Flexible Container with Integrated Spout Filter for Water Purification

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Solution Overview

Problem

In areas with contaminated water sources, such as developing countries or wilderness areas, there is a need for a method to safely reconstitute concentrated consumer and food products without requiring access to clean water, as existing solutions do not effectively address the filtration of contaminants from water before reconstitution.

Innovation Solution

A flexible container system with a built-in filter element that can be attached to various water sources, including hoses and bottles, allowing for the filtration of contaminated water before reconstitution, using materials like Boehmite nano-filtration media to ensure effective removal of health-related contaminants.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If concentrated products are shipped to final destinations for reconstitution, then shipping costs and logistics are improved, but the risk of using contaminated water for reconstitution increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconcentrate shipment efficiencyVSAvoidwater contamination risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the concentrate container with an integrated filtration system and water source attachment capability. The filter assembly is built into the container structure, merging storage, filtration, and mixing functions into a single unit that can be attached to various water sources including contaminated ones.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The filter assembly acts as an intermediary between the contaminated water source and the concentrate. It mediates the interaction by removing contaminants before water contacts the concentrate, enabling safe reconstitution even from contaminated sources.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If filtration is added to the reconstitution system, then water safety is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontaminant removalVSAvoidcontainer structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The filtration system is merged with the container structure itself. The filter assembly integrates the filter element, spout, and attachment mechanisms into a unified structure that becomes part of the container, reducing the need for separate filtration equipment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The container is designed with multi-functionality: it serves as storage for concentrate, holds the filtration system, provides attachment to water sources, and facilitates mixing. This universal design reduces overall system complexity by combining multiple functions in one device.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Productivity

If rapid filling is enabled using gravity flow or hand squeezing, then reconstitution speed is improved, but filter element clogging risk increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereconstitution speedVSAvoidfilter element performance

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The filter element uses porous filtration media that allows rapid water flow while trapping contaminants. The porous structure provides multiple flow paths that maintain high filtration speed even under gravity flow or hand-squeezing pressure, preventing clogging while ensuring fast reconstitution.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #31Porous materials

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

Enables the safe and efficient reconstitution of concentrated products from contaminated water sources, providing a portable and effective solution for obtaining clean water for consumption and product use, with a filter that allows for rapid filling of the container using gravity flow or hand squeezing, ensuring the removal of contaminants like bacteria and protozoans.

Implementation Method 1

using materials like Boehmite nano-filtration media to ensure effective removal of health-related contaminants

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectNanofiltration: Nanoporous Material

Implementation Method 2

a filter element disposed in the spout, the filter element comprising a filter

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFiltration: Filter (physical)

Data Source

PatentEP3414179B1Flexible container for concentrated product

Publication Date: 2020.06.10 JOHNSON & JOHNSON CONSUMER INC

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AI summary

Provided are flexible containers for holding a concentrate, the containers comprising: a flexible body (20) holding the concentrate (40), a spout (30), a filter element (60) disposed in the spout, the filter element comprising a filter (80) and an attachment element (68) configured to attach to a water source. Also provided are methods of reconstituting concentrated products using the flexible containers.