Patent Application
20220064033
This invention relates to the field of water fluoridation and more particularly to a device that adds fluoride to water, the water used in a municipal water system.
The prevention of tooth decay is an important matter of public policy. Treatment of teeth with fluoride helps to reduce tooth decay. But to be effective, broad distribution is required.
Fluoride treatment of public drinking water is a cost-effective means of delivering fluoride to nearly every citizen. The result is a reduction in public health costs associated with tooth decay.
But municipalities are cost-sensitive and overworked. What is needed is a device for simple addition of fluoride to a water supply, the device requiring minimal attention and intervention.
The fluoride tablet feeder device is a device for dissolution of fluoride tablets into a water stream. The device is specifically designed for the fluoride tablets disclosed and claimed by U.S. Pat. No. 10,485,738 titled Tablet for Fluoridating Potable Water, which is incorporated by reference. But other tablets may be used.
The crux of ideal dissolution of fluoride tablets in a flowing water supply is total immersion of the tablets, with water flowing around all tablet sides for even dissolution.
The device accomplishes this dissolution by holding the tablets within a column, and running water from bottom to top, passing the flowing water around the tablets.
By flowing water from the bottom to the top, the water column remains full of water regardless of flow rate, thus passing water around all tablets.
In the opposite orientation—the inlet at the top and the outlet at the bottom—a low input flow rate could allow gravity to force water to drain out of the column through the outlet, resulting in only partially submerged tablets. The result would be that new incoming water, entering the top, would fall through a portion of the tablets with only partial contact and reach the outlet without incomplete fluoridation.
The disclosed embodiment uses three columns, but the use of a greater or lesser number of columns is anticipated. The use of two or more columns allows for adjustment over a wide range of flow rates by opening and closing branches, as well one or more column to be removed from service for refilling.
Each column is sized to hold up to 250 tablets. Assuming the device is set up with three columns, it can handle treatment of up to 350,000 gallons per day.
The columns are largely hollow, with an internal space for a multiplicity of fluoride tablets.
Flow through the device is as follows: raw, or untreated water enters at the inlet. The water passes into one or more of the branches, depending on which isolation valves are open. The water then passes through a flow meter, each branch having its own flow meter. Water then enters the bottom of a column, passing through a screen, the screen preventing pieces or fragments of tablets from passing into the intake piping.
The water then moves upward through the column, passing around the fluoride tablets as it moves up.
By flowing water upward, all tablets must be immersed before any water reaches the overflow. Thus, full fluoridation is always reached before water is permitted to exit the column.
After the tube/column fills with water, and has flowed over the tablets, the fluoride-treated water passes through a second screen and into the top of the outlet riser.
The water then passes out of the tube, through a check valve, and to a single main outlet. A secondary outlet with valve and barbed fitting is present, ideally for taking samples.
The device is preferably mounted on top of a 40″×48″ pallet with solid bottom. The pallet format makes the system easy to use, and the solid bottom contains any leaks.
The fluoride tablet feeder device is intended for use with tablets formed from sodium fluorosilicate, a binder; and a punch release agent. A punch release aid allows tablets to be ejected from the tablet press more easily, minimizing breaking or shearing of the tablets. Preferred punch release agents include magnesium stearate, calcium stearate, hydrogenated vegetable oil, hydrogenated cottonseed oil, starch, hydroxypropyl cellulose, and sodium alkylnaphthalenesulfonate.
A binder helps to hold the table together. Preferred binders include hydroxypropylcellulose, hydrogenated cottonseed oil, magnesium tearate, calcium tearate, starch, hydroxypropyl cellulose, and sodium alkylnaphthalenesulfonate.
The invention can be best understood by those having ordinary skill in the art by reference to the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:
Reference will now be made in detail to the presently preferred embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Throughout the following detailed description, the same reference numerals refer to the same elements in all figures.
Referring to
The fluoride tablet feeder device 1 is shown with the primary inlet 10, leading to cross fitting 12, separating the flow into branch one 14, branch two 16, and branch three 18 (see
The water then flows into tablet column one 50, tablet column two 52, and/or tablet column three 54. Water enters through the inlet screen 36, exiting through the outlet screen 82 and passing down the outlet riser 80.
Each tablet column 50/52/54 is formed from a top 60, cap 62, sleeve 64, and base 66.
The fluoride tablet feeder device 1 is mounted on pallet 110, which simplifies transport and installation of the device, as well as containing spills.
Referring to
After entering a tablet column 50/52/54 through an inlet screen 36, the water exits through the outlet screen 82 and passes down the outlet riser 80. Water continues through a check valve, including check valve one 84, check valve two 86, and/or check valve three 88, exiting the fluoride tablet feeder device 1 at the primary outlet 90.
Also shown is secondary outlet 92 with valve 94 and barbed fitting 96 for sampling.
Referring to
The tablet column three 54 is shown filled with tablets 100 and partially filled with water 102. The water 102 has not reached the top of the outlet riser 80, and thus cannot yet exit the tablet column three 54.
Referring to
Again shown is tablet column three 54, but with a full quantity of both tablets 100 and water 102. Water 102 is shown flowing upward, and passing into the outlet riser 80.
Referring to
The water 102 has reached the outlet screen 82, fully covering the tablets 100.
The top 60 is shown with cap 62 (see
Referring to
The fluoride tablet feeder device 1 starts with primary inlet 10, leading to the cross fitting 12 breaking the paths into branch one 14, branch two 16, and branch three 18.
Isolation valve one 20, isolation valve two 22, and isolation valve three 24 control the flow path, leading to flow meter one 26, flow meter two 28, and flow meter three 30, each with a flow meter sensor line 32.
Threaded unions 34 allow for removal of tablet column one 50, tablet column two 52, and tablet column three 54 for maintenance.
Each tablet column 50/52/54 includes a drain line 68 with drain valve 70.
Flow continues to check valve one 84, check valve two 86, and check valve three 88, eventually reaching the primary outlet 90.
Also shown is secondary outlet 92 with valve 94 and barbed fitting 96.
Referring to
The flow of water 102 is shown from inlet screen 36, up to the overflow water level 104, then into the outlet screen 82 and down the outlet riser 80.
Equivalent elements can be substituted for the ones set forth above such that they perform in substantially the same manner in substantially the same way for achieving substantially the same result.
It is believed that the system and method as described and many of its attendant advantages will be understood by the foregoing description. It is also believed that it will be apparent that various changes may be made in the form, construction, and arrangement of the components thereof without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention or without sacrificing all of its material advantages. The form herein before described being merely exemplary and explanatory embodiment thereof. It is the intention of the following claims to encompass and include such changes.
