Portable apparatus for storing and disinfecting a fluid using ultraviolet source

• US 6,180,003 B1
• Filed: 11/23/1999
• Issued: 01/30/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 12/19/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: William Reber LLC
• Original Assignee: Motorola, Inc. (Motorola Solutions, Inc.)
• Inventors: Stenstrom, Michael K., Reber, William L, Perttunen, Cary D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Walker, W. L.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Ocampo, Marianne S.
• Application Number:
  US09/448,014
• Time in Patent Office: 434 Days
• Field of Search: 210/85, 210/243, 210/244, 210/416.3, 210/748, 210/198.1, 250/373, 250/372, 250/455.11, 250/496.1, 250/458.1, 250/461.1, 250/504.R, 422/22, 422/24, 340/540, 340/600
• US Class Current: 210/198.1
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 1/325 Irradiation devices or lamp constructions
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2201/009 Apparatus with independent power supply, e.g. solar cells, windpower or fuel cells
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2201/3221 Lamps suspended above a water surface or pipe
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 9/20 Portable or detachable small-scale multistage treatment devices, e.g. point of use or laboratory water purification systems
• CPC Class Codes: Y02A 20/212 Solar-powered wastewater sewage treatment, e.g. spray evaporation

Abstract

An apparatus for storing and disinfecting a fluid includes a container (12) and a cap member (16) for containing the fluid and a cap member (16). The container (12) defines an opening (14) through which the fluid is dispensed therein and is removed therefrom and has at least two electrical contacts which mate with at least two electrical contacts in the cap member. The cap member (16) removably seals the opening of the container (12). An ultraviolet source (24) is mounted to at least one of the container (12) and the cap member (16). The ultraviolet source (24) emits ultraviolet radiation to disinfect the fluid contained in the container (12). A power source is electrically coupled to the at least two electrical contacts of the container (12).

Claims

1. An apparatus for storing and disinfecting a fluid, the apparatus comprising:

a container for containing the fluid, the container having an opening and at least two electrical contacts;

a cap member having at least two electrical contacts which respectively mate with the at least two electrical contacts of the container when the cap member seals the opening of the container; and

an ultraviolet source mounted to the cap member and in electrical communication with the at least two electrical contacts of the cap member.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a power source integrated with the container, the power source electrically coupled to the at least two electrical contacts of the container.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising at least one solar cell mounted to the container and electrically coupled to the at least two electrical contacts of the container.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a jack mounted to the container and electrically coupled to the at least two electrical contacts of the container.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the jack is to receive a plug from an AC adapter.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising:

a battery-receiving compartment defined by the container; and

at least two battery terminals electrically coupled to the at least two electrical contacts of the container.