Molded Thermoplastic Odor Control with Embedded Bacteria
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing odor control methods for non-fibrous materials, such as thermoplastics, are not effective in preventing odors from organic matter, especially in high wear applications, and raise concerns about bacterial resistance and environmental impact.
Innovation Solution
A molded Ethylene Vinyl Acetate (EVA) thermoplastic product with benign dormant bacteria embedded throughout and on its surface, which activates to digest organic matter and control odors, with abrasive wear exposing fresh bacteria for continuous odor control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If anti-microbial agents are applied to surfaces to reduce bacteria, then odour control is improved, but bacterial resistance develops and environmental harm increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using anti-microbial agents to kill bacteria, the invention uses beneficial bacteria to outcompete and suppress harmful odor-causing bacteria through biological competition. The beneficial bacteria consume organic matter and produce antimicrobial substances, reversing the approach from chemical killing to biological suppression.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces beneficial bacteria as an intermediary organism that mediates between organic matter and harmful bacteria. These bacteria consume organic matter, produce antimicrobial substances, and create an environment unfavorable for harmful bacteria, acting as a biological mediator that eliminates the need for direct chemical anti-microbial agents.
2Reliability
If dormant bacteria are applied to porous surfaces like carpet, then odour control is effective, but the method fails on nonporous surfaces such as plastic and wood
Solution Approach 1:
The invention modifies the bacterial preparation to function effectively on multiple surface types including nonporous surfaces. The formulation includes adhesion promoters and surface-active agents that enable bacteria to attach to and function on plastic, wood, and other nonporous surfaces, making the odour control solution universally applicable across different material types.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the physical and chemical parameters of the bacterial preparation to improve adhesion to nonporous surfaces. This includes modifying surface tension, adding adhesion promoters, and adjusting the formulation to work on smooth, non-absorbent surfaces rather than relying solely on porous absorption.
3Reliability
If bacteria are applied to surfaces for odour control, then initial odour control is effective, but the effect is not long-lasting in high wear applications
Solution Approach 1:
The invention embeds dormant bacteria within the material matrix during manufacturing, positioning them in advance so that they are already present and protected before wear occurs. This preliminary placement ensures that bacteria remain available throughout the product's life, providing long-lasting odour control even in high-wear applications.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention protects bacteria from wear and environmental damage by embedding them within the material matrix during manufacturing. This beforehand protection cushioning ensures that bacteria survive initial wear and remain active throughout the product's service life, maintaining odour control effectiveness over time.
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 solution provides long-lasting odor control on various surfaces, including non-fibrous materials, without the issues of bacterial resistance and environmental harm, ensuring effective and sustained odor management.
Implementation Method 1
when activated are effective to control odours by digesting the organic matter
Implementation Method 2
benign bacterial agents to consume and digest the organic matter
Implementation Method 3
abrasive wear of the surface exposes benign dormant bacteria embedded in the material to the surface of the product
Data Source
AI summary
A product capable of controlling odors arising from organic matter, and a method of making the product. The product comprises an admixture of a moldable thermoplastic and a benign dormant bacteria in a sporulated form, which admixture is formed by mixing the benign dormant bacteria into the moldable thermoplastic when the moldable thermoplastic is melted, and molding the admixture into a molded product. The benign dormant bacteria are embedded throughout the molded product, including being buried within a body of the molded product and being presented on a surface of the molded product. The benign dormant bacteria presented on the surface of the molded product are activatable upon exposure of the surface of the molded product to the organic matter, and the benign activated bacteria digest the organic matter to control production of offensive odors. Abrasive wear of the surface of the molded product exposes fresh benign dormant bacteria buried in the body to the surface for additional odor control.