Biodegradable Odor Deterrent with Controlled Release
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing odor deterrents for protecting agricultural land from game animals have a short efficacy due to quick evaporation of odorous components and leave toxic degradation products, posing environmental risks.
Innovation Solution
A biodegradable odor deterrent system using a hollow housing made of waterproof polymeric materials and a porous carrier composed of biodegradable polymers, releasing a controlled amount of odorous components like monocarboxylic acids and their esters or anhydrides, which are environmentally friendly and long-lasting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of moving object
If polyurethane foam is used as the carrier for odorous component, then the odorous component can be absorbed and released, but the efficacy duration is short due to quick evaporation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of the polyurethane foam carrier by using specific polyols (polyester or polyether-ester) and aliphatic diisocyanates to create a biodegradable foam with controlled degradation rate. This parameter change extends the efficacy duration while controlling the evaporation rate of the odorous component through the foam's structural properties
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite system combining biodegradable polyurethane foam with natural degradability features, integrating the odor-active component into a carrier that degrades controllably. This composite approach allows the foam to release the odorous component over an extended period while maintaining structural integrity long enough to provide sustained protection
2Quantity of substance
If polyurethane foam is used as the carrier, then the odorous component can be held, but toxic degradation products are generated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent fundamentally changes the chemical parameters of the polyurethane foam by selecting biodegradable polyols (ester-based) and aliphatic diisocyanates, which transform the degradation pathway from producing toxic aromatic diamines to producing benign organic acids and carbon dioxide. This parameter change eliminates the harmful degradation products while preserving the carrier's capacity to hold and release the odorous component
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the previously harmful photooxidation and hydrolytic degradation processes into beneficial biodegradation pathways. The same chemical reactions that formerly produced toxic aromatic diamines now produce environmentally friendly organic acids through the use of biodegradable polyol structures, turning a harmful effect into a beneficial one
3Duration of action of moving object
If refilling of odorous component into foam carrier is performed, then the efficacy can be restored, but labor and safety risks increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent adopts a disposable approach where the entire foam carrier with the odorous component is designed to maintain efficacy for an extended period without needing refilling. The biodegradable polyurethane foam's controlled degradation rate ensures sustained release, making the device effectively single-use but with prolonged service life, eliminating the need for laborious and hazardous refilling operations
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates the odorous component into the foam carrier during the manufacturing process itself, before the product is deployed. This preliminary action of pre-loading the carrier eliminates the need for subsequent refilling operations by the end user, making the product ready-to-use and avoiding the safety risks associated with manual refilling
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 provides a long-term, controlled release of odorous components, maintaining effective concentrations for several weeks without toxic byproducts, and is easily applied without fixed supports, ensuring protection against game animals while being biodegradable within the vegetation period.
Implementation Method 1
a porous carrier (B) containing an odorous component (C)... provides a long-term, controlled release of odorous components
Implementation Method 2
Polyurethane foam exposed to weather conditions is gradually subjected to photooxidation and hydrolytic degradation
Implementation Method 3
Polyurethane foam exposed to weather conditions is gradually subjected to photooxidation and hydrolytic degradation
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides an odor deterrent which consists of a hollow closed housing (A) having a cavity filled with a porous carrier (B) containing an odorous component (C), wherein - the housing (A) is made of a biodegradable waterproof polymeric material containing at least 30 wt. % of a component selected from starch ester, polyhydroxybutyrate having the weight average molar mass of at least 20 000 g/mol, polylactide having the weight average molar mass of at least 10 000 g/mol, polycaprolactone having the weight average molar mass of at least 30 000 g/mol, polyurethane obtained by reacting a polyester or polyether-ester polyol and an aliphatic diisocyanate, and mixtures thereof, and up to 70 wt. % of an inert inorganic filler or a cellulosic filler, and optionally a plastifier, - the carrier (B) of the odorous component is made of a porous polymeric material containing at least 70 wt. % of a component selected from starch, starch ester, cellulose, polyurethane obtained by reacting a polyester or polyether-ester polyol and an aliphatic diisocyanate, and mixtures thereof, and up to 30 wt. % of an inert inorganic filler or a cellulosic filler, and optionally a plastifier, and - the odorous component (C) is selected from the group consisting of monocarboxylic acids having 4 to 6 carbons in the chain, a mixture of monocarboxylic acids having 4 to 6 carbon atoms in the chain, esters of said monocarboxylic acids, anhydrides of said monocarboxylic acids.