Bio-Enzymatic Pet Pad Structure for Reusable Odor Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional pet pads fail to effectively reduce odors from animal waste, require frequent replacement, and are inconvenient due to their inability to allow liquid evaporation and insufficient odor reduction by absorbent or adsorbent materials.
Innovation Solution
The use of a bio-enzymatic odor reducer with bacillus spores applied to an adsorbent mat that allows liquid waste to evaporate, activating the bacillus to consume odor-causing proteins, making the pad reusable by reapplying the bio-enzymatic odor reducer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If absorbent materials are used to hold liquid waste, then the pad structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the odor is retained and not effectively reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the liquid waste from the absorbent material by allowing it to evaporate through the breathable membrane, separating the waste removal function from the absorbent material. This prevents odor-causing proteins from decomposing within the absorbent structure while maintaining manufacturing simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary system consisting of the breathable membrane and bio-enzymatic odor reducer. The membrane allows liquid evaporation while blocking odor, and the bio-enzymatic agent actively decomposes odor-causing proteins, working together to resolve the odor retention problem without complicating the basic pad structure.
2Duration of action of moving object
If adsorbent materials are used to hold animal waste, then the pad can be reused, but the odor is not sufficiently reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables continuous odor reduction through the breathable membrane that allows ongoing liquid evaporation and the bio-enzymatic odor reducer that continuously breaks down odor-causing proteins. This maintains the pad's effectiveness over multiple uses without significant odor accumulation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the chemical parameters of the waste management system by introducing enzymatic action that actively decomposes odor-causing proteins rather than merely adsorbing waste. This biochemical transformation maintains pad reusability while significantly reducing odor emission throughout the pad's service life.
3Device complexity
If liquid waste is retained within the pad, then the pad structure is simple, but the odor causing proteins decompose and cause odor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts liquid waste from the pad structure through evaporation via the breathable membrane, preventing odor-causing proteins from remaining in contact with the absorbent material where they would decompose. This maintains simple pad structure while eliminating the decomposition odor problem.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical retention system (absorbent material holding liquid) with an evaporative removal system. Liquid waste is converted from vapor phase through the breathable membrane rather than being mechanically held, preventing protein decomposition while maintaining structural simplicity.
4Ease of operation
If conventional piddle pads are used, then they are disposable and easy to replace, but they require frequent replacement and are inconvenient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables the pad to serve itself by incorporating the breathable membrane and bio-enzymatic odor reducer that actively manage waste and odor without user intervention. The system self-cleans through evaporation and self-decomposes odor-causing proteins, extending pad life and reducing replacement frequency while maintaining ease of use.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent recovers the pad's functionality by enabling liquid evaporation and odor decomposition, allowing the same pad material to be reused multiple times. This extends the service life of each pad significantly, reducing the frequency of replacement while maintaining operational convenience.
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 bio-enzymatic odor reducer effectively reduces odors by consuming odor-causing proteins, extending the pad's life and reducing maintenance and costs, as it can be washed and reactivated, providing a more convenient and long-lasting solution compared to disposable pads.
Implementation Method 1
the nonwoven hydrophobic fabric keeps the liquid portion of animal waste open to atmosphere, so that the liquid evaporates
Implementation Method 2
the bacillus within the bio-enzymatic odor reducer is provided in spore form. Further, the bacillus spores are activated when they interact with the liquid of the animal waste
Implementation Method 3
the bio-enzymatic odor reducer which consumes the odor-causing proteins of the animal waste
Implementation Method 4
an adsorbent mat which keeps the liquid portion of animal waste open to atmosphere
Data Source
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AI summary
An odor adsorbing pet pad includes an adsorbent mat with a nonwoven hydrophobic fabric; and a bio-enzymatic odor reducer with bacillus in spore form which is applied to the adsorbent mat. In particular, the bacillus in the bio-enzymatic odor reducer is activated when animal waste interacts with the adsorbent mat of the odor adsorbing pet pad.