Patent Publication Number: US-2021186302-A1

Title: Liquid drainage device

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     1. Field 
     The present general inventive concept relates generally to a device, and particularly, to a liquid drainage device. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     In many kitchens, dishes are washed in a sink and then left to dry. However, water left on the dishes usually drips on a countertop, leaving water stains and a likely causing water damage. 
     Unfortunately, most countertops are flat. As a result, water on the countertop does not have a specific drainage destination. Moreover, a conventional dish rack keeps water wherever it is placed, even on a floor. In these circumstances, a person who enters a kitchen is at risk of falling from stray patches of water on the floor. 
     Therefore, there is a need for a water drainage device to direct water toward a specific destination. 
     SUMMARY 
     The present general inventive concept provides a liquid drainage device. 
     Additional features and utilities of the present general inventive concept will be set forth in part in the description which follows and, in part, will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the general inventive concept. 
     The foregoing and/or other features and utilities of the present general inventive concept may be achieved by providing a liquid drainage device, including a main body, including a main surface disposed on a top surface of the main body to receive at least one item thereupon, an elevated side disposed on at least a portion of a first end of the main body, and a tapered side disposed on at least a portion of a second end of the main body, such that the main surface directs a liquid from the elevated side toward the tapered side in response to the liquid contacting at least a portion of the main surface, a plurality of protruding members disposed on at least a portion of the main surface to prevent movement of the at least one item, and a liquid receiving groove longitudinally disposed along a center of the main surface to direct the liquid away from the main surface. 
     The main surface may include a first section, and a second section disposed on at least a portion of the first section. 
     The first section and the second section may slope toward the liquid receiving groove, such that the first section and the second section direct the liquid to flow toward the liquid receiving groove in response to contacting at least a portion of the main surface. 
     The liquid receiving groove may be recessed with respect to the main surface. 
     The liquid drainage device may further include a plurality of walls perpendicularly disposed on each edge of the main surface to prevent the liquid from flowing off the main surface. 
     The plurality of walls may be elevated with respect to the main surface. 
     The plurality of walls may include an exit groove disposed at a center of another at least one of the plurality of walls disposed on the tapered side to allow the liquid to flow out therefrom. 
     The liquid drainage device may further include an air dispensing aperture disposed between the main surface and the plurality of walls, and an air generator disposed within at least a portion of the main body to generate air to move through the air dispensing aperture, such that the air dispensing aperture directs the air onto the main surface to move the liquid toward the liquid receiving groove. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       These and/or other features and utilities of the present generally inventive concept will become apparent and more readily appreciated from the following description of the embodiments, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings of which: 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a side perspective view of a liquid drainage device, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present general inventive concept. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Various example embodiments (a.k.a., exemplary embodiments) will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings in which some example embodiments are illustrated. In the figures, the thicknesses of lines, layers and/or regions may be exaggerated for clarity. 
     Accordingly, while example embodiments are capable of various modifications and alternative forms, embodiments thereof are shown by way of example in the figures and will herein be described in detail. It should be understood, however, that there is no intent to limit example embodiments to the particular forms disclosed, but on the contrary, example embodiments are to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the scope of the disclosure. Like numbers refer to like/similar elements throughout the detailed description. 
     It is understood that when an element is referred to as being “connected” or “coupled” to another element, it can be directly connected or coupled to the other element or intervening elements may be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly connected” or “directly coupled” to another element, there are no intervening elements present. Other words used to describe the relationship between elements should be interpreted in a like fashion (e.g., “between” versus “directly between,” “adjacent” versus “directly adjacent,” etc.). 
     The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of example embodiments. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “includes” and/or “including,” when used herein, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components and/or groups thereof. 
     Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which example embodiments belong. It will be further understood that terms, e.g., those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art. However, should the present disclosure give a specific meaning to a term deviating from a meaning commonly understood by one of ordinary skill, this meaning is to be taken into account in the specific context this definition is given herein. 
     LIST OF COMPONENTS 
       
     
       
         
           
               
               
               
             
               
                   
                   
               
             
            
               
                   
                 Liquid Drainage Device 
                 100 
               
               
                   
                 Main Body 
                 110 
               
               
                   
                 Main Surface 
                 111 
               
               
                   
                 First Section 
                  111a 
               
               
                   
                 Second Section 
                  111b 
               
               
                   
                 Base 
                 112 
               
               
                   
                 Elevated Side 
                 113 
               
               
                   
                 Tapered Side 
                 114 
               
               
                   
                 First Flanking Side 
                 115 
               
               
                   
                 Second Flanking Side 
                 116 
               
               
                   
                 Protruding Members 
                 120 
               
               
                   
                 Liquid Receiving Groove 
                 130 
               
               
                   
                 Walls 
                 140 
               
               
                   
                 Exit Groove 
                 141 
               
               
                   
                 Air Dispensing Aperture 
                 150 
               
               
                   
                 Air Generator 
                 160 
               
               
                   
                 Power Button 
                 170 
               
               
                   
                 Power Source 
                 180 
               
               
                   
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
       FIG. 1  illustrates a side perspective view of a water drainage device  100 , according to an exemplary embodiment of the present general inventive concept. 
     The liquid drainage device  100  may be constructed from at least one of metal, plastic, wood, ceramic, glass, and rubber, etc., but is not limited thereto. 
     The liquid drainage device  100  may include a main body  110 , a plurality of protruding members  120 , a liquid receiving groove  130 , a plurality of walls  140 , an air dispensing aperture  150 , an air generator  160 , a power button  170 , and a power source  180 , but is not limited thereto. 
     The main body  110  may have a predetermined size. For example, the main body  110  may have a length of forty-four inches and a width of eight and a half inches. 
     The main body  110  may include a main surface  111 , a base  112 , an elevated side  113 , a tapered side  114 , a first flanking side  115 , and a second flanking side  116 , but is not limited thereto. 
     The main surface  111  may include a first section  111   a  and a second section  111   b,  but is not limited thereto. 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , the first section  111   a  and the second section  111   b  are illustrated to each comprise half of the main surface  111 . However, a size of the first section  111   a  may be greater than a size of the second section  111   b.  Alternatively, the size of the first section  111   a  may be less than the size of the second section  111   b.  Also, the second section  111   b  may be disposed on at least a portion of the first section  111   a.    
     The main surface  111  may be disposed on a top surface of the main body  110 . The main surface  111  may receive at least one item  20  thereupon, such as a kitchen utensil and/or a dishware. Additionally, the main surface  111  may be a smooth surface to facilitate movement of a liquid in contact thereof. 
     The base  112  may be disposed on a bottom surface of the main body  110 , opposite with respect to the main surface  111 . The base  112  may be disposed upon a planar surface, such as a table and/or a countertop. As a result, the base  112  may support the main body  110  on the planar surface. 
     The elevated side  113  may be disposed at a first end of the main body  110  and perpendicularly disposed away from a first end of the base  112  with respect to a first direction. Similarly, the tapered side  114  may be disposed at a second end of the main body  110  and perpendicularly disposed away from a second end of the base  112  with respect to the first direction. In other words, the elevated side  113  may be in parallel with the tapered side  114 . 
     However, a height of the elevated side  113  may be greater than a height of the tapered side  114 , such that the main surface  111  may direct the liquid to flow from the elevated side  113  toward the tapered side  114  in response to contacting at least a portion of the main surface  111 . For example, the height of the elevated side  113  may be one inch. As such, the main surface  111  may be sloped at a predetermined angle with respect to the base  112  from the elevated side  113  toward the tapered side  114 . 
     The first flanking side  115  may be perpendicularly disposed away from a first end of the elevated side  113  with respect to a second direction. Similarly, the second flanking side  116  may be perpendicularly disposed away from a second end of the elevated side  113  with respect to the second direction, such that the first flanking side  115  and the second flanking side  116  connect to a first end and a second end, respectively, of the tapered side  114 . In other words, the first flanking side  115  may be in parallel with the second flanking side  116 . Furthermore, the first flanking side  115  and the second flanking side  116  may be sloped in the same manner as the main surface  111  with respect to the base  112 . 
     The plurality of protruding members  120  may be disposed on at least a portion of the main surface  111 . More specifically, the plurality of protruding members  120  may be disposed on at least a portion of the first section  111   a  and at least a portion of the second section  112  to extend a distance away from the first section  111   a  and the second section  111   b  with respect to a third direction. The plurality of protruding members  120  may prevent movement of the at least one item  20  along the main surface  111 . 
     The liquid receiving groove  130  may be longitudinally disposed along a center of the main surface  111 . Moreover, the liquid receiving groove  130  may be recessed with respect to the main surface  111 . For example, the liquid receiving groove  130  may be half an inch deep and two inches wide. 
     Furthermore, a height of a first side of the first section  111   a  corresponding to the first flanking side  115  may be greater than a height of a second side of the first section  111   a  corresponding to the liquid receiving groove  130 . Similarly, a height of a first side of the second section  111   b  corresponding to the second flanking side  116  may be greater than a height of a second side of the second section  111   b  corresponding to the liquid receiving groove  130 . In other words, the first section  111   a  and the second section  111   b  may slope toward the liquid receiving groove  130 , such that the first section  111   a  and the second section  111   b  may direct the liquid to flow from the first flanking side  115  and/or the second flanking side  116  toward the liquid receiving groove  130  in response to contacting at least a portion of the main surface  111 . 
     The plurality of walls  140  may include an exit groove  141 , but is not limited thereto. 
     The plurality of walls  140  may be perpendicularly disposed on each edge of the main surface  111  to extend another distance away from the main surface  111  with respect to the first direction and/or the third direction. More specifically, at least one of the plurality of walls  140  on the elevated side  113  and/or the tapered side  114  may extend the another distance away from the main surface  111  with respect to the first direction, and another at least one of the plurality of walls  140  disposed on the first flanking side  115  and/or the second flanking side  116  may extend the another distance away from the main surface  111  with respect to the third direction. 
     As such, the plurality of walls  140  may be elevated with respect to the main surface  111 . The plurality of walls  140  may prevent the liquid from flowing off the main surface  111 . 
     Referring again to  FIG. 1 , the exit groove  141  may be disposed at a center of the at least one of the plurality of walls  140  disposed on the tapered side  114 . The exit groove  141  may be connected to an end of the liquid receiving groove  130 . 
     Alternatively, another exit groove  141  (not illustrated) may be disposed at a center of the at least one of the plurality of walls  140  disposed on the elevated side  113 . As such, the another exit groove  141  may be connected to another end of the liquid receiving groove  130 . 
     The exit groove  141  may allow the liquid to flow out therefrom. Moreover, the main surface  111  may direct the liquid into the liquid receiving groove  130 , such that the liquid receiving groove  130  may direct the liquid away from the main surface  111  to the exit groove  141 , such that the liquid may exit into a sink  10 . 
     The air dispensing aperture  150  may be disposed between the main surface  111  and the at least one of the plurality of walls  140 . 
     The air generator  160  may include a motor and a fan, but is not limited thereto. 
     The air generator  160  may be disposed within at least a portion of the main body  110 . The air generator  160  may generate air to blow air from the air dispensing aperture  150 . The air dispensing aperture  150  may direct the air onto the main surface  111  to facilitate drying and/or to direct the liquid toward the liquid receiving groove  130 . 
     The power button  170  may include a button, a lever, a switch, a knob, and a dial, but is not limited thereto. 
     The power button  170  may be depressed to turn on and/or turn off the air generator  160 . The air generator  160  may generate air in response to depressing the power button  170  a first time. The air generator  160  may stop generating the air in response to depressing the power button  170  a second time. 
     Additionally, the power button  170  may be depressed a first predetermined number of times and/or for a first predetermined duration of time to increase a speed of the air from the air generator  160 . Alternatively, the power button  170  may be depressed a second predetermined number of times and/or a second predetermined duration of time to decrease the speed of the air from the air generator  160 . 
     The power source  180  may include a power cord, a battery, a solar cell, but is not limited thereto. Additionally, the battery may include lithium-ion, nickel cadmium, nickel metal hydride, alkaline, etc., but is not limited thereto. 
     The power source  180  may send power to at least one of the air generator  160  and the power button  170 . 
     Therefore, the water drainage device  100  may direct the liquid toward a specific drainage destination, such as the sink  10 . As such, the water drainage device  100  may prevent stains and damage from liquid on a surrounding surface. 
     The present general inventive concept may include a liquid drainage device  100 , including a main body  110 , including a main surface  111  disposed on a top surface of the main body  110  to receive at least one item  20  thereupon, an elevated side  113  disposed on at least a portion of a first end of the main body  110 , and a tapered side  114  disposed on at least a portion of a second end of the main body  110 , such that the main surface  111  directs a liquid from the elevated side  113  toward the tapered side  114  in response to the liquid contacting at least a portion of the main surface  111 , a plurality of protruding members  120  disposed on at least a portion of the main surface  111  to prevent movement of the at least one item  20 , and a liquid receiving groove  130  longitudinally disposed along a center of the main surface  111  to direct the liquid away from the main surface  111 . 
     The main surface  111  may include a first section  111   a,  and a second section  111   b  disposed on at least a portion of the first section  111   a.    
     The first section  111   a  and the second section  111   b  may slope toward the liquid receiving groove  130 , such that the first section  11   a  and the second section  111   b  direct the liquid to flow toward the liquid receiving groove  130  in response to contacting at least a portion of the main surface  111 . 
     The liquid receiving groove  130  may be recessed with respect to the main surface  111 . 
     The liquid drainage device  100  may further include a plurality of walls  140  perpendicularly disposed on each edge of the main surface  111  to prevent the liquid from flowing off the main surface  111 . 
     The plurality of walls  140  may be elevated with respect to the main surface  111 . 
     The plurality of walls  140  may include an exit groove  141  disposed at a center of another at least one of the plurality of walls  140  disposed on the tapered side  114  to allow the liquid to flow out therefrom. 
     The liquid drainage device  100  may further include an air dispensing aperture  150  disposed between the main surface  111  and the plurality of walls  140 , and an air generator  160  disposed within at least a portion of the main body  110  to generate air to move through the air dispensing aperture  150 , such that the air dispensing aperture  150  directs the air onto the main surface  111  to move the liquid toward the liquid receiving groove  130 . 
     Although a few embodiments of the present general inventive concept have been shown and described, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes may be made in these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the general inventive concept, the scope of which is defined in the appended claims and their equivalents.