GB2228260A

GB2228260A - Portable water filtering device

Info

Publication number: GB2228260A
Application number: GB8901228A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Julian Sanders; Ian Roberts; Andrew Howard
Original assignee: SPONG HOUSEWARES Ltd
Current assignee: SPONG HOUSEWARES Ltd
Priority date: 1989-01-20
Filing date: 1989-01-20
Publication date: 1990-08-22
Also published as: GB8901228D0

Abstract

A portable water filtering device comprises a water reservoir (14) and a filter element (16) normally enclosed within a receptacle (10). The water reservoir (14) can be removed to receive a volume of water (W - Figure 2) and the filter element (16) is then engaged with the water reservoir (14) to close its top. The assembly of filter element and water reservoir can then be inverted and supported over the top of the receptacle (10 - Figure 3), the water reservoir (14) having a valve (24) which is releasable to allow water to pass through the filter element (16) from the reservoir and into the receptacle. The device may be provided with a compartment for holding chlorine tablets (20) which may be added to the water in the reservoir (14) before filtering. <IMAGE>

Description

FILTERING DEVICE This invention relates to a filtering device, and more particularly to a portable device which can be taken when travelling for filtering water.

There is a need to make sure that local water is safe to drink and various devices are known for filtering the water.

However, in order to make sure that the water is safe it is necessary to dissolve chlorine in the water but this leaves the water with an undesirable taste.

We have now devised a portable filtering device which enables chlorine to be dissolved in a volume of water and then provides for that volume of water to be filtered.

In accordance with the invention, there is provided a portable filtering device comprising a water reservoir and a filter element normally enclosed within a receptacle, the water reservoir being removalbe for receiving a volume of water, the filter element being engageable with the water reservoir to close its top and the assembly of filter element and water reservoir then being supportable once inverted over the open top of the receptacle, and the water reservoir having a valve which is releasable to allow water from the reservoir to pass through the filter and into the receptacle.

In use of this portable filtering device, a volume of water is poured into the reservoir and a chlorine tablet may be dropped into the water. The filter element is then engaged to the top of the reservoir and this assembly is inverted and supported over the top of the receptacle. Because the reservoir is sealed, the water does not flow from it. After allowing time for the chlorine tablet to dissolve in the water, the valve on the reservoir is released by hand and the water then passes through the filter and into the receptacle. The assembly of reservoir and filter is then removed from the receptacle, which now contains the volume of water in a condition ready for drinking. Because the water has been filtered after receiving dissolved chlorine, it is not only safe to drink but also it is free of the undesirable taste of chlorine.

Preferably the water reservoir is formed with a transparent wall. Preferably the receptacle is formed with a transparent wall.

Preferably the device includes a compartment for holding chlorine tablets. Preferably this compartment is provided in a closure member which closes the receptacle when the water reservoir and filter element are in their normal storage positions within the receptacle.

-It will be appreciated that the portable filtering device provides a self -contained unit which is suitable for travel purposes.

An embodiment of this invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: FIGURE 1 is a vertical section through a portable filtering device when in its packed condition; FIGURE 2 shows the device when its water reservoir has been filled with a volume of water and a chlorine tablet has been dropped into it; FIGURE 3 shows the device when the filter element has been engaged to the water reservoir and this assembly has been inverted and fitted over the top of the receptacle; and FIGURE 4 shows the device once the volume of water from the reservoir has filtered through into the receptacle and the assembly of reservoir and filter element has been removed from the top of the receptacle.

Referring to Figure 1, there is shown a portable filtering device which is convenient for travel purposes. The device comprises a receptacle 10 of generally cylindrical form and with an open top. The receptacle is formed with three narrow vertical enlargements 11 equally spaced around its circumference, which provide convenient pouring spouts. An annular collar 12 fits within the top of the receptacle 10 by way of a lower cylindrical rim 12a below a ridge 12b. A water reservoir 14, also of generally cylindrical form and with an open end, fits within the rim 12a of the collar. The receptacle and water reservoir each push-fit with the collar to form a seal, but a screw thread fitting may be provided for either or both of these engagements.A filter element 16 is provided, and comprises a generally cylindrical casing containing e.g. carbon filtering material, and having a radially projecting rim 16a around its top. In the packed condition of the device as shown in Figure 1, the filter element is placed in the open top of the water reservoir and rests on the rim of the water reservoir by means of its own rim 16a: this assembly is put together before the water reservoir is fitted into the collar 12. The circular open centre of the collar 12 is closed by a circular member 18, which is a push-fit into the opening of the collar. This closure member 18 is formed in its top with a rectangular compartment for containing chlorine tablets 20, this compartment being closed by a rectangular lid 22 which slides into place across the top of the compartment.

The closure member 18 is recessed in its top either side of the lid 22, to allow access for the thumb and a finger of one hand to grip the lid 22 by its opposite longitudindal edges and so pull the closure member 18 from the collar 12. The collar 12 can then be removed from the receptacle 10 together with the filter element 16 and water reservoir 14 and these members are then separated from one another.

Next the filter element 16 is turned over and engaged through the collar 12 from its lower side as shown at A in Figure 1. As shown in Figure 2, a volume of water W is poured into the water reservoir 14 and a chlorine tablet 20 is added, then the collar 12 is fitted again over the top of the water reservoir 14, but this time with the filter element 16 projecting outwardly.

Then as shown in Figure 3, the assembly of water reservoir 14, filter element 16 and collar 12 are inverted and supported over the open top of the receptacle 10: for this purpose an upper cylindrical rim 12c of the collar 12 fits within the top of the receptacle 10 and the ridge 12b of the collar rests on the rim of the receptacle.

The top of the water reservoir 14 is sealed to the collar 12 and the bottom of the water reservoir 14 includes a valve 24 which at this time is closed. However, once the chlorine tablet 20 has dissolved, the valve 24 is opened and the water then passes through the filter element 16 and into the receptacle 10. In the example shown, the valve comprises a disc rotatably mounted to the bottom of the water reservoir 14, this disc being turnable by hand between a closed position and an open position, in which orifices on the disc and on the bottom of the water reservoir co-incide.

Figure 4 shows the device once the volume of water has filtered through from the reservoir 14 to the receptacle 10 and the assembly of reservoir, filter and collar has been removed from the receptale. The receptacle now contains the volume of water in a condition fit for drinking.

In the example shown, the receptacle and water reservoir are formed of transparent plastics material by injection moulding. Because these parts are transparent, it can be seen when the chlorine tablet has dissolved when all of the water has filtered through into the receptacle. The collar 12, closure member 18 and its lid 22 are also formed of plastics material by injection moulding.

Instead of being slidably engaged with the closure member 18, the lid 22 may clip into position.

Claims

1) A portable water filtering device comprising a water reservoir and a filter element normally enclosed within a receptacle, the water reservoir being removable for receiving a volume of water, the filter element being engageable with the water reservoir to close its top, and the assembly of filter element and water reservoir then being supportable, once inverted, over the open top of the receptacle, and the water reservoir having a valve which is releasable to allow water from the reservoir to pass through the filter element and into the receptacle.

2) A portable water filtering device as claimed in claim 1, comprising a collar member which normally fits across the top of the receptacle, and a closure member which normally closes an aperture through the collar member.

3) A portable water filtering device as claimed in claim 2, in which the collar member may be engaged with the top of the water reservoir to hold the filter element in position closing the top of the water reservoir, with the filter element projecting through the aperture in the collar member, the collar member serving to support the assembly of the filter element and water reservoir, once inverted, over the open top of the receptacle.

4! A portable water filtering device as claimed in claim 3, comprising a compartment formed in the closure member, for holding chloride tablets.