Water purification device

Abstract

A water purification device includes an expandable water collecting device having a variable volume, wherein at least part of the surface of the water collecting device includes a filter area, the filter area being permeable to water and allowing water to enter the water collecting device when the filter area is submerged in water. The device further includes a mechanically driven expansion means for exerting a force for increasing the volume of the water collecting device and thereby drawing water through the filter area into the water collecting device. In use, the water collecting device is submerged and the expansion means is released, drawing water into the water collecting device through the filter membrane.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0001]1. Field of the Invention[0002]The invention relates to the field of water purification devices, and in particular to a low-cost, small scale purification device as described in the preamble of claim 1.[0003]2. Description of Related Art[0004]Access to clean water is an essential human necessity. In developing countries, in emergency situations, and simply for outdoor activities, there is a need for simple, lightweight, and cheap water purification devices. Numerous filtering devices, e.g. using ceramic filters, multiple water collecting devices with intervening filters etc. are known.[0005]U.S. Pat. No. 4,879,030 describes a water purification and emergency nutrition package. The package comprises a compartment having a semipermeable membrane which allows it to desalinate water, and a compartment comprising a mixture of water-soluble nutrients such as fructose. Once a minimum amount of water has entered the package, osmotic pressure caused by the wa...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

"The invention is a water purification device that overcomes the disadvantages of existing devices. It is designed to be easily compressed and submerged in water, with a flexible sheet material that can inflate and unfold to increase its volume. The device has a mechanically driven expansion means that exerts a force to draw water through a filter area in the device. The device can be made of a biodegradable material and may contain multiple layers with different functions such as fine pore filtering, chemical treatment, charcoal filtering, and mechanical reinforcement. The device is simple to use, with an escape valve or reclosable outlet for draining clean water. It can be attached to a bracket or support to keep it in a reduced volume configuration before submerging. The device can also have a retainer or restraint to keep it in the reduced volume configuration until it is submerged. Overall, the invention provides a water purification device that is easy to use, efficient, and effective in removing contaminants from water."

Problems solved by technology

Applicability of the device is limited in that it can be used only once, in that it does not provide water alone, but rather a mixture of water and sugars, i.e. nourishment, and in that it is focused on the desalination of sea water.

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