AU2016202701B2

AU2016202701B2 - Maceration system

Info

Publication number: AU2016202701B2
Application number: AU2016202701A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Ben HORNSEY
Original assignee: All Purpose Pumps Holdings Pty Ltd
Current assignee: All Purpose Pumps Holdings Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2015-05-15
Filing date: 2016-04-28
Publication date: 2021-04-29
Anticipated expiration: 2036-04-28
Also published as: AU2016202701A1

Abstract

The present invention is directed to systems useful in the maceration of material flowing through a sewer or a drain. The invention provides a maceration system of part thereof comprising: a base comprising or consisting of a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet, and macerator receiving means disposed between the fluid inlet and fluid outlet, wherein the macerator receiving means is configured so as to retain a macerator in an installed position thereby allowing the macerator to process material entering the fluid inlet. The macerator receiving means may be configured so as to guide a macerator being lowered along a substantially vertical line onto the base, and may be a substantially vertical shaft having a cross-sectional profile so as accept and retain a macerator. 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Description

1/3

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14 FIG 1B

MACERATION SYSTEM FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the field of sewage and waste water conveyance. In particular, the invention relates to a system for the maceration of sewage and waste water.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

.0 Blockage of sewage pipes is a significant problem in many sewage and waste water systems. Sewage systems of public buildings such as shopping malls, hospitals, prisons, airports, schools and office blocks are particularly prone to blockage because users of such buildings are more likely to flush larger, insoluble items into sewage. For example, infant diapers are commonly flushed into shopping mall toilets and can lead to sewage overflows, or damage to .5 downstream pumping facilities.

Waste water may also contain larger items such as vegetation, aluminium cans, fast food containers and the like. Again, such items can cause blockages or damage downstream equipment.

In order to prevent blockages many sewage and waste water systems comprise a macerator, O which is a machine designed to pulverise sewage thereby significantly reducing the size of solid matter in the sewage stream. Typically, a macerator comprises a series of rotating metal teeth or blades adapted to pulverise incoming solids.

In larger scale settings, the macerator is installed in a macerator pit. Such pits are typically concrete or metal-lined shafts having an access door at the top, and also a ladder running down a wall of the shaft. The need for such constructions of course adds expense and complexity to the installation of a sewage or waste water system.

Means for accessing the pit is to allow for the access of maintenance personnel to the macerator. While macerators are typically very efficient in pulverising incoming solids, these machines still block and cease operation. Furthermore, macerators occasionally require maintenance, replacement or repair.

Where access to the macerator is required, maintenance personnel must descend the pit to perform the required work. Of course, the pit is a confined work space thereby exposing personnel to the associated risks. The accumulation of gases in a macerator pit may be toxic within themselves, or may displace oxygen from the pit. Furthermore, there is the clear risk of slipping and falling. These safety issues dictate that personnel have specialized equipment and are properly trained and certified in working under such conditions, this adding to the cost and complexity of attending to a malfunctioning macerator.

It is an aspect of the present invention to provide a maceration system having improved access to the macerator machine. It is another aspect to provide a useful alternative to prior art maceration systems.

The discussion of documents, acts, materials, devices, articles and the like is included in this specification solely for the purpose of providing a context for the present invention. It is not .0 suggested or represented that any or all of these matters formed part of the prior art base or were common general knowledge in the field relevant to the present invention as it existed before the priority date of each claim of this application.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION .5

In a first aspect, but not necessarily the broadest aspect the present invention provides a maceration system or part thereof comprising: a base comprising or consisting of a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet, and macerator receiving means disposed between the fluid inlet and fluid outlet, wherein the macerator receiving means is configured so as to retain a macerator in an installed position thereby allowing the macerator to process material entering the fluid inlet.

In one embodiment, the present invention provides a maceration system of part thereof comprising: a base comprising or consisting of: a reservoir having a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet, and macerator receiving means disposed between the fluid inlet and fluid outlet and extending upwardly from a lower region of the reservoir, wherein the macerator receiving means is configured to accept a macerator thereinto so as to substantially surround the macerator and guide the macerator along a substantially vertical line when lowered onto the base, and to retain the macerator in an installed position thereby allowing the macerator to process material entering the fluid inlet.

In one embodiment the base comprises a reservoir in fluid communication with the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet, and the macerator extends upwardly from a lower region of the reservoir.

In one embodiment, the macerator receiving means is configured so as to guide a macerator being lowered along a substantially vertical line onto the base.

In one embodiment, the macerator receiving means is a substantially vertical shaft having a cross-sectional profile so as accept and retain a macerator.

In one embodiment, the macerator receiving means comprises a flared upper region configured to guide a macerator toward a region in space during installation.

In one embodiment, the base comprises or consists of a substantially water tight reservoir configured to contain at least a portion of material entering the fluid inlet.

.0 In one embodiment, the system comprises a weir configured to delineate a first reservoir region containing incoming unmacerated material and a second reservoir region containing outgoing macerated material.

In one embodiment, the macerator receiving means forms, or forms a part of the weir. .5 In one embodiment, an upper region of the weir is configured to retain non-fluid or non-slurry material within the first reservoir region but allow fluid or slurry material to pass into the second reservoir region.

In one embodiment, the wall(s) of the reservoir extend(s) for a distance so as to provide a shaft.

In one embodiment, the wall(s) of the reservoir is/are configured so as to attach to a shaft, or to a shaft portion.

In one embodiment, the system comprises a shaft attached to the reservoir.

In one embodiment, the end of the shaft distal to the reservoir floor is configured so as to allow a macerator to pass therethrough.

In one embodiment, the end of the shaft distal to the reservoir floor is configured so as to receive an access cover.

In one embodiment, the system comprises lifting and/or lowering means for lifting and/or lowering a macerator into and/or out of the macerator receiving means.

In one embodiment, the lifting and/or lowering means is/are configured so as to attach to and support the weight of a macerator.

In one embodiment, the system comprises a macerator.

In one embodiment, the macerator comprises means to attach lifting and/or lowering means.

In a second aspect the present invention provides a method of removing a macerator from an installed position, the method comprising the steps of: providing the system as described .0 herein, and lifting the macerator by way of the lifting means until the macerator is free of the macerator receiving means.

In a third aspect the present invention provides a method of positioning a macerator to an installed position, the method comprising the steps of: providing the system as described .5 herein, and lowering the macerator by way of the lowering means until the macerator is received by the macerator receiving means.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Fig. 1A is a diagrammatic perspective view of a base of a preferred form of the invention.

Fig. 1B is a plan view of the base shown in Fig. 1A

Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a preferred complete macerator system, including the base shown in Figs. 1A and 1B.

Fig. 3 is a diagrammatic cut-away view of the complete system shown in Fig. 2

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Reference throughout this specification to "one embodiment" or "an embodiment" means that a particular feature, structure or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, appearances of the phrases "in one embodiment" or "in an embodiment" in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment, but may. Furthermore, the particular features, structures or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner, as would be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art from this disclosure, in one or more embodiments.

Similarly it should be appreciated that the description of exemplary embodiments of the invention, various features of the invention are sometimes grouped together in a single embodiment, figure, or description thereof for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure and aiding in the understanding of one or more of the various inventive aspects. This method of disclosure, however, is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed invention requires more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the .0 following claims reflect, inventive aspects lie in less than all features of a single foregoing disclosed embodiment. Thus, the claims following the Detailed Description are hereby expressly incorporated into this Detailed Description, with each claim standing on its own as a separate embodiment of this invention.

.5 Furthermore, while some embodiments described herein include some but not other features included in other embodiments, combinations of features of different embodiments are meant to be within the scope of the invention, and from different embodiments, as would be understood by those in the art.

o In the claims below and the description herein, any one of the terms "comprising", "comprised of" or "which comprises" is an open term that means including at least the elements/features that follow, but not excluding others. Thus, the term comprising, when used in the claims, should not be interpreted as being limitative to the means or elements or steps listed thereafter. For example, the scope of the expression a method comprising step A and step B should not be limited to methods consisting only of methods A and B. Any one of the terms "including" or "which includes" or "that includes" as used herein is also an open term that also means including at least the elements/features that follow the term, but not excluding others. Thus, "including" is synonymous with and means "comprising".

In a first aspect the present invention provides a maceration system of part thereof comprising: a base comprising or consisting of a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet, and macerator receiving means disposed between the fluid inlet and fluid outlet, wherein the macerator receiving means is configured so as to retain a macerator in an installed position thereby allowing the macerator to process material entering the fluid inlet.

Applicant has found that advantage is obtained by the provision of a base having means to guide and fix a macerator into position. By this arrangement, a macerator may be lifted from or lowered into an installation position thereby facilitating removal of any material blocking the macerator, and also servicing and repair of the machine.

The present invention is a significant departure from prior art systems whereby a macerator is fixed into position, or installed on a guiderail covering an inlet. In an open pit configuration the macerator is fixed directly or indirectly to the pit wall or floor, while for an inline configuration the macerator is attached to one or more conduits. In any event, to clear a blockage it is necessary for personnel to facilitate blockage removal in situ, with the macerator in position on the floor of the pit. This requires personnel to physically enter the pit. To remove the .0 macerator, it is necessary to firstly loosen fasteners (such as screws, nuts, bolts) and in some instances disrupt seals, collars and other fittings. The present systems significantly simplify the removal and installation of a macerator.

The macerator receiving means is configured to guide the macerator as it is lowered. The .5 guide may be a simple upwardly directed shaft (which may also serve the function of retaining the macerator), or even a set upwardly directed pins disposed about the edge of a square which together form a channel of sorts through which the macerator may be guided.

The macerator receiving means may be a shaft having continuous or discontinuous wall. For example, the shaft may comprise cut-outs so as to save material in construction.

In one embodiment of the system, the macerator receiving is configured so as to prevent rotation of the macerator housing, while allowing rotation of a normally rotating portion of the macerator such as the pulverising blades. As will be appreciated, rotating parts of the macerator may cause counter-rotation of the housing if rotation of the housing is not restrained in some manner. For example, where a portion of the macerator housing is square in cross section, the receiving means may be a shaft that is square in cross-section and dimensioned so as to snugly retain the macerator housing. The shaft may be open at both ends, such that the macerating parts of the macerator extend through the lower shaft opening so as to protrude into the stream of incoming fluid.

In one embodiment of the system, the receiving means is configured so as to allow the macerator to rest thereon such that the weight of the macerator provides a downward force on the receiving means so as to maintain the macerator in place during use. By this arrangement there may be no requirement for fastening means to fix the macerator to the receiving means.

In one embodiment, the macerator receiving means is further configured as to guide a macerator in the process of being lowered toward the final installed position. As will be appreciated, the macerator may be lowered from a considerable height, this causing difficulty for personnel in aiming and orienting the machine correctly so as to be properly located. For example, the upper edge(s) of the guiding means may be flared outwardly so as to laterally adjust the line upon which the macerator is lowered during the installation process.

The receiving means is configured so as to locate the macerator (and in particular the macerating part(s) of the machine in the stream of incoming (unmacerated) fluid travelling via .0 the fluid inlet. Generally, the receiving means is located superior the stream of incoming fluid such that the main housing of the macerator is also located superior to the stream, but such that the macerating parts actually contact the fluid stream. By this arrangement, the incoming fluid is macerated while fluid sensitive parts of the macerator do not contact the fluid.

.5 The macerator of the present invention may be any contrivance capable cutting, shredding, crushing, pulverizing, grinding, macerating, annihilating, tearing, destroying, or dividing a material or object that may be present in sewage or waste water. The material or object may be selected from the group consisting of gloves, clothing, syringes, sponges, packaging, bottles, durable products, dressings, faeces, plant matter, food, bones, tampons, sanitary napkins, infant diapers, condoms, towels, congealed fat, and the like.

The role of the macerator is to transform an object or material from a form which may block or damage a downstream element into a form which does not, or is at least less likely to block or damage a downstream element.

The base of the system may consist no more than the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet, with the macerator receiving means extending from or about the inlet and/or outlet. More typically, however, the receiving means is broader than the inlet and the base comprises a platform upon which the receiving means is mounted. Where the inlet and/or outlet are pipes, the pipes may be disposed on the platform. Where the inlet and/or outlet are channels, the channels may be formed from elongate depressions in the platform surface. In other embodiments, the inlet and/or outlet are pipes disposed below the platform with the macerating parts of the macerator extending through a discontinuity in the platform so as to contact the fluid stream.

An advantage of this arrangement is that the macerator can be removed and/or reinstalled without needing to interrupt the flow of sewage or waste water. The flow can continue given that the macerator is not plumbed in-line.

In one embodiment, the retaining means is configured so as to provide the further function of containing the material about the macerating parts of the macerator. This configuration may be achieved by the support means at least in part shrouding the macerating parts.

The base of the system may be formed into a reservoir to allow for accumulation of fluid and .0 other material therein. Where the rate of incoming fluid is greater than the rate of exit, the reservoir prevents overflow of fluid and other material into surrounding areas. For example, a significant volume of incoming fluid might arrive at the macerator thereby overwhelming capacity. In that circumstance, the reservoir may contain all fluid and material and allow bypass of the macerator to allow untreated fluid and material to exit via the outlet. The .5 reservoir may be of any configuration, but has a substantially planar floor. In some embodiments, the substantially planar floor has the further function as a platform as described supra.

In some embodiments, the inlet comprises an isolation valve so as to prevent material flowing into the reservoir for any reason, for example when dealing with blockages, repairs or maintenance.

In other embodiments, a trap may be included on the inlet side of the system so as to catch objects that could damage the macerator such as metal objects or rocks.

In one embodiment, the floor in configured so as to drain to a point (and preferably a central point) to provide a temporary suction point from which material may be removed by vacuum means in the event of a blockage in the system. For example when the macerator is blocked and subsequently removed, a point beneath the installed position of the macerator may be used a point from which material is vacuumed. As the volume of material is removed, the remaining material runs to the suction point so as to allow substantially all material to be cleared.

The wall(s) of the reservoir may extend a distance of at least about 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29 or 30 cm above the floor of the reservoir. Where a platform is included, the floor of the reservoir may be the platform.

In one embodiment, the system comprises a weir configured to delineate a first reservoir region and a second reservoir region. The first reservoir region may be configured so as to allow the accumulation of incoming fluid and material about the macerator. The weir may comprise a discontinuity allowing incoming fluid and material to pass to the macerator. After passing through the macerator, treated fluid and material passes to the second reservoir region, and exits via the base outlet.

An upper region of the weir may be configured so as to retain solid material entering via the .0 inlet, but allow fluid to bypass the macerator and pass directly into the second reservoir region. By this arrangement, in circumstances where the volume of material entering the base is overwhelming, fluid (which does not require maceration) is able to flow from the first reservoir region to the second reservoir region thereby assisting in preventing solids from overflowing into the second reservoir region and generally minimising material that must pass through the .5 macerator.

In respect of the above configuration, the upper region may comprise a series of perforations. Each of the perforations may have an area of at least about 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, 2.5, 3.0, 3.5, 4.0, 4.5, 5, 5.5, 6, 6.5, 7, 7.5, 8, 8.5, 9, 9.5 or 10cm 2 . Alternatively, the upper region of the o weir may comprise a mesh or a comb capable of excluding solids of a minimum predetermined size. In any event, the upper weir is configured to allow passage of a fluid or a slurry but retain a solid particle having a width (taken at the broadest cross-section) of at least about 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, 0.5, 0.6, 0.7, 0.8, 0.9, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, 2.5, 3.0, 3.5, 4.0 or 5.0 cm. The height of the weir (at the highest point, and inclusive or exclusive of the means for retaining solid material) is at least about 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19 or 20 cm. Given the benefit of the present specification, the skilled person is enabled to determine a useful weir height based on one or more of the following factors: mean inlet flow rate, maximum expected input flow rate, mean proportion of non-solid materials to solid materials on the inlet, processing capacity of macerator, and the like.

One embodiment of the invention comprises wall(s) configured so as to provide a shaft extending upwardly from the base. By this arrangement, there is provided a unitary macerator system whereby the shaft and base forms a pit of sorts, with the macerator retained at the bottom of the pit. Significant advantage is provided in such embodiments because the need to separately construct a macerator pit is obviated. In the prior art, macerator pits are often constructed by excavation, the erection of concrete formwork, and then the pouring of concrete into the formwork. As will be appreciated, such a process is time consuming and costly.

According to the embodiment having an assembled base with wall(s), a hole is excavated at the installation site with the assembled base and shaft being lowered into the hole. Backfill may be used to stabilise the structure. Alternatively, the base with wall(s) structure may be installed in a cavity of a building and secured in place by appropriate means.

In one embodiment, the wall(s) of the reservoir are integral with the wall(s) of the shaft. In another embodiment, the shaft wall(s) attach to the reservoir wall(s) so as to form a base with wall(s) structure. The attachment means may be a pressure fitment, a snap fitment, or may .0 comprise the use of fasteners such as nut and bolt. Typically, the attachment means provides a substantially watertight seal (optionally with the assistance of fluid sealing means) such that the base and wall(s) structure can retain even a large amount of inlet material when necessary (such as in a blockage situation) thereby preventing egress of sewage into surrounding areas.

.5 In that regard, the combination of reservoir and shaft wall(s) may provide a pit that provides emergency sewage storage in the event of a pump station or power failure.

In one embodiment, the height of the shaft wall(s) is/are at least about 70, 80, 90, 100, 110,120,130,140,150,160,170,180,190,200,210,220,230,240,250,300,400,500,600, 700, 800, 900 or 1000 cm.

In some embodiments, the combined height of the shaft wall(s) and reservoir wall(s) is/are at least about 100, 110,120, 130, 140, 150, 160, 170, 180, 190,200, 210,220, 230,240,250, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700, 800, 900 or 1000 cm.

In one embodiment, the system (including base and wall(s)) is configured so as to function as a junction pit to connect other sewer lines. This eliminates the need for further junction pit(s) to be installed upstream of the macerator station. In this configuration the base and/or wall may comprise further inlet/outlet means for connection to the other sewer lines.

This distal end of the shaft (i.e. the end distal to the reservoir floor) is configured in one embodiment to allow a macerator to pass therethrough. As discussed further infra, the present invention allows for a macerator to be installed and/or removed by lowering or lifting the machine to or from the base. Typically, the opening is dimensioned so as to allow a macerator that is lifted or lowered along its longitudinal axis to pass. The opening may have a width or length of at least about 50, 100, 150, 200, 250, 300, 350, 400, 450 or 500 cm, as measured at the widest or longest point.

The opening is typically configured so as to receive an access cover for the purpose of preventing personnel or objects from falling into the shaft. The opening may be configured so as to receive a hinged door, or a manhole cover. In one embodiment, the shaft comprises a door.

The reservoir and shaft wall(s) may be fabricated from a corrosion resistant polymeric material (such as heavy duty plastic). For example, a polyethylene material that does not require internal coating may be used. .0 An advantage of the present system is that that a macerator may be attended by personnel without the need to enter a pit. Accordingly, the system may comprise lifting and/or lowering means for lifting and/or lowering a macerator into and/or out of the macerator receiving means. Preferably, the lifting and/or lowering means is adapted to be operable by personnel without .5 the need to completely enter the shaft. For example, the lifting and/or lowering means may comprise two chains with the chains fixed to laterally opposing sides of the macerator so that the machine is balanced while suspended.

The chains (or other means) may be reversibly attached to point(s) around the shaft opening to allow access to personnel. The chains may be attached to the shaft wall such that personnel can reach in through the shaft, release the chain ends from the attachment point(s) on the wall, and lift the macerator mechanically or manually by pulling upwardly on the chains until the macerator clears the opening.

It will be understood that alternative lifting and lowering means will have utility where motor assisted means are used. For example, a motor may be permanently or temporarily mounted about the opening thereby automating the lifting or lowering process.

More complex lifting and lowering means are contemplated to be useful. For example, tracks may run along the shaft wall from the reservoirfloor to the shaft opening, the macerator having remotely operable drive means such that the macerator is capable of travelling up and down the shaft under the control of an operator.

All lifting and lowering means take advantage of the feature of the macerator not requiring fastening to the macerator retaining means. Thus, the macerator may be lifted out of the retaining means by the lifting means without the need for personnel to descend the shaft and undo bolts or other fasteners in order to release and lift the machine upwardly.

Similarly, replacement of the macerator may be effected by lowering the machine into the retaining means with there being no need for personnel to secure the machine to the retaining means.

Also included in the present invention are methods for installing a macerator into a macerator pit. As discussed above, installation may be achieved by lowering the macerator onto the retaining means using the lowering means.

.0 Further included in the present invention are methods for removing a macerator from a macerator pit. As discussed above, removal may be achieved by lifting the macerator from the retaining means using the lifting means.

The present invention will now be more fully described by reference to the following non .5 limiting preferred embodiment.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

o Turning to Figs 1A and 1B there is shown a base 10 of a system of the present invention comprising a reservoir wall 12 and a reservoir floor 14. An inlet 16 allows entry of sewage material into the reservoir 12, 14. The sewage material comprises fluid material and solid material. Adjacent and continuous with the inlet is a channel 18 formed in the reservoir floor 14, such that sewage material passes from the inlet 16 to the channel 18.

The reservoir 12, 14 further comprises an outlet 20 allowing exit of material. Adjacent and continuous with the inlet is a channel 22 formed in the reservoir floor 14, such that sewage material passes from the channel 22 to the outlet 20.

Straddling the channels 18 and 22 is a substantially box-shaped macerator retaining means 24 defining a central space 26 shaped to receive and snugly engage with a macerator housing (not shown). During installation, the macerator is lowered downwardly along the dashed arrowed line until it is fully seated. Immediately above the retaining means 24 is a flared wall 30 which acts to guide the macerator into the retaining means 24. When the macerator is fully seated in the retaining means, the pulverizing parts of the macerator (not shown) are in a position allowing contact with incoming sewage material travelling along the channel 18.

Form the upper edge of the retaining means 24, a flared wall 30 extends upwardly. The flared wall is configured to guide the macerator into the more narrow retaining means 24.

The wall of the retaining means comprises an opening 32 allowing entry of incoming sewage material into the pulverizing macerator parts where solid material is macerated into a slurry which flows into the channel 22, and then through the outlet 20.

A weir is formed by combination of the retaining means 24 and the two weir walls 34. The weir divides the reservoir 12, 14 into a relatively large first region (to the left of the pages, as .0 drawn) and a relatively small second region (to the right of the page, as drawn). The weir 24, 34 acts to retain incoming sewage material in the first region should the flow rate of outgoing treated material be lower than that of the incoming untreated material. An imbalance in flow rate may occur if the macerator becomes blocked or if any unexpectedly high volume of material enters the base 10. .5 Thus, rather than untreated material bypassing the macerator and flowing directly to the outlet, the weir act to provide the macerator an opportunity to treat the retained material until a time when incoming and outgoing flow rates are again matched. For example, a large amount of solid material may partially block the macerator during which time incoming material backs-up into the first reservoir region. The incoming material continues to back-up which the macerator is working to pulverize the blocking material. Once the blocking material is treated an expelled via the channel 22, the macerator then continues to process the backed up material.

In some circumstances, the backed-up material may overwhelm the weir 24, 34 because the macerator is irreversibly blocked or pulverizing material at a slow rate. In those circumstances, untreated material (solid and fluid) would normally enter the second weir region and exit via the channel 22 and outlet 20. However, in this preferred embodiment the weir walls 34 have perforations along the upper edge (two perforations marked as 36). The perforations 36 act to allow passage of fluid and only small particles of solid matter into the second reservoir region. Larger pieces of solid matter are retained in the first reservoir region, and therefore (at least potentially) able to be pulverized by the macerator in due course. In this way, backed up solid material can be slowly processed by the macerator and prevented from immediately flow into the channel 22 and outlet 20 to cause damage or blockage to downstream sewer components.

In this embodiment, it will be noted that the reservoir floor 14 performs the additional function of a platform upon which the retaining means 24 and weir walls 34 are supported.

The base 10 also comprises feet 38 to support the structure on a surface, or to prevent rotational movement if buried.

Turning now to Fig. 2 there is shown a cross sectional view of a complete modular macerator system comprising the base shown in Figs. 1A and 1B, with a macerator installed, and including a shaft wall. The section is taken through the line X-X as marked in Fig. 1B. The dashed arrows show the direction of flow of the sewage material or waste water.

.0 Fig. 2 demonstrates that the floor of the channel 18 is lower than that of the channel 22.

While the macerator retaining means 24 comprises an opening 32 on the side of the first reservoir region, no such opening is present on the opposing side of the retaining means facing the second reservoir region. Instead, the wall of the retaining means 24 is .5 uninterrupted, with the macerated material exiting the macerator at the lower level, and beneath the lower edge of the retaining means 24.

The main body of the macerator is shown at 40 with the pulverizing parts 42 disposed in the flow path of material from the incoming channel 18 to the outgoing channel 22. It will be noted '0 that the lowermost part 44 of the macerator 40 is seated within the further retaining means 46.

In the complete system, the shaft wall 48 is essentially of a hollow cylindrical conformation and extends upwardly from reservoir wall 12. At the terminus of the shaft wall 48 is an opening 50 through which the macerator 40 may pass. The system comprises chains 52, each of which is attached at the first end to a hook 54 and at the second end to the macerator. To remove the macerator, personnel release the chains 52 from the hooks 54 and pulls the chains 52 upwardly such that the macerator 40 completely clears the opening 50. The macerator 40 may then be unblocked, serviced, repaired or discarded.

Still in reference to the embodiment of Fig. 2, to replace the macerator, personnel lower the macerator 40 by the chains 52 through the opening 50 toward the flared wall 30. The macerator typically collides with the flared wall during the lowering process, acting to centre the macerator and guide it into the retaining means 24. When the macerator is fully seated the chains 52 are attached to the hooks 54.

The complete system of Fig. 2 is shown in cut-away form in Fig. 3. When the system is installed, the inlet 16 is connected to the sewage or waste water supply side, while the outlet

20 (not shown) is connected to the drain side. Thus, the system is disposed in line with a sewage or waste water flow.

The present invention has been disclosed mainly in regards to sewage and waste water, these areas of main utility of the invention. It will be appreciated, however, that given the benefit of the present specification, the invention can be applied to the processing of materials in other settings.

In the description provided herein, numerous specific details are set forth. However, it is .0 understood that embodiments of the invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, structures and techniques have not been shown in detail in order not to obscure an understanding of this description.

In the following claims, any of the claimed embodiments can be used in any combination. .5

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A maceration system of part thereof comprising:

a base comprising or consisting of: a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet, and macerator receiving means disposed between the fluid inlet and fluid outlet, wherein the macerator receiving means is configured to accept a macerator thereinto so as to substantially surround the macerator and guide the macerator along a substantially vertical line when lowered onto the base, and to retain the macerator in an installed position thereby allowing the macerator to process material entering the fluid inlet.

2. The system of claim 2, wherein the base comprises a reservoir in fluid communication with the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet, and the macerator extends upwardly from a lower region of the reservoir.

3. The system of claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the macerator receiving means is a substantially vertical shaft having a cross-sectional profile so as accept and retain a macerator.

4. The system of any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein the macerator receiving means comprises a flared upper region configured to guide a macerator toward a region in space during installation.

5. The system of any one of claims 1 to 4 wherein the reservoir is substantially water tight and configured to contain at least a portion of material entering the fluid inlet.

6. The system of claim 5 comprising a weir configured to delineate a first reservoir region containing incoming unmacerated material and a second reservoir region containing outgoing macerated material.

7. The system of claim 6 wherein the macerator receiving means forms, or forms a part of the weir.

8. The system of claim 6 or claim 7 wherein an upper region of the weir is configured to retain non-fluid or non-slurry material within the first reservoir region but allow fluid or slurry material to pass into the second reservoir region.

9. The system of any one of claims 2 to 8 wherein the wall(s) of the reservoir extend(s) for a distance so as to provide a shaft.

10. The system of any one of claims 2 to 9 wherein the wall(s) of the reservoir is/are configured so as to attach to a shaft, or to a shaft portion.

11. The system of claim 10 comprising a shaft attached to the reservoir.

12. The system of claim 9 or claim 11 wherein the end of the shaft distal to the reservoir floor is configured so as to allow a macerator to pass therethrough.

13. The system of claim 9, 11 or 12 wherein the end of the shaft distal to the reservoir floor is configured so as to receive an access cover.

14. The system of any one of claims 1 to 13 comprising lifting and/or lowering means for lifting and/or lowering a macerator into and/or out of the macerator receiving means.

15. The system of claim 14 wherein the lifting and/or lowering means is/are configured so as to attach to and support the weight of a macerator.

16. The system of any one claims 1 to 15 comprising a macerator.

17. The system of claim 16 wherein the macerator comprises means to attach lifting and/or lowering means.

18. A method of removing a macerator from an installed position, the method comprising the steps of: providing the system of claim 16 as appended to claim 14, and lifting the macerator by way of the lifting means until the macerator is free of the macerator receiving means.

19. A method of positioning a macerator to an installed position, the method comprising the steps of: providing the system of claim 16 as appended to claim 14, and lowering the macerator by way of the lowering means until the macerator is received by the macerator receiving means.

DATED: 29 March 2021 By:

CHURCHILL ATTORNEYS Patent Attorneys for: AKS INDUSTRIES AUSTRALIA PTY LTD ACN 151 483 984 191 Station Street CORIO VIC 3214 AUSTRALIA