Foldable Wall-Mounted Container Drainer for Space-Efficient Storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing container draining devices often require significant counter or refrigerator space, are cumbersome to store, and can tip over due to inadequate bases, while also being difficult to assemble and maintain, and they typically cannot accommodate various container sizes or shapes effectively.
Innovation Solution
A foldable, wall-mountable container draining device that uses a minimal amount of materials, allowing for easy attachment to a wall and compact storage, which can accommodate containers of different shapes and sizes without the need for tools, and can be used in wet locations, as a soap holder, or in various settings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a draining device is designed to be stable and prevent tipping, then a larger base area is needed, but this increases the space required for storage and counter placement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions the draining device from a floor-standing configuration to a wall-mounted configuration. By mounting the device on a vertical wall surface, the base area requirement is eliminated entirely, as the mounting bracket anchors the device to the wall. This dimensional change allows the device to maintain stability through wall attachment rather than requiring a large horizontal base footprint.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a draining device accommodates various container sizes and shapes, then the device structure becomes more complex, but this increases manufacturing difficulty and material requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a flexible, collapsible framework constructed from interconnected struts that can dynamically adjust their configuration. The struts are designed to flex and reposition, allowing the device to adapt its shape and size to accommodate different container dimensions. This dynamic structure eliminates the need for multiple fixed-size compartments or complex adjustable mechanisms, simplifying manufacturing while maintaining versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
The device utilizes a flexible framework of struts that can bend and reshape rather than rigid fixed structures. This flexibility allows the same structural elements to conform to various container sizes and shapes without requiring complex mechanical adjustment mechanisms or multiple specialized components.
3Ease of operation
If a draining device is made collapsible for easy storage, then the structure becomes weaker and less reliable, but this improves storage convenience
Solution Approach 1:
The collapsible framework uses flexible struts designed to bend and fold during storage but maintain structural integrity during use. The struts are engineered with appropriate flexibility to collapse compactly for storage while providing sufficient rigidity and strength when the device is assembled and bearing the weight of containers and their contents.
Solution Approach 2:
The device is divided into multiple modular strut segments that can be folded and collapsed independently. This segmentation allows the structure to compact efficiently for storage while maintaining overall structural reliability when assembled, as each segment contributes to the load-bearing capacity during use.
4Strength
If a draining device uses metal rods for construction, then the structure becomes strong, but this makes assembly and cleaning difficult and causes rust over time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional metal rod construction with a composite material approach, using plastic or polymer-based struts. These composite materials provide sufficient structural strength for the application while eliminating rust concerns and simplifying assembly through snap-fit or interlocking connections rather than metal fasteners. The non-metallic materials also facilitate easier cleaning and maintenance.
Data Source
AI summary
A draining device for the primary purpose of completely draining unused contents that frequently remain trapped inside various containers due to an inadequate way to sufficiently remove them. This draining device comprises an upper enclosure, a base abutment and a support bracket with a first end and a second end that is attached to the upper enclosure and the base abutment. When the upper enclosure and base abutment are in an opened, perpendicular position to their adjoining support bracket, an inverted container is placed through the upper enclosure and lowered until the lid extends through, or it rests upon the base abutment. Thus, the remaining contents are collected at the inverted container's cap or lowermost section for additional usage until the remaining contents are completely utilized and the container is thoroughly depleted.