WATER-SOFTENING AND REGENERATION PROCESS

• US 3,680,703 A
• Filed: 03/26/1971
• Issued: 08/01/1972
• Est. Priority Date: 03/26/1971
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Stuart Borochaner
• Original Assignee: Stuart Borochaner
• Inventors: Borochaner, Stuart
• Primary Examiner(s): Zaharna, Samih N.
• Application Number:
  US05/128,313
• Time in Patent Office: 494 Days
• Field of Search: 68/13A 210/30,136,171,190,191
• US Class Current: 210/136
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 15/4229 Water softening arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 49/75 of water softeners

Abstract

A water-softening system for washing machines and the like which comprises a regeneration chamber in direct circuit between the water supply and an ion-exchange chamber which is, in turn, in direct circuit with the washing machine tub. Normally, there is no regeneration material in the regeneration chamber so that water flows directly through to the ion-exchange chamber, where it is softened, and then into the tub. When it is necessary to regenerate the ion-exchange resin, regeneration material, either granular or fluid, is inserted into the regeneration chamber and the water from the source is permitted to flow for a brief interval sufficient to carry the regeneration material into the ion-exchange chamber. It is permitted to stay in the ion-exchange chamber for sufficient time to regenerate the ion-exchange resin and is then flushed out through the tub into the drain. No special control valves or other control means are necessary for the regeneration cycle.

Claims

1. A method of operating a system comprising a regeneration chamber, an ion-exchange chamber and a washing machine having a wash tub, all being connected in series with each other and said regeneration chamber being above the inlet to said wash tub, and wherein the system includes means for controlling the water from a water source to said regeneration chamber and drain means operatively connected to said wash tub, which comprises, during the operation of the washing machine, passing the water from said source through the regeneration chamber, said regeneration chamber being adapted to selectively hold regeneration material, then through said ion-exchange chamber containing an ion-exchange resin, and then through a one-way valve means into said wash tub, the flow of said water from said source through said regeneration chamber and through said ion-exchange chamber to said one-way valve means being direct and uninterrupted by any valves, and the flow of said water from said one-way valve means into said wash tub also being direct and uninterrupted by any valves, and periodically regenerating the ion-exchange resin by first terminating the flow of water from said source, then draining the water from said regeneration chamber through Said drain means by gravity, thereafter inserting regeneration material into said regeneration chamber, and then passing water from said source through said regeneration chamber and through both said ionexchange chamber and said wash tub to said drain means.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the draining of the water from said regeneration chamber comprises a flow through said ion-exchange chamber and through said wash tub prior to passage of the flow through said drain means.