Hose-End Sprayer Valve Clip for Leak-Safe Shipping

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing hose-end-sprayers face issues with leakage during e-commerce shipping, necessitating separate shipping of the dispenser from the chemical container, increasing user exposure risk, and a need for improved designs suitable for e-commerce shipping with fewer parts and lower assembly costs.

Innovation Solution

A hose-end-sprayer system with a universal sprayer body, customizable valves, and a shipping clip that retains the valve in the 'off' position during shipping, allowing for multiple configurations and reducing manufacturing costs by using common parts across different configurations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the dispenser is shipped separate from the chemical container to avoid leakage, then leakage is prevented, but user exposure risk increases and assembly complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveleakage preventionVSAvoidassembly complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The sprayer is divided into modular components (sprayer body, valve, container) that can be separately manufactured and assembled. The valve is a distinct component that can be independently configured and attached to the sprayer body, allowing for simplified assembly while maintaining leakage prevention through proper sealing interfaces between modules.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The valve is pre-configured in a closed position during manufacturing, and a shipping cap is pre-installed to maintain this closed state during shipping. This preliminary configuration ensures the valve remains closed without requiring complex assembly mechanisms, reducing assembly complexity while preventing leakage during transport.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Adaptability or versatility

If custom sprayer bodies are manufactured for different configurations, then configuration-specific performance is optimized, but manufacturing costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconfiguration specificityVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

A universal sprayer body design is implemented that can accommodate multiple valve types and configurations through standardized interfaces and attachment mechanisms. This allows a single sprayer body mold to serve multiple product configurations by simply changing the valve component, significantly reducing manufacturing costs while maintaining configuration-specific performance through valve variety.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

Different valve configurations (two-position, three-position, different flow rates) are achieved by changing valve parameters rather than redesigning the entire sprayer body. The standardized sprayer body accepts valves with varying internal geometries, opening positions, and flow characteristics, allowing configuration diversity through component parameter variation rather than structural redesign.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of operation

If the valve is not retained in the off position during shipping, then assembly simplicity is maintained, but leakage occurs during transport

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveassembly simplicityVSAvoidleakage prevention during shipping

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

A disposable shipping cap is used to temporarily maintain the valve in the closed position during shipping. This simple, low-cost component ensures leakage prevention without requiring complex retention mechanisms. The shipping cap is removed by the end user during assembly, after which the valve can be freely operated without needing continuous retention features.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

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 system prevents leakage during shipping, reduces user exposure to concentrated chemicals, and lowers manufacturing costs by enabling mass production of similar parts for various sprayer configurations.

Implementation Method 1

a valve configured to provide two positions: a first 'off' position in which fluid does not pass through the valve

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectValve: Valve

Implementation Method 2

A shipping clip may include a body flange capable of snapping or otherwise temporarily attaching to the sprayer body

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical Fastener: Mechanical Fastener

Implementation Method 3

a lever connected to the valve, wherein movement of the lever moves the valve from the 'off' position to the 'on' position

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLever: Lever

Data Source

PatentUS12528095B2Hose end sprayers and methods of manufacturing the same

Publication Date: 2026.01.20 SILGAN DISPENSING SYSTEMS CORP

AI summary

A dispensing system including a hose-end-sprayer having a sprayer body assembled with a selected valve having a lever to selectively operate the hose-end-sprayer and a shipping clip capable of retaining the valve in a closed position during shipping; methods for manufacturing and assembling the same using a single sprayer body with multiple valve configurations.