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Description  |
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This invention relates to water purification, and more particularly to an
improved product and process for providing safe drinking water.
In many cases, such as when camping, traveling in foreign countries and the
like, the water quality which is available may not be completely suitable
for drinking. Thus, for example, the water may have a bacterial and/or
chemical content and/or odor which derogates from its suitability as
drinking water.
In accordance with the present invention there is provided a product and
method for purifying water, and in particular for improving the
suitability and/or quality of water for the purposes of drinking.
In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a
portable kit for use in the purification of water comprised of a kit
package which includes a water filter and a potable bacterial disinfectant
or germicide. More particularly, the kit package is comprised of a water
container and a removable cap therefor. Within the container, there is
provided (1) a disinfectant or germicide package which includes a
bacterial disinfectant or germicide (one which is capable of being
ingested by humans) and (2) a water filter. The water filter is comprised
of a filter casing, which includes a bed formed from a particulate
adsorbent for adsorbing impurities from water.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there is
provided a water filter comprised of a casing having first and second open
ends, a bed comprised of a particulate adsorbent for adsorbing impurities
from the water, which is within the casing, and first and second removable
caps for closing the first and second open ends of the casing, with one of
the first and second caps being a flexible cap which is capable of being
deformed to apply a force to water in the casing to increase the rate of
water flow through the bed of particulate adsorbent material.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there is
provided a method for purifying water by use of the kit of the present
invention.
The present invention will be further described with respect to the
accompanying drawings, which illustrate preferred embodiments of the
invention, wherein:
FIG. 1 is an exploded view of an embodiment of the portable kit of the
present invention;
FIG. 2 is a view of the kit embodiment of FIG. 1 in package form;
FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the kit shown in FIG. 2;
FIG. 4 is an exploded sectional view illustrating use of the kit of FIG. 2;
and
FIG. 5 is a view, partially in section, of a further embodiment of the kit
of the present invention.
It is to be understood, however, that the present invention is not to be
limited to the preferred embodiments illustrated in the drawings.
Referring now to FIGS. 1 through 4 of the drawings, there is shown, a
portable water purification kit, schematically generally indicated as 10.
The kit is comprised of a kit package, in the form of a water container 11
having an open top which is closed by a removable cover 12.
A water filter, generally indicated as 14 is enclosed within the container
11, with the filter 14 being removable therefrom. The filter 14, as shown
in FIGS. 3 and 4 is comprised of a flow through filter casing 15, formed
of a rigid material, such as a suitable plastic (for example, rigid
polyvinylchloride), with the casing 15 having a generally cylindrical
shape. The casing 15 has an enlarged open end 16, and at the opposite end
terminates in an open neck portion 17, with the neck portion 17 including
suitable external threads 18 for receiving a removable screw type cap 19
for opening and closing the open end 17. The open end 16 of casing 15 is
provided with a removable closure means or cap 21 which is formed of a
resilient flexible material, such as flexible polyvinyl chloride with the
cap 21 being applied over the open end 16 of casing 15. The cap 21 is
applied to the open end 16 of casing 15 by stretching the cap so that the
interior surface thereof slides over the exterior surface of casing 15.
The function and purpose of cap or closure 21 will be hereinafter
described in more detail.
The interior of casing 15 is provided with a bed 22 formed of a particulate
adsorbent for adsorbing impurities from water. As particularly shown, the
bed 22 is supported between permeable retaining members 23 and 24, with
such retaining members 23 and 24 being comprised of a material through
which water can flow, and which is capable of retaining the particulate
adsorbent therebetween. As particularly shown the retaining members 23 and
24 are comprised of disc members and the member 23 closest to the inlet
end also functions to prevent any large particles present in the water
from being introduced into the adsorbent bed.
The particulate adsorbent may be any one of a wide variety of materials
which are known to be suitable for adsorbing impurities from water. Thus,
for example, the adsorbent could be activated carbon, a zeolite or the
like. A preferred adsorbent is activated carbon which is capable of
adsorbing a wide variety of chemical impurities, which may be found in
water. A preferred activated carbon for use in the filter is sold under
the mark NORIT. The bed of particulate material is provided so as to
effect purification by adsorption, while providing also for suitable flow
therethrough.
As shown, the bed 22 occupies only a portion of the casing and thereby
casing includes an open space 25, which functions as an inlet space or
reservoir for water introduction.
The kit further includes a disinfectant or germicide package or container,
which as particularly shown is in the form of a small vial or bottle 31,
having a screw cap 32. The bottle 31 includes a germicide or disinfectant
for killing bacteria and viruses present in water, which as particularly
shown is in the form of tablets 33. The disinfectant or germicide may be
any one of a wide variety of chemicals which are known to be suitable for
the purpose of addition to water to be consumed by humans for drinking
purposes and which tablets are known to kill bacteria or viruses which may
be present in such water. As representative examples of such
disinfectants, there may be mentioned silver nitrate, tetraglycine
hydroperiodide, hypochlorous acid. A preferred disinfectant or germicide
is tetraglycine hydroperiodide. The tablet is preferably provided in a
unit dosage form; i.e., the tablet includes sufficient germicide for use
in purifying a liter or quart of water. Such germicides or disenfectants
for water purification are known in the art, and no further details in
this respect are deemed necessary for a complete understanding of the
invention.
As particularly shown, the germicide package 31 is stored within the open
space 25 of filter 14; however, it is to be understood that the
disinfectant may be placed directly within the container 11.
As shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, there is provided a portable water
purification kit in package form, with a water receiving container 11,
which is provided with an appropriate removable cap 41 which snaps over
the open end of container 11 providing the package exterior. Within the
container 11, there is provided a water filter and a water disinfectant
package, whereby there is provided in a single package components which
are suitable for providing safe and agreeable drinking water, without
boiling and without installation. The exterior of container 11 may be
provided with a suitable film wrap; however, such film wrap is not
necessary. As should be apparent, after use of the water purification kit,
as hereinafter described, the components thereof may be replaced and
maintained in a convenient and suitable packaged form. In addition, by
providing a kit which includes both an adsorbent filter and a water
germicide or disinfectant, the kit is capable of purifying drinking water
against all types of water borne bacteria and viruses including amoebic
dysentery (Montezuma's Revenge), cholera, typhoid, hepatitis, salmonella,
etc. and is also effective for removing various chemicals such as copper,
cobalt, lead, mercury, chloroform, phenol, carbon tetrachloride, DDT,
insecticides, aluminum, chromium, manganese, pesticides and various other
impurities and materials which cause unpleasant tastes and odors.
In operation, the package is opened by removing cap 41 from container 11,
followed by removing filter 14 from the container 11. Caps 21 and 19 are
removed from the filter, and the disinfectant package 32 is removed from
the open space 25 of filter casing 15. A germicide tablet 33 is removed
from package 31 and added to water to be purified, such as a quart of
water. The germicide tablet is allowed to act for a period in the order of
about 3 minutes followed by agitation and waiting an additional 10 minutes
for the tablet to complete the disinfecting process. Subsequently, as
shown in FIG. 4, the water is then poured into the enlarged open end of
filter 14 and caused to flow through the bed of adsorbent material 22
through the neck portion 17 into the container 11 to thereby provide
purified drinking water. In some cases, there may be a hold up of flow
through the particulate bed 22, and in such cases, as shown in FIG. 4, cap
21 is applied to the open end of the filter casing 15 with water therein,
and such cap is depressed to exert a pushing force on the water within the
casing to thereby increase the rate of flow through the particulate
material. Thus, the cap 21 exerts a plunger type of action to increase the
flow rate through the particulate bed 22.
After completing the filtration operation, the filter caps 19 and 21 should
be replaced, prior to storing of the filter within the container package
11.
In accordance with a further embodiment of the invention, as illustrated in
FIG. 5, which is similar to the embodiment of FIGS. 1 to 4, except that
the kit package is provided with an additional container, whereby there is
provided an integrated package having a container suitable for holding the
water to be purified during the disinfecting with the germicide tablet,
and a further container for receiving the purified water after passage
through the filter. As particularly shown, the kit package includes the
filter 14', with such filter including within its interior the
disinfectant package (not shown). The filter 14' is identical to the one
hereinabove described, and as a result no details are required for an
understanding of this embodiment.
As particularly shown in FIG. 5, the water container 11 is provided in a
nesting relationship within a further water container 102, and the
interior of container 11 is further provided with an additional cap 103
for closing the open end of container 102. The exterior of container 111
includes a plurality of ridges 104 which act as stops against the rim of
exterior container 102 to maintain the nesting relationship, as shown. The
exterior of the nested containers may be provided with a suitable wrap,
such as a film, for covering the exterior of the package. Thus, in
accordance with the embodiment of FIG. 5, there is provided two water
containers, as well as the filter and disinfectant for effecting
purification of the water.
Although the invention has been described with respect to preferred
embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to
the embodiments particularly shown. Thus, for example, although the
disinfectant tablet package is included within the interior of the filter,
such disinfectant package could be included exterior of the filter, and
within container 11. Similarly, the disinfectant package may be in a form
other than a vial or bottle. As a further alternative, the filter need not
be provided with the flexible cap, as particularly shown, although such an
embodiment is preferred.
The above modifications and others should be apparent to those skilled in
the art from the teachings herein.
The present invention is particularly advantageous in that it provides a
portable water purification kit, in package form, which includes those
elements necessary for effective purification of drinking water and to
make such water palatable to the taste. The kit is simple to use and may
be conveniently carried on camping trips and the like. In addition, by
providing a unique type of filter, there can be obtained effective
purification at acceptable flow rates.
These and other advantages should be apparent to those skilled in the art
from the teachings herein.
Numerous modifications and variations of the present invention are possible
in light of the above teachings and, therefore, within the scope of the
appended claims, the invention may be practised otherwise than as
particularly described.
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