Two-Part Container Drain Strainer Prevents Clogging

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Solution Overview

Problem

Drain assemblies for containers, such as coolers, often become clogged with interior or exterior contents, requiring manual lifting and potential damage, injury, and loss of contents, especially when dealing with food, seafood, or ice, which can lead to reduced freshness and increased environmental impact.

Innovation Solution

A two-part drain assembly with a back plate and front cover that slidably engages to create an enclosed hollow chamber, allowing fluid to flow while preventing particles from clogging the drain, which can be easily installed and removed, and is adaptable to various container sizes and types.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If a drain assembly is used to drain liquid from a container, then liquid drainage is enabled, but the drain becomes clogged with particles and contents

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveliquid drainage efficiencyVSAvoiddrain clogging prevention

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The drain assembly is divided into multiple functional segments: a strainer component with filtration elements, a housing structure, and a drain outlet. This segmentation allows the strainer to capture particles while permitting liquid flow, resolving the contradiction between drainage efficiency and clogging prevention

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The strainer acts as an intermediary element between the container contents and the drain outlet. It mediates the flow by allowing liquid to pass through while blocking particles, thus preventing clogging at the drain outlet while maintaining drainage functionality

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If the container is lifted to dump excess liquid when drain is clogged, then liquid can be emptied, but damage and injury may occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveliquid emptying capabilityVSAvoiddamage and injury risk

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The strainer is installed in advance in the drain assembly to prevent clogging before it occurs. By capturing particles upstream, the system eliminates the need for manual intervention (lifting the container) to clear clogs, thereby preventing damage and injury

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The drain assembly with strainer is designed to self-maintain by automatically filtering particles from the liquid flow. This self-service capability prevents clogging without requiring external intervention or manual lifting of the container

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If a strainer is added to prevent clogging, then drain reliability improves, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedrain clogging preventionVSAvoiddrain assembly structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The strainer, housing, and drain outlet are merged into a single integrated drain assembly unit. This combination provides clogging prevention functionality while maintaining a simple, compact structure that does not significantly increase overall device complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Adaptability or versatility

If the drain assembly is made adaptable to various containers, then versatility improves, but manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontainer compatibilityVSAvoidinstallation fit accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The drain assembly is designed with universal mounting features and standardized dimensions that allow it to be adapted to various container types and sizes. This universality achieves versatility while using standard manufacturing tolerances, avoiding excessive precision requirements

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Prevents drain clogging, reduces the need for manual lifting, minimizes damage and injury, prolongs the freshness of contents, and reduces environmental impact by maintaining ice and preventing insect infestation, while allowing for efficient fluid drainage and easy maintenance.

Implementation Method 1

A plurality of flow holes are disposed within the front cover allowing fluid to access the enclosed hollow chamber while preventing particles that are unable to fit through the flow holes from clogging the drain

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFiltration: Filter (physical)

Data Source

PatentUS7681740B1One or two part container drain strainer assembly that prevents clogging when draining liquids from containers

Publication Date: 2010.03.23 LANGE DAVID S

AI summary

A two part drain assembly for a container assembly with a drain for flowing fluid from the interior of the container assembly to exterior of the container assembly. A back plate comprising a first sliding engagement means parallel a second sliding engagement means connected by a back plate body, wherein a drain attachment hole is disposed on the back plate body and a bottom plate is disposed perpendicular to the first sliding engagement means and the second sliding engagement means. A front cover comprising a plurality of flow holes for slidably engaging simultaneously the first sliding engagement means and the second sliding engagement means, wherein the front cover forms an enclosed hollow chamber when slidably engaged with the back plate thereby permitting fluid to flow from the interior of the container assembly into the hollow chamber while excluding particles from entering the enclosed hollow chamber.