Trigger Sprayer Connector Cap with Flexible Sidewall

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing trigger sprayer connectors require two movements, linear and rotational, to securely attach to a bottle neck, which can be cumbersome and inefficient, especially in assembly line settings where bayonet-type connectors are used.

Innovation Solution

A novel connector design with a flexible cylindrical sidewall of varying thicknesses, featuring lug assemblies that snap fit onto horizontally oriented ridges on the bottle neck, allowing secure attachment by pressing downward without rotation, utilizing thin and thick areas to facilitate radial flexing and secure positioning.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a bayonet-type connector is used, then secure attachment is achieved, but two movements (linear and rotational) are required which makes the attachment process cumbersome and inefficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesecure attachmentVSAvoidattachment process

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The connector cap is segmented into thick areas and thin areas, with lug assemblies positioned at the thick areas. This segmentation allows the thin areas to flex radially during attachment while the thick areas with lugs provide secure engagement points, enabling attachment without rotation while maintaining reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The connector cap incorporates dynamic flexibility through varying wall thicknesses, allowing the thin areas to deform radially during the attachment process. This dynamic behavior enables the connector to snap onto the bottle neck in a single linear movement without requiring rotation, while still achieving secure attachment

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If a bayonet-type connector is used, then secure attachment is achieved, but assembly time increases due to the need for rotation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesecure attachmentVSAvoidassembly speed

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The connector design skips the rotational movement step entirely by using lug assemblies that engage with the bottle neck ridges through radial flexing alone. This eliminates the time-consuming rotation step in the assembly process, significantly improving productivity while maintaining secure attachment

Inventive Principle:

Principle #21Skipping (Rushing through)

3Ease of operation

If the connector cap is made flexible to enable snap-fit without rotation, then ease of operation improves, but structural strength may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveattachment processVSAvoidconnector cap strength

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The connector cap employs local quality variation with different wall thicknesses in different areas. The thin areas provide flexibility for radial flexing during attachment, while the thick areas provide structural strength and house the lug assemblies. This local differentiation allows the cap to be both flexible where needed and strong where required

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The connector cap effectively creates a composite structure through varying wall thicknesses, combining flexible regions (thin areas) with rigid regions (thick areas with lugs). This composite approach allows different parts of the same component to have different mechanical properties, achieving both ease of operation and structural strength

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

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

Enables secure attachment of the trigger sprayer to the bottle neck in a single movement, eliminating the need for rotation and simplifying the attachment process, thereby improving efficiency and ease of use.

Implementation Method 1

a flexible cylindrical sidewall of varying thicknesses that enables the cap to be flexed and snap fit on a bayonet-type connector

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP2001792B1Snap down bayonet connector

Publication Date: 2014.07.02 MEADWESTVACO CALMAR INC(US)

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AI summary

A connector cap of a trigger sprayer is integrally formed with the sprayer housing of the trigger sprayer. The connector cap has a flexible cylindrical sidewall of varying thicknesses that enables the cap to be flexed and snap fit on a bayonet-type connector of a bottle neck by pressing the cap downwardly onto the bottle neck. The different thicknesses of the sidewall allow portions of the sidewall to flex, while maintaining a smooth, cylindrical exterior surface appearance of the sidewall.