Spray Mop Adapter for Universal Retail Bottle Compatibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing spray mops require specific canisters and refills, leading to retailers needing to stock multiple SKUs, causing inventory and shelf space issues due to the variety of cleaning solutions and container sizes.
Innovation Solution
A spray mop design that uses a standard retail container of cleaning solution with a screw-on adapter and spring-loaded retainer, allowing for multiple sizes and eliminating the need for refills, by incorporating a valve and air vent to ensure continuous solution flow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If spray mops use specific canisters designed for particular mops, then the cleaning solution can be delivered effectively, but retailers must stock multiple SKUs including different canisters, refill bottles, and spray bottles
Solution Approach 1:
The receiver is designed with a universal interface that can accommodate multiple types of cleaning solution containers including standard retail spray bottles, refill bottles with spigots, and flexible bags. This multi-functional design allows a single mop model to work with various container types, eliminating the need for proprietary canisters and reducing the number of SKUs retailers must maintain.
Solution Approach 2:
The adapter serves as an intermediary component that enables standard retail spray bottles to be used with the spray mop. The adapter includes a valve and air vent that interface between the standard bottle and the mop's receiver, allowing cleaning solution to be dispensed through the spray nozzle when the trigger is activated. This intermediary solution allows compatibility without requiring proprietary containers.
2Adaptability or versatility
If retailers stock multiple types of cleaning solution containers, then compatibility with various mops is maintained, but inventory management and shelf space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The receiver incorporates a universal mounting mechanism with adjustable retainers that can securely hold different sizes and types of cleaning solution containers. This includes standard retail spray bottles, refill bottles, and flexible bags, all of which can be mounted using the same receiver interface, thereby reducing inventory variety while maintaining broad compatibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The receiver includes a spring-loaded retainer that can dynamically adjust to accommodate containers of varying sizes and shapes. The spring mechanism allows the retainer to flex and secure different container types without requiring multiple fixed-position retainers, enabling one receiver design to handle diverse container configurations.
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
Reduces the number of SKUs required for retailers, simplifies inventory management, and allows compatibility with various container sizes, enhancing usability and reducing the complexity of stocking and refilling.
Implementation Method 1
the receiver further includes a spring-loaded retainer that is adapted to allow multiple sized retail containers to be inserted and retained therein
Implementation Method 2
The mop adapter includes a valve and an air vent, whereby when the retail container has been inserted into the receiver, cleaning solution is dispensed through the spray nozzle
Data Source
AI summary
The spray mop includes a handle having a mop head at its lower end and a grip at its upper end. The mop includes a receiver adapted to hold an inverted bottle of cleaning solution, as sold at retail with an attached sprayer. The mop includes an adapter that is screwed onto the bottle of cleaning solution after the original sprayer is removed, whereby the bottle of cleaning solution can be inverted and inserted into the receiver. A spring-loaded retainer securely holds the bottle of cleaning solution in the receiver so that if the mop is dropped, inverted, or bumped there will be no leakage, while a trigger on a handgrip at the upper portion of the mop handle activates a valve in the adapter whereby cleaning solution is dispensed through a spray nozzle at the lower portion of the receiver.