Abstract:
A shower water collection device configured to capture pre-shower water which once full may easily be sealed to prevent contamination of the collected water until the water can be used for another purpose. A shower water collection device further including an inverted umbrella type funnel for increased surface area and enhanced water collection.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of priority of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/906,285 filed Nov. 19, 2013, the contents of which are incorporated hereby in its entirety by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention pertains generally to water collection devices. More particularly, the present invention pertains to a shower water collection device configured to capture pre-shower water which once full may easily be sealed to prevent contamination of the collected water until the water can be used for another purpose. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE ART 
       [0003]    In 1990, 30 states in the US reported ‘water-stress’ conditions. In 2000, the number of states reporting water-stress rose to 40. By 2009, the number rose to 45. There is a worsening trend in water supply nationwide. Taking measures at home to conserve water not only saves you money, it also is of benefit to the greater community. 
         [0004]    Saving water at home does not require any significant cost outlay. Although there are water-saving appliances and water conservation systems such as rain barrels, drip irrigation and on-demand water heaters which are more expensive, the bulk of water saving methods can be achieved at little cost. For example, 75% of water used indoors is in the bathroom and even the use of simple methods like tank banks, low-flow showerheads and faucet aerators cannot eliminate the habitual wasting of water by bathers. Most individuals who take a daily shower waste a significant amount of cold or lukewarm water while waiting for the shower water to heat to a preferred temperature. 
         [0005]    A variety of shower water collection devices are known in the art, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,140,174 issued to Horenstein et al. discloses a device for saving water while waiting for shower water to heat up wherein the device consists of an elongated flexible and collapsible tube, the tube having a cuff at the top to remain around the shower head and a cover at the bottom, the cover to prevent grey water from collecting in the contain used with the device. This device may prove inconvenient for individuals with mobility issues and/or the elderly. 
         [0006]    Another example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,168,586 issued to Small discloses a device for reclaiming shower waste water for use for filing toilets and watering garden, wherein the device is a molded reservoir that takes up the entire bottom of the bathtub, the reservoir being further comprised of smaller tanks that may be individually removed from the reservoir for use of the collected water. This device is large and bulky and its size alone is likely to deter many from attempting to install the device in their bathtub. 
         [0007]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,345,625 issued to Diemand discloses a waste water recovery system including a storage tank, a suction pump connected between the shower floor drain and the tank of the toilet for supplying water for use to flush the toilet. This device requires installation of the collection tank and connector between the shower, tank and toilet. 
         [0008]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,862,544 issued to Placencia discloses an apparatus for collecting fresh water flow from a shower including a support frame, a water flow diverter and at least one collection container supported in the frame. This appartus requires mounting of the support frame to the wall with a plurality of lag bolts. 
         [0009]    U.S. Pat. No. 6,581,218 issued to Koepenick discloses a water conservation system including a pair of receptacles for placement on the shower floor, one receptacle for collection of clean water and the other receptacle for collection of used shower water. The pair of receptacles requires the placement of a dowel between the receptacles to prevent movement of the receptacles during use. The requirement of the dowel may make separation of the receptacles cumbersome once use of the collected water is desired. 
         [0010]    U.S. Pat. Pub. No. 2010/0051107 by Crawford discloses a shower water-saving device for placement in the shower to collect fresh and used water in the same container which may be transformed into a watering bucket and be used to water household plants, garden plants or lawns. 
         [0011]    In light of the above, it is an object of the present invention to provide the desired features described herein as well as additional advantages such as being lightweight, affordable and relatively simple to manufacture. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0012]    The present invention is directed to solving the deficiency in the art pertaining to pre-shower water waste and collection. It is an object of the present invention to provide a shower water collection device that may seal water tight to prevent the contamination of already collected lead shower water resulting in the collection of fresh water for future use. 
         [0013]    It is another object of the present invention to provide a shower water collection device with a deployable umbrella type funnel for increased surface area and increased water collection. Another object of the present invention is to provide a shower water collection device with a deployable umbrella type funnel that may be hidden during non-use (i.e. closed configuration) such that the funnel folds neatly into the collection reservoir when not in use. 
         [0014]    It is yet another object of the present invention to reduce water waste resulting from the turning on of the shower in order to allow the water to heat to the desired temperature. 
         [0015]    It is still another object of the present invention to provide a shower water collection device that once the umbrella type funnel is deployed the device resembles a flower such that the individual segments of the funnel resemble the petals of a flower. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0016]    The novel features of this invention, as well as the invention itself, both as to its structure and its operation, will be best understood from the accompanying drawings, taken in conjunction with the accompanying description, in which similar reference characters refer to similar parts, and in which: 
           [0017]      FIG. 1  illustrates a side view of the shower water collection device in a preferred embodiment with the device in the open position. 
           [0018]      FIG. 2  illustrates a top view of the shower water collection device shown in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0019]      FIG. 3  illustrates a side view of the shower water collection device in a preferred embodiment with the device in the closed position. 
           [0020]      FIG. 4  illustrates a top view of the shower water collection device shown in  FIG. 3 . 
           [0021]      FIG. 5  illustrates a side view of the shower water collection device in use. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0022]    Figures are not drawn to scale and are only provided to illustrate the instant invention. A shower water collection device is illustrated in a side perspective view in  FIG. 1 . The shower water collection device  10  is comprised of a reservoir  12  for collecting leading shower water, the reservoir  12  being defined by a bottom  20  with a first diameter and a top  22  with a second diameter and at least one side wall  24  extending from the bottom  20  to the top  22  such that the side wall  24  extends at an angle greater than 90° from the bottom  20 . The at least one side wall further includes a watering spout  14  for ease of watering flower beds and/or household plants. The shower water collection device  10  further includes a second handle  32  located on the at least one side wall opposite the watering spout  14  for aiding in the lifting and carrying of the device  10 . The top  22  is further comprised of a seal  18  and a handle  16 . The seal  18  may be in the shape of a circle with a diameter less than the diameter of the top  22 . In an alternative embodiment the seal  18  may be a square or virtually any shape that allows for the proper function of the shower water collection device  10 . In the open configuration, the handle  16  is extended vertically from the top  22  such that an inverted umbrella funnel  30  protrudes from the reservoir  12  and fans out at the diameter of the seal  18  to provide greater surface area for increased water collection. While the inverted umbrella funnel  30  is deployed the increased surface area of the funnel  30  allows for bulk water collection. 
         [0023]    With reference to  FIG. 2 , a top view of the shower water collection device of  FIG. 1  is illustrated. When the umbrella  30  is in the open position, the bottom  20  of the device can be seen encompassing the handle  16 . It is this opening about the handle  16  that facilitates water collection in the reservoir of the shower water collection device. 
         [0024]    With reference to  FIG. 3 , a shower water collection device in a second embodiment is illustrated in a side perspective view. Shown is the shower water collection device  10  comprised of a reservoir  12  for collecting leading shower water, the reservoir  12  being defined by a bottom  20  with a first diameter and a top  22  with a second diameter and at least one side wall  24  extending from the bottom  20  to the top  22  such that the side wall  24  extends at an angle greater than 90° from the bottom  20 . The at least one side wall further includes a watering spout  14  for ease of watering flower beds and/or household plants. The top  22  is further comprised of a seal  18  and a handle  16 . In the closed configuration, the handle  16  protrudes out from the seal  18  while the seal  18  remains water tight around the handle  16 . The water tight seal  18  prevents contaminants such as grey shower water and soap from entering the reservoir  12  when the shower water collection device  10  is in the closed configuration. 
         [0025]    With reference to  FIG. 4 , a top view of the shower water collection device of  FIG. 3  is illustrated. When the umbrella (not shown) is collapsed, the seal  18  remains water tight about the handle  16  to prevent soapy water was entering the device during the remainder of the shower. 
         [0026]    With reference to  FIG. 5 , a shower water collection device  10  is shown in use collecting lead shower water. 
         [0027]    One embodiment of the present invention provides a shower water collection device for collecting lead shower water that would typically be wasted. The shower water collection device may be made from blow molded plastic or metal. In a preferred embodiment the shower water collection device is made from lightweight molded plastic. 
         [0028]    In another embodiment, the present invention provides a shower water collection device capable of being closed and sealed tight to prevent contamination of the collected water resulting in the collection of fresh water for future use. 
         [0029]    In yet another embodiment, the present invention provides a shower water collection device with an inverted umbrella type funnel for increasing surface area for increased water collection. The inverted umbrella funnel may be made of thin plastic or water proof fabric. In a preferred embodiment, the inverted umbrella funnel may be thin plastic similar to the water collection device reservoir. In a more preferred embodiment, the segments of the funnel may resemble any shape similar to the petals of a flower. 
         [0030]    In still another embodiment, the present invention provides a shower water collection device with an optional hand pump attachment for pressurizing the reservoir in order to provide for different spray patterns. The hand pump may be further comprised of a hose, wand and interchangeable nozzle to allow for a variety of dispensing options. In a preferred embodiment, the hose, wand and nozzles may be made from molded plastic, rubber or vinyl. 
         [0031]    In still another embodiment, the present invention provides a method for collecting lead shower water, the method comprising the steps of: 
         [0032]    a) placing a shower water collection device in the shower stall or bathtub; 
         [0033]    b) lifting up on the handle of the shower water collection device to deploy the inverted umbrella funnel; 
         [0034]    c) turning on the water such that water from the shower head is directed toward the inverted umbrella funnel; 
         [0035]    d) collecting water in the shower water collection device until the desired water temperature is reached; 
         [0036]    e) pushing the handle of the shower water collection device down and into the collection device reservoir thereby sealing the device; and 
         [0037]    f) moving the shower water collection device to one side of the shower stall or bathtub until use of the collected water is desired. 
         [0038]    In yet another embodiment, the present invention provides a water collection adapter for an existing reservoir. The reservoir may be selected from the group consisting of a pail, bucket, watering can, barrel, a trash can or any reservoir that may be used to collect shower or rainwater. 
         [0039]    Many alterations and modifications may be made by those having ordinary skill in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Therefore, it must be understood that the illustrated embodiments have been set forth only for the purposes of example and that it should not be taken as limiting the invention as defined by the following claims. For example, notwithstanding the fact that the elements of a claim are set forth below in a certain combination, it must be expressly understood that the invention includes other combinations of fewer, more or different elements, which are disclosed in above even when not initially claimed in such combinations. 
         [0040]    Insubstantial changes from the claimed subject matter as viewed by a person with ordinary skill in the art, now known or later devised, are expressly contemplated as being equivalently within the scope of the claims. Therefore, obvious substitutions now or later known to one with ordinary skill in the art are defined to be within the scope of the defined elements. 
         [0041]    While the particular shower water collection device as herein shown and disclosed in detail is fully capable of obtaining the objects and providing the advantages herein before stated, it is to be understood that it is merely illustrative of the presently preferred embodiments of the invention and that no limitations are intended to the details of construction or design herein shown other than as described in the appended claims.