Water Conservation and Reuse in Various Industries

Publication ID: 24-11857133_0002_PTD
Published: November 07, 2025
Category:New Applications & Use Cases

Legal Citation

pr1or.art Inc., “Water Conservation and Reuse in Various Industries,” Published Technical Disclosure No. 24-11857133_0002_PTD, Published November 07, 2025, available at https://archive.pr1or.art/24-11857133_0002_PTD
This technical disclosure describes improvements that would be readily apparent to a Person Having Ordinary Skill In The Art (PHOSITA) when considered in combination with the foundational architecture disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 11,857,133.

Summary of the Inventive Concept

A novel approach to water conservation and reuse, applying the core technology of recycled wash and rinse water to various industries, including textile manufacturing, paper mills, chemical processing, food processing, and pharmaceutical manufacturing.

Background and Problem Solved

The original patent disclosed the use of recycled wash and rinse water for pre-rinse operation in a dishwashing machine. However, this innovative concept addresses the broader problem of water conservation and reuse across various industries, where water scarcity and wastewater generation are significant concerns.

Detailed Description of the Inventive Concept

The new inventive concept involves adapting the core technology of recycled wash and rinse water to different industries, enabling the reuse of waste water from various processes. For instance, in textile manufacturing, waste water from a previous wash cycle can be reused for pre-treating fabric, reducing water consumption and conserving resources. Similarly, in paper mills, waste water from the papermaking process can be reused for pulp processing, minimizing wastewater generation. In chemical processing plants, waste water from chemical reactions can be reused after pre-treatment, reducing energy costs and environmental impact. In food processing facilities, waste water from cooking cycles can be reused for pre-heating food products, conserving thermal energy. Lastly, in pharmaceutical manufacturing, waste water from previous manufacturing cycles can be reused after pre-treatment, minimizing wastewater generation and environmental impact.

Novelty and Inventive Step

The new claims introduce a novel and non-obvious application of the core technology to various industries, leveraging the benefits of water conservation and reuse in different contexts. The inventive step lies in the adaptation of the original patent's concept to address specific challenges and opportunities in these new industries.

Alternative Embodiments and Variations

Alternative embodiments of the inventive concept could include using different types of waste water, such as greywater or rainwater, or integrating additional treatment steps to further purify the reused water. Variations could also involve using the inventive concept in other industries, such as agriculture, mining, or construction, where water conservation and reuse are critical.

Potential Commercial Applications and Market

The inventive concept has significant commercial potential across various industries, offering a sustainable solution to water conservation and reuse. The target market includes industries facing water scarcity, wastewater generation, and environmental impact concerns, with potential applications in textile manufacturing, paper mills, chemical processing, food processing, pharmaceutical manufacturing, and beyond.

CPC Classifications

SectionClassGroup
A A47 A47L15/4291
A A47 A47L15/0005
A A47 A47L15/0076
A A47 A47L15/0081
A A47 A47L15/4219

Field of Art

Water recycling and conservation technologies, specifically applied to industrial process water management, with expertise in fluid handling systems, filtration techniques, and cross-industry water reuse strategies

Person of Ordinary Skill (PHOSITA) Profile

A professional engineer with advanced degrees in environmental engineering or chemical engineering, experienced in industrial water treatment, familiar with water conservation technologies across multiple manufacturing sectors, and skilled in designing fluid recycling systems

Obviousness Rationale

A person having ordinary skill in the art would recognize the fundamental principles of water recycling disclosed in the source patent as readily adaptable to diverse industrial contexts. The core technical concept of capturing, filtering, and reusing process water represents a generalizable approach that can be systematically applied across different manufacturing environments. The PTD demonstrates that the fundamental water recycling methodology is transferable through predictable modifications tailored to specific industrial requirements.

Obvious Combinations & Variations

Source Patent Element
Accumulator pan with removable strainer for capturing and filtering dishwashing wastewater
PTD Variation
Water accumulator with pre-treatment unit for capturing and filtering industrial process water in textile, paper, chemical, food, and pharmaceutical manufacturing
Obviousness Reasoning
A PHOSITA would recognize that the fundamental filtration and water recovery principles are consistent across industries, with predictable adaptations based on specific contamination characteristics
Source Patent Element
Recycling wash and rinse water from a commercial dishwashing process
PTD Variation
Reusing waste water from manufacturing processes by implementing similar water recovery and pre-treatment strategies
Obviousness Reasoning
The technical approach of capturing, filtering, and reusing process water represents a known technique with predictable results across different industrial contexts
Source Patent Element
Method of removing large food particles before water recycling
PTD Variation
Pre-treatment modules for removing impurities and contaminants specific to each industrial process before water reuse
Obviousness Reasoning
A PHOSITA would understand that contamination removal is a standard engineering practice, with specific techniques tailored to the particular industrial context
Source Patent Element
Commercial dishwashing system with lateral spacing between machines
PTD Variation
Modular water recycling systems designed with interconnected pre-treatment and recovery units across different industrial processes
Obviousness Reasoning
The spatial and systemic configuration of water recycling infrastructure represents a predictable design choice for implementing cross-process water conservation
Source Patent Element
Using warm to hot water in initial cleaning process
PTD Variation
Leveraging thermal energy from waste water for pre-heating or additional process requirements in food and pharmaceutical manufacturing
Obviousness Reasoning
Energy recovery from process water represents a known technique in industrial engineering, with obvious applications across multiple sectors
35 U.S.C. § 103 Summary: Based on the teachings of US Patent 11857133 and the published technical disclosure, a person having ordinary skill in the art would find the disclosed water recycling variations obvious, as they represent predictable extensions of known water conservation technologies through routine engineering adaptations across diverse industrial contexts.

Original Patent Information

Patent NumberUS 11,857,133
TitleUse of recycled wash and rinse water for the pre-rinse operation of dishes
Assignee(s)ECOLAB USA INC.