AU2014240243B2 - Filter Assembly - Google Patents

Abstract

- 16 A filter assembly 10 comprises a container 12 having a filter inlet 14 and a filter outlet 16. A filter medium 18 is supported by a frame 20 inside the container 12. The frame 5 20 supports the filter medium 18 in a manner such that all liquid that enters the container through the inlet 14 must pass through the filter medium 18 in order to flow from the outlet 16. The frame 20 comprises first and second parts 22a and 22b between which the filter medium 18 is held. The frame 20 can be removed from the container 12 enabling the filter medium 18 to be either cleaned and reused or simply 10 replaced with a fresh filter medium. 58195981 (GHMatters) P98210.AU MCAMP 1/10/14 ------ i2 4 its* ,j,: a My

Description

FILTER ASSEMBLY

Technical Field

This specification discloses a filter assembly particularly, although not exclusively, for association with rain water or other potable water storage tanks.

Background Art

Rainwater tanks are commonly used to supplement domestic water supply. The water from rainwater tanks can be used for example for irrigation of a garden or directed to various water consuming appliances within a house such as a clothes washing machine or toilets. Rainwater is channelled into the tank usually via a downpipe connected with a gutter. The gutter in turn receives water from a catchment area such as a roof of a building.

In many instances the rainwater is fed directly into the tank. Therefore dirt and other contaminants that are entrained with the rain water also flow into the tank. The contaminants tend to settle on the bottom of the tank. In time this can accumulate to 20 the extent that the contaminants become entrained in the rainwater supplied from the tank. To remedy this, a user would ordinarily seek to clean the tank.

The entrainment of contaminants in the consumed water can be exacerbated when provided under pressure. For example if a pump is provided to supply water from the 25 tank under pressure, the action of the pump may have the effect of mixing contaminants and water within the tank prior to discharge by the pump.

In some rainwater collection systems it is known to divert an initial volume of rainwater from entering the tank. The idea here is that the initial volume of water is considered 30 most likely to contain the greatest proportion of contaminants. Therefore by diverting or otherwise dumping this initial volume the subsequent rainwater will be carrying a much lower proportion of contaminants. This slows down the build-up of contaminants within the tank.

The above described background art is not intended to limit the application of the filter assembly, and associated water system and method of providing filtered water as disclosed herein.

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-2Summary of the Disclosure

In the first aspect there is disclosed a filter assembly comprising:

a container having a filter inlet and a filter outlet;

a filter medium; and a frame for supporting the filter medium in the container such that all liquid that enters the container through the inlet must pass through the filter medium to flow out from the outlet;

wherein the frame is removable from the container and comprises at least a first part and a second part between which the filter medium is held.

In a second aspect there is disclosed filter assembly comprising:

a frame capable of supporting a filter medium through which a liquid can pass, the frame having a first set of fins and a second set of fins, the sets of fins being arranged on opposite sides of a filter medium when supported by the frame wherein at least one fin in each set of fins is configured to enable liquid to flow there through, and at least one fin in each set of fins impervious to liquid flow.

In a third aspect there is disclosed a water provision system comprising:

a filter assembly in accordance with the first or second aspects; and a water storage tank having an inlet and outlet; wherein the outlet of the filter assembly is connected to the inlet of the tank so that water is filtered by the filter prior to entering the tank.

In a fourth aspect there is disclosed a rain water system comprising:

a rain water catchment area; and a water provision system according to claim the second aspect wherein the rain water catchment area is connected to the water provision system in a manner wherein 30 rain water must pass through the filter assembly or plurality of filter assemblies in order to enter the tank.

In a fifth aspect there is disclosed a gravity feed rain water system comprising:

at least one filter assembly having a removable filter medium and a container in which the filter medium is disposed, the container being arranged to enable visual inspection of the filter medium through a wall of the container; and

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-3a rain water tank connected to an outlet of the filter assembly, wherein rain water is able by action of gravity alone to flow through the filter assembly and into the tank.

Ina sixth aspect there is disclosed a method of providing filter rain water comprising: gravity feeding rain water through a filter medium held within a closed container prior to storage in a tank; and enabling visual inspection of the filter medium through a wall of the container.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Notwithstanding any other forms which may fall within the scope of the filter assembly, water systems, and methods as set forth in the Summary, specific embodiments will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1a is a front elevation of a first embodiment of the disclosed filter assembly; Figure 1 b is a side elevation of the filter assembly;

Figure 1 c is a top view of the filter assembly;

Figure 2a is a view of section A-A shown in Figure 1c;

Figure 2b is a view of section B-B shown in Figure 1c;

Figure 3a is a view of the inside of the filter assembly shown in Figures 1a - 2b with its lid removed and showing an internal filter support frame and filter;

Figure 3b is a first angle isometric view of the filter assembly shown in Figures 1a - 2b 25 with the lid and drain cap removed;

Figure 3c is a second angle isometric view of the filter assembly shown in Figures 1a 2b with the lid and drain cap removed;

Figure 3d is a view of the inside of the container incorporated in the filter assembly shown in Figures 1a - 2b, in this view lid, the filter medium, filter support frame, and drain cap of the filter assembly have been removed;

Figure 4a is a first angle isometric view of the lid of the filter assembly shown in Figures 1a-2b;

Figure 4b is a second angle isometric view of the lid of the filter assembly shown in Figures 1a-2b;

Figure 5a is an isometric view from the front of the frame and filter medium incorporated in the filter assembly;

Figure 5b is an exploded view from the back of the frame and filter medium shown in

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-4Figure 5a;

Figure 5c is an exploded view from the side of the frame and filter medium shown in Figure 5a;

Figure 5d is an isometric view looking from one end of a first part of the filter shown in

Figure 5a;

Figure 5e an isometric view looking from one end of a second part of the filter shown in Figure 5a;

Figure 6a is an isometric view from the front of a canister used in a second embodiment of the disclosed filter assembly;

Figure 6b is an isometric view from the top of the canister shown in Figure 6a;

Figure 6b is an isometric view from the top of the canister shown in Figure 6a fitted with an associated filter medium and support frame;

Figure 7a is a front elevation of the second embodiment of the disclosed filter assembly;

Figure 7b is a side elevation of the second embodiment of filter assembly;

Figure 7c is a top view of the second embodiment of filter assembly;

Figure 8a is a view of section A-A shown in Figure 7c;

Figure 8b is a view of section B-B shown in Figure 7c; and

Figure 9 is a schematic representation of a further embodiment of the disclosed filter assembly.

Description of Specific Embodiments

Figures 1a - 5e depict one embodiment of the disclosed filter assembly 10 and associated component parts. The filter assembly 10 comprises a container 12 having a filter inlet 14 and a filter outlet 16. A filter medium 18 (shown most clearly in Figures 5b and 5c) is supported by a frame 20 inside the container 12. The frame 20 supports the filter medium 18 in a manner such that all liquid that enters the container through the inlet 14 must pass through the filter medium 18 in order to flow from the outlet 16.

The frame 20 comprises first and second parts 22a and 22b (hereinafter referred to in general as “frame parts 22”) between which the filter medium 18 is held. The frame 20 can be easily removed from the container 12. In this way the filter medium 18 can be either cleaned and reused or simply replaced with a fresh filter medium 18.

The container 12 is assembled from two main components a first body portion 24 and a demountably connected lid 26. For convenience the first body portion 24 will be hereinafter referred to as “canister 24”. The canister 24 has a bottom wall 30. On an

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- 5inside of the bottom wall 30 is a raised profiled seat 56. At one end of the bottom wall is a drain 32. The drain 32 is surrounded by an annular wall 34 having a screw thread 36 on its outer circumferential surface. A drain cap 37 screws onto the thread to close the drain 32.

Referring in particular to Figures 3a-3d the canister 24 has two parallel cylindrical portions 38 and 40. The portions 38 and 40 are spaced apart and connected together by side walls 42 and 44. An end 46 of the canister 24 opposite the bottom wall 30 is open or at least defines an opening. The lid 26 is demountably coupled over the opening at the end 46. When the lid 26 is removed as shown in Figure 3a the frame is accessible and can be removed from the filter assembly 10.

The cylindrical parts 38 and 40 have circumferential inner walls 48 and 50 respectively, each of which extends for approximately 270°. Both of the walls 48 and 50 lead to opposite planar walls 52 and 54. A pair of diametrically opposed ribs 58 is formed on the circumferential wall 48 extending for the length of the cylindrical part 38. A pair of diametrically opposed ribs 60 is also formed on the inner circumferential wall 50 and extending for the full length of the cylindrical part 40.

A lip 62 extends about the opening at the end 46 of the canister 24. The lip 62 extends laterally from the open end 46. A short upright wall 64 circumscribes the lip 62.

With particular reference to Figures 3b and 3c the canister 24 is also provided with six clip seats 66, three on each side. The clip seats 66 are formed immediately underneath the lip 62 on the opposite sides of the canister 24.

Figures 4a and 4b illustrate the lid 26 that is demountably coupled to the canister 24.

The lid has a planar weblike base 70 with a footprint configured to substantially match that of the lip 62. The inlet 14 and outlet 16 are connected with and in this embodiment formed integrally with the base 70. Each of the inlet 14 and the outlet 16 is in the form of a 90° elbow pipe fitting. On an inside surface of the base 70 there is a profiled track 72. The track 72 is configured to receive an end of the frame assembly 20.

On the outer side of the base 70 and on each side of the lid 26 are sets of three clip seats 74. A short wall 76 extends about an inside of the base 70. When the lids 26 is demountably coupled to the canister 24 the walls 76 and 64 fit one inside the other (shown in Fig 2a).

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-6With particular reference to Figures 5a - 5e the filter frame 20 is formed of two parts 22a and 22b which are in a mutual overlying relationship. The filter medium 18 is sandwiched between the parts 22a and 22b. The frame 20 is formed with a first set of 5 fins 80ec, 80a and 80eo (hereinafter referred to in general as “fins 80”) and a second set of fins 82eo, 82a and 82ec (hereinafter referred to in general as “fins 82”). Fins 80 and 82 are on opposite sides of the frame 20. The fins 80 and 82 are arranged so that the frame is configured to form a slight interference fit within the canister 24. In particular, the fins 80 and 82 will contact the inner surface of the canister 24. This serves two functions. Firstly the pressure created on the frame 20 by this interference fit effectively holds or presses the filter medium 18 between the parts 22a and 22b.

Secondly the interference fit creates substantial seals between the contact areas of the inside surface of the canister 24 and the frame 20.

The fins 80ec and 80eo are end fins of the part 22a while the fins 80a are intermediate finds lined between the end fins 80ec and 80eo. Each of the fins 80a and 80eo are provided with openings allowing the through flow of liquid. However the end fin 80ec is a closed fin which does not allow any through flow liquid. The end fins 80ec and 80eo are of an arcuate shape extending for approximately % of a circle and have straight longitudinal edges 84. The end fins 80ec and 80eo extend into the cylindrical parts 38 and 40 of the canister 24. The straight edges 84 of the end fins 80ec and 80eo also abut with the ribs 58 and 60 respectively on one side of the canister 24.

The arrangement of fins 82 on the second part 22b is similar to that described above in 25 relation to the part 22a. The fins 82a lie between the end fins 82eo and 82ec. Each of fins 82eo and 82ec is curved, extending for approximately 90° and configured to extend into the cylindrical portions 38 and 40. Longitudinal straight edges 85 of the end fins 82eo and 82ec abut the ribs 58 and 60 on an adjacent side of the canister 24.

The intermediate fins 80a and 82a are staggered with respect to each other. However the end fins 82ec and 82eo are directly opposite each other as are the end fins 82eo and 82ec. Together the end fins 82ec and 82eo; and the end fins 82eo and 82ec form semi-cylindrical structures.

Figures 5d and 5e illustrate the parts 22a and 22b separately from each other. With particular reference to Figure 5d the part 22a comprises a support portion 87. Each of the fins 80 extends to one side of the support portion 87. The support portion 87 has a

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- 7generally undulating or corrugated configuration. The intermediate fins 80a extend from the crest of each corrugation. The fins 80ec and 80eo extend from opposite sides of the support portion 87 from an edge that lies at a level between the crests and troughs of the support portion 87. Solid ribs 88 extend along each of the troughs. A plurality of slots or openings 89 are formed in the support portion 87 to allow the passage of liquid.

With reference to Figure 5e the part 22b comprises a support portion 90 of an undulating or corrugated configuration. The fins 82a extend from the same side of the 10 support portion 90. The intermediate fins 82a extend from the troughs of each corrugation in the support portion 90. The opposite end fins 82ec and 82eo extend from opposite sides of the support portion 90 at a level intermediate the crests and troughs. Solid ribs 91 extend along each of the crests. A plurality of openings or slots 93 formed in the support portion 90 to allow the flow of liquid through the support portion 90.

An end 92 of the frame 20 shown in Figure 5a is configured to seat within the track 72 formed on the inside of the lid 26. A substantial seal is formed between the end 92 and the track 72. An opposite end 94 of the frame 20 as shown in Figure 5b is formed with a track 95 which is configured to receive the raised seat 56 on the inside of the bottom wall 30 of the canister 24. When the raised seat 56 is fitted within the end 94/track 95 a substantial seal is formed. Further, as explained in greater detail below with reference to a second embodiment, the end 92 of one frame 20 is configured to engage in and form a substantial seal with an end 94 of another identical frame 20.

Figure 3a depicts the frame 20 inside of the canister 24. The fins 80 and 82 abut against inner surfaces of the canister 24. Substantial seals are formed between the longitudinal edges of the intermediate fins 80a and 82a and the inner surfaces 52 and 54 respectively. A substantial seal is also formed between the fin 80ec and a part of the circumferential wall 48; and a substantial seal is formed between the fin 82ec and a part of the inner circumferential wall 50.

The lid 26 is attached to the canister 24 with the inlet 14 above the cylindrical portion and the outlet 16 above the cylindrical portion 38. If water flows in through the inlet 35 14 it can only reach the outlet 16 by flowing firstly through the fin 80ec then through the filter medium 18 and subsequently through the fin 82eo. Therefore by virtue of this arrangement all water flowing into the filter 10 must pass through the filter medium 18

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-8in order to exit from the outlet 16. It is not possible for water to bypass the filter medium 18. In particular water is unable to flow from the cylinder portion 40 between the fin 82ec and the circumferential wall 50. This flow is firstly blocked by way of the rib 60 abutting the edge 85 of the fin 82ec and secondly by a surface area of the fin

82ec pressing against the inner circumferential surface 50. If desired a sealing strip or band for example made from a rubber material can be provided between the fin 82ec and the surface 50. This can be achieved for example by way of forming a longitudinal groove in the surface 50 and seating a rubber strip in the groove.

By making the canister 24 from a transparent material it is possible for a user to visually inspect the state of the filter 18. If the filter appears dirty the lid 26 can be removed and the frame 20 pulled out and disassembled so that the filter medium 18 can be replaced. The filter medium 18 can be replaced with either a fresh filter medium 18 or the existing filter medium can be washed and reused.

In the event that foreign material builds up within the canister 24 the drain cap 38 can be unscrewed and the canister 24 flushed.

Reverting back to Figures 1a - 2b, the lid 26 is demountably retained on the canister

24 by way of clips 98. The clips 98 are in the form of resilient clips made from plastics or metal material that snap over mutually aligned clip seats 66 and 74 on the canister 24 and lid 26 respectively.

The volumetric capacity of the filter assembly 10 can be increased by increasing the volume of the container 12. One way of doing this is to form the container 12 in a manner so that a plurality of canisters can be coupled together, and providing a filter medium that is operable for the plurality of the canisters. For example the volume of the filter 10 can be doubled by adding a second stage 100 shown in Figures 6a-8b. The first stage 11 is the combination of the canister 24 together with the filter medium

18 and the frame 20 as shown in Figure 3a. The second stage 100 comprises the combination of a second canister 24', second filter medium 18 and second frame 20. The second stage 100 differs from the first stage 11 only by way of the physical form of the second canister 24'. Thus the container 12 in this embodiment is the combination of the canister 24 and the canister 24'.

Referring to Figures 6a and 6b the second canister 24' differs from the first canister 24 only by way of the replacement of the bottom wall 30 of the canister 24 with a

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-9circumferential lip 62' and the addition of further clip seats 66'. The second lip 62' is of identical configuration to the lip 62. The clip seats 66' are also of identical configuration to the clip seats 60. In all other respects the canister 24' is of identical configuration to the canister 24. Figure 6c shows the frame 20 and filter medium 18 of the second stage 100 within the canister 24'.

Figures 7a - 8b depict an embodiment of the filter assembly 10' which comprises the first 11 and second stages 100 connected together. The end 92 of the filter in the first canister 24 fits in the end 94 of the frame 20 in the second canister 24'. The end 92 of 10 the frame in the second canister 24' engages in the track 72 of the lid 26. The lid 26 is fitted to the end of the canister 24'. The canister 24 is coupled to the canister 24' by a set of clips 106.

The canister 24' may also be made of a transparent material or is otherwise provided 15 with windows to enable visualisation of the corresponding filter medium 18. It will be understood that the filter assembly 10' is now of twice the volume of the filter assembly shown in Figures 1a - 5d. The filter assembly 10/10' can be easily mounted on a wall or surface by clips 108 shown in Figures 7a-8b. The clips 108 are able to engage about the cylindrical portions 38 and 40 as well as the inlet and outlet 14 and 16.

In use it is envisaged that a supply pipe or hose is attached to the inlet 14 and the outlet 16 is plumbed to a storage tank. For example the filter assembly 10/10' can be coupled to a rain water tank. The inlet 14 can be plumbed to downpipes or gutters of a building. An associated roof of the building forms a catchment area. When it rains the 25 rain runs down the roof into the gutter down the drainpipe and into the inlet 14. In order for the water to exit the outlet 16 and thus flow into the storage tank the water must pass through the filter medium 18. The water is gravity fed through the filter assembly 10.

As a result of the action of the filter assembly 10/10' the water leaving the outlet 16 and flowing into the storage tank is clean being free of dirt and pathogens which are blocked by the filter medium 18. From time to time the filter medium 18 can be removed by disassembly of the floor assembly 10. No tools are required to disassemble the filter assembly 10 or build it back together. As described above a dirty filter medium 18 can either be washed and reused or alternately discarded and replaced with a fresh filter medium 18.

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- 10Whilst the specific embodiment of the filter assembly has been described it will be apparent that it may be embodied in many other forms. For example, while the volume of the filter assembly 10/10' can be augmented by stacking of a second or more stages a similar effect can be achieved by connecting a plurality of for example single stage filter assemblies in series with each other. Also the end fins 80eo, 80ec, 82eo and

82ec do not need to be formed in an arcuate configuration as shown in the present embodiment. These fins can be planar fins similar to the intermediate fins 80a and 82a. If formed in this manner then the canister 24 can be reconfigured to have respective planar surfaces at right angles to the surfaces 52 and 54 against which the 10 end fins can abut. It is the function and not the physical configuration of the end fins mating with the surfaces of the canister which necessitates liquid passing through the filter medium 18 in order to flow from the inlet 14 to the outlet 16. This is exemplified by a further variation shown in Figure 9 which depicts an embodiment of the disclosed filter assembly designated as 10a.

In Figure 9 the features of the filter assembly 10a that are the same or similar in structure or function are designated with the same reference numbers as in the description of the filter assembly 10. The filter assembly 10a has frame 20 made of two parts 22a and 22b which support the filter medium 18. Each of the parts has a set of fins. The fins of the first part 22a are arranged as set of alternate liquid impervious fins 80m, and liquid pervious fins 80p. The fins of the second part 22b are arranged as set of alternate liquid impervious fins 82m, and liquid pervious fins 82p. The liquid pervious fins may have the same physical structure as the fins 80a or 82a described above, i.e. are provided with holes or slots to allow the flow of a liquid. The liquid impervious fins are solid webs of material similar too fins 80ec and 82ec, but of course of different configuration.

The fins in the first set are directly opposite respective fins of the second set. In each pair of directly opposite fins one is pervious and the other is impervious. Thus an impervious fin 80m or 82m is opposite a pervious fin 82p or 80p respectively. Figure 9 also shows the support portions 87 and 90 as being planar rather than undulating. However the arrangement of fins shown in Figure 9 can also be used with undulating support portions as shown in Figure 5a. It will also be seen that in this embodiment the canister 24a is rectangular rather than having cylindrical end portions. The fins at each end of the frame 20 abut ribs 58 and 60. The dashed line W depicts a liquid flow path from an end portion 40a located above an inlet (not shown) of a lid (not shown) of the filter assembly 10a to an end portion 38 below an outlet (not shown) of the lid of the

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- 11 filter assembly.

In the claims which follow and in the preceding description of the invention, except where the context requires otherwise due to express language or necessary implication, the word “comprise” or variations such as “comprises” or “comprising” is used in an inclusive sense, i.e. to specify the presence of the stated features but not to preclude the presence or addition of further features in various embodiments of the invention.

Claims (19)

1. A filter assembly comprising:

a container having, opposite side walls, a bottom wall and a lid, and a filter inlet

5 and a filter outlet;

a filter medium; and a frame having a first part and a second part between which the filter medium is held, the frame supporting the filter medium in the container such that all liquid that enters the container through the inlet must pass through the filter medium to flow out 10 from the outlet;

wherein the frame is removable from the container and is configured to form an interference fit with an inside surface of all the walls and lid of the container wherein the filter medium is pressed between the first and second parts and substantial seals are formed between contact areas of the frame and the inside surface of all of the walls 15 and lid of the container.

2. The filter assembly according to claim 1 wherein the frame comprises a first set of fins and a second set of fins, the sets of fins being arranged to contact the inner surface of the container on opposite sides of the filter medium.

3. The filter assembly according to claim 2 wherein at least one fin in each set of fins is configured to enable liquid to flow through the fins.

4. The filter assembly according to claim 2 or 3 wherein at least one fin in each set 25 of fins is impervious to liquid flow.

5. The filter assembly according to claim 4 wherein the first part comprises an first support portion wherein the first set of fins is located on one side of the first support portion; and, the second part comprises a second support portion wherein the second

30 set of fins is located on one side of the second support portion, each of the first and second support portions being configured to enable liquid to flow there through.

6. The filter assembly according to claim 5 wherein the filter medium is held between the first and second support portions.

7. The filter assembly according to claim 5 or 6 wherein the first and second support portions are each of an undulating configuration.

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8. The filter assembly according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the frame is configured to hold the filter medium in a non-planar configuration.

5

9. The filter assembly according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the filter medium comprises a cloth or paper.

10. The filter assembly according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the filter medium is capable of being cleaned and reused.

11. The filter assembly according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the container is arranged to enable visual inspection of the filter medium through a wall of the container.

15

12. The filter assembly according to claim 11 wherein the container is made of a transparent material or is provided with one or more windows in the wall.

13. The filter assembly according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the container comprises a first stage having: a first body portion within which the filter

20 medium is accommodated, the first body portion having one end through which the filter can be removed from, or inserted into, the body; and a lid demountably connectable to the first body to selectively close and open the one end.

14. The filter assembly according to any one of claims 1 -13 wherein the lid 25 comprises the filter inlet and the filter outlet.

15. The filter assembly according to claim 13 or 14 wherein the container comprises at least one second stage connectable to the first stage between the one end and the lid, the at least one second stage provided with a filter medium and a

30 frame for supporting the filter medium in the least one second stage; the stages being in fluid communication with each other such that all liquid that enters the container the inlet must pass through one of the filter media to flow out from the outlet.

16. A water provision system comprising:

35 a filter assembly in accordance with any one of the preceding claims; and

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- 14a water storage tank having an inlet and outlet; wherein the outlet of the filter is connected to the inlet of the tank so that water is filtered by the filter prior to entering the tank.

5

17. The water provision system according to claim 16 wherein the filter assembly is one of a plurality of filter assemblies connected together in series so that the outlet of an upstream filter assembly is connected to the inlet of an adjacent downstream filter assembly so that water is filtered by each of the plurality of filter assemblies prior to entering the tank.

18. A rain water system comprising:

a rain water catchment area; and a water provision system according to claim 16 or 17 wherein the rain water catchment area is connected to the water provision system in a manner wherein rain

15 water must pass through the filter assembly or plurality of filter assemblies in order to enter the tank.

19. The system according to any one of claims 16-18 wherein water is gravity fed through the filter assembly or plurality of filter assemblies.