US5385667A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus for the purification of shower water
Assignee: NAP II Inc
•
Filing: 1993-04-21
•
Granted: 1995-01-31
•
Expires: 2013-04-21
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus for the purification of shower water by the intimate contact with finely divided metal comprising copper and zinc. This apparatus causes turbulence of the water in contact with the metal. Also a method for the purification of water by the intimate contacting of shower water in a turbulent state with finely divided metal comprising copper and zinc. A showerhead can be directly connected to the outlet supplying purified water.
Inventors
- 👤 William R. Steger
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 21:56
CPC Classifications
C; C02; C02F; C02F1/00; C02F1/48; C02F1/001; C02F1/003; C02F1/50; C02F1/505; C02F1/70; C02F1/705; C02F2201/00; C02F2201/002; C02F2201/006; C02F2301/00; C02F2301/02; C02F2301/024; C02F2301/026; C02F2303/00; C02F2303/04; C02F2307/00; C02F2307/06
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
143 words
An apparatus for the purification of household water which comprises: a chamber having water inlet and outlet passages, containing an effective amount of finely divided metal particles having a suitable redox potential and having sufficient unfilled space for the suspension of the finely divided metal particles in the household water flowing therethrough; water inlet means for directing the flow of household water from said water inlet passage into and radially outwardly through the finely divided metal particles in the chamber and for suspending the finely divided metal particles in said chamber said inlet means including a water inlet tube extending into said finely divided metal particles, wherein said water inlet tube has a smaller diameter than the diameter of said water inlet passage; and means for separating said finely divided metal particles from the outlet water leaving the chamber through the outlet passage.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
143 words
An apparatus for the purification of household water which comprises: a chamber having water inlet and outlet passages, containing an effective amount of finely divided metal particles having a suitable redox potential and having sufficient unfilled space for the suspension of the finely divided metal particles in the household water flowing therethrough; water inlet means for directing the flow of household water from said water inlet passage into and radially outwardly through the finely divided metal particles in the chamber and for suspending the finely divided metal particles in said chamber said inlet means including a water inlet tube extending into said finely divided metal particles, wherein said water inlet tube has a smaller diameter than the diameter of said water inlet passage; and means for separating said finely divided metal particles from the outlet water leaving the chamber through the outlet passage.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the finely divided metal having a suitable redox potential comprises copper and zinc.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the finely divided material comprises a weight ratio of copper:zinc between about 1:1 and about 7:3.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the water inlet passage directs the water against the inner wall of the chamber.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the water forms a spray upon contact with the inner wall of the chamber.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the water outlet passage connects to a showerhead.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
32 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the means for removing the finely divided metal from the outlet water is a screen having openings smaller than the diameter of the finely divided metal.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
43 words
A shower system comprising in combination the water purification apparatus of claim 1 and a shower head, wherein water to be treated contacts said finely divided metal particles comprising copper and zinc under turbulent conditions and then said showerhead directly receives said water.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1998-01-30 | 1998-08-01 | 1999-01-31 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2002-01-30 | 2002-08-01 | 2003-01-31 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2006-01-30 | 2006-08-01 | 2007-01-31 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |