US20120192524A1

US20120192524A1 - Water bagging system

Info

Publication number: US20120192524A1
Application number: US13/500,150
Authority: US
Inventors: Rick Streett; Rich Riddle
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2009-10-05
Filing date: 2010-10-05
Publication date: 2012-08-02
Also published as: WO2011044143A1

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.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Technical Field
The present invention generally relates to liquid food and beverage packaging systems and, more particularly, to a field-portable tactical hardened water packaging system for high-volume packaging of potable water bags in harsh field environments for military troops and emergency workers.
2. Background Art
Until recently the principal method of providing water by the military for the individual war fighter has been bottled water that is trucked to the areas of deployment. In 2004 the cost of this water delivered in Iraq and Afghanistan exceeded $150,000,000. Although this cost is considerable, the exposure of convoys to improvised explosive devices (IEDs) is a more critical consideration. Currently, tactical potable water in bulk is supplied by the 1500 TWPS (1500 Gallon per Hour Tactical Water Purification Units) and the LWPS (Light Weight Water Purifier) which produces 125 GPH. These units are compact and highly mobile for forward support of ground forces. Canteen use has largely been eliminated due to the need to maintain high levels of chlorine in the drinking water to assure that the canteens do not become contaminated. The high levels of chlorine render the water undesirable for drinking.
Sealed single-use containers would eliminate the need for chlorine. For this and other logistical reasons there are significant advantages to using single use containers in the field. The U.S. Army evaluated a form, fill and seal system to mold bottles and bottle water at the water point in Iraq. It was large, complex and not very tactical. A system to fill water bags offers the possibility of being much simpler, highly mobile and quick to set up for operation.
General Packaging and Equipment has supplied their Model 70LCM water bagging machine to the Canadian Army and to the U.S. Army for specific immediate needs including operations in the Balkans and Africa. It is configured on a frame that is approximately 6 feet wide by 6 feet high by 10 feet long. The machine and its support equipment are mounted within a one side expandable 8′×8′×20″ ISO container modified to provide an air conditioned protective shelter. The equipment includes a form-fill and seal machine that takes flat plastic sheets with the water outlet already sealed into the sheet from a roll, folds it and heat seals the bottom and side, fills the bag through the open top and then heat seals the top. A 30-kilowatt generator is required. Water treatment includes filtration, de-chlorination and re-chlorination. It can produce approximately 25 one-liter bags of water per minute. Also, it has the capability to produce 5-liter and 15-liter bags of water. This system takes several hours to be set up for operation and requires a truck for mobility. Although this system is field proven, it has not been procured and introduced as a standard system within the military water supply network of equipment.
Several active-duty and Army National Guard light infantry units have been testing 6-gallon water bags developed by local contractors. Both 1-liter and 6-gallon bags already have been used successfully at the Joint Readiness Training Center (JRTC). The ultimate benefit of these water bags is the flexibility they provide for supporting soldiers in the field. The appeal of packaged water is not limited to military operations. Water bags can also serve families and small groups of people or relief organizations during floods, tornadoes, other natural disasters, and emergency situations. Seattle developed and procured several “Emergency Water Provisioning Systems” that utilize puncture seal bags and manual self service filling with multiple stations for disaster relief. The system is shipped to location in a wooden shipping box. Each system consists of a generator, a tent, a table, chairs, a 3,500-gallon water storage unit called a blivet, and dispensing/pumping system that enables the users to dispense water into individual six-quart bags.
A variety of analogous commercial filling machines exist for fluid-filling of bags. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,283,901 to Schieser et al. (Liqui-Box Corporation) issued Aug. 18, 1981 shows a continuous rotary machine for uncapping, filling and recapping flexible bags having separable caps. This is a continuous motion rotary turret type machine with a plurality of filler heads. As the turret rotates continuously, an individual bag spout is partially inserted into the approaching filler head. The filler head removes the cap, fills the bag, and then replaces the cap.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,810,059 to Rutter et al. (Packaging Systems, Inc.) issued Sep. 22, 1998 shows a dual channel bag filling machine with a clean in place system that cleans one channel while the other continues to fill bags.
Japan Patent Application No. JP8169402 published Jul. 2, 1996 shows a portable form, fill and seal machine for drinking water bags, which can be carried to the vicinity of a water source or the center of a stricken area regardless of road conditions.
The Air Water™ Bagging Machine is a portable form, fill and seal machine for emergency deployment. Water is extracted from the air and is packaged into Water Pouches that can be easily transported and distributed to locals.
A simpler and much more tactical approach is to fill preformed bags with a compact integrated system incorporating water treatment, environmental control without air conditioning and a modified commercial filling machine with routine automatic sanitization of external and internal surfaces. A light-weight compact system that can be deployed on a High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle (HMMWV or Humvee) trailer would provide excellent tactical mobility in support of forward area operations as well as disaster and humanitarian relief.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a compact, light-weight conditioned environment for the successful utilization of a commercial bag filling machine to provide bagged potable water under harsh military and disaster relief environmental conditions. These conditions include transportation shocks and off-road vibration, blowing rain, humidity, and high temperatures, blowing sand and dust and stressful conditions for the operators. Additional advantages, objects, and features of the invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows and in part will become apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art upon examination of the following or may be learned from practice of the invention.
The invention disclosed herein achieves this and other objects by combining a compact sheltering enclosure encompassing a filling machine on multi-directional shock mounts and the support equipment; a supply pump, manifolded dual media carbon filters to remove bacteria and chlorine, an ultra-violet (UV) light sterilizer for water quality assurance; a HEPA filtered air system to provide positive flow of dust and bacteria free air through the filling machine and the support equipment area; an air ozonator for periodic sanitization of the filling machine external surfaces; a water ozonator for the periodic sanitization; and a hot water generation sub-system that provides a water heating cycle for sterilization of the filling machine water system. Taken together in combination these features provide a protected environment for the filling machine and assure the reliable production of filled water bags having an extended shelf life.
More specifically, a water bagging system is disclosed that comprises a trailer-mounted weatherproof enclosure containing a compartmentalized automatic bag filling machine for infeed and filling a string of pre-manufactured empty bags out of their carton and for discharging discrete filled water bags into a chute, a pumping assembly for pumping potable water in from an external source of potable water such as a TWPS, or municipal water supply, a filtration and sanitization assembly for filtering and sanitizing the water by a combination of filter media, carbon filtration, UV and heat sterilization, a filling machine sanitization system incorporating both an air ozonator and a water ozonator for periodic sanitization of the filling machine; and a HEPA filtered air system to provide a positive flow of purified air through the filling machine. A deployable curbside tent enclosure envelops the side and rear of the system, providing a further level of protection from blowing sand, dust and rain. The trailer-mounted enclosure includes storage for several components removed at setup, including the tent enclosure and a diesel-powered generator for supplying power to the system, a pump/compressor assembly for supplying pressurized water and air, and a receiving bin for catching filled water bags. The system is capable of operator-initiated daily sanitization of the filling machine external surfaces with ozonated air from an ozone generator mounted to the inside of the filling machine. It also includes an operator initiated daily sanitization of the filling machine water system with source water that is ozonated by drawing ozonated air into the water from a second ozone generator. For long term storage and commissioning subsequent to long term storage, the system employs an integral hot water generation sub-system to sterilize all of the plumbing within the enclosure. The system is capable of producing a high-volume of filled water bags per hour and of doing so with a range of commercial water bag sizes. Due to the heightened filtration/sterilization, the water in the bags remains stable for over 45 days exposed to sun and high temperatures without the need to add chlorine to the water as it is bagged.
It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description of the present invention are exemplary and explanatory and are intended to provide further explanation of the invention as claimed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

Other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments and certain modifications thereof when taken together with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a roadside-front perspective view of a water bagging system 1 according to the present invention in a deployed configuration.

FIG. 2 is a curbside-front perspective view of the water bagging system 1 as in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a roadside-rear perspective view of the system 1 with rear access doors, and tent enclosure removed for clarity.

FIG. 4 is a roadside side perspective view of the system enclosure 2 with side panels and roof removed for clarity.

FIG. 5 is a curbside side perspective view of the system enclosure 2 with side panels and roof removed for clarity.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the filling and capping station 40 inclusive of the roller assembly 42 and vinyl strip curtain 45.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Reference will now be made in detail to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts.
The present invention is a field-portable tactical water bagging system capable of drawing water from a TWPS or other potable water source, applying secondary filtering and UV-sterilization, and of auto-feeding empty water bags from a shipping box of pre-manufactured water bags (pre-equipped with fitments) placed proximate the system, for producing filled and sealed water bags for distribution. Specifically, the design and components used in the invention provide a compact energy efficient controlled environment for a commercial automatic bag filling machine that allows it to operate without problems in the harsh military and disaster relief environments.
FIG. 1 is a roadside-top perspective view of a water bagging system 1 according to the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a curbside-top perspective view, both in a deployed configuration. The system 1 generally includes a weatherproof outer enclosure 10 mounted atop a two-wheeled trailer 30. Trailer 30 has a bed size of only 91″ long×56″ wide and a payload of 2760 lb. The trailer 30 is preferably a Light Tactical Trailer (LTT) constructed to military specification M1102-MCC, such as model M1102 available from Schutt Industries of Clintonville, Wis. This particular trailer employs a single axle torsion-spring suspension and was designed to be towed by the military fleet of High-Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicles (HMMWVs), thereby allowing the entire system 1 to be transported by a single HMMWV.
During transport a variety of components are stowed inside an on-board storage compartment 11 (shown in FIG. 4) and, upon deployment as seen in FIGS. 1 & 2, are removed and setup around the trailer 30 for bagging operation. These stowable components include a dual-compartment tent enclosure 2 that attaches to the curbside (left) and rear of the system 1 as shown, one diesel-powered 2 kW generator 3 for supplying power to the system 1, a receiving bin 6 for catching filled water bags, and a source water pump/compressor assembly 4 with various source water fittings and hoses. The generator 3 affords self-contained electric power generation, and may be any suitable diesel-powered generator preferably rated for 2 kW. The system 1 is alternately operable from 120 VAC or 24 VDC external sources. The generator 3 and/or external power sources are plugged into a receptacle located on panels 12 on the roadside (right) of the system 1.
Potable water will typically be supplied to the system from an external water distribution tank, and to inlet connection 13 (FIG. 2) through the source water pump/compressor assembly 4 and its associated hoses and fittings. The water pump/compressor assembly 4 is a diesel-powered portable water pump and air compressor combination unit that is powered by the same model engine that powers the generator. Alternatively, pressurized potable water may be supplied directly to the system water inlet connection 13.
As best seen in FIG. 2, a shipping box 7 containing a ribbon string of manufacturer-supplied water bags (with fitments) is placed proximate the system enclosure 10 on the curbside. The enclosure 10 opens at a bag entrance area 14 on the curbside to an automatic filling machine 40 mounted internally for auto-feeding empty water bags from shipping box 7 into the filling machine 40. Bulk water bags are readily available in a variety of sizes ranging from 35 fl. oz. (1 Liter) to 350 fl. oz. (10 Liter) bags with fitments provided for attachment to drinking tubes. The water bags are supplied in bulk ribbon form with adjacent bags separable by perforated tear-lines or the like. Given manual feeding of the first bag of the string, all subsequent bags may be automatically loaded therein. The enclosure 10 opens on the roadside side at a bag exit area 15 (FIG. 1) through which a bag ejection chute 8 dispenses filled water bags into the appropriately-positioned receiving bin 6. Rollers at the entrance 41 and rollers at the exit 42 facilitate movement of the bags through the filling machine, and the straight-through configuration (in one side of enclosure 10 and out the other) contributes to tactical efficiency, purification effectiveness and economy of manufacture.
The automatic bag filling machine 40 accepts a variety of major manufacturer and specialty bags and fitments ranging from 1-10 liters. The empty bags are pulled in a ribbon out of the shipping box 7, filled, capped, separated and are discharged as individual filled and sealed bags down the bag ejection chute 8 into the receiving bin 6.
The entire system 1 is hardened against environmental contamination from even the harshest environments. The tent enclosure 2 is a dual-compartment tent that interfaces directly to the housing 10. Specifically, tent enclosure 2 comprises a form-fitted fabric enclosure self-supported by a framework of external poles 33. The tent enclosure 2 is segregated into two distinct compartments (A) and (B), and each compartment separately interfaces with the enclosure 10 such that one compartment (A) protects the inlet side (curbside) and a second compartment (B) protects the operator position (rear). Tent enclosure 2 provides an important first barrier to dust and dirt.
The system 1 internal components are further protected by the weatherproof enclosure 10, which is closed during operation with removable side panels 20, 21 over both bag entrance 14 (FIG. 2) and bag exit 15 (FIG. 3) areas, as well as front panels 19 over the front of the enclosure 10 and rear panels 18 over the rear. Even when the transit doors of side panels 20, 21 are open, the openings to the bag entrance 14 and bag exit 15 areas are further protected by flexible hanging nylon strips or brushes 16 and 17 respectively, which serve as machinery dust and debris covers. This full enclosure 10 is exploited by a filtered air over-pressure which further prevents fine powder sand and dirt contamination. This latter feature is accomplished with an air duct 9 (FIG. 2) coupled to enclosure 10 on one end, and in fluid communication on the other end with an external HEPA filter housing and blower unit 5. The air duct 9 leads into the system enclosure 10 and is internally directed into the filling machine 40 and then into the adjacent on-board storage compartment 11. This maintains internal air pressure at a higher-than-ambient level, and the over-pressure deters fine powder sand and dirt contamination from entering the weatherproof system enclosure 10 and separately the filling machine 40. The amount of overpressure may vary but is preferably at least a few mBar (in H2O) greater than ambient.
FIG. 3 is a roadside-rear perspective view of the system 1 with rear panels 18 removed for clarity. FIG. 4 is a roadside perspective view of the system 1 with side panel 21 removed, and FIG. 5 is a curbside perspective view of the system 1 with side panel 20 and front panels 19 removed. Internally, as seen in FIG. 5, water is pumped in through a system inlet fluid coupling 13 by the self-priming pump 3 (FIG. 1). The fluid coupling 13 is in fluid communication with a pressure regulator 22 mounted in storage compartment 11. Generally, the water cycle continues through carbon filters, a mixing/heating tank, then UV sterilizer, then ozonator, and then to the filling machine. More specifically with reference to FIG. 5, water from pressure regulator 22 is admitted upward to a manifold set of three parallel carbon filters 24, the parallel arrangement helping to maximize water flow. The water continues through to an integral mixing/heating tank 27 within which the water may be uniformly heated for sterilization, and on through a hose 23 to a UV-light water sterilizer 25, and selectively through a water ozonator 48, before flowing to the filling machine 40 filling and capping station 43. The carbon filters 24 are dual-media cannisters and preferably each include a fine mesh 0.5 micron filter wrap surrounding activated charcoal. The outer 0.5-micron filter wrap is preferred as a first barrier to any residual bacteria. The charcoal of carbon filters 24 removes chlorine from the potable water source. The UV-light water sterilizer 25 provides a final barrier to harmful microorganisms such as bacteria and viruses, and may be a commercially-available ultraviolet (UV) water sterilizer of sufficient treatment capacity. The water ozonator 48 bubbles ozone into the water supply as a disinfectant, and may be a commercially available ozonator of sufficient ozone generation capacity. A bypass valve 49 (see FIG. 4) is supplied to divert water around the water ozonator 48 if desired, and in practice it is envisioned that the water ozonator 48 is switched inline to provide a clean-in-place (CIP) function for daily CIP sanitization of water passages with ozonated water. However, during normal filling operation the bypass valve 49 will switch the water ozonator 48 offline.
In addition to the foregoing, in accordance with the present invention, an air ozonator 44 (see FIG. 6) is mounted inside of the filling machine 40 to provide a flow of ozonated air into the filling machine 40 for daily sanitization of the external surfaces
The combination of the carbon filters 24 with outer 0.5-micron filter wrap serving as a first barrier, and the ultraviolet light sterilizer 25 as a second barrier, combine to provide high-quality purification of the water without compromising output yield. In further combination with the above-described ozone water purification 48 as a clean-in-place (CIP) function, system 1 ensures highest-quality bagged water regardless of input water bacteria conditions.
As yet a further precaution, the system 1 employs hot water sterilization as a Sanitize-in-Place (SIP) function, and this is achieved by the integral mixing/heating tank 27. Upon removing the system 1 from storage for commissioning or upon placing the system 1 into storage, hot water is circulated from the integral mixing/heating tank 27 to sterilize the internal plumbing components and assure a true bacterial free environment. Thus, upon initial activation of the system 1, an inlet valve 29 (FIG. 4) closes off the water supply incoming from fluid coupling 13, and heated water in integral mixing/heating tank 27 is closed-loop recirculated via an on board circulation pump 28. The mixing/heating tank.27 includes an immersion type resistance heater that heats up the recirculated water to up to 165° F., thus killing any bacterial growth that may have formed. The mixing/heating tank.27 preferably incorporates an internal liquid level switch to sense sufficient water level to trigger its activation, thereby safeguarding against accidental activation. Once sufficient sterilization temperature is met, the system 1 can then be returned to standard operating mode. It should be noted that the SIP function can take place anytime during normal maintenance operations of the system 1 if the operator feels the system has been compromised with poor product water.
In addition to the purification barriers and combined CIP and SIP functions, the further combination of air ozonator 44, overpressure air supply, and mechanical safeguards including dual-compartment tent enclosure 2, closable panels 18, 19, 20, 21, and flexible hanging nylon strips or brushes 16 and 17 ensures that the entire system 1 is hardened against environmental contamination from even the harshest environments. This facilitates the maintenance of sanitized conditions within the filling machine 40 and the overall system 1 without the use of chemicals such as chlorine that require capture and disposal. The net result is a substantial reduction not only in water contamination and sickness, but also of water hardness or unpleasant taste from chemicals.
The treated bacteria free water flows from bypass valve 49 to the filling machine 40 residing in the rear of the system enclosure 10. Referring back to FIG. 3 empty bags joined in a perforated chain are drawn up from their box 7 through the entrance 14 and along a roller assembly 41 to the filling machine 40, where they are queued into a filling and capping station 43.
FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the filling machine 40 inclusive of the outlet roller assembly 42 and outlet vinyl strip curtain 45. The filling machine 40 incorporates a commercially-available automatic liquid (water, juice, milk, syrups) capper/filler station (machine) 43 capable of filling pure drinking water into presealed polyethylene bags. A variety of suitable fill and cap machines are commercially available through manufactures distributors such as Aqua Solutions Corp. of Miami Fla. The capper/filler station 43 is mounted along with other components within a modular rectangular frame 41. Bags enter from the far left of FIG. 6 at the bag entrance through a Plexiglas™ cover 47, pass through the fill and seal station 43, and exit via outlet roller assembly 42 and outlet vinyl strip curtain 45.
The frame 41 (and entire filling machine 40) is mounted within the system enclosure 10 on damping springs 46 located on the four bottom corners and two top forward corners to protect against shock and vibration. This is an extremely critical aspect of the invention since it is imperative that the commercial filling machine 43 be protected. The water ozonator 48 and air ozonator 44 are also mounted inside the frame 41 of the filling machine 40 to provide a flow of ozonated air and water as previously described for daily CIP sanitization.
In addition to the removable side panels 20, 21 of enclosure 10, the bag entrance 14 is substantially covered by the Plexiglas™ cover 47 save for a bag entrance slot. This in combination with the vinyl strips 45 at the discharge provide a partial air block to maintain the HEPA filtered air over-pressure necessary to keep dirt from entering the filling machine 40. The filling machine 40 operates automatically to move the empty bag string into the machine along rollers 41 into the capper/filler station 43 where the snug-fitting cap is removed, the bag is filled and the cap is pressed firmly and permanently back into place. The filled bags continue out onto the exit rollers 42 where the bags are separated and the filled bags discharge onto the output chute 8 (see FIG. 2) which deposits them into the collection bin 6.
The system 1 is equipped with normal and blackout on-board lighting.
Given the above-described configuration, the system 1 is capable of producing approximately 480 one-liter water bags per hour (125 gallons/hour), 379 three-liter bags per hour (300 gallons/hour), 313 five-liter bags per hour (413 gallons/hour), and 218 ten-liter bags per hour (575 gallons/hour). Owing to the heightened filtration/sterilization, the water in the bags remains stable for over 45 days exposed to sun and high temperatures, without bacterial growth and without degradation of taste and odor.
It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the present invention without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Thus, it is intended that the present invention covers the modifications and variations of this invention provided they come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

There is a significant commercial, military and humanitarian need for pure potable water, and a commensurate need for a more tactical approach to purify, package and distribute water in the field. However, field operations often come with the harshest environmental conditions including transportation shocks and off-road vibration, blowing rain, humidity, and high temperatures, blowing sand and dust and stressful conditions for the operators. The present invention overcomes these problems and fulfills the need with a compact integrated system capable of filling and capping water bags with purified water for distribution in the field. The system is light-weight and compact, and can be deployed on a High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle (HMMWV or Humvee) trailer in support of forward area operations as well as disaster and humanitarian relief.

Claims

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.