Chemical Shell With Water-Soluble Sleeve for Tree Injection

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing chemical shells for trees face challenges in maintaining the non-aqueous chemicals during manufacture, shipment, and storage, as protective films or plugs either prevent chemical release into the tree sap or occupy space that could be filled with chemical.

Innovation Solution

A chemical shell with a non-aqueous chemical enclosed in a metal tubular member, covered by a water-soluble sleeve, such as gelatin, which maintains the chemical until tree sap dissolves it, allowing release into the tree.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a protective film is placed around the chemical shell to maintain the chemical during manufacture, shipment, and storage, then the chemical is retained during handling, but the film prevents the chemical from being released into the tree sap upon injection

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvechemical retention during handlingVSAvoidchemical release into tree

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The protective film's solubility parameter is changed by selecting a water-soluble material that is insoluble in non-aqueous chemicals but soluble in tree sap. This allows the film to maintain chemical retention during handling (insoluble state) and then dissolve to allow chemical release (soluble state) when injected into the tree.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The water-soluble protective film acts as an intermediary between the chemical shell and the tree sap. It temporarily contains the chemical during handling and then dissolves in the presence of tree sap to release the chemical, mediating between the need for containment and the need for release.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If a plug is positioned in the open end of the chemical shell to maintain the chemical in the shell, then the chemical is retained during storage, but the plug takes up space which could be filled with chemical

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvechemical retention during storageVSAvoidamount of chemical in shell

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The protective film's solubility parameter is changed by selecting a water-soluble material that is insoluble in non-aqueous chemicals but soluble in tree sap. This allows the film to maintain chemical retention during handling (insoluble state) and then dissolve to allow chemical release (soluble state) when injected into the tree.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The water-soluble protective film acts as an intermediary between the chemical shell and the tree sap. It temporarily contains the chemical during handling and then dissolves in the presence of tree sap to release the chemical, mediating between the need for containment and the need for release.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Quantity of substance

If no protective measure is used, then maximum space is available for chemical, but the chemical leaks during manufacture, shipment, and storage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveamount of chemical in shellVSAvoidchemical containment during handling

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The protective film's solubility parameter is changed by selecting a water-soluble material that is insoluble in non-aqueous chemicals but soluble in tree sap. This allows the film to maintain chemical retention during handling (insoluble state) and then dissolve to allow chemical release (soluble state) when injected into the tree.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The water-soluble protective film acts as an intermediary between the chemical shell and the tree sap. It temporarily contains the chemical during handling and then dissolves in the presence of tree sap to release the chemical, mediating between the need for containment and the need for release.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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

Ensures the chemical is retained during handling and storage, ensuring effective delivery into the tree when the sap dissolves the sleeve, optimizing the use of space within the shell.

Implementation Method 1

the sap in the tree dissolves the sleeve to permit the chemical in the tubular member to be released into the tree

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDissolution: Solvation

Data Source

PatentUS8191308B2Chemical shell for insertion into a tree

Publication Date: 2012.06.05 DOOLITTLE GLAYNE

AI summary

A chemical shell for insertion into a tree comprising an elongated hollow tubular member having a closed first end and an open second end with a rim portion extending outwardly from the closed end. A non-aqueous chemical is contained within the tubular member and a water-soluble tubular sleeve extends over the open second end of the tubular member and at least a portion of the tubular member to maintain the chemical in the tubular member until the shell has been inserted into a tree so that the sap in the tree dissolves the sleeve to permit the chemical in the tubular member to be released into the tree when dissolved by the sap in the tree.