NOVEL SELF-REPAIRING CROP COVER FILM

Abstract

This invention discloses a novel biodegradable, self-repairing crop cover film for protecting crops from environmental stressors. The film utilizes self-healing polymers and hydrophilic channels for moisture regulation, UV protection, and temperature control, promoting sustainability and enhancing crop yields.

Specification

Description:FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to the field of agricultural technology, specifically crop protection systems. It focuses on biodegradable, self-healing films that enhance crop yield while promoting environmental sustainability.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Traditional crop covers, primarily made from non-biodegradable plastics, are widely used in agriculture to protect crops from various environmental stressors (pests, extreme weather, moisture loss). However, these films have several significant drawbacks. They are susceptible to damage from pests, birds, or farm machinery, requiring frequent replacement or manual repairs, leading to increased labor costs and generating significant plastic waste. Their disposal poses environmental challenges.
Existing films often struggle to provide optimal moisture regulation. Some trap excessive moisture, leading to crop rot, while others allow excessive evaporation, resulting in drought stress. These films typically provide limited protection against ultraviolet (UV) radiation, which can damage plant tissues and reduce crop yield. The lack of precise temperature control can also negatively impact plant growth and development.
The agricultural industry is increasingly focused on sustainable practices. There is a growing need for biodegradable and compostable alternatives to conventional plastic films that reduce environmental impact and minimize waste. However, many biodegradable films currently available lack the durability, strength, and protective properties of their plastic counterparts.
Self-healing materials are an emerging field with the potential for creating more robust and durable agricultural films. However, the integration of self-healing properties into biodegradable crop cover films with controlled moisture regulation, UV protection, and temperature control remains a significant technological challenge.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts, in a simplified format, that are further described in the detailed description of the invention.
This summary is neither intended to identify key or essential inventive concepts of the invention and nor is it intended for determining the scope of the invention.
To further clarify advantages and features of the present invention, a more particular description of the invention will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof, which is illustrated in the appended drawings. It is appreciated that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope. The invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail with the accompanying drawings.
This invention discloses a novel biodegradable, self-repairing crop cover film designed to protect crops from environmental stressors while promoting sustainability. The film is composed of specifically formulated biodegradable elastomers and self-healing polymers, allowing for autonomous repair of small punctures and tears. It incorporates precisely engineered hydrophilic channels and UV-stabilizing agents for optimal moisture regulation, UV protection, and temperature control, leading to enhanced crop growth and protection. The film biodegrades naturally after its useful life, eliminating the need for manual removal and disposal.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The illustrated embodiments of the subject matter will be understood by reference to the drawings, wherein like parts are designated by like numerals throughout. The following description is intended only by way of example, and simply illustrates certain selected embodiments of devices, systems, and methods that are consistent with the subject matter as claimed herein, wherein:
FIGURE 1: NOVEL SELF-REPAIRING CROP COVER FILM
The figures depict embodiments of the present subject matter for the purposes of illustration only. A person skilled in the art will easily recognize from the following description that alternative embodiments of the structures and methods illustrated herein may be employed without departing from the principles of the disclosure described herein.
The self-repairing crop cover film is constructed from a unique blend of biodegradable elastomers and self-healing polymer materials. The elastomer provides flexibility and strength, allowing the film to conform to various crop shapes and withstand environmental stressors. The self-healing polymers are integrated into the elastomer matrix and designed to respond to specific environmental triggers, such as temperature and UV light.
The self-healing capability is achieved through a reversible covalent bonding system within the polymer structure. This system allows the material to dynamically reform bonds when exposed to certain conditions. When the film experiences damage (e.g., a puncture), the heat from sunlight or an increase in ambient temperature activates the polymer chains at the site of the damage. This activation causes the polymer chains to realign and re-bond, effectively sealing the puncture. The healing process begins as soon as the environmental conditions are favorable. Within minutes to hours, depending on the size of the damage and ambient conditions, the film can restore its integrity without requiring any manual repairs.
The film is made from materials that are fully biodegradable, composed of natural biopolymers or modified synthetic polymers that break down into non-toxic by-products after their useful life. The degradation process can be timed to coincide with the end of the growing season, allowing the film to naturally decompose in the field without any need for removal.
The film incorporates hydrophilic channels within its structure, designed to absorb and retain moisture during dry periods. The moisture retention is facilitated by the film's hydrophilic properties, which attract water vapor from the air. Conversely, in high humidity, the film allows excess moisture to evaporate through micro-perforations, preventing waterlogging and maintaining optimal soil moisture levels. This dual capability helps to balance moisture retention and release, providing crops with a consistent water supply.
The self-repairing crop cover film includes UV stabilizing agents embedded within its matrix. These agents effectively filter harmful UV rays, allowing only beneficial light wavelengths to pass through. This protects crops from UV damage while ensuring adequate light for photosynthesis. Furthermore, the film provides a thermal insulation layer that moderates temperature fluctuations, reducing the risk of frost damage in cold conditions and heat stress in high temperatures.
The film can be produced in various configurations, allowing for customization based on specific agricultural needs. The thickness of the film can be adjusted to suit different crops and environmental conditions. Thicker films may be used for robust crops requiring extra protection, while thinner films may be suitable for delicate plants. The permeability of the film can be tailored to optimize moisture management based on local climate conditions, ensuring effective moisture retention or drainage as needed. The film can be manufactured in various colors or levels of opacity to control light penetration, further enhancing its adaptability to different crop types and growing environments.
The self-repairing crop cover film is designed for easy application and installation. It can be rolled out over crops manually or mechanically, adhering to the soil or plant surface without the need for additional fasteners. The lightweight nature of the film allows for efficient handling, reducing labor during installation.
The film provides several performance benefits, including: the self-repairing feature minimizes the need for manual repairs, significantly lowering labor costs associated with crop maintenance. Its biodegradable nature aligns with modern agricultural practices that emphasize environmental stewardship, reducing plastic waste in the agricultural sector. By providing a controlled growing environment through moisture regulation and UV protection, the film enhances crop health and can lead to increased yields.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The detailed description of various exemplary embodiments of the disclosure is described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that the embodiments are described herein in such details as to clearly communicate the disclosure. However, the amount of details provided herein is not intended to limit the anticipated variations of embodiments; on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims.
It is also to be understood that various arrangements may be devised that, although not explicitly described or shown herein, embody the principles of the present disclosure. Moreover, all statements herein reciting principles, aspects, and embodiments of the present disclosure, as well as specific examples, are intended to encompass equivalents thereof.
The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of example embodiments. As used herein, the singular forms "a"," "an" and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms "comprises," "comprising," "includes" and/or "including," when used herein, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components and/or groups thereof.
It should also be noted that in some alternative implementations, the functions/acts noted may occur out of the order noted in the figures. For example, two figures shown in succession may, in fact, be executed concurrently or may sometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon the functionality/acts involved.
In addition, the descriptions of "first", "second", "third", and the like in the present invention are used for the purpose of description only, and are not to be construed as indicating or implying their relative importance or implicitly indicating the number of technical features indicated. Thus, features defining "first" and "second" may include at least one of the features, either explicitly or implicitly.
Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which example embodiments belong. It will be further understood that terms, e.g., those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.
The novel self-repairing crop cover film is constructed from a specifically formulated blend of biodegradable elastomers and self-healing polymers. The elastomers provide flexibility, strength, and conformability, allowing the film to adapt to various crop shapes and withstand environmental stressors such as wind and rain. The self-healing polymers, integrated into the elastomer matrix, are designed to respond to specific environmental triggers (e.g., heat from sunlight, mechanical stress). The precise chemical composition of the elastomers and polymers is proprietary.
The self-healing mechanism operates through a reversible covalent bonding system within the polymer network. When the film is damaged, heat or mechanical stress activates the self-healing polymers. These polymers migrate to the damage site and reform chemical bonds, effectively sealing the tear or puncture. This process is repeatable without significantly degrading the film's overall integrity or performance. The time required for self-healing varies depending on the size of the damage and environmental conditions.
The film incorporates a precisely engineered network of hydrophilic channels within its structure to facilitate controlled moisture regulation. These channels absorb atmospheric moisture during dry periods and gradually release it to the plants. Conversely, in humid conditions, excess moisture is released through the channels, preventing waterlogging and root rot. The size and density of the hydrophilic channels can be adjusted to optimize moisture regulation for various crops and climates. The film also contains UV-stabilizing agents to minimize harmful UV radiation, protecting plants from sun damage while allowing sufficient light penetration for photosynthesis.
The film is designed for complete biodegradability and compostability. It decomposes naturally at the end of its useful life, minimizing plastic waste and promoting environmental sustainability. The degradation rate can be adjusted to coincide with the end of the growing season. This inherent biodegradability eliminates the need for manual removal and disposal, further reducing labor costs and environmental impact.
, Claims:1. A biodegradable, self-repairing crop cover film comprising a blend of biodegradable elastomers and self-healing polymers, characterized by its autonomous repair capability.
2. The film as claimed in claim 1, wherein said self-healing polymers facilitate the autonomous repair of small punctures and tears through reversible covalent bonding activated by heat or mechanical stress.
3. The film as claimed in claim 2, further characterized by the incorporation of hydrophilic channels for controlled moisture regulation and UV-stabilizing agents for protection against UV radiation damage.
4. The film as claimed in claim 3, wherein said film biodegrades naturally at the end of its useful life, minimizing environmental impact and waste.
5. A method of protecting crops from environmental stressors comprising: providing a layer of the film as claimed in claim 1 over a crop; allowing said film to provide protection against pests, extreme weather, and UV radiation; and allowing said film to self-repair from small punctures and tears.
6. The film as claimed in claim 1, wherein the thickness and permeability of the film are adjustable to suit various crop types and environmental conditions.
7. The film as claimed in claim 1, wherein said elastomers and self-healing polymers are derived from renewable resources.
8. The film as claimed in claim 1, wherein said film provides enhanced temperature regulation.
9. The film as claimed in claim 1, wherein the degradation rate of the film is adjustable and can be timed to coincide with the end of the growing season.
10. The film as claimed in claim 1, wherein said film exhibits improved resistance to tearing and puncture compared to conventional plastic films.

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