Water storage tank

Abstract

A water storage tank is disclosed. The tank comprises an outer shell ( 2 ) that defines an interior of the tank, at least one water catchment bag ( 48 ) located in the tank interior, at least one inlet ( 19 ) in the outer shell for passage of water into the bag (s), and at least one outlet ( 21 ) in the outer shell for passage of water from the bag(s). A base for supporting a water storage tank is also disclosed. The base defines a pallet on which either the other components of the tank in assembled form or kit form can be transported from a manufacturing location to an end-use location.

1 . A water storage tank, comprising:
 (a) an outer shell that defines an interior of the tank,   (b) at least one water catchment bag located in the tank interior,   (c) at least one inlet in the outer shell for passage of water into the bag or at least one of the bags, and   (d) at least one outlet in the outer shell for passage of water from the bag or at least one of the bags out of the tank.   
   
   
       2 . The tank defined in  claim 1  wherein the bag or bags are secured in position within the interior of the tank. 
   
   
       3 . The tank defined in  claim 1  wherein the bag or bags are adapted to withstand substantially the entire hydrostatic load exerted on the bag or bags when the bag or bags are filled with water. 
   
   
       4 . The tank defined in  claim 1  wherein the bag or bags are substantially self-supporting in the interior of the tank. 
   
   
       5 . The tank defined in  claim 1  comprises a plurality of the bags, each in an upstanding position, arranged side by side in the interior of the tank. 
   
   
       6 . The tank defined in  claim 5  wherein the bags are interconnected for flow of water from one bag to an adjacent bag. 
   
   
       7 . The tank defined in  claim 6  wherein the bags comprise openings in upper and lower sections of walls that interconnect the bags. 
   
   
       8 . The tank defined in  claim 1  comprises one bag in an upstanding position in the interior of the tank that at least substantially fills the tank interior. 
   
   
       9 . The tank defined in  claim 8  wherein the single bag comprises a plurality of spaced-apart partitions that divide the bag into a plurality of interconnected internal compartments for storing water. 
   
   
       10 . The tank defined in  claim 9  wherein the partitions are formed so that there are upper and lower openings between compartments that allow water flow between compartments. 
   
   
       11 . The tank defined in  claim 9  wherein the internal compartments are configured to permit filling of the compartments at essentially the same time. 
   
   
       12 . The tank defined in  claim 1  wherein the outer shell of the tank comprises a lid which includes the inlet or at least one of the inlets, and the bag or one of the bags has an opening in a top end or has an open top end that is located in relation to the inlet to receive water from the inlet or inlets. 
   
   
       13 . The tank defined in  claim 1  wherein the bag or bags are formed from water impermeable polymer-coated multi-ply woven fabric. 
   
   
       14 . The tank defined in  claim 1  wherein each bag has a capacity of at least 750 litres, preferably at least 1000 litres. 
   
   
       15 . The tank defined in  claim 1  comprises a base for supporting the outer shell and the bag or bags in an operative position of the tank. 
   
   
       16 . The tank defined in  claim 15  wherein the base defines a pallet on which the tank can be transported from a manufacturing location to an end-use location. 
   
   
       17 . The tank defined in  claim 15  wherein the base is formed from a plurality of base modules interlocked together to provide a support surface on which the bag or bags stand. 
   
   
       18 . The tank defined in  claim 17  wherein each base module comprises a body having at least one side for adjoining a side of another module, and interlocking members in the form of at least two spaced lugs located at the at least one side to define a shaped region therebetween, with the shape of the region being such that another lug located at the other module side can be positioned in the region between the two spaced lugs in a manner that enables fastening of the lugs together to thereby join the modules at their respective adjoining sides. 
   
   
       19 . The tank defined in  claim 18  wherein the fastening together of the lugs is enabled by the other lug interfering with the two spaced lugs. 
   
   
       20 . The tank defined in  claim 1  comprises at least one outlet connection fitting for flow of water from the bag or bags. 
   
   
       21 . The tank defined in  claim 1  comprises at least one overflow connection fitting for release of excess water from the tank. 
   
   
       22 . The tank defined in  claim 1  wherein the outer shell of the tank comprises side walls in the form of a plurality of discrete side and end panels held together by fasteners. 
   
   
       23 . The tank defined in  claim 22  wherein the panels are sheet steel sections. 
   
   
       24 . The tank defined in  claim 23  wherein the sheet steel sections are profiled in cross-section to structurally reinforce the walls of the tank. 
   
   
       25 . A kit for assembly of a water storage tank, the kit comprising a plurality of panels adapted to be fastened together to form an outer shell of the tank, the outer shell defining an interior space for at least one water catchment bag for receiving water from an inlet in the outer shell and storing the water, and wherein the outer shell and the bag or bags are adapted to be connected together. 
   
   
       26 . A water retention system comprising the water storage tank defined in  claim 1 . 
   
   
       27 . A method for assembling a water storage tank, comprising:
 (a) locating an outer shell of the tank in an upright position, the outer shell defining an interior of the tank;   (b) positioning at least one water catchment bag within the interior of the tank such that the bag stands in an upright position for receiving water from an inlet or at least one inlets in the outer shell; and   (c) connecting the bag or at least one of the bags to an outlet in the outer shell for passage of water out of the tank.   
   
   
       28 . A base for supporting a water storage tank wherein the base defines a pallet on which either the other components of the tank in assembled form or kit form can be transported from a manufacturing location to an end-use location. 
   
   
       29 . The base defined in  claim 28  comprises one base module that provides a support surface for the tank or a plurality of base modules interlocked together to provide a support surface for the tank. 
   
   
       30 . The base defined in  claim 29  wherein each base module comprises peripheral interlocking members interlocked with corresponding structures on one or more adjacent of the base modules to form a support surface. 
   
   
       31 . The base defined in  claim 30  wherein each base module comprises a body having at least one side for adjoining a side of another module, and interlocking members in the form of at least two spaced lugs located at the at least one side to define a shaped region therebetween, with the shape of the region being such that another lug located at the other module side can be positioned in the region between the two spaced lugs in a manner that enables fastening of the lugs together to thereby join the modules at their respective adjoining sides. 
   
   
       32 . The base defined in  claim 31  wherein the fastening together of the lugs can be enabled by the other lug interfering with the two spaced lugs. 
   
   
       33 . The base defined in  claim 29  wherein each base module comprises an elevated platform. 
   
   
       34 . The base defined in  claim 33  wherein each base module further comprises one or more support structures depending downwardly from the platform for contact with a ground surface to support the tank. 
   
   
       35 . The base defined in  claim 34  wherein one or more of the support structures is hollow and opens to a top side of the platform, whereby the support structure or structures form cavities in the platform which can be filled with sand or suitable landfill during installation of the tank to restrict lateral displacement of the tank. 
   
   
       36 . The base defined in  claim 29  wherein the interlocked base modules define a pallet on which the outer shell and the bag or bags of the tank can be transported in a kit form from a manufacturing location to an end-use location. 
   
   
       37 . A base adapted to support a water storage tank, the base comprising a plurality of the base modules defined in  claim 29  interlocked together to provide a support surface for the tank. 
   
   
       38 . A base module for the assembly of a base adapted to support a water storage tank, the base module comprising interlocking members arranged to interlock with corresponding structures on one or more further of the base modules to provide at least part of support surface for placement of the tank. 
   
   
       39 . The base module defined in  claim 38  wherein each base module comprises a body having at least one side for adjoining a side of another module, and interlocking members in the form of at least two spaced lugs located at the at least one side to define a shaped region therebetween, with the shape of the region being such that another lug located at the other module side can be positioned in the region between the two spaced lugs in a manner that enables fastening of the lugs together to thereby join the modules at their respective adjoining sides. 
   
   
       40 . The base module defined in  claim 39  wherein the fastening together of the lugs can be enabled by the other lug interfering with the two spaced lugs. 
   
   
       41 . A water storage system for a water storage tank comprising:
 (a) at least one water catchment bag adapted to be secured in position within an interior of an outer shell of the tank so as to stand in an essentially upright position;   (b) at least one inlet opening for entry of water into the bag or at least one of the bags; and   (c) at least one outlet for flow of water from the bag or at least one of the bags.   
   
   
       42 . A water storage system for a water storage tank comprising: an outer shell and a plurality of water catchment bags arranged side by side relative to one another within the interior of the outer shell so as to stand in an upright position, wherein the bags are interconnected for flow of water from one bag to an adjacent bag, at least one of the bags has an inlet opening for entry of water into the bags, and at least one of the bags has an outlet opening for flow of water from the bags. 
   
   
       43 . A water storage tank, comprising:
 (a) an outer shell that defines an interior of the tank,   (b) at least one substantially self-supporting water catchment bag located in the tank interior,   (c) at least one inlet in the outer shell for passage of water into the bag or at least one of the bags, and   (d) at least one outlet in the outer shell for passage of water from the bag or at least one of the bags out of the tank.   
   
   
       44 . A water storage tank, comprising:
 (a) an outer shell that defines an interior of the tank,   (b) a plurality of water catchment bags, each in an upstanding position, arranged side by side in the tank interior,   (c) at least one inlet in the outer shell for passage of water into the bag or at least one of the bags, and   (d) at least one outlet in the outer shell for passage of water from the bag or at least one of the bags out of the tank.   
   
   
       45 . A water storage tank, comprising:
 (a) an outer shell that defines an interior of the tank,   (b) one water catchment bag in an upstanding position in the tank interior that at least substantially fills the tank interior and comprises a plurality of spaced-apart partitions that divide the bag into a plurality of interconnected internal compartments for storing water,   (c) at least one inlet in the outer shell for passage of water into the bag or at least one of the bags, and   (d) at least one outlet in the outer shell for passage of water from the bag or at least one of the bags out of the tank.   
   
   
       46 . A water storage tank, comprising:
 (a) an outer shell that defines an interior of the tank,   (b) at least one water catchment bag located in the tank interior,   (c) at least one inlet in the outer shell for passage of water into the bag or at least one of the bags,   (d) at least one outlet in the outer shell for passage of water from the bag or at least one of the bags out of the tank, and   (e) a base for supporting the outer shell and the bag or bags in an operative position of the tank, and wherein the base defines a pallet on which the tank can be transported from a manufacturing location to an end-use location.