Filter-As-You-Pour Container With Outlet Filtration for Fast Water Flow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pour-through pitcher systems take several minutes to filter water, which is inefficient for providing filtered water in a timely manner.
Innovation Solution
A reservoir-less filter-as-you-pour system where a filter assembly is integrated into the container body or lid, allowing water to be filtered as it is poured, enabling high flow rates and contaminant removal efficiencies similar to traditional systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a reservoir-based filtration system is used, then contaminant removal efficiency is achieved, but the filtration time is too long (several minutes)
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of filtering water before it enters the storage container (reservoir-based system), the patent inverts the filtration timing by filtering water as it exits the container during pouring. This allows the container to serve dual purposes: storage and active filtration, eliminating the delay associated with pre-filtration while maintaining contaminant removal efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The filter assembly is pre-positioned in the flow path at the container outlet, ready to immediately filter water as it pours. This preliminary positioning ensures that filtration occurs instantly during the pouring action without requiring separate pre-filtration time, thus reducing the overall time loss while maintaining effective contaminant removal.
2Reliability
If a reservoir-based system is used, then filtration is achieved, but the system complexity increases due to multiple compartments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the filtration function from the storage function by placing the filter assembly at the outlet rather than incorporating it into the storage container body. This separation allows the container to remain a simple single-compartment storage vessel while the filter assembly handles the filtration function independently, reducing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The container body is designed to serve multiple functions: water storage and active filtration during pouring. By making the container universal (both storage and filtration vessel), the patent eliminates the need for separate reservoir and filter housing components, thereby reducing system complexity while maintaining effective filtration.
3Productivity
If filtration occurs during pouring, then flow rate is high, but ensuring complete filtration of all water is challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The filter assembly is strategically positioned at the outlet flow path where water velocity is highest during pouring. This local placement ensures that the filtration occurs at the most effective point in the flow, maximizing both flow rate maintenance and filtration completeness by capturing contaminants right as water exits the container.
Solution Approach 2:
The filter assembly is designed to continuously filter water throughout the entire pouring process without interruption. By maintaining continuous filtration action from the first drop to the last, the system ensures complete filtration of all water while sustaining high flow rates, as the filter operates continuously rather than in batches or stages.
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 system provides filtered water quickly with flow rates of at least 0.3 gallons per minute, achieving contaminant removal efficiencies comparable to traditional systems while reducing the time required to filter water.
Implementation Method 1
a filter assembly. The filter assembly may be attachable to the container body or an associated lid body, and may be disposed so as to be in a flow stream of the water as the water is poured from the container body through the system outlet
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to container bodies configured to be used in filter-as-you-pour systems, where filtering is achieved as the user pours water from the container. Such container bodies may have an undivided internal storage volume, so as to not include a reservoir compartment for unfiltered water. They may be part of systems configured to filter water both as water is introduced into a container body of the system and as water is poured from the container body of the system. The filter assembly may be attached to the container body at a location proximate the outlet of the system. Filter media of the filter assembly may comprise an activated carbon textile material that presents a curved surface to water passing through the filter assembly. The container body may be configured as a pitcher, carafe, water bottle, jug, or other shaped container.