Water softener abstract
A cabinet for enclosing a water softener system, which system includes
a free standing resin tank, has a cylindrical brine tank side wall
member, mounted on top of a horizontal cabinet base and forming
a brine tank therewith. An integrally formed cabinet side wall member
having a vertical front wall portion and a pair of vertical side
wall portions extending rearwardly from the front wall portion is
mounted on top of the base. The cabinet side wall member surrounds
the brine tank on at least three sides of the brine tank and the
side wall portion extends rearwardly beyond the brine tank by a
distance sufficient to enclose substantially on at least three sides
the free standing resin tank. A brine tank cover is mounted on top
of the cabinet side wall member and defines an opening therein through
which salt may be added to the brine tank.
Water softener claims
What is claimed is:
1. A cabinet for enclosing a water softening system, said system
including a free standing resin tank containing a water treatment
resin and a brine tank for storage of a brine solution which, when
circulated through said resin tank, restores the water treatment
efficacy of the resin, comprising:
a horizontal cabinet base defining a rear surface for abutting
the side of said free standing resin tank,
a cylindrical brine tank side wall member, mounted on top of said
base and forming a brine tank therewith,
an integrally formed cabinet side wall member having a vertical
front wall portion and a pair of vertical side wall portions extending
rearwardly from said front wall portion, said cabinet side wall
member being mounted on top of said base such that said cabinet
side wall member surrounds said brine tank on at least three sides
of said brine tank, said side wall portions extending rearwardly
beyond said rear surface of said cabinet base by a distance sufficient
to enclose substantially on at least three sides a free standing
resin tank having a diameter less than a predetermined maximum tank
diameter, and
a brine tank cover mounted on top of said cabinet side wall member
and defining an opening therein through which salt may be added
to said brine tank.
2. The cabinet of claim 1 in which said cabinet base is bonded
to the lower edges of said cabinet side wall member and said brine
tank side wall member, and in which said front wall portion and
said side wall portions of said cabinet side wall member are bonded
to said brine tank side wall member.
3. The cabinet of claim 1 in which said cabinet base defines grooves
along the periphery thereof for receiving the lower edges of said
front wall portion and said side wall portions.
4. The cabinet of claim 1 in which the rearward end of said cabinet
base includes a tank receiving cutout defining said rear surface
such that said base extends rearwardly on both sides of said cutout
by a distance sufficient to surround substantially on three sides
the bottom portion of a free standing resin tank having a diameter
less than a predetermined maximum tank diameter.
5. The cabinet of claim 4 in which the lower edges of the side
wall portions are bonded to said cabinet base along substantially
their entire extent.
6. The cabinet of claim 1 in which said side wall portions are
formed of sufficiently flexible material such that the rearward
ends of said side wall portions may be flexed inwardly to wrap around
at least a portion of the periphery of said free standing resin
tank.
7. The cabinet of claim 6 further comprising latching means for
connection to the rearward ends of said side wall portions to urge
said rearward ends together such that said side wall portions wrap
around at least a portion of the periphery of said free standing
resin tank.
8. The cabinet of claim 7 in which said side wall portions each
define at least one opening adjacent the rearward end thereof and
in which said latching means comprises a coil spring for engaging
said opening in each side wall portion and urging the rearward ends
thereof together.
9. A cabinet for enclosing a water softening system, said system
including a free standing floor supported resin tank containing
a water treatment resin and a brine tank for storage of a brine
solution which, when circulated through said resin tank, restores
the water treatment efficacy of the resin, comprising:
a cylindrical brine tank,
an integrally formed cabinet side wall member having a vertical
front wall portion and a pair of vertical side wall portions extending
rearwardly from said front wall portion, said cabinet side wall
member surrounding said brine tank on at least three sides of said
brine tank and being attached thereto, said side wall portions extending
rearwardly beyond said brine tank by a distance sufficient to enclose
substantially on at least three sides a free standing floor supported
resin tank having a diameter less than a predetermined maximum tank
diameter, and
a cover mounted on top of said cabinet side wall member and defining
an opening therein through which salt may be added to said brine
tank.
10. The cabinet of claim 9 further comprising a cabinet base attached
to the lower edges of said cabinet side wall member, said base defining
a rear surface for abutting the side of said free standing resin
tank.
11. The cabinet of claim 9 in which said cover extends rearwardly
a distance sufficient to cover said brine tank and said resin tank.
12. The cabinet of claim 9 in which said side wall portions are
formed of sufficiently flexible material such that the rearward
ends of said side wall portions may be flexed inwardly to wrap around
at least a portion of the periphery of said free standing floor
supported resin tank.
13. The cabinet of claim 12 further comprising latching means for
connection to the rearward ends of said side wall portions to urge
said rearward ends together such that said side wall portions wrap
around at least a portion of the periphery of said free standing
floor supported resin tank.
14. The cabinet of claim 13 in which said side wall portions each
define at least one opening adjacent the rearward end thereof and
in which said latching means comprises a coil spring for engaging
said opening in each side wall portion and urging the rearward ends
thereof together.
15. A cabinet for enclosing a water softening system, said system
including a free standing floor supported resin tank containing
a water treatment resin and a brine tank for storage of a brine
solution which, when circulated through said resin tank, restores
the water treatment efficacy of the resin, comprising:
a cylindrical brine tank,
an integrally formed cabinet side wall member having a vertical
front wall portion and a pair of vertical side wall portions extending
rearwardly from said front wall portion, said cabinet side wall
member surrounding said brine tank on at least three sides of said
brine tank and being integrally formed therewith, said side wall
portions extending rearwardly beyond said brine tank by a distance
sufficient to enclose substantially on at least three sides a free
standing floor supported resin tank having a diameter less than
a predetermined maximum tank diameter, and
a cover mounted on top of said cabinet side wall member and defining
an opening therein through which salt may be added to said brine
tank.
16. The cabinet of claim 15 further comprising a cabinet base attached
to the lower edges of said cabinet side wall member and defining
a rear surface for abutting the side of said free standing floor
supported resin tank.
17. The cabinet of claim 15 in which said cover extends rearwardly
a distance sufficient to cover said brine tank and said resin tank.
Water softener description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a cabinet and, more particularly,
to a cabinet structure for enclosing a water softening system.
Water softeners suitable for home use typically include a resin
tank which contains a quantity of water treating resin. Water supplied
to the home passes through the resin tank where, by an ion exchange
process, various metal ions are removed from the water, thus softening
it. After a predetermined quantity of water has been treated by
passing it through the resin tank, the resin must be reconditioned
by a regeneration process to remove the metal ions from the resin.
In order to regenerate the resin, a brine solution is circulated
through the resin tank and therafter discharged into the drain system
for the home. It is common for the brine solution to be stored in
a brine storage tank. From time to time, the homeowner will place
a quantity of salt pellets or crystals in the tank which will be
dissolved by the water in the tank, thus forming the brine solution.
Two primary physical arrangements for home softener systems have
been utilized in the past. In a first type of system, sometimes
termed a "tank-in-tank" system, the resin tank is positioned
within the brine tank. Such an arrangement provides a neat, attractive
appearance, and if it is desirable that the softener be enclosed
within a softener cabinet, as in the case where the softener is
placed in an area in the home frequently seen by residents and visitors,
only a single cabinet structure need be provided. The tank-in-tank
type of system is somewhat disadvantageous, however, in that the
resin tank will be connected to the plumbing system in the home,
thereby rendering it immovable. When it is desired to clean the
brine tank in such a system, therefore, it is not possible to move
the brine tank outside the house, nor to tip the tank on its side
for removal of foreign matter which has accumulated, without disconnecting
the plumbing fittings associated with the softener valves. The only
other way in which the brine tank may be cleaned is by means of
a vacuum cleaner of the type capable of vacuuming liquids.
Another type of prior art softener system for home use includes
separate tanks for storing brine solution and water treatment resin.
The brine in such a system is typically withdrawn from the brine
tank by means of a flexible plastic tube which is inserted into
the tank and which is connected to the softener valve structure.
A collar or foot extends around the lower portion of the resin tank
to permit it to be free standing. This configuration, sometimes
termed a "side-by-side" softener system, is advantageous
in that the brine tank may be easily removed from the rest of the
softener system and taken elsewhere for cleaning.
A side-by-side water softener system, however, does not present
as pleasing an appearance as a tank-in-tank softener system. In
the past, if a side-by-side system were to be enclosed within cabinetry,
two cabinets would necessarily be required, one cabinet for the
brine tank and a second cabinet for the resin tank. Clearly, such
a dual cabinet arrangement is not aesthetically appealing, and further,
adds an undesirable expense to the cost of the softener system.
Additionally, since resin tanks vary in diameter, depending on the
treatment capacity of the system, a number of cabinets of various
sizes would have to be manufactured to accommodate the different
resin tank diameters. In general, however, side-by-side units have
not been installed within cabinets and, therefore, have been relegated
to portions of the home, such as the basement or utility room, where
the appearance of the units is not a significant drawback.
Accordingly, a need exists for a simply constructed aesthetically
pleasing cabinet structure for housing the free standing resin tank
and associated brine tank in a side-by-side softener system.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A cabinet for enclosing a water softening system, such system including
a free standing resin tank containing a water treatment resin and
brine tank for storage of brine solution which, when circulated
through the resin tank, restores the water treatment efficacy of
the resin, includes a horizontal cabinet base. A cylindrical brine
tank side wall member is mounted on top of the base and forms a
brine tank therewith. An integrally formed cabinet side wall member
has a vertical front wall portion and a pair of vertical side wall
portions which extend rearwardly from the front wall portion. The
cabinet side wall member is mounted on top of the base such that
the cabinet side wall member surrounds the brine tank on at least
three sides of the brine tank. The side wall portions extend rearwardly
beyond the brine tank by a distance sufficient to enclose substantially
on at least three sides a free standing resin tank having a diameter
less than a predetermined maximum tank diameter. A brine tank cover
is mounted on top of the cabinet side wall member and defines an
opening through which salt may be added to the brine tank.
The cabinet base may be bonded to the lower edges of the cabinet
side wall member and the brine tank side wall member with the front
wall portion and the side wall portions of the cabinet side wall
member being bonded to the brine tank side wall member. The cabinet
base may define grooves in the periphery thereof for receiving the
lower edges of the front wall portion and the side wall portions.
In one embodiment, the rearward end of the cabinet base defines
a tank receiving cutout such that the base extends rearwardly on
both sides of the cutout by a distance sufficient to surround substantially
on three sides the bottom portion of a free standing resin tank
having a diameter less than a predetermined maximum tank diameter.
The lower edges of the side wall portions are bonded to the cabinet
base along substantially their entire extent.
In another embodiment, the side wall portions are formed of sufficiently
flexible material such that the rearward ends of the side wall portions
may be flexed inwardly to wrap around at least a portion of the
periphery of the free standing resin tank. Latching means are provided
for connection to the rearward ends of the side wall portions to
urge said rearward ends together such that said side wall portions
wrap around at least a portion of the periphery of the free standing
resin tank. The side wall portions each define at least one opening
adjacent the rearward ends thereof with the latching means including
a coil spring for engaging the opening in each of the side wall
portions and urging the rearward ends thereof together.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide
a cabinet for a water softening system including separate brine
and resin tanks in which the cabinet encloses both such tanks, providing
an aesthetically pleasing appearance; to provide such a cabinet
in which the brine tank is integrally constructed with the cabinet;
to provide such a cabinet in which the cabinet is adapted for enclosing
a free standing resin tank having a diameter less than a predetermined
maximum tank diameter.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing one embodiment of the cabinet
of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the cabinet of FIG. 1 taken generally
along a section line extending from the front of the cabinet to
the rear;
FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the cabinet of FIGS. 1 and 2 taken
generally along a line 3--3 in FIG. 2;
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the
present invention; and
FIG. 5 is a sectional view through the cabinet of FIG. 4 similar
to FIG. 3.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Reference is now made to FIGS. 1-3 which illustrate a cabinet for
enclosing a water softening system embodying the present invention.
Home water softening systems with which the present invention is
used include a free standing resin tank which contains a water treatment
resin, as well as a brine tank for storage of the brine solution.
The brine solution is periodically circulated through the resin
tank in what is known as a regeneration operation. By ion exchange,
the metal ions previously removed from water during treatment are
released from the resin and removed from the tank. The brine solution
and metal ions are discharged into the drain system of the home
in which the softener is installed.
As seen in FIGS. 1-3 the cabinet of the present invention includes
a horizontal cabinet base 10. A cylindrical brine tank side wall
member 12 is mounted on top of the base 10 and forms a brine tank
therewith. As shown in FIG. 2 the bottom of the brine tank formed
by member 12 and base 10 defines a slight slope toward the center
of the tank.
Brine solution stored within the brine tank is withdrawn by means
of flexible plastic tube 14 during the regeneration operation. Tube
14 may generally extend to the bottom of the brine tank and, in
some softener systems, may terminate at an air check valve (not
shown) which prevents air from being drawn into the tube 14. A softener
valve arrangement 18 controls fluid flow in the regeneration operation,
with the brine solution from the brine tank being circulated through
the resin tank 16 and discharged through drain outlet 20. After
regeneration, the softener valve arrangement 18 is actuated such
that untreated water from line 22 is supplied to the resin tank
16 where it is treated prior to discharge through outlet line 24.
Control of the softener system operation and regeneration operation
is provided by a softener control 26 of conventional design which
may be either electromechanical or solid state. The construction
and design of the softener control, the softener valve system, and
the resin tank, are well known in the art and do not form a part
of the present invention.
An integrally formed cabinet side wall member 28 includes a vertical
front wall portion 30 and a pair of vertical side wall portions
32 which extend rearwardly from the front wall portion 30. The cabinet
side wall member 28 is mounted on top of the cabinet base 10 such
that the cabinet side wall member surrounds the brine tank formed
by brine tank side wall member 12 and base 10 on at least three
sides of the brine tank. The side wall portions 32 extend rearwardly
beyond the brine tank by a distance sufficient to enclose substantially
free standing resin tank 16 on at least three sides.
As seen in FIG. 2 resin tank 16 includes a collar 34 which supports
the tank 16 permitting it to be free standing. As seen most clearly
in FIG. 3 the cabinet of the present invention is arranged to enclose
on at least three sides resin tanks of various sizes having diameters
less than the maximum tank diameter 36. Thus a single cabinet structure
may be utilized with softener systems of various capacities.
A brine tank cover 38 is mounted on top of the cabinet side wall
member 28 and defines an opening 40. Lid 42 is pivotally attached
to the cover 38 at hinge 44 and is opened to add salt to the brine
tank through the opening 40 as necessary. The opening 40 is normally
closed by lid 42 to prevent dust and other foreign material from
accumulating in the brine tank.
The cabinet base 10 may be bonded to the lower edges of the cabinet
side wall member 28 as well as to the brine tank side wall member
12 by means of an adhesive, such as epoxy. Additionally, the front
wall portion 30 and the side wall portions 32 of the cabinet side
wall member 28 may be adhesively bonded to the brine tank side wall
member 12 along their tangential lines of contact. In order to increase
the structural integrity of the cabinet, grooves 46 are defined
in the cabinet base 10 along the periphery of the base for receiving
the lower edges of the front wall portion 30 and the side wall portions
32.
As seen in FIG. 3 the rearward end of the cabinet base 10 defines
rear surface 47 which abuts the side of the free standing resin
tank 16. Base 10 defines a tank receiving cutout 48 such that the
base 10 extends rearwardly on both sides of the cutout 48 by a distance
which is sufficient to surround substantially on three sides the
bottom portion of the free standing resin tank 16.
It will be appreciated that the cabinet of the present invention
provides an attractive enclosure for a side-by-side softener system
without reducing the advantages associated with such a system. When
it is desired to clean the brine tank, the cover 38 is removed from
the top of the side wall member 28 and the tube 14 is withdrawn
from the brine tank. The balance of the cabinet structure may then
be moved to another location for cleaning, since this structure
is not structurally connected to the free standing resin tank 16.
After the brine tank is cleaned, the brine tank is repositioned
in front of the resin tank 16 as shown in FIGS. 1-3 the tube 14
reinserted into the brine tank, and the cover 38 placed on top of
the cabinet side wall member 28.
FIGS. 4 and 5 which illustrate an alternative embodiment of the
present invention in which the integrally formed cabinet side wall
member 50 is formed of a flexible material, such as plastic or a
thin sheet metal. The side wall portions 52 are flexed inwardly,
as illustrated clearly in FIG. 5 to wrap around at least a portion
of the periphery of the free standing resin tank 16. Because the
side wall portions 52 are flexed in this manner, the horizontal
cabinet base 54 does not define a substantial cutout portion, as
in the embodiment of FIGS. 1-3 but only a curved rear surface 56
which abuts the bottom of the free standing resin tank 16.
A latching means 57 is provided for connection to the rearward
ends of the side wall portions 52 to urge the ends together such
that the side wall portions wrap around at least a portion of the
periphery of the resin tank 16. As shown in FIG. 5 each side wall
portion may define at least one opening 58 adjacent the rearward
end thereof with the latching means including a coil spring 60 for
engaging the openings 58 and urging the rearward ends of the side
wall portions 52 together. If desired, the latching means 57 may
include a number of such springs 60. It will be appreciated, of
course, that various other latching mechanisms may be utilized in
the cabinet structure of FIGS. 4 and 5 to join together the rearward
ends of the side wall portions 52. The embodiment of FIGS. 4 and
5 provides generally the same aesthetically appealing appearance
as that of the embodiment of FIGS. 1-3. Additionally, flexing of
the side wall portions 52 may tend to shield the tank 16 from view
to a greater extent, even when the cabinet structure is viewed from
the side or rear.
It will be appreciated that the cabinet of the present invention
may be manufactured of various materials in a number of ways. If
a plastic material is used for fabrication of the cabinet, injection
moding or extrusion techniques may be used. Further, the brine tank
side wall member and the cabinet side wall member may be integrally
formed in a single operation or, alternatively, individually formed
and thereafter bonded together.
While the forms of apparatus herein described constitute preferred
embodiments of the invention, it is to be understood that the invention
is not limited to these precise forms of apparatus, and that changes
may be made therein without departing from the scope of the invention. |