Patent Application
20240199297
The present invention relates to fluid storage and more specifically relates to water storage and portability.
As fluid storage tanks are filled, mobility becomes difficult by human force alone as weight increases. In times of emergencies, such as after natural disasters, a small scale, mobile, dedicated, and rapidly fillable source of potable water is often required. Storage tanks having sufficient capacity allowing users to prepare an emergency water supply may be too heavy to easily move from a water source to shelter. The US Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) suggests that a two-person family requires one gallon of water per person, per day, to comfortably survive for two weeks. The volume of such a tank sufficient to hold this amount of water, roughly 28 gallons, can be heavy and difficult to keep sanitary. Filling a tank with such a substantial amount of water can be time consuming. Filling a tank with such a substantial amount of water can be time consuming. In some cases, water sources available to citizens that can fill a storage tank are limited to a faucet or spigot. Filling tanks from such sources may be time consuming. Filling tanks from such sources may also limit the size of the storage means capable of receiving water from such as source, for example a bucket. In emergency situations, however, time may be limited.
What is needed is an apparatus for providing an emergency potable water supply that is easily movable. What is needed is a collapsible and/or storable apparatus for transporting, storing, and dispensing water. What is needed is a storable apparatus that is readily assembled and filled with potable water before, during, and/or after natural disasters or other emergency scenarios. What is needed is a water storage apparatus that can be easily moved, in a compact, stable format, from the filling source to other areas despite the large weight of an apparatus that is filled with potable water.
Embodiments described herein may include a portable apparatus suitable for storing liquids, such as potable water for consumption, during periods when ordinary drinking water may be less available or unavailable. Embodiments of the apparatus may have a collapsed configuration for storage in a small profile arrangement. In an embodiment, the portable apparatus includes a base, a lid, a plurality of panels, and a flexible bladder. The plurality of panels has a folded configuration that forms a stack of overlapping panels in a recess in the base when in the collapsed configuration of the apparatus. The plurality of panels has an unfolded configuration in which the panels extend from the base to the lid forming a chamber defined by the plurality of panels, the base, and the lid. The chamber is configured to contain the flexible bladder. The base and the lid each may include a hole through which a fluid filling attachment and a fluid dispensing attachment may be coupled to orifices in the flexible bladder. Some embodiments may provide for a detachable coupling with a hose to connect embodiments of a water storage apparatus to a water source, such as a household faucet.
In an embodiment, the water storage apparatus may be assembled in one location and rolled to a water source. In an embodiment, the apparatus includes a base, a lid, a plurality of panels, and a flexible bladder. The base includes a lower surface, a wheel assembly attached to the base, and a handle mounted to the base. In a transport configuration of the water storage apparatus, the wheel assembly is disposed for rolling movement of the water storage apparatus, the lower surface of the base is oriented vertically, and the handle is disposed for propelling the rolling movement. The handle may be a telescoping handle that may be extended for propelling the rolling movement. The water storage apparatus may include an assembly configuration in which the lower surface of the base is a lower horizontal surface and an upper surface of the lid is an upper horizontal surface. The plurality of panels may be foldably coupled to the base, wherein the panels may be folded for compact storage and unfolded in the assembly configuration of the water storage apparatus.
In another embodiment, a water storage apparatus includes a base comprising a planar base surface and a plurality of base walls extending from edges of the base walls adjacent the planar base surface to opposite edges of the base walls non-adjacent the planar base surface. The plurality of base walls forming a recess in the base defined by the base walls and the planar base surface. At least one of the plurality of base walls has a first hole configured to be detachably coupled to a fluid dispenser. The water storage apparatus includes a lid comprising a planar lid surface and a plurality of lid walls extending from edges of the lid walls adjacent the planar lid surface to opposite edges of the lid walls non-adjacent the planar lid surface, wherein the planar lid surface has a second hole.
The water storage apparatus further includes a plurality of panels coupled to the opposite edges of the base walls. The panels have a folded configuration in which the panels form a stack of overlapping panels covering the recess in the base. The panels have an unfolded configuration in which the plurality of panels extend from the base to the lid forming a chamber defined by the plurality of panels, the base, and the lid. A flexible bladder including an orifice may be housed within the chamber and substantially aligned with the second hole in the planar lid surface.
In yet another embodiment, a water storage apparatus includes a base including a lower surface, a wheel assembly attached to the base, a handle mounted to the base, and a plurality of walls extending upwardly from edges of the lower surface to upper edges of the walls. The plurality of walls forms a recess in the base defined by the walls and the lower surface, wherein at least one of the plurality of walls has a hole. The apparatus includes a lid with an upper surface having a plurality of walls extending downwardly from edges of the upper surface. In an embodiment, the lid walls and the upper surface of the lid define a recess in the lid, wherein the upper surface includes a hole.
The additional embodiment further includes a plurality of panels foldably coupled to the upper edges of the walls of the base. The panels have a folded configuration forming a stack of overlapping panels covering the recess in the base. The apparatus further includes a flexible bladder including an orifice substantially aligned with the hole in the upper surface of the lid. In a transport configuration of the water storage apparatus, the wheel assembly is disposed for rolling movement of the water storage apparatus, the lower surface of the base is oriented vertically, and the handle is disposed for propelling the rolling movement.
In another embodiment, a water storage apparatus comprises a base comprising a planar base surface and a plurality of base walls extending from edges of the base walls adjacent the planar base surface to opposite edges of the base walls non-adjacent the planar base surface, forming a recess in the base defined by the base walls and the planar base surface, wherein at least one of the plurality of base walls has a first hole configured to be detachably coupled to a fluid dispenser; a lid comprising a planar lid surface and a plurality of lid walls extending from edges of the lid walls adjacent the planar lid surface to opposite edges of the lid walls non-adjacent the planar lid surface, wherein the planar lid surface has a second hole; a plurality of panels coupled to the opposite edges of the base walls, wherein the panels have a folded configuration in which the panels form a stack of overlapping panels in the recess in the base, wherein the panels have an unfolded configuration in which the plurality of panels extend from the base to the lid forming a chamber defined by the plurality of panels, the base, and the lid; and a flexible bladder comprising an orifice substantially aligned with the second hole in the planar lid surface.
In yet another embodiment, a water storage apparatus comprises a base comprising a lower surface, a wheel assembly attached to the base, a handle mounted to the base, and a plurality of walls extending upwardly from edges of the lower surface to upper edges of the walls forming a recess in the base defined by the walls and the lower surface, wherein at least one of the plurality of walls has a hole; a lid comprising an upper surface having a plurality of walls extending downwardly from edges of the upper surface, forming a recess in the lid defined by the lid walls and the upper surface, wherein the upper surface comprises a hole; a plurality of panels foldably coupled to the upper edges of the walls of the base, wherein the panels have a folded configuration in which the panels form a stack of overlapping panels covering the recess in the base; and a flexible bladder comprising an orifice substantially aligned with the hole of the upper surface, wherein in a transport configuration of the water storage apparatus the wheel assembly is disposed for rolling movement of the water storage apparatus, the lower surface of the base is oriented vertically, and the handle is disposed for propelling the rolling movement.
The present disclosure can be better understood by referring to the following figures. The components in the figures are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the principles of the disclosure. In the figures, reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the different views.
The present invention is here described in detail with reference to embodiments illustrated in the drawings, which form a part here. Other embodiments may be used and/or other changes may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the present disclosure. The illustrative embodiments described in the detailed description are not meant to be limiting of the subject matter presented here.
Some conventional water storage systems, such as bathtub water bladders and large water tanks, are susceptible to waste, spillage, and mess. Some conventional storage systems for storing emergency water supplies are often located at a great distance from where the majority of water is consumed for drinking and cooking, such as the kitchen or dining room. In some conventional storage systems, repeated instances of mobilizing the water from storage areas to consumption areas often invites spillage and/or contamination.
In emergency situations, high-rise apartment homes that lose power can also lose electricity-driven water pressure. For residents of high-rise apartment homes, particularly those who live on higher-floors, it may be impracticable to move the requisite amount of water quickly, safely, and without contaminating the water supply.
For residents of suburban and rural communities, when natural disasters strike local water supplies can be temporarily unavailable or contaminated. Often alternative water sources are not possible due to road closures, floods, snow, distances, and/or debris.
In some cases, it may even be useful for municipalities and other government agencies to distribute storage tanks to its citizens following natural disasters. Such large-scale water distribution may reduce the amount of time lost to provide potable water rations and reduce that amount of water spilled by distributing water in small, makeshift water receptacles. Municipalities and other government agencies may distribute the present invention to groups of citizens to provide temporary and safe supplies of water to their citizens.
In situations commonly requiring emergency water provisions, such as before a bad weather event, citizens often buy large stores of bottled water in anticipation. This can be expensive, and may distract from other needs when preparing for an impending emergency.
Embodiments may provide a readily available capability to store an emergency supply of potable water from any house faucet or spigot, in a short period of time. In some embodiments, the capacity of this supply may meet or exceed the FEMA-suggested 14-gallons per person amount (28 gallons for a two-person family), and without sacrificing mobility or safety. In illustrative embodiments, the water storage apparatus of the disclosure includes a two person version that provides a larger capacity, e.g., 28 gallons, and a one person version that provides a smaller capacity, e.g., 14 gallons.
Embodiments may provide a rapidly fillable source of potable water that municipalities or other government agencies may distribute to citizens following disasters and in other emergencies. Such embodiments may facilitate water distribution to citizens in larger amounts thereby reducing waste and contamination in makeshift receptacles (e.g., buckets).
Reference will now be made to the exemplary embodiments illustrated in the drawings, and specific language will be used here to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended. Alterations and further modifications of the inventive features illustrated here, and additional applications of the principles of the inventions as illustrated here, which would occur to one skilled in the relevant art and having possession of this disclosure, are considered within the scope of the invention.
In an embodiment, a water storage apparatus includes a base comprising a planar base surface and a plurality of base walls extending from edges of the base walls adjacent the planar base surface to opposite edges of the base walls non-adjacent the planar base surface. The plurality of base walls forms a recess in the base defined by the base walls and the planar base surface. At least one of the plurality of base walls has a first hole configured to be detachably coupled to a fluid dispenser. The water storage apparatus includes a lid comprising a planar lid surface and a plurality of lid walls extending from edges of the lid walls adjacent the planar lid surface to opposite edges of the lid walls non-adjacent the planar lid surface, wherein the planar lid surface has a second hole.
The water storage apparatus further includes a plurality of panels coupled to the opposite edges of the base walls. The panels have a folded configuration in which the panels form a stack of overlapping panels covering the recess in the base. The panels have an unfolded configuration in which the plurality of panels extend from the base to the lid forming a chamber defined by the plurality of panels, the base, and the lid. The apparatus further includes a flexible bladder including an orifice is substantially aligned with the second hole in the planar lid surface.
The water storage apparatus may further include a telescoping handle mounted to the planar base surface of the base. The telescoping handle may be formed of concentric tubular sections configured to slide relative to one another.
In an embodiment, the plurality of panels includes two end panels and two side panels foldably coupled to hinges at the opposite edges of the base walls. The stack of overlapping panels may include two side panels overlapping each other, wherein the two side panels are partially covered by the two end panels. In an embodiment, the lid includes a plurality of fasteners configured to secure the lid to the base walls in the folded configuration of the plurality of panels and configured to secure the lid to the plurality of panels in the unfolded configuration of the plurality of panels.
The flexible bladder may further comprise an orifice detachably connected to the first hole in one of the base walls. A fluid dispenser may detachably couple to the first hole, wherein the fluid dispenser may be a spigot or a hose. In an embodiment, the lid forms a recess defined by the lid walls and the planar lid surface. The apparatus may further include a removable cap sealing the second hole in the planar lid surface. In an embodiment, the apparatus further includes a detachable hose connected to the second hole in the planar lid surface.
In an embodiment, the water storage apparatus includes wheels removably attached to the planar base surface. The water storage apparatus may further include an axle attached to the base, wherein the wheels are rotatably coupled to the axle. The water storage apparatus may further include an axle protruding from a first wall of the plurality of base walls, wherein the wheels comprise outboard wheels rotatably coupled to the axle.
In additional embodiments described herein, a water storage apparatus includes a base including a lower surface, a wheel assembly attached to the base, a handle mounted to the base, and a plurality of walls extending upwardly from edges of the lower surface to upper edges of the walls. The plurality of walls forms a recess in the base defined by the walls and the lower surface, wherein at least one of the plurality of walls has a hole. The apparatus includes a lid with an upper surface having a plurality of walls extending downwardly from edges of the upper surface. The lid walls form a recess in the lid defined by the lid walls and the upper surface, wherein the upper surface includes a hole.
The additional embodiments of water storage apparatus further include a plurality of panels foldably coupled to the upper edges of the walls of the base. The panels have a folded configuration in which the panels form a stack of overlapping panels covering the recess in the base. The apparatus further includes a flexible bladder including an orifice substantially aligned with the hole of the upper surface. In a transport configuration of the water storage apparatus the wheel assembly is disposed for rolling movement of the water storage apparatus, the lower surface of the base is oriented vertically, and the handle is disposed for propelling the rolling movement. In an embodiment, the handle is a telescoping handle which may be extended for propelling the rolling movement in the transport configuration of the water storage apparatus. The telescoping handle may be formed of concentric tubular sections configured to slide relative to one another.
In an assembly configuration of the water storage apparatus, the lower surface of the base is a lower horizontal surface, the upper surface of the lid is an upper horizontal surface. The folded configuration of the panels forms a horizontal stack of overlapping panels covering the recess in the base. In an embodiment, the panels have an unfolded configuration in which the plurality of panels extends from the base to the lid forming a chamber defined by the plurality of panels, the base, and the lid. In an embodiment, the lid includes a plurality of fasteners configured to secure the lid to the walls of the base in the folded configuration of the plurality of panels and configured to secure the lid to the plurality of panels in the unfolded configuration of the plurality of panels.
In various embodiments, the wheel assembly is removably attached at a lower side of the lower horizontal surface of the base in the assembly configuration of the water storage apparatus. The wheel assembly may include an axle that protrudes from first and second walls of the plurality of walls of the base and outboard wheels rotatably coupled to the axle. The wheel assembly may include an axle attached to the base and recessed wheels rotatably coupled to the axle.
The base 110 may comprise a number of wheels 120. In some embodiments, wheels 120 may be removably attached and rotatably coupled to an exterior facing, or planar base surface, of the base 110. In some embodiments, such as shown in
The base 110 further includes a handle assembly 130, here shown recessed in a base wall 114. In some embodiments, a hole 140 may be formed in the base wall 114. In some embodiments, a cap may be removably placed in the hole 140. The base walls also define a plurality of windows 144 that permit viewing the interior of base 110. In an embodiment, the base walls 114 and planar base surface define a recess 148 within the base.
The lid 160 includes an upper lid surface 164 and downwardly extending lid walls 168. The upper lid surface 164 contains a hole 170. The upper lid surface 164 also may define a plurality of windows 174 that permit viewing the lid interior. In an embodiment, the lid walls 168 and upper lid surface 164 define a recess 178 within the lid.
In the portable water storage apparatus 100 shown in
The base includes an interior recess 268 that is visible through windows 264. The panels 250 have a folded configuration that forms a horizontal stack of overlapping panels covering the recess 268 in the base. In an embodiment, in the folded configuration at least some of panels 250 may be located within the recess 268. As shown, the stack of overlapping panels 250 include two side panels 256 overlapping each other, and two end panels 252 that partially cover the two side panels 256.
In the partially assembled view of
At a final stage of assembly, the user may attach a water fill fixture and a water dispensing fixture to the outlets of the flexible bladder extending through the holes in base 610 and lid 660. The user has attached a fill cap 692 to the outlet extending from base 610, and has attached a dispensing nozzle 698 to the outlet extending from lid 660.
The bladder 790 in
In the fill configuration, the planar lid surface 1264 of the lid 1260 faces sideways and includes a dispensing hole 1270 at a lower portion of the planar lid surface. A fluid dispensing attachment may be detachably coupled to the dispensing hole 1270, such as a nozzle 1298 or a hose. In some embodiments, a bladder may comprise an orifice corresponding to the dispensing hole 1270. In such embodiments, the corresponding orifice of the bladder may be detachably coupled to an interior side of the dispensing hole 1270 of the lid 1260. In some embodiments, an outer ring comprising a grommet, threaded ring, or other ring mechanism may circumscribe the dispensing hole 1270. Embodiments of an outer ring may provide a mechanism for attaching, screwing, or otherwise removably coupling a water dispenser attachment to the dispensing hole 1270.
The base 1210 defines windows 1244 that permit viewing of the flexible bladder within portable water storage apparatus 1200. Similarly, the panels 1250 define windows 1254 and the lid 1260 defines windows 1274 that permit viewing the flexible bladder within water storage apparatus 1200. These windows may permit the user to inspect the fill level of the bladder, and the like. Other arrangements of windows or transparent portions of the water storage apparatus may be employed for this purpose.
The exemplary embodiments described herein relate to an apparatus capable of storing and conveying water. However, it should be appreciated that embodiments of the invention are not intended to be limited to water. It is to be appreciated that embodiments of the invention may store and/or dispense any fluid. The exemplary embodiments can relate to an apparatus for performing one or more of the functions described herein. Skilled artisans may implement the described method and apparatus in varying ways for a particular use, but such implementation decisions should not be interpreted as causing a departure from the scope of the present invention. While various aspects and embodiments have been disclosed, other aspects and embodiments are contemplated. The various aspects and embodiments disclosed are for purposes of illustration and are not intended to be limiting, with the true scope and spirit being indicated by the following claims. The preceding description of the disclosed embodiments is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to make or use the present invention. Various modifications to these embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the generic principles defined herein may be applied to other embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Thus, the present invention is not intended to be limited to the embodiments shown herein but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the following claims and the principles and novel features disclosed herein.
