AU746250B2 - Trade waste diversion apparatus - Google Patents

Description

TRADE WASTE DIVERSION APPARATUS FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a trade waste diversion apparatus.

This invention has particular but not exclusive application to a trade waste diversion apparatus for use in outdoor automotive wash stations. However, it is to be understood that this invention could be used in other applications, such as where paved surfaces areas, for example car-parks, are cleaned and in particular, where it would be undesirable for cleaning fluids or heavily polluted liquids to be directed towards storm water drainage systems. This invention also may be used in applications where wash waters or other liquids are required to be directed to different locations.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION Commercial wash bays for washing automobiles are frequently constructed without cover and consequently are subjected to receiving natural precipitation such as storm water and such like. It is not appropriate for storm water to be eliminated through waste collection systems such as municipal sewerage networks, and it is equally or even more inappropriate for waste waters to be directed to storm water 0.0 20 drainage systems.

Some systems already exist which provide an attempt to overcome the o problem of eliminating storm water from trade waste collection systems. However, most require maintenance to valve systems which can be rendered unserviceable by e o. grit and grease build up. Some systems also require mains pressure water supply to 25 be activated.

The present invention aims to alleviate one or more of the above oo o: disadvantages and to provide a trade waste diversion apparatus which will be reliable and efficient to use.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION With the foregoing in view, this invention in one aspect resides broadly in a liquid diversion apparatus including gate means adapted for directing liquid across its upper surface; 7. 7; pivot means operatively associated with said gate means and providing for pivoting of said gate means between a normal position and a diverted position; fixed biasing means for biasing the gate means to pivot to said normal position; variable biasing means operably associated with said gate means, and being operable for variably biasing said gate means to pivot from said normal position to said diverted position.

Suitably, the gate means is operatively associated with a drainage pit having two separate discharge ports, one discharge port being associated with the normal position of the gate means, and the other discharge port being associated with the diverted position of the gate means.

In one preferred embodiment, the normal position directs liquid to the discharge port connected to a storm water drainage system, and the diverted position directs liquid to a sewerage collection system.

Preferably, a stop means is provided to limit the pivoting of the gate means.

The stop means is located in a position suitable for permitting liquid falling onto the -o gate means to flow in the required direction. In one preferred embodiment, the stop means are provided as abutments located internally within, and on each side of, the S drainage pit. The abutments are located such that the gate means abuts one or the other abutment in either the normal or the diverted position respectively.

Preferably, the fixed biasing means is a weight operably fixed to, or formed with, one side of the gate means nearer the normal position. Although spring means and such like are contemplated by the scope of this invention, it is believed that such alternatives have limited life or are generally inferior due to corrosion and/or fouling of mechanical linkages.

Preferably, the variable biasing means includes a reservoir for receiving some of the liquid to be diverted from the source of such liquid. For example, where the source of the liquid is a hose and nozzle for washing an automobile, the hose or nozzle may be provided with a bleed line whereby operation of the hose causes some of the liquid to be directed to the reservoir which fills with sufficient liquid to overcome the fixed biasing means and tilt the gate means to the diverted position.

Suitably, the reservoir is provided with drainage means so that when the liquid is no longer provided to the reservoir, it drains whereby the gate means tilts to the normal position.

In a preferred embodiment, the bleed line to the reservoir and the drainage means, are sized such that the gate means tilts before the liquid to be diverted reaches the drainage pit, and the reservoir drains slowly enough for substantially all of the liquid to be drained to reach the drainage pit. Preferably, the drainage means includes a drainage aperture attachable to a drainage line, and may further include a drainage line directing the liquid drained from the reservoir to the drainage pit.

In a further preferred form, the bleed line is also connected from the reservoir to an auxiliary reservoir or such like to provide an extra volume of liquid, so that the gate means is tilted in the diverted position for an initial period of time after receiving liquid to be diverted, such as, for example, a downpour of rain, thus providing a "first flush" of liquid in case there is any storm water contaminated by the wash liquid, the gate means being tilted to the diverted position for the time it takes to drain the reservoir, whereupon the gate means is tilted the other way back to the normal position.

is also preferred that the drainage pit is provided with seal means for sealing S 20 either or both the exits from the drainage pit to the storm water drainage system, and the sewerage collection system. The purpose of the sealing means is to prevent waste water or storm water from overflowing into the wrong side of the drainage pit if either outlet becomes blocked.

In one embodiment, the sealing means operates to seal either outlet when the other outlet becomes blocked to the extent that liquid overflows from one side of the S 25 drainage pit to the other. In a preferred embodiment, a pair of sealing means, in the form of hemispherical floats or reflux plugs, are attached one to each end of a balance tube by way of a respective bridle. The balance tube provides a small crosssection flow path between the floats allowing one or the other to be filled with liquid and lose its buoyancy and seal the outlet in a sealing position for the sewerage collection system to a balance position where neither side of the drainage pit is sealed by the sealing means to a sealing position for the storm water drainage system.

4 Alternatively in a further embodiment, the sealing means are operated to seal either outlet by means of a pair of mechanical pushrod systems which couple force from the gate to each of the floats or plugs. The pushrod systems are arranged so that upon the gate diverting water to the stormwater drainage system the sewerage system is sealed and vice-versa. Unlike the earlier embodiment, which makes use of a balance tube, this alternative arrangement does not require manual resetting.

According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a liquid diversion apparatus for use in a drainage pit of the type having first and second liquid outlets separated by a weir, a waste inlet located at a level above the first and second outlets, the liquid diversion apparatus including: gate means having an upper surface for conveying liquid, the gate means adapted to pivot about the weir and including a controllable biasing means for operatively pivoting the gate between first and second positions, wherein in use, the gate means when pivoted to a first position directs liquid from said inlet to said first outlet and when pivoted to a second position diverts liquid from said inlet to said second outlet.

In a preferred embodiment the controllable biasing means comprises a variable counter-weighting means at a first side of a pivot point and a constant weight at an opposite second side of the pivot the counter-weighting means being variable to over-balance the constant weight thereby pivoting the gate means to said first position and variable to under-balance the constant weight thereby pivoting the gate means to said second position.

Suitably, the variable counter-weighting means comprises a reservoir formed in the first end of the gate including a reservoir inlet and a reservoir bleed outlet.

25 Preferably the pit includes stop means arranged to limit the pivoting of the gate means.

Preferably the reservoir inlet is connected to a discontinuous source of liquid, the reservoir filling with liquid whilst the discontinuous source supplies liquid, the reservoir depleting of liquid by means of said bleed whilst the discontinuous source is not supplying liquid, the reservoir when filled with liquid over-balancing the constant weight and when depleted of liquid under-balancing the constant weight.

7' Suitably, the discontinuous source of liquid comprises a liquid source coupled to a user controllable valve.

Conveniently the user controlled valve is further coupled to a hose and is arranged to supply liquid to the gate reservoir upon liquid being passed through the hose.

Alternatively, the discontinuous source of liquid may comprise a flush reservoir including a flush inlet and a flush outlet coupled to the gate reservoir inlet, the flush outlet coupled to a valve, the valve responsive to level monitoring means arranged to detect a first level of liquid within the reservoir, the valve arranged to open upon said monitoring means detecting said first level.

The level monitoring means may comprise a float coupled to said valve.

Typically, the flush reservoir further includes a bleed outlet for depleting liquid from the flush reservoir.

As a further alternative the discontinuous source of liquid may comprise a flush reservoir including a flush inlet, and a flush outlet, the flush outlet coupled to the gate reservoir inlet, the flush outlet, flush reservoir and flush inlet arranged so that subsequent to the reservoir being empty there is a delay between liquid entering the reservoir from the inlet and liquid exiting the reservoir by means of said outlet.

2 In order to prevent water overflowing the weir due to a blockage of one of the *20 pits waste outlets, the apparatus may further include a seal assembly including first and second seals, the first seal located on the first side of the weir adjacent the first waste outlet, the second seal located on the second side of the weir adjacent the second waste outlet, the seal assembly further including liquid communication means arranged to place the first and second floats in liquid communication with the second 25 and first sides of the weir respectively the liquid communication means transferring liquid to the first and second seals upon the liquid level on a side of the pier rising above a predetermined level the seals adapted to sink in response to said transfer of liquid thereby sealing the adjacent outlet.

As an alternative to the aforedescribed embodiment the apparatus may include a seal assembly including first and second seals, the first seal located on the first side of the weir adjacent the first waste outlet the second seal located on the second side of the weir adjacent the second waste outlet, the first seal mechanically coupled to a first push rod assembly, the second seal mechanically coupled to a second push rod assembly, the first and second push rod assemblies each including gate-contacting members, the floats and assemblies arranged so that upon the gate diverting liquid towards the first side of the weir the first seal is brought to an unsealing position relative to the first outlet and the second seal is brought to a sealing position relative to the second outlet, whereas upon the gate diverting liquid towards the second side of the weir the first float is brought to a sealing position and the second seal is brought to an unsealing position.

In a further aspect, this invention resides in a method of diverting liquid, the method including: providing liquid diversion apparatus including: gate means; pivot means operatively associated with said gate means for pivoting said gate means between a normal position and a diverted position; fixed biasing means for biasing the gate means to said normal position; variable biasing means operably associated with said gate means from said normal position to said diverted position; 2 operating the variable biasing means to overcome the fixed biasing means, thereby pivoting the gate means from the normal position to the diverted position, and directing a liquid across the upper surface of the gate means.

The method may further include subsequently operating the variable biasing ;means to be overcome by the fixed biasing means, whereby the gate means is 25 pivoted from the diverted position to the normal position.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES In order that this invention may be more readily understood and put into practical effect, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings which illustrate a preferred embodiment of the invention and wherein: Figure 1 is a diagrammatic sectional view of a diversion apparatus according to the present apparatus together with operational attachments.

7 Figure 2 is a diagrammatic sectional view of the apparatus of Figure 1 further including a seal assembly for sealing the stormwater or sewer drain by means of reflux floats.

Figure 3 depicts an embodiment of the invention that makes use of mechanical coupling to control the operation of reflux floats.

Figure 4 depicts an alternative embodiment of the invention DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Referring to Figs. 1 and 2, in which like elements are given the same reference numerals, a diversion apparatus 10 includes a drainage pit 11 covered by a cover 12 having a grate 13 installed therein to permit liquid drained across the cover 12 to fall through the grate 13 and into the drainage pit 11.

The drainage pit 11 includes a gate 14 pivoted about a central weir 16 upon a pivot 15. The drainage pit 11 includes a sewer connection 17 and a stormwater connection 18, the sewer connection 17 being on the opposite side of the weir 16 from the stormwater connection 18.

o "oThe gate 14 is pivotable from the position shown (the diverted position) to the •i normal position shown in phantom outline at 24. Additionally, a gate abutment 19 in the form of a bar extending across the drainage pit 11 prevents the gate 14 from pivoting beyond the gate abutment 19.

The gate 14 also includes a weight 23 which is sufficient to cause the gate 14 to pivot to the normal position shown at 24, however, a gate reservoir 21 is provided which may be filled with a liquid which counterbalances against the weight 23 causing the gate 14 to pivot in the direction shown by the arrow. The gate reservoir 21 is filled with liquid through a bleed line hose 22 which is connected between the gate reservoir 21 and a bleed line connection provided in drainage pit 11. The bleed line connection is in fluid connection with a bleed line 27.

A hose assembly 30 is operatively connected to the diversion apparatus 10 by way of the bleed line 27. The bleed line 27 is in fluid connection with a wash bleed line 34 connected to the hose assembly 30. The hose assembly 30 includes a nozzle 31 and control valve 32 connected to a wash supply 35. A check valve 36 prevents back flow of liquid into the wash supply 35, and a wash hose control 37 controls the form of wash liquid ejected from the hose assembly 30 when the control 7 i V4 Z r 8 valve 32 is opened, such as from fine spray to solid jet. A water flow timer may also be inserted between control valve 32 and check valve 36.

Additionally, opening the control valve 32 permits some of the liquid to pass down the wash bleed line 34 and into the bleed line 27 and the gate reservoir 21, thereby permitting the gate reservoir 21 to fill with liquid and overbalance to the position shown. The gate reservoir 21 is also provided with a bleed aperture which allows a slow leakage of liquid from the gate reservoir 21 whereby the gate 14 will pivot to the normal position 24 as liquid drains from the gate reservoir 21 when the control valve 32 is shut off.

Bleed line 27 is also connected to a flush headline 50 which is connected to a flush assembly 40. The flush assembly 40 includes a flush reservoir 41, a float valve 42 mounted in the flush reservoir 41 and having a float 43 connected thereto for opening and closing the float valve 42 as the liquid level rises or falls in the flush reservoir 41.

The flush reservoir 41 is filled by storm water entering a roof gutter 49 through a filter 44 mounted on a flush liquid entry 45. A flush overflow 46 provides for excess liquid to flow out from the flush reservoir 41 once the level of liquid in the flush reservoir 41 has been raised above the level of the float 43.

Additionally, the flush reservoir 41 is provided with a flush bleed 47 which allows liquid in the flush reservoir to slowly escape. The flush overflow 46 and the flush bleed 47 preferably empty into a down pipe 48 associated with the normal S-stormwater discharge.

A typical in use situation for the apparatus of Figure 1 is as follows. Suppose, for example, that the apparatus is installed in a car park of a busy shopping centre.

On most days there is no rain. During those days the car park accumulates with dust and litter. At this time reservoir 21 is empty of fluid and so fails to overbalance weight 23. Accordingly the gate is steady in normal position 24 shown with dashed lines. In the afternoon a car park attendant hoses down the car park by means of hose assembly 30. As the attendant opens control valve 32 water flows down washline 34 and into bleed line 27. It then flows through bleed line hose 22 and fills gate reservoir 21. A small flow of water flows out of gate reservoir 21 via bleed aperture however the net effect is that after a short time reservoir 21 fills with water and overbalances weight 23. Consequently the gate swings about pivot 15 to assume 9 the diverted position 24 shown in solid lines. The attendant commences to hose debris into grate 13. Dirty water and small pieces of litter fall through grate 13 and on to gate 14. The water and litter then slides off the gate and falls into sewer line 17.

After some time the attendant finishes hosing the car park and turns off hose assembly 30 by means of control valve 32 thereby discontinuing supply of liquid to reservoir 21. At that point water ceases to enter reservoir 21 via bleed line hose 22 however there continues to be an exodus of water from reservoir 21 via bleed aperture 25. After a period of time the emptying reservoir fails to overbalance weight 23 and the gate pivots back to normal position 24.

The overall effect of the apparatus then is to divert soiled water and litter to the sewer line 17 where it may be properly dealt with rather than to stormwater drain 18.

Suppose now that rather than the car park attendant making use of hose assembly 30, the assembly is left with valve 32 closed. In that case gate 14 takes the normal position 24 as previously described. Rain then begins to fall and is collected on the roof of buildings associated with gutter 49. Fairly rapidly flush .reservoir 41 begins to fill with water. Initially valve 42 is open as not enough water has been collected for float 43 to rise to the level shown in Figure 1 (at which level valve 42 closes). Consequently, while flush reservoir 41 is filling with water valve 42 is open and water flows down flush headline 50, into bleed line 27 through bleed line hose 22 and begins to fill gate reservoir 21. A lesser amount of water exits reservoir 21 via bleed aperture 25. Shortly thereafter, gate reservoir 21 overbalances weight 23 and the gate swings to the diverted position wherein dirty water and debris falling through grate 13 is diverted to sewer 17. Subsequently, as rain continues to fall, flush reservoir 41 fills to the level indicated in Figure 1. A small volume of water also oo* *25 flows out of flush bleed 47. (However more water enters reservoir 41 via entry than leaves via bleed 47). Once flush reservoir 41 is filled to the level indicated in .:o.oi Figure 1, float 43 rises to a position where it causes valve 42 to close thereby discontinuing supply of liquid to reservoir 21. Furthermore, by that point in time much of the litter and debris surrounding grate 13 has substantially been flushed down sewer 17. As a result the quality of water entering gate 13 nears a point where it is becoming suitable for the stormwater system.

The flush reservoir is prevented from overfilling by virtue of flush overflow 46, which diverts excess water down pipe 48 to a stormwater drainage access point. As a result of valve 42 becoming closed, water ceases to flow through headline bleed line 27, bleed line hose 22 and into gate reservoir 21 though it continues to exit reservoir 21 via aperture 25. After a period of time gate reservoir 21 is depleted of water and no longer counter balances weight 23 at which point the gate swings to normal position 24 and diverts the clean rain water entering grate 13 down the stormwater drain 18.

After a further period of time the rainfall ceases. Water no longer flows into flush entry 45 and so, by virtue of the action of flush bleed 47, float 43 falls to a position where valve 42 opens. Water in flush reservoir 41 then flows through valve 42 and fills gate reservoir 21 as previously described. It follows that for a small period of time, until the flush reservoir water is depleted, gate 14 swings back to the diverted, or sewer, position. However, since there is unlikely to be any further liquid received through the grate 13, the temporary diversion to the sewer position should not inadvertently divert unsuitable liquid to the sewerage collection system. Once the water in flush reservoir 41 has drained, either through valve 42 or flush bleed 47, gate reservoir 21 empties through aperture 25 so that the gate returns to the normal, or stormwater, position.

It may be the case that either the sewer 17 or the stormwater drain becomes blocked. Suppose that gate 14 is diverted to the sewer position and the sewer becomes blocked by incoming debris. In that case the sewer will fill up to the uppermost level of central weir 16. Thereafter sewer water will overflow weir 16 and flow into storm water drain 18. Whilst not essential, in a preferred embodiment of the present invention, illustrated in Figure 2, the above problem is addressed by means of seal assembly 50. Seal assembly 50 includes two float seals (or "reflux plugs") S 25 51A, 51 B each suspended by a respective bridle 52A, 52B connected to either end of balance tube 53. Balance tube 53 is in fluid connection with both float seals. In the event that sewer 17 becomes blocked, then fluid is transferred via tube 53 to plug 51B which sinks thereby plugging stormwater drain 18 and so preventing sewage overflowing weir 16 from entering the storm water drain. Alternatively, in the event that stormwater drain 18 becomes blocked then fluid is transferred to plug 51A which sinks to block off sewer 17 thereby preventing stormwater from entering the sewerage system. Eventually drainage pit 11 will overflow with water through grate r- 11 13 so alerting any attendant to the malfunction. After such an event the plugs must be manually removed and emptied of water in order to reset seal assembly With reference to Figure 3 a further embodiment of the invention is described which relies on two mechanical push rod systems, 60A, 60B coupling force from gate 14 to each of plugs 51A and 51B respectively. With reference to push rod system it will be noted that it comprises a pushrod 64A, which is engaged by a securing ring 66A so that the pushrod is free to move up or down. Rigidly attached and extending out from pushrod 64A are upper and lower push rod tabs 70A and 68A respectively. The lower end of pushrod 64A is hingedly attached to plug lever 76A at hinge 72A. Plug lever 76A is supported by fulcrum 74A. The distal end of plug lever 76A supports reflux plug 51A. The arrangement of push rod system 60B is identical.

In use, upon gate 14 pivoting to the diverted, or sewer, position, the leftmost underside of the gate contacts and pushes down lower tab 68 thereby forcing pushrod 64A down and, by means of lever 76, lifting reflux plug 51A clear of sewer 17. Consequently sewer quality water is free to be diverted by the gate down to the sewer. Simultaneously the rightmost upper edge of gate 14 contacts the upper tab of oooo pushrod system 60B forcing pushrod 64B up and so, by means of lever 76B and fulcrum 74B, reflux plug 51B is pushed thereby sealing stormwater drain 18. As a result, in the event that sewer 17 becomes blocked by debris so that sewer quality 20 water overruns central weir 16, the overflowing sewerage water is prevented from S.entering stormwater drain 18.

Alternatively, in the event that gate 14 swings to the normal, or stormwater, position then pushrod system 60A forces reflux plug 51A to close off sewer 17 while pushrod system 60B lifts plug 51B to a position in which stormwater drain 18 is open.

25 Consequently should it happen that stormwater drain 18 becomes blocked by debris then overflowing stormwater is prevented from entering the sewerage system.

In use, a diversion apparatus 10 of the present invention may be installed at a site where different liquids are to be diverted to different drainage systems, particularly where wash liquids for outdoor washing must be directed to a sewer collection system but stormwater falling onto the outdoor wash area must be directed to a stormwater reticulation system.

Referring to Fig. 4 an alternative first-flush system is also provided which does not include the float 43 shown in Fig. 1, but in which like parts are given like 12 reference numerals to those of Fig. 2. Unlike the embodiment of Figure 2, the flush head line or outlet 50 feeds directly from the flush reservoir 41 from an elevation position at 54.

In the embodiment of Figure 4 it should be firstly noted that the positions of the sewer 17 and stormwater drain 18 have been reversed relative to that of the other figures. Normally, when flush reservoir 41 is empty gate 14 diverts water from gate 13 towards the sewer 17 (sewer priority). However, in the event that flush tank 41 fills with rainwater to level 54 then flush water will enter gate reservoir 21 so that gate 14 pivots to divert water to the stormwater drain 18 as shown. Upon rainfall ceasing flush reservoir empties via flush bleed 47, so that the supply from headline 50 is discontinued. Gate reservoir 21 then empties via bleed aperture 25 and gate 14 pivots back to the sewerage diverting position.

The overall effect is that the embodiment of Figure 4 diverts waste water from grate 13 to sewer 17 unless there has been considerable rain in which case gate 14 is pivoted to divert the relatively clean flow entering grate 13 down stormwater 18.

The flush overflow 46 and the flush bleed 47 preferably empty into a down pipe 48 associated with the normal stormwater discharge. It will be appreciated that the hose assembly 30 or flush assembly 40 may be omitted from connection to the S".i diversion apparatus 10, or both may be operatively connected as shown in Figs. 1,2 20 and 4.

It will of course be realised that the above has been given by way of illustrative example of the invention and that all such modifications and variations thereto as l• S would be apparent to persons skilled in the art are deemed to fall within the broad scope and ambit of the invention as claimed in the following claims.

S

Claims (17)

1. A liquid diversion apparatus including gate means adapted for directing liquid across its upper surface; pivot means operatively associated with said gate means and providing for pivoting of said gate means between a normal position and a diverted position; fixed biasing means for biasing the gate means to pivot to said normal position; variable biasing means operably associated with said gate means, and being operable for variably biasing said gate means to pivot from said normal position to said diverted position.

2. An apparatus according to claim 1 in combination with a drainage pit having two separate discharge ports, one discharge port being associated with a normal position of the gate means, and the other discharge port being associated with the diverted position of the gate means.

S3. An apparatus according to claim 2, wherein in the normal the gate directs liquid to the discharge port connected to a storm water drainage system, and the diverted position directs liquid to a sewerage collection system.

4. A liquid diversion apparatus for use in a drainage pit of the type having first and second liquid outlets separated by a weir, a waste inlet located at a level above the first and second outlets, the liquid diversion apparatus including: gate means having an upper surface for conveying liquid, the gate means adapted to pivot about the weir and including a controllable biasing means for operatively pivoting the gate between first and second positions, wherein in use, the gate means when pivoted to a first position directs liquid from said inlet to said first outlet and when pivoted to a second position diverts liquid from said inlet to said second outlet.

An apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the controllable biasing means comprises a variable counter-weighting means at a first side of a pivot point and a .w 'Z I 14 constant weight at an opposite second side of the pivot the counter-weighting means being variable to over-balance the constant weight thereby pivoting the gate means to said first position and variable to under-balance the constant weight thereby pivoting the gate means to said second position.

6. An apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the variable counter-weighting means comprises a reservoir formed in the first end of the gate including a reservoir inlet and a reservoir bleed outlet.

7. An apparatus according to claim 5 in combination with the drainage pit.

8. An apparatus according to claim 7, said pit further including stop means arranged to limit the pivoting of the gate means.

9. An apparatus according to claim 6 wherein the reservoir inlet is connected to a discontinuous source of liquid, the reservoir filling with liquid whilst the discontinuous source supplies liquid, the reservoir depleting of liquid by means of said bleed whilst the discontinuous source is not supplying liquid, the reservoir when filled with liquid over-balancing the constant weight and when depleted of liquid under-balancing the constant weight.

10. An apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the discontinuous source of liquid l comprises a liquid source coupled to a user controllable valve.

11. An apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the discontinuous source of liquid comprises a flush reservoir including a flush inlet and a flush outlet coupled to the gate reservoir inlet, the flush outlet coupled to a valve, the valve responsive to level monitoring means arranged to detect a first level of liquid within the reservoir, the valve arranged to close upon said monitoring means detecting said first level.

12. An apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the level monitoring means comprises a float coupled to said valve. o z Z_1,1_1 WAWIJ 41"; t

13. An apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the flush reservoir further includes a bleed outlet.

14. An apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the discontinuous source of liquid comprises a flush reservoir including a flush inlet, and a flush outlet, the flush outlet coupled to the gate reservoir inlet, the flush outlet, flush reservoir and flush inlet arranged so that subsequent to the reservoir being empty there is a delay between liquid entering the reservoir from the inlet and liquid exiting the reservoir by means of said outlet.

An apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the user controlled valve is further coupled to a hose and is arranged to supply liquid to the gate reservoir upon liquid being passed through the hose.

16. An apparatus according to claim 8, further including a seal assembly including first and second seals, the first seal located on the first side of the weir adjacent the first waste outlet, the second seal located on the second side of the weir adjacent the g second waste outlet, the seal assembly further including liquid communication means arranged to place the first and second floats in liquid communication with the second and first sides of the weir respectively the liquid communication means transferring liquid to the first and second seals upon the liquid level on a side of the pier rising above a predetermined level the seals adapted to sink in response to said transfer of liquid thereby sealing the adjacent outlet.

17. An apparatus according to claim 3, further including a seal assembly including first and second seals, the first seal located on the first side of the weir adjacent the first waste outlet the second seal located on the second side of the weir adjacent the second waste outlet, the first seal mechanically coupled to a first push rod assembly, the second seal mechanically coupled to a second push rod assembly, the first and second push rod assemblies each including gate-contacting members, the floats and assemblies arranged so that upon the gate diverting liquid towards the first side of the weir the first seal is brought to an unsealing position TV; 16 relative to the first outlet and the second seal is brought to a sealing position relative to the second outlet, whereas upon the gate diverting liquid towards the second side of the weir the first float is brought to a sealing position and the second seal is brought to an unsealing position. DATED THIS 1 s T DAY OF OCTOBER 1999 JOHN CHRISTIAAN ZWART BY PIZZEYS PATENT TRADE MARK ATTORNEYS a a a