GB2506759A

GB2506759A - A fluid drain tray suitable for collecting and channelling drainage liquids

Info

Publication number: GB2506759A
Application number: GB1316966.9A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Alan Davenport
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2012-09-24
Filing date: 2013-09-24
Publication date: 2014-04-09
Anticipated expiration: 2033-09-24
Also published as: GB2506759B; GB201217047D0; GB201316966D0

Abstract

A fluid drain tray comprising at least one continuous side 4 surrounding a substantially planar base 3 to describe a container; the base including shaping 14 (fig 5) to encourage fluids to flow toward an outlet 2 situated in line with the base, the shaping being with respect to the wall. The wall is an upstanding wall, having an uppermost edge 8 with a flexible rim 1 extending from it in more than one direction, whereby the directions may extend along plural sides of the wall and upward as well as out. This may provide an enlarged capture area, capable of extending the effective footprint of the base. The rim may be removably inserted into a groove in the top edge of the wall. The base of the tray may be angled, superficially shaped or textured with grooves 5 to assist guiding water to the outlet. The outlet 2 may provide a tap or a spout 17, and may provide attachment for tubing with a vacuum pump. At least one handle 6 may also be provided.

Description

A FLUID DRAIN TRAY

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a fluid drain tray; in particular a tray for collecting and channelling fluid exiting an item under gravity; more particularly but not exclusively the invention relates to a fluid drain tray adapted for channelling or collecting non-viscous drainage liquids.

Background

There are a number of occasions where it is necessary to drain liquid from a storage unit or other item, such as a hot water radiator, water tank, sink or bath. In some occasions traditional draining methods or pipes may be damaged and therefore an alternative option must be sought.

Often where damage is present there is an increased likelihood of such liquids being dirty, containing particles such as rust and/or prone to exiting over a large area.

Inadvertent leakage or spillage can cause staining and damage to carpets and other items.

Often a container is used to collect liquids, however when the container is full it must be lifted and carried to a location where the contents may be disposed of. This may be problematic for users as they may be required to carry a heavy load for a long distance.

Sometimes the contents may need to be carried through a home and therefore there is the risk of spilling contents from the conatiner and damaging floors or home furnishings.

In some instances it may also be difficult to place a container in the appropriate location to be able to collect without spilling, due to restricted access or placement at pipes or skirting boards.

The present invention arose to overcome the problems associated with removing liquid from a storage unit and transporting it to a disposal location, by providing a flexible means of channelling the liquid to a disposal location.

Prior Art

Accordingly a number of patent applications have been filed in an attempt to resolve the problem or similar, including the following: United States patent US 7 913 721 (HENECKE) discloses an apparatus for collecting fluids, comprising: a stiff outer container with an opening and defining an interior cavity; a flexible container disposed within the cavity and an opening passing through the flexible container wherein the opening of the flexible container aligns and attaches to an opening passing through the stiff outer container; with a cap that affixes to the openings.

Japanese patent application JP 2004 309 041 (UCHINO et al) provides a drain tray structured to safely dispose of hot water in the drain tray after steam treatment.

United States patent US 3410 438 (BARTZ) discloses a receptacle for collecting and storing liquid comprising a generally flat container having a chamber defined by side walls, and a capture area from which liquid is directed into the chamber.

United Kingdom patent application GB 2 236 351 (ROBERTSON) discloses a roof or loft leak collector comprises an elongate rectangular tray having a floor, walls and lips extending from the walls wherein recesses are provided in the walls and lips for receiving ends of fractured pipes, and formations in the floor and the walls are provided for an absorbent mat. In one embodiment the lip extending from the wall at the other end of the tray is deeper than the remaining lips and is flexible.

In contrast the present invention provides an improved means of capture and collection of relatively non-viscous fluid, particularly well-suited to domestic greywater capture, for example in crowded and decorated locations.

Summarvofthe Invention According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a fluid drain tray comprising a continuous wall surrounding a substantially planar base so as to describe a container; said base including shaping to encourage fluid flow toward an outlet situated in line with the base; a resiliently deformable rim being mounted peripherally about the wall distal to the base so as to extend the wall.

Pieferably the rim flares beyond the container's footprint or base, wherein the flaring is outwards and upwards. Advantageously this increases the effective footprint of the container or base.

This rim may be relatively narrow so as to be relatively incidental to the wall, or may comprise a relatively larger expanse to the wall dimensions.

An object of the invention is to provide an expanded tray for capture, collection and diversion of fluids falling under gravity and dispersed from a superior item such as a damaged hot water radiator.

Another object of the invention is expansion of the tray's effective footpiint.

Preferably the rim is continuous, wherein the rim continuously runs around plural sides of a wall upstanding from the base to form the wall. Embodiments in use include a rim or collar peripherally about at least one side of the wall, wherein said rim is situate distal to the base. Advantageously this rim directs fluid into the base, falling in an area larger than the base, and additionally or alternatively enables a larger capture area than the base's footprint.

This rim may be separate or permanently attached to the wall.

In some embodiments the rim is inserted in use into a groove in the wall's topmost edge and extracted for transport, cleaning or storage.

Preferably the rim extends around at least three sides of the continuous wall in use.

Advantageously this allows the tray to be placed in a corner or otherwise effectively surrounding a draining item such as a radiator fixed to a wall. a

In some embodiments the flexible rim is the container wall's uppermost part and is formed of a resiliently deformable material such as rubber or silicone bonded to the wall.

Typically the flexible rim may be bent or flexed by the user in order for it to be fitted around or behind fixed objects such as pipes, behind the radiator, or to fit flush against a surface such as a wall so as to catch all liquid released.

The flexible rim is angled at rest so as to flare thereby enabling the rim to touch the wall when the container is butted up to skirting board and therefore not flush with the wall. Advantageously the rim extends beyond the tray footprint in order that the tray may be arranged against a skirting board.

Preferably the container is a square or rectangular box with an open upper face so as to accept dispersed liquid, and four sides. Advantageously this enables effective corner capture.

In some further embodiments the rim may include structural strengtheners so as to allow the rim to be resiliently deformable. Such strengtheners may be spaced apart, for example horizontally.

Ideally the fluid drain tray is used to collect liquid such as water that is released when draining an item such as a radiator or sink.

Preferably the base is shaped, angled or has orientation so as to guide the water to the outlet and consequently angles, with respect to rectangular bases along at least three sides. Advantageously this permits collected fluid to be channelled into a tube or a receptacle outside the container's capture footprint.

Some embodiments may include fixed linear angles, where other may provide an arcuate or arcuate and angled base.

Preferably the base in addition includes superficial shaping such as grooving, lines or texture so as to further guide and encourage fluid flow, and/or catch detritus or solids in the fluid, wherein the texture combines with the base orientation to ensure that fluid flows to the outlet, is less likely to remain adhered to the base and the base is easy to clean. For example it is preferable that the base is formed in a glossy or smooth finished material with any texture asymmetrically mirroring movement towards the outlet and minimising capture in a direction of said movement.

Advantageously this allows dirty fluid to be easily wiped off, and any detritus may be caught in shaping without clogging the outlet.

Ideally the angle of the base and the direction of the shaping are centralised around the outlet. Typically the outlet is an aperture in the container side or wall that enables liquid to exit the container and is embodied in preferred embodiments as an extending spout or closable tap. Most preferably the outlet, spout or closable tap is aligned and contiguous with the container base so as to allow all water to be drained.

Preferably the spout is tubular having a portion of tube projecting from the container wall, so as to accept a hose on the container external face thereby allowing the liquid to be channelled away from the container, for example through a house to an external drain rather than having to carry the container when full. Advantageously therefore a pipe or tube may be applied to the spout to allow direction of fluid to another container.

Advantageous embodiments of the outlet additionally include ribbing or projections on the outlet's external periphery, so as to aid in attachment and retention of the hose.

Preferably the spout has a tapered collar to supply progressive insertion and securement of the tube. Advantageously this permits movement of the tray or tube to avoid dislodging of the tube from the spout.

Preferably the container has a lip and/or handles at a topmost edge of the wall so that the tray may be easily carried. Ideally the lip extends around all sides of the container. It is envisaged that the lip may be further extended in some areas so as to provide a dedicated hand grip or otherwise the wall provides dedicated handles. The lip may be moulded to include finger grips. Other embodiments may have curved or holed base hand or finger grips.

In some embodiments the flexible rim may be fitted into a recess provided on the container lip. In another embodiment the flexible rim may be held in position by adhesive.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a flexible rim for attachment to a drain tray with a base and top joined by a wall or sides, attached in use to the top for expanding the capture area of the base and accommodating obstacles adjacent the sides.

In some embodiments the container may include at least one leg so as to raise the container off the ground, in particular to be closer to where liquid will be expelled, reducing likelihood of spillages or splashing of liquid against surface in the household such as wallpaper.

In another embodiment the container may include an optional pump so as to be able to force liquid from one location to another, for example if water must be channel upwards such as from a basement to ground level.

Brief Description of Figures

Figure 1 shows an isometric view of a preferred embodiment of the drain tray; Figure 2 shows a view from above of the embodiment of Figure 1; Figure 3 shows a view from below of the embodiment of Figure 1; Figure 4 shows a view from the side of the embodiment of Figure 1; Figure 5 shows a cross section through a second embodiment, in use; and Figures 6 show two more side views of the embodiment of Figure 1.

Detailed Description of Figures

With reference to the figures, the pictured embodiment includes a flexible rim 1 which splays further than the base 3, which is planar with shaping including grooves 5 and an elevated rear 14. The grooves 5 direct any fluid accepted into the tray towards the outlet 11, leading to or formed by an extending spout 2.

The rim 1 is formed of a piece of rubber, silicone or elastomer. Ideally the material is a thickness enabled flexure locally, so as to allow the rim 1 to flex and surround local obstacles, such as pipework.

The rim 1 is a continuous piece around three sides of the wall 13 along the wall top edge which comprises a lip 8. In some embodiments the rim continues around four sides.

The base 16 is surrounded by a continuous wall 13, forming four sides and defining an open rectangular tray with the base lowermost and central.

The walls comprise a lip 8 at the topmost edge, for manoeuvring the tray. The lip 8 is rigid and extends downwards so to as to provide a gripping edge for reaching fingers under, to aid in lifting and pulling.

The spout 2 extends from the outlet 11 to allow fluid that has been received into the tray to be directed beyond the sides, and consequently or subsequently to a further container.

The spout 2 may have gripping ribs to allow a tube 15 to be attached thereto, said tube 15 subsequently leading to the container or other drainage point, such as an exterior, waste or sewage point.

The sides additionally comprise handles 6, 7 which handles 6, 7 extend beyond a topmost edge of the sides, and beyond the base's footprint in the pictured embodiment.

In other embodiments the base 16 may extend further than the handles 6, 7. The sides are tapered away from the edge to the base in order that fluid falling into the base and scattered thereby is better maintained within the base 16.

The handles 6, 7 comprise side handles 7 and a front handle 6, enabling the tray to be moved easily.

The side handles 7 comprise vertically extending tabs, aiding a user to reach underneath and carry the tray with greater ease and less chance of slippage.

The side handles 7 include grip texture 12 to minimise slippage further, comprising dimples or textured surface.

The front handle 6 extends above the spout 2 and aids in pulling the tray.

The rim 1 is formed of flexible material such as rubber or silicone and formed into a continuous piece with two corners 10. The rim 1 is formed in a material capable of deformation and reformation around such as pipes encountered around draining items. In this way the tray can be pushed up against walls, or below such items.

The rim 1 may be detached from the lip 8 and wall 13, for example to clean or replace the rim 1 or wall top edge.

The rim 1 may be fed into a groove in the wall's top edge, or adhered to the wall's top edge.

The rim 1 is shaped with a concave curvature, or a curved cross-section profile scooping downward falling fluid, to minimise splashback from falling fluid, into or onto the base 16 or rim 1 and channel sideways travelling fluid progressively towards the base 16. The curvature is continuous around corners 10 between rim parts over plural sides and around corners 4 of the wall 13.

In some embodiments a flexible rim may only be provided on some of the 4 sides wherein for example the rim is provided on 3 of the 4 sides so that the container may be placed in a corner collection position.

The tray is primarily formed of a single mould plastic piece, such as polypropylene or ABS, or HPDE to allow low cost manufacture and minimal seams or difficult to clean parts. It may equally be formed of sheet metal, metal-plastic, lithograph metal, plastic or the like.

As a single-shot mould the sides and bases upper surface are easily formed with a continuous curvature at the angles 4, cooperating with the elevated rear 14 and grooves 5 to smoothly channel or direct the fluid towards the outlet 11 and subsequent spout 2.

The angles 4 between the sides are also shaped so as to progressively follow the sides, which sides taper outwards and provide a bowed-out bowl-like shape to the interaction between the wall 13 and base 16. This is capable of maximising or exaggeration in further embodiments to allow maximal capture.

The spout 2 has a diameter of 13 mm so as to accept a standard hose, which hose can be led to a waste outlet. The spout 2 turther includes a tapered collar 9 ensuring that the hose or tube attached thereto forms a tight fit and presents less chance of dislocation or leakage. Other embodiments include different diameter spouts, enabled with use of different diameter tubing, for example custom made.

In further embodiments the tubing (not shown) comprises a vacuum pump, in order that fluid may be moved through the tubing or from the tray as required.

The base is provided in sizes from 50cm to 75cm in length and 25cm to 50cm width with depths of 10 and 15cm.

The spout 2 extends from the base 16 at a height lower than, and leading on from, the bases upper surface interior to the wall 13. The upper surface in use of the base 16 is elevated from subordinate ground to its rear 14 in order to allow drainage under gravity. Further embodiments may include feet, legs and/or an elevated bottom edge or hollowed internal space with respect to the lower surface of the base 16.

In particular the sides distal from the spout 2 include rounded angles 4 cooperating with the elevated base 14 to encourage and steer fluid towards the outlet 11 and out the spout 2.

The wall 13 and base 16 have a rounded outer surface, to avoid snagging and allow easy rearrangement and movement around the floor, even when full and weighted with fluid.

The spout 2 includes a scalloped or cutaway end 15, so as to aid in entrance of the spout 2 into the tube 15, passage of fluid from the base 16 to the tube 15, or otherwise direct fluid.

In addition the spout comprises a longer bottom side and cutaway top side 17. The longer bottom side ensures that the tubing 15 is less likely to be detached when the tubing is lifted or displaced to prevent or alter outflow of fluid.

The invention has been described by way of examples only and it will be appreciated that variation may be made to the above-mentioned embodiments without departing from the scope of invention, including an envisaged combination of features.

With respect to the above description then, it is to be realised that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.

Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention, as set out in the accompanying claims.

Claims

Claims 1. A fluid drain tray comprising a continuous wall surrounding a substantially planar base so as to describe a container; said base including shaping to encourage fluid flow toward an outlet situated in line with the base; a resiliently deformable rim being mounted peripherally about the wall distal to the base so as to extend the wall.
2. A fluid drain tray according to claim 2 wherein the rim flares beyond the container footprint.
3. A fluid drain tray according to claims 1 or 2 wherein the rim is continuous around at least one side of the wall.
4. A fluid drain tray according to any of the preceding claims wherein the base is angled with respect to the at least one side so as to guide water to the outlet.
5. A fluid drain tray according to any of the preceding claims wherein the base is superficially shaped with respect to the wall so as to guide water to the outlet.
6. A fluid drain tray according to any of the preceding claims wherein the base is textured, with texture oriented with respect to the wall and outlet.
7. A fluid drain tray according to any of the preceding claims wherein the container is a square or rectangular box with an open upper face so as to accept dispersed liquid, and four sides formed by the wall.
8. A fluid drain tray according to any of the preceding claims wherein the outlet provides a spout.
9. A fluid drain tray according to any of the preceding claims 1 to 9 wherein the outlet comprises a tap.
10. A fluid drain tray according to claim 8 wherein the spout has a tapered collar to accommodate progressive insertion and securement of a tube.
11. A fluid drain tray according to any of the preceding claims wherein the outlet provides attachment for tubing with a vacuum pump.
12. A fluid drain tray according to any of the preceding claims wherein the rim is inserted in use into a groove in the wall's topmost edge and extracted for transport, cleaning or storage.
13. A fluid drain tray according to any of the preceding claims wherein the wall's topmost edge comprises a lip.
14. A fluid drain tray according to any of the preceding claims wherein the wall's topmost edge comprises at least one handle.
15. A device for draining fluid substantially as described herein with reference to the figures.
16. A flexible rim for attachment to a drain tray with a base and top joined by sides; which rim is attached in use to the top, for expanding the capture area of the base and accommodating obstacles adjacent the sides in use.
17. A method of extending the effective capture area of a tray by attaching a rim according to any of the preceding claims.