Spray Dispenser Nozzle Guard Prevents Misalignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing spray dispensers face issues with nozzle misalignment during shipping, storage, and use, leading to uneven or no liquid dispensing, as traditional solutions like nozzle covers are either temporary or costly, and do not effectively prevent force transfer to the nozzle.
Innovation Solution
A spray dispenser design featuring a rotatable nozzle cover with a unitary nozzle guard integrated with the trigger, which inhibits contact from outside forces without direct contact with the nozzle, ensuring permanent protection and maintaining nozzle alignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a separate nozzle cover is used to protect the nozzle, then the nozzle is protected from misalignment, but the nozzle cover can still transfer force to the nozzle when physically contacted, causing misalignment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a nozzle guard as an intermediary component between the nozzle cover and the nozzle. This guard absorbs and blocks external forces before they can reach the nozzle, while not interfering with the nozzle's function. The guard acts as a mediator that protects the nozzle from force transfer while maintaining the rotational and dispensing functionality of the nozzle cover.
2Reliability
If a spray dispenser cap is used to protect the nozzle when not in use, then the nozzle is protected from physical force, but the protection is temporary and does not protect during use
Solution Approach 1:
The nozzle guard is pre-installed and permanently attached to the nozzle assembly before the product reaches the user. This preliminary protective action ensures the nozzle is protected from misalignment during shipping, storage, and display. The guard remains in place throughout the product lifecycle, providing continuous protection without requiring user intervention to attach or remove a cap.
3Reliability
If the nozzle guard is physically connected to the nozzle, then the guard can protect the nozzle, but force can be transferred from the guard to the nozzle causing misalignment
Solution Approach 1:
The nozzle guard is positioned as an intermediary component that blocks external forces from reaching the nozzle. By being physically connected to the nozzle cover rather than directly to the nozzle, the guard absorbs and redirects forces away from the delicate nozzle structure, preventing force transfer that would cause misalignment.
4Reliability
If a separate nozzle cover and spray dispenser cap are used, then the nozzle receives protection, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the protective function into a single integrated nozzle guard component that works with the existing nozzle cover. This merging eliminates the need for a separate spray dispenser cap, reducing the total number of components while maintaining continuous protection. The guard is designed to work seamlessly with the nozzle cover during both storage and use phases.
Solution Approach 2:
The nozzle guard serves multiple functions: it protects the nozzle during shipping and storage, prevents force transfer when the nozzle cover is handled, and maintains nozzle alignment during use. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate protective caps while providing comprehensive protection throughout the product lifecycle.
Data Source
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AI summary
A liquid dispensing product comprising a spray dispenser and a liquid composition, the spray dispenser configured to spray the composition. The spray dispenser has a shroud (10) housing a pump (25), the shroud having a shroud top surface, a shroud bottom edge opposing the shroud top surface and shroud walls connecting the shroud top surface to the shroud bottom edge. The dispenser further comprises a rotatable nozzle cover (20) housing a discharge nozzle (30), the discharge nozzle in fluid communication with the pump; a trigger (60) operatively engaged with the pump; and a guard (34) proximate the nozzle cover, the guard inhibiting contact by an outside structure or force with the nozzle cover from at least one direction. The guard is not in direct contact with the nozzle. The liquid composition has from about 5% to about 15%, by weight of the composition, of a surfactant system.