Overflow Platform and Reservoir for Small Appliance Spill Containment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Liquid overflows from small appliances, such as coffee makers, often result in injuries and property damage due to malfunctioning valve mechanisms, and existing solutions fail to effectively capture and contain the overflow, leading to spills and damage on surfaces.
Innovation Solution
A liquid overflow platform and container device with a horizontal upper platform featuring apertures in less than 10% of its area, designed to drain liquid into a connected reservoir, which is structurally sound to handle hot liquids and can be easily emptied, preventing spills and damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a traditional open tray or no containment structure is used beneath a small appliance, then liquid can flow freely and be easily emptied, but liquid overflows cause damage to countertops, cabinets, floors and other surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary containment structure (tray with walls) between the appliance and the surrounding environment. This tray captures overflowing liquid, preventing direct contact with countertops, cabinets and floors. The tray acts as a mediator that isolates the harmful liquid overflow from vulnerable surfaces while maintaining a simple removable design for easy emptying.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a fully enclosed container is used to prevent spills during handling, then liquid containment is improved, but liquid drainage and emptying become difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The containment structure is segmented into distinct functional zones: high walls around the perimeter to prevent spills during handling, and strategically positioned openings (apertures) in the bottom and/or sides to enable drainage and emptying. This segmentation allows the same structure to provide both protection during transport and easy emptying capability, resolving the contradiction between spill prevention and operational ease.
3Quantity of substance
If the aperture area in the platform is increased to improve liquid drainage, then liquid flow into reservoir is improved, but structural strength and stability of the platform are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The platform exhibits local quality variation with apertures strategically positioned in specific locations (bottom center, sides, or corners) rather than uniformly distributed. The aperture area is controlled to be between 1-10% of the total platform area, creating localized drainage zones that provide sufficient liquid flow while maintaining overall structural integrity. This localized approach allows optimized drainage without compromising platform strength.
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 device effectively captures and contains liquid overflows from small appliances, reducing the risk of injuries and property damage by directing overflow into a reservoir that can be safely emptied, minimizing cleanup effort and preventing spills during handling.
Implementation Method 1
The platform consists of a surface with apertures in less than 10% of the platform area and is topographically structured to allow liquid to drain into the apertures and into the container
Data Source
AI summary
The liquid-overflow platform and container device includes a generally horizontal platform for catching overflow liquid from a small appliance, such as a coffee maker, and a container attached beneath the platform that receives the liquid flowing through apertures in the platform. The apertures are less than 10% of the platform area. The platform may be topographically structured to encourage liquid to drain into the apertures, and is larger than the footprint of the appliance. The container is sized to contain more than the liquid capacity of the small appliance. The device is removable from beneath the appliance for carrying to an appropriate place to empty the contents, preferably by tipping the device to drain the liquid through platform corner apertures. The device may be separate from, and not connected to, the appliance, or may be sold as a connected but removable portion of the appliance.