Fermented Citrus Additive for Steam Weeding Thermal Duration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Steam weeding faces limitations such as sudden cooling, which can lead to vegetative recovery of treated areas in favorable weather conditions, and the reduced availability of authorized selective herbicides, making it difficult to control infesting weeds effectively in organic cultivations.

Innovation Solution

A natural additive composition comprising a mix of citrus fruits, sugar, propolis, wax, honey, and water, treated with a raw fermentation process, is used with steam weeding systems to enhance the thermal and disinfectant effects, delaying cooling and germination, and providing phytostimulant and antiparasitic actions without soil contamination.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If steam weeding is used to eliminate weeds, then synthetic chemical herbicides are avoided, but sudden cooling causes vegetative recovery in treated areas

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveweed elimination effectivenessVSAvoidduration of thermal effect
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an additive composition as an intermediary substance mixed with water before steam generation. This composition includes compounds that modify the thermal properties of steam, specifically delaying cooling and extending the duration of thermal effect on treated areas, thereby preventing vegetative recovery while maintaining ecological compatibility

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The additive composition changes the physical parameters of steam by modifying its cooling curve. The composition causes a time delay in the cooling process, maintaining higher temperatures for longer periods, which extends the effective duration of the weeding action and prevents rapid vegetative recovery

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Object-affected harmful factors

If selective herbicides are restricted under new regulations, then environmental safety is improved, but weed control effectiveness deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenvironmental contaminationVSAvoidweed control effectiveness
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the limitation imposed by regulations (reduced herbicide availability) into a benefit by developing an ecological alternative. The additive composition provides effective weed control while meeting environmental requirements, and additionally offers phytostimulant effects that enhance crop growth, turning a restrictive situation into an opportunity for improved agricultural practices

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

Solution Approach 2:

The additive composition serves multiple functions simultaneously: it enhances the thermal effect of steam for weed elimination, delays cooling to extend treatment duration, provides phytostimulant action to support crop growth, and offers antiparasitic properties. This multi-functionality replaces the need for multiple separate products including selective herbicides

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 additive composition significantly enhances the weeding effect by prolonging the thermal shock, optimizing resource use, and providing a corroborating action for cultivations, while being environmentally safe and exempt from authorization requirements, allowing effective weed control without residues on soil or aquifers.

Implementation Method 1

The heat emitted in the form of steam causes a significant thermal variation on the plant such as to destroy its cells

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal shock: Thermal Shock

Implementation Method 2

Said enhancement consists of a time dilation of the cooling (so-called thermal coat effect)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal coat effect:

Implementation Method 3

mix of citrus fruits, sugar, propolis, wax, honey and/or water dosed, mixed and treated with a raw fermentation artisan process, such as to obtain a fruit vinegar

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFermentation: Fermentation

Data Source

PatentEP3643172A1Ecological herbicide
Publication Date: 2020.04.29 AGRIMACHINE GREEN EVOLUTION SRL
  • EP3643172A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3643172A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3643172A1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The present invention falls within the field of weeding systems, in particular steam weeding systems. In particular, the invention relates to an additive liquid composition which comprises the following agents: mix of citrus fruits, sugar, propolis, wax, honey and water dosed, mixed and treated with a raw fermentation artisan process, such as to obtain a fruit vinegar, in particular a citrus vinegar.