WO2020094417A1

WO2020094417A1 - Device and method for dosing a liquid additive into water

Info

Publication number: WO2020094417A1
Application number: PCT/EP2019/079113
Authority: WO
Inventors: Silpa Suresh ANUMALASETTY; Siddhi Suresh RAUL; Skand Saksena; Alpana DIVEKAR
Original assignee: Unilever N.V.; Unilever Plc; Conopco, Inc., D/B/A Unilever
Priority date: 2018-11-06
Filing date: 2019-10-24
Publication date: 2020-05-14

Abstract

The water dispensing device of the present invention is suitable for dosing a liquid additive into water and comprises an inlet for entry of water, a water storage chamber in fluid communication with the inlet and having an outlet line, wherein the outlet line (L_O) is divided into two lines downstream L₁ and L₂; an electromechanical means positioned on L₁ to drive flow of water from L_O to L₁; a dosing container to dose a liquid additive through the dosing line L_D into the line L₁ at a point M, wherein, point M is downstream of the electromechanical means; a sterilizing means positioned downstream of the point M; and an outlet for dispensing water with the liquid additive; wherein, the line L₁ downstream of the sterilizing means and the line L₂, merge into a single line L₁₊₂ upstream of the water outlet.

Description

DEVICE AND METHOD FOR DOSING A LIQUID ADDITIVE INTO WATER

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a device for dosing a liquid additive into water and more particularly to a device and method for dosing a liquid additive into water to obtain liquid additive enriched water, which is capable of enhancing the flavor and/or benefits of drinking water.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Water is very important for life. It is well known that water makes up about 60% of the body weight in men and 55% of weight in women. It is important to drink at 2 to 3 liters of water in a day. However, most people working in air-conditioned environments find it difficult to consume the adequate quantity of water due to decrease in thirst. A way to drink more water could be to make it more palatable. It will also be of great advantage if the palatability comes with a benefit. However, dosing of additives into water comes with many problems. Solid dosing has not been found very successful due to sogginess and inconsistent dosing. Liquid dosing also comes with a set of problems such as stability, microbial contamination and dosing into a water flowing with pressure etc.

Contamination is one of the major problems faced with the dosing of drinking water. Dosing of running water under pressure either results in microbial contaminated water or inconsistent dosing. Therefore, there is a need to provide a dosing mechanism for drinking water which takes care of the contamination without effecting the flow of water and provides consistent dosing of the liquid additive.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present inventors have designed a device suitable for dosing of liquid additive into the water to obtain additive enriched water, which is capable of enhancing the flavor and/or benefits of drinking water. First aspect of the present invention provides water dispensing device for dosing a liquid additive into a water, the device comprising, i. an inlet;

a. a water storage chamber with an outlet line l_o, wherein the outlet line l_o is divided into two lines downstream and l_₂;

ii. an electromechanical means positioned on to drive flow of water from Lo to Li;

iii. a dosing container to dose a liquid additive through the dosing line I_D into the line at a point M, wherein, point M is downstream of the electromechanical means;

iv. a sterilizing means positioned downstream of the point M; and v. an outlet for dispensing water with the liquid additive;

wherein, the line downstream of the sterilizing means and the line l_₂, merge into a single line l_i₊₂ upstream of the water outlet. Second aspect of the present invention provides use of water dispensing device according to the first aspect for enhancing the taste or quality of water with a liquid additive.

Third aspect of the present invention provides use of water dispensing device according to the first aspect for cleaning the dosing line I_D of liquid additive. Fourth aspect of the present invention provides a method for enriching water with a liquid additive, the method comprising: a. providing a water dispensing device according to first aspect of the present invention;

b. storing water in the storage chamber of the water dispensing device and allowing it to flow out into l_o;

c. providing an electromechanical means on line to drive flow of water from l_o to Li;

d. dosing the liquid additive through the dosing line I_D into line at point M; wherein the liquid additive is dosed into line Li;

e. sterilizing the water from line downstream of point M; and f. allowing water from lines and I_₂ to mix into a single line l_i₊₂ upstream of the water outlet to obtain liquid additive enriched water from the outlet O.

Another aspect of the present invention provides a method for flushing the liquid additive out of the water dispensing device according to the first aspect, the method comprising closing of valve VF.

It should be understood that the present invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the following drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being implemented in various ways.

The terms“including”,“comprising”,“containing” or“having” and variations thereof as used herein are meant to encompass the items listed thereafter as well as additional items. Unless specified or limited otherwise, the terms “mounted,” “connected,” “supported,” and“coupled” and variations thereof are used broadly and encompass direct and indirect mountings, connections, supports, and couplings.

The description below is intended to clarify the invention and are not intended to limit the invention to those examples per se. Similarly, all percentages are weight/weight percentages unless otherwise indicated. Except in the operating and comparative examples, or where otherwise explicitly indicated, all numbers in this description indicating amounts of material or

The conditions of reaction, physical properties of materials and/or use are to be understood as modified by the word "about".

Numerical ranges expressed in the format "from x to y" are understood to include x and y. When for a specific feature multiple preferred ranges are described in the format "from x to y", it is understood that all ranges combining the different endpoints are also contemplated. Brief Description of the Drawings:

The invention will now be described into more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings whereby

Figure 1 shows an illustration of a device according to the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides water enriched with liquid additive capable of providing flavor and/or benefit.

The inventors of the present invention were able to dose a liquid additive into flowing water and deliver a consistent taste and provide water devoid of contaminants without affecting the flow of water in the water flow path or the output.

Accordingly, one aspect of the present invention relates to water dispensing device for dosing a liquid additive into a water, the device comprising,

an inlet; a. a water storage chamber with an outlet line Lo, wherein the outlet line Lo is divided into two lines downstream Li and L₂;

ii. an electromechanical means positioned on to drive flow of water from Lo to L-i;

iii. a dosing container to dose a liquid additive through the dosing line I__D into the line at a point M, wherein, point M is downstream of the electromechanical means;

wherein, the line downstream of the sterilizing means and the line L₂, merge into a single line L_{I +2} upstream of the water outlet. A water dispensing device

The water dispensing device of the present invention is suitable for dosing a liquid additive into water and comprises an inlet for entry of water, a water storage chamber in fluid communication with the inlet and having an outlet line, wherein the outlet line (l_o) is divided into two lines downstream Li and l_₂; an electromechanical means positioned on Li to drive flow of water from l_o to Li; a dosing container to dose a liquid additive through the dosing line I__D into the line at a point M, wherein, point M is downstream of the electromechanical means; a sterilizing means positioned downstream of the point M; and an outlet for dispensing water with the liquid additive; wherein, the line downstream of the sterilizing means and the line l_₂, merge into a single line l_i₊₂ upstream of the water outlet.

The water dispensing device of the present invention comprises an inlet for allowing entry of water into the device from a source of water.

The inlet of the device is in fluid communication with a water storage chamber having an outlet line (l_o).

It is preferred that the water dispensing device of the present invention is a water treatment device and more particularly, a water purifying device. When the water dispensing device is a water purifying device, the inlet is provided for entry of raw/untreated water and preferably a prefilter is provided downstream of the inlet and in fluid communication with the inlet. It is preferred that the prefilter is the first filter or stage of water purification and more preferred that the prefilter is intended to remove particulate matter from the water. It is more preferred that the prefilter is a sediment filter. It is preferable that the water dispensing device of the present invention comprises a water treatment unit. It is preferred that the water treatment unit is the main filtration unit in fluid communication with the prefilter and can be a RO membrane, microfiltration membrane, Ultrafiltration membrane or any other filtration unit. It is preferred that the water treatment unit is also in fluid communication with the water storage chamber.

It is preferred that the water dispensing device of the present invention comprises a water treatment unit upstream of water storage chamber and more preferable that the water treatment unit is a desalination unit, such as a reverse osmosis membrane unit (RO) or the likes. It is further preferred that when the water dispensing device is a water purifying device, a prefilter is present upstream of the water treatment unit.

It is preferred that the water dispensing device of the present invention is a water purifying device comprising an inlet for entry of water, an electromechanical means for driving flow of water into a reverse osmosis (RO) membrane unit, the RO unit in in fluid communication with the water storage chamber having an outlet line, wherein the outlet line (l_o) is divided into two lines downstream Li and l_₂; an electromechanical means positioned on Li to drive flow of water from l_o to Li; a dosing container to dose a liquid additive through the dosing line I_D into the line at a point M, wherein, point M is downstream of the electromechanical means; a sterilizing means positioned downstream of the point M; and an outlet for dispensing water with the liquid additive; wherein, the line Li downstream of the sterilizing means and the line l_₂, merge into a single line l_i₊₂ upstream of the water outlet.

It is preferable that in the device of the present invention the line carrying water from the sterilizing means branches into a flush line l__Ffor flushing the line Li of the liquid additive. It is more preferable that when flush line I_F is present, a valve VF downstream of point where branches out flushing line l__F and upstream of l_i₊₂ is present.

Water storage Chamber

The device of the present invention comprises a water storage chamber. It is preferred that the water storage chamber is downstream of a water treatment unit. It is further preferred that the water storage chamber of the present invention stores pure drinking water. The water storage chamber has an outlet line l_o which is divided into two lines downstream Li and l_₂.

Dosing Container A dosing container is designed to store a liquid additive. It could be made of any material compatible with the liquid additive such as plastic, glass and other inert materials.

It is preferred that the dosing container doses the liquid additive through a dosing tube. The dosing tube could be made of different types of materials which are chemically inert and compatible with the liquid additive such as high molecular weight PVC, silicon, thermoplastic elastomer, thermoplastic vulcanizate, vton rubber etc. In a highly preferred aspect silicone tube is used as a liquid additive dosing tube. It is further preferred that when silicone is used as a material for the liquid additive dosing tube, preferably the silicon is peroxide cured. It is preferable that the dosing container has an air opening for preventing a vacuum lock in the dosing container. It is more preferable that the air opening is covered or plugged with an air filter. It is preferable that the air filter is a membrane type air filter.

Regulating means

The water dispensing device of the present invention preferably comprises dosing container, wherein the dosing container doses the liquid additive into through the dosing line L_D into line Li at a point M. It is preferred that the liquid from the dosing container is dosed at point M into line by a regulating means.

It is preferred that the regulating means is configured to regulate dosing of the liquid additive from the dosing container into the line Li. The regulating means is preferably positioned at the dosing container or in the flow path (line L_D) of the liquid additive flowing from dosing container to the line Li.

It is preferable that regulating means is spatially positioned at or between the dosing container, liquid additive dosing tube and the point M. It is most preferable that the regulating means is positioned at the liquid additive doing tube (L_D). Regulating means could be mechanical, suction type, electrical or displacement type.

The mechanical regulating means could be a piston type regulating means. This dosing mechanism preferably includes a defined size of reservoirs/Bore size with 2 one-way valves and a spring-loaded piston. The piston movement is preferably controlled by user. When piston is pressed against the spring preferably one valve is closed and other one open resulting into dosing of defined liquid. The amount of dosed liquid controlled by the piston movement and bore size of cylinder. When the piston is released it returns to its normal position because of spring force and simultaneously 2^nd open valve opens and fill the reservoir. A suction type regulating means preferably includes a defined size of reservoirs/Bore size with one way valve and a spring-loaded piston. Piston movement is preferably controlled by user. Preferably when piston is pressed against the spring and valve is forced to close resulting into dosing of available liquid in reservoir out of nozzle. The amount of dosed liquid is controlled by the piston movement and bore size of cylinder. When the piston is released, it returns to its normal position because of spring force and simultaneously valve opens and because of suction reservoir get filled.

An electrical type regulating means preferably includes a pump type regulating means such as a peristaltic pump. This mechanism-based dosing preferably includes a peristaltic (Rollar) pump which generate the pluses in the tube which filled with the liquid which generate positive displacement of the liquid within the tube with the help of rollers. Dosing is controlled by defined no of turns/seconds.

A displacement type regulating means is preferably a valve/Displacement Type regulating means. A Solenoid valve (SV) based dosing mechanism preferably includes a small reservoir having a small opening which is operated by a piston. Piston moment is controlled by electrical means. When electrical power is supplied to SV the coil situated within pulls piston upwards resulting into dosing of the liquid. The amount of dosed liquid is controlled by bore size of tubing and time of opening and closing of piston.

It is preferable that the regulating means is a pump and more preferably a positive displacement pump including but not limited to rotary lobe pump, progressing cavity pump, rotary gear pump, piston pump, diaphragm pump, screw pump, gear pump, vane pump, regenerative (peripheral) pump and peristaltic pump. It is further preferred that the regulating means is a rotary pump and most preferably a rotatory gear pump. In a rotatory gear pump the liquid is trapped by the opening between the gear teeth of two identical gears and the chasing of the pump on the suction side. On the pressure side the fluid is squeezed out when the teeth of the two gears are rotated against each other. It is highly preferred that the regulating means is positioned such that the liquid additive dosing tube is pinched intermittently by the gears of the peristaltic pump for a regulated dosing of the liquid additive. It is preferable that the device comprises a control circuit which controls the regulating means for regular dispensing of the liquid additive. Electromechanical means

An electromechanical means is positioned on Li to drive flow of water from l_o to Li. The present inventors surprisingly found that by branching line l_o into and l_2, and positioning an electromechanical means on the line Li, increases output water flow of the device. It was seen that in absence of design of the device of present invention, that is, in absence of branching out of l_o into and L₂, the flow rate of the water in l_o was considerably low and affected the flow rate of water dispensed from the device.

A Sterilizing means

The device of the present invention comprises a sterilizing means positioned downstream of the point M, where the liquid additive is dosed into line Li.

It is important that the water dispensed for drinking is not contaminated with microorganisms, therefore it is important to have a sterilizing means before the water is dispensed for drinking. Especially when the water dispensing device is a water purification device, then dispensing water which is pure and filtered and free of any contamination is of utmost importance.

It is preferred that the sterilizing means is a filter, preferably a membrane type filter and more preferably selected from microfilter, ultrafiltration membrane, RO membrane or combinations thereof.

Outlet The mineralized water after passing through the sterilizing means to get mineralized water free of any contaminants is dispensed through an outlet, preferably through a tap.

It is also possible that the mineralized water is first collected in a storage chamber and then dispensed through an outlet, in this case the storage chamber is positioned upstream of the outlet and in fluid communication with the outlet. A Method of mineralizing water

The present invention provides a method for enriching water with a liquid additive, the method comprising: a. providing a water dispensing device according to the first aspect of the present invention; b. storing water in the storage chamber of the water dispensing device and allowing it to flow out into l_o; c. providing an electromechanical means on line to drive flow of water from l_o to Li; d. dosing the liquid additive through the dosing line I__D into line at point M; wherein the liquid additive is dosed into line Li, preferably at predetermined intervals of time to obtain water with the liquid additive; e. sterilizing the water from line downstream of point M; and f. allowing water from lines and l_2 to mix into a single line l_i+2 upstream of the water outlet to obtain liquid additive enriched water from the outlet O.

It is preferred that in the method of the present invention the regulating means is a pump and preferably a positive displacement type of pump.

It is preferred that in the method of the present invention the liquid additive is stored in a dosing container having an air opening and preferably the air opening is plugged by an air filter, more preferably a membrane type air filter.

It is preferred that in the method of the present invention the sterilizing means is a membrane type filter, preferably the sterilizing means is selected from microfilter, ultrafiltration membrane, RO membrane or combinations thereof.

It is preferred that in the method of the present invention the device further comprises a water treatment unit upstream of mineral cartridge, preferably a desalination unit and more preferably a RO unit. The present invention also provides a method for flushing the liquid additive out of the water dispensing device according to the device of the present invention, the method comprising closing of valve VF and preferably draining out the water from the flushing line L_F preferably to clear traces of the liquid additive when the liquid dosing container is required to be replaced with another liquid additive having a different composition and/or flavor. Therefore, in the flushing mode of the device, the valve V_F is closed and water is drained from LF. Use

The present invention provides use of water dispensing device of the present invention for enhancing the taste or quality of water with a liquid additive.

The present invention provides use of water dispensing device of the present invention for cleaning the dosing line L_D of liquid additive. Figure 1 is an illustration of a device suitable for mineralization of water. The figure shows an inlet (I) for entry of water from a source of water, in fluid communication with a water storage chamber in fluid communication having an outlet line (Lo), wherein the outlet line (Lo) is divided into two lines downstream Li and L₂; an electromechanical means positioned on Li to drive flow of water from Lo to Li; a dosing container to dose a liquid additive through the dosing line L_D into the line Li at a point M, wherein, point M is downstream of the electromechanical means; a sterilizing means positioned downstream of the point M; and an outlet for dispensing water with the liquid additive; wherein, the line Li downstream of the sterilizing means and the line L₂, merge into a single line L_{I +2} upstream of the water outlet. The invention will be further described by the following illustrative non-limiting examples.

EXAMPLES

Example 1: To provide microbiologically safe water after dosing of herbal extract in purified water without compromising on device output flowrate.

A water dispensing device having a prefilter and a RO membrane unit was used for the test. The RO purified water was collected in a water storage chamber having an outlet line Lo, divided into two lines downstream Li and L₂, a centrifugal pump was positioned on Li to drive flow of water from Lo to Li. A Liquid additive bottle with herbal extract was attached to the device for delivering herbal infused water. The herbal bottle was provided with an air vent for consistent dosing of the extract through the dosing line I_D into the line Li at a point M to provide herbal infused water through the outlet. Due to air vent the herbal extract in the bottle as well as water dispensed from the device was observed to have microbial contamination by measuring bacterial and mould counts. To avoid the contamination, a membrane filter was placed on the air vent and a sterilizing means (microfilter membrane) positioned downstream of the point M, i.e., post dosing of the herbal extract.

Flowrate of the water from the outlet was recorded. The device output water flowrate is defined as the amount of water dispensed from output (either tap or spout - i.e. manual or electrical means) per specified time (in mins or hours). The experiments were conducted for the outlet flow rates of water

3 different experiment conducted by putting MF filter post dosing , results are as follows: Table 1: Flow rate and consistency data:

In case 1 , due to restriction, airlock, wetting of membrane issue the output flowrate is inconsistent . In case 2, the centrifugal pump drives water through pump, but there is inconsistent or no dosing

In case 3, l_o is divided into two lines downstream Li and l_2, a centrifugal pump is positioned on Li and a microfilter membrane is positioned downstream of point M while l_2 is a free-flowing line.

Cases 1 to 3 were tested to be substantially free of microbial contamination.

It is clearly demonstrated by the results of Table 1 that only by the design of the present invention the device is able to dispense herbal infused water at a good and consistent flow rate which is also substantially free of microbial contamination. The various features of the present invention referred to in individual sections above apply, as appropriate, to other sections mutatis mutandis. Consequently, features specified in one section may be combined with features specified in other sections as appropriate. Any section headings are added for convenience only and are not intended to limit the disclosure in any way. The invention is not limited to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings. Accordingly, it should be understood that where features mentioned in the claims are followed by reference numerals, such numerals are included solely for the purpose of enhancing the intelligibility of the claims and are in no way limiting to the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A water dispensing device for dosing a liquid additive into a water, the device comprising, i. an inlet (I); ii. a water storage chamber (WSC) with an outlet line LO, wherein the outlet line LO is divided into two lines downstream L1 and L2; iii. an electromechanical means (EM) positioned on L1 to drive flow of water from LO to L1 ; iv. a dosing container to dose a liquid additive through the dosing line L_D into the line Li at a point M, wherein, point M is downstream of the electromechanical means; v. a sterilizing means (SM) positioned downstream of the point M; and vi. an outlet (O) for dispensing water with the liquid additive; wherein, the line Li downstream of the sterilizing means and the line L₂, merge into a single line L_{I +2} upstream of the water outlet.

2. A water dispensing device according to claim 1 , wherein the electromechanical means (EM) is a pump.

3. A water dispensing device according to claim 2, wherein the pump is a centrifugal type of pump.

4. A water dispensing device according to claims 1 to 3, wherein the dosing container (DC) has an air opening.

5. A water dispensing device according to claim 4, wherein the air opening is plugged by an air filter.

6. A water dispensing device according to claims 1 to 5, wherein the sterilizing means (SM) is a membrane type filter or a UV assembly.

7. A water dispensing device according to claim 6, wherein the when the sterilizing means (SM) is a membrane type filter, the filter is selected from microfilter, ultrafiltration membrane, RO membrane or combinations thereof.

8. A water dispensing device according to claims 1 to 7, wherein the device further comprises a water treatment unit upstream of the water storage chamber (WSC).

9. A water dispensing device according to claims 1 to 8, wherein the device further comprises a regulating means (RM) to dose the liquid additive into line at point M.

10. A water dispensing device according to claims 1 to 9, wherein line carrying water from the sterilizing means (SM) branches into a flush line I_F for flushing the line Li of the liquid additive.

1 1 . A water dispensing device according to claim 10, wherein when flush line I_F is present, a valve VF is positioned on Line Li downstream of point where Li branches out flushing line L_F and upstream of L-I₊2.

12. Use of the device of claims 1 to 10 for enhancing the taste or quality of water with a liquid additive.

13. A method for enriching water with a liquid additive, the method comprising: a. providing a water dispensing device according to claims 1 to 1 1 of the present invention; b. storing water in the storage chamber (WSC) of the water dispensing device and allowing it to flow out into Lo; c. providing an electromechanical means (EM) on line Li to drive flow of water from Lo to Li; d. dosing the liquid additive through the dosing line LD into line Li at point M; wherein the liquid additive is dosed into line Li; e. sterilizing the water from line Li downstream of point M; and f. allowing water from lines and I_₂ to mix into a single line l_i₊₂ upstream of the water outlet to obtain liquid additive enriched water from the outlet O.