Bathtub Bladder Liner for Sanitary Emergency Water Storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for storing large volumes of potable water for emergency preparedness face challenges due to space constraints and contamination risks, as traditional containers are cumbersome, difficult to move, and can contaminate water.
Innovation Solution
A food-grade bladder liner designed for use in bathtubs, made of thin plastic film, which can be filled through a faucet and features a dispenser system for safe and sanitary storage and dispensing of water, including a universal adaptor for various faucet types and a siphon pump assembly for easy access.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If large volumes of water are stored in traditional containers (e.g., 55-gallon drums), then storage capacity is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to weight and mobility issues
Solution Approach 1:
The bladder is nested within the bathtub structure, utilizing the existing bathtub as an outer container. This allows the bladder to achieve large storage capacity (50-90 gallons) while the bathtub provides structural support and mobility, eliminating the need to move heavy filled drums.
Solution Approach 2:
The bladder acts as an intermediary between the water source and the bathtub. It can be filled through the bathtub faucet using standard hoses and adaptors, then sealed to prevent contamination, providing both large capacity and ease of filling without requiring direct connection to water sources.
2Ease of operation
If water is stored directly in the bathtub, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to contamination risks from bathtub residue
Solution Approach 1:
A flexible bladder made of food-grade plastic material is placed inside the bathtub to create a barrier between the stored water and the bathtub surface. This thin film prevents contamination from bathtub residue while maintaining the convenience of bathtub-based storage and dispensing.
Solution Approach 2:
The bladder is designed as a disposable component that can be easily removed, replaced, and disposed of after use. This ensures that each new bladder provides a fresh, uncontaminated barrier, maintaining water purity without requiring cleaning or maintenance of the bladder itself.
3Reliability
If small containers are used for water storage, then reliability is improved through easier cleaning and maintenance, but volume of storage deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the advantages of small containers (easy maintenance through disposability) with the large storage capacity needed for emergency preparedness. The bladder can be filled to 50-90 gallons within the bathtub, providing drum-level capacity while maintaining the ease of small container replacement and disposal.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The bladder liner provides a convenient, sanitary, and space-efficient solution for storing large volumes of potable water, preventing contamination and allowing for easy filling and dispensing, addressing the limitations of existing storage methods.
Implementation Method 1
a siphon pump assembly
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for collection and storage of potable water, in particular, disposable-food-grade liners and bladders for sanitary storage of water in a bathtub, and emergency preparedness kits comprising a disposable food grade bladder liner for collection and storage of water in a bathtub.