Vine Shoot Composite Trellising Stakes

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Solution Overview

Problem

The systematic burning of vine shoots after pruning generates significant CO2 emissions and ecological waste, and existing agricultural accessories made from wood or metal are prone to rot and rust, leading to high replacement costs.

Innovation Solution

A composite material is developed using a plastic matrix incorporating vine shoot powder, which is produced by grinding, drying, and sieving vine shoots, and mixed with polypropylene or polylactic acid to create a lightweight, rot-proof agricultural accessory such as trellising stakes, reducing material costs and environmental impact.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If vine shoots are burned after pruning, then waste disposal is simple, but CO2 emissions increase and ecological waste is generated

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewaste disposal simplicityVSAvoidCO2 emissions
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the harmful waste (vine shoots that would be burned) into a beneficial raw material by grinding them into powder and incorporating them into composite materials for agricultural accessories, thereby eliminating CO2 emissions from burning while creating valuable products

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of discarding vine shoots through burning, the patent recovers them by collecting, grinding, and integrating the shoot powder into composite materials, transforming waste into a useful resource for manufacturing durable agricultural products

Inventive Principle:
Principle #34Discarding and recovering

2Ease of manufacture

If traditional wood or metal accessories are used for trellising, then initial manufacturing cost is lower, but they rot or rust quickly requiring frequent replacement

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinitial manufacturing costVSAvoiddurability against rot and rust
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a composite material combining plastic matrix with vine shoot powder, achieving both cost-effectiveness and enhanced durability. The composite resists rot and rust while maintaining low manufacturing costs, eliminating the need for frequent replacements of traditional wood or metal accessories

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the material parameters by incorporating vine shoot powder (at least 20% by weight) into the plastic matrix, modifying the physical and chemical properties to achieve rot-proof characteristics while maintaining structural integrity and longevity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Quantity of substance

If high proportion of vine shoot powder is used in composite material, then petroleum matrix cost is reduced, but material strength may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepetroleum matrix proportionVSAvoidcomposite material strength
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent optimizes the proportion of vine shoot powder to at least 20% by weight relative to the composite material, significantly reducing petroleum matrix usage while maintaining adequate strength through proper formulation and processing

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The composite material formulation combines plastic matrix with vine shoot powder in optimized proportions, creating a synergistic material that balances cost reduction with structural strength requirements for agricultural accessories

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 composite material minimizes waste disposal issues, lowers manufacturing costs, and provides a durable, long-lasting alternative to traditional accessories, allowing for efficient trellising and wire management without the need for frequent replacements.

Implementation Method 1

an agricultural accessory made of composite material comprising at least one matrix made of plastic material in which is incorporated a powder of vine shoots

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectComposite materials: Composite Materials

Data Source

PatentEP2905301B1Agricultural implement made using a composite material and method for obtaining said agricultural implement
Publication Date: 2018.12.12 BIDAULT STEPHANE
  • EP2905301B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2905301B1 patent drawingFigure 3~5
  • EP2905301B1 patent drawing

AI summary

The invention relates to a composite material comprising at least one plastic matrix into which vine shoot powder is incorporated. The invention also relates to a method for obtaining said composite material. The invention further relates to an agricultural accessory (1, 10) for trellising grapevines, made from the composite material according to the invention.