Device for Containing the Spillage of Water from an Appliance
A device for containing the spillage of water from an appliance such as a clothes washing machines, dishwashing machines, water heaters, water softeners, water coolers, refrigerators with water supply and other appliances, comprising, a tray having at least one wall and adapted to receive and support the appliance, drainage means in water-tight engagement with the walled tray and a seal engaged with the at least one wall and adapted to engage the appliance.
The present invention relates to a device for containing the spillage of water from an appliance, and more particularly, relates to a device for containing the spillage of water from an appliance which may be temporarily or permanently positioned beneath the appliance for the purposes of receiving, containing and disposing of spilled water from the appliance.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONMany modern appliances, such as clothes washing machines, dishwashing machines, water heaters, water softeners, water coolers, refrigerators with water supply and other appliances (hereinafter collectively referred to as “appliance” or “appliances”, unless specifically otherwise referenced) receive and handle water during normal operation, leading to the risk or possibility that water may leak or spill or overflow from the appliance, or from water supply to or return hoses from the appliance, which may result in significant water damage to the surrounding environment, flooring, furniture, and other materials that may come into contact with the leaked or spilled or overflowed water.
It is desirable to have a device which may be temporarily or permanently positioned beneath the appliance for the purposes of receiving, containing and disposing of spilled water from the appliance.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONAccordingly, the object of the present invention is to provide a device which may be temporarily or permanently positioned beneath the appliance for the purposes of receiving, containing and disposing of spilled water from the appliance.
According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a device for containing the spillage of water from an appliance, comprising, a tray having at least one wall and adapted to receive and support the appliance, drainage means in water-tight engagement with the walled tray, and a seal engaged with the at least one wall and adapted to engage the appliance.
Advantageously, the present invention provides a device which may be temporarily or permanently positioned beneath the appliance for the purposes of receiving, containing and disposing of spilled water from the appliance.
A preferred embodiment of the present invention is described below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
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In one embodiment of the present invention, a short down-pipe 15, preferably made of the same material as that of the walled tray, is securely positioned within, or integrated into one corner of the walled tray as illustrated in
The present invention has been described herein with regard to preferred embodiments. However, it will be obvious to persons skilled in the art that a number of variations and modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention as described herein.
Claims
1. A device for containing the spillage of water from an appliance, comprising:
- a. a tray having at least one wall and adapted to receive and support the appliance;
- b. drainage means in water-tight engagement with the walled tray;
- c. a seal engaged with the at least one wall and adapted to engage the appliance.
2. A device for containing the spillage of water from an appliance as defined in claim 1, wherein the tray is adapted to receive and the seal is adapted to engage one of:
- a clothes washing machine;
- a water softener;
- a water heater;
- a dish washer;
- a water cooler; and,
- a refrigerator.
3. A device for containing the spillage of water from an appliance as defined in claim 1, wherein a floor of the tray has a sloped surface which is directed toward the drainage means, and wherein the at least one wall is disposed around a periphery of the sloped floor.
4. A device for containing the spillage of water from an appliance as defined in claim 3, wherein an outer edge of the floor comprises a support surface disposed inside the at least a wall for supporting the appliance.
5. A device for containing the spillage of water from an appliance as defined in claim 4, comprising one of pivotable wheels, casters, and stationary legs.
6. A device for containing the spillage of water from an appliance as defined in claim 1, wherein the drainage means comprises a downwardly directed drain pipe adapted to receive and couple in water-tight engagement with a drain hose.
7. A device for containing the spillage of water from an appliance as defined in claim 6, wherein the drainage means comprises a water trap connected to the drain pipe.
8. A device for containing the spillage of water from an appliance as defined in claim 1, wherein the drainage means comprises a drain hole disposed within the at least one wall and proximate to a corner thereof.
9. A device for containing the spillage of water from an appliance as defined in claim 1, comprising a seal attached to and extending along a length of an inner surface of the at least one wall, the seal extending inwardly from the at least one wall to engage with a respective wall of the appliance.
10. A device for containing the spillage of water from an appliance as defined in claim 1, comprising an extension shield having two side walls and a back wall for being disposed proximate to two corresponding side walls and a back wall of the appliance.
11. A device for containing the spillage of water from an appliance as defined in claim 10, comprising a seal attached to and extending along an edge of an inner surface of the two side walls and the back wall of the extension shield, the seal extending inwardly from the two side walls and the back wall to engage with two corresponding side walls and a back wall of the appliance.
12. A device for containing the spillage of water from an appliance as defined in claim 1, comprising a down-pipe disposed within one corner of the tray, a top of the down-pipe being adapted for water-tight engagement and coupling with a waste-water hose of the appliance and a bottom of the down-pipe extending in watertight engagement through a floor of the tray and presenting beneath the tray a pipe adapted for water-tight engagement and coupling with a drainage hose.
Type: Application
Filed: Nov 28, 2008
Publication Date: Sep 30, 2010
Inventor: Ken Upham (Upper North River)
Application Number: 12/743,823
International Classification: B65D 1/34 (20060101);