Biodegradable Dibasic Ester Solvent for Pheromone Diffusion

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current pheromone compositions for non-human mammals, particularly those used to address stress and anxiety, often rely on petroleum-derived solvents that are not biodegradable and can have safety concerns, with variable diffusion efficiency and stability.

Innovation Solution

A pheromone composition utilizing a biodegradable synthetic dibasic ester solvent with a vapor pressure between 1 and 10 Pa and a flash point greater than or equal to 95°C, which includes a mixture of fatty acids or their derivatives, specifically designed for diffusion in ambient air using a diffusion device, offering improved stability and reduced energy consumption.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If petroleum-derived solvents are used in pheromone compositions, then the composition can be effectively delivered to non-human mammals, but the environmental impact increases and biodegradability decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedelivery effectivenessVSAvoidenvironmental impact
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of the carrier solvent from petroleum-derived hydrocarbons to biodegradable synthetic dibasic esters. This parameter change maintains the solvent's ability to deliver pheromones effectively while improving biodegradability and reducing environmental impact, directly resolving the contradiction between delivery effectiveness and environmental harm.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention converts the previously harmful petroleum-derived solvents into beneficial biodegradable synthetic esters. By selecting dibasic esters with specific molecular structures, the patent transforms substances that would otherwise persist in the environment into compounds that degrade naturally, turning an environmental liability into an eco-friendly solution while maintaining functional effectiveness.

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

2Ease of operation

If conventional carrier solvents are used, then the pheromone composition can be applied, but diffusion stability and efficiency are variable

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveapplication capabilityVSAvoiddiffusion stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent optimizes physical parameters of the carrier solvent by selecting dibasic esters with specific vapor pressure ranges (0.1-10 Pa at 20°C) and flash points (≥95°C). These parameter specifications ensure consistent diffusion rates and stable performance across different application conditions, resolving the variability issue while maintaining ease of application.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention incorporates safety feedback mechanisms through the high flash point requirement (≥95°C), which provides inherent thermal safety margins. This feedback parameter ensures that the solvent remains stable under normal operating temperatures and only becomes reactive at significantly elevated temperatures, thereby improving reliability without compromising application capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Productivity

If solvents with high vapor pressure are used for diffusion, then diffusion efficiency increases, but safety risks increase due to lower flash point

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvediffusion efficiencyVSAvoidsafety risks
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent establishes an optimized parameter range for vapor pressure (0.1-10 Pa at 20°C) that balances diffusion efficiency with safety. This parameter window allows sufficient volatility for effective pheromone delivery while maintaining a flash point of at least 95°C, thereby achieving both productivity and safety requirements simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention uses composite molecular structures in the dibasic esters, combining specific alkyl chains (R1, R2, R3 groups) to achieve the desired balance between vapor pressure and flash point. The composite structure allows tuning of both diffusion characteristics and thermal safety properties, resolving the contradiction between productivity and safety risks.

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 biodegradable solvent composition provides stable and efficient diffusion of pheromones, reducing unwanted behaviors and stress-related issues in non-human mammals while minimizing environmental impact and user safety risks.

Implementation Method 1

administered to non-human mammals by diffusion in the ambient air

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDiffusion: Diffusion

Implementation Method 2

a vapor pressure (VP) of between 1 and 10 Pa (measured at 20 or 25°C)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEvaporation: Evaporation

Data Source

PatentEP3125879B1Pheromone compositions intended for treating stress-related behavioural or medical disorders in non-human mammals
Publication Date: 2020.07.22 CEVA SANTE ANIMALE SA
  • EP3125879B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3125879B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3125879B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The invention relates to a composition containing pheromones comprising a carrier solvent, and to the use thereof for preventing and/or treating the behavioural or medical problems linked to the stress of non-human mammals. The invention also relates to a device for diffusing such a composition into the ambient air, and to a kit comprising said composition.