GB2441539A

GB2441539A - Fluid storage receptacle

Info

Publication number: GB2441539A
Application number: GB0617473A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Timothy Henry Hardy
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2006-09-06
Filing date: 2006-09-06
Publication date: 2008-03-12
Also published as: GB0617473D0

Abstract

A fluid storage receptacle (10) for collecting and storing water comprises a base (12) and at least one side wall (14) extending from the base (12) to define an opening (16) aligned with the base (12). The base (12) and side wall(s) (14) are formed from a flexible membrane impervious to fluid, which folds flat such that the opening (16) overlies the base (12) when the receptacle (10) is empty. The receptacle (10) further includes a buoyancy member (18), associated with the opening (16), which floats on fluid collected within the receptacle (10) thereby lifting the opening (16) away from the base (12) as the receptacle (10) fills with fluid.

Description

A FLUID STORAGE RECEPTACLE

The invention relates to a fluid storage receptacle and, in particular, a fluid storage receptable for collecting and storing water.

It is well known to collect and store rainwater in water butts. Taps provided in the water butts allow a user to selectively drain water for use in gardens and on allotments, for example. Such water butts vary in size and are commonly molded from plastics materials rendering them relatively difficult to store and transport due to their size.

An aim of the invention is to provide a fluid storage receptacle that can be easily stored and transported.

According to an aspect of the invention there is provided a fluid storage receptacle for collecting and storing water comprising a base and at least one side wall extending from the base to define an opening aligned with the base, the base and side wall(s) being formed from a flexible membrane impervious to fluid, which folds flat such that the opening overlies the base when the receptacle is empty, and the receptacle further including a buoyancy member, associated with the opening, which floats on fluid collected within the receptacle thereby lifting the opening away from the base as the receptacle fills with fluid.

The use of a flexible membrane that folds flat when the receptacle is empty renders the receptacle relatively easy to store and transport. In addition, the use of a flexible membrane renders the receptacle resistant to cracks and breakages that could otherwise occur when a water butt formed from a plastics material is dropped or hit. The use of a flexible membrane thereby renders the receptacle suitable for transport to areas requiring temporary water storage capabilities such as disaster zones and war zones, for example. Not only is the receptacle relatively easy to transport to such areas, but also it can be dropped, if necessary, from an aircraft.

The provision of the buoyancy member, which lifts the opening away from the base as fluid collects in the receptacle, assists in maintaining the shape of the opening such that fluid is retained within the receptacle as it fills. In the absence of the buoyancy member, fluid would simply land on and run off the surface of the flexible membrane when the receptacle is empty.

Other advantageous features are recited in Claims 2-10.

An embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying figures in which: Figure 1 shows a fluid storage receptacle according to an embodiment of the invention filled with fluid; Figure 2 shows the fluid storage receptacle of Figure 1 empty when viewed from above; and Figure 3 shows the fluid storage receptacle of Figure 1 when partially filled with fluid.

A fluid storage receptacle 10 according to an embodiment of the invention is shown in Figures 1 to 3, and includes a base 12 and a side wall 14 extending from the base 12 to define an opening 16 aligned with the base 12.

The base 12 and side wall 14 are formed from a flexible membrane impervious to fluid, which folds flat such that the opening 16 overlies the base 12 when the receptacle is empty, as shown in Figure 2.

In the embodiment shown in the figures, the base 12 is circular and a single side wall 14 extends from the base 12 to define a circular opening 16. In other embodiments, the base 12 may be formed in a different shape and a plurality of side walls 14 may extend from the base 12 to defme an opening 16 corresponding in shape to the base 12.

An inflatable air pocket 18 is provided in the flexible membrane of the side wall 14 about the periphery of the opening 16. When inflated, the inflatable air pocket 18 defines a buoyancy member extending about the periphery of the opening 16.

In other embodiments, different arrangements of inflatable air pockets 18 may be provided in the flexible membrane to define a buoyancy member. For example a plurality of individual inflatable air pockets 18 may be spaced about the periphery of the opening 16. This arrangement is advantageous in that it would allow a degree of buoyancy to be retained in the event that one of the inflatable air pockets 18 becomes damaged.

In yet further embodiments, buoyant material such as, for example, polystyrene could be secured or otherwise attached to an inner surface of the flexible membrane forming the or each side wall 14 so as to define a buoyancy member. In such embodiments, a single piece of buoyant material may be provided so as to extend about the periphery of the opening 16. Alternatively, sections of buoyant material may be spaced about the periphery of the opening 16.

The side wall 14 of the receptacle 10 preferably extends from the base 12 so as to define an opening 16 that is smaller than base 12. In the embodiment shown in the figures, the side waIl 14 also extends from the base 12 to defme a waist portion 20, when the receptacle 10 contains fluid, that is spaced from and larger than the base 12. Preferably the waist portion 20 is spaced a distance W4 from the base 12 where H is the total height of the receptacle when filled with fluid.

These relative dimensions have been found to have a beneficial effect on the performance of the receptacle 10 during and after filling with fluid in terms of balance in that it prevents the receptacle toppling once filled and also assists in ensuring that fluid is evenly displaced within the receptacle during filling such that the receptacle doesn't lean to one side, as shown in Figure 3.

A tap 26 is provided in the side wall 14 to allow fluid to drain from the receptacle 10. In other embodiments additional taps may be provided at spaced locations relative to the height H of the receptacle 10 to allow fluid to be removed at different levels.

To assist in filling of the receptacle 10, the base 12 includes a plurality of tabs 22, S which define apertures 24 to receive pegs or other ground engagement members.

In other embodiments such tabs 22 may be omitted.

In the embodiment shown in the figures, piping 28 is located about the peripheral edge of the opening 16. The provision of the piping 28 assists the opening 16 to retain its shape.

In other embodiments, piping may also be provided about the peripheral edge of the base 12. Such piping may be provided as an alternative or in addition to tabs 22 to assist in maintaining the shape of the base 12 when it is laid on the ground.

Piping provided about the peripheral edge of the base 12 may be particularly advantageous when the receptacle 10 is located on an impenetrable surface such as a pavement for example where it is impossible to use tabs 22 and pegs.

In use the base 12 is laid flat on the ground. In embodiments including tabs 22, it may then be secured and retained in position by means of pegs or other ground engagement members inserted through the apertures 24 provided in tabs 22.

The side wall 14 is arranged on the ground so that the opening 16 overlies the base 12,asshowninFigure2.

In this arrangement, fluid such as rainwater falling onto the base 12 through the opening will collect and, once sufficient fluid has collected, will cause the buoyancy member to float on the surface of the fluid and lift the opening 16 away from the base 12. This allows the fluid to pass under the buoyancy member to fill the space available within the folded side wall 14.

The shape of the buoyancy member is preferably chosen such that it prevents fluid spreading towards the side wall 14 of the receptacle 10 during initial filling of the receptacle 10 and thereby assisting in maintaining the stability of the receptacle 10 during filling.

S

As more fluid collects in the receptacle 10, the buoyancy member will continue to lift the opening 16 away from the base 12 until the side walls 14 extend in a taut manner from the base 12. Further fluid entering the receptacle 10 will then simply overflow.

To prevent the ingress of contaminants into the receptacle, a cover may optionally be provided for location across the top edge of the side wall 14 to close the opening 16 when fluid is not being collected.

Claims

I. A fluid storage receptacle for collecting and storing water comprising a base and at least one side wall extending from the base to define an opening aligned with the base, the base and side wall(s) being formed from a flexible membrane impervious to fluid, which folds flat such that the opening overlies the base when the receptacle is empty, and the receptacle further including a buoyancy member, associated with the opening, which floats on fluid collected within the receptacle thereby lifting the opening away from the base as the receptacle fills with fluid.
2. A fluid storage receptacle according to Claim 1 wherein the base is circular and a side wall extends from the base so as to define a circular opening aligned with the base.
3. A fluid storage receptacle according to Claim I or Claim 2 wherein the buoyancy member is secured to an inner surface of the or each side wall at or towards the opening so as extend about the periphery of the opening.
4. A fluid storage receptacle according to any preceding claim wherein the or at least one side wall includes an inflatable air pocket at or towards the opening to define at least part of the buoyancy member when inflated.
5. A fluid storage receptacle according to any of Claims 1-3 wherein buoyant material is secured to an inner surface of the or at least one side wall, at or towards the opening, to define at least part of the buoyancy member.
6. A fluid storage receptacle according to any preceding claim wherein the or each side wall extends from the base so as to define an opening that is smaller than the base.
7. A fluid storage receptacle according to Claim 6 wherein the or each side wall extends from the base to define a waist portion, when the receptacle contains fluid, that is spaced from and larger than the base.
8. A fluid storage receptacle according to Claim 7 wherein the waist is located a distance of H/4 from the base where H is the height of the receptable when filled with fluid.

S
9. A fluid storage receptacle according to any preceding claim wherein the base includes tabs defining apertures to receive pegs or other ground engaging members to secure the base to the ground in use.
10. A fluid storage receptacle according to any preceding claim further including at least one tap provided in the side wall to selectively drain fluid stored in the receptacle.
11. A fluid storage receptacle generally as herein described with reference to andlor as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.