Herbal Textile Composition for Long-Lasting Insect Repellency

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for repelling insects from textiles are ineffective due to short-lived solutions, toxicity to humans and the environment, and limited applicability, with existing chemical sprays, coils, and electronic devices failing to provide long-lasting protection against pests like bed bugs, house dust mites, and mosquitoes.

Innovation Solution

A Neem-based herbal composition incorporating bioflavonoids such as Azadirachtin, Azadiradione, Fraxinellone, Nimbin, Salannin, Salannol, Vepinin, and Vilasinin, combined with a pigment binder, anti-thermo migrating agent, amino silicon emulsion, Glauber's salt, and acetic acid, is applied during textile processing to create a long-lasting insect repellent finish.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If chemical pesticide sprays are used to repel insects, then insect repellency is achieved, but the solution is short-lived and toxins accumulate in the ecosystem

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinsect repellency effectivenessVSAvoidduration of repellency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical parameters by using herbal extracts (neem, tulsi, menthol, eucalyptus) instead of synthetic pesticides. This parameter change transforms the repellency mechanism from toxic chemical action to natural aromatic and bioactive compound action, achieving both effectiveness and environmental safety while extending duration through gradual release of active compounds

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite herbal composition combining multiple plant extracts (neem oil, tulsi extract, menthol, eucalyptus oil) with textile finishing agents. This composite approach synergizes the insect repellent properties of different herbs while ensuring proper application and durability on fabric,解决ing both effectiveness and longevity issues

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If inorganic pesticides are incorporated into textile processing, then insect repellency is created, but safety to humans and environment is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinsect repellencyVSAvoidtoxicity to humans and environment
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts potentially harmful synthetic chemicals into beneficial natural herbal compounds. The harmful factor of chemical toxicity is transformed into the benefit of natural, biodegradable herbal extracts that maintain repellency while being safe for humans and environment. The menthol and eucalyptus oils, which are naturally toxic to insects, become safe textile treatments when properly formulated

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

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces herbal extracts as intermediary substances between the textile fabric and insects. Instead of direct contact with toxic pesticides, the herbal composition acts as a mediator that repels insects through natural aromatic compounds and bioactive principles, reducing direct toxicity while maintaining protective function

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If coil vaporizers or electronic ultrasonic devices are used, then insect repulsion is achieved, but applicability to textiles is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinsect repulsion effectivenessVSAvoidapplicability to textile products
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical/electronic systems (coils, ultrasonic devices) with a chemical-based herbal composition that can be directly applied to textiles. This substitution eliminates the need for external power sources or mechanical components, allowing the repellent function to be integrated directly into the fabric through conventional textile processing methods

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The herbal composition serves multiple functions: it acts as an insect repellent, a textile finish, and a safe consumer product all in one. This multi-functionality allows the same composition to be applied to various textile products (clothing, bedding, curtains) without requiring different delivery mechanisms like coils or electronic devices

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

Data Source

PatentEP2976457B1Textile products with herbal composition to render the fabrics insects repellent
Publication Date: 2019.08.07 SYNTIS TEXTILE
  • EP2976457B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2976457B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2976457B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention provides a herbal composition for treating a fabric to make the fabric insect repellent. The present invention further provides a composition for treating a fabric and a method of treating the fabric to make the fabric insect repellent. The invention also provides the various methods of treating different kinds of fabrics along with their dyeing and finishing processes to render the fabric insect repellant. The fabric becomes insect repellant up to 40 washes. The fabric becomes repellent against bed bugs of Cimex species, house dust mites of Dermatophagoides species, ticks of Ixodes species, houseflies or Musca Domestica, mosquitoes or Aedes Aegypti and harvest bugs of Trombidium species. The fabric is selected from the group consisting of a cotton fabric, a regenerated viscose cellulose fabric, a wool fabric, a silk fabric, a polyester fabric and blends thereof.