Patent US4133754A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4133754A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Water purification device
Assignee: Lever Brothers Co
•
Filing: 1977-06-13
•
Granted: 1979-01-09
•
Expires: 1997-06-13
Abstract
Abstract A device for the purification of water and methods for the use thereof are disclosed. The device comprises a closed container substantially porous to water, a purification agent contained therein and an ingredient dispersed in the purification agent for the purpose of inhibiting fine particles of the agent from escaping the container when the device is immersed in water. The disclosed inhibitory ingredients include certain modified starches, wood flour and aluminium lanolate soap. The device is especially useful in removing incipient impurities from drinking water that can elude customary water treatment and render drinking water organoleptically unsatisfactory.
Inventors
- 👤 Barbara H. Bory
- 👤 Alan B. Kessler
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 07:19
CPC Classifications
C; C02; C02F; C02F1/00; C02F1/68; C02F1/685; C02F1/28
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 21
Claim 1
Independent Claim
312 words
A water purification device comprising: (a) a closed container, wherein at least one functional surface of said container is a porous to water non-woven fabric wherein said fabric has a weight of about 150 to 650 grains/yd 2 , a porosity of at about 100 cfm/ft 2 to about 800 cfm/ft 2 , a dry machine direction grab tensile strength of at least 3 pounds/linear inch, a dry cross direction grab tensile strength of at least 2 pounds/linear inch, a wet machine direction grab tensile strength of at least 1 pound/linear inch, and a wet cross direction grab tensile strength of at least 0.75 pounds/linear inch; (b) an amount, sufficient to treat said water of granular activated carbon contained in said container; and (c) an ingredient that will inhibit the migration of fine particles of said carbon through said fabric when said device is immersed in water, wherein said ingredient is compatible to the particle size distribution of said carbon and is dispersed therein, in an amount sufficient to inhibit the migration of fine particles of said carbon through said porous fabric when said device is immersed in water and wherein said ingredient will not normally adversely affect the palatability of said water wherein said ingredient is selected from the group consisting of: (a) a pregelatinized, pH modified epichlorohydrin cross-linked tapioca starch having a gross swelling power of about 16 measured after thirty minutes, a pH of about 6, and a predominant mesh size of about 20 to 100 mesh, (b) a pH modified, epichlorohydrin cross-linked corn starch having a gross swelling power of about 13 measured after forty-five minutes, a pH of about 6, and a predominant mesh size of about 12 to 100 mesh, (c) a substantially pure aluminum lanolate soap in the form of free-flowing particles having a predominant mesh size of about 40 mesh, and (d) combinations thereof.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
312 words
A water purification device comprising: (a) a closed container, wherein at least one functional surface of said container is a porous to water non-woven fabric wherein said fabric has a weight of about 150 to 650 grains/yd 2 , a porosity of at about 100 cfm/ft 2 to about 800 cfm/ft 2 , a dry machine direction grab tensile strength of at least 3 pounds/linear inch, a dry cross direction grab tensile strength of at least 2 pounds/linear inch, a wet machine direction grab tensile strength of at least 1 pound/linear inch, and a wet cross direction grab tensile strength of at least 0.75 pounds/linear inch; (b) an amount, sufficient to treat said water of granular activated carbon contained in said container; and (c) an ingredient that will inhibit the migration of fine particles of said carbon through said fabric when said device is immersed in water, wherein said ingredient is compatible to the particle size distribution of said carbon and is dispersed therein, in an amount sufficient to inhibit the migration of fine particles of said carbon through said porous fabric when said device is immersed in water and wherein said ingredient will not normally adversely affect the palatability of said water wherein said ingredient is selected from the group consisting of: (a) a pregelatinized, pH modified epichlorohydrin cross-linked tapioca starch having a gross swelling power of about 16 measured after thirty minutes, a pH of about 6, and a predominant mesh size of about 20 to 100 mesh, (b) a pH modified, epichlorohydrin cross-linked corn starch having a gross swelling power of about 13 measured after forty-five minutes, a pH of about 6, and a predominant mesh size of about 12 to 100 mesh, (c) a substantially pure aluminum lanolate soap in the form of free-flowing particles having a predominant mesh size of about 40 mesh, and (d) combinations thereof.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
A device according to claim 1 wherein said device is a bag wherein said bag has at least one compartment and is substantially constructed from said porous non-woven fabric.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
A device according to claim 2 further comprising an appendage extending from said container to facilitate the suspension of said device in, and retrieval of said device from said water.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
104 words
A device according to claim 1 wherein said device is in the form of a teabag wherein said bag contains a volume of about 0.5 to 1.5 cubic inches, wherein said fabric has (a) a weight of at least 500 grains/yd 2 , (b) a dry machine direction grab tensile strength of at least about 10 pounds/linear inch, (c) a dry cross direction grab tensile strength of at least about 6.5 pounds/linear inch, (d) a wet machine direction grab tensile strength of at least about 3 pounds/linear inch, and (e) a wet cross direction grab tensile strength of at least about 2 pounds/linear inch.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
110 words
A device according to claim 4 wherein, (a) said granular activated carbon has a particle size distribution having no more than about 5 percent of said particles larger than about 4 mesh and no more than about 5 percent of said particles smaller than about 12 mesh, (b) said ingredient is a pH modified, epichlorohydrin cross-linked corn starch having a gross swelling power of about 13 measured after forty-five minutes, a pH of about 6, and a predominant mesh size of about 12 to 100 mesh and, (c) said ingredient is present in a mixture with said carbon in a weight ratio of at least about 1:2 starch to carbon.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
110 words
A device according to claim 4 wherein, (a) said granular activated carbon has a particle size distribution having no more than about 5 percent of said particles larger than about 8 mesh and no more than about 5 percent of said particles smaller than about 20 mesh, (b) said ingredient is a pH modified, epichlorohydrin cross-linked corn starch having a gross swelling power of about 13 measured after forty-five minutes, a pH of about 6, and a predominant mesh size of about 12 to 100 mesh, and (c) said ingredient is present in a mixture with said carbon is a weight ratio of at least about 1:2 starch to carbon.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
110 words
A device according to claim 4 wherein, (a) said granular activated carbon has a particle size distribution having no more than about 10 percent of said particles larger than about 20 mesh and no more than about 3 percent of said particles smaller than about 50 mesh, (b) said ingredient is a pH modified, epichlorohydrin cross-linked corn starch having a gross swelling power of about 13 measured after forty-five minutes, a pH of about 6, and a predominant mesh size of about 12 to 100 mesh, and (c) said ingredient is present in a mixture with said carbon in a weight ratio of at least about 1:2 starch to carbon.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
109 words
A device according to claim 4 wherein, (a) said granular activated carbon has a particle size distribution having no more than about 10 percent of said particles larger than 20 mesh and no more than about 3 percent of said particles smaller than about 50 mesh, (b) said ingredient is a pregelatinizied, pH modified, epichlorohydrin cross-linked tapioca starch having a gross swelling power of about 16 measured after thirty minutes, a pH of about 6 and a predominant mesh size of about 20 to 100 mesh, and (c) said ingredient is present in a mixture with said carbon in a weight ratio of at least 1:3 starch to carbon.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
107 words
A device according to claim 4 wherein, (a) said granular activated carbon has a particle size distribution having no more than about 5 percent of said particles larger than 4 mesh and no more than 5 percent of said particles smaller than about 12 mesh, (b) said ingredient is a pregelatinized pH modified, epichlorohydrin cross-linked tapioca starch having a gross swelling of about 16 measured after thirty minutes, a pH of about 6 and a predominant mesh size of about 20 to 100 mesh, and (c) said ingredient is present in a mixture with said carbon in a weight ratio of at least 1:2 starch to carbon.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
108 words
A device according to claim 4 wherein, (a) said granular activated carbon has a particle size distribution having no more than about 5 percent of said particles larger than 12 mesh and no more than 5 percent of said particles smaller than about 20 mesh, (b) said ingredient is a pregelatinized, pH modified, epichlorohydrin cross-linked tapioca starch having a gross swelling power of about 16 measured after thirty minutes, a pH of about 6 and a predominant mesh size of about 20 to 100 mesh, and (c) said ingredient is present in a mixture with said carbon in a weight ratio of at least 1:2 starch to carbon.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
107 words
A device according to claim 4 wherein, (a) said granular activated carbon has a particle size distribution having no more than about 5 percent of said particles larger than 12 mesh and no more than 5 percent of said particles smaller than about 40 mesh, (b) said ingredient is a pregelatinized pH modified, epichlorohydrin cross-linked tapioca starch having a gross swelling of about 16 measured after thirty minutes, a pH of about 6 and a predominant mesh size of about 20 to 100 mesh, and (c) said ingredient is present in a mixture with said carbon in a weight ratio of at least 1:2 starch to carbon.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
107 words
A device according to claim 4 wherein, (a) said granular activated carbon has a particle size distribution having no more than about 10 percent of said particles larger than 14 mesh and no more than 10 percent of said particles smaller than about 60 mesh, (b) said ingredient is a pregelatinized pH modified, epichlorohydrin cross-linked tapioca starch having a gross swelling of about 16 measured after thirty minutes, a pH of about 6 and a predominant mesh size of about 20 to 100 mesh, and (c) said ingredient is present in a mixture with said carbon in a weight ratio of at least 1:1 starch to carbon.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
107 words
A device according to claim 4 wherein, (a) said granular activated carbon has a particle size distribution having no more than about 5 percent of said particles larger than 20 mesh and no more than 5 percent of said particles smaller than about 40 mesh, (b) said ingredient is a pregelatinzied pH modified, epichlorohydrin cross-linked tapioca starch having a gross swelling of about 16 measured after thirty minutes, a pH of about 6 and a predominant mesh size of about 20 to 100 mesh, and (c) said ingredient is present in a mixture with said carbon in a weight ratio of at least 1:2 starch to carbon.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
75 words
A device according to claim 4 wherein, (a) said granular activated carbon has a particle size distribution having: i) no more than about 10 percent of said particles larger than 8 mesh and no more than 10 percent of said particles smaller than 20 mesh, (b) said ingredient is wood flour, and (c) said ingredient is present in a mixture with said carbon in a weight ratio of at least 1:3 wood flour to carbon.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method of treating drinking water to remove impurities therefrom comprising immersing the device of claim 1 in said water for a period of time sufficient to remove said impurities.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method of treating drinking water to remove impurities therefrom comprising immersing the device of claim 2 in said water for a period of time sufficient to remove said impurities.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method of treating drinking water to remove impurities therefrom comprising immersing the device of claim 7 in said water for a period of time sufficient to remove said impurities.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
269 words
A device for removing certain impurities from water comprising: (a) a closed container, wherein at least one functional surface of said container is a porous to water non-woven fabric wherein said fabric has a weight of about 500 grains/yd 2 a porosity of at about 100 cfm/ft 2 to about 800 cfm/ft 2 a dry machine direction grab tensile strength of about 10.6 pounds/linear inch, a dry cross direction grab tensile strength of at least 2 pounds/linear inch, a wet machine direction grab tensile strength of about 3.5 pounds/linear inch, and a wet cross direction grab tensile strength of at least 0.75 pounds/linear inch; (b) an amount, sufficient to treat said water of an activated carbon contained in said container, wherein said carbon is characterized by a screen size range of about ______________________________________
on 20 mesh 10 percent
through 20 mesh
on 30 mesh 25 to 65 percent
through 30 mesh
on 40 mesh 20 to 40 percent
through 40 mesh
on 50 mesh 5 to 20 percent
through 50 mesh 3 percent maximum
______________________________________ a Phenol Number of about 135 mg/g dry carbon, an Iodine Number of about 900 mg/g carbon, and an apparent density of about 0.50 to 0.55 grams per ml; and (c) a pregelatinized pH modified epichlorohydrin cross-linked tapioca starch having a gross swelling power of about 16 (measured after 30 minutes), a pH of about 6 and a predominant mesh size of about 20 to 100 mesh dispersed therein, in an amount sufficient to inhibit the migration of fine particles of said agent through said porous paper when said device is immersed in water.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
269 words
A device for removing certain impurities from water comprising: (a) a closed container, wherein at least one functional surface of said container is a porous to water non-woven fabric wherein said fabric has a weight of about 500 grains/yd 2 a porosity of at about 100 cfm/ft 2 to about 800 cfm/ft 2 a dry machine direction grab tensile strength of about 10.6 pounds/linear inch, a dry cross direction grab tensile strength of at least 2 pounds/linear inch, a wet machine direction grab tensile strength of about 3.5 pounds/linear inch, and a wet cross direction grab tensile strength of at least 0.75 pounds/linear inch; (b) an amount, sufficient to treat said water of an activated carbon contained in said container, wherein said carbon is characterized by a screen size range of about ______________________________________
on 20 mesh 10 percent
through 20 mesh
on 30 mesh 25 to 65 percent
through 30 mesh
on 40 mesh 20 to 40 percent
through 40 mesh
on 50 mesh 5 to 20 percent
through 50 mesh 3 percent maximum
______________________________________ a Phenol Number of about 135 mg/g dry carbon, an Iodine Number of about 900 mg/g carbon, and an apparent density of about 0.50 to 0.55 grams per ml; and (c) a pregelatinized pH modified epichlorohydrin cross-linked tapioca starch having a gross swelling power of about 16 (measured after 30 minutes), a pH of about 6 and a predominant mesh size of about 20 to 100 mesh dispersed therein, in an amount sufficient to inhibit the migration of fine particles of said agent through said porous paper when said device is immersed in water.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method of treating drinking water to remove impurities therefrom comprising immersing the device of claim 17 in said water for a period of time sufficient to remove said impurities.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US1162244A
Cited
US2214925A
Cited
US3183096A
Cited
US3327859A
Cited
DE2362860A1
Cited
US4039444A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1982-01-08 | 1982-07-10 | 1983-01-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1986-01-08 | 1986-07-10 | 1987-01-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1990-01-08 | 1990-07-10 | 1991-01-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |