PBS Biodegradable Plastic Ball for Home Composting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current plastic balls used in airsoft games and other applications, particularly those made of non-biodegradable ABS, contribute to environmental waste due to non-degradability, while biodegradable alternatives like PLA require industrial composting and have complex manufacturing processes, and existing biodegradable solutions are not suitable for all applications.
Innovation Solution
A biodegradable plastic ball made from polybutylene succinate (PBS) polymer and additives, processed through injection molding and finishing techniques, which degrades at lower temperatures, allowing for self-degradation under natural conditions and compatibility with existing manufacturing processes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If non-biodegradable ABS plastic is used for ball manufacturing, then manufacturing simplicity and cost-effectiveness are improved, but environmental harm worsens due to waste accumulation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter from non-biodegradable ABS to biodegradable PBS polymer, transforming the environmental properties while maintaining manufacturing compatibility. This parameter change enables the ball to decompose naturally into water and carbon dioxide, resolving the environmental harm issue without sacrificing manufacturing simplicity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adopts a disposable approach by using biodegradable PBS material that can naturally decompose after use. This eliminates the need for complex collection and recycling systems, allowing the balls to be discarded and naturally broken down in the environment, thus resolving the contradiction between manufacturing simplicity and environmental harm
2Object-generated harmful factors
If biodegradable PLA plastic is used for ball manufacturing, then environmental harm is reduced, but degradation speed worsens requiring industrial composting
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the polymer type from PLA to PBS, fundamentally altering the degradation temperature parameter. PBS degrades at significantly lower temperatures (below 60°C) compared to PLA, enabling home composting conditions and achieving faster degradation without requiring industrial composting facilities
3Duration of action of stationary object
If organic core is added to promote faster biodegradation, then degradation speed is improved, but manufacturing complexity and cost worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the complex organic core structure from the ball design. By using PBS polymer throughout the entire ball matrix, the invention removes the need for multi-layer construction and core-shell arrangements, simplifying manufacturing while maintaining fast degradation properties
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies homogeneity by using PBS polymer uniformly throughout the entire ball structure rather than creating heterogeneous core-shell structures. This uniform composition simplifies the injection molding process and eliminates the complexity of arranging and sealing organic cores, while the PBS material itself provides the desired fast biodegradation
4Temperature
If industrial composting is required for PLA balls, then degradation temperature is improved, but accessibility and ease of disposal worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the degradation temperature parameter from high (industrial composting above 60°C) to low (home composting below 60°C) by switching from PLA to PBS polymer. This makes the disposal process accessible to ordinary consumers in their home environments, eliminating the need for specialized industrial facilities
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables self-service disposal by allowing consumers to compost the balls themselves in home environments. The PBS material's ability to degrade at low temperatures means users can directly dispose of used balls in home compost bins without needing to access industrial composting facilities, making the system self-sufficient and highly accessible
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 PBS-based biodegradable plastic balls can be composted in home systems, reducing environmental impact and offering a cost-effective, practical solution for various applications, including airsoft games and industrial uses, with customizable properties for different purposes.
Implementation Method 1
PBS polymer degrades at a significantly lower temperature compared to PLA plastic, breaking down into biomass, water and carbon dioxide at temperatures as low as 30° C., making it suitable for composting in home composting systems or open-air landfills.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a ball, comprising a biodegradable polymer and one or more additives, such as an electrostatic charge eliminating additive, a density increasing additive, a strength/hardness modifier and/or the like added to the polymer mass during the compounding step. The ball is manufactured by a process generally applicable to the manufacture of polymers, such as injection molding, into a substantially spherical shape and grinding and/or polishing it to its final shape by means of double-sided lapping, barrel tumbling and/or the like. The biodegradable polymer used in the ball is polybutylene succinate (PBS).