Pest Control Composition Stability via Solvent Mediation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pest control products are often unstable at cold temperatures, separate into multiple phases, and provide inconsistent efficacy, unpleasant odors, and poor aesthetics, failing to meet consumer demands for natural, effective, and visually appealing solutions.
Innovation Solution
A substantially clear and colorless pest control composition comprising sodium lauryl sulfate, fatty acids or their salts, plant essential oils, and a solvent, formulated to maintain stability across a range of environmental conditions, provide improved aesthetics, and ensure consistent efficacy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If natural ingredients like plant essential oils are used in pest control products, then consumer preference and natural composition are improved, but product stability at cold temperatures deteriorates and phase separation occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a specific solvent system comprising isopropyl alcohol, triethyl citrate, and glycerin as intermediary substances to mediate between the natural essential oil ingredients and the aqueous base. This solvent mixture prevents phase separation and maintains stability at cold temperatures while preserving the natural composition of the product.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent optimizes the concentration ranges of each ingredient, particularly the solvent components (isopropyl alcohol: 5-30%, triethyl citrate: 5-30%, glycerin: 5-20%), to achieve the desired balance between natural composition and temperature stability. By carefully controlling these parameters, the formulation remains stable across a wide temperature range.
2Adaptability or versatility
If natural ingredients are used in pest control products, then natural composition is improved, but product aesthetics deteriorate due to cloudy appearance and off-color
Solution Approach 1:
The solvent system acts as an intermediary that keeps the natural essential oil ingredients fully dissolved and dispersed in the aqueous base, preventing cloudiness and maintaining a clear, colorless appearance. The specific combination of isopropyl alcohol, triethyl citrate, and glycerin ensures optimal solubility and aesthetic quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adjusts the concentration parameters of the solvent components and essential oils to achieve complete miscibility and a clear solution. By optimizing these parameters, the product maintains both natural composition and superior aesthetics with no cloudiness or discoloration.
3Reliability
If existing pest control products are used, then pest control efficacy is achieved, but consistency deteriorates due to phase separation and aggregation of active ingredients
Solution Approach 1:
The solvent system serves as a mediator that maintains uniform distribution of active ingredients throughout the formulation. By preventing phase separation, it ensures that each application delivers consistent pest control efficacy regardless of storage conditions or time.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent optimizes the concentration ratios of surfactants, solvents, and essential oils to achieve a stable microemulsion or solution structure. This parameter optimization prevents aggregation of active ingredients and ensures consistent delivery of effective concentrations with each use.
4Reliability
If existing pest control products are used, then pest control function is achieved, but scent experience deteriorates due to long-lasting unpleasant odor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and utilizes only the most desirable aromatic components from natural essential oils (citronella, eucalyptus, peppermint, tea tree) while excluding or minimizing ingredients that produce unpleasant odors. The solvent system helps maintain the fresh, natural scent profile without the development of rancid or disagreeable odors over time.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adjusts the concentration and selection of essential oil ingredients to optimize the scent profile. By carefully controlling the ratios of different essential oils and their interaction with the solvent system, the formulation provides a pleasant, fresh aroma that does not deteriorate into unpleasant odors during storage and use.
5Reliability
If existing pest control products are used, then pest control effectiveness is achieved, but surface staining occurs on countertops, floors, and other treated surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The solvent system acts as an intermediary that facilitates rapid evaporation and uniform drying on treated surfaces. The specific combination of isopropyl alcohol, triethyl citrate, and glycerin promotes quick drying without leaving behind sticky or staining residues, while still maintaining effective pest control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent optimizes the volatility and composition parameters of the solvent system to ensure rapid evaporation and non-staining properties. By adjusting the ratios of volatile and non-volatile components, the formulation dries quickly without leaving residues that could stain surfaces, while preserving full pest control effectiveness.
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 achieves stability and consistency across various temperatures, maintains a clear and single-phase appearance, and effectively controls a broad spectrum of pests, including arthropods and weeds, while offering an improved scent experience and aesthetic appeal.
Implementation Method 1
The composition achieves stability and consistency across various temperatures, maintains a clear and single-phase appearance
Implementation Method 2
from about 0.1% to about 45% by weight of the composition, preferably about 0.1% to about 20%, of a solvent selected from the group consisting of isopropyl alcohol, triethyl citrate, isopropyl myristate, propylene carbonate, ethyl lactate, butyl lactate, butyl stearate, glycerin, and mixtures thereof
Implementation Method 3
the pest control composition has a pH of about 3.0 to about 11.0... maintains a clear and single-phase appearance
Data Source
AI summary
A pest control composition comprises from about 1 wt % to about 10 wt % sodium lauryl sulfate; from about 0.01 wt % to about 10 wt % of a C6-C22 fatty acid or salt thereof; from about 0.01 wt % to about 15 wt % of an active ingredient selected from the group consisting of corn mint oil, peppermint oil, spearmint oil, rosemary oil, thyme oil, citronella oil, clove oil, cinnamon oil, cedarwood oil, garlic oil, geranium oil, lemongrass oil, geraniol, eugenol, nerol, vanillin, 2-phenylethyl propionate, menthol, menthone, thymol, carvone, camphor, methyl salicylate, p-cymene, linalool, eucalyptol/1,8-cineole, alpha-pinene, bornyl acetate, gamma-terpinene, and mixtures thereof; from about 0.1 wt % to about 45 wt % of a solvent selected from the group consisting of isopropyl alcohol, triethyl citrate, isopropyl myristate, propylene carbonate, ethyl lactate, butyl lactate, butyl stearate, glycerin, and mixtures thereof; and from about 60 wt % to about 95 wt % water.