Water Treatment Pitcher

Abstract

The water treatment pitcher includes a portable container having a cover, a fill port, and a spout for dispensing filtered water. The pitcher includes an upper basin inside the portable container for receiving water, the upper basin having a filter sheet for the filter. The basin allows filtered water to drip and collect in a volume of the container below the filter when the container is upright, and an ultraviolet (UV) generator is configured to irradiate the water collected in the volume from a UV emitter and irradiate the filtered water with UV radiation from the UV emitter as the filtered water drips from an outlet of the upper basin into the volume of the container below the filter.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to water treatment. More specifically, the present invention relates to a water treatment pitcher. [Background technology]

[0002] Water may contain various types of contaminants, namely physical contaminants such as sediments or organic matter (e.g. suspended in the water), chemical contaminants (e.g. compositions of compounds or substances), biological contaminants (e.g. living organisms), and even radioactive contaminants (e.g. unstable atoms that emit ionizing radiation).

[0003] Water treatment typically aims to remove contaminants by using filtration media that act as a physical barrier and / or carry out chemical and / or biological processes.

[0004] There are many different types of water filters, such as water pitcher filters, faucet filters, countertop filters, under-sink filters, whole house filters, and reverse osmosis filtration systems.

[0005] Water treatment pitchers typically have a removable filter designed to filter the water poured into the pitcher. The filtered water drains through the removable filter to the bottom of the pitcher where it is held until it is dispensed. The removable filter is typically designed to filter a given volume of water and must be replaced periodically.

[0006] The filters in water treatment pitchers are typically designed to perform either physical or chemical filtration.

[0007] It may be desirable to provide a water treatment pitcher that is also configured to inactivate biological contaminants in the water being treated. Summary of the Invention

[0008] Thus, according to one embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a water treatment pitcher. The water treatment pitcher may comprise a portable container having a cover for covering a top opening of the container, the cover having a fill port, and the container having a spout for dispensing filtered water. The water treatment pitcher may also comprise an upper basin inside the portable container for receiving water introduced through the fill port, the upper basin having a filter sheet for housing a filter for filtering the water within the upper basin, and configured to allow the filtered water to drip and collect in a space of the container below the filter when the container is upright. The water treatment pitcher may also comprise an ultraviolet (UV) generator configured to irradiate UV radiation from a UV emitter onto the water collected in the space as the filtered water drips from an outlet of the upper basin into the space of the container below the filter, and to irradiate UV radiation from the UV emitter onto the filtered water.

[0009] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the water treatment pitcher also includes a tilt sensor, and the UV generator is further configured to emit UV radiation from the UV emitter when the tilt sensor detects that the pitcher is tilted.

[0010] According to some embodiments of the invention, when placed within a pitcher, the shape and position of the upper basin and UV define a passageway from within the container volume toward the spout having an inlet adjacent the UV emitter and an outlet adjacent the spout.

[0011] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the UV generator is located inside the pitcher and is configured to emit UV radiation only when the cover completely covers the top opening of the container.

[0012] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the UV generator is juxtaposed to the upper basin when installed inside the pitcher.

[0013] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the cover is removable.

[0014] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the filter is replaceable.

[0015] According to some embodiments of the invention, the water treatment pitcher further comprises a safety disabling mechanism for disabling the UV generator from generating UV radiation when the UV generator is not positioned in its intended position within the pitcher.

[0016] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the safety override mechanism includes at least one pair of a magnetic sensor and a magnet.

[0017] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the magnetic sensor is a Hall effect sensor.

[0018] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the UV generator is slidingly engageable with a sidewall of the upper basin.

[0019] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the UV generator comprises an elongated housing having a groove, a sidewall of the upper basin comprises a post, and the groove is configured to fit against the post.

[0020] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the water treatment pitcher may include a display for displaying one or more indications.

[0021] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the display is disposed on top of the UV generator.

[0022] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the UV generator comprises a rechargeable battery.

[0023] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the UV generator includes a charging port.

[0024] According to some embodiments of the invention, the charging port comprises a USB socket or a magnetic charging connector. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0025] In order to better understand the present invention and appreciate its practical applications, the following drawings are provided and are referred to hereinafter. It should be noted that the drawings are given by way of example only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention in any way. Similar elements are provided with similar reference numerals.

[0026] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is an overall view of a water treatment pitcher according to some embodiments of the present invention. [Figure 2A] FIG. 1 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a water treatment pitcher according to some embodiments of the present invention. [Figure 2B] 1 illustrates a cover for a water treatment pitcher according to some embodiments of the present invention having a magnet holder that holds a magnet of a safety override mechanism. [Figure 2C] 1 is a partial view of a spout area of ​​a water treatment pitcher according to some embodiments of the present invention having a magnet holder that holds a magnet of a safety override mechanism. [Figure 2D] 13 shows details of a filler lid of a cover of a water treatment pitcher according to some embodiments of the present invention. [Figure 2E] FIG. 13 is a partial top view through a top opening into a vessel of a water treatment pitcher according to some embodiments of the present invention. [Figure 2F] FIG. 2 is a partial top view of a cover of a water treatment pitcher, according to some embodiments of the present invention. [Diagram 3] 1 illustrates dispensing filtered water from a water treatment pitcher according to some embodiments of the present invention. [Figure 4] 1 illustrates an ultraviolet (UV) generator for use in a filter pitcher, according to some embodiments of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0027] In the following detailed description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. However, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, procedures, components, modules, units and / or circuits have not been described in detail so as not to obscure the present invention.

[0028] For example, descriptions utilizing terms such as "processing," "computing," "calculating," "determining," "determining," "analyzing," "examining," and the like, may refer to operations and / or processes of a computer, computing platform, computing system, or other electronic computing device that manipulates and / or transforms data represented as physical (e.g., electronic) quantities in the registers and / or memory of the computer into other data similarly represented as physical quantities in the registers and / or memory of the computer, or into other data similarly represented as physical quantities in other information non-transitory storage media (e.g., memory) capable of storing instructions for performing the operations and / or processes, although embodiments of the invention are not limited in this respect. As used herein, the terms "plurality" and "a plurality" may include, for example, "multiple" or "two or more." The terms "plurality" or "a plurality" may be used throughout this specification to describe two or more components, devices, elements, units, parameters, and the like. Unless expressly stated, the method embodiments described herein are not limited to a particular order or sequence. Moreover, some of the described method embodiments or elements thereof may occur or be performed simultaneously, at the same time, or together. Unless otherwise indicated, the conjunction "or" as used herein should be understood to be inclusive (any or all of the listed alternatives).

[0029] FIG. 1 is an overall view of a water treatment pitcher according to some embodiments of the present invention.

[0030] The water treatment pitcher (hereinafter sometimes referred to as a "water pitcher" or "pitcher") 100 comprises a portable container 102 and may comprise a handle 104 for a user to grasp and carry. An upper basin 114 may be provided within the container 102 for receiving a replaceable filter and for draining the filtered water to a lower portion of the container 102 below the upper basin 114, where the filtered water collects until it is poured out of the pitcher through a spout 112. The pitcher 100 may also comprise a cover 106 that covers a top opening of the container 102. The cover 106 may comprise a fill lid 108 that covers a fill port 107 (see FIG. 2) for filling the upper basin with water to filter the water. The fill lid may be pivotally operable (see pivot 109 in FIG. 2) to lift the lid open or lower the lid to a closed position.

[0031] A UV generator 110 (e.g., a replaceable UV generator, e.g., a UV-c type generator) may also be inserted into the pitcher 100 and is designed to generate UV light that passes through the pitcher 100. The UV light is used to expose organisms such as bacteria, viruses, or cysts (e.g., Cryptosporidium, Giardia, Salmonella, E. Coli, Streptococcus, Shigella, Hepatitis B, etc.) to germicidal UV radiation. The UV radiation (e.g., 254 nm wavelength) can damage the DNA of pathogenic microorganisms, preventing them from replicating, thus preventing bacteria from spreading disease through drinking water.

[0032] Because UV radiation can be harmful to humans, according to some embodiments of the invention, the interior surfaces of the container (e.g., the bottom, sidewalls, and top cover) are made from one or more materials configured to block the transmission of UV radiation from the pitcher (e.g., materials that reflect or absorb UV radiation). The container shown in Figure 1 appears partially transparent, but this is only to show the internal components in that figure, as water treatment pitchers according to some embodiments of the invention are designed to block the escape of any UV radiation from the pitcher.

[0033] The UV generator may be removed or configured to be removable, for example, for recharging or replacement, or to allow for convenient cleaning of the pitcher. In some embodiments of the invention, replacement may occur if the rechargeable battery fails to charge.

[0034] FIG. 2A is a cross-sectional view of a water treatment pitcher according to some embodiments of the present invention.

[0035] The fill lid 108, when closed, covers the fill port 107 through which water may be poured into the upper basin 114 of the water treatment pitcher 100. The filter 122 may be fitted and positioned on a filter sheet 120 supported on an elevated filter support 123 (e.g., a ridge) located on the floor 128 such that some gap 126 remains between the bottom of the filter 122 and the floor 128. In the described arrangement, gravity filtration occurs as water poured into the upper basin is forced by gravity to flow through the filter 122. The filter 122 according to some embodiments of the invention is configured to filter solids and / or dissolved contaminants (e.g., any insoluble solids). In some embodiments of the invention, the filter is configured to perform a chemical treatment on the water being treated.

[0036] The floor 128 of the upper basin 114 may be slightly sloped so that the filtered water exiting the filter outlet 125 flows down the sloped floor 128 and is directed to one or more basin outlet drip holes 124 located at the lower end of the sloped floor. Eventually, the filtered water drips into the lower space 105 of the vessel 102 where it collects until it is dispensed from the pitcher 100.

[0037] The UV generator 110 may be fittingly inserted through a suitable opening in the top of the pitcher and maintained juxtaposed to and coupled to a post 127 located in a substantially forward sidewall of the upper basin 114 of the vessel opposite the spout 112. The UV generator may be configured to be suspended when properly placed in position within the vessel, for example, by providing one or more shoulders upon which one or more tops or ledges projecting laterally from the housing 134 of the UV generator 110 may rest. The housing 134 of the UV generator 110 can house a power source (e.g., a rechargeable battery 133, see FIG. 2E), electronics 132 (e.g., a printed circuit board, controller, interface, etc.), and a UV light emitter 130 (e.g., a light emitting diode, LED, for emitting UVC (UV, typically in the wavelength range of 200-280 nm)), which is configured to generate and emit a broad UV light beam 140 for irradiating the lower space 105 laterally and downwardly (e.g., by generating a broad conical beam, e.g., with an irradiation angle ranging up to 170 degrees) and also onto the filtered water dripping from the plate outlet 124, so as to effectively sterilize the dripping water if the water is dripping from the plate outlet 124 and the water is in the lower space 105 of the container 102. In some embodiments of the invention, the UV generator is configured to direct UV radiation from the UV emitter to water collected in the lower volume of the vessel (below the upper basin) and / or to direct UV radiation to dripping water emerging from an outlet in the upper basin.

[0038] In some embodiments, the UV generator may be located within the pitcher and configured to emit UV radiation only when the cover completely covers the top opening of the container.

[0039] The UV emitter 130 may be configured to operate continuously, intermittently, periodically, or at scheduled times. Various standards and regulations govern how UV radiation is administered in water treatment, and require that UV radiation for water treatment be of a given wavelength, or range of wavelengths, produce a minimum amount of UV radiant energy, and be applied for a minimum duration of UV radiation, and according to some embodiments of the present invention, the UV generator is configured to comply with such standards and regulations.

[0040] In some embodiments of the invention, the UV generator is configured to have a predetermined length such that the UV emitter is positioned at substantially the same height level as the basin outlet 124, and the upper basin 114 is configured to contain a predetermined volume of water such that after the water has been completely drained into the lower space 105 of the container 102, the water level does not reach or exceed the height level of the UV emitter when the container is maintained upright.

[0041] Because UV radiation can be harmful, a safety override mechanism can be provided to prevent the UV generator from emitting UV radiation when it is pulled out or when it is not properly positioned in its intended location within the pitcher. The safety override mechanism can include, for example, a magnetic sensor, such as a Hall Effect (HE) sensor 138 located on top of the housing 134 of the UV generator 110, and one or more pairs of opposing magnets 136 positioned opposite the expected location of the HE sensor when the UV generator is properly inserted and installed in place within the pitcher. The electronics 132 of the UV generator 110 can be configured to detect when the magnet 136 and the HE sensor 138 are positioned opposite each other within a tolerance range indicating that the UV generator is properly positioned in place, thereby allowing the UV emitter to emit UV light, and to prevent the UV emitter from emitting UV light when the magnet and corresponding HE sensor are no longer within a tolerance range indicating that the UV generator is not properly inserted and installed in place within the pitcher 100. According to some embodiments of the present invention, other designs of safety mechanisms may be used including, for example, direct contact sensors, optical sensors, switches, or any other device or arrangement to sense and confirm that the cover and UV generator are properly positioned and in the correct position.

[0042] In some embodiments of the present invention, the UV generator, when properly inserted into the pitcher and mounted in place, is configured to block any stray UV rays escaping from the pitcher through the spout 112. To accomplish this, the UV emitter is configured to generate a UV beam that is directed downwards into the lower volume of the container at a predefined confining angle, while the housing of the UV generator is designed to have a bulky design, e.g., a bulky elongated body such as an elongated case, bar, cylinder, or any other geometric characteristic that blocks any direct or reflected UV rays emitted from the UV emitter from escaping through the spout 112.

[0043] 2B shows the cover 106 of the water treatment pitcher 100 according to some embodiments of the present invention having a magnet holder 139 that holds the safety override magnet 136. The UV generator 110 can be designed such that the HE sensor 138 (see FIG. 2A) corresponding to the magnet is positioned directly opposite the magnet.

[0044] 2C is a partial view of the spout area of ​​a water treatment pitcher according to some embodiments of the invention having a separate magnet holder 139 located inside the vessel 102 below the spout 112 to hold the safety override magnet 136. The UV generator 110 may include an HE sensor 138 (see FIG. 2A) that corresponds to the magnet 136 and is positioned directly opposite the magnet.

[0045] FIG. 2D shows details of the filler lid 108 of the cover 106 of the water treatment pitcher, according to some embodiments of the present invention.

[0046] The filler lid 108 can be pivotally swung from a substantially horizontal closed position to a substantially vertical open position by flipping the rotatable filler lid 108 about pivot 109, for example by using fingers to grasp and lift on a protruding tab 111 of the filler lid 108. To facilitate convenient filling of the upper basin with tap water, the filler lid 108 can be kept in an upright position by being provided with a knee-shaped end 108a which is stopped by a stop end 106a of the cover 106 when swung up. Once the pitcher is filled, the user can rotate the filler lid 108 back to its closed position.

[0047] FIG. 2E is a partial top view through a top opening into a vessel of a water treatment pitcher, according to some embodiments of the present invention.

[0048] The post 127 may have elongated protrusions 127a extending laterally alongside the post 127 on opposite sides, while the housing 134 may have a matching groove 134a extending along the elongated axis of the housing and having a narrow groove lip 134b configured to fit against the post 127, such that when the UV generator is placed in position within the pitcher, the housing of the UV generator can be slidingly engaged, e.g., slidingly coupled, to the post 127 by inserting it into the groove 134a and sliding the UV housing to a desired position relative to the post.

[0049] FIG. 2F is a partial top view of the cover 106 of a water treatment pitcher according to some embodiments of the present invention with a UV generator inserted in place within the pitcher.

[0050] The top surface 110a of the UV generator 110 may include one or more operating buttons 160, 160a for operating one or more functions of the UV generator (e.g., manual / automatic, reset, etc.). The top surface 110a of the UV generator 110 may also include a display screen 162 for displaying various operational indications such as, for example, battery charge status (e.g., power indicator), operational stage identification (filtration, UV purification), notifications (e.g., maintenance required, filters to replace, UV generator to replace, etc.).

[0051] FIG. 3 illustrates dispensing filtered water from a water treatment pitcher 100 according to some embodiments of the present invention.

[0052] The pitcher 100 can be lifted by its handle 104 and tilted until the water level 144 in the lower space 105 of the container 102 is level with the spout 112 to allow filtered, UV-treated water to be poured and dispensed (142) from within the lower space 105 of the container 102 through the spout 112.

[0053] In some embodiments of the invention, the shape and position of the upper basin 114 and juxtaposed UV generator 110 within the pitcher may be designed to define a narrow passage 135 (see FIG. 2A ) from within the lower space of the container 102 toward the spout 112, the narrow passage 135 having an inlet adjacent the UV emitter 130 and an outlet adjacent the spout 112.

[0054] When pouring water from the pitcher, the UV generator can be used to irradiate UV onto the water flowing near the UV emitter 130 towards the spout 112.

[0055] In some embodiments of the invention, the UV generator may be configured to emit UV light during a pouring action. A tilt sensor 113 may be used to detect when the pitcher 100 is tilted, and the UV generator 110 may be configured to activate the UV emitter 130 based on this detection to irradiate the water with UV while the water is being dispensed from the spout 112. In some embodiments, a user may activate the UV generator by pressing an operating button (e.g., 160, 160a, see FIG. 2F).

[0056] FIG. 4 illustrates an ultraviolet (UV) generator for use in a filter pitcher, according to some embodiments of the present invention.

[0057] The housing 134 of the UV generator 110 may include a charging port for charging a rechargeable power source of the UV generator 110, such as a USB socket for plugging in a charger cord to facilitate charging, a magnetic charging connector 160b (see FIG. 2F), or other type of charging port.

[0058] Below is an index of the elements shown in the figure. 100-Pitcha 102-Container 104 - Handle 105—Lower space of container 102 106-Cover 106a-stopper end 107-Filling port 108-Filling lid 108a-knee-shaped end 109-Lid pivot 110-UV Generator 110a-Top side 111-Protruding tab 112-Spout 113-Tilt Sensor 114-Upper water basin 120-Filter seat 122-Replaceable Filter 123-Raised filter support 124-basin outlet 125-Filter outlet 126-Gap 127-Pillar 127a-Elongated protrusion 128-Panel floor 130-UV Light Emitter 132-Electronic equipment 133-Rechargeable Battery 134-UV Housing 134a-groove 134b-narrow groove lip 135-Aisle 136-Magnet 138-Hall Effect Sensor 139-Magnet holder 140-UV light beam 142-Distributed Water 144-Water level 160, 160a - Operation button 160b-Magnetic charging connector 162-Display

[0059] Different embodiments are disclosed herein. The features of a particular embodiment can be combined with the features of other embodiments. Thus, a particular embodiment may be a combination of features of more than one embodiment. The foregoing description of the embodiments of the present invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that many modifications, variations, substitutions, changes, and equivalents are possible in light of the above teachings. It should therefore be understood that the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications and variations that fall within the true spirit of the present invention.

[0060] While certain features of the invention have been illustrated and described herein, many modifications, substitutions, changes, and equivalents will occur to those skilled in the art, and it is therefore to be understood that the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications and changes that fall within the true spirit of the invention.

Claims

1. a portable container having a cover for covering a top opening of the container, the cover having a fill port, the container having a spout for dispensing filtered water; an upper basin within the portable container for receiving water introduced through the fill port, the upper basin having a filter sheet for accommodating a filter for filtering water within the basin and configured to allow the filtered water to drip and collect in a space of the container below the filter when the container is upright; an ultraviolet (UV) generator configured to irradiate water collected in the space with UV radiation from an ultraviolet (UV) emitter as the filtered water drips from the outlet of the upper basin into the space of the container below the filter, and to irradiate the filtered water with UV radiation from the UV emitter; A water treatment pitcher comprising:

2. 2. The water pitcher of claim 1, further comprising a tilt sensor, the UV generator further configured to emit UV radiation from the UV emitter when the tilt sensor detects that the pitcher is tilted.

3. 3. The water pitcher of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein when placed within the pitcher, the shape and position of the upper basin and the UV define a passageway from within the volume of the container toward the spout having an inlet adjacent the UV emitter and an outlet adjacent the spout.

4. 4. The water pitcher of claim 1, wherein the UV generator is located inside the pitcher and configured to emit UV radiation only when the cover completely covers the top opening of the container.

5. 5. A water treatment pitcher as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the UV generator is juxtaposed to the water basin when installed inside the pitcher.

6. The water treatment pitcher according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the cover is removable.

7. A water treatment pitcher according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the filter is replaceable.

8. 8. The water treatment pitcher of any one of claims 1 to 7, further comprising a safety disable mechanism for disabling the UV generator from generating UV radiation when the UV generator is not positioned in its intended position within the pitcher.

9. 9. The water treatment pitcher of claim 8, wherein the safety override mechanism includes at least one pair of a magnetic sensor and a magnet.

10. 10. The water treatment pitcher of claim 9, wherein the magnetic sensor is a Hall effect sensor.

11. A water treatment pitcher according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the UV generator is slidingly engageable with a side wall of the basin.

12. 12. The water treatment pitcher of claim 11, wherein the UV generator comprises an elongated housing having a groove, the sidewall of the basin comprises a post, and the groove is configured to fit against the post.

13. 13. The water treatment pitcher of any one of claims 1 to 12, further comprising a display for displaying one or more indicia.

14. The water treatment pitcher of claim 13 , wherein the display is located on a top surface of the UV generator.

15. A water treatment pitcher according to any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the UV generator comprises a rechargeable battery.

16. 16. The water treatment pitcher of claim 15, wherein the UV generator comprises a charging port.

17. 17. The water treatment pitcher of claim 16, wherein the charging port comprises a USB socket or a magnetic charging connector.

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