PORTABLE FILTRATION AND OZONATION APPARATUS

• US 20090039032A1
• Filed: 08/07/2007
• Published: 02/12/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 08/07/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
• Original Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
• Inventors: VOGLEWEDE, RONALD L., KOENIGSKNECHT, TONY L., SHEPHERD, DAVID EDWARD, HOOKS, BRIAN DAVID, PATERA, GINGER ELAYNE
• Granted Patent: US 8,192,619 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 210/760
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 1/003 using household-type filters for producing potable water, e.g. pitchers, bottles, faucet mounted devices C02F9/20 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 1/28 by sorption using ion-exchange C02F1/42; sorbent compositions B01J
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 1/4672 by electrooxydation
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2307/02 as part of a bottle
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2307/04 as part of a pitcher or jug

Abstract

A portable fluid ozonation apparatus includes a container for treating and storing fluid, a filter that attaches to the container and an ozone generator. In use, a fluid is dispensed into the container and optionally passed through the filter. At this point, power is supplied to the ozone generator which operates for a period of time necessary for disinfecting the fluid. Additives and post filters can be utilized in conjunction with the ozonation apparatus in order to obtain sufficient purified fluid within a short time frame.

Claims

1. A portable ozonation apparatus for storing and disinfecting fluid comprising:

a container having a sidewall and an opening;

a cap adapted to seal the opening of the container, the cap including an ozone generator incorporated therein;

a power source in communication with the ozone generator; and

a removable particle filter including a fluid opening, the removable particle filter being adapted to filter a fluid prior to the fluid entering the container.

2. The portable ozonation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the ozone generator includes an electrolysis cell that extends into the container,

3. The portable ozonation apparatus of claim 1, wherein the particle filter further comprises an indicator for notifying a user when the filter needs replacement or cleaning.

4. The portable ozonation apparatus of claim 1, wherein the particle filter is selected from the group consisting of:

a carbon filter, a ceramic filter and a membrane filter.

5. The portable ozonation apparatus of claim 1, wherein the particle filter is incorporated into the cap.

6. The portable ozonation apparatus of claim 1, wherein the particle filter includes a means for attaching the filter to the container.

7. The portable ozonation apparatus of claim 1, further comprising an actuation switch.

8. The portable ozonation apparatus of claim 1, wherein the power source is constituted by a hand-crank electrical generator.

9. The portable ozonation apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a post-filter adapted to filter fluid dispensed from the container.

10. The portable ozonation apparatus of claim 1, further comprising an additive dispenser.

11. The portable ozonation apparatus of claim 10, wherein the additive dispenser is incorporated into the cap.

12. A portable ozonation apparatus for storing and disinfecting fluid comprising:

a container having a bottom wall, a sidewall and an opening;

a cap adapted to seal the opening of the container, the cap including a particle filter incorporated therein for filtering a fluid prior to the fluid entering the container;

an ozone generator extending through one of the opening and the bottom wall of the container; and

a power source in communication with the ozone generator.

13. The portable ozonation apparatus of claim 12, further comprising an additive dispenser.

14. The portable ozonation apparatus of claim 13, further comprising a post-filter adapted to filter fluid dispensed from the container.

15. A method of purifying fluid in a portable beverage container having a sidewall, a bottom wall and an opening, the method comprising:

dispensing fluid into the portable beverage container through a filter;

submerging an electrolysis cell portion of an ozone generator in the fluid; and

disinfecting the fluid by actuating a power source in communication with said ozone generator such that the ozone generator 15 activated, and deactivating the ozone generator after a period of time for disinfecting the fluid has passed.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the electrolysis cell is submerged in the fluid by inverting the container after the fluid is dispensed into the container.

17. The method of claim 15, further comprising dispensing an additive into the container.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the additive is selected from the group consisting of:

a chemical disinfectant, a nutraceuticals, a coagulating agent and a dye.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the additive is a dye which is dispensed prior to disinfecting the fluid, and the predetermined time for disinfecting the fluid is determined, at least in part, by a visual absence of the dye in the fluid.

20. The method of claim 15, further comprising dispensing fluid from the container through a post-filter after disinfecting the fluid.