阅读说明：本技术 用于清洁和/或保护液体管道系统的组件 (Assembly for cleaning and/or protecting a liquid conduit system ) 是由 H·雷吉特 K·A·蒙尼克 于 2018-12-20 设计创作，主要内容包括：本发明涉及一种用于清洁和/或保护液体管道系统的组件,特别是用于中央加热系统的封闭液体管道系统,其包括：家用液体管道系统；去除装置,其用于从液体管道系统中的液体去除气泡和/或污垢颗粒,或者用于从管道系统中的第一液体中去除第二液体,所述去除装置包括用于主液流的主通道以及限定内部空间的壳体,主通道具有连接至液体管道系统的入口和出口,其中,所述内部空间与所述主通道流体连通；具有保持器的定量投放单元,其与液体管道系统或与主通道或与去除装置的内部空间流体连通,其中,所述保持器构造为容纳含有化学添加剂的片剂,并将含有化学添加剂的片剂定量投放到液体管道系统或主通道或去除装置的内部空间；外部开口,能够从外部通过所述外部开口手动达到所述保持器；关闭构件,其用于打开和关闭所述外部开口。(The invention relates to an assembly for cleaning and/or protecting a liquid line system, in particular a closed liquid line system for a central heating system, comprising: a domestic liquid piping system; removal means for removing gas bubbles and/or dirt particles from a liquid in a liquid conduit system or for removing a second liquid from a first liquid in a conduit system, the removal means comprising a main channel for a main liquid flow having an inlet and an outlet connected to the liquid conduit system and a housing defining an interior space, wherein the interior space is in fluid communication with the main channel; a dosing unit having a holder in fluid communication with the liquid pipe system or with the main channel or with the inner space of the removal device, wherein the holder is configured to receive a tablet containing a chemical additive and dose the tablet containing the chemical additive to the liquid pipe system or the inner space of the main channel or the removal device; an external opening through which the holder is manually accessible from outside; a closing member for opening and closing the external opening.)

1. Assembly (1) for cleaning and/or protecting a liquid pipe system (2), in particular a closed liquid pipe system for a central heating system (3), the assembly (1) comprising:

-a domestic liquid pipe system (2),

-a removal device (4) for removing gas bubbles and/or dirt particles from a liquid in a liquid pipe system, or for removing a second liquid from a first liquid in a pipe system, the removal device comprising a main channel (5) for a main liquid flow (6) having an inlet (7) and an outlet (8) connected to the liquid pipe system, and a housing (9) defining an inner space (10), wherein the inner space is in fluid communication with the main channel,

-a dosing unit (11) with a holder (12) in fluid communication with the liquid pipe system or with the main channel or with the inner space of the removal device, wherein the holder is configured to receive a tablet (13) containing a chemical additive and dose it into the liquid pipe system or the main channel or the inner space of the removal device, wherein the holder is arranged at an upper end of the inner space,

-an outer opening (14), through which the holder can be manually reached from the outside (14),

-a closing member (15) for opening and closing the outer opening.

2. Assembly according to claim 1, wherein the dosing unit is provided directly on the removal device, and wherein, in particular, the dosing unit and the removal device are integrated together to form a single product having a common housing (16), and wherein, more particularly, the common housing of the removal device and the dosing unit comprises the external opening and the closing member.

3. The assembly of claim 1 or 2, wherein the interior space is disposed adjacent to the main channel.

4. Assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the holder is removable from the dosing unit through the external opening.

5. The assembly of any preceding claim, wherein the holder comprises a tablet containing the chemical additive.

6. The assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the holder is manually accessible through the external opening provided at a top end (35) of the common housing.

7. Assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the dosing unit, in particular the holder thereof, comprises at least one magnet (17) for attracting magnet particles.

8. Assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the holder, in particular its base and/or at least one side wall, comprises at least one through hole (25) or recess, through which at least one through hole (25) or recess is in fluid communication with the liquid conduit system or with a main channel or with an inner space of a removal device.

9. An assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the closing member comprises a degassing valve (27).

10. Assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the chemical additive comprises a powder in the form of a tablet and/or a fluid encapsulated by a soluble film (39).

11. Combination (100) of a dosing unit (11) and a removal device (4), the removal device (4) being for removing gas bubbles and/or dirt particles from a liquid in a liquid pipe system or for removing a second liquid from a first liquid in a pipe system, the removal device comprising:

-a main channel (5) for a main liquid flow (6), the main channel having an inlet (7) and an outlet (8), the inlet (7) and the outlet (8) being configured to be connected to a liquid pipe system, and

-a housing (9) defining an inner space (10), wherein the inner space is in fluid communication with the main channel,

the quantitative dispensing unit includes:

-a holder (12), said holder (12) being in fluid communication with the interior space or with the main channel, wherein the holder is configured to receive a tablet (13) containing a chemical additive and dose the chemical additive to the interior space or the main channel, wherein the holder is arranged at an upper end of the interior space,

-an outer opening (14), through which the holder can be manually reached from the outside (14),

-a closing member (15) for opening and closing the outer opening.

12. Combination according to claim 11, wherein the dosing unit is provided directly on the removal device, and wherein, in particular, the dosing unit and the removal device are integrated together to form a single product having a common housing (16), and wherein, more particularly, the common housing of the removal device and the dosing unit comprises an external opening and a closing member.

13. The combination according to claim 11 or 12, wherein said holder is removable from said dosing unit through said external opening.

14. The combination of any one of claims 11 to 13, wherein the retainer comprises a tablet containing the chemical additive.

15. The combination of any one of claims 12 to 14, wherein the holder is provided at an upper end (24) of the inner space and is manually accessible through the outer opening provided at a top end (35) of the common housing.

16. A bag (200) of a holder and tablets containing chemical additives configured to be placed in a dosing unit of an assembly (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 10 or a combination according to any one of claims 11 to 15.

17. The bag of claim 16, wherein the chemical additive comprises a corrosion inhibitor.

18. A method of cleaning and/or protecting a liquid conduit system, the method comprising the steps of:

a) providing the assembly (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 10 or the combination (100) according to any one of claims 11 to 15,

b) the outer opening is opened with a closing member,

c) a tablet containing a chemical additive is disposed in the holder,

d) the outer opening is closed with a closing member,

e) directing the liquid to flow through the module.

19. Method according to the preceding claim, wherein tablets containing chemical additives have been provided in a holder, and step c) comprises providing a holder comprising tablets containing chemical additives, in particular a bag according to claim 16 or 17, into a dosing unit.

Technical Field

The invention relates to an assembly for cleaning and/or protecting a liquid line system, in particular a closed liquid line system for a central heating device. The invention also relates to a combination of a dosing unit and a removal device for removing gas bubbles and/or dirt particles from a liquid in a liquid pipe system or for removing a second liquid from a first liquid in a pipe system. The invention also relates to a bag.

Background

Many have problems with liquid contamination in the piping systems in which the liquid is transported. Particularly in the case of a closed circuit, where the liquid may be used for a long period of circulation. Such systems are used for example for heating purposes. Air bubbles, magnet particles and dirt particles may contaminate the liquid over time and may degrade the function of the closed circuit, for example, due to the system being blocked or the valve not functioning properly. Different devices for removing air bubbles and/or dirt particles have been gradually developed.

The pipes or parts of the pipe system, such as connectors or valves, of the pipe system are usually made of metal. Metals are susceptible to corrosion. One method of protecting a piping system from corrosion is to add chemicals to the system. Chemicals are usually poured into the liquid pipe system, for example via openings in the device connected to the pipe system. Chemical leakage can involve health and safety risks as the chemicals may be toxic or harmful to the user. Pouring chemicals into the system requires not only precision, but also time.

When the bottle containing the chemical is emptied into the apparatus, the chemical is located in the apparatus and then flows into the liquid piping system. There is no dosage control because the chemical will dissolve completely after being poured into the device. A metered supply of chemicals may be advantageous because dissolving all of the chemicals at once may result in uneven distribution of the chemicals in the piping system or on the inner surface of the piping in the case of corrosion inhibitors being used, when the liquid flowing through the piping system is circulated. Furthermore, high concentrations of chemicals in the liquid may negatively affect the performance of the central heating means. A sudden flooding of the high concentration of chemicals flowing through the pipe system may even result in damage or deterioration of certain delicate parts of the central heating device, such as seals, valves, etc.

The present invention aims to at least partly overcome the above disadvantages or to provide a useful alternative. In particular, the present invention is based on the insight that there is a need for a more efficient way of cleaning and/or protecting liquid pipe systems.

Disclosure of Invention

In a first aspect, it is an object of the invention to provide an assembly which provides a more efficient way of cleaning and/or protecting a liquid pipe system. This object is achieved by an assembly for cleaning and/or protecting a liquid conduit system, in particular a closed liquid conduit system of a central heating system, comprising:

-a domestic liquid piping system;

-a removal device for removing gas bubbles and/or dirt particles from a liquid in a liquid pipe system, or for removing a second liquid from a first liquid in a pipe system, the removal device comprising a main channel for a main liquid flow, the main channel having an inlet and an outlet connected to the liquid pipe system, and a housing defining an inner space, wherein the inner space is in fluid communication with the main channel;

-a dosing unit having a holder in fluid communication with the liquid pipe system or with the main channel or with the inner space of the removal device, wherein the holder is configured to receive a tablet containing a chemical additive and dose the tablet containing the chemical additive to the liquid pipe system or the inner space of the main channel or the removal device;

-an external opening through which the holder is manually accessible from the outside;

-a closing member for opening and closing the outer opening.

The advantage of this assembly is that by using tablets containing chemical additives, the risk of spillage is less. This is beneficial from a health and safety point of view.

Another advantage of using tablets containing chemical additives is that different types of additives can be used in combination, thereby adding a single product to the piping system. This is more effective than providing different types of additives separately. Different types of additives may e.g. prevent corrosion or scaling.

The combination of the gas removal device with the chemical has a beneficial synergy because bubbles that may cause the diffusion of the corrosion inhibitor are removed from the liquid piping system.

In one embodiment of the assembly, the dosing unit is provided directly on the removal device, and wherein, in particular, the dosing unit and the removal device are integrated together to form a single product having a common housing, and wherein, more particularly, the common housing of the removal device and the dosing unit comprises an external opening and a closing member.

The advantage of providing a dosing unit in the removal device is that a more optimal dose of tablets containing chemical additives is injected into the liquid pipe system. Since the flow rate in the inner space may be lower than the flow rate in the main channel, the dissolution of the tablets containing the chemical additive may be more controlled when supplied into the inner space. Furthermore, a single product is more cost effective than two separate products.

In one embodiment of the assembly, the interior space is disposed adjacent to the main channel.

The advantage is that the flow velocity in the inner space can be lower than in the main channel. This provides a more controlled dosage when chemical additives are provided in the interior space.

In an embodiment of the assembly, the dosing unit and in particular the holder thereof comprises at least one magnet for attracting magnet particles. By providing a magnet on the holder, two functions are combined, namely facilitating dosing of the chemical additive and separation of the magnet particles from the liquid.

In one embodiment of the assembly, the holder comprises a base and at least one sidewall extending from the base, and wherein a hollow member extends from the base, the hollow member housing the at least one magnet when extended into the interior space.

Positioning the magnet in the inner space has the advantage that the liquid flow entering the inner space is in contact with the magnet directly or indirectly via the hollow member. Placing the magnets in the interior space adjacent to the branch openings can further improve this effect.

In one embodiment of the assembly, the hollow member comprises a closed end remote from the base and an open end corresponding to the opening in the base, wherein the at least one magnet is disposed into the hollow member via the open end. This arrangement also allows the magnets to be removed from the hollow member. In case the holder cannot be removed from the common housing, the magnet can still be removed, allowing any attached magnet particles to detach from the hollow member and settle to the lower end of the inner space, where they can be removed through the dirt discharge opening.

In one embodiment of the assembly, the magnet may be removed from the holder.

By removing the magnet from the holder, the magnet particles attached to the magnet can be removed from the liquid piping system. In the case where the magnet is provided in the hollow member in the internal space of the removing device, the magnet particles attached to the outer surface of the hollow member are detached from the outer surface after the magnet is removed. The magnet particles then settle to the lower end of the inner space where they can be removed.

In an embodiment of the assembly, the holder may be removed from the dosing unit. The retainer may be removed through the external opening. In case of a damaged holder, the holder can be easily replaced without having to replace the entire dosing unit or combination.

In one embodiment, the retainer comprises a tablet containing a chemical additive.

An advantage is that when the holder is not located in the dosing unit, tablets containing chemical additives can be placed in the holder such that the holder including the tablets is arranged in the dosing unit as a bag.

In one embodiment of the assembly, the holder is arranged at the upper end of the inner space and, in particular, can be manually accessible through an outer opening arranged at the top end of the common housing.

In one embodiment, the external opening and the closing member are provided at an upper end of the housing.

The advantage of the upper end arrangement is that the holder is easy to reach, while the removal device can maintain its orientation. It is not necessary to flush the removal device, which is necessary if the external opening is provided at the bottom end of the internal space. The same advantages apply for the removal of the holder.

In one embodiment of the assembly, the holder and in particular its bottom and/or at least one side wall comprises at least one through hole or recess through which the liquid conduit system or the main channel or the inner space of the removal device is in fluid communication.

The through holes or recesses provide a passage to the tablets containing the chemical additive, thereby improving the ease of dosing.

In one embodiment of the assembly, the closure member comprises a degassing valve.

In this way, the two functions are combined, resulting in a more efficient assembly. In the event of damage to the valve, only the valved closure member need be replaced, rather than the entire assembly.

In one embodiment of the assembly, the chemical additive comprises a powder in the form of a tablet and/or a fluid encapsulated by a soluble film. The fluid encapsulated by the soluble film is also referred to as a capsule. The powder may be compressed and/or bound by a binder to form a tablet.

The advantage of tablets is that a user can simply and quickly set up tablets containing chemical additives in a liquid pipe system. The tablets can be placed in the holder in a simple, quick action, as compared to pouring of a fluid chemical, which takes a lot of time and requires accurate precision.

Another advantage of tablets is that it becomes easier to provide the correct amount of chemical additives to the liquid piping system. The amount of chemical additive can be determined when the size or circulation volume of the total piping system is known. The determined amount may then correspond to the number of tablets or a specific dose of tablets. This makes dosing easy.

The advantage of tablets containing powder is that the tablets can dissolve gradually and slowly, thereby making the dosage of chemical additives to the piping system more controllable. For capsules with fluid this is less advantageous, since once the outer membrane dissolves, all the liquid will immediately dissolve in the tubing.

Another advantage of compressed powders over fluids is that for powders, higher concentrations can be obtained, typically for the same volume.

The advantage of tablets is that they dissolve gradually and slowly, thereby making the dosage of chemical additives to the piping system more controllable.

The invention also relates to a combination of a dosing unit and a removal device for removing gas bubbles and/or dirt particles from a liquid in a liquid pipe system or for removing a second liquid from a first liquid in a pipe system, the removal device comprising:

-a main channel for a main liquid flow, the main channel having an inlet and an outlet, the inlet and the outlet being configured to be connected to a liquid piping system, an

A housing defining an interior space, wherein the interior space is in fluid communication with the main channel,

the quantitative dispensing unit includes:

a holder in fluid communication with the interior space or with the main channel, wherein the holder is configured to receive a tablet containing a chemical additive and dose the chemical additive into the interior space or the main channel,

-an external opening through which the holder is manually accessible from outside,

-a closing member for opening and closing the outer opening.

This combination has the same advantages as the assembly.

In one embodiment in combination, the dosing unit is provided directly on the removal device, and wherein, in particular, the dosing unit and the removal device are integrated together to form a single product having a common housing, and wherein, more particularly, the common housing of the removal device and the dosing unit comprises an external opening and a closing member.

In one embodiment of the combination, the holder is removable from the dosing unit through the external opening.

In one embodiment of the combination, the holder comprises at least one magnet for attracting magnet particles.

In one embodiment of the combination, the retainer comprises a tablet containing the chemical additive.

In one embodiment, the combination includes a base, and wherein a hollow member extends from the base, the hollow member housing the at least one magnet when extended into the interior space.

In one embodiment of the combination, the retainer is disposed at an upper end of the interior space, and the retainer is manually accessible through an exterior opening disposed at a top end of the common housing.

The invention also relates to a holder and a sachet of tablets containing chemical additives configured to be placed in a dosing unit in an assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 10 or in a combination according to any one of claims 11 to 15.

By providing a bag, the user simply has to place the bag into the dosing unit. This is advantageous because the user does not have to touch the chemical additive. Only the touch holder is required. This is beneficial from a health and safety point of view.

In one embodiment of the sachet, the chemical additive comprises a corrosion inhibitor.

The invention also relates to a method of cleaning and/or protecting a liquid conduit system, the method comprising:

a) providing an assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 10 or a combination according to any one of claims 11 to 15,

b) the outer opening is opened with a closing member,

c) a tablet containing a chemical additive is disposed in the holder,

d) the outer opening is closed with a closing member,

e) directing the liquid to flow through the module.

In an embodiment of the method, the tablets containing the chemical additive have been provided in a holder, and step c) comprises providing the holder comprising the tablets containing the chemical additive, in particular a bag according to claim 15, into the dosing unit.

The advantages of this method are similar to those of a sachet, where there is less risk of user contact with the chemical additive.

Drawings

Embodiments of the systems and methods will be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings in which corresponding reference symbols indicate corresponding parts, and in which:

figure 1 schematically shows an assembly for cleaning and/or protecting a liquid pipe system according to the invention,

figure 2 schematically shows a perspective view of an embodiment of a removing means and dosing unit according to the invention,

figure 3 schematically shows a perspective view of a cross-section of the embodiment of figure 2,

figure 4 schematically shows a cross-sectional view of the embodiment of figure 2,

fig. 5 schematically shows a perspective view of a holder according to the invention.

Detailed Description

Turning to fig. 1, an assembly 1 for cleaning and/or protecting a liquid pipe system 2, in particular a closed liquid pipe system 2 for a central heating system 3, according to the invention is shown.

The assembly 1 comprises a domestic liquid pipe system 2. Domestic liquid pipe systems typically comprise a volume of up to 750 litres. Small houses typically have piping with a volume of about 100 liters. The assembly 1 further has a removal device 4, which removal device 4 is used to remove air bubbles and/or dirt particles from the liquid in the liquid pipe system 2. The removal device 4 may also be configured to remove the second liquid from the first liquid in the pipe system 2. The removal device 4 has a main channel 5 for a main liquid flow 6. The main channel 5 has an inlet 7 and an outlet 8 connected to the liquid pipe system 2. The removal device 4 has a housing 9 defining an inner space 10. The inner space 10 is in fluid communication with the main channel 5.

The main flow 6 will enter the removal device 4 through the inlet 7, after which at least a part 29 of the main flow 6 branches off into the inner space 10. In the inner space 10 there is a quiet zone 31 (fig. 4), in which quiet zone 31 the liquid has a much smaller velocity in use than in the main channel 5. The quiet zone 31 allows dirt particles or relatively heavy liquid to settle at the lower end 32 of the interior space 10 and/or air bubbles or relatively light liquid to rise to the upper end 24 of the interior space 10. The treated liquid stream 30 is returned to the main channel 5 and thereafter recirculated through the liquid piping system 2. Other arrangements are possible where different decontamination principles are used, such as centrifugation or filtration.

The assembly 1 further comprises a dosing unit 11. Dosing unit 11 comprises a holder 12, which holder 12 is in fluid communication with the liquid pipe system 2, which holder 12 is also in fluid communication with the main channel 5 and the inner space 10 of the removing means 4 via the liquid pipe system 2. Holder 12 is configured to receive a tablet 13 containing a chemical additive (fig. 4) and to dose tablet 13 containing a chemical additive into liquid conduit system 2.

The assembly 1 is provided with an external opening 14, through which external opening 14 the holder 12 is manually accessible from the outside. A closing member 15 for opening and closing the outer opening 14 is also provided.

Although the removal device 4 and the dosing unit 11 may be provided separately, fig. 2, 3 and 4 show embodiments of a combination 100 of the removal device 4, the dosing unit 11 being integrated in the removal device 4. The dosing unit 11 is arranged directly on the removing means 4. The dosing unit 11 and the removing means 4 are integrated together to form a single product with a common housing 16, which common housing 16 is elongated. The common housing 16 of the removal device 4 and the dosing unit 11 comprises an outer opening 14 and a closing member 15. The closing member 15 is further provided with a degassing valve 27 for allowing gas bubbles to leave the outlet 8 of the inner space 10.

The dosing unit 11, in particular the holder 12 thereof, comprises at least one magnet 17 for attracting magnet particles.

The holder 12 has a base 18 and at least one sidewall 19 extending from the base 18. The side wall 19 is cylindrical and corresponds to the shape of the upper end of the inner space 10. The hollow member 20 extends from the base 18 and accommodates at least one magnet 17 while extending into the inner space 10.

The hollow member 20 has a closed end 21 located away from the base 18 and an open end 22 corresponding to an opening 23 in the base 18. At least one magnet 17 is disposed in the hollow member 20 via the open end 22.

Thus, the at least one magnet 17 may also be removed from the holder 12 via the open end 22. When the magnet 17 is removed after a long time use, the magnet particles attached to the outer surface 33 of the hollow member 20 are separated and settled to the lower end portion 32 of the internal space 10. At lower end 32, the magnet particles are removed with the dirt particles through dirt discharge outlet 34.

The holder 12 is disposed in the upper end 24 of the interior space 10. The upper end 36 of the side wall 19 of the holder 12 comprises an outwardly projecting ridge 37, which outwardly projecting ridge 37 is supported by a support ridge 38 provided at the upper end 24 of the inner space 10. This provides a simple construction for holding the holder 12 in place.

Since the inner space 10 is adjacent to the main channel 5, the flow velocity in the inner space can be lower than in the main channel. Adjacent in this context means beside or at a distance.

The holder can be manually accessible through an external opening provided at the top end of the common housing.

The holder 12 can be removed from the dosing unit 11 and thus also the holder 12 from the housing 9. To remove the holder 12, the closure member 15 provided at the top end 35 of the housing 9 is first removed. In the embodiment shown, this is accomplished by a threaded coupling. Other arrangements are also possible. The holder 12 is then lifted upwards and the holder 12 is removed from the dosing unit via the external opening.

In fig. 4, a tablet 13 containing chemical additives is shown. The tablet may comprise a solid, a compressed powder or a fluid encapsulated by a dissolvable outer film 39. The compressed powder may also be provided with or encapsulated with a soluble outer film 39, as shown in fig. 4. The outer film has the advantage that it is generally less toxic or hazardous than chemical additives and therefore can be touched. Thus, the tablet with the outer film can be placed by hand in the holder. The chemical additives 13 may include a cleaning agent, a protective agent, or any other additive beneficial to the liquid piping system 2, or any combination thereof.

Fig. 5 shows an embodiment of the holder 12. The side wall 19 has a plurality of through holes 25. The base 18 may also be provided with a through hole 25. In addition to the through hole 25, a notch extending from the end of the side wall 19 remote from the base 18 may be provided. The through holes 25 or recesses facilitate dosing of the chemical additive containing tablets 13 by providing a passage for the chemical additive containing tablets 13 to flow.

Base 18 and side walls 19 define an interior volume for containing tablets 13 containing chemical additives, and base 18 is configured to support tablets 13 containing chemical additives. The side wall 19 defines an insertion opening at the end remote from the base 18. The insertion opening provides access to the retainer 12 for the tablet 13 containing the chemical additive. Which is disposed adjacent to the outer opening 14 of the common housing 16.

Operating process

In operation, an assembly 1 according to the present invention for cleaning and/or protecting a liquid pipe system 2 is provided. The liquid flow circulates through the pipe system 2 and passes through the removal device 4 and the dosing unit 11. In order to be able to position the tablet 13 containing the chemical additive into the holder, the upstream cut-off valve 41 and the downstream cut-off valve 42 are first closed. The upstream shut-off valve 41 is located upstream of the removal device 4 and the dosing unit 11. Downstream of the removal device 4 and the dosing unit 11 a downstream stop valve 42 is located.

After closing both shut-off valves 41, 42, the outer opening 14 is opened with the closing member 15, see fig. 4. The tablet 13 containing the chemical additive is then placed in the holder 12 of the dosing unit 11. The outer opening 14 is then closed with a closing member 15. Next, both shut-off valves 41, 42 are opened, so that the main liquid flow 6 passes the removal device 4 and the dosing unit 11. The dissolved portion of the tablet 13 containing the chemical additive is dosed into the liquid stream as it passes through dosing unit 11, thereby providing an improved cleaning and/or protection method.

When the holder is located in the dosing unit 11, instead of positioning the tablets 13 in the holder 12, it is possible to provide a bag 200 comprising the holder 12 already containing the tablets and to arrange said bag 200 in the dosing unit 11. If a used holder is present in the dosing unit 11, the used holder is first removed before the bag 200 is positioned in the dosing unit.

As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention, which can be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed structure. Further, the terms and phrases used herein are not intended to be limiting but rather to provide an understandable description of the invention.

The terms "a" or "an," as used herein, are defined as one or more. The term "plurality", as used herein, is defined as two or more than two. The term another, as used herein, is defined as at least a second or more. The terms including and/or having, as used herein, are defined as comprising (i.e., open language, not excluding other elements or steps). Any reference signs in the claims shall not be construed as limiting the scope of the claims or the invention.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications can be made to the system and method according to the invention without departing from the scope as defined in the claims.

The invention also relates to the following numbered items:

1. assembly (1) for cleaning and/or protecting a liquid pipe system (2), in particular a closed liquid pipe system for a central heating system (3), the assembly (1) comprising:

-a domestic liquid pipe system (2),

-a removal device (4) for removing gas bubbles and/or dirt particles from a liquid in a liquid pipe system, or for removing a second liquid from a first liquid in a pipe system, the removal device comprising a main channel (5) for a main liquid flow (6) having an inlet (7) and an outlet (8) connected to the liquid pipe system, and a housing (9) defining an inner space (10), wherein the inner space is in fluid communication with the main channel,

-a dosing unit (11) with a holder (12) in fluid communication with the liquid pipe system or with the main channel or with the inner space of the removal device, wherein the holder is configured to receive a tablet (13) containing a chemical additive and dose the chemical additive into the liquid pipe system or the inner space of the main channel or the removal device,

-an outer opening (14), through which the holder can be manually reached from the outside (14),

-a closing member (15) for opening and closing the outer opening.

2. Assembly according to item 1, wherein the dosing unit is provided directly on the removal device, and wherein, in particular, the dosing unit and the removal device are integrated together to form a single product having a common housing (16), and wherein, more particularly, the common housing of the removal device and the dosing unit comprises an external opening and a closing member.

3. The assembly according to clause 1 or 2, wherein the holder is removable from the dosing unit through the external opening.

4. The assembly of any one of the preceding items, wherein the retainer comprises a tablet containing the chemical additive.

5. Assembly according to any one of items 2 to 4, wherein the holder is provided at an upper end (24) of the inner space and, in particular, is manually accessible through the outer opening provided at a top end (35) of the common housing.

6. Assembly according to any one of the preceding items, wherein the dosing unit, in particular the holder of the dosing unit, comprises at least one magnet (17) for attracting magnet particles.

7. Assembly according to any one of the preceding items, wherein the holder, in particular its base and/or at least one side wall, comprises at least one through hole (25) or recess, through which the holder is in fluid communication with the liquid conduit system or with the main channel or with the inner space of the removal device.

8. The assembly according to any one of the preceding items, wherein the closing member comprises a degassing valve (27).

9. The assembly according to any one of the preceding items, wherein the chemical additive comprises a powder in tablet form and/or a fluid encapsulated by a soluble film (39).

10. Combination (100) of a dosing unit (11) and a removal device (4), the removal device (4) being for removing gas bubbles and/or dirt particles from a liquid in a liquid pipe system or for removing a second liquid from a first liquid in a pipe system, the removal device comprising:

-a main channel (5) for a main liquid flow (6), the main channel having an inlet (7) and an outlet (8), the inlet (7) and the outlet (8) being configured to be connected to a liquid pipe system, and

-a housing (9) defining an inner space (10), wherein the inner space is in fluid communication with the main channel,

the quantitative dispensing unit includes:

-a holder (12), said holder (12) being in fluid communication with the interior space or with the main channel, wherein the holder is configured to receive a tablet (13) containing a chemical additive and dose the chemical additive into the interior space or the main channel,

-an outer opening (14), through which the holder can be manually reached from the outside (14),

-a closing member (15) for opening and closing the outer opening.

11. Combination according to item 10, wherein the dosing unit is provided directly on the removal device, and wherein, in particular, the dosing unit and the removal device are integrated together to form a single product having a common housing (16), and wherein, more particularly, the common housing of the removal device and the dosing unit comprises an external opening and a closing member.

12. Combination according to item 10 or 11, wherein the holder is removable from the dosing unit through the external opening.

13. The combination of any of clauses 10 to 12, wherein the retainer comprises a tablet containing the chemical additive.

14. The combination of any of clauses 11 to 13, wherein the retainer is disposed at an upper end (24) of the interior space and is manually accessible through the exterior opening disposed at a top end (35) of the common housing.

15. A bag (200) of a holder and tablets containing chemical additives configured to be placed in a dosing unit of the assembly (1) according to any one of the items 1 to 9 or the combination according to any one of the items 10 to 14.

16. A method of cleaning and/or protecting a liquid conduit system, the method comprising:

a) providing a component (1) according to any of the items 1 to 9 or a combination (100) according to any of the items 10 to 14,

b) the outer opening is opened with a closing member,

c) a tablet containing a chemical additive is disposed in the holder,

d) the outer opening is closed with a closing member,

e) directing the liquid to flow through the module.

17. The method according to the previous item, wherein the tablets containing the chemical additive have been provided in a holder, and step c) comprises providing the holder comprising the tablets containing the chemical additive, in particular a bag according to item 15, into a dosing unit.