Biodegradable Payment Card with Embedded Seeds

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional payment cards end up in landfills when they expire or are no longer in use, contributing to waste and environmental issues.

Innovation Solution

A payment card made of biodegradable plastic with embedded plant seeds and a removably secured EMV chip and magnetic strip, allowing the card to decompose and seeds to grow into plants when discarded.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If conventional payment cards are made of non-biodegradable materials, then the card structure is stable and durable, but the cards accumulate in landfills and cause environmental pollution

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenvironmental pollution from discarded cardsVSAvoidcard material stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the material parameter of the payment card from conventional non-biodegradable plastic to biodegradable plastic, transforming the card's end-of-life behavior from persistent waste to decomposable organic matter that can support plant growth

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite structure by embedding plant seeds within the biodegradable plastic matrix of the payment card, combining the structural function of the card with the biological function of seed germination and plant growth

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Loss of substance

If plant seeds are embedded in the payment card, then the card can transform into a growing plant reducing waste, but the card structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewaste reductionVSAvoidcard structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the payment card function with the plant propagation function by embedding seeds within the card body, allowing a single object to serve dual purposes: payment transaction and environmental restoration

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The embedded plant seeds enable the payment card to self-transform after disposal, utilizing natural germination and growth processes to convert waste material into a living plant without requiring additional processing or intervention

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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 waste by allowing payment cards to biodegrade and transform into growing plants, addressing environmental concerns associated with discarded card materials.

Implementation Method 1

the payment card may decompose and the plant seeds may grow into a plant

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBiodegradation: Decomposition (biological)

Data Source

PatentUS11443159B2Biodegradable payment card with embedded plant seeds

Publication Date: 2022.09.13 CAPITAL ONE SERVICES LLC

AI summary

Aspects described herein may allow for a payment card assembly including a payment card having a first surface and an opposed second surface, and being formed of a biodegradable plastic. A Europay, Mastercard, and Visa (EMV) chip may be removably secured to the payment card. One or more plant seeds may be embedded in the payment card.