Integrated strainer and container for soaking clothes and the like
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing straining devices are not commonly available for separating soaked items from a liquid, leading to difficulties in safely and efficiently removing items from a soaking liquid or mixture, often resulting in contact with the impregnated liquid or manual handling of heavy, wet items.
Innovation Solution
An integrated strainer and container system with toggle feet that can be locked and released to elevate the strainer above the liquid, allowing for safe separation of items from the soaking liquid without direct contact, featuring a strainer container with openings and toggle feet that engage with the container's internal structures to facilitate easy drainage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual removal of soaked items from liquid is performed, then items can be removed from the soaking liquid, but the user must directly contact the impregnated liquid which may be harmful
Solution Approach 1:
The device segments the removal function into two parts: the strainer container that holds the soaked items and the main container that holds the liquid. By lifting the strainer container, items are automatically separated from the liquid without the user needing to contact the harmful liquid directly.
Solution Approach 2:
The strainer container acts as an intermediary between the soaked items and the user. The user handles only the clean strainer container exterior, while the items and harmful liquid remain contained within, eliminating direct contact between the user and the impregnated liquid.
2Ease of operation
If the strainer container is simply placed in the liquid, then items can be soaked, but the user cannot easily separate items from liquid without manual handling
Solution Approach 1:
The toggle feet mechanism transforms the static strainer container into a dynamic system that can automatically change position. When the strainer container is lifted, the toggle feet pivot from a horizontal locked position to a vertical extended position, automatically engaging with the container's upper internal structure to hold the strainer in the elevated separation position.
Solution Approach 2:
The toggle feet mechanism is self-actuating through gravity and geometric constraints. When the strainer container is lifted during the soaking process, the toggle feet automatically pivot and engage with the container structure, eliminating the need for manual operation to achieve separation. The system serves itself by using the lifting motion to trigger the engagement mechanism.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the strainer container is lifted to separate items from liquid, then contact with liquid is minimized, but the liquid may spill during the lifting process
Solution Approach 1:
The toggle feet are pre-configured in a horizontal locked position that maintains the strainer container at the bottom of the main container during the soaking process. This preliminary positioning ensures the container is fully submerged and stable, allowing complete soaking before any lifting occurs. When lifting begins, the toggle feet automatically engage to maintain containment, preventing spillage.
Solution Approach 2:
The engagement between the toggle feet and the container's internal structures (lower internal structure for release, upper internal structure for holding) provides a cushioning mechanism that controls the lifting motion. The gradual engagement process prevents sudden movements that could cause spillage, while the final engaged position ensures stable containment during the separation phase.
Data Source
AI summary
An integrated strainer and container includes a strainer with a plurality of openings in at least one wall thereof and at least one engagement foot; and the container for holding a liquid and having an open top, configured to receive the strainer within in a soaking position, the container having an upper structure configured to engage at least one engagement foot to hold the strainer relative to the upper structure in a raised, drainage position.