Oxo-biodegradable Polymer Marking Paint Ball Shell

Solution Overview

Problem

Gelatin-based marking paint balls are difficult to produce consistently due to their sensitivity to humidity and temperature, requiring controlled conditions and non-water-based solvents, and are not environmentally friendly, while alternative materials like polystyrene are not biodegradable.

Innovation Solution

Using an oxo-biodegradable polymer material for the shell, such as oxo-biodegradable polyolefins, which maintains mechanical properties regardless of environmental conditions and allows for water-based paint compositions, enabling a biodegradable and environmentally friendly marking paint ball.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If gelatin is used for the shell, then the ball bursts easily on impact, but the production requires controlled humidity and temperature conditions and uses non-water-based solvents

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveburstabilityVSAvoidproduction control requirements

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the material parameter from gelatin to polystyrene, fundamentally altering the shell's properties. Polystyrene maintains adequate burstability while eliminating sensitivity to humidity and temperature, allowing production without controlled atmospheric conditions and enabling water-based paint compositions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite structure by orienting molecular lines within the polystyrene shell along circumferential lines between two poles. These oriented molecular lines are weakened to facilitate bursting on impact, combining the advantages of polystyrene (environmental stability) with the desired burstability characteristic.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Ease of manufacture

If gelatin is used for the shell, then the ball is easy to produce, but it is sensitive to humidity and temperature requiring hermetic packaging

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveproduction simplicityVSAvoidstability under environmental conditions

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the material parameter from gelatin to polystyrene, fundamentally altering the shell's properties. Polystyrene maintains adequate burstability while eliminating sensitivity to humidity and temperature, allowing production without controlled atmospheric conditions and enabling water-based paint compositions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If polystyrene is used for the shell, then production stability is improved, but the material is not biodegradable

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveproduction consistencyVSAvoidbiodegradability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the material parameter from gelatin to polystyrene, fundamentally altering the shell's properties. Polystyrene maintains adequate burstability while eliminating sensitivity to humidity and temperature, allowing production without controlled atmospheric conditions and enabling water-based paint compositions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS8342099B2Marking paint ball and method for making same

Publication Date: 2013.01.01 POLYTEK INNOVATIONS

AI summary

A marking paint ball includes a shell made of non-water-soluble polymer material and having a substantially spherical shape. A marking paint composition is contained in the shell. The shell is made of an oxo-biodegradable material. A method for making such a ball is disclosed.