Abstract: An air gap apparatus comprising a deodorizer agent positioned within the apparatus. The deodorizer agent may be any combination of a liquid, solid, granules or paste placed on or in a vent cap, an upper housing or upper housing cap of the air gap or receptacle thereon, a plugged inlet or inlet port extension extending from the air gap body, an under-mount nut or spacer installed on the air gap body, or an impregnation of or coating on any of the components thereof. With such an air gap installed for use, odors associated with bacterial growth within the air gap and discharged air passing through and out of the air gap are removed, disguised, offset or otherwise reduced or eliminated.

Abstract: A dual inlet air gap having an air gap body comprising a pair of inlet ports having substantially the same size, rate of flow, and pressure drop to accept waste water flow from a pair of waste water sources for emptying into a single outlet port located between the pair of waste water sources.

Abstract: A modified or retrofitted air gap body to vent the waste water discharge from a source such as a household dishwasher in such a manner that it also vents the waste water discharge from a reverse osmosis system.

Abstract: A flow meter for monitoring liquid flow at low or intermittent rates, such as waste water gravity flow from a reverse osmosis system. Water flow from the system enters a meter chamber vented to atmosphere. Water drainage from this chamber is adjusted to match the incoming water flow, and the level at which this occurs is determinative of the rate of waste water flow. Various ways are disclosed to adjust the rate of water drainage from the chamber, including the use of multiple drainage tubes.

Abstract: A vacuum breaker having inlet port arrangements for accepting either a single input flow or multiple input flows, and adapted to vent multiple input flow substantially independently of one another, and further adapted for mounting within the open upper ends of waste standpipes of different diameters.

Abstract: An accumulator for use in a reverse osmosis (RO) system of the type in which the RO reject water is routed through a backflow prevention device, and then through a conduit section to a drainage conduit for eventual emptying into a sewer system. The accumulator is mounted around the conduit section to define a water collection chamber. Any backflowing water form the drainage conduit that flows into the conduit section is allowed to pass from the conduit section into the water collection chamber, and to drain out of the water collection chamber into the conduit section when there is an absence of backflowing water.

Abstract: An air gap device for a water softener system, the device having depending inner and outer skirt portions adapted to engage the inner and outer surfaces of an upstanding relatively small standard size waste standpipe, the outer skirt portion also being adapted to engage the inner surface of an upstanding relatively large standard size waste standpipe.

Abstract: A reverse osmosis drain coupling and a method of installing it in an existing drain pipe. The drain coupling includes one or more extremities made of flexible, resilient material so that the material can be rolled or folded back upon itself to shorten the coupling. The shortened coupling is inserted between the cut ends of the drain pipe, and the flexible material is then unrolled onto the adjacent cut end or ends to establish a fluid tight relation.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for modifying or retrofitting an air gap arrangement for venting the discharge from an existing waste water source such as a household dishwasher, so that the arrangement will also vent the waste water discharge from a reverse osmosis system.

Abstract: An air gap anti-siphon system designed for high flow rate drainage of waste water from household water softeners and the like, but adapted to be converted for low flow rate drainage of waste water from household reverse osmosis units. The system includes escape passages to shunt to atmosphere any backflow from the drain system.

Abstract: An air gap apparatus for plumbing applications such as reverse osmosis (RO) units and other systems in which reject water empties at a relatively slow rate into a drain line. The apparatus can be incorporated in an under-the-counter unit or in a countertop embodiment which eliminates umbilical connections between the RO unit and the kitchen faucet and sink drain. The apparatus has a conventional air gap to protect against back siphoning and against high velocity backflow from the drainage line. It uses a deflector wall in combination with a supplemental opening and one or more backflow restrictors to slow and shunt any backflow to atmosphere. Different styles of countertop and wall mount installations are disclosed, as well as various deflector walls and back flow devices.

Abstract: An air gap apparatus particularly adapted for use in reverse osmosis (RO) units in which reject water must be carried off to a drain line. The apparatus is adapted for incorporation in an RO unit as original equipment or for addition later as an after market item. It provides air gap protection against backsiphoning, and also includes a deflector wall and supplemental opening for shunting to atmosphere any high velocity backflow from the drainage line. Various forms of check valves are disclosed for use with the air gap apparatus to provide further protection against contamination of the potable water system by backflows, the check valves being adapted in certain embodiments for connecting together conduit sections within which the check valves have been installed. Also, a compact and inexpensive form of trap is disclosed for use in systems which do not include a conventional drain trap.

Abstract: An air gap faucet for attachment to sink structure. The faucet includes a housing which encloses upper and lower mounts which together define an integral air gap. The upper mount carries a valve mechanism operative to dispense potable water. The potable water and associated conduits are slidably disposed through the lower mount so that the upper mount can be raised above the lower mount and faucet housing for easy inspection of the valve mechanism and the air gap components.

Abstract: A faucet fixture for mounting over the faucet opening in sink structure and including a valve body capable of being pulled upwardly of the faucet fixture housing to an elevated position for inspection or maintenance. The faucet fixture includes an upper mounting plate having a threaded central bore for receiving a threaded sleeve for securement of the plate and sleeve to the sink structure. The valve body is removably secured to the mounting plate, and a potable water conduit attached to the valve body extends slidably through the sleeve for distance at least equal to the height of the housing which supports the valve body in position so that the valve body can be inspected. In one embodiment the sleeve also slidably accommodates inlet and outlet waste water conduits associated with a reverse osmosis unit so that an airgap arrangement attached to the valve body can be raised and inspected by sliding the three conduits upwardly through the sleeve.

Abstract: A vacuum breaker for connection in the discharge line from a source of liquid. The preferred embodiment comprises an elongated body for connection in the discharge line and opening to atmosphere through a lateral passageway selectively closed by a cylindrical sleeve coaxially carried by said body. In the open position of the sleeve the vacuum breaker is particularly adapted for in-line installation in the drain line of appliances. Various applications for the vacuum breaker are disclosed.

Abstract: A backflush coupling and method for flushing the cooling system of an internal combustion engine. The preferred method comprises cutting the coolant discharge hose which extends from the engine to a heater and installing the male and female connector halves of a backflush coupling into the cut ends. The installed backflush coupling constitutes a conduit for normal coolant flow. The coupling is disconnectable for attachment of a flushing hose to the female connector half, the male connector serving as a drain. A union sleeve facilities assembly and disassembly of the coupling connector halves. The coupling is adapted to fit within heater hoses of different sizes, and certain embodiments signal over pressurization of the cooling system, reveal condition of the coolant and indicate general rate of flow, and provide for air induction for mixture with the flushing liquid. A locking device prevents inadvertent separation of the coupling connector halves.

Abstract: A spool valve composite valve stem mounting a pair of valve heads longitudinally movable to a service position in which the valve heads cooperate with valve seats to direct fluid along one path, the valve stem being oppositely movable to a backwash position in which a first one of the valve heads is seated and the other is not, thereby directing fluid along a second path. The two piece, composite valve stem, in combination with other constructional features of the valve, enables the first valve head to remain seated while moving the second valve head to a seated position to establish a bypass position for directing fluid along a third path. Various means are shown for coupling together the valve stem portions and for axially moving the stem portions back and forth. Embodiments for use with water treatment equipment and water heating are disclosed.

Abstract: A valve for water treatment equipment and characterized by an elongated chamber divided into sections interconnected by passages surrounded by longitudinally aligned valve seats. A valve stem supporting a pair of valve heads is longitudinally movable toward a service position, in which the valve heads cooperate with the valve seats to direct water from a supply port to an inlet port to the water treatment equipment, and from the outlet port of such equipment to a distribution port. The valve stem is also movable to a by-pass position in which the valve heads co-operate with the valve seats to by-pass water from the supply port around the water treatment equipment. The valve stem is threadably advanced so that the rate of water flow can be closely adjusted. The valve is readily adapted for use in backwashing, one embodiment utilizing a bonnet threadably mounted in the valve and rotatable to convert the valve by-pass position to a backwash position.

Abstract: An adapter for coupling a passageway and a conduit having off-center longitudinal center lines. The adapter includes an elongated internal chamber having an opening for coupling to the passageway. One or more walls of the internal chamber are provided with thickened portions. The circular margins of an opening drilled into the chamber are adapted to circumferentially engage the outer periphery of the extremity of a conduit for sealed association, as by soldering or brazing. Continuation of the drilled opening into the thickened portions of the chamber wall or walls provides arcuate ledges for engaging the end of the conduit to provide structural support. The location of the drilled opening along the length of the chamber establishes the center line distance between the passageway and the conduit. Another drilled opening may be provided for placement of a filter in the chamber.