Water Filtration and Sterilisation Device

• US 20120061301A1
• Filed: 11/13/2007
• Published: 03/15/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 11/14/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Applica Water Products LLC (Spectrum Brands Holdings, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Spectrum Brands, Inc. (Spectrum Brands Holdings, Inc.)
• Inventors: Dier, Christopher
• Granted Patent: US 8,747,664 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 210/138
• 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 1/283 using coal, charred products, or inorganic mixtures containing them
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 1/32 with ultraviolet light
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 1/42 by ion-exchange ion-exchange in general B01J
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2209/42 Liquid level
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 9/20 Portable or detachable small-scale multistage treatment devices, e.g. point of use or laboratory water purification systems

Abstract

The present invention provides a water filtration and sterilisation device comprising a container having an inlet conduit and an outlet conduit, a closure valve at said inlet conduit, a filter means upstream of said inlet conduit, a flow prevention means in said outlet conduit and an ultra violet radiation source within said container. The valve is adapted to be opened for a first time period to admit water into the container via the filter means. The ultra violet radiation source is operable for a second time period to sterilise water in said chamber. The first time period is shorter than said second time period. The flow prevention means is operable to deliver sterilised water on demand from the container.

Claims

1. A water filtration and sterilisation device, comprising:

a container having an inlet conduit and an outlet conduit;

a closure valve at said inlet conduit;

a filter means upstream of said inlet conduit; and

a flow prevention means in said outlet conduit and an ultra violet radiation source within said container;

whereby the valve is adapted to be opened for a first time period to admit water into the container via the filter means, the ultra violet radiation source is operable for a second time period to sterilise water in said chamber, and said flow prevention means is operable to deliver sterilised water on demand from the container; and

wherein said first time period is shorter than said second time period.

2. A device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said first and second time periods commence simultaneously.

3. A device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the flow prevention means comprises a pump.

4. A device as claimed in claim 3 wherein the pump is operable to draw residual water present in the outlet conduit from the outlet conduit to the container.

5. A device as claimed in claim 4 wherein the pump periodically operates to draw residual water from the outlet conduit.

6. A device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the ultra violet radiation source operates periodically to sterilise water present within the container.

7. A device as claimed in claim 1 and including a further container for untreated water which is in fluid communication with the inlet conduit.

8. A device as claimed in claim 7 wherein the further container is positioned above the container.

9. A device as claimed in claim 7 wherein the further container is at least partially received within the container.

10. A device as claimed in claim 7 wherein the filter means is mounted to the further container.

11. A device as claimed in claim 7 wherein the further chamber is arranged to supply water to the container by gravity.

12. A device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the filter means comprises a replaceable casing containing filter media.

13. A device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the outlet conduit comprises a flexible plastics tube.

14. A device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the valve is electrically operable and is biased to a closed position.

15. A device as claimed in claim 1 and including a removable jug into which said outlet opens.

16. (canceled)