Starch Planter Pots with Silicon Coating for Root Protection

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional plastic planter pots cause root trauma during transplanting and contribute to non-biodegradable waste, while degradable options like compressed peat moss are fragile and lack features of plastic pots.

Innovation Solution

Biodegradable planter pots made from starch with a food-grade silicon outer layer, providing durability and water resistance, allowing for easy handling and composting without harming plant roots.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If conventional plastic pots are used, then durability and water resistance are improved, but biodegradability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovedurabilityVSAvoidnon-biodegradable waste

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a composite structure with an inner starch-based biodegradable layer and an outer silicone protective layer. The starch layer provides biodegradability while the silicone layer provides durability and water resistance. This composite approach resolves the contradiction by combining materials with complementary properties.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Object-generated harmful factors

If degradable materials like compressed peat moss are used, then biodegradability is improved, but structural strength and handling ease deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovebiodegradabilityVSAvoidstructural strength

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-generated harmful factorsVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines starch-based biodegradable material with a silicone protective layer. The starch layer ensures biodegradability while the silicone layer reinforces structural strength and improves handling. This composite structure resolves the contradiction between biodegradability and structural integrity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Object-generated harmful factors

If degradable materials are used, then environmental impact is improved, but water resistance deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenvironmental impactVSAvoidwater resistance

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-generated harmful factorsVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a starch-based inner layer for biodegradability and an outer silicone layer for water resistance. The silicone layer acts as a protective barrier that prevents water penetration while allowing the inner starch layer to remain biodegradable. This resolves the contradiction between environmental friendliness and water resistance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

4Ease of manufacture

If plastic pots are used, then ease of manufacture is improved, but root trauma during transplanting worsens

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of manufactureVSAvoidroot trauma

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a biodegradable starch-based pot that can be directly planted in the ground, eliminating the need for transplanting. The pot serves its purpose temporarily and then degrades naturally, avoiding root trauma while remaining cost-effective and easy to manufacture.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

5Object-generated harmful factors

If biodegradable materials are used, then compostability is improved, but handling ease deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovecompostabilityVSAvoidhandling ease

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-generated harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines a starch-based biodegradable layer with a silicone protective layer. The silicone layer provides a smooth, non-stick surface that improves handling ease, while the starch layer maintains compostability. This composite structure resolves the contradiction between compostability and handling ease.

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 biodegradable starch pots with a silicon coating offer improved handling and water resistance, reducing root trauma and waste, while decomposing into nutrients for the soil, promoting healthier plant growth and reducing environmental impact.

Implementation Method 1

The planter pot is defined by an outer surface comprising a water-resistant food grade silicon layer coating

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectWater resistance: Hydrophobe

Implementation Method 2

The planter pot is biodegradable (e.g., about 100 percent biodegradable)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBiodegradation: Decomposition (biological)

Data Source

PatentUS11895957B2Biodegradable planter pots comprising starch and an outer silicon layer

Publication Date: 2024.02.13 VENNESLAND TORKILD BENN

AI summary

Biodegradable planter pots constructed from starch and an outer silicon layer. The starch provides a biodegradable and/or compostable characteristic to the pot, allowing it to be broken down into the soil after the pot has been planted. The outer silicon layer provides durability to the pots, allowing them to retain their shape for an additional period of time and withstand handling, while also retaining the biodegradable characteristics of the pots. Advantageously, the pots allow seedlings and seeds to be directly deposited into the soil, while also providing structure to the plant for the initial growth period. Advantageously, the pots provide a stable structural support that is hardy and/or water-resistant but can also being broken down as the plant grows.