CN112913700A

CN112913700A - Absorbent pad holder and containment system

Info

Publication number: CN112913700A
Application number: CN202010346444.6A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 史蒂芬·金
Original assignee: Saka Group Co ltd
Current assignee: Saka Group Co ltd
Priority date: 2019-12-06
Filing date: 2020-04-27
Publication date: 2021-06-08

Abstract

An absorbent pad holder and containment system includes a frame having sides that are adjustable in length to accommodate absorbent pads of different sizes. This frame design allows the absorbent area of the pad to remain flat while the angled edge design of the frame and the corner attachment system secure the outer edge of the absorbent pad in an upward position. This forms a hermetic barrier for liquids that would normally flow over the edges of the mat and onto the floor surface. The edge design of the pad centers the pad and allows all liquid that flows onto the pad to flow to the absorbent area of the pad.

Description

Absorbent pad holder and containment system

Technical Field

Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to liquid or spill containers. More particularly, the present invention relates to an absorbent pad holder that allows the absorbent area of the absorbent pad to remain flat while the angled edge design of the frame and the corner attachment system hold the outer edge of the absorbent pad in an upward position.

Background

The following background information may present examples of several specific aspects of the prior art (e.g., without limitation, means, facts, or common sense) that are intended to further assist the reader in appreciating other aspects of the prior art, but is not to be construed as limiting the invention or any embodiments thereof to anything described or implied herein or inferred therefrom.

The absorbent pad is designed to catch and absorb fluid into the pad, preventing the fluid from reaching the floor surface. A common problem is that liquid that flows to the mat is too close to the edges or that too much liquid flows from the mat to the floor.

The current solution to this spill/receptacle problem is a bulky cartridge-type sealed container with a mechanism for holding the absorbent pad in place within the tray. Current solutions are bulky, cumbersome, highly visible and time consuming to assemble, use and refill. The products currently considered to be capable of holding liquids are drain trays or trays, the primary function of which is to hold the absorbent pad in place using a mechanical holding or attachment mechanism. Current products do not prevent liquid from escaping from the pad and flowing into or onto the device.

A second problem with current solutions is that they are not adjustable in size and cannot be adapted to absorbent pads of various sizes and proportions.

Fig. 1-5 illustrate various conventional

absorbent pad frames

100, 102, 104, 106, 108. As mentioned above, these frames are cumbersome and designed to have absorbent pads placed inside them. These face members are often obtrusive and appear visually unappealing. Some conventional mattress designs, particularly those like that of fig. 2, for example, set limited space and/or require the animal to walk on its own, making it less easy to use the mattress.

In view of the above, there is a need for an improved absorbent pad frame assembly that addresses many of the problems discussed above with current solutions.

Disclosure of Invention

Embodiments of the present invention provide a frame for holding a suction pad, comprising a plurality of face members; a plurality of corner members connecting adjacent face members to form a closed loop with an open central region; a first fixing member provided in each of the corner members; and a hinge connector with a second fixing member incorporated in and released from the first fixing member to fix the absorbent pad therebetween, wherein the plurality of face members include inclined surfaces inclined upward from the open central region.

Embodiments of the present invention also provide a liquid containing apparatus including a plurality of face members, each face member being adjustable in length, wherein each of the plurality of face members includes an inclined surface that is inclined upward from an open central region defined within a shape formed by interconnecting the plurality of face members with a plurality of corner members, wherein the face members include an inner face member that is retractable inside of the outer face member; a water absorbent pad placed within the open central region and extending upwardly to the top of the inclined surface of each of the plurality of face members; a first fixing member provided in each corner member; a hinge connector with a second fixing member incorporated in and released from the first fixing member to fix the pad therebetween, wherein the pad is fixed between the first and second fixing members to fix the pad therein; and a resilient tongue having a protrusion on an underside thereof, wherein the protrusion is adapted to fit into a groove formed in the inner face member to lock the telescoping action between the inner and outer face members.

Embodiments of the present invention also provide a frame for holding a suction pad, comprising a plurality of face members; a plurality of corner members connecting adjacent face members to form a closed loop with an open central region;

a first fixing member provided in each of the corner members; and a hinge connector with a second fixing member incorporated in and released from the first fixing member to fix the absorbent pad therebetween, wherein the plurality of face members include inclined surfaces inclined upward from the open central region; each face member having an open end configured to receive a tongue member below its angled face, the tongue member protruding from one of the corner member or the connecting member; and each face member includes an aperture formed therein configured to receive a protrusion formed on the tongue member when the face member is fully inserted into the corner member or the connection member.

In some embodiments, a non-slip material is used on the bottom surface of the corner members and/or face members to prevent the frame from sliding or sliding on a surface, such as a floor surface.

In some embodiments, at least 50% of the angled surfaces of the plurality of face members are covered by the absorbent pad edges.

In some embodiments, the sloped surfaces of the plurality of face members are all covered by the absorbent pad edges.

In some embodiments, because the absorbent pad is positioned along the inclined surface of the face member, fluid collected in the inclined surface is prevented from escaping when the fluid flows onto the absorbent pad faster than it absorbs water.

These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with regard to the following drawings, description, and claims.

Drawings

Some embodiments of the invention are illustrated by way of example and not limitation in the figures of the accompanying drawings in which like references may indicate similar elements.

Figures 1 to 5 illustrate various conventional absorbent pad holding devices according to the prior art;

FIG. 6 illustrates a perspective view of an absorbent pad frame according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7A shows an end perspective view of the suction pad frame of FIG. 6 with the suction pad installed;

FIG. 7B shows a cross-sectional view of the suction pad frame and mounted suction pad of FIG. 7A;

FIG. 8 illustrates a perspective view of an absorbent pad frame according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 9 shows a perspective view of a face member and corner members of the absorbent pad frame of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 shows a top view of the face member and corner member of FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 shows a detailed view of the face member and corner member of FIG. 9;

FIG. 12 shows another detailed view of the face member and corner member of FIG. 9;

FIG. 13 shows a top view of the face member of the absorbent pad frame of FIG. 8;

FIG. 14 shows a perspective view of the face member of FIG. 13;

FIG. 15 shows a bottom perspective view of a corner closure member of the absorbent pad frame of FIG. 8;

FIG. 16 shows a front end view of the telescoping adjustment locking member of the suction pad frame of FIG. 8;

FIG. 17 shows a bottom view of the telescoping adjustment locking member of FIG. 16;

FIG. 18 shows an exploded perspective view of the extender installed in the absorbent pad frame of FIG. 8;

FIG. 19 illustrates a detailed perspective view of a telescopically adjustable length frame face member in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 20 shows a partial perspective view of the length telescopically adjustable frame;

FIG. 21 illustrates a top view of a variable size frame assembly according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 22 shows a detailed perspective view of a corner of the frame assembly of FIG. 21;

FIG. 23 shows a detailed perspective view of a corner of the frame assembly of FIG. 21 with a segment of the frame partially cut at its connecting member;

FIG. 24 shows a detailed perspective view of a corner of the frame assembly of FIG. 21;

FIG. 25 illustrates a bottom side view of a corner of the frame assembly of FIG. 21 with a portion of one segment of the frame partially cut away to show a corner connecting member thereof;

FIG. 26 illustrates a bottom view of the connecting member of the frame assembly of FIG. 21 with a portion of the frame segment cut away to more optimally illustrate the connecting member; and

fig. 27 shows a detailed view of the corner member with the mat securing member in an upright position.

The drawings in the drawings are not necessarily to scale unless otherwise indicated.

The invention and its various embodiments may now be better understood by reference to the following detailed description, which describes illustrative embodiments. It should be clearly understood that the illustrated embodiments are set forth by way of example and not as limitations on the invention as ultimately defined in the claims.

Detailed Description

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used herein, the term "and/or" includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. As used herein, the singular forms "a", "an" and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well as the singular forms, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms "comprises" and/or "comprising," when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. It will be further understood that terms, such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and the present disclosure and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.

In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. It will be apparent, however, to one skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details.

The present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the invention and is not intended to limit the invention to the specific embodiments illustrated by the following figures or description.

As is well known to those skilled in the art, careful consideration must generally be given and trade-offs must be made when designing the best configuration for commercial implementation of any system, particularly embodiments of the present invention. In accordance with the spirit and teachings of the present invention, a commercial implementation may be configured as desired for a particular application, whereby any aspect, feature, function, result, component, method, or step of the teachings relating to any described embodiment of the invention may be suitably omitted, included, changed, mixed and matched, or improved and/or optimized by those skilled in the art using their ordinary skill and known technology, to achieve the desired performance for the particular application.

In general, embodiments of the present invention provide an absorbent pad holder and containment system that includes a frame that is adjustable in length across its sides to accommodate absorbent pads of different sizes. The frame design is such that the absorbent area of the pad remains flat while the angled edge design of the frame and the corner attachment system secure the outer edge of the absorbent pad in an upward position. This forms a hermetic barrier for liquids that would normally flow over the edges of the mat and onto the floor surface. The edge design of the pad centers the pad and allows all liquid that flows onto the pad to flow to the absorbent area of the pad.

Referring now to FIG. 6, the suction pad frame 10, or simply frame 10, may include a plurality of

telescoping surface members

12, 14, the plurality of

telescoping surface members

12, 14 being sized to adjust the frame 10 to support suction pads of various sizes. The

face members

12, 14 may include inwardly

inclined surfaces

12A, 14A. The inclined surfaces 12A, 14A may be inclined upwardly, for example at an angle of about 10 to 45.

Corner members 40 may connect the

face members

12, 14 to form a frame 10 having an outer edge and an open central region. In the embodiment of fig. 6, the corner members are connected to the

face members

12, 14 to form substantially a 90 ° angle. However, other angles are also contemplated within the scope of the present invention. For example, the frame 10 may form an octagon, 45 ° from the corner members 40. Regardless of shape, the

face members

12, 14 are adjustable in size to allow for different sizes.

Each corner member 40 may comprise a connector comprising a fitting 18 formed in the corner member 40, the fitting 18 carrying a hinge connector with a connector 16 fitting into the corner member fitting 18. Each connector 16 may include a shaped lever member 22, as shown in fig. 7A, that assists the user in releasing the connector 16 from the corner fitting 18 when the absorbent pad edge 24A is sandwiched therebetween. In some embodiments, particularly where the

face members

12, 14 are long (e.g., over 24 or 36 inches), a receptacle similar to the receptacle 18 may be formed along the

face members

12, 14 with the hinged connector 16 installed to provide additional support to the absorbent pad edge 24A when assembled, as shown in fig. 7A and 7B.

Referring to fig. 6, 7A and 7B, the suction pad 24 may be placed in the open central region 42 and the frame 10 may be adjusted so that the suction pad edge 24A is disposed along the

inclined surfaces

12A, 14A of the face members 12, 14 (see fig. 6). Typically, the absorbent pad edge 24A extends from about 50% to about 100% of the width of the

inclined surface

12A, 14A, with the uncovered area 12B of the

face member

12, 14 typically being less than 1/2 inches, and even typically less than 1/4 inches. In some embodiments, the

angled surfaces

12A, 14A may be about 3/4 to about 1.5 inches wide, terminating at a height of about 1/2 inches to about 1.5 inches from the floor surface.

The

face members

12, 14 may be adjusted in a variety of ways as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art. As discussed in more detail below, the

face members

12, 14 may telescope or slide along the faces of each other. In some embodiments, a toothed track may be provided on one of the

face members

12, 14 to provide resistance to the

face members

12, 14 sliding freely with respect to each other. Other mechanisms such as tabs, slide locks, protrusions, buttons, etc. may be used to provide dimensional adjustment at regular intervals.

In some embodiments, at least a portion of the bottom surface of at least corner member 40 may include a non-slip coating, such as a rubber coating, a base, an insert, a gasket, or the like. Such a coating on the bottom surface may help prevent the frame 10 from sliding on a floor surface.

Referring now to fig. 8-17, an exemplary design of an absorbent pad frame 80 is shown. Although these drawings illustrate specific examples, the invention is not meant to be limited to only the specific examples shown in these drawings and described below.

Fig. 8 shows the frame 80 in an assembled form. The face and corner members 82 may include an inner frame member 88 attached to the corner 86. In some embodiments, the inner frame member 88 and the corner portion 86 may be formed as a unitary member, while in other embodiments, the inner frame member 88 may be removably connected to the corner portion 86 in various ways known in the art. The inner frame member 88 may include a scale 90 disposed thereon. The scale 90 may indicate, for example, the size of an absorbent pad that may be mounted within the frame 80.

As discussed in more detail below, the outer frame member 84 may be removably attached to the corner portions 86 and corner members 82 of the frame. Inner frame members 88 of face and corner members 82 are telescopically engaged into outer frame members 84 to allow for adjustment of the size of frame 80. As described below, the locking tabs 96 may lock the inner frame member 88 and the outer frame member 84 to a desired size.

Fig. 9 and 10 show detailed views of the face member and corner member 82. Roughened surface 104 may be provided along exterior side surface 94 (see fig. 8) to engage locking tabs 94. The pad holding member receptacle 100 may hingedly receive a portion of the pad holding member 92 therein. The holes 102 in the corner portions 86 can receive the pins 134 of the outer frame member 84 (see fig. 13). A slot 98 may be formed in corner 86 to receive a protrusion 154 of pad securing member 92 (see fig. 15). In some embodiments, slip resistant members 106 may be disposed on the bottom surface of corners 86.

Fig. 11 and 12 show a detailed view of corner portion 86 of the face member and corner member 82. The pad holding member receptacle 100 may include openings 110 to receive pins 152 of the pad holding member 92 (see fig. 15). As shown in fig. 12, outer frame member 84 may be inserted into slot 112 of corner 86.

The outer frame member 84 may include an insertion end 132 with a resilient flexing member 136, the resilient flexing member 136 with a pin 134, the pin 134 fitting into the corner 86 of the face member and the opening 102 (see fig. 11) of the corner member 82. A locking tab mount 130 may be provided at an end opposite insertion end 132 for receiving a locking tab 170 therein (see fig. 17). As shown in fig. 14, inner frame member 88 may be telescopically mounted in opening 138.

Fig. 15 illustrates the pad holding member 92, which pad holding member 92 may include a pin extension member 150 to support a pin 152 that fits into an opening 110 (shown in fig. 11 and 12) in the pad holding member receptacle 100. As described above, the bottom surface 156 of the pad holding member 92 may include a protrusion 154 that fits into the groove 98 of the corner, wherein the pad may be sandwiched between the pad holding member 92 and the corner 86 to secure the pad to the frame 80, as described above.

Fig. 16 and 17 show an example of a locking tab 170 (also referred to above as locking tab 96) with a pin 172 that can be mounted into the locking tab mount 130 of the outer frame member 84. The locking tab rough surfaces 176 may engage the rough surface 104 of the inner frame member 88 to lock the telescoping action between the inner and

outer frame members

88, 84. The main body 174 of the locking tab 170 provides a surface for locking and unlocking the locking tab 170. In some embodiments, the body 174 may be twisted in the manner shown in FIG. 16 to simplify its handling in use.

Referring now to fig. 18, in some embodiments, extension members 180 may be installed into corner portions 86 and corner members 82 of the face member. The extension member 180 may include a pin 184 on a resiliently deformable tongue 186 for engaging into the aperture 102 of the corner. The extension member 180 may include its own hole 182 for engaging with the pin 134 of the outer frame member 84. The length of the extension member 180 may be varied according to the actual application. In some embodiments, multiple extension members may be used end-to-end to provide a longer dimension.

The frame 10 may be made of various materials. For example, the frame 10 may be formed of durable plastic, metal, wood, composite materials, combinations thereof, or the like. The user-assembled frame 10 may form a closed loop by connecting each face member to a respective corner member. In this embodiment, the frame 10 can be easily assembled or disassembled into a relatively small area.

Referring now to fig. 19 and 20, in some embodiments, the frame may be designed with telescoping members, e.g., similar to that in fig. 8, wherein an insert frame member 190 may extend from a corner member 191. The sliding frame member 196 may slide over the insertion frame member 190 to adjust the length of the side portions of the frame. In some embodiments, a scale 194 may be displayed on the insert frame member 190 so that a user can easily match the size of the frame to the size of the pad to be used therein.

The sliding frame member 196 may include a resilient tab 197. the resilient tab 197 may have a protrusion 198 extending from a bottom surface thereof. The protrusion 198 may fit at least partially into a notch 195 formed along the insertion frame member 190. The protrusion 198 and notch 195 may interact to fix the length of the frame, thereby avoiding inadvertent adjustment of the frame. Thus, the user needs to apply pressure to move the sliding frame member 196 along the insertion frame member 190.

The corner 191 may include a pad securing member 192, and the pad securing member 192 may pivot in a manner similar to that described above to secure the pad thereunder. Further, the frame member may include an inclined surface inclined inward similarly to that described in the above embodiments. The inclined surface may be inclined upwardly, for example at an angle of about 10 degrees to about 45 degrees.

Referring to fig. 21 and 22, the frame 200 may include interconnectable frame members designed in one or more dimensions. In the embodiment of fig. 21, the first frame member 202 may be a first length and the second frame member 204 may be a second length, wherein, in this particular embodiment, the second length is shorter than the first length. The first frame member 202 may be attached to the other of the plurality of first frame members 202 or second frame members 204 to form a desired length of one or more sides of the frame. Similarly, the second frame member 204 may be attached to the other of the plurality of first frame members 202 or second frame members 204 to form the desired length of the face or faces of the frame. While fig. 21 shows one particular size configuration, it is to be understood that the frame may be made of any combination of frame members to form the desired size.

The

frame members

202, 204 may include an aperture 214, the aperture 214 configured to receive

notches

214, 222, the

notches

214, 222 disposed on the resiliently

deformable arms

226, 252 of the connector 206 or the corner member 208, respectively. This interconnection will be described in more detail below. The apertures 214 may allow the

frame members

202, 204 to be interconnected by the connector 206, or to be connected to the corner member 208.

Corner member 208 may include a cutout 212 formed in a top surface thereof. The cushion securing member 210 may be pivotally attached to the corner member 208 and may include a protrusion 276, such as, for example, the protrusion 276 shown in fig. 27. The protrusion 276 may press a gasket (not shown) into the cutout 212, thereby securing the gasket at its corner. In some embodiments, the connectors may be designed with a pad securing member similar to that used in the corner members to secure the pad to the connectors disposed along the length of the frame. In other embodiments, the frame member itself may include a cushion securement member similar to that used in the corner member, allowing the cushion to be secured directly to the frame member.

Similar to the embodiments described above, the

frame members

202, 204 may include an inwardly sloped surface. The inclined surface may be inclined upwardly, for example, by about 10 degrees to about 45 degrees. Corner member 208 may be similarly sloped. In this way, when the gasket is provided on the

frame members

202, 204 and the corner member 208, and the gasket fixing member 210 is pressed against the gasket, the gasket is inclined inward, with the gasket placed on the

frame members

202, 204.

Referring again to fig. 23-26, the connector 206 may include a central member 228 with a tongue member 224 extending from each side of the central member 228. The central member 228 may be sized similar to or slightly larger than the frame members. The tongue member 224 may be sized to mate with the inner end of the frame member. The resiliently deformable central arm 226 may be partially cut out of the tongue member 224 to allow it to deflect. When the tongue member 224 is inserted into the frame member, the projection 220 at the end of the center arm 226 may be elastically deformed downward. When the tongue member 224 is fully inserted into the frame member, the projection 220 may be aligned with and extend into the aperture 214 in the frame member. In this configuration, the connector 206 cannot be inadvertently removed from the frame member without pressing the protrusion 220 while applying a separating force.

Corner member 208 may comprise a tongue member similar to tongue member 250 used for connector 206. The tongue member 250 may be sized to mate with the interior end of the frame member. The resiliently deformable central arm 252 may be partially cut out of the tongue member 250 to allow it to deflect. When the tongue member 250 is inserted into the frame member, the protrusion 222 at the end of the center arm 252 may be elastically deformed downward. When the tongue member 250 is fully inserted into the frame member, the projection 222 may be aligned with and extend into the aperture 214 in the frame member. In this configuration, the corner member 208 cannot be inadvertently removed from the frame member without pressing the protrusion 222 while the separating force is applied.

As shown in fig. 25, the corner members 208 may be reinforced with ribs 254 to provide rigidity. Such reinforcement may allow a user to apply an appropriate force, such as by stepping on, to the pad securing member 210, which may be pivoted about axis 256, to secure the pad in the cutout 212.

Fig. 27 illustrates one example of a corner member 270, which corner member 270 may be used with various embodiments of the frame as described herein. The corner member 270 may include a pivotable pad securing member 274, the pivotable pad securing member 274 with a protrusion 276 extending from a bottom portion thereof. When the cushion securing member 274 pivots downward, the protrusions 276 may fit into the cutouts 272 formed in the corner members 270. When a gasket (not shown) is disposed on top of the cutout 272, the protrusion 276 may push the gasket into the cutout 272 to secure the gasket to the frame.

All the features disclosed in this specification, including all abstract and drawings, may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features.

The components and steps of the claims herein may be numbered and/or alphabetical for ease of reading and understanding only. All such numbers and letters are not intended to, and should not be used to, indicate the order of the elements and/or steps in the claims.

Variations and modifications may be effected by one of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, it is to be understood that the illustrated embodiments are presented for purposes of example only and that they are not to be considered limiting of the invention, which is defined by the following claims. For example, although elements of a claim are shown below in certain combinations, it must be expressly understood that the invention includes other combinations of fewer, more or different ones of the disclosed elements.

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. Accordingly, 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.

The claims are thus to be understood to include what is specifically illustrated and described above, what is conceptually equivalent, what can be obviously substituted and also what incorporates the essential idea of the invention.

Claims

1. A frame for holding an absorbent pad, comprising:

a plurality of face members;

a plurality of corner members connecting adjacent face members to form a closed loop with an open central region;

a first fixing member provided in each of the corner members; and

a hinge connector with a second fixing member incorporated in and released from the first fixing member to fix the absorbent pad therebetween, wherein

The plurality of face members include inclined surfaces that are inclined upward from the opening center region.

2. The frame of claim 1, wherein the corner member is integrally formed with one of the face members.

3. The frame of claim 1, wherein the face member comprises an inner face member that telescopes within an outer face member.

4. The frame of claim 3 wherein the inner face member is integrally formed with each of the corner members.

5. The frame of claim 4 further comprising an elastic tab with a protrusion on its underside, wherein the protrusion fits into a groove formed in the inner face member, thereby locking the telescoping action between the inner and outer face members.

6. The frame of claim 3 wherein the inner face member includes a scale formed therein to scale the size of the frame when assembled.

7. The frame of claim 1, wherein bottom surfaces of the plurality of corner members comprise a non-slip material.

8. The frame of claim 1, wherein the width of the sloped surface is from about 0.75 to about 2 inches.

9. The frame of claim 1, wherein the sloped surface is steep from between about 0.5 inches to about 1.5 inches.

10. The frame of claim 1, wherein each of the face members has an end configured to receive therein a tongue member extending from a corner member or a connecting member.

11. The frame of claim 10, wherein each of the face members includes an aperture formed therein configured to receive a protrusion formed on the tongue member when the face member is fully inserted into the corner member or the connection member.

12. The frame of claim 11, wherein the protrusion is formed on a portion of the cutting element of the tongue member that is elastically deformable relative to the tongue member.

13. The frame of claim 10, wherein the sides of the frame are assembled from at least one of a first face member having a first length and a second face member having a second length.

14. The frame of claim 1, wherein the corner pieces include reinforcing ribs formed at the hollow bottom thereof.

15. A liquid containing apparatus comprising:

a plurality of face members, each face member being adjustable in length, wherein each of the plurality of face members includes an inclined surface that is inclined upwardly from an open central region defined within a shape formed by interconnecting the plurality of face members with a plurality of corner members, the face members including an inner face member that is retractable within an interior of the outer face member;

a water absorbent pad enclosed within the open central region and extending upwardly to the top of the inclined surface of each of the plurality of face members;

a first fixing part provided in each of the corner members;

a hinge connector with a second fixing member incorporated in and released from the first fixing member to fix the pad therebetween, the pad being fixed between the first and second fixing members to fix the pad therein; and

a resilient tongue having a projection on an underside thereof, said projection being adapted to fit within a recess formed in said inner face member to lock the telescoping action between said inner and outer face members.

16. The frame of claim 15 wherein the inner face member is integrally formed with each corner member.

17. The frame of claim 15 wherein the inner face member includes a scale formed therein to scale the size of the frame when assembled.

18. A frame for holding an absorbent pad, comprising:

a plurality of face members;

a first securing member disposed in each of said corner members;

The plurality of face members include inclined surfaces that are inclined upward from the open central region.

Each face member having an open end configured to receive therein a tongue member extending from a corner member or a connecting member; and

the face member includes an aperture formed therein configured to receive a protrusion formed on the tongue member when the face member is fully inserted into the corner member or the connecting member.

19. The frame of claim 18, wherein the protrusion is formed on a portion of the cutting element of the tongue member that is elastically deformable relative to the tongue member.

20. The frame of claim 18, wherein the sides of the frame are assembled from at least one of a first face member having a first length and a second face member having a second length.