[0001] The present invention relates to a portable water catchment system. Description of the Prior Art

[0002] It has become standard practice to collect rain water from the rooves of our buildings to help preserve and collect water, a precious resource. We have been limited by the surface area of our house or building and its location. It would be desirable to overcome the limitation of the size of our building structures and the lack of portability of the catchment area, so that rainwater can be collected, in more diverse situations, such as hiking, camping., domestic, gardening, farming, disaster relief, military operations, or the like.

[0003] Some previous attempts at providing a portable water catchment arrangement have involved suspending a sheet of water resistant material above the ground, to thereby provide an elevated and sloped catchment area for collecting rainwater. Usually these arrangements rely on a hole in the sheet or sagging of the sheet to direct the collected water into a reservoir positioned beneath a low point in the sheet. Whilst the sheet alone may be highly portable, the user will typically need to carry suitable supports such as tent poles for suspending the sheet whenever natural supports such as trees are unavailable This can greatly impact on the portability of the overall arrangement. Furthermore, a suspended sheet can also be highly susceptible to being damaged or lost in high winds.

[0004] US6818127 discloses a rain collection system for collecting and storing rainwater. The rain collection system includes a collection assembly being designed for being positioned on a support surface. The collection assembly is designed for collecting rain that has fallen on the support surface. A storage assembly has a tank. The tank is in fluid communication with the collection assembly whereby rain collected by the collection assembly is stored in the tank of the storage assembly for use by the user. A filtration assembly is in fluid communication between the collection assembly to the storage assembly. The filtration assembly is designed for filtering contaminates from the rain being transferred from the collection assembly to the storage assembly. [0005| The reference in this specification to any prior publication (or information derived from it), or to any matter which is known, is not, and should not be taken as an acknowledgment or admission or any form of suggestion that the prior publication (or information derived from it) or known matter forms part of the common general knowledge in the field of endeavour to which this specification relates.

Summary of the Present Invention

|0006| In a first broad form the present invention seeks to provide a portable water catchment system including:

a) a flexible sheet of water resistant material for defining a water catchment area over an area of ground;

b) a barrier around a perimeter of the sheet, wherein the barrier is formed integrally with the sheet and moveable between a raised position for retaining water within the water catchment area and a lowered position for allowing the sheet to be converted into a portable form; and,

c) an outlet in the barrier for allowing water to flow to a reservoir connected to the outlet.

[0007| Typically the barrier includes walls extending from the sheet, the barrier being moved into the lowered position by folding the walls onto the sheet.

[0008] Typically the walls include support points for allowing the walls to be supported away from the sheet when the barrier is in the raised position.

[0009] Typically the system includes pegs for anchoring the sheet to the ground, the support points being configured to allow the walls to be supported by the pegs.

[0010J Typically each support point includes a loop for connecting to a respective peg.

[0011] Typically each peg includes a retaining member for retaining the loop.

[0012] Typically the walls include support clips for supporting the walls when the barrier is in the raised position. [0013| Typically each clip includes a first leg coupled to the sheet and a second leg coupled to a respective wall, the legs being pivotally connected and moveable between a closed state when the barrier is in the lowered position and an open state when the barrier is in the raised position.

[0014] Typically each clip has a lockable pivot for locking the legs in the open state for allowing the walls to be supported away from the sheet when die barrier is in the raised position.

(0015] Typically the pivot is automatically locked when the legs are moved from the closed state to the open state and the pivot is unlocked by positively moving the second leg in an unlocking direction.

[0016] Typically the barrier is inflatable.

[0017] Typically the barrier includes an inflatable tube such that when the inflatable tube is inflated the barrier is moved into the raised position and when the inflatable tube is deflated the barrier is moved into the lowered position.

[001$] Typically the system includes anchoring points around the perimeter of the sheet for allowing the sheet to be anchored to the ground.

(0019| Typically the anchoring points are eyelets.

[0020] Typically the eyelets are installed in folded edges of the sheet outside the barrier.

[0021 [ Typically the system includes a funnel for directing water to the outlet,

[0022| Typically the funnel is provided at a corner of the barrier such that water is directed into the funnel by the barrier.

[0023] Typically the funnel is provided as a separate funnel component, the funnel component including:

a) a connector aligned with the outlet for allowing a conduit to be connected to the connector, the conduit being for allowing the water to flow into the reservoir; and, b) sidewalls for mating to respective barrier portions, the sidewalls channelling water to the connector.

|0024| Typically the sheet is reconfigurable to allow the sheet to be worn as a poncho.

[0025) Typically over a wearer's head when the sheet is worn as a poncho and the seal is closed when the sheet is used to define a water catchment area.

[0026) Typically the closable seal includes a zipper.

[0027] Typically the sheet includes a hood extending from the head opening, the hood being located on an underside of the sheet when the sheet is used to define a water catchment area.

[0028) Typically the hood is configured to allow the sheet to be packaged inside the hood with the seal being closed to retain the sheet within the hood.

[0029) Typically the system includes:

a) the reservoir; and,

b) a conduit for connecting the outlet to the reservoir. [0030] Typically the sheet is formed from tarpaulin.

[0031| In a second broad form the present invention seeks to provide a portable water catchment system including:

a) a flexible water catchment area made of a material that can be folded for packaging and portability and that is waterproof to enable the collection of water; and, b) a barrier around the perimeter of the water catchment area to ensure that collected water does not escape the water catchment area, wherein one section of the barrier opens into a funnel to channel the collected water into a tube or pipe.

[0032) Typically the flexible catchment area is made of tarpaulin.

[0033) Typically the barrier is inflatable.

[0034] Typically the system includes fixing points around the outermost perimeter of the water catchment area. [0035| Typically the fixing points are eyelets.

[0036] Typically the eyelets allow the water catchment area to be pegged to the ground or connected to a structure to allow a slope to be created for the collected water to flow

[0037) Typically the runnel is located at a lowest point of the water catchment area for allowing the collected water to channel through the funnel.

[0038] Typically the tube or pipe from the funnel connects to a temporary water receptacle.

[0039) Typically the water receptacle is a water tight box or a water bladder.

|0040| Typically the water receptacle is housed within a carrier, the carrier being large enough so that all parts of the system would fit within the carrier for portability.

[0041) Typically the carrier has wheels and a handle.

[0042] Typically the carrier has extra capacity to hold a pump and at least one of batteries and solar panels to power the pump.

[0043] Typically the water receptacle is placed in one of a toughened bag, a holdall and a backpack.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0044) An example of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: -

[0045) Figure 1 A is a perspective view of an example of a portable water catchment system including a catchment sheet having barriers in a raised position;

[0046) Figure IB is a plan view of the catchment sheet of Figure IB having barriers in a lowered position;

[0047J Figure 2A is a plan view of an example of a catchment sheet having barriers in a raised position;

[0048J Figure 2B is a cross section view of tire catchment sheet of Figure 2A; [0049| Figure 3 A is a perspective view of an example of a funnel insert for use with the catchment sheet of Figure 2A;

[0050| Figure 3B is a cross section view of the funnel insert of Figure 3A;

[00511 Figure 4A is a front view of an example of a peg for use with the catchment sheet of Figure 2A;

[00521 Figure 4B is a side view of the peg of Figure 4 A; [0053) Figure 4C is a top view of the peg of Figure 4A;

|0054| Figure 5 A is a cross section view of a first example of a barrier in a lowered position;

|0055| Figure 5B is a cross section view of the barrier of Figure 5 A in a raised position;

[0056] Figure 6A is a cross section view of a second example of a barrier in a lowered position;

[0057] Figure 6B is a cross section view of the barrier of Figure 6A of in a raised position;

[0058[ Figure 7A is a cross section view of a third example of a barrier in a lowered position;

[0059] Figure 7B is a cross section view of the barrier of Figure 7A in a raised position;

|0060| Figure 7C is a perspective view of a portion of the barrier of Figure 7A in the raised position;

[006:1] Figure 8A is a front view of an poncho that can be deployed as a catchment sheet;

[0062] Figure 8B is a side view of the poncho of Figure 8A in a storage configuration;

[0063] Figure 8C is a plan view of the poncho of Figure 8A deployed as a catchment sheet having barriers in a lowered position;

[0064] Figure 8D is a plan view of an example of a water catchment system using the poncho of Figure 8C as a catchment sheet having barri ers in a rai sed position; [0065| Figure 9 is another example of a catchment sheet;

[0066] Figure 10 is an example of a carrier including a water container; and,

[0067] Figure 1 1 is an example of a water catchment system including the catchment sheet of Figure 9 and the water carrier of Figure 10.

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments

[0068] An example of a portable water catchment system 100 will now be described with reference to Figures 1A and IB.

[0069] The portable water catchment system 100 includes a flexible sheet 110 of water resistant material for defining a water catchment area 101 over an area of ground. A barrier 111 is provided around a perimeter of the sheet 11.0. The barrier 111 is formed integrally with the sheet 1 10 and moveable between a raised position for retaining water within the water catchment area 101 (as shown in Figure 1 A) and a lowered position for allowing the sheet to be converted into a portable form (as shown in Figure IB). An outlet 120 is provided in the barrier 110 for allowing water to flow to a reservoir 140 connected to the outlet.

[0070] Forming the barrier 111 integrally with the flexible sheet 110 and allowing the barrier to be moved between the raised and lowered position facilitates the portability of the system 100 by readily permitting conversion of the sheet 1 10 into a portable form such as by folding, rolling or otherwise collapsing the sheet 110 into a relatively small volume compared to the size of the water catchment area. It will be appreciated that this arrangement may provide portability approaching that of a sheet without a barrier yet provide a significantly more effective water catchment capability by having the barrier retain water within the water catchment area in use. Furthermore, the barrier 111 allows deployment of the sheet 110 directly onto the ground without water being lost around the perimeter of the sheet 110, due to uneven slope or the like.

[0071] As mentioned above, the barrier 111 serves a primary function of retaining water within the water catchment area 101, which allows the water to flow through the outlet 120 rather than flow off the perimeter of the sheet 1 10. However, the barrier 1 1 1 also advantageously helps to prevent contaminants from entering the water catchment area 101 fiom the surrounding area. For example, the barrier 111 may prevent dirt or organic matter from being washed onto the water catchment area 101 due to water flowing over the ground uphill from the sheet 1 10. This can help to ensure that the system 100 mainly collects clean rain water falling onto the water catchment area 101 rather than contaminated water flows across the ground. This can reduce the chance of blockage of the outlet 120 and reduce the need for filtering the col I ected water to remove contaminants.

[0072J The integral construction of the barrier 111 removes the need for carrying separate barrier members, and further allows for rapid deployment of the sheet 110 over the ground. When in the lowered position, the barrier 11 1 will typically have flexibility similar to that of the sheet 110 to allow easy conversion into the portable form. In this example, when in the lowered position the barrier 111 is folded down onto the sheet 1 10 as shown in Figure IB. The sheet 1 10 and its folded barrier 111 may then be folded into a smaller size, such as by folding along the fold lines 103 indicated in Figure IB. It should be appreciated that the fold lines 103 of Figure IB are indicative only and are not intended to limit the folding pattern that may be used. For instance, in some examples, die fold lines 103 may run diagonally with respect to the sheet 110, which can assist in causing any residual water to flow from the water catchment surface 101 to the outlet 120 as the sheet 1 10 is folded. It should also be appreciated that folding of the sheet 110 is not essential and the sheet 110 may be placed into other portable forms depending on transportation requirements or the like.

[00731 Anchoring points 1 13 may be optionally provided around the perimeter of the sheet 1 10 for allowing the sheet 1 10 to be anchored to the ground. In this example, the anchoring points 113 are arranged around an outer lip 112 of the sheet 1 10 which extends beyond the barrier 1 11. Each anchoring point 113 may be provided, for example, in the form of an eyelet for allowing a peg to be driven into the ground through the eyelet, to thereby anchor the sheet 1 10. However, it should be appreciated that dedicated anchoring points 1 13 are not essential . In some intended applications, anchoring may not be needed, such that anchoring points 113 may be omitted from the sheet 1 10. Alternatively, embodiments of the sheet 110 may allow an anchoring material like dirt or rocks to be placed on the outer lip 1 12, to thereby anchor the sheet 110 without requiring anchoring points 113. [0074| The system 100 will typically include the reservoir 140 and a conduit 130 for connecting the outlet 120 to the reservoir 140. However, in some examples, the reservoir 140 may be connected directly to the outlet 120 without the use of a conduit 130. In any event, the reservoir 140 may be provided in a range of different forms depending on requirements such as portability, water storage capacity, durability and the like. A filter may be optionally provided at the outlet 120, in the conduit 130, or at the entry to the reservoir 140, for filtering contaminants from the water.

[0075] The conduit 130 may be provided in the form of a pipe, hose, tube or even as an open channel in some scenarios. Although the conduit 130 shown in Figure 1 A has been depicted as having a relatively short length, it should be understood that any length of conduit 130 may be used to allow water to flow from the water catchment area 110 to any desired location, such as a camping site, which may be some distance away from the water catchment area 110, but usually downhill from the water catchment area 110 to promote water flow through the conduit 130. The conduit 130 will preferably be sufficiently flexible to allow the tube to be stowed in a coiled configuration or in some other other portable form.

[00761 ^on ¾ example, the reservoir 140 may include a flexible bladder which may enable compact storage when the reservoir 140 is emptied of water. It will be appreciated that this can facilitate further improved portability. In this form, the reservoir 140 may be stored in a backpack which may include additional capacity for storing the sheet 110 in a folded portable form, along with the conduit 130, allowing the complete system 100 to be easily carried.

[0077] In other examples, the reservoir 140 may include a rigid or semi-rigid water container. The container may be provided specifically for use as the reservoir 140 or an existing container such as a bottle or a jug may be repurposed if required. As will be discussed in a later example, the reservoir 140 may be provided in a portable carrier which may be provided with wheels for enabling transport of quantities of water that may not be feasible for a user to carry by hand.

[0078) The sheet 110 may be formed from any water resistant material with sufficient flexibility to allow conversion to a portable fonn. The water resistant material may be a single layer of a polymer either as a planar sheet or woven fabric. Alternatively, the water resistant material may have a laminated construction including multiple layers. In such examples, the water resistant material may be effectively formed using any material of suitable flexibility and strength in a central layer provided the outer layers have water resistant properties. For instance, a laminate of a fabric central layer sandwiched between polymer outer layers may provide an effective water resistant material with suitable flexibility and resistance to damage such as tearing. Preferred embodiments of the sheet 110 are formed from tarpaulin material, although it will be appreciated that flexible water resistant material may be used in view of the above.

|00791 The water catchment system 100 is deployed for use by unfolding or unrolling the sheet 110 from its portable fonn and spreading the sheet 110 over the area of ground. Ideally the ground will have a slope to promote water flow downhill, and the sheet 110 will be oriented to position the outlet 120 at a lowest point of the sheet 110 to allow water to run towards the outlet 120. Pegs may be used with the anchoring points 113 to anchor the sheet 110 securely to the ground, and prevent the sheet 110 from being washed away in heavy rain or blown from the ground due to wind. The barrier 111 may then be moved from the lowered posi tion to the raised position Depending on the particular configuration of the barrier 111 , this may involve taking particular actions to support the barrier in the raised position, as will be discussed in later examples. An end of the conduit 130 may then be connected to the outlet 120 and the reservoir 140 may be connected to another end of the conduit 130, to complete deployment and allow water catchment to commence.

[0080] When rain water falls on the water catchment area 101 it will be retained on the water catchment area 101 by the barrier l i t and flow across the sheet 110 as indicated by arrow 102 toward the lowest point where the outlet 120 has been positioned. The water will be channelled by the barrier 111 through the outlet 120 and into the conduit 130. The water will then flow along the conduit 130 into the reservoir 140 where it is stored for later use.

[0081] An example of a suitable sheet 110 is shown in Figures 2A and 2B. In this example, the sheet 110 has a configuration similar to that of Figures 1 A and IB but also includes a funnel 220 that may be provided for directing water to the outlet 120. In this example, the funnel 220 is provided at a corner of the barrier 111 such that water is directed into the funnel 220 by the · hairier l i t. [0082| In some examples, the funnel 220 may be provided as a reinforced portion of the barrier 111. However, in other examples the funnel 220 may be provided as a separate tunnel component 300 as shown in Figures 3A and 3B. The funnel component 300 may include a connector 321 which will be aligned with the outlet 120 for allowing the conduit 130 to be connected to the connector 321 and sidewalls 311, 312 for mating to respective portions of the barrier 111. The sidewalls are provided for more effectively channelling water to the connector 321 in use. The runnel component 300 may also include a cap 313 and a base 314 for defining an enclosed funnel shaped chamber 301 with the sidewalls 311, 312. The sidewalls 311, 312, the cap 313 and the base 314 extend from edges of an end plate 320. The connector 321 is formed in an opening through the end plate 320 which will reside in the comer of the barrier 111 including the outlet 120.

|0083| In the examples of Figures 1 A and IB and Figures 2A and 2B, the barrier 111 is formed from walls extending from the sheet 1 10. The barrier 111 is moved into the lowered position by folding the walls down onto the sheet 110 as shown in Figure IB. In one example, the walls of the barrier 111 may be supported by external supports, such as through suitable connections to pegs also used to anchor the sheet 1 10 to the ground by the anchoring points 113. In another example, the walls may be self supporting using integral supporting arrangements, such as by using support clips or the like. Alternatively, an inflatable barrier 11 1 may be used. In any case, the barrier 111 should provide a protruding boundary around the water catchment area 101 of the sheet 110 to effectively retain water on water catchment area 101 in use and direct the water flow towards the outlet 120 when the barrier 111 is in the raised position, yet fold down or collapse in a compact manner to allow folding or rolling of the sheet 110 when the barrier 113 is in the lowered position.

[0084] The cross section views of Figures 5 A and 5B show details of an example of an externally supported wall 51 1 for forming the barrier 11 1, in lowered and raised positions. It will be appreciated that the wall 511 is formed integrally with sheet 1 10 in this example by folding a portion of the sheet 110 into a double layered wall 51 1 that is able to lie onto the sheet 110 in the lowered position as per Figure 5A and stand substantially upright from the sheet 110 in the raised position as per Figure 5B. The wall 511 is moved between the lowered and raised positions by folding or pivoting the wall 511 about its base where it extends from the main surface of the sheet 110.

|0085| In this example, the outer lip 112 around the perimeter of the sheet 110 is provided by a further fold in the sheet 110. The folds in the sheet 110 for forming the wall 51 1 and the outer lip 112 may be joined together such as by stitching, welding or gluing.

[0086] An eyelet 520 having a central aperture 521 is installed in the outer lip 112 to provide an anchoring point 113. A peg 400 as shown in Figures 4 A to 4C is used for anchoring the sheet 110 to the ground at the anchoring point 113. With regard to Figures 4 A to 4C, the peg 400 includes a shaft 410 having a head 411 for allowing the peg 400 to be driven into the ground using a hammer, mallet or the tike, and a point 412 opposing the head 411 for facilitating entry into the ground. The peg 400 also includes first and second cross bars 421, 422 which facilitate the support of the wall 511 when the barrier 11 1 is in the upright position.

[0087) In particular, the walls 511 may include support points 530 for allowing the walls 51 1 to be supported away from the sheet 110 when the barrier 1 11 is in the raised position. In this example, the support points 530 are configured to allow the walls 51 1 to be supported by the pegs 400. Turning to Figure 5B, the peg 400 has been driven into the ground until the second cross bar 422 abuts with the eyelet 520 in the outer lip 112 of the sheet 110, so that the first cross bar 421 and the head 411 are positioned above the sheet 110 at predetermined positions. The support point 530 provided on the wall 511 includes a loop for connecting to the respective peg 400. The first cross bar 421 of the peg provides a retaining member for retaining the loop of the support point 530, and thus preventing collapse of the wall 511 when the loop remains connected to the peg 400.

[0088[ The cross section views of Figures 6A and 6B show details of an example of an inflatable barrier 611 in lowered and raised positions. In particular, the barrier 611 includes an inflatable tube 630 such that when the inflatable tube is deflated the barrier 61 1 is moved into the lowered position as per Figure 6A and when the inflatable tube 630 is inflated the barrier 61 1 is moved into the raised position as per Figure 6B. It will be appreciated that the barrier 611 is formed by providing a cavity within the sheet 110 into which the inflatable tube 630 is placed. An inflation nozzle or tile like will typically be provided through an aperture in the sheet 110 for allowing inflation of the inflatable tube from an external air source.

[0089| As can be seen in Figure 6A, the barrier 611 collapses into a substantially flattened lowered state when the inflatable tube 630 is deflated. However, with regard to Figure 6B, when the inflatable tube 630 is inflated, the barrier 611 expands to protrude from the surface of the sheet 110 to provide an effective water retaining barrier about the perimeter of the sheet 110.

[0090J In this example, a simplified peg 640, such as a common tent peg or the like, may be used with the eyelet 520 at the anchoring point 113 to anchor the sheet 111 to the ground, since the inflatable barrier 611 wilt not require external support.

[0091] The cross section views of Figures 7A and 7B show details of a further example of a folding wall 711 for forming the barrier, in lowered and raised positions. However, in this example, the wail 711 is not externally supported by a peg as in the example of Figures 5A and 5B, but is instead internally supported by a support clip 730 for supporting the wall 711 when the barrier is in the raised position, as indicated in Figure 7C. The clip 730 may be sandwiched between the folds of the sheet 100 forming the wall 711 and outer lip 112, and secured in place using additional stitching, welding, or gluing of the material surrounding the clip 730

[0092] Each clip 730 includes a first leg 731 coupled to the sheet 110 and a second leg 732 coupled to a respective wall 711. The legs 731, 732 are pivotally connected about a pivot 733 and moveable between a closed state when the barrier 111 is in the lowered position as per Figure 7 A and an open state when the barrier 111 is in the raised position as per Figure 7B.

[0095] In this example, each clip 730 has a lockable pivot 733 for locking the legs 731, 732 in the open state for allowing the wall 71 1 to be supported away from the sheet 1 10 when the barrier 111 is in the raised position. For example, the pivot 733 may be automatically locked when the legs 731, 732 are moved from the closed state to the open state and the pivot 733 may be unlocked by positively moving the second leg 732 in an unlocking direction. [0094| The unlocking direction will depend on the design of the clip, but in one example the unlocking direction may be in the same direction as the movement of the legs 731, 732 from the closed state to the open state, such that the pivot 733 is unlocked by positively over- extending the second leg 732 past the open state In another example, the unlocking direction may be tangential relative to the pivot 733, such that attempting to pull the second leg 732 away from the pivot 733 will unlock the pivot 733.

[0095] In any case, the locking and unlocking behaviour of the pivot 733 should allow for convenient movement of the wall 71 1 between the lowered state in which the wall 711 is folded onto the sheet 110 and the raised position in which the wall 711 is internally supported by the clip 730 in the open state due to the locked pivot 733, without allowing the pivot 733 to become unlocked under normal loading of the wall 711 when acting as the barrier 1 11 for retaining water on the water catchment area 101 of the sheet 1.10. However, a positive movement of the second leg 732 by the user should easily unlock the pivot 733 to allow the clip 730 to be moved to the closed state and to thus allow the wall 711 to be folded ready for converting the sheet 110 into a portable form.

[0096] As per the last example, a simplified peg 640 can be used for anchoring in this case since the wall 711 is internally supported by the clip 730.

[0097] In some optional embodiments, the sheet 110 may be reconfigurable to allow other uses when not being used for water catchment purposes. For instance, Figures 8A to 8D show an example of a sheet 810 which is reconfigurable to allow the sheet to be worn as a poncho 800, particularly as depicted in Figure 8A.

[0098] With regard to Figure 8A, the sheet 810 includes a head opening 830 having a closable seal 831. The head opening 830 is passed over a wearer's head when the sheet 810 is worn as a poncho 800. On the other hand, the seal 831 is closed when the sheet 810 is used to define a water catchment area 101, to thereby prevent water from escaping from the head opening 830 rather than flowing to the opening 820. The opening 820 is defined in a pouch at one end of the sheet 810 which will typically be positioned at the back of the wearer in use. This pouch can also provide for storage of the conduit 130 and/or the reservoir of the complete water catchment system 100. [0099| The closable seal 831 may include a zipper, which will preferably either be formed from a soft material or be provided with a soft lining flap for covering the zipper to avoid irritation of the wearer's neck when the sheet 810 is worn as a poncho 800.

[0100] The sheet 810 may include a hood 832 extending from the head opening 830. The hood will typically be located on an underside of the sheet 810 when the sheet 810 is used to define a water catchment area 101, so as to avoid having the hood 832 interfere with the flow of water over the sheet 810. Draw strings 833 may be provided in the hood 832 for allowing closure of the hood 832,

[0101) As shown in Figure 8B, the hood 832 can facilitate convenient conversion of the sheet 810 into a portable form. In particular, the hood 832 may be configured to allow the sheet 810 to be packaged inside the hood 832 with the seal 831 being closed to retain the sheet 810 within the hood 832. The sheet 810 may be folded into the hood 832 with the zipper providing the seal 831 being closed, and the draw strings 833 may further be pulled tight to close the hood 832 completely, with the sheet 810 packaged compactly inside the hood 832.

|0102| When water catchment is required, the sheet 810 will be either unpacked from the hood 832 or removed from the wearer, the zipper providing the seal 831 will be closed, and the sheet 810 will be spread over the ground as shown in Figure 8C, so that the hood 832 is located below the sheet 810. As can be seen in Figure 8C, this example of the sheet 810 includes walls 811 which naturally lie fiat in the lowered position, but can be folded up into the raised position to form a water retaining barrier 1 1 1 as shown in Figure 8D.

[0103] Anchoring points 813 in the form of loops or rings are attached to the edges of the sheet which form the walls 811, and pegs (not shown) will be driven through these anchoring points 813 into the ground to anchor the sheet 810 and also support the walls 811 when the barrier is in the raised position.

[0104] As can be seen in Figure 8C, the pouch 821 that was located at the back of the wearer now provides a location for the outlet 820, to which the conduit 130 is connected. The conduit 130 may be provided using flexible tubing for ease of storage within the pouch 821 when not in use, and the conduit 130 may in turn be connected to a suitable reservoir 140 such as a flexible bladder. As per previous examples, the sheet 810 will ideally be placed on sloped ground so thai the outlet 820 is located at a lowest point of the sheet 810 so that water flows towards the outlet 820 as indicated by the arrows in Figure 8D, and then into the reservoir 140 via the conduit 130.

[0105] A further example of a portable water catchment system will now be described with reference to Figures 9 to 11.

[0106] A portable water catchment system (Figure 11) in accordance with this invention comprises a flexible catchment area (Figure 9) made of a material that can be folded for packaging and portability, and is waterproof to enable the collection of water. One example of a suitable type of material would be a tarpaulin. It wilt be able to be manufactured in a number of sizes and shapes to suit the amount of water to be collected and the available area to which it will be installed. It is envisaged that the size of the area may vary from as little as 4 square meters, up to larger systems in excess of 100 square meters. Around the perimeter of the water catchment area would be a barrier to ensure that the water did not escape the water catchment area. The barrier would be inflatable as this would ensure the portability of the invention. The use of inflation would also allow the quick setup of the water catchment area, a key benefit with the invention. In one section of the barrier it will open into a funnel to channel the collected water into a tube or pipe

[0107] Around the outermost perimeter of the catchment area will be fixing points in the form of eyelets. A key to the collection of the water is ensuring that the funnel is at the lowest point, allowing the water to channel through the funnel to a receptacle. The eyelets around the perimeter would allow the portable water catchment area to either be pegged to the ground, if the ground were sloped, or alternatively connected to a structure such as a fence, car, walls, tent, etc. to allow a slope to be created for the water to flow.

[0108] The tubing or piping from the funnel would connect to the temporary water receptacle in the shape of a water tight box or water bladder. The box or water bladder would be housed within a carrier. The carrier would be large enough so that all parts of the system would fit within the carrier, therefore making the invention portable. The water box would be placed in a container that may have wheels and a handle depending on the size/weight (Figure 10). [0109| The water bladder could also be placed in a toughened bag, for example holdall or back pack for smaller systems. The larger systems will have the capacity to transfer larger more permanent water storage tanks. It is envisaged that the container will have extra capacity to hold accessories, such as a pump, batteries and solar panels to power the pump.

[0110] The collected water may be transferred from the temporary water receptacle to more permanent water storage tanks, using the pump. In some embodiments the size of the water catchment area may be as little as 0.4 square meters. The funnel may channel water into a hose, tube or pipe depending on requirements, such as the type and location of the water receptacle, and availability of standard connection equipment.

[01.11] The height of the barrier may vary according the water catchment area that it is containing. Along the barrier of the catchment area may be cords, flexible loops or tie-downs for use in supporting the barrier in embodiments when inflation is not used. In such embodiments, the barrier may be supported by other means such as purpose built pegs, which may be driven into the ground through the eyelets for simultaneously anchoring the water catchment area to the ground and supporting the barrier. The carrier/container may also have capacity for storing the pegs, along with a hammer for driving the pegs into the ground.

[0112] irrespective of how the barrier is supported, whether this be through inflation, support by pegs, or by any other portable means suited to the local environment to provide a 'self- standing wall system', mis will facilitate quick and mobile setup of the water catchment area.

[0113] The funnel may be purpose made to fit into the lowest corners of the water catchment area. Although different embodiments of the system may be provided with different sizes, shapes and barrier configurations, these may be provided with a funnel that is universal in its basic design model but can be produced at larger or smaller sizes to correspond with the mobile catchment area and the water throughput required.

[0114] Figure 9 shows an example embodiment of the water catchment area 900, which is formed from a sheet of waterproof material 910. An inflatable barrier 911 is formed around the perimeter of the water catchment area 900 and is inflated to raise the barrier 911 in use. In this example, the water catchment area 900 has five straight edges with walls of the barrier perimeter of the water catchment area 900 between the walls of the barrier 911 and the respective edge. In this example, the eyelets for fastening 913 are located on four of the corners where adjacent edges intersect. A funnel 920 is provided at an intersection between two of the straight walls of the barriers 911, so that water collected by the water catchment area 900 can be channelled through the funnel 920. The funnel 920 provides an opening that can be connected to a hose, tube or pipe for supplying the water to a temporary water receptacle. fOU 5] Figure 10 shows an example embodiment of a carrier 1000 including a water container 1010 for providing the temporary water receptacle. The water container 1010 includes an inlet 1011 for connection to an end of the hose, tube or pipe connected to the opening of the funnel 920 of the water catchment area 900, so that the water container 1010 can receive water from the water catchment area 900 via the inlet 101 1. In this example, the water container 1010 also includes an outlet 1012 for allowing water to be released from the water container 1010. The outlet 1012 may be fitted with a plug or valve for allowing water to be retained in the water container 1010 until release is desired. In this example, the carrier 1000 also includes wheels 1020 for portability. The carrier 1000 may also optionally include storage 1030 for the foldable water catchment area and accessories,

(0116| Figure 11 shows an example installation of the water catchment system 1100 over a region of sloping ground 1101. The water catchment area 900 is spread over the sloping ground 1101 so that the funnel 920 is located at a lowest point of the water catchment area 900 to thereby channel water into the funnel 920. A pipe 1 1 10 is used to connect the funnel 920 to the inlet 1011 of the water container 1010 in the water carrier 1000. Thus, when rain water falls on the sheet of waterproof material 910, water caught within the water catchment area 900 will flow downhill and be directed by the barriers 911 towards the funnel 920. The water channelled into the funnel 920 will then flow through the pipe 1110 and into the water carrier 1000 where it is collected in the water container. The portable water carrier 1000 can be moved to a different location for use.

101171 When water catchment is no longer required, the water catchment system 1100 can be readily converted into a portable configuration by disconnecting the pipe 1110, deflating the inflatable barriers 911 and folding and/or rolling the sheet of waterproof material 910. The folded/rolled sheet of waterproof material 910 may be stored along with the pi pe 11 10 (which may be coiled into a compact form), in the storage 1030 of the carrier 1000, to allow the entire water catchment system 1100 to be conveniently transported together, along with any collected water in the water container 1010.

[0118J In summary, the embodiments described above provide a portable way of catching rain water. The water catchment area may be provided by a sheet of water resistant material that is placed on the ground and anchored in position. The integral barriers may be formed in various ways but will typically collapse in a form that allows the sheet to be readily folded or rolled into a compact portable shape. It will be appreciated that water catchment systems employing techniques as described above will be useful in a wide range of circumstances, especially for remote uses such as for camping, during military exercises, humanitarian missions or the like.

[0119] Throughout this specification and claims which follow, unless the context requires otherwise, the word "comprise", and variations such as "comprises" or "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or group of integers or steps but not the exclusion of any other integer or group of integers.

[0120J Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that numerous variations and modifications wilt become apparent. AU such variations and modifications which become apparent to persons skilled in the art, should be considered to fall within the spirit and scope that the invention broadly appearing before described.