GB2509134A - Water tank having a moulded overflow - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to an overflow shape 1, moulded into the wall of a water tank or water tank panel 2, to create a method of removing excess water which is entering the water tank. The tank may be moulded from plastic or glassfibre reinforced plastic. The moulded overflow may have a cowl 3, holding an insect/vermin mesh 4, in place. The mesh may be stainless steel. A water collection moulding 5 may be located under the overflow to collect water exiting the overflow. The overflow may comprise alarm sensors (7 & 8 figure 9). The tank may comprise encapsulated strengthening ribs 10.

Description

I

Tank overflow This invention relates to a plastic or glassfibre reinforced plastic, water tank-overflow system.

Water storage tank overflow systems are normally horizontal circular overflows, some may have or may also have a rectangular one fitted. Standard installation methods are to cut or drill a hole through the tank wall, clean the surfaces, add a sealant, attach a tank connector or fitting and tighten everything, making sure that no damage is done to the tank wall or fitting. At the same time, making sure that no leaks would occur They take up space with air which could be extra storage of the intended contents. It is quite possible for the tank requested and fitted to include standard, calculated and properly positioned, warning and overflow fittings but be larger than necessary. Even when installed by a trained plumber, these overflows have the possibility of leakage, causing building damage and costly repair. Leakage is caused by movement of the flexing side wall against a fixed overflow fitting, deterioration of sealant, fittings or bolts etc. becoming loose.

To overcome these problems as well as reduce installation costs, the present invention proposes a water storage tank with an overflow shape moulded into the wall of a plastic or glass-fibre reinforced plastic water tank or tank panel. The moulded overflow would create a method of removing excess water or liquid which is entering a drinking water storage tank, water storage cistern, water tank, pump supply tank, contaminated water tank, break tank, liquid holding tank or vessel, one piece, open top, sealed top, externally or internally flanged sectional panel tank, all herein-after referred to as water tank or water tanks. The moulding would preferably be at the time of tank or tank panel manufacture, would be positioned in the preferably vertical side wall or end wall of the water tank, or into a sectional panel to be installed in the erected water tank.

The overflow means is preferably provided by a section of the water tank wall being moulded with a level top edged, three sided, preferably elongated rectangular and calculated sized shape. It would preferably be protruding into the water tank, be preferably of the same material as the water tank wall, the top edge would preferably finish in a position above the calculated water level, although the overflow means may also be provided by other means, such as being moulded to protrude externally, the shape could be semi-circular or other shapes may be used. A thickened area or small flange may be moulded, directed away from the centre of the tank, along the top edge. The inside face of the moulded shape would preferably be vertical for a calculated distance below the top edge of the overflow. When the moulded shape is external, an extension may be moulded preferably towards the area just below the top flange of the water tank wall.

The top edge of the moulded overflow may preferably be adjustable to suite particular requirements, such as inlet valves being fitted above the top of the main water tank, or future inlet valve discharge levels being designed to be higher The height of the top edge of the overflow may be provided by other means.

Whether the shape is moulded to protrude towards the inside or outside of the water tank, an area of, or near to, the moulded overflow may incorporate, temperature and or rising water alarm equipment, this may preferably be by micro switch and may include other equipment.

On the outside of the water tank a preferably removable, light cover may be attached to the overflow discharge position, this light cover may allow a preferably stainless steel insect/vermin resistant mesh to be held in place. An overflowing water or liquid discharge collection fitting, moulding or extension moulding may be installed below the area of overflow discharge, be attached to the preferably vertical external encapsulated strengthening ribs of carbon fibre reinforced resins, steel or iron. Vertical or horizontal flanges may also be used for this purpose.

The invention will now be described solely by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure la) Is a perspective view of a tank with traditional or usual, sealed and tightened joint system which can leak, together with insect mesh, I piece and inspection cap.

b) Is a cross section through x -x of figure 1 a.

Figure 2a) Is a perspective view of a water tank with a moulded overflow protruding into the water tank, a removable meshed insect screen and light cover b) Shows a section through y -y of figure 2a.

Figure 3a) Is a perspective view of two sectional water tank panels with a moulded overflow shape in one panel, protruding towards the outside, with a removable insect! vermin mesh and light cover (not attached) but with an arrow showing where it would be attached, an overflowing water or liquid encatchment area is shown.

b) Shows a section through z -z of figure 3a.

Figures 4, 5, & 6, Are perspective views of the overflow parts or panel of three various alternative tanks which would also give the same result, of having no sealant jointed overflow system to give future leaks, a cross section through the vertical centre line of 4, 5, & 6, is to the right of each of them.

Figure 7, Is a perspective view of an end or side section of a one piece tank with an inspection hatch in the tank lid, above the proposed overflow system. The external moulded overflow has a removable light cover, an overflowing water or liquid discharge collection moulding is installed below the light cover and is fastened between the vertical, encapsulated, strengthening ribs.

Figure 8, Is a perspective view of an internally flanged sectional water tank: showing an overflow moulded into the centre, end panel. The overflow moulding is an elongated rectangular, calculated size and is positioned to have the top edge above the water level.

Figure 9, Is a section view through an insulated panel, showing temperature and or rising water warning, alarm, switch positions, protected within the overflow moulded area. An external overflow water collection moulding with an extension moulding to the insect screen discharge area, is also shown.

In figure la), a water tank has a tank connector 1, seal 2, fitted through the wall of a water tank, with tightened nut or nuts 3, the water overflow has a cap 4, on the overflow T sockets, and an insect screen 6.

b) x-x is a cross section through x-x of figure la.

Figure 2a), shows a moulded overflow shape 1, protruding into and past tank wall 2. moulded of the same material and at the time of manufacture of the water tank. Light cover 3 and insect/vermin screen 4, can easily be removed for maintenance and cleaning. b) y-y is a cross section through y-y of figure 2a.

Figure 3a), shows two panels of a sectional water tank 2, a moulded overflow shape 1, easily removable light cover 3, when attached, holding a stainless steel mesh insect/vermin screen 4 in position. An overflowing water collection area 5, which may be extended is also attached. b) z-z is a cross section through figure 3a.

Figures 4, 5, 6, show various alternatives of overflow moulded shapes each has a cross section through the vertical centre line of the overflow moulded shape.

Figure 7, shows an end or side view of a one piece water tank with moulded wall 2, overflow 1, light cover 3, overflowing water collection moulding 5, and encapsulated strengthening ribs 10.

Figure 8, Shows a perspective view of an open top, erected, set of flanged section panels, with an elongated overflow 1, moulded to maximise the water tank contents, moulded near the top of the central end panel. A tank lid would be required which is not shown.

Figure 9, shows a cross section through a moulded overflow shape 1, in a water tank wall 2, warning alarm sensors 7, and 8. An overflowing water collection fitting 5, moulding or extension moulding 9, in the area just below the light cover.