GB2346922A

GB2346922A - Tray or container for capturing leaking water from a tank

Info

Publication number: GB2346922A
Application number: GB9903318A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Nigel Cloves
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1999-02-12
Filing date: 1999-02-12
Publication date: 2000-08-23
Anticipated expiration: 2019-02-12
Also published as: GB9903318D0; GB2346922B

Abstract

An open-topped container (5) made from a one-piece plastic moulding has a base and an upstanding wall (6) which can collect water from a leaking or burst water storage tank (1). The base is shaped to define a number of upstanding projections (9, fig 4, not shown) which are spaced such that water can flow around the projections (9) and access all parts of the base. The upstanding projections (9) are hollow and define spaces for the insertion of load bearing members (10) such as battens.

Description

CONTAINER The invention relates to an open-topped container, i. e. a tray or tub, for receiving a further container intended for holding water but possibly subject to leakage or bursting. The function of the first container is to receive water that leaks from the further container. More particularly, but not exclusively, the invention relates to an open-topped container for receiving a domestic hot water cylinder.

The invention also relates to a water supply system comprising an open-topped container and a water storage container stood within the first container for the first container to be able to receive water leaking from the further container.

With time, the wall of a domestic hot water cylinder will corrode to the point where there is a leak. There can be a sudden collapse of the tank wall, creating a flood of water which ruins walls, carpets, clothes etc. The cost of insurance claims is substantial.

In Patent Application No. GB 9700710.8 there is shown an arrangement for reducing the likelihood of such damage.

In this arrangement, the cylinder (or other container) stands in a tub or tray incorporating an outlet whereby leakage of the water from the container passes through the outlet.

The tub may take the form of a tray having an upstanding wall, with the outlet present in the wall at a predetermined height above the floor of the tub. The dimensions of the tub will be sufficient to take water leakage but may be related to the volume capacity of the container.

The tub may be made of any suitable material. Typically the tub will be made of a long life temperature resistant plastics.

The container will usually be a hot water tank but could be a washing machine, dishwasher, cold storage tank or the like, of the type used in domestic, commercial or industrial establishments.

According to one aspect of the invention there is provided an open-topped container for receiving water, the container comprising a one-piece plastics moulding having a base and a wall upstanding from the periphery of the base, the base being shaped to define a plurality of spaced hollow upstanding projecting portions defining spaces for having weight bearing members inserted therein from outside the container, the projecting portions being arranged so that water within the tray can flow round the projecting portions from one to another space between those portions.

According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a water system including a container as described above and a water storage container stood within the first mentioned container.

In order that the invention may be well understood it will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a partly sectioned view of a hot water storage cylinder in an airing cupboard and stood within an open-topped leakage receiving container; Figures 2,3,4 and 5 are respectively a plan view, a section on the line II-II in Figure 2, a perspective view from above and a perspective view from below of the leakage receiving container.

The hot water tank 1 is located in the usual domestic air cupboard. Shelving 2 is present, for the clothes to be aired. The tank has the usual pipework 3, and thermostat, and like accessories. The tank 1 is stood within an open-topped container 5 on the floor 4.

The container 5 comprises a one-piece plastics moulding, for example, polypropylene or polyethylene. It is formed as a circular tray about 250 to 300 mm in diameter with an upstanding, outwardly flared wall 6 about 100 to 150 mm in height. By way of example, the floor and wall of the tray might be between 1.5 to 4.5 mm thick and it, for a typical size, might weight about ll/2 kg. There is a rounded transition between the wall 6 and the floor 4 of the tray. At equi-spaced intervals around the wall 6, it has flats 7 one of which is chosen to have the overflow pipe 8 connected to it. The pipe 8 is not shown in Figures 2 to 5.

The floor of the container 5 has three spaced upstanding projecting portions 9 formed therein. The projecting portions 9 are elongate and hollow and are open beneath the container 5. The portions 9 are each also open at one end through the wall of the container, the central portion 9 being open at one side of the container and the other two portions being open at the other side. However, no portion 9 reaches the side opposite to that where it is open, i. e. one end of each portion 9 stops short of the wall 5 so that any water within the container can flow past any projecting portion 9 to reach any space within the container.

Within the hollow spaces in the portions 9 are support battens 10, preferably made of wood.

The projecting portions are sized to receive 50 mm x 50 mm (2"x 2") battens. The battens give extra support to the weight of the cylinder but, because they are beneath the container, as it were, are not exposed to any leakage water that may have gathered within the container.

It is not entirely necessary that the hollow spaces defined by the portions 9 should be open at one side of the container wall 5. It is preferred however. This is because the battens 10 are likely to be cut on site and if they are cut slightly over long, they will still fit.

The outlet pipe 8 (say 36 mm diameter) leads to an outlet which may be connected to a high temperature overflow pipe or waste pipe or the like. If the tank leaks because of corrosion holes formed at or near the bottom, the water will fill the tray and flow via the outlet harmlessly. The flow of water will give an early warning of the existence of a weakness. The invention is not limited to the embodiment shown. The tub may be shaped differently. More than one outlet pipe may be present, and they may be connected to the same or different outlets.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. An open-topped container for receiving water, the container comprising a one-piece plastics moulding having a base and a wall upstanding from the periphery of the base, the base being shaped to define a plurality of spaced hollow upstanding projecting portions defining spaces for having weight bearing members inserted therein from outside the container, the projecting portions being arranged so that water within the tray can flow round the projecting portions from one to another space between those portions.
2. A container substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
3. A water system including a container according to Claim 1 or 2 and a water storage container stood within the first mentioned container.