AU2015200670B2

AU2015200670B2 - A cabinet

Info

Publication number: AU2015200670B2
Application number: AU2015200670A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Stephen John Cummings
Original assignee: Caroma Industries Ltd
Current assignee: Caroma Industries Ltd
Priority date: 2007-06-29
Filing date: 2015-02-11
Publication date: 2016-12-22
Anticipated expiration: 2028-06-06
Also published as: AU2015200670A1

Abstract

A cabinet comprising a cabinet body (12), a tub (14) and at least one liquid storage reservoir (20). The cabinet body (12) has an open end and an interior. The tub (14) is in the open end of the body (12). The at least one liquid storage reservoir (20) is within the interior of the body (12). The tub (14) has an outlet which is in selective fluid communication with an inlet to the at least one storage reservoir (20).

Description

1 2015200670 11 Feb 2015

A CABINET

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a cabinet. The invention has been primarily 5 developed for use as a laundry tub cabinet and will be described hereinafter with reference to this application.

Background of the Invention

Gray water is generally considered to be used water from a bathroom (hand ίο basin, shower or bath) or laundry. Used water from a kitchen or from a toilet is excluded. The collection and re-use of gray water in gardens or for flushing toilets, in order to reduce overall water consumption, is increasing in popularity.

One known approach for using gray water generated by a washing machine is to attach a hose to the washing machine outlet. This allows the gray water to be supplied a is location remote from the washing machine, such as a garden. A disadvantage with this approach is that the washing machine outlet pump may not be able to generate sufficient pressure to transport the gray water through the hose. This can lead to malfunctioning or premature failure of the pump, and malfunctioning of the washing machine.

Another known approach involves collecting grey water in a reservoir located 20 relatively near a washing machine. A pump, associated with the reservoir, is then used to supply the water to a new location for re-use. Such reservoirs can also themselves be portable. Disadvantages of this approach include the reservoirs being: generally unsightly; inconvenient and/or difficult to assemble or operate; and requiring a relatively large dedicated storage area. 25 Laundry cabinets are known and generally comprise a cabinet body with a laundry tub in their upper end and a door on their front face. The door provides access to the interior of the body beneath the tub and is commonly used for storage of cleaning products, such as detergents.

In the past, laundry tubs were required to have a substantial volume, for example 30 50 litres, in order to receive and store used water ejected from a washing machine for re use. However, in more recent times, this practice has become uncommon and laundry tub are now generally only used for hand washing of delicates and the like. Disadvantages of known laundry cabinets include that they: occupy a relatively large volume; have a 2 2015200670 22 Nov 2016 laundry tub with a volume that is excessive for modem requirements; and often have inefficient utilisation of their internal storage volume.

Field of the Invention

It is the object of the present invention to substantially overcome or at least ameliorate one or more of the above disadvantages, and in a preferred form, provide a laundry tub cabinet that is also able to store gray water.

Summary of the Invention

Accordingly, the present invention provides a cabinet comprising: a cabinet body with an open end and an interior; a tub in the open end, the tub including an outlet; and at least one liquid storage reservoir within the interior, the at least one reservoir including an inlet; wherein the cabinet includes a valve with a first inlet in fluid communication with the outlet of the tub, a first outlet in fluid communication with the inlet of the at least one liquid storage reservoir, and a second outlet in fluid communication with a drain, wherein fluid flow through the valve is directed from the inlet to one of the first or second outlets; and wherein the valve is controllable from a timer on the laundry tub cabinet.

The cabinet is preferably a laundry tub cabinet and the tub is preferably a laundry tub.

The cabinet preferably includes one liquid storage reservoir within the interior.

In one form, the storage reservoir is fixed relative to the body. In one embodiment of this form, the body and the liquid storage reservoir have separate walls and the tub and the liquid storage reservoir have separate walls. In another embodiment of this form, the body and the liquid storage reservoir have one or more common wall and the tub and the liquid storage reservoir have one or more common wall.

In another form, the storage reservoir is removable from within the body. In this form, the storage reservoir preferably includes wheels or rollers.

AH26(12011796_1):DMW 2a 2015200670 22 Nov 2016

In another form, the cabinet includes a plurality of liquid storage reservoirs. In one embodiment of this form, all of the liquid storage reservoirs are removable from within the body. In another embodiment of this form, all of the liquid storage reservoirs are fixed relative to the body. In yet another embodiment of this form, one or more of the liquid storage reservoirs are removable from within the body and one or more of the liquid storage reservoirs are fixed relative to the body. One of the removable liquid storage reservoirs is preferably in the form of a watering can.

AH26(12011796_1):DMW 2015200670 11 Feb 2015 3

The laundry tub cabinet preferably also includes a materials storage volume within the interior. The laundry tub cabinet preferably includes a door to provide selective access to the materials storage volume. The laundry tub cabinet preferably also includes a shelf defining a boundary of the materials storage volume. The materials s storage volume is preferably disposed between the tub and the liquid storage reservoir.

The laundry tub preferably includes a filtered outlet in fluid communication with an inlet to the liquid storage reservoir.

The laundry tub cabinet preferably includes a valve with a inlet in fluid communication with the outlet of the tub, a first outlet in fluid communication with the ίο inlet of the at least one liquid storage reservoir, and a second outlet in fluid communication with a drain, wherein fluid flow through the valve is controlled from the inlet to one of the first or second outlets.

The valve is preferably controllable from a control panel on the laundry tub cabinet. is The cabinet preferably includes a high liquid level sensor within the liquid storage reservoir. The valve is preferably controllable from by high liquid level sensor. More preferably, the valve is adapted to direct fluid flow from the inlet to the second outlet in response to a receiving an indication of there being a predetermined high volume of fluid in the liquid storage reservoir from the high liquid level sensor. 20 The valve is preferably adapted to direct fluid flow from the inlet to the second outlet in response to a power failure or other malfunction.

The valve is preferably controllable from a timer on the laundry tub cabinet.

The liquid storage reservoir preferably includes a low level liquid level sensor within the liquid storage reservoir. 25 The cabinet preferably includes a pump within, or mounted to, the liquid storage reservoir, the pump adapted to supply liquid from within the liquid storage reservoir. The pump is preferably adapted to cease in response to receiving an indication of there being a predetermined low volume of liquid in the liquid storage reservoir from the low level liquid sensor. 30 The liquid storage reservoir preferably includes a gravity fed liquid outlet.

The liquid storage reservoir preferably includes a power connector.

The liquid storage reservoir preferably includes a tap. 4 2015200670 11 Feb 2015

The cabinet preferably includes a controller adapted to receive signals from one or more of: a control panel, a timer, a high level liquid sensor, a low level liquid sensor, a pump or a valve, and issue signals to one or more of: a display, the pump or the valve.

The valve and pump are preferably controllable to empty the liquid in the liquid 5 storage reservoir into a drain after a predetermined time, for example every 24 hours.

Brief Description of the Drawings A preferred embodiment of a cabinet will now be described, by way of an example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein: ίο Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a laundry tub cabinet;

Fig. 2 is a schematic cross sectional view of a laundry tub cabinet similar to that shown in Fig. 1; and

Fig. 3 is a schematic cross sectional side view of the cabinet shown in Fig. 2. 15 Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments

Fig. 1 shows an embodiment of a laundry tub cabinet 10 comprising a cabinet body 12 with an open end in to which is set a laundry tub 14. The laundry tub 14 can also include provision for taps, which are not shown in drawings for clarity purposes. The body 12 also includes a door 14 which provides selective access to the interior of the 20 body 12. The cabinet 10 also includes a display 16 and control buttons 18, the purpose of which will be described in more detail below.

Fig. 2 is a front schematic cross sectional view of a cabinet 10 similar to that shown in Fig. 1 and like features are indicated with like reference numerals. The body 12 includes a liquid storage reservoir 20 therein. In the preferred form shown, the 25 reservoir 20 includes wheels 22 which allow it to be removed from within the body 12 after opening of the door 14. In another embodiment (not shown), the reservoir 20 is fixed relative to the body 12 and can optionally include common walls with the body 12 and/or the tub 14.

The tub 14 includes an outlet which is in fluid communication with a filter 24. 30 The filter 24 is in turn in fluid communication with an inlet 26 to the reservoir 20. The reservoir inlet 26 is also in fluid communication with a valve 28 which has a pair of outlets: one to the interior of the reservoir 20; and one to a drain 30.

The reservoir 20 also includes a pump 32, a high level liquid sensor 34, a low level liquid sensor 36, a gravity drain 38 and a mains power connecter 40. The pump has 5 2015200670 11 Feb 2015 an outlet 42. The reservoir 20 also includes an additional inlet 44. The cabinet 10 also includes a controller (not shown) and a timer 46.

In the embodiment shown, the tub 14 has a volume of approximately 25 litres. The reservoir 20 has a volume of approximately 100 litres. 5 The operation of the cabinet 10 shall now be described.

The cabinet 10 is conveniently located in a laundry adjacent or close to a washing machine, with the washing machine gray water outlet placed in the laundry tub 14. The valve 28 has two modes: Save; and Bypass. The buttons 18, in conjunction with the controller, allow the appropriate mode to be selected. In Save mode, gray water ίο entering the valve 28 is directed into the reservoir 20. The filter 24 prevents any particles or debris from entering the storage reservoir 20. In Bypass mode, gray water entering the valve 28 is directed into the drain 30.

When the controller receives signals from the high level sensor 34 indicating that the reservoir 20 is not completely full, it places the valve 28 in Save mode upon detecting is gray water entering the valve 28.

As a safeguard against overfilling of the reservoir 20, the valve 28 automatically reverts to Bypass mode when the high level sensor 34 indicates to the controller that the reservoir 20 is full. Any additional gray water is then diverted into the drain 30.

The tank 20 can include a tap to allow the captured gray water to be transferred 20 into another vessel for re-use. Alternatively, a hose can be attached to the outlet 42 and the pump 32 activated to pump the gray water to a different location. As a further alternative, the storage tank 20 can be removed from within the body 12, transported to a new location and the gray water then removed, by either the tap or the pump, for re-use. The pump 32 will cease to operate upon receiving a signal from the low level sensor 36 25 that the reservoir 20 is, or close to, empty.

The controller can also, in conjunction with the timer 46, empty any stored gray water in the reservoir 20 into the drain 30 at regular intervals, for example every 24 hours.

As a further safeguard against overfilling of the reservoir 20, the valve 28 automatically reverts to Bypass mode in the event of power failure or other malfunction 30 in the controller or other components of the cabinet 10.

If the reservoir 20 has an insufficent volume of gray water therein for a desired purpose, fresh water can also be added, for example by activating the taps associated with the tub 14. 2015200670 11 Feb 2015 6

The laundry tub cabinet described above advantageously provides a laundry tub of sufficient volume for most uses, whilst also providing a significant gray water storage facility. Further, the tub and the reservoir are conveniently housed in a single, aesthetically pleasing, unobtrusive unit that does not require a separate storage area. The s body of the cabinet can also be used in the construction of a ‘traditional’ laundry tub (i.e. without a water storage reservoir), in order to increase manufacturing efficiency and reduce inventory.

Although the invention has been described with reference to a preferred embodiment, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the invention may be ίο embodied in many other forms. For example, the pump can be electric (battery, mains or solar powered) or manual. Secondly, the volume of the storage reservoir can be reduced to provide a materials storage volume between the tank and the tub, which can include a shelf for storage of cleaning products. The material storage volume is accessed via the door in the normal manner. Thirdly, the space in the interior of the body beneath the tub is can house a number of smaller reservoirs, some or all of which can be fixed or removable. As an example, such a smaller removable reservoir can be in the form of a 10 litre watering can. Lastly, although the invention has been described in relation to receiving gray water from a washing machine, it is also suitable for use in any area, and/or with any appliance, where water from a basin or sink is being discharged into the drainage system.

Claims

1. A cabinet comprising: a cabinet body with an open end and an interior; a tub in the open end, the tub including an outlet; and at least one liquid storage reservoir within the interior, the at least one reservoir including an inlet; wherein the cabinet includes a valve with a first inlet in fluid communication with the outlet of the tub, a first outlet in fluid communication with the inlet of the at least one liquid storage reservoir, and a second outlet in fluid communication with a drain, wherein fluid flow through the valve is directed from the inlet to one of the first or second outlets; and wherein the valve is controllable from a timer on the laundry tub cabinet.

2. The cabinet as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cabinet is a laundry tub cabinet and the tub is a laundry tub.

3. The cabinet as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the storage reservoir is fixed relative to the cabinet body.

4. The cabinet as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the cabinet body and the liquid storage reservoir have separate walls and the tub and the liquid storage reservoir have separate walls.

5. The cabinet as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the cabinet body and the liquid storage reservoir have one or more common walls and the tub and the liquid storage reservoir have one or more common walls.

6. The cabinet as claimed in claim 1, wherein the liquid storage reservoir is removable from within the cabinet body.

7. The cabinet as claimed in claim 6, wherein the liquid storage reservoir includes wheels or rollers.

8. The cabinet as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the cabinet includes a plurality of liquid storage reservoirs.

9. The cabinet as claimed in claim 8, wherein all of the liquid storage reservoirs are removable from within the cabinet body.

10. The cabinet as claimed in claim 8, wherein all of the liquid storage reservoirs are fixed relative to the cabinet body.

11. The cabinet as claimed in claim 8, wherein one or more of the liquid storage reservoirs are removable from within the cabinet body and one or more of the liquid storage reservoirs are fixed relative to the cabinet body.

12. The cabinet as claimed in claim 9 or 11, wherein one of the removable liquid storage reservoirs is a watering can.

13. The cabinet as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the cabinet also includes a materials storage volume within the interior.

14. The cabinet as claimed in claim 13, wherein the cabinet includes a door to provide selective access to the materials storage volume.

15. The cabinet as claimed in claim 14, wherein the cabinet also includes a shelf defining a boundary of the materials storage volume.

16. The cabinet as claimed in claim 15, wherein the materials storage volume is disposed between the tub and the liquid storage reservoir.

17. The cabinet as claimed in any one of preceding claims, wherein the tub outlet is a filtered outlet.

18. The cabinet as claimed in claim 1, wherein the valve is controllable from a control panel on the cabinet.

19. The cabinet as claimed in claim 18, wherein the cabinet includes a high liquid level sensor within the liquid storage reservoir.

20. The cabinet as claimed in claim 19, wherein the valve is controllable by the high liquid level sensor.

21. The cabinet as claimed in claim 20, wherein the valve is adapted to direct fluid flow from the inlet to the second outlet in response to receiving an indication of there being a predetermined high volume of fluid in the at least one liquid storage reservoir from the high liquid level sensor.

22. The cabinet as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the valve is adapted to direct fluid flow from the inlet to the second outlet in response to a power failure or other malfunction.

23. The cabinet as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the cabinet includes a low level liquid level sensor within the liquid storage reservoir.

24. The cabinet as claimed in claim 23, wherein the cabinet includes a pump within, or mounted to, the liquid storage reservoir, the pump adapted to supply liquid from within the liquid storage reservoir.

25. The cabinet as claimed in claim 24, wherein the pump is adapted to cease in response to receiving an indication of there being a predetermined low volume of liquid in the at least one liquid storage reservoir from the low level liquid sensor.

26. The cabinet as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the outlet of the liquid storage reservoir is gravity fed.

27. The cabinet as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the liquid storage reservoir includes a power connector.

28. The cabinet as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the liquid storage reservoir includes a tap.

29. The cabinet as claimed in any one of the claims 1 to 17, wherein the cabinet includes a controller adapted to receive signals from one or more of: a control panel, the timer, a high level liquid sensor, a low level liquid sensor, a pump or a valve, and issue signals to one or more of: a display, the pump or the valve.

30. The cabinet as claimed in claim 29, wherein the valve and pump are controllable to empty the liquid in the liquid storage reservoir into a drain after a predetermined time.