AU2008202061A1 - Combined Liquid Storage Tank and Structure - Google Patents

Description

08/05 2008 THU 13:00 FAX Smoorenburg Attorneys 4 IF AUSTRALIA iJO/3 IA003/032 P/00/01i1 Regulaion 3.2(2) 00 00

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990

ORIGINAL

COMPLETE SPECIFICATION STANDARD PATENT Application No.

Lodged:- 8 May 2008 Invention Title: Combined Liquid Storage Tank and Structure The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to the applicant, Aranooc Pty Ltd: COMS ID No: ARCS-i 89760 Received by IP Australia: Time 13:05 Date 2008-05-08 08/05 2008 THU 13:00 FAX Smoorenburg Attorneys 44 IP AUSTRAIA R004/032 00 0 2 COMBINED LIQUID STORAGE TANK AND STRUCTURE RELATED APPLICATIONS This application claims priority to Australian Provisional Patent Application 00 No. 2007902419 in the name of Aranooc Pty Ltd, which was filed on 8 May 2007, entitled "Combined Liquid Storage Tank and Structure" and the specification thereof is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety and for all purposes.

FIELD OF INVENTION The present invention relates to the field of structures for use in residential, 00 industrial and/or municipal parks, gardens or indoor/outdoor spaces.

In one form, the invention relates to combined liquid storage and a codependent structure.

In one particular aspect the present invention is suitable for use as a combined water tank and raised garden bed and, it will be convenient to hereinafter describe the invention in relation to such domestic use, however it should be appreciated that the present invention is not limited to that use only.

BACKGROUND ART Throughout this specification the use of the word "inventor" in singular form may be taken as reference to one (singular) inventor or more than one (plural) inventor of the present invention. The discussion throughout this specification comes about due to the realisation of the inventor(s) and/or the identification of certain related art problems by the inventor.

Rain water tanks often take up large areas of space around the home and often have poor aesthetics. Garden beds particularly for elderly persons are often difficult to access and hard to maintain on a daily basis.

The traditional water storage tanks may be very large and unsightly and many consumers struggle with their location within their yard. Traditionally rainwater storage tanks must be installed close to the house property.

Rain water tanks have been getting more aesthetic and often slimmer in recent times enabling them to be placed along the side of a house with little intrusion into the garden. Nonetheless, these tanks may have limited capacity unless they encroach on garden areas and/or other outdoor spaces. Accordingly, to attain a sufficient capacity of water storage, particularly in times and places of COMS ID No: ARCS-189760 Received by IP Australia: Time 13:05 Date 2008-05-08 08/05 2008 THU 13:00 FAX Smoorenburg Attorneys 4 IP AUSTRALIA Q005/032 00 3 dry climate, an unwieldy number of such tanks may be required, in the order of up to a dozen or more for residential use.

Alternative methods which disguise rain water tanks are disclosed in: 00 S United States patent 6,553,723 B1 (Alcorn) which describes a rain water tank which functions as the outer wall of a building; and S United States patent application 2006/0150531 Al (Cann) which \O Sdescribes a water tank within a cavity of an external building wall.

SAny discussion of documents, devices, acts or knowledge in this 00oO specification is included to explain the context of the invention. It should not be taken as an admission that any of the material forms a part of the prior art base or the common general knowledge in the relevant art in Australia or elsewhere on or before the priority date of the disclosure and claims herein.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION In contrast, in one aspect, the present invention provides a system comprising the combination of: a liquid storage tank; and subsidiary apparatus that is adapted to be either: physically proximate the liquid storage tank; or be incorporated into the liquid storage tank, and to receive liquid from the liquid storage tank, and utilize that liquid, in which the system is adapted to emulate a structure.

In a preferred embodiment, the liquid storage tank is adapted to receive liquid comprising water and to store it within the tank; the subsidiary apparatus comprises at least one platform that is adapted to function as a garden bed when it is connected to the tank and to receive water from the tank; and the system is adapted to emulate a raised garden bed.

Another preferred embodiment provides an outdoor structure comprising, in combination, a liquid storage tank and a subsidiary apparatus adapted to emulate a first type of structure.

COMS ID No: ARCS-189760 Received by IP Australia: Time 13:05 Date 2008-05-08 08/05 2008 THU 13:01 FAX Smoorenburg Attorneys IP AUSTRALIA Q006/032 00 4 Another preferred embodiment provides a method of sustaining garden Splants, the method comprising the steps of: combining at least one liquid storage tank in operative association with a 0 subsidiary apparatus adapted to receive liquid from the liquid storage tank; utilising the liquid received from the storage tank for a garden bed incorporated into the subsidiary apparatus; and,

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Sadapting the liquid storage tank, the subsidiary apparatus and the garden bed to emulate an outdoor structure.

00oO In one preferred form, the emulated outdoor structure comprises one of: a wall; a retaining wall; a multi-level garden bed; a garden seat; a fish pond; a swimming pool; a spar/spa and outdoor furniture.

In one preferred aspect, where availability of water is in extreme shortage, a water storage tank is provided in combination with subsidiary apparatus providing for a garden bed raised for convenient use by virtue of the tank where the garden bed may receive a ready supply of water for use that would otherwise be unavailable and the combined system being useful as a structure for providing function such as that of a privacy or retaining wall. Other features of a system according to embodiments of the invention are set out in the claims that are appended to this specification.

It will be seen that preferred embodiments of the present invention serve the dual function of providing a water tank which can also function to support a garden bed or garden at a height above the ground. Such embodiments can provide the dual advantages of providing water storage and allowing a gardener to attend to the garden without needing to bend over to reach the garden. This latter feature is intended to facilitate gardening by ageing or disabled people. It also facilitates the display of trailing plants.

COMS ID No: ARCS-189760 Received by IP Australia: Time 13:05 Date 2008-05-08 08/05 2008 THU 13:01 FAX Smoorenburg Attorneys IP AUSTRALIA Q007/032 00 It will also be seen that preferred embodiments of the present invention taddress the problem of needing to hide unsightly water tanks.

0Overall, the present invention offers a number of advantages, as best 00 illustrated in the case of a combined garden and water tank system, as follows.

Offers instant retaining walls and reduces costs of such walls. For example, for the equivalent cost of constructing a retaining wall per se, an Sembodiment of the present invention may provide a retaining wall and in addition Slarge water storage capacity; 00 Offers in the case of a high tank instant privacy with pleasant aesthetics; Ability to change the face of any garden immediately; Space savings where room is at a premium and in such places as shopping centres and council offices where there is not presently enough space for large tanks and gardens. Combining the two together in a co-dependent structure, as in preferred embodiments, overcomes this problem. The codependency comes about by virtue of firstly the garden structure utilizing the liquid (water) stored in the tank and, secondly the liquid storage tank utilizing the emulated structure, ie the garden bed, to advantageously transform the overly evident or obvious appearance of a storage tank per se into a functional outdoor structure in a manner that obviates the unsightly appearance of a storage tank per se and makes efficient and aesthetic use of outdoor space; A garden and tank are able to be moved around the garden as required and to suit the seasons. This enables users to place the tanks in the shade in summer and in the sun in winter. The system may have skids for this purpose, which may be of most use to city councils, promotion organisers, trade show organisers and city offices having the ability to move them around to provide an instant garden and tank combined for display or otherwise; Raised garden beds for easy access by elderly invalid persons; Nutrients can be added to rain water tank to water plants; Drought proofing of valuable plants is available with a readily available and large reserve of water; May eliminate the issue of poor soil in the example of hydroponic use; Water can be easily managed and sampled via tap for disinfection purposes; COMS ID No: ARCS-189760 Received by IP Australia: Time 13:05 Date 2008-05-08 08/05 2008 THU 13:01 FAX Smoorenburg Attorneys IP AUSTRALIA a008/032 00 6 Avoid water logging and provide good drainage; C Provide disposition of plants away from pests such as snails and slugs; 00 Automatic climate control and cover available as an option to fully O automate garden maintenance; Garden beds may be provided such that they are higher than conventional Sraised garden beds for ease of access and use; SBy choice of placement by the user, the present system may have Sunlimited versatility around an entire garden fence and house structure without 00 losing garden space and at the same time vastly increase water storage capacity without encroaching on otherwise useable space.

Further scope of applicability of embodiments of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description given hereinafter. However, it should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the invention, are given by way of illustration only, since various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the disclosure herein will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Further disclosure, objects, advantages and aspects of preferred and other embodiments of the present application may be better understood by those skilled in the relevant art by reference to the following description of embodiments taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which are given by way of illustration only, and thus are not limitative of the disclosure herein, and in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view, showing hidden detail, of one embodiment of the invention; Figure 2 is another perspective view, showing hidden detail, of the embodiment of figure 1; Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view on a sectioning plane through figure 2; Figure 4 is another perspective view, showing hidden detail, of the embodiment of figure 1; Figure 5 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the invention; Figure 6 is a plan view of the embodiment of figure Figure 7 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the invention; COMS ID No: ARCS-189760 Received by IP Australia: Time 13:05 Date 2008-05-08 08/05 2008 THU 13:01 FAX Snmoorenburg Attorneys IP AUSTRALIA Q009/032 00 7 Figure 8 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the invention; Figure 9 is a plan view of the embodiment of figure 8; Figure 10 is an end elevational view of the embodiment of figure 8; 00 Figure 11 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the invention; Figure 12 is a plan view of the embodiment of figure 11; Figure 13 is a perspective view, showing hidden details, of an embodiment

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of the invention; SFigure 14 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the invention; 00 Figure 15 is a plan view of the embodiment of figure 14; Figure 16 is a perspective view, showing hidden details, of another embodiment of the invention; Figure 17 is a plan view, showing the embodiment of figure 16 in conjunction with another embodiment of the invention; Figure 18 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the invention; and Figure 19 is a plan view of the embodiment of figure 18.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION A liquid circulation system 101 according to the presently-described embodiment of the invention comprises a liquid storage tank 102 which is adapted to function as a water tank. A subsidiary apparatus in one form comprising a platform 103 may be mounted to the water tank and is preferably adapted, in one form, to define a container suitable for use as a raised garden bed. The tank 102 is adapted to receive water from an inlet mechanism such as a down-pipe (which is not illustrated in the drawing). In use, the downpipe is aligned with an aperture 106 which extends through the platform 103. The aperture 106 is in turn in alignment with a filter assembly 107. The filter assembly 107 discharges filtered water into the tank 102. It is preferred that the filter assembly 107 comprises a diverter mechanism to divert the initial (polluted) runoff from a building roof or the like away from the tank 102. An example of such a mechanism is disclosed in Australian patent number 731,386 (Hart). According to alternative preferred embodiments that are not illustrated in figure 1, water supply to the tank 102 is altemrnatively: solely from a reticulated water supply; or COMS ID No: ARCS-189760 Received by IP Australia: Time 13:05 Date 2008-05-08 2008 THU 13:02 FAX Smoorenburg Attorneys IP AUSTRALIA J010/0 3 2 00 8 primarily from rainwater runoff, and secondarily from a reticulated supply in the absence of reliable rainwater runoffwater According to embodiments of the invention in which there is ater supply 00 to the tank 102 from a reticulated water supply, that water supply into the tank O 5 102 is regulated in the known manner by mechanisms such as a float valve assembly together with a non-return valve in order to prevent pollution of the reticulated system by back-flow.

The embodiment of figure

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The embodiment f figure 1 is also provided with a cover 104 that is adapted for manual locationver the tank 102 and the platform 03. Placement 00 10 of the ver 104 on the tank 102 protects against frosts, hail, birds and the like and enables the Provision of a controlled environment for the garden. It is preferred that the cover 104 is at least partly transparent to light so as to create a greenho effect when the cover is on the system 101. According to the embodiment illustrated in figure 1, the cover 104 is manually placeable on, and removable from, the system 101. According to alternative preferred embodiments of the invention that are not illustrated in the drawings, the system 101 further comprises a mechanism to automatically move the cover 104. That mechanism is adapted to move the cover 104 between a position in Which it is covering the platform 103 and a position in which it is not covering the platform 103. Indicia for activating that mechanism comprise at least one of: the time of day; the season of the year; atmospheric temperature; temperature of a component of the system 101; atmospheric relative humidity; moisture levels in the soil; the presence or absence of precipitation; and wind speed.

The tank 102 is made of any suitabl material Preferred material for the tank 2 may Comprise moulded plastics materials, and in particular a UV-stable frost- and heat-resistant Polypropylene. Altemative preferred materials and methods for fabrication of the tank 102 comprise sheet metal and moulded COSIDNo:ARCS-189760 Receivedby IP Australia: Time 13:05 Date (Y-Md) 200805-08 13:0 Dat 008-5-0 08/05 2008 THU 13:02 FAX Smoorenburg Attorneys -44 IP AUSTRALIA Q011/032 00 9 concrete. According to alternative preferred embodiments that are not illustrated in the drawings, the tank 102 comprises sub-assemblies that are connected 00 together in any suitable manner to form the tank 102.

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O It is preferred that the tank 102 further comprise a machinery compartment 108 that protrudes into the tank to house machinery such as is illustrated by electrically-powered pump 109. Access to the machinery compartment 108 is by Sway of the door 111.

SAlthough the tank 102 is shown as defining a cuboid space, it is to be 00 understood that this is a preferred form and that the tank 102 need not be of constant horizontal cross-sectional shape and need not even be rectangular in horizontal cross section, as is described in conjunction with other figures of this specification.

It is preferred that the tank 102 have a holding capacity in the range of from about one thousand litres to about two thousand litres.

It is preferred that tank 102 is adapted to be plumbed together with other tanks for flow of liquid contents between tanks. For this purpose, the tank 102 is provided with at least one coupling 112 which preferably provides for ready attachment and detachment of plumbing fittings. Alternatively, the couplings 112 provide for direct connection of one tank to another. It will be appreciated that, depending on configuration, it may be necessary to provide non-return valves between tanks when they are plumbed together. It is accordingly preferred that non-return valves be provided, either within the couplings 112 be provided or as a separate fitting.

The provision of multiple such tanks, plumbed together, enable the use of multiple tanks to form a wall, partition or other indoor or outdoor structure.

Depending on capacity, the tank 102 is suitably reinforced to withstand pressure loadings from the liquid contents and to provide adequate support for loading from garden beds and the like.

It is preferred that the tank 102 is provided, either integrally or as an attached component, with skids or other mechanisms to allow ease of movement and handling. Tank or tanks 102 may also have structural reinforcing support by way of ground engaging means incorporated into the structure to accommodate location of retaining wall support mechanisms such as flat plates and/or horizontal COMS ID No: ARCS-189760 Received by IP Australia: Time 13:05 Date 2008-05-08 08/05 2008 THU 13:02 FAX Smoorenburg Attorneys -4 IP AUSTRALIA Z012/032 00 divides to prevent tanks from moving when empty. Soil from a retaining wall may Ctbe placed against a tank 102 and in a counter force also holds water tank stable Sfrom movement. These support mechanisms may be further stabilised by devices 00 O driven into the ground such a star pickets or the like. The support mechanisms may be of any suitable size or configuration and may be an integral moulding or an add on as required, as would be recognised by the person skilled in the art.

SAccording to the preferred embodiment of figure 1, the tank 102 has Sdrainage openings 113 extending through the side walls of the tank to allow for: 00 drainage of excess water at the upper level of the tank 102; for draining excess water from the platform 103; or emptying of the tank.

It is preferred that closures (which are not illustrated in the drawing) be provided for these drainage openings 113.. According to one embodiment, these drainage openings are moulded into the tank 102 or platform 103 at the time of manufacture. Alternatively, these drainage openings are drilled or otherwise produced as part of the process of installing the system 101 to the needs of the particular installation. For this latter purpose, it is preferred that the tank 102 and/or platform 103 be specifically produced with regions identified in its side walls as areas to be drilled out or otherwise removed, The tank 102 also has mechanisms (which are not illustrated in the drawing) for the attachment of platforms, being in one preferred form a self contained free standing removable bed 103 to the tank 102. Although the platform 103 is shown positioned at the top of, and within, the tank 102 in figures 1, 2 and 4, alternative preferred configurations place the platform 103: above and completely overlapping the tank 102; or attached to an external side wall of the tank 102.

It is preferred that the platform 103 is removably attached to the tank 102 as is illustrated in figures 2 and 4, but in alternative preferred embodiments the platform 103 is fixedly attached to the tank 102.

According to the embodiment of figure 1, the platform 103 is in the form of an open-topped cuboid or tray to function as a garden bed. The platform 3 is adapted to receive soil or other growing medium or to function as a hydroponic garden.

COMS ID No: ARCS-189760 Received by IP Australia: Time 13:05 Date 2008-05-08 08/05 2008 THU 13:02 FAX Smoorenburg Attorneys IP AUSTRALIA 1013/032 00 0 11 According to alternative preferred embodiments that are not illustrated in the drawings, instead of providing a platform 103 to function as a garden bed, the 00 platform 103 structure may be alternately provided at the top of the tank so that oO O the system 101 can function as a garden seat or table top or other device for outdoor furniture use.

According to alternative preferred embodiments of the invention that are not illustrated in the drawings, the system 101 comprises a single tank 102 and Smultiple platforms 103, some of which are preferably arranged in order to create 00 the appearance of multiple garden beds at different heights.

According to the preferred embodiment of figures 1 to 4, the platform 103 has drainage channels 114 in its base to allow water to freely move along its base to allow for hydroponic cultivation. In this case, instead of soil being placed in the platform 103, water is pumped through the bed instead with pump 109 and then to waste or back into the tank 102 for recirculation.

The embodiment of figures 1 to 4 further comprises attachment points such as are illustrated at 116 for the attachment of external cladding, mouldings or like 117. Such external cladding or mouldings 117 comprise natural or artificial timber or stone, or decorative material.

According to alternative preferred embodiments that are not illustrated in the drawings, the external surfaces of the tank 102 are etched during manufacture or further plugs or mouldings are attached to it for ornamental effect.

According to yet further preferred embodiments that are not illustrated in the drawing, a reticulation system is provided in conjunction with the tank 102 to allow external supply of water from the tank at adequate pressure for such purposes as watering lawns, washing cars and the like.

Figures 5 to 19 illustrate alternative preferred embodiments of the invention, according to which the shape of the tank 102 is in different forms.

Figures 5 and 6 illustrate how two cuboid tanks may be placed side by side and plumbed together to create the appearance of a stepped garden bed.

Figure 7 illustrates how a single tank may create the appearance of an Lshaped garden bed.

Figures 8, 9 and 10 illustrate how three cuboid tanks may be placed side by side and plumbed together to create the appearance of a stepped garden bed.

COMS ID No: ARCS-189760 Received by IP Australia: Time 13:05 Date 2008-05-08 08/05 2008 THU 13:02 FAX Smoorenburg Attorneys IP AISTRALIA la014/032 00 12 Figures 11 and 12 illustrate a cylindrical system.

Figure 13 illustrates constructional details of the embodiment of figures 11 and 12. This embodiment of the invention comprises a tank 102 and a platform 00 0 103. The tank further comprises a cylinder 120 and a base 121. The cylinder has an upper ledge 118 around the inner wall of the cylinder 120 near its upper end and a lower ledge 119 around the inner wall of the cylinder near its lower Send. The base 121 of the tank rests on an O-ring 123 which in turn rests on the lower ledge 119. The platform 103 rests on an O-ring 122 which in turn rests on 00 the upper ledge 118.

The weight of the base 121 and the contents of the tank 102 operate to compress the O-ring 123 to form a seal in the known manner as is illustrated in the figure. Similarly the weight of the platform 103 and its contents or load operate to compress the O-ring 122 to similarly form a seal.

Figures 14 to 19 illustrate embodiments of the invention in which the tank has various preferred shapes.

While this invention has been described in connection with specific embodiments thereof, it will be understood that it is capable of further modification(s). This application is intended to cover any variations uses or adaptations of the invention following in general, the principles of the invention and including such departures from the present disclosure as come within known or customary practice within the art to which the invention pertains and as may be applied to the essential features hereinbefore set forth. For example, although embodiments of the invention are directed to systems that provide rainwater tanks and raised garden beds, the reader will appreciate that the invention is not so limited. It is also envisaged that tanks provided by preferred embodiments of the invention may function as fish ponds, small swimming pools for children and even spar's where the water source is the tank itself rather than wasting precious water supplies. The scope of the invention in one preferred form comprehends any system comprising a tank and a closely associated structure in which the tank is adapted to hold a liquid, the liquid can travel from the tank to the associated structure and the associated structure is adapted to utilize that liquid.

As the present invention may be embodied in several forms without departing from the spirit of the essential characteristics of the invention, it should COMS ID No: ARCS-189760 Received by IP Australia: Time 13:05 Date 2008-05-08 08/05 2008 THU 13:03 FAX Smoorenburg Attorneys IP AUSTRALIA 13015/032 00 C13 be understood that the above described embodiments are not to limit the present invention unless otherwise specified, but rather should be construed broadly within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

00 The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects as illustrative only and not restrictive. Therefore, the specific embodiments are to be understood to be illustrative of the many ways in which the principles of the Spresent invention may be practiced, In the following claims, means-plus-function clauses are intended to cover structures as performing the defined function and 00o not only structural equivalents, but also equivalent structures. For example, although a nail and a screw may not be structural equivalents in that a nail employs a cylindrical surface to secure wooden parts together, whereas a screw employs a helical surface to secure wooden parts together, in the environment of fastening wooden parts, a nail and a screw are equivalent structures.

"Comprises/comprising" when used in this specification is taken to specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps or components but does not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, components or groups thereof." Thus, unless the context clearly requires otherwise, throughout the description and the claims, the words 'comprise', 'comprising', and the like are to be construed in an inclusive sense as opposed to an exclusive or exhaustive sense; that is to say, in the sense of "including, but not limited to".

COMS ID No: ARCS-189760 Received by IP Australia: Time 13:05 Date 2008-05-08

Claims (19)

1. A liquid circulation system comprising the combination of: 00 a liquid storage tank; and subsidiary apparatus that is adapted to _be either: u physically proximate the liquid storage tank; or c be incorporated into the liquid storage tank, and to ri Ireceive liquid from the liquid storage tank, and utilize that liquid, NC in which the system is adapted to emulate a first type of structure.

2. A system as claimed in claim 1, in which: the liquid storage tank is adapted to receive liquid comprising water and to store it within the tank; the subsidiary apparatus comprises at least one platform that is adapted to function as a garden bed when it is connected to the tank and to receive water from the tank; and the system is adapted to emulate a raised garden bed.

3. A system as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, in which the system is adapted to cooperate with another such system to form a second type of structure.

4. A system as claimed in claim 3, in which the first type of structure and the second type of structure are the same type of structure.

A system as claimed in claim 3 or claim 4, in which the second type of structure is selected from the group comprising: a wall; a retaining wall; a multi-level garden bed; a garden seat; a fish pond; COMS ID No: ARCS-189760 Received by IP Australia: Time 13:05 Date 2008-05-08 08/05 2008 THU 13:03 FAX Smoorenburg Attorneys IP AUSTRALIA l 017/032 00 0 a swimming pool; Sa spar/spa and outdoor furniture. 00 0

6. A system as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 5 wherein the subsidiary apparatus comprises a cover that is adapted for locating over the tank and the Splatform. 00

7. A system as claimed in claim 6 wherein the cover is at least partly transparent to light so as to create a greenhouse effect when the cover is on the system.

8. A system as claimed in claim 6 or 7 further comprising a mechanism operatively associated with the subsidiary apparatus for moving the cover.

9. A system as claimed in claim 8 wherein the system further comprises a mechanism to automatically move the cover.

A system as claimed in claim 8 or 9 wherein the mechanism is adapted to activate and move the cover between a position in which it is covering the platform and a position in which it is not covering the platform.

11. A system as claimed in claim 10 wherein indicia for activating the mechanism comprise at least one of: the time of day; the season of the year; atmospheric temperature; temperature of a component of the system; atmospheric relative humidity; moisture levels in the soil; the presence or absence of precipitation; and wind speed. COMS ID No: ARCS-189760 Received by IP Australia: Time 13:05 Date 2008-05-08 08/05 2008 THU 13:03 FAX Smoorenburg Attorneys IP AUSTRALIA Q018/032 00 16

12. A subsidiary apparatus that is adapted to function as the subsidiary C apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 11. 00 O

13. A liquid storage tank adapted to function as the liquid storage tank of any one of claims 1 to 11. NO

14. A kit of parts comprising the subsidiary apparatus of claim 12 and the liquid storage tank of claim 13. 00

15. A process of cultivating plants, the process using a system or apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 14.

16. An outdoor structure comprising, in combination, at least one liquid storage tank and at least one subsidiary apparatus adapted to emulate a first type of structure.

17. An outdoor structure as claimed in claim 16 wherein the first type of structure is the same type of structure as the outdoor structure.

18. A method of sustaining garden plants, the method comprising the steps of: combining at least one liquid storage tank in operative association with a subsidiary apparatus adapted to receive liquid from the liquid storage tank; utilising the liquid received from the storage tank for a garden bed incorporated into the subsidiary apparatus; and, adapting the liquid storage tank, the subsidiary apparatus and the garden bed to emulate an outdoor structure.

19. A method as claimed in claim 18 wherein the emulated outdoor structure comprises one of: a wall; a retaining wall; a multi-level garden bed; a garden seat; COMS ID No: ARCS-189760 Received by IP Australia: Time 13:05 Date 2008-05-08 08/05 2008 THU 13:03 FAX Smoorenburg Attorneys IP AUSTRALIA ]019/032 00 0 17 a fish pond; a swimming pool; a spar/spa and 00 0 outdoor furniture. A method, process or protocol substantially as herein described with O reference to at least one of the accompanying drawings. 0 00 21. An appar atus, structure, device, of ther system substantially as herein 0 1 0 described with reference to at least one of the accompanying drawings. C~q COMS ID No: ARCS-189760 Received by IP Australia: Time 13:05 Date 2008-05-08