Liquid-storing Container Wall System

Abstract

A container for forming a wall structure providing a container for forming a wall structure including one or more neighboring containers, the container providing a body including a cavity for storing liquid therein; an inlet, in fluid communication with the cavity, for receiving liquid within the cavity; an outlet, in fluid communication with the cavity, for transferring, to one of the one or more neighboring containers, the liquid received within the cavity; and a connecting arrangement connectable with a respective connecting arrangement of one of the one or more neighboring containers.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Australian Provisional Application No. 2007906332 filed on Oct. 19, 2007

FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE OF MATERIAL SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISK

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention concerns relates to a system for a wall structure constructed from liquid-storing containers.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART

Due to the presence of drought weather conditions, people have been encouraged to adopt a sustainable lifestyle. One technique which is currently employed is the installation of rainwater tanks to capture and store rainwater, rainwater tanks are generally only available in a limited number of shapes and dimensions which may not be appropriate where the space available for installing a rainwater tank is restricted. Furthermore, if the size of the rainwater tank needs to be adjusted such that less or more rainwater is collected, then generally the rainwater tank needs to be replaced.

Therefore, there exists a need for device which enables the collection and storage of rainwater which overcomes or at least ameliorates at least one of the above mentioned disadvantages.

The reference in this specification to any prior publication or information derived from it, or to any matter which is known, is not, and should not be taken as an acknowledgment or admission or any form of suggestion that that prior publication, or information derived from it, or known matter forms part of the common general knowledge in the field of endeavor to which this specification relates.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention concerns that of a new and improved container for forming a wall structure. A container for forming a wall structure including one or more neighboring containers, the container comprising a body including a cavity for storing liquid therein; an inlet, in fluid communication with the cavity, for receiving liquid within the cavity; an outlet, in fluid communication with the cavity, for transferring, to one of the one or more neighboring containers, the liquid received within the cavity; and a connecting arrangement connectable with a respective connecting arrangement of one of the one or more neighboring containers.

In one form, the connecting arrangement includes at least one of-a female connecting portion connectable with a male connecting portion of one of the one or more neighboring containers; and a male connecting portion connectable with a female connecting portion of one of the one or more neighboring containers.

In another form, the female connecting portion has a profile which corresponds to the male connecting portion.

In one embodiment, the female connecting portion and male connecting portion have tapered profiles.

In another embodiment, the female connecting portion and male connecting portion have a frusto-conical profile.

In an optional form, the female connecting portion is the inlet.

In another optional form, the male connecting portion is the outlet.

In one form, a wall of the body includes an aperture which is in fluid communication with the cavity and allows liquid to be received from and transferred to one of the one or more neighboring containers.

In another form, the container includes a removable plug which cooperates with and seals the aperture.

In one embodiment, the aperture includes a screw thread which is cooperable with a screw thread of the removable plug.

In another embodiment, the body defines one or more hollows which pass through the body of the container, wherein each hollow is able to receive therethrough a support member to support the container.

In an optional form, each hollow is radially spaced from the inlet.

In another optional form, a portion of the hollow includes a screw thread which cooperates with a respective support member receivable within the hollow.

Optionally, at one end of each hollow a connecting element extends therefrom which cooperates with an opposing end of a hollow of one of the one or more neighboring containers.

Also optionally, the connecting element is a sheath which is receivable within an opposing end of the hollow of one of the one or more neighboring containers.

In some forms, each hollow includes a ridge intermediate respective ends of the respective hollow which is buttable against an end of a sheath of one of the neighboring containers.

In one form, a side wall of the body includes a recess which defines a hollow with a neighboring container in the wall structure, wherein the hollow defined by the recess is able to receive therethrough a support member to support the container.

In another form, the inlet includes a sealing element for sealingly engaging with the outlet of one of the neighboring containers in the wall structure.

In one embodiment, the sealing element is an O-ring.

In another embodiment, a wall of the container includes a recess, wherein the recess receives therein a support bracket such that the received support bracket is located substantially flush with the wall of the container.

In an optional form, the recess is located adjacent an end of one of the hollows.

In another optional form, the wall of the container includes a groove for receiving therein a portion of the support bracket.

In another broad form there is provided a wall structure including a plurality of interconnected containers, wherein each container includes: a body including: a cavity for storing liquid therein; an inlet, in fluid communication with the cavity, for receiving liquid in the cavity; an outlet, in fluid communication with the cavity, for transferring, to a neighboring container in the wall structure, the liquid received within the cavity; and a connecting portion connectable with a respective connecting portion of at least one of the neighboring container; and another neighboring container in the wall structure.

In one form, each container is stackable upon a different container of the plurality of containers to thereby form the wall structure.

In another form, the wall structure includes one or more support members, wherein each support member is receivable within a hollow defined by the body of each container to thereby provide support to the wall structure.

In one embodiment, each support member includes a threaded end which cooperates with a threaded portion of a respective hollow of one of the containers.

In another embodiment, a support plate extends from at least some of the support members, wherein the support plate bears against a roof surface of one of the containers in the wall structure.

In an optional form, the wall structure includes a plurality of coupling elements, wherein each coupling element protrudes through a base portion of a respective hollow to engage at least some of the containers to a support surface which the wall structure rests upon.

In another optional form, each coupling element is one of a threaded screw and a bolt.

In one form, the wall structure includes one or more support brackets which are engageable with at least some of the containers in the wall structure, and wherein the one or more support brackets can be secured to a fixed object to support the wall structure.

In another broad form there is provided a kit for building a wall structure, wherein the kit includes: a plurality of containers, each container including a body including: a cavity for storing liquid therein; an inlet, in fluid communication with the cavity, for receiving liquid in the cavity; an outlet, in fluid communication with the cavity, for transferring, to a neighboring container in the wall structure, the liquid received within the cavity; and a connecting portion connectable with a respective connecting portion of at least one of: the neighboring container; and another neighboring container in the wall structure.

In one form, the kit includes a plurality of support members which are receivable with a respective hollow defined by the body of each container.

In another form, the kit includes a plurality of coupling elements to couple at least some of the containers to a support surface which the wall structure rests upon.

In one embodiment, the kit includes one or more support brackets which are engageable with some of the plurality of containers of the wall structure, wherein the one or more support brackets can be secured to a fixed object to support the wall structure.

There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of a liquid-storing container wall system that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are, of course, additional features of the liquid-storing container wall system that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto.

In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the liquid-storing container wall system in detail, it is to be understood that the liquid-storing container wall system is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The liquid-storing container wall system is capable of other embodiments and being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of descriptions and should not be regarded as limiting.

As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present liquid-storing container wall system. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a liquid-storing container wall system which has all of the advantages of the prior art and none of the disadvantages.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a liquid-storing container wall system which may be easily and efficiently manufactured and marketed.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a liquid-storing container wall system which is of durable and reliable construction.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a liquid-storing container wall system which is economically affordable and available for relevant market segment of the purchasing public.

Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more readily apparent from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment when considered with the attached drawings and appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The example embodiment of the present invention should become apparent from the following description, which is given by way of example only, of a preferred but non-limiting embodiment, described in connection with the accompanying figures.

FIG. 1 shows a top view of an example of a container and a support bracket 20 secured to a fixed object.

FIG. 2 shows a cross-sectional view of the container of FIG. 1 along section line A-A.

FIG. 3 shows a cross-sectional view of the container of FIG. 1 along section line B-B.

FIG. 4 shows a top view of an example of a wall structure including a plurality of connected base containers.

FIG. 5 shows a front view of an example of a wall structure including a plurality of containers of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 shows a cross-sectional front view of an example of a base container being 5 secured to a support surface.

FIG. 7 shows a cross-sectional front view of an example of a base container being secured to a support surface and receiving a plurality of support members.

FIG. 8 shows a top view of an example of an alternate container.

FIG. 9 shows a perspective view of a plurality of containers of FIG. 8 and a support member forming a wall structure.

FIG. 10 shows a front view of an example of a wall structure including a plurality of containers illustrated in FIG. 8.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The following modes, given by way of example only, are described in order to provide a more precise understanding of the subject matter of a preferred embodiment or embodiments. In the figures, incorporated to illustrate features of an example embodiment, like reference numerals are used to identify like parts throughout the figures. With reference now to the drawings, and in particular to FIGS. 1 through 10, a new liquid-storing container wall system embodying the principles and concepts of the present invention will be described.

Referring to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 there is shown a container 100 for forming a wall structure 200. The container 100 includes a body 1 including a cavity 2 (indicated by hatching in FIGS. 2 and 3), an inlet 3, an outlet 4 and a connecting arrangement 5. The cavity 2 is in fluid communication with the inlet 3, wherein the inlet 3 receives liquid and the received liquid is stored within the cavity 2. The outlet 4 is also in fluid communication with the cavity 2, wherein the outlet 4 transfers the liquid stored within the cavity 2 to a neighboring container 100 in the wall structure 200. The neighboring container 100 may be a container located below the container 100, above the container 100, and/or to one or more of the sides of the container 100. The connecting arrangement 5 is connectable with a respective connecting arrangement 5 of one of neighboring containers 100.

As each container 100 is connectable to another container 100, varying shaped wall structures 200 for collecting and storing liquid, such as rainwater, can be created to suit specific space requirements. Additionally, as containers 100 can be connected or disconnected to the wall structure 200, the size of the wall structure 200 and the amount of 10 liquid collected and stored can be easily adjusted.

As shown in FIGS. 5 and 10, the wall structure 200, 300 includes a plurality of containers 100 as described above. Additionally, a kit can be provided which can be used to build a wall structure 100 shown in FIG. 5 and/or 10, wherein the kit includes a 15 plurality of containers 100 as described above.

Referring more specifically to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, the connecting arrangement 5 can be provided in the form of a female connecting portion 6 connectable with a male connecting portion 7 of one of the one or more neighboring containers 100. In additional or alternate forms, the connecting arrangement 5 can be provided in the form of a male connecting portion 7 connectable with a female connecting portion 6 of one of the one or more neighboring containers 100.

The female connecting portion 6 can have a profile which corresponds to the male connecting portion 7. In this manner, the male connecting portion 7 is tight-fittingly received within the female connecting portion 6. In particular forms, the female connecting portion 6 and male connecting portion 7 have tapered profiles. As shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 3, the female connecting portion 6 and male connecting portion 7 have a frusto-conical profile. The wall of the frusto-conical profile of the female connecting portion protrudes inwardly within the cavity of the container and the wall of the frusto-conical profile of the male connecting portion extends outwardly from the body of the container. In some forms, the male connection portion 7 protrudes from a base wall of the body 1 and the female connection portion 6 is located at a roof wall of the body 1.

The female connecting portion 6 can additionally be configured to be an inlet 3 to receive liquid within the cavity 2 and the male connecting portion 7 can be configured to be an outlet 4 to transfer stored liquid to another interconnected container 100. As shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, the female connecting portion 6 can include a sealing element 40 for sealingly engaging with the male connecting portion 7 of one of the neighboring containers 100 in the wall 200, 300. The sealing element 40 can be provided in the form of an O-ring which cooperatively seals with the wall of the male connecting portion 7.

As can be seen from FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, the container 100 can be provided with a substantially rectangular prism profile, similar to a block. However, it will be appreciated that this is not essential and that other profiles may also be provided.

As shown in FIG. 1, the wall of the body 1 of the container 100 can include one or more apertures 9 which are in fluid communication with the cavity 2 and allows liquid to be received from and transferred to one of the one or more neighboring containers 100. The aperture 9 can be threaded 10, thus allowing a threaded removable plug 11 or sealing device to releasably seal the aperture 9. In some forms, one or more of the plugscan be replaced with a threaded tap fitting which cooperates with threaded aperture 9 to allow a user to controllable dispense at least some of the liquid stored within the network of interconnected containers 100.

As shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, the body 1 defines one or more hollows 12 which pass through the body 1 of the container 100. Each hollow 12 is able to receive therethrough a support member 13, as shown in FIG. 5, to support the container 100, wherein the support members 13 and the connecting arrangements 5 are shown in broken line for clarity. As will be appreciated from the cross-sectional views shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the hollows 12 do not pass through the cavity 2 of the body 1, but are separate to the cavity 2 and are defined by the external surface of the walls of the body 1. Each hollow 12 can be substantially cylindrical in cross-section, but other cross-sectional profiles are also possible. As shown in FIG. 1, each hollow 12 can be radially spaced from the inlet 3.

Referring now to FIGS. 5, 6 and 7, the support members 13 which pass through the hollows 12 can be received through hollows 12 of neighboring containers 100 in order to support the plurality of containers 100 in an integral manner. As seen in FIG. 5, the wall structure 200 can be built similarly to a brick wall, such that each container 100 is stacked upon and connected to one or more other containers 100 in the wall structure 200. The containers 100 can be arranged in an overlapping and offset arrangement in the wall structure 200 wherein a hollow 12 from one container 100 aligns with an above and/or below container 100, thereby allowing a support member 13 to be received through multiple containers 100. The support members 13 can be rigid rods or posts which may be made from steel or similar material. As shown in FIG. 7, a portion of the hollow can include a screw thread 25 which cooperates with a screw thread 24 provided at one end of a support member 13 which is receivable through the hollow 12.

Referring back to FIGS. 2 and 3, at one end of each hollow 12 a connecting element 14 extends from a wall of the container 100. The connecting element 14 is configured to cooperate with an opposing end of a hollow 12 of one the neighboring containers 100 in the wall structure 200. The connecting element 14 may be cylindrical and can be provided in the form of a sheath which is receivable within an opposing end of the hollow 12 of one of the neighboring containers 100. As can be seen at the opposing end of the hollow 12, the hollow includes a ridge 15 intermediate respective ends which is buttable against an end of a sheath of one of the neighboring containers. The sheath may also include an inturned lip 16 which bears against the ridge 15 to provide support.

Referring again to FIG. 1, the roof surface of at least some of the containers 100 can include a recess 17 which is configured to receive therein a portion of a support bracket 18 such that the received support bracket 18 is located substantially flush with the wall of the container 100. The support bracket 18 can be secured to a fixed object 31 such as a wall, via a coupling element, such as a thread screw of bolt as shown in FIG. 3, so as to provide additional support for the wall structure 200. As shown in FIG. 1, the recess 17 can be provided located adjacent an end of one of the hollows 12. In this manner, the support bracket 18 may include an aperture 30 to allow one of the support members 13 to pass through the support bracket 18 and the end of the hollow 12 to provide additional support to the wall structure 200. As shown in FIG. 3, the roof surface of the container 100 may includes a groove 19 for receiving therein a portion of the support bracket 18, such as a finger portion of the support bracket 18 to maintain the position of the support bracket 18 relative to the container 100.

Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5 there is shown a plurality of base containers 20 of a wall structure 200. The base containers 20 are generally provided on a support surface 23, such as a concrete ground or the like, which supports the wall structure 200. Adjacent base containers 20 are in fluid communication via one or more threaded pipes 21 which are received within the apertures 9 provided in the walls of the containers 20. Due to the base 15 containers 20 being in fluid communication, the wall structure 200 acts as a network of interconnected containers which evenly distributes collected liquid throughout the wall structure 200. Generally, the base containers 20 have a length which is greater than aboveneighboring containers 100. As shown in FIG. 6, some of the rows of the containers 100 may finish with a corner or edge container which may have a length shorter than the containers described in relation to FIGS. 1 to 3.

Referring to FIG. 6, there is shown a cross-sectional diagram of a base container 20 which is being secured to the support surface 23. In particular, a plurality of coupling elements 22 such as threaded screws or bolts are located in the ends of the hollows 12 in order to secure the base container 20 to the support surface.

Referring to FIG. 8 there is shown an alternate exemplary design for a container 26. In particular, a side wall of the body 1 includes a recess 27 which defines a hollow 12 with a neighboring container 26 in the wall structure 300. The hollow 12 defined with the neighboring containers 26 allows one of the support members 13 to be received therethrough. This form of container 26 thereby reduces the number of support members 13 required as shown in FIG. 10, wherein the support members 13 and connecting arrangements 5 are shown in broken line.

Referring to FIG. 9 there is shown a plurality of containers 26 being interconnected to form a wall structure 300. A support member 13, shown in broken line for clarity, is being received within a hollow 12 defined by the recesses 27 located in each side of the neighboring containers 26. At least some of the support members 13 may include a support plate 28 as shown in FIG. 9. The support plate 28 is configured to bear against a roof surface of one of the containers 26 in the wall structure 300. In one form, the support member 13 is designed to have a length to be received along three aligned hollows 12 of neighboring containers 26.

In an optional form, as shown by example in FIG. 10, a capping element 29 (shown by dotted line) may be provided to substantially cover a portion of a container 26, 100 which is located at an exposed top or side edge of the wall structure 200, 300. In one form the capping element 29 may include a slot (not shown) to allow air to escape from the wall structure 200, 300 when liquid is received within the respective cavities 2 of the interconnected containers 26, 100.

The wall structure 200, 300 may be located in areas where significant rainwater may be collected. For example, at least a portion of the wall structure 200, 300 may be located adjacent an end of a downpipe or the like which transfers collected rainwater.

Optional embodiments of the present invention may also be said to broadly consist in the parts, elements and features referred to or indicated herein, individually or collectively, in any or all combinations of two or more of the parts, elements or features, and wherein specific integers are mentioned herein which have known equivalents in the art to which the invention relates, such known equivalents are deemed to be incorporated herein as if individually set forth. Although a preferred embodiment has been described in detail, it should be understood that various changes, substitutions, and alterations can be made by one of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A container for forming a wall structure including one or more neighboring containers, each container comprising:

a body comprising: a cavity for storing liquid therein; an inlet, in fluid communication with the cavity, for receiving liquid within the cavity; an outlet, in fluid communication with the cavity, for transferring, to one of one or more neighboring containers, the liquid received within the cavity; and a connecting arrangement connectable with a respective connecting arrangement of one of the one or more neighboring containers.

2. A wall structure formed of a plurality of interconnected containers, each container comprising:

a body comprising: a cavity for storing liquid therein; an inlet, in fluid communication with the cavity, for receiving liquid in the cavity; an outlet, in fluid communication with the cavity, for transferring, to a neighboring container in the wall structure, the liquid received within the cavity; and a connecting portion connectable with a respective connecting portion of at least one of: the neighboring container; and another neighboring container in the wall structure.

3. A kit for building a wall structure, the kit comprising:

a plurality of containers, each container comprising: a body comprising: a cavity for storing liquid therein; an inlet in fluid communication with the cavity, wherein the inlet receives liquid; an outlet in fluid communication with the cavity, wherein the outlet transfers the liquid received within the cavity to a neighboring container in the wall structure; and a connecting portion connectable with a respective connecting portion of at least one of the neighboring containers and another neighboring container in the wall structure.