Pivoting Trough for IBC Spout Micro-Spill Containment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Intermediate Bulk Container (IBC) totes tend to leak over time due to valve and fitting connections, posing health and safety risks and necessitating a solution for micro-spill containment that is adaptable to most standard IBC totes.
Innovation Solution
A micro-spill prevention trough with an attachment portion secured under the spout of an IBC tote, featuring a bucket portion and a fluid retaining portion that pivots between open and closed positions to create a fluid retention container, effectively capturing any leaks or spills.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a micro-spill prevention trough is added to contain leaks, then spill containment capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The micro-spill prevention trough is nested within the IBC tote structure, with the attachment portion secured under the spout and the fluid retaining portion positioned inside the tote boundaries. This nesting approach allows spill containment without adding external complexity to the overall system.
Solution Approach 2:
The device is segmented into distinct functional portions: an attachment portion for securing to the spout, a bucket portion for initial spill capture, and a fluid retaining portion for containment. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function efficiently while maintaining overall system simplicity.
2Volume of stationary object
If the fluid retaining portion is made large enough to contain spills, then spill containment volume is improved, but the device protrudes beyond the tote boundaries increasing breakage risk
Solution Approach 1:
The fluid retaining portion is designed to pivot between an open position for filling and a closed position for containment. This dynamic design allows the structure to adapt between operational states, maximizing fluid retention volume when needed while minimizing protrusion during transport to reduce breakage risk.
Solution Approach 2:
The fluid retaining portion utilizes the vertical dimension by pivoting upward into a closed position, rather than extending horizontally. This dimensional change allows adequate fluid retention volume to be achieved without the device protruding beyond the tote boundaries, thereby reducing breakage risk during handling.
3Reliability
If the attachment portion is secured tightly under the spout, then fluid retention effectiveness is improved, but ease of installation and removal decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment portion features localized engagement elements at specific locations under the spout, providing targeted securing points. This local quality approach ensures effective fluid retention at the critical spout area while maintaining simplicity in the overall attachment mechanism for easy installation and removal.
Data Source
AI summary
A micro-spill prevention trough and method for use in with intermediate bulk container (IBC) totes is disclosed herein. The micro-spill prevention trough includes an attachment portion rotationally coupled to fluid retention portion. The attachment portion is configured to be secured under a spout of an intermediate bulk container (IBC) tote. The attachment portion includes a bucket portion defining a fluid retention space. The fluid retaining portion defines a second fluid retention space, wherein the fluid retaining portion pivots between an open position and a closed position. In the closed position a front wall of the fluid retaining portion pivots into the bucket portion of the attachment portion to define a fluid retention container.