Fluid dispensing systems - Patent Review 6117319

The claims defining the invention are:

1. A fluid dispensing apparatus, comprising:

(a) a cylindrical fluid storage portion with substantially flexible sides having a first diameter, the flexible sides being configured to yield to squeezing, and return to the original shape once squeezing has ceased,

(b) a filter housing which includes an upper portion and a lower portion, the lower portion having a screw fit at one end with the fluid storage portion, and at its opposite end having a screw fit with the upper portion, the lower portion comprising an annular ring having a diameter substantially equal to the first diameter of said fluid dispensing portion, the upper portion being substantially dome-shaped and including a closeable fluid outlet at one end, the upper portion including an engagement means for aiding in the removal of the upper portion from the lower portion;

(c) a filter cartridge containing a filter material disposed and retained between the upper portion and the lower portion of the filter housing; the filter housing being removable from the fluid storage portion as a complete unit by unscrewing the lower portion only; and

the fluid dispensing apparatus configured to allow passage of fluid from the fluid storage portion, through the filter cartridge, and out the fluid outlet.

2. Fluid dispensing apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said fluid storage portion is comprised primarily of a plastics material.

3. Fluid dispensing apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said filter housing includes filter retention means for releasably retaining said filter cartridge within said housing.

4. Fluid dispensing apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said filter housing further includes sealing means whereby fluid from said fluid storage portion is prevented from reaching said fluid exit portion other than by passing through said filter cartridge.

5. Fluid dispensing apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said filter cartridge further includes sealing means whereby fluid from said fluid storage portion is prevented from reaching said fluid exit portion other than by passing through said filtering means.

6. Fluid dispensing apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said filter cartridge comprises a cartridge of granular activated carbon.

7. Fluid dispensing apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said filter cartridge comprises a plurality of filters.

8. Fluid dispensing apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said filter cartridge comprises a pre-filter portion and a main filter portion.

9. Fluid dispensing apparatus as claimed in claim 8, wherein said pre-filter portion is in the form of filter paper, and said main filter portion is in the form of a cartridge of granular activated carbon.

10. A fluid dispensing apparatus, comprising:

(a) a cylindrical fluid storage portion with substantially flexible sides, that are configured to yield to squeezing, and return to the original shape once squeezing has ceased,

(b) a filter housing which includes an upper portion and a lower portion, the lower portion having a screw fit at one end with the fluid storage portion, and at its opposite end having a screw fit with the upper portion, the upper portion including a closeable fluid outlet;

(c) a filter cartridge containing a filter material disposed and retained between the upper portion and the lower portion of the filter housing; the filter housing being removable from the fluid storage portion as a complete unit;

(d) said fluid storage portion and upper portion being provided with complimentary engagement means, the arrangement and construction being such that once the lower portion has been unscrewed from the fluid storage portion, the engagement means of the upper portion may be engaged with the complimentary engagement means disposed on the fluid storage portion to assist in the screwing or unscrewing of said upper portion with respect to said lower portion; and

the fluid dispensing apparatus configured to allow passage of fluid from the fluid storage portion, through the filter cartridge, and out the fluid outlet.

11. Fluid dispensing apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said fluid storage portion is further provided with additional storage means.

12. A fluid dispensing apparatus, comprising:

(a) a cylindrical fluid storage portion with substantially flexible sides, that are configured to yield to squeezing, and return to the original shape once squeezing has ceased,

(b) a filter housing which includes an upper portion and a lower portion, the lower portion having a screw fit at one end with the fluid storage portion, and at its opposite end having a screw fit with the upper portion, the upper portion including a closeable fluid outlet;

(c) a filter cartridge containing a filter material disposed and retained between the upper portion and the lower portion of the filter housing; the filter housing being removable from the fluid storage portion as a complete unit;

(d) said fluid storage portion being provided with additional storage means; and

(e) said additional storage means being in the form of a recess formed within an end of the fluid storage portion which does not engage with the filter cartridge.

13. Fluid dispensing apparatus as claimed in claim 12, wherein said storage means is provided with a releasable cover.

14. Fluid dispensing apparatus as claimed in claim 13, wherein said releasable cover is in the form of a screw-on lid portion.

15. Fluid dispensing apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said fluid dispensing apparatus is in the form of a portable bottle.

16. Fluid dispensing apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said fluid is water.

17. Fluid dispensing apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said fluid is a gas.

18. A method of filtering a fluid utilizing the fluid dispensing apparatus as claimed in claim 1, said method comprising the steps of:

(a) filling the fluid storage portion with a fluid;

(b) squeezing and/or inverting the fluid storage portion whereby the fluid stored within the fluid storage portion is forced to pass through the filter cartridge and out through the fluid outlet in the upper portion;

(c) at periodic intervals after a plurality of uses of the fluid dispensing apparatus, removing the filter housing as a unit from the fluid storage portion by unscrewing the lower portion only from the fluid storage portion;

(d) after removing the filter housing from the fluid storage portion, unscrewing the upper portion from the lower portion using the engagement means on the upper portion to aid in the unscrewing; and

(e) after removing the upper portion from the lower portion of the filter housing, removing the filter cartridge and replacing it with a new filter cartridge, then attaching the upper portion to the lower portion, and attaching the filter housing back onto the fluid storage portion by screwing the lower portion onto the fluid storage portion.

19. A method as claimed in claim 18, wherein said fluid consists primarily of water.

Description Submit all comments and votes

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates to improvements in and relating to fluid dispensing systems, and particularly with respect to fluid dispensing systems that involve filtration of the fluid before the fluid is dispensed. It is envisaged that the invention may be particularly suitable as a water bottle which allows for filtration of water within the water bottle before it is dispensed therefrom. However, it is to be understood and appreciated that the invention is not to be limited to such use.

BACKGROUND ART

Currently there appears to exist a need for a convenient and user-friendly fluid dispensing apparatus which is capable of storing fluid in a fluid storage area, and then providing a means for the fluid to be filtered before it is dispensed from the apparatus.

Such an apparatus may be particularly useful for people such as trampers, dwellers in crowded and/or unhygienic cities, or others, who require fluid such as water to be filtered (primarily for health reasons) prior to drinking the fluid (or using the fluid for other purposes, eg cooking).

Furthermore, such an apparatus may also be useful for people who have access to treated water supplies, but who wish to remove the sometimes mildly unpleasant taste associated with chlorine and other chemicals which are used to treat or purify such water supplies. Moreover, such an apparatus may be suitable for use by joggers or cyclists who wish to take a water bottle with them during their exertions.

Currently there exists a number of water bottles of various types which are used to store water before allowing the water to be dispensed from the bottle. For example, simple drinks containers or bottles are frequently used by cyclists and joggers. These containers usually consist of a simple container having an enclosure in which water may be stored, and a means (such as a cap or aperture) by which the water may be dispensed from the bottle. However, these bottles typically have no means by which the water may be filtered before being dispensed from the bottle.

There are available water purification tablets (comprised primarily of iodine) which may be used by people such as trampers to sterilise water. However, a disadvantage associated with the use of water purification tablets is that they leave the water with an unpleasant taste or tang.

To partially meet some of the problems described above, a water purification system is described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,443,336. This patent describes a fluid container in the form of a bag, which includes two enclosures in which fluid may be stored. The first enclosure is intended as a storage area for water (with impurities) which at some time later may wish to be drunk. Between the first fluid storage area and the second fluid storage area is located a filter which allows for some impurities from the water to be removed as the water is transferred (typically by squeezing the bag) from the first storage area to the second. There is additionally provided a further filter located between the second fluid storage area and the exit portion of the container, by which further impurities may be removed from the fluid before it is dispensed from the container.

Although this provides a system for filtering fluid before it is drunk or used by the user of the fluid storage apparatus, this apparatus suffers from a number of disadvantages. One disadvantage is that by the provision of two fluid storage areas, the fluid carrying capacity of the container is substantially halved, and hence water that has already been filtered must be carried together with unfiltered water. In addition, the two-step procedure of squeezing the first fluid storage area so that the water flows to the second fluid storage area, and then subsequently squeezing the second storage area so that fluid may flow to the fluid exit portion of this container is an unduly complex operation and somewhat fiddly and time consuming. This could cause frustration, leading to users of the apparatus not bothering to filter the fluid properly before drinking the fluid. A further disadvantage is that the bag(s) comprising the apparatus is flopped and/or jelly-like, and may therefore be difficult to carry, use, fill and/or store.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,767,544 describes an orally operable water filter, in the form of a straw-like device. This invention does not include a fluid storage area, and/or is not operable by squeezing. Moreover, a disadvantage associated with this invention is that the apparatus, being very narrow, would become clogged with impurities relatively quickly and easily.

U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,711,994 and 4,816,149 describe water filtration apparatus which are gravity fed. The main disadvantage associated with both of these inventions is that the filtration is gravity fed which can be slow. Furthermore, neither of these patents describes water filtration apparatus which are portable and/or self-contained.

It is an object of the present invention to address the foregoing problems or difficulties, or at least to provide the public with a useful choice.

Further aspects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the ensuing description which is given by way of example only.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided fluid dispensing apparatus comprising:

(a) a fluid storage portion comprised primarily of a substantially flexible material,

(b) a fluid exit portion,

(c) a filtering means disposed between said fluid storage portion and said fluid exit portion,

the arrangement and construction being such that the action of squeezing and/or inverting the fluid storage portion forces fluid stored within the fluid storage portion to pass through the filtering means and towards or out through the fluid exit portion.

According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided fluid dispensing apparatus substantially as described above wherein said fluid storage portion is detachable from said filtering means.

According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided fluid dispensing apparatus substantially as described above wherein said fluid storage portion is comprised of a substantially rigid, yet flexible, material whereby the fluid storage portion and/or said fluid dispensing apparatus is able to be free standing.

According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided fluid dispensing apparatus substantially as described above wherein said filtering means is housed within a filter housing.

According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided fluid dispensing apparatus substantially as described above wherein said filter housing includes filter retention means for releasably retaining said filtering means within said housing.

According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided fluid dispensing apparatus substantially as described above wherein said filter housing and/or said filtering means further includes sealing means whereby f