Drip tray for attaching to a dispenser system, or to a container fixation device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing dispensers for cleaning, disinfectant, and care liquids often result in liquid drips at the point of care, posing a tripping hazard due to protruding drip trays that are not easily overlooked, especially in space-constrained healthcare settings.
Innovation Solution
A drip tray system with a bowl-shaped area that is movably attached to the dispenser via a hinge and lever element, allowing it to transition from a vertical to a horizontal position when a liquid container is inserted, thus folding down and reducing protrusion when not in use, and designed for easy detachment and cleaning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a drip tray is integrated into the dispenser base plate, then liquid collection function is improved, but the risk of tripping hazards increases due to protrusion into the room
Solution Approach 1:
The drip tray is designed with a hinge element allowing it to rotate between a horizontal position (when container is present) and a vertical position (when container is removed). This dynamic positioning resolves the contradiction by making the tray protrude only when needed for liquid collection, eliminating the tripping hazard when the container is absent.
Solution Approach 2:
The lever element is positioned such that the container itself, when inserted, automatically pushes the lever which in turn moves the drip tray to the horizontal position. When the container is removed, the tray automatically returns to the vertical position. This self-actuating mechanism eliminates the need for external control while resolving the safety contradiction.
2Reliability
If a drip tray protrudes from the dispenser to collect liquid, then liquid collection capability is improved, but space utilization deteriorates in space-constrained environments
Solution Approach 1:
The drip tray transitions from a static protruding structure to a dynamic element that can be positioned horizontally or vertically. When the container is present, the tray extends horizontally to collect liquid effectively. When the container is removed, the tray folds vertically against the dispenser body, minimizing the occupied space and resolving the contradiction between collection capability and space utilization.
3Ease of repair
If the drip tray is made detachable for easy cleaning, then ease of maintenance is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The drip tray is designed as a separate detachable component from the dispenser body, connected through a hinge element. This segmentation allows the tray to be easily removed for cleaning while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure. The hinge connection provides sufficient complexity for detachability without overly complicating the device.
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
The system effectively collects drips without protruding into the environment, reducing the risk of tripping hazards and improving safety by ensuring the drip tray is flush with the surface when a container is present, while maintaining functionality for liquid collection.
Implementation Method 1
The drip tray (100) comprises a bowl-shaped area (101), a hinge element (103) and a lever element (102)... The bowl-shaped area (101) is movably attached to the dispensing system (2) or the container mounting device (1) by means of the hinge element (103)
Implementation Method 2
the lever element (102) is designed and shaped such that, in the absence of the liquid container, it projects into the receiving area (5) and is displaced from it when the liquid container (90) is inserted into the receiving area (5), so that, as a result of the liquid container (90) being inserted into the receiving area (5), the bowl-shaped area (101) is moved from a vertical position to a horizontal position
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2a~2c
Figure 3a~3c
AI summary
The invention relates to a drip tray that can be attached to a dispenser system, or to a container fixation device, wherein the dispenser system or container fixation device provided for the attachment of the drip tray must have a receiving region for a container of liquid. The drip tray comprises a tray-like region for collecting dripping liquids, a lever element and a hinge element. The tray-like region can be moved between a vertical position and a horizontal position by means of the lever element and the hinge element.