NZ314231A

NZ314231A - Countertop distiller with raw water container including heater and having electrical and vapour connectors for coupling to distiller housing

Info

Publication number: NZ314231A
Application number: NZ314231A
Authority: NZ
Inventors: Michael A Mahood
Original assignee: West Bend Co
Priority date: 1996-04-16
Filing date: 1997-02-13
Publication date: 1998-07-28
Also published as: AU690045B2; KR970069069A; KR100250101B1; ID16800A; AU1264697A; JPH1034132A

Description

<div class="application article clearfix" id="description"> New Zealand No. 314231 International No. PCT/ TO BE ENTERED AFTER ACCEPTANCE AND PUBLICATION Priority dates: 16.04.1996; Complete Specification Filed: 13.02.1997 Classification:^) C02F1/04.18; B01D3/02 Publication date: 28 July 1998 Journal No.: 1430 NEW ZEALAND PATENTS ACT 1953 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION Title of Invention: Improved countertop distiller Name, address and nationality of applicant(s) as in international application form: THE WEST BEND COMPANY, incorporated under the laws of the State of Delaware of 400 Washington Street, West Bend, Wisconsin 53095, United States of America 314 2 3 1 4 Patents Form 5 N.Z. No. NEW ZEALAND I Patents Act 1953 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION IMPROVED COUNTERTOP DISTILLER OfFiCEj 13 FEB 1997 RECEIVED We, THE WEST BEND COMPANY, incorporated under the laws of the State of Delaware of, 400 Washington Street, West Bend, Wisconsin 53095, United States of America, do hereby declare the invention, for which we pray that a patent may be granted to us, and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement: - -1 - (Followed by 1A) -1/V 31 423 5 10 Title: IMPROVED COUNTERTOP DISTILLER Field of the Invention This invention is related generally to liquid 15 purification and, more particularly, to separation of impurities from drinking water by distillation. Background of the Invention Reasonably-pure drinking water is an absolute 20 necessity of life and clean, fresh-tasting drinking water is one of its pleasures. Most persons in well-developed countries like the United States have access to safe, reasonably-pure drinking water. But even in areas having water suitable for human consumption, such water may 25 contain minerals, e.g., iron and calcium, and/or chemicals and other substances. While such non-water constituents may not be harmful to humans, they often impart an unpleasant taste or odor to the water. And normally-high-quality drinking water 30 sometimes contains bacteria or other microorganisms which may impart a bad taste to the water or otherwise impair its quality. Often, such an eventuality results from a temporary deficiency in the water treatment facility. One well-known approach for removing impurities from 35 drinking water is distillation. Distillation involves boiling water to form water vapor and then cooling such vapor to a temperature below the condensation 31 4 2 3 1 * * -2- temperature. The resulting liquid, sometimes referred to as condensate, is collected for drinking or the like. Distillation separates pure water from the entrained minerals and other potentially bad-tasting impurities. 5 And quite aside from improving the sensory quality of water, the high temperatures involved in the process are sufficient to kill many types of potentially-harmful microorganisms. The prior art includes many devices intended to 10 provide distilled, purified drinking water. Major problems confronting these prior art distillation devices involve accumulation of contaminants in the container for heating of the water and the lack of ease with which such containers may be cleaned. 15 Regular removal of accumulated impurities from the heating element and raw water heating container is important to proper operation cf a water distillation device. Accumulated contaminants such as lime (calcium carbonate) form a scale on the heating element and inside 20 of the container. Such scale forms a barrier to heat transfer and results in increased heating time per unit volume of water distilled. An unclean distiller consumes energy inefficiently, is more expensive to operate and is inconvenient because more time is required to complete a 25 distillation cycle. Longer distillation cycles per unit volume of water distilled usually means that less water is distilled before the heating element fails. Cleaning of prior art distillers can also be inconvenient because the raw water heating container is 30 typically not removable. Such an arrangement would make it difficult to clean the container by rinsing in a kitchen sink due to the large size of the typical distiller. Moreover, it may be inadvisable to place the entire device in a kitchen sink because the cleaning 35 water may damage electrical components. Failure of the heating element is another problem in the prior art distillers. Some distillers have heating r 31 4 2 3 1 -3- elements that are integral to the main distiller structure — such elements cannot be easily removed and replaced. If repair is impossible or extremely difficult (and therefore very costly) , failure of the heating 5 element renders a distiller worthless. The distillation device disclosed in U.S. Patent 5,217,580 (Chen) has some of the disadvantages described above. Such device includes an integral raw water container and heating coil. It is believed that neither 10 the container nor the coil can be removed and in any event, they cannot (or should not) be removed by the typical consumer. Thus, the Chen device is difficult to clean and would be rendered useless by a heater failure. Similarly, the Genesis distiller made by 15 Environmental Corporation (and based upon U.S. Patent 4,818,344 (Glucksman)) has a heating element which cannot be removed or which can be removed only with great difficulty. And such distiller is inconvenient to clean because it requires partial disassembly to access, remove 20 and clean both the upper and lower portions of the water heating container. The heating element and attached thermostat of the Genesis device are directly exposed to raw water and must be cleaned regularly to avoid scale build up. However, 25 because the heating element and thermostat are not removable they cannot be cleaned directly in the kitchen sink without damaging the distiller. The Genesis instruction manual recommends that the heating element and thermostat be cleaned by a three hour immersion in 30 cleaning solution placed in the boiling tray of the distiller followed by rinsing and cleaning of the tray. This is not convenient. An improved water distiller which is very easy to clean and which otherwise resolves some of the 35 disadvantages of prior art distillers would represent an important advance in the art. 31 4 2 3 1 -4- Qbiects of the Invention It is an object of this invention to provide an improved countertop distiller overcoming some of the problems and shortcomings of devices of the prior art. 5 An important object of this invention is to provide a distiller which produces clean, fresh-tasting water. A further object is to provide a distiller in which the water heating container is removable to facilitate ease of loading with raw water. 10 An additional object is to provide a distiller in which the water heating container is removable to facilitate cleaning. It is also an object to provide a distiller in which the heating element may be removed and easily replaced in 15 the event of failure. How these and other important objects are accomplished will become apparent from the following descriptions and from the drawings. 20 Summary of the Invention The present invention is an improved countertop water distiller. Preferably, the countertop distiller includes a base and a housing extending upwardly from the base. It is preferred that the housing have walls 25 forming a container-receiving region. In preferred embodiments, a moveable door may be mounted with respect to the distiller whereby such region may be substantially entirely enclosed. An electrical socket and a vapor-receiving port are 30 fixed with respect to a housing wall. It is highly preferred that the vapor-receiving port in the distiller wall be spaced substantially vertically above the electrical socket. The countertop distiller of the present invention 35 further includes an improved raw water container for heating water. The improved container includes both a water heater and an electrical connector mounted to the 314 2 3 1 -5- container for coupling the heater to a source of electrical power. The container, heater and connector are preferably configured aa an integral structure. It is most highly preferred that the container 5 further include a vapor-outlet port spaced substantially vertically above the electrical connector. The vapor-outlet port and electrical connector of the container are configured to mate with the vapor-receiving port and electrical socket respectively when the container is 10 urged into the container-receiving region of the distiller thereby forming vapor and electrical connections. It is also preferred that the improved container have a handle and that the electrical connector and 15 handle are positioned on opposed sides of the container. Preferably, the handle and connector are in registry with a container-bisecting axis. A powered fan is mounted with respect to the housing and a vapor condensing coil is in heat-exchange 20 relationship to the fan. The coil includes a first end connected to the vapor-receiving port and a second end connected to a condensate discharge aperture. It is preferred that the housing walls substantially enclose the fan and coil, and that said walls include a plurality 25 of openings formed therein for circulating fan-propelled air around the coil. It is preferred that a vessel be positioned to receive distilled water from the condensate discharge aperture. The vessel may include a vessel-mounted filter 30 interposed between the aperture and the vessel for receiving distilled water expelled from the aperture. The invention also includes a novel method for loading a quantity of raw water into a countertop distiller comprising the steps of: (a) providing a 35 distiller having a container-receiving region with an electrical socket and a vapor-receiving port; (b) 314 2 3 1 > ■ -6- providing a container having an electrical connector and a vapor-outlet port, each in registry with a container-bisecting axis; (c) placing a quantity of raw water into the container; and (d) urging the container into the 5 region along the axis. Preferred forms of the urging step of the method includes substantially simultaneously connecting: (a) the connector to the socket, and (b) the vapor-outlet port to the vapor-receiving port. 10 Brief Description of the Drawings FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the inventive distiller. FIGURE 2 is a perspective view of one embodiment of 15 the inventive distiller showing an exemplary water heater container. FIGURE 3 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the inventive distiller showing the vapor-receiving port and electrical socket. 20 FIGURE 4 shows one embodiment of the exemplary water heater container. FIGURE 5 is another view of an exemplary water heater container. 25 Detailed Descriptions of the Preferred Embodiments FIGURES 1-3 show one embodiment of Applicant's inventive countertop distiller 10. Distiller 10 has a base 11 and a housing 13 extending upwardly from base 11. Housing 13 has walls 15a, 15b and 15c forming a 30 container-receiving region 17 and a door 19 for enclosing such container-receiving region 17. Housing 13 may be made of any suitable material such as metal or plastic. Vessel 21 is provided for receiving distilled water. Panel 23 includes controls for operating distiller 10. 35 FIGURE 2 shows raw water container 25 positioned in container-receiving region 17. Door 19 is in an open position permitting access to container 25. Handle 27 31 4 2 3 1 -7- for gripping container 25 is shown as is lid 29 and latch 31 for holding lid 29 in a closed position on container opening 59. FIGURE 3 shows distiller 10 with container 25 5 removed from the container-receiving region 17. Electrical socket 33 and a vapor-receiving port 35 are fixed with respect to housing wall 37. As shown in FIGURE 3, the vapor-receiving port in wall 37 io spaced substantially vertically above electrical socket 33. 10 As shown in FIGURES 2 and 3, housing walls 39 substantially enclose fan 41, fan motor 43 and vapor-condensing coil 45. Walls 39 include a plurality of openings 47 formed therein for circulating fan-propelled air around coil 45. As shown in FIGURE 3, the coil is in 15 heat-exchange relationship to fan 41. Coil 45 is made of any suitable heat-transfer material and may include fins (represented by number 49) to further facilitate heat transfer. One end of coil 45 is connected to vapor-receiving port 35 and the other end of coil 45 is 20 connected to condensate discharge aperture 51. FIGURES 4 and 5 show one preferred embodiment of container 25 and its various components. Container 25 includes heater 53 and an electrical connector 57 mounted to container 25 for coupling heater 53 to a source of 25 electrical power. In the embodiment shown, the container 25, heater 53 and electrical connector 57 are configured as an integral structure. Heater 53 is a resistance heater designed to be immersed in water within container 25. However, in alternative embodiments of the 30 invention, the heater may be separated from the raw water by a panel or the like. Container 25 further includes removable lid 29 and latch 31 to hold lid 29 in place over container opening 59. Handle 27 is included to provide a means of gripping 35 the container 25. The container 25 may be made of any suitable material such as metal or plastic. 31 4 2 3 1 -8- Vapor-outlet port 55 and electrical connector 57 are positioned along container rear wall 61. In the preferred embodiment shown, vapor-outlet port 55 is spaced substantially vertically above electrical 5 connector 57. Vapor-outlet port 55 and electrical connector 57 preferably are on container rear wall 61 which is opposed from container front wall 63 on which handle 27 is positioned. It is highly preferred that handle 27 and electrical connector 57 be coincident with 10 a container-bisecting axis 67. Vapor-outlet port 55 and electrical connector 57 are configured and arranged so that they will mate with the vapor-receiving port 35 and electrical socket 33 respectively in wall 37 of distiller 10 when container 25 15 is urged into container receiving region 17. This novel configuration allows formation of vapor and electrical connections simultaneously and immediately merely by inserting the container 25 into the container receiving region 17 of distiller 10. 20 The inventive container 25 is easy to fill with raw water because container 25 can be removed from distiller 10 and filled with water (through opening 59) directly from the kitchen tap. Cleaning is convenient because the entire container 25, including heater, 53 can be removed 25 and placed in the kitchen sink. In the unlikely event of heater 53 failure, only the container 25 and not the entire distiller 10, need be replaced. Referring again to FIGURES 2 and 3, vessel 21 is supported on base 11 for receiving distilled water from 30 aperture 51. Vessel 21 may include a vessel-mounted filter 65 interposed between aperture 51 and vessel 21 for further purification of the condensate. Water expelled from aperture 51 passes through filter 65 before entering vessel 21 and is substantially removed of any 35 impurities remaining after distillation. In operation, a quantity of raw water is loaded into container 25 through opening 59. Lid 29 is closed and 314 2 -9" held in place by latch 31. Container 25 is urged into container receiving region 17 substantially simultaneously connecting connector 57 to socket 33 and vapor-outlet port 55 to vapor-receiving port 35 each of which are preferably coincident with a container-bisecting axis 67. Distiller 10 is activated causing heater 53 to boil raw water in container 25. The resulting vapor exits container 25 through the connection formed by the mating of vapor-outlet port 55 and vapor-receiving port 35 and enters into condensing coil 45. Air is drawn through openings 47 and around coil 45 by fan 41. The vapor in coil 45 condenses to form a condensate which is expelled from the coil through discharge aperture 51. Preferably, the condensate is passed through filter 65 before being collected for in vessel 21. Vessel 21 may be removed from base 11 and placed in a cool location to chill the distilled, now delicious, water. While the principles of this invention have been described in connection with specific embodiments, it should be understood clearly that these descriptions are made only by way of example and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. </div>

Claims

<div class="application article clearfix printTableText" id="claims"> 314231 10 WHAT WE CLAIM IS: 5

1. A countertop distiller having a raw water container and a water heater, characterised in that: -the distiller has a base and a housing extending upwardly from the base; 10 -the heater is rigidly affixed within the bottom of the container; -an electrical connector is rigidly affixed to the exterior of the container; -the distiller includes plural walls forming a 15 region in the housing for receiving the raw water container; -an exposed electrical socket is on one of the walls; and wherein: 2 0 -the raw water container, the heater and the connector are configured and removable from the region as a single rigid structure; -the exterior-mounted connector plugs into the socket when the raw water container, heater and 25 connector are placed in the region; and -a distilled water vessel and the raw water container are supported on the base laterally to one another. 30

2. The distiller of claim 1 further including a door mounted to the housing for enclosing the container in the region.

3. The distiller of claim 1 further including an 35 exterior vapor-outlet port affixed in the raw water container and spaced above the electrical connector. , . 'v Jlr:,--Gv (.'/ r: ll ?•' f.;*v r"8 • ^ - I « / r- 31423 11

4. The distiller of claim 3 further including an exposed vapor-receiving port for receiving vapor from the vapor-outlet port, the vapor-receiving port being mounted on the said one of the walls and spaced above the electrical socket.

5. The distiller of claim 1 wherein the container has a handle and the connector and handle are on opposed sides of the container.

6. The distiller of claim 1 further including an aperture for discharging distilled water in the vessel and wherein: -the distilled water vessel is removable from the base independently of the container.

7. A portable countertop distiller comprising: -a base; -a housing extending upwardly from the base and having a wall; -an electrical socket and a vapor-receiving port fixed in the wall and being substantially vertically spaced from one another; -a raw water container including a vapor-outlet port and a heater fixed to an electrical connector, the vapor-outlet port and the connector being rigidly affixed to the container and substantially vertically spaced from one another; and wherein, when the raw water container is urged toward the wall: -the connector engages the socket and, substantially simultaneously, the vapor-ojatlet port engages the vapor-receiving port. ' ""Ll" '' : r U 1 ' / 12 314231

8. The distiller of claim 7 wherein: -the housing has plural walls forming an opening through which the container is received into a container-receiving region; and -a door is mounted to the housing for pivoting movement with respect to the opening, whereby the region may be substantially entirely enclosed.

9. The distiller of claim 7 wherein: -the container has opposed sides and a handle; and -the connector and the handle are, respectively, on a separate one of the opposed sides of the container.

10. A method for distilling a quantity of raw water in a portable countertop distiller having (a) a container-receiving region defined in part by a wall, (b) an exposed electrical socket and an exposed vapor-receiving port fixed on the wall, and (c) a raw water container having affixed thereon a heater, an externally-mounted electrical connector coupled to the heater and an externally-mounted vapor-outlet port, the method comprising the steps of: -placing a quantity of raw water into the container; -urging the container toward the wall; -engaging the electrical connector with the electrical socket and, substantially simultaneously, engaging the vapor-outlet port with the vapor-receiving port; f'.id -flowing steam from the vapor-outlet port to the vapor-receiving port.

11. A countertop distiller according to clairtt' "l'3or 7 substantially as herein described or exemplified.'.;' ' '' 314231 13

12. A method according to claim 10 substantially as herein described or exemplified. 5 10 15 20 25 30 THE WEST BEND COMPANY By their Attorn^y^ HENRY HUGHES L/ Per:^OLc-^ ^ 35 > 1 :.aa,i 0 ' • v.. f • -V, > VJ , I :■ </div>