GB2514682A

GB2514682A - A container and method of use thereof

Info

Publication number: GB2514682A
Application number: GB1408940.3A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Nicholas Julian John Carr; Nigel Victor Smith
Original assignee: VISTAPLAN INTERNAT Ltd
Current assignee: VISTAPLAN INTERNAT Ltd
Priority date: 2013-05-30
Filing date: 2014-05-20
Publication date: 2014-12-03
Anticipated expiration: 2034-05-20
Also published as: GB201408940D0; GB201309700D0; GB2514682B

Abstract

A container 2 is provided including a first chamber 18 and at least a second chamber 20. At least one wall of the first and/or at least second chamber is formed from at least two spaced apart wall elements 30, 32. The container can be a vacuum unit for use in a sewage or waste collection system whereby at least one of the chambers is arranged to have a vacuum formed therein. The double wall feature may comprise of three dimensional shapes and/or strengthening means 34, 36 on an external wall of the two spaced apart wall elements. The chambers may be placed one on top of the other in a vertical stack arrangement with a partition 24 placed between the two chambers. The partition wall may comprise of an aperture or inlet/outlet means 44 to connect the two chambers in use. Supporting elements 38 can be included to join the outer and inner wall elements, these supporting elements may comprise of kiss offs. The container may comprise of one or more inlet/outlet means 16 arranged at spaced apart intervals around the periphery of a side wall.

Description

A Container and Method of Use Thereof This invention relates to a container and to a method of use thereof.

Although the following description refers almost exclusively to a container in the form of a vacuum unit for use in a vacuum sewage collection system, it will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the present invention could be used for any purpose, such as for example, in roof drainage, in the petro-chemical industry, taking leachate from landfills, dealing with spillage around industrial storage tanks, use in quay side developments, ship to shore sewage systems and/or the like.

The principle of using vacuum pressure to collect waste water and other liquids is well known. A common use of this technology is in the collection of sewage from domestic housing developments. An example of such a system uses a vacuum unit to collect the effluent discharged from the connecting properties and to allow collected sewage to enter the sewer network via a vacuum interface valve. With the sewage in the sewer network it can be forwardcd to a sewage treatment plant for treatment.

An example of a conventional vacuum unit typically comprises a lower chamber or wet sump in which sewage enters from a domestic property under normal gravity, and an upper chamber L containing an interface valve for forwarding the sewage from a sewer pipe attached to the interface valve into the sewer network under a vacuum. The upper and lower chambers are typically sealed from each other. A suction pipe typically carries sewage from the lower chamber to the upper chamber in use. A sensor pipe is also provided in the lower chamber to provide air pressure data to a control sensor unit associated with the interface valve in the upper chamber. In normal use the interface valve is in a closed position and the sewer pipe in the upper chamber is under vacuum pressure from the sewer network. As sewage enters the lower chamber, the level of effluent rises in the lower chamber, air becomes trapped in the sensor pipe and an increase in the air pressure is sensed. Once a predetermined level of air pressure has been reached in the sensor pipe, this signals to the control unit associated with the interface valve to move to an open position. With the valve in an open position, the vacuum pressure in the sewer pipe causes the sewage in the lower chamber to move into the suction pipe, through the interface valve in the upper chamber and through to the sewcr pipe in the sewer network. Once all the sewage has been removed from the lower chamber, the interface valve remains open for a short period of time to allow air at atmospheric pressure to enter the sewer pipe network. As the air pressure in the sensor pipe drops, this is sensed by the sensor which signals to the control unit and causes the interface valve to move from the open position to a closed position.

The vacuum unit is often located underground and therefore has to be sufficiently strong and robust to withstand the weight of earth, stones and/or the like that may be located around and on top of the vacuum unit. In addition, at least the upper chamber of the vacuum unit needs to be sufficiently strong to withstand the vacuum pressure that can build up inside said chamber. In order to fulfil the strength requirements of the unit, vacuum L units have conventionally been formed from concrete or other concrete based material. However, concrete vacuum units are expensive to produce and are heavy to transport and fit.

In an attempt to overcome the abovementioned problems, it is known to provide vacuum units formed from single skin plastic material. Such vacuum units are much lighter to transport and fit but are not as strong as the conventional concrete vacuum units.

It is therefore an aim of the present invention to provide a container or vacuum unit that overcomes the abovementioned problems.

It is a further aim of the present invention to provide a method of using a container or vacuum unit that overcomes the abovementioned problems.

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a container, said container including a first chamber and at least a second chamber, and wherein at least one wall of the first and/or at least second chamber is formed from at least two spaced apart wall elements.

Preferably the container is in the form of a vacuum unit and at least one of the first or at least second chambers is arranged to a have a vacuum formed therein in use.

Preferably the one or more chambers in which the vacuum is provided has the at least two spaced apart wall elements.

Thus, in accordance with the present invention a container or vacuum unit is provided wherein at least one chamber within the unit or container is formed with at least a double wall. The at least double wall structure provides the chamber or unit with L increased strength and rigidity. In addition, the at least double wall structure allows one or more external wall design features, such as for example, three dimensional shape features, to be present which are not present on or are different to features on one or more of the internal walls. For example, in one embodiment one or more strengthening structures can be provided on an external wall which are not provided on an internal wall and/or the like.

In one embodiment the first and the at least second chambers have one or more walls formed from at least two spaced apart wall elements. Thus, in one example, both chambers have at least double wall elements.

In an alternative embodiment one of the chambers or the at least one vacuum chamber has one or more walls formed from at least two spaced apart wall elements and at least one non-vacuum chamber has one or more walls formed from a single wall element. Thus, in one example, one chamber has at least a double wall element and one chamber has a single wall element.

Preferably each of the first and at least second chambers includes one or more side walls, a base and/or a top.

Preferably at least the side walls of the one or more chambers or vacuum chamber are formed from at least two spaced apart wall elements.

Tn one embodiment the top and/or base of the one or more chambers or vacuum chamber are formed from at least two spaced apart wall elements.

Preferably the first and at least second chambers are arranged one on top of the other in a substantially vertical stack or arrangement.

In one embodiment the vacuum chamber is a lower chamber and the non-vacuum chamber is an upper chamber in the unit.

In one embodiment the first and at least second chambers are integrally formed. In an alternative embodiment the first and at least second chambers are attached or detachably attached together.

Preferably a partition wall is provided between the first and at least second chambers and further preferably said partition wall consists of a single wall element. The single partition wall element can be the top of the lower chamber and the base of the upper chamber.

One or more apertures, inlet means, outlet means, protrusions, recesses, mouldings and/or blind end spigots can be provided in the partition wall to allow one or mote connections to be made between the first and at least second chambers as required in use.

Preferably the first and at least second chambers are arranged so as to be substantially sealed from each other in use. One or more sealing members can be provided on or associated with the first and/or at least second chambers, and/or the one or more apertures, inlet means, outlet means, protrusions, recesses, mouldings and/or blind end spigots if required.

In one embodiment supporting means are provided between the at least two spaced apart wall elements to allow the outer and inner wall elements to be joined. The supporting means typically provide strength and rigidity to the wall elements. The L supporting means can be integrally formed with the wall elements or can be attached thereto.

Preferably the supporting means include any or any combination of one or more kissoffs, tack offs, near kiss offs and/or the like.

Preferably the supporting means are incorporated or formed between the at least two spaced apart wall elements during formation or moulding of the unit or container.

Preferably the supporting means are provided around the circumference and/or perimeter of the unit or container.

Preferably a plurality of supporting means are provided and the supporting means are provided spaced apart from each other, and preferably substantially equal spaced distances apart from each other within the wall elements of the unit. This provides a substantially even load distribution. However, the supporting means could be provided at different distances apart if required.

Preferably the vacuum unit, the first and/or the at least second chambers are formed from one or more plastic and/or thermoplastic materials and further preferably formed via a moulding process, such as rotational moulding, blow moulding and/or the like Preferably the vacuum unit, the first and/or the at least second chambers are formed via a rotational moulding process.

Preferably one or more internal and/or external surfaces of the container unit or wall elements have one or more anti-floatation, anti-collapse and/or strength features provided thereon. The L one or more anti-floatation, anti-collapse and/or strength features include one or more ribs and/or the like. The ribs help the container or unit to key into the surrounding surface in use, thereby maintaining the position of the container or unit in the ground.

The one or more ribs can be horizontally, vertically and/or angularly located on one or more walls of the vacuum unit, first chamber and/or at least second chamber as required.

In a preferred embodiment the upper chamber or non-vacuum chamber includes a plurality of strengthening ribs. Further preferably the outer wall element of the at least double walls has strengthening ribs associated with the same.

In one embodiment at least one of the first and/or at least second chambers has one or mote inlet means, outlet means, blind end spigots or spigots provided on a side wall thereof At least part of the inlet means, outlet means, or one or more spigots can be cut, drilled and/or sawn by a user to allow one or more connections, such as for example, one or more pipe connections to be made to the same.

Preferably guide means, such as for example one or more indents, slots, recesses and/or the like, are provided on the inlet means, outlet means or spigot to provide a guide for the cutting of the inlet means, outlet means or spigot in use.

Freferably the one or more guide means, indents, slots and/or recesses are provided around substantially the whole or part of the circumference or perimeter of the inlet means, outlet means or spigot.

lEn one embodiment a plurality of inlet means, outlet means or spigots are provided. The plurality of inlet means, outlet means, or spigots allow more than one connection to be made to the vacuum unit and/or allows a user to select which inlet means, outlet means or spigot is easiest for a connection to be made to.

Preferably the plurality of inlet means, outlet means or spigots are arranged at substantially equal distances apart around the circumferencc or perimeter of the unit or container.

Preferably each of the plurality of inlet means, outlet means or spigots is arranged at a substantially equal height from a base of the unit or container.

In one embodiment two or more inlet means, outlet means or spigots are provided on a chamber, container and/or the unit and are arranged a spaced distance apart in a substantially upright, longitudinal or vertical direction or axis. The substantially vertically arranged inlet means, outlet means or spigots can be aligned or non-aligned relative to each other.

Preferably the one or more inlet means, outlet means or spigots are arranged on a side wall of the lower chamber or non-vacuum chamber of the unit or container.

Further preferably the internal wall element of the at least double walled element is substantially smooth and/or has no rib formations provided thereon.

In one embodiment sealing means are provided on or associated with one or more inlet means, outlet means, blind end spigots and/or spigots to ensure a sealing connection is made in use.

The sealing means can include one or more coupling seals, L rubber scals and/or the like.

In one embodiment the container, unit, the first and/or the at least second chamber is/are substantially cylindrical in shape.

Preferably the lower chamber or vacuum chamber has a narrowing taper towards a base thereof. This tapered portion can act as a sump in use. This tapered portion or sump typically ensures a pre-determined volume of fluid is provided in the lower chamber in use.

Preferably one or mote internal walls or internal wall elements, and preferably all of the internal wall elements, of the first and/or at least second chamber are substantially smooth and/or have no rib formations provided therein to ensure waste water and/or other debris is not trapped against the same in use. The smooth surfaces of the one or more internal walls allows said walls to be self-cleaning in use.

Preferably the container or vacuum unit is located on or provided with a base unit. The base unit can be integral with, attached or detachably attached to the container or vacuum unit.

In one embodiment the base unit has one or more support feet to support the base unit on a ground or floor surface in use.

in one embodiment the base unit, container or vacuum unit has attachment means for allowing attachment to a ground surface in use and/or to allow the attachment to lifting apparatus to allow lifting of the vase unit, container or vacuum unit.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of forming a container, said container including a first chamber and at least a second chamber, and L wherein said method includes the step of forming at least one wall of the first and/or at least second chamber from at least two spaced apart wall elements.

According to further independent aspects of the present invention there is provided a vacuum unit and method of use of a container or vacuum unit.

In one embodiment a vacuum interface valve is located in the chamber with the at least double wall element.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described *with reference to the accompanying figures, wherein: Figures ia-ic show a side view, a perspective view and a plan view from above of a vacuum unit according to one embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 is a cross sectional view of the vacuum unit in figures la-ic; and Figure 3 is a perspective view of two different sized vacuum units according to the present invention.

Referring to figures ia-2, there is illustrated a vacuum unit 2 for use in a sewage or waste water collection system. In the illustrations the vacuum unit 2 can be located on a base 4 in use.

However, the provision of base 4 is optional.

Base 4 is substantially cylindrical in shape having side walls 6, a plurality of support feet 8 adjacent a base edge 10 thereof for supporting the base on a surface in use. An upper edge 12 has a plurality of recesses 14 defined therein for the location of inlet L means in the form of spigots 16 provided on a lower chamber 18 of vacuum unit 2, as will be described in more detail below. A plurality of recesses 20 are provided adjacent base edge 10 and serve mainly to reduce the amount of material used in base 4.

Attachment means can be provided on or associated with the base 4 and/or support feet 8 to allow the base to be attached to a ground surface in use. For example, one or more hooks can be provided to allow the support feet 8 to be bolted down to a concrete pad located in the ground in use.

Vacuum unit 2 comprises an upper hollow chamber 20 and a lower hollow chamber 1 8. The upper and lower chambers are substantially vertically aligned. In the illustrated embodiment lower chamber 18 is a vacuum chamber in which a vacuum is generated in use and upper chamber 20 is a non-vacuum chamber. Upper chamber 20 is located directly above lower chamber 18 in a substantially vertical orientation.

Upper chamber 20 comprises side walls 22 and a base 24. An opening 26 is defined between an upper edge 28 of upper chamber 20.

In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, upper chamber 20 is provided with an outer wall element 30 and an inner wall element 32 to form a double wall arrangement. The outer and inner wall elements 30, 32 are provided a spaced distance apart. The provision of the double wall arrangement provides the upper chamber with increased strength and rigidity and also allows strength features to be provided on the cxtcrnal surface of the unit (i.e. on the outer wall element) that are not present on the inner surface of the unit (i.e. on the inner wall element). The increased strength and rigidity is required in the upper chamber as a result of most of the load being applied through the upper chamber in use (i.e. when the chamber is buried in the ground).

Outer wall element 30 comprises a plurality of horizontally and circumferentially arranged rib members 34 and a plurality of vertically arranged rib members 36. These rib members 36 are typically provided towards upper edge 28 of the upper chamber where the most load is likely to be placed on unit 2 in use and help prevent the upper chamber from collapsing. The rib members 34, 36 provide the upper chamber with increased strength and rigidity but also help to key the unit into the ground in use, thereby acting as anti-floatation devices for maintaining the position of the unit in the ground.

Support means in the form of kiss offs 38 are provided circumferentially around the upper chamber 20 to join the outer wall element 30 to the inner wall element 32. The provision of the kiss offs provide the double wall structure with strength and rigidity. The kiss offs 38 are formed in the rotational moulding process in a conventional manner. They are provided towards a lower end of the upper chamber adjacent a partition wall between the upper and lower chambers.

Lifting protrusions 40 are provided at spaced apart intervals circumferentially around the external wall element 30 of upper chamber 20 to allow the vacuum unit 2 to be lifted in use. An aperture 42 can be defined in the lifting protrusions to allow lifting equipment to be attached to the same. In addition, the base of the lifting protrusion is substantially planar or flat to allow lifting via a forklift truck.

Inner wall element 32 provides the interior side walls of upper chamber 20 with a substantially smooth or planar surface. This prevents waste water debris from building up inside the chamber. The hollow cavity of the upper chamber defined between the inner side wall elements 32 is tapered from upper edge 28 towards base 24 thereof.

Base 24 is the partition between upper chamber 20 and lower chamber 18. The base 24 in this example is a single wall or skinned element. A plurality of connectors or spigots 44 are defined in base 24 for location of pipes or connections therethrough in use, such as for example, for the location of a suction pipe, a sensor pipe and/or the like. Thc blind end of the connectors or spigots are removed to allow attachment to the pipes or connections in use.

A spigot, inlet or aperture 45 is defined in upper chamber 20 for the location of a pipe therethrough in use, such as for example a sewer network pipe. Sealing means can be provided on or associated with the aperture 45 if required.

Lower chamber 18 is formed from a single wall element 46 having a top 24 (base of the upper chamber 20) and a base in the form of a sump 48. The sump 48 has a narrowing taper towards base support 4 to ensure a pre-determined volume of fluid is collected in the same in use.

A plurality of blind end spigots 16 are located at spaced apart intervals around the circumference of the lower chamber to allow connections to be made to the lower chamber from different directions or orientations of the unit in use. The spigots protrude outwardly of the lower chamber 18. A shoulder portion 50 is defined towards the free cnd 52 of each blind end spigot 16 to act as a guide for a user to saw the ends of the spigots in use.

A circumferential outwardly protruding rib member 54 can be provided to allow the lower chamber 18 to be welded or attached to base 4 in use.

With reference to figure 3, it can be seen that the vacuum unit 2 can be provided in two or more different heights. In vacuum unit 102 an extra row of spigots are provided in the lower chamber 18. The increase in height of the unit can be produced using the same tooling as for unit 2 but a removable collar can be introduced into the tool mould prior to the moulding process to provide for the increase in height of the unit.

In use of the system in the illustrated example, a waste water interface valve can be located in the upper chamber 20. This interfacc valve is connection to a sewage network via a sewage pipe passing through aperture 45 in upper chamber 20. A suction pipe and a sensor pipe can be located through apertures 44 defined in base 24 of upper chamber 20 to allow waste water to flow from the lower chamber 18 in use through the interface valve in the upper chamber and out into the sewage network.

Sewage inlet pipes are attached to spigots 16 of lower chamber 18 to allow sewage and/or waste water to flow into the lower chamber 18 in use. The vacuum unit described herein works in a similar manner to a conventional concrete vacuum unit previously described but the vacuum unit of the present invention is typically formed from a lightweight plastic material.

Thus, the unit of the present invention has the required strength and rigidity, whilst being lightweight, incxpensive to provide and easy to transport and fit.

The vacuum unit is typically formed via a rotational moulding process using thermoplastic material.

A lid is detachably attached over opening 26 of upper chamber in use.

L

Claims

Claims 1. A container, said container including a first chamber and at least a second chamber, and wherein at least one wall of the first and/or at least second chamber is formed from at least two spaced apart wall elements.
2. A container according to claim I in the form of a vacuum unit and at least one of the first or at least second chambers is arranged to have a vacuum formed therein in use.
3. A container according to claim 2 wherein the one or more chambers in which the vacuum is provided has the at least two spaced apart wall elements.
4. A container according to claim I wherein one or more three dimensional shape features and/or strengthening structures are provided on an cxternal wall of the at least two spaced apart wall elements which are not present or are different to those features present on an internal wall of said spaced apart wall elements.
5. A container according to claim 1 wherein the first and at least second chamber have one or more walls formed from at least two spaced apart wall elements.
6. A container according to claim 1 wherein one of the first or at least second chambers has one or more walls formed from at least two spaced apart wall elements and the other of the first or at least second chambers has one or more walls formed from a single wall element.
7. A container according to claim 1 wherein each of the first and at least second chambers includes one or more side walls, a base and/or a top.
8. A container according to claim 7 wherein at least the side walls of the one or more chambers or vacuum chamber are formed from at least two spaced apart wall elements.
9. A container according to claim 7 wherein the top and/or base of the one or more chambers or vacuum chamber are formed from at least two spaced apart wall elements.
10. A container according to claim I wherein the first and at least second chambers are arranged one on top of the other in a substantially vertical stack or arrangement.
II. A container according to claim 10 wherein the lower chamber is arranged to be a vacuum chamber in use and the upper chamber is arranged to be a non-vacuum chamber in use.
12. A container according to claim 1 wherein the first and at least second chambers are integrally formed.
13. A container according to claim 1 wherein the first and at least second chambers are attached or detachably attached together.
14. A container according to claim 1 wherein a partition wall is provided between the first and at least second chambers and said partition wall consists of a single wall element.
15. A container according to claim 1 wherein a partition wall is provided between the first and at least second chambers and one or more apertures, inlet means, outlet means, protrusions, recesses, mouldings and/or blind end spigots are provided in the partition wall to allow one or more connections to be made between the first and at least second chambers in use.
16. A container according to claim I wherein the first and at least second chambers are arranged so as to be substantially sealed from each other in use.
17. A container according to claim 1 wherein supporting means are provided between the at least two spaced apart wall elements to allow the outer and inner wall elements to be joined.
18. A container according to claim 17 wherein the supporting means include any or any combination of one or more kiss offs, tack offs or near kiss offs.
19. A container according to claim 17 wherein the supporting means are provided at substantially equal spaced distances apart from each other within the wall elements.
20. A container according to claim I wherein the first chamber, the at least second chamber and/or the chambcr forming a vacuum in use is formed from one or more plastic and/or thermoplastic materials.
21. A container according to claim 20 wherein the first chamber, the at least second chamber and/or the chamber are formed via a moulding process, rotational moulding or blow moulding process.
22. A container according to claim 1 wherein one or more internal and/or external or the container or wall elements have one or more anti-floatation, anti-collapse, ribs and/or strength features provided thereon.
23. A container according to claim I wherein at least one of the first and/or at least second chambers has one or more inlet means, outlet means, spigots and/or blind cud spigots provided on a side wall thereof.
24. A container according to claim 23 wherein one or more guide means, indents, slots and/or recesses are provided on the inlet means, outlet means, spigots and/or blind end spigots to provide a guide for cutting of the same in use.
25. A container according to claim 23 wherein a plurality of inlet means, outlet means, spigots and/or blind end spigots are provided and said inlet means, outlet means, spigots and/or blind end spigots are arranged at spaced apart intervals around a perimeter of the container at a substantially equal height from a base of the containeL
26. A container according to claim 23 wherein a plurality of inlet means, outlet means, spigots and/or blind end spigots are provided and said inlet means, outlet means, spigots and/or blind end spigots arc arranged at spaccd apart intervals in an upright, longitudinal or substantially vertical axis.
27. A container according to claim 1 wherein one or more sealing means are provided on or associated with one or more inlet means, outlet means, spigots and/or blind end spigots in use.
28. A container according to claim 1 wherein said container is substantially cylindrical in form.
29. A container according to claim 1 wherein a lower chamber in the container or a vacuum chamber has a narrowing taper towards a base thereof to act as a sump in use.
30. A container according to claim I whcrcin one or more or all of the internal walls or internal wall elements of the container are substantially smooth and/or have no rib formations defined thereon.
31. A container according to claim 1 wherein a base unit is provided which is integrally formed, attached or detachably attached to the container.31. A method of forming a container, said container including a first chamber and at least a second chamber, and wherein said method includes the step of forming at least one wall of the first and/or at least second chamber from at least two spaced apart wall elements.L