WO2020215119A1

WO2020215119A1 - Fluid reservoir modular construction system

Info

Publication number: WO2020215119A1
Application number: PCT/AU2020/050390
Authority: WO
Inventors: Wayne Andrew VICK
Original assignee: Vick Wayne Andrew
Priority date: 2019-04-23
Filing date: 2020-04-22
Publication date: 2020-10-29

Abstract

Provided is a fluid reservoir module comprising a reservoir fluid housing shaped and configured according to an in-situ position thereof within a construction, said housing defining at least one fluid inlet port and outlet port. Also included are at least one locating boss and boss indentation defined on said housing, wherein the ports, boss and indentation, when the module is laid-in with a plurality of similar modules in a masonry-like manner, complementarily engages with similar ports, indentations and bosses of abutting modules to form an interconnected construction where the respective fluid housings are arranged in fluid communication to form a fluid reservoir.

Description

FLUID RESERVOIR MODULAR CONSTRUCTION SYSTEM

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] This invention relates to the general field of water tanks and water storage, and specifically to a fluid reservoir module and associated fluid reservoir modular construction system.

BACKGROUND ART

[0002] The following discussion of the background art is intended to facilitate an understanding of the present invention only. The discussion is not an acknowledgement or admission that any of the material referred to is or was part of the common general knowledge as at the priority date of the application.

[0003] Water storage tanks are known in the art and have been used since antiquity for water storage. A water tank is a container for storing water. Water tanks are used to provide storage of water for use in many applications, such as drinking water, irrigation, agriculture, fire suppression, farming - both for plants and livestock, chemical manufacturing, food preparation, as well as many other uses.

[0004] In general, water tank design parameters include the overall design of the tank and choice of construction materials and linings. Various materials are used for making a water tank, such as plastics (polyethylene, polypropylene) , fiberglass, concrete, stone, steel (welded or bolted, carbon, or stainless), etc. Earthen pots may also function as water storages . [0005] A rainwater tank is a water tank used to collect and store rainwater runoff, typically from rooftops via pipes. Rainwater tanks are devices for collecting and maintaining harvested rain. Rainwater tanks are installed to make use of rain water for later use, reduce mains water use for economic or environmental reasons, and aid self- sufficiency. Stored water may be used for watering gardens, agriculture, flushing toilets, in washing machines, washing cars, and also for drinking, especially when other water supplies are unavailable, expensive, or of poor quality, and when adequate care is taken that the water is not contaminated and is adequately filtered.

[0006] Applicant has identified a need in the art for practical fluid storage capability which also provides other uses. The current invention was conceived with this goal in mind .

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] The skilled addressee is to appreciate that reference herein to a 'construction' generally refers to any construction made from a plurality of similar or semi-similar units, such as bricks used in masonry, that are useable to construct a structure, like a wall, building, or the like. Such a construction may include or exclude the use of a mortar-like substance between such units, such as mortar, adhesive, etc.

[0008] According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a fluid reservoir module comprising: a reservoir fluid housing shaped and configured according to an in-situ position thereof within a construction, said housing defining at least one fluid inlet port and outlet port; and

at least one locating boss and boss indentation defined on said housing;

wherein the ports, boss and indentation, when the module is laid-in with a plurality of similar modules in a masonry like manner, complementarily engages with similar ports, indentations and bosses of abutting modules to form an interconnected construction where the respective fluid housings are arranged in fluid communication to form a fluid reservoir .

[0009] Typically, the reservoir fluid housing is shaped and configured according to an in-situ position according to a weight or mass that said housing is to bear within the construction .

[0010] Accordingly, the reservoir fluid housing is selected from a non-exhaustive group consisting of a brick like housing, a foundation stone-like housing, a covering housing, and an opening frame-like housing.

[0011] Typically, the reservoir fluid housing is manufactured from a polymer material, e.g. food-grade plastics, or the like.

[0012] In an embodiment, the polymer material is translucent or transparent to allow visual inspection of a level of fluid therein. [0013] Typically, each inlet and/or outlet port comprises a shut-off valve configured to open only once complementarily engaged with an associated outlet or inlet port, respectively .

[0014] According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a fluid reservoir modular construction system comprising :

a plurality of fluid reservoir modules in accordance with the first aspect of the invention; and

at least one support configured to support a plurality of said modules in a particular orientation with respect to each other and a supporting surface.

[0015] Typically, the support is configured to support the modules by operatively mounting to said modules.

[0016] Typically, the support is configured to mount to the modules via attachment means.

[0017] Typically, the attachment means is selected from a non-exhaustive group consisting of interference-fit connector, threaded engager, adhesive, etc.

[0018] Accordingly, the support is selected from a non- exhaustive group consisting of a post, a pillar, a beam, a foundation, and a lintel.

[0019] According to a third aspect of the invention there is provided a construction constructed from the fluid reservoir modular construction system in accordance with the second aspect of the invention. [0020] According to a fourth aspect of the invention there is provided a method for constructing a construction, said method comprising the steps of:

providing a fluid reservoir modular construction system in accordance with the second aspect of the invention; and interconnecting said modules operatively supported by the support to form a construction.

[0021] Typically, the method includes the step of connecting a fluid pump to an outlet port of a module.

[0022] Typically, the method includes the step of arranging an inlet port of a module in fluid connection with a fluid harvesting arrangement, such as a gutter arrangement, or the like.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The description will be made with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a diagrammatic perspective-view representation of a construction, such as a retaining wall, comprising a plurality of fluid reservoir modules in accordance with aspects of the present invention;

Figure 2 is a diagrammatic front-view representation of the construction of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a diagrammatic side sectional-view representation of a lower portion of the construction of Figure 1; Figure 4 is a diagrammatic front sectional-view representation of an upper portion of the construction of Figure 1; and

Figure 5 is a diagrammatic perspective-view representation of different types of reservoir fluid housings of said modules which are shaped and configured according to an in-situ position according to a weight or mass that said housing is to bear within the construction.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0023] Further features of the present invention are more fully described in the following description of several non limiting embodiments thereof. This description is included solely for the purposes of exemplifying the present invention to the skilled addressee. It should not be understood as a restriction on the broad summary, disclosure or description of the invention as set out above. In the figures, incorporated to illustrate features of the example embodiment or embodiments, like reference numerals are used to identify like parts throughout.

[0024] Referring now the accompanying figures, there is generally shown a construction 22 which is formed from a plurality of fluid reservoir modules 10, as shown.

[0025] In general, each such module 10 comprises a reservoir fluid housing 12 which is shaped and configured according to an in-situ position thereof within the construction 22. The housing 12 typically defines at least one fluid inlet port 14 and outlet port 16, and at least one locating boss 18 and boss indentation 20 defined on the housing 12, as shown.

[0026] In this manner, when the module 10 is laid-in with a plurality of similar modules in a masonry-like manner, as shown, to form construction 22, the ports 14 and 16, boss 18 and indentation 20 complementarily engage with similar and corresponding ports 16 and 14, indentations 20 and bosses 18 of abutting modules 10 to form an interconnected construction 22 where the respective fluid housings 12 are arranged in fluid communication to form a fluid reservoir.

[0027] For example, a plurality of modules 10 can be laid- in or arranged to form any manner of desired construction 22, such as a retaining wall, a building, a roof, etc. The skilled addressee is to appreciate that each module interconnects both structurally (to form the construction 22) and fluidly via ports 14 and 16 to form a larger reservoir. In this manner, a large volume of fluid can be stored or sequestered as part of a practical and useful construction 22.

[0028] The reservoir fluid housing 12 is typically shaped and configured according to an in-situ position according to a weight or mass that said housing is to bear within the construction 22. Accordingly, depending on construction type, and as shown in Figure 5, the reservoir fluid housing 12 may include a brick-like housing 12.1, a foundation stone-like housing 12.2 and 12.3, a covering housing (useable to form roof-like structures, for example) , and an opening frame-like housing (useable to form windows and doors, or the like) , etc . [0029] In such an embodiment, the foundation stone-like housing 12.2 and 12.3 is typically sturdier and able to bear more weight or mass, while the brick-like housing 12.1 may be used as general construction element supported by the foundation stone-like housings 12.2 and 12.3, or the like. The skilled addressee will appreciate that variations hereon are possible and within the scope of the present invention.

[0030] In one embodiment, the reservoir fluid housing 12 is manufactured from a polymer material, e.g. food-grade plastics, or the like. Such a polymer material may be translucent or transparent to allow visual inspection of a level of fluid therein, or the material may be opaque.

[0031] Typically, each inlet and/or outlet port 14, 16 comprises a shut-off valve 24 which is configured to open only once complementarily engaged with an associated outlet or inlet port, respectively. Such valves are known in the art and will not be described in detail herein.

[0032] In light of the above, the invention includes a fluid reservoir modular construction system 26 which generally comprises a plurality of fluid reservoir modules 10 and at least one support 28 which is configured to support a plurality of said modules in a particular orientation with respect to each other and a supporting surface 8. Accordingly, the support 28 may include a post, a pillar, a beam, a foundation, and a lintel. Variations hereon are possible and within the scope of the present invention.

[0033] The support 28 is typically configured to support the modules 10 by operatively mounting to said modules. In one embodiment, the support 28 is configured to mount to the modules 28 via suitable attachment means 30, such as an interference-fit connector, a threaded engager, adhesive, etc .

[0034] The present invention also includes an associated method for constructing a construction 22, said method generally comprising the steps of providing a fluid reservoir modular construction system 26 as described herein and interconnecting said modules 10 operatively supported by the support 28 to form the construction 22.

[0035] The method may include the step of connecting a fluid pump to an outlet port of a module, e.g. a pump for pumping stored fluid from the reservoir. The method also typically includes the step of arranging an inlet port 14 of a module 10 in fluid connection with a fluid harvesting arrangement, such as a gutter system of a building, or the like .

[0036] Applicant believes is particularly advantageous that the present invention provides for a means whereby a useful construction can be constructed according to requirements wherein said construction is also able to function as an interconnected fluid reservoir without interfering with such use thereof.

[0037] Optional embodiments of the present invention may also be said to broadly consist in the parts, elements and features referred to or indicated herein, individually or collectively, in any or all combinations of two or more of the parts, elements or features, and wherein specific integers are mentioned herein which have known equivalents in the art to which the invention relates, such known equivalents are deemed to be incorporated herein as if individually set forth. In the example embodiments, well- known processes, well-known device structures, and well-known technologies are not described in detail, as such will be readily understood by the skilled addressee.

[ 0038 ] The use of the terms "a", "an", "said", "the", and/or similar referents in the context of describing various embodiments (especially in the context of the claimed subject matter) are to be construed to cover both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. The terms "comprising," "having," "including, " and "containing" are to be construed as open- ended terms (i.e., meaning "including, but not limited to,") unless otherwise noted. As used herein, the term "and/or" includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed subject matter as essential to the practice of the claimed subject matter .

[ 0039 ] Spatially relative terms, such as "inner, " "outer, " "beneath, " "below, " "lower, " "above, " "upper, " and the like, may be used herein for ease of description to describe one element or feature's relationship to another element (s) or feature (s) as illustrated in the figures. Spatially relative terms may be intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if the device in the figures is turned over, elements described as "below" or "beneath" other elements or features would then be oriented "above" the other elements or features. Thus, the example term "below" can encompass both an orientation of above and below. The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein interpreted accordingly.

[ 0040 ] It is to be appreciated that reference to "one example" or "an example" of the invention, or similar exemplary language (e.g., "such as") herein, is not made in an exclusive sense. Various substantially and specifically practical and useful exemplary embodiments of the claimed subject matter are described herein, textually and/or graphically, for carrying out the claimed subject matter.

[ 0041 ] Accordingly, one example may exemplify certain aspects of the invention, whilst other aspects are exemplified in a different example. These examples are intended to assist the skilled person in performing the invention and are not intended to limit the overall scope of the invention in any way unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Variations (e.g. modifications and/or enhancements) of one or more embodiments described herein might become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading this application. The inventor (s) expects skilled artisans to employ such variations as appropriate, and the inventor (s) intends for the claimed subject matter to be practiced other than as specifically described herein.

[ 0042 ] Any method steps, processes, and operations described herein are not to be construed as necessarily requiring their performance in the particular order discussed or illustrated, unless specifically identified as an order of performance. It is also to be understood that additional or alternative steps may be employed.

Claims

1. A fluid reservoir module comprising:

a reservoir fluid housing shaped and configured according to an in-situ position thereof within a construction, said housing defining at least one fluid inlet port and outlet port; and

at least one locating boss and boss indentation defined on said housing;

2. The module of claim 1, wherein the reservoir fluid housing is shaped and configured according to an in-situ position according to a weight or mass that said housing is to bear within the construction.

3. The module of claim 1 or 2, wherein the reservoir fluid housing is selected from a non-exhaustive group consisting of a brick-like housing, a foundation stone-like housing, a covering housing, and an opening frame-like housing.

4. The module of any of claims 1 to 3, wherein the reservoir fluid housing is manufactured from a polymer material, such as food-grade plastics, or the like.

5. The module of any of claims 1 to 3, wherein the polymer material is translucent or transparent to allow visual inspection of a level of fluid therein.

6. The module of any of claims 1 to 3, wherein each inlet and/or outlet port comprises a shut-off valve configured to open only once complementarily engaged with an associated outlet or inlet port, respectively.

7. A fluid reservoir modular construction system comprising :

a plurality of fluid reservoir modules in accordance with any of claims 1 to 6; and

8. The system of claim 7, wherein the support is configured to support the modules by operatively mounting to said modules .

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the support is configured to mount to the modules via attachment means.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein the attachment means is selected from a non-exhaustive group consisting of an interference-fit connector, a threaded engager, and an adhesive .

11. The system of claim 7, wherein the support is selected from a non-exhaustive group consisting of a post, a pillar, a beam, a foundation, and a lintel.

12. A construction constructed from the fluid reservoir modular construction system in accordance with any of claims 7 to 11.

13. A method for constructing a construction, said method comprising the steps of:

providing a fluid reservoir modular construction system in accordance with any of claims 7 to 11; and

interconnecting said modules operatively supported by the support to form a construction.

14. The method of claim 13, which includes the step of connecting a fluid pump to an outlet port of a module.

15. The method of either of claims 13 or 14, which includes the step of arranging an inlet port of a module in fluid connection with a fluid harvesting arrangement, such as a gutter system.