SE2150854A1

SE2150854A1 - Intermediate storage device for laundry systems

Info

Publication number: SE2150854A1
Application number: SE2150854A
Authority: SE
Inventors: Carl Emil Vestman; Nicolas Maxant
Original assignee: Mimbly Ab
Priority date: 2021-06-30
Filing date: 2021-06-30
Publication date: 2022-12-31
Also published as: SE545374C2; WO2023277762A1

Abstract

An intermediate storage device for laundry systems comprising: at least one inlet for receiving water from a water consumption device, and at least one outlet, a receptacle for receiving water from the at least one inlet. The intermediate storage device comprises at least one filter arranged between the at least one inlet and a base of the receptacle such that water is filterable prior to being received in the receptacle, wherein the at least one filter has a substantially planar first filter surface, the first filter surface arranged at a nonzero angle with respect to the horizontal plane.

Description

INTERMEDIATE STORAGE DEVICE FOR LAUNDRY SYSTEMS Field of the Invention The present disclosure relates to an interrnediate storage device for receiving and f1ltering Water in conjunction With laundry systems. In particular, it relates to an interrnediate storage device With a filter having a non-horizontal surface.

Background of the invention Water recycling systems may receive Water Which has been used at least one time from a Water consumption device, the Water may then be treated or stored and subsequently retumed to the same, or different, Water consumption device for use again. In such a manner and With such devices, Water may be recycled.

Traditional Water recycling systems receive Water from a first Water consumption device, generally treat the Water, such as via f1ltering, disinfection, chemical treatment etc, and then make that Water available for a second device Which can use Water of, in general, a lower quality. For example, in US 2013/0180928 A1 a personal Water conservation system is described Where Water is received from a shower/bath, a Washing machine or sink/basin, and then may be used in a toilet.

An improved Water recycling system is described in WO 2019/117789 A1 Whereby Water quality is measured and Whereby Water may be retumed to the same device that generated the used Water.

HoWever, in such known systems there is no guidance on the positioning of the components of the Water consumption and recycling system relative to each other. This is clearly an important aspect, as Water must be pumped, or travel through the system due to the effect of gravity. Furthermore, different Water consumption devices may have different expected configurations of Where and hoW Water Will exit the system. For example, some Water consumption devices may comprise a pump Which forcibly pumps Water out of an outlet of the Water consumption device, or they may not comprise such a pump. In the latter case, Water must ﬂow out due to the force of gravity. Water consumption devices have different arrangements and therefore, to make a Water recycling system Which is compatible With each such consumption and/or recycling device the system cannot be arranged under the assumption that a pump Will or Will not exist in the Water consumption device. A system compatible With both Would be ideal.

The provision of additional pumps and valves to a Water recycling system may enable Water to be transferred throughout the system, however, additional pumps and valves generally necessitate additional maintenance and increase the energy consumption of the system.

Furthermore, pumping Water throughout a system With various valves and height differences may lead to sections of the system Where Water is maintained for a duration of time. The used Water may comprise microbial matter Which is capable of generating unpleasant odours, such odorous Water may not be possible to use in a Water recycling process, and may cause permanent unpleasant odours in the system, reducing the likelihood that the system is used regularly and therefore that Water is recycled to the extent that it could possibly be recycled. This problem has not previously been identified as generally systems either did not consider such small volumes of Water as significant to recycling performance, hoWever, the present inventors have identified that even small residual volumes of Water stored in Water recycling systems have the potential to reduce the user experience of Water recycling devices due to malodours.

Furthermore, Water recycling devices may require a pre-filter step. In laundry systems the matter f1ltered in this step may be substantial and it Would be ideal if such a system Was capable of easy maintenance in the traditional manner expected in laundry systems.

Summarv of the invention Accordingly, the present invention preferably seeks to mitigate, alleviate or eliminate one or more of the above-identified deﬁciencies in the art and disadvantages singly or in any combination and solves at least the above-mentioned problems by providing an interrnediate storage device for laundry systems comprising: at least one inlet for receiving Water from a Water consumption device, and at least one outlet, a receptacle for receiving Water from the at least one inlet. The interrnediate storage device comprises at least one filter arranged between the at least one inlet and a base of the receptacle such that Water is filterable prior to being received in the receptacle, wherein the at least one filter has a substantially planar first filter surface, the first filter surface arranged at a non- zero angle with respect to the horizontal plane.

A system comprising a water consumption device and an interrnediate storage device according to an aspect is provided.

Further advantageous embodiments are disclosed in the appended and dependent patent claims.

Brief description of the drawings These and other aspects, features and advantages of which the invention is capable will be apparent and elucidated from the following description of embodiments of the present invention, reference being made to the accompanying drawings, in which Fig. l is an isometric view of a receptacle of an interrnediate storage device according to an aspect.

Fig. 2 is a cross-section view of an interrnediate storage device according to an aspect.

Fig. 3 is a partial cross-section of a portion of an interrnediate storage device according to an aspect, the portion shown being the portion to the left of the dashed line in figure 2.

Fig. 4 is a schematic view of a system comprising an interrnediate storage device according to an aspect, a water consumption device, a water recycling device, and a waste-water outlet.

Detailed description An interrnediate storage device l for laundry systems comprising at least one inlet 20l for receiving water from a water consumption device 300. The device comprises a receptacle l00 for receiving water from the at least one inlet 20l. The receptacle comprises a base l0l at which water may collect. The device l comprises at least one filter ll0 arranged between the at least one inlet 20l and the base l0l of the receptacle l00 such that water is f1lterable prior to being received in the receptacle l00. The at least one filter 110 has a substantially planar first filter surface 111, the first filter surface 111 arranged at a non-zero angle with respect to the horizontal plane.

The interrnediate storage device 1 forrns a combined filtering and storage device 1 for water received from a water consumption device 300. The filter 110 filters water prior to the water collecting in the receptacle 100 and improves both performance and maintainability due to the angle of the filter 110 with respect to the ﬂow path of water from the inlet 201 to the receptacle 100.

The receptacle 100 forms a substantially shallow tank for receiving and storing water from the water consumption device 300. Water from the inlet 201 collects at the base 101 of the receptacle 100.

As described a first surface 111 of the filter 110 is arranged at an angle with respect to horizontal. The first surface 111 is not parallel with the horizontal plane, that is, it is not at 90° to the angle at which gravity acts on the water in the receptacle 100.

The first surface 111 of the filter 110 has a proximal portion 112 and a distal portion 113. The proximal portion 112 is arranged below the distal portion 113. The proximal portion 112 is proximal to the base 101 of the receptacle than the distal portion 113. As can be seen in the figures the first surface of the filter 111 is angled downwards from its distal portion 113 to its proximal portion 112. Water provided to the first surface 111 of the filter 110 ﬂows along the filter towards the proximal portion 112, and through the filter 110 into the receptacle 100. The water ﬂowing through the filter 110 is, as would be understood, filtered water. Filtered matter collects on the first surface of the filter 111 and does not enter the receptacle 100. As the filter 110 is angled with respect to the horizontal plane, some portion of filtered matter tends to ﬂow toward the proximal portion 112 due to the ﬂow of water along the first filter surface 111.

The inlet 201 is provided at the distal portion 113, such as, above, in the vicinity of, or at, the distal portion 113 of the first filter surface 111. With such an arrangement water provided from the inlet 201 ﬂows along a greater portion of the filter surface 111 compared to if the inlet 201 was provided at the proximal portion 112 of the first filter surface 111. The greater distance over which the water flows over the surface 111 encourages the displacement of filtered matter on the first filter surface 111 and improves the ﬂow of water through the filter 110.

The filter 110 may be provided With a second filter surface 121. The second filter surface may be a planar second filter surface 121. The second filter surface 121 is connected to the first filter surface 111. The two surfaces 111, 121 may form a single filter 1 10 element. The second filter surface 121 may be connected to the proximal portion 112 of the first filter surface 111. The second filter surface 121 may connect to the first filter surface 111 at a first edge 124 of the second filter surface 121. The second filter surface has a second edge 125 arranged at a height above the first edge 124. As shown in the figures, the two filter surfaces 111, 121 may be arranged at a non-zero angle with respect to each other. As the two surfaces 111, 121 both slope down towards the edge 124, the connection at the first edge 124 between the first filter surface 1 1 1 and the second filter surface 121 forms a region where filtered matter may collect and gather. Such a design eases maintenance and cleaning of the filter 110.

The receptacle 100 may be provided with an abutment 140 which locates the filter 110 in place at the receptacle 100. In use, the filter 110 rests upon the abutrnent 140. The abutment may extend from a sidewall 102 of the receptacle 100. The filter 110 may therefore be easily removable for cleaning. A portion of the filter 110 may be arranged to rest on an upper edge 130 the sidewall 102 of the receptacle 100. A second portion of the filter 110 may be arranged to rest on the abutment 140.

As shown in figure 1, there may be a gap 141 between the filter 110 and a portion 150 of the device 1 housing the at least one outlet 202. The gap 141 may be provided between the second edge 125 of the second surface 111 of the filter 110 and the portion 150. The gap 141 acts as an overflow safety where water may ﬂow over the filter 110 if the level of water in the receptacle 100 exceeds the volume filterable. The gap 141 also enables water to flow over the filter 110 to the outlet 202 if the filter is clogged, even if the level of the water in the receptacle 100 has not exceeded the filterable volume.

As shown in figures and 1 and 2, the interrnediate storage device 1 may be provided with two laterally opposed filters 110a, 110b. Each of the two filters may be adapted to receive water from at least one inlet 201a, 201b. A first inlet 201a may be adapted to provide water to a first filter 110a. A second inlet 201b may be adapted to provide water to a second filter 1 10b. As would be understood, each filter 1 10 may receive water from a plurality of inlets 201, however, each filter is adapted to receive water from at least one inlet 201. Such a design spreads the delivery of Water from the Water consumption device 300 to separate filters, spreading the amount of Water to be filtered over separate filters 1 10a, 1 10b and the amount of filtered matter collectable over separate filters 110a, 110b. Such a design improves maintainability of the interrnediate storage device 1.

The at least one inlet 201 may be arranged at a lateral portion of the device 1. The at least one inlet 201 may be arranged proximal to a sideWall 102 of the receptacle 100 than the centre of the receptacle 100. If the device 1 comprises a plurality of inlets 201, then each of the inlets may be arranged at respective lateral portions of the device 1. The lateral portions of the device 1 coincide With the distal portion 113 of the filter 110.

The device 1 comprises a first outlet 202. The outlet 202 is for receiving Water in the receptacle 100. The outlet may be arranged at the base 101 of the receptacle 100. The outlet 202 may be an opening in the base 101 of the receptacle 100. An outlet filter 150 may be provided to the outlet 202, the outlet filter 150 is a filter in addition to the filter 110. The outlet filter 150 may cover the outlet 202.

The interrnediate storage device may be provided With at least one pump 400 and at least one valve 401. The outlet 202 is connectable to at least one pump 400 and at least one valve 401 such that Water may be displaced, for example, pumped from the interrnediate storage device 1 to a height above the height of the interrnediate storage device 1, or specifically, the receptacle 100. Displacing Water to a height above the height at Which it is collected is a problem in laundry systems Where the Waste-Water outlet, Water recycling systems etc. may be located at a height above the outlet of a Water consumption device 300.

The outlet 202 is connected to the pump 400 and the valve 401 via a ﬂuid conduit 403, 404, 405. A first portion 403 of the ﬂuid conduit may connect the outlet 202 to the pump 400. The pump 400 may be connected to the valve 401 via a second portion 404 of ﬂuid conduit. The valve 401 may be adapted to control the flow of Water from the outlet 202 to either a Waste-Water outlet 500 or a Water recycling device 600. In order for Water to be provided to a Water recycling device 600, and/or a Waste-Water outlet 700 arranged above the interrnediate storage tank 1, a third portion 405 of ﬂuid conduit may interconnect to the second portion 404. The third portion 405 of the ﬂuid conduit is connected to the second portion 404. The valve 401 is provided to the second portion 404 downstream of the connection to the third portion 405.

A non-retum valve 402 may be provided between the pump 400 and the interconnection between the second 404, and third portions 405 of ﬂuid conduit. The non- retum valve ensures that ﬂuid from a waste-water outlet and/or water recycling device 600 provided at a height above the interrnediate storage device 1 cannot ﬂow back toward the pump 400 and/or interrnediate storage device 1.

Opening the valve 401 results in water ﬂowing from the first, second and third portions 403, 404, 405 of the ﬂuid conduit to the waste-water outlet.

The water recycling device 600 may be a recycling device according to WO 2019/ 117789 A1 (Mimbly AB, application number: PCT/SE2018/051263). The water recycling device 600 may recycle and/or treat water from a water consumption device 300 as described in the referenced patent application. The water recycling device is provided with an inlet 601 at which water may be received from the interrnediate storage device 1. The water recycling device 600 may be provided with an outlet 602 which provides water to the water consumption device 300.

The pump 400 may be a centrifugal pump 400 through which water flows as expected when the pump is active, that is, when the pump is pumping ﬂuid. However, when the pump 400 is not active and pumping ﬂuid, water may still ﬂow through the pump due to gravity. If the valve 401 is opened and the pump 400 is not actively pumping water, then water may still ﬂow through the pump 400, through the non-retum valve 402, through the open valve 401, to the waste-water outlet 500. This saves energy as ﬂuid may pass through the pump 400, during a purge action, without the pump 400 needing to be active.

The device 1 may comprise a second outlet 203. The outlet 203 is for receiving water from the receptacle 100. The second outlet 203 acts as a safety outlet and may therefore be connected directly to a waste-water outlet 500. That is, the second outlet 203 may be connected to the waste-water outlet 500 and not connected to any valves or pumps. The second outlet 203 thus protects against system failure or overﬂow of the receptacle as the pump 400 and/or valve 401 need not be in operation for water to ﬂow from the outlet 203 to the waste-water outlet 500. The second outlet 203 advantageously comprises two separate openings. The outlet 203 may comprise a first inner opening 231, and a second outer opening 232. The first inner opening 231 is arranged above the second outer opening 232. When the water level in the receptacle is above the level of the second outer opening 232 water enters the second outer opening 232. If the water level subsequently increases to a level in the receptacle 100 above the level of the inner opening 231 water ﬂows into the first inner opening 231 and through the outlet 203. Water is subsequently removed from the receptacle 100. If the water level in the receptacle drops below the level of the inner opening 231 water will continue to ﬂow into the outlet 203 until the water level in the receptacle is below the level of the second outer opening 232.

The second outlet 203 acting as a safety outlet is especially relevant in the collection of used water from laundry systems as water arrives in batches, i.e., at the end of a cycle, in generally large volumes. During regular operation water does not enter the second outlet 203 but rather is captured in the receptacle 100 and displaced subsequently via the pump 400. The safety outlet 203 ensures that even if a large volume of water is supplied instantaneously, the volume of water will not overﬂow the receptacle 100 and water will be drained. The arrangement of the first inner 231 and second outer 232 outer openings ensure that water, however, remains in the tank for regular f1ltering and potential recycling if the interrnediate storage tank is connected to a water recycling device 600.

The second outer opening 232 may be formed by a cap 233 surrounding the inner opening 231 as shown in at least figure 2. The inner wall 234 of the cap 233 may be spaced radially outward of the outer wall 235 of the inner opening 231.

The first outlet 202 is arranged at a height below the second outer opening 232. The first outlet 202 and/or the second outlet 203 may be arranged in a central portion of the receptacle 100.

Figure 4 shows a system for f1ltering and storing water. The system comprises at least one water consumption device 300 and an interrnediate storage device 1 as described herein. The water consumption device 300 has an outlet 302 at which a ﬂow of used water is generated. The system further comprises a water recycling device 600 to which water may be delivered. As shown in figure 4, the interrnediate storage device 1 is connected the water recycling device 600. The inlet 601 to the water recycling device 600 is arranged above the height of the interrnediate storage device 1. The inlet 601 of the Water recycling device 601 is arranged above the outlet 302 of the water consumption device 300. To transfer water from the water consumption device 300 to the water recycling device 600, water must be displaced at least partially against the force of gravity, i.e., upwards. The interrnediate storage device 1 receives water from the water consumption device 300. The inlet 201 of the interrnediate storage device 1 and the first outlet 202 of the interrnediate storage device 1 are arranged at a height below the outlet 302 of the water consumption device 100. The pump 400 of the interrnediate storage device 1 is arranged to displace water from the receptacle 100 to the water recycling device 600. The system 1 enables water to flow from the water consumption device 300 to the interrnediate storage device 1, and then be pumped to the water recycling device 600, without requiring the water consumption device 300 to be provided with a pump. The system is therefore agnostic to the presence of a pump in the water consumption device 300. In the system of figure 4, a waste-water outlet 500 is shown at the bottom of the figure. The waste-water outlet 500 is below at least the outlet 203.

In some instances, for example in laundry rooms below ground level, there may exist no waste-water outlet available below the outlet 203. The waste-water outlet 500 may therefore be excluded from the system. The interrnediate storage device 1 may in such instances be arranged to pump water to the water recycling device 600 and/or a waste-water outlet 700 above the height of the interrnediate storage device 1. A valve may be provided to control the flow of water to the water recycling device 600 or the waste-water outlet 700 above the height of the interrnediate storage device 1. The waste- water outlet above the height of the interrnediate storage device is shown in the dashed rectangle of figure 4.

The valve 401 is generally provided below the height of the outlet 202 of the interrnediate storage device 1, the outlet 302 of the water consumption device, 300 and an outlet 602 of the water recycling device 600. The valve 401 may be arranged at the lowest point of the interrnediate storage device 1, and/or a system comprising the interrnediate storage device 1, such that, when the valve 401 is open, water may ﬂow from the interrnediate storage device 1 to a waste-water outlet 500.

The receptacle 100 may be an open or closed receptacle for ﬂuid. The receptacle 100 comprises the base 101, and at least one wall 102 surrounding the base 101 defining the receptacle 100 for ﬂuid. If the receptacle 100 is a closed receptacle, then it has a covering Which substantially encloses the receptacle 100. If the receptacle 100 is an open receptacle 100 then it does not have such a covering and is substantially open at an upper portion to the ambient environment. An open receptacle 100 has the advantage that maintenance is easier to perform on components present in the receptacle 100, such as the filter 110 and furtherrnore any residual amount of Water remaining in the receptacle 100 may evaporate more readily than in a closed receptacle 100. A closed receptacle 100 has the advantage that the Water is sealed from operator interaction.

As stated in the background section the Water consumption device 300 may comprise a pump Which forcibly pumps Water out of the outlet 302 of the Water consumption device 300, or it may not comprise such a pump. In the latter case Water generally ﬂows out due to the force of gravity. As the interrnediate storage device 1 is arranged at a point below the outlet 302 of the Water consumption device 300 Water ﬂows to the interrnediate storage device 1 due to the force of gravity. Therefore, the Water consumption device 300 does not need to be provided With a pump. The interrnediate storage device 1 is therefore compatible With both types of Water consumption devices 100.

In an assembly comprising the interrnediate storage device 1 and a Water recycling device 600, the interrnediate storage device 1 and the Water recycling device 600 may be enclosed Within a housing. The interrnediate storage device 1 and the Water recycling device 600 may be enclosed Within the same housing. The housing may separate the interrnediate storage device 1 and the Water recycling device 600 from the Water consumption device 300. This enables the Water recycling device 600 and the interrnediate storage device 1 to be provided in a single unit Which is connectable to an existing Water consumption device 300. This is a benefit of the "plug-n-play" connectivity of the Water recycling device as described in WO 2019/117789 Al.

In some instances, the interrnediate storage device 1, the Water recycling device 600 and the Water consumption device 300 may each be comprised Within a single housing. That is, the three separate devices may be comprised Within a single housing or unit. In such an instance, the interrnediate storage device 1 may be adapted to fit around the Water recycling device 600 and/or the Water consumption device 300. For example, 11 the interrnediate storage device 1 may be shaped to, at least partially, Wrap around the drum of a Washing machine, if the Water consumption device 300 is a Washing machine.

The valve 401 may be a time operated valve 401. The valve 401 may be configured to open during a specific period of each day. For example, the valve 401 may be configured to open for a duration of from about 1 min to about 1 hour every day. In such a time operated arrangement, ideally the valve 401 is conf1gured to open during the middle of the night When the Water consumption device 300 is less likely to be used.

The valve 401 may be controlled based on the activity of the Water consumption device 300 and/or the Water recycling device 600. For example, if the Water consumption device 300 has not supplied Water to the interrnediate storage device 1 for a pre- deterrnined duration, and/or if the Water consumption device 300 or the Water recycling device 600 has not requested Water for a pre-deterrnined duration, the valve 401 may be opened to ensure that Water does not remain in the device 1 for extended durations, and therefore the generation of malodourous Water is avoided.

The interrnediate storage device 1 comprises a Water level sensor for detecting the level of Water in the receptacle 1. The sensor may be a traditional ﬂoat/buoyant style Water level sensor Which rises With the Water level in the receptacle 100. The Water level sensor may be a non-contact Water level sensor, such as a capacitive, or inductive, Water level sensor. In such an instance the Water level sensor may be positioned on the outer face of at least one of the Walls 102 surrounding forrning the Wall of the receptacle 100. The Water level sensor is in communication With the pump 400 and When the Water in the receptacle 100 reaches a predeterrnined level, as sensed by the sensor, the pump 400 is activated. The pump 400 then pumps Water from the interrnediate storage device 1, specifically the receptacle 100, to the Water recycling device 600.

The interrnediate storage device 1 may receive Water from a plurality of Water consumption devices 300. A system comprising the interrnediate storage device 1 may therefore comprise a plurality of Water consumption devices 300. Generally, the system comprises a single interrnediate storage device 1 and a single Water recycling device 600. This enables an efficient use of the Water recycling device 600 as it is generally capable of treating and/or recycling Water at a greater rate than each Water consumption device 300 consumes/uses Water. The Water recycling device 600 may determine Which of the 12 plurality of Water consumption devices 300 requires water. Each of the water consumption devices 300 may be the same type of device. For example, the water consumption and recycling system may comprise a plurality of washing machines for washing textiles.

A method of recycling water with the system will now be described. The method comprises: receiving used water from the water consumption device 300 at the inlet 201 of the interrnediate storage device 1. The water level is sensed by the water level sensor in the interrnediate storage device 1. Once a predeterrnined water level is detected, the pump 400 is activated. Then the method comprises: pumping the water from the outlet 202 of the interrnediate storage device 1 to the water recycling device 600 via the ﬂuidic conduit 403, 404, 405. The pumping is then stopped such that a volume of water remains in the ﬂuidic conduit 403, 404, 405. It is inherent in any water pumping action where the water is pumped upwards, that a volume of water will remain in the ﬂuidic conduit 403, 404, 405. To ensure that this water is not stored in the ﬂuidic conduit 403, 404, 405 the method comprises opening the valve 401 provided to the ﬂuidic conduit which allows water to ﬂow from the ﬂuidic conduit to the waste-water outlet 500. The opening of the valve 401 also enables any water present in the interrnediate storage device 1 to ﬂow from the interrnediate storage device 1, specifically the receptacle 100, to the waste-water outlet 500 via the valve 401 and the pump 400. Such a method reduces any residual water storage in the system and reduces the risk of odours from stored water being present in the water consumption and recycling system.

The pump 400 may be activated to pump evacuate water from the from the interrnediate storage device 1. In such instances, the pump 400 is activated whilst the valve 401 is open such that water ﬂows to the waste-water outlet 500. This results in faster removal of water from the device 1 and reduces sedimentation of particles within the receptacle 100, the outlet 202 and the conduits between the outlet 202 and the waste- water outlet 500.

The water consumption device 300 may be a washing machine or similar water consumption device which has an intemal water receptacle. In such a device the intemal water receptacle of the water consumption device 100 may be conf1gured to act as an interrnediate storage device 1 in that a volume of water may be stored in the tank for later 13 recycling. To ensure that malodours are not generated by residual water in the third portion 405 of ﬂuidic conduit the valve 401 is provided below the outlet 302 of the water consumption device 300 such that water may be emptied from the conduit 405.

Throughout the proceeding description the terrns "below° and "above° are used to describe the relative position of elements within the system or within devices. These terrns have a clear and well-defined meaning, however, for the sake of clarity the following is intended: if a first element is below a second element, there is a height difference between the two elements, the height difference being a, vertical, displacement in line with the force of gravity. In such an arrangement, the force of gravity acting on the second element, or on e.g., water comprised in the second element, acts towards the first element. Unless otherwise indicated, the terrns above and below are not intended to mean directly in-line and placed adjacent to each other. In the example above, the second element is not necessarily arranged directly on-top-of the first element, it may be displaced horizontally some distance. The terrns upwards and downwards are also used throughout the text and these terrns are intended to have their normal definitions whereby upwards is a movement at least partially against the force of gravity, and downwards is a movement at least partially with the force of gravity. The term non-zero angle as used throughout the description may be interpreted as an angle greater than about 1°, or greater than about 5°.

Although, the present invention has been described above with reference to specific embodiments, it is not intended to be limited to the specific form set forth herein. Rather, the invention is limited only by the accompanying claims.

In the claims, the term "comprises/comprising" does not exclude the presence of other elements or steps. Additionally, although individual features may be included in different claims, these may possibly advantageously be combined, and the inclusion in different claims does not imply that a combination of features is not feasible and/or advantageous. In addition, singular references do not exclude a plurality. The terrns "a", "an", "first", "second" etc do not preclude a plurality. Reference signs in the claims are provided merely as a clarifying example and shall not be construed as limiting the scope of the claims in any way.

Claims

1. 1. An interrnediate storage device (1) for laundry systems comprising: -at least one inlet (201) for receiving Water from a Water consumption device (300), and at least one outlet (202), -a receptacle (100) for receiving Water from the at least one inlet (201), -at least one filter (1 10) arranged between the at least one inlet (201) and a base (101) of the receptacle (100) such that Water is f1lterable prior to being received in the receptacle (100), Wherein the at least one filter (110) has a substantially planar first filter surface (111), the first filter surface (111) arranged at a non-zero angle With respect to the horizontal plane.

2. The interrnediate storage device (1) according to claim 1, Wherein the interrnediate storage device (1) is provided With at least one pump (400) and at least one valve (401) arranged to receive Water from the outlet (202) and to displace Water to a height above the receptacle (100).

3. The interrnediate storage device (1) according to claims 1 or 2, Wherein the first filter surface (111) of the at least one filter (110) comprises a proximal portion (112) and a distal portion (113), the proximal portion (112) being proximal to a base (101) of the receptacle (100) than the distal portion (113), and Wherein the at least one inlet (201) is arranged at the distal portion (113) of the filter (11).

4. The interrnediate storage device (1) according to any of claims 1 to 3, Wherein the interrnediate storage tank comprises a second outlet (203), the second outlet (203) comprising a first inner opening (231) and a second outer opening (232), the first inner opening (231) being arranged above the second outer opening (232).

5. The interrnediate storage device (1) according to any of claims 1 to 4, Wherein the second outer opening (232) is formed by a cap (233) surrounding the inner opening (231).

6. The interrnediate storage tank (1) according to any of claims 1 to 5, wherein the interrnediate storage device (1) comprises at least two inlets (201), each of the inlets (201) arranged at respective lateral portions of the interrnediate storage device (1).

7. The interrnediate storage device (1) according to any of claims 1 to 6, wherein the at least one filter (110) has a planar second filter surface (121), wherein the planar second filter surface (121) is connected to the proximal portion (112) of the first filter surface (111) at a first edge (124) of the second filter surface (121), and wherein the second filter surface (121) has a second edge (125) arranged at a height above the first edge (124).

8. The interrnediate storage device (1) according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the interrnediate storage device (1) is provided with two laterally opposed filters (1 l0a, ll0b), each filter (110a, 110b) adapted to receive water from at least one inlet (201).

9. A system for filtering and storing water comprising: -at least one water consumption device (300) comprising an outlet (302) at which a ﬂow of used water is generated, -an interrnediate storage device (1) according to any of claims 1 to 8, for receiving water from the water consumption device (300), wherein the first outlet (202) of the interrnediate storage device (1) is connected to a waste-water outlet (700) and/or a water recycling device (600).

10. The system for filtering and storing water according to claim 9, wherein the interrnediate storage device (1) is arranged at a height below the water consumption device (300), and wherein the waste-water outlet (700) and/or the water recycling device (600) are arranged at a height above the interrnediate storage device (1).