AU2018100057A4 - Biodegradable Cup for Mass Disaster Relief - Google Patents

Abstract

Abstract The disclosed product is a Biodegradable cup for mass disaster relief. It utilises already existing technologies such as water purification tablets and beeswax wrap made from tress resin, cotton and beeswax in order to create a process that is environmentally friendly and that provides safe drinking water in times of natural disaster. The cup is specifically designed in the shape of a triangular prism with one unclosed end so that it can be folded into a compact shape and be packed on mass for easy and effective distribution. The product utilises symbols so that it can be used in non-English speaking countries and is intended to purify a minimum of 250mLs (when used with commercially sized water purification tablets) of water to a level of hygiene safe for human consumption.

Description

Description-

The Biodegradable Cup for Mass Disaster Relief is created in order to respond to the problem of unclean drinking water in times of natural disasters such as floods, earthquakes, hurricanes, cyclones and other natural disasters. It is intended to stop the consumption of unclean drinking water leading to diseases such as Chlorea, Guinea Worm Disease and Typhoid.

The Cup is made from completely biodegradable materials including graphic cardboard and beeswax wrap made of a combination of tree resin, organic cotton and beeswax. The only non-biodegradable aspect of the product is the glue used to join the product at the corners. It is made in this biodegradable fashion in order to reduce the amount of waste that follows natural disasters so that rather than adding to debris once the product is used, it is able to either be recycled or to biodegrade making it environmentally friendly.

The process of using the cup itself involves unfolding the cup from its flat pack form and using a water purification tablet (already made and not of my invention) that is placed within a Soilin teabag (also biodegradable). The user places the tea bag (with tablet inside) inside the cup full of 250mLs of water and leaves it for 20 minutes allowing the water to be cleaned by the iodine within the tablet. This then purifies the water and makes it safe for human consumption.

The cup is made unique by its triangular prism shape that folds in upon itself to flat pack down in one easy fold. This means that the product can be packed on mass to be dropped in disaster relief zones effectively. The folding nature of the cup may be better understood using Figures 1 and 2. Figure 1 shows the bottom of the cup when opened and Figure 2 shows the bottom and top when it is folded up using a perforated centre line on face of the prism.

The product will use images on the outside of the cup acting as instructions for non-English speaking countries. These will consist of warnings against the consumption of the water purification tablet alone and the time required for the tablet to dissolve to make the product safe for consumption.

Though the final dimensions of the cup have not been decided upon yet, it is made to hold a minimum of 250mLs of water to allow an average water purification tablet to be used safely for human consumption. Figure 3 shows the current dimensions of the cup (in millimetres) along with the isometric view and shape of the product. It is made to be easily held using one hand and can withstand being manipulated in shape by the user due to its malleable material.

Currently the cup is made from graphic cardboard upcycled from used cereal boxes and that of other products. As well as pre-existing water purification tablets, teabags and the product of beeswax wrap. It is cut out using the Template shown in Figure 4 using laser cutter technology (the red lines representing complete cuts through the material and the blue etches into the material allowing for easier folding of the shape). The additional diagonal blue lines within the centre triangle of the template are integral to the design as they allow the shape to fold in on itself as shown in the drawings of Figure 5.

Claims (5)

1. The claims of the defining invention are as follows-

   1. A cup made from biodegradable cardboard utilising glue, beeswax wrap, teabags and water purification tablets to create a product that can be used to purify unclean drinking water. The cup is made is a triangular shape in order that it can be folded into a compact shape and therefore packed on mass to be dropped into disaster relief zones
2. 2. The cup can effectively hold at least 250mLs of water when used with commercially sized water purification tablets, however the design could be used in a smaller size to fulfil Claim 1 if a smaller tablet were designed and utilised. It can be used multiple times, however it is not intended for extended use to its main material of cardboard and the time period it is intended for (this being the immediate weeks following a natural disaster)
3. 3. As per Claim 2, the cup uses pre-existing technology of water purification tablets in order to clean unsafe drinking water to a hygiene level safe for human consumption
4. 4. The cup utilises symbols as instructions so that it may be used in non-English speaking countries and these instructions are held on every product to make sure it is safely used by the user
5. 5. The cup's unique shape allows it to be packed and stored like no other cup, and its biodegradable state makes it unique from other humanitarian aid products