Water filtration and sterilisation device

• US 8,747,664 B2
• Filed: 11/13/2007
• Issued: 06/10/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 11/14/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Applica Water Products LLC (Spectrum Brands Holdings, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Applica Consumer Products Incorporated (Spectrum Brands Holdings, Inc.)
• Inventors: Dier, Christopher
• Primary Examiner(s): DRODGE, JOSEPH W
• Application Number:
  US12/514,839
• Publication Number:
  US 20120061301A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,401 Days
• Field of Search: 210/109, 210/110, 210/134, 210/138, 210/141, 210/143, 210/192, 210/257.1, 210/257.2, 210258-262, 210/295, 210464-482, 222/189.06, 422/186.3
• US Class Current: 210/109
• 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 sterilization 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 sterilize water in said chamber. The first time period is shorter than said second time period. The flow prevention means is operable to deliver sterilized water on demand from the container.

Claims

1. A water filtration and sterilisation device, comprising:

a casing comprising a first container and a second container within the casing, the first container and the second container each being configured to contain water therein, the first container comprising a base having a recess, the recess comprising a first outlet conduit in fluid communication between the first container and the second container, the second container having an outlet and a second outlet conduit;

a closure valve coupled to said first outlet conduit;

a filter upstream of said first outlet conduit;

a flow prevention means coupled between said second container outlet and said second outlet conduit;

an ultra violet radiation source within said second container; and

a controller, wherein the controller is configured to;

open the closure valve for a first time period to admit water into the second container via the filter;

operate the ultra violet radiation source for a second time period to sterilise water in the second container; and

operate said flow prevention means to deliver sterilised water on demand from the second container; and

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

2. A device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the controller is further configured to simultaneously open the closure valve for a first time period and operate the ultra violet radiation source for a second time period.

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 controller is further configured to operate the pump to draw residual water present in the second outlet conduit from the second outlet conduit to the second container.

5. A device as claimed in claim 4 wherein the controller is further configured to periodically operate the pump to draw residual water from the second outlet conduit to the second container.

6. A device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the controller is further configured to periodically operate the ultra violet radiation source to sterilise water present within the second container.

7. A device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the first container is positioned above the second container.

8. A device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the first container is at least partially received within the second container.

9. A device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the filter is mounted within the recess of the first container.

10. A device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the first container is arranged to supply water to the second container by gravity.

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

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

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

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