WO2014002005A2

WO2014002005A2 - Automatic distributor of alkaline water

Info

Publication number: WO2014002005A2
Application number: PCT/IB2013/055203
Authority: WO
Inventors: Stefano ZATTARA
Original assignee: Fcz Ambient Technology S.R.L.
Priority date: 2012-06-28
Filing date: 2013-06-25
Publication date: 2014-01-03
Also published as: ITBS20120025U1; WO2014002005A3

Abstract

Automatic distributor (1) of alkaline water comprising a casing (2), a hydraulic process circuit (6) which comprises alkalinisation means (14', 14") of a flow of drinking water, positioned in an intake zone (8), and a dispensing zone (10, 12) of the casing (2) to generate a flow of alkaline water, and aromatisation means (16) to introduce at least one aromatising substance into the dispensed alkaline water.

Description

DESCRIPTION

"Automatic distributor of alkaline water"

[0001] The present invention relates to an automatic distributor of alkaline water.

[0002] It is known that various diseases affecting man such as gastroenteral, cutaneous, nervous, osteo-articular or endocrine diseases are correlated to an abnormal level of acidity in the body.

[0003] Corporeal acidity or basicity values must be kept within an extremely narrow range of values (for example the pH value of blood must be kept between 7.35 and 7.45) in that they play a decisive role in determining health and the correct performance of metabolic functions.

[0004] The creation of an acid climate is favoured by many factor of modern life such as nutrition, stress and environmental intoxication. The body however is predisposed to counter such acid imbalance buffering it by using alkaline mineral salts; if the diet does not contain sufficient^' salts however an acid accumulation in the cells of the body inevitably occurs.

[0005] As a result, regular drinking of alkaline water would make it possible to more accurately prevent such acid cellular accumulation, and it has also been demonstrated that a slightly basic environment is more suited to destroying pathogenic agents which, conversely, prosper in a climate tending to an acidic imbalance.

[0006] Since the treatment aimed at obtaining alkaline water alters its taste and organoleptic properties somewhat, not everybody likes the resulting taste of the treated water.

[0007] Moreover, the equipment permitting transformation of mains water is often expensive so that it is highly or completely inaccessible to a plurality of subjects who would instead benefit from the administration of such water.

[0008] The present invention falls within such sphere, setting out to provide an automatic distributor suitable for generating alkaline water and designed to make the taste tolerable to an increased number of users.

[0009] Such objective is achieved by a distributor according to claim 1. The dependent claims describe preferred embodiment variants.

[0010] The object of the present invention will now be described in detail with the help of the appended drawings, wherein:

[0011] -figure 1 is a front view of the distributor according to the present invention, according to one possible embodiment;

[0012] -figure 2 is a block diagram of the inner components of the distributor in figure 1, according to one possible embodiment;

[0013] figure 3 shows a diagram of possible alkalinisation means suitable for implementing in the aforesaid device.

[0014] With reference to the aforementioned drawings, reference numeral 1 globally denotes a distributor of alkaline water.

[0015] Such distributor 1 comprises a_; - casing 2 which defines an inner compartment 4, in which the components described below are at least partially housed.

[0016] For example, as shown in particular in Figure 1, the casing 2 comprises a front opening (concealed) for access to the inner compartment 4, such opening being preferably accessible by mean of a movable hatch 34, laterally hinged, which completes the casing on the front.

[0017] According to different embodiments, various seats may be made in the casing

for independently placing a touch screen monitor 32 for controlling the distributor 1, means of collection 30 for the recognition of a credit (for example in cash, coins, by means of a debit card, credit card, voucher, token, pre-paid card, by means of a mobile phone, tablet or the like) and one or more dispensing bays 36, 38 of the liquid dispensed. Preferably such seats are positioned at the movable hatch 34.

[0018] The device 1 further comprises a hydraulic process circuit 6 at least partially (preferably entirely) housed in the inner compartment 4; the hydraulic circuit 6 comprises an intake zone 8 for a flow of drinking water, at last one dispensing zone 10, 12 of a flow of alkaline water, and alkalinisation means 14', 14" positioned between the intake zone 8 and the dispensing zone 10, 12 to generate a flow of alkaline water from the flow of drinking water.

[0019] The alkalinisation means, preferably electrolytic, are therefore delegated to receive drinking water (for example from the mains) , and to originate on one side a flow of alkaline water and on the other a flow of acid water.

[0020] In particular for the variants which provide for at least one electrolytic alkalinisator (despite in a further variant such splitting being achieved by means of a system of (bio) ceramic sphere) , the drinking water is channelled from the intake zone 8 to an ionisation chamber 40 of such alkalinisator by means of at least one water supply line 48. In such chamber 40 at least a first electrode 42 charged negatively 42 and at least a second electrode charged positively 44 are advantageously inserted: the first electrode 42 exercises a Coulomb attraction towards the positively charged minerals (for example containing calcium, magnesium, sodium, potassium) generating the alkaline fraction, while the second electrode 44 attracts the negative minerals (such as chlorine, sulphur, phosphorus) originating the acid fraction, so that the apposition of a difference of potential to the drinking water causes a division of the minerals originally present towards the oppositely charged electrodes. For example, platinum-coated titanium electrodes may be used; according to a further variant, the electrodes 42, 44 may be housed in one or more cells, preferably organised into modules.

[0021] As a result, if the aforementioned separation process were to be performed on de-ionised water (or even bi-ionised) , such splitting could not occur.

[0022] The flows of alkaline water and acid water are subsequently made to come out of the ionisation chamber 40, and controlled independently. In particular, the flow of acid water is preferably channelled outside the casing 2 by means of a drainage system 22, while the flow of alkaline water is conducted (through the piping 46', 46") towards the dispensing zone 10, 12.

[0023] Alternatively, the flow of acid water may be stored in a collection reservoir, or also conveyed to the dispensing zone 10, 12.

[0024] According to a preferred embodiment, the channelling through the drainage system 22 occurs without passing through the dispensing zone 10, 12, i.e. along an independent path from that of the alkaline water.

[0025] Preferably, a pair of electrolytic alkalinisators are provided reciprocally positioned in parallel.

[0026] According to the embodiments shown in the figures, a first 10 and a second 12 dispensing zone are provided, one of which is in particular responsible for filling bottles/flasks 60, and the other beakers/cups 62. Such dispensing zones may each be housed in its own dispensing bay 36, 38.

[0027] Optionally, downstream and/or upstream of the alkalinisation means 14', 14", the device 1 may provide cooling means 58 of the flow of alkaline/acid water and/or of the flow of drinking water respectively. For example, such cooing means (comprising a refrigeration circuit according to one variant) may be provided to supply the flow of alkaline water (and optionally acid water) at a desired temperature.

[0028] According to an advantageous variant, the device may further comprise control means 28, 30, 32 suitable for being operated by a user to emit/prevent/adjust the dispensing of the flow of alkaline water. For example, the control means 28, 30, 32 comprise a CPU, a computer and/or a control panel connected to the casing 2.

[0029] As a result, according to this embodiment, the control means 28, 30, 32 are used to control the functioning of the device 1.

[0030] For example, the control means 28, 30, 32 comprise at least one touch screen monitor 32, preferably with an intuitive user interface.

[0031] Preferably, the control means 28, 30, 32 may be controlled remotely.

[0032] In particular, the control means 28, 30, 32 may comprise remote communication means (such as a GSM module, a connection to an IT network or to an internet connection) so as to send alert or functioning signals from the device 1.

[0033] Consequently, in the event of malfunction the remote communication means are suitable for sending alarm signals, for example to the switchboard of a service centre; according to a further variant, even in the case of correct functioning, the control means can send status signals, for example periodically via the remote communication mean.

[0034] According to a further embodiment, the remote communication means are suitable for receiving remote signals, so as to permit operating of the device 1. For example, according to this variant, some adjustments or settings may be made by a technician or by a doctor at a distance from the distributor 1, and therefore unable to interact directly with it.

[0035] Optionally, the control means may comprise one or both, user recognition means, for example to provide the quantity and type of water for that specific user, and/or timer means or a timed dispensing (at predefined times and intervals) of the drink.

[0036] According to different embodiments, the control means 28, 30, 32 are suitable for regulating, independently, the flow rate of the drinking water and/or alkaline water, the speed of transformation of the drinking water into alkaline water, the pH of the alkaline (or acid) water dispensed and/or the dispensing temperature of the alkaline/acid water.

[0037] According to the first of the aforesaid variants, the device 1 comprises at least one pump 50 to move the drinking water coming into the hydraulic process circuit 6. According to such variant, the control means may be operatively connected to such pump 50 to set a specific flow rate from or to the alkalinisation means 14', 14", depending on whether the latter are positioned upstream or downstream of the pump.

[0038] Preferably, the pump is positioned upstream of the alkalinisation means 14', 14" and in particular between the intake zone 8 and such means.

" [0039] Optionally, upstream of the alkalinisation means 14', 14" a water softener 52 may be provided for the flow of drinking water. For example, such water softener may be positioned downstream of the pump 50 and may, for example cause a mechanical filtration of the drinking water entering the circuit 6, or at least a partial removal of the hardness of such liquid.

[0040] As regards the flow rate of the alkaline water, a first variant may provide for its adjustment by acting on the flow of incoming drinking water in that by reducing for example the speed of the pump 50 in the aforesaid manner, the quantity of alkaline water entering (or leaving) the alkalinisation means 14', 14" is limited.

[0041] According to a further embodiment, downstream of the alkalinisation means 14', 14" shut -off means 54', 54" may be provided (such as a solenoid valve) so as to choke in that position the transit cross section of the alkaline water. Advantageously, the shut-off means 54' 54" can be controlled by the control means 28 30, 32.

[0042] Consequently, when the shut-off means 54', 54" reduce the flow of alkaline water upstream of the alkalinisation means an accumulation of alkaline water may be created which could for example be controlled by means of a dedicated storage tank.

[0043] According to a further embodiment, the speed of transformation of the drinking water into alkaline water and/or the pH of the alkaline water dispensed can be controlled, by acting on the control means, selecting the difference of potential between the electrodes 42, 44 and/or the intensity of current with which such electrodes are powered or, according to a further variant, adjusting the length of time spent by the drinking water in the ionisation chamber 40.

[0044] To such purpose, one embodiment of the device 1, could provide for the use of at least one pH meter 56', 56"; such meter is advantageously positioned downstream of the alkalinisation means and is suitable to detect the pH value of the flow of alkaline water and by means of the control means to act independently on the pump 50, on the shut-off means 54', 54" and/or on the aforementioned functioning variables of the electrodes 42, 44 to obtain a desired value.

[0045] According to a further embodiment, the pH value is set by the control means at predefined, and separate levels; since each level corresponds to a specific range of pH values, this variant does not provide for measuring and adjusting the pH in a consequent manner but, once the predefined level has been selected, the control means dispense alkaline (or acid) water in a narrow range of pH values depending on the selection.

[0046] Lastly, the desired temperature of the alkaline water may be achieved, according to a first variant, by a functional connection of the control means and the refrigeration means 58. A further variant may provide that the flow rate and therefore the length of time spent by the alkaline water or drinking water in a zone cooled by the cooling means 58 is controlled by means of the control means. For example, this may be achieved by controlling the pump 50 or the shut-off means 54', 54".

[0047] According to a preferred embodiment, the control means 28, 30, 32 comprise collection means 30 suitable for permitting dispensing of the flow of alkaline water conditional to recognition of a credit.

[0048] In other words, such variant considers the possibility that the device 1 might be placed in a public place (gyms, hospitals, waiting rooms, public transport terminals, offices etc.) so that the dispensing of the alkaline water takes place only after paying a sum of money or equivalent value.

[0049] The device 1 further comprises aromatisation means 16 to introduce at least one aromatising substance into the dispensed alkaline water.

[0050] As a result, the alkaline water supplied to the user is altered in taste, for example according to the user's preference, so that the "healthy" habit of drinking such type of water is made more pleasant for those who by choice or need decide to make use thereof.

[0051] According to one embodiment, the aromatisation means 16 comprise an aromatisation circuit housed in the inner chamber 4, where such circuit is advantageously separate from the hydraulic process circuit 6.

[0052] This embodiment therefore provides that the aromatisation circuit does not communicate directly with the hydraulic process circuit 6 but is an independent circuit .

[0053] For example, one variant provides that the aromatisation circuit and the hydraulic process circuit 6 are suitable for separately dispensing the aromatising substance and the alkaline water in a shared collection vessel 60, 62.

[0054] Consequently, one embodiment provides for an alkaline nozzle and an aromatising nozzle adjacent to each other in the at least one dispensing bay 36, 38, so that the respective products filling the collection vessels 60, 62 and the mixing of the aromatising substance and the basic water takes place directly in the vessel.

[0055] According to one variant, the device 1 comprises a beaker loader 64, for example of plastic beakers, so that each quantity is dispensed into a different, clean vessel. Preferably, such beaker loader 64 can be commanded by the control means.

[0056] A further embodiment provides that, upstream of the dispensing zone 10, 12 in relation to the direction of the flow of drinking or alkaline water, the aromatisation circuit 18 is fluidically connected to the hydraulic process circuit 6.

[0057] This way, the aromatisation circuit 18 feeds into the hydraulic process circuit 6 before the exit of alkaline water from the dispensing zone.

[0058] In the embodiment shown, the aromatisation circuit 18 feeds into the hydraulic process circuit 6 downstream of the alkalinisation means 14', 14". Preferably, such circuit 18 feeds in downstream of the cooling means 58.

[0059] Even more preferably, the aromatisation circuit 18 and the hydraulic process circuit 6 converge into a mixing chamber 20 to which the first 10 and separate second 12 dispensing zones are connected.

[0060] According to a preferred embodiment, the aromatisation means 16 comprise a plurality of chambers 24¹, 24¹¹, 24¹¹¹ to separately contain the aromatising substances; each of such chambers 24¹, 24¹¹, 24¹¹¹ can be independently controlled, in particular by the control means 28, 30, 32, to cause dispensing of the respective aromatising substance. For example, the aromatising substances are in the form of capsules or refills. [0061] According to a further embodiment, the chambers 24¹, 24¹¹, 24¹¹¹ may contain vitamins, diet supplements/ minerals or the like.

[0062] As a result, where provided, the control means 28, 30, 32 are also used to regulate the quantity and/or variety of the aromatising substance added to the drink.

[0063] In fact such means may order the controlled release of a single aromatic substance from a specific chamber 24¹, 24¹¹, 24¹¹¹, or cause dispensing from a plurality of chambers so that the relative substances combine in the basic water dispensed, for example in a certain proportion .

[0064] A first embodiment, (not shown) may provide that each chamber 24¹, 24¹¹, 24¹¹¹, has its own shut-off component to permit/prevent the release of the aromatising substance from the respective chamber. Advantageously, each shut-off component is controlled by the control means.

[0065] In a further embodiment, the aromatisation means 16 comprise a multi-way dispenser 26 shared by the outputs of each of said chambers 24¹, 24¹¹, 24¹¹¹. This way, inside the dispenser a pre-dissolving or dilution of the aromatising substance with the drinking water may take place, given that such substances are usually supplied in a concentrated form. [0066] Preferably, a single shut-off component 66 may be positioned downstream of such dispenser 26 to permit /prevent the release of the aromatising substance or plurality thereof.

[0067] Even more preferably the shut-off component 66 is controlled by the control means.

[0068] Innovatively, the device according to the present invention is suitable for making an extremely healthy habit, namely that of drinking alkaline water regularly, pleasant.

[0069] Advantageously, the device according to the present invention partially removes the hardness of the water and optionally the coarse material present in the incoming flow of water, making it more pleasant to taste and reducing the probability of deposits forming downstream of the point in which the salts (and/or aforesaid material) is taken away. This way the components described are suitable for functioning better and longer.

[0070] Advantageously, the device according to the present invention makes it possible to regulate a desired pH of the alkaline water, for example according to dispositions of the user or of a doctor.

[0071] Advantageously, the device according to the present invention is suitable for transforming the mineral salts present in water into a more assimilable form, in that the clusters of molecules are divided into groupings of a smaller size. The hydrating capacity of the water is thereby also improved.

[0072] Advantageously, the device according to the present invention makes the drinking water a powerful antioxidant of the free radicals, further neutralising acid build-ups present in the body.

[0073] Advantageously, the device according to the^" present invention makes it possible to minimise the wear of its components, especially given the rational and economic arrangement thereof.

[0074] Advantageously, the device according to the present invention functions substantially independently, and is suitable to report situations of danger, of status or of alerts even remotely. In addition, the maintenance and adjustment operations can also be performed automatically or from a remote site without local intervention by an operator .

[0075] A person skilled in the art may make variations to the embodiments of the distributor described above so as to satisfy specific requirements, replacing elements with others functionally equivalent.

[0076] For example, one embodiment may provide for an intake of non-drinking water alternatively to the supply of drinking water, according to such variant, a distillation unit of the non-drinking water and subsequent mineralisation unit of the distilled water could be provided, to then subject the latter to alkalinisation before providing to a user.

[0077] Such variants are also contained within the scope of protection defined by the following claims.

[0078] In addition, each of the characteristics described as belonging to a possible embodiment may be realised independently of the other embodiments described.

Claims

1. Automatic distributor (1) of alkaline water comprising :

- a casing (2) which defines an inner chamber (4),

- a hydraulic process circuit (6) at least partially housed in the inner chamber (4) and which comprises:

i) an intake zone (8) for a flow of drinking water;

ii) at least one dispensing zone (10, 12) of a flow of alkaline water;

iii) alkalinisation means (14 14") positioned between said intake zone (8) and said dispensing zone (10, 12) to generate a flow of alkaline water from the flow of drinking water; and

-aromatisation means (16) to introduce at least one aromatising substance into the dispensed alkaline water.

2. Distributor according to claim 1, wherein the aromatisation means (16) comprise an aromatisation circuit housed in the inner chamber (4), said circuit being separate from the hydraulic process circuit (6).

3. Distributor according to claim 1, wherein the aromatisation means comprise at least one aromatisation circuit (18) which upstream of the dispensing zone (10, 12) in relation to the direction of the flow of drinking or alkaline water, is fluidically connected to the hydraulic process circuit (6) .

4. Distributor according to claim 3, wherein the aromatisation circuit (18) and the hydraulic process circuit (6) converge into a mixing chamber (20) to which a first (10) and a separate second (12) dispensing zone are connected, for example one responsible for filling bottles /flasks (60), and the other beakers/ cups (62).

5. Distributor according to any of the previous claims, wherein the alkalinisation means (14', 14") function by means of electrolytes.

6. Distributor according to claim 5, comprising a pair of electrolytic alkalinisators positioned in parallel.

7. Distributor according to any of the previous claims, wherein the alkalinisation means (14 ', 14",) further generate a flow of acid water from the drinking water, channelled outside the casing (2) by means of a drainage system (22) .

8. Distributor according to claim 7, wherein said channelling occurs without passing through the dispensing zone (10, 12) .

9. Distributor according to any of the previous claims, comprising cooling means (58) of the flow of alkaline water positioned downstream of the alkalinisation means (14 ' , 14") .

10. Distributor according to any of the previous claims, comprising cooling means of the flow of drinking water positioned upstream of the alkalinisation means (14', 14").

11. Distributor according to any of the previous^' claims, wherein the aromatisation means (16 ) comprise a plurality of chambers (24¹, 24¹¹, 24¹¹¹ ) to separately contain the aromatising substances, for example in the form of capsules or refills, each of said compartments (24¹, 24¹¹, 24¹¹¹ ) being independently controlled to cause dispensing of the respective aromatising substance.

12. Distributor according to claim 11, wherein the aromatisation means (16) comprise a multi-way dispenser (26) shared by the outputs of each of said chambers (24¹, 24¹¹, 24¹¹¹) , a single shut-off component (66) being positioned downstream of such dispenser (26) to permit /prevent the release of the aromatising substance or plurality thereof.

13. Distributor according to any of the previous claims, comprising control means (28, 30, 32) for independently regulating the flow rate of the drinking water and/or alkaline water, the speed of transformation of the drinking water into alkaline water, the pH of the alkaline water dispensed,- the dispensing temperature of the alkaline water, the quantity and/or variety of the aromatising substance added.

14. Distributor according to any of the previous claims, comprising control means (28, 30, 32) suitable for being operated by a user to emit /prevent / adjust the dispensing of the flow of alkaline water.

15. Distributor according to claim 14, wherein the control means (28, 30, 32) comprise collection means (30) suitable for permitting dispensing of the flow of alkaline water conditional to recognition of a credit, for example in cash, coins, by means of a debit card, credit card, voucher, token, pre-paid card, by means of a mobile phone , tablet or the like.

16. Distributor according to claim 14 or 15, wherein the control means (28, 30, 32) comprise at least one touch screen monitor (32) .

17. Distributor according to any of the previous claims, wherein the control means (28, 30, 32) may be controlled remotely .

18. Distributor according to any of the previous claims, wherein the control means comprise one or more of user recognition means, timer mean and /or remote communication means are suitable for sending alarm or functioning signals.