Abstract: A normally open non-electric valve includes a flow path through an apertured valve seat. cavity isolated from the flow path is sealingly closed off adjacent the valve seat by a flexible diaphragm. The diaphragm is sufficiently flexible to be pushed and held away from the valve seat by fluid flowing in the flow path. When it is desired to close the valve, a pressure medium is introduced into the cavity so as to force the diaphragm against the valve seat and interrupt the fluid flow in the flow path. The normally open valve can inexpensively be converted from an inexpensive electric solenoid valve by removing the plunger, spring and coil from the electric valve, closing off the plunger cavity with a flexible diaphragm, and selectably introducing a pressure medium into the cavity when it is desired to close the valve.

Abstract: Units (10), systems (100), and methods with treated water are provided in which a treated water source (12, 104) is included integrally in a host piece of equipment (10, 102). The host piece of equipment (10, 102) includes host functions such as ice making (14, 106). Other equipment, such as dispenser (108) may be coupled to the equipment (102) to share the treated water from treated water source (104).

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for forming and filling a flexible package are provided in which cross seals are made substantially parallel to a central axis (60) of fitments (40). The cross seals (68, 82) are substantially parallel to the vertical plane that includes the central axis (60) of the fitment (40), and may comprise at least a section angled toward the fitment (66, 84, 86) to create an angled side.

Abstract: A method and corresponding apparatus employ purified water to backflush a filtration device. Purified water includes water having a total dissolved solids reading less than that of the water being filtered. Examples of purified water may include water treated using reverse osmosis, steam distillation, or deionization processes, and the like. In the simplest form, the purified water is used to rinse or backflush a filter or filter cartridge. Further extensions include valves to switch from a primary flowpath used for normal operations to a secondary flowpath used to conduct backflushing routines. Backflushing routines may be initiated on demand or through an automated routine that repeats the process on a regular basis.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for forming and filling a flexible package are provided in which cross seals are made substantially parallel to a central axis (60) of fitments (40). The cross seals (68, 82) are substantially parallel to the vertical plane that includes the central axis (60) of the fitment (40), and may comprise at least a section angled toward the fitment (66, 84, 86) to create an angled side.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for beverage dispensing are provided with a carbonator (12) that includes a plurality of hydrophobic hollow fibers (32). A pre-carbonation circuit (28) may also be included. A water treatment system (14) may be used to supply water to the carbonator (12) and/or the pre-carbonation circuit (28).

Abstract: A self-cleaning prefilter system generally includes a system inlet 11, a sediment filter 13 having a selectively openable drain port 18, a chemical injector 21, a pressure accumulator 28 having a upper chamber 31 in open fluid communication with the filter outlet 16, and a system outlet 12. A controller 33 in communication with a plurality of valves (V1, V2, V3) initiates a backwashing mode such that upon opening of the drain valve V3, fluid within the upper chamber 31 of the pressure accumulator is driven back towards the sediment filter to backwash the filter screen thereof. Contemporaneously, chemicals within the chemical injector 21 are driven along with the backwash flow via capillary 24.

Abstract: Units (10), systems (100), and methods with treated water are provided in which a treated water source (12, 104) is included integrally in a host piece of equipment (10, 102). The host piece of equipment (10, 102) includes host functions such as ice making (14, 106). Other equipment, such as dispenser (108) may be coupled to the equipment (102) to share the treated water from treated water source (104).

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for beverage dispensing are provided with a carbonator (12) that includes a plurality of hydrophobic hollow fibers (32). A pre-cabonation circuit (28) may also be included. A water treatment system (14) may be used to supply water to the carbonator (12) and/or the pre-carbonation circuit (28).

Abstract: A self-cleaning pre-filter system generally comprises a system inlet; a sediment filter having a filter inlet in selective fluid communication with the system inlet, a selectively openable drain port and a filter outlet, separated from the filter inlet and the drain port by a filter screen; a pressure accumulator having a first chamber in open fluid communication with the filter outlet and having a sealed second chamber containing a compressible medium, the first chamber and the second chamber being separated one from the other by a flexible diaphragm; and a system outlet in selective fluid communication with the filter outlet and the first chamber. A controller operates valves to periodically back flush the sediment filter utilizing energy stored in the pressure accumulator. Any detritus removed from the filter screen during the back flush process is immediately discharged from the system through the drain port.

Abstract: A filtered fluid storage and delivery system generally comprises a filter assembly for filtering of a source fluid and an accumulator having a first chamber and a second chamber segregated one from the other by a flexible membrane. The inlet to the filter assembly is in fluid communication with a system inlet while one chamber of the accumulator assembly is in selective fluid communication, through a valve, with the system inlet. The other chamber of the accumulator is in fluid communication with the outlet from the filter assembly as well as a system outlet. Fluid passed through the filter assembly is stored in one chamber of the accumulator until needed. When needed, a valve is opened to allow the source fluid to enter the other chamber of the accumulator, thereby forcing the stored fluid from the accumulator at the source fluid pressure.

Abstract: A microbial resistant water purification and collection system generally comprises a reverse osmosis filter assembly having a filter inlet in selective fluid communication with a system inlet and a filter outlet in fluid communication with a water storage container. The filter inlet is separated from the filter outlet by a filter membrane. At least a portion of the storage container is located at an elevation above the filter membrane such that filling of the storage container creates a head pressure in the storage container relative to the filter membrane. A shut-off valve is interposed the system inlet and the filter inlet to block fluid communication from the system inlet to the filter inlet upon reaching a minimum head pressure in the storage container relative to the filter membrane.

Abstract: A microbial resistant water purification and collection system includes a reverse osmosis filter assembly 19 having a filter inlet in selective fluid communication with a system inlet and a filter outlet in fluid communication with a water storage container 12 for storing filtrate. At least a portion of the storage container is located at an elevation above the filter membrane such that filling of the storage container creates a head pressure in the storage container relative to the filter membrane to enable a backflow of filtrate therethrough. A mechanical shut-off valve 27 is interposed the system inlet 11 and the filter inlet to block fluid communication therebetween, wherein activation of the shut-off valve occurs by the physical contact thereof with the storage container upon reaching a minimum head pressure in the storage container relative to the filter membrane.

Abstract: Energy and water consumption of a commercial icemaker are greatly reduced by capturing the excess water running off the freezer plates and mixing it with new water to provide a pre-chilled water supply to the freezer plates. The resulting decrease in water demand makes practical the filtration of the new water by reverse osmosis to keep the recirculating water free of pathogens, and to reduce maintenance of the freezer plates by largely eliminating dissolved mineral contaminants from the new water.

Abstract: A liquid storage system comprising a flexible, closed and freely expandable reservoir for storing liquid medium-containing material. A supply conduit conducts liquid, for example, from a reverse osmosis module, to the reservoir to expand the reservoir. A control valve is movable between an open position in which the control valve allows liquid to flow through the supply conduit to the reservoir and a closed position in which the valve blocks flow of liquid through the supply conduit to the reservoir. A discharge conduit is provided for delivering liquid from the reservoir, and a pump may be used for pumping the liquid from the reservoir through the discharge conduit. The control valve is controlled by a level sensor operable by expansion of the reservoir.

Abstract: A reverse osmosis water purification system includes a support structure dimensioned and arranged to facilitate manual transportation, purification components mounted on the support structure for producing product water and waste water from feedwater by reverse osmosis, and pump components mounted on the support structure for pumping feedwater from a separate source to the purification means. An accumulator may be included for accumulating the feedwater under pressure, and the support structure may take the form of a suitcase-like component housing a battery supply, a solar panel, water pressure and amperage instrumentation, electrical connectors for various external power sources, and water line connectors for feedwater inlet and both product water and waste water outlet purposes.