PRESSING SURFACE FOR FILTRATION CONTAINER ASSEMBLY
20230233964 · 2023-07-27
Inventors
- Travis Merrigan (Bremerton, WA, US)
- Patrick Crosby (Terrell, NC, US)
- Scott Rolfson (Portland, OR, US)
- Christopher Leiter (Happy Valley, OR, US)
- Geneva Goldwood (Tacoma, WA, US)
Cpc classification
B01D2201/302
PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
C02F1/002
CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
B65D23/0885
PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
B01D33/0116
PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
B65D51/242
PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
International classification
B01D33/01
PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
B65D21/02
PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
B65D23/08
PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
B65D51/24
PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
Abstract
Embodiments are directed to filtration container assemblies and methods of using the same. A filtration container assembly includes an outer container and a plunging assembly. The plunging assembly includes an inner sleeve, a filtration assembly, and a cap assembly having a pressing surface. When the outer container is at least partially filled with liquid, a user can exert pressure on the pressing surface of the plunging assembly to nest the plunging assembly within the outer container, using positive pressure to displace the liquid in the outer container through the filtration assembly into the inner sleeve. In some embodiments, at least a portion of a handle for the filtration container assembly may be a part of the pressing surface.
Claims
1. A filtration container assembly, the assembly comprising: an outer container having a first open end and a second closed end and defining an inner cavity; and a plunging assembly having a first end and a second end, wherein the second end of the plunging assembly is configured to be received within the inner cavity of the outer container, and wherein the first end of the plunging assembly includes a cap having a first surface, the first surface configured to define a continuous surface having an area of at least 60% of the cross-sectional area of the outer container.
2. The filtration container assembly of claim 1, wherein the plunging assembly includes an inner sleeve having a first end and a second end and an outer wall defining an inner bore.
3. The filtration container assembly of claim 2, wherein the outer wall is continuous from the first end to the second end of the inner sleeve.
4. The filtration container assembly of claim 2, wherein the plunging assembly includes a filtration assembly having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of the filtration assembly is at or near the second end of the inner sleeve.
5. The filtration container assembly of claim 4, wherein the first end of the filtration assembly is mechanically coupled to the inner sleeve at or near the second end of the inner sleeve.
6. The filtration container assembly of claim 4, wherein the second end of the filtration assembly is outside the inner bore of the inner sleeve.
7. The filtration container assembly of claim 1, wherein the filtration container assembly further includes a device for releasing pressure from the inner cavity of the outer container when the plunging assembly is received within the inner cavity of the outer container.
8. The filtration container assembly of claim 4, wherein the plunging assembly is configured to filter a liquid contained in the outer container as the plunging assembly is pressed into the inner cavity of the outer container and the liquid moves from the inner cavity of the outer container through the filtration assembly to the inner bore of the inner sleeve of the plunging assembly.
9. The filtration container assembly of claim 1, wherein the cap is removable from the plunging assembly.
10. The filtration container assembly of claim 1, wherein the cap includes an access port to the inner bore of the inner sleeve.
11. The filtration container assembly of claim 1, wherein the cap includes a pivoting handle attached thereto.
12. The filtration container assembly of claim 1, wherein the first surface of the cap is a first pressing surface of the filtration container assembly.
13. The filtration container assembly of claim 12, wherein the first pressing surface allows for a compression force to be applied to the filtration container assembly along the longitudinal axis of the outer container to press the plunging assembly into the inner cavity of the outer container.
14. The filtration container assembly of claim 12, wherein at least a portion of the first pressing surface is substantially planar.
15. The filtration container assembly of claim 12, wherein the outer surface of the second closed end of the outer container defines a second pressing surface of the filtration container assembly.
16. The filtration container assembly of claim 15, wherein at least a portion of the second pressing surface is substantially planar.
17. The filtration container assembly of claim 1, wherein the first surface defines a substantially planar and continuous surface having an area of at least 70% of the cross-sectional area of the outer container or of at least 80% of the cross-sectional area of the outer container.
18. The filtration container assembly of claim 1, further comprising retractable handles and/or a bumper cup.
19. A method of filtering a liquid using a filtration container assembly, the method comprising: obtaining a filtration container assembly including an outer container having a first open end and a second closed end and defining an inner cavity, and a plunging assembly having a first end and a second end, wherein the second end of the plunging assembly is configured to be received within the inner cavity of the outer container, and wherein the first end of the plunging assembly includes a cap having a first pressing surface configured for a user to press the plunging assembly into the inner cavity of the outer container, wherein the pressing surface defines a substantially continuous surface having an area of at least 60% of the cross-sectional area of the outer container; filling the outer container with a liquid to equal to or less than a fill indicator; inserting the second end of the plunging assembly into the first open end of the outer container; and pressing the first pressing surface of the plunging assembly to press the plunging assembly into the inner cavity of the outer container.
20. The method of claim 19, wherein pressing the first pressing surface includes using at least on hand to move the plunging assembly into the first open end of the outer container in a direction along the longitudinal axis of the outer container.
21. The method of claim 19, wherein pressing the first pressing surface of the plunging assembly into the inner cavity of the outer container causes liquid in the inner cavity of the outer container to be filtered.
22. A filtration container assembly, the filtration container assembly comprising: an outer container having a first open end and a second closed end and defining an inner cavity; and a plunging assembly having a first end and a second end, wherein the second end of the plunging assembly is configured to be received within the inner cavity of the outer container, and wherein the first end of the plunging assembly includes a cap having a pivoting handle, the cap and at least a portion of the handle together defining a first pressing surface configured for a user to press the plunging assembly into the inner cavity of the outer container.
23. The filtration container assembly of claim 22, wherein the handle is configured for pivoting movement between a first position and a second position.
24. The filtration container assembly of claim 23, wherein the first position is a retracted position.
25. The filtration container assembly of claim 24, wherein the handle is in the retracted position when is part of the first pressing surface.
26. The filtration container assembly of claim 22, wherein at least a portion of the first pressing surface is substantially planar.
27. The filtration container assembly of claim 22, wherein the cap includes a cap body having a first end and a second end defining a cap body height.
28. The filtration container assembly of claim 27, wherein the handle has a handle body defining a holding portion and a first arm and a second arm, each of the first and second arms pivotably coupled to the cap body, and wherein the handle arms each have a first side and a second side defining a handle arm width.
29. The filtration container assembly of claim 28, wherein the handle arm width is less than or equal to the cap body height.
30. The filtration container assembly of claim 29, wherein the cap body includes first and second lip portions disposed between the first and second ends of the cap body, the first and second lip portions configured to support the second side of each of the first and second handle arms when the handle is in the retracted position.
31. The filtration container assembly of claim 30, wherein the first side of each of the first and second handle arms defines a portion of the first pressing surface.
32. The filtration container assembly of claim 31, wherein the holding portion of the handle body has a first side and a second side defining a holding portion width.
33. The filtration container assembly of claim 32, wherein the first side of the holding portion defines a portion of the first pressing surface.
34. The filtration container assembly of claim 22, wherein the first pressing surface allows for a compression force to be applied to the filtration container assembly along the longitudinal axis of the outer container to press the plunging assembly into the inner cavity of the outer container.
35. The filtration container assembly of claim 34, wherein the outer surface of the second closed end of the outer container defines a second pressing surface of the filtration container assembly.
36. The filtration container assembly of claim 35, wherein at least a portion of the second pressing surface is substantially planar.
37. The filtration container assembly of claim 22, wherein the plunging assembly includes an inner sleeve having a first end and a second end and an outer wall defining an inner bore.
38. The filtration container assembly of claim 37, wherein the outer wall is continuous from the first end to the second end of the inner sleeve.
39. The filtration container assembly of claim 37, wherein the plunging assembly includes a filtration assembly having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of the filtration assembly is at or near the second end of the inner sleeve.
40. The filtration container assembly of claim 39, wherein the first end of the filtration assembly is mechanically coupled to the inner sleeve at or near the second end of the inner sleeve.
41. The filtration container assembly of claim 39, wherein the second end of the filtration assembly is outside the inner bore of the inner sleeve.
42. The filtration container assembly of claim 22, wherein the filtration container assembly further includes a device for releasing pressure from the inner cavity of the outer container when the plunging assembly is received within the inner cavity of the outer container.
43. The filtration container assembly of claim 39, wherein the plunging assembly is configured to filter a liquid contained in the outer container as the plunging assembly is pressed into the inner cavity of the outer container and the liquid moves from the inner cavity of the outer container through the filtration assembly to the inner bore of the inner sleeve of the plunging assembly.
44. The filtration container assembly of claim 22, wherein the cap is removable from the plunging assembly.
45. The filtration container assembly of claim 22, wherein the cap includes an access port to the inner bore of the inner sleeve.
46. The filtration container assembly of claim 22, further comprising retractable handles and/or a bumper cup.
47. A method of filtering a liquid using a filtration container assembly, the method comprising: obtaining a filtration container assembly including an outer container having a first open end and a second closed end and defining an inner cavity, and a plunging assembly having a first end and a second end, wherein the second end of the plunging assembly is configured to be received within the inner cavity of the outer container, and wherein the first end of the plunging assembly includes a cap having a pivoting handle, the cap and the handle together defining a first pressing surface configured for a user to press the plunging assembly into the inner cavity of the outer container; filling the outer container with a liquid to equal to or less than a fill indicator; inserting the second end of the plunging assembly into the first open end of the outer container; and pressing the first pressing surface of the plunging assembly to press the plunging assembly into the inner cavity of the outer container.
48. The method of claim 46, wherein pressing the first pressing surface includes using at least on hand to move the plunging assembly into the first open end of the outer container in a direction along the longitudinal axis of the outer container.
49. The method of claim 46, wherein pressing the first pressing surface of the plunging assembly into the inner cavity of the outer container causes liquid in the inner cavity of the outer container to be filtered.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
[0039] The foregoing aspects and many of the attendant advantages of this disclosure will become more readily appreciated as the same become better understood by reference to the following detailed description, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. To easily identify the discussion of any particular element or act, the most significant digit or digits in a reference number refer to the figure number in which that element is first introduced.
[0040]
[0041]
[0042]
[0043]
[0044]
[0045]
[0046]
[0047]
[0048]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0049] The detailed description set forth below in connection with the appended drawings, where like numerals reference like elements, is intended as a description of various embodiments of the disclosed subject matter and is not intended to represent the only embodiments. Each embodiment described in this disclosure is provided merely as an example or illustration and should not be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments. The illustrative examples provided herein are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosure to the precise forms disclosed. Similarly, any steps described herein may be interchangeable with other steps, or combinations of steps, to achieve the same or substantially similar result.
[0050] In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth to provide a thorough understanding of exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. It will be apparent to one skilled in the art, however, that many embodiments of the present disclosure may be practiced without some or all of the specific details. In some instances, well-known process steps have not been described in detail in order not to unnecessarily obscure various aspects of the present disclosure. Further, it will be appreciated that embodiments of the present disclosure may employ any combination of features described herein.
[0051] Embodiments of the present disclosure are generally directed to filtration container assemblies and methods of use therefor. In the illustrated embodiment of
[0052] Although shown and described as a personal water filtration container assembly, it should be appreciated that other embodiments are within the scope of the present disclosure. For example, a filtration container assembly within the scope of the present disclosure may be configured as a large container, such as a jug, cooler, barrel, or tank, or as a smaller container, such as a bottle or sippy cup. It should be appreciated that larger form factors may use a crank or even an electric motor to achieve the positive pressure value required for filtration.
[0053] Moreover, coffee or tea presses having an inner sleeve and outer container, but which include screen or sieve filters instead of particulate and microbial filters, are within the scope of the present disclosure. In accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure, suitable filters for use in the filtration container assemblies, include, but are not limited to screens, sieve fillers, granular-activated carbon filters, metallic alloy filters, microporous ceramic filters, a carbon block resin filters, electrostatic nanofiber filters, reverse osmosis filters, ion exchange filters, UV light filters, hollow fiber membrane filters, and ultra-filtration membrane filters.
[0054] Any directional references in the present application, such as “up”, “down”, “top”, “bottom”, etc., are intended to describe the embodiments of the present disclosure with reference to the orientations provided in the figures and are not intended to be limiting. The term “substantially” is used herein to include standard engineering and/or manufacturing tolerances.
[0055] Referring to
[0056] The outer container 102 is configured to receive liquid, for example, unpurified or unfiltered tap or water from a natural, untreated source. In that regard, when in use, the outer container 102 may be filled or at least partially filled with liquid. The outer container 102 may be made from any suitable materials designed for holding liquid, for example, suitable plastic and/or metal materials.
[0057] Still referring to
[0058] In the illustrated embodiment, the filtration assembly 108 has a first end 146 and a second end 148, with the first end 146 of the filtration assembly 108 disposed at or near the second open end 134 of the inner sleeve 106 and the second end 148 of the filtration assembly 108 defining the second end 144 of the plunging assembly 104. The first end 146 of the filtration assembly 108 may be mechanically coupled to the inner sleeve 106 at or near the second open end 134 of the inner sleeve 106. In the illustrated embodiment, the first end 146 of the filtration assembly 108 and the second end 134 of the inner sleeve 106 include reciprocal threads for a screw interface. However, other suitable interfaces are also within the scope of the present disclosure.
[0059] In the illustrated embodiment, the filtration assembly 108 is disposed outside the inner bore 138 of the inner sleeve 106. However, in some embodiments, the filtrations assembly 108 may be all or partly disposed within the inner bore 138 of the inner sleeve 106.
[0060] The plunging assembly 104 is configured to move like a piston relative to outer container 102, and therefore, is designed to be received within the outer container 102. Although not required, the inner sleeve 106 may have a substantially consistent cross-sectional area and/or shape along the length of inner sleeve 106. Although shown as a substantially cylindrical outer container 102, it should be appreciated that the outer container 102 may be configured to have any cross-sectional shape, so long as the inner cavity 128 of the outer container 102 and the outer wall 136 of the inner sleeve 106 are capable of nesting together. In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the inner sleeve 106 and filtration assembly 108 when nested are wholly contained within the inner cavity 128 of the outer container 102. In the illustrated embodiment, the inner cavity 128 of the outer container 102 is substantially cylindrical, and the second end 144 (the plunging end) of the plunging assembly 104 is configured to form a seal with the inner cavity 128 of the outer container 102 through the piston movement of the plunging assembly 104 (compare
[0061] The plunging assembly 104 of the illustrated embodiment further includes a cap assembly 110 at its first end 142 (the gripping end) of the plunging assembly 104. Referring to
[0062] The body portion 112 of the cap assembly 110 has a first end 150 and a second end 152 defining a cap body height. In the illustrated embodiment, the spout 116 is located at the first end 150 of the cap assembly 110, and the second end 152 of the cap assembly 110 is configured for interfacing with the first end 132 of the inner sleeve 106. In the illustrated embodiment, the cap assembly 110 and the first end 132 of the inner sleeve 106 include reciprocal threads for a screw interface. However, other suitable interfaces are also within the scope of the present disclosure.
[0063] The body portion 112 further defines a pressing surface 120 (see
[0064] As seen in
[0065] As seen in
[0066] The handle 114 has a handle body 214 defining a holding portion 216 and a first arm 218 and a second arm 220. Each of the first and second arms 218 and 220 are pivotably coupled to the cap body portion 112, for example, by attachment devices, shown as fasteners 222 and 224. The handle first and second arms 218 and 220 each have a first side 226 and a second side 228 defining a handle arm width. The handle arm width is less than or equal to the cap body height.
[0067] The cap body portion 112 includes a first stop. In the illustrated embodiment, the first stop is defined by first and second lip portions 230 and 232 disposed between the first and send ends 148 and 148 of the cap body portion 112. The first and second lip portions 230 and 232 are configured to stop and support the second sides 228 of each of the first and second handle arms 218 and 220 when the handle 114 is in the retracted position.
[0068] In addition, the holding portion 216 of the handle 114 has a first side 234 and a second side 236 defining a holding portion width. The holding portion 216 may be designed and configured such that the first side 234 of the holding portion 216 and the first sides 226 of the first and second handle arms 218 and 220 create a substantially planar surface.
[0069] When the handle 114 is in the extended position, it can be used for carrying the filtration container assembly 100 or for pulling the plunging assembly 104 from the outer container 102. As seen in the illustrated embodiment of
[0070] When the handle 114 is in the retracted position, the pressing surface 120 of the cap body portion 112 and the second sides 228 of the handle arms 218 and 220 rest on the respective lip portions 230 and 232 of the cap body portion 112. The first sides 226 of the handle arms 218 and 220 can be used together define an enhanced (larger) pressing surface configured for a user to press the plunging assembly 104 into the inner cavity 128 of the outer container 102. In addition, the first side 234 of the handle holding portion 216 may also form part of the enhanced (larger) pressing surface configured for a user to press the plunging assembly 104 into the inner cavity 128 of the outer container 102. A large pressing surface 120 allows for ease of use for the user.
[0071] Although the first stop is illustrated as first and second lip portions 230 and 232 disposed between the first and send ends 146 and 148 of the cap body portion 112, the first stop may be designed and configured in other ways to provide support for the handle 114 so that the handle may be used as part of the pressing surface. For example, the first stop may be positioned on the outer container to provide support for the handle 114. In addition, for example, the first stop may provide support to the handle holding portion 216—either in addition to or in lieu of—the handle arms 218 and 220.
[0072] Use of the filtration container assembly 100 will now be described, in greater detail with reference to
[0073] Referring to
[0074] Referring to
[0075] Referring to
[0076] As can be seen in comparing
[0077] Referring now to
[0078] Although the filtration container assembly of the present disclosure is shown and described as using a floating seal for pressure release, it should be appreciated that other methods of pressure release are also within the scope of the present disclosure.
[0079] Referring to
[0080] As seen in
[0081] Other technical features may be readily apparent to one skilled in the art from the following figures, descriptions, and claims. While illustrative embodiments have been illustrated and described, it will be appreciated that various changes can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure.