ESTABLISHMENT”

TECHNICAL FIELD

[001] The present disclosure generally relates to the field of water filtering and reusing systems and methods. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a system and method for filtering greywater for reuse in an establishment.

BACKGROUND

[002] For a long time the conservation of water has been in demand. With the increase in population and the changes in the life styles of the humans the consumption of water is increasing in great proportion. As the sources of getting or generating the fresh water are becoming scarce and costlier day by day - more emphasis is being given now for conservation and recirculation of the wastewater. Here, the wastewater includes, greywater, black water, and the like. The greywater is generally defined as water that is allowed to empty down the pipes of bath tubs, wash basins, and showers after being used for washing or rinsing, and that is ordinarily discarded and allowed to flow into sewer lines via drain pipes.

[003] Over the years, countless solutions have arisen to recycle the greywater in a bathroom environment and in a kitchen environment. However, most of the available solutions are do not effectively and economically reuse the greywater. All the conventional solutions process the cost of re-generation of the water for reusing sometimes outweighs the application and it becomes economically an un-viable. Contributing to the complexity and difficulty of installing conventional greywater recycling systems is that, often, many non-standard plumbing fixtures and elements are used and extensive modifications to existing plumbing are necessary.

[004] In the light of the aforementioned discussion, there exists a need for a system and method for economical flushing of toilets which is scalable, cost effective, modular, interconnecting and working on its own by using gravitational forces. BRIEF SUMMARY

[005] The following presents a simplified summary of the disclosure in order to provide a basic understanding to the reader. This summary is not an extensive overview of the disclosure and it does not identify key/critical elements of the invention or delineate the scope of the invention. Its sole purpose is to present some concepts disclosed herein in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later.

[006] An objective of the present disclosure is directed towards the system needs very less maintenance and consumes less power.

[007] Another objective of the present disclosure is directed towards the system does not require rigid and expensive plumbing.

[008] Another objective of the present disclosure is directed towards the system occupies very less space.

[009] According to an exemplary aspect, the system comprising one or more greywater collecting units 102 configured to collect greywater from one or more sources of greywater.

[010] According to another exemplary aspect, the system further comprising one or more first electrical pumps configured to transfer the collected greywater from the one or more greywater collection units into one or more remote storage units via one or more first mesh filters.

[011] According to another exemplary aspect, the system further comprising at least one overhead storage unit filled up with the greywater from the one or more remote storage units by the one or more second electrical pumps.

[012] According to another exemplary aspect, the system further comprising at least one toilet tank is filled with greywater by the gravity flow from the at least one overhead storage unit. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[013] Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments, in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals have been used to designate like elements, and wherein:

[014] FIG. 1 is a block diagram depicting a system for filtering grey water for reuse in the establishment, in accordance with one or more exemplary embodiments.

[015] FIG. 2 is an example block diagram depicting water recycle units and the toilet tank 108 for recycling the greywater, in accordance with one or more exemplary embodiments.

[016] FIG. 3 is an example diagram depicting the first greywater collection unit 204a at the bathing or the shower area, in accordance with one or more exemplary embodiments.

[017] FIG. 4 is an example diagram depicting a wash basin with a vanity unit, in accordance with one or more exemplary embodiments.

[018] FIG. 5 is an example schematic diagram depicting the overall system for pumping the greywater and reusing the greywater, in accordance with one or more exemplary embodiments.

[019] FIG. 6 is a flow chart depicting a method for transferring the filtered greywater into the toilet tank, in accordance with one or more exemplary embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[020] It is to be understood that the present disclosure is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The present disclosure is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

[021] The use of“including”,“comprising” or“having” and variations thereof herein is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items. The terms“a” and“an” herein do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one of the referenced item. Further, the use of terms“first”,“second”, and“third”, and the like, herein do not denote any order, quantity, or importance, but rather are used to distinguish one element from another.

[022] Referring to FIG. 1 is a block diagram 100 depicting a system for filtering grey water for reuse in an establishment, in accordance with one or more exemplary embodiments. The establishment having a source of greywater and a facility suited to utilizing the filtered greywater. The establishment may include household, commercial buildings, and the like. The source of greywater comes from household appliances, which may not be limited to, shower, bath, washbasin, dishwasher, kitchen sink, and the like. The system 100 provides the facility to utilize the greywater in a toilet, whilst allowing the users to utilize fresh water service on demand. The system 100 generally includes a greywater collection unit 102, a first mesh filter l04a, a second mesh filter l04b, a remote storage unit 106, a toilet tank 108, a first electrical pump llOa, a second electrical pump l lOb, an overhead storage unit 112, and level sensors 114. The greywater collection unit 102 collects greywater from sources, such as showers, bath tubs, wash basins, sinks, and the rinse cycle of clothes washing machines or dishwashing machines or any other sources. The first mesh filter l04a may be coupled to the greywater collection unit 102 and/or the remote storage unit 106 and the second mesh filter l04b may be coupled to the remote storage unit 106 and/or the overhead storage unit 112. The mesh filters l04a-l04b are configured to ensure the solid particles and other waste does not get inside the greywater collection unit 102 and the remote storage unit 106. The first electrical pump llOa may be configured to operate automatically transfer collected greywater up to a sufficient height for direct filling in the remote storage unit 106 by gravity. The second electrical pump 110b may be configured to transfer the greywater from the remote storage unit 106 into the overhead storage unit 112. The overhead storage unit 112 may include level sensors 114 configured for control and protection of the pump llOa or 11 Ob and a float mechanism to divert the water to drain, in case the overhead storage unit 112 gets filled up. The overhead storage unit 112 may get filled up from the remote storage unit 106 with the logically controlled second electrical pump l lOb. The outflow from the overhead storage unit 112 is automatically by gravitational feed to the toilet tank 108. The toilet tank 108 may be filled with water by the gravity flow from the overhead storage unit 112. The toilet tank 108 may include a toilet handle located thereon, and which is in mechanical connection with a flush handle lever. The toilet handle may be configured to flush the toilet.

[023] In accordance with one more exemplary embodiments, the greywater collection unit 102, the remote storage unit 106, and overhead storage unit 112 may also be configured to transfer the greywater without using any electrical pump llOa or 110b and all the greywater transferred is effected by using gravitational flow. The remote storage unit 106 is designed in such a way that it may also be connected to other greywater sources (other greywater collection units, for example) coming from washing machine or any other greywater sources available in the near vicinity.

[024] Referring to FIG. 2 is an example block diagram 200 depicting greywater recycle units and the toilet tank 108, in accordance with one or more exemplary embodiments. The greywater recycle units 202a-202c may be configured to collect the greywater and filter the collected greywater for reuse in the establishment. The greywater recycle units 202a-202c are all independent in their working and their self-logic does not require any feedback or inputs from other units thus giving total flexibility to the user (architect, for e.g.) and the user to place the greywater recycle units 202a- 202c at any location as desired to meet their personal taste and needs. The greywater recycle units 202a-202c may be configured to feed the greywater to the toilet tank 108. The greywater recycle units 202a-202c may include a first greywater collection unit 204a, a second greywater collection unit 204b, a first mesh filter l04a, a second mesh filter l04b, a third mesh filter 206, a first electrical pump llOa, a second electrical pump llOb, a third electrical pump 208, the remote storage unit 106, and the overhead storage unit 112. The first greywater collection unit 204a may be positioned strategically below the shower or in the bathing area (not shown). The second greywater collection unit 204b may be positioned below the kitchen sink (not shown). In another embodiments, the second greywater collection unit 204b may also be attached to the washing machine water out pipe (not shown). The remote storage unit 106 may be positioned strategically below the wash basin (not shown) in the vanity unit (not shown) for collecting the greywater from all the resources, such as, the wash basin (not shown), the first greywater collection unit 204a and the second greywater collection unit 204b. The remote storage unit 106, the grey water collection units 204a, 204b and the overhead storage tank 112 may have provisions to provide the first mesh filter l04a, the second mesh filter l04b, and the third mesh filter 206.

[025] In accordance with one or more exemplary embodiments, the first electrical pump llOa may be configured to operate automatically to transfer the collected greywater up to the sufficient height for direct filling in the remote storage unit 106 by gravity. The third electrical pump 208 may be configured to operate automatically to transfer the collected greywater up to the remote storage unit 106 by the gravitational force. The second electrical pump 110b may be configured to operate automatically to transfer the collected greywater to the overhead storage unit 112 from the remote storage unit 106. The first mesh filter l04a may be coupled to the first greywater collection unit 204a. The second mesh filter l04b may be positioned between one end of remote storage unit 106 and the overhead storage unit 112. The third mesh filter 206 may be coupled to the second greywater collection unit 204b. The first mesh filter l04a, the second mesh filter l04b, and the third mesh filter 206 may be configured to ensure the solid particles and other waste does not get inside the collected water.

[026] Referring to FIG. 3 is an example diagram 300 depicting the first greywater collection unit 204a at the bathing or the shower area, in accordance with one or more exemplary embodiments. The bathing or the shower area 300 may depict a provision 302, a first covered panel 304, a second covered panel 306, the greywater collection unit 204a, and a base 308. The provision 302 may be configured to fix a shower unit (not shown). The first covered panel 304 having inside the electrical points and water pipes for the fresh water inlet (not shown) to the shower unit (not shown). The first covered panel 304 may also include a discharge point at a height of more than 30 inches for direct feed to the overhead storage unit 112 in the wash basin vanity (not shown). The first covered panel 304 may further include the provision to a grout to the wall. The second covered panel 306 may be configured for covering the fresh water inlet, filter and the electrical pump. The greywater collection unit 204a may be configured with the mesh filter and the level sensors to start the pumping of the collected water automatically. The base 308 may be configured to provide a comfortable standing area for the user to take the bath. The user may able to the bathe by standing on the comfortable area of the base 308 after opening the shower unit (not shown) or the tap. The greywater collection unit 204a may be configured to direct the grey water from the bathing platform into the remote storage unit 106. The collected greywater and let it go to the overhead storage unit 112 in the vanity of wash basin (not shown).

[027] Referring to FIG. 4 is an example diagram 400 depicting a wash basin with a vanity unit, in accordance with one or more exemplary embodiments. The example diagram 400 further depicting the vanity unit 402 having provisions to fix various taps with water saving nozzle and normal one for regular use (in case more water is required). The vanity unit 402 having inside a fresh water inlet (not shown) to a wash basin 404 may be optionally provided through another shower unit’s base to allow the users to have hot water facility (if required). The vanity unit 402 may include a mirror 406, which may be configured to allow the users to view themselves and also camouflages the overhead storage unit 112 which is strategically designed behind the mirror 406 to store water for at least a single flush use. The vanity unit 402 may further include a two way valve 412 for changing over greywater feed to fresh water feed for the overhead storage unit 112. The vanity unit may also include power connections and fresh water tap inputs inside.

[028] In accordance with one or more exemplary embodiments, the greywater collection unit 204b may include the level sensors and the overhead storage unit 112 may be filled up from the remote storage unit 106 with the logically controlled electrical pump 208b and associated electronics fixed inside the vanity unit 402. The outflow from the overhead storage unit 112 may be automatic and by gravitational feed to the toilet tank 108. As soon as the toilet tank 108 is emptied, the toilet tank 108 automatically gets filled from the overhead storage unit 112. Since the toilet tank 108 has standard internal float valves to control the water inflow from the overhead storage unit 112. If there is no more greywater available, the vanity unit 402 may further be configured to provide a visual indication to the user to change over the fresh water source through the two way valve 412. The two way valve 412 may be fixed on the vanity unit 402, the two way valve may have one connection from the fresh water source and the other from the greywater source. The two way valve 412 output is directly going to the toilet tank 108. The remote storage unit 106 under the wash basin 404 is a tank with level sensors for control and protection of the electrical pump and a float mechanism to divert the water to drain, in case the remote storage unit 106 gets filled up. The remote storage unit 106 may also have provisions to accept grey water from other sources, such as, kitchen sink, washing machine, dish washers, bath tubs or any other sources.

[029] In accordance with one or more exemplary embodiments, the vanity unit 402 with the wash basin 404 and the inbuilt overhead storage unit 112 may be an independent unit, which may be located anywhere and may not disturb the overall aesthetics of the user’s room. The overhead storage unit 112 camouflaged behind the mirror 406 to store the greywater for discharge to the toilet tank 108 by gravity. The vanity unit 402 may further include a heater unit 408 configured for providing hot water. The wash basin 404 may include a standard tap 410, the wash basin 404 may also have the provision to another water tap and flosser in place of the standard tap 410. The area below the wash basin 404 may accommodate the remote storage unit 106 for storing the collected greywater, which periodically and automatically gets pumped to the overhead storage unit 112 behind the mirror 406.

[030] Referring to FIG. 5 is an example schematic diagram 500 depicting the overall system for pumping the greywater and reusing the greywater, in accordance with one or more exemplary embodiments. The example diagram 500 depicting the first unit 502a, the second unit 502b and the third unit 502c. The first unit 502a may depict the overhead shower 504, the user 506, the first electrical pump llOa, and the first greywater collection unit 204a. The second unit 502b may depict the wash basin 404, the remote storage unit 106, the overhead storage unit 112, and the second electrical pump l lOb. The third unit 502c may depict the toilet tank 108. The first greywater collection unit 204a may be configured to direct the greywater from the bathing area into the remote storage unit 106 via the first mesh filter l04a after opening the overhead shower 504. Once the overhead shower 504 is opened, the user 506 may able to bathe by standing below the overhead shower 504. The first electrical pump llOa may be configured to pump and lift the greywater at certain height in the first greywater collection unit 204a and then transferred into the remote storage unit 106 via one or more pipes 508 by the gravitational flow. The second electrical pump 11 Ob may be configured to pump and lift the grey water from the remote storage unit 106 to the overhead storage unit 112 via the one or more pipes 508. The toilet tank 108 may be filled with greywater by the gravity flow from the overhead storage unit 112.

[031] Referring to FIG. 6 is a flow chart 600 depicting the method for transferring the filtered greywater into the toilet tank, in accordance with one or more exemplary embodiments. As an option, the method 600 may be carried out in the context of the details of FIG. 1, FIG. 2, FIG. 3 FIG. 4, and FIG. 5. However, the method 600 may also be carried out in any desired environment. Further, the aforementioned definitions may equally apply to the description below.

[032] The method 600 commences at step 602 by collecting greywater into the greywater collection unit via the first mesh filter from the bathing area or shower area after opening the overhead shower or opening the standard tap. Thereafter, at step 604, transferring the collected greywater from the greywater collection unit into the remote storage unit by the first electrical pump or by the gravitational force. Thereafter, at step 606, automatically transferring the collected greywater from the remote storage unit into the overhead storage unit via the second mesh filter by the second electrical pump or by the gravitational flow. Thereafter, at step 608, filling the toilet tank with the greywater by the gravitational flow from the overhead storage unit. Thereafter, at step 610, determining whether the greywater storage gets empty in the toilet tank in case of non-availability of the greywater. If answer to the step 610 is YES, then the method continues at step 612, feeding the toilet tank with the fresh water by opening the two way manual inlet valve. If answer to the step 610 is NO, then the method at step 614, transferring more amount of greywater into the toilet tank from the overhead storage unit by the gravitational force.

[033] Although the present disclosure has been described in terms of certain preferred embodiments and illustrations thereof, other embodiments and modifications to preferred embodiments may be possible that are within the principles and spirit of the invention. The above descriptions and figures are therefore to be regarded as illustrative and not restrictive.

[034] Thus the scope of the present disclosure is defined by the appended claims and includes both combinations and sub combinations of the various features described herein above as well as variations and modifications thereof, which would occur to persons skilled in the art upon reading the foregoing description.