GB2493343A

GB2493343A - water Recycling Device

Info

Publication number: GB2493343A
Application number: GB1113070.5A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Andrew Ashraf
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2011-07-29
Filing date: 2011-07-29
Publication date: 2013-02-06
Anticipated expiration: 2031-07-29
Also published as: GB201113070D0; GB2493343B

Abstract

device 120 which may be fitted to a tap. The water recycling system comprises a tap outlet 110, 112 and a water supply 116 arranged to supply water to the tap outlet. The system further comprises a water recycling tank 122 and a water recycling device 120 arranged upstream of the tap outlet. The water recycling device is operable to divert the water supply from the tap outlet to the water recycling tank. A temperature monitor 118 is arranged to monitor the temperature of the water supplied by the water supply and the water recycling device is arranged to be activated in dependence on the temperature detected by the temperature monitor.

Description

Water Recycling Device

Field of the Invention

The present invention concerns a water recycling device. More particularly, but not exclusively, this invention concerns a water recycling device that may be fitted to a tap.

Background of the Invention

Hot water taps are usually supplied by either a hot water tank arrangement or a tankless water heater. In a hot water tank arrangement, a tank is filled with water and heated, with the water being:cept hot either constantly or during preset hours. When a hot water tap is opened the water is expelled from the hot water tank and once it has emptied of hot water, it requires re-filling and reheating.

An example of a tankless water heater is a combi-boiler.

Opening the hot water tap causes cold water to flow through the water heater where the cold water is heated prior to flowing out of the tap. In either case, there is a time lag from the hot water tap being opened and hot water flowing out of the tap. This may be due to there being cold water in the pipe system connecting the hot water tank and the hot tap, or the combination of cold water in the pipe system between the water heater and the hot tap, and the time it takes for the water heater to heat the water flowing through it to the desired temperature, Regardless of the cause of the delay between the hot tap being opened and hot water flowing out of the tap, the water expelled from the hot tap that is not up to temperature simply drains away prior to the user obtaining water with the correct temperature for use in a sink, bath, or shower. As such, waiting for the water to come up to temperature is clearly a waste of clean water, with obvious environmental detriment. A similar waste of water may be caused by waiting for a cold tap to run at a suitably cold temperature. Additionally, the user may often test the temperature of the water flowing from the hot tap by allowing the water to run over their hands. This may present a burn risk.

Existing water recycling solutions attempt to reuse some of the water that has passed down the drain of a sink or bath. However, prior to passing out of the tap and down the drain of the sink/bath, the water may be considered clean. Once it has passed through the drain, it is likely to be considered "dirty" water and this restricts the ways in which the water may be used.

The present invention seeks to mitigate the above-mentioned problems.

Summary of the Invention

An aspect of the invention provides a water recycling system comprising: a tap outlet; a water supply arranged to supply water to the tap outlet; a water recycling tank; a water recycling device arranged upstream of the tap outlet, the water recycling device operable to divert the water supply from the tap outlet to the water recycling tank; and a temperature monitor arranged to monitor the temperature of the water supplied by the water supply; wherein the water recycling device is arranged to be activated in dependence on the temperature detected by the temperature monitor.

The invention may be operated such that water only flows from the tap outlet when it is at the desired temperature. The water that flows through the water recycling system that is not at the right temperature does not leave through the tap outlet and so the water will not be allowed to drain whilst the water moves towards the correct temperature. The water that is directed to the water recycling tank is not passed through any drain and so it may be considered "clean" water. This may allow the water in the water recycling tank to be used in a multitude of ways.

The temperature monitor nay be associated with a visual display. The visual display may represent the temperature measured by the temperature monitor. The visual display may represent the temperature measured by the temperature monitor numerically or graphically. The visual display may represent the temperature using differePt colours. The temperature monitor may be associated with an aural indictor. The aural indicator may be arranged such that a number of beeps indicates temperature of the water. The temperature monitor may comprise a tactile output, for example a pad which may be touched by a user of the recycling system. The pad may change temperature in dependence on the temperature of the water flowing through the water recycling device.

In an alternative aspect of the invention, the temperature monitor may be replaced with a timer mechanism.

The timer mechanism may be associated with the water recycling device such that the water recycling device diverts the water suppLy from the tap outlet to the water recycling tank for a preset period of time before allowing a normal flow of water. The preset period of time may be chosen to be sufficient to allow the water flow to come up/down to the desired temperature.

The water recycling device may be manually operable by a user of the tap outlet. Alternatively, the water recycling device may be: operable automatically, for example by computer control.

The dependence of the activation of the water recycling device on the temperature detected by the temperature monitor may be preset prior to operation of the tap outlet.

The dependence of the activation of the water recycling device on the temperature detected by the temperature monitor may be decided by a user of the tap outlet on a use by use basis.

The water recycling tank may be located in a loft space. Alternatively, the recycling tank could be located locally to the tap outlet, for example, adjacent to a sink unit associated with the tap outlet. The recycling tank may be an outdoor water butt. The water recycling tank may include an overflow. The overflow may be arranged to flow into a drain associated with a tank outlet. The overflow may be arranged to flow into an overflow/waste system of an associated sink/bath unit. The water recycling tank may be supplied from an alternative water supply if the water levels within the water recycling tank drop below a certain level. The water stored in the water recycling tank may be re-circulated to supply water to the tap outlet.

Alternatively or additionally, the water stored in the water recycling tank may be used to supply toilet cisterns or washing machines. A single water recycling tank may be arranged to be supplied by a plurality of water recycling devices. A single water recycling tank may be arranged to supply a plurality of tap outlets and/or cisterns.

A further aspect of the invention provides a water recycling device for use with a tap, the water recycling device comprising: a top plate including at least one aperture; a bottom plate including at least two apertures; and a rotatable valve rotatably located between the top plate and bottom plate, the rotatable valve including at least one through aperture and a U-shaped passageway; the water recycling device being configurable to a first position wherein a through aperture of the rotatable valve is aligned with an aperture of the top plate and an aperture of the bottom plate such that a free passageway is formed between the top plate, the rotatable valve, and the bottom plate, and a second position wherein the U-shaped passageway of the rotatable valve is aligned with a first aperture on the bottom plate and a second aperture on the bottom plate, such that a free passageway is formed between the first and second apertures of the bottom plate and the U-shaped passageway of the rotatable valve; the water recycling device further being configured such that movement of the recycling device from the first position to the second position is by rotation of the

rotatable valve.

A water recycling device according to this aspect of the invention may be retrofitted to a tap. Retrofitting such a water recycling device to a tap may allow a user to benefit from the water recycling system according to an alternative aspect of the invention.

A further aspect of the invention provides a method of recycling water prior to running a tap, the method comprising the steps of: causing water to flow past a temperature monitor, the temperature monitor arranged upstream of a tap outlet through which the water is arranged to flow; directing the water flow to a recycling tank when the temperature monitor indicates that the water is not at a required temperatue; and directing the water flow to the tap outlet when the temperature monitor indicates that the water is at the required temperature.

The method may be used to recycle water when running a hot tap. The method may include the step of directtng a water flow to a recycling tank when the temperature monitor indicates that the water is not hot enough. The method may include the step of waiting for a water flow to heat up to the required temperature before directing the water flow to the tap outlet. Such a method may allow the water that is usually wasted when waiting for a hot water tap to come up to temperature to be recycled.

The method may be used to recycle water when running a cold tap. The method may include the step of directing a water flow to a recycling tank when the temperature monitor indicates that the water is not cold enough. The method may include the step of waiting for the water flow to cool down to the required temperature before directing the water flow to the tap outlet. Such a method may allow the water that is usually wasted when waiting for a cold water tap to reduce down to temperature to be recycled.

The method may include the step of supplying the tap outlet with water that has been stored in the recycling tank, Using water that has been stored in the recycling tank may be appropriate when the temperature of the water flowing from the tap outlet is less important to the tap user, for example, when filling a kettle.

It will of course be appreciated that features described in relation to one aspect of the present invention may be incorporated into other aspects of the present invention. For example, the method of the invention may incorporate any of the features described with reference to the apparatus of the invention and vice versa.

Description of the Drawings

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings of which: Figure 1 shows a schematic view of a water recycling system according to a first embodiment of the invention; Figure 2 shows a cut-away view of a tap and recycling device arrangement according to a second embodiment of the invention; Figure 3 shows an exploded view of the combined water recycling device and temperature monitor of figure 2; Figure 4 shows a cross-sectional view of the rotating plate of the combined water recycling device and temperature monitor of figure 2; Figure 5 shows a plan view of the rotating valve shown in figure 4; Figures 6, 7, and 8 show plan views of a water recycling device according to a third embodiment of the invention; and Figure 9 shows a schematic view of a water recycling device according to a fourth aspect of the invention.

Detailed Description

Figure 1 shows a schematic view of a water recycling system according to the invention. The water recycling system includes a hot water tap outlet 110 and a cold water tap outlet 112, Hot water is supplied to the hot water tap outlet by the boiler 114 and cold water is supplied to the cold water tap by a cold water mains supply 116. Both the boiler 114 and cold water mains supply 116 supply water to the respective hot and cold taps 110, 112, by passing water through the water temperature monitor 118 and water recycling device 120. Further details concerning the flow arrangement through the water recycling device will be given below. For the purposes of figure 1, a functional description is provided. Also connected with the water recycling device 120 is a water recycling tank 122. When the hot tap 110 is operated, water flows from the boiler 114, through to the water temperature monitor 118. If the temperature detected by the temperature monitor 118 is acceptable, the water passes through the water recycling device and out of the hot tap outlet 110. If the water is not yet at the desired temperature, the water recycling device diverts the water flow from the hot tap outlet to the water recycling tank 122 along a first recycling pipe 124, The water recycling tank 122 includes a second recycling pipe 126 which is arranged to feed water back into the water recycling device 120, where it may be arranged to flow out of the hot tap outlet 110 or the cold tap outlet 112. The water recycling tank 122 includes a ball-cock mechanism 128 connected with the cold water mains supply 116 such that a minimum level of water in the water recycling tank 122 is maintained at all times. Additional embodiments of the invention may include alternative mechanisms for controlling the water level in the recycling tank.

Figure 2 shows a schematic representation of a second embodiment of the invention. In this case, the hot and cold tap outlets are the same, as the tap is a mixer tap with a single outlet 210. The hot water supply and cold water supply are mixed in a ceramic mixer tap cartridge 212. The hot water supply is via a pipe 214, the cold water supply by a pipe 216. The two pipes 214, 216 feed into a combined water recycling device and temperature monitor 218. A recycling pipe 220 is also connected to the combined water recycling device and temperature monitor 218. Two pipes (not shown for clarity) are connected from the top of the combined water recycling device and temperature monitor to the ceramic mixer tap cartridge 212. This feed arrangement is conventional for mixer taps and will be understood by the person skilled in the art. Modern monoblock taps may provide a cast tap body which defines the two feeder pipes as described. The combined water recycling device and temperature monitor 218 may be fitted within a cavity of a monoblock tap in a similar way to a conventional ceramic cartridge mixer device. Such a fitting is easily understood -10 -by the person skilled in the art and no further details are provided. Further details of the combined water recycling device and temperature monitor 218 are given with respect to figure 3, The combined water recycling device and temperature monitor 218 is connected to a display 222, the display being arranged to display the temperature detected by the temperature monitor. In this embodiment, the temperature display 222 is arranged to display the temperature numerically. The temperature display may also change colour depending on the temperature detected. For example, cold water may be indicated with a blue colour and hot water with a red colour.

The combined water recycling device and temperature detector 218 may be manipulated by a user of the tap through a first position, a second position, and a third position.

The first position can be considered a neutral position. In the neutral position the hot water supply 214 and cold water supply 216 are arranged such that they supply water through the combined water recycling device and temperature monitor 218, through the ceramic cartridge mixer 212 and out of the tap outlet 210. The second position may be considered a heating position. In the heating position the combined water recycling device and temperature monitor 218 is arranged such that water from the hot water supply 214 is diverted before it reaches the ceramic cartridge mixer 212 and is instead directed down the recycling pipe 220. The water from the cold water supply 216 is blocked by the combined water recycling device and temperature monitor 218.

The third positicn may be considered a cooling position. In the cooling position, the combined water recycling device and temperature monitor 218 is arranged such that the water from the cold water supply 216 is diverted before it reaches -11 -the ceramic cartridge mixer 212 and is instead directed down the recycling pipe 220. The water flow from the hot water supply 214 is blocked by the combined water recycling device and temperature monitor 218.

When the user wants hot water to flow from the tap outlet 210, they move the combined water recycling device and temperature monitor 218 into the heating position. The pressure from the hot water supply 214 results in a flow of water down the recycling pipe 220. The temperature of the flowing water is detected by the temperature monitor and indicated on the temperature display 222. When the flowing water is at the desired temperature, the combined water recycling device and temperature monitor 218 is returned to the neutral position and the tap operated to allow the water to flow out of the tap outlet 210. The water flowing from the tap outlet 210 is of the desired temperature, and the water that is too cold has been recycled into a tank associated with the recycling pipe 220.

When the user wants cold water to flow from the tap outlet 2110, they move the combined water recycling device and temperature monitor 218 into the cooling position.

Essentially the same process is followed, with the difference being that the temperature display 222 is watched by the uer to indicate when the water is cold enough. Any water that is too warm is directed into the tank associated with the recycling pipe 220+ Figure 3 shows the combined water recycling device and temperature monitor 218 in greater detail. The three pipes, 214. 2l6 220, connect to three associated apertures, 224, 226, 228, in a fixed position bottom plate 230. A gasket 232 is provided to provide a sealing connection. A rotating valve 234 is rotatably mounted to the bottom plate 230. The -12 -rotating valve 234 includes two through apertures 236 and 238. The rotating valve 234 may comprise a ceramic disk, of a similar type to those found in ceranic mixer cartridges.

In alternative embodiments of the invention, the rotating valve 234 may comprise a plastic or metal disk. The two through apertures 236 and 238 are arranged such that they align with the bottom plate apertures 224 and 226 when the combined water recycling device and tenperature monitor is in the neutral position. A fixed top plate 240 includes two apertures 242 and 244 which are also aligned with the through apertures 236 and 238 in the neutral posit:on, and which allow water to flow through the combined water recycling and temperature monitor device 218 to the ceramic mixer cartridge 212. The rotating valve 234 also:ncludes an approximately U-shaped passageway 248 with both openings to the passageway located on the bottom side of the rotating valve 234. The defining characteristic of the approximately U-shaped passageway 248 is the two openings on the bottom of the rotating valve 234. The shape of the pathway between the two openings on the bottom of the rotating valve 234 may vary considerably while still falling under the meaning of the expression "approximately U-shaped passageway" as defined for this invention. In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the U-shaped passageway may be replaced by a groove located within the rotating valve. The close contact between the bottom plate and the rotating valve may be arranged to provide a water-tight seal such that the water may flow through the groove without leakage. The first opening of the U-shaped passageway 248 is located at the axis of rotation of the rotating valve 234, aligned with the bottom plate aperture 228. As the first opening is located at the axis of rotation of the rotating valve, it remains -13 -aligned with the bottom plate aperture 228 during any rotation of the rotating valve 234. The second opening of the U-shaped passageway is located at the same radial distance from the axis of rotation of the rotating valve 234 as the two through apertures 236 and 238. In the heating position, the rotating valve is rotated such that the second opening becomes aligned with aperture 224 of the bottom plate 230. The pressure of the hot water supply 214 will cause water to flow through the aperture 224, around the U-shaped passageway 248, and down into the recycling pipe 220.

A temperature probe 246 is arranged to monitor the temperature of the water flowing through the rotating valve 234 and this information is displayed on the associated temperature display 222. The temperature probe 246 may be connected to the temperature display with electrical wiring, or the information may be transmitted wirelessly. The aperture 226 is blocked by the rotating valve 234 and no cold water flows in the heating position.

The reverse arrangement applies in the cooling position. The rotating valve 234 is rotated so that the second opening of the U-shaped passageway is aligned with the aperture 226 of the bottom plate 230. Water flows through the U-shaped passageway 248 and the temperature probe 246 monitors the temperature of the water flowing through the rotating valve 234. The aperture 224 is blocked by the rotating valve 234 and no hot water flows in the cooling position.

The rotating valve 234 includes a protruding portion 254 which allows a user to rotate the combined water recycling device and temperature monitor 218 between the neutral, heating, and cooling positions. The rotating valve 234 may be spring loaded such that the rotating valve 234 is -14 -biased to return to the neutral position when a user is not manipulating the protrusion into the heating or cooling positions. Such an arrangement prevents the excess flow of water if a user forgets that the combined water recycling device and temperature monitor 218 is in the heating or cooling position. In alternative embodiments of the invention, the temperature monitor may be replaced by a timer, wherein once the combined water recycling device and timer has been moved into the heating or cooling position, the return to the neutral position from the heating or cooling position is controlled by the timer. The timer is set to allow sufficient time for the water flow to run hot or cold respectively. In a further alternative embodiment, an aural indicator may sound if the water recycling device is left in a heating or cooling position.

Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of the rotating valve 234, showing the U-shaped passageway 248, with the first opening 250 located on the axis of rotation X-X of the rotating valve 234, and the second opening 252 at the same radial distance d from the axis of rotation X-X as the two through passages 236 and 238. Figure 5 shows the rotating valve 234 from below.

Figures 6, 7, and 8, show an alternative recycling device arrangement, which has the additional feature of allowing water that has been diverted into a recycling tank to flow back through a tap when the temperature of the water is less important, for example, when filling a kettle. The embodiment includes a fixed lower plate 600 including a hot water aperture 602, a cold water aperture 604, and a recycling tank inlet aperture 606. The lower plate 600 also includes a central aperture arranged to feed into a recycling tank. Each of these apertures is connected to a -15 -respective hot water, cold water, and recycled-water pipe.

A rotating valve 700 is located above the lower plate 600.

The rotating valve 700 comprises a first through aperture 702, a second through aperture 704, a U-shaped passageway 706 (similar in form to the U-shaped passageway 248), and a third through aperture 708, A fixed upper plate 800 comprises a first aperture 802 which is arranged to flow to a hot tap, and a second and third aperture 804 and 806 which have a common outlet 808 to a cold tap. The rotating valve 700 may be operated in a similar way to that described for the embodiment shown in figures 2 to 5. In a heating position, the U-shaped passageway 706 is aligned with the hot water aperture 602. This position is maintained until a temperature probe (not shown) detects the desired temperature has been reached, and the rotating valve is returned to a neutral position. In the neutral position, the second through aperture 704 is aligned with the hot water aperture 602 and the first aperture 802 of the top plate 800. The hot water then may flow through the various plates and supply a hot tap in the normal way. In the neutral position, the third through aperture 708 of the rotating valve 700 is aligned with the cold water aperture 604 of the lower plate 600 and the third aperture 806 of the upper plate 800. Cold water may flow through the various plates from the cold water supply connected to the cold water aperture 604 and supply a cold tap in the normal way.

The embodiment has a cooling position where the U-shaped aperture 706 of the rotating valve 700 is aligned with the cold water aperture 604 in a similar way to that described for figures 2 to 5. The embodiment has a further position, the recycling position. In such a position, the rotating valve 700 is rotated so that the third through aperture 708 -16 -is aligned with the recycling tank aperture 606, and the second aperture 804 of the top plate 800. The first through aperture 702 cf the rotating valve 700 is aligned with the hot water aperture 602 of the bottom plate 600 and the first aperture 802 of the top plate 800. In such a configuration, the hot water may be supplied to the hot tap as normal, and the cold tap may be supplied by the water stored in a recycling tank associated with the recycling tank aperture 606. This allows the recycled water to be easily used when the temperature of the water is not important.

Figure 9 shows a water recycling device with similar construction to that described for figure 2. However, a water recycling device 900 is not integral with the tap 902.

Instead, the water recycling device 900 is a standalone unit which may be retrofitted to the tap 902. The water recycling device is connected to the temperature d:splay 904, and the temperature display is formed inside a rotating member 908. The rotating member 908 is connected to a rotating spindle 910 such that rotation of the rotating member 908 causes the rotation of the recycling vatve (not shown) located within the water recycling device 900.

Whilst the present invention has been described and illustrated with reference to particular embodiments, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that the invention lends itself to many different variations not specifically illustrated herein. By way of example only, certain possible variations will now be described.

The above embodiments relate to a water recycling device and system for use with mixer taps. However, the invention is equally applicable to single flow taps. In an alternative embodiment, the invention may provide a disk mechanism to replace the ceramic disk cartridge found in a -17 quarter turn tap. The disk mechanism would be arranged to provide the function of a conventional ceramic disk in addition to the recycling function as described above.

However, in such an embodiment, only one supply hose (either S hot or cold) is connected to the disk mechanism, together with one recycling hose. The disk mechanism may be operated with the same lever that controls the water flow from the tap. In a first "off" position, the tap can be considered to be at the zero degrees position. In a second "heating/cooling" position the disk mechanism is in the recycling position, similar to that described above. A user may turn the tap 45 degrees from the "off" position to reach the "heating/cooling" position. In a third "on" position, the disk mechanism is in the normal, tap open, position.

This is reached by turning the tap 90 degrees from the "off" position.

The apertures shown in the figures relating to the description are shown having a cylindrical cross-section.

However, the apertures may be any shape suitable for performing the function of allowing water to flow through them. The apertures may be shaped to allow the rate of flow through them to be adjusted.

Where in the foregoing description, integers or

elements are mentioned which have known, obvious or foreseeable equivalents, then such equivalents are herein incorporated as if individually set forth, Reference should be made to the claims for determining the true scope of the present invention, which should be construed so as to encompass any such equivalents. It will also be appreciated by the reader that integers or features of the invention that are described as preferable, advantageous, convenient or the like are optional and do not limit the scope of the -18 -independent claims. Moreover, it is to be understood that such optional integers or features, whilst of possible benefit in some embodiments of the invention, may not be desirable, and may therefore be absent, in other embodiments.

Claims

<claim-text>-19 -Claims 1. A water recycling system comprising: a tap outlet; a water supply arranged to supply water to the tap outlet; a water recycling tank; a water recycling device arranged upstream of the tap outlet, the water recycling device operable to divert the water supply from the tap outlet to the water recycling tank; and a temperature monitor arranged to monitor the temperature of the water supplied by the water supply; wherein the water recycling device is arranged to be activated in dependence on the temperature detected by the temperature monitor.</claim-text> <claim-text>2. A water recycling system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the temperature monitor is associated with a visual display arranged to provide a representation of the temperature measured by the temperature monitor.</claim-text> <claim-text>3. A water recycling system as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the temperature monitor is associated w:th an aural indictor.</claim-text> <claim-text>4. A water recycling system as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the water recycling device is manually operable by a user of the tap outlet.</claim-text> <claim-text>-20 - 5. A water recycling system as claimed in any of claims 1 to 3, wherein the water recycling device is operable automatically.</claim-text> <claim-text>6. A water recycling system as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the dependence of the water recycling device on the temperature detected by the temperature monitor is preset prior to operation of recycling system.</claim-text> <claim-text>7. A water recycling system as claimed in any of claims 1 to 5, wherein the dependence of the water recycling device on the temperature detected by the temperature monitor is decided by a user of the tap outlet on a use by use basis.</claim-text> <claim-text>8, A water recycling system as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the water stored in the water recycling tank is arranged to be re-circulated to supply water to the tap outlet.</claim-text> <claim-text>9. A water recycling system as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the water stored in the water recycling tank is arranged to be used to supply toilet cisterns.</claim-text> <claim-text>10. A method of recycling water prior to running a tap, the method comprising the steps of: causing water to flow past a temperature monitor, the temperature monitor arranged upstream of a tap outlet through which the water is arranged to flow; directing the water flow to a recycling tank when the temperature monitor indicates that the water is not at a required temperature; and -21 -directing the water flow to the tap outlet when the temperature monitor indicates that the water is at the required temperature.</claim-text> <claim-text>11. A method as claimed in claim 10, including the step of directing the water flow to the recycling tank when the temperature monitor indicates that the water is not hot enough.</claim-text> <claim-text>12. A method as claimed in claim 10 or claim 11, including the step of waiting for a water flow to heat up to the required temperature before directing the water flow to the tap outlet.</claim-text> <claim-text>13. A method as claimed in claim 10, including the step of directing the water flow to a recycling tank when the temperature monitor indicates that the water is not cold enough.</claim-text> <claim-text>14. A method as claimed in claim 10 or claim 13, including the step of waiting for the water flow to cool down to a required temperature before redirecting the water flow from the recycling tank to the tap outlet.</claim-text> <claim-text>15. A method as claimed in any of claims 10 to 14, including the step of supplying the tap outlet with water that has been stored in the recycling tank.</claim-text> <claim-text>16. A water recycling device for use with a tap, the water recycling device comprising: a top plate including at least one aperture; a bottom plate including at least two apertures; and -22 -a rotatable valve rotatably located between the top plate and bottom plate, the rotatable valve including at least one through aperture and a U-shaped passageway; the water recycling device being configurable to a S first position wherein a through aperture of the rotatable valve is aligned with an aperture of the top plate and an aperture of the bottom plate such that a free passageway is formed between the top plate, the rotatable valve, and the bottom plate, and a second position wherein the U-shaped passageway of the rotatable valve is aligned with a first aperture on the bottom plate and a second aperture on the bottom plate, such that a free passageway is formed between the first and second apertures of the bottom plate and the U-shaped passageway of the rotatable valve; the water recycling devioe further being configured such that movement of the recycling device from the first position to the second position is by rotation of therotatable valve.16. A method of recycling water substantially as herein described with reference to any of Figs. 1 to 8 of the accompanying drawings.</claim-text> <claim-text>17. A water recycling system substantially as herein described with reference to any of Figs. 1 to 8 of the accompanying drawings.</claim-text> <claim-text>18. A water recycling device as herein described with reference to any of Figs. 1 to 8 of the accompanying drawings.</claim-text>