Garden Hose Label Attachment for Durable Branding Visibility

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing hose assemblies lack effective methods for attaching branding information or specifications without compromising safety, durability, or operational life, particularly in marketing garden products like hoses.

Innovation Solution

A hose assembly with an inner tube made of thermoplastic or elastomeric material and an outer tube made of metal or textile material, featuring a label coupled to the outer tube via welding or stitching, which includes branding information or specifications on a planar member, providing a durable and aesthetically pleasing solution.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If a label is attached to the outer tube for branding purposes, then marketing effectiveness and product identification are improved, but the durability and operational life of the hose may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebranding information visibilityVSAvoidhose durability
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a label as an intermediary component that carries branding information without being integrated into the structural layers of the hose. The label is attached to the outer tube surface, serving as a mediator between the product and marketing information needs, while not interfering with the functional integrity of the hose assembly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The label is positioned locally on the outer tube surface rather than being incorporated into the entire hose structure. This localized approach allows branding information to be displayed where needed while leaving the rest of the hose structure unchanged and fully functional, maintaining the original durability characteristics.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Strength

If welding is used to attach the label to the outer tube, then attachment strength and durability are improved, but manufacturing complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelabel attachment strengthVSAvoidmanufacturing simplicity
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent presents welding as one attachment method among alternatives, implying that the attachment method can be selected based on specific material properties and manufacturing requirements. By offering multiple attachment methods (welding, stitching, adhesives), the solution allows parameter optimization between strength and manufacturing ease depending on the specific application context.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of manufacture

If stitching is used to attach the label to the outer tube, then manufacturing simplicity and cost-effectiveness are improved, but attachment strength may be reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing cost-effectivenessVSAvoidlabel attachment strength
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent offers stitching as an alternative attachment method that trades some attachment strength for manufacturing simplicity and cost-effectiveness. This parameter change allows manufacturers to select the appropriate attachment method based on their specific priorities, whether that be maximum strength or minimum manufacturing cost.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The solution allows for efficient and cost-effective branding of hose assemblies while maintaining safety and durability, enhancing visibility and marketing effectiveness.

Implementation Method 1

the label is coupled to the outer tube by welding or by stitching

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectWelding: Welding

Implementation Method 2

the label is coupled to the outer tube by welding or by stitching

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectStitching: Mechanical Fastener

Data Source

PatentEP3743647B1Garden hose with label
Publication Date: 2022.10.19 HUSQVARNA AB
  • EP3743647B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3743647B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3743647B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A hose assembly (110) includes an inner tube (112) made up of a first material. The hose assembly (110) includes an outer tube (114) made up of a second material. The outer tube (114) covers the inner tube (112). The hose assembly (110) is characterized in that a label (140) is coupled to the outer tube (114). The label (140) has at least one planar member which includes a front side, and a rear side. Moreover, the label (140) includes an indicia provided on at least one of the front side and the rear side of the planar member.