Plantable Case With Water-Soluble Seed Release for Germination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing plantable devices face the challenge of the biodegradation speed differing significantly from seed germination speed, leading to hindered seed germination and low germination rates due to the material's presence.
Innovation Solution
A plantable device with a compostable device body and a water-soluble covering element that retains seeds, allowing for the seeds to be released and germinate without being suffocated by the material, using materials like Ceroflex® FB 3416 and polyvinyl alcohol film.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If seeds are dispersed within the biodegradable case material, then environmental impact is reduced, but seed germination is hindered due to suffocation by the material
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the case structure into two distinct parts: a biodegradable case body and a separate water-soluble covering element. The seeds are placed in the housing that is sealed by the covering element, not dispersed within the case material itself. This segmentation allows the covering element to dissolve and release seeds while the case body provides structural support and protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts the seed containment function from the biodegradable case material and places it in a separate water-soluble covering element. This extraction allows the covering element to perform the specific function of seed release through dissolution, while the case material focuses on providing structural support and can be made from various materials including non-compostable options.
2Reliability
If a water-soluble covering element is used to retain seeds, then seed germination is enabled, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The water-soluble covering element is designed as a temporary, disposable component that serves its purpose during the planting phase and then dissolves away. Made from inexpensive materials like polyvinyl alcohol film, it provides a simple and effective mechanism for seed release without requiring complex mechanisms or expensive materials. The covering element is applied to seal the housing during use, then dissolves when exposed to water to enable seed germination.
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
Ensures unhindered seed germination and growth by controlling the release of seeds through the dissolution of the covering layer, ensuring sufficient seed germination and plant colonization, even when made from non-compostable materials.
Implementation Method 1
a water-soluble covering element (6) arranged to cover the housing (4) for retaining the plurality of seeds (S) therein
Implementation Method 2
The case is plantable in the soil, for example in a pot, and the dispensing of water promotes both the biodegradation/composting of the case material and the germination of the seeds embedded therein
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein is a plantable device for growing plant varieties, comprising a device body, a housing provided on the device body, a first plurality of seeds of one or more plant varieties, arranged in the housing, a water-soluble covering element arranged to cover said housing for retaining the plurality of seeds therein.