Filtered Water Enhancements

Abstract

A system for enhancing water is described. The system includes a housing with an inlet and an outlet, source water at the inlet, which can flow through a filter component in the housing and thus become treated water, and at least one enhancement module that can dispense an enhancement into the treated water as it flows through the outlet. Water can flow through the system only by the force of gravity, pressure in a building's water line, and/or hand pumps. Enhancement that can be used in the system include flavorings, dyes, minerals, vitamins, herbal supplements, nutritional supplements, phytonutrients, probiotics, homeopathic remedies, amino acids, enzymes, hormones, standard prescription medications, and over-the-counter medications, and combinations thereof. A control is also provided, through which a consumer can regulate an amount of enhancement that is added to the treated water.

1 . A gravity-flow water enhancement system, comprising:
 a housing including a source water container having an inlet for receiving source water and a treated water container for storing treated water;   a filter component within the housing and in fluid communication with both the source water container and the treated water container, wherein source water introduced to the source water container is converted into treated water as it flows through the filter component under the influence of gravity;   the housing further including an outlet in fluid communication with the treated water container for outflow of a stream of treated water; and   a first enhancement module disposed outside the housing adjacent the outlet, the first enhancement module being effective to dispense a desired amount of a first enhancement for use in combining with treated water dispensed from the outlet.   
     
     
         2 . The gravity-flow water enhancement system of  claim 1  further comprising a first consumer control, whereby a consumer may selectively actuate the first consumer control to regulate an amount of the first enhancement that is dispensed from the first enhancement module. 
     
     
         3 . The gravity-flow water enhancement system of  claim 2 , wherein the consumer control comprises a mechanism selected from the group of mechanical, electrical, magnetic, or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         4 . The gravity-flow water enhancement system of  claim 1 , wherein the first enhancement module comprises a disposable cartridge and the disposable cartridge is removable from the housing. 
     
     
         5 . A water enhancement system, comprising:
 a housing;   an inlet for receiving source water;   a filter component disposed within the housing and in fluid communication with in inlet and operable to convert source water into treated water;   an outlet disposed along the housing and in communication with the filter component and operable to dispense treated water;   a first enhancement module disposed outside the housing adjacent the outlet, said first enhancement module including a reservoir that contains an enhancement material and a dispensing outlet;   wherein the first enhancement module is selectively operable by a user to dispense an amount of the enhancement material through the dispensing outlet for use in adding to treated water dispensed from the outlet.   
     
     
         6 . The water enhancement system of  claim 5 , wherein the first enhancement module is a disposable cartridge. 
     
     
         7 . The water enhancement system of  claim 5 , wherein the reservoir is refillable. 
     
     
         8 . The water enhancement system of  claim 5 , wherein the additive is in a form selected from the group of liquids, powders, microcapsules, nanocapsules, nebulized nanoparticles, nanoemulsions, micelles, gases, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         9 . A water enhancement system, comprising:
 a housing including a source water container having an inlet for receiving source water and a treated water container for storing treated water;   a filter component within the housing and in fluid communication with both the source water container and the treated water container, wherein source water introduced to the source water container is converted into treated water as it passes through the filter component;   the housing further including an outlet in fluid communication with the treated water container, the outlet is operable to dispense the treated water;   a first enhancement module disposed outside the housing and adjacent the outlet, the first enhancement module comprising a reservoir for containing an enhancement material, and a dispensing unit in communication with the reservoir, and   a consumer control operative to dispense a desired amount of the first enhancement material from the reservoir through the dispensing unit for use in combining with treated water dispensed from the outlet.   
     
     
         10 . The water enhancement system of  claim 9 , wherein the consumer control comprises a mechanism selected from the group of mechanical, electrical, magnetic, or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         11 . The water enhancement system of  claim 10 , wherein the first enhancement module is a disposable cartridge. 
     
     
         12 . The water enhancement system of  claim 11 , wherein the additive is in liquid form. 
     
     
         13 . The water enhancement system of  claim 9 , wherein the reservoir is refillable. 
     
     
         14 . The water enhancement system of  claim 9 , wherein the additive is in a form selected from the group of liquids, powders, microcapsules, nanocapsules, nebulized nanoparticles, nanoemulsions, micelles, gases, and combinations thereof.