Support Matrix for Spill Containment Pan

Abstract

A support matrix especially adapted for use with a spill containment pan having a reservoir defined by upstanding walls having upper edges and a generally flat-bottomed wall includes a porous grate that bridges the reservoir, a connection between the grate and the upper edges of the upstanding walls, and support walls connected to the grate and depending therefrom, the support walls having portions that contact the flat-bottomed wall. The lower edges of the support walls may be provided with cut-out portions that permit fluid to flow from one side of the support walls to the other. The support matrix is modular in nature so that one or more can easily be inserted into and removed from the reservoir.

1 . A support matrix especially adapted for use with a spill containment pan having a reservoir defined by upstanding walls having upper edges and a generally flat-bottomed wall, comprising:
 a porous grate that bridges the reservoir;   a connection between the grate and the upper edges of the upstanding walls; and   support walls connected to the grate and depending therefrom, the support walls having portions that contact the flat-bottomed wall.   
     
     
         2 . The support matrix of  claim 1 , wherein the grate is defined by parallel spaced-apart metal bars or straps that form openings through which fluid can pass. 
     
     
         3 . The support matrix of  claim 1 , wherein the connection between the grate and the upper edges of the upstanding walls is made by the periphery of the grate. 
     
     
         4 . The support matrix of  claim 1 , wherein the connection between the grate and the upper edges of the upstanding walls is made by flaps or tabs that extend laterally from the grate and which in use rest upon the upper edges of the upstanding walls. 
     
     
         5 . The support matrix of  claim 1 , wherein the support walls are positioned about the periphery of the grate. 
     
     
         6 . The support matrix of  claim 1 , wherein the support walls suspend or otherwise depend from a central portion of the grate. 
     
     
         7 . The support matrix of  claim 1 , wherein the support walls are positioned about the periphery of the grate and one or more support walls are suspended or otherwise depend from a central portion of the grate. 
     
     
         8 . The support matrix of  claim 1 , wherein the support walls are straight-sided with lower edges that lie in a common plane to rest upon the flat-bottomed wall. 
     
     
         9 . The support matrix of  claim 8 , further including tabs or flanges that extend laterally from the lower edges of the support walls and that rest upon the flat-bottomed wall. 
     
     
         10 . The support matrix of  claim 8 , further including tabs or flanges that extend laterally from the upper edges of the support walls and that are connected to the grate. 
     
     
         11 . The support matrix of  claim 1 , wherein the lower edges of selected support walls include one or more cut-out portions that permit fluid to flow from one side of the support wall to the other. 
     
     
         12 . The support matrix of  claim 1 , wherein the grate is configured to the approximate dimensions of the reservoir such that one support matrix is used with the reservoir. 
     
     
         13 . The support matrix of  claim 1 , wherein the grate is smaller than the approximate dimensions of the reservoir such that several support matrices are provided for each reservoir, whereby the support matrices serve as modules that can be inserted into and removed individually from the reservoir. 
     
     
         14 . A support matrix especially adapted for use with a spill containment pan having a reservoir defined by upstanding walls having upper edges and a generally flat-bottomed wall, comprising:
 a porous grate that bridges the reservoir and that is formed of parallel spaced-apart metal bars or straps that form openings through which fluid can pass;   a connection between the grate and the upper edges of the upstanding walls, the connection between the grate and the upper edges of the upstanding walls being made by a selected one of the periphery of the grate or flaps or tabs that extend laterally from the grate and which in use rest upon the upper edges of the upstanding walls; and   support walls connected to the grate and depending therefrom, the support walls being straight-sided and having lower edges that lie in a common plane and that contact the flat-bottomed wall, the support walls being positioned about the periphery of the grate and including one or more support walls that are suspended or that otherwise depend from a central portion of the grate, and wherein the lower edges of selected support walls include one or more cut-out portions that permit fluid to flow from one side of the support wall to the other.   
     
     
         15 . The support matrix of  claim 14 , further including tabs or flanges that extend laterally from the lower edges of the support walls and that rest upon the flat-bottomed wall. 
     
     
         16 . The support matrix of  claim 14 , further including tabs or flanges that extend laterally from the upper edges of the support walls and that are connected to the grate. 
     
     
         17 . The support matrix of  claim 14 , wherein the grate is configured to the approximate dimensions of the reservoir such that one support matrix is used with the reservoir. 
     
     
         18 . The support matrix of  claim 14 , wherein the grate is smaller than the approximate dimensions of the reservoir such that several support matrices are provided for each reservoir, whereby the support matrices serve as modules that can be inserted into and removed individually from the reservoir.