Water Recycling for Industrial Applications
Legal Citation
Summary of the Inventive Concept
The inventive concept leverages the core technology of recycling wash and rinse water for pre-rinse operations in various industrial applications, reducing water consumption, energy costs, and chemical usage.
Background and Problem Solved
The original patent, focused on dishwashing machines, highlighted the importance of water conservation. However, this concept was limited to the dishwashing industry. The inventive concept addresses the broader problem of water waste in various industries, such as textile manufacturing, breweries, commercial laundries, healthcare facilities, and car washes, where water conservation and reuse are crucial.
Detailed Description of the Inventive Concept
The inventive concept involves applying the recycled wash and rinse water technology to different industries, enabling the reuse of wastewater for pre-treatment or pre-rinse operations. In textile manufacturing, wastewater is reused for fabric pre-treatment. In breweries, wastewater is collected and reused for cleaning brewing equipment. In commercial laundries, hot wastewater is reused for fabric pre-treatment and to pre-heat water for subsequent wash cycles. In healthcare facilities, wastewater is collected and reused for cleaning medical instruments. In car wash facilities, wastewater is reused for vehicle pre-rinse, reducing chemical usage.
Novelty and Inventive Step
The inventive concept's novelty lies in its application to diverse industries, addressing specific problems and limitations in each field. The inventive step involves adapting the original technology to accommodate the unique requirements and challenges of each industry, resulting in a more comprehensive and versatile solution.
Alternative Embodiments and Variations
Alternative embodiments may include using different types of wastewater collection systems, implementing varying levels of water treatment, or integrating the inventive concept with existing industrial processes. Variations could involve applying the technology to other industries, such as food processing, pharmaceuticals, or oil and gas.
Potential Commercial Applications and Market
The inventive concept has significant commercial potential in various industries, offering a sustainable solution to reduce water consumption, energy costs, and chemical usage. The target market includes industries with high water usage, such as textile manufacturing, breweries, commercial laundries, healthcare facilities, and car washes, as well as companies seeking to reduce their environmental footprint and operating costs.
CPC Classifications
| Section | Class | Group |
|---|---|---|
| A | A47 | A47L15/4291 |
| A | A47 | A47L15/0005 |
| A | A47 | A47L15/0076 |
| A | A47 | A47L15/0081 |
| A | A47 | A47L15/4219 |
Section 103 Obviousness Analysis (PHOSITA)
Field of Art
Water recycling and industrial process optimization, specifically focusing on wastewater management in commercial and industrial cleaning systems, with expertise in fluid handling, filtration, and resource conservation techniques
Person of Ordinary Skill (PHOSITA) Profile
A professional with advanced engineering or technical credentials in environmental systems, fluid dynamics, and industrial process design, capable of understanding complex water recycling methodologies and adapting core technologies across different industrial contexts
Obviousness Rationale
A PHOSITA would recognize that the core water recycling technology disclosed in the source patent represents a generalizable approach to wastewater management that can be systematically adapted across multiple industrial domains. The fundamental principles of collecting, filtering, and reusing process water are consistent across different industrial cleaning contexts, making the PTD's variations predictable extensions of the original patent's core technological concept. The technical challenges of implementing water recycling are substantially similar across industries, with minor variations in filtration, collection, and reuse methodologies that would be obvious to a skilled practitioner.
Obvious Combinations & Variations
Original Patent Information
| Patent Number | US 11,857,133 |
|---|---|
| Title | Use of recycled wash and rinse water for the pre-rinse operation of dishes |
| Assignee(s) | ECOLAB USA INC. |