Water purifying and dispensing apparatus

Abstract

The invention relates to a water purification device, which is provided with a housing, a power supply, an inlet for water to be purified and an outlet (23) supplying purified water, and a filter element arranged between the inlet and the outlet (23), and also with a flow regulator (76) for passing water through the filter element, and the water is passed through the flow regulator (76) at a constant speed, and also with a measuring unit for counting the time elapsed since the insertion of the filter element and for measuring the volume of water that has flowed through the filter element, and also with a flow and consumption monitoring arrangement, and a method for purifying water, during which a bottle (20) containing water to be purified and a clean water bottle for the purified water are used, then pressure is applied to the water to be purified, and during the method a unit of water volume determined by the pressure is passed from the bottle (20) containing water to be purified to the clean water bottle, while passing it through a filter,and the water flow rate is kept at a constant and predetermined value. à,

Description

The invention relates to a water purification device, which is provided with a housing, a power supply, an inlet for water to be purified and an outlet (23) supplying purified water, and a filter element arranged between the inlet and the outlet (23), and also with a flow regulator (76) for passing water through the filter element, and the water is passed through the flow regulator (76) at a constant speed, and furthermore, the device is provided with a measuring unit for counting the time elapsed since the insertion of the filter element and for measuring the volume of water that has flowed through the filter element, and furthermore, with a flow and usage monitoring arrangement, and a method for purifying water, during which a bottle (20) containing water to be purified and a bottle of pure water for purified water are used, then pressure is applied to the water to be purified, and during the method, a unit of water volume determined by the pressure is passed from the bottle (20) containing water to be purified to the bottle of pure water, while passing it through a filter,and the water flow rate is kept at a constant and predetermined value., HU 222 959 B1 The description is 18 pages long (including 9 pages of illustrations). HU 222 959 Bl The invention relates to a water purification device, which is provided with a housing, a power supply, an inlet for water to be purified and an outlet for supplying purified water, as well as a filter element arranged between the inlet and the outlet, and a flow regulator for passing water through the filter element, and also a method for purifying water, during which a bottle containing water to be purified and a bottle of pure water for the purified water are used, and then pressure is exerted on the water to be purified. In particular, it is a device that produces germ-free water and can therefore be safely used by children and other persons who need to be protected from even mild infections. In one embodiment of the invention, the device is self-supporting, intended for home use and can be easily transported by the user. In many places there is no safe and reliable water supply. A water supply system may be completely absent or often a system exists, but the water supplied is unsafe and unfit for drinking, especially since it is contaminated with microorganisms. The problem of providing safe, potable water in these places without adding chemicals to the water that make it taste bad and are not harmless has received much attention and many solutions have been found in the art. It is known to connect a purification device to the pipe or tap, which is provided with a filtering unit. For example, US-P 5,338,456 discloses a water purification process for removing dissolved solids that are commonly present in municipal water supplies. The process uses a forced carbonation remover, a water degasser, a water outlet, a water level sensor and a reverse osmosis unit. However, these devices are cumbersome and expensive and are not suitable for independent household use. Furthermore, they cannot be used if there is no adequate central water supply system. Finally, they do not provide fresh, drinkable water at any distance from the taps, whether in a residential building or on a campsite. Furthermore, none of the devices provide sterile water. Another problem with these devices is the risk of internal contamination, which is due to the fact that after a while the filters of the device become extremely contaminated with microorganisms that divide and thus create a health hazard instead of eliminating this danger. The contamination can come from a very small number of microorganisms, even from a single one, since their ability to divide is particularly high. JP 05185070 (Kokai 5-185070) notes that in household water purifiers the filter module must be replaced when the amount of water that has flowed through it has exceeded the allowable absorption capacity of the absorption layer within the module, and these water purifiers are known to be provided with a life meter that indicates the time when the filter module needs to be replaced. However, the known devices are, so to speak, unreliable, since they only measure the time of water flow and, due to the variation in the water flow rate, this does not provide a reliable signal. Therefore, the said applications propose a household water purifier that includes a constant flow rate valve, a sensor that detects the start and stop of water flow and generates a signal corresponding thereto, and a device that is capable of operating in accordance with said signals and giving a signal when the total time has reached a preset value.The constant flow rate valve is only intended to allow the total time to be measured very precisely, and until this preset value is reached, the filter is not replaced, regardless of the amount of water flowed through, which is not given independent importance. The applications show various constant flow rate valve designs, but since they do not show the structure and design of the filter module, which the invention could use in various structures known in the art, they do not disclose a complete device free from the disadvantages of the prior art. Our aim with the present invention is therefore to create an apparatus with which drinking water can be produced and supplied, which is free from the disadvantages and limitations of the prior art apparatus. A further object of the invention is to provide a device for producing sterile water. It is a further object of the invention to provide a device that is self-supporting, compact and economical. A further aim of our invention is to develop a device that is either portable or non-portable as desired, and if portable, it is easy to carry and take from one point to another so that it can be used, for example, in any room at home and / or outside the home, for example, when camping. It is a further object of the invention to provide a device that is free from internal contamination with respect to the division and accumulation of microorganisms, particularly in the filter of the device. A further aim of our invention is to create a device that is simple, easy to use and safe. A further aim of the invention is to create a device whose volume and weight are minimal compared to the amount of water supplied. A further object of our invention is to create a device whose filter is compact and inexpensive and capable of providing a large amount of purified water relative to the volume of the filter. We achieved our goal by designing a device that has a housing, a power supply, an inlet for water to be purified and an outlet for supplying purified water, as well as a filter arranged between the inlet and the outlet, and a flow regulator that passes the water through the filter, and the water is passed through the flow regulator at a constant speed, and the device is also equipped with a measuring unit for counting the time elapsed since the filter was inserted and for measuring the volume of water that has flowed through the filter, and a flow and consumption monitoring arrangement. The flow and usage monitoring arrangement preferably includes a user warning element, which is provided by the measuring unit and has a threshold value, HU 222 959 Bl or is operated in response to a signal level exceeding any of the preset, continuously increasing values. The flow of water through the filter is preferably automatically prevented by the flow and usage monitoring arrangement upon a level signal received from the measuring unit and exceeding a threshold value or the highest of preset, continuously increasing values. The filter is provided with pre-filter layers and a microporous membrane, and the water inlet to be purified is formed in a bottle holder that fits the bottle of water to be purified, and the device is further provided with a bottle head mounted on a replaceable gas bottle that conducts water at a uniform flow rate, and a gas dispensing lever arranged on the bottle head, as well as a flow regulator, and lines connecting the bottle head, the bottle holder, and the filter in this order and extending from the flow regulator, and the filter is further provided with a replaceable filter unit arranged on the filter housing, and the device is further provided with a clean water bottle designed to provide filtered water and a head connected to the filter by a line. The flow regulator is preferably arranged as part of the filter unit, and the flow regulator is connected to an outlet of the filter unit, and the replaceable gas cylinder is filled with pressurized carbon dioxide. The purified water bottle is advantageously designed with sufficient strength to withstand a pressure of 1 MPa, and the bottle head is designed to be suitable for fitting with a gas bottle used in a liquid carbonation machine. The gas dispensing lever is preferably operated directly by the operator, and the device is provided with a dispensing container that releases a predetermined amount of gas from the gas cylinder by operating the gas dispensing lever. A gas pre-filter connected to the line is advantageously arranged on the bottle head, and the bottle holder for the water to be purified is hingedly attached to the housing, and the bottle holder for the water to be purified is provided with a gas inlet, a water outlet, a gas discharge valve and a safety valve. The device is advantageously arranged to count the number of bottles of water to be purified placed in the device, and the filter housing is provided with a water inlet, a water outlet chamber, and a means for causing water to flow through the filter unit, and a light source emitting ultraviolet light is fitted between the water inlet and water outlet chambers of the filter housing. The flow of water through the filter is conveniently automatically prevented by a filter closing mechanism, and the device is equipped with a gas pre-filter attached to the gas outlet of the cylinder head. The device is preferably equipped with a dip tube placed in the bottle of water to be purified and a water filter placed at the water inlet end of the dip tube. A gas discharge valve and a safety valve are advantageously arranged on the bottle holder, and the bottle holder is also provided with a counter for counting the number of bottle insertions. The filter unit is preferably provided with a plurality of filters, which are formed with pre-filters and microporous membranes. The filters are conveniently installed on a plate located between the lower and upper chambers of the filter unit, and the flow and usage monitoring arrangement is electronically designed. The flow and usage monitoring arrangement is preferably provided with a central unit, a counter for counting the time elapsed from a predetermined initial moment, a volume meter for accurately measuring the volume of water passing through the filter unit, a means for generating and displaying a signal corresponding to the state of the filter based on the relationship between the counter and its volume meter signal, and a predetermined operating program. The flow and usage monitoring arrangement prevents water from flowing through the filter when the preset threshold value is reached on the meter. The passage of time is advantageously measured from the time the filter is inserted, and the volume meter measuring the volume of water flowing through the filter is designed separately and independently from the flow controller. A flow regulator that flows water through the filter at a constant speed exerts a favorable pressure on the water to be purified, and the water flow rate is controlled independently of changes in pressure. The realization of our goal is also served by a method suitable for purifying water, during which a bottle containing water to be purified and a clean water bottle for the purified water are used, then pressure is applied to the water to be purified, and a unit volume of water determined by the pressure is passed from the bottle containing water to be purified to the clean water bottle, while passing it through a filter and keeping the water flow rate at a constant and predetermined value, then a unit volume of clean water is supplied, and the aforementioned operation is repeated as many times as necessary, while counting the time elapsed from a predetermined moment, and the volume of water flowing through the filter is monitored, and the filter is replaced when either the measured time or the predetermined threshold value of the aforementioned water volume is reached. The water from the bottle containing the water to be purified is preferably passed through a pre-filter and a microporous membrane into the pure water bottle. The predetermined moment is preferably chosen to be the moment of insertion of the filter, and the flow of water through the filter is automatically prevented if either the time elapsed from the predetermined moment or the threshold value of the predetermined water volume is reached. During the method, at least one pair of operating programs with time and water volume thresholds is advantageously installed, and a signal is sent about the filter status continuously or at predetermined time intervals, thereby informing the user about the relationship between the threshold values ​​stored in the operating program and the corresponding instantaneous values. In the operating program, we favorably arrange a pair of threshold values, each of different and increasing values, for time and water volume. HU 222 959 Bl The invention will be described in detail below with reference to the attached drawing. In the drawing, Figure 1 is a schematic exploded cross-section of an embodiment of the device according to the invention, in which the housing of the device is not visible, Figures 2 and 3 are enlarged horizontal cross-sections and axial cross-sections taken along plane III—III of Figure 2, showing in the direction of the arrows what the One embodiment of the filter unit used in the device shown in Figure 1, the Figures 4 and 5 show two operating phases and axial cross-sections of an embodiment of the dosing unit, the Figure 4A is a horizontal cross-section of the detail of Figure 4, Figures 6-8 show a schematic cross-section taken in the plane indicated by Roman numerals in Figure 9 of one embodiment of the device according to the invention, Figure 9 shows the location of some of the equipment components in horizontal cross-section, Figure 10 is a diagram showing the electrical system of the device, Figure 11 shows the operating block diagram of the system shown in Figure 10, Figures 12 and 13 show schematically, in elevation and vertical cross-section, one embodiment of the main filter component, the Figure 14 shows an enlarged cross-section of one of the filter elements, Figure 15 is a cross-section of one embodiment of the bottle holder, and Figure 16 is a perspective exploded schematic view of one embodiment of the filter unit. Figure 1 shows a schematic exploded view of an embodiment of the invention. The machine components are not shown in their actual relative positions, and the housing 110 is not shown. Also not shown is the power supply, which is a conventional unit. In this embodiment, a gas cylinder 10 is mounted on a cylinder head 11. The cylinder head 11 may be of the type used in apparatus for carbonating liquids, and in particular of the type described in the above-mentioned patent specification EP-B1-0 472 995. Further embodiments of the cylinder head 11 are shown schematically in Figures 4 and 5. In general, the cylinder head 11 of the gas cylinder 10 includes components such as screws 12 for securing the gas cylinder 10, and also includes a gas cylinder valve 10, unless this component is part of the gas cylinder 10 itself. The gas cylinder valve 13 of the gas cylinder 10, which is not shown in detail in FIG. 1 as it is known from the said European patent as a gas cylinder head, comprises a valve outlet, a valve disc which is actuated by a resilient means in order to close the valve outlet, and a pin 14 which is located in FIG. 1.1, which can be depressed by means of a lever 15 to exert a force on the plate against the resilient means to open the valve outlet and release gas from the gas cylinder 10. In the case of the arrangement schematically shown in FIG. 1, gas continuously flows out of the gas cylinder 10 as long as the lever 15 is held down by the operator. It is also possible to provide the device with a metering tank 62 so that a predetermined amount of gas is discharged from the gas cylinder 10 each time this metering tank 62 is operated. An embodiment of the dosing container 62 is shown schematically and in cross-section in Figures 4 and 5, in a plane passing through the axis of the outlet valve of the gas cylinder 10. The dosing container 62 communicates by means of a passage 63 with the cylindrical cavity in which the mandrel 14 is housed. Said cavity is connected to a bore 16' which opens into a conduit 16. In this embodiment of the device, the mandrel 14 is provided, in its lower part, with a head 64, which is designed to seal the chamber 65 containing the gas outlet valve. The valve plate of the gas cylinder 10 is not visible, except for its tip 66, which is in contact with the head 64 of the mandrel 14. The mandrel 14 is also provided with two peripheral sealing rings 67, 67'. The cylindrical cavity in which the pin 14 is housed is provided with slots 68, 68' in two planes, as shown in Fig. 4A.1, which is a cross-section of the pin 14 perpendicular to the planes of the slots 68, 68', and which shows that the sections taken around the pin 14 along the planes of the slots 68, 68' are identical. In the position shown in Figure 4, the lever 15 is pressed down to release the gas. The pin 14 is pressed against the valve plate of the gas cylinder 10, thus opening the valve, and due to the presence of the gap 68', the sealing ring 67' does not prevent the flow of gas, so that the gas escapes from the gas cylinder 10 and fills the dispensing container 62 through the passage 63. When the lever 15 is released, the lever 15 and the pin 14 are in the position shown in Figure 5. The sealing ring 67' is raised above the gap 68' and therefore prevents the passage of gas from the gas cylinder 10 into the dispensing container 62. At the same time, the sealing ring 67 is raised to the level of the gap 68 so that the gas can escape from the container 62 through the passage 63 and the gap 68 into the well 16' and from there into the conduit below. In this way, the amount of gas that has filled the container 62 is always discharged into the bottle 20 containing the water to be purified when the lever 15 is pressed and released. The gas passes through the lower line and at the inlet of the line 16 passes through a gas pre-filter 17, which is a body of finely porous material and is attached to the outlet of the cylinder head 11, retaining unwanted particles that could clog the gas passages. This pre-filter also performs a safety function, since it reduces the risk of liquid carbon dioxide entering the main filter unit 50, which will be described later. An embodiment of the bottle holder 21 is shown in an enlarged form in Figure 15. The bottle 20 containing distilled water is held by the bottle holder 21. The bottle holder 21 has a gas inlet 22 for a gas line and may be fixed or hinged to the housing 110 (not shown in Figure 1), and HU 222 959 Bl It is provided with a thread or bayonet lock 105 to hold the bottle 20 in place. If thread 105 is used, it should be different from the thread that secures the clean water bottle 81 to the head 78, which will be discussed later. The bottle holder 21 also has a water outlet 23, which leads to the unfiltered water line 32. The lower end of the water outlet 23 is connected to the upper, outlet end of the dip tube 24. The lower, inlet end of the dip tube 24 is preferably provided with a water filter 31 to prevent larger particles present in the unfiltered water from entering the filter unit 50. Preferably, the dip tube 24 is not part of the bottle 20, but is fixed therein, therefore its insertion / removal is easier. In a preferred embodiment, a pressure reducing valve 26 and a safety valve 27 are arranged in the bottle holder 21, which open when the unfiltered water bottle 20 is placed in the bottle holder 21. These valves are only shown schematically in FIG. 15.and may be of any type, i.e. such as those described in the aforementioned patent specification EP-B1-0 472 995. When the hinged bottle holder 21 tilts outwards, the valves open to allow the bottle to be filled. The bottle holder 21 may be provided with a counter 28 of any suitable type to count the number of bottles 20 inserted and, as each bottle has the same volume, to measure the amount of water filtered. The counter 28 may be reset manually or automatically when the filter unit 50 is replaced. The bottle holder 21 may also be provided with a pressure sensor 29 which sends an electrical signal when the pressure exceeds a predetermined pressure, for example 0.5 bar. Since it is very unlikely that the system pressure will fall below said pressure, for example 0.5 bar, during operation of the machine, it can be assumed that whenever the said signal appears, the machine has already been used once and a certain amount of water, corresponding to the volume of the bottles 20, for example 1 liter, has been filtered.Every time an empty bottle 20 is removed, the residual pressure is released, and every time a new, completely full bottle 20 is placed in the bottle holder 21, the pressure must be restored, so that by counting the exceedances of the specified value of said pressure, we actually count the number of emptyings of the bottles 20, and therefore how many liters of water have passed through the machine. A non-return valve 30 can also be incorporated in the gas inlet 22 of the bottle holder so that water cannot leak back from the bottle 20 into the bottle head. When pressurized gas is introduced into the bottle 20, water flows out through the water outlet 23 and enters a line 32 and then into a filter housing 35. The filter housing 35 has a water inlet 36, an inlet chamber 37, a water outlet chamber 38 and an outlet 40. The inlet chamber 37 and the water outlet chamber 38 are separated from each other by an ultraviolet light source 42. The filter housing 35 is further provided with a circumferential wall 43, the outer ring 44 of which has an upper rim 45.The filter housing 35 is also connected to the filter unit 50 by an electronic connection (not shown in the figure, but described later) and to a power supply (not shown in the figure). The filter unit 50 fitted to the filter housing 35 is schematically shown in exploded view in FIG. 16 and in axial section in FIG. 2. The filter unit 50 is secured to the filter housing 35 by a bayonet lock 51 which is around the opening of the filter unit 50, as shown in cross-section in FIG. 3. Both the flange 45 and the edge of the bayonet lock 51 extend in the range of two opposite 90° angles, anywhere along the circumference. If the arcs of said flange 45 and the edge of the bayonet lock 51 are in the same angular position, the filter unit 50 is secured to the filter housing 35. If the angles differ by 90° relative to each other, the filter unit 50 becomes free and can be lifted from the filter housing 35. The filter unit 50 may be provided with a housing 52 in which a central tube 53 is mounted or molded, the lower inlet of which fits into the flange 58 of the filter housing.Water flows from the inlet chamber 37 in the filter housing 35, past the ultraviolet light source 42, into the tube 53, and then through a pre-filter 54, above which, in the upper chamber of the filter unit 50, is a silver-plated body 55. A float valve 56 is used to release trapped air. The main filter unit 50 in the described embodiment is provided with a number of filter elements 60 mounted on a plate 61, as shown in Figures 12 and 13. Each filter element 60 has a pre-filter 91, 91' and a microporous membrane 92, 92', preferably of the type described in Israeli Patent Application No. 4364. A preferred embodiment of such a filter element 60 is shown in Figure 14. It comprises two outer pre-filters 91, 91', which are preferably made of glass fibre. Further filters inside the pre-filters 91, 91' comprise microporous membrane layers 92, 92', which are preferably designed to retain microorganisms to a virtually perfect (more than 99%). Said layers are arranged symmetrically around a substantially open plastic mesh 94 which conducts water flowing through the pre-filters 91, 91', the microporous membranes 92 and 92' and the support fabrics 93 and 93'. The pre-filters 91 and 91' and the microporous membrane layers 92 and 92' are fitted together at their tops and are joined at a seal 95 by gluing or welding. They are also joined in an insulating manner at their edges.The guide mesh 94 and the support fabrics 93, 93' do not extend to the edge of the filter element 60, i.e. the seal 95, although in an embodiment of the invention in which welding is used, the support fabrics 93 and 93' may extend to the seal 95 and be welded together by plastic welding. In Figures 12 and 13, which will be discussed later, pre-filters 91 and 91' are shown which do not extend to the bottom of the filter element 60, but are surrounded by microporous membrane layers 92, 92', support fabric layers 93, 93' and drainage layers extending around them towards their bottoms. The pre-filters 91 and 91' are insulated to the microporous membrane layers 92 and 92' at the bottom of the rim 100, 100' and laterally at the edge 102. The support fabrics 93 and 93' and the mesh 94 are narrower than the other layers and do not connect to the edge 102. HU 222 959 Bl The filter means, in this embodiment the filter elements 60, are mounted on a plate 61, as is particularly clearly seen in Figures 12 and 13. The plate 61 is preferably, but not necessarily, circular and is provided with a number of slots 101, each for a filter element 60. A single filter element 60 is threaded through each slot 101 in such a way that their edges 100, 100' are at the same level as the upper edge of the plate 61. The filter elements 60 are then implanted in the plate 61 by filling the empty space between them and the inner edges of the slots 101 of the plate 61 with a suitable adhesive 103 so that no fluid can flow between the filter elements 60 and the plate 61. The water from the filter unit 50 enters the outer pre-filters 91 and 91' through the different layers of filter elements 60 and exits the mesh 94 reaching the chamber 59, which is bounded by the plate 61 and the carbon filter 70. The water then flows into a second chamber 71, which is bounded by the said carbon filter 70 and the retaining plate 72, which serve to filter the water into a volume counter 73 and a closing device 74, which is located in the chamber 71. This ensures that when the predetermined desired amount of water has flowed through the filter unit 50, the closing closing device 74 closes and the filter unit 50 can no longer be used. The closure can be operated by an electronic central control unit or can even be operated by a mechanical means so that the filter unit 50 cannot be used after a certain time or after a predetermined volume of water has flowed through the filter unit 50.The time and volume counter 73 may also be an electronically stored circuit located on a small printed circuit board 75 attached to the filter unit 50 and which is electrically contacted when the filter is placed on the filter housing 35. From the volume counter 73, the water flows through an ultraviolet light source 42 into the water outlet chamber 38 of the filter housing 35 and through the outlet 40 into a flow regulator 76. From the flow regulator 76, the filtered water flows at a constant and controlled flow rate through a tube 77 into a head 78, which has an inlet 79, which preferably contains a porous element 80 impregnated with silver nitrate. The head 78 opens to the atmosphere in order to prevent the formation of suction pressure. The filtered, purified water is collected in a pure water bottle 81, the volume of which is, for example, 1 liter and / or the same as the bottle 20 containing the pure water. To facilitate insertion of the pure water bottle 81, the head 78 is hingedly mounted on the housing 110 and hingedly supported in the same manner as the bottle 20 is supported. Figures 6-8 show the complete apparatus according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, showing the housing 110, the gas cylinder 10, the unpurified cylinder 20, the clean water cylinder 81 containing the filtered water and the filter unit 50. 99 measuring units are shown in Figure 8. Figure 9 schematically shows in horizontal cross-section how the components of the apparatus are arranged within the housing 110, according to an embodiment of the invention, in order to make the best possible use of the space available in the rectangular housing 110, however, this is only an example, since the size and shape of the housing 110 and the arrangement of the various units within the housing 110 can be arranged in any way imaginable in order to obtain the most favorable result. In this embodiment, the power supply is a battery (not shown in the figure), but the power supply can be provided from the mains, preferably using a DC converter. This embodiment of the device is provided with a central electronic control system and a voltage source, such as a battery. The control system consists of a central unit and other components, which are suitably mounted on a small printed circuit board inside the housing 110 of the device. This device identifies each new filter by an identification number, receives signals from the pressure sensor 29 and sends signals to its own gas memory and to the volume counter 73 located on the filter unit 50. At predetermined intervals, or when the machine is running, this arrangement: when activated, assigns a number to the appropriate memory area, compares its own gas memory with the preset limit and displays the results, queries the volume counter of the filter unit 50 for volume, time and identification, compares these with the preset limit values ​​and displays the results, if necessary, in particular if an incorrect filter identification is received, or if no filter unit 50 is inserted, or if the parameters of the filter unit 50 are outside the set limits, stops the machine, as will be described below. The filter unit 50 preferably includes a non-volatile memory for storing the number of liters of filtered volume with an identification number, and is also provided with a clock driven by a built-in battery to measure the time elapsed since the filter unit 50 was put into operation. The pressure sensor 29 always sends a signal to the CPU when the system pressure exceeds a preset value. The display is mounted on the front of the machine and shows the status of the filter unit 50, for example by a series of light-emitting diodes. A "clear" (slot) button is used, which is operated by the operator after replacing the bottle 20. The filter unit 50 is reset automatically when a new filter unit 50 is inserted and the electronic connection is established. The operation and structure of a preferred embodiment of the measuring unit 99 of the electrical control is shown in Figure 10 in block diagram form. The measuring unit 99 counts the time and the water volume, which is suitably expressed as the number of bottles of distilled water 20 used. The time memory (indicated as "G" in the diagram) controls a first display having three light points, for example R red, A amber and G green, and a push button for the slot R. The volume memory (indicated as "F" in the diagram) controls another display having three light points, the colors are the same and in addition a fourth light point, for example R red. A solenoid S is also connected to the central unit, which operates as described below. HU 222 959 Bl The CPU memory contains an operating program, which is shown graphically and schematically in Figure 11, where the abscissa is time, for example hours, and the ordinate is volume, for example in liters. In the diagram, three maxima are defined for the volume count and three maxima for the time count, which maxima delimit three areas, such as the green G, the amber A and the red R areas. This can correspond to three different operating requirements. The lower maximum can be sterile water, the middle one can be potable water and the highest one can be water that can only be used safely for other purposes. The CPU is programmed to compare the identifier of the filter unit 50 with the machine number. If the identifier of the filter unit 50 matches the machine number, the filter unit 50 is new, accepted and the machine operates as follows: if there is no match, a red signal is displayed on the machine, which stops, as will be explained below. When the device is started, the pressure sensor 29 and the clock are also activated. The pressure sensor 29 sends a signal via the CPU to the volume counter 73 of the flow controller 76. The clock counts the time. After a predetermined time interval, for example every hour, the CPU compares the volume count and the time count with the program shown in Fig. 1. If neither the lowest maximum volume nor the lowest maximum time has been exceeded, the green light G lights up: the device continues to operate. If either the said volume counter 73 or the time counter has been exceeded, the corresponding amber light A lights up. If either the intermediate maximum volume value or the intermediate maximum time value has been exceeded by the device, the corresponding red light R lights up. In each case, some action must be taken, for example, replacing the filter according to the user's needs.If either the highest maximum volume or the highest maximum time is exceeded, a second red light will also come on, indicating that an emergency has occurred and the machine will be switched off, activating a solenoid which will push a valve into a position to prevent the operation of the lever 15 which starts the gas supply to the unfiltered water bottle 20 (in Figures 4 and 5), so that this lever 15 cannot be pressed, thus rendering the machine unusable. The solenoid S is preferably of the latching type and only requires a short signal to change its state. The CPU can however be programmed according to the user's requirements, in order to operate the solenoid S before, for example, one or both of the intermediate values ​​or even the lowest maximum have been reached. If the filter has been replaced, all the memories will be set to state 1 (slot).

Claims

1. A water purification device, comprising a housing, a power supply, an inlet for water to be purified and an outlet for supplying purified water, a filter element arranged between the inlet and the outlet, and a flow regulator for passing water through the filter element, characterized in that the water is passed through the flow regulator (76) at a constant speed, and the device is further provided with a measuring unit (99) for counting the time elapsed since the insertion of the filter element (60) and for measuring the volume of water that has flowed through the filter element (60), and a flow and consumption monitoring arrangement.

2. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that the flow and usage monitoring arrangement includes a user warning element, which is received from the measuring unit (99) and is operated in response to a level signal exceeding a threshold value or any of a preset, continuously increasing values.

3. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that the flow of water through the filter element (60) is automatically prevented by the flow and usage monitoring arrangement upon a level signal received from the measuring unit (99) exceeding a threshold value or the highest of preset, continuously increasing values.

4. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that the filter element (60) is provided with pre-filter layers (91, 9Γ) and a microporous membrane (92, 92').

5. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that the water inlet (36) to be purified is formed in a bottle holder (21) in which a bottle (20) containing water to be purified is arranged, and the device is further provided with a bottle head (11) mounted on a replaceable gas bottle (10) for conducting the water at a uniform flow rate, a gas dispensing lever (15) arranged on the bottle head (11), and a flow regulator (76), and lines (16, 32, 77) connecting the bottle head (11), the bottle holder (21), and the filter element (60) in this order and extending from the flow regulator (76), and the filter elements (60) are arranged in a replaceable filter unit (50) arranged on a filter housing (35), and the device is further provided with a clean water bottle (81) designed to provide filtered water and It is provided with a head (78) connected to the filter element (60) by a wire (77).

6. The apparatus of claim 5, characterized in that the flow regulator (76) is arranged as part of the filter unit (50).

7. The apparatus of claim 5, characterized in that the flow regulator (76) is connected to an outlet of the filter unit (50).

8. The device according to claim 5, characterized in that the replaceable gas cylinder (10) is filled with pressurized carbon dioxide.

9. The device according to claim 5, characterized in that the bottle (20) of water to be purified is designed with a strength sufficient to withstand a pressure of 1 MPa.

10. The device according to claim 5, characterized in that the bottle head (11) is adapted to be fitted with a gas bottle used in a liquid carbonating machine.

11. The device according to claim 5, characterized in that the gas supply lever (15) is manually operated.

12. The device according to claim 5, characterized in that it is provided with a dispensing container (62) that releases a predetermined amount of HU 222 959 Bl gas from the gas cylinder (10) by operating the gas dispensing lever (15).

13. The device according to claim 5, characterized in that a gas pre-filter (17) connected to the line (16) is arranged on the cylinder head (11).

14. The device according to claim 5, characterized in that the bottle holder (21) for the water to be purified is hingedly attached to the housing (110).

15. The device according to claim 5, characterized in that the bottle holder (21) for the water to be purified is provided with a gas inlet (22), a water outlet (23), a gas discharge valve (26) and a safety valve (27).

16. The device according to claim 5, characterized in that it is arranged to count the number of bottles (20) of water to be purified placed in the device.

17. The apparatus of claim 5, characterized in that the filter housing (35) is provided with a water inlet (36), a water outlet chamber (38), and means for causing water to flow through the filter unit (50).

18. The device according to claim 17, characterized in that a light source (42) emitting ultraviolet light is fitted between the water inlet (36) and the water outlet chamber (38) of the filter housing (35).

19. The device according to claim 3, characterized in that the flow of water through the filter element (60) is automatically prevented by a filter closing mechanism.

20. The device according to claim 5, characterized in that it is provided with a gas pre-filter (17) fixed to the gas outlet of the cylinder head (11).

21. The device according to claim 5, characterized in that it is provided with a dip tube (24) placed in the bottle (20) of water to be purified.

22. The device according to claim 21, characterized in that the immersion tube (24) is provided with a water filter (31) placed at the water inlet end.

23. The device according to claim 5, characterized in that a gas discharge valve (26) and a safety valve (27) are arranged on the bottle holder (21).

24. The device according to claim 5, characterized in that the bottle holder (21) is provided with a counter (28) for counting the number of bottle insertions.

25. The device according to claim 5, characterized in that the filter unit (50) is provided with a plurality of filter elements (60) formed with pre-filters (91, 91') and microporous membranes (92, 92').

26. The device according to claim 25, characterized in that the filter elements (60) are installed on a plate (61) located between the lower and upper chambers (47, 59) of the filter unit (50).

27. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that the flow and usage monitoring arrangement is electronically designed.

28. The device according to claim 22, characterized in that the flow and usage monitoring arrangement is provided with a central unit, a counter (73) for counting the time elapsed from a predetermined initial time instant, a volume meter for accurately measuring the volume of water passing through the filter unit (50), a means for generating and displaying a signal corresponding to the state of the filter based on the relationship between the counter (73) and the volume meter signal, and a predetermined operating program.

29. The device according to claim 28, characterized in that the flow and usage monitoring arrangement prevents the flow of water through the filter element (60) when a preset threshold value is reached on the counter (73).

30. The apparatus of claim 28, wherein the passage of time is measured from the insertion of the filter element (60).

31. The apparatus of claim 28, wherein the volume meter measuring the volume of water flowing through the filter element (60) is configured separately and independently from the flow regulator (76).

32. The apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that pressure is applied to the water to be purified by a flow regulator (76) that flows the water through the filter at a constant rate, and furthermore the water flow rate is controlled independently of the change in pressure.

33. A method for purifying water, in which a bottle containing water to be purified and a clean water bottle for the purified water are used, and then pressure is applied to the water to be purified, characterized in that during the method, a unit volume of water determined by pressure is passed from the bottle containing water to be purified to the clean water bottle, while passing it through a filter unit and keeping the water flow rate at a constant and predetermined value, then a unit volume of clean water is supplied, and the said operation is repeated a required number of times, while counting the time elapsed from a predetermined moment, and the volume of water flowing through the filter is monitored, and the filter unit is replaced when either the measured time or the predetermined threshold value of the said water volume is reached.

34. The method according to claim 33, characterized in that the water from the bottle containing the water to be purified is passed through a pre-filter and a microporous membrane into the pure water bottle.

35. The method according to claim 33, characterized in that the predetermined moment is selected as the moment of insertion of the filter unit.

36. The method of claim 33, further comprising automatically preventing the flow of water through the filter unit when either the time elapsed from the predetermined point in time or the predetermined water volume threshold is reached.

37. The method according to claim 33, characterized in that at least one pair of operating programs with time and water volume thresholds is installed, and a signal is sent about the state of the filter unit continuously or at predetermined time intervals, by which the user is informed about the relationship between the threshold values ​​stored in the operating program and the corresponding instantaneous values.

38. The method according to claim 37, characterized in that a pair of threshold values ​​of different and increasing values ​​for time and water volume are arranged in the operating program.