Borate Coating for Non-Wood Termite Tubing Prevention

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for protecting man-made structures from termite damage are ineffective for non-wood and non-cellulosic materials, as termites can still access and damage these materials by building shelter tubes, and traditional borate treatments can affect structural integrity or have limited environmental safety.

Innovation Solution

Applying a borate solution to the surface of non-wood building components, comprising a borate compound mixed with a solvent, to prevent termite tunneling and tubing on non-wood and non-cellulosic materials, ensuring the borate composition is effective and environmentally safer.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If borates are applied to structural wood only, then wood protection from termites is achieved, but non-wood building materials remain vulnerable to termite damage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetermite protection effectivenessVSAvoidprotection coverage for different building materials

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The borate treatment method is extended to protect multiple types of building materials (wood, concrete, brick, block, steel, vinyl, stucco, gypsum, expanded foam, polystyrene) against termite damage, making the treatment universally applicable to all common construction materials used in modern building construction

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The building structure is divided into different material components (wood, concrete, brick, steel, vinyl, etc.), and each segment is treated with borate solution to provide comprehensive protection across all material types, preventing termites from exploiting untreated non-wood materials

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If soil is poisoned with insecticides to create a chemical barrier, then termite access to wood is blocked, but environmental safety concerns arise and the barrier fails within 3 to 10 years

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetermite barrier effectivenessVSAvoidenvironmental impact

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of using toxic organophosphate and pyrethroid insecticides that harm the environment, the patent employs borates which have low acute mammalian toxicity and low environmental impact, converting a harmful approach into a beneficial one while maintaining termite protection effectiveness

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces long-term toxic soil treatments with a durable but environmentally safe alternative - borate treatment of building materials provides lasting protection without the environmental persistence and toxicity issues of traditional soil-applied insecticides

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Reliability

If large volumes of organic pesticides are applied to soil, then termite access is blocked initially, but the pesticide is lost from the vicinity within 3 to 10 year period

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinitial barrier effectivenessVSAvoidbarrier longevity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

Building materials are pre-treated with borate solution during construction before termites can establish colonies, providing immediate and lasting protection that eliminates the need for repeated soil applications and ensures long-term durability against termite attacks

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

4Reliability

If physical activity such as digging, walking, or pipe laying occurs during construction, then the insecticide barrier is broken, but this leads to premature failure of the treatment

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebarrier integrityVSAvoidconstruction process compatibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of applying a continuous soil barrier that is vulnerable to physical disruption, the patent applies borate treatment locally to individual building materials at their specific locations, providing protection that is insensitive to construction activities and soil disturbance

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS7597902B2Termite tubing preventative for non-wood materials

Publication Date: 2009.10.06 NISUS CORP

AI summary

The present invention relates to materials and methods for protecting man-made structures made with non-wood materials from termite damage through the application of borates to the surface of non-wood materials. In an embodiment the invention regards a method for preventing termite tunneling and tubing on non-wood and/or non-cellulosic materials by treating non-wood building components comprising the steps of applying a composition to the surfaces of a non-wood building component, wherein the composition comprises a borate component. In another embodiment the invention regards a method for preventing termite damage to man-made structures comprising the steps of mixing borates with a solvent to form a borate solution, obtaining a non-wood building component, coating the non-wood building component with the borate solution, and incorporating the coated non-wood building component into a man-made structure. The invention also regards a non-wood building component comprising a non-wood substrate, and a coating comprising borates, wherein the coating is disposed on the surfaces of the non-wood substrate.