Suction-driven fluid filtration system for recreational or emergency use

A fluid filtration system housing has first, second and third openings. A cap is removably and sealably attached to the first opening. A filter assembly is fitted in the housing to thereby define a first chamber accessible via the third opening and a second chamber accessible via the second opening and sealed by the cap.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates generally to fluid filtration systems, and more particularly to a fluid filtration system that provides filtered fluids such as water for recreational or emergency purposes when the only fluids available are unpotable and/or distasteful.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Today's recreational sports include a wide variety of activities (e.g., hiking, rock climbing, mountaineering, mountain biking, canoeing, kayaking, fishing, hunting, white water rafting, etc.) that take place in remote unpopulated regions and/or in harsh environmental conditions. In these regions and/or conditions, it is important for individuals to keep their bodies properly hydrated. However, packing sufficient amounts of drinkable fluids for an entire activity may be difficult or impractical. Furthermore, poor planning or emergency situations can cause individuals to run out of drinkable fluids. Although there may be water available from a variety of nearby natural sources, such water is generally unpotable and/or distasteful, and could cause serious illness if consumed.

In an effort to provide a solution to this problem, a variety of water bottle or hydration systems have incorporated a purification filter to remove unwanted chemicals or organisms. That is, the unpotable and/or distasteful fluid is stored in a container with a filter being provided such that the fluid passes through the filter as it exits the container. However, this means that the container is contaminated by the unpotable and/or distasteful fluid. Thus, even after the unwanted fluid has been emptied from the container, there is a chance that residual contamination remains. Further, many current water container/filtration systems use a pump or gravity feed to get the unpotable and/or distasteful fluid through the system's filter. However, a pump's moving parts are always subject to failure and add extra weight. Gravity-feed systems can be slow. Still further, many current water container/filtration systems are designed for specific activities (e.g., on-land activities, on-water activities, etc.), but are not versatile enough to function in a variety of activities and/or environments.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a fluid filtration system.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a fluid filtration system that is adaptable for use in a variety of recreational activities and emergency situations.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a fluid filtration system that can provide filtered fluid directly to a user or to a container.

In accordance with the present invention, a fluid filtration system includes a housing having first, second and third openings formed therein. A cap is removably and sealably attached to the first opening. A filter assembly is fitted in the housing and, in combination with the housing, defines a first chamber accessible via the third opening and a second chamber accessible via the second opening and sealed by the cap. When a fluid to be filtered is present at the third opening and suction is applied to the second opening, the fluid is (i) drawn into the first chamber, (ii) through the filter assembly, (iii) into the second chamber, and (iv) to the second opening. Tubes can be attached to the second third openings to facilitate fluid movement to and from the system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to the drawings and more particularly toFIGS. 1 and 2, cross-sectional views of a fluid filtration system in accordance with the present invention are shown and are referenced generally by numeral10. To more clearly show the invention's features,FIG. 1illustrates system10in a partially assembled state andFIG. 2illustrates system10in a fully assembled state. Fluid filtration system10will typically be used to filter unpotable water just prior to the drinking or storage thereof. Accordingly, the ensuing description will make references to using system10in this fashion. However, it is to be understood that fluid filtration system10can be used to filter any fluid without departing from the scope of the present invention.

System10has an outer shell or housing12made from a rigid material (e.g., plastic, metal, composite, etc.) that does not contaminate the fluid being processed through system10. Housing12can be shaped in a variety of ways without limiting the scope of the present invention. By way of illustrative example, housing12can be cylindrical with opposing axial ends12A and12B, and a cylindrical sidewall12C. Formed in axial end12A is an opening14that (in the illustrated example) substantially spans the internal diameter of housing12. Threads16are formed on the inside of sidewall12C for threaded and sealing engagement with an end cap30, the details of which will be explained further below.

Axial end12B of housing12has two openings18and20formed therethrough. End12B can further be shaped to define an annular recess22about opening18such that the combination thereof defines a rigid tubular section24of axial end12B. Similarly, an annular recess26can be defined about opening20such that the combination thereof defines a rigid tubular section28of axial end12B.

A filter assembly is mounted in housing12in a sealing manner so that two distinct chambers are defined within housing12when cap30is coupled to housing12(FIG. 2). The particular construction of the filter assembly as well as the filter material used thereby are not limitations of the present invention. However, by way of illustrative example, the filter assembly can have a frame50supporting any microbiological filter material52. Examples of such filter materials include, but are not limited to, those that work by particle size exclusion (e.g., polymer or ceramic based filter materials), and charge or adsorption based filter materials using, for example, ion exchange or activated carbon. Further, the filter material can contain an antimicrobial agent (e.g., halogen, a heavy metal, an organic agent, a UV radiation element, etc.). Still further, a combination of filter materials can be used.

The filter assembly can be constructed such that frame50is permanently sealed to housing12(FIGS. 1 and 2) or attachably sealed to housing12as illustrated inFIG. 3where frame50is provided with threads50A that engage internal threads16of housing12. In either construction, o-ring seals54and56(FIG. 3only) or other sealing mechanisms can be used where frame50engages portions of housing12. Further, regardless of the construction of the filter assembly, frame50has (i) pores or openings58formed therethrough in opposition to opening14, and (ii) a hole50B formed therethrough that combines with tubular section24to define an unobstructed passage from opening18through the filter assembly.

As mentioned above, the filter assembly in combination with housing12and cap30define two distinct chambers within housing12. Specifically, a first chamber40is defined on one side of the filter assembly and a second chamber42is defined on the other side of the filter assembly. In the illustrated embodiment, first chamber40is an annular chamber formed about tubular section24. Access to first chamber40is only available via opening20. Second chamber42is sealed by cap30(FIG. 2) and is accessible only via opening18.

Cap30has external threads32formed thereon for engagement with internal threads16of housing12. An o-ring seal33can be used to insure a fluid-tight seal with housing12. Cap30can be recessed at34to define a region that falls within the confines of housing12when cap30is attached thereto. Mounted in recess34is an attachment system36that facilitates attachment of system10to a user's backpack, belt, clothing, or other disparate device. Attachment system36could be constructed in a variety of ways without departing from the scope of the present invention. For example, attachment system36could be realized by providing two spaced-apart strap loops36A that can be made integrally with cap30for strength. A strap36B engaging strap loops36A can be used to attach system10to a disparate device, article of clothing, etc. Strap36B will typically include a closure mechanism (not shown) such as snaps, buckles, VELCRO, etc., the choice of which is not a limitation of the present invention.

Two different uses of fluid filtration system10will now be explained with the aid ofFIGS. 4 and 5. InFIG. 4, the fluid filtration system further includes two flexible tubes60and70. Tube60is a suction tube fitted into annular recess22. Tube60is sized such that it will sealingly engage tubular section24. A one-way check valve62can be incorporated into tube60(or in tubular section24or hole50B) to only permit fluid movement therethrough in the direction of arrow64. Tube70is an input tube fitted into annular recess26. Tube70is sized such that it will sealingly engage tubular section28. A coarse particle filter72can be provided/fitted into tube70.

In use, when the free end of tube70is placed in an unpotable and/or distasteful fluid (e.g., water) supply100, a user sucks on the free end of tube60. The suction force opens check valve62and draws fluid from supply100through tube70, into first chamber40, through filter material52/openings58, into second chamber42, and then out opening18and into tube60. In this way, the unpotable fluid is made drinkable on demand. Since only filtered fluid can come into contact with chamber42and tube60, these portions of system10will always be free of contaminants. Further, there are no moving parts to corrode and/or fail thereby assuring the robustness of system10even in harsh environments.

InFIG. 5, the fluid filtration system is further adapted to provide the user with a reservoir of filtered fluid for later use. More specifically, the system inFIG. 5replaces cap30with a cap80that also incorporates a container body82(e.g., a conventional water bottle). Accordingly, cap80is provided with threads84that engage internal threads16of housing12. Fluid from unpotable and/or distasteful supply100is passed through filter material52/openings58(in the same way just described) to fill container body82. Once container body82is filled, tube70can be removed and opening20can be capped with a fitted cap (not shown) or by using one's finger so that suction applied to the free end of tube60acts to draw filtered fluid from container body82.

The advantages of the present invention are numerous. The fluid filtration system is readily adaptable for use in a wide variety of recreational sports or emergency conditions. In its most compact form (FIGS. 2 and 4), the system can be used to provide drinkable water on demand without the need to carry a container of drinkable fluid. Thus, the present invention reduces the bulk and weight generally associated with fluid-holding containers. Further, the compact nature of the system makes it readily packed as a piece of emergency equipment.

Although the invention has been described relative to a specific embodiment thereof, there are numerous variations and modifications that will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art in light of the above teachings. For example,FIG. 6illustrates another embodiment of the present invention in which opening20/recess26/tubular section28are positioned in sidewall12C of housing12. This could be done to provide a user with a clear delineation between the input side and suction side of the fluid filtration system. Additionally or alternatively, such delineation could be achieved by color-matching tubular section24to tube60and tubular section28to tube70. It is therefore to be understood that, within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced other than as specifically described.