Automated method and system for introducing molecular iodine into drinking water

Abstract

A system for delivering molecular iodine or other substance into a pet's drinking water on a daily basis without exceeding the safe amount allowed for the pet. The system delivers a particular amount of molecular iodine into the pet water supply to achieve maximum benefit of I 2 to reduce or eliminate bad pet breath and minimize total iodine in the pet diet so that 20-40 μg/mL/Kg/day iodine is consumed for optimum thyroid health. The preferred method is to use a solution created by dissolving iodine crystals in absolute ethanol. The iodine will only be in solution as I 2 for a short time as it undergoes out gassing and hydrolysis at neutral pH. The present invention removes the iodine from the drinking water after the pet drinks. Therefore, during the day, pets will get no additional iodine—only fresh water. Each enrolled pet is electronically recognized by the system.

I claim: 
     
         1 . An apparatus for injecting molecular iodine into pet drinking water comprising:
 a pet-access drinking container;   a dual filter cartridge containing both an activated charcoal filter and a hair filter;   a continuously-running circulation pump, wherein the circulation pump is adapted to pass water from the pet-access drinking container through the filter cartridge to remove excess molecular iodine;   a molecular iodine dispenser adapted to dispense a chemical solution containing molecular iodine into the pet-access drinking container;   a pet identification module adapted to read a passive RFID tag worn by a pet to produce a pet identification;   a processor programmed use pet identification to recognize a pet and then dispense a predetermined amount of said chemical solution from said substance dispenser into said drinking container based on a stored profile for that pet.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said chemical solution also contains a vitamin or nutrient. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said pet identification module contains an RFID reader. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 3  wherein the RFID reader operates on a frequency of approximately 13.56 MHz. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the pet-access drinking container is stainless steel. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 5  wherein the pet-access drinking container is also used as a reflector for an RFID interrogation radio signal. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising a pet presence indicator light wherein said pet presence indicator light is mounted on top of the apparatus and shielded from sight of the pet. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the pet-access drinking container is approximately 6 inches deep. 
     
     
         9 . An apparatus for injecting a molecular iodine into pet drinking water comprising:
 a stainless-steel pet drinking container;   a double filter cartridge including an activated charcoal filter and a debris filter;   a continuously-running circulation pump, wherein said circulation pump is adapted to pass water from said pet-access drinking container through the filter cartridge to remove excess molecular iodine from the water;   a substance dispenser adapted to dispense molecular iodine into pet drinking container;   a pet identification module including a reader adapted to read a passive RFID tag worn by a pet to produce a pet identification;   a processor programmed use the pet identification to recognize a pet and then dispense a predetermined amount of the molecular iodine from the substance dispenser into the pet drinking container.   
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 9  wherein the pet drinking container is also used as a reflector for an RFID interrogation radio signal. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 9  further comprising a pet presence indicator light wherein said pet presence indicator light is mounted on top of the apparatus and shielded from sight of the pet. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 9  wherein the pet drinking container is approximately 6 inches deep. 
     
     
         13 . An apparatus adapted to dispense molecular iodine into a pet's drinking water, the iodine improving the pet's health and preventing bad breath, the apparatus comprising, in combination:
 an RFID scanner configured to read a passive RFID tag worn by a pet approaching the apparatus, the RFID scanner outputting a unique pet identification based on the RFID tag;   a processor adapted to compute a predetermined amount of molecular iodine to be injected into the pet's drinking water based on the unique pet identification;   the processor also adapted operate a dispenser to dispense the predetermined amount of molecular iodine into the drinking water for the pet;   a continuously running pump configured to circulate the drinking water through an activated charcoal filter to remove excess molecular iodine not consumed by the pet and a debris and hair filter.   
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 13  further comprising a stainless steel pet drinking bowl. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 14  wherein the stainless steel pet drinking bowl is also used as a reflector for an RFID interrogation radio signal from the RFID scanner. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 14  wherein the stainless steel pet drinking bowl is approximately 6 inches deep. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 13  further comprising a pet presence indicator light said pet presence indicator light being mounted on top of the apparatus and shielded from sight of the pet.