Patent Publication Number: US-2019185347-A1

Title: Portable Water Filtration Assembly

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This Application claims the benefit of the filing date of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/608,276, filed Dec. 20, 2017, the entire content of which is herein incorporated. 
    
    
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
     Not Applicable 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of Invention 
     The present invention pertains generally to water filtration systems and, more particularly, to readily transportable assemblies for employing multiple water filtration elements in series. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     Water is by nature a scavenger, which picks up and transports trace amounts of materials that it encounters in its environment. Municipally treated water generally is chemically treated to kill and/or remove disease-causing pathogens. However, water that emerges from this chemical treatment tends to retain trace amounts of the chemicals used during that treatment, and there is a demand for devices and systems that can reduce and remove those trace amounts of chemicals before the treated water reaches a consumer. Moreover, there exists a known demand for devices that can filter water in diverse situations—e.g. the whole household, at camping sites, or at the sites of natural disasters—in order to provide potable water. Various devices and approaches have been devised to meet this demand, some of which are reviewed here. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,569,374 discloses a portable drinking water filtration apparatus for filtering and purifying water, comprising a housing, a chamber formed inside the housing having an inlet opening, a first outlet opening, and a second outlet opening, filtration media positioned inside the chamber between the chamber inlet opening and the chamber outlet openings, and a pump mounted on the housing for forcing water through the filtration media, the second chamber outlet opening being in contact with the first chamber outlet opening for venting air as water is forced through the filtration media and discharged from the first chamber outlet opening and for discharging water from the chamber when the first chamber outlet opening is plugged. A plurality of bottle connection members are formed on the housing adjacent to the first chamber outlet opening for connecting the housing to a variety of different sized bottles. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 6,004,460 discloses a combination filter assembly and flexible, portable bottle having a bottom opening with a sealing cap attached thereto. The filter assembly may be attached to an adapter sealed to the top of the flexible bottle. Water in the bottle passes through the filter assembly and out a top nozzle or valve when the flexible bottle is squeezed. The flexible bottle is filled with water through the bottom opening. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 6,344,146 discloses a portable, self-contained, fully integrated water purification device which includes a receptacle modified to accommodate a filtration assembly for purifying water, and to store water following purification. The receptacle provides separate openings for water intake, and water outflow. The filtration assembly includes a pump and a multistage filter cartridge. Pump action draws water into the water purification device and forces the water through the multistage filter and into the receptacle. Purified water may be stored in the receptacle until consumption. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 6,536,637 discloses a combination backpack and cooler for transporting consumables on the back of a user. The combination backpack and cooler includes a main body portion having a front panel, a back panel, a pair of side panels, a top panel and a bottom panel. One of the side panels has an aperture extending therethrough. Each of a pair of straps has a first end coupled the top and a second end coupled the bottom. A container is located in the main body. The container has a spout fluidly coupled thereto and positioned for extending through the aperture in the main body. A cover member is adapted for frictionally engaging an edge of an opening of the spout for closing the spout. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 6,919,025 discloses a portable drinking device that can be filled with municipal type water, and which will remove impurities from that water. The portable drinking device is designed so that a person can carry around a single drinking device, fill that drinking device with type water (e.g. from a faucet), and yet have a portable water source more suitable to that person&#39;s water quality preferences. The portable drinking device has an integrally contained filtration component, designed for filtering water that is drawn or otherwise delivered from the device through a drinking tube or other delivery mechanism, and in a way designed to ensure that all water obtained from the device is passed through the filtration component to remove the desired impurities. In addition, some applications of this design will include a filtration component with a filter media that can be conveniently replaced, so that the same portable drinking structure can be used and reused, while other applications may include a filtration component designed as a single use, disposable filter. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 7,044,343 discloses a backpack containing a gravity flow water filtration system. The backpack incorporates a compartment at its top to hold a reservoir of untreated water, and a compartment at the bottom to hold a reservoir for filtered water. A tube and filter connect the two compartments, and a drinking tube and mouthpiece allow the user of the backpack to drink filtered water from the filtered water reservoir. In some embodiments, the bottom compartment is accessible from both ends, and can store other items as well. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 7,073,688 discloses a hydration system that includes a fluid reservoir and may be housed within a pack. Drink fluid is drawn from the reservoir through a drink tube to a mouthpiece. In some embodiments, the drink tube is connected to the reservoir at an exit port, the hydration system includes a manually actuated on/off valve, a filter, a pump, and/or a bite-actuated mouthpiece. A quick-connect assembly fluidly interconnects components of the hydration system and is configured to quickly release, and permit reattachment of, the detached components or replacement components. In some embodiments, the replacement components enable different performance from the detached components. In some embodiments, the quick-connect assembly is adapted to selectively couple a bite-actuated mouthpiece and a gas mask adapter to the drink tube. In some embodiments, at least a portion, if not the entire, hydration system is formed from a chemically resistant material. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 7,514,006 discloses a lightweight water treatment system which can be easily distributed and employed by disaster survivors for treating locally available water sources. The lightweight water treatment system includes a water treatment agent for treating a predetermined volume of water collected from a local water source; a collapsible elongated container for collecting the predetermined volume of water; one or more straps to transport the collapsible elongated container to a suitable location for treating the collected water with the water treatment agent and a spigot for controllably releasing the treated water. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 8,287,729 discloses a lightweight water treatment system which can be easily distributed and employed by disaster survivors for treating locally available freshwater sources. The water treatment system includes an internal storage volume for maintaining a predetermined volume of water, a water fill port in communication with the internal storage volume provided at a first end of the elongated container for receiving the predetermined volume of water, a sealing member disposed at about the first end of the elongated container for maintaining the volume of water within the internal storage volume, a second end of the elongated container for receiving sediment settling out of the predetermined volume of water and a discharge port disposed superjacent to the second conically-shaped end for controllably releasing at least a portion of the water maintained within the internal storage volume of the elongated container. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 8,887,924 discloses a water purification system that includes a container and a filter coupled to an outlet port of the container. The container includes a first layer and a second layer of polymeric material. A first edge of the first layer is bonded to a first edge of the second layer. A second edge of the first layer is bonded to a second edge of the second layer. A first end of the first layer is bonded to a first end of the second layer. The outlet port is disposed in the first layer at a first distance from the first end. A flat water filter is also described. A method for treating water is also described. 
     U.S. Patent Application Publication Number 2016/0347627 discloses a liquid purifying apparatus integrating a filter assembly and an ultraviolet light disinfection assembly that are suitable for portable water purification. A first apparatus includes a container, a cap assembly including a filter removably coupled to a first opening of the container and a disinfection assembly coupled to a second opening of the container and adapted to emit UV light to disinfect liquid in the container. A second apparatus includes upper and lower reservoirs, a filter assembly between the reservoirs, a disinfection assembly coupled to an opening in the lower reservoir and adapted to emit UV light to disinfect liquid in the lower reservoir and a spout in fluid communication with the lower reservoir 
     A need is still felt for a portable water filtration assembly adapted to hold multiple independently replaceable water filtration units. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Disclosed herein are various example embodiments of a portable water filtration assembly including a carrying case adapted to hold multiple water filtration units. The interior of the case holds three water filtration units arranged in series. The filtration units are in fluid communication with each other through fluid connectors. The assembly includes a water input member and a water output member, each generally positioned at opposing ends of the case, each partially exposed to the space outside the case through apertures in the walls of the case, and each providing fluid communication between the outside world and the water filtration subassembly. 
     Thus, in some example embodiments of the present general inventive concept, a portable water filtration assembly for use in filtering water comprises a split case to hold water filtration units within an interior of said split case, said split case adapted to divide into two pieces to permit access to water filtration units held within said interior of said split case, said split case including access apertures permitting water to pass into the interior of said split case; a water filtration subassembly including a plurality of water filtration units operating in series to filter water, said water filtration units adapted to be replaced independently of the split case, each water filtration unit adapted to be replaced independently of each other water filtration unit in said water filtration subassembly and connectors adapted to permit the passage of water from one water filtration unit to another water filtration unit; a water input member positioned proximate a first access aperture in said split case, said water input member to pass water to a water filtration unit in said water filtration subassembly; and a water output member positioned proximate a second access aperture in said split case, said water output member to pass water from the interior of said split case to a position outside said split case after the water has passed through the plurality of water filtration units included in the water filtration subassembly. 
     In some example embodiments of the present general inventive concept, a portable water filtration assembly for use in filtering water comprises a water filtration subassembly including a first water filtration unit, a second water filtration unit, and a third water filtration unit, said water filtration units operating in series to filter water, said water filtration units adapted to be replaced independently of the split case, each water filtration unit adapted to be replaced independently of each other water filtration unit in said water filtration subassembly, and connectors adapted to permit the passage of water from the first water filtration unit to the second water filtration unit and from the second water filtration unit to the third water filtration unit; a split case adapted to hold said water filtration subassembly, said split case including access apertures permitting water to pass into water filtration subassembly. 
     Some embodiments further comprise a water input member positioned proximate a first access aperture in said split case, said water input member to pass water to said first water filtration unit in said water filtration subassembly, and a water output member positioned proximate a second access aperture in said split case, said water output member to pass water from said third water filtration unit to a position outside said split case after the water has passed through the first water filtration unit, the second water filtration unit, and the third water filtration unit. 
     In some embodiments, each water filtration unit comprises a filtration element, an outer housing to hold the filtration element, and a cap member adapted to mate with the outer housing, said cap member providing fluid access to the filtration element when said filtration element is held within the outer housing, said cap member adapted to connect in fluid communication with either two of said connectors or with one connector and one of either said water input member or said water output member, wherein said outer housing is detachable and reattachable to said cap member, whereby each filtration element is replaceable independently of the outer housing holding said filtration element. 
    
    
     
       FIGURES 
       The above-mentioned and additional features of the invention will become more clearly understood from the following detailed description of the invention read together with the drawings in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an assembly according to one example embodiment of the present general inventive concept, showing a carrying case adapted to hold water filtration units; 
         FIG. 2  is an exploded view of the example embodiment assembly shown in  FIG. 1 , showing the interior of the case; 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of an example embodiment water filtration unit; 
         FIG. 4  is an exploded view of the water filtration unit shown in  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a section view of the example embodiment assembly shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 ; 
         FIG. 6A  is a view of a first example embodiment water output member adapted to be used with an assembly according to the present general inventive concept; 
         FIG. 6B  is a view of a second example embodiment water output member adapted to be used with an assembly according to the present general inventive concept; 
         FIG. 6C  is a view of a third example embodiment water output member adapted to be used with an assembly according to the present general inventive concept; 
         FIG. 7  is a view of an assembly according to one example embodiment of the present general inventive concept in use with an outdoor residential water supply/irrigation system; 
         FIG. 8  is a view of an assembly according to one example embodiment of the present general inventive concept in use with a residential plumbing system; and 
         FIG. 9  is a view of an assembly according to one example embodiment of the present general inventive concept in use with a gravity fed water supply. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Turning to the Figures,  FIG. 1  shows an assembly  10  according to one example embodiment of the present general inventive concept, showing a split case  110  adapted to hold water filtration units.  FIG. 2  is an exploded view of the same assembly  10  shown in  FIG. 1 , showing the interior of the split case  110  and three water filtration units  120   a ,  120   b ,  120   c  arranged in series. The split case  110  is designed to divide into two pieces,  112   a  and  112   b , as shown in  FIG. 2 , permitting access to the interior of the case  110  and the water filtration units  120   a ,  120   b ,  120   c  held within. As shown in  FIG. 1 , the example embodiment split case  110  includes at least one strap or handle  114  (hereafter collectively “strap”) attached to an exterior surface of the split case  110  and adapted to allow a user to carry the split case  110 . The example embodiment split case  110  also includes at least one rolling wheel  116  positioned on or near an exterior surface of the split case  110 , with the rolling wheel  116  or wheels adapted to roll along a floor or ground surface, thereby allowing a user to transport the split case  110  by pulling the split case  110  in such a manner that the rolling wheel  116  or wheels remain on the floor or ground surface, easing transport of the split case  110 . Further, the illustrated example embodiment includes a handle  118  adapted to be grasped by a user during transport of the split case  110 . The filtration units  120   a ,  120   b ,  120   c  are positioned within an interior volume defined by the walls of the split case  110 , and the filtration units  120   a ,  120   b ,  120   c  are in fluid communication with each other through fluid connectors  125   a ,  125   b . (The filtration elements housed within the interior volume defined by the walls of the split case  110 —i.e., the filtration units  120   a ,  120   b ,  120   c  and the fluid connectors  125   a ,  125   b —collectively may be designated as the water filtration subassembly  12 .) Further, the assembly  10  includes a water input member  127  (shown in  FIG. 2 ) and a water output member  129 , each generally positioned at opposing ends of the split case  110 , each partially exposed to the space outside the split case  110  through access apertures  117 ,  119  in the walls of the split case  110 , and each providing fluid communication between the outside world and the water filtration subassembly  12 . 
       FIG. 3  is a section view of the example embodiment assembly shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , illustrating the direction of water flow within the assembly  10 . As seen in  FIG. 3 , water to be filtered enters the assembly  10  through the water input member  127  (positioned within the first access aperture  117 ) and proceeds to pass, in succession, through the first filtration unit  120   a , the first fluid connector  125   a , the second filtration unit  120   b , the second fluid connector  125   b , and the third filtration unit  120   c . The water, having passed through three filtration units, then exits the assembly through the water output member  129  (positioned within the second access aperture  119 , located, in this embodiment, on a wall opposite the first access aperture  117 ). 
       FIG. 4  is a perspective view of an example embodiment water filtration unit  120 .  FIG. 5  is an exploded view of the water filtration unit  120  shown in  FIG. 4 . As shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , the example embodiment water filtration unit  120  includes an outer housing  121  with an open top, a cap member  122  adapted to fit with or onto the top of the outer housing  121 , and a filtration element  123  adapted to fit within the outer housing  121  when the cap member  122  is fit with or onto the top of the outer housing  121 . The example embodiment water filtration unit  120  shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , configured to be disassembled by a user, permits replacement of a spent filtration element  123  without requiring replacement or discard of the outer housing  121  or cap member  122 . A number of filtration elements  123  are known in the art and contemplated by the present general inventive concept, including (but not limited to) filtration elements that include ceramic materials, polymers, bonded silver nanoparticles, and/or activated charcoal. 
       FIG. 6A  is a view of a first example embodiment water output member adapted to be used with an assembly according to the present general inventive concept. The example embodiment shown in  FIG. 6A  comprises a water output member  129   a  that connects with existing plumbing fixtures and/or tubing. 
       FIG. 6B  is a view of a second example embodiment water output member adapted to be used with an assembly according to the present general inventive concept. The example embodiment shown in  FIG. 6B  comprises a water output member  129   b  that functions as a spigot. 
       FIG. 6C  is a view of a third example embodiment water output member adapted to be used with an assembly according to the present general inventive concept. The example embodiment shown in  FIG. 6C  comprises a water output member  129   c  configured to connect with a hose or other line. 
       FIG. 7  is a view of an assembly  10  according to one example embodiment of the present general inventive concept in use with an outdoor residential water supply/irrigation system  400 . As shown in  FIG. 7 , the split case  110  is in fluid communication with the outdoor residential water supply/irrigation system  400  through a water line  405  connected to the water input member  127 . Water passes through the water line  405  and thence through the water input member  127  into the water filtration subassembly inside the split case  110 . 
       FIG. 8  is a view of an assembly  10  according to one example embodiment of the present general inventive concept in use with a residential plumbing system  200 . As shown in  FIG. 8 , the split case  110  is in fluid communication with the residential plumbing system  200  through a water line  205  connected to the water input member  127 . Water passes through the water line  205  and thence through the water input member  127  into the water filtration subassembly inside the split case  110 . 
       FIG. 9  is a view of an assembly  10  according to one example embodiment of the present general inventive concept in use with a gravity fed water supply system  300 . As shown in  FIG. 9 , a gravity fed water supply system  300  includes a water line  305  and a funnel  310 , with the water line  305  configured to connect to the water input member  127  providing access to the interior of the split case  110 . The water line  305  includes a substantially vertical section and two ends, with the funnel  310  is connected to the water line  305  at one end and the water input member  127  connected to the water line  305  at the other end. Water passes through the water line  305  and thence through the water input member  127  into the water filtration subassembly  12  inside the split case  110 . In some embodiments, the substantially vertical section of the water line  305  is approximately 48 inches in height. In some embodiments of the present general inventive concept, the water line  305  and funnel  310  are accessory items adapted to be moved with the assembly  10 , in some instances held in a separate carrying vessel or bag that can be transported along with the split case  110  until the gravity fed water supply system  300  is assembled. 
     Other configurations will be apparent to those of skill in the art and are also within the scope of the present general inventive concept. 
     Thus, in some example embodiments of the present general inventive concept, a portable water filtration assembly for use in filtering water comprises a split case to hold water filtration units within an interior of said split case, said split case adapted to divide into two pieces to permit access to water filtration units held within said interior of said split case, said split case including access apertures permitting water to pass into the interior of said split case; a water filtration subassembly including a plurality of water filtration units operating in series to filter water, said water filtration units adapted to be replaced independently of the split case, each water filtration unit adapted to be replaced independently of each other water filtration unit in said water filtration subassembly and connectors adapted to permit the passage of water from one water filtration unit to another water filtration unit; a water input member positioned proximate a first access aperture in said split case, said water input member to pass water to a water filtration unit in said water filtration subassembly; and a water output member positioned proximate a second access aperture in said split case, said water output member to pass water from the interior of said split case to a position outside said split case after the water has passed through the plurality of water filtration units included in the water filtration subassembly. 
     In some embodiments, said water filtration subassembly comprises three water filtration units. 
     In some embodiments, said portable water filtration assembly is adapted to be used with an exterior water supply. In some embodiments, said portable water filtration assembly is adapted to be used with a residential water system. In some embodiments, said portable water filtration assembly is adapted to be used with a gravity-fed water supply. 
     In some embodiments, said portable water filtration assembly is adapted to be used in disaster recovery efforts. 
     Some embodiments further comprise rolling wheels attached to an exterior surface of said split case to facilitate movement of said split case. 
     Some embodiments further comprise a strap attached to an exterior surface of said split case to facilitate carrying of said split case. 
     Some embodiments further comprise a handle attached to an exterior surface of said split case to facilitate movement of said split case. 
     In some example embodiments of the present general inventive concept, a portable water filtration assembly for use in filtering water comprises a water filtration subassembly including a first water filtration unit, a second water filtration unit, and a third water filtration unit, said water filtration units operating in series to filter water, said water filtration units adapted to be replaced independently of the split case, each water filtration unit adapted to be replaced independently of each other water filtration unit in said water filtration subassembly, and connectors adapted to permit the passage of water from the first water filtration unit to the second water filtration unit and from the second water filtration unit to the third water filtration unit; a split case adapted to hold said water filtration subassembly, said split case including access apertures permitting water to pass into water filtration subassembly. 
     Some embodiments further comprise a water input member positioned proximate a first access aperture in said split case, said water input member to pass water to said first water filtration unit in said water filtration subassembly, and a water output member positioned proximate a second access aperture in said split case, said water output member to pass water from said third water filtration unit to a position outside said split case after the water has passed through the first water filtration unit, the second water filtration unit, and the third water filtration unit. 
     In some embodiments, each water filtration unit comprises a filtration element, an outer housing to hold the filtration element, and a cap member adapted to mate with the outer housing, said cap member providing fluid access to the filtration element when said filtration element is held within the outer housing, said cap member adapted to connect in fluid communication with either two of said connectors or with one connector and one of either said water input member or said water output member, wherein said outer housing is detachable and reattachable to said cap member, whereby each filtration element is replaceable independently of the outer housing holding said filtration element. 
     Various example embodiments of the present general inventive concept provide a portable water filtration assembly adapted to hold multiple independently replaceable water filtration units. Such a portable water filtration assembly is frequently adapted for use in disaster recovery efforts. Moreover, a portable water filtration assembly according to various example embodiments of the present general inventive concept is adapted to reduce and remove dead pathogens and trace amounts of treatment chemicals in water that has been treated with pathogen-killing chemicals, such as those used in many municipal water treatment systems. 
     While the present invention has been illustrated by description of several embodiments and while the illustrative embodiments have been described in considerable detail, it is not the intention of the applicant to restrict or in any way limit the scope of the appended claims to such detail. Additional advantages and modifications will readily appear to those skilled in the art. The invention in its broader aspects is therefore not limited to the specific details, representative apparatus and methods, and illustrative examples shown and described. Accordingly, departures may be made from such details without departing from the spirit or scope of applicant&#39;s general inventive concept.