FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001 ] The present invention relates to improvements to first flush diverters.

BACKGROUND

[0002] It is to be clearly understood that mere reference in this specification to any previous or existing products, devices, apparatus, systems, methods, ways of doing things, practices, publications or indeed to any other information, or to any problems or issues, does not constitute an acknowledgement or admission that any of those things, whether individually or in any combination, were known or formed part of the common general knowledge of those skilled in the field, or that they are admissible prior art.

[0003] In the collection of rainwater from the roof of a building, it is often desirable to divert an initial flow of water off the roof during a rainfall event away from the tank(s) or the like in which the collected water is stored. This is because, during dry periods between rainfall events, the roof and guttering often collect impurities including animal or bird droppings, dust, grit, pollutants and other airborne material, all of which are flushed from the roof and guttering with the initial flow of water during a rainfall event. Devices which exist for diverting an initial flow of water off the roof, during a rainfall event, away from the reservoir(s) or tank(s) in which the collected water is stored are commonly referred to as first flush diverters. The general operation of a first flush diverter is explained in Australian Patent No. 692835, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

[0004] It is thought that it may be desirable to provide improvements to, or to provide enhanced or additional functionality for, first flush diverters, as compared to that of simple/traditional first flush diverters like the one in Australian Patent No. 692835.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] In one form, although not necessarily the only or the broadest form, the invention resides in a release device for use with, or of, a first flush diverter, the release device comprising: an inlet operable to be connected in communication with a first flush diverter reservoir; an outlet; and a controller operable to controllably prevent, and allow, fluid to travel from the first flush diverter reservoir and out of the outlet of the release device, wherein the controller is operable to allow fluid to travel from the reservoir and out of the outlet after a predetermined time interval has elapsed and for a predetermined time period, but to otherwise prevent fluid from the reservoir travelling out of the outlet. [0006] The controller may be operable to adjust the predetermined time interval. Alternatively, or additionally, the controller may be operable to adjust the predetermined time period.

[0007] In preferred embodiments, the controller may be operable to (i) allow fluid to travel from the reservoir and out of the outlet after a predetermined time interval has elapsed where this interval is adjustable, and/or to (ii) allow fluid to travel from the reservoir and out of the outlet for a predetermined time period where this period is adjustable. However, embodiments may be provided with the adjustability of (i) only, or (ii) only. For example, the predetermined time interval could be permanently set to allow fluid to travel from the reservoir and out of the outlet, say every 24 hours (or at some other interval), but the predetermined time period may be adjusted allowing a user to change the amount of time during which fluid is allowed to travel from the reservoir and out of the outlet (i.e. the user can adjust how long the device stays "open" for water to purge from the reservoir but the interval between each purge is fixed). In another alternate example, the predetermined time period may be permanently set to allow fluid to travel from the reservoir and out of the outlet, say for 5 minutes (or some other period of time), but the predetermined time interval may be adjusted allowing a user to change how often fluid is allowed to travel from the reservoir and out of the outlet (i.e. the user can adjust how much time elapses between each time the device "opens" for water to purge from the reservoir, but the amount of time it stays open during each purge is fixed). [0008] The release device may include a valve or valves for controlling the passage of fluid through any conduit(s) or flow paths the device may have between the inlet and the outlet.

[0009] The controller may be an electronic controller. The controller may also be battery operated. Alternatively, the controller may be connected to an electrical supply source, such as an alternating current source (such as the mains). Additionally, or alternatively, the controller may be solar powered by one or more solar cells.

[0010] The release device may have a housing which may include an interval input device connected to the controller for setting/adjusting the predetermined time interval between scheduled drainages/purges of fluid from the first flush diverter reservoir. The predetermined time interval could potentially be any length of time. It is thought that the interval generally should not need to be much (if at all) shorter than 24 hours. It is also thought that the interval generally should not be much (if at all) longer than 30 days. Of course, the predetermined time interval may often be dependent on climatic conditions at a particular location, and what is an appropriate interval may vary between locations. Also, even for a given location, what is an appropriate interval may vary with changes in season or the like. The interval input device may be in the form of a dial or buttons to adjust the predetermined time interval. In some preferred embodiments, the predetermined time interval is between 4 days and 21 days.

[001 1 ] Typically after a rainfall event, it will take approximately 5 days for enough debris to gather on a roof to necessitate any first flushing. So a user who is particularly interested in high water quality will want to flush at or even before this time. Debris and dust typically builds on a dry roof over the course of a couple weeks and then asymptotes after about 3 weeks. So after that, there typically isn't as much extra debris building on top of the existing debris, as there may be less clean surface for new debris to sit on, and it may be simply blown off more easily.

[0012] The interval input device may be operable to set/adjust the predetermined time interval between the valve closing after one scheduled drainage/purge and the valve opening for a subsequent scheduled drainage/purge from the first flush diverter reservoir.

[0013] The housing may include a drainage period input device connected to the controller for setting/adjusting the predetermined time period that the controller allows fluid to travel from the reservoir and out of the outlet for a given scheduled drainage/purge. The predetermined time period may be any period of time. It is thought that the period generally should not need to be much (if at all) shorter than 5 minutes. It is also thought that the period generally should need to be much (if at all) longer than 150 minutes. Of course, the predetermined time period of the/each scheduled drainage/purge may often be dependent on the size of the first flush diverter reservoir and may therefore be varied to suit (i.e. to allow the full contents of the reservoir to fully drain). The drainage period input device may be in the form of a dial or buttons to adjust the predetermined time period.

[0014] An input device may be provided which is configured to set/adjust one or both the predetermined time interval and the predetermined time period. [0015] The drainage period input device may be operable for setting/adjusting the predetermined time period between the valve opening and the valve closing for a given scheduled drainage/purge.

[0016] The outlet of the release device may be configured to connect to a hose, such as a garden house, so that expelled dirty water from the first flush diverter reservoir can be directed to a garden, lawn or bucket, for example. The outlet may therefore include a standard (e.g. male) garden hose connector for connecting the release device outlet to a garden hose (e.g. having a standard female garden hose connector on at least one end).

[0017] The release device may include a cover for covering a face of the release device and (or including) any dials, buttons or the like used for controlling the controller.

[0018] The inlet may include a connector for connecting the release device to the first flush diverter reservoir or a funnel, pipe or other conduit between the first flush diverter reservoir and the release device. The inlet of the release device may be internally or externally threaded so that the inlet may be coupled to a complementary thread on this reservoir or funnel, pipe or other conduit.

[0019] The release device may include a visible indicator, such as a screen or LED display or LCD display or the like, located on the housing for indicating e.g. that the controller is receiving electrical power or the level of charge in a battery or the currently set time interval and/or time period, etc.

[0020] In another form, the invention resides in a connector for use in connecting a first flush diverter reservoir to a first flush diverter release device, the connector comprising: a body portion formed from a substantially clear or transparent material to allow visual inspection of any sediment within the connector.

[0021 ] The body portion of the connector may be a substantially conical funnel shape, at least internally. The conical shape may help to draw or direct or funnel sediment into the outlet of the connector to reduce sediment build up and/or blockages e.g. in the connector or in the flush diverter reservoir.

[0022] The connector may include a substantially cylindrical inlet for connecting to a pipe (or pipe-like portion) of a first flush diverter reservoir. The connector may also include an outlet for connecting to the inlet of the release device. The outlet of the connector may be threaded, either internally or externally. Alternatively, the outlet of the connector may include clips which engage with apertures formed in the side walls of the inlet of the release device.

[0023] In another form, the invention resides in a first flush diverter outlet system, the system comprising:

a connector operable for connection in fluid communication with an outlet of a fluid reservoir of a first flush diverter and an inlet of a first flush diverter release device, wherein the connector has a body portion formed from a substantially clear or transparent material; and

the release device has an outlet for the release of fluid, and a controller operable to controllably prevent, and allow, fluid to travel from the first flush diverter reservoir and out of the outlet of the release device,

wherein the controller is operable to allow fluid to travel from the reservoir and out of the device outlet after a predetermined time interval has elapsed and for a predetermined time period, but to otherwise prevent fluid from the reservoir travelling out of the device outlet.

[0024] The body portion of the connector may have a substantially conical funnel shape, at least internally, which may draw or direct or funnel sediment into the outlet of the connector to reduce sediment build up and/or blockages.

[0025] The connector may be integrally formed with the release device. Alternatively, the connector may be releasably coupled to the release device.

[0026] In another form, the invention resides in a release device for use with a vessel, pipe or other conduit that can contain water (e.g. like a pipe in a wet system such as the one depicted in Figure 1 1 ), the release device comprising: a device inlet operable to be connected in communication with an outlet of the vessel, pipe or other conduit; a device outlet; and a controller operable to controllably prevent, and allow, fluid to travel from the outlet of the vessel, pipe or other conduit and out of the device outlet, wherein the controller is operable to allow fluid to travel from the vessel, pipe or other conduit and out of the device outlet after a predetermined time interval has elapsed and for a predetermined time period, but to otherwise prevent fluid from the pipe travelling out of the device outlet.

[0027] Features described with reference to one form of the invention may be used or incorporated, in any combination, in any other form of the invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0028] Preferred features, aspects and variations of the invention and its various embodiments may be discerned from the following Detailed Description which provides sufficient information for those skilled in the art to perform the invention. The Detailed Description is not to be regarded as limiting, in any way, the scope in the Summary of the Invention above. The Detailed Description will make reference to a number of drawings as follows:

[0029] FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a release device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0030] FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the release device of FIG. 1 ;

[0031 ] FIG. 3 is a front view of the release device of FIG. 1 ;

[0032] FIG. 4 is a side view of the release device of FIG. 1 ;

[0033] FIG. 5 is a front view of the dials of the release device of FIG. 1 ;

[0034] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a connector in the form of a funnel fitting according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0035] FIG. 7 is a view of the underside of the funnel of FIG. 6;

[0036] FIG. 8 is a side view of the funnel of FIG. 6;

[0037] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a funnel fitted to a release device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0038] FIG. 10 is a rear perspective view of the funnel fitted to the release device of FIG. 9; and

[0039] FIG. 1 1 is a schematic of the way a release device according to an embodiment of the present invention may be used in a "wet system". DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0040] Elements of the invention are illustrated in concise outline form in the drawings, showing only those specific details that are necessary to understanding the embodiments of the present invention, but so as not to clutter the disclosure with excessive detail that will be obvious to those of ordinary skill in the art in light of the present description.

[0041 ] FIG. 1 illustrates a release device 10 for connecting to a reservoir of a first flush diverter. The device 10 comprises an inlet 100 for receiving water from a first flush diverter reservoir (not shown), an outlet 120 for dispensing water and a conduit 1 10 connecting the inlet 100 to the outlet 120.

[0042] Attached to the conduit 1 10 is a substantially cylindrical housing 130 which houses an electronic controller (not shown) for controlling a valve (not shown) which controls the flow of fluid from the inlet 100, through the conduit 1 10, and out through the outlet 120. This electronic controller can be battery operated or may be connected to a mains electricity source, such as an alternating current source. It could also be solar powered (as by one or more solar cells - not shown).

[0043] The controller can be configured to allow the release of fluid after a predetermined time interval, 24 hours for example, has elapsed. The controller can also be programmed to allow fluid to travel from the reservoir and out of the outlet 120 for a predetermined time period. In one example, this time period may be 15 minutes but could conceivably be any amount of time. Both the emptying interval (predetermined interval) and the drain time (predetermined period) may be adjusted using the controller. [0044] As a result, the release device 10 can be programmed to release a certain amount of water at specific time intervals.

[0045] Allowing adjustment of the time period for which the first flush diverter reservoir can discharge liquid therefrom, and also adjustment of the time interval between discharges, may be particularly advantageous due to the large variation in the size of roofs on different properties and the different environments the roofs are located in. For example, roofs in dry areas with infrequent rainfall and/or low pollution levels may wish to set a greater time interval to collect as much rain as possible (in the rain water tank, not in the diverter) despite the possibility that some (or a slightly higher amount of) dirty water or impurities may then be directed to the water tank. That is to say, if maximizing or increasing the amount of water collected in the storage tank is particularly important but the amount of impurities is not of great concern (or at least it is less of a concern than increasing how much is collected), the time interval on the first flush diverter release device can be increased resulting in a higher yield (i.e. more water collected and less lost to the first flush diverter) but potentially also slightly lower quality of the collected water (due to potentially increased levels of impurities in the collected water). In the case of roofs in other areas (e.g. wetter or more polluted areas), and if ensuring high quality purity of collected water is paramount, a reasonably short time interval (i.e. between purges) may be used to minimise dirty water captured in the water tank (by increasing the frequency with which "flushes" of water from the roof containing impurities, which are collected in the first flush diverter, are purged). Put another way, if the roof is located in high pollution area or quality of water collected is of particular importance, the time interval can be reduced resulting in a lower yield (because more water is lost to the first flush diverter) but higher quality of water collected in the storage tank.

[0046] Thus, roofs in isolated areas away from industrial activity and large amounts of traffic and pollution will often collect a relatively small amount of pollutants compared to the roof of , say, an inner city apartment. The roof in the isolated area may not need to have the first flush reservoir emptied as often compared to the inner city apartment roof as smaller amounts of pollutants and dust are likely to collect on the isolated roof.

[0047] Adjusting the time period to increase the time that fluid is allowed to travel from the first flush device reservoir and out of the outlet may be desirable for buildings with larger roofs, and consequently larger (higher volume) first flush diverter reservoirs, which may take longer to fully drain. Conversely, it may be desirable to decrease the time period for which fluid is allowed to travel from the first flush reservoir and out of the outlet of the release device on a building with a smaller roof, and consequently smaller (lower volume) first flush diverter reservoir, as the total amount of fluid collected in the reservoir will generally be much less compared to a larger roof.

[0048] It may be desirable to approximately match the time period to the time it takes to empty the first flush reservoir completely from when it is full (i.e. so that the reservoir is "open" for long enough to completely empty from full, and so that no standing water remains, but so that it does not remain open (open and empty) for much longer). This reduces the likelihood that pests, such as bugs, will be able to enter through the outlet of the release device once the release device has emptied completely. Additionally, if the reservoir has completely emptied but the outlet of the release device is still open when it starts raining, water will not be caught in the first flush reservoir and this will result in a reduction in the amount of water ultimately collected and stored in the tank. Thus, the amount of water lost can be minimised by having the time period matched approximately to the emptying time.

[0049] The housing 130 in the illustrated embodiment includes two dials 132a, 132b and a dial cover 134 covering the dials 132a, 132b. In this example, the first dial 132a allows for adjusting the emptying intervals and the second dial 132b allows for adjusting the drain time.

[0050] While the housing 130 shown includes two dials 132a, 132b for input, it will be appreciated that the housing 130 could instead (or as well) include other input devices, such as buttons, to control the interval and period for which at which the release device allows the release of fluids and sediment.

[0051 ] There is a valve (not shown) located within the conduit 1 10 which is operationally linked to the controller. In use, the controller opens and closes the valve according to the interval and period programmed into the controller to control the flow of fluid through the conduit 1 10.

[0052] Turning to the inlet 1 10, there is a connector 102 for connecting the release device 10 to a funnel (such as that shown in FIG. 6), a pipe or directly to the outlet of the reservoir of a first flush device (not shown). In the illustrated embodiment, the inlet 100 of the release device 10 is internally threaded for receiving an externally threaded funnel or reservoir outlet. However, it will be appreciated that the inlet may also be externally threaded to be coupled to the complementary thread of a funnel or pipe. Other means of connection are also possible.

[0053] The outlet 120 of the release device 10 has a standard male hose fitting 122 for connecting the outlet 120 to a hose, such as a garden hose, to allow the captured water and impurities to be hosed onto a garden or lawn, or dispensed into a bucket, etc. This fitting 122 can be omitted or replaced with another fitting for connecting to other devices, if necessary.

[0054] Turning to FIG. 2, it can be seen that the inlet 100 and outlet 120 are connected by the conduit 1 10 to allow water flowing into the inlet 100 to flow through the conduit 1 10 and out through the outlet 120 (when permitted by the valve). This is also shown in the side view illustrated in FIG. 4.

[0055] Referring now to FIG. 3 and 5, there is illustrated the two dials 132a, 132b for controlling the interval at which the conduit 1 10 is open and the amount of time to allow the conduit 100 to remain open. As can be seen in FIG. 5, the dials 132a, 132b have a ribbed periphery 136a, 136b to assist in gripping and turning. Each dial 132a, 132b also includes a projection 138a, 138b to indicate what each of the dials 132a, 132b has been set to. Examples are shown at references A, B and C, and D, E, and F for dials 132a, 132b, respectively. These references A-F can indicate any amount of time ranging from minutes to months. In a specific example, dial 132a may be set to open the outlet of the release device every 2 weeks while dial 132b is set to open the outlet for 5 minutes.

[0056] Turning to FIG. 6, the drawing illustrates a perspective view of a funnel 20 that can be screwed, or otherwise connected, to the inlet of the release device. As can be seen, the funnel 20 has an internally threaded substantially cylindrical connector 200 which is adapted to be connected to the bottom of a reservoir of a first flush device (not shown - typically a length of PVC pipe). Extending from the connector 200 is a conical funnel portion 210, which can be more clearly seen in FIG. 7 and 8, adjoining an externally threaded outlet 220 which connects to an inlet of a release device, such as the release device shown in FIG. 1 .

[0057] The funnel also includes a structural support member 230 to bear stress imparted on (and between) the outlet 220 and conical portion 210 when the funnel 20 is being fitted to a release device.

[0058] The funnel 20 is made from a substantially clear or transparent material to allow a user to see how much, if any, sediment has built up at the bottom of the reservoir and attached funnel and release device (such sediment may become settled or compacted and hence trapped in the funnel and therefore may not always flow out when water is flowing through - this is why it is important that it is transparent, so that a user can see if there is any such trapped sediment, which could block or obstruct flow through the funnel, and manually clean it out).

[0059] FIG. 9 illustrates a perspective view of the funnel 200 connected to the release device 10. As shown, the externally threaded outlet 220 of the funnel 20 is screwed into the internally threaded inlet 1 10 of the release device 10 to secure the two devices 10, 20 together. It is more clearly shown in FIG. 10, which illustrates a perspective view of the rear of the funnel 20 connected to the release device 10, that connecting the funnel 20 to the inlet 1 10 of the release device 10 creates a passage starting at the inlet 200 of the funnel 20 and ending at the outlet 120 of the release device 10. This passage allows water and sediment contained in the reservoir and funnel 20 to pass through the outlet 220 of the funnel 20, through the conduit 1 10 and out through the outlet 120 of the release device 10 (when permitted by the valve).

[0060] In the illustrated embodiment the funnel 20 and the release device 10 are releasably coupled together by the complementary threaded portions. However, it will be appreciated that the funnel 20 and release device 10 may be integrally formed as a single device.

[0061 ] FIG. 1 1 illustrates a schematic of a release device 10 connected to an outlet 1010 in a "wet system" 1000. As the water that sits in underground pipes in the wet system has a tendency to become stagnant and provides a potential breeding habitat for mosquitoes, the release device 10 can be attached to the outlet 1010 and used, similar to the operation of the release device 10 as described above, to prevent any water collected from the roof 1020 and gutter 1030 that has stagnated or become contaminated in the underground pipes 1040 from being directed into the water storage tank 1050.

[0062] Advantageously, a release device in accordance with the present invention can allow for the release of captured dirty water at specified intervals according to expected rainfalls, environmental and air quality factors, and for specified time period according to the size of the roof that a first flush system is attached to.

[0063] Further advantageously, the automatic release of captured dirty water mitigates the chances that a user will forget to empty the first flush diverter between periods of rain fall, and lessens that risk that dirty water will be directed to the water tank rather than the first flush diverter. [0064] In this specification, adjectives such as first and second, left and right, top and bottom, and the like may be used solely to distinguish one element or action from another element or action without necessarily requiring or implying any actual such relationship or order. Where the context permits, reference to an integer or a component or step (or the like) is not be interpreted as being limited to only one of that integer, component, or step, but rather could be one or more of that integer, component, or step, etc.

[0065] The above description of various embodiments of the present invention is provided for purposes of description to one of ordinary skill in the related art. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to a single disclosed embodiment. As mentioned above, numerous alternatives and variations to the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art of the above teaching. Accordingly, while some alternative embodiments have been discussed specifically, other embodiments will be apparent or relatively easily developed by those of ordinary skill in the art. The invention is intended to embrace all alternatives, modifications, and variations of the present invention that have been discussed herein, and other embodiments that fall within the spirit and scope of the above described invention.

[0066] In this specification, the terms 'comprises', 'comprising', 'includes', 'including', or similar terms are intended to mean a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a method, system or apparatus that comprises a list of elements does not include those elements solely, but may well include others elements not listed.