Starch-Based Paintball Shell Durability and Breakability

Solution Overview

Problem

Paintballs used in simulated wargames are hazardous due to high velocity and potential for causing pain upon impact, and they are not commercially viable for hand-thrown use by children as they do not break on impact and are expensive to ship.

Innovation Solution

A method involving a mixture of vegetable glycerin, distilled water, calcium chloride, cornstarch, and dye is used to create paintballs that can be hand-thrown, break on impact, and survive shipping, involving steps like heating and cooling solutions, squirting the paint mixture into a sodium alginate solution, and heating the paintballs in a glycerin and water solution to form a durable yet breakable paintball.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If paintballs are made durable to withstand shipping, then they survive transportation, but they do not break on impact when thrown by hand

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedurability during shippingVSAvoidbreakability on impact

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by controlling the gelatinization temperature and composition of the starch-based shell. By adjusting the starch type, gelatinization temperature, and cross-linking degree, the shell achieves optimal balance between durability for shipping and breakability on impact. The shell contains 5-20% starch by weight, with specific gelatinization temperatures that enable this dual functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses composite materials by combining starch-based polymers with cross-linking agents and plasticizers. The shell is formed from a composite of gelatinized starch, cross-linking agents (such as calcium chloride or sodium tripolyphosphate), and plasticizers (such as glycerol or sorbitol). This composite structure provides both the durability needed for shipping and the controlled breakability required for safe impact.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Object-affected harmful factors

If paintballs are made to break on impact, then they are safe for hand-thrown use, but they do not survive shipping

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesafety upon impactVSAvoiddurability during shipping

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by controlling the gelatinization temperature and composition of the starch-based shell. By adjusting the starch type, gelatinization temperature, and cross-linking degree, the shell achieves optimal balance between durability for shipping and breakability on impact. The shell contains 5-20% starch by weight, with specific gelatinization temperatures that enable this dual functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses composite materials by combining starch-based polymers with cross-linking agents and plasticizers. The shell is formed from a composite of gelatinized starch, cross-linking agents (such as calcium chloride or sodium tripolyphosphate), and plasticizers (such as glycerol or sorbitol). This composite structure provides both the durability needed for shipping and the controlled breakability required for safe impact.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Ease of manufacture

If paintballs are made with traditional materials, then they are inexpensive to manufacture, but they cause pain upon high-velocity impact

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing costVSAvoidpain upon impact

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by controlling the gelatinization temperature and composition of the starch-based shell. By adjusting the starch type, gelatinization temperature, and cross-linking degree, the shell achieves optimal balance between durability for shipping and breakability on impact. The shell contains 5-20% starch by weight, with specific gelatinization temperatures that enable this dual functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses composite materials by combining starch-based polymers with cross-linking agents and plasticizers. The shell is formed from a composite of gelatinized starch, cross-linking agents (such as calcium chloride or sodium tripolyphosphate), and plasticizers (such as glycerol or sorbitol). This composite structure provides both the durability needed for shipping and the controlled breakability required for safe impact.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

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 method produces paintballs that are safe to throw by hand, break on impact, and are durable enough to withstand shipping, making them commercially viable and safe for use by children.

Implementation Method 1

squirting solution into solution of sodium alginate and distilled water

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGelation: Gel

Implementation Method 2

heating the paintballs in a glycerin and distilled water solution at about 116° C. for 40 about minutes

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeat treatment: Heat Treatment

Data Source

PatentUS10184765B1Throwable paint balls and method of manufacture

Publication Date: 2019.01.22 GARDELL BRIANA

AI summary

A method of making a throwable paintball is provided. The method includes providing a first solution of sodium alginate and water; a second solution of water, glycerin, cornstarch, calcium chloride and dye; introducing the second solution into the first solution, forming the paintball; rinsing the paintball; heating the paintballs and storing the paintball in a glycerin and water solution. A throwable paintball manufactured according to the method is also provided.