System and containers for water filtration and item sanitization

• US 7,708,958 B2
• Filed: 06/25/2004
• Issued: 05/04/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 06/26/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Tersano Inc.
• Original Assignee: Tersano Inc.
• Inventors: Hickey, Scott P., Hengsperger, Steve L., Namespetra, Justin L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Griffin; Walter D
• Assistant Examiner(s): Allen; Cameron J
• Application Number:
  US10/562,206
• Publication Number:
  US 20060163174A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,139 Days
• Field of Search: 210/748, 210/739, 210/600, 210/167, 210/192, 210/760, 422/300, 422/292, 422/20
• US Class Current: 422/300
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2202/24 Medical instruments, e.g. endoscopes, catheters, sharps
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 1/001 Processes for the treatment of water whereby the filtration technique is of importance C02F1/44 takes precedence; construction of filters in general B01D24/00 - B01D41/00
• 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 1/44 by dialysis, osmosis or reverse osmosis general membrane separation processes B01D61/00, membrane modules B01D63/00, electrodialysis C02F1/4693, combination of membrane modules and bioreactors C02F3/1268
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 1/46 by electrochemical methods
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 1/727 using pure oxygen or oxygen rich gas
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 1/74 with air aeration of stretches of water C02F7/00
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 1/78 with ozone C02F1/4672 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2209/005 Processes using a programmable logic controller [PLC]
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2307/04 as part of a pitcher or jug

Abstract

A system and containers for water filtration and item sanitization are described herein. In one embodiment, a water filtration device uses an extruded carbon sheet or granulated activated carbon to filter unpurified, gravity-fed water. The device can be a stand-alone water container or incorporated within a water purification system having a further purification technology located in a base in fluid communication with the water container. Other sanitizing containers can be used with the base to sanitize items while the water in the container is being sanitized. The base can include controls for informing a user when the water filtration or item sanitization has been completed. A method of sanitizing items is also disclosed. Practical applications include drinking water filtration, sanitization of household items, medical equipment, and the like.

Claims

1. A sanitizing container for sanitizing items with an sanitizing solution, the sanitizing container for use with a sanitizing base unit, the sanitizing container comprising:

an outer container adapted to induce a rotational flow of the sanitizing solution within the outer container and including a fluid transfer valve for removable fluid communication with the sanitizing base unit; and

an item holder for removable mating with the outer container, for holding the items in the rotational flow of the sanitizing solution for sanitization.

7. The sanitizing container of claim 1 wherein the item holder keeps the held items from having direct contact with the bottom of the outer container.

8. The sanitizing container of claim 1 wherein the item holder is arranged for mating with an open top of the outer container, the item holder comprising:

a sidewall for mating with an inside surface of the outer container;

a lip, joined with the top of the sidewall, for mating with the open top of the outer container; and

a base joined with the bottom of the sidewall and comprising a plurality of item receiving structures.

9. The sanitizing container of claim 1 wherein the item holder is arranged for mating with an open top of the outer container, and wherein the items to be sanitized have a handle end and a working end, the item holder comprising:

a center structure for mating with the open top of the outer container, the center structure having a top portion defining an opening for the handle ends of the items to be sanitized, and having a sidewall defining a plurality of openings for fluid flow in the center structure during sanitization of the items; and

a lower tray, for mating with the bottom of the center structure, for holding working ends of the items to be sanitized.

10. The sanitizing container of claim 9 wherein the lower tray comprises a plurality of item receiving structures for holding the working ends of the items to be sanitized.

11. The sanitizing container of claim 1 wherein the item holder is arranged for mating with an open top of the outer container, the item holder comprising:

a center structure for mating with the open top of the outer container, the center structure having a top portion defining an opening for insertion of the items to be sanitized, a sidewall having an upper lip, and a base, the sidewall and the base defining a plurality of openings for fluid flow in the center structure during sanitization of the items; and

a top cover for mating with the upper lip of the sidewall and closing the top of the item holder.

18. The sanitizing container of claim 1 wherein the outer container comprises a flow diverter to induce the rotational flow of sanitizing fluid entering the outer container by way of the fluid transfer valve.

2. An item sanitizing system for sanitizing items using a sanitizing solution, the system comprising:

a container, adapted to induce a rotational flow of the sanitizing solution within the container, having a fluid transfer device and having a removable item holder for holding the items in the rotational flow of the sanitizing solution for sanitization, the removable item holder being distinct from, and for removable mating with, the container;

a base for receiving the container in removable fluid communication with the fluid transfer device, said base comprising a purification technology for purification of water received from the container; and

a water circulator for circulating water between the container and the purification technology.

3. The item sanitizing system according to claim 2, wherein said water circulator comprises a pump, connections, and electronic controls.

4. The item sanitizing system of claim 3, wherein said electronic controls comprise an auto-sensing circuit which detects the presence of the filtration device on the base, activates an appropriate program, and illuminates a ready light.

5. The item sanitizing system of claim 4, wherein said program is initiated when a user pushes a start button when said ready light is illuminated.

6. The item sanitizing system of claim 5, wherein said program comprises a treatment period controlled by time and/or concentration, said treatment period consisting of:

a) drawing water from the lower reservoir via a pump,

b) pumping water from (a) through the purification technology,

c) directing water from (b) back into the lower reservoir; and

d) communicating to the user via a light and/or audible alarm indicating that the container can be removed from the base.

12. The item sanitizing system of claim 2 wherein the item holder keeps the held items from having direct contact with the bottom of the container.

13. The item sanitizing system of claim 2 wherein the item holder keeps the held items from interfering with a flow of fluid into and out of the container via the fluid transfer device.

14. The item sanitizing system of claim 2 wherein the item holder is arranged for mating with an open top of the container, the item holder comprising:

a sidewall for mating with an inside surface of the container;

a lip, joined with the top of the sidewall, for mating with the open top of the container; and

a base joined with the bottom of the sidewall and comprising a plurality of item receiving structures.

15. The item sanitizing system of claim 2 wherein the item holder is arranged for mating with an open top of the container, and wherein the items to be sanitized have a handle end and a working end, the item holder comprising:

a center structure for mating with the open top of the container, the center structure having a top portion defining an opening for the handle ends of the items to be sanitized, and having a sidewall defining a plurality of openings for fluid flow in the center structure during sanitization of the items; and

a lower tray, for mating with the bottom of the center structure, for holding working ends of the items to be sanitized.

16. The item sanitizing system of claim 15 wherein the lower tray comprises a plurality of item receiving structures for holding the working ends of the items to be sanitized.

17. The item sanitizing system of claim 2 wherein the item holder is arranged for mating with an open top of the container, the item holder comprising:

a center structure for mating with the open top of the container, the center structure having a top portion defining an opening for insertion of the items to be sanitized, a sidewall having an upper lip, and a base, the sidewall and the base defining a plurality of openings for fluid flow in the center structure during sanitization of the items; and

a top cover for mating with the upper lip of the sidewall and closing the top of the item holder.

19. The sanitizing system of claim 2 wherein the container comprises a flow diverter to induce the rotational flow of sanitizing fluid entering the container by way of the fluid transfer device.