A device is disclosed for receiving and separating chips and coolant collecting on machine tools in which unfiltered coolant is prevented from penetrating tanks for filtered coolant in the event a receiving tank overflows. This is achieved in that holders, whose projecting ends, which are directed downward, extend into an overflow channel, are tightly attached externally to the wall of the receiving tank. The overflow channel is guided around the device at a level below the top edge of the receiving tank and is removably held on the holders. The overflow channel tightly covers tanks located beneath it having filtered coolant. The inner edge of the overflow channel neighboring the receiving tank lies at a higher level than the outer edge of the overflow channel, which is further away from the receiving tank, and at least one outlet device is provided in the bottom region of the overflow channel.