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 received from a downpipe. The collection container has a top portion and a bottom portion. The collection container defines a water outlet towards the bottom portion. The collection container further has base module coupled to the collection container towards the bottom portion. The water collection module is characterized in that the base module further includes an engagement element. 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 engagement element of the base module. In another embodiment, the female coupling member is associated with the water outlet of the collection container and the male coupling member is associated with the engagement element of the base module

Thus, the present disclosure provides an improved water collection module. The base module may be provided as a very cost-effective base module without any additional components. This may help bringing down an initial installation cost for a user. Thereafter, as per requirements, the user may look for further enhancing the 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 collection container enables easy and ergonomic access of the collected water for various applications such as gardening, kitchen uses, household purposes etc. The water may be accessed 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 base module further includes a sealing element coupled to the base module such that the sealing element is adapted to stop flow of water from the collection container. The sealing element may prevent flow or leakage of the water collected in the collection container when the collection container is coupled to the base module.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the base module is adapted to fluidly couple further with a water distribution component. The base module may transfer the water received from the collection container to the water distribution component that may further be employed to carry out various domestic or industrial applications.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the engagement element is a cover surface. The engagement element is configured to fixedly or removably hold the male or the female coupling member associated with the base module. The engagement element or the cover surface is removably engaged with the base module such that the cover surface provides a provision to hold the male or the female coupling member associated with the base module to fluidly couple the base module with the cooperating male or female coupling member of the collection container. In another embodiment the engagement element is a cover surface that is an integral part of the base module. In some embodiments the cover surface forming the engagement element is not a closed surface but has at least one opening, in particular at least one bar holding to hold the male or the female coupling member associated with the base module to fluidly couple with the cooperating male or female coupling member of the collection container.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the engagement element is a coupling structure coupled to side wall of the base module. The side wall includes a provision to fluidly couple the male or female coupling member of the base module with the cooperating male or female coupling associated with the collection container. In some embodiments, the side wall may itself act as the engagement element to directly hold the male or female coupling member of the base module.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the at least one 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 water collection module comprises two or more base modules at same time. A user may be provided with multiple base modules having different functionalities to select from. Each of the two or more base modules may be further coupled with at least one of a hose box, a pump, a pipeline system, and a watering computer. The user may select two or more base modules based upon his/her application requirements.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the two or more base modules are in stacked configuration on top of each other. 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 and the base module are coupled using a clamping means provided on outer surfaces of at least one of the collection container and the at least one 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 a water collection module showing a base module and a collection container in an exploded view, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2C illustrates a bottom view of the base module of FIGS. 2A and 2B, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 3 illustrates a water collection module showing a collection container with a water tap, 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. The base module 202 is adapted to be 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 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 a user with better access to the surface 208 under the water collection module 200 for maintenance (say cleaning) and like purposes. The base module 202 may further provide support to the collection container 204 on the surface 208. The base module 202 may further prevent direct contact of the collection container 204 with the surface 208 and thereby prevent the collection container 204 from any damage due to foreign materials present on the surface 208.

In some advantageous embodiment of the present disclosure as shown in FIG. 2B, the base module 202 includes an engagement element. The engagement element is configured to fixedly or removably hold the male or female coupling member associated with the base module 202. In some embodiments, the engagement element is a cover surface 224. The cover surface 224 is removably engaged with the base module 202 such that the cover surface 224 provides provision to hold the male or female coupling member associated with the base module 202 to fluid couple the base module with the cooperating male or female coupling member of the collection container 204. In another embodiment, the engagement element is the cover surface 224 that is an integral part of the base module 202. In some embodiments, the cover surface 224 is not a closed surface but has at least one opening, in particular at least one bar holding to hold the male of female coupling member associated with the base module 202 to fluidly couple with the cooperating male or female coupling member of the collection container. In some embodiments, the cover surface 224 may be a disc shaped plate with a hole at the center or offset to the center to accommodate the male of female coupling member. In some embodiments, the cover surface 224 may have a noncircular shape that may still allow engagement with the base module 202.

In some embodiments, the engagement element may be a coupling structure coupled to side wall of the base module 202. The side wall may include a provision to fluidly couple the male or female coupling member of the base module 202 with the cooperating male or female coupling associated with the collection container 204. In some embodiments, the side wall may itself act as the engagement element to directly hold the male or female coupling member of the base module 202.

The base module 202 further includes a sealing element 226, as shown in FIG. 2C, coupled to the base module 202. The sealing element 226 may be adapted to stop flow of water from the collection container 204. In other words, the sealing element 226 may prevent flow or leakage of the water collected in the collection container 204 when the collection container 204 is coupled to the base module 202. The sealing element 226 may be a sealing gasket, a sealing plug and the like. The sealing element 226 may be coupled to the engagement element or the cover surface 224 of the base module 202. The sealing element 226 may be coupled to the underside of the cover surface 224. For example, the sealing plug may be threadedly engaged or screwed with the male or female coupling member associated with the cover surface 224. Further, in the embodiments, in which the base module 202 includes the sealing element 226, the water collected in the collection container 204 may only be accessed via, a water tap 400, as shown in FIG. 3, coupled to the collection container 204 proximate to the bottom portion 216 of the collection container 204. In some embodiments, the water tap 400 may be substituted with other similar valve like arrangements.

The collection container 204 in the preferred embodiment of the present disclosure is slidingly coupled to the base module 202 in a removable manner. The base module 202 further includes the male or female coupling member to allow sliding or any other removable coupling with the collection container 204. In some embodiments, the male or female coupling member may be a coupling nipple that may be provided with the base module 202 using the engagement member. In some embodiments, the male or female coupling member may be a hose connector that may be provided with the base module 202. In some embodiments, the male or female coupling member may be coupled at the center of the base module 202. In some embodiments, the male or female coupling member may be coupled at an offset to the center of the base module 202. In some embodiments, the male or female coupling member associated with the collection container 204 is arranged on the collection container 204 according to the position or arrangement of the cooperating male or female coupling member associated with the base module 202.

Further, for the purpose of illustration of the present disclosure, as disclosed in the FIG. 2A and 2B, the engagement member or the cover surface 224 holds a water inlet 218 that fluidly couples with the water outlet 210 of the collection container 2O4.The water inlet 218 may be 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. The position of the water outlet 210 on the collection container 204 may correspond to the position of the water inlet 218 in the base module 202 for easy engagement between the two. Further, the sliding coupling is preferably a quick coupling that simply involves coupling of a male coupling member and a cooperating female coupling member using the retractable sleeve 220.

In the embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 2B, 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 engagement element of the base module 202. In other words, the water outlet 210 (or the male coupling member) is inserted into the water inlet 218 (or female coupling member) for coupling or engagement. However, in some embodiments, 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 engagement element of the base module 202. In other words, the water inlet 218 (or the male coupling member) is inserted into the water outlet 210 (or the female coupling member) for coupling or engagement.

The water inlet 218 as shown in FIG. 2B, receives the 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.

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 the 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.

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 internally fluidly coupled due to coupling between the water inlet 218 and the water outlet 210.

In some embodiments, the base module 202 may be adapted to fluidly couple further with a water distribution component 300. The base module 202 may advantageously and additionally be used to transfer the water received from the collection container 204 to the water distribution component 300 that may further be employed to carry out various domestic or industrial applications. In such embodiment, the cover surface 224 or the water inlet 218 may not be provided with the sealing element 226. Instead, an inlet of the water distribution component 300 may be fluidly coupled to the cover surface 224 or the water inlet 218 by any means known in the related art. For example, the inlet of the water distribution component 300 may be threadedly engaged or screwed to the water inlet 218 such that the inlet of the water distribution component 300 fluidly couples with the water outlet 210 via the water inlet 218.

In some embodiments, the water distribution component 300 may be a hose box having a hose. The hose box may allow accessing the collected water through the hose coupled with the hose box. The user may unwind the hose from the hose box and use the hose to get supply of the collected water as per application purposes.

In some embodiments, the water distribution component may be a pump that 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 some embodiments, the water distribution component may be a pipeline system. The pipeline system may facilitate easy access and further supply to the collected water as per application requirements. The pipeline system may further be integrated with existing water supply lines and may aid water supply therein.

In some embodiments, the water distribution component may be 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.

In some embodiments, the water collection module 200 may include two or more base modules 202 at same time. The user may be provided with multiple base modules 202 having different functionalities to select from. Each of the two or more base modules 202 may be further fluidly coupled with at least one of the hose box, the pump, the pipeline system, and the watering computer. The user may select two or more base modules 202 based upon his/her application requirements. In some embodiments, the two or more base modules 202 may be arranged in stacked configuration on top of each other such as to save the space and enable easy fluid connection between them in a vertical direction relative to the surface 208.

Thus, the present disclosure provides an improved water collection module 200. The water collection module 200 includes the collection container 204 that removably couples with the base module 202. The base module 202 is a versatile in functionality. The base module 202 in one embodiment provides the sealing element 226 to seal off the water coming down from the collection container to prevent leakages. The base module 202 in other embodiments provides a provision to distribute water from the collection container for various applications by fluidly coupling with the water distribution component 300.

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 Cover Surface

226 Sealing element

300 Water Distribution Component

302 Hose box

304 Hose

400 Water tap

Pl First Position

P2 Second Position