Abstract:
A flocculation filter is provided. The flocculation filter includes a filter layer having openings that pass water and trap flocs is provided. The flocculation filter also includes a flocculant layer disposed on at least a portion of the filter layer.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is related to application Ser. No. ______ filed ______ titled, “Bucket for Wastewater Filtration” (Attny. Dkt. No. 11131-00-US-01-HCP), the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Filtration of wastewater involves causing small, suspended particles to cluster together and settle. This process includes two steps, namely “coagulation” and “flocculation.” “Coagulation” refers to driving together of colloidal particles by chemical forces. “Flocculation” refers to assembling the coagulated particles into clumped masses, called “flocs,” which settle out of the wastewater. Flocculation may use a chemical-bridging mechanism, enhanced by the use of substances like polyelectrolytes. 
         [0003]    Wastewater filtration systems are widely used in public sanitation and industrial enterprises. However, residential use of such systems is generally limited to applications such as clarifying water in ponds, swimming pools, and the like. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY 
       [0004]    Implementations consistent with the present disclosure provide a flocculation filter including a filter layer having openings that pass water and trap flocs. The flocculation filter also includes a flocculant layer disposed on at least a portion of the filter layer. In some implementations the flocculation filter includes a water-soluble layer disposed on the flocculant layer. The filter layer can be a woven material or a non-woven material. The filter layer can also be a flexible material or a rigid material. The openings can range in size from about 0.03 inches to about 0.25 inches across. 
         [0005]    In some implementations the filter layer forms a vessel including a sidewall, a closed bottom, and an open top. An edge of the sidewall at the open top can include includes a coupler. The coupler can be a drawstring or an elastic band captured in a tubular channel formed from the sidewall. The coupler can also be a rigid collar having mechanical interlocking elements. The mechanical interlocking elements can be threads or L-shaped slots. The mechanical interlocking elements can also be snap-fit couplers. 
         [0006]    In some implementations the filter layer includes an interior wall and an exterior wall separated by a distance defining a space. The distance between the interior wall and the exterior wall can be between about one-quarter inch to about one-half inch. The space can be filled with a mesh material and the mesh material can be the flocculant layer coated or impregnated with a flocculant. 
         [0007]    In some implementations the flocculation filter includes a frame having a substantially flat shape supporting the filter layer. The frame can be rectangular, circular, or toroidal. 
         [0008]    Further areas of applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description provided hereinafter. It should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating some preferred aspects of the invention, are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0009]    The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description and the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
           [0010]      FIG. 1A  illustrates a side perspective view of a flocculation filter in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure; 
           [0011]      FIG. 1B  illustrates a sectional side view of a wall of an exemplary flocculation filter in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure; 
           [0012]      FIG. 2  illustrates a side perspective view of an exemplary flocculation filter in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure; 
           [0013]      FIG. 3  illustrates a side perspective view of an exemplary flocculation filter in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure; 
           [0014]      FIG. 4  illustrates a side perspective view of an exemplary flocculation filter in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure; and 
           [0015]      FIG. 5  illustrates a side perspective view of an exemplary flocculation filter in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0016]    The following description of various preferred aspects is merely exemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the invention, its application, or uses. 
         [0017]    As used throughout, ranges are used as shorthand for describing each and every value that is within the range, as well as the endpoints of the range. Any value within the range can be selected as the terminus of the range. In the event of a conflict in a definition in the present disclosure and that of a cited reference, the present disclosure controls. 
         [0018]    The present disclosure is generally directed to flocculation and, more specifically, to hand-portable flocculation systems, manually operated flocculation systems, residential-use flocculation systems, and filters for such systems. Systems, apparatuses, and methods consistent with those disclosed herein clarify water in a hand-portable vessel by causing particles (e.g., dirt, dust, sediment, food particles, lint, etc.) to form flocs, and then trapping the flocs and debris using a floc filter. For example, the exemplary flocculation systems and filters disclosed herein can be used to clarify water in a mop bucket. By trapping the flocs, the flocculation systems and filters disclosed herein conserve resources by extending the useable life of water and cleaning products (e.g., soap or detergent) contained therein. Additionally, the exemplary flocculation systems and filters prevent, reduce, or ameliorate the fouling of cleaning tools (e.g., mops, sponges, rags, brushes, and the like) by dirt, debris, flocs, and the like in the water. 
         [0019]      FIG. 1A  illustrates a side perspective view of an exemplary flocculation filter  100  in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. In implementations, the flocculation filter  100  is a vessel (e.g., bucket, pouch, or cup) having an open top  105 , a sidewall  109 , and a closed bottom  113 . The sidewall  109  and/or the bottom  113  can be constructed from a woven or non-woven filter material including a large number of openings or holes  119  that are sized to trap flocs and other debris, while allowing water to pass out of or through the flocculation filter  100  and into, for example, a bucket or similar vessel. The filter material of the sidewall  109  and/or the bottom  113  can be a rigid, a semi-rigid, or a flexible material. In some implementations, such material can be water-impermeable, such as metal, rubber, silicon, plastic, vinyl, TYVEK, or the like. In other implementations, the filter material of the sidewall  109  and/or the bottom  113  can be water-permeable, such as a geotextile fabric or a cellulose mesh. In various implementations the holes or openings  119  range in size from about 0.03 inches to about 0.25 inches across (e.g., per side for square holes, in diameter for round holes, or effective opening size for meshes). In some configurations, the holes or openings  119  range in size from about 0.03 inches to about 0.12 inches across. For example, the openings  119  can range in size from about 0.03 inches to about 0.06 inches. 
         [0020]    Additionally, in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure, an interior surface of the sidewall  109  and/or the bottom  113  can include a flocculant  121  that releases from the sidewall  109  and/or the bottom  109  when exposed to water. The flocculant  121  can be, for example, AJAX CLEAN WATER from the Colgate-Palmolive company of New York, N.Y. or the like. 
         [0021]    In implementations a top edge of the sidewall  109 , which forms the open top  105  of the flocculating filter  100 , includes a releasable coupler  125  for attaching or mounting the flocculation filter  100  to other devices, such as flocculation system or a bucket. In some configurations, the coupler  125  can be or include a drawstring  126 , an elastic band, or the like, which is captured in a tubular channel  127  around the top  105  of the flocculation filter  100 . 
         [0022]    Further, in some in implementations the flocculation filter  100  can be collapsible into a flat form for display, transport, and/or storage. In some configurations, the sidewall  109  of the flocculation device  100  includes one or more vertical fold lines  143  along which the sidewall  109  can collapse accordion-style. Also, the sidewall  109  and can include one or more horizontal fold lines  147  along which the bottom  113  can fold flat against the sidewall  109 . 
         [0023]    In a usage example consistent with aspects of the present disclosure, the flocculation filter  100  can be used in conjunction with a flocculation system (not shown) mounted to a mop bucket (not shown). See application Ser. No. ______ filed ______ titled, “Bucket for Wastewater Filtration” (Attny. Dkt. No. CP-11131-HCP), for examples of flocculation systems. A user performing a cleaning job using the flocculation system can obtain and store the flocculation filter  100  in the flattened form. For use, the user can expand the flocculation filter  100  into the configuration shown in  FIG. 1A  and attach it a corresponding support structure of a flocculation system using the coupler  125 . For example, the user can fasten the coupler  125  around a mount (e.g., a lip) provided on the flocculation system using the drawstring  126 . Alternatively, the user can insert the flocculation filter  100  into a cup provided by the flocculation system, fold the top  105  over the outside of the cup, and affix the flocculation filter  100  to the cup by tightening the drawstring  126 . After mounting the flocculation filter  100 , the user can wring-out a mop or other cleaning tool into the flocculation system, which can direct the flow of dirty water and debris from the mop into to the interior of the flocculation filter  100 . The water causes the flocculant  119  on the sidewall  109  and/or the bottom  113  of the flocculation device  100  to release (e.g., dissolve into the water). In turn, the flocculant  119  causes the dirt and other particles in the water to form flocs. The holes or openings  119  in the flocculation filter  100  allow the water to pass through the sidewall  109  and/or the bottom  113  into the bucket, while trapping the flocs and other debris wrung from the mop. Accordingly, the flocculation filter  100  prevents spoliation of water in the bucket with the flocs, dirt, and debris. After the cleaning job is complete, the user can dispose of the flocculant filter  100 . For the next cleaning job, the user can reuse the water in the bucket with another flocculation filter  100 . 
         [0024]      FIG. 1B  illustrates a cutaway side view of a wall  150  of the exemplary flocculation filter  100  in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. In implementations, the wall  150  includes a filter layer  155  (e.g., sidewall  109 , bottom  113 ) and a flocculant layer  156  (e.g., flocculant  121 ), which can be the same or similar to those described above. The filter layer  155  includes a large number of holes or openings  119  passing completely through its interior surface  163  and exterior surface  165 . The flocculant layer  156  can be formed directly on the interior surface  163  of the filter layer  155 . For example, in some configurations the flocculant layer  156  can be a sheet laminated onto the interior surface  163  of the filter layer  155 . In other configurations, the flocculant layer  156  can be a spray or a drip-coating applied to the interior surface  163 . In some implementations, the flocculant layer  156  may partially cover the layer, for example, in the form of stripes, swirls, or the like. Additionally, in some implementations, the wall  150  can include a third, innermost water-soluble layer  157  (e.g., gelatin) that provides a protective covering for the flocculant layer  156 . 
         [0025]      FIG. 2  illustrates a side perspective view of a flocculation filter or device  200  in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. In implementations, the flocculation device  200  has a cup-shape, including an open top  105 , a sidewall  109 , a bottom  113 , and a flocculant  121 , which can be similar to those described previously herein. Additionally, the flocculation filter  200  includes a coupler  225  comprised of a rigid collar for mechanically interlocking the flocculation filter  200  to a corresponding mount on a flocculation system (e.g., a bucket mounted mop strainer). The coupler  225  may include one or more mechanical interlocking elements  229  that form a secure and/or substantially water-tight seal with the mount. For example, in some configurations, the one or more mechanical interlocking elements  229  can be threads (e.g., quarter-turn threads) that mate with corresponding threads on the mount. In other configurations, the one or more mechanical interlocking elements  229  can be snap-fit couplers. In still other configurations, the mechanical interlocking elements  229  may be L-shaped slots (as shown in  FIG. 2 ) that mate with corresponding lugs on the mount. It is understood that other mechanical interlocking mechanisms can be used. 
         [0026]      FIG. 3  illustrates a side perspective view of a flocculation filter  300  in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. In implementations, the flocculation filter  300  comprises a vessel having a substantially cylindrical shape (e.g., cup-shaped) including an open top  105 , a sidewall  109 , a closed bottom  113 , and a flocculant  121 , which can be the same or similar to those previously described herein. Additionally, the flocculation filter  300  can include a retaining lip  313  around an uppermost edge of the top  105 . Further, the sidewall  109  and/or the bottom  113  can be formed from the same materials previously described herein. In some implementations, the sidewall  109  and/or the bottom  113  have an interior wall  323  and an exterior wall  327  separated by a distance D. The distance D can be between one-quarter (0.25) inch and about one-half (0.5) inch. The space between the interior wall  323  and the exterior wall  327  can be partially or entirely filled with the flocculant  121 , such as that previously described herein. For example, the space can be filled with a porous mesh material (e.g., a cellulose mesh) that is coated or impregnated with the flocculant  121 . 
         [0027]      FIG. 4  illustrates a side perspective view of a flocculation filter  400  in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. In implementations, the flocculation filter  400  includes a frame  405  having a substantially flat shape surrounding or otherwise supporting a filter material  409 . The frame  405  can be comprised of a rigid or semi-rigid material (e.g., metal or plastic). The filter material  409  can be the same as those previously described herein (e.g., wall  150 ). Additionally, while the flocculation filter  400  is illustrated as a rectangular shape, it is understood that the flocculation filter  400  can have other shapes (e.g., square, semicircular, circular, etc.). 
         [0028]      FIG. 5  illustrates a side perspective view of a flocculation filter  500  in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. In implementations, the flocculation filter  500  is a substantially flat, circular shape having a frame  505  that surrounds or otherwise supports a filter material  509 . For example, the filter  500  can have a toroidal shape, wherein the frame  505  can circumscribe the outer edges and the inner edges of the toroid. The frame  505  and the filter material  509  can otherwise be similar to those previously described herein (e.g., frame  405  and filter material  409  formed of a wall  150 ). 
         [0029]    The above features have been described in detail with particular reference to certain preferred embodiments thereof, but it will be understood that variations and modifications can be effected within the spirit and scope of the disclosure. One of skill in the art will appreciate that each of the above are exemplary implementations and are not to be construed as a limitation on the scope of the present disclosure. 
         [0030]    The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. 
         [0031]    The corresponding structures, materials, acts, and equivalents of all means or step plus function elements in any ensuing claims are intended to include any structure, material, or act for performing the function in combination with other claimed elements as specifically claimed. The description of the present invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description, but is not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the invention in the form disclosed. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. The embodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and the practical application, and to enable others of ordinary skill in the art to understand the invention for various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.