GB2611025A - Drinking receptacle with disposable water cleaning device - Google Patents

Abstract

A water cleaning component 118 for purification, decontamination, or cleaning of water contained in a drinking vessel (10S – figure 3), comprising a mesh structure 116 and an absorbent medium 130, such that the cleaning component is in direct fluid contact with the water, can freely move within the water and can be removed from the vessel. The vessel may hold between 150 ml and 1 L of water in a single compartment. The adsorbent medium may be between 4 and 6 g of granular material, which may be activated charcoal. The water cleaning component may be 40 mm by 40 mm by 3-5 mm and may comprise two compartments 116a, 116b for two separate adsorbent media 130a, 130b, which may be activated carbon and ion exchange resin. The water cleaning component may be reusable and may comprise a mesh and a body with an opening. Both the body and mesh may be composed of the same material, which may be stainless steel. The apparatus may be used by providing a vessel with a main body and an opening, loading the water cleaning component through the opening and adding water into the vessel, which may be through the opening.

Description

DRINKING RECEPTACLE WITH DISPOSABLE WATER CLEANING DEVICE

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a drinking receptacle, particularly, but not exclusively, to an individual drinking receptacle, such as a bottle or flask; and even more specifically but not exclusively, to such a receptacle containing a disposable water cleaning component. The invention finds advantageous application in the purification, filtration and chemical decontamination of water in quantities typically held within a drinking receptacle such as a bottle and uses a system of disposable water cleaning devices. Aspects of the invention relate to a receptacle; to a water purification and decontamination device; to a system for the provision of purified and/or decontaminated water suitable for drinking; and to a method.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In the UK, water treatment processes are conducted on an industrial or large scale by Water Companies (such as Severn Trent Water and the like). In a water treatment processing plant, raw water, from a source, such as a river or reservoir, is passed through a series of different processes, which may include, for example: coarse filtration (to remove large items and living creatures); clarification (to remove around 90% of particulate matter, algae and bacteria); filtration (to remove remaining particulate matter); activated carbon adsorption (to remove some chemical contaminants); and disinfection (where chlorine is added in a controlled way to prevent bacteria from growing in the distribution system). The water produced should meet UK and European Water Quality standards. These standards cover chemicals, microorganisms and aesthetic qualities such as colour, clarity and taste. The European and UK standards allow for an acceptable concentration of certain chemicals in our drinking water.

Tap water in the UK is considered to be of a high-quality. Many countries around the world do not have a supply of such "clean" water.

Notwithstanding the quality of drinking tap-water available in the UK, additional water purifiers are well known and have become popular. For example, pour-through water-purifying jug systems; such as those available from BRITA allow a user to fill a reservoir of the jug with water, which passes (under influence of gravity) through a cartridge, which "purifies" the water.

The purified water exits the reservoir into the main body of the pitcher, and may then be poured therefrom, providing filtered or purified water for drinking. Purification of water using such devices, refers to the removal of chlorine and other taste impairing substances and some micro-particles (physical contaminants) with a size greater than about 30pm. It will be understood that this "purification" of water using such filters is quite distinct from an industrial water treatment process, which removes a broad range of physical, chemical and biological contaminants from the water.

It is a well-established principle in water filtration and decontamination, that water should be moved through a filtration medium. Typically, the filter medium is static and the water is poured, flowed or pumped through the filtration medium. When the water passes through the filter, contaminants are removed.

In W099/33539 to The Clorox Company (to whom the Brite brand is currently registered), it is discussed in the context of domestic purification devices, that whilst activated carbon and adsorbant materials are very well known for purifying a range of undesirable materials such as chlorine, metals and bacteria, the microbial and chemical removal efficiency deteriorates with continued use of the filter-device. The length of time the filter has been in service is largely determinative of the efficacy of such a device in improving the quality of the treated water. Of significant concern is that it is known that the quality of water after treatment through a filter in which the purification capacity has been exceeded, is often times worse than the quality of the initial untreated water. In other words, if filter medium is not changed regularly, a purification device can become a water contaminator. Much work has been done in this field to increase the usable life of filters. Indeed, in WO '539 a cylindrical water filter cartridge is disclosed which comprises an inlet, an outlet and either a series of layered filter beds or an interspersed filter composition bed, assembled for sequentially or simultaneously treating water. The filter beds comprise Biodac cellulosic granules; adsorbent granules; and carbon-ion exchange resin. The plastic cylindrical cartridges are a substantially sealed unit where access to the filter medium is restricted to the water being flowed, one-way, through the cartridge. The cartridge is intended to purify water and is intended to be replaced, within a frequency of around 4-weekly, once the efficacy has deteriorated.

In US 8167141, again to The Clorox Company, it is further explained that the filter disclosed therein is "gravity-fed" and relies upon water flowing through the carbon block water filter which comprises multiple sub-blocks each comprising filter media walls surrounding and defining a cavity for receiving fluid. Each of the sub-blocks is connected to at least one other of the sub-blocks by filter media of which the filter block is made. In US10178921 a similar principle is used, with a reservoir of tap water being fed through (i.e., filtered) through a static and fixed position filter cartridge that outputs purified water into a separate section of the jug reserved for the purified water.

It is also known to have individual drinking receptacles for water that comprise a medium such as activated carbon or a resin for purification of the water. Again, "purification" is a term that refers to the removal of chlorine and other taste impairing substances and micro-particles (physical contaminants) with a size greater than about 30pm. In such drinking bottles, the activated carbon or resin medium is often permanently or semi-permanently housed within a specific separate compartment within a top portion of the bottle or within a tube of the bottle and the treatment of the water involves the water being poured through the medium. Such drinks bottles are known from, for example, https://www.brita.co.uk/water-filter-system/water-filter-bottles; where a "MicroDisc" is said to "Deliver a pure and fresh taste". The Microdisc is an activated natural carbon made from coconut shells and is said to filter: chlorine and other taste impairing substances; and micro particles 30 pm). The filter is also alleged to preserve minerals: such as calcium (Ca) and magnesium (Mg) which pass through the MicroDisc and remain in the drinking water.

Distinct from such receptacles where the water is filtered by passing through a filter medium that is disposed in a fixed location relative to the water, and which filter medium is intended to be replaced after a period of use (and before it becomes, itself, a source of contamination), the present invention seeks to provide an improvement in the field of purification, cleaning and/or decontamination of water by providing a moveable and removable water cleaning component or device, which has particular advantageous application in the purification, decontamination, or cleaning of water contained in an individual drinking receptacle.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Aspects of the invention provide a water-cleaning component, a drinks bottle, a water-cleaning and drinking system and a method as claimed in the appended claims.

According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a water cleaning component, for the purification, decontamination, or cleaning of water contained in an individual drinking receptacle, the water cleaning component comprising a mesh-structure and an adsorbent medium disposed within the mesh structure, in use, the water cleaning component being disposed within a body of the drinking receptacle and being freely-moveable therein such that the water cleaning component is in direct fluidic contact with water contained within the body of the drinking receptacle and the water cleaning component being readily removable the from body of the drinking receptacle.

The water cleaning component is suitable for use inside a drinking receptacle having a capacity of between about 150m1 and about 1L. The water cleaning component may be used in other sized drinking receptacles.

Optionally, the adsorbent media is provided in granular form.

Optionally, the mesh-structure comprises between about 4g and about 6g of granules of adsorbent media. The mesh-structure may have a first dimension of about 40mm; a second dimension of about 40mm and a third dimension of about 3mm to about 5mm.

Optionally, the mesh-structure comprises at least two separate compartments, each for containing a different type of media and wherein at least one of said different types of media is said adsorbent media. Preferably, the mesh-structure comprises two separate compartments for containing two separate adsorbent media.

Optionally, the water cleaning component is re-usable. The water cleaning component may have a body and a mesh structure. The body may have an openable lid to create an opening through which said adsorbent medium can be deposited into and removed from the body.

Optionally, the body and mesh structure are made of the same material, for example, stainless steel.

Optionally, the adsorbent medium comprises activated carbon.

According to a further aspect of the invention for which protection is sought, there is provided a water cleaning and dispensing system comprising: a drinks receptacle; and a water cleaning component. Optionally the water cleaning component may be as described in the immediately preceding paragraphs relating to water cleaning components. The drinking receptacle may have a main body with an opening and a closure, and the water cleaning component may be fittable into and removable from the main body. The water cleaning component may comprise a mesh-structure and afilter adsorbent medium disposed within the mesh structure. In use, the water cleaning component may be in direct fluidic contact with water contained in the main body of the drinking receptacle.

Optionally, the main body of the drinking receptacle is the only compartment for water and there is no separate compartment for and no separation between, water first filled into the main body; and treated water that has been decontaminated or cleaned by the water cleaning component.

According to yet an even further aspect of the invention for which protection is sought, there is provided a method of decontaminating and/or purifying water comprising the steps of: (i) providing a drinking receptacle having a main body with an opening; 00 loading into the main body of the drinking receptacle, through said opening, a water cleaning component according to any of the preceding paragraphs relating to water cleaning components; and (hi) before or after step (ii) adding water into the main body of the drinking receptacle.

Optionally, said step (iii) of adding water into the main body comprises adding water through said opening.

Within the scope of this application, it is expressly intended that the various aspects, embodiments, examples and alternatives set out in the preceding paragraphs, in the claims and/or in the following description and drawings, and in particular the individual features thereof, may be taken independently or in any combination. That is, all embodiments and/or features of any embodiment can be combined in any way and/or combination, unless such features are incompatible. The applicant reserves the right to change any originally filed claim or file any new claim accordingly, including the right to amend any originally filed claim to depend from and/or incorporate any feature of any other claim although not originally claimed in that manner.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: FIGURE 1 is schematic view of a drinking receptacle, such as a screw-top bottle; FIGURE 2A is a front view of a disposable mesh structure for forming a water cleaning component according to an embodiment of the invention; FIGURE 2B is a side or end-view of the water cleaning component of Figure 2A; FIGURE 2C is a front view of a water cleaning component comprising the mesh structure of Figures 2A and 2B partially filled with a cleaning medium; FIGURE 3 is schematic view of the screw-top bottle drinking receptacle of Figure 1, wherein a main body of the drinking receptacle contains water and contains the water cleaning component of Figure 2C. It is also illustrated that the water cleaning component is moveable within the water; FIGURE 3B is schematic view of the screw-top bottle drinking receptacle of Figure 3, with the screw-closure now removed, with most of the water drained therefrom, and with the moveable water cleaning component of Figure 2C being tipped out through the opening of the drinking receptacle and removed therefrom; FIGURE 4A is a front view of a dual-section disposable mesh structure for forming a water cleaning component according to an embodiment of the invention; FIGURE 4B is a side or end-view of the water cleaning component of Figure 4A; FIGURE 4C is a front view of a water cleaning component comprising the mesh structure of Figures 4A and 4B partially filled with two different types of cleaning medium for removing two different types of impurity; FIGURE 5 is schematic view of the screw-top bottle drinking receptacle of Figure 1, containing water and containing the water cleaning component of Figure 4C. It is also shown that the water cleaning component is freely moveable within the single body of water held within the receptacle; FIGURE 6 is a perspective view of a reusable mesh structure for forming a water cleaning component according to an embodiment of the invention; FIGURE 7 is a perspective view of the reusable mesh structure of Figure 6 partially filled with a cleaning medium and forming a water cleaning component; a heap of loose granules of a 20 water cleaning medium according to various embodiments is also shown; and FIGURE 8 is schematic view of the screw-top bottle drinking receptacle of Figure 1, containing water and the water cleaning component of Figure 7 and showing the water cleaning component being moveable within the water.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Detailed descriptions of specific embodiments of the receptacle; water purification and decontamination component; system for the provision of purified and/or decontaminated water suitable for drinking; and methods of the present invention are disclosed herein. It will be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely examples of the way in which certain aspects of the invention can be implemented and do not represent an exhaustive list of all of the ways the invention may be embodied. Indeed, it will be understood that the receptacles; water purification and decontamination components; systems for the provision of purified and/or decontaminated water suitable for drinking; and methods described herein may be embodied in various and alternative forms. The Figures are not necessarily to scale and some features may be exaggerated or minimised to show details of particular components. Well-known components, materials or methods are not necessarily described in great detail in order to avoid obscuring the present disclosure. Any specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the invention.

In the embodiments detailed herein, the term drinking receptacle refers, for the non-limiting purpose of illustrating the various features of the invention, to a container for holding, and/or dispensing water, such as a bottle or flask. It is contemplated that the teachings of the invention can be applied to various receptacles, which may or may not be tapered and/or cylindrical. Exemplary containers include bottles (for example metallic, glass, ceramic or plastics), cans (for example aluminium cans), tins, pouches, cartons and the like, that may or may not be recloseable. Preferably, the drinking receptacle may be recloseable or re-sealable, but it is envisaged that disposable water cleaning components of the present invention could be added to a non-recloseable drinking receptacle, such as but not limited to a can, carton or pouch. In such embodiments, the disposable water cleaning component of the present invention may already be provided into the non-recloseable drinking receptacle. Alternatively, an opening may be provided, for example the opening through which the drink (water or flavoured water) contained therein is dispensed; or an openable portion may be provided which is sufficiently large that the disposable water cleaning component of the present invention can be placed in contact with the water or water-based drink contained therein. It is envisaged that for practical purposes many drinking receptacles according to the present disclosure will be recloseable. Where this is the case, it will be recognised that the recloseable mechanism may take a variety of formats, styles, types and configurations, such as but not limited to: a screw-threaded-cap; a valve-type drinking dispenser; a bung, plug, cork or other suitable stopper; a flip-top, no-spill straw, hinged or other style straw, tube dispenser; and push-pull or other valved-mouth-piece dispenser.

The drinking receptacle may be formed from a variety of suitable materials or combination of materials such as glass, metal, ceramic, coated-paperboard, plastic, EPA-free plastic, combinations thereof, and the like that may be recycled and/or recyclable. The drinking receptacle may be reusable, recloseable, and/or recyclable. The drinking receptacle may be rigid and hard; or may be substantially squeezable and flexible. The drinking receptacle may be dishwasher-durable, impact resistant and/or securely lockable to prevent leakage particularly during transportation or carrying of the drinking receptacle.

The drinking receptacle may be a simple structure or may be provided with additional details and features or combination of features, such as but not limited to: ergonomic gripping or handling regions which may be shaped, formed or textured to improve a user's grasp; a handle or strap to assist with holding or carrying; an attachment means to assist with coupling the receptacle to a bag, bike or other accessory or piece of equipment; a light; a removable outer-sleeve; and/or an insulating or cooling feature.

Referring to Figure 1, there is shown a drinking receptacle 10 in the form of a recloseable bottle 14. The bottle 14 is empty and closed, optionally using a screw-threaded stopper 12 (also referred to as closure 12). The bottle 14 has one opening which serves for: filling the bottle with water; emptying the bottle during drinking, cleaning and replenishing; adding a disposable water cleaning component 16; and removing a disposable water cleaning component 16. In other envisaged embodiments optionally, separate openings may be provided for drinking and for adding a disposable water cleaning component 16.

Referring to Figure 2A, there is shown a front view of a mesh structure 16 for forming a water cleaning component 16a according to a first illustrated embodiment. The water cleaning component 16a is optionally disposable and is intended to be disposed in or suspended within water 20 contained in the drinking receptacle 10S (see Figure 3). The water cleaning component 16a may be in the form of a meshed structure 16, optionally having a sealed edge portion 18, which contains a filtration or cleaning medium 30. The meshed structure 16 may take a variety of shapes, structures and sizes, though in the illustrated embodiment shown in Figure 2A, it can be seen that the water cleaning component 16a is produced as a generally square-shaped soft, meshed, bag 16. The meshed bag 16 has an outer seam 18 and is sized to receive a sufficient amount of cleaning medium 30. For example, for a drinking receptacle 10S with a capacity of between about 150m1 and about 500m1, the amount of cleaning medium 30 that may be contained in the soft, meshed, bag structure 16 may be between about 4g and about 6g by weight or about 4m1 to about 6m1 by volume. The mesh structure 16 is similar to a variety of well-known teabags. The grade of the mesh may be similar to well known tea bags. The overall size and shape of the mesh structure 16 may be similar to a variety of well-known teabags. The capacity of the mesh structure 16 may be similar to a variety of well-known teabags. However, unlike teabags, the water cleaning component 16a taught herein is provided with a cleaning medium 30 that extracts contaminants and/or impurities from the water 20.

Any suitable material may be used for the meshed structure 16. In Figure 2A, the meshed structure 16 is a paper-based material, that is compostable and/or recyclable. In other embodiments other suitable materials, or combinations of materials may be used including: plastics material, silicone, metal (including steel, aluminium, and silver, as meshed cages or incorporating perforated or meshed foils), and coated or uncoated paper.

In contrast to existing water purifying bottles and reservoir jugs, the water cleaning component 16a taught herein is disposed within and in direct fluidic contact with the water 20 being treated and there is no controlled flow between "untreated", "impurified", "raw", "in-feed", or "tap-water" on the one-hand and "treated", "purified", "cleaned", "outfeed" water on the other. As shown in Figure 3, the water cleaning component 16a is moveable within the water 20 as it is being cleaned, decontaminated or purified. The water cleaning component 16a may be placed into an empty bottle 10S and water 20 filled onto it; or, the water cleaning component 16a may be placed into a bottle 105 after it has been filled and become submerged subsequent to the filling. The water cleaning component 16a may need to be in contact with the water 20 for a sufficient time for effective decontamination or purification to occur; however, this is not a considerable amount of time and may be dependent upon the concentration and type of contaminants that are to be removed within the water-cleaning component 16a and/or the volume of water held within the receptacle 105.

In the first illustrated embodiment, the medium 30 within the water cleaning component 16a is a single type of adsorbent medium 30. It is well known to use certain adsorbent materials to extract certain contaminants. An adsorbent granule or adsorbent medium is a chemically inert material that has a low absorbency, and which may reduce the concentration of a particular chemical, such as metal, from the purified water by the process of adsorption. The removed contaminant quickly becomes strongly bonded within the matrix of the medium 30 by the process of adsorption in to the surface layer and is not released back into the water 20 being cleaned. As shown in Figure 3, the water cleaning component 16a can move within the bottle 14, and can move within the treated water 20 with the medium 30 being contained by the mesh structure 16. The mesh structure 16 optionally has dimensions (x, y and z) as indicated in Figures 2A and 2B of about 40mm, about 40mm, and 3mm respectively. The mesh structure 16 optionally comprises in the region of 4g of medium 30.

Optionally, the medium is provided in a granular-type form such that small discrete particles of the medium 30 are held within the mesh structure 16. The grade of the mesh being sufficiently small to contain the size of particles or crystals in the granular medium 30. However, it is envisaged that the medium 30 may not be granular and may be provided in a mesh structure 16 as one or a small number of larger lumps, balls or chunks of cleaning medium 30. The mesh structure 16 allows sufficient contact between the cleaning medium 30 and the water 20 for the removal (or extraction) of contaminants from the water 20.

It has been discovered by the present inventor that is it not necessary to have the water being cleaned or purified to be controllably flowed, pumped, or trickled uni-directionally (one-way) through a static filter medium and yet for the treated water to nevertheless have the concentration of contaminants or impurities reduced to a beneficial level. Therefore, a volume of water for drinking can be purified, further cleaned, or even decontaminated, quickly, efficiently and with particularly harmful chemicals (metals) extracted therefrom easily and repeatedly. The concern over potentially harmful degradation of a static filter cartridge that is used over and over and over again, is overcome. A single water cleaning component 16a is used which is removable and replaceable daily or per re-fill as required. A single water cleaning component 16a can effectively clean a greater volume of water than that typically contained within a 500m1 to 750m1 drinks bottle, such that with the filtration method and system taught herein, a user can empty and refill their water bottle throughout the day, and only then at the end of the day discard the water cleaning component 16a (which can be disposed of safely and easily, possibly by composting) after it has efficaciously purified a plurality of volumes of water held in the drinks bottle 10S throughout the day. As such, the water cleaning component 16a may be a daily-use item, which can provide safer, cleaner and/or better tasting drinking water from which certain contaminants and/or impurities have been removed without any concern as to the continued quality and efficacy of the water cleaning component 16.

Referring now to Figures 4 to 8 additional embodiments of the water cleaning component 118, 218 of the present disclosure are shown.

In a second embodiment, there is shown a system wherein the mesh structure 116 is divided into two sections: a first section 116a; and a second section 116b. A first medium 130a is contained in the first section 116a; and a second medium 130b is contained in the second section 116b. A combination of two different cleaning or purification mediums 130a, 130b allows for the removal of a wider range of contaminants, particulates or metals. In the illustrated example, the first medium is an activated carbon based medium 130a for the removal of taste impairing substances such as disinfectants (such as chlorine) and other trace contaminants, for example hormones, pesticides and herbicides; and the second medium may be an ion exchange resin 130b for the removal of (some) Calcium and/or Magnesium, which can be found in "Hard water".

The water cleaning component 116' may be used once for one cycle of water filled into the drinking bottle 1005; or alternatively, the water cleaning component 116' may be repeatedly used throughout a day. The water cleaning component 116' may be disposable, optionally, may be compostable, and is very easily removable. In Figure 5, the water cleaning component 116' is shown suspended within the bottle 1005, circulating freely within the water 20 being treated thus alleviating the need for a complex static cartridge assembly and one-way flow system and alleviating the concerns associated with the use of contaminated filters. Where the cleaning media 130a, 130b are adsorbant media that significant movement of the water cleaning component 116' within the body of water 20 being purified may not be necessary. However, it is expected that even for relatively impure water, where some agitation may be required, a shale of the bottle for a small period of time may be sufficient. Additionally, or alternatively, as a user of the bottle goes about their daily routine and moves about from home to work place to leisure place and so on, carrying the bottle 1005 with them, that an inherent amount of movement and agitation of the water 20 and water cleaning component 116' will simply occur.

Turning to Figures 6 to 8, there is shown a third embodiment, in which a re-usable water cleaning component 216 has a body 218 and a mesh structure 216a. The body 218 and mesh structure 216a may be made of the same material, or may be made from a combination of materials. In the present illustrated example, the body 218 and mesh structure 216a are made from stainless steel. The body 218 has an openable lid to create an opening into which medium 230 (see Figure 7) can be deposited and securely contained. The water cleaning component 216 can then be dropped into a bottle 14 containing water 20 such that the water cleaning component 216 can move in the water 20 as shown in the clean-water drinking system 2005 of Figure 8. Dependent upon the size and weight of the water cleaning component 216, it may drop to the bottom of the bottle, however, the precise location of the water cleaning component 216 within the water 20 may not significantly negatively-affect the effectiveness of the medium 230 in extracting contaminants from the water 20. Contaminants can still be removed be being adsorbed into the cleaning media 230 contained within the water cleaning component 216.

It can be appreciated that various changes may be made within the scope of the present invention, for example, in other embodiments of the invention it is envisaged that the water cleaning component may take variety of shapes, sizes and formats and may contain range of medium; including only containing only a single medium; containing a mixed medium; and containing more than one medium in separate compartments or sections. The number of compartments or sections may be greater than two. Additionally, or alternatively, a mix or combination of cleaning media may be provided within a single mesh structure 16 and may not need to be separated by, for example, a first section 116a; and a second section 116b.

The daily-use, (or short-term-use) readily removable water cleaning component that is disposed within the same region of the receptacle as the cleaned, treated, water may be used in conjunction with bottled water; such that a user removes the lid from a purchased bottle of water; inserts a water cleaning component into a main body of the bottle of water and optionally replaces the lid whilst awaiting a short, decontamination or cleaning period, for example 15 minutes. It is envisaged that shorter or longer time periods may be required in dependence on the level (concentration) of contamination within the water; and the volume of water in the bottle. Accordingly, 5 minutes may be sufficient. Furthermore, whereas it may be beneficial to agitate the water cleaning component when container within the bottled water; if the water cleaning component merely rests at the bottom of the bottle and is not agitated, the water cleaning component will, nevertheless, decontaminate the water by adsorption of contaminant chemicals by the adsorbent media.

It is preferred that the cleaning medium 30, 230 or cleaning media 130a, 130b, comprises at least one adsorbent material whether in the form of granules, crystals, single or multiple lumps or chunks, held within a meshed structure. Additionally, the cleaning medium or cleaning media may comprise a mixture of different types of adsorbents, whether held in a single meshed structure or within separate meshed structures (for example 116a, 116b). The drinking receptacle and/or the water cleaning component may also comprise other materials, for example antibacterial agents, such as silver and/or a U.V. light.

Claims (17)

1. CLAIMSA water cleaning component, for the purification, decontamination, or cleaning of water contained in an individual drinking receptacle, the water cleaning component comprising a mesh-structure and an adsorbent medium disposed within and contained by the mesh structure, in use, the water cleaning component being disposed within a body of the drinking receptacle and being freely-moveable therein such that the water cleaning component is in direct fluidic contact with water contained within the body of the drinking receptacle and such that the water cleaning component is readily removable the from body of the drinking receptacle.
2. The water cleaning component according to claim 1 for use inside a drinking receptacle having a capacity of between about 150m1 and about IL.
3. 3. The water cleaning component according to any preceding claim wherein the adsorbent media is provided in granular form.
4. 4. The water cleaning component according to any preceding claim wherein the mesh-structure comprises between about 4g and about 6g of granules of adsorbent media.
5. The water cleaning component according to any preceding claim 4 wherein the mesh-structure has a first dimension of about 40mm; a second dimension of about 40mm and a third dimension of about 3mm to about 5mm.
6. 6. The water cleaning component according to any preceding claim wherein the mesh-structure comprises at least two separate compartments, each for containing a different type of media and wherein at least one of said different types of media is said adsorbent media.
7. 7. The water cleaning component according to claim 6 wherein the mesh-structure comprises two separate compartments for containing two separate cleaning or purification media.
8. 8. The water cleaning component according to claims 6 or 7 wherein, said at least two separate compartments comprises a first compartment and a second compartment, and wherein the first compartment comprises activated carbon; and wherein the second compartment comprises an amount of ion-exchange resin.
9. 9. The water cleaning component according to any of claims 1 to 4 wherein, the water cleaning component is re-usable.
10. 10. The water cleaning component according to claim 9 wherein the water cleaning component has a body and a mesh structure; and wherein the body has an openable lid to create an opening through which said adsorbent medium can be deposited into and removed from the body.
11. 11. The water cleaning component according to claim 10, wherein the body and mesh structure are made of the same material.
12. 12. The water cleaning component according to claim 11, wherein the body and mesh structure are made are made from stainless steel.
13. 13. The water cleaning component according to any preceding claim wherein the adsorbent medium comprises activated carbon.
14. 14. A water cleaning and dispensing system comprising: a drinks receptacle; and a water cleaning component, optionally according to any of claims 1 to 13, the drinking receptacle having a main body with an opening and a closure, and the water cleaning component being finable into and removable from the main body, the water cleaning component comprising a mesh-structure and adsorbent media disposed within the mesh structure, in use, the water cleaning component being in direct fluidic contact with water contained in the main body of the drinking receptacle.
15. 15. A water cleaning and dispensing system according to claim 14 wherein the main body of the drinking receptacle is the only compartment for water and there is no separate compartment for and no separation between, water first filled into the main body; and treated water that has been decontaminated or cleaned by the water cleaning component.
16. 16. A method of decontaminating and/or purifying water comprising the steps of: (i) providing a drinking receptacle having a main body with an opening; (ii) loading into the main body of the drinking receptacle, through said opening, a water cleaning component according to any of claims 1 to 13; is (iii) before or after step (ii) adding water into the main body of the drinking receptacle.
17. 17. A method of decontaminating and/or purifying water according to claim 16, wherein said step (iii) of adding water into the main body comprises adding water through said opening.