TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to water collection, and more specifically to a water collection module to allow easy access of collected water.

BACKGROUND

Increasingly, governments and local authorities around the world are treating water as a scarce commodity and water charges are being introduced as a means to cover the cost of treating and supplying water to residential and business properties. Water metering is already being carried out in numerous parts of the world and many of the remaining countries have plans to introduce water metering within the next five to ten years.

Consequently, the capture and treatment of water has become of interest in recent times, in particularly if the water is rainwater. Typically, water is captured from a roof or large planar surface area and is passed, under gravity to a storage tank at or below ground level. One of the most common means to capture water is a water tank or a water collection container which may collect and store water for future usage. However, such a water collection container typically does not facilitate easy access to the stored water such that the collected water may be easily used further for various purposes.

An example is provided by U.S. patent application US2015/0008229 (hereinafter referred to as the ’229 reference). The ’229 reference discloses a device which is used to collect water from a down spout into a tank. The tank is mounted on a base to elevate the tank for access to the water. The water is extracted from the tank by opening a spigot and filling a container such as a watering can. At the bottom of the tank there is a cleanout that has two threaded protrusions located next to it. These threaded protrusions have a garden hose tap size at the bottom to allow a hook up of a soaker or garden hose.

Another example is provided by U.S. patent US8578976 (hereinafter referred to as the ’976 reference). The ’976 reference discloses an above-ground, structure-mounted rainwater collection, storage, and utilization apparatus. A vertical plastic tank is located along a wall of a structure where downspouts are typically present. Rainwater would flow from a downspout into a screened top portion of the tank. The apparatus is supported by a base structure at grade. The bottom of the tank is tapered to avoid the collection of silt and ends in a conventional spigot valve providing conventional connection to a hose or pump system housed within the base structure.

SUMMARY

In view of the above, it is an objective of the present disclosure to solve or at least reduce the drawbacks discussed above. The objective is at least partially achieved by a water collection module. The water collection module includes a collection container. The collection container is adapted to collect and store water. The collection container has a top portion and a bottom portion. The collection container defines a water outlet towards a bottom portion. The collection container further has base module coupled to the collection container towards the bottom portion. The base module is adapted to allow the collection container to stand on the base module. The base module is fluidly coupled with the water outlet of the collection container, and the base module houses awater distribution component therein. The water collection module is characterized in that the collection container is slidingly coupled to the base module in a removable manner via a male coupling member and a cooperating female coupling member. In one embodiment, the male coupling member is associated with the water outlet of the collection container and the female coupling member is associated with the water distribution component housed in the base module. In an alternate embodiment, the female coupling member is associated with the water outlet of the collection container and the male coupling member is associated with the water distribution component housed in the base module.

Thus, the present disclosure provides an improved water collection module. The collection container is slidingly coupled to the base module. This allows easy coupling and decoupling of the collection container and the base module. The sliding coupling is accomplished via the male coupling member and the female coupling member. The male coupling member and the female coupling member may interchangeably be associated with either of the collection container or the base module respectively.

There is no requirement of additional tools for facilitating coupling and decoupling of the collection container and the base module. Further, the water distribution component enables easy and ergonomic access of the collected water for various applications such as gardening, kitchen uses, household purposes etc. The water distribution component allows accessing water from the collection container without changing structural orientation of the water collection module such as decoupling the base module and the collection container. This saves any extra effort or manpower to be used for accessing water as compared to any other (say conventional) case.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the collection container is slidingly coupled to the base module using a quick coupling mechanism. The quick coupling mechanism provides easy to use, ergonomic manner of coupling the collection container and the base module in an effective and quick manner.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the water distribution component is a hose box. The hose box allows accessing the collected water through a hose coupled with the hose box. A user may unwind the hose from the hose box and use the hose to get supply of the collected water as per application purposes. For example, the water collection module may be placed on a terrace, and the user may use the hose to provide the collected water to a terrace garden.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the water distribution component is a pump. The pump may be used to provide water supply for household purposes, gardening purposes etc. The pump may be further suitably connected with a hose, or a pipeline system etc. to ensure supply of the collected water as per application requirements. In one embodiment of the present disclosure the base element or a part thereof could be filled with water in which the pump, preferably being a submersible pump, is inserted. In an alternative embodiment the base element or a part thereof could not be filled with water and in that empty (dry) space a pump can be located, preferably with its water inlet being fluidly coupled with the water outlet of the collection container.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the water distribution component is a pipeline system. The pipeline system may facilitate easy access and further supply to the collected water as per application requirements.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the water distribution component is a watering computer. The watering computer may provide easy access to the collected water. The watering computer may be further communicably coupled with a mobile device which may facilitate remote access to the collected water accordingly. The watering computer may be suitably programmed as per usage requirements to access the collected water.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the base module is a plurality of base modules. A user may be provided with multiple base modules having different functionalities to select from. Each of the plurality of base modules may be configured with at least one of a hose box, a pump, a pipeline system, and a watering computer. The user may select one or more base modules based upon his/her application requirements. For example, a user who wishes to place the water collection module in a garden may select the base module with a hose box, and the base module with a watering computer. The user may use the two or more base modules at same or different times as per application requirements in the garden.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the plurality of base modules are in stacked configuration on top of each other. Preferably these are on top of each other in a stacked configuration. Space saving may be achieved by stacking the base modules on top of each other. According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the collection container is fluidly coupled with the base module such that flow of collected water is allowed from the collection container to the base module, provided the collection container is coupled with the base module. The flow of water may also be allowed from the base module to the collection container. The base module and the collection container may be coupled together through any suitable coupling mechanism which may allow desired flow of collected water.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the base module includes a decoupling mechanism for uncoupling the collection container and the base module. After the collection container gets coupled with the base module, it may be difficult for a user to decouple the collection container and the base module from each other. Thus, the base module is also provided with a decoupling mechanism. The decoupling mechanism may be configured within the base module. The decoupling mechanism may have a lever or a toggle switch to uncouple the collection container and the base module.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the collection container and the base module are coupled using a clamping means provided on outer surfaces of the collection container and the base module. The clamping means may provide coupling between the collection container and the base module from outside to prevent toppling of the collection container from the base module. Other features and aspects of this disclosure will be apparent from the following description and the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The disclosure will be described in more detail with reference to the enclosed drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 illustrates a conventional water collection module;

FIG. 2A illustrates a water collection module showing a base module coupled with a collection container, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2B illustrates the water collection module showing the base module and the collection container in an exploded view, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 illustrates a water collection module showing a base module having a hose box, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; FIG. 4 illustrates a water collection module showing a base module having a submersible pump, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 5 illustrates a water collection module showing a base module having a pipeline system, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 6 illustrates a water collection module showing a base module having a watering computer, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 7A illustrates an assembled view of a water collection module having multiple base modules, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 7B illustrates an exploded view of the water collection module having multiple base modules, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

The present disclosure will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which example embodiments of the disclosure incorporating one or more aspects of the present disclosure are shown. This disclosure may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the disclosure to those skilled in the art. For example, one or more aspects of the present disclosure may be utilized in other embodiments and even other types of structures and/or methods. In the drawings, like numbers refer to like elements.

Certain terminology is used herein for convenience only and is not to be taken as a limitation on the disclosure. For example, "upper", "lower", "front", "rear", "side", "longitudinal", "lateral", "transverse", "upwards", "downwards", "forward", "backward", "sideward", "left," "right," "horizontal," "vertical," "upward", "inner", "outer", "inward", "outward", "top", "bottom", "higher", "above", "below", "central", "middle", "intermediate", "between", "end", "adjacent", "proximate", "near", "distal", "remote", "radial", "circumferential", or the like, merely describe the configuration shown in the Figures. Indeed, the components may be oriented in any direction and the terminology, therefore, should be understood as encompassing such variations unless specified otherwise.

FIG. 1 illustrates a conventional water collection module 100. The conventional water collection module 100 is used to collect water during rainfall and like events. The conventional water collection module 100 may be placed at any location having access to water during rainfall. For example, the conventional water collection module 100 may be placed on a terrace of a household, in a garden area, in a lawn area or any other suitable location in accordance with various aspects of the present disclosure.

As illustrated, the conventional water collection module 100 is a singular structure. The conventional water collection module 100 has a collection container 102 which receives water. Further, the conventional water collection module 100 is provided with a water outlet 104 illustrated as a water tap to access the water collected by the collection container 102. However, the conventional water collection module 100 does not facilitate easy access to the collected water for further usage as per application requirements.

FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate a water collection module 200 as per the present disclosure. Referring in combination to FIGS. 2A and 2B, the water collection module 200 has a modular structure. The water collection module 200 has a base module 202 and a collection container 204. The base module 202 and the collection container 204 are both provided as separate components making up the modular structure of the water collection module 200. The base module 202 and the collection container 204 may be made of a similar or different materials such as plastics, reinforced polymer or any such material which may be suitable in accordance with various aspects of the present disclosure.

The collection container 204 is adapted to collect and store water received from a downpipe (not shown). More specifically, the collection container 204 receives the water during rainfall and stores the water accordingly. The collection container 204 has a top portion 214 and a bottom portion 216 such that the collection container 204 defines a water outlet 210 towards the bottom portion 216. The water outlet 210 may be any suitable type of water outlet 210 which may be shaped and sized as per application requirements. For example, the water outlet 210 may be a tap connector that may be configured to supply water collected and stored in the collection container 204.

The collection container 204 is adapted to be placed upon the base module 202. Further, the base module 202 is adapted to be fluidly coupled with the collection container 204. The base module 202 is coupled to the collection container 204 towards the bottom portion 216 of the collection container 204. The collection container 204 is slidingly coupled to the base module 202 in a removable manner. The base module 202 defines a water inlet 218. The water inlet 218 is adapted to establish fluid coupling between the collection container 204 and the base module 202. More specifically, the water inlet 218 of the base module 202 gets slidingly coupled with the water outlet 210 of the collection container 204. For example, the water inlet 218 may be a hose connector that may be configured to fluidly couple the water outlet 210 with a water distribution accessory such as a hose, and the like.

Further, the coupling between the collection container 204 and the base module 202 may be additionally supported using a clamping means that may be provided on outer surfaces (visible from outside) of the collection container 204 and the base module 202. The clamping means may be a plurality of clippings, a sliding sleeve, or any other suitable clamping means to provide coupling between the collection container 204 and the base module 202 from outside after the collection container 204 and the base module 202 have been interiorly fluidly coupled due to coupling between the water inlet 218 and the water outlet 210.

The collection container 204 may be fluidly and interiorly coupled (not visible from outside) with the base module 202 through any suitable coupling means which may allow flow of water from the collection container 204 to the base module 202. For example, the fluid coupling may be due to a ball spring plunger that may be provided with the collection container 204. In such an example embodiment, the collection container 204 may include a plurality of grooves each of which may house a ball spring plunger. Each of the ball spring plungers may further include a spherical ball. Further, the base module 202 may include a plurality of rotatable levers having a plurality of hemispherical holes such that the spherical balls upon rotation of the plurality of rotatable levers may respectively engage and disengage with one of the hemispherical holes to couple and decouple the collection container 204 from the base module 202.

However, in the preferred embodiment of this disclosure, the collection container 204 is slidingly coupled to the base module 202 using a quick coupling mechanism that simply involves coupling of a male coupling member and a cooperating female coupling member using a retractable sleeve.

In the embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 2B, the water outlet 210 is the male coupling member and the water inlet 218 is the female coupling member. The water inlet 218 receives a coupling sleeve 220. The coupling sleeve 220 is provided concentrically around the water inlet 218 such that the coupling sleeve 220 and the water inlet 218 define an annular space in between. The coupling sleeve 220 is adapted to slide between an engaged position (not shown) and a disengaged position (as shown in FIG. 2B). In the engaged position, the coupling sleeve 220 securely holds the fluid coupling between the water inlet 218 and the water outlet 210. In the disengaged position, the coupling sleeve 220 allows decoupling of the fluid coupling between the water inlet 218 and the water outlet 210.

In another embodiment, the water outlet 210 is the female coupling member and the water inlet 218 is the male coupling member. The water outlet 210 may act as any one of the male coupling member or the female coupling member, and correspondingly the water inlet 218 may act as any one of the female coupling member or the male coupling member respectively.

A biasing member (not shown) biases the coupling sleeve 220 to the engaged position. The biasing member may be selected from one or more of a spring, an elastomer, and/or a damper. The biasing member may be housed in the annular space between the water inlet 218 and the coupling sleeve 220.

Further, a decoupling mechanism 212 is provided with a base module 202. The decoupling mechanism 212 uncouples the fluid coupling between the collection container 204 and the base module 202. The coupling sleeve 220 slides between the engaged position and the disengaged position using a combination of the decoupling mechanism 212 and the biasing member. The decoupling mechanism 212 is coupled to the coupling sleeve 220 such that any movement in the decoupling mechanism 212 leads to movement in the coupling sleeve 220 and vice-versa.

The decoupling mechanism 212 may be connected to the coupling sleeve 220 using any means known in the related art. For example, the decoupling mechanism 212 may be connected to the coupling sleeve 220 using a pair of rods such that one end of the pair of rods is connected to the decoupling mechanism 212 and the other end of the pair of rods is connected to the diametrically opposite surfaces of the coupling sleeve 220. The connection between the decoupling mechanism 212 and the coupling sleeve 220 is indicated in FIG. 2B by reference numeral 222. The decoupling mechanism 212 may be a button, a lever, switch, and the like according to the application requirement, user ergonomics, design simplicity, among other factors.

The decoupling mechanism 212 is adapted to slide between a first position “Pl” (as shown in FIG. 2A) and a second position “P2” (as shown in FIG. 2B). In the first position “Pl” of the decoupling mechanism 212, the coupling sleeve 220 is in the engaged position while in the second position “P2” of the decoupling mechanism 212, the coupling sleeve 220 is in the disengaged position. The decoupling mechanism 212 may slide from the first position “Pl” to the second position “P2” by virtue of force applied to the decoupling mechanism 212 by a user. The decoupling mechanism 212 slides from the second position “P2” to the first position “Pl” by virtue of the force from the biasing member biasing the coupling sleeve 220 to the engaged position.

During operation, when the user intends to couple the collection container 204 with the base module 202, or fluidly couple the water outlet 210 with the water inlet 218, the user presses down the decoupling mechanism 212 from the first position “Pl” to the second position “P2”. Consequently, the coupling sleeve 220 slides from the engaged position to the disengaged position. The user holds the decoupling mechanism 212 in the second position “P2” with one hand. Consequently, the coupling sleeve 220 is held in the disengaged position. In some embodiments, the base module 202 may include a locking element to temporary lock the decoupling mechanism 212 in the second position “P2”. Once the coupling sleeve 220 is in the disengaged position, the water outlet 210 is removably inserted in the water inlet 218 and the decoupling mechanism 212 is unlocked such that the decoupling mechanism 212 moves back to the first position “Pl” from the second position “P2”. Consequently, the coupling sleeve 220 moves from the disengaged position to the engaged position. The coupling sleeve 220 in the engaged position provides additional support or reinforcement to the fluid coupling between the fluid outlet 210 and the fluid inlet 218. Thus, the collection container 204 is in secure fluid communication with the base module 202 when the decoupling mechanism 212 is in the second position “P2”. The decoupling mechanism 212 provides an easy and ergonomic means to decouple the base module 202 and the collection container 204 when moved from second position “P2” to the first position “Pl”.

In some embodiments, the water inlet 218 may include a series of annular ribs in an inner periphery of the water inlet 218 to grab the water outlet 210. The series of annular ribs may tightly grab the water outlet 210, when the coupling sleeve 220 is pressed upon it in the engaged position. Conversely, the series of annular ribs may release the water outlet 210, when the coupling sleeve 220 is in the disengaged position. In some embodiments, the water outlet 210 may include a sealing element on its outer periphery to prevent water leakage. The sealing element may be an O-ring, a gasket, or any other similar sealing element suitable for usage with the water outlet 210. The base module 202 is illustrated as a stand module 206 in FIGS. 2A and 2B. The stand module 206 provides a higher elevation to the collection container 204 compared to a surface 208 over which the water collection module 200 is placed upon. Higher elevation may provide the user with better access to the surface 208 under the water collection module 200 for maintenance (say cleaning) and like purposes.

Further, as per the present disclosure, the base module 202 is configured with a water distribution component 300 (shown in FIG. 3 onwards) to facilitate access of the water collected by the collection container 204. The water distribution component 300 may enable easy and ergonomic access of the collected water for various applications such as gardening, kitchen uses, household purposes etc. The water distribution component 300 may allow accessing the collected water without changing structural orientation of the water collection module 200 such as decoupling the base module 202 and the collection container 204. This saves any extra effort or manpower to be used for accessing water as compared to any other (i.e., conventional) case.

The water distribution component 300 firmly holds or supports the water inlet 218 such that the water inlet 218 does not fall into the base module 202. In other words, the water distribution component 300 allows the water inlet 218 to stand erect above a surface 224 (as shown in FIG. 2B) of the base module 202 to allow the fluid coupling between the water outlet 210 and the water distribution component 300 via the water inlet 218 so that the water from the collection container 204 is transferred to the water distribution component 300 for various non-limiting applications.

Further, since the water distribution component and the water inlet 218 are always fluidly coupled to each other, they may be considered as one part and may together or individually be regarded as the male coupling member or the female coupling member. In other words, either the male coupling member is associated with the water outlet 210 of the collection container 204 and the female coupling member is associated with the water distribution component 300 housed in the base module 202 or the female coupling member is associated with the water outlet 210 of the collection container 204 and the male coupling member is associated with the water distribution component 300 housed in the base module 202.

FIG. 3 illustrates the water collection module 200 with the base module 202 having the water distribution component 300 as a hose box 302 having a hose 304. The hose box 302 allows accessing the collected water through a hose (not shown) coupled with the hose box 302. A user may unwind the hose from the hose box 302 and use the hose to get supply of the collected water as per application purposes. For example, the water collection module 200 may be placed on a terrace, and the user may use the hose to provide the collected water to a terrace garden.

FIG. 4 illustrates the water collection module 200 with the base module 202 having the water distribution component 300 as a pump 400. In case of this specific example the pump 400 is a submersible pump that may be used to provide water supply for household purposes, gardening purposes etc. The submersible pump 400 may be further suitably connected with a hose, or a pipeline system etc. to ensure supply of the collected water as per application requirements. For example, the water collection module 200 may be placed such that the base module 202 places the submersible pump 400 submerged underwater. The submersible pump 400 may be used to supply the collected water from the base module 202.

FIG. 5 illustrates the water collection module 200 with the base module 202 having the water distribution component 300 as a pipeline system 500. The pipeline system 500 may facilitate easy access and further supply to the collected water as per application requirements. The pipeline system 500 may further be integrated with existing water supply lines (not shown) and may aid water supply therein. Further, it should also be contemplated that the water may flow from the base module 202 to the collection container 204 as well and the present disclosure is not limited by flow of water in one direction only. In some embodiments, the pipeline system 500 may provide water to the base module 202 and thereafter the collection container 204 and may be stored therein. The stored water may thereafter used for various purposes as per application requirements.

The water collection module 200 further includes a water tap 502 for accessing water directly from the collection container 204. The water tap 502 may be any suitable type of water tap known in the prior art which may be suitable for application with various aspects of the present disclosure without limiting the scope of the present disclosure in any manner.

FIG. 6 illustrates the water collection module 200 with the base module 202 having the water distribution component 300 as a watering computer 700. The watering computer 700 may provide easy access to the collected water. The watering computer 700 may be further communicably coupled with a mobile device (not shown) which may facilitate remote access to the collected water accordingly. The watering computer 700 may be suitably programmed as per usage requirements to access the collected water.

In an embodiment, the base module 202 is a plurality of base modules 202. A user may be provided with multiple base modules 202 having different functionalities to select from. Each of the plurality of base modules 202 may be configured with at least one of the hose box 302, the pump 400, the pipeline system 500, and the watering computer 700. The user may select one or more base modules 202 based upon his/her application requirements. For example, a user who wishes to place the water collection module 200 in a garden may select the base module 202 with the hose box 302, and the base module 202 with the watering computer 700. The user may use the two base modules 202 at different times as per application requirements in the garden.

Another embodiment of the present disclosure is illustrated with FIGS. 7A and 7B. FIG. 7A provides an assembled view of the water collection module 200 and FIG. 7B provides an exploded view of the water collection module 200. The water collection module 200 includes the collection container 204. The collection container 204 has the top portion 214 and the bottom portion 216 such that the collection container 204 defines the water outlet 210 towards the bottom portion 216. The water collection module 200 further includes the plurality of base modules 202 in stacked configuration on top of each other. In the illustrated embodiment, the water collection module 200 includes a first base module 802 and a second base module 804 coupled with the collection container 204 along a central axis X-X’. The water collection module 200 may include more than two base modules as well, and the present disclosure is not limited by number of base modules in any manner.

As illustrated, the first base module 802 includes a water computer 814 as the water distribution component. The first base module 802 includes a first water inlet 806 and a first water outlet 808. The first water inlet 806 is fluidly coupled with the water outlet 210 of the collection container 202. The first base module 802 is fluidly coupled to the collection container 204 in the same manner as previously discussed in FIG. 2B. The water outlet 210 is fluidly coupled with the first water inlet 806 using a first coupling sleeve 816 and a first decoupling mechanism 820. The first decoupling mechanism 820 is configured to slide the first coupling sleeve 816 between the engaged position and the disengaged position. The first coupling sleeve 816 in the engaged position reinforces or supports the fluid coupling between the first water inlet 806 and the water outlet 210. The first coupling sleeve 816 in the disengaged position allows the separation between the first water inlet 806 and the water outlet 210.

Further, the second base module 804 includes a pipeline system 810 as the water distribution component. The second base module 804 includes a second water inlet 812. The second water inlet 812 is fluidly coupled with the first water outlet 808 using a second coupling sleeve 818 and a second decoupling mechanism 822. The second decoupling mechanism 822 is configured to slide the second coupling sleeve 818 between the engaged position and the disengaged position. The second coupling sleeve 818 in the engaged position reinforces or supports the fluid coupling between the first water outlet 808 and the second water inlet 812. The second coupling sleeve 818 in the disengaged position allows the separation between the first water outlet 808 and the second water inlet 812. The water collected by the collection container 204 may get transferred to the first base module 802 and thereafter the second base module 804 along the central axis X- X’.

In some embodiments, the pipeline system 810 may transfer water to the second base module 804 and thereafter to the first base module 802 and may be stored within the collection container 204 to various usage purposes as per application requirements. It should be contemplated that various other logical combinations of the water distribution component with the first base module 802 and the second base module 804 may also be envisioned well within the scope of the present disclosure.

In the drawings and specification, there have been disclosed preferred embodiments and examples of the disclosure and, although specific terms are employed, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for the purpose of limitation of the scope of the disclosure being set forth in the following claims.

LIST OF ELEMENTS

100 Conventional Water collection module

102 Collection container

104 Water outlet

200 Water collection module

202 Base module

204 Collection container

206 Stand module

208 Surface

210 Water outlet

212 Decoupling mechanism

214 Top portion

216 Bottom portion

218 Water inlet

220 Coupling Sleeve

222 Reference Numeral

224 Surface

300 Water Distribution Component

302 Hose box

304 Hose

400 Pump

500 Pipeline system

502 Water tap

600 Storage module

602 Water outlet 700 Watering computer

802 First base module

804 Second base module

806 First water inlet

808 Second water inlet

810 Pipeline system

812 Second water inlet

814 Water computer

816 First Coupling Sleeve

818 Second Coupling Sleeve

820 First Decoupling Mechanism

822 Second Decoupling Mechanism

Pl First Position

P2 Second Position