Foamed Capillary Tube Sustained Release
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sustained release preparations for volatile chemicals like sex pheromones face issues with uniform release due to variations in wetting of the inner surface of porous containers, leading to reduced effectiveness as the liquid chemical amount decreases over time.
Innovation Solution
A tubular container with a foamed inner layer structure that allows capillary action to soak up liquid chemicals to a height exceeding 25 mm, combined with an outer layer to control penetration rate, ensuring uniform release over a long period.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a plastic capillary tube is used to contain liquid chemical, then the release stability is improved, but the release area and release amount are reduced in the latter half of the release period
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses a porous polymer inner layer with controlled pore structure to replace the traditional plastic capillary tube. The porous structure provides capillary action for liquid chemical retention while maintaining stable release characteristics throughout the release period, preventing both premature depletion and excessive release.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention employs a composite structure with an inner porous polymer layer and an outer protective layer. This composite design combines the advantages of porosity for uniform release with the protective properties of the outer layer, achieving both stable release and sustained quantity over time.
2Duration of action of stationary object
If a porous inner layer with communicated pores is used, then the release duration is extended, but uniform release cannot be achieved due to wetting degree differences
Solution Approach 1:
The invention optimizes the pore size, porosity rate, and thickness parameters of the inner layer to achieve uniform wetting and release. By controlling these parameters within specific ranges, the system achieves both extended duration and uniform release characteristics.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates a localized porous structure within the inner layer that promotes uniform liquid distribution. The porous regions are strategically positioned and sized to ensure even wetting across the entire inner surface, preventing localized depletion and ensuring consistent release throughout the duration.
3Manufacturing precision
If the inner layer thickness is increased to improve release uniformity, then the release uniformity is improved, but the device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention identifies and optimizes the critical parameter of inner layer thickness within a specific range (0.12 to 1.2 mm). By establishing this optimal thickness range, the invention achieves uniform release without requiring excessive thickness that would increase complexity and manufacturing difficulty.
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 solution enables sustained and uniform release of volatile chemicals for extended periods, maintaining effectiveness even when the liquid chemical amount in the container becomes small, as demonstrated by the examples with sex pheromones showing consistent release over several days.
Implementation Method 1
an inner layer having a foamed structure permitting the soaking-up, by capillary action, of a liquid chemical to a height exceeding 25 mm
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a sustained release preparation capable of uniformly releasing therefrom a volatile chemical for a long period of time even if the amount of a liquid chemical remaining in a tubular container of the sustained release preparation becomes small. Also provided is a container for sustained release preparation, the container being tubular and comprising two layers of outer and inner layers, the inner layer having a thickness of 0.12 to 1.2 mm and having a foamed structure permitting the soaking-up of a liquid chemical to a height of at least 25 mm by capillarity. Also provided is a container unit for sustained release preparation, the unit comprising two or more of the container combined.