Paint Tray with Conduit and Inclined Surface for Spill Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional paint containing devices are unstable and inefficient due to their large upper opening and limited depth, leading to paint spillage and the need for frequent refilling, causing discomfort and fatigue during use, especially when working on ladders.
Innovation Solution
A paint containing device with a first tray of larger upper opening and lesser depth connected to a second tray through a conduit, allowing paint to be transferred seamlessly without spillage, featuring an inclined surface for excess paint removal and handles for comfortable handling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the tray has a large upper opening and limited depth, then the roller or brush can be comfortably impregnated with paint, but the paint becomes unstable and spills during handling
Solution Approach 1:
The paint containing device is divided into two separate trays: a first tray with a large upper opening for roller impregnation and a second tray with a smaller upper opening for stable paint storage. This segmentation allows each tray to be optimized for its specific function, resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and stability.
2Ease of operation
If the tray has limited depth, then the device is easy to handle, but the paint quantity is insufficient requiring frequent refilling
Solution Approach 1:
The device uses two trays with different depth characteristics. The first tray has limited depth for easy handling and access, while the second tray can be deeper to hold larger paint quantity. The segmentation allows the system to provide sufficient paint capacity without compromising the ease of handling the primary working tray.
Solution Approach 2:
A conduit connects the two trays, acting as an intermediary that allows paint to be transferred from the second tray to the first tray. This mediator enables refilling without requiring the operator to leave the working position, thus maintaining ease of operation while increasing total paint quantity.
3Productivity
If new paint is continually poured into the tray, then the painting work can continue, but time is lost and operator fatigue increases
Solution Approach 1:
The second tray is prepared in advance with additional paint, serving as a pre-prepared reserve. When the first tray needs refilling, paint is already available in the second tray and can be transferred immediately through the conduit, eliminating the need for the operator to repeatedly leave and return for refilling.
Solution Approach 2:
The device enables self-service refilling through the conduit connection between trays. The system can be refilled by simply tilting it to allow gravity-driven paint flow from the second tray to the first tray, without requiring external intervention or time-consuming manual pouring operations.
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 provides stable and efficient paint application, reducing the risk of spillage and the need for frequent refilling, allowing comfortable handling and extended painting sessions without fatigue.
Implementation Method 1
the conduit (5) extends substantially at a higher height than the first and second tray (2, 4)
Implementation Method 2
an inclined surface (3) (of a slope which enables the excess paint to run into the tray 2)
Data Source
Figure 1~5
AI summary
The paint containing device (1) comprises a first tray (2) and an inclined surface (3) along which a roller can be passed in order to be squeezed to eliminate the excess paint. It also comprises a second tray (4) connected to the first tray (2) such that, when the paint is low in the first tray (2), it can be supplemented by taking it from the second tray (4).