WO2015030584A1

WO2015030584A1 - Drainage

Info

Publication number: WO2015030584A1
Application number: PCT/NL2014/050580
Authority: WO
Inventors: Leendert Adrianus Baijense; Johannes Zuurmond; Bertha Grietje VAN DEN BERG - VAN DIJKEN; Andrys POSTHUMA; Ingrid VAN DER ZWAN - VERHOEF; Henricus Oscar MENZEL
Original assignee: Dyka B.V.
Priority date: 2013-08-27
Filing date: 2014-08-27
Publication date: 2015-03-05
Also published as: NL2011340C2; PL3039197T3; EP3039197B1; EP3039197A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a drainage arrangement, comprising at least a first member and a second member. The first and second member are adapted to form a drainage body together and to be nested in each other. Each member of the first and second member comprises a substantially planar base and a wall having an outer surface, which is divided into a first part, a second part and a third part. The first part is connected to an edge of said base and arranged in a first direction. The second part is connected to said first and third part and arranged in a second direction, different from said first direction. The third part is arranged in a third direction, different from said second direction, and extends further than said first part in a direction parallel to said base.

Description

DRAINAGE

BACKGROUND

The invention relates to a drainage arrangement for forming a drainage body.

Drainage systems are known to remove surface and sub-surface water from an area. Such systems may comprise tubes and/or drainage bodies to transport, to store and to dispense water under the ground. Drainage bodies usually have a large volume, and are least partially hollow. In order to facilitate the transport of these bodies, it is known to provide the drainage bodies in several separate members, which can be stacked together.

European patent EP 1 932 975 Bl describes a plastic drainage or infiltration body, formed as a downwardly open quadruple-shaped basket in the form of a table for constructing a subterranean infiltration building [in mounted position], the basket having a planar grid structure top wall and grid structure side wall sections extending downwardly from the top wall and table legs of substantially square or rectangular outer cross- section, the table legs bounding an interiorly located downwardly open open chamber and arc-shaped openings, wherein the infiltration body is formed as a square table having separated table legs below the four table corners or as rectangular table having separated table legs below the four table corners and having two table legs below the longitudinal centres of the longer sides of the rectangle, that the table legs are formed as grid structures and bound in the infiltration body substantially equally dimensioned arc openings at all four outer sides which arc openings are open downwardly to the ends of the table legs, the width of the arc openings respectively being larger than the sum of the width of the outer cross-sections of the table legs of the table leg pair bounding the arc opening, that the sides of the table legs are lined inside of the arc openings and in the interiorly located chamber, and that in at least one of the arc openings a grid structure filling plate is inserted later which has snap elements or fastening elements for releasably fixing the filling plate in the arc opening, the filling plate filling the arc opening from crown of the arc and downwardly to the ends of the table legs.

A volume of such a stack of drainage bodies can be referred to as a transport volume. As a result, the transport volume of these drainage bodies may be smaller than the operational volume, i.e. the volume of the assembled drainage body.

However, the members need to be assembled at the location of deployment and this can be complex and/or time consuming .

It is an object of the present invention to provide a drainage arrangement with a small transport volume which is easy to assemble.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

To this end, according to a first aspect the present invention provides a drainage arrangement comprising at least a first member and a second member, which are adapted to form a drainage body together, wherein each of the first and second members is arranged to be nested in the other of the first and second member; and, wherein each member comprises: a substantially planar base, and, a wall having an outer surface, which outer surface is divided into a first part, a second part and a third part by at least one plane parallel to said base; wherein said first part is connected to an edge of said base and arranged in a first direction, said second part is connected to said first and third part and arranged in a second direction different from said first direction, and said third part is arranged in a third direction different form said second direction; wherein said third part extends further than said first part in a direction parallel to said base, preferably so that, when seen in projection on a plane parallel to the base, the base and the third part do not overlap.

The first and/or second member may have a box^¬ like shape with an open top or open side. With the first member arranged on top of the second member facing each other with the open side, the drainage body may have a box like shape, with the base of the first member forming the bottom of the box and the base of the second member forming the top of the box. Typically, the outer surface of the wall faces away from an interior of the box, and the inner surface of the wall faces towards the interior of the box.

Such a drainage body may be referred to as a "drainage crate" or just "crate". The first/second member may be referred to as a first/second "crate half". When two crate halves are in a same orientation, as is the case when one crate half is nested in another, a crate may be formed by rotating said one crate half 180 degrees around an axis in the plane of its base, e.g. by rotating said one crate half 180 degrees around an edge of its base, and then placing the one crate half on the other crate half so that the open sides of both crate halves face each other. In an embodiment said first member and said second member together form said drainage body.

Multiple drainage bodies or boxes together may form a drainage system. The drainage bodies in such a system are preferably connected to each other using one or more connection members . The verb "to nest" may refer to "to be inserted, at least partially, into each other". The first member may be nested in the second member and the second member may be nested in the first member.

In an embodiment, the base of the first and/or second member comprises a substantially planar top side, wherein the first part of the outer surface of the wall extends from, and/or abuts said top side. Alternatively, the base may have a substantially planar edge which forms a portion of the first part of the outer wall. The base typically comprises a substantially planar lower side.

The substantially planar base may be a plate and may be arranged substantially horizontally, at least when arranged to form said drainage body. The at least one plane, which is a virtual plane, may also be arranged substantially horizontally.

The at least one plane may divide the outer surface of the wall into three parts. The at least one plane may comprise one or two planes parallel to said base.

When the second part is arranged parallel with the base, only one plane may be required to divide the outer surface into three parts. In that case, the second part may coincide with said one plane. When the second part is arranged non-parallelly with the base, e.g. at an angle between 10 and 80 degrees to the base, for instance an angle of 45 degrees, two planes which are parallel to the base may be required to divide the outer surface into three parts .

The area of the first and third part of the outer surface of the wall may be equal. The area of the second part of the outer surface of the wall may be small in comparison with the area of the first part and/or the area of the third part, for example in the range of 0,1 - 0,01 times the area of the first and/or third part.

A first part of the wall may comprise a first edge of the wall. A second part of the wall may comprise a second edge, forming the edge of the open side of the first/second member. A third part of the wall may comprise said second edge of said wall.

The first part of the outer surface of the wall may be connected to or joined with the edge of the base.

The first, second and third part of the outer surface of the wall may be considered as three strips, with the second strip being adjacent at one side to the first strip and at the other side to the third strip. The first, second and third part together may define the outer surface of the wall.

The first and the third direction may be parallel with each other. The first and/or third part may be arranged in a substantially vertical direction from said base. The second part may be arranged in a non-vertical direction, for example in a horizontal direction.

The third part may extend further than said first part in a direction parallel to said base, for example in a horizontal direction, preferably from said base or from a center of said base, or, from a center of said (first or second) drainage arrangement member.

The outer surface of the wall may be considered as having a stepped shape, wherein the second part may define the step.

The perimeter of the third part of the outer surface in a (virtual) plane parallel with the base, or in particular in a horizontal (virtual) plane, may be larger than the perimeter of the first part of the outer surface in a (virtual) plane parallel with the base, or in particular in a horizontal (virtual) plane.

Because the first and second member can be nested, the transport volume of the drainage arrangement according to the invention is smaller than the operational volume, i.e. the volume of the drainage body. Since the base is already connected or jointed with the wall, assembly of the drainage body is simple. Assembly may, for instance, comprise only connecting the first member with the second member in order to form the drainage body. The base and the wall may be produced or made as a single object or entity, for example by using a mould. T

Therefore, it may be impossible to separate the wall form the base without damaging the wall and/or the base. Each said first and second member may thus be formed as a single integrated substantially plastic component, for instance by means of injection moulding and/or rotational moulding.

In an embodiment, the base is a substantially rectangular or square base with four edges, wherein the first part of the outer surface of the wall comprises at least two sides which are connected to two corresponding edges of said four edges of the base. In a preferred embodiment, the first part of the outer surface of the wall base comprises four sides which are connected to the four corresponding edges of the base. In an embodiment of the drainage arrangement according to the invention, said first part is connected with said edge of said base along substantially an entire perimeter of said base.

In the drainage body to be formed, the wall may form a side wall of the drainage body, or part of such a sidewall, and may provide constructional strength or sturdiness to the drainage body. When the wall, in particular the first part, is connected with the base, in particular the edge of the base, along substantially an entire perimeter of said base, the wall may provide substantially the entire side wall of the drainage body. This implies that no other members may need to be assembled with the first or second member that may form part of the side wall of the drainage body. Thus, this may improve the simplicity of deployment.

In an embodiment of the drainage arrangement according to the invention, said second direction is substantially parallel to said base, or defines an angle with said base, preferably in the range of 0-90 degrees, 5- 85 degrees, 75-85 degrees or 10-80 degrees. Said angle may also be about 45 degrees.

In an embodiment, the third part comprises a distal edge of the wall, wherein said distal edge is parallel to said second part of said outer surface and non- parallel to said base, wherein said distal edge preferably connects the third part of the outer surface of the wall to a corresponding part of the inner surface of the wall. When said distal edge, or top edge, of the wall is at an angle to the base between 5 and 85 degrees or 95 and 175 degrees, it facilitates alignment of the members when stacked.

In an embodiment, a distance between the lower side of the base and the said dividing plane parallel to said base is less than a distance between said dividing plane and said distal edge. When drainage members of equal construction are nested, the top edge of one member remains free from the second surface of the member nested therein, which may facilitate unnesting of said members. In an alternative embodiment, said distance between the lower side of the base and the said dividing plane parallel to said base is substantially equal to said distance between said dividing plane and said distal edge, so that members which are nested, may be supported in at least two planes.

In a preferred embodiment the first part and the third part extend substantially normal to the base, and the second part extends substantially parallel to the base.

The second part may be considered as defining a step in the outer surface of the wall.

In an embodiment of the drainage arrangement according to the invention, said first direction and/or said third direction is substantially perpendicular to said base .

In another embodiment of the drainage arrangement according to the invention, said first direction and/or said third direction may define an angle with said base, preferably in the range of 0-90 degrees, 5-85 degrees, 10- 80 degrees or 40-50 degrees.

In an embodiment of the drainage arrangement according to the invention, said second part is located at substantially half of a height of said wall, measured from a bottom of said base in a direction perpendicular to said base .

When the second part is located at substantially half of a height of said wall, the nesting of the first and second member in each other may be at its maximum. Therefore, the transport volume may be at its minimum.

In an embodiment of the drainage arrangement according to the invention, first member and the second member have the same shape or are identical with respect to their dimensions and/or the material they are made of.

When the first and second members are identical, the first and second member can both be made by the same machines. Also, the assembly of the drainage body is simplified.

In an embodiment of the drainage arrangement according to the invention, each of the first and second member is adapted to be nested in the other of the first and second member with both members having the same orientation .

When the first and second members can be nested in each other having the same orientation, forming a stack of first and second members can be simply automated.

In an embodiment of the drainage arrangement according to the invention, a height of the first and second member together, when nested in each other, is in the range of 1,2 to 1,8 (or in particular about 1,5) times the height of one of said first and second member, and/or is in the range of 0,6 to 0,9 (or in particular about 0,75) times the height of the drainage body.

In this embodiment, the two other dimensions

(width and the depth) of the first and/or second member may be equal to the corresponding dimensions of the drainage body and/or of a stack of first and second members.

In an embodiment of the drainage arrangement according to the invention, said base has a substantial rectangular, square, triangular, oval or circular shape. Cross-sections, taken through planes parallel to said base, of the first part, the second part, the third part and the outer perimeter of the base, are preferably congruent with each other and oriented in the same manner.

It may be advantageous to provide a drainage body with side walls and/or top/bottom with large contact surfaces. These may contact the side walls and/or top/bottom of other drainage bodies. Since groups of drainage bodies are usually deployed under the ground, vertical and/or horizontal forces may be exerted on them, for example by traffic driving on a road above the drainage bodies. The large contact surface may improve dispersion or absorption of these forces.

Furthermore, the drainage bodies may be arranged to be rigid and/or with a high resistance to deformation in order to improve dispersion of these forces.

In an embodiment of the drainage arrangement according to the invention, said wall comprises an inner surface, which inner surface is divided into a first part, a second part and a third part by at least one further plane, wherein said first, second and third part of the inner surface of said wall are arranged oppositely facing with respect to the first, second and third part of said outer surface, wherein the third part of the inner surface of said wall extends further than the first part of the inner surface of said wall in a direction parallel to said base, preferably from said base or from a center of said base, or, from a center of said (first or second) member.

The at least one further plane may be identical to the at least one plane. Preferably, the first and third part of the outer surface of the wall are substantially parallel to the first and third part of the inner surface of the wall. Additionally, the second part of the outer surface may be parallel to the second part of the inner surface of the wall.

It may be the case that a thickness of the wall is substantially constant: the thickness of the wall between the first part of the outer surface and the first part of the inner surface may be substantial equal to the thickness of the wall between the third part of the outer surface and the third part of the inner surface, and/or to the thickness of the wall between the second part of the outer surface and the second part of the inner surface.

The third part of the inner surface may extend further than said first part of the inner surface in a direction parallel to said base, for example in a horizontal direction, in particular from said base or from a center of said base, or, from a center of said (first or second) member.

In a preferred embodiment, when viewed in projection on a plane parallel to the base, the first part of the outer surface is spaced apart from the third part of the inner surface. As a result, when a first member according to this embodiment is nested in a second member according to this embodiment, it is substantially prevented that the first member is clamped in the second member.

In an embodiment, the second part of the inner surface of the first member is provided with projections and/or depressions, and a bottom side of the base of the second member is provided with matching depressions and/or projections, for aligning the first and second member when the second member is nested in the first member. Preferably when nested, the first part of the outer surface of the second member remains spaced apart from the third part of the inner surface of the first member. In an embodiment of the drainage arrangement according to the invention, the third part of the inner wall extends further than the first part of the inner wall in a direction parallel to said base, but not as much as the third part of the outer wall extends further than the first part of the outer wall in a direction parallel to said base.

In an embodiment of the drainage arrangement according to the invention, an area of the second part of the inner surface is substantially equal to an area of the second part of the outer surface. In an embodiment, the second part of the inner surface of the first member is adapted for receiving and/or contactingly supporting, at least partially, an outer surface of the base. This may facilitate nesting of the first and second members. The second part of the inner surface of a first member may be arranged for receiving, at least partially, the second part of the outer surface of a second member. This may facilitate the nesting of the first and second members.

When nested, the first member and the second member may only contact each other by the area of the second parts of the respective inner and outer surface. Since this area may be small, jamming or sticking of the nested members is prevented.

In an embodiment of the drainage arrangement according to the invention, the second part of the outer surface of the wall of the first member, when nested into the second member, contacts, at least partially, the second part of the inner surface of the wall of the second member.

In an embodiment, when nested, the second member is substantially completely supported by the second inner surface of the first member. The second inner surface may thus be the only portion of the first member that is in supporting contact with the second member, in particular with the base of the second member. Since the area of the second inner surface is small, jamming or sticking of the nested member is prevented.

In an embodiment of the drainage arrangement according to the invention, the arrangement further comprises a planar connection plate arranged for connecting the first member with the second member, in order to form said drainage body, and preferably connection members for connecting the wall of the first member to a first side of the planar connection plate and for connecting the wall of the second member to a second side of the planar connection plate, wherein said first side is oppositely facing with respect to said second side. The connection plate may provide further constructional strength or sturdiness to the drainage body and may improve dispersion or absorption of forces exerted on the drainage body.

The connection plate may be thicker than each of the base plates of the first and second member and/or may provide more constructional strength to the drainage body than each of the base plates of the first and second member .

In the drainage body, the connection plate may be arranged between the first and second body, which may both be facing the connection plate with their open top or open side .

The connection members may be arranged for connecting the first and second member to the connection plate, as described above, without extending from the outer surface of the walls of the first and second member, and/or wherein the walls of the first and/or second member are connected with an edge of said connection plate, preferably along substantially an entire perimeter of said connection plate .

Assembly may then, for instance, comprise only the connecting of the first member and the second member with the connection plate in order to form the drainage body.

In an embodiment of the drainage arrangement according to the invention, the drainage arrangement further comprises further connection members for connecting the base of the first or the second member of a first drainage body to the base of the first or the second member of a second drainage body.

The further connection members may be used to form stacks and/or rows of drainage bodies. These stacks may be in a direction perpendicular to the base, in particular in a vertical direction. These rows may be in a direction parallel with the base, in particular in a horizontal direction. Except for the outer drainage bodies, most drainage bodies will be surrounded by other drainage bodies at all of its six sides, after deployment.

In an embodiment of the drainage arrangement according to the invention, said further connection members are arranged for at least partially filling a space between one of the first parts of the outer surface of first drainage body and one of the first parts of outer surface of the second drainage body.

When drainage bodies form a row, the third parts of the outer surface of the first and second members of a first drainage body will be in direct contact with the third parts of the outer surface of the first and second members of a second drainage body. There will be a space between the first parts of the outer surface of the first and second members of the first drainage body and the first parts of the outer surface of the first and second members of the second drainage body.

The further connection members may be arranged for at least partially filling said space. This may provide additional constructional strength or sturdiness to the drainage body and may improve dispersion or absorption of forces exerted on the drainage body.

In an embodiment of the drainage arrangement according to the invention, the first member comprises a first hollow column and the second member comprises a second hollow column, wherein each of said first and second column is adapted to be nested in the other of said first and second column.

In an embodiment of the drainage arrangement according to the invention, the first member comprises a first truncated hollow cone and the second member comprises a second truncated hollow cone, wherein each of said first and second cone is adapted to be nested in the other of said first and second cone.

The cones may provide constructional strength or sturdiness to the drainage body and may improve dispersion or absorption of forces exerted on the drainage body. Typically, both the first and second member comprise a plurality of such cones which extend from the planar base.

In an embodiment of the drainage arrangement according to the invention, said base, said connection plate and/or said wall comprises openings. The openings, which allow liquid to pass through, typically cover between 30% and 70% of the surface area of said base, said connection plate and/or said wall. The base, connection plate and/or the wall may be formed as a perforated grid.

In order to transport and/or to dispense water from the drainage body, the drainage body may be provided with openings or holes.

The drainage body may also be provided with handle openings, for example in the wall of the first and second members. The handle openings may be arranged for receiving a hand of a person. The wall of the first and/or second member may be provided with eight handle openings, for facilitating carrying said member. Carrying of the first and/or second member, carrying of the assembled drainage body, and/or unnesting of the first and second member when these are nested is thus facilitated. In an embodiment of the drainage arrangement according to the invention, one of said openings is arranged for receiving a tube .

An advantage of this embodiment may be that a tube for transporting water may be connected to drainage body.

In an embodiment of the drainage arrangement according to the invention, the drainage arrangement further comprises a connector arranged for connecting a tube with two or more of said openings.

It may be the case that a tube has a larger diameter than any one of the available openings of the drainage body. Then a connector may be provided for connecting two or more openings with said tube. One of the two or more openings may be a handle opening.

According to a second aspect, the present invention provides a drainage arrangement for forming a drainage body, comprising at least a first member and a second member, which are adapted to form said drainage body together, wherein each of the first and second member is arranged to be nested in the other of the first and second member; and, wherein each member of the first and second member comprises a substantially planar base and a wall having an outer surface, wherein said wall has an inner surface, wherein said inner surface is divided into a first part, a second part and a third part by at least one plane parallel to said base; wherein said first part is connected to said base and arranged in a first direction, said second part is connected to said first and third part and arranged in a second direction, different from said first direction, and said third part is arranged in a third direction, different from said second direction; and wherein said third part extends further than said first part in a direction parallel to said base.

According to a third aspect of the invention, a drainage arrangement member is provided, adapted to form a drainage body together with another drainage arrangement member, wherein said member is arranged to be nested in said other member; and, wherein said member comprises: a substantially planar base; and a wall having an outer surface, which outer surface is divided into a first part, a second part and a third part by at least one plane parallel to said base; wherein said first part is connected to an edge of said base and arranged in a first direction, said second part is connected to said first and third part and arranged in a second direction, different from said first direction, and third part is arranged in a third direction, different from said second direction; and wherein said third part extends further than said first part in a direction parallel to said base.

It may be understood that all features applicable to one of the first and second member, as described in this document, are also applicable to said drainage arrangement member .

According to a fourth aspect of the invention, a method is provided for stacking a first member of a drainage arrangement according to any one of claims 1-9 in a second member of said drainage arrangement.

In an embodiment of the method, the second part of the outer surface of the first member is brought into contact with a second part of the inner surface of the second member.

According to a fifth aspect of the invention, a method is provided for constructing a drainage body using a drainage arrangement according to any one of claims 1-9, comprising the step of connecting the wall of the first member with the wall of the second member in order to construct a drainage body, preferably using connection members .

In an embodiment of the method, the method further comprises the step of connecting the wall of the first member to a first side of a planar connection plate and connecting the wall of the second member to a second side of said planar connection plate, wherein said first side is oppositely facing with respect to said second side.

In an embodiment of the method, the method further comprises the step of connecting said drainage body to another drainage body, preferably using further connection members.

The various aspects and features described and shown in the specification can be applied, individually, wherever possible. These individual aspects, in particular the aspects and features described in the attached dependent claims, can be made subject of divisional patent applications .

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be elucidated on the basis of an exemplary embodiment shown in the attached drawings, in which : Figure 1 shows a schematic overview of a part of an embodiment of the drainage arrangement according to the invention;

Figure 2A shows a schematic overview of a part of an embodiment of the drainage arrangement according to the invention;

Figure 2B shows a schematic overview of a part of another embodiment of the drainage arrangement according to the invention;

Figure 2C shows a schematic overview of a part of several embodiments of the drainage arrangement according to the invention;

Figures 3A-3C show schematic views of different embodiments of a drainage arrangement according to the invention, in which first and second drainage members are shown in a nested configuration;

Figure 4 shows a schematic overview of a nesting of an embodiment of the drainage arrangement according to the invention;

Figure 5 shows a schematic overview of an embodiment of the drainage arrangement according to the invention;

Figure 6 shows a schematic overview of an embodiment of the drainage arrangement according to the invention; and,

Figure 7 shows a schematic overview of a part of an embodiment of the drainage arrangement according to the invention . DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Figure 1 shows a schematic overview of a part of an embodiment of the drainage arrangement according to the invention. A first member 101 according to an embodiment of the invention is shown in figure 1. A second member 102 according to the invention is not shown in figure 1, but may be identical to the first member 101.

The first member 101 comprises a substantially planar base 103 and a wall 104. The base 103 and/or the wall 104 may be provided with multiple openings.

The base 103 may have a substantial rectangular shape, as is shown in figure 1, or a substantial square, triangular, oval or circular shape.

The wall 104 is connected to or joined with an edge of the base 103, preferably along substantially an entire perimeter of the base. In figure 1, it is connected or joined along the entire perimeter of the base.

When the base has a rectangular shape, it may comprise two long sides 105 and two short sides 106, of which one of each is indicated in figure 1.

It may be the case that the wall is only connected to or joined with a part of the perimeter, for example along half of the perimeter, or along both long sides 105 of the base. In that case, the drainage arrangement may further comprise one or more wall members which are to be assembled with the edge of the base, i.e. these wall members are to be connected to the base where the wall is not connected to or jointed with the base. The assembly of these wall members may take place at the location of deployment. This would, however, add to the complexity of the deployment.

The first member 101, in particular the base 103, may be provided with one or more truncated hollow cones

107. The cones 107 may extend in a direction perpendicular to said base 103.

A cone of the first member 101 may be adapted to be nested, or at least partially inserted, in a cone of the second member 102, when the first and second member are nested in each other.

Figure 2A shows a schematic overview of a part of an embodiment of the drainage arrangement according to the invention, which may be a part of the embodiment of figure 1. Figure 2A shows a part of the base 103 and the wall 104.

The base 103 comprises a lower side 103a and an oppositely facing top side 103b. An outer surface and/or an inner surface of wall 104 may be defined with respect to a centre of the first/second member.

The outer surface of wall 104 may be divided into three parts 201, 202, 203 by a plane PI, which is parallelly arranged with respect to the base 103.

First part 201 of the outer surface may be connected to an edge of base 103 and may be arranged perpendicular to the base. Second part 202 of the outer surface may be connected to the first part 201 and third part 203, and/or may be arranged between the first and third part of the outer surface. The second part may define a step in the outer surface of the wall. Third part 203 may be connected to the second part 202 and may be arranged perpendicular to the base. The second part 202 may be arranged parallel with the base, as is shown in figure 2A.

According to the invention, third part 203 of the outer surface extends further than the first part 201, in a direction parallel to said base, or in a horizontal direction, for example from said base, from a center of the base 103, or, from a center of first member 101. How much the third part 203 extends further than the first part 201 is indicated by dl in figure 2A.

The inner surface of wall 104 may also be divided into three parts 211, 212, 213, by a plane P2 parallel with said base 103. First part 211 of the inner surface may be connected to an edge of base 103 and may be arranged perpendicular to the base. Second part 212 of the inner surface may be connected to the first part 201 and third part 213, and/or may be arranged between the first and third part of the inner surface. Third part 213 may be connected to the second part 212 and may be arranged perpendicular to the base. The second part may define a step in the inner surface of the wall. The second part 212 may be arranged parallel with the base, as is shown in figure 2A.

The third part 213 of the inner surface may extend further than the first part 211, in a direction parallel to said base, or in a horizontal direction, for example, from said base, from a center of the base 103 or from a center of first member 101. How much the third part 213 extends further than the first part 211 is indicated by d2 in figure 2A.

In the embodiment shown, the distance 1 between the lower side 103b of the base 103 and said plane PI parallel to said base is substantially equal to the distance 1 between the plane PI and the top edge 210 of the wall 104. Thus, when two drainage members having an construction identical to that of the drainage member shown in figure 2A are nested, then the lower side of the base of one of these drainage members will rest on the second part of the inner surface of the wall of the other drainage member, and the second part of the outer surface of said one of the drainage members will rest on the top edge of wall of the other drainage member. Said one of the drainage members is thus supported in at least two different planar surfaces of the other of said drainage members.

Figure 2B shows a schematic overview of a part of another embodiment of the drainage arrangement according to the invention, which may be a part of the embodiment of figure 1. The embodiment of figure 2B is identical to the embodiment of figure 2A, except for the second part 202 of the outer surface and the second part 212 of the inner surface: instead of being arranged in parallel with the base 103 as in figure 2A, they are arranged in a direction defining an angle a with the base 103. The angle a may be in the range of 5-85 degrees, and is preferably in the range of 10 to 80 degrees. The second part 202 and 212 may be defined by two planes P2 and P3, which may be parallel with the base 103.

In general, when a part of the outer (or inner) surface of the wall 104 is arranged parallel with the base, only a single plane may be required for dividing said surface into three parts, instead of two planes. With respect to both figures 2A and 2B, it may the case that dl equals d2. It may be the case that a thickness of the wall between the first part 201 of the outer surface and the first part 211 of the inner surface is equal to d2. It may be the case that a thickness of the wall between the third part 203 of the outer surface and the third part 213 of the inner surface is equal to dl .

The second part 201 of the outer surface and/or the second part 212 of the inner surface or a centre of the second part 201 of the outer surface or the second part 212 of the inner surface may be arranged or located at substantially or about half of a height h of said wall, measured from a bottom of said base in a direction perpendicular to said base.

When the center of second part 202 of the outer surface and the center of second part 211 of the inner surface are arranged or located at different heights, measured in a direction perpendicular from said bottom, the average height of these two centers may be arranged or located at substantially or about half of a height h of said wall, measured in a direction perpendicular from said bottom.

The area of the second part 212 of the inner surface may be substantially equal to an area of the second part 202 of the outer surface.

Figure 2C shows a schematic overview of a part of several embodiments of the drainage arrangement according to the invention, illustrating possible directions in which the first, second and third part of the inner and outer surface may be arranged.

In general, it may be the case that the first part 201 of the outer surface and/or the first part 211 of the inner surface is arranged in a first direction, which is not arranged perpendicular to said base. In that case, the first direction may define an angle γ with the base, as is shown in some embodiments of figure 2C.

Independently of the direction in which the first part 201 of the outer surface and/or the first part 211 of the inner surface is arranged, the third part 203 of the outer surface and/or the third part 213 of the inner surface may arranged in a third direction, which is not perpendicular to said base. In that case, the third direction may define an angle β with the base, as is shown in some embodiments of figure 2C.

The angle γ and/or the angle β may in the range of 0-90 degrees, 5-85 degrees, 10-80 degrees, 40-50 degrees, 75-80 degrees or about 45 degrees. It may be the case that angle γ is equal to the angle β. It may be the case that the first direction is arranged parallel with the third direction.

Furthermore, the second part 202 of the outer surface and/or the second part 212 of the inner surface may be arranged in the second direction, which is not arranged in parallel with the base. In that case, a lower end of the third part 203 of the outer surface and/or a lower end of the third part 213 of the inner surface may be arranged either lower or higher, with respect to the base, than a top end of the first part 201 of the outer surface and/or a top end of the first part 211 of the inner surface. An example of this is shown in figure 2B and in figure 2C.

Figure 3A schematically shows a drainage arrangement comprising a first drainage member 101 and a second drainage member 102 of an identical construction, wherein the second drainage member 102 is nested in the first drainage member 101. The distance 11 between the plane PI and the lower side 103A is slightly less than the distance 12 between the distal edge, or top edge 210 of the wall 104 and said plane PI.

When nested in this manner with the bases 103,103' of the first and second drainage members in a substantially horizontal plane, the second part 202' of the outer surface of the wall 104' of second drainage member 102 is spaced apart from the top edge 210 of the wall 104 of the first drainage member 101, and the planar bottom side 103a' of the second drainage member 102 lies against the second part 212 of the inner surface of the wall 104 of the first drainage member. The second member 102 is thus substantially completely supported by the second part 212 of the first drainage member.

Figure 3B schematically shows another drainage arrangement according to the invention, comprising another first drainage member 101 and another identically shaped second drainage member 102 nested therein. Both the inner and outer surfaces of the wall 104 are divided into first, second and third parts by two (virtual) planes P3,P4 which are parallel to the base 103. In this embodiment, the lower surface 103a' of the base 103' of the second member 102 rests on the second part 212 of the inner surface of the wall 104 of the first member 101. A portion of the second part 202' of the outer surface of the second member 201 rest against the top edge 210 of the wall 104 of the first member. The second member is thus supported both by the top edge 210 of the first member 101, and by the second part 212 of the inner surface of the wall 104 of the first member 102.

Figure 3C schematically shows parts of three embodiments of drainage arrangements according to the present invention. The embodiment on the upper left comprises two identically constructed drainage members 101,102 which are shown in a nested configuration. In this embodiment the first part 201, 201' of the outer surface of the wall of each member, is, when projected onto the base 103,103', spaced apart from the third part 213, 213' of the inner surface of said member.

The third part 213 of the inner surface of the wall 104 of the first drainage member 101 and the first part 201' of the outer surface of the wall 104' of the second drainage member 102 are spaced apart, so that clamping of the second member in the first member is substantially prevented, facilitating unnesting of the first and second members. When nested, the distance between the first part 201' and the third part 213 is preferably relatively small, e.g. less than 5 mm, to at least partially prevent horizontal translation of the first member 101 relative to the second member 102 during transport.

The top edge 210,210' of each member 101, 102 is parallel to its respective second part 202, 202' , and non- parallel to the base. The angle of the top-parts and the second parts helps to keep the first and second member aligned with respect to each other when nested, so that the first part 201' and the third part 213' may remain spaced apart from each other. In the embodiment shown, this angle is about 10 degrees, though any other angle that is non- parallel and non-perpendicular to the base may be used, e.g. any angle between 5 and 85 degrees and 95-175 degrees relative to the base.

The embodiment on the top right in figure 3C comprises two identically constructed drainage members 101,102 which are shown in a nested configuration. In this embodiment, the second member 102 is substantially supported by the first inner surface 211 of the first member 101. The stepped portions 202,202' of said first and second member ensure that third portion 203' of the outer surface of the wall 104' of the second member remains spaced apart from the third portion 213 of the inner surface of the wall 104 of the first member. This again facilitates unnesting of the first and second members. The remaining embodiment of figure 3C comprises two identically constructed drainage members 101,102 which are shown in a nested configuration. Both drainage members 101,102 correspond to the dranaige members shown in the top left of figure 2C.

Figure 4 shows a schematic overview of a nesting of an embodiment of the drainage arrangement according to the invention. In figure 4, first member 101 is nested or, at least partially, inserted, into second member 102. However, according to the invention, second member 102 may also be nested or at least partially inserted into the first member 101.

The third part 203 of the outer surface of the first member 101, the first part 301 of the outer surface of second member 102, the second part 302 of the outer surface of second member 102 and the third part 303 of the outer surface of second member 102 are visible in figure 3. The first part 201 of first member 101 is inserted in the second member 102 and not indicated in figure 3.

Although not indicated in figure 4, the second part 202 of the outer surface of the wall of the first member 103 may at least partially contact the second part 212 of the inner surface of the wall of the second member 102.

In figure 4, the base 103 of the first member 101 and the base 333 of the second member 101 are indicated.

A (transport) height Ht of the first and second member, nested in each other, may be in the range of 1,2 to 1,6 times the height h of one of said first and second member.

When the first and second member are not nested into each other, but stacked on top of each other, the height Ht would be 2 times the height of the one of said first and second member.

Figure 4 also shows that a cone 310 of the second member 102 is partially inserted, or nested, in a cone 107 of the first member 101.

Figure 5 shows a schematic overview of an embodiment of the drainage arrangement according to the invention. The embodiment of figure 5 may correspond to the embodiment of figure 1, but in figure 5 the drainage arrangement is provided with a planar connection plate 401. In figure 5, the connection plate 401 is already connected to first member 101, but the connection plate 401 may also be provided separately from the first and/or second member.

The connection plate 401 may have a first side (not visible in figure 5) and a second side 402, wherein said first side is oppositely facing with respect to said second side.

The connection plate 401 may have a shape, congruent with, corresponding with or substantially identical to the shape of the base 103.

The wall 104 may be connected to the connection plate 401, or in particular to the first side of connection plate 401, by connection members. The second member 102 may be connected to the second side 402 of the connection plate 401, preferably by connection members. The connection members may comprise screws, bolts, or any other connector.

The base 103, the connection plate 401 and/or the wall 104 may comprise openings 410, 411. Some of these openings, for example eight openings 411 in the wall 104, may be handle openings, arranged for receiving a hand of a person. This may facilitate carrying the first member 101. Openings 410 may be arranged for receiving a tube.

When a tube to be connected to the drainage body has a larger diameter than any of the available openings, a connector may be provided, which may be arranged for connecting said tube with two or more of said openings, for example with an opening 410 and a handle opening 411.

Figure 6 shows a schematic overview of an embodiment of the drainage arrangement according to the invention, in which a drainage body 501 is formed by the first member 101, the second member 102, and the connection plate 401.

However, a drainage body 501 may also be formed by the first member 101 and the second member 102, without the connection plate 401. In that case, the first member 101 is directly connected to the second member 102.

In general, in the formed drainage body 501, the first member 101 and the second member 102 may face each other with their open side. In that case, the base of the first member 101 may form the bottom of the drainage body 501, while the base of the second member 102 may form the top of the drainage body 501. The walls of the first and second member may form the side walls of the drainage body.

The drainage body may have an operational volume, defined among others by the height Ho of the drainage body. The height Ht of the first and second member, nested in each other, may be in the range of 0,6 to 0,9 of height Ho the drainage body.

Therefore, the operational volume of the drainage body 501 may be much larger that the transport volume of the nested first member 101 and second member 102, with optionally the connection plate 401.

Figure 7 shows a schematic overview of a part of an embodiment of the drainage arrangement according to the invention. In figure 7 a part of two drainage bodies 501 and 601 is shown, wherein the first drainage body 501 and the second drainage body 601 are arranged in a row.

With respect to the first drainage body 501, the connection plate 401, the first part 201 and the third part 203 of the outer surface of the wall, and the base 103 of the first/second member are indicated.

With respect to the second drainage body 601, the connection plate 602, the first part 603 and the third part 604 of the outer surface of the wall, and the base 605 of the first/second member are indicated.

The first drainage body 501 may be connected to the second drainage body 601 by further connection members 610. In particular, the connection members 610 may be arranged for connecting a base 103 with another base 605. The base and the other base may be arranged in a stack or in a row, that is: the base and the other base may be stacked upon each other facing each other, or may be arranged side to side with each other.

The third parts 203 and 604 may be in direct contact with each other, when the two drainage bodies are arranged in a row. Because of the difference dl, as explained above, a space 615 may be formed between the first and second drainage body.

The further connection member may be arranged for for at least partially filling said space 615, preferably the portion of said space 615 between the base 103 of the first drainage body and the other base 605 of the second drainage body.

In figure 7, it can be seen that the connection member 610 partially fills the space between the base 103 and the base 605.

In summary, the invention may be described as relating to a drainage arrangement, comprising at least a first member and a second member. The first and second members are adapted to form a drainage body together and to be nested in each other. Each member of the first and second member comprises a substantially planar base and a wall having an outer surface, which is divided into a first part, a second part and a third part. The first part is connected to an edge of said base and arranged in a first direction. The second part is connected to said first and third part and arranged in a second direction, different from said first direction. The third part is arranged in a third first direction, different from said second direction, and extends further than said first part in a direction parallel to said base.

It is to be understood that the above description is included to illustrate the operation of the preferred embodiments and is not meant to limit the scope of the invention. From the above discussion, many variations will be apparent to one skilled in the art that would yet be encompassed by the spirit and scope of the present invention .

Claims

C L A I M S

1. Drainage arrangement (101,102) for forming a drainage body (501), comprising at least a first member (101) and a second member (102), which are adapted to form said drainage body (501) together,

wherein each of the first and second member is arranged to be nested in the other of the first and second member; and, wherein each member of the first and second member comprises:

- a substantially planar base (103); and, - a wall (104) having an outer surface, characterized in that said outer surface is divided into a first part (201), a second part (202) and a third part (203) by at least one plane (PI; P3,P4) parallel to said base (103),

wherein said first part (201) is connected to an edge of said base (103) and arranged in a first direction, said second part (202) is connected to said first and third part and arranged in a second direction, different from said first direction, and said third part (203) is arranged in a third direction, different from said second direction; and,

wherein said third part (203) extends further than said first part (201) in a direction parallel to said base (103) .

2. Drainage arrangement according to claim 1, wherein said second direction is substantially parallel to said base (103) .

3. Drainage arrangement according to claim 1, wherein said second direction defines an angle (a) with said base in the range of 10-80 degrees.

4. Drainage arrangement according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said third direction is arranged parallel with the first direction.

5. Drainage arrangement according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said first part and said third part extend substantially normal to the base, and the second part extends substantially parallel to the base.

6. Drainage arrangement according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first member (101) and the second member (102) have the same shape.

7. Drainage arrangement according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each of the first and second member is adapted to be nested in the other of the first and second member with both members having the same orientation .

8. Drainage arrangement according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein a height (Ht) of the first and second member together, when nested in each other, is in the range of 1,2 to 1,6 times the height (h) of one of said first and second member

9. Drainage arrangement according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein a height (Ht) of the first and second member together, when nested in each other, is in the range of 0,6 to 0,9 times the height (HO) of the drainage body (501) .

10. Drainage arrangement according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein for each of said first and second member, the base and the third part, when seen in projection on a plane parallel to the base, do not overlap.

11. Drainage arrangement according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a planar connection plate (401) arranged for connecting the first member (101) with the second member (102) in order to form said drainage body.

12. Drainage arrangement according to claim 11, further comprising connection members (601) for connecting the wall (104) of the first member (101) to a first side of the planar connection plate (401) and/or for connecting the wall of the second member (102) to a second side of the planar connection plate (401), wherein said first side is oppositely facing with respect to said second side.

13. Drainage arrangement according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising further connection members (610) for connecting the base (103) of the first or second member of a first drainage body (501) to the base of the first or second member of a second drainage body.

14. Drainage arrangement according to claim 13, wherein said further connection members (610) are arranged for at least partially filling a space (615) between one of the first parts (201) of the outer surface of the first drainage body (501) and one of the first parts (201) of the outer surface of the second drainage body.

15. Drainage arrangement according any one of the preceding claims, wherein said first part (201) is connected with said edge of said base (103) along substantially an entire perimeter of said base.

16. Drainage arrangement according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the base (103) and the wall (104) are made as a single object, for example by using a mould.

17. Drainage arrangement according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the third part extends further than said first part in a direction parallel to said base from a center of said base.

18. Drainage arrangement according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the outer surface of the wall has a stepped shape, wherein the second part (202) defines the step.

19. Drainage arrangement according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first member comprises a first hollow column and the second member comprises a second hollow column, wherein each of said first and second column is adapted to be nested in the other of said first and second column.

20. Drainage arrangement according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first member comprises a first truncated hollow cone and the second member comprises a second truncated hollow cone, wherein each of said first and second cone is adapted to be nested in the other of said first and second cone.

21. Drainage arrangement according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the base is a substantially rectangular or square base with four edges, wherein the first part of the outer surface of the wall comprises at least two sides which are connected to two corresponding edges of said four edges of the base.

22. Drainage arrangement according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said first member (101) and said second member (102) together form said drainage body (501) .

23. Drainage arrangement according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising multiple drainage bodies which together form a drainage system.

24. Drainage arrangement according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said second part is located at substantially half of a height of said wall, measured from a bottom of said base in a direction perpendicular to said base.

25. Drainage arrangement according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said wall (104) further comprises an inner surface, which inner surface is divided into a first part (211), a second part (212) and a third part (213) by at least one further plane (P2), wherein said first, second and third part of the inner surface of said wall are arranged oppositely facing with respect to the first, second and third part of said outer surface, wherein the third part (213) of the inner surface of said wall extends further than the first part (211) of the inner surface of said wall in a direction parallel to said base, preferably from said base or from a center of said base, or, from a center of said (first or second) member.

26. Drainage arrangement according to claim 25, wherein, when viewed in projection on a plane parallel to the base, the first part (201) of the outer surface is spaced apart from the third part (213) of the inner surface .

27. Drainage arrangement according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said wall (104) comprises a distal edge (210), wherein said distal edge (210) is parallel to said second part (202) of said outer surface and non-parallel to said base.

28. Drainage arrangement according to at least the preamble of claim 1, wherein said wall has an inner surface, characterized in that said inner surface is divided into a first part (211), a second part (212) and a third part (213) by at least one plane parallel to said base (103),

wherein said first part (211) is connected to said base (103) and arranged in a first direction, said second part (212) is connected to said first and third part and arranged in a second direction, different from said first direction, and said third part (213) is arranged in a third direction, different from said second direction; and, wherein said third part (213) extends further than said first part (211) in a direction parallel to said base (103) .

29. Drainage arrangement member (101), adapted to form a drainage body (501) together with another drainage arrangement member (102), wherein said member (101) is arranged to be nested in said other member (102); and, wherein said member (101) comprises:

- a substantially planar base (103); and, - a wall (104) having an outer surface, which outer surface is divided into a first part (201), a second part (202) and a third part (203) by at least one plane (PI; P3,P4) parallel to said base,

wherein said first part (201) is connected to an edge of said base (103) and arranged in a first direction, said second part (202) is connected to said first and third part and arranged in a second direction, different from said first direction, and third part (203) is arranged in a third direction, different from said second direction; and, wherein said third part (203) extends further than said first part (201) in a direction parallel to said base (103) .

30. Method for stacking a first member (101) of a drainage arrangement (501) according to any one of claims 1-28 in a second member (102) of said drainage arrangement.

31. Method according to claim 28, wherein the second part (202) of the outer surface of the first member

(101) is brought into contact with a second part (212) of the inner surface of the second member (102) .

32. Method for constructing a drainage body (501) using a drainage arrangement according to any one of claims 1-28, comprising the step of connecting the wall (104) of the first member (101) with the wall (104) of the second member (102) in order to construct a drainage body (501), preferably using connection members.

33. Method according to claim 32, further comprising the step of connecting the wall (104) of the first member (101) to a first side of a planar connection plate (401) and connecting the wall (104) of the second member (102) to a second side of said planar connection plate, wherein said first side is oppositely facing with respect to said second side.

34. Method according to claim 32 or 33, further comprising the step of connecting said drainage body to another drainage body, preferably using further connection members .

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