WO2014014789A1

WO2014014789A1 - Gravity multi-layer absorption filtration apparatuses, systems, & methods

Info

Publication number: WO2014014789A1
Application number: PCT/US2013/050416
Authority: WO
Inventors: George Page
Original assignee: George Page
Priority date: 2012-07-14
Filing date: 2013-07-13
Publication date: 2014-01-23

Abstract

Rapid Gravity Flow Filtration uses a gravity flow filtration also known as a High Flow Gravity Filtration. According to the World Health Organization "...some degree of pre-treatment must be employed to reduce membrane fouling"— a process by which the filter becomes saturated with chemicals, particles and growth organisms and can make its way into drinking water. Rapid Gravity Flow Filtration has a built-in pre-treatment process in the form of three phases through which the water must pass. After the first water is passed through two more phases that contain a coating with an absorption element and an anti-microbial element blended together where toxic heavy metal, bacteria microorganisms are removed to make water from any lake, river, or stream safe to drink.

Description

GRAVITY MULTI-LAYER ABSORPTION FILTRATION APPARATUSES, SYSTEMS,

& METHODS

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 61/671,761/671,716, filed on July 14, 2012, entitled "Stretch to Fit Filter Top", U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 61/736,236, filed on December 12, 2012, entitled "Home Treatment Gravity Flow Multi-Layered Absorption Filtration Transport System", and US Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 61/774,001, filed on March 7, 2013, entitled "Enhanced Gravity Flow Filtration by Weaving Multiple Layers into One", all which are expressly incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

COPYRIGHTS

[0002] All rights, including copyrights, in the material included herein are vested in and the property of the Applicant. The Applicant retains and reserves all rights in the material included herein, and grants permission to reproduce the material only in connection with reproduction of the granted patent and for no other purpose.

BACKGROUND

[0003] Human factors adversely decrease the adoption of first world technologies in developing markets. Due to the experiences of poverty, malnutrition, and a lack of education, high-tech, mechanical solutions fail to become adopted in developing countries because the user experience is not taken into account. Thus, competing high-tech water technologies are not solving the rate of child sickness, disease, and death as it relates to unsafe water consumption in developing markets. In order for a product market fit to be achieved, the human factors, user experience, and human conditions need to be studied. The appropriate solution adapts technology for the intended user to combine design and appropriate technology to achieve a product market

[0004] Common water treatment technologies involve complex solutions that involve mechanical pumps, chemical disinfectants, or electric reliance. In developing markets, where the average education level is on a 3^rd grade reading level, complex solutions may be too difficult to understand or implement. Gravity flow filtration, a process using the weight of water to push thru filter media, is the simplest form of filtration known to exist, because it does not require pumps, mechanisms, or chemical processing to disinfect contaminants. With gravity flow filtration, water before filtration may be introduced polluted, and may exit purified depending on the water's origin. The background of this invention is using an improved gravity flow filtration system that will take water from any lake, river, or stream, and make it safe to consume.

[0005] Rapid Gravity Flow Filtration is a point-of-use gravity-flow filter that uses a combination of fabric, membrane filtration and coating that has an absorption element and an anti-microbial element blended together.

[0006] The US Environmental Protection Agency recommends point-of-use filters when boiling water, a more time consuming process, is not an option. Additionally, of the 5 water filtering methods that meet EPA standards for lower pathogen counts under ideal conditions, Rapid Gravity Flow Filtration style of filtration comes out on top. Some of the methods include boiling water, using chemical treatment like chlorine dioxide tablets, UV light purification, filtration that requires batteries and filtration. While each method offers its advantages, the Journal of Family Practice uses EPA standards to conclude the following:

• Chemical treatment is usually either expensive, can take up to 4 hours, leaves a poor taste, and can harmful to those pregnant women and those with thyroid diseases.

• Boiling water may require large amounts of fuel and is time consuming.

• UV light purification might not work in turbid conditions

Also the requirement of batteries for some filters may significantly shorten the life of a filter and may also be a hindrance in the case that a person does not have access to batteries in time or runs low on battery during the filtering process.

DECLARED PATENT CITATIONS

8,216,465 July 2012 Nanta 7,585,409 September 2008 Bommi 7,575,678 August 2009 Chi-Chang Kuo 7,413,653 August 2008 Powell, James Dennis 7,306,716 December 2007 Baarman 7,226,536 June 2007 Adams ,936,176 August 2005 Green III, et al ,589,421 July 2003 Nova 6,299,770 October 2001 Diener, et al 6,228,255 May 2001 Peterson, et al 5,120,437 June 1992 Williams 4,894,154 January 1990 Roz, et a I 4,277,333 July 1981 Coppola

SUMMARY

[0007] The purpose of the system is to provide clean drinking water to users in remote scenarios with effective high flow filtration without the need for external energy sources or the complexity of other systems. Water from any lake, river, stream, or other may be put thru the Home Treatment gravity flow multi-layer absorption filtration transport system. Said system is designed to be placed on top of a persons head, back, or hands by using handles, backpack straps, or a built-in indention at the bottom of said device for comfortable use purposes.

[0008] The system is made of a reinforced plastic material to provide strength and durability. Alternative material design options include: rubber, metal, or similar. The system comprises a main body unit, a top lid with latches, a connection hose fitting, a spigot with an optional metering device to measure outflow amounts, a pair of carrying handles, and an optional backpack carrying case. The system is to be used as a standalone water filtration device in a housing dwelling, or said system maybe placed inside of a backpack for transporting the system to remote areas for collection, filtration, or selling water to others. [0009] A top hatch cover is opened such that water may be deposited into said device using a connection hose or drain pipe. A connection hose allows source water from a faucet or water source. Additionally, a siphon hose allows hand pumped water from a lake, river, or stream to deposit contaminated water into the top of the device. Alternatively, the device may be submerged into contaminated water to allow for depositing water into the system.

[0010] The first filter layer is a metal screen above a tray filter housing. Within the tray filter housing is a filtration layer and is designed to remove large debris and sediment. The second layer consists of a woven fabric treated with an anti-microbial additive and an absorption element woven into one layer. The benefit of the second filter layer is the removal of particulates, turbidity, organics, heavy metals, and odors. The absorption element may be made of dolemite, carbon, or similar with a nano-copper resin. Alternatively, nano-silver resin may be added for additional anti-microbial characteristics. The nano-copper and copper piece adds to anti -bacteria] growth drying into the filer media which is normally experienced at any first layer level of similar design. The design is such that 5 gallons of contaminated water will filter past this first layer after 2-3 minutes. Thus, the filter is effective as high flow. Additionally, an ion- exchange indicator may be placed within the absorption media to change color when absorption exchange properties within the filter media is used to completion. This may be noted by an impregnating red pigment within the indicator resin such that a "Red" color occurs when exchange activity has subsided-indicating a filter change is necessary.

[0011] The system is designed to store water after passing thru the first layer. The system is designed for completed insulation to keep liquids cold or hot for up to 12 hours. This is done by designing rubber gaskets around the inner bottom lid and connecting pressure seal latches to create pressure against the rubber gasket and the plastic top lid. The third filter layer is designed to be at the end of a spigot valve release assembly at the bottom of the body of the 5 gallon system to provide post storage filtration. This bottom filter layer is made of a nylon or similar material coated with anti-microbial agents to prevent bacteria and contaminants from forming on the filter-as it is in constant contact with water. This third filter layer is designed to filter to between 0.1 - 0.5 micron to prevent bacteria such as cholera from passing into water as it travels in and out of the filter layer. The third and final layer is placed at the very bottom of the device to allow the weight of water to be used as pressure to filter and pass through the filter media.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0012] Fig 1 is an exploded view of a High Flow Gravity Filtration System;

[0013] Fig 2 is an exploded view of a Top Filter Layer Assembly of the High Flow Gravity Filtration System;

[0014] Fig 3 is an exploded side view for a the Bottom Layer Spigot Filter Unit Assembly;

[0015] Fig 4 is an exploded Reinforced Carrying Pack Mechanism view;

[0016] Fig 5 illustrates a Retrofit Top and Bottom High Flow Gravity Filtration System design for larger containers; and

[0017] Fig 6 illustrates a Universal fit Cap top and bottom high flow gravity filtration system for smaller containers; and

[0018] Fig 7 is a perspective view of a gravity filtration system designed and illustrated to fit onto, or include, a standard 5 gallon bucket or container, DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0019] The following detailed description refers to the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers are used in the drawings and the following description to refer to the same or similar elements. While embodiments of the invention may be described, modifications, adaptations, and other implementations are possible. For example, substitutions, additions, or modifications may be made to the elements illustrated in the drawings, and the methods described herein may be modified by substituting, reordering, or adding stages to the disclosed methods. Accordingly, the following detailed description does not limit the invention.

[0020] Consistent with the embodiment of the invention, a portable water filtration device capable of purifying liquids using a portable, transportable, filtration system using high flow gravity filtration may deliver amounts up to 5 gallons without using chemicals, mechanisms, electricity, or other energy sources.

[0020] Fig. 1 shows an exploded view of a high flow gravity filtration system 100. The high flow gravity filtration system 100 contains a friction fit vacuum seal lid 101 that seals a Filtration Container Body 104 not to permit contaminants into system 100. Water is collected from any lake, river, stream, or well and introduced into the top portion of system 100 by tipping the system directly into water source or connecting 100 directly into a faucet, sink, or alternative in- home water source to introduce water into the system 100. Since the density of water is about 8.23 lbs/gallon, the weight of water itself is enough force to push liquid water thru a coated filtration bowl 102. Described in more detail in Fig.2, the Coated Filtration Bowl 102 contains a mesh screen, a woven fiber filter, and a coating that contains a mixture of anti-microbial agents and an absorption element spray-coated onto the fabric material. The Coated Filtration Bowl 102 is placed into a filtration retaining ring 103 and is secured by connecting into groove latches indented into Filtration Retaining Ring 103. Once the Coated Filtration Bowl 102 is inserted into the Filtration Retaining Ring 103, an assembly including the Coated Filtration Bowl 102 and the Filtration Retaining ring 103, is secured into the Filtration Container Body 104.

[0021] At the bottom of the Filtration Container Body 104 is a Filtration Opening 108.

Filtration Opening 108 allows filtered water to exit the Filtration Body 104 and receive final filtering using a Container Spigot 105 and a Filter Spigot 106. Container Spigot 105 connects into the Filtration Container body 104 with inserted threads. The purpose of the Container Spigot 105 is to provide an adjustable controlled flow of filtered water passing thru the Filtration Container Body 104 into an external source for consumption. Connected to the Container Spigot 105 is Filter Spigot insert 106 which can be from below one micron to a nanometer in porous rating made of nylon or similar material to reduce bacterial growth. Filter spigot insert 106 is secured by spigot end cap 107 to complete the spigot assembly and give the spigot support as it filters liquid water.

[0022] The High Flow Gravity Filtration System 100 may have water introduced into it by dipping or tilting the body 104 into any water source, or using an external container to pour water into body 104. In addition, a Sink Connector 110 allows a connection to any sink or faucet on one end with the opposite end inserted inside of the Filtration Unit Body 104. The Sink Connector 110 allows an access point into or underneath the Filtration Container Body 104 by tilting and inserting the Sink Connector 1 10 into the Friction Fit Vacuum Seal Lid 101. After the connection, a sink or faucet may be turned on, with liquid passing into the Filtration Container Body 104 for filtering liquid to make it safe to drink. [0023] Fig. 2 is an exploded view of Coated Filtration Bowl or Top Filter Layer Assembly 102 of the High flow Gravity Filtration System 100. The assembly 102 removes dirt, debris, organic materials, toxic heavy metals, bacteria, and virus contaminants from liquid water. Components which make up the assembly 102 include a Retaining Screen Wall 201 that houses a Front Mesh Filter Screen 202 that is inserted into a Supporting Bracket 203 that serves as a bracket for a Coated Filter 204 as well as a groove connector to connect into the Filtration Container body 104. More specifically, the Coated Filtration Bowl 102 includes the mesh screen 202 and the woven fiber filter 204 having a coating that contains a mixture of anti-microbial agents and an absorption element spray-coated onto the fabric material of filter 204.

[0024] Fig. 3 is an exploded side view for a Bottom Layer Spigot Filter Unit Assembly 300. Bottom Layer Spigot Assembly 300 connects into the Filtration Opening 108. The Bottom Layer Spigot Filter Unit Assembly 300 operates with a twist lever that operates an internal valve which regulates the flow rate of filtered liquid exiting the body 104. Within the Bottom Layer Spigot Assembly 300 is the Bottom Fine Filter or insert 106 including filter layers 301, 302, and/or 303 which filters fine particulates in a polishing effect within water treatment. The Bottom Fine Filter 106 is made to below 1 micron as to filter bacterial contaminants and viruses if misuse of the Coated Filtration Bowl 102 has occurred and viruses and bacterial contaminants are present in the water sources that pass into the Bottom Layer Spigot Filter Unit Assembly 300. A support mechanism for the Bottom Layer Spigot Filter Unit is used to prevent unnecessary pressure onto the Bottom Fine Filter 106. Thus, the Filter Support 107 may be used to complete the assembly to prevent sediment build up which may cause filter sagging and a potential break thru of the filter. [0025] Fig. 4 is an exploded view of a Reinforced Carrying Pack Mechanism 109(illustrated as dashed lines in Fig.l), which is useful for individuals carrying up to 5 gallons or more of water efficiently, which can weigh as much as 50 pounds. The Exploded Reinforced Carrying Pack Mechanism 109 allows for the 5 gallon High Gravity Flow Filtration System 100 to be carried on someone's back for portability and to allow for convenient transport of the unit in areas void of transportation. A Carry Pack 401 is made of a neoprene stretch material or similar, such that as the body 104 is placed into the Carry Pack 401 , a stretch friction fit is allowed to keep the body 104 secure within the pack 401. Connector buckles 403 allow upper connector straps 402 and lower connector straps 404 to connect to one another and connect into the pack 401. The lower connector straps 404 also may connect into upper connector straps 402 for even distribution of the carrying load. In addition, the Carry Pack 401 provides cushion comfort to allow the pack 401 to rest upon an individual's head or back for comfortable transport.

[0026] Fig 5 shows a Retrofit Top and Bottom High Flow Gravity Filtration System 500 for large containers, used to represent a larger alternative design representation of a High Flow Gravity Filtration Unit 500. In this representation, a filtration bowl 501 is a larger version of the Coated Filtration Bowl 102 of Fig.l that can be placed on a unit with several hundred gallons capacity or more or less depending on the apparatus. Container 502 is a representation of a 55 gallon container with a larger spigot filter unit 503 which contains a smaller version of the Coated Filtration Bowl 102.

[0027] Fig 6 illustrates Universal fit Cap top and bottom high flow gravity filtration system 600 for small containers. The system 600 provides an alternative design for using the Filter Spigot insert 106 as an individual filtering mechanism. The Filter Spigot 106 is inserted into an universal fit Cap 601 using a silicone, plastic, or rubber Filter Connector 602. After the assembly is complete, the Universal Fit Cap Top and Bottom High Flow Gravity Filtration System 600 allows the assembly to be placed onto any sized bottle or container of liquid to be filtered for safe drinking.

[0028] Fig 7 is a perspective view of a gravity filtration system 700 designed and illustrated to fit onto, or include, a standard 5 gallon bucket or container 702. The system 700 includes a container filter lid or rim 701 that is modified to fit a perimeter of the top filter assembly 102 and secure the top filter assembly 102 to the container 702. The system 700 also includes a hole opening adaptor 703 that adapts the bottom spigot 105 and filter assembly 106 and 107 to fit into a hole opening 108 of the bucket 702.

[0029 J Other features and benefits of the Gravity Filtration System 100 include:

• Fibers of different patterns are laid upon one another such that each proceeding layer results in smaller apertures of fabric giving a finer final appearance by eyesight.

• As water travels across multiple layers and is hindered by mechanical strands on a

microscopic level, water changes direction numerous times, effectively agitating the liquid.

• With each layer, the fabric apertures reduce in micron giving a final product equivalent to below 0.5 micron.

• A material of absorption and anti-microbial properties at an effective 0.5 micron opening rate is equivalent to a much lower micron technology without added substances.

• Weaving said substances into one layer simplifies the process and pressure needed to filter water, compared with alternative processes requiring three separate filtration layers to achieve adsorption, anti-microbial removal and mechanical filtration. • Reducing said pressure allows for gravity flow filtration, filtering water from any lake, river, or stream using the weight of water as opposed to mechanical pressure, electricity to operate pump mechanism, or chemical disinfection to act as an anti-microbial agent, killing bacteria and viruses.

• Proposed gravity flow filtration with anti-microbial and absorption additives replace the purification process which involves disinfection, flocculation, and filtration.

• An example of an anti-microbial agent is colloidal silver, nano-silver material, or similar

• Combines layered fabric allows for a reduced restriction of flow such that a 5 gallon container can be filtered using filter arrangement in less than 5 minutes. Alternative filter arrangements require above 10 psi of pressure to match a filtering flow rate of 5 gallons filtered within 5 minutes.

• The simplified design allows for dirty water to be poured directly into the top of an

assembly and gravity allows for filtering to purification standards.

[0030] The subject matter described above is provided by way of illustration only and should not be construed as limiting. Various modifications and changes may be made to the subject matter described herein without following the example embodiments and applications illustrated and described, and without departing from the true spirit and scope of the present invention, which is set forth in the following claims

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A gravity filtration system for purifying a liquid to a safe form acceptable for drinking, the gravity filtration system comprising:

a container body configured to hold the liquid;

a coated filtration bowl inside the container body, the coated filtration bowl comprising: a mesh screen;

a woven fiber filter in contact with the mesh screen; and

a coating that includes a mixture of an anti-microbial agent and an absorption element;

wherein fabric apertures of the coated filtration bowl are reduced in microns per layer therein providing an aperture equivalent of 0.5 microns or less; and

wherein a weight of the liquid itself is enough force to push the liquid through the coated filtration bowl.

2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the coated filtration bowl comprises a solid substance containing a solid carbon filled with an anti-microbial substance and woven into polypropylene fibers therein providing a layered mesh material having an anti-microbial carbon element.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the anti-microbial agent comprises at least one of colloidal silver or nano-silver material.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the coating is spray-coated onto the woven fiber filter.

5. The system of claim 1, further comprising a filtration retaining ring having grooved latches indented therein, wherein the coated filtration bowl is connected to the filtration retaining ring via the grooved latches; and

wherein the filtration retaining ring secures the coated filtration bowl into the container body.

6. The system of claim 1 , wherein the anti-microbial agent and the absorption element aree woven into materials and act as one combined layer disinfecting and filtering the liquid with one membrane.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein disinfecting and filtering is conducted without agitation or mixing.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the anti-microbial agent kills up to 95% of contaminates on contact including bacteria and viruses.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein one or more components of the coated filtration bowl including porous carbon particles are soaked in a liquid form of the anti-microbial agent therein producing solid carbon having the anti-microbial agent integrated therein at least one of killing bacterial contaminates or absorbing toxic metals or organics.

10. The system of claim 1 , wherein the coated filtration bowl comprises woven filter fabric treated with the anti-microbial agent post production therein adding a layer of anti-microbial resin to the filtration bowl.

11. The system of claim 1 , wherein the coated filtration bowl comprises multiple layers of fabric to be stretched and layered on top of one another during a weaving process resulting in one combined material.

12. The system of claim 1, wherein the liquid comprises water and further comprising a flexible hose having a first end that feeds the top of the container body and a second end configured to be connected to any kitchen sink thereby allowing the filtration of contaminated water supplied to any home in the world.

13. The system of claim 1, further comprising a vacuum seal lid configured to close the container body therein sealing therein preventing contaminants in the system.

14. The system of claim 1 , further comprising a carry pack containing the container body, the carry pack comprising:

stretch material;

connector straps connected to the stretch material; and

buckles connected to the connector straps.

15. The system of claim 1, further comprising a spigot filter assembly connected to the bottom of the container body and having a twist lever, a fine filter, and an internal valve, the twist lever operative of the internal valve therein regulating a flow rate of the filtered liquid exiting the container body.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein the container body configured to hold the liquid comprises a standard 5 gallon bucket.

17. The system of claim 1, wherein the container body configured to hold the liquid comprises a 5 gallon container,

18. The system of claim 17, further comprising includes a container filter rim that is modified to fit a perimeter of the coated filtration bowl and secure the coated filtration bowl to the 5 gallon container.

19. The system of claim 16, further comprising a hole opening adaptor engaging the spigot filter assembly into an opening of the standard 5 gallon bucket.