AU2009200625A1 - Water filter device - Google Patents

Description

AUSTRALIA FB RICE & CO Patent and Trade Mark Attorneys Patents Act 1990 SILVAN H20 PTY LTD COMPLETE SPECIFICATION STANDARD PATENT Invention Title: Water filter device The following statement is a full description of this invention including the best method of performing it known to us:- 2 Cross-Reference to Related Applications The present application claims priority from Australian Provisional Patent Application No 2008902534 filed on 22 May 2008, the content of which is incorporated herein by reference. 5 Field of the Invention This invention relates to a water filter device and more particularly relates to a water filter device for attachment to a downpipe. 10 Background of the Invention Rooves and other water catchments collect dirt, leaves, debris, moss and matter in addition to rain water. Material other than water can enter a water containment area unless appropriate measures are taken in order to separate the rain water from the other material. 15 Many water filter systems are known. One example of a rainwater filter system connects to a downpipe just below a gutter and is in the form of an open box having a base region that is greater in depth and area than a top region. A screen mesh extends from the top to the bottom of the open box in a curved arrangement so that any leaves and other debris falling through the upper part of the downpipe is collected and remains 20 on an outer portion of the screen or is otherwise blown away over time. This allows any water to be filtered through the mesh and to run through to a lower part of the downpipe for collection into a storage system. A particular disadvantage of this arrangement, and other open filter arrangements, is that the screen can be dislodged as it is open to the weather. Birds may also dislodge the screen while fossicking or 25 attempting to make a nest. Collection of the wet matter and debris can also form an attractive environment for mosquitoes to breed or for fungus to grow, which is not necessarily desired so close to a residential building. Furthermore, such arrangements are not easy to pull apart and clean. The present invention seeks to provide a water filter device that substantially 30 overcomes one or more of the above mentioned disadvantages. The present invention substantially provides a device that can be closed to the environment and light, and has detachable components for ease of removing debris and for cleaning the components. Summary of the Invention 35 According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a water filter device for attachment and co-operation with a rainwater downpipe comprising a body adapted 258546_1 3 for attachment to said downpipe so as to intercept the water flow through said downpipe, a cartridge for detachment from and insertion into said body and a removable filter section such that when said cartridge is inserted into said body debris travelling through said downpipe is collected by said filter section in a space within 5 said cartridge substantially separate said debris from said water and to enable filtered water to continue travelling through said downpipe after exiting said body. The filter section is preferably removable from the cartridge. The cartridge may have an overflow outlet to enable escape of water that accumulates within the space due to an excess of debris residing in the space above the filter section. 10 The overflow outlet may include an aperture located in an outer face of the cartridge covered by a hinged flap. The cartridge, when inserted into the body, preferably makes the device a substantially closed unit blocking out light and preventing birds and insects access to the space within the body. The cartridge preferably includes a downpipe inlet, a downpipe outlet and the overflow outlet. 15 The cartridge preferably has a handle to enable a user to remove the cartridge from and attach the cartridge to the body of the water filter device. The filter section preferably fits into the cartridge at an acute angle, with respect to a longitudinal axis of the cartridge and body. The filter section preferably comprises a coarse mesh and a fine mesh substantially parallel to and at a distance from the coarse mesh. A 20 compartment exists between each mesh to collect debris that passes through the coarse mesh but is unable to pass through the fine mesh. Both meshes are firmly held in a spaced relationship by a support frame. The support frame preferably has protrusions adapted to fit into corresponding slots in the cartridge to provide positive engagement between the filter section and the 25 cartridge. The support frame preferably has a curved wall section that together with the coarse mesh, the fine mesh and a back wall define the compartment. When the filter section is fitted to the cartridge, it is angled with respect to a longitudinal axis of the cartridge, and the support frame contacts the internal face of sides of the cartridge and 30 the internal face of a base of the cartridge. The cartridge is preferably open-ended, opposite to the handle, such that when fitted to the body, water and debris passes through a top opening to the cartridge with filtered water exiting a lower opening through the filter section. The back wall of the filter section support frame extends between and fits flush 35 between outer edges of each side of the cartridge. A lower portion of the curved wall 258546_1 4 section of the support frame is substantially flush with the lower opening of the cartridge. The fine mesh may be concave in shape such that it is curved in the direction towards the coarse mesh. A support fin may be attached to the underneath side of the 5 fine mesh extending between the back wall and a section of the curved wall of the support frame for additional strength. A support bar may join sides of the cartridge. According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a water filter device comprising: a body attachable to a downpipe, the body having an inlet at a first end and an 10 outlet at a second end through which filtered water passes; a cartridge for detachment from and insertion into said body, said cartridge having an overflow outlet; a removable filter section angled with respect to a longitudinal axis of the body, such that any leaves and debris entering the inlet to the body are collected in a space 15 within the cartridge and any excess water passes through the overflow outlet. Preferably the overflow outlet may incorporate an indicator showing that overflow has occurred and that the filter needs cleaning. Brief Description of the Drawings 20 A preferred embodiment of the invention will hereinafter be described by way of example only, with reference to the drawings in which: Fig 1 is a perspective view of a water filter device attachable to a downpipe; Fig 2 is a perspective cutaway view of the water filter device of Fig 1 showing the position of a removable filter section within the device; 25 Fig 3 is a perspective exploded view showing the various components of the device of Fig 1; Figs 4a, b and c are respectively plan, front and side sectional views of the device of Fig 1; Fig 5a is a cutaway perspective view showing the capture of leaves and debris 30 by the device where a substantial proportion of water flowing into the device flows out of the device as filtered water; Fig 5b is a cutaway perspective view showing water input to the device overflowing through an overflow outlet due to the excess build-up of leaves on the filter section; 35 Figs 6a to d are sequential views showing the removal of a cartridge from the body of the device in order to clear away leaves and debris from within the cartridge; 258546_1 5 Fig 7a shows the detachment of the filter section from the cartridge; Fig 7b shows how to clear debris from the filter section; Fig 7c shows the reattachment of the filter section to the cartridge; and Fig 7d shows the insertion of cartridge into the body of the device ready for 5 further use. Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiment Referring to Figs 1 to 4, there is shown a water filter device 10 which is adapted to be fitted to a downpipe 12. The device 10 includes a body 14 which has an inlet 16 10 and an outlet 18. The inlet 16 is circular in cross-section for connection to a corresponding circular downpipe 12 and similarly outlet 18 is circular in cross-section for connection to the same downpipe. A 240mm section of downpipe should be cut away in order to install the body 14. Square downpipes can be used, however, a square to round adaptor will need to be used. The device 10 is particularly, but not 15 exclusively, adapted to receive rain water from a roof or other catchment area prior to entry of the rainwater into a container such as a storage tank. The device 10 also includes a cartridge 20 which is able to be inserted into an removed from the body 14. A filter section 22 attaches to cartridge 20 so that when the cartridge 20 is in place and connected to the body 14, the filter section 22 has a pair of meshes angled 20 with respect to a longitudinal axis of the body 14 and cartridge 20 and is able to filter debris from water that enters gutters and the downpipe 12 and through inlet 16 of body 14. With the cartridge 20 in place within the body 14, it provides a completely sealed unit from the environment and light so that birds and insects cannot gain access to any debris or leaves that have built up and are confined within the space provided between 25 the cartridge 20, filter section 22 and body 14. Furthermore, fungi or algae and plant matter will not be able to grow within the device 10. The cartridge 20 has a handle 24 which can be gripped by a user when engaging and disengaging the cartridge 20 with the body 14. The cartridge 20 also has an overflow outlet 26 which is located above the handle 24 and comprises an aperture 28 30 and a flap 30 which is hinged to the cartridge 20 through hinge 32. Thus, when excess leaves or debris build up within the space 34 defined by the filter section 22, the cartridge 20 and body 14, a build-up of water may occur in which case any excess water is able to flow through the overflow outlet 26 onto the ground below or adjacent the downpipe 12. 35 The filter section 22 comprises a support frame 36 which includes a curved wall section 38 and a back wall 40. The curved wall 38 extends in a substantially U-shape 258546_1 6 from respective side edges of the back wall 40. A coarse mesh or screen 42 is fitted or otherwise connected to a top face of the support frame 36, for example through connector elements 44 located on a top edge of the curved wall 38. A further mesh, being a fine mesh 46, is fitted at a lower portion of the support frame 36. This is more 5 easily seen in profile in Fig 4c. A fin 48 extends along the middle section of the support frame 36 between the back wall 40 and a front portion of the curved wall 38, to add additional strength to the support frame 36 and to support the fine mesh 46, such that it is in a concave shape. Thus, the fine mesh 46 is curved upwardly towards the coarse mesh 42 so that any fine debris that passes through coarse mesh 42 is collected 10 to the sides of compartment 50 that is formed between the support structure 36 and each of the meshes 42 and 46. Thus, the fine debris is collected within the compartment 50 and still allows filtered water to pass through the fine mesh 46 and through outlet 18 and down the downpipe 12. Each of the mesh structures are made from stainless steel in a grid or lattice 15 fashion where the dimension of each square of the lattice of the coarse mesh 42 is 5mm on the side and the side dimensions of the fine mesh 46 is 0.9mm on the side. The filter section 22 is arranged such that the meshes 42 and 46 are at an acute angle with respect to a longitudinal axis of the body 14 and the cartridge 20. This is so that any leaves or debris that collect within the space 34 or compartment 50 are not 20 positioned in a single area at the bottom of the body 14. Also, the angled arrangement of the filter section 22 enables it to conveniently fit within the cartridge 20 and body 14 allowing as much surface area for the water to be filtered through the filter section 22. Connection of the filter section 22 to the cartridge 20 is by way of protrusions 52 and 54 located on each side of the curved wall section 38 of the filter section 22 and slots 25 56 and 58 on each of the side walls of the cartridge 20. Thus, the filter section 22 fits completely across the space between each of the side faces 60 and 62 of the cartridge 20, with a lower section 64 (see Fig 4c) of the filter section 22 abutting against a lower internal face of the cartridge 22. A number of grooves may be located in this region in order to better secure the lower section 64. Thus, the respective sides of the curved 30 wall section 38 and lower portion 64 fit or abut against the internal faces of the cartridge 20. The back wall 40 also has corresponding slots on each of its side edges to engage with corresponding protuberances at the back edges of each of the side panels 60 and 62 of cartridge 20. This enables firm engagement of the filter section 22 with the cartridge 20. 35 A horizontal support bar 62 is releasably detachable from the cartridge 20 and extends between slots provided in each of the back regions of the side faces 60 and 62. 258546_1 7 This provides extra support for the cartridge 20. A rubber seal 39 extends around the outer lower section of the cartridge 20 to prevent water, leaves and debris escaping from the space 34 within body 14. The seal 39 fits within a groove on the outer surface of cartridge 20 and is secured at either end to the cartridge 20 through a number of 5 spigots with enlarged heads that protrude through respective apertures. It also assists with providing firm engagement of the cartridge 20 to the body 14. Located at various positions on the interior and exterior surfaces of the cartridge 20 and the interior surface of flap 30 are ridges 41 that provide additional strength to the cartridge 20 to cater for the environmental effects that the device 10 is subjected to. 10 Referring to Fig 5a there is shown diagrammatically water flow 68 entering inlet 16 from downpipe 12 as indicated by the thick black arrows. Leaves and debris 70 have collected on the top surface of coarse mesh 42 and have collected within the space 34. Other smaller debris that has fallen through the mesh 42 would be collected in the compartment 50 between the two meshes 42 and 46. As can be seen, water is still able 15 to substantially flow through the filter section 22 as filtered water 72 through outlet 18. A tongue 45 extends from the bottom of cartridge 20 that engages a corresponding rib at the periphery of outlet 18 to secure the cartridge 20 to the body 14. A peripheral ridge 47 extends around the outside of cartridge 20 and sits flush with the surface of body 14 when engaged with the body 14. 20 Referring to Fig 5b, much more debris and leaves have accumulated within the space 34 such that only a small amount of filtered water 74 flows through outlet 18 and down the downpipe 12. The majority of the water 76 as indicated by the thick black arrow has built up in volume within in the space 34 so much so that excess water is overflowing at 78 through overflow outlet 26. In this situation the hinged flap 30 is 25 forced outwardly from the cartridge 20 by the excess water 78. This prevents any damage to gutters from excessive build up of water. Referring to Fig 6a, in order to remove the cartridge 20 from the body 14, in order to clean or otherwise empty the cartridge 20, the user simply provides a firm pull with their hand on the handle 24 and removes the cartridge 20. In Fig 6b, the cartridge 30 is shown in a position ready to be emptied. In Fig 6c, a substantial number of leaves 80 have accumulated within the space 34 and similarly in compartment 50 an amount of fine debris matter 82 has accumulated. In Fig 6d, in order to empty the contents or leaves 80 from within space 34, the user turns the cartridge 20 upside down and empties the debris and leaves 80 into a suitable container, such as a bucket, or 35 otherwise in a convenient location around the garden or within a compost bin. 258546_1 8 With reference to Fig 7, the sequential figures (a) to (d) shown how to remove the filter section 22 in order to clean debris 82 from the filter section 22. In Fig 7a, the filter section 22 is disengaged from the cartridge 20 by gripping the filter section 22 and firmly pulling it upwards so that it disengages the connection between respective 5 protuberances 52 and 54 with the slots 56 and 58. Once this is disengaged the filter section 22 can be removed in which case if there is existing debris 80 in space 34, this will drop out of the cartridge 20. Thus, it is best to empty the cartridge 20 of leaves and debris 80 first before remove the filter section 22. As shown in Fig 7b, the bucket of water 84 may be used to rinse or otherwise 10 clean the debris from the filter section compartment 50. In Fig 7c, once the filter section 22 is cleaned, it can be reinstalled or reattached to the cartridge 20 by locating the protuberances 52 and 54 on each side of the filter section 22 with the respective slots 56 and 58 on each face 60 and 62 of the cartridge 20. This should click into place with the lower section 64 in abutment with an internal bottom face of the cartridge 20. 15 With reference to Fig 7d, it is then a matter of putting the cartridge 20 back into the body 14 of the device 10. It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that numerous variations and/or modifications may be made to the invention as shown in the specific embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention as broadly described. 20 The present embodiments are, therefore, to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive. 258546_1

Claims (15)

1. A water filter device for attachment and co-operation with a rainwater downpipe comprising a body adapted for attachment to said downpipe so as to intercept the water flow through said downpipe, a cartridge for detachment from and insertion into said 5 body and a removable filter section such that when said cartridge is inserted into said body debris travelling through said downpipe is collected by said filter section in a space within said cartridge to substantially separate said debris from said water and to enable filtered water to continue travelling through said downpipe after exiting said body. 10

2. A water filter device according to claim 1, wherein said filter section is incorporated into and removable from said cartridge.

3. A water filter device according to claim I or 2, wherein said cartridge includes an overflow outlet to enable escape of accumulated water unable to pass into said downpipe. 15

4. A water filter device according to claim 3, wherein said overflow outlet includes an openable flap.

5. A water filter device according to claim 4, wherein said openable flap is hinged to said cartridge.

6. A water filter device according to any one of claims I to 5, wherein all 20 components thereof are sealable to ensure that the device can provide a closed unit blocking out light and preventing insect access to said downpipe and water flow therethrough.

7. A water filter device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein said cartridge includes a downpipe inlet, a downpipe outlet, an overflow outlet and a handle. 25

8. A water filter device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein said filter section is incorporated into said cartridge at an acute angle to the direction of water flow.

9. A water filter device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein said filter section includes a coarse mesh layer adapted to intercept the first of said water flow and 30 separate large debris material; and a fine mesh layer positioned substantially parallel to and at a distance from said coarse mesh layer adapted to intercept the coarse filtered water flow and separate fine debris material.

10. A water filter device according to claim 9, wherein said fine mesh layer is concave in shape with the convex surface facing the direction of water flow through 35 said filter. 258546_1 10

11. A water filter device according to claim 9 or 10, wherein both coarse and fine mesh layers are firmly held in a spaced relationship by a support frame adapted to co operate with said cartridge.

12. A water filter device according to claim 10 or 11, wherein said support frame 5 includes protruding tabs adapted to fit into corresponding slots in said cartridge so as to provide positive engagement between said filter section and said cartridge.

13. A water filter device according to any one of claims 3 to 12, further including and overflow indicator adapted to co-operate with said overflow outlet and provide an indication that said filter requires cleaning. 10

14. A water filter device according to any one of claims 1 to 13, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the figures.

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