Solar water pasteurizer

摘要

In accordance with the present invention, there are provided solar water pasteurizers that are portable, efficient, inexpensive and easy to use. In its simplest form, the solar pasteurizer includes a transparent container such as a bag or envelope that contains at least one energy converting structure and has sufficient insulation to enable heating water to a temperature of at least 65° C. (and preferably to a temperature of at least 70° C.) for a time sufficient to achieve pasteurization (at 65-70° C., a period of only about 6 minutes is required for pasteurization). Invention solar pasteurizers are particularly useful for pasteurizing water. In additional embodiments, invention solar pasteurizers include additional features, such as, for example, a water pasteurization indicator, and a receptacle for retaining same within the invention container. In accordance with another embodiment of the invention, there are provided methods for pasteurizing water employing solar pasteurizers described herein, as well as kits suitable to convert any transparent water tight container into a solar water pasteurizer.

主权项

1. A solar water pasteurizer comprising:
a flexible water-tight resealable container,
wherein said container comprises a top and a bottom,wherein said bottom comprises at least one resealable opening,wherein said resealable opening comprises at least one water-tight spout with a mating resealable cap,wherein one or more reuseable temperature indicators for indicating the temperature history of the water contained in said container are positioned within said resealable cap,wherein said one or more reuseable temperature indicator(s) is(are) a glass tube(s) containing wax therein that melts at pasteurization temperatures, andwherein said glass tube(s) is(are) maintained in position within said resealable cap by insertion thereof within an out-of-round receptacle therefor; one or more energy converting structures therein, as an integral part of said container, a first insulation structure on the top of said container,
wherein said first insulation structure comprises a matrix containing a plurality of substantially air-tight structures having gas contained therein, andwherein said first insulation structure contains one or more vents in the matrix between said plurality of substantially air-tight structures for releasing moisture that would otherwise collect on the underside of said first insulation structure, and a second insulation structure on the bottom of said container, wherein said second insulation structure is selected from a matrix containing a plurality of substantially airtight structures having gas contained therein, closed cell foam or open cell foam,
wherein said insulation structures collectively are sufficient to enable said pasteurizer to achieve water temperatures of at least 65° C., andwherein said insulation structures are an integral part of said container.