Baths – closets – sinks – and spittoons – Flush closet or urinal and wash receptacle – Wash receptacle water empties into toilet facility
Reexamination Certificate
2000-08-17
2001-09-04
Drodge, Joseph W. (Department: 1723)
Baths, closets, sinks, and spittoons
Flush closet or urinal and wash receptacle
Wash receptacle water empties into toilet facility
C210S153000, C210S767000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06282733
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates generally to the field of reclamation systems and, more particularly, to gray water reclamation apparatus and methods of installing a gray water reclamation system.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Household wastewater may be generally classified as either black water or gray water. Black water normally refers to waste water generated from toilets, whereas gray water normally refers to waste water generated from sinks, bath tubs, showers, dish washers and clothes washers. Because black water contains high levels of bacteria, it is not suitable for reuse before processing through a wastewater treatment facility. Yet gray water may be processed through a simple filtering system and reused for non-potable uses such as outdoor watering, car washing, etc.
The prior art is replete with gray water reclamation systems and apparatus. Although exemplary, known gray water reclamation systems and apparatus are very expensive, difficult if not impossible to install with existing household drainage or plumbing systems, complex and not very efficient.
Accordingly, it would be highly desirable to provide improved gray water reclamation apparatus and improved methods of installing a gray water reclamation system.
It is a purpose of the present invention to provide new and improved gray water reclamation apparatus that is easy to install during new household construction or renovation.
It is another purpose of the present invention to provide new and improved gray water reclamation apparatus that is easy to install with an existing household drainage or plumbing infrastructure or architecture.
It is still another purpose of the present invention to provide new and improved gray water reclamation apparatus that is highly efficient.
It is a further purpose of the present invention to provide new and improved gray water reclamation apparatus that is inexpensive.
It is still a further purpose of the present invention to provide new and improved gray water reclamation apparatus that is easy to use.
It is yet still a further provision of the present invention to conserve water in a cost efficient manner.
It is another purpose of the present invention to provide new and improved methods of installing a gray water reclamation system.
It is still another purpose of the present invention to provide new and improved methods of installing a gray water reclamation system that may be easily carried out during new household construction or renovation.
It is yet still another purpose of the present invention to provide new and improved methods of installing a gray water reclamation system that may be easily carried out with an existing household drainage or plumbing infrastructure.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The above problems and others are at least partially solved and the above purposes and others are realized in new and improved apparatus for reclaiming gray water. In a specific embodiment, apparatus of the present invention may comprise a source of gray water having a drain and a drainage conduit coupled with the drain in gray water communication. The source of gray water may include a sink, a bathtub, a shower, a dishwasher, a clothes washer, etc., and the drainage conduit may form part of a household drainage or plumbing infrastructure. The present invention further includes filter apparatus for filtering gray water into filtered gray water, a gray water conduit for receiving and conducting gray water from the drain to the filter apparatus, the gray water conduit extending from the drain and into and through at least a predetermined length of the drainage conduit intermediate the drain and the filter apparatus; and a vessel for receiving and storing filtered gray water from the filter apparatus.
The drainage conduit normally includes an inner diameter. The gray water conduit normally includes an outer diameter. In an exemplary embodiment, the outer diameter of the gray water conduit is less than the inner diameter of the drainage conduit at least at the predetermined length of the drainage conduit. In this regard, the gray water conduit, of which is preferably constructed of a substantially flexible material, may be easily housed and installed in the drainage conduit at least at the predetermined length thereof without obstructing normal operation of the drainage conduit.
A funnel may also be provided for conducting gray water from the drain of the gray water source to the gray water conduit. The funnel may include a first open end for receiving gray water from the source and a smaller second open end for conducting gray water into and through the proximal end of the gray water conduit. A grating may be provided and positioned for inhibiting debris from entering the proximal end of the gray water conduit. The funnel may also include at least one opening between the first open end and the smaller second open end for permitting gray water to conduct therethrough into the drainage conduit should the flow of gray water through the gray water conduit back up or otherwise become obstructed.
Consistent with the foregoing, associated methods of installing a gray water reclamation system may also be provided.
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Cecil Terry K.
Drodge Joseph W.
Goltry Michael W.
Parsons Robert A.
Parsons & Goltry
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