IE20120219U1 - A process and apparatus for harvesting rainwater from a downpipe - Google Patents

Description

Field of the invention The invention relates to a rainwater collection apparatus, Capable of collecting rainwater in line or offset from the rainwater pipe. In particular the invention relates to a new type of rainwater harvester.

Bac round to the invention Collection or harvesting of rainwater is generally done by diversion of the rainwater to a separate ‘holding’ tank or vessel from which the water is pumped or gravity extracted for use.

This can be problematic and expensive in the case of an underground holding tank, which has to be sunk in the ground by a process of excavating a large hole and placing the holding tank in it, backfilling it, providing a power source to the tank to power the pump in order to extract the rainwater, all at large expense. Its suitability for urban housing is in question, requiring as it does such a disruptive, expensive process.

The other common method for harvesting and storing rainwater is by means of a holding barrel or tank placed on the footpath with the downpipe diverted into it to fill it. This method leaves an obstructive tank placed on the footpath limiting access and from which all of the water is not easily obtainable. There are also safety issues with some of these holding barrel devices as if the barrel lid is removed the water store becomes a drowning hazard for children and pets alike.

Accordingly there exists a need for a simpler, safer method of harvesting and storing rainwater in domestic and commercial premises.

Summag of the invention According to the invention there is provided, as set out in the appended claims, a rainwater harvesting and storage vessel comprising: an external casing made of a noncorrosive robust material capable of retaining water,- .-r.o—_;.,__, z__'‘‘ u‘ ""’°\-"4:...

E -.n;:iium:a:;~y:urnouI<.n\w-uAuoy.~;:,..,-c-.53? h ' ‘ v’, Mn-w',.,,_ Q‘ ._ 5 x . ‘.4’... . ffi ,,‘,.u“___ 1 ' (Q .‘. ! "~ V .‘ -‘rm |J'.’.E'. . ;~..§..3§5.............»....-... . I: ,'__ W1 us): ._!.'r .,;_.‘J’ 5 . . ; _ _- ga. .. -.13? ..'?‘“" - ~’’.‘'I-. .. .. ' ;_.=: 533 A.-"..‘L* 135.3 23 ' If ..<;S.‘./so/'<..* . - —-4 -»¢nu:.'.s an internal, substantially vertical pipe or chamber comprising a water diversion spout at its upper end, to direct water entering the vessel into the reservoir defined by the gap between the inner surface of the outer casing and the outer surface of the inner pipe or chamber, and to allow water filling the vessel above a predetermined height to flow down the inside ofthe internal pipe or chamber, the pipe or chamber being open at its base, to allow any water flowing therethrough to exit the vessel; a gated valve at the lower extremity of the vessel, mediating between the reservoir and the internal pipe or chamber, the gated valve, when open, allowing water to flow from the reservoir into the internal pipe and to exit through the base of the vessel, so that the vessel can be completely emptied if required; and a tap or vaive mounted to the lower end of the outer casing, to allow the useful draining off of water from the vessel.

The object of the invention is to collect the rainwater in a vessel, containing an internal overflow pipe, mounted directly in line with the existing down pipe or offset from it. A water retaining space is defined by the area between the inner surface of the outer casing and the outer surface of the internal pipe or chamber, to a height defined by the spout at the top of the internal pipe or chamber. Water from the gutter flows down the downpipe and fills the vessel to the height of the internal pipe or chamber. Any further water entering the vessel overflows down the internal downpipe or chamber, where it discharges in the manner of a normal downpipe.

The retained water is available for extraction from the vessel through a tap or valve mounted on the face of the storage vessel near the base. At the bottom of the storage vessel the overflow pipe is branched with the branched pipe or chamber terminating at the bottom of the storage vessel_ This is to allow the storage vessel to be flushed out and/or drained in cold conditions.

The invention comprises of an outer casing containing an internal overflow pipe or chamber which is attached to the outer casing.

The bottom of the outer casing is sealed to the inner pipe or chamber so as to allow the retention of the water/liquid.

The bottom of the casing incorporates the discharge from the internal pipe or chamber allowing any overflow from the vessel to escape.

'E7.30,321§, The internal pipe or chamber terminates below the height of the outer casing. The top of this internal pipe or chamber is closed to liquid descending from the downpipe, and also incorporates a side opening allowing for water to flow into it at a predetermined overflow height.

The outer casing is the structure retaining the water or liquid and may have anchoring points at its sides to allow it to be mechanically fixed to a structure.

In another embodiment the outer casing extends past the bottom of the vessel to allow the vessel to stand upright on the ground over a drain. in another embodiment the outer casing has a basin-shaped opening to allow water to be used for feeding animals or hand washing. 'l'he top of the vessel is loosely sealed using a flexible seal capable of adapting to round or square downpipes.

In another embodiment the top of the vessel is open allowing for the insertion of any pipe.

In another embodiment the top of the vessel has a fitted pipe socket.

In one embodiment the vessel is of rectangular construction comprising a square or round internal pipe.

In another embodiment the vessel is of round construction comprising a square or round internal pipe.

Brief description ofthe drawings The invention will be more clearly understood from the following description of an embodiment thereof, given by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:- Figure 1 is a front view of the rainwater harvester showing its internal workings according to the invention.

Figure 2 is a side view of the rainwater harvester showing its internal workings in one embodiment of the invention.

Figure 3 illustrates a side view ofa section through the bottom ofthe vessel and pipe in one embodiment of the invention.

Figure 4 illustrates a side view of a section through the top of the vessel and pipe according to the invention. ’u‘l lEf20E19 Figure 5 illustrates a side view of the invention containing a water access basin and support for the vessel to stand on the ground.

Detailed description of the drawing; Referring now to the drawings and particularly figure Tl there is illustrated a rainwater collection vessel according to the present invention comprising a outer casing 1 Cncasing a internal overflow pipe 2.

Referring to figure 2 there is an illustration of a side view of an outer casing 1 cncusing a internal overflow pipe attached to a wall by fixing points 33 3b and 3c mounted on the front of the casing is a water tap or vah/e4 according to the present invention.

Referring to figure 3 there is an illustration of an outer casing 1 encasing is internal overflow pipe 2 branching to a secondary drainage point which has a valve attached 3 the outer casing has a tap or valve attached to it according to the present invention.

Referring to figure 4 there is an illustration of an outer casing 1 encasing a internal overflow pipe 2 the top of the internal overflow pipe is closed at 2: angle to prevent water entering it from the top 3 the side ofthe overflow pipe is open to allow the water to enter the overflow 4.

Referring to figure 5 there is an illustration of the invention as described in the previous 4 figures with a water access basin drawing water from the Vessel controlled by a float valve mounted on the front of the vessel 1. The outer casing in this embodiment‘ extends to the ground to support the vessel 2.

Claims (1)

Claims

1. A rainwater harvesting and storage vessel comprising: an external casing made of a noncorrosive robust material capable of retaining water; an internal, substantially vertical pipe or chamber comprising a water diversion spout at its upper end, to direct water entering the vessel into the reservoir defined by the gap between the inner surface of the outer casing and the outer surface of the inner pipe or chamber, and to allow water filling the vessel above a predetermined height to flow down the inside of the internal pipe or chamber, the pipe or chamber being open at its base, to allow any water flowing therethrough to exit the vessel; a gated valve at the lower extremity of the vessel, mediating between the reservoir and the internal pipe or chamber, the gated valve, when open, allowing water to flow from the reservoir into the internal pipe and to exit through the base of the vessel, so that the vessel can be completely emptied if required; and a lap or valve mounted to the lower end of the outer casing, to allow the useful draining off of water from the vessel. The rainwater harvesting device of any preceding claim standing on the ground and capable of being also mechanically fixed to the wall. The rainwater harvesting device of any preceding claim used internally in a building where the downpipe is internally mounted. A rainwater harvesting device of any preceding claim with a water access basin, mounted to its outer casing, which is filled from water in the reservoir by means of a floating valve. A method for harvesting rainwater characterised in that the rainwater is collected in a harvester according to any of claims 1-4.