AU2005234738A1 - Septic tanks - Google Patents

Description

AUSTRALIA

PATENTS ACT 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION STANDARD PATENT SEPTIC TANKS The following statement is a full description of this invention including the best method of performing it known to me: 2

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SEPTIC TANKS TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to septic tanks.

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BACKGROUND

S Septic tanks commonly provide for the treatment of household wastewater.

The tanks receive wastewater from the house, separate any solids from the wastewater, cause the reduction and decomposition of any accumulated solids, provide storage for the separated solids (sludge and scum) and then pass the clarified wastewater (effluent) to the drain for final treatment and disposal. While relatively simple in construction and operation, septic tanks provide a number of important functions through a complex interaction of physical and biological processes.

SSeptic tanks are typically large-volume concrete tanks. Owing to their size and weight, a crane is required to load and unload the tanks from a truck during transportation and installation respectively. During installation, the tanks are lowered into a pit near the household and permanently buried in the ground.

Invariably, the septic tanks become filled with effluent and need to be pumped empty.

Concrete septic tanks are relatively expensive to transport and install, and are not readily movable without a crane. These attributes make them less suited to be used in temporary camps such as those which are often established in mine fields, oil fields and gas fields, for example.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an alternative type of septic tank which is better suited for use in temporary camps.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

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0 According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a o portable septic tank assembly including: a septic tank; and engagement means fast with respect to the septic tank and for engagement with the tines of a forklift.

en The engagement means may include a pair of sleeves for each receiving a C 0 respective tine. Each sleeve may be located at the upper end of the septic o tank. Each sleeve may be fast with the roof of the septic tank.

In one embodiment, the septic tank assembly may be formed from steel material.

The septic tank assembly may further include one or more outlets located at the base of the septic tank for draining effluent from the septic tank. Each outlet may be located in the floor of the septic tank. Each outlet may include a valve.

0 The septic tank assembly may further include a cover for covering each valve.

The cover may include a support base which is fast with the floor of the septic tank.

The septic tank assembly may further include a drainage tube which is fast with respect to the tank and which extends from within the base of the tank to the roof of the tank. Preferably, the drainage tube is vertical.

In one embodiment, the septic tank has two inner compartments which are serially connected in fluid communication with each other.

The septic tank may include an inspection opening in its roof. The septic tank may include an access cover pivotally connected to its roof and for enabling a person to access the interior of the septic tank with a brush during cleaning.

o According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a portable septic tank including engagement means for engagement with the o tines of a forklift.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 00 M' Preferred features, embodiments and variations of the invention may be discerned from the following Detailed Description which provides sufficient 0 information for those skilled in the art to perform the invention. The Detailed Description is not to be regarded as limiting the scope of the preceding Summary of the Invention in any way. The Detailed Description will make reference to a number of drawings as follows: Figure la is a plan view of a preferred embodiment of a septic tank assembly in accordance with the invention; Figure lb is a side view of the septic tank assembly of Figure 1 a; 0 Figure 2 is an end sectional view of the septic tank assembly of Figure 1 a.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Figure 1 shows a portable septic tank assembly 2 in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The septic tank assembly 2 includes a cylindrical septic tank 4 which is fast with a square support base 6.

The septic tank assembly 2 further includes a pair of sleeves 8a, 8b (i.e.

engagement means) for each receiving a respective tine of a forklift. During installation and extraction of the septic tank 4 with the ground, the forklift can engage with the sleeves 8 to readily facilitate lifting and transportation of the tank 4. The construction of the septic tank assembly 2 is described in detail below.

Referring to Figure lb, the septic tank 4 is formed from steel and includes a

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flat roof 10 and floor 12 which are interconnected by a cylindrical wall 14. A threaded inlet tee 16 and a threaded outlet tee 18 are provided on opposite o sides of the tank 4 (Fig la). The inlet tee 16 is located at a height above the z outlet tee 18 so as to impede backflow in the event of a blockage at the outlet tee 18 (Fig. External threaded pipes may be interconnected with the inlet and outlet tees 16, 18.

00 Returning to Figure 1, the elongate sleeves 8 are welded to the roof 10 of the 0 septic tank 4. The support base 6 is also formed from steel and is welded to the floor 12 of the septic tank 4.

0 Turning now to Figure 2, the septic tank 4 includes an internal baffle 20 (i.e.

wall) which divides the tank 4 into two separate compartments: a primary compartment 22a and a grey water compartment 22b. An internal tee 17 is fitted to the baffle 20 at a height below the inlet tee 16. In use, household wastewater enters the primary compartment 22a through the inlet tee 16. As the wastewater effluent) level in the primary compartment 22a increases, wastewater may overflow into the grey water compartment 22b through the 0 internal tee 17. As the wastewater level in the grey water compartment 22b increases, wastewater may exit the tank 4 through the outlet tee 18. The foregoing wastewater flow is generally shown by the arrows in Figure 2.

The septic tank assembly 2 further includes a pair of gate valves 24a, 24b which are located at the base of the septic tank 4. Each valve 24 is fitted to the floor 12 of the septic tank 4 in register with a respective compartment 22.

When the septic tank assembly 2 is above ground not installed), the valves 24 may be opened to allow effluent to be drained from the compartments 22 during cleaning.

The support base 6 covers and protects the valves 24 from damage which may otherwise occur if the tank assembly 2 rested on the valves 24. The support base 6 includes a pair of parallel plates 26a, 26b between which a triplet of parallel support members 28a, 28b, 28c are located.

The septic tank assembly 2 further includes a vertical drainage tube 30 which

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o is fast with respect to the tank 4. The drainage tube 30 extends from within the base of the tank 4 to the roof 10 of the tank 4. A support brace 32 is fast S between the base of the drainage tube 30 and the roof 10 of the tank 4. In the Sevent of a full tank 4, a pump may be fastened to the upper end of the drainage tube 30 and can be used to pump effluent out from the primary S compartment 22a whilst the tank assembly 2 is in the ground.

en S The septic tank 4 also includes an inspection opening 36 in its roof 10. The Sinspection opening 36 may include a removable cover. In use, a person may remove the cover and examine the level of effluent within the tank 4, and the grey water compartment 22b in particular.

In addition, the septic tank 4 also includes a hinged access cover 34 pivotally connected to its roof 10 and for enabling a person to access the interior of the septic tank 4 with a brush during cleaning.

During installation, the empty septic tank assembly 2 may be readily moved to its installation campsite using a forklift. The forklift can lower the septic tank 4 Sinto a pit and the inlet tee 16 is subsequently connected to a camp wastewater supply. The outlet tee 18 may be connected to a drainage pipe which passes to a soak pit. In the event that the camp is relocated, the septic tank 4 can be readily removed from the pit using the forklift and relocated. Effluent within the tank may be emptied either via the drainage tube 30 or the valves 24 prior to transporting the tank 4 to a new campsite.

A person skilled in the art will appreciate that many embodiments and variations can be made without departing from the ambit of the present invention.

The septic tank 4 of the preferred embodiment was formed from steel which is quite durable in nature. According to a further embodiment of the present invention, the potable tank 4 may be rotationally molded from plastics material. In this manner, a pair of sleeves or grooves engagement S means) may be molded at the upper end of the tank 4 for engagement with

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o the tines of the forklift.

S In compliance with the statute, the invention has been described in language z more or less specific to structural or methodical features. It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to specific features shown or described since the means herein described comprises preferred forms of putting the invention into effect. The invention is, therefore, claimed in any of its forms or modifications within the proper scope of the appended claims 0 appropriately interpreted by those skilled in the art.

Claims (17)

1. A portable septic tank assembly including: o a septic tank; and Zengagement means fast with respect to the septic tank and for engagement with the tines of a forklift. 00 e

2. A portable septic tank assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the engagement means includes a pair of sleeves for each receiving a respective Ci tine. 0 C

3. A portable septic tank assembly as claimed in claim 2, wherein each sleeve is located at the upper end of the septic tank.

4. A portable septic tank assembly as claimed in claim 2, wherein each sleeve is fast with the roof of the septic tank.

A portable septic tank assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the septic tank assembly is formed from steel material.

6. A portable septic tank assembly as claimed in claim 1, further including one or more outlets located at the base of the septic tank for draining effluent from the septic tank.

7. A portable septic tank assembly as claimed in claim 6, wherein each outlet is located in the floor of the septic tank.

8. A portable septic tank assembly as claimed in claim 6, wherein each outlet includes a valve.

9. A portable septic tank assembly as claimed in claim 8, further including a cover for covering each valve.

A portable septic tank assembly as claimed in claim 9, wherein the cover O o includes a support base which is fast with the floor of the septic tank. ci S

11. A portable septic tank assembly as claimed in claim 1, further including a z drainage tube which is fast with respect to the tank and which extends from within the base of the tank to the roof of the tank. 00 M

12. A portable septic tank assembly as claimed in claim 11, wherein the drainage tube is vertical.

13. A portable septic tank assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the septic tank has two inner compartments which are serially connected in fluid communication with each other.

14. A portable septic tank assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the septic tank includes an inspection opening in its roof.

A portable septic tank assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the septic tank includes an access cover pivotally connected to its roof.

16. A portable septic tank including engagement means for engagement with the tines of a forklift.

17. A portable septic tank assembly or a portable septic tank substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Dated this 2 2 nd day of November 2005 RONALD JAMES KADEL by our attorneys Eagar Buck Patent and Trade Mark Attorneys