Integrated water filter and container

Abstract

A portable vessel for fluids has an integrated filtration system. A pressing assembly fitted to the vessel includes a stopper, a rod having a top end and a filtration assembly. A vessel top receives the pressing assembly such that the rod of the pressing assembly is slidably attached to a bearing of the vessel top. A gasket attached to the filtration element maintains a seal between the inner surface of the vessel and an outer perimeter of the filtration assembly and the orientation of the rod is maintained by the gasket and the bearing. In use, pressure applied to the pressing assembly drives the filtration assembly through the vessel causing water to be filtered as it passes through the filter element.

1 . A container for storing drinking fluids, the container having an integrated filtration system, wherein the container comprises:
 a substantially cylindrical vessel that has an inner surface, an outer surface and an opening;   a pressing assembly that includes
 a stopper, 
 a filtration assembly, and 
 a rod having a top end that is attached to the stopper and a bottom end that is releasably attached to the filtration assembly; and 
   a vessel top configured to receive the pressing assembly such that the rod of the pressing assembly is slidably attached to a bearing of the vessel top,   wherein:
 the container is a pitcher; 
 the filtration assembly comprises a chamber that receives a filtration element and a gasket that maintains a seal between the inner surface of the vessel and an outer perimeter of the filtration assembly; 
 the orientation of the rod within the vessel is controlled by the gasket and by the bearing; and 
 a contaminant present in the water stored in the vessel is reduced when the pressing assembly is forced through the vessel. 
   
     
     
         2 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the vessel top has a first opening that mates with the opening of the vessel and the vessel top has a second opening that is narrower than the first opening, and wherein the second opening receives the stopper when the pressing assembly has traversed a predetermined length of the vessel. 
     
     
         3 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the filtration element comprises activated carbon. 
     
     
         4 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the filtration assembly receives one or more pods that add a substance to water filtered by the filtration element when the pressing assembly is forced through the vessel. 
     
     
         5 . The container of  claim 4 , wherein the one or more pods includes a pod that adds a fruit essence to the water filtered by the filtration element. 
     
     
         6 . The container of  claim 4 , wherein the one or more pods includes a pod that adds a nutrient to the water filtered by the filtration element. 
     
     
         7 . The container of  claim 6 , wherein the nutrient comprises a mineral. 
     
     
         8 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein water filtered by the filtration element when the pressing assembly is forced through the vessel meets NSF/ANSI Standard 42. 
     
     
         9 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein water filtered by the filtration element when the pressing assembly is forced through the vessel meets NSF/ANSI Standard 53. 
     
     
         10 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the stopper includes a valve operated by a ring, wherein the ring rotates about an axis of the bottle between a first and second position, wherein the valve is closed when the ring is in the first position and open when the ring is in the second position and wherein the ring is used to operate the pressing assembly when oriented in the first position. 
     
     
         11 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the gasket comprises one or more of a chevron packing seal and an O ring. 
     
     
         12 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the gasket comprises an element having a plurality of fins. 
     
     
         13 . The container of  claim 12 , wherein the gasket comprises one or more of a U ring and a V ring. 
     
     
         14 - 15 . (canceled) 
     
     
         16 . The container of  claim 12 , wherein the gasket is selected to withstand a hydrostatic force of at least 5 pounds per square inch. 
     
     
         17 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the gasket is selected to withstand a hydrostatic force of at least 25 pounds per square inch. 
     
     
         18 - 20 . (canceled)