Foaming Pest Control Composition with Controlled Collapse Rate
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pest control products are often messy, phase unstable at certain temperatures, and require consumer interaction to monitor efficacy, while foaming products either persist too long or collapse too quickly, making them undesirable for direct pest application.
Innovation Solution
A pest control composition comprising sodium lauryl sulfate, isopropyl alcohol, and water, formulated to generate a foam with specific properties that conceals the pest without requiring extensive wiping, collapses appropriately, and is stable without shaking, ensuring effective and easy use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of stationary object
If a foaming pest control product is designed to expand into hard-to-reach spaces, then the foam persistence is extended, but the foam collapses too quickly for direct pest application
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the foam formulation parameters by incorporating specific surfactants and conditioning agents that adjust the foam's collapse rate. This allows the foam to maintain optimal persistence for direct pest application - long enough to conceal the pest but short enough to collapse within 30-120 seconds, unlike traditional nest-expanding foams that persist too long
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates different foam quality characteristics for different application scenarios. The foam is formulated with specific properties (viscosity, expansion ratio, collapse rate) that are locally optimized for direct pest contact rather than for penetrating hard-to-reach spaces, allowing tailored performance for the specific use case
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a pest control composition is formulated with natural ingredients, then the product safety is improved, but the product may be phase unstable at cold temperatures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a composite formulation that combines natural active ingredients with synthetic surfactants and conditioning agents. This composite structure allows the natural ingredients to provide safety while the synthetic components maintain phase stability across temperature ranges, preventing separation at cold temperatures
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces surfactants and conditioning agents as intermediary substances that mediate between the natural active ingredients and the aqueous base. These intermediaries ensure uniform distribution and stability of natural ingredients throughout the formulation, preventing phase separation while maintaining the safety benefits of natural components
3Speed
If a foaming pest control product is designed for direct pest application, then the foam collapse rate is increased, but the foam may not trap and conceal the pest effectively
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes foam parameters including bubble size distribution, foam density, and collapse kinetics. The foam is formulated to initially trap and conceal pests effectively through proper bubble structure, then collapse at a controlled rate (within 30-120 seconds) to reveal pest incapacitation, achieving both concealment and rapid collapse
4Reliability
If existing pest control products are applied directly to pests, then the efficacy monitoring is improved, but the consumer interaction and observation time are increased
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates visual indicators through foam color or incorporation of color-changing agents that signal pest incapacitation. This allows consumers to quickly assess efficacy through visual cues in the foam itself, reducing the need for prolonged observation of pest behavior while maintaining reliable efficacy monitoring
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 traps and conceals pests, providing a consumer-preferred foaming experience with balanced essential oils, surfactant, and water levels, ensuring efficacy and ease of use while minimizing mess and interaction.
Implementation Method 1
A foaming pest control product, such as a liquid pest control product that is converted to a foam upon dispensing
Implementation Method 2
the foam may conceal the incapacitated pest from the consumer's view
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a foaming pest control product and to methods for controlling pests, such as insects and other arthropods. More particularly, the disclosure relates to a pest control product containing a composition that foams when dispensed, where the properties of the foam are selected to provide an optimal usage experience and efficacy.