Water container

Abstract

A jerrycan comprises a container housing having four sidewalls, a base and a top. The jerrycan includes a manual pump unit and a water filter cartridge disposed within the housing, together with an externally mounted tap coupled to the water filter cartridge. A carrying handle is integrally formed with the top. When constructed the jerrycan is sealed and is both water- and air-tight. The container housing includes at least one internal brace member consisting of a hollow tube integral with the sidewalls.

1 . A jerrycan for holding water, the jerrycan comprising:
 a container housing for holding water having at least one internal brace member coupled between opposing sidewall portions of the walls of the container to resist deformation of the container housing, the at least one internal brace member consisting of a hollow tube which is integral to the sidewall portions of the walls of the container;   a base having a plurality of flat feet with pitched portions therebetween;   a water filter that extends into the container housing;   an output valve coupled to the water filter; and,   means for establishing a pressure differential across the walls of the container housing,   wherein the water filter comprises one or more membranes which are effective to pass water in preference to air under the influence of the pressure differential.   
     
     
         2 . A jerrycan according to  claim 1 , in which the container has a capacity of between 5 and 20 litres. 
     
     
         3 . A jerrycan according to  claim 1 , in which the container housing is made from water grade high-density polyethylene (HDPE). 
     
     
         4 . (canceled) 
     
     
         5 . A jerrycan according to  claim 1 , in which one or more sidewalls of the container housing comprise a pattern of indentations to provide enhanced structural rigidity at selected locations, thereby to resist deformation of the sidewalls when under load. 
     
     
         6 . A jerrycan according to  claim 5 , in which the indentations are configured to provide channels for receiving strapping applied, in use, around the circumference of the container. 
     
     
         7 . (canceled) 
     
     
         8 . A jerrycan according to  claim 6 , in which one or more of the sidewalls and top wall has pitched portions to resist deformation. 
     
     
         9 . A jerrycan according to  claim 1 , in which the means for establishing a pressure differential comprises a pump. 
     
     
         10 . A jerrycan according to  claim 9 , in which the pump is removable to facilitate refilling of the container housing. 
     
     
         11 . A jerrycan according to  claim 1 , in which the container comprises a pressure valve for connection to a separate source of pressurised gas. 
     
     
         12 . A jerrycan according to  claim 1 , further comprising a pressure regulator. 
     
     
         13 . A jerrycan according to  claim 1 , in which the output valve comprises a tap. 
     
     
         14 . A jerrycan according to  claim 13 , in which the tap has an external spout that is angled downwards to promote the flow of any water remaining in the spout after the tap has been closed. 
     
     
         15 . A jerrycan according to  claim 1 , in which the water filter is adapted to remove all particles of a size greater than 0.01 microns, and preferably greater than 0.001 microns. 
     
     
         16 . A jerrycan according to  claim 1 , in which the water filter comprises at least one hydrophilic membrane. 
     
     
         17 . A jerrycan according to  claim 16 , in which the at least one membrane is a capillary hollow fibre membrane. 
     
     
         18 . A jerrycan according to  claim 16 , in which the filter lies substantially along the entire depth of the container housing, ensuring that any water is in contact with the membranes when the housing is in an upright position 
     
     
         19 . A jerrycan according to  claim 1 , in which the water filter is a removable cartridge. 
     
     
         20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . (canceled) 
     
     
         22 . A jerrycan according to  claim 1 , in which the hollow tube has a fluted profile. 
     
     
         23 . A jerrycan according to  claim 22 , in which the container has a capacity of between 5 and 20 litres. 
     
     
         24 . A jerrycan according to  claim 17 , in which the filter lies substantially along the entire depth of the container housing, ensuring that any water is in contact with the membranes when the housing is in an upright position.