Reusable Berm Members for Liquid Containment on Support Surfaces
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing liquid containment systems for temporary or semi-permanent support surfaces face challenges with non-reusable plastic liners that are difficult to dispose of and often ineffective in preventing fluid leakage, requiring significant time and effort for clean-up.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising reusable mats with integrated spacers and berm members that form a perimeter to prevent liquid leakage, featuring upper and lower lips, spacers, and berm members that extend upwardly to contain liquids, along with a liquid drain assembly for controlled drainage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If plastic liners are used to capture liquids, then liquid containment is achieved, but the liners are non-reusable and difficult to dispose of
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from disposable plastic liners to reusable berm members that can be recovered and reused. The berm members are designed to be removed and reused at different sites, eliminating the disposal problem while maintaining liquid containment effectiveness through their reusable design
2Reliability
If plastic liners are used to prevent liquid leakage, then liquid containment is provided, but they are often ineffective and require significant clean-up time
Solution Approach 1:
The reusable berm members can be removed and reused at different sites, eliminating the need for time-consuming clean-up operations. The system allows for quick removal and relocation of the containment structure rather than requiring extensive cleaning of disposable liners
3Reliability
If berm members extend upwardly to prevent liquid leakage, then liquid containment is improved, but vehicle ingress and egress may be hindered
Solution Approach 1:
The berm members are designed to be flexible and movable rather than fixed rigid structures. This allows the containment system to adapt to vehicle passage needs while maintaining liquid containment, resolving the conflict between containment effectiveness and vehicle accessibility
Data Source
AI summary
Methods of containing liquid introduced onto a support surface include forming the support surface with at least two mats, the mats forming a perimeter of the support surface. A plurality of berm members is positioned at least partially around or proximate to the perimeter of the support surface and extends upwardly relative to the mats sufficient to prevent liquid introduced onto the top of the support surface from leaking off of the support surface around the perimeter thereof.