it's a dirty job

Petmate make pond pumps, filters and pet products. Pond filters usually need to be cleaned on a weekly basis. It is an unpleasant, dirty job that involves stripping down the unit and washing out the accumulated sludge with clean water.

Goodwin's brief was to design a pressurised filter that could be installed out of sight and easily cleaned. We came up with the idea that the filter could be self cleaning, thus eliminating the need to take it apart. The innovative design uses a unique three-way valve that harnesses the pressure created by the pond pump to squeeze the dirt out of the filter. In fact, the more clogged up the filter becomes, the greater the squeeze. Finally, the valve is switched to flush out the sludge, which can then be used as garden fertiliser.

The concept has been patented, and was launched in 2002 to great acclaim. Goodwin have since been asked back to design more of the Petmate filter range.