Buffered Formic Acid Composition With Low Corrosion and Odor

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Solution Overview

Problem

Commercially available formic acid is highly acidic, corrosive, and has a strong odor, limiting its widespread use in applications due to equipment corrosion and user discomfort.

Innovation Solution

A composition comprising formic acid with specific ingredients, adjusting pH to 5-9 and reducing odor, suitable for various applications including dental hygiene, cosmetics, detergents, and surface cleaners.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If commercially available formic acid is used, then strong antimicrobial activity is achieved, but equipment corrosion occurs due to high acidity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveantimicrobial activityVSAvoidequipment corrosion
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the pH parameter of formic acid from highly acidic (pH < 1) to a neutral range (pH 5-9) by mixing with buffering agents and other ingredients, thereby reducing equipment corrosion while maintaining antimicrobial effectiveness through the synergistic combination of ingredients

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If commercially available formic acid is used, then powerful germicidal effect is achieved, but strong pungent odor is produced causing user discomfort

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegermicidal effectVSAvoidpungent odor
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent modifies the olfactory properties by combining formic acid with ingredients having masking or neutralizing odors, transforming the strong pungent smell into a more acceptable profile while preserving the germicidal properties through the composite formulation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If pH of formic acid is reduced to enhance antimicrobial activity, then bactericidal power is increased, but corrosiveness to equipment and materials increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebactericidal powerVSAvoidcorrosiveness
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a composite disinfectant formulation combining formic acid with multiple other ingredients including buffering agents, surfactants, and stabilizers, where the combination provides both strong antimicrobial activity and reduced corrosiveness through the synergistic effects of the composite composition

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

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 composition effectively reduces microbial load while being safe for use, outperforming commercial disinfectants in bactericidal activity and overcoming the drawbacks of formic acid's acidity and smell.

Implementation Method 1

Upon intake by the bacteria/microbe, Methanoic acid dissociates into it's H+ ions

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDissociation:

Data Source

PatentUS12465059B2Concentrated formic acid composition and its uses thereof
Publication Date: 2025.11.11 KRISHNAN SUBHA

AI summary

The present invention is related to Methanoic acid composition and it's uses thereof.The Methanoic acid composition helps in reducing the germicidal load and finds utility in dental hygiene, Cosmetics, detergents, soaps, skin cleansers, surface cleaners, water sanitizers, animal feed, processed food, poultry farms, poultry hatcheries and the pharmaceutical arena.