Collapsible Insert Plant Supplement Delivery Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing plant supplement delivery systems are limited by their inability to effectively handle materials of varying viscosities and chemical compositions, often losing efficacy due to heat, cold, or chemical interactions, and lack the flexibility to modify delivery methods for different materials, making them unsuitable for a wide range of agricultural and horticultural applications.
Innovation Solution
A plant supplement delivery assembly with a collapsible insert and releasably biased member that allows for the delivery of plant supplements of varying viscosities through a stem conduit, enabling interchangeable inserts and recyclable components, which can be configured for different materials and viscosities, and includes a biasing mechanism to expel the supplements under controlled pressure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a generally unmodifiable delivery system is used, then the system structure is simple, but it cannot handle materials of varying viscosities and chemical compositions
Solution Approach 1:
The delivery system is divided into separate components: a reusable housing and interchangeable inserts. Each insert is designed for specific material types or viscosity ranges, allowing the system to be adapted to different materials by simply swapping inserts rather than modifying the entire system.
Solution Approach 2:
The housing is designed as a universal platform that can accommodate multiple types of inserts through standardized interfaces. This allows a single housing to perform multiple functions by accepting different inserts configured for various material viscosities and chemical compositions.
2Stress or pressure
If a non-collapsible container is used, then the structural integrity is maintained, but the delivery pressure cannot be effectively controlled
Solution Approach 1:
The container transitions from a rigid, non-collapsible structure to a dynamic collapsible structure. The collapsible walls allow the container to deform under pressure, enabling effective delivery pressure control while maintaining structural integrity through controlled deformation rather than failure.
Solution Approach 2:
The container's physical state is changed from rigid to collapsible, allowing it to dynamically adjust its volume and shape in response to pressure changes. This parameter change enables the container to effectively transmit and control delivery pressure while maintaining sufficient structural integrity for the application.
3Ease of manufacture
If a disposable system is used, then the cost of modification is avoided, but the environmental impact increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements a hybrid approach where inserts are designed to be disposable or recyclable while the housing is reusable. After use, inserts can be discarded or recovered and replaced, eliminating the need to discard the entire system and reducing overall waste material while avoiding modification costs.
4Adaptability or versatility
If the delivery system is exposed to heat, cold, or chemical interactions, then the delivery can reach various plant conditions, but the system may lose efficacy or have negative reactions
Solution Approach 1:
The inserts are designed as disposable or limited-life components that can be discarded after exposure to extreme conditions. This allows the system to reach various plant conditions without compromising reliability, as the disposable inserts absorb the environmental stress while the reusable housing maintains its efficacy for future use.
Solution Approach 2:
The inserts act as intermediary components between the housing and the plant supplement materials. They are designed to withstand heat, cold, and chemical interactions, protecting the housing from these harsh conditions while enabling delivery to various plant environments.
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 system provides efficient and flexible delivery of plant supplements, maintaining efficacy across different conditions and viscosities, allowing for the use of a wide range of materials, including agrochemicals, nutrients, and growth regulators, while being cost-effective and environmentally friendly through recyclable components.
Implementation Method 1
a releasably biased member within the housing and operably aligned to forcibly engage the container upon release
Data Source
AI summary
Plant supplement delivery assemblies are provided that can include an insert having collapsible insert sidewalls complimentary to the exterior sidewalls of the delivery assembly housing, the collapsible insert sidewalls defining at least a portion of a container configured to house a plant supplement.A butt end of the insert can be configured to operably engage a biased member.Methods for providing plant supplements are also provided. The methods can include operably engaging a biased member with a butt end of a container to collapse sidewalls of the container and provide plant supplement from the container through a stem into a plant.Methods for recycling components of a plant supplement delivery assembly are also provided. The methods can include, after providing plant supplements from an insert of a plant supplement delivery assembly, removing the spent insert from the assembly and replacing the spent insert with a sealed insert.