AU667656B2 - Water tank filling point filter - Google Patents

Description

P/00/011 Regulation 3.2

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION FOR A STANDARD PATENT

ORIGINAL

NOTICE

1. The specification should describe the invention in full and the best method of performing it known to the applicant.

2. The specification should be typed on as many sheets of good quality A4 International size paper as are necessary and inserted inside this form.

3. The claims defining the invention must start on a new page. If there is "o o insufficient space on this form for the claims, use separate sheets of paper.

The words The claims defining the invention are as follows" should appear S before claim 1. After the claims the date and the name of the applicant should appear in block letters.

4. This form must be accompanied by a true and exact copy of the description, claims and drawings (if any) and an additional copy of the claims.

(see Pamphlets explaining formal requirements of specifications and drawings) TO BE COMPLETED BY APPLICANT N am e of A pplicant: N L Actual Inventor(s): Address for Service: P Invention Title: o Details of Associated Provisional Applications: Nos: 1. 9 The following statement is a full description of this Invention, including the best method of performing it known to me:- M 06782 6 0 2059 Pg. la WATER TANK-FILLING POINT FILTER This invention relates to improvements in devices for filtering debris from water entering a rain water storage tank.

An accepted device used at the entry point of a water tank is generally a soil sieving container with a fine mesh screen placed in the bottom. This device can perform well enough if cleaned scrupulously after every period of rain which might deposit debris into the container. A problem occurs when a build up of debris forms a layer of composting material at the container bottom, thic debris is agitated by further rainfalls and as a result penetrates the screen as finer particles. It is also possible for the debris, consisting generally of tree leaves, to build up to a level where rapid flows of water entering the container can be diverted out and be lost.

Debris which has entered and polluted a water supply can cause numerous problems to a household's plumbing such as: hot water services, washing machines and pumping devices.

Another affected area is drinking water purity and associated health risks.

A range of after Tank filters are available from fine mesh to charcoal and can overcome o these problems but only with diligent attention to the serviceability of these very low Scapacity filters.

These problems are overcome by the present invention by providing a water tank filling point filter comprising an upper woven wire mesh screen of about 2 mm average aperture having a convex shape with an apex and sloping radiating ridges, said apex being upwardly directed, and a lower woven wire mesh screen of about 1 mm average aperture having a concave shape, said upper and lower mesh screen of about 1 mm average aperture having .o a concave shape, said upper and lower mesh screens having at their perimeters a flange to maintain rigidity and to provide an area to be fastened to the tank's top with an associated o entry pipe support to direct a flow of water downwardly through the mesh screens.

In one form of the invention, the moulded upper screen could be described as hat shaped with central apex and numerous ridges radiating outward. These ridges and valleys help to encourage debris to be shifted towards the perimeter of the screen by the varied vertical water flows from the entry pipe above. This is essential as it prevents debris blocking the impact area of the screen and subsequent water flow deflection.

Any debris not removed entirely from the screen by associated initid; waterflow tends to dry quickly and is easily dislodged by wind or the next issue Uf waterflow. This selfcleaning aspect of the screen can be supplemented by either hosing or brushing debris from the screen's surface. The convex shape of this filter allows for easy visual inspection and cleaning.

The lower mesh screen (having a smaller average aperture size of 1 mm) cal be optionally fitted directly beneath the upper screen to filter finer particles from water entering the storage tank. This screen has no self-cleaning capability but is easily removed for cleaning by detaching the screws at its perimeter flange.

These screws also position galvanised metal clips to attach the feet of the tripod legs simultaneously. 9 C GN.M:07.9640.RES d l I Februm 1996

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Pg. 2 In another form of the invention the upper woven mesh screen could be pressed to form a shape having one elongated apex or ridge at the central impact area with further ridges and valleys sloping away on either side initially at approximately 45 degrees easing to approximately 30 degrees at the rim area.

Material used for both mesh screens is a galvanised metal mesh. The perimeter rim is made of spun galvanised metal. The mesh screen is attached to this spun metal rim by crimping the mesh between a fold in the rim. The entry pipe support tripod and ring is made from galvanised heavy gauge wire.

To assist with understanding the invention, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings which show one example of the invention.

In the drawings: FIG. 1 shows an example of the water tank filling point filter according to this invention.

FIG.2 shows the application of such a water tank filling point filter to the 380mm entry hole at the top of the water storage tank.

o' FIG.3 shows in detail the metal clip and screw attaching filter screen perimeter and tripnd 55 foot to the tanks top.

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I uaru~-.rr*-~ 'O -rrr~c~ Pg. 3 Referring to FIG. 1 it can bee seen that the filtering device according to this invention comprises an upper mesh screen an entry pipe support tripod and ring a lower finer mesh screen and perimeter mounting flange FIG. 2 shows the water tank filling point filter attached to the entry point of a water storage tank and the entry pipe attached to the pipe support tripod.

FIG. 3 shows in detail a tripod legs foot held in position at the perimeter flange by the clip and screw.

By the use of this water tank filling point filter, the water entering the tank is automatically filtered of debri. Also insects or other contaminants are denied entry to the tank.

It will be realised that the upper mesh filter screen according to this invention is not restricted to the form shown in the example but may use any shape having a sloping and undulating surface which slopes or spirals away from a central ridge or apex. At approximately 45 degrees to prevent debri adhering to the shape at the points of water impact. Also other materials being of a non corrosive nature, such as moulded plastic, J 15 could be used for construction of the filters perimeter rims, pipe support tripod and the attachment clips.

L o o C i

Claims (7)

1. A water tank filling point filter comprising an upper woven wire mesh screen of about 2 mm average aperture having a convex shape with an apex and sloping radiating ridges, said apex being upwardly directed, and a lower woven wire mesh screen of about 1 mm average aperture having a concave shape, said upper and lower mesh screens having at their perimeters a flange to maint, n rigidity and to provide an area to be fastened to the tank's top with an associated entry pipe support to direct a flow of water downwardly through the mesh screens.

2. The water tank filling point filter of claim 1 wherein the upper mesh screen has ridges receding from an elongated apex.

3. The water tank filling point filter of claim 1 wherein the upper mesh screen has ridges spiralling from a central apex.

4. The water tank filling point filter of claim 1 wherein the entry pipe support comprises a support tripod. o

5. The water tank filling point filter of any one of the preceding claims wherein the °0 lower mesh screen has an apex, said apex being downwardly directed. 0°o

6. The water tank filling point filter of any one of the preceding claims wherein the 00, lower mesh screen is readily detachable for cleaning. 26

7. The water tank filling point filter substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings. 4 0 0 t NEIL DOUGLAS BRIDLE By his Patent Attorneys: CARTER SMITH BEADLE 1 February 1996 GNAM:07:I9640.Fl t Fbru.y 1996 C LI LIIII~ ~I_ Pg. ABSTRACT A water tank filling point filter is disclosed. The device is an upper hat shaped mesh screen with an entry pipe support tripod and a lower fine mesh screen Both mesh screens having at their perimeters a solid flange This device can be fitted to the entry point of a water storage tank to filter debri from the water entering the tank. (Refers to drawing 1/3). o o 0ow o i