GB2518195A

GB2518195A - Water harvesting apparatus

Info

Publication number: GB2518195A
Application number: GB1316290.4A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Patrick Tiernan
Original assignee: HT MOULDING TECHNOLOGY Ltd
Current assignee: HT MOULDING TECHNOLOGY Ltd
Priority date: 2013-09-13
Filing date: 2013-09-13
Publication date: 2015-03-18
Anticipated expiration: 2033-09-13
Also published as: GB2518195B; GB201316290D0

Abstract

A modular unit 1 for collecting and at least temporarily storing drain water, the modular unit 1 comprises a base plate 3 and a plurality of side plates 5 surrounding the base plate 3. One or more of the base plate 3 and the side plates 5 have apertures to enable the through passage of fluid. The side plates 5 are connected to the base plate via respective hinges (11 figure 3) to pivot between a raised position and a lowered position in relation to the base plate 3. In the raisedposition the modular unit 1assumes a box configuration defining an interior, and in the lowered position the modular unit 1 is flattened compared to the box configuration. A later embodiment relates to a method of forming an assembly of modular units for collecting and at least temporarily storing drain water.

Description

Water Harvestilig Apparatus

Field of the Invention

The present invention provides a water harvesting apparatus, and more particulady, a modular unit and an assemNy of the modular units for collecting and at least temporarily storing drain water.

Background of the Invention

Water harvesting systems are used to capture rain water which would otherwise be drained off or, in some cases, cause flooding. The captured water is collected and stored in an underground infiltration tank and can be used when required for various domestic or industrial purposes, such as, for example only, for irrigation in dry weather. The tank has capacity to capture water during heavy rainfall to prevent flooding. Excess captured water is allowed to dissipate s'owly into the surrounding soil.

In such a system, the use of a conventional hollow tank is undesirable because it creates a void underground and there always exists a risk that the ground above the void can subside or collapse.

Therefore, instead of a hollow tank, a tank having a three dimensional framework is used. On the one hand, the framework functions as a solid structure by supporting the stratum above the tank and thus reducing the risk of collapse or subsidence thereby making the tank suitaNe to be installed under driveways, sports grounds or busy pedestrian areas and even motorways. On the other hand, the framework structure allows drain water to enter and exit the tank. To retain the collected water the tank may have solid walls or be provided with water impervious wrapping around the tank. The tank can be arranged to allow the water to dissipate slowly into the surrounding soil. A suitable membrane, such as, for examp'e, geotextile, can surround the tank preventing soil and debris from entering the tank but allowing water to pass through the membrane. For ease of manufacturing and transportation and to allow the size and configuration of the tank to be varied during installation, the tank is assembled from interlocking modular units.

Although modular tanks provide an advantage over larger tanks, transportation of such modular units is still problematic because of the relatively large aggregate volume occupied by the modular units.

Some tanks are assembled from individual latticed sheets to form a three dimensional framework. The sheets can be delivered flat packed to the installation site, thereby significantly reducing transportation costs, and the tank can be formed from the sheets on site. However) significantly more time is required to assemble a tank from sheets then from pre-manufactured modules.

In view of the above, the object of the present invention is to provide a modular unit and an assembly of the modular units for collecting and at least temporarily storing drain water which mitigate and/or obviate the above mentioned drawbacks.

Summary of the Invention

According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a modular unit for collecting and at least temporarily storing drain water, the modular unit comprising a base plate and a plurality of side plates surrounding the base plate; one or more of the base plate and the side plates being apertured to enable through passage of fluid; wherein the side plates are connected to the base plate via respective hinges to pivot between a raised position and a lowered position in relation to the base plate; and wherein in the raised position the modular unit assumes a box configuration defining an interior, and in the lowered position the modular unit assumes a flattened configuration compared to the box configuration.

Preferably, in the box configuration, the modular unit is interconnectable with one or more other such modular units to form an assembly for collecting and at least temporarily storing drain water. It will be appreciated that the modular units of the present invention can be assembled in various combinations to form assemblies of various configurations.

Preferably, in the flattened configuration, the modular unit is stackable with other such modular units, for example) for storage and/or transportation, such that the volume occupied by the stacked flattened modular units is less than the volume occupied by the same number of unflattened modular units, i.e. by the modular units in the box configuration.

Preferably in the box configuration of the modular unit) the side plates are substantially upright in relation to the base plate.

Preferably, a locking means is provided to retain the side plates in the raised position. The locking means may comprise co-operating coupling members on the side plates, the coupling members being configured to interlock, preferably releasably, when the side plates are raised. Preferably) the coupling members are configured to interlock automatically when the side plates are raised. The coupling members may comprise co-operating pins and slots.

In one arrangement, in the flattened configuration, the base plate and the side plates are stackable flat against corresponding base plate and the side plates of another such modular unit in the flattened configuration. Alternatively, in the flattened configuration, the modular unit is stackable with another such modular unit in the flattened configuration such that the base plate and the side plates of a first modular unit are spaced from corresponding base plate and the side plates of the second modular unit by a distance less than the height of each modular unit in the box configuration) and preferably) equal or less than half the height of each modular unit in the box configuration, and more preferably, equal or less than a quarter of the height of each modular unit in the box configuration. Preferably, in the flattened configuration of the modular unit, the side plates are substantially co-planar with the base plate.

In one arrangement, the base plate is rectangular and the modular unit has at least four side plates, which may be also rectangular, so that the modular unit forms a cuboid box when the side plates are raised. Other shapes of the base plate and the side plates apparent to a person skilled in the art are envisaged and considered to fall within the scope of the present invention.

Preferably, the one or more of the base plate and the side plates which are apertured have a lattice structure, such as, for example, one formed of a plurality of alternating partitions and voids defined between the partitions.

Preferably, the modular unit is made from plastics. Preferably, base plate and the side plates are manufactured by moulding.

The hinge may comprise a flexible hinge, such as, for example, one comprising one or more strips of flexible material, for example, plastics, connecting the base plate and the respective side plate. In one arrangement, the hinge may be manufactured independently from the base plate and the side plates and connected to the base plate and the respective side plate on assembly of the modular unit. The hinge may be replaceable. In another arrangement, the hinge may be formed as one piece at least with the base plate or the side plate and be connected on assembly, preferably, releasably, to the respective side plate or the base plate. In yet a further arrangement, the hinge may be formed as one piece with the base plate and the respective side plate. Other hinged connections apparent to a person skilled in the art are considered to be within the scope of the present invention.

Preferably, the modular unit comprises at least one and preferably a plurality of support members to provide support for the modular unit or for an assembly of the modular units when the modular unit or the assembly is installed in place for collecting and at least temporarily storing drain water. The support member also supports a stratum above the modular unit or the assembly. Preferably, the support member is accommodated within the interior of the modular unit in the box

S

configuration. Preferably, the support member is formed integrally with the base plate.

Preferably, the support member is configured to be stackable with a corresponding support member of another modular unit of the invention in the flattened configuration of the modular units.

Preferably, the support member is configured to guide the modular units when the modular units are being stacked in the flattened configuration as well as to prevent stacked flattened modular units from disengaging. Preferably, the support member projects from the base plate. In one arrangement, the support member projects substantially upright from the base plate.

Preferably, the support member is provided in the form of hollow protrusions such that upon stacking, a protrusion of one modular unit is received in the protrusion of an adjacent modular unit of the invention. Preferably, the support member of a modular unit comprises a convexity and a concavity, the convexity being receivable in the concavity of a corresponding support member of another modular unit of the invention when the two modular units are stacked and vice versa, i.e. the concavity receiving the convexity of a corresponding support member of another modular unit of the invention when the two modular units are stacked.

Preferably, the support member has a base portion, the support member being attached to the base plate by the base portion. The base portion preferably defines an opening to receive and accommodate a corresponding support member of another modular unit of the invention when the modular units are stacked in the flattened configuration. Preferably, the opening is also an opening in the base plate and is located at a side of the base plate opposite the side from which the support member projects. Preferably, the support member is open at a part remote from the base portion to allow water to enter and exit the support member even when a plurality of modular units are assembled. A cover may be provided for covering the opening in the base portion of the support member when the modular unit assumes box configuration. The cover may be apertured to allow drain water to pass through the cover in and out of the interior of the modular unit. The cover may be removable.

Preferably, the support member is tapered. Preferably, the support member tapers away from the base plate. In one arrangement, the support member is conical.

Preferably, the support member of a modular unit of the invention includes at least one interlocking member for coupling with a corresponding interlocking member of a support member of another modular unit of the invention thereby securing adjacent modular units in box configurations in an assembly. Preferably, the interlocking members in a plurality of the support members include protrusions on some support members co-operating with recesses in other support members.

Preferably, in an embodiment in which a modular unit includes at least a pair of support members, one support member has a protrusion and the other support member has a recess for co-operation with respective recess and protrusion of the support members of another modular unit of the invention.

Preferably, the interlocking members of the support members are configured to interlock when two or more modular units are brought together. Preferably, the interlocking members are configured to interlock when two or more modular units in box configurations are brought together with the respective interiors and the respective support members of the modular units facing each other. Preferably, the interlocking members are provided on the support members in a manner allowing support members of one modular unit to interlock with support members of one or more other modular units of the invention so that portions the other modular units remain unconnected to the fist mentioned modular unit and those free portions are connectable to still further modular units via the remaining support members. Due to the latter arrangement, any number of modular units can be used to form an assembly wherein each modular unit is securely connected with adjacent modular units. Preferably, the interlocking member is provided on a part of a support member spaced apart from the base portion of the support member.

The base plate preferably has a longitudinal axis. In one arrangement, the base plate has a pair of opposed long sides and a pair of opposed short sides.

For example only, the modular unit may be configured to allow four modular units to be interlocked so that two modular units are positioned side by side with the long sides of their base plates in abutment and their support members projecting in the same direction, and the other two modular units are placed onto the first two modular units also side by side with the long sides of their base plates in abutment and their support members facing the support members of the first pair of modular units; and so that the base plates of the second pair of modular units are substantially parallel to the base plates of the first pair of modular units and the longitudinal axes of the base plates of the first and second pairs of modular units are substantially perpendicular. In this manner, each of the four modular units is secured to two of the three remaining modular units and, ultimately, all the modular units in the assembly are securely connected. In this arrangement, the long side of the base plate may be twice the length of a short side.

Due to the provision of the hinge, a plurality of modular units of the present invention can be easily flattened and stacked to form a relatively compact stack, compared to a stack of the same number of unflattened modular units of the invention. The height of the stack is preferably less than the height of a stack of the same number of the modular units stacked in the box configuration. More preferably, the height of the stack is less than half of the height of a stack of the same number of the modular units stacked in the box configuration. Still more preferably, the height of the stack is preferably less than a quarter of the height of a stack of the same number of the modular units stacked in the box configuration. At an assembly site, the side plates of the flattened modular units can be readily raised to cause the modular units assume the box configuration. The modular units can then be readily securely interconnected to form an assembly of required size and configuration.

B

A further advantage of the modular unit of ftc present invention is in the provision of ftc multi-functional support members. The support members of the modular units reinforce individual modular units and an assembly of the modular units during use. The support members also provide interlocking means for securing the modular units together when the modular units are assembled in the box configuration and provide guide means when flattened modular units are being stacked. Furthermore) the support members prevent stacked flattened modular units from disengaging.

According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided an assembly of modular units for collecting and at least temporarily storing drain water, wherein the modu'ar units are in accordance with the first aspect of the invention described above, the modu'ar units being assembled in the box configuration.

Preferably, in use, the modular unit of the invention or the assembly of modular units of the invention are installed underground.

According to a third aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of forming an assembly of modular units for collecting and at least temporarily storing drain water, the method comprising providing a plurality of modular units in accordance with the first aspect of the invention described above; and interconnecting the modular units in box configuration to form the assembly.

Preferably, the method includes pivoting the side plates into the raised position to cause the moduhr units assume box configuration and, preferably, securing the side plates in the raised position.

Preferably, the method includes bringing two or more modular units together and interlocking the intedocking members of the support members of the modular units. Preferably, the method includes intedocking support members of one modular unit with support members of one or more other modular units of the invention. Preferably, the method includes bringing together two or more modular units in box configurations with their respective interiors and the respective support members of the modular units facing each other.

The method may include interlocking four modular units, including positioning two modular units side by side with the long sides of their base plates in abutment and their support members projecting in the same direction and placing the other two modular units onto the first two modular units also side by side with the long sides of their base plates in abutment and their support members facing the support members of the first pair of modular units and so that the base plates of the second pair of modular units are substantially parallel to the base plates the first pair of modular units and the longitudinal axes of the base plates of first and second pairs of modular units are substantially perpendicular. In this manner, each of the four modular units is secured to two of the three remaining modular units thereby ultimately providing a secure connection between all the modular units in the assembly. It will be appreciated that many other combinations of the modular units of the invention in an assembly are possible and considered to fall within the scope of the present invention.

The method may include covering the openings of the support members when the modular unit assumes box configuration.

Preferably, the method includes pivoting the side plates into the lowered position so that the modular unit assumes the flattened configuration and stacking the modular unit with other such modular units, for example) for storage and/or transportation) wherein the volume occupied by the stacked flattened modular units is less than the volume occupied by the same number of unflattened modular units, i.e. the modular units in the box configuration. Preferably, the method includes stacking the support members of the modular unit with the support members of another modular unit of the invention in the flattened configuration of the modular units.

The method preferably includes removing covers from the openings of the support members prior to stacking the modular units.

The method may include stacking the modular units in the flattened configuration such that the base plates and the side plates of a modular unit are placed flat against corresponding base plates and the side plates of another such modular unit in the flattened configuration. Alternatively, the method indudes stacking the modukr units in the flattened configuration such that the base plates and the side pktes of a first modular unit are spaced from corresponding base plates and the side p'ates of the second modukr unit by a distance less than the height of each modular unit in the box configuration, and preferably, equal or less than half the height of each modular unit in the box configuration) and more preferably, equa' or less than a quarter of the height of each moduhr unit in the box configuration.

It will be appreciated that for the purposes of the present description, singular and plural references are used interchangeahly, un'ess specifically indicated otherwise.

All essential, preferred or optional features of the first aspect of the present invention can be provided in conjunction with the second or third aspect of the present invention and vice versa where appropriate.

Detailed Description of the Invention

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figures 1 and 2 are respective perspective and plan views of a modular unit of the invention in a box configuration; Figures 3 and 4 are respective perspective and plan views of a modular unit of the invention in a flattened configuration; and Figures 5 and 6 are respective perspective and side views of an assembly of four modular units of the invention.

With reference initially to Figures 1 to 4, a modular unit for collecting and at least temporarily storing drain water in accordance with the invention is indicated generally by reference numeral 1. Although, in principle, a single modular unit 1 can be used to collect and store drain water, it is more likely that an assembly of a plurality of modular units 1 would be required in practice. In this regard, it should be appreciated that the modular units 1 of the present invention can be assembled in various combinations to form assemblies of various configurations. An exemplary assembly of four modular units 1 will be described below with reference to Figures 5 and 6.

As shown in Figures 1 to 4, the modular unit 1 comprises a base plate 3 and four side plates 5 surrounding the base plate 3. The base plate 3 and the side plates S have a lattice structure formed of a plurality of alternating partitions 7 and voids 9 defined between the partitions 7 to enable through passage of fluid. The side phtes S are connected to the base plate 3 via respective hinges 11 to pivot between a raised position, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, and a lowered position, as shown in Figures 3 and 4, in relation to the base phte 3. In the raised position, the side phtes 5 are substantially upright in relation to the base plate 3 and the modular unit 1 assumes a box configuration defining an interior 15. In the presently described embodiment, the base plate 3 and the side plates 5 are rectangular so that the modular unit 1 forms a cuboid box when the side plates S are raised. Other shapes of the base plate 3 and the side plates 5 apparent to a person skilled in the art are envisaged and considered to fall within the scope of the present invention. In the lowered position, the modular unit 1 assumes a flattened configuration compared to the box configuration. In the presently described embodiment, in the flattened configuration of the modular unit 1, the side plates S are substantially co-planar with the base plate 3.

In the presently described embodiment, the modu'ar unit 1 is made from plastics and the attice structure of the base plate 3 and the side plates S is achieved by moulding.

In the box configuration, the modular unit 1 is interconnectable with one or more other such modular units 1 to form an assembly for coflecting and at least temporarily storing drain water as wifl be described below.

In the flattened configuration, the modular unit 1 is stackable with other such modular units, for example, for storage and/or transportation, such that the volume occupied by the stacked flattened modular units 1 is less than the volume occupied by the same number of unflattened modular units 1, i.e. by the modular units 1 in the box configuration.

The modular unit 1 includes a locking means for retaining the side plates 5 in the raised position. In the presently described embodiment, the locking means comprises co-operating pins 17 and slots 19 formed on the side plates 5. The pins and slots 17, 19 interlock automatically when the side plates S are raised and can be disengaged when it is required to flatten the modular unit 1.

Although not shown in the drawings, in the flattened configuration of Figures 3 and 4, the modular unit 1 is stackable with another such flattened modular unit 1 such that the base plate 3 and the side plates S of a first modular unit 1 are spaced from corresponding base plate 3 and the side plates 5 of the second modular 1 unit by a distance equal or less than half the height of each modular unit 1 in the box configuration, and more preferably, equal or less than quarter of the height of each modular unit 1 in the box configuration. The modular unit 1 can also be configured so that the base plate 3 and the side plates 5 are stackable fiat against corresponding base plate 3 and the side plates 5 of another such modular unit 1 in the flattened configuration.

The hinge 11 may be a flexible hinge comprising one or more plastic strips connecting the base plate 3 and the respective side plates 5. The hinge 11 may be manufactured independently from the base plate 3 and the side plates 5 and connected to the base plate 3 and the respective side plate 5 on assembly of the modular unit 1. The hinge 11 may be replaceable. Alternatively, the hinge 11 may be formed as one piece at least with the base plate 3 or the side plate S and be connected on assembly to the respective side plate S or the base plate 3. In yet a further arrangement, the hinge 11 may be formed as one piece with the base plate 3 and the respective side plate S. Other hinged connections apparent to a person skilled in the art are considered to be within the scope of the present invention.

Still referring to Figures 1 to 4, the modular unit 1 comprises a plurality of support members 21 to reinforce the modular unit 1 or an assembly of the modular units 1 when the modular unit 1 or the assembly is instafled in place for collecting and at least temporarily storing drain water. In the presently described embodiment) eight support members 21 are provided, but it will be appreciated that the invention is not limited to a particular number of support members 21. The support members 21 also support a stratum above the modular unit 1 or the assembly. The support members 21 are accommodated within the interior 15 of the modular unit 1 when the modular unit 1 is in the box configuration. In the presently described embodiment, the support members 21 are formed integrally with the base plate. It will be appreciated that in other embodiments, the support members may be attached to the base plate 3.

The support members 21 are configured to be stackable with corresponding support members of another modular unit 1 of the invention in the flattened configuration of the modular units 1. The support members 21 project upright from the base plate 3 and are provided in the form of hollow protrusions of generally conical shape tapering away from the base plate 3. The support members 21 are attached to the base plate 3 by base portions 23. The base portions preferably define openings 25 (see Figure 6), which are also openings in the base plate 3, to receive and accommodate a corresponding support member 21 of another modular unit 1 of the invention when the modular units 1 are stacked in the flattened configuration. The openings 25 are located at a side of the base plate 3 opposite the side from which the support members 21 projects.

The support members 21 guide the modular units 1 when the modular units 1 are being stacked in the flattened configuration as well as prevent stacked flattened modular units 1 from disengaging.

The support members 21 are open at parts 27 spaced apart from the base portions 23 to allow water enter and exit the support member 21 even when a plurality of modular units 1 are assembled in place for water collection and storage.

Removable covers 29 (see Figure 6) are provided for covering the openings 25 in the base portions 23 of the support members 21 when the modular unit 1 assumes box configuration. The covers 29 are apertured to allow drain water to pass through the covers 29 into the interior 15 of the modular unit 1.

The support members 21 include intedocking members provided on the parts 27 of the supports members 21 spaced apart from the base portions 23 of the support members for coupling with corresponding interlocking members of the support members 21 of another modular unit 1 of the invention thereby securing adjacent modular units 1 in an assembly. The intePlocking members comprise protrusions 31 on some support members 21 co-operating with recesses 33 formed in other support members 21. In the presently described embodiment, four support members 21 in one half of the modular unit 1 have protrusions 31 and four support members 21 in the other half of the modular unit 1 have recesses 33 for co-operation with respective protrusions 31 and recesses 33 of the support members 21 of another modular unit 1 of the invention.

The protrusions 31 and recesses 33 of the support members 21 interlock when two or more modular units 1 are brought together in box configurations with the respective interiors 15 and the respective support members 21 of the modular units 1 facing each other. The manner in which protrusions 31 and recesses 33 are arranged on the support members 21 allows support members 21 of one modukr unit 1 to interlock with support members 21 of more than one other modular units 1 of the invention so that the other modular units 1 have free portions remaining unconnected to the fist mentioned modukr unit 1 and those free portions can be connected to further modular units 1 via the remaining support members 21.

Accordingly, any number of modular units 1 can be used to form an assembly wherein each modular unit 1 is securely connected with adjacent modular units 1.

In the presently described embodiment, the base plate 3 has a pair of opposed long sides 3a and a pair of opposed short sides 3b. Each long side 3a is twice the length of a short side 3b. In this embodiment, as illustrated in Figures 5 and 6, four modular units 1 can be interlocked to form an assembly 35. In the assembly 35 of Figures 5 and 6, two lower modular units 1 are positioned side by side with the long sides 3a of the base plates 3 in abutment and the support members 21 projecting in the same direction (upwards in Figures 5 and 6). The other two modular units 1 are placed onto the first two modular units 1 also side by side with the long sides 3a of the base plates 3 in abutment and the support members 21 facing downwards, i.e. facing the support members 21 of the first pair of modular units 1. The base plates 3 of the second (upper) pair of modular units 1 are substantially parallel to the base plates 3 of the first (lower) pair of modular units 1 and longitudinal axes 37 of the base plates 3 of the first and second pairs of modular units 1 are substantially perpendicular.

In the assembly 35 of Figures 5 and 6, four support members 21 located in one half of each modular unit 1 have protrusions 31 which engage with respective recesses 33 of the four support members 21 of another modular unit 1. Likewise, four support members 21 located in the other half of each modular unit 1 have recesses 33 which engage with respective protrusions 31 of the four support members 21 of another modular unit 1 of the invention. In this manner, each of the four modular units 1 is secured to two of the three remaining modular units 1 and, ultimately, all the modular units 1 in the assembly 35 are securely connected.

Although a particular way of connecting modular units 1 has been described above, it will be appreciated that the modular units 1 of the present invention can be assembled in various combinations to form assemblies of various configurations.

Due to the provision of the hinges 11, a plurality of modular units 1 invention can be easily flattened and stacked to provide a relatively compact stack for ease of storage/transportation. The height of the stack is less than the height of a stack of the same number of the modular units 1 stacked in the box configuration. More preferably, the height of the stack is less than half of the height of a stack of the same number of the modular units 1 stacked in the box configuration. Still more preferably, the height of the stack is preferably less than a quarter of the height of a stack of the same number of the modular units 1 stacked in the box configuration.

At an assembly site, the side plates S of the flattened modular units 1 can be readily raised to cause the modular units 1 assume the box configuration. The modular units 1 can then be readily securely interconnected to form an assembly of required size and configuration.

The support members 21 of the modular units 1 serve several purposes. The support members 21 provide support for individual modular units 1 as well as for an assembly of the modular units 1; provide interlocking means for securing the modular units 1 together when the modular units 1 are assembled in the box configuration; provide guide means when flattened moduhr units 1 are being stacked; and prevent stacked flattened modular units 1 from disengaging.

In the presently described embodiment, the modular unit 1 of the invention or an assembly of modu'ar units 1 of the invention is installed underground. It will be appreciated that the invention is not limited to the underground installation.

To retain the collected water the modular unit 1 of the invention or an assembly of modular units 1 of the invention maybe surrounded by solid walls or provided with water impervious wrapping. The modular unit 1 of the invention or the assembly can be arranged to allow the water to dissipate slowly into the surrounding soil. A suitable membrane, such as) for example) geotextile, can surround the modular unit 1 of the invention or the assembly of modular units 1 of the invention to prevent soil and debris from entering the modular unit 1 or the assembly but allowing water to pass through the membrane.

Whilst specific embodiments of the present invention have been described above, it will be appreciated that modifications are possible within the scope of the present invenUon as defined in the appended claims.

Claims

CLAIMS: 1. A modular unit for collecting and at least temporarily storing drain water, the modular unit comprising a base plate and a plurality of side plates surrounding the base plate; one or more of the base plate and the side plates being apertured to enable through passage of fluid; wherein the side plates are connected to the base plate via respective hinges to pivot between a raised position and a lowered position in relation to the base plate; and wherein in the raised position the modular unit assumes a box configuration defining an interior, and in the lowered position the modular unit assumes a flattened configuration compared to the box configuration.
2. A modular unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein in the flattened configuration, the modular unit is stackable with other such modular units, such that the volume occupied by the stacked flattened modular units is less than the volume occupied by the same number of unflattened modular units, i.e. by the modular units in the box configuration.
3. A modular unit as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein a locking means is provided to retain the side plates in the raised position.
4. A modular unit as claimed in any preceding claim) wherein in the flattened configuration, the base plate and the side plates are stackable flat against corresponding base plate and the side plates of another such modular unit in the flattened configuration or such that the base plate and the side plates of a first modular unit are spaced from corresponding base plate and the side plates of the second modular unit by a distance less than the height of each modular unit in the box configuration, or equal or less than half the height of each modular unit in the box configuration, or equal or less than a quarter of the height of each modular unit in the box configuration.
5. A modular unit as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the one or more of the base plate and the side plates which are apertured have a lattice structure, such as, for example, one formed of a plurality of alternating partitions and voids defined between the partitions.
6. A modular unit as claimed in any preceding claim) wherein the hinge comprises a flexible hinge.
7. A modular unit as claimed in any preceding claim) wherein the modular unit comprises one or more support members to provide support for the modular unit or for an assembly of the modular units when the modular unit or the assembly is installed in place for collecting and at least temporarily storing drain water and to support a stratum above the modular unit or the assembly.
8. A modular unit as claimed in claim 7, wherein the support member is accommodated within the interior of the modular unit in the box configuration.
9. A modular unit as claimed in claim 7 or claim 8, wherein the support member is stackable with a corresponding support member of another modular unit of the invention in the flattened configuration of the modular units.
10. A modular unit as claimed in any one of claims 7 to 9, wherein the support member is configured to guide the modular units when the modular units are being stacked in the flattened configuration as well as to prevent stacked flattened modular units from disengaging.
11. A modular unit as claimed in any one of claims 7 to 10, wherein the support member is provided in the form of a hollow protrusion such that upon stacking, a protrusion of one modular unit is received in the protrusion of an adjacent modular unit of the invention.
12. A modular unit as claimed in any one of claims 7 to 11, wherein the support member of a modular unit comprises a convexity and a concavity, the convexity being receivable in the concavity of a corresponding support member of another modular unit of the invention when the two modular units are stacked and vice versa, i.e. the concavity receiving the convexity of a corresponding support member of another modular unit of the invention when the two modular units are stacked.
13. A modular unit as claimed in any one of claims 7 to 12, wherein the support member has a base portion, the support member being attached to the base plate by the base portion, wherein the base portion defines an opening to receive and accommodate a corresponding support member of another modular unit of the invention when the modular units are stacked in the flattened configuration) wherein the opening is also an opening in the base plate and is located at a side of the base plate opposite the side from which the support member projects.
14. A modular unit as claimed in claim 13, wherein the support member is open at a part remote from the base portion to allow water to enter and exit the support member even when a plurality of modular units are assembled.
15. A modular unit as claimed in any one of claims 7 to 14, wherein the support member is tapered.
16. A modular unit as claimed in any one of claims 7 to 15, wherein the support member of a modular unit of the invention includes at least one interlocking member for coupling with a corresponding interlocking member of a support member of another modular unit of the invention thereby securing adjacent modular units in box configurations in an assembly.
17. A modular unit as claimed in claim 16, wherein the interlocking members in a plurality of the support members include protrusions on some support members co-operating with recesses in other support members.
18. A modular unit as claimed in claim 16 or claim 17, wherein the interlocking members are provided on the support members in a manner allowing support members of one modular unit to interlock with support members of one or more other modular units of the invention so that portions the other modular units remain unconnected to the fist mentioned modular unit and those free portions are connectable to still further modular units via the remaining support members.
19. A modular unit as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the base plate has a longitudinal axis and a pair of opposed long sides and a pair of opposed short sides, wherein the long side of the base plate is twice the length of a short side.
20. A plurality of modular units as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 19, stacked to form a relatively compact stack, compared to a stack of the same number of unflattened modular units of the invention, wherein the height of the stack is less than the height of a stack of the same number of the modular units stacked in the box configuration or less than half of the height of a stack of the same number of the modular units stacked in the box configuration or the height of the stack is less than a quarter of the height of a stack of the same number of the modular units stacked in the box configuration.
21. An assembly of modular units for collecting and at least temporarily storing drain water, wherein the modular units are in accordance with any one of claims 1 to 19, the modular units being assembled in the box configuration.
22. A modular unit of the invention in accordance with any one of claims ito 19 or an assembly of modular units in accordance with claim 2lwherein said modular unit or said assembly is installed underground.
23. A method of forming an assembly of modular units for collecting and at least temporarily storing drain water, the method comprising providing a plurality of modular units in accordance with any one of claims 1 to 20; and interconnecting the modular units in box configuration to form the assembly.
24. A method as claimed in claim 23, the method including pivoting the side plates of the modular units into the raised position to cause the modular units assume box configuration and securing the side plates in the raised position.
25. A method as claimed in claim 23 or claim 24, wherein the method includes bringing two or more modular units together and interlocking the interlocking members of the support members of the modular units.
26. A method as claimed in any one of claims 23 to 25, wherein the method includes interlocking support members of one modular unit with support members of one or more other modular units of the invention.
27. A method as claimed in any one of claims 23 to 26, wherein the method includes bringing together two or more modular units in box configurations with their respective interiors and the respective support members of the modular units facing each other.
28. A method as claimed in any one of claims 23 to 27, wherein, the method includes pivoting the side plates of the modular units into the lowered position so that the modular units assume the flattened configuration and stacking the modular units, wherein the volume occupied by the stacked flattened modular units is less than the volume occupied by the same number of unflattened modular units, i.e. the modular units in the box configuration.
29. A method as claimed in claim 28, wherein the method includes stacking the modular units in the flattened configuration such that the base plates and the side plates of a modular unit are placed flat against corresponding base plates and the side plates of another such modular unit in the flattened configuration or stacking the modular units in the flattened configuration such that the base plates and the side plates of a first modular unit are spaced from corresponding base plates and the side plates of the second modular unit by a distance less than the height of each modular unit in the box configuration or equal or less than half the height of each modular unit in the box configuration or equal or less than a quarter of the height of each modular unit in the box configuration.