In Situ Peroxyformic Acid Teat Dip for Mastitis Control

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current teat dip compositions for dairy cattle often irritate bovine teats, leave undesirable residues, and have limited stability, failing to provide adequate antimicrobial efficacy against mastitis-causing microorganisms.

Innovation Solution

A peroxyformic acid forming composition comprising hydrogen peroxide and an ester of an alcohol and formic acid, which generates peroxyformic acid in situ, providing antimicrobial efficacy while being gentle and residue-free, with a stable self-indication chemistry.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional antimicrobial agents (iodophors, hypochlorites, etc.) are used in teat dip compositions, then antimicrobial efficacy against mastitis-causing microorganisms is achieved, but the composition irritates bovine teats and leaves undesirable residues

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveantimicrobial efficacyVSAvoidteat irritation and residue

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical parameters by using peroxyformic acid (a different class of antimicrobial agent) instead of conventional agents like iodophors or hypochlorites. This parameter change achieves antimicrobial efficacy while eliminating teat irritation and undesirable residues, as peroxyformic acid decomposes into harmless byproducts (formic acid and oxygen).

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs a short-living antimicrobial agent (peroxyformic acid) that decomposes rapidly into harmless substances. This disposable approach ensures the antimicrobial acts effectively during the treatment period then disappears without leaving persistent residues on the teats, unlike conventional agents that leave long-lasting residues.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

2Reliability

If teat dip compositions provide adequate kill rate to prevent mastitis, then antimicrobial effectiveness is improved, but the composition is not stable enough to provide adequate kill more than a few hours after preparation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveantimicrobial effectivenessVSAvoidcomposition stability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by preparing the peroxyformic acid composition immediately before use. The composition is mixed and applied within a short time window (within a few hours) to ensure adequate stability and effectiveness during the critical application period, avoiding the need for long-term storage stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent embraces the dynamic nature of peroxyformic acid by accepting its time-limited stability and implementing a use-it-fresh approach. The composition's effectiveness is optimized during its stable period (first few hours), after which it naturally decomposes, eliminating the need for long-term stability while maintaining peak effectiveness during application.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Object-affected harmful factors

If additional ingredients (emollients, dyes) are added to prevent irritation, then teat comfort is improved, but the antimicrobial function is interfered with and kill rate becomes insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveteat comfortVSAvoidantimicrobial function

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and eliminates the need for additional soothing ingredients (emollients, dyes) by using peroxyformic acid as the base antimicrobial agent. This agent inherently provides both antimicrobial efficacy and teat comfort without requiring supplementary ingredients that would interfere with antimicrobial function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent achieves multi-functionality with peroxyformic acid, which simultaneously provides antimicrobial efficacy and teat comfort in a single composition. This eliminates the need for separate emollient or dye additives, as the peroxyformic acid itself fulfills both the antimicrobial and comfort requirements without functional interference.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 kills mastitis-causing microorganisms, is gentle on bovine teats, and leaves no non-food-based residues, offering improved antimicrobial protection and stability.

Implementation Method 1

A peroxyformic acid forming composition comprising hydrogen peroxide and an ester of an alcohol and formic acid, which generates peroxyformic acid in situ

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectChemical reaction: Chemical Bonding

Implementation Method 2

providing antimicrobial efficacy against mastitis-causing microorganisms

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectOxidation: Oxidation

Data Source

PatentUS11771673B2On site generated performic acid compositions for teat treatment

Publication Date: 2023.10.03 ECOLAB USA INC

AI summary

The present disclosure relates generally to peroxyformic acid forming compositions and methods for forming peroxyformic acid, preferably in situ, and peroxyformic acid formed by said compositions and methods for the purpose of treating an animal tissue and providing an antimicrobial function thereon. present disclosure in particular relates to a residue-free teat treatment composition for the treatment of an animal tissue, especially bovine teats, which provides antimicrobial efficacy and does not leave a non-food ingredient residue on treated teats.