Water bagging system

Abstract

A water bagging system ( 1 ) comprising a trailer-mounted weatherproof enclosure ( 10 ) containing a compartmentalized automatic bag filling machine ( 40 ) feeding in a string of pre-manufactured water bags out of their carton, a pump/compressor assembly ( 4 ) for pumping potable water in from an external potable source such as a TWPS, water tank or hydrant, a filtration and sterilization assembly for filtering and sterilizing the water by a combination of mechanical, carbon, UV and a filling machine sanitization system consisting of a water ozonator ( 48 ) and an air ozonator ( 44 ). The system is hardened against the harshest environments by a surrounding tent enclosure ( 2 ), and a filtered air supply ( 5 ) that over-pressures the system ( 1 ) to keep dust and sand out. The system ( 1 ) is capable of producing a high-volume of water bags within a range of commercial and specialty sizes, and the water remains stable for prolonged periods without bacterial growth and degradation of taste and odor.

1 . A water bagging system, comprising:
 an enclosure;   a bag filling machine mounted within said enclosure and connected thereto via a plurality of multi-directional shock mounts;   a supply pump/compressor for pumping water and compressed air to said bag filling machine;   a dual media carbon filter coupled between said supply pump and bag filling machine for removing bacteria and chlorine from water pumped in by said supply pump;   an ultra-violet (UV) light sterilizer coupled between said carbon filter and bag filling machine for water quality assurance;   a HEPA filtered air blower connected to said enclosure for providing a positive flow of dust and bacteria free air through said bag filling machine, said HEPA filtered air blower adapted to overpressurize said enclosure to at least a few mBar greater than ambient pressure outside said enclosure;   an air ozonator in communication with said HEPA filtered air system for periodic sanitization of the bag filling machine external surfaces; and   a water ozonator coupled between said UV light sterilizer and bag filling machine for periodic sanitization of the bag filling machine during a clean-in-place cycle;   a bypass valve coupled in parallel with said water ozonator for selectively diverting water around the water ozonator during a normal bag-filling cycle;   whereby said water bagging system provides a controlled protected environment for the bag filling machine despite harsh ambient conditions and assures the reliable production of filled water bags having an extended shelf life.   
     
     
         2 . The water bagging system according to  claim 1 , further comprising a two-wheeled trailer upon which said enclosure is mounted. 
     
     
         3 . The water bagging system according to  claim 2 , wherein said enclosure comprises a hardshell weatherproof enclosure. 
     
     
         4 . The water bagging system according to  claim 3 , further comprising a tent conjoined to said enclosure. 
     
     
         5 . (canceled) 
     
     
         6 . The water bagging system according to  claim 1 , wherein said dual media carbon filter comprises at least one filter cannister comprising a fabric mesh filter surrounding activated charcoal. 
     
     
         7 . The water bagging system according to  claim 6 , wherein said dual media carbon filter comprises a plurality of filter cannisters. 
     
     
         8 . (canceled) 
     
     
         9 . The water bagging system according to  claim 1 , further comprising a water mixing/heating tank having an inlet in fluid communication with said supply pump/compressor, said water mixing/heating tank being coupled in a closed-loop recirculation path with said bag filling machine for recirculating hot water there through for periodic sanitize-in-place (SIP) sterilization of said bag filling machine. 
     
     
         10 . (canceled) 
     
     
         11 . A water bagging system, comprising:
 a trailer-mounted weatherproof enclosure;   an automatic bag filling machine   an external HEPA filtered air supply for providing a filtered air supply into said enclosure and filling machine, said HEPA filtered air supply being adapted to overpressurize said enclosure to at least a few mBar greater than ambient pressure outside said enclosure;   an automatic bag feeding assembly within the filling machine for feeding in a string of pre-manufactured empty bags;   a pumping assembly for pumping potable water in from an external potable water source;   a filtration and sterilization assembly for filtering and sterilizing said water, said filtration and sterilization assembly including,
 a carbon filter incorporating a mesh pre-filter; 
 a UV light sterilization unit; 
 a first ozone generator for the supply of ozonated water for periodic sanitization of the filling machine during clean-in-place operation; 
 a bypass valve coupled in parallel with said first ozone generator for selectively diverting water around the water ozonator during normal bag-filling operation; and 
   a second ozone generator in fluid communication with said enclosure for the supply of ozonated air therein for periodic sanitization of the external surfaces of the filling machine.   
     
     
         12 . The water bagging system according to  claim 11 , wherein said enclosure comprises a hardshell weatherproof enclosure. 
     
     
         13 . The water bagging system according to  claim 12 , further comprising a tent conjoined to said enclosure. 
     
     
         14 . (canceled) 
     
     
         15 . The water bagging system according to  claim 11 , wherein said carbon filter comprises at least one filter cannister including a fabric mesh filter surrounding activated charcoal. 
     
     
         16 . The water bagging system according to  claim 15 , wherein said at least one carbon filter comprises a plurality of filter cannisters. 
     
     
         17 . (canceled) 
     
     
         18 . The water bagging system according to  claim 11 , further comprising a water mixing/heating tank in fluid communication with said pumping assembly. 
     
     
         19 . The water bagging system according to  claim 18 , wherein said water mixing/heating tank selectively recirculates water through said system to provide periodic sanitize-in-place (SIP) sanitization of water passages with heated water. 
     
     
         20 . A water bagging system, comprising:
 a trailer-mounted weatherproof enclosure;   an automatic bag filling machine mounted inside said trailer-mounted weatherproof enclosure;   a forced-air supply comprising a filtered blower unit located remotely from said enclosure and connected in fluid communication there with;   a inlet for potable water from an external potable water source;   a filtration and sterilization assembly mounted inside said trailer-mounted weatherproof enclosure and in fluid communication with said inlet for filtering and sterilizing water there from, said filtration and sterilization assembly including,
 a dual-media filter, 
 a UV light sterilization unit, and 
 a first ozone generator for supplying ozone to said water for periodic sanitization of the automatic bag filling machine, 
 a bypass valve coupled in parallel with said first ozone generator for selectively diverting water around said first ozone generator during normal bag-filling operation; and 
 a second ozone generator for the supply of ozonated air for periodic sanitization of external surfaces of the automatic bag filling machine. 
   
     
     
         21 . The water bagging system according to  claim 20 , further comprising a water mixing/heating tank in fluid communication with said filtration and sterilization assembly. 
     
     
         22 . The water bagging system according to  claim 21 , wherein said water mixing/heating tank selectively recirculates water through said system to provide periodic sanitize-in-place (SIP) sanitization of water passages with heated water.