AU2021102095A4

AU2021102095A4 - Simple Shower Water Diversion Device

Info

Publication number: AU2021102095A4
Application number: AU2021102095A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Gavin Bedford
Original assignee: Nt Woma Pty Ltd
Current assignee: Nt Woma Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2021-04-21
Filing date: 2021-04-21
Publication date: 2021-06-10
Anticipated expiration: 2029-04-21

Abstract

The disclosed Simple Shower Water Diversion Device consists of a short thin plastic pipe (1) with an end cap at the bottom (3) with a large hole on the side near the top (2) that is fastened in a waste water riser (ORG) (5) generally outside the bathroom using brackets (4). A sieve (8) the diameter of the thin plastic pipe is fastened inside the pipe so that it is level with the bottom of the hole (2) and fixed in place in the main water riser so it is level with the bottom of the shower water drain (6), this allows shower water to enter the thin plastic pipe through the hole, it goes through the sieve to fill the pipe. A hose (9) is inserted through the sieve from the top to nearly the bottom of the plastic pipe (1) and the other end is fitted to a low voltage pump (17). At the bottom of the plastic pipe is a float switch (11) that is activated as water fills the plastic tube, this then activates the pump to remove water from the plastic tube, through the pump and into a storage tank (16). The pump operates while there is shower water filling the inserted pipe, however, there is another float switch in the storage tank (19) and when this float switch is activated because the storage tank is full, this switch then turns off the system, and illuminates a red light (20) at the power to the pump to indicate that the tank is full, whereby any further shower water to the inserted pipe overflows and is directed down the main waste pipe to the sewer. CU 0 (3 ) QL 0 o - -C D a)) 0 a aU C: >~Cj 0 ~ a)~ -oa 0 C CO CU aa _ D, 0 a EU ccar CDU c -D L. - .. E - L C. E CD (Da0E C CD Co CD C.) ) U a) CU a, C 0 -.a0 CL. 0 Vo Co LO C:)L a0 C T U- 7 U1-

Description

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EDITORIAL NOTE

2021102095

THERE ARE FIVE PAGES OF DESCRIPTION ONLY

Simple Shower Water Diversion Device. Provisional Patent application. (17.4.2021)

This simple shower water diversion device is here described to submit as an Australian Innovation Patent by: Dr Gavin Bedford, PO Box 321, Charles Darwin University, Northern Territory, 0815.

Phone number: 0413080045 Email: ccherps@iinet.net.au

Title: Simple Shower Water Diversion Device.

Description of 'Simple Shower Water Diversion Device'. Some areas in Australia are the driest areas on earth that are not frozen, with very low annual rainfall and limited means of collecting water. This fact has not stopped people from expecting a quality of life that includes using water for all uses, in the same manner as areas where water is abundant. The cost of water has increased but appears to have been limited in these dry areas to reflect political agendas rather than the true cost of providing water. It has been suggested that grey water can be diverted to the garden to reduce the cost of purchase of some water in a dry landscape. We are here diverting shower water as it comprises 60-80% of household water waste, and would have the fewest contaminants'. If stored, shower water can be treated cost effectively to enable the water be used for everything except drinking, and even this could be achieved with filtration and purification. It is a simple device to install and can be easily dismantled in minutes for maintenance, should it be needed, and we believe shower water that has barely been used before being discarded can be used for the garden, pool and other uses like cleaning cars, boats, caravans and other items. If this device were to be considered essential in the driest parts of the planet such as South Australia, it could save the equivalent of the water in the largest reservoir in that state each year. The individual installation cost of the system would be repaid within two years. As the price of water and its scarcity tend to rise, the need to reuse and divert some water that is barely used would appear to be a national imperative. We will aim to help change the behavior of many who think water is 'their right to use and give them an alternative that helps preserve this scarce resource and the simple shower water diversion device can help mitigate this loss.

1) A short thin plastic pipe (1) with one end cap (3) on the lower end when held vertically is placed inside the main waste flow pipe or Overflow Relief Gully (ORG)(5) and located directly in front of the waste water pipe from the shower (7), either in the bathroom or outside in the waste-water riser (5). This short pipe, to be called the 'inserted pipe', can be roughly 350-500mm long and 50-65mm in diameter so it is short enough to fit in the main waste flow pipe between the shower water outlet pipe (7) and the bottom of the waste flow pipe where it meets the S bend at around 600mm under floor level. The inserted pipe is to be fixed into the waste pipe using brackets (4) in such an orientation that the shower water drain pipe (7) is directly in front of the hole in the pipe (2). The inserted pipe (1) is smaller in diameter than the mains waste pipe it is being inserted into. There is a hole in the inserted pipe (2) near the top of the inserted pipe that allows the waste-water from the shower water drain pipe (7) to enter the inserted pipe unimpeded rather than pass straight through to the main waste water pipe and through to the sewer. The end cap (3) is permanently fixed to the bottom end on the inserted pipe and when the unit is placed in the main waste water pipe it ensures the inserted pipe fills with water when placed directly in front of the shower waste water pipe (7). When the inserted pipe is full of water from the shower drain pipe with the SSWDD system turned off, the excess will overflow and will emerge from the hole in the inserted pipe (2) and/or from over the top of the inserted pipe, which is open at the top, so that this excess water goes directly down the main waste pipe to the sewer. The inserted pipe (1) is sufficiently thin that when inserted into the main waste water pipe, even if the water flow is at full potential, it cannot exceed the drainage ability of the system and flow out from the top of the mains waste water pipe. 2) A self-priming pump (17) (12V, but could be used with different power voltages) is used to pump water through a smaller hose (9) from the inserted pipe to a storage facility (16), such as a tank, where it waits to be reused. The smaller hose is inserted through the sieve (8) into the Inserted Pipe (1) and it ends near the bottom of the Inserted Pipe, but not touching the bottom end cap (3). The hose that is inserted from the pump into the inserted pipe in the drain can have on the end closest to the end cap in the inserted pipe, a one-way valve (12) to prevent water that is left in the hose from flowing back into the pipe once it has entered the hose to be pumped to the storage tank. A sieve (8) is fitted at the level of the hole in the Inserted pipe (2) in such a way that at the front of the inserted pipe where the hole is, the sieve is positioned so the height of the sieve is level with the bottom of the hole (see Figure E). This then allows all debris to make its way out of the Inserted Pipe at the hole in pipe (3). The sieve (8) can be positioned so that when the Inserted pipe is in place in the main waste pipe, the sieve is flat, or it could be positioned so that the sieve is angled down from the back of the Inserted Pipe to be level with the hole at the front (Figures E and F). The hose is fastened to the inside of the inserted pipe using brackets (4). Alternatively, the hose (9) can be fastened to the outside of the inserted pipe (1) and have a 90 elbow from the hose through the wall of the inserted pipe (1), and positioned down near the end cap (3), to remove water. 3) A motion activated (float) switch (11) is located within the inserted pipe near the end cap (6) and fastened to a bracket attached near the bottom end cap but above the end of the hose that removes water. The position of the switch (11) can be variable on the inside length of the inserted pipe depending on the amount of water and water pressure entering the pipe from the shower, and where the end of the hose (9) is situated. As water from the shower drain pipe (7) fills the inserted pipe in the main waste water pipe (5), it activates the switch by lifting the float (11), thereby activating the low voltage pump (17) to withdraw water from the inserted pipe out through the hose to a storage tank (16). When the water level in the inserted pipe (1) is lower than the float switch, because all the water has been pumped out, the float drops down, which then turns the pump off.

4) After the shower water has been pumped from the inserted pipe (1) in the main waste pipe drain (5), the pump pushes the water through the hose to a storage tank. The hose to the storage tank is also held in place using fasteners, and where it empties out into the storage tank there is another float switch (19) (optional) that switches the pump off when the storage tank is full. A red light (20) on the power plug attached to the pump (or some sort of alarm) will glow when the storage tank is full and the pump has turned off.

) The power to the pump would generally be delivered through a low voltage system of around 12V, so that no one can be harmed through high voltage. This power can be supplied through a battery directly, or through a plug into AC mains that is then converted to the correct low voltage through an adaptor, to run the pump and system. However, this system does lend itself to being a high voltage system where a higher volume of water is needed to be moved through larger pumps, such as industrial applications (this could include Motels, Sporting facilities, shopping centres and venues with many showers). 6) The storage tank is made of material such as plastic or metal and water proof to ensure there are no leaks, the entrance to the storage tank has a fine sieve on it to ensure debris and other foreign matter does not contaminate the water in the tank. The tank can have a tap located near the bottom so that water can be gravity fed from the tank to its desired destination. Alternatively it may have a pump to ensure pressure of the water being redirected to its desired location.

The invention may be better understood with reference to the illustrations of embodiments of the invention which align with the diagram features of the 'Simple Shower Water Diversion Device' shown in figures A, B, B.2, C, C.2, D, E, F and G as described in this application.

Figure page A. 1) This is a short length of PVC pipe that is from 50 to 75mm in diameter. It will be between 350 and 550mm long, and modified to be inserted into a main water riser located in either a bathroom or outside as an overflow riser. 2) A hole is fashioned in the short pipe near one end that is about half the diameter of the pipe and is of sufficient size as to be slightly bigger than the shower water drain pipe that is normally of 40mm diameter, but can be wider or thinner in diameter. The shape of the hole is to be such that it allows all water from the shower water pipe (6) to enter the Inserted Pipe (1) 3) On the bottom of the pipe described in number one above will be an end cap of sufficient diameter as to create a seal, and be permanently fixed to the bottom of Pipe 1. 4) Brackets are attached to the pipe described in1 above and in such arrangement that they can secure the pipe (1) to the inside of a main PVC water riser, either in the bathroom or outside the house. These brackets are used to secure the inserted pipe (1) within the main waste pipe (5) so that the opening in the inserted pipe is secured directly in front of the shower water drain-pipe outlet. Alternatively, the inserted pipe may be held suspended in position using a bracket from above and holding in place with fasteners of wire or plastic, as seen in Figure G. 5) A mains water riser (ORG, Overflow Relief Gully) either in the bathroom or outside is generally a pipe of between 80mm and 100mm in diameter and is used to ensure water from the bathroom is directed to the main sewerage system. 6) Shower water flow is indicated using yellow arrows from shower to main waste pipe then to sewer. 7) The shower water drain pipe is generally a smaller pipe of around 30-50mm diameter that is almost horizontal and enters the main waste pipe (5)

Figure page B. 8) A sieve is inserted into the Inserted Pipe so that when in position the sieve at the front of the inserted pipe near the hole (2) is at the same level as the bottom of the hole. The sieve can be inserted either at an angle down from the back of the inserted pipe toward the hole (2) or can be flat with the bottom of the hole (2) (see figures E and F). Either way, it is designed so that debris can exit the Inserted Pipe and flow to the sewer without blocking the functioning of the Water Diversion System. The material used in the sieve can be stainless steel, aluminum or plastic, but must have holes fine enough to stop hair and debris from entering the Inserted Pipe, and must be rigid and hardy enough to maintain its integrity over time. 9) A smaller diameter hose is inserted into the short Insert Pipe (1) through the fine mesh sieve (8) and down to near the bottom of the Insert Pipe (1), and goes out to the pump (17) then beyond to the storage tank (16).

10) The smaller diameter hose is held in place using fasteners to hold it secure on the inside of the inserted pipe (1). Alternatively, it could be positioned outside the Inserted Pipe (1) and fastened to the outside of the Inserted Pipe, and at the bottom of the hose, have a 900 joiner through the inserted pipe to suck water into the hose as seen in B.2 number 9.A. 11)Near the bottom of the inserted pipe (1) is a motion or float switch (11) that is on a bracket above the end of the hose inside the Inserted Pipe. The other end of the hose is connected to the pump (17) and the power source (18). 12) On the bottom of hose (9) is a one-way valve. The one-way valve is optional, as denoted in B.2. 13) Indicates the flow of water from the bottom of (1) the inserted pipe through the one-way valve and out to the pump (17) then beyond to the storage tank (16).

Figure page C. 14) The top of the main waste pipe riser (5) is level with the floor of the bathroom and has a grate on top to prevent debris falling in, and to allow excess buildup of water or pressure to be expelled. The top of the ISP riser outside the bathroom is generally 100mm above the floor level of the bathroom and also has a grate on it to prevent debris from entering or pressure buildup. 15)Indicates that water in excess of that pumped from the Inserted Pipe (1) through the hose (9) will overflow down the main waste drain unimpeded. Or if the pump is turned off, the overflow ensures the entire water flow from the shower will go down the drain to the sewer. Figure C.2 shows the system with the alternative hose position on the outside of the Inserted Pipe (1) and the flows from the shower pipe through to the pump and storage tank.

Figure page D. 16) A storage tank is situated outside the house to collect all water pumped from the device. 17) The self-priming 12V (low voltage) water pump. Optionally, it could be a high voltage high flow pump for larger water diversions systems. 18) A power source is connected to the pump and the switches. This will be through a mains power outlet and adaptor that reduces the power output to low voltage, or if the system is used in areas where there are no mains power, it can be connected to a battery of sufficient power to run the pump and switches. Where high flows are needed, the power may be a mains outlet to a high voltage pump. 19) A float or motion switch is located in the storage tank and is connected to the power source and the pump. 20) An alarm or light illuminates to indicate when the outside storage tank is full. When the storage tank is not full there is no light or alarm notification, and the pump and system continues to activate when the shower is on and the inserted pipe fills with water.

Claims

EDITORIAL NOTE

2021102095

THERE IS ONE PAGE OF CLAIMS ONLY

The claims defining the invention are as follows:

1. A short plastic pipe of around 500mm with an end cap securely fitted to the bottom that is of suitable diameter to fit within a 100mm waste water riser so as to not disrupt shower water waste flow, is to be firmly secured in place so that water from the shower water drain pipe can flow directly into this pipe through a hole of sufficient size in its side near the top.

2. Dependent on claim 1, the inserted plastic pipe has a sieve attached on the inside near the top of the pipe, so that it is level with the lip of the opening as described and when the short pipe is firmly secured in place, the bottom of the hole is adjacent to the lower lip of the shower water drain and the sieve is then the first point of contact for the flow of shower water leaving the drain, and is of sufficient capacity to prevent debris and hair from entering the tube, but still allows all water from the shower water drain to enter the pipe.

3. Dependent on the claims 1 and 2, as water enters the plastic tube from the shower water drain it activates a float switch that then starts a pump to remove water from the plastic tube through a hose inserted through the sieve and inserted down to near the bottom of the plastic pipe to send it to a storage tank. As the pump removes all water, it allows the switch to drop down which turns the pump off.

4. Dependent on claim 3 and all other claims, when sufficient water has entered the storage tank to fill it, a float switch located in the tank is activated that then turns off the entire system so it no longer pumps shower water, and this switching off of the system activates a red light at the power outlet to indicate the tank is full.

Figure A. (5) Main waste pipe riser (approx. 100mm)

(2) Hole in pipe (6)Shower Water Flow

(1) Inserted Pipe (approx. 50-75mm)

(7) Shower water (4) Insert pipe Brackets Drain pipe

(3) End cap on insert pipe

Flow to main sewer

Figure B. (13) Flow of water to (1) Inserted pipe. Pump, then to Fits inside main waste Storage tank pipe. (approx. 50-75mm) (9) Hose is inserted through the sieve into the Insert pipe.

(8) Sieve either angled down or flat with the bottom of (4) Insert Pipe Brackets hole (2) .

(11) Float switch mounted on a bracket. (10) Hose Fasteners

(12) One way valve

(3) End cap on insert pipe

Figure B.2 (13) Flow of water to (1) Inserted pipe. Pump, then to Fits inside main waste Storage tank pipe. (approx. 50-75mm) (9.A) Hose is attached outside Inserted pipe, with 90° bend into Inserted pipe

(8) Sieve level with bottom (4) Insert Pipe Brackets ackets of hole (2) in inserted pipe.

(10) Hose Fasteners (11) Float F switch and bracket

9.A: 90 degree bend into pipe to suck water through. (12) One way valve is optional (3) End cap on insert pipe

Figure C (13) Water flow to pump then storage tank (5) Main waste pipe riser (approx. 100mm)

(14) Floor/ground level ‘grate’ Yellow arrow indicates Water Flow

(15) Water overflow (2) Hole in pipe (7) Shower water (1) Inserted pipe in Drain pipe flow to insert pipe main waste pipe. (approx. 50-75mm) (8) Sieve with hose through it. (11) One way valve. (4) Insert Pipe Brackets

(10) Hose Fasteners

To sewer

(5) Main PVC waste pipe riser C.2. (approx. 100mm) (13) Water flow to pump then storage tank (14) Floor/ground level ‘grate’ Yellow arrow indicates Water Flow

(2) Hole in pipe

(1) Inserted pipe in (7) Shower water main waste pipe. Drain pipe flow to insert pipe (approx. 50-75mm) (8) Sieve at opening of Inserted Pipe, angled or flat.

(4) Insert Pipe Brackets (11) Float switch on bracket.

(10) Hose Fasteners

To sewer

Figure D. (19) Storage tank Float switch

(18) 12V Power source for pump, either converted 240V or 12V battery.

(20) Red light indicates Full storage tank

(1) (16) Storage tank. p (17) 12V self priming water Pump

(5) Main waste riser 100mm With pipe inserted (1), and Hose (9) moving water through pump (17) to storage tank (16)

Figure E Inserted Pipe (1) with flat sieve aligned with bottom of hole (2)

Flat Sieve (8)

Inserted Pipe (1) with angled sieve aligned with bottom of hole (2) Angled Sieve (8)

Figure F

Flat Sieve insert (8) Angled Sieve insert (8)

Figure G

Bracket showing suspended inserted pipe (1)

Shower water Drain (7)