Patent ID: 7673646
Filing Date: 2010-03-09
Classification: F24F,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A pan of enhanced material strength that is used for support of a fluid-causing unit in fluid collection applications and fluid overflow prevention applications, said pan comprising: a perimeter wall depending upwardly from and defining an interior bottom surface; and a plurality of upwardly-tapering egg-shaped supports upwardly depending from said interior bottom surface in selected spaced-apart locations from one another and configured to allow for the even pulling of plastic during manufacture of said pan to strengthen said pan by substantially minimizing areas having less material thickness, said egg-shaped supports also positioned in spaced-apart locations from one another that allow balanced support of the heaviest fluid-causing unit intended for use therewith, said egg-shaped supports further positioned in spaced-apart locations one from the another on said interior bottom surface for even fluid distribution thereon that avoids pooling of the fluid in any one area of said interior bottom surface, and said egg-shaped supports also extending upwardly above said perimeter wall, whereby when a fluid-causing unit is placed collectively upon said egg-shaped supports, fluids from the unit are collected in said pan without causing overflow damage to its surroundings as a result of premature pan failure due to cracking of weak spots, or further as a result of buckling or sagging of said interior bottom surface due to pooling of collected fluid in localized areas.