20130193047 | Filter For Rainwater Harvesting - A strainer for a rainwater catchment system includes a container having a top end and a lid sized to cover the top end. The lid has an opening formed therein defined by an edge. The strainer further comprises an upper flange extending outwardly, a vertical side wall extending downwardly from the upper flange, and a bottom rim connected to the side wall, with the bottom rim extending inwardly. A filter removably connects to the bottom rim, with the filter including a lower reinforcing web, an upper retainer, and a mesh held between the lower reinforcing web and the upper retainer, so that the filter is adapted to allow rainwater to pass therethrough while filtering debris therefrom. | 08-01-2013 |
20110024341 | Rainwater Catchment System - A rainwater catchment system uses a basket-like strainer removably received within an opening formed in a lid of a conventional container, such as a 55-gallon plastic drum. The strainer includes an upper flange or rim, a side wall, and a bottom with a reinforcing web and a mesh. When the container is placed so that a downspout from a roof is directed toward the strainer, the water that flows out of the downspout flows into the strainer, through the mesh, and into the container where it is collected for future use. The removability of the strainer facilitates cleaning of the mesh. The reinforcing web, preferably with radially directed spokes, which may be curved to define a fan blade shape, helps to support the mesh so to better accommodate high volume water flow while also filtering out unwanted debris. This catchment system can be easy made out of a conventional container, such as a 55-gallon plastic drum, or a 35-gallon garbage can, by forming the hole within the conventional lid. Alternatively, a replacement lid, essentially an adapter, can be supplied in combination with the strainer to fit on the top of a conventional container, thereby to further facilitate home use. | 02-03-2011 |