WO2005052269A1

WO2005052269A1 - Flexible bulk fluid storage container

Info

Publication number: WO2005052269A1
Application number: PCT/AU2004/001665
Authority: WO
Inventors: Tim Stroh; Andrew Nasarczyk
Original assignee: Gale Pacific Limited
Priority date: 2003-11-27
Filing date: 2004-11-26
Publication date: 2005-06-09

Abstract

A container (1) for storage of bulk fluid such as rain water. A flexible bag (2) defines a storage compartment (3) for the fluid, the bag (2) being fabricated from fluming tube composed of plastic fabric, the tube having opposite end regions (6) flattened and seam welded so as to seal close the ends (5) thereof. Two flow fittings (15, 16) are connected to the bag (2). Each fitting (15, 16) defines an opening (14) communicating with the compartment (3). One flow fitting (15) is connectable to a source of rain water for receiving rain water for storage in the compartment (3), and the other flow fitting (16) is connectable to a conduit for distributing stored rain water from the compartment (3) for use thereof.

Description

Flexible bulk fluid storage container

This invention relates to containers for storage of bulk fluid. The container is applicable for bulk storage of water, particularly rain water harvested on domestic properties, and it will be convenient to hereinafter disclose the invention in relation to that exemplary application. However, it is to be appreciated that the invention is not limited to that application. The following discussion of the background to the invention is intended to facilitate an understanding of the invention. However, it should be appreciated that the discussion is not an acknowledgement or admission that any of the material referred to was published, known or part of the common general knowledge in Australia as at the priority date of the application. Above ground water tanks have long been used to collect or store rain water harvested from buildings, particularly houses, sheds and other domestic buildings. Usually, the rain water falls onto the building roof from where it is collected in gutters directed into pipes which are connected to nearby storage tanks. Known tanks are typically of rigid construction, fabricated from metal or moulded from plastics material. They have an inlet at an upper end thereof through which the water is received for storage, and an outlet at or toward a lower end from which stored water can be drawn for use. Such tanks have storage capacities typically varying from about 500 litres to 20,000 litres or more. Water tanks are often used where community mains water supplies are not available or easily accessed. The provision of increased mains water supplies is becoming increasingly difficult because of community concerns over the cost and environmental impact of storage dams, as well as the lack of suitable or acceptable sites for their construction. That in turn, is putting higher demands on existing supplies with limited storage capacities, and consequential pressures on communities to conceive and implement water conservation measures, water recycling programs including grey water use, and alternative storage strategies. One such strategy that has been increasingly developed for alternative water storages is the encouragement of individual and household users connected to mains water supplies to harvest at least a proportion of their water requirements on their own properties in an effect to relieve demands on the mains water supplies. Thus, water tanks have been installed on domestic sites for storing rain water collected from house and garage roofs. That water is then used as an alternative to mains water supplies or grey water in applications such as toilet flushing, garden and other outside use. A disadvantage with this strategy is that many domestic properties have very limited, if any sites suitable for the permanent installation of tanks of any significant capacity. Large capacity tanks are needed for collection and storage of a reliable domestic water source, but such tanks are unsightly and monopolise a valuable parcel of the property. Small capacity tanks, whilst more easily sited and disguised, are generally uneconomic and provide little relief on community water supplies, particularly during drought or extended dry conditions. In addition, tanks of all sizes are not readily relocatable or storable if and when not in use, for example, when empty either because there is no rain fall or because excess rainfall renders water storage unnecessary. An object of the present invention is the provision of an alternative container useful for bulk storage of rain water. A further object is the provision of a bulk water storage tank that is easily located for use with minimal site preparation or other requirements and will readily adjust to suite the site conditions. Another object of the present invention is the provision of a bulk water storage container that can be easily relocated and stored when not in use. In one broad aspect, the present invention provides a container for storage of bulk fluid, including: a bag composed of flexible material defining a storage compartment for the fluid; and, means communicating with the compartment for flow of fluid into and out of the compartment. Preferably, the bag is elongate and closed at opposite ends thereof. In one preferred form, the bag is tubular and seal closed at opposite ends thereof. Preferably, the bag includes opposite end regions. Each end region is preferably flattened and sealed so as to close the respective bag end. Preferably, each flattened end region is folded over upon itself and seam welded to close the respective bag end. In one preferred form, each flattened end region is twice folded over upon itself and seam welded after each fold so as to seal close the respective bag end. Preferably, a material strip extends along and overlies each flattened and sealed end region. That material strip is preferably seam welded to the bag so as to reinforce the bag end regions. Preferably, the bag is composed of flexible plastic fabric. In one preferred form, the bag fabric includes a woven material base, and a coating on at least one side thereof to provide the fabric with fluid barrier characteristics. Preferably, the flow means includes at least one flow fitting connected to the bag. The or each flow fitting defines an opening communicating with the compartment and through which fluid passes into and/or out of the compartment. In one preferred form, two flow fittings are connected to the bag in spaced apart relation. One flow fitting defines an inlet opening into the storage compartment, and the other flow fitting defines an outlet opening from the storage compartment, in this form. Preferably, the or at least one flow fitting includes a connection for connecting the or each opening to a conduit for the fluid to control flow to and/or from the fitting. Preferably, the or at least one flow fitting includes a control valve operable to open and close the fitting to control flow of fluid through the opening thereof. In one preferred form, the present invention provides a rain water storage container including: a flexible bag defining a storage compartment for rain water, the bag being fabricated from fluming tube composed of plastic fabric, the tube having opposite end regions flattened and seam welded so as to seal close the ends thereof; and, two flow fittings connected to the bag, each fitting defining an opening communicating with the compartment, one flow fitting being connectable to a source of rain water for receiving rain water for storage in the compartment and the other flow fitting being connectable to a conduit for distributing stored rain water from the compartment for use thereof. The following description refers to a preferred embodiment of the container of the present invention. To facilitate an understanding of the invention, reference is made in the description to the accompanying drawings whee the container is illustrated in that preferred embodiment. It is to be understood that the container is not limited to the preferred embodiment as hereinafter described and as illustrated in the drawings. In the drawings: Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the container, incorporating the present invention; and Fig. 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view through Section ll-ll at one end of the container of Fig. 1. Referring initially to Fig. 1 , there is generally shown a container 1 for bulk storing a quality of fluid such as rain water. The container 1 includes a bag 2 defining a storage compartment 3 for the rain water. The bag 2 is composed of flexible material for collapsing when not in use, to enable ready relocation and storage of the container 1. In use, the bag 2 extends longitudinally in a generally horizontal orientation. Thus, the bag 2 can be supported on a generally horizontal surface. In the exemplary application, that surface may be provided by the ground, a path or driveway, or a platform. The bag 2 is of elongate, tubular shape providing at least one side wall 4.

The bag 2 has a generally round transverse cross-sectional shape in a relaxed condition, providing a cylindrical side wall 4, although it will be appreciated that such a bag will distort under the weight of stored liquid to a somewhat oval shape. The bag 2 has opposed ends 5 which are closed. That is achieved by flattening and sealing the side wall 4 at each end region 6. Closure of the bag ends 5 is shown in more detail in Fig. 2. That detail is representative of the closure of each end 5. As shown in Fig. 2, each end region 6 is drawn together or flattened and then twice folded over upon itself. The flattened end regions 6 are heat welded after each fold to form a respective seam weld 7, 8 extending continuously across the end regions 6, thereby sealing the bag ends 5. A material strip 9 extends along and overlies each flattened and folded end region 6 so as to reinforce the bag 2 against unfolding at the ends 5. The material strips 9 are similarly heat welded to the folded end regions 6 to form seam welds 10, 11 extending entirely across the end regions 6. The tubular bag 2 is composed of any suitable material having regard to the intended application of the container 1. In that regard, appropriate bag characteristics will typically include being inert and impervious to the fluid being stored, being resistant to abrasion and other damage or degradation, and being of a strength sufficient to withstand forces of the stored fluid. In the exemplary application, the tubular bag 2 is composed of plastics material. In this preferred embodiment, the bag 2 is composed of plastic fabric.

That fabric includes a woven material base, and a coating applied to at least one side of the base in order to provide the fabric with fluid barrier characteristics. A coating may be applied to both sides of the base. The material base may be woven from plastic fibres composed of a polymer or co-polymer of propylene. The barrier coating may be one or more film layers composed of polymers or co-polymers of propylene or ethylene. In one preferred embodiment, the tubular bag 2 is fabricated from a length of fluming tube. One such tube is disclosed in patent application PCT/AU2004/000704, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. The tubular bag 2 is of any suitable diameter and length having regard to the desired storage capacity of the container. In the exemplary application, the bag 2 may have a diameter of up to about 2,000mm. In one preferred embodiment, that diameter is between about 300 and 500mm. The length of the bag 2 can be several meters or more. In the exemplary application, the container 1 will preferably be available in a range of storage capacities, the different capacities being determined by varying lengths of the bag. The container 1 includes flow means 12 communicating with the storage compartment 3 for flow of water into and out of the compartment 3. The flow means 12 includes at least one flow fitting 13. The or each flow fitting 13 is connected to the bag 2, and defines an opening 14 communicating with the compartment 3 and through which water passes into and/or out of the compartment 3. In this embodiment, two openings 14 are provided, an inlet opening through which water passes into the compartment 3 for storage and an outlet opening through which water passes out of the compartment 3 for use. To that end, the container 1 includes separate inlet and outlet fittings 15, 16 providing the inlet and outlet openings, respectively. The fittings 15, 16 may be located adjacent one another (not shown), or (as shown) remote from one another such as adjacent opposite ends of the bag 2. It will be appreciated that in alternative embodiments, the two openings 14 may be provided by a combined flow fitting. The or at least one flow fitting 15, 16 includes a connection 17 for connecting the or each opening 14 to a conduit for the water to control flow of the water to and/or from the fitting 15, 16. The construction of the connection(s) 17 will vary to suit the conduit(s) and the intended application of the container 1. In the exemplary application, a connection 17 is provided for connecting the inlet fitting 15 to a water drain pipe leading from a roof gutter so as to enable rain water to flow through the inlet opening 14 into the compartment 3. Another connection 17 may be provided for connecting the outlet fitting 16 to a water hose or pipe so as to enable water to be removed from the compartment 3 through the outlet opening 14. The connections 17 provide for releasable connection of the conduits to the fittings 15, 16. The or at least one flow fitting 15, 16 may include a control valve 18 for relatively opening and closing the fitting 15, 16 to control flow of water therethrough. In the exemplary application, a control valve 18 is included in the outlet fitting 16 (as shown). Although not shown, separate control valves 18 may be provided in each of the inlet and outlet fittings 15, 16. The or each control valve 18 is a manually operated control tap 19. Each flow fitting 15, 16 is sealingly mounted in the side wall 4 of the tubular bag 2. That mounting is achieved in any suitable manner well known to those skilled in the relevant art. A bulk storage container 1 according to the present invention, can be easily transported and stored when not in use. When required for use, the container 1 can be quickly and easily placed. That placement does not require a dedicated, permanent, or specially prepared site. In the exemplary application, the container 1 can be simply laid on ground in a location convenient for connection of the inlet fitting 15 to a rainwater down pipe. That connection can be achieved through a conduit arranged so that water from the drain pipe will flow into the compartment 3 for storage. The ground location may be, for example, under floor space of domestic houses and other buildings. Other sites might include roof cavities, and concealed and irregular spaces within or about domestic houses and other buildings. Where available or convenient, the container 1 may be laid along a slope with the inlet and outlet fittings 15, 16 positioned toward the upper and lower ends of the bag 2, respectively. In this way, gravity forces can be utilised to facilitate flow of water into and out of the compartment 3. Where that is not available, then it may be necessary to connect at least the outlet fitting 16 to a pump for drawing of the water from the compartment 3. During collection of rain water, the control tap 19 can close the outlet opening 14 of the outlet fitting 16, where necessary to prevent water loss.

Alternatively (not shown), that outlet 16 can be positioned relative to the compartment 3, i.e. in an upper most region of the bag 2, so as to act as an overflow for discharge of water from the compartment 3 once full. Where that occurs, the outlet opening 14 is left open, and the outlet fitting 16 can be connected back to the rainwater down pipe or drain so as to return discharged water to the water drainage system. Where it is desired to use the stored water, then the tap 19 at the outlet fitting 16 can be opened. That fitting 16 can be connected to a hose or other conduit for controlling flow of water from the compartment 3 to its desired location. When the container 1 has been emptied, and there is no prospect of or need for rain water to be harvested, then the container 1 can be disconnected from the conduits, rolled or folded up, and stored in a convenient location. Thus, it is not necessary to leave the container 1 in its use position when not in use. As a result, the container can be hidden away and its site used for other purposes. Finally, it is to be understood that various alterations, modifications and/or additions may be made to the container without departing from the ambit of the present invention as described in the claims appended hereto.

Claims

The claims defining the invention are as follows:

1. A container for storage of bulk fluid, including: a bag composed of flexible material defining a storage compartment for the fluid; and, means communicating with the compartment for flow of fluid into and out of the compartment.

2. A container as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the bag is elongate and closed at opposite ends thereof.

3. A container as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the bag is tubular and seal closed at opposite ends thereof.

4. A container as claimed in claim 2 or 3, wherein the bag includes opposite end regions each of which is flattened and sealed so as to close the respective bag end.

5. A container as claimed in claim 4, wherein each flattened end region is folded over upon itself and seam welded entirely across the end region to close the respective bag end.

6. A container as claimed in claim 5, wherein each flattened end region is twice folded over upon itself and seam welded after each fold so as to seal close the respective bag end.

7. A container as claimed in any one of claims 4 to 6, wherein a material strip extends along and overlies each flattened and sealed end region, the material strip being seam welded to the bag so as to reinforce the bag end regions.

8. A container as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the bag is composed of plastic fabric.

9. A container as claimed in claim 8, wherein the bag fabric includes a woven material base, and a coating on at least one side thereof to provide the fabric with fluid barrier characteristics.

10. A container as claimed in claim 9, wherein the material base is woven ) from plastic material composed of a polymer or co-polymer of propylene.

11. A container as claimed in claim 9 or 10, wherein the barrier coating is one or more film layers composed of a polymer or co-polymer of propylene or ethylene.

12. A container as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the bag is circular in cross-sectional shape, and has a diameter of up to about 2000mm.

13. A container as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the flow means includes at least one flow fitting connected to the bag and defining an opening communicating with the compartment and through which fluid passes into and/or out of the compartment.

14. A container as claimed in claim 13, wherein two flow fittings are connected to the bag in spaced apart relation, one flow fitting defining an inlet opening into the storage compartment and the other flow fitting defining an outlet opening from the storage compartment.

15. A container as claimed in claim 13 or 14, wherein the or at least one flow fitting includes a connection for connecting the or each opening to a conduit for the fluid to control flow to and/or from the fitting.

16. A container as claimed in any one of claims 13 to 15, wherein the or at least one flow fitting includes a control valve operable to open and close the fitting to control flow of fluid through the opening thereof.

17. A rain water storage container including: a flexible bag defining a storage compartment for rain water, the bag being fabricated from fluming tube composed of plastic fabric, the tube having opposite end regions flattened and seam welded so as to seal close the ends thereof; and, two flow fittings connected to the bag, each fitting defining an opening communicating with the compartment, one flow fitting being connectable to a source of rain water for receiving rain water for storage in the compartment and the other flow fitting being connectable to a conduit for distributing stored rain water from the compartment for use thereof.

18. A container for storage of bulk fluid, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to what is shown in the accompanying drawings.

Dated: 26 November, 2004 PHILLIPS ORMONDE & FITZPATRICK Attorneys for: GALE PACIFIC LIMITED