초록 ▼

A container for removing particulates and/or contaminants, including impure compounds and elements from fluid to be treated is provided. The container can include a compartment within which a volume of fluid to be treated may be received, a chamber into which a volume of treated fluid from the comp

A container for removing particulates and/or contaminants, including impure compounds and elements from fluid to be treated is provided. The container can include a compartment within which a volume of fluid to be treated may be received, a chamber into which a volume of treated fluid from the compartment may be accommodated, a cover for placement across an upper end of the container, so as to prevent fluid from within the chamber from spilling, and a porous matrix, positioned within the compartment and having a nanostructured adsorption material for trapping and retaining, within its pores, particles and contaminants in the fluid. A method for removing particulates and contaminants is also provided.

대표청구항 ▼

What is claimed is: 1. A container for purification of fluid, the container comprising: a chamber into which treated fluid may be accommodated; a compartment for receiving fluid to be treated and being positioned within the chamber against a wall of the container to permit draining of the treated f

What is claimed is: 1. A container for purification of fluid, the container comprising: a chamber into which treated fluid may be accommodated; a compartment for receiving fluid to be treated and being positioned within the chamber against a wall of the container to permit draining of the treated fluid into the chamber; and a porous matrix being positioned within the compartment having a contact surface, having a plurality of nanoscale pores dispersed therein, and an impermeable surface such that fluid having particulates and/or contaminants coming into contact with the contact surface of the matrix flows back out along the same surface of the matrix substantially without the particulates and contaminants. 2. A container as set forth in claim 1, wherein the compartment includes an outlet end through which treated fluid drains into the chamber. 3. A container as set forth in claim 2, wherein the outlet end permits the fluid to remain within the compartment for a period of time sufficient for treatment prior to draining into the chamber. 4. A container as set forth in claim 2, wherein the outlet end includes at least one opening sufficiently sized to permit the fluid to remain within the compartment for a period of time sufficient for treatment prior to draining into the chamber. 5. A container as set forth in claim 1, wherein the compartment tapers from its inlet end towards its outlet end, so as to facilitate migration of fluid from within the compartment towards the outlet end. 6. A container as set forth in claim 1, wherein the compartment is removable positioned against the wall of the container. 7. A container as set in claim 1, wherein the nanoscale pores of the porous matrix are dispersed between the fluid contact surface across which fluid may flow and the substantially impermeable surface. 8. A container as set forth in claim 1, wherein the plurality of nanoscaled pores within the porous matrix have sizes ranging from about 1 nm to about 100 nm. 9. A container as set forth in claim 1, wherein the plurality of nanoscaled pores are arranged in distinct layers according to range of size. 10. A container as set forth in claim 1, wherein the porous matrix includes within the pores of the matrix one of silver, silver compound, copper, zinc, ferric oxide or a combination thereof, so as to minimize microbial growth, aid in the killing of microorganisms and viruses, or aid in the removal of inorganic contaminants within the matrix. 11. A container as set forth in claim 1, wherein the matrix is positioned against walls of the compartment with the surface across which fluid flows exposed to the fluid within the compartment. 12. A container as set forth in claim 1, wherein the matrix is embedded within walls of the compartment with the surface across which fluid flows exposed to the fluid within the compartment. 13. A container as set forth in claim 1, wherein the matrix comprises a loose mass of macro particles within the compartment, the macro particles having a fluid impermeable core and a contact surface with nanoscaled pores. 14. A container as set forth in claim 13, wherein placement of the macro particles within the compartment provides a plurality of channels between adjacent particles to permit fluid to flow therethrough and against the contact surface of the particles. 15. A container as set forth in claim 1, further including, across its upper end, a lid to minimize spilling of fluid from within the chamber. 16. A container as set forth in claim 15, wherein the lid includes a movable cover positioned substantially over a location at which the compartment is situated within the chamber to facilitate pouring of fluid into the compartment. 17. A container as set forth in claim 1, further including a sensor for detecting the amount of particulates removed from the fluid. 18. A container as set forth in claim 1, further including a sensor for warning the user when the porous matrix approaches its capacity to trap and retain particulates therein. 19. A container for purification of fluid, the container comprising: a chamber into which treated fluid may be accommodated; a compartment for receiving fluid to be treated and being positioned within the chamber against a wall of the container to permit draining of treated fluid into the chamber; and a porous matrix being positioned within the compartment and having a plurality of nanoscaled pores dispersed therein, such that fluid having particulates and/or contaminants coming into contact with one surface of the matrix flows back out along the same surface of the matrix substantially without the particulates and contaminants; wherein the matrix comprises a block having: a plurality of channels extending from one end of the block to an opposite end, so that fluid in the compartment can flow therethrough; a contact surface provided circumferentially along each channel to against which fluid in the channels can flow; a plurality of nanoscaled pores extending into the block and away from the surface to entrap and retain particulates and contaminants within the pores; and an impermeable core in an area between any two adjacent channels to prevent fluid from flowing from one channel to an adjacent channel. 20. A container as set forth in claim 19, wherein the number of channels may vary so as to provide the block with a porosity ranging from about 10 percent to about 90 percent. 21. A method for purification of a fluid, the method comprising: providing a compartment within which fluid to be treated may be received; placing, within the compartment, a porous matrix having a plurality of nanoscaled pores dispersed between a fluid contact surface and a fluid impermeable surface, such that fluid having particulates and/or contaminants flowing across the fluid contact surface of the matrix flows back out along the same fluid contact surface of the matrix substantially without the particulates and/or contaminants; aligning a chamber with the compartment; introducing fluid to be treated into the compartment; facilitate fluid flow across the fluid contact surface of the porous matrix and into the pores, so as to allow particulates and/or contaminants in the fluid to be trapped within the pores; and allowing the treated fluid to be drained from the compartment into the chamber. 22. A method as set forth in claim 21, further including determining the amount of particulates and/or contaminants removed from the fluid. 23. A method as set forth in claim 21, further including notifying the user when the porous matrix approaches its capacity for trapping and retaining particulates and/or contaminants therein. 24. A method as set forth in claim 21, further including replacing the porous matrix when the matrix approaches its capacity for trapping and retaining particulates and/or contaminants therein. 25. A method as set forth in claim 21, further disposing the compartment along with the porous matrix when the matrix approaches its capacity for trapping and retaining particulates and/or contaminants therein. 26. A kit for use in removing particulates from a fluid, the kit comprising: a compartment capable of being positioned against a wall of a container, the compartment being designed to received therein fluid to be treated; and a porous matrix for placement within the compartment, the matrix having a plurality of nanoscaled pores dispersed between a fluid contact surface and a fluid impermeable surface, such that fluid having particulates and/or contaminants flowing across the fluid contact surface of the matrix flows back out along the same fluid contact surface of the matrix substantially without the particulates and/or contaminants. 27. A kit as set forth in claim 26, wherein the matrix comprises a sheet. 28. A kit as set forth in claim 26, wherein the matrix comprises a loose mass of macro particles, each macro particles having a fluid impermeable core and a contact surface with nanoscaled pores. 29. A kit as set forth in claim 26, wherein the matrix comprises block having: a plurality of channels extending from one end of the block to an opposite end, so that fluid in the compartment can flow therethrough; a plurality of nanoscaled pores extending into the block and away from a surface of each channel; and an impermeable core in an area between any two adjacent channels. 30. A porous matrix for purification of a fluid, the matrix comprising: a loose mass of macro particles, each having a fluid impermeable core and a contact surface with nanoscaled pores. a plurality of channels between adjacent particles, when the particles are packed against one another, to permit fluid to flow therethrough and against the contact surface of the particles, such that fluid having particulates and/or contaminants coming into contact with one surface of a particle flows back out along the same surface of the particle substantially without the particulates and contaminants. 31. A porous matrix for purification of a fluid, the matrix comprising: a plurality of channels extending from one end of a block to an opposite end, so that fluid in a compartment within which the block is positioned can flow therethrough; a contact surface provided circumferentially along each channel against which fluid in the channels can flow; a plurality of nanoscaled pores extending into the block and away from the surface to entrap and retain particulates and contaminants within the pores; and an impermeable core in an area between any two adjacent channels to prevent fluid from flowing from one channel to an adjacent channel.