Receiving apparatus

Abstract

A receiving apparatus having a panel adapted to be disposed in a generally upwardly facing attitude substantially beneath a source of a fluid for receiving the fluid in rested relation thereon; and capturing members mounted on the panel operable to contain the fluid on the panel so as to prevent damage to the environs.

1 . A receiving apparatus comprising a panel adapted to be disposed in a generally upwardly facing attitude substantially beneath a source of a fluid for receiving said fluid in rested relation thereon; and capturing means mounted on the panel operable to contain the fluid on said panel. 
     
     
         2 . The receiving apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said capturing means has at least one substantially upwardly facing channel for containing said fluid on the panel and directing fluid generally along a predetermined path of travel. 
     
     
         3 . The receiving apparatus of  claim 2  wherein said capturing means has a plurality of interconnecting, substantially upwardly facing channels operable to direct said fluid substantially along said path of travel to a predetermined collection position on the panel. 
     
     
         4 . The receiving apparatus of  claim 2  wherein said capturing means has a substantially upwardly facing support surface adapted to have at least one work object rested thereon so as to support said work object above fluid in said channel. 
     
     
         5 . A receiving apparatus operable to contain a liquid or the like gravitationally received from at least one work object, the receiving apparatus comprising a substantially planar impervious panel adapted to be placed substantially beneath said work object and having a receiving surface substantially facing the work object; a plurality of members mounted on said receiving surface, extending upwardly therefrom and adapted to support said at least one work object in rested relation thereon; a plurality of passages extending between adjacent members defining passages for the gravitational receipt of said liquid or the like from the work object; and a boarder wall mounted on the panel and extending about said passages to contain the liquid or the like therewithin so as substantially to prevent the escape of said liquid or the like therefrom. 
     
     
         6 . The receiving apparatus of  claim 5  wherein the work object has an operational position and said members have upper surfaces disposed gravitationally to support the work object in said operational position. 
     
     
         7 . The receiving apparatus of  claim 6  wherein the upper surfaces of the members define a substantially flat plane which extends in upwardly spaced relation to said plurality of passages; said work object can be rested on the upper surfaces of said members above the passages for the receipt of liquid or the like in the passages from said work object. 
     
     
         8 . The receiving apparatus of  claim 6  adapted for use in conjunction with a cabinet or the like having an interior with a source of said liquid disposed above the said interior and a floor below said source of the liquid and wherein the panel is dimensioned to be rested on the floor of the cabinet beneath the source of said liquid in liquid receiving relation to said source whereby leakage from the source is captured within the passages thereof so as not to escape onto the floor of the cabinet or other portions of the cabinet. 
     
     
         9 . The receiving apparatus of  claim 6  wherein said boarder wall has an outwardly facing lip extending thereabout which slopes toward said panel in fluid directing relation thereto so as to receive fluids from above and direct the toward said panel for collection. 
     
     
         10 . The receiving apparatus of  claim 6  wherein a sensor is mounted on the panel in communication with said passages and said sensor is operable to register when there is liquid in said passages and which produces a signal in such case to warn that said leakage is occurring or, alternatively, to turn off the source thereof. 
     
     
         11 . The receiving apparatus of  claim 10  in which said cabinet is itself housed within a structure having an interior in which the cabinet is housed and an exterior and wherein the panel mounts a discharge conduit which is in fluid communication with said passages and which extends in fluid discharging relation to said exterior of the structure to dispose of said liquid and to avoid damage to said cabinet and the environs. 
     
     
         12 . The receiving apparatus of  claim 10  wherein said upper surfaces of the members are of a sufficient number whereby a plurality liquid sources can be disposed in rested relation on the upper surfaces to capture any leakage therefrom in said passages for disposal.