Biodegradable Yarn with Polymer Coating for Agricultural Support
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional metal wires used in hop cultivation and other applications are heavy, expensive, cause wear on machinery, lead to environmental pollution, and result in damage from metal debris, while existing plastic alternatives either fail to address multiple issues or introduce harmful substances.
Innovation Solution
A biodegradable yarn composed of a core material from natural or chemical fibers combined with a biodegradable polymer coating, allowing for controlled degradation and improved strength, reducing environmental impact and operational burdens.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If conventional metal wires are used for hop cultivation, then the wires provide sufficient strength and durability, but they result in high specific weight, high cost, machinery wear, environmental pollution, and safety hazards from metal debris
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies composite materials by combining a biodegradable core material (natural fibers like hemp, sisal, or jute) with a protective biodegradable polymer coating (such as polyhydroxyalkanoates or polylactic acid). This composite structure provides the necessary strength and durability during the growing season while enabling complete biodegradation afterward, eliminating environmental pollution and safety hazards associated with metal wires
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the material parameters from conventional metal to biodegradable composite materials. The core material provides initial strength, while the biodegradable polymer coating enhances durability and protects against environmental factors. After the growing season, the material parameters change as the coating degrades and the core material decomposes naturally, transforming from a durable structural material to biodegradable organic matter
2Object-affected harmful factors
If biodegradable plastic threads are used to replace metal wires, then environmental pollution is reduced, but the threads lack sufficient strength and durability throughout the growing season
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a composite structure where the biodegradable core material (natural fibers) provides the structural framework and initial strength, while the biodegradable polymer coating (such as polyhydroxyalkanoates or polylactic acid) serves as a protective layer that enhances durability. This composite approach allows the thread to maintain sufficient strength throughout the growing season while remaining environmentally degradable
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by giving different parts of the wire different functions: the core material provides structural integrity and strength, while the outer coating provides environmental resistance and durability. The coating acts as a protective layer that degrades at a controlled rate, allowing the core material to maintain strength throughout the growing season while enabling eventual biodegradation
3Ease of operation
If iron wire surface roughness is increased for plant support, then the plant can hold on better, but the wire weight and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating surface roughness only on the outer surface of the wire through the biodegradable polymer coating, while keeping the core material lightweight. The coating provides the necessary surface texture for plant attachment without requiring the entire wire structure to be heavier, thus maintaining ease of operation while minimizing weight
Solution Approach 2:
The composite structure allows the use of a lightweight biodegradable core material combined with a relatively thin biodegradable polymer coating that provides the necessary surface roughness. This approach achieves adequate plant attachment capability without the weight penalty of traditional metal wires, as the coating provides surface properties without significantly increasing overall mass
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 biodegradable yarn provides excellent tensile strength and elongation, avoids soil pollution, and can be tailored for specific applications with adjustable degradation times, ensuring durability during the growing season without harming the environment.
Implementation Method 1
a biodegradable and compostable yarn which comprises a core material (6) made of natural fibers and/or chemical fibers and a covering material (7) made of biodegradable and compostable biopolymers
Data Source
AI summary
A yarn consists of material that is both biologically degradable and suitable for composting. The core material is a natural fiber. The sleeve is a biopolymer that is both biologically degradable and suitable for composting. The core is sisal. The sleeve is poly-lactic acid. The ratio of the sleeve material to core material is in the range 5 to 40%. Further claimed is a process to produce a cord whose core material is a natural fiber and/or a man-made fiber with a sleeve winding that is both biologically degradable and suitable for composting. The sleeve is bonded to the core by exposure to hot air.