WO2003083224A1

WO2003083224A1 - Irrigation method and apparatus therefor

Info

Publication number: WO2003083224A1
Application number: PCT/AU2003/000402
Authority: WO
Inventors: Matthew James Woodroffe-Hill; Anthony Scott Hall
Original assignee: Matthew James Woodroffe-Hill; Anthony Scott Hall
Priority date: 2002-04-03
Filing date: 2003-04-02
Publication date: 2003-10-09

Abstract

An irrigation system and method utilising a conduit (10) constructed from adjacently placed tyres (11) and a surface accessing drain (20) also constructed from tyres (21). The following items are also disclosed: (a) An apparatus for holding a plurality of tyres comprising a frame, a support member, an end plate, an adjustment bar and an adjustment member. (b) A pump comprising a tyre, first and second sealing plates and inlet and outlet valves. (c) A container for growing a plant comprising a tyre with one removed sidewall placed adjacent the other sidewall. (d) an apparatus for cutting a tyre comprising a body, a pivot member, a die, a receiving aperture and an actuating means.

Description

TITLE "IRRIGATION METHOD AND APPARATUS THEREFOR" FIELD OF THE INVENTION THIS INVENTION relates to a method and apparatus for irrigation. In particular, an embodiment of the invention relates to use of tyres to form conduits and drains capable of collecting, storing and delivering water.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Water is a valuable resource, especially in arid climates. Water is essential for growing crops and lack of available water may limit the growth of plants. Accordingly, it is important to be able to capture and store freely available water (e.g. rain water and ground water) and distribute stored water to plants in a field.

Water may be distributed to plants using various types of irrigation means, such as simple interconnected trenches or pipes, sprinklers, soaker hoses and drip irrigation. Crops are often grown on large level fields that are suitable for wheel line type sprinklers that roll along the field. Such sprinkler systems are not adapted for use on uneven or sloping terrain. These known systems are suitable for distributing water, but do not provide a means for collecting and storing water.

Patent application FR 2 742 777describes a drainage and irrigation system comprising a conduit formed by tyres buried underground. The conduit is buried at an angle so that ground water seeps into the conduit and flows downward to a covered collecting basin. This patent describes a network of conduits limited to collecting ground water that may seep through the soil and into the conduit. For irrigating a field, water is pumped into the basin until a level of water is sufficient to fill the sloping conduit. Such a system requires energy to pump water into the covered basin for irrigation and the amount of collected water is dependent upon the amount of ground water that seeps into the conduit.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the invention to provide an alternative or improvement to the abovementioned background art. The inventors have surprisingly discovered a method for collecting both surface and ground water that in a preferred form includes use of discarded tyres to form a conduit and surface access drain.

In a first aspect, the invention provides a method for irrigation, the method including the steps of: (i) locating underground at least one fluid permeable conduit formed by a plurality of adjacent tyres; and

(ii) locating at least one surface accessing drain at least at one end of the conduit such that a fluid can enter said drain and be distributed into an interior of the conduit. Adjacent tyres of the conduit may be secured to each other.

Preferably, the adjacent tyres are secured to each other by a mesh or sheet covering at least a part of said conduit.

Preferably, the water is distributed into the interior of the conduit via at least one aperture located on the surface accessing drain. Preferably, the surface accessing drain is formed by at least one tyre.

More preferably, the aperture(s) is located on a tread portion of the tyre. Even more preferably, the aperture(s) is located on a bottom tyre of a stack of tyres.

The tyres forming the surface accessing drain are preferably larger in diameter than tyres forming the conduit.

In one form of the invention, a plurality of conduits are located substantially parallel to each other.

Preferably, one of the plurality of conduits is aligned with the aperture of the surface accessing drain.

Preferably, a first surface accessing drain is located at one end of the conduit and a second surface accessing drain is located at a second end of the conduit.

The method may further include locating earthworks for directing surface water towards the top of the surface accessing drain(s).

In one form of the invention, adjacent tyres of the surface accessing drain(s) are sealed together by a fluid tight seal. Preferably, the surface accessing drain(s) further comprise a fluid tight lid located on top thereof.

The fluid tight lid preferably comprises a valve for releasing a fluid from within the surface accessing drain.

The conduit is preferably capable of retaining a gas therein. Preferably, a gas is retained within said conduit by a plastic sheet covering at least part of said conduit.

In a second aspect, the invention provides an irrigation system comprising: (a) at least one fluid permeable conduit formed by a plurality of adjacent tyres located underground and located substantially horizontal to a hill; and

(b) at least one surface accessing drain located at least at one end of the conduit located so that a fluid can enter said drain and be distributed into an interior of the conduit.

Preferably, the surface accessing drain is formed by at least one tyre.

The irrigation system may further comprise:

(c) an embankment located adjacent to and downhill from the surface accessing drain(s) for directing surface water to the top of the surface accessing drain(s).

Preferably, (a) - (c) above are repeated thereby forming rows of conduits and embankments.

The irrigation system may further comprise a dam located downhill from (a) - (c).

In a third aspect, the invention provides an apparatus for holding a plurality of tyres, the apparatus comprising:

(a') a frame;

(b') a support member attached to the frame; (c') an end plate slideable relative to the support bar;

(d') an adjustment bar attached to the frame and engaging the end plate; and

(e') an adjustment member located at an end of the adjustment bar; wherein the support member is capable of supporting a plurality of tyres and the adjustment member is capable of moving the end plate along the adjustment bar.

Preferably, the adjustment bar is a threaded rotateable bar. The end plate preferably threadingly engages the threaded rotateable bar.

The apparatus may further comprise a line housing for storing a line member.

Preferably, the line member is accessible to an interior of the plurality of tyres and is capable of tying the plurality of tyres together.

In a fourth aspect, the invention provides a pump comprising:

(A) at least one tyre;

(B) a first sealing plate sealing a first open end of the tyre(s);

(C) a second sealing plate sealing a second open end of the tyre(s);

(D) at least one inlet valve located on the tyre(s) and/or sealing plate(s); and

(E) at least one outlet valve located on the tyre(s) and/or sealing plate(s). The pump may comprise a plurality of tyres, wherein adjacent tyres are sealed to each other with a fluid tight seal.

The pump may further comprise at least one fin located on the sealing plate(s) for modifying heat and cold transfer from within the pump. In a fifth aspect, the invention provides a container for growing a plant, the container comprising:

(1) a tyre having one sidewall removed; and

(2) the removed sidewall located adjacent a second sidewall of the same tyre. In a sixth aspect, the invention provides an apparatus for cutting a tyre comprising:

(I) a body;

(II) a pivot member pivotable relative to the body;

(III) at least one die located on the pivot member; (IV) respective receiving aperture(s) capable of mating with respective die(s); and

(V) an actuating means for pivoting the pivot member toward the body thereby mating the die(s) with the aperture(s).

Preferably, the actuating means is actuated by a fluid. The fluid may be a liquid or gas.

The invention in one preferred form generally relates to conduits and surface accessing drains formed by tyres. Accordingly, it will be appreciated that the abovementioned aspects of the invention are useful for disposing and/or recycling used tyres. It will be appreciated that the present invention in a preferred form combines a means for irrigation and a means for collecting a bio-gas, such as methane.

It will be understood that the term "fluid" used herein refers to both liquid and gas fluids, for example water, air and bio-gases.

Throughout this specification unless the context requires otherwise, the word "comprise", and variations such as "comprises" or

"comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of the stated integers or group of integers or steps but not the exclusion of any other integer or group of integers.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In order that the invention may be readily understood and put into practical effect, preferred embodiments will now be described byway of example with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts and wherein:

FIG. 1 shows an isometric view of a conduit and surface accessing drain;

FIG. 2A shows an isometric view of a tyre used in forming a surface accessing drain in isolation; FIG. 2B shows an embodiment of a fluid collector;

FIG. 3 is a plan view of conduits and surface accessing drains located in the ground with adjacent embankment, potted plants and dam;

FIG. 4 shows a side view of the conduits interconnecting surface accessing drains viewed as indicated in FIG. 3 and indicating dynamic water flow;

FIG. 5 shows a side view of a conduit and plant container viewed as indicated in FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 shows an apparatus for holding tyres; FIG. 7 is a cut away side view of one embodiment of a pump comprising a single tyre;

FIG. 8 is a cut away side view of another embodiment of a pump comprising a plurality of tyres;

FIG. 9A is a perspective view of a tyre for making a container; FIG. 9B is a side view of the tyre in FIG. 9A showing location for cutting of sidewall for making a container;

FIG. 10 is a side view of a container with plants; and FIG. 11 is a side view of an apparatus for cutting a tyre. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The invention is particularly applicable for collecting both surface water run off and ground water from a sloping surface such as a hill. Ground surface features and earthworks, such as embankments, trenches and dams, may assist with directing water towards the surface accessing drain. The invention uses tyres to form water storing and delivering conduits and drains and may be useful in recycling discarded car and industrial truck tyres. Although the invention is illustrated with tyres, it is contemplated in an alternative embodiment that different fluid permeable conduits and surface accessing drains could be used as would be selected by a person skilled in the art, for example agricultural pipe, a pipe with apertures, water tower and the like. Such alternative forms of the conduits and drains may be used in any suitable combination with the conduits and drains formed by tyres as a person skilled in the art would be able to determine.

FIG. 1 shows a conduit 10 formed by a plurality of adjacent tyres 11 with a hollow interior 12 and a surface accessing drain 20. The tyres 11 shown are standard car tyres and are preferably of similar or same dimensions. The tyres 11 need not be secured to each other and may be merely placed adjacent each other in a trench dug in the ground. However, the tyres 11 may be secured to each other by any suitable securing means, for example a mesh (as described herein), wire, staple, clamp, securing rod, bolt and the like.

Adjacent tyres 11 are not sealed and accordingly the conduit 10 is permeable to water, and other fluids, thereby allowing water to both enter and exit from between adjacent tyres 11 as shown by arrows in FIG. 3. The conduit 10 is located adjacent to a surface accessing drain

20 shown as two industrial truck tyres 21 stacked on top of each other in FIG. 1. The surface accessing drain 20 has a top opening 22 and a side opening 23 to allow passage of water therethrough.

The conduit 10 and surface accessing drain 20 need not be attached and may merely abut each other as shown. However, the conduit 10 and surface accessing drain 20 may be secured to each other, for example in an embodiment wherein a bio-gas is collected. There may be a single or multiple conduit(s) 10 located adjacent a surface accessing drain 20. FIG. 3 shows both a single conduit 10 and two conduits, a first conduit 10 and second conduit 15, adjacent to respective surface accessing drains 20. An embodiment wherein two conduits 10, 15 are used, a first conduit 10 is shown located adjacent to and aligned with side opening 23 of tyre 21. In this embodiment, it will be appreciated that a second conduit 15 (or further additional conduit(s) not shown) located adjacent the first conduit 10 may function to collect water that may flow or seep from the first conduit 10 that is aligned with the opening 23 of the surface accessing drain 20. A cover 16 prevents dirt and debris from entering an opening 12 of conduit 15 as shown. The cover may be mesh 13, sheet 14 or any other suitable cover such as a board or other obstruction that may be selected by a person skilled in the art. The cover 16 may also be used to cover a terminal end of a conduit 10. In an alternative embodiment, it will be appreciated that when two conduits 10, 15 are used, both conduits 10, 15 may be located adjacent to and aligned with a large side opening 23 sufficient to deliver water to both conduits or two side opening 23 may be cut into tyre 21 (not shown).

In one embodiment, a liquid permeable mesh 13 may be placed on top of the conduit 10 to assist with securing the tyres 11 thereby keeping the tyres 11 in a correct position when placed in the ground. Mesh 13 also prevents unwanted dirt and debris from entering between adjacent tyres 11 and thus accessing the hollow interior 12 of the conduit 10 when buried. The mesh 13 need not be attached to the tyres 11 , but may be attached if so desired for example by staples, ties, nails adhesives and the like. When dirt is filled on top of the mesh 13, height of the dirt applies a downward force on the mesh 13 and thereby tightens the mesh 13 round the conduit 10 when buried thereby securing adjacent tyres.

In another embodiment, alternatively or in addition to placing mesh 13 over the tyres 11 , a sheet 14 may be placed on top of the tyres 11 in a similar manner as mesh 13. The mesh 13 may be placed over the sheet 14, or in any other suitable order. The sheet 14 in one embodiment is a plastic sheet or a sheet substantially capable of trapping a gas within the conduit 10. A person skilled in the art would be able to select a suitable material to construct the sheet 14. The sheet 14 is useful for trapping a gas, such as a bio-gas (e.g. methane or gas produced from decay of biological material) that may be collected from within the conduit 10 and fluid collector 26 as discussed herein. Sheet 14 is shown in FIG. 2B as only partially covering a top part of the conduit 10; however, it will be appreciated that sheet 14 may completely cover the conduit 10. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2B, the plastic sheet 14 traps bio-gas located in a top part 18 of the conduit 10, shown above a liquid line 17. This allows for the bio-gas to be efficiently trapped and collected and also allows for the liquid, e.g. water, to flow into and out of a lower part 19 of conduit 10 when conduit 10 is not completely filled with water. In this manner, both bio-gas may be collected and water collected and released for irrigation. FIG. 2A shows an industrial truck tyre 21 in isolation, more clearly showing side aperture or opening 23. The side opening 23 is shown as a circular cut in the tyre tread 25, however, the opening may be of any suitable shape, for example square, rectangular, triangular or any other shape. The opening 23 may also be a continuous cut completely through the tread 25 and sidewalls 320 thereby enabling the tyre 23 to open so that the tyre 11 can be inserted into the cut.

Any number of tyres 21 may be used, from a single tyre to several. The number to tyres used will in part be determined on how deep the conduit 10 is to be buried below the surface 500. The side opening 23 is located on a bottom tyre that is located on the bottom of a stack of tyres as shown.

As shown in FIG. 2A, a filter or strainer 24 is fitted to side opening 23 to prevent unwanted debris from entering the conduit 10. The embodiment shown is a pipe with apertures cut therein to allow passage of water, but preventing passage of debris. The filter also provides added safety to prevent a person from becoming trapped within the conduit 10. A grill may be placed over opening 22 (not shown) to prevent unwanted debris or person from entering the surface accessing drain 20. A netting may further be fitted over top opening 22 (not shown) to prevent mosquitoes from accessing the stored water. The filter, grill and netting are optional.

In a further embodiment, shown in FIG. 2B, the tyres 21 form a fluid collector 26 comprising tyres 21 sealed by seals 27 to substantially prevent escape of a fluid (e.g. liquid and/or gas) from within fluid collector 26. In this embodiment, a fluid tight lid 28 is fitted at the top opening 22 of the surface accessing drain 20. A valve 29 may be fitted to lid 28 to release the fluid within the fluid collector 26 in a controlled manner. Valve 29 may also be located on tyre 21 or any other suitable location that may be selected by a person skilled in the art. Also, any suitable valve 29 and number of valves may be used.

The fluid is preferably a bio-gas such as methane generated from biomass decay from within the conduit(s) 10 and/or fluid collector 26. Fluid collector 26 may be located adjacent to conduit 10 in a similar manner as surface accessing drain 20. Fluid collector 26 and surface accessing drain 20 for example may be located at alternating locations along a row of conduits 10. In this arrangement, surface accessing drains 20 are able to collect surface water and fluid collectors 26 are able to collect bio-gas released from decaying biological material from within the conduit 10. Alternatively, in one embodiment, a surface accessing drain 20 and a fluid collector 26 are the same. In this embodiment, the fluid tight lid 28 is removed during the rainy season or during a time when surface water is to be collected and the tyres 21 function as a surface accessing drain 20. After the rainy season has ended and/or the conduits 10 and surface accessing drains 20 are full of water, fluid tight lid 28 is placed on top of the surface accessing drain 20 thereby converting the drain into a fluid collector 26. Organic material may be introduced into the fluid collector 26 to increase an amount of methane produced.

When a bio-gas is to be collected, conduit 10 and fluid collector 26 are preferably connected by a means for preventing substantial loss of the bio-gas. For example, a junction between conduit 10 and fluid collector 26 may be covered with the plastic sheet 14 that may extend beyond conduit 10, a rubber seal may be installed, or a sealant such as silicon or the like may be applied between adjoining surfaces of the conduit 10 and fluid collector 26.

The number of tyres 21 used to make a fluid collector 26 may be selected by a person skilled in the art, in part depending on a desired height of the fluid collector 26. For example, the height of the fluid collector 26 may extend above ground level and thereby form a tower. This allows for an increased amount of bio-gas that may be collected. Such an embodiment may have one or more valves 29 located on a side of tyre 21 located above the ground for easy access to the bio-gas. Also, a person skilled in the art would be able to arrange the conduits 10 and fluid collectors 26 at suitable angles and locations to maximise bio-gas collection, depending in part on the surround environmental conditions.

FIG. 3 shows a plan view of the tyre conduit 10 and surface accessing drain 20 in the ground located substantially horizontal to a hillside. The hill in FIG. 3 is sloping downward so that conduits 10, 15 are uphill of containers 300, which are uphill from dam 520.

Both single and double rows of conduits 10 are shown. Conduits 10 are located in the ground by digging a ditch of suitable depth, width and length to accommodate the conduits 10. Mesh 13 may then be placed over the tyres 11 and dirt is backfilled over the tyre 11. The depth may be determined by a person skilled in the art. Surface accessing drains 20 are likewise located underground by digging a hole of sufficient size to locate the tyre(s) 21 within the hole. A top part of the top tyre 21 of the surface accessing drain 20 is roughly at a same level as the ground surface 500 as shown in FIGS.4 and 5 to allow surface flowing waterto enter though top opening 22. Once the conduits 10, 15 and surface accessing drains 20 are in place underground, water can be trapped within the conduits 10, 15 and surface accessing drains 20 with additional support from surrounding dirt. Water is able to be released from the conduits from between adjacent tyres 11 to provide water to adjacent plants.

Earthworks in the form of an embankment 510 is located down hill of a slope so that surface water flowing down the slope encounters the embankment 510 and is directed into a top opening 22 of the surface accessing drain 20. This increases an amount of surface water that may be collected, for example after a rain storm. Other earthworks include trenches and dams that may also direct and collect water.

A row of plants 310 may be planted above and/or adjacent the conduit 10. Roots from plants 310 may assist with securing adjacent tyres 11 together. Also, additional plants 310 may be planted in containers 300 downhill from the conduits 10. An embankment 510 may also be located downhill from the containers 300 to retain and direct surface flowing water towards containers 300. This arrangement of a row of conduits 10 followed by a row of plants in containers 300 may be repeated any number of times to collectively form a system of water capturing and releasing conduits 10, 15 surface accessing drains 20 and plants in containers 300. At a bottom of the hill, an open dam 520 captures water that may flow to the bottom of the hill. Water captured in the dam 520 may be used therefrom and/or pumped (for example using a pump described herein) back up the hill to flow downhill once again. Arrows indicate direction of water flow down a hill. Spacing between surface accessing drains 20 may be determined by the local conditions and may vary. A general formula that may be useful in determining local conditions is as follows:

Catchment X rainfall < capacity of conduit + drain E.g.

3000 m²/catchment X 100 mm/rain < 300 kiloliters/holding capacity

FIG. 4 shows a side view of surface access drains 20 connected by conduits 10. The embodiment shown illustrates how dynamic water flow may be established. In addition to a sloping hillside that promotes water flow down the hill to be repeatedly captured by rows of conduits 10 located substantially horizontal to the hill, the surface of the hill may also slope to one side relative to the horizontal of the hill. The sideward sloping need not be great, for example 2 degrees may be sufficient, to allow surface water to flow in a direction towards one side of the hill. Accordingly, water flowing both downhill and towards one side is collected by surface accessing drains 20. Water captured in a surface accessing drain 20 may flow inside the conduit 10 in a direction opposite or counter to the flow of the surface water as shown by the arrows. This arrangement establishes a dynamic water flow. Dynamic water flow may mix nutrients and prevent problems associated with stagnate water.

When a water level is at a maximum for a horizontal row of conduits 10, excess water may overflow the adjacent embankment 510 and the surface water will flow downward to the row of plants 310 or another row of conduits. In this manner, water may be captured continuously along an entire face of a hill.

FIG. 5 is a side view of a tyre conduit 10 located underground and a plant container 300 located downhill from the conduit 10. As shown, an embankment 510 is located down hill from conduit 10 to assist with directing water towards surface access drain 20, which may improve collecting water after a rainfall. Plants 310 may be planted above the conduit and are able to access water released from the conduit 10. Additional plants 310 may be planted downhill from the conduit 10 to capture ground water seeping from the conduit 10 as shown by the arrows. Plants 310 in containers 300 are easily harvested from the container 300 and plants 310 adjacent the conduit 10 may also be harvested or merely pruned. In the case of bamboo planted adjacent the conduit 10, the bamboo may be pruned and allowed to continue to grow for additional seasons. Roots from the bamboo may assist with securing adjacent tyres 11 in position.

It will be appreciated that the invention is particularly suited for use on a sloping terrain, which is typically considered marginal land for growing crops. Most crops are grown on flat or level ground and such a terrain is required to use typical irrigation systems such as rolling sprinkler systems. The present invention may accordingly convert land considered of little agricultural value and turn it into profitable and environmentally beneficial land. Any suitable crop may be grown, for example bamboo is ideally suited.

Also, the invention may be used to collect and distribute surface and ground water to a storage facility that may be used for watering plants in a distal location or for providing drinking water to cattle, sheep and even human consumption once purified.

Biological material, such as nutrients and fertilisers, may be added to water at surface accessing drain 20 to thereby fertilise the plants 310. Biomass located within the conduits 10 and surface access drains 20 may be used to generate bio-gas such as methane as described herein. The biological material added to the surface accessing drain 20 may be selected so that a particular microbe, bacteria, fungus, mould or the like may selectively propagate and/or make a specific product from decay. For example, production of methane may prevent mosquitoes from surviving within the surface accessing drain 20 and produced methane may have important commercial value.

FIG. 6 shows an embodiment of an apparatus 100 for holding tyres 11 that may be useful when transporting tyres. The apparatus 100 is shown comprising a frame 131 , support bar 132, end plate 133, adjustment bar 139 and adjustment member 134. A line member housing 135 may be included to store line member 136. Frame 131 has a securing member 138 used when moving apparatus 100. For example, apparatus 100 may be transported into a trench by lifted the apparatus 100 by a crane via securing member 138. Arrows indicate slideable movement by securing member 138.

Apparatus 100 may also be used to bind two or more tyres 11 together. The tyres 11 are placed onto support bar 132 as shown. Internally threaded end plate 133 is threaded onto complimentary threads of adjustable bar 139 shown as a threaded rotating bar. The tyres 11 may be compressed by tightening adjustment member 134 using a socket wrench or spanner. Once compressed, the tyres 11 may be bound together by line member 136. The entire apparatus 100 with tyres 11 may be moved to a desired location by attaching a crane to securing member 138. The tyres 11 placed onto support bar 132 and compressed thereon may be either bound or unbound during transport. The apparatus 100 with tyres 11 may be moved into a trench and tyres 11 thereon removed in the trench to thereby form a conduit 10 in the ground. It will be appreciated that the apparatus 100 is useful for binding tyres 11 in a compressed manner, which reduces storage space that results in being able to transport more tyres for a given space.

FIG. 7 show a pump 200 made from a single tyre 21 (smaller tyre 11 may also be used). Pump 200 comprises in addition to at least one tyre 21 , a top sealing plate 242, bottom sealing plate 243, one way inlet values 244A, 244B and one way outlet valves 245A, 245B. Plates 242, 243 respectively cover and seal a first top open end 260 and a second bottom open end 261 thereby forming an interior portion 262. Plates 242, 243 are each sealed to tyre 21 by sealant 240, which may be a rubber seal, silicon gel or the like. Plates 242, 243 are secured by bolts 248 and nuts 249. Fins 247 in the shape of blades or plates are attached to sealing plate 242 to assist with transfer of heat and cold. Use of fins 247 is preferred, but optional. Fins 247 may also be attached to plate 243.

The inlet valves 244A, 244B allow a fluid (shown as a liquid 250 such as water) to flow into pump 200 and the outlet valves 245A, 245B allow the liquid to exit the pump 200. Respective inlet valves 244A, 244B and outlet valves 245A, 245B may be located on tyre 21 and/or on sealing plate 242 as shown (optionally on plate 243). Any suitable number of values may be used as a person skilled in the art could determine.

Inlet hoses 270, 271 and outlet hoses 280, 281 may be attached to respective inlet and outlet values 244A, 244B, 245A, 245B as shown to direct the liquid to a desired location. Inlet hoses 270, 271 may be coloured black or another dark colour to increase the temperature of the liquid flowing into the pump 200. A length of inlet hoses 270, 271 may also be of sufficient length so that liquid travelling within the hoses may have time to heat before entering the pump 200. Increasing the temperature of the liquid prior to entering the pump 200 may improve pumping as described hereinafter. Heat, for example provided by the sun during the day, increases internal pressure inside of the pump 200. The fluid 250 inside of the pump 200 is forced out from inside the pump 200 through one way outlet valves 245A, 245B. Cooling of the pump 200 reduces the internal pressure inside of pump 200 thereby creating a vacuum. This lower pressure results in the fluid outside of pump 200 to flow through the one way inlet valves 244A, 244B to fill the interior of pump 200. This process is repeated so that external fluid is transferred into the interior of pump 200 when the surrounding environment is cool and the liquid inside of the pump 200 is then pumped out when the surrounding environment is heated. Pump 210 is another embodiment of a pump similar to pump 200 and like parts are numbered the same. As shown in FIG. 8, pump 210 differs by pump 200 by comprising of several tyres 21 (alternatively tyres 11 may be used) stacked on top of each other thereby forming an interior portion 265 and sealed together by a fluid tight seal 241 , which for example may be a rubber or silicon seal, silicon gel or the like. Sealing plates 242, 243 are sealed to tyre 21 in a similar manner as for pump 200 using sealant 240 and bolts 248 and nuts 249. Plate 242 seals first top open end 263 and plate 243 seals second bottom open end 264. The size of pump 210 may be determined by selecting any suitable number of tyres to be stacked. It will be appreciated that outlet valves 245A and 245B may be of any suitable length, but preferably all outlet valves extend to a lowest tyre 21 as shown.

It will be appreciated that pumps 200 and 210 only require energy from the sun. Accordingly, these pumps are environmentally friendly and do not require electrical components or fossil fuels to function.

Any suitable diameter tyre may be used, for example tyre 11 or tyre 21. Although the liquid 250 (e.g. water) is an example of a suitable fluid to be pumped by pumps 200 and 210, it will be appreciated that a gas such as air or bio-gas are also suitable fluids that may be pumped in a similar manner as a liquid.

FIG. 10 shows a container 300 formed by a tyre 21 that is suitable for growing a plant 310. The container 300 is made by cutting one sidewall 320 of the tyre 21 as shown by a gap in FIGS. 9A and 9B. The cut sidewall 320 is placed within tyre 21 forming a reservoir 330 capable of retaining water. The apparatus 400 shown in FIG. 11 is suitable for cutting the sidewall 320 when making a container 300.

Soil 340 is placed within the container 300 and a plant 310 may be grown therein. As shown in FIG. 3, the container 300 can be located 5 adjacent an embankment 510 down hill of the container 300 to collect and direct water to the container 300 and plant 310 growing inside the container 300. The container 300 may also be located downhill from a conduit 10 so that water release from inside the conduit 10 into the soil will travel underground to the plant as shown in FIG. 5 by the arrows. o FIG. 11 shows an apparatus 400 for cutting a sidewall of a tyre.

The apparatus 400 comprises a body 410, a pivot member 420 that pivots relative to the body 410 at pivot point 430. Actuating means 440 provides a hydraulic force to move pivot member 420 towards and away from body 410. It will be appreciated that actuating means 440 may be actuated by a fluid, s for example a liquid or gas, and accordingly may be hydraulic or pneumatic. A rectangular die 450 is located at an end of pivot member 420 as shown. The die 450 fittingly engages a mating aperture 470 located in plate 460. The apparatus 400 may be attached to an arm of a digging vehicle by attachment 480. o A tyre that is to have the sidewall removed is picked up by the apparatus 400, or positioned thereon by a user, such that an inside of the sidewall is adjacent to die 450. When the sidewall is cut, actuating means 440 is activated so that pivot member 420 moves towards body 410. In doing so, die 450 mates with aperture 470 with the sidewall located therebetween. When sufficient force is applied, a piece of the sidewall, about the size and shape of the die, is cut out from the tyre. This process can be continued around the tyre until the entire sidewall is removed. It will be appreciated that the dye 450 may alternatively be located on the plate 460 and the receiving aperture 470 located on the pivot member 420. The apparatus 400 has advantages over apparatus that cut the sidewall with a scissor-like action by not generating a side load. The apparatus is easy and quick to use.

It will be appreciated that the present invention provides an environmentally-friendly method, apparatus and system for capturing, storing and delivering valuable surface and ground water to plants. The method in a preferred form substantially recreates an environment found in nature that functions similar to a "sponge" by soaking up free water during wet times for later release during dry times. Preferably, the network of conduits and surface accessing drains with surrounding earthworks provide an environment that results in dynamic water movement. Also, once in place, the conduits and surface accessing drains for collecting, retaining and releasing water are substantially free from use of fossil fuels to function. The method is well suited for using marginal land characterised by a sloping surface and low water retention for growing plants such as bamboo. The invention also provides a beneficial use of tyres that are typically problematic to dispose. Accordingly, it will be appreciated that the invention provides an "environmentally friendly" means for not only improving soil conditions, but also ingeniously solves a problem of disposing of used tyres. It is understood that the invention described in detail herein is susceptible to modification and variation, such that embodiments other than those described herein are contemplated which nevertheless falls within the broad scope of the invention. Throughout the specification the aim has been to describe the preferred embodiments of the invention without limiting the invention to any one embodiment or specific collection of features. It will therefore be appreciated by those of skill in the art that, in light of the instant disclosure, various modifications and changes can be made in the particular embodiments exemplified without departing from the scope of the present invention.

The disclosure of each patent and document referred to in this specification is incorporated by reference in its entirety.

Claims

1. A method for irrigation, the method including the steps of:

(i) locating underground at least one fluid permeable conduit formed by a plurality of adjacent tyres; and 5 (ii) locating at least one surface accessing drain at least at one end of the conduit(s) such that a fluid can enter said drain and be distributed into an interior of the conduit.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein adjacent tyres of the conduit are secured to each other. o

3. The method of claim 2 wherein the adjacent tyres are secured to each other by a mesh or sheet covering at least a part of said conduit.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the water is distributed into the interior of the conduit via at least one aperture located on the surface accessing drain. s

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the surface accessing drain is formed by at least one tyre.

6. The method of claim 5 wherein the aperture(s) is located on a tread portion of the tyre.

7. The method of claim 6 wherein the aperture(s) is located on a o bottom tyre of a stack of tyres.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein the tyres forming the surface accessing drain are larger in diameter than tyres forming the conduit.

9. The method of claim 1 wherein a plurality of conduits are located substantially parallel to each other.

10. The method of claim 9 wherein one of the plurality of conduits is aligned with the aperture of the surface accessing drain.

11. The method of claim 10 further including locating earthworks for directing surface water towards the top of the surface accessing drain(s).

12. The method of claim 1 wherein adjacent tyres of the surface accessing drain(s) are sealed together by a fluid tight seal.

13. The method of claim 12 further comprising a fluid tight lid located on the top of the surface accessing drain(s).

14. The method of claim 13 wherein the fluid tight lid comprises a valve for releasing a fluid from within the surface accessing drain.

15. The method of claim 12 wherein said conduit is at least partially covered by a plastic sheet for retaining a gas.

16. An irrigation system comprising:

(a) at least one water permeable conduit formed by a plurality of adjacent tyres located underground and located substantially horizontal to a hill; and

17. The method of claim 1 wherein the surface accessing drain is formed by at least one tyre.

18. The irrigation system of claim 17 further comprising:

19. The irrigation system of claim 18 wherein (a) - (c) are repeated thereby forming rows of conduits and embankments.

20. The irrigation system of claim 19 further comprising a dam located downhill from (a) - (c).

21. An apparatus for holding a plurality of tyres, the apparatus comprising:

(a') a frame;

(d') an adjustment bar attached to the frame and engaging the end plate; and

22. The apparatus of claim 21 wherein the adjustment bar is a threaded rotateable bar.

23. The apparatus of claim 21 wherein the end plate threadingly engages the threaded rotateable bar.

24. The apparatus of claim 23 wherein the apparatus further comprises a line housing for storing a line member.

25. The apparatus of claim 24 wherein the line member is accessible to an interior of the plurality of tyres and is capable of tying the plurality of tyres together.

26. A pump comprising: (A) at least one tyre; (B) a first sealing plate sealing a first open end of the tyre(s);

(C) a second sealing plate sealing a second open end of the tyre(s);

(D) at least one inlet valve located on the tyre(s) and/or sealing plate(s); and (E) at least one outlet valve located on the tyre(s) and/or sealing plate(s).

27. The pump of claim 26 comprising a plurality of tyres, wherein adjacent tyres form an interior and are sealed to each other with a fluid tight seal.

28. The pump of claim 27 further comprising at least one fin located on the sealing plate(s) for modifying heat and cold transfer from within the pump.

29. A container for growing a plant, the container comprising: (1) a tyre having one sidewall removed; and (2) the removed sidewall located adjacent a second sidewall of the same tyre.

30. An apparatus for cutting a tyre comprising:

(I) a body;

(II) a pivot member pivotable relative to the body; (III) at least one die located on the pivot member;

(IV) respective receiving aperture(s) capable of mating with respective die(s); and

31. The apparatus of claim 30 wherein the actuating means is actuated by a fluid.

32. The apparatus of claim 31 wherein the fluid is a liquid or gas.