Biodegradable bottle cap using pestalotiopsis microsporia to biodegrade waste plastic bottle

Abstract

Millions of plastic water bottles going to waste and harming the environment. Recycling is an option, but hardly becoming a practice. Biodegradable bottle cap consisting of the plastic-eating fungus pestalotiopsis microsporia, will consumes the plastic bottle and the cap so no trace is left behind. The cap is made of plastic and the fungus is contained in an aluminium casing.

Claims

1. Plastic bottle cap consisting of the plastic-eating fungus pestalotiopsis microsporia, kept in an aluminium or any other solid substance casing inside the cap to be released when the tab is pulled.

2. In the same casing mentioned above, the semi-layer of food dye or any other safe coloured liquid stored to be released when the tab is pulled.

3. When the tab is pulled the fungi is released along with colored dye and the metal solid clip locks the cap so that it cannot be used again.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS

[0004] FIG. 1 is the various sections of the top cover of the bottle cap.

[0005] FIG. 2 is the side view of the top part layers of the cap.

[0006] FIG. 3 is the outer shell of the biodegradable cap.

[0007] FIG. 4 is the outer shell of the cap as seen from above.

DETAILED DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] FIG. 1 is the bottle cap's top cover and section 1 protects the components of the cap and is made of plastic. Section 2 is the pull able tab, when it is pulled, it breaks the barrier separating the fungus and the rest of the cap, causing the fungus to consume the plastic bottle. At the same time, the tab locks the bottle so it can no longer be opened, so when the consumer is done drinking the water, they need to put the cap back on in order for the fungus to consume the bottle. Section 3 is where the food coloring is stored. When the tab breaks it open, the food coloring is released along with the fungi. Section 4 is the space where the fungi are stored. It is in the aluminium casing because so that it cannot eat through the bottle early. When the tab is pulled the fungi is released with the food coloring. Section 5 is the aluminium casing. It contains both the fungi and the food coloring. Aluminium is environmentally friendly, so it will contain the fungi prior to release. Section 6 is the bottom level of the cap. It is made of plastic and it can be opened by pulling the tab. This is the start of the process of the fungi's consumption of the bottle.

[0009] FIG. 2 is the top part layer of the cap where 1 is a protection for the top of the cap and it biodegrades with the rest of the cap. 2 is the pull able tab that pulls out the aluminium that is supporting the fungus. Upon being pulled, the tab drops the fungus into the bottle. 3 is the plastic shell of the aluminium compartment containing the fungi and the food coloring. 4 is the bottom layer of the cap. When the tab is pulled, it serves as a trapdoor for the fungus to be released into the bottle.

[0010] FIG. 3 is the outer shell of biodegradable cap. It is made of plastic which will biodegrade upon the fungi's release. 2 is the tab system. When the bottle use has finished, the tab will be pulled and it will lock into place and the bottle cannot open.

[0011] FIG. 4 is the outer shell as seen from above made of plastic. 2 is the lock system as seen from above. It is to lock the bottle in place after the fungus pestalotiopsis microsporia has been released. When the tab is pulled, it will lock in place so the bottle cannot open. 3 is the inner shell made of aluminium and holds the fungus prior to their release. It is of aluminium because it is not that bad for the environment and if it were plastic, the fungus would eat through it too early.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] To initiate the biodegradation of used plastic bottle having biodegradable bottle cap using pestalotiopsis microsporia fixed on the bottle, all that is required is to pull the tab coming out of the bottle cap. When the tab is pulled, which is connected to the aluminium casing separating the fungi from the bottle content, the tab will break the aluminium seal. The breaking of the seal after the bottle content being used, releases the fungi into the bottle to biodegrade it.

[0013] In the case of accidental brokerage of the seal during the filled bottle content the red food coloring stored along with fungus will indicate the brokerage as it will show the red color water after mixing with the content of the bottle. This will let people know that the water is not safe to drink. The cap is round, the ideal shape of a cap, and is made out of plastic from the outside. The bottle itself will be 22 cm tall, (being able to hold about 16.9 fluid ounces), with the plastic part of the cap having a diameter of approximately 2.5 centimetres and a height of 2 centimetres.

[0014] Inside the cap, there will be an aluminium casing that contains the plastic-consuming fungi. This aluminium casing will have a diameter of an estimated 2 centimetres and a height of 0.8 centimetres. The casing will keep the fungi from consuming the plastic outer layer of the cap. The cap also consists of a tab, in which one of the ends will be attached to the base of the aluminium casing. Part of the tab will protrude outside from the inside of the cap. When the tab is pulled, it will break the bottom seal of the aluminium casing, allowing the fungi to be released into the empty bottle for disposal. The fungi will fully consume the plastic within a matter of weeks. In the bottle, the cap is 3 times as high with about the same diameter as an ordinary bottle cap, to be able to contain the fungi and food dye. The invention could also have different types of colors of food dye. It can also use other materials to case the fungi.