One-Piece Paint Tray Structure for Liquid Retention and Drainage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing paint trays do not provide a practical, one-piece plastic molded structure for retaining liquid for application to a paint roller.
Innovation Solution
A moveable paint tray is designed with a one-piece molded structure comprising a base ring, peripheral wall, sloped ramp, engagement platform, handle, and hood, created through plastic blow molding or injection molding, allowing liquid retention and easy drainage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a traditional multi-component paint tray is used, then assembly flexibility is improved, but manufacturing complexity and assembly time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple separate components (base, ramps, platforms, handles, drainage systems) into a single integrated paint tray structure. This merging eliminates the need for separate assembly of multiple parts, reducing manufacturing complexity while maintaining all necessary functional elements within one unified structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The paint tray is designed as a universal structure that performs multiple functions simultaneously: liquid retention, roller engagement, drainage, and transport. The integrated design incorporates all these functions into one structure, eliminating the need for multiple specialized components and simplifying both manufacturing and usage.
2Loss of time
If paint tray components are integrated into one piece, then assembly time is reduced, but manufacturing process complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes advanced molding parameters and processes (such as injection molding or blow molding) to manufacture the integrated paint tray as a single piece. By optimizing molding parameters like temperature, pressure, and cycle time, the complex integrated structure can be produced efficiently in one step, eliminating assembly time while keeping manufacturing feasible through proven plastic molding techniques.
3Volume of moving object
If the paint tray is designed for vertical transport, then shipping efficiency is improved, but liquid retention stability may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The paint tray incorporates curved surfaces and rounded features in its design, particularly in the liquid retention areas. These curved surfaces help contain liquid effectively even when the tray is positioned vertically during transport, preventing leakage while allowing the compact vertical orientation needed for efficient shipping and storage.
Data Source
AI summary
The moveable paint tray preferably includes a base ring, a peripheral wall, a sloped ramp, an engagement platform, a handle and a hood. The peripheral wall extends upward from an outer perimeter of the base ring. A liquid support surface is formed in a portion of an inner perimeter of the base ring. The sloped ramp extends upward from an end of the liquid support surface. The engagement platform extends from an end of the sloped ramp. A ramp wall extends inward and upward from an inner perimeter of the base ring to the sloped ramp and the engagement platform. The handle extends from an outer perimeter of the peripheral wall, adjacent the engagement platform. A drain spout is formed through the peripheral wall on an end opposite the handle. A second embodiment of the moveable paint tray does not include a hood for nesting multiple units together.