AU2007100336A4

AU2007100336A4 - Improved water storage apparatus

Info

Publication number: AU2007100336A4
Application number: AU2007100336A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Glenn Wade
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2007-04-23
Filing date: 2007-04-23
Publication date: 2007-06-07
Anticipated expiration: 2015-04-23

Description

23/04 2007 18:53 FAX COLLISON CO IP AUST CANBERRA a021/036 581151P DIA:JO P/0ul0/009 Regulation 3.2

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990

ORIGINAL

INNOVATION

Invention Title: PATENT SPECIFICATION FOR AN INVENTION

ENTITLED

IMPROVED WATER STORAGE APPARATUS Name of Applicant: GLENN WADE Address for Service: COLLISON CO 117 King William Street, Adelaide, S.A. 5000 The invention Is described in the following statement: COMS ID No: SBMI-07101798 Received by IP Australia: Time 18:28 Date 2007-04-23 23/04 2007 18:54 FAX COLLISON CO IP AUST CANBERRA I022/036 2 0 FIELD OF THE INVENTION The field of the invention relates to water storage tanks.

NO

Ccn In particular, the present invention relates to improvements both structural and aesthetic to water storage tanks.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART Current climatic conditions are forcing the issue of how many arid countries deal with water reserves and in particular how natural water supplies are managed.

One of the more overlooked aspects of natural water reserves is rainwater.

Many modern houses are built on blocks that are significantly smaller than previously. For example, it is not uncommon for blocks of land in inner city location of approximately 700 square meters to be subdivided into two block of approximately 350 m 2 each.

This then does not leave much space for traditional round water storage tanks to be positioned due to their inefficient use of space. There are numerous slimline or modular style rainwater tanks that are available, that are able to be used in narrow walk ways or up against the side of a house that reduce the amount of impact the rainwater tank has on the surround space requirements.

However, these slimline or modular style rainwater tanks still encroach significantly on the free space available on a block of land, and if the block is already small then this impact is even greater. This then result in people putting off installing such slimline or modular style rainwater tanks due to the effect is has on their immediate free space and rainwater that could otherwise have been utilised is simply allowed to flow down the stormwater drain.

COMS ID No: SBMI-07101798 Received by IP Australia: Time 18:28 Date 2007-04-23 23/04 2007 18:54 FAX COLLISON CO IP AUST CANBERRA a023/038 S3

C

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l Additionally, slimline or modular style rainwater tanks are often unsightly in the Sway they are constructed and this can affect peoples decisions to purchase them Cl¢ Bladder style rainwater tanks are known, which can be placed underneath a V. 5 house, but these have deficiencies in as much as the bladder has to be flexible and can perish or be punctured relatively easily. Moreover, in many states such bladders are not easy to use due to the way in which houses are constructed, i.e. on a concrete slab rather then on stilts, restricting the growth of use of such 0 products.

So while rainwater tanks are a common sight in more rural areas where space is not as much of issue. It is the take up of rainwater tanks in more populated areas, where water run-off is more prevalent, that is becoming increasingly more important.

It would be an advantage to be able to encourage the use of slimline or modular style rainwater tanks in the more urbanised environments in a way that owners of such tanks do not feel as though they are perhaps giving up too much of their valued free land.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a slimline or modular style rainwater tank that is suitable to be used as a wall.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a slimline or modular style rainwater tank that can be used as a fence.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide slimline or modular style rainwater tanks that can be interlocked relative to one another.

COMS ID No: SBMI-07101798 Received by IP Australia: Time 18:28 Date 2007-04-23 23/04 2007 18:54 FAX COLLISON CO IP AUST CANBERRA Z024/036 0 4 c l It is a further object of the present invention to provide a slimline or modular style rainwater tank that are aesthetically pleasing.

C-i It is an object of the present invention to overcome, or at least substantially ameliorate, the disadvantages and shortcomings of the prior art.

Va n 5 Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent 0 from the following description, taking in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein, by way of illustration and example, an embodiment of the 0 o present invention is disclosed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to the present invention, although this should not be seen as limiting the invention in any way, there is provided a substantially modular rectangular rainwater tank having an elongated body, the body including a first and second portion being interconnected on to the other by a plurality of joining means; a upper port positioned on an upper portion of the body; a lower inlet and lower outlet port located on a lower portion of the body, the ports allowing fluid flow there through; a plurality of substantially perpendicular channels located on an outer surface of the left and right portions, wherein the joining means are positioned to reside with in said substantially perpendicular channels.

In preference, the modular rectangular rainwater tank further includes means to releasably connect or join the modular rectangular rainwater tank to another modular rectangular rainwater tank in a head to tail manner.

COMS ID No: SBMI-07101798 Received by IP Australia: Time 18:28 Date 2007-04-23 23/04 2007 18:54 FAX COLLISON CO IP AUST CANBERRA a025/036 In preference, the modular rectangular rainwater tank includes open ended channels located on a first and second connecting ends for receiving a portion of a joining member within.

Cc In preference, the joining means includes ribs extending from a first portion into a second portion.

SIn preference, the joining means includes point indentations extending inwardly 17-- from a first portion and inwardly from a second portion to create a set of 0 indentations so that crest of each set of indentations is adjacent or contiguous to one another.

In preference, each side has between 10 to 20 joining means.

In preference, the outlet port of a first modular rectangular rainwater tank can be interconnected to the inlet port of a second modular rectangular rainwater tank in a head to tail manner so as to allow fluid communication there through.

In preference, the modular rectangular rainwater tank in includes a vent hole located on an upper portion.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS By way of example, an employment of the invention is described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig 1 is a perspective view of the current invention; Fig 2 is a top view of the current invention; Fig 3A is a view of the joining elements within the current invention; Fig 3 is a side view of the current invention; COMS ID No: SBMI-07101798 Received by IP Australia: Time 18:28 Date 2007-04-23 23/04 2007 18:54 FAX COLLISON CO IP AUST CANBERRA la026/036 o 6 Fig 4 is a perspective view of the current invention; shown in a joined arrangement to create a fence.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION IN The modular rectangular rainwater tank 5 includes a body portion 10 having a en substantially elongated shape. The body 10 has an upper portion 12 and a olower portion 13. The tank 5 has a lowermost surface 15 that supports the tank on a surface such as the ground or foundation. The upper portion 12 has an 0 o upper surface 18 that is substantially parallel with the lowermost surface Positioned perpendicular to the upper and lower surfaces 15 and 18 are a series or plurality of channels 20 that extend the complete length of the surfaces. These channels add substantial strength and rigidity to the structure as well as enhancing the overall aesthetic appeal.

The modular rectangular rainwater tank 5 has an upper port 26 on the upper surface 18. This upper port 18 can act as either a rainwater inlet when suitably connected to a roof drainpipe, or alternatively can act as a vent with a one-way valve set up inserted within.

There is also has at least two ports 30 and 32 positioned on the lower portion 13 that can be used to allow water to flow from a first modular rectangular rainwater tank 5 to a second modular rectangular rainwater tank. In this way when water enters the first modular rectangular rainwater tank it then flows through the outlet and into the adjoining modular rectangular rainwater tank so that both fill up at relatively the same speed. The upper port 26 on the adjoining tank is then used as a vent to allow air to escape.

One of the difficulties encountered with most modular rectangular rainwater tanks is being able to have sufficient strength in the sides or walls of the tank such that reasonable, or useable, amounts of water can be stored with in without breaking. As most modern modular rectangular rainwater tanks are COMS ID No: SBMI-07101798 Received by IP Australia: Time 18:28 Date 2007-04-23 23/04 2007 18:55 FAX COLLISON CO IP AUST CANBERRA [aj027/036 o7 Cl built from metal they do not suffer such problems but they are more costly to produce and, over time, can result in tainting of the water. Moreover, working with metal is more difficult in that the size and shape of the containers are ci limited.

V.0 5 Plastic material is the material of choice due to ease of construction as well as being able to form a variety of shapes and sizes. In order to ensure that the modular rectangular rainwater tank 5 has sufficient strength and resiliency against the pressure exerted by the water heid within it. Accordingly it has been found through extensive research that it is possible to use a plurality of "kissoffs" within the modular rectangular rainwater tank As the person skilled in the industry would readily understand, the "kiss-off' is where 2 relatively closely spaced apart walls are connected at a point, or almost connected at a point (partial "kiss-off"). Manufactures employ large 'kiss-offs" in their construction of plastic tanks on the basis adds the required strength to the tank and is necessary to avoid any collapse of the side walls. However, large "kiss-offs" create relatively large and unsightly holes in the structure thus limiting its appeal and use.

The plastic material used to construct the modular rectangular rainwater tank is one suitable for doing so and has the required attributes of resiliency and rigidity as the person skilled in this area would know of.

The "kiss-offs" 40 do not extend the full height of the modular rectangular rainwater tank 5 but rather are small enough that they fit within the channels 21 of the modular rectangular rainwater tank 5 so that they do not adversely effect the aesthetics. Indeed by uniquely combing a plurality of "kiss-offs" 40 within the channels 20 the overall strength of the modular rectangular rainwater tank has been found to be equal to or greater than those modular rectangular rainwater tanks using larger unsightly "kiss-.offs".

COMS ID No: SBMI-07101798 Received by IP Australia: Time 18:28 Date 2007-04-23 23/04 2007 18:55 FAX COLLISON CO IP AUST CANBERRA I028/036 o 8 0 C In use, this then means that the modular rectangular rainwater tank 5 as described can now be used also as a fence with suitable properties of strength and aesthetic qualities. By combing a number of the modular rectangular ec ctl rainwater tank 5 in a row, end to end, by way of first setting posts 55 in the ground, the modular rectangular rainwater tank 5 can then be inserted in Va eN between with relatively ease when empty. The modular rectangular rainwater e tanks 5 can then be connected to one another by connection of the ports 30 and 0 32 by a poly-pipe of suitable diameter. Connection of the upper port 26 to a o' downpipe from a roof can then be undertaken with suitable materials and the fence 60 is ready to be filled.

This then, for the first time, enables the modular rectangular rainwater tank 5 to be used as a fence 60 is a simple and practical manner. The added strength provided by the unique joining technique both between and within the modular rectangular rainwater tanks 5 makes the set up practical and useable. This then encourages those who want to have a rainwater tank but have little space to install one to easily install one in a practical manner without any significant impact on their land space.

Indeed it is possible for entire communities to employ such a system that would dramatically increase the amount of stored water with any significant impact on land space. For example, a modular rectangular rainwater tank 5 have length 1.8m, height 1.8 m and width 0.21 m is capable of holding approximately 650 L.

this can then multiplied by the length of the fence and as one can readily appreciate the capacity to hold water then is dramatically increased.

Although the invention has been herein shown and described in what is conceived to be the most practical and preferred embodiment, it is recognized that departures can be made within the scope of the invention, which is not to be limited to the details described herein but it is to be accorded the full scope of the appended claims so as to embrace any and all equivalent devices and apparatus.

COMS ID No: SBMI-07101798 Received by IP Australia: Time 18:28 Date 2007-04-23

Claims

2. In preference, the modular rectangular rainwater tank further includes means to releasably connect or join the modular rectangular rainwater tank to another modular rectangular rainwater tank in a head to tail manner.
3. In preference, the modular rectangular rainwater tank includes open ended channels located on a first and second connecting ends for receiving a portion of a joining member within.
4. In preference, the joining means includes ribs extending from a first portion into a second portion. COMS ID No: SBMI-07101798 Received by IP Australia: Time 18:28 Date 2007-04-23 23/04 2007 18:56 FAX COLLISON CO IP AUST CANBERRA a030/036 S 0 l 5. In preference, the joining means includes point indentations extending O- inwardly from a first portion and inwardly from a second portion to create a set of indentations so that crest of each set of indentations is adjacent or C contiguous to one another. NO 0 C( COMS ID No: SBMI-07101798 Received by IP Australia: Time 18:28 Date 2007-04-23