101; C02F 2201/006 20130101;
C02F 9/005 20130101; B01D 2201/54 20130101; B01D 2201/4046
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
210/143 ;
700/003; 700/273; 210/085 |
International
Class: |
B01D 017/12 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Mar 8, 2002 |
GB |
0205492.2 |
Claims
1-29. (canceled)
30. A water treatment system comprising a host water treatment
apparatus and a separable water treatment component, said component
being useable in the host apparatus, wherein the component has an
electronic circuit adapted to co-operate with an electronic circuit
in the host apparatus.
31. A water treatment system as claimed in claim 30, wherein the
co-operation between the component and the host apparatus is either
one-way or two-way.
32. A water treatment system as claimed in claim 30, wherein the
component circuit and the host circuit communicate via one or more
of the following transmittable waveforms: radio, infrared, optical
and magnetic.
33. A water treatment system as claimed in claim 30, wherein the
component circuit and the host circuit communicate by physical
electrical contact.
34. A water treatment system as claimed in claim 30, wherein
co-operation of the component circuit and the host circuit is only
possible when the component is conjoined with the host
apparatus.
35. A water treatment system as claimed in claim 30, wherein the
component circuit and/or the host circuit includes a memory
capacity.
36. A water treatment system as claimed in claim 30, wherein each
electronic circuit can read and/or interrogate the other electrical
circuit.
37. A water treatment system as claimed in claim 30, wherein the
electrical circuit in the host apparatus includes a central
processor, and the electrical circuit in the component includes a
data chip.
38. A water treatment system as claimed in claim 30, wherein the
electronic circuit of the component provides an enablement signal
to the electronic circuit of the host apparatus, and/or vice
versa.
39. A water treatment system as claimed in claim 38, wherein the
enablement signal includes means for the component or host
apparatus to control the other part.
40. A water treatment system as claimed in claim 30, wherein the
component and host inter-co-operate.
41. A water treatment system as claimed in claim 30, wherein the
electronic circuit of the component includes at least a data
tag.
42. A water treatment system as claimed in claim 41, wherein the
presence of the data tag is identified by the electronic circuit of
the host apparatus.
43. A water treatment system as claimed in claim 30, wherein lack
of co-operation between the electronic circuit of the component and
the electronic circuit of the host apparatus indicates the
incorrect fitment and/or installation of the component with the
host apparatus.
44. A water treatment system as claimed in claim 30, wherein lack
of co-operation between the electronic circuit of the component and
the electronic circuit of the unit identifies incorrect operation
of the component and/or the host apparatus.
45. A water treatment system as claimed in claim 30, wherein
information in the component is accessed from the component and
displayed by the host apparatus.
46. A water treatment system as claimed in claim 30, wherein
information that is communicated between the electronic circuits of
the component and the host apparatus is validation information,
production information and/or manufacturing information.
47. A host water treatment apparatus useable with a water treatment
component to provide a water treatment system, said host apparatus
having an electronic circuit adapted to co-operate with an
electronic circuit in the component.
48. A separable treatment component useable with a host water
treatment apparatus, said component having an electronic circuit
adapted to co-operate with an electronic circuit in the host
apparatus.
49. A treatment component as claimed in claim 48, wherein the
component is a water treatment component adapted to provide a water
treatment system in co-operation with the host apparatus.
50. A treatment component as claimed in claim 48, wherein the
component is adapted to sanitise and/or clean one or more parts of
the host apparatus.
51. A treatment component as claimed in claim 48, wherein the
electronic circuit of the component is integral with the
component.
52. A treatment component as claimed in claim 51, wherein the
electronic circuit is embedded into or mounted onto the
component.
53. A treatment component as claimed in claim 48, wherein the
electronic circuit of the component includes a database having
characterising data relating to the component.
54. A treatment component as claimed in claim 48, wherein the data
of the component electronic circuit is encrypted.
55. A treatment component as claimed in claim 48, wherein the
component is a consumable replaceable unit.
56. A treatment component as claimed in claim 55, wherein the
component is a cartridge.
Description
[0001] The present invention relates to a water filter and
treatment component for use in host water treatment apparatus, and
a system therefor.
[0002] In the production of treated and/or purified water, for
example ultra-pure water for laboratory use, several components are
generally used in conjunction to provide the desired water quality.
Some of these components may be used in parallel or in series, and
some are more critical than others to the final water quality.
Nevertheless, the full and correct performance of all the
components is generally essential to guarantee the treated water
quality.
[0003] To ensure that the final water quality is of the required
standard, quality monitors are usually installed either within or
external to the water purification unit to monitor key water
parameters on an ongoing basis. Typically these will include, but
are not limited to, resistivity, conductivity, temperature, Total
Organic Carbon (TOC), flow rate, etc.
[0004] Notwithstanding the above monitoring, for certain
applications, industry regulations require traceability of
components that affect the final water quality. Typically, this
information is required by companies producing pharmaceuticals or
similar products. Currently, this is generally carried out by
manual logging of component information.
[0005] Meanwhile, components can often be installed and/or used in
more than one position in a water treatment apparatus. In other
situations, optimum performance of the apparatus can be obtained by
using the components in different positions at different instances.
However, incorrect performance and/or positioning cannot currently
be prevented, which may seriously undermine the water quality and
production.
[0006] Additionally, it is a desire to know how much capacity or
operational lifetime is retained within a component. However, as
most components are sealed units, this is impossible to forecast
before the component suddenly expires or breaks down, again
potentially significantly affecting the water production. This may
cause inconvenience to the user who would often prefer to schedule
component changes at specific times.
[0007] It is an intention of the present invention to obviate the
above disadvantages.
[0008] Thus, according to one aspect of the present invention,
there is provided a water treatment component for use in a host
water treatment apparatus, wherein the component has an electronic
circuit adapted to co-operate with an electronic circuit in the
host apparatus. The host apparatus and separable water treatment
component together comprise a water treatment system.
[0009] The co-operation may be one way, either from component to
host or vice versa, or two-way.
[0010] The component circuit and host circuit can communicate via
radio, infrared, or any other transmittable waveforms including
optical and magnetic contact. Preferably, the circuits communicate
by physical electrical contact for maximum robustness of
connection, and to minimise interference by other means of
communication. Preferably co-operation of the circuits is only
possible when the communication is correctly created, and this is
only achieved when the component is correctly installed and/or
fitted with the host apparatus.
[0011] Each electronic circuit preferably includes a memory
capacity and a capability to read/interrogate the other electrical
circuit. The electrical circuit in the host apparatus preferably
includes a central processor, and the electrical circuit in the
component preferably includes or is a data chip, e.g. a microchip
such as well known in the art. The electronic circuit of the
component is preferably integral with the component, and more
preferably, is formed integrally with the component during the
component manufacture. The electronic circuit is preferably
embedded into or mounted onto the component.
[0012] The electronic circuit of the component preferably includes
a database having relevant data relating to that component such as
validation information, process information, and/or manufacturing
information. Typical information includes, but is not limited to,
date of manufacture, date of testing, operator, cartridge type,
media type(s), media volumes, media lot numbers, quality control
details, and possibly a unique reference code.
[0013] The data of the component electronic circuit could be
encrypted.
[0014] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the
electronic circuit of the component provides an enablement signal
to the electronic circuit of the host apparatus, and/or vice
versa.
[0015] The enablement signal may include means for the component or
host to control the other part. Preferably, the component and host
inter-co-operate.
[0016] Information that can be communicated between the electronic
circuits of the component and host generally include validation
information, production information and/or manufacturing
information. Such information in the component could be accessed
from the component and be displayed by the host apparatus.
[0017] If necessary or desired, the same information in the system
could be accessed via a separate reader device or otherwise
communicated to a remote reader, for analysis and/or display.
[0018] In typical operation, the electronic circuit of the
component includes at least a data tag, and the presence of the
data tag is identified by the electronic circuit of the host
apparatus upon correct fitment and/or installation of the
component, which creates a two-way communication protocol. The host
apparatus can then upload relevant data from the data tag, etc. and
the component's circuit can download the relevant information from
the host apparatus.
[0019] In another embodiment of the present invention, lack of
co-operation between the electronic circuit of the component and
electronic circuit of the host apparatus indicates the incorrect
fitment and/or installation of the component with the host
apparatus, or incorrect location of a component on a host apparatus
where more than one location is possible.
[0020] In another embodiment of the present invention, the lack of
co-operation between the electronic circuit of the component and
the electronic circuit of the host apparatus identifies incorrect
operation of the component and/or host apparatus, e.g. a water
leak.
[0021] The present invention extends to a water treatment component
as hereinbefore defined useable with a host water treatment
apparatus having a co-operable electronic circuit, as well as a
host water treatment apparatus useable with a water treatment
component as hereinbefore defined, as well as their co-operation to
provide a water treatment system. The electronic circuits of the
component and host apparatus can co-operate in a manner as
hereinbefore described.
[0022] In a further embodiment of the present invention the water
treatment component of the present invention is a consumable and/or
replacement unit such as a cartridge. This includes water treatment
units containing ion exchange resins, filters, media, etc.
[0023] According to a yet further embodiment of the present
invention, a similar treatment component useable with the host
apparatus of the present invention is an operational unit. Such
operational units include means to sanitise and/or clean e.g. by
way of disinfection and/or chemical cleaning, one or more parts of
the host apparatus. This may be by means of a component that
contains the sanitant or by the fitment of dummy components in
place of components that may be damaged by the sanitant.
[0024] The present invention provides the benefits of electrical
co-operation and data tagging. These include one or more of correct
installation/fitting/use of components, correct location of
relevant components in a host apparatus, error-free transfer of
information of component origins and/or history, automatic start
and/or use of components such as sanitisation units, and prevention
of incorrect components, such as half-used components, and out of
date or inappropriate components.
[0025] An embodiment of the present invention will now be described
by way of example only, and with reference to the accompanying and
diagrammatic FIG. 1 showing a water treatment component and host
water treatment apparatus according to one embodiment of the
present invention.
[0026] Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown a first water treatment
component 2 and a host water treatment apparatus 4. The host
apparatus 4 has two component locations, one shown ready to receive
the first component 2, and one shown fitted with a second component
22.
[0027] The component 2 has an embedded microchip 6, which can
co-operate with an electronic interface 8 on the host apparatus 4.
The remaining part of the electronic circuitry in the host
apparatus 4 is not shown.
[0028] The component 2 includes inlet and outlet water ports
10a,12a, to fit with complementary inlet and outlet water ports
10b,12b on the host apparatus.
[0029] The host apparatus includes a purified water outlet 14, and
an electronic display 16.
[0030] The host apparatus 4 is a water purification unit, and the
component 2 is a consumable resin cartridge.
[0031] The microchip 6 includes a database retaining product master
records including date of manufacture of the component 2, date of
testing, operator, cartridge type, media type (within the
component), media volume, media lot numbers, quality control
details, and a unique reference code. Only the correct installation
and fitting of the component 2 within the opening in the host
apparatus 4, allows the microchip 6 to engage and co-operate with
the interface 8 on the host unit 4.
[0032] Once the component 2 is fitted correctly, the electronic
circuitry in the host apparatus identifies the presence of a data
tag on the component 2, such that a two-way communication protocol
is established. Once communication has been made, the host
apparatus 4 can upload relevant data from the microchip data tag 6,
and the micro chip data tag 6 can download relevant information
from the host apparatus 4. The information uploaded to the host
apparatus includes performance validation criteria such as lot
numbers, dates and content type and property. Information which is
downloaded into the microchip data tag 6 includes date of
commencement of operation and volume of water used on an ongoing
basis. The combination of this information allows improvement in
determination of consumable lifetime.
[0033] Some or all of this information could be displayed on the
display 16 on the host apparatus 4. This could include visual
warning of any incorrect operation, or end of life-time of the
component 2.
[0034] Because the host apparatus electronic circuitry can identify
the presence, or not, of a data tag, it can be used to prevent
leaks from the apparatus 4, in that if a component is not fitted
correctly with its data tag in place, then the apparatus 4 will not
operate and thus prevent leaks occurring.
[0035] Moreover, if the component 2 could be fitted in more than
one opening in the host apparatus 4, incorrect fitment of the
component 2 in the wrong position could be prevented due to the
unique identifier code on each data tag. In this regard, FIG. 1
shows a second separable water treatment component 22. This may
provide the same function as the first component 2, or different.
If different, an attempt to fit the first component 2 into the
location of the second component 22 may provide an error signal or
sign through the display 16, thus ensuring that the host apparatus
4 is not compromised.
[0036] The memory in the host apparatus electronic circuitry could
also detect if a particular data tag has been previously used in a
particular position, and hence also prevent a situation where
optimum performance is not obtained. Furthermore, if certain
changes to the configuration of components is required prior to
carrying out such functions as sanitisation then this configuration
can be ascertained prior to entering that mode.
[0037] The present provides a number of clear advantages, including
increased automation of information logging, prevention of use of
components in an un-optimised manner, greater user awareness of
remaining operational life time of components, and prevention of
mis-connection/mis-installation which could compromise final water
quality, etc.
* * * * *