Paint Tray Drainage Spout for Clean Paint Return
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional paint trays lack a convenient mechanism for pouring excess paint back into the paint container, leading to paint waste and being cumbersome and messy during transfer.
Innovation Solution
A paint tray system with a base, sidewalls, and a reservoir, featuring a paint container securing mechanism and drainage spout that allows bidirectional drainage between the tray and container, enabling secure coupling and angled positioning for efficient paint transfer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of substance
If conventional paint trays are used without a pouring mechanism, then the structure remains simple, but paint waste increases and operation becomes cumbersome
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the paint tray with a pouring mechanism that integrates the container and tray into a single unified structure. The tray includes integrated pouring spouts and container support features that allow direct pouring from the container into the tray and back, eliminating the need for separate pouring tools and reducing paint waste while maintaining structural coherence.
Solution Approach 2:
The paint tray is designed with multi-functional capabilities including: (1) receiving paint from the container, (2) holding paint during application, (3) pouring excess paint back into the container, and (4) supporting the container in various positions. This universal design addresses multiple operational needs within a single device, reducing waste without proportionally increasing complexity.
2Ease of operation
If conventional paint trays are used without a securing mechanism, then the device complexity remains low, but the operation becomes messy and inconvenient during paint transfer
Solution Approach 1:
The securing mechanism is segmented into multiple independent features distributed around the tray perimeter: (1) container support ribs or ledges that position the container, (2) integrating features that engage with the container rim or handle, and (3) separate pouring spouts that can be activated independently. This segmentation allows the container to be securely held and positioned for pouring without requiring a single complex locking mechanism.
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
Minimizes paint waste by facilitating easy transfer of paint between the tray and container, reducing mess and improving user convenience.
Implementation Method 1
a drainage spout integrated to one of the one or more sidewalls. In some cases, the paint container securing mechanism and drainage spout may operate to drain paint from a paint container into the reservoir upon coupling the paint container to the paint tray
Data Source
AI summary
A paint tray is disclosed, the paint tray includes a base; a rim; a plurality of sidewalls, wherein each sidewall of the plurality of sidewalls is arranged between an edge of the base and the rim, and wherein each sidewall of the plurality of sidewalls extends in an upward direction from the base; a reservoir defined by the base and the plurality of sidewalls; and a drainage spout located at an intersection of a first sidewall and a second sidewall, wherein the drainage spout is configured to drain paint from the reservoir into a container.