WO2015040599A1

WO2015040599A1 - A water filter container

Info

Publication number: WO2015040599A1
Application number: PCT/IB2014/064756
Authority: WO
Inventors: Tobias George BARNARD; Robin Stuart ROBERTSON
Original assignee: University Of Johannesburg
Priority date: 2013-09-23
Filing date: 2014-09-23
Publication date: 2015-03-26

Abstract

This invention relates to a water filter container (1). Available portable water filters include a pumping mechanism which increases the number of parts and cost. The container (1) includes a first compartment (2) for holding unfiltered water (3). The container (1) includes a second compartment (6) for holding filtered water (7). The container (1) includes a filter housing (11) having a top part (11.1) and a bottom part (11.2) for housing a removable filter (not shown) made of, for example a nanofibre cotton. The container (1) further includes a one way valve (13) for allowing flow of water from the first compartment (2) through the filter into the second compartment (6) and preventing flow from the second compartment (6) back to the first compartment (2). When the first compartment (2) is elevated relative to the second compartment (6), untreated or partially treated water in the first compartment (2) will flow through the filter and one way valve (13) to the second compartment (6).

Description

A WATER FILTER CONTAINER

FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a water filter container and more specifically, but not exclusively, to a portable water filter bottle.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION Water filters are known in the art. A water filter may be used to create potable water from untreated sources, such as rivers, streams, springs or wells, by removing waterborne pathogens including bacteria, parasites or viruses. A large number of people do not have access to safe drinking water and may benefit from a portable water filter to treat unsafe water. A problem with available portable water filters is that they include a pumping mechanism which increases the number of parts and cost thereof.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION It is accordingly an object of the current invention to, at least partially, alleviate the problem associated with the prior art. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the invention there is provided a water filter container comprising: a first compartment for holding unfiltered water;

- a second compartment for holding filtered water;

a filter housing between the first and second compartments for housing a removable filter; and

a one way valve between the filter and the second compartment. The arrangement being such that when the first compartment is elevated relative to the second compartment, untreated or partially treated water in the first compartment will flow through the filter and one way valve to the second compartment.

The first compartment includes base at one end and attachment means for attaching a filter at the other end.

The second compartment includes attachment means, for attaching the compartment to one or more of the following:

a filter housing,

- a one way valve; and

the second compartment.

The attachment means of the second compartment includes a threaded portion wherein the one way valve, the filter housing, and the first compartment attachment means include complementary threaded portions for attachment to the first compartment.

The second compartment includes a mouth and a cover for covering the mouth. The second compartment may include a neck, wherein the mouth is at the end of the neck.

The filter housing and one way valve includes attachment means for attaching to each other and the second compartment. The filter housing and one way valve may be integrally formed.

The removable filter may be a nanofiber cotton filter.

The removable filter may also be made from material from the surroundings such as t-shirt cotton.

The container may include a secondary filter. The secondary filter may be located in the neck or mouth of the secondary compartment. The secondary filter may be an activated charcoal filter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figure 1 is an exploded side view of the water filter container;

Figure 2 is a schematic perspective view of an assembled water filter container; and

Figure 3 is a schematic representation showing assembly and use of a water filter container.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

With reference to the drawings, in which like features are indicated by like numerals, a water filter container is generally indicated by reference numeral 1 .

The container 1 includes a first compartment 2 for holding unfiltered water 3. The first compartment 2 is generally cylindrical and includes a base 4 at one end and a threaded portion 5 at the opposing end. The container 1 includes a second compartment 6 for holding filtered water 7. The second compartment 6 is shaped to have a neck 8 with a mouth 9 with a threaded portion for attaching a lid 10. A secondary activated charcoal filter 16 may be located in the mouth 9 of the second compartment 6 for filtering out chlorine or other chemicals. The container 1 includes an intermediate portion between the first compartment 2 and the second compartment 6 which includes a filter housing 1 1 and a one way valve 13.

The container 1 includes a filter housing 1 1 having a top part 1 1 .1 and a bottom part 1 1 .2 for housing a removable filter (not shown) made of, for example a nano fibre cotton. The filter may also be constructed using materials from the environment such as an old t-shirt or other clothing material. This is particularly useful in remote areas where access to prefabricated filters may be limited. The filter may be sandwiched between the top 1 1 .1 and bottom 1 1 .2 parts which engage in a snap-fit configuration through clips 12. The container 1 further includes a one way valve 13 for allowing flow of water from the first compartment 2 through the filter into the second compartment 6 and preventing flow from the second compartment 6 back to the first compartment 2. The top part 1 1 .1 and the one way valve have threaded portions corresponding generally in shape and size to the threaded portion of the first compartment 2.

The second compartment 6 includes a complementary threaded portion 14 for attaching the filter housing 1 1 , the one way valve 13, and the first compartment thereto. The filter housing 1 1 and one way valve 13 may be integrally formed. However, in such case it would not be possible to replace the filter without draining the second compartment from filtered water 7.

When the first compartment 2 (containing unfiltered water 3), filter housing 1 1 , one way valve 13, second compartment 6 and lid 10 are assembled through the threaded portions (as shown in Figure 3 (e)), and the arrangement is such that when the first compartment 2 is elevated relative to the second compartment (as shown in Figure 3 (f)), the unfiltered water 3 in the first compartment will flow through the filter and one way valve 1 3 to the second compartment 6.

The container may include a cap 15, shaped and sized to fit over and engage the neck 8 and mouth 9 of the second compartment 6, enabling the container to rest in an inverted position such that water flows from the first compartment 2 to the second compartment 6 through the filter. In use, the container 1 will typically be used by a person in a remote area having access only to an untreated water source such as a river or stream. The container may be carried in its assembled form including a filter in the filter housing, or a makeshift filter may be made using a piece of clothing.

The first compartment 2 is removed from the container 1 (shown in Figure 3 (b)) and filled with untreated and unfiltered water 3 (shown in Figure 3 (c)). At this stage the user may add a chemical additive, such as fluorine or chlorine, for chemically treating the water. The first compartment 2 is reattached to the second compartment 6 through threaded portion 5 (shown in Figure 3 (d( and (e) and inverted (shown in Figure 3 (f)) to allow the unfiltered water 3 to flow through the filter and into the second chamber 6 as filtered water 7. The filtered water 7 may now be poured, if necessary through the secondary charcoal filter 16 to remove chemical pollutants, into a container or the cap 15 (as shown in Figure 3 (h)). This filtered water 7 is now more suitable for consumption.

It is envisaged that the invention will provide a water filter container which is portable, cost effective, and simple to use. The filter does not require a pump or other pressurizing device which allows for simpler, fewer, and less expensive parts.

The invention is not limited to the precise details as described herein. For example, instead of having separate filter housing and one way valve parts, they may be integrally formed. Further, instead of having cylindrical compartments, the compartments may be rectangular or oval cylinders.

Claims

A water filter container comprising:

- a first compartment for holding unfiltered water;

- a second compartment for holding filtered water;

- an intermediate portion between the first compartment and the second compartment;

- the intermediate portion including a filter housing for housing a removable filter and a one-way valve.

The water filter container of claim 1 wherein the arrangement is such that when the first compartment is elevated relative to the second compartment, unfiltered water in the first compartment flows through the filter and one-way valve to the second compartment.

The water filter container of either of the preceding claims wherein the first compartment includes a base at one end and attachment means for attaching the intermediate portion at the other end.

The water filter container of any of the preceding claims wherein the second compartment includes attachment means for attaching the intermediate portion.

5. The water filter container of any of the preceding claims wherein the filter housing and one-way valve includes attachment means for attaching to each other.

6. The water filter container of any of the preceding claims wherein the filter housing and the one-way valve are integrally formed.

7. The water filter container of any of the preceding claims wherein the intermediate portion includes attachment means.

8. The water filter container of any of the preceding claims wherein the attachment means of the first compartment, the second compartment, the intermediate portion, the one-way valve, and the filter housing include complementary threaded portions for attaching the first compartment to the second compartment through the intermediate portion, the filter housing, and one-way valve.

9. The water filter container of any of the preceding claims wherein the second compartment includes a mouth and a cover for the mouth.

10. The water filter container of claim 9 wherein the second compartment includes a neck and the mouth is at the end of the neck. 1 1 . The water filter container of claim 9 or 10 wherein the container includes a secondary filter.

The water filter container of claim 1 1 wherein the secondary filter is in the neck of the second compartment.

13. The water filter container of claim 1 1 wherein the secondary filter is in the mouth of the second compartment.

14. The water filter container of claims 1 1 to 13 wherein the secondary filter is an activated charcoal filter.

15. The water filter container of any of the preceding claims wherein the removable filter is a nanofiber cotton filter. 16. The water filter container of any of the preceding claims wherein the removable filter is made from materials from the surroundings.

17. The water filter container of claim 16 wherein the material is t-shirt cotton. 18. The water filter container of claims 10 to 17 wherein the container includes a cap which is shaped and sized to engage at least part of the second compartment to allow the container to rest in an inverted position such that water flows from the first compartment to the second compartment through the filter.

19. A water filter container substantially as described and illustrated herein.