Emergency Drinking Water Storage Device

Abstract

The present invention relates to collection and storage drinking water, e.g. as a step in disaster preparedness. The invention relates to emergency preparedness kits comprising a food-grade bladder composed of thin plastic film for covering the inside surface of a bathtub to provide a barrier between the surface of the bathtub and drinking water contained therein, and for enclosing the contained water.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A device for storing fresh water inside of a bathtub, the device comprising:
 a flexible bladder liner;
 the flexible bladder liner taking on a shape of the bathtub when the flexible bladder is filled with water; 
 the flexible bladder liner surrounding the fresh water on all sides; 
 the flexible bladder liner including a plurality of seams;
 the plurality of seams allowing the flexible bladder liner to fold to fit into a box, while also allowing the flexible bladder liner to expand to fit the shape of the bathtub when the bladder liner is filled with fresh water; 
 
 a first aperture through the flexible bladder liner; 
 a second aperture through the flexible bladder liner; 
 a pump affixed to the first aperture; 
 a cap affixed to the second aperture; 
 whereby the flexible bladder liner is filled with fresh water prior to a time of emergency, thus preserving fresh water for drinking in an event of a water shortage. 
   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a universal adapter formed from a flexible tube;
 the flexible tube open at a first end, and terminated with a fitting at a second end; 
 the first end to be held over a faucet of the bathtub; 
 the second end to be affixed to the second aperture in place of the cap; 
   whereby the first end of the universal adapter is passed over the faucet, guiding fresh water into the flexible bladder.   
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 2 , further comprising a hose clamp to hold the flexible tube around the faucet. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a siphon pump formed from:
 an intake line; 
 a collar; 
 a pump bulb; 
 a release valve; 
 an outlet tube; 
   whereby squeezing the pump bulb pushes water through the outlet tube, and releasing the pump bulb draws fresh water into the outlet tube, thereby filling the flexible bladder liner.   
     
     
         5 . A water storage device for use storing water within a bathtub, the device comprising:
 a bladder liner;
 the bladder liner fully enclosing the water; 
 the bladder liner formed from a flexible material, the flexible material permitting the bladder liner to be collapsed for shipment and storage, and then expanded for use; 
 the bladder liner expanding and changing shape when filled with water, the changed shape fitting the shape of the bathtub; 
 the bladder liner collapsing when water is removed, thereby reducing a need to intake air, and thus reducing a possibility of contamination; 
   a first penetration through the flexible material of the bladder liner;   a second penetration through the flexible material of the bladder liner;   a pump affixed to the first penetration;   a cap affixed to the second penetration;   whereby the bladder is filled with water prior to a time of emergency, thus preserving water for drinking in an event of a water shortage.   
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 5 , further comprising:
 a universal adapter formed from a flexible tube;
 the flexible tube open at a first end; 
 the flexible tube terminated with a fitting at a second end; 
 the first end to be held over a faucet of the bathtub; 
 the fitting of the second end to be affixed to the second penetration in place of the cap; 
   whereby the first end of the universal adapter is passed over the faucet, guiding water into the bladder liner.   
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 6 , further comprising a hose clamp to hold the flexible tube around the faucet. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 5 , wherein the pump is formed from:
 an intake line;   a collar;   a pump bulb;   a release valve; and   an outlet tube;   whereby squeezing the pump bulb pushes water through the outlet tube, and releasing the pump bulb draws water into the outlet tube, thereby filling the bladder liner.   
     
     
         9 . A method of storing water for an emergency comprising the steps of:
 removing a bladder liner from a box, the bladder liner having no rigid panels, the bladder liner comprising:
 a flexible material, the flexible material permitting the bladder liner to be collapsed for shipment and storage and later expanded for use; 
 the bladder liner changing shape when filled with water, the changed shape fitting a shape of a bathtub; 
 the bladder liner including a plurality of seams, the plurality of seams allowing the bladder liner to fold to fit into the box, while also allowing the bladder liner to expand to fit the shape of the bathtub when the bladder liner is filled with water; 
 a first penetration through the bladder liner; 
 a second penetration through the bladder liner; 
   placing the bladder liner into the bathtub;   filling the bladder liner using a universal adapter that channels water from a faucet to the first penetration, the universal adapter comprising:
 a flexible tube;
 the flexible tube open at a first end, and terminated with a fitting at a second end; 
 the first end to be held over the faucet of the bathtub; 
 the second end to be affixed to the second penetration in place of a cap; 
 
   after filling the bladder, removing the flexible tube and placing the cap over the first penetration to protect the water from contamination.   
     
     
         10 . The method of storing water for the emergency of  claim 9 , further comprising the step of:
 inserting a pump through the second penetration, the pump comprising:
 an intake line; 
 a collar; 
 a pump bulb; 
 a release valve; and 
 an outlet tube; 
   operating the pump to remove water from the bladder liner.