Solid Pest Barrier Structure for Controlled Chemical Release
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional pest management chemicals in aerosol, liquid, and pellet forms face inefficiencies in application, including high toxicological risks, environmental pollution, and short-term effectiveness, with no effective method to determine when they become ineffective or remove them from the application area.
Innovation Solution
Development of solid pest barriers in various forms, such as cords or ropes, that incorporate pest control chemicals and are adherable to structures, providing continuous coverage and controlled release over time, using materials that can biodegrade or expand to release chemicals as needed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If aerosol form pest management chemicals are applied, then pest control effectiveness is achieved, but toxicological risk to professionals and environmental pollution increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical state parameter of pest management chemicals from aerosol/liquid to solid gel form. This parameter change reduces toxicological risk by eliminating the need for aerosolization and carrier liquids, while maintaining pest control effectiveness through controlled release mechanisms inherent to the gel structure
Solution Approach 2:
The gel structure utilizes porous or matrix-based material to contain and control the release of active ingredients. This porous structure allows for sustained release of effective concentrations to pests while preventing excessive exposure to humans and environmental dispersion, thereby reducing toxicological risk
2Manufacturing precision
If liquid form pest management chemicals are applied, then even distribution over application area is achieved, but manufacturing and shipping efficiency decrease due to carrier liquid
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical state from liquid to solid gel, eliminating the need for large volumes of carrier liquid. This parameter change maintains distribution uniformity through the gel's matrix structure while dramatically improving manufacturing and shipping efficiency by concentrating the active ingredient without requiring dilute carrier solutions
Solution Approach 2:
The gel formulation combines active ingredients with a gel matrix material to create a composite structure. This composite material provides both the distribution uniformity of liquid applications and the concentration efficiency of solid forms, eliminating the inefficiency of shipping large volumes of carrier liquid
3Quantity of substance
If liquid form pest management chemicals are applied, then application dosage is controlled, but environmental pollution through runoff and percolation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical state from liquid to solid gel, which fundamentally alters the fate and transport behavior. The gel structure maintains controlled application dosage while preventing environmental pollution through runoff and percolation, as the solid matrix does not migrate like liquid chemicals
Solution Approach 2:
The gel formulation extracts or removes the mobile liquid phase that causes environmental pollution. By transitioning to a solid gel structure, the active ingredients are held in a stationary matrix that prevents migration to waterways or groundwater, eliminating the harmful runoff and percolation effects
4Area of stationary object
If pellet form pest management chemicals are deployed, then dispersion over application area is achieved, but pests can navigate between discrete pellets
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the gel into flexible sections or modules that can be deployed to cover large areas while maintaining continuous barrier integrity. Each segment contains active ingredients and can be positioned to create an unbroken barrier, preventing pests from navigating between discrete units while still achieving wide area coverage
Solution Approach 2:
The gel structure transitions from discrete zero-dimensional pellets to continuous one-dimensional or two-dimensional barriers. This dimensional change creates an uninterrupted barrier that pests cannot navigate around, while the flexible nature allows coverage of extensive areas through proper positioning and configuration
5Duration of action of moving object
If conventional pest management chemicals are applied, then short-term pest control is achieved, but frequency of reapplication increases
Solution Approach 1:
The gel structure provides continuous release of active ingredients over extended periods, maintaining persistent pest control effectiveness. This continuous action eliminates the gaps between reapplications required by conventional chemicals, significantly reducing reapplication frequency and time loss
Solution Approach 2:
The gel formulation incorporates sufficient active ingredient reservoir and controlled release mechanisms to provide long-lasting effectiveness from a single application. This preliminary action of loading the gel with sustained-release capabilities eliminates the need for frequent follow-up applications
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 solid pest barriers offer prolonged pest control with reduced toxicological risks, efficient use of chemicals, and the ability to determine when they need replenishing or removal, minimizing environmental impact.
Implementation Method 1
The plurality of microchannels are dimensioned and configured to retain a pest control chemical within the plurality of microchannels using capillary forces
Data Source
AI summary
Described are systems, devices, compositions of matter, and methods associated with solid pest barriers. The solid pest barrier can comprise one or more pest control chemical(s), such as an insecticide, a pesticide, an herbicide, and/or the like. Solid pest barrier can be configured to degrade or weather over time, thereby releasing pest control chemical(s). Solid pest barrier can further comprise a curable or cross-linkable material mixed with pest control chemical(s). This mixture can be extruded to form the solid pest barrier. Alternatively, solid pest barrier can comprise an inner chamber or pores that are configured to releasably retain the pest control chemical(s). Solid pest barrier can comprise flexible materials that are woven together, with pores being formed within the flexible materials and also between the flexible materials once woven together to form the solid pest barrier. Such pores can be dimensioned and configured to releasably retain therein/therebetween pest control chemical(s).