METHOD AND APPARATUS OF COLLECTING RAINWATER
First Claim
1. A unit for collecting rainwater comprising a collecting vessel, a deck covering substantially the whole superficial area occurpied by the vessel and closing the mouth thereof and a buoyancy means for supporting said collecting vessel and deck, the surface of the deck sloping inwardly to at least one orifice through which rainwater falling on the deck may enter the vessel, and the wall of the collecting vessel below said deck being free from openings to atmosphere, the whole of said wall of the collecting vessel below said deck being impermeable to the passage of water, whereby substantially the whole volume enclosed by the collecting vessel and deck are available for collection of rainwater, each orifice in said deck having a non-return valve openable by the pressure of the overlying rainwater to allow passage thereof into the collecting vessel, said valve being normally closed to prevent emission of water vapor and thus minimize evaporation loss of water collected in the vessel.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Use is made of the superficial area occupied by salt water lakes and lagoons for the collection of rain water by employing a floating collecting container, which is enclosed by a deck, on to which rain falls and from which it drains into the collecting container below. The aperture or apertures in the deck is preferably provided with a simple non-return valve to reduce vapor loss and the whole apparatus is preferably composed of thin, flexible plastics sheet.
23 Citations
4 Claims
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1. A unit for collecting rainwater comprising a collecting vessel, a deck covering substantially the whole superficial area occurpied by the vessel and closing the mouth thereof and a buoyancy means for supporting said collecting vessel and deck, the surface of the deck sloping inwardly to at least one orifice through which rainwater falling on the deck may enter the vessel, and the wall of the collecting vessel below said deck being free from openings to atmosphere, the whole of said wall of the collecting vessel below said deck being impermeable to the passage of water, whereby substantially the whole volume enclosed by the collecting vessel and deck are available for collection of rainwater, each orifice in said deck having a non-return valve openable by the pressure of the overlying rainwater to allow passage thereof into the collecting vessel, said valve being normally closed to prevent emission of water vapor and thus minimize evaporation loss of water collected in the vessel.
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2. A unit according to claim 1, wherein said collecting vessel is formed of thin flexible plastic material, said orifice is provided with a non-return valve, and said buoyancy means comprises a buoyancy collar arranged around the upper edge of the collecting vessel adjacent the deck to buoyantly support the unit.
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3. A unit according to claim 1 comprising at least one inflatable ring forming the side wall of said collecting vessel, a thin plastic sheet connected to the lower end of said ring forming the floor of said collecting vessel and a thin plastic sheet connected to the top end of the ring, forming said deck, said deck sloping inwardly to an orifice provided with a non-return valve.
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4. A unit for collecting rainwater comprising a collecting vessel, a deck covering substantially the whole superficial area occupied by the vessel and closing the mouth thereof, a buoyancy means for supporting said collecting vessel and deck, and a supporting framework adapted to contact the ground and maintain the bottom of said collecting vessel out of contact with the ground when not supported buoyantly, the surface of the deck sloping inwardly to at least one orifice through which rainwater falling on the deck may enter the vessel, and the wall of the collecting vessel below said deck being free from openings to atmosphere, the whole of said wall of the collecting vessel below said deck being impermeable to the passage of water, whereby substantially the whole volume enclosed by the collecting vessel and deck are available for collection of rainwater.
Specification