U.S. patent application number 10/852541 was filed with the patent office on 2004-10-28 for manufacture and use of an deposition aid.
This patent application is currently assigned to Helena Chemical Company. Invention is credited to Mack, Robert, Roberts, Johnnie R., Volgas, Greg.
Application Number | 20040211234 10/852541 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 26873274 |
Filed Date | 2004-10-28 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040211234 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Volgas, Greg ; et
al. |
October 28, 2004 |
Manufacture and use of an deposition aid
Abstract
The invention pertains to a method for increasing the activity
of agrichemicals and controlling their drift by specially
formulating an deposition agent with fertilizer. This unique
combination has been seen to allow lower use rates of fertilizers
as pesticide efficacy enhancers and improved deposition of
sprays.
Inventors: |
Volgas, Greg; (Bartlett,
TN) ; Roberts, Johnnie R.; (Arlington, TN) ;
Mack, Robert; (Bartlett, TN) |
Correspondence
Address: |
CONNOLLY BOVE LODGE & HUTZ, LLP
P O BOX 2207
WILMINGTON
DE
19899
US
|
Assignee: |
Helena Chemical Company
|
Family ID: |
26873274 |
Appl. No.: |
10/852541 |
Filed: |
May 24, 2004 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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10852541 |
May 24, 2004 |
|
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|
09734637 |
Dec 12, 2000 |
|
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60177420 |
Jan 21, 2000 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
71/64.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A01N 25/10 20130101;
C05G 3/60 20200201 |
Class at
Publication: |
071/064.1 |
International
Class: |
C05G 005/00 |
Claims
1. A homogenous composition comprising (a) at least one fertilizer
and (b) at least one deposition or drift agent, with the proviso
that there is no silicone defoaming agent in the composition.
2. The composition as claimed in claim 1, wherein said fertilizer
comprises (a) a water soluble nitrogen-containing fertilizer, (b) a
water-insoluble nitrogen containing fertilizer, (c) a
non-nitrogen-containing fertilizer (d) or a mixture thereof.
3. The composition as claimed in claim 1, wherein said deposition
or drift agent is a non-derivatized guar gum, cationic guar gum,
non-cationic guar gum, or mixtures thereof or a polyacrylamide
polymer.
4. The composition as claimed in claim 1, which further comprises a
pesticide.
5. The composition as claimed in claim 2, wherein said deposition
or drift agent is a non-derivatized guar gum, cationic guar gum,
non-cationic guar gum, or mixtures thereof or a polyacrylamide
polymer.
6. The composition as claimed in claim 1, which further comprises a
pesticide.
7. A homogenous composition comprising (a) at least one fertilizer
and (b) at least one deposition or drift reducing agent wherein if
a drift reducing agent is used, said drift reducing agent is
present in the amount of at least 12.5% by weight based on the
total weight of the composition.
8. The composition as claimed in claim 7, wherein said fertilizer
is ammonium sulfate.
9. The composition as claimed in claim 7, wherein said deposition
or drift reducing agent is a non-derivatized guar gum, cationic
guar gum, non-cationic guar gum, or mixtures thereof, or a
polyacrylamide polymer.
10. The composition as claimed in claim 8, wherein said deposition
or drift reducing agent is a non-derivatized guar gum, cationic
guar gum, non-cationic guar gum, or mixtures thereof, or a
polyacrylamide polymer.
11. The composition as claimed in claim 7, which further comprises
a pesticide.
12. The composition as claimed in claim 10, which further comprises
a pesticide.
13. A homogenous composition comprising (a) at least one deposition
or drift reducing agent (b) at least one fertilizer (c) at least
12.5% by weight of a silicone defoaming agent based on the total
weight of the composition
14. The composition as claimed in claim 13, wherein said fertilizer
is ammonium sulfate.
15. The composition as claimed in claim 13, wherein said deposition
or drift reducing agent is non-derivatized guar gum, cationic guar
gum, non-cationic guar gum, or mixtures thereof or a polyacrylamide
polymer.
16. The composition as claimed in claim 14, wherein said deposition
or drift reducing agent is non-derivatized guar gum, cationic guar
gum, non-cationic guar gum, or mixtures thereof or a polyacrylamide
polymer.
17. The composition as claimed in claim 13, which further comprises
a pesticide.
18. The composition as claimed in claim 16, which further comprises
a pesticide.
19. A homogenous composition comprising (a) at least one
non-nitrogen-containing fertilizer. (b) at least one deposition or
drift reducing agent.
20. The composition as claimed in claim 19, which further comprises
at least one defoaming agent.
21. The composition as claimed in claim 19, wherein said fertilizer
is mono-potassium phosphate.
22. The composition as claimed in claim 20, wherein said fertilizer
is mono-potassium phosphate.
23. The composition as claimed in claim 19, wherein said deposition
or drift reducing agent is a non-derivatized guar gum, cationic
guar gum, non-cationic guar gum, or mixtures thereof or a
polyacrylamide polymer.
24. The composition as claimed in claim 22, wherein said deposition
or drift reducing agent is a non-derivatized guar gum, cationic
guar gum, non-cationic guar gum, or mixtures thereof or a
polyacrylamide polymer.
25. The composition as claimed in claim 19, wherein said defoaming
agent is a silicone based defoamer.
26. The composition as claimed in claim 24, wherein said defoaming
agent is a silicone based defoamer.
27. The composition as claimed in claim 19, which further comprises
a pesticide.
28. The composition as claimed in claim 26, which further comprises
a pesticide.
29-51. (cancelled)
Description
[0001] This application claims benefit to provisional Ser. No.
60/177,420 Filed Jan. 21, 2000, which is incorporated by reference
in its entirety for all useful purposes.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Polyacrylamide or polyvinyl polymers and natural gums, like
guar gum, have been used for several years as deposition or drift
reducing agents. U.S. Pat. No. 5,964,917 has shown the benefits of
nitrogenous fertilizers, non-derivatized guar gum, cationic guar
gum, and non-cationic guar gum, and mixtures, thereof and a
silicone defoamer. One problem of this patented formulation is that
it must include a silicone defoamer. Another problem with this
formulation is the reliance on nitrogenous fertilizers. This
formulation is also restricted unnecessarily to a dry form. The
amount of nitrogenous fertilizer required is unnecessarily high
with relation to the amount of guar. Finally, this prior art is
restricted to using non-derivatized guar gum, cationic guar gum,
and non-cationic guar gum, and mixtures, thereof. It would be
beneficial to use other less expensive drift control agents or
deposition agents.
[0003] A product currently on the market contains 1% of a
polyacrylamide polymer and roughly 10-20% of ammonia salts (sulfate
or carboxylic acid) and 1-2% a silicone defoamer. This product is a
liquid and does not perform adequately in some instances due to the
low level of polyacrylamide polymer used.
[0004] Other liquid products currently available contain 30-35%
ammonia sulfate, 1-2% polyacrylamide and a silicone defoamer at
1-3%.
[0005] Other dry products currently being marketed have some of the
same limitations of the patented product described above.
Specifically, these products contain about 1-5% of polyacrylamide
or polyvinyl polymers, 90-96% of ammonia salts (Ammonia
carboxylate, sulfate and polyacrylate) and 1-2% of a silicone
defoamer.
[0006] Another liquid product contains 1-2% modified guar gum,
30-35% ammonia sulfate, and no defoamer. A similar product
contained the same amounts as this one, but also included 5-10% of
diethylene glycol as an anti-freeze.
[0007] Another liquid product contains 20-30% ammonia sulfate and
water, and in another layer of the liquid, contains aromatic acids
and aliphatic petroleum distillates.
[0008] Another dry product on the market contains 5-10% of a blend
of polyacrylamide polymers and xantham gum, and 90-95% ammonia
sulfate and 1-5% silicone defoamer.
[0009] In U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,529,975 and 5,525,575, Chamberlain
describes the use of oils and water to produce stable dispersions
of acrylamide polymers for deposition and drift control.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] The present invention is a homogenous agricultural
composition containing at least one fertilizer or oil and at least
one deposition agent. Our new discovery is that lower rates of
nitrogenous fertilizers and correspondingly higher rates of
non-derivatized guar gum, cationic guar gum, and non-cationic guar
gum, and mixtures, thereof can also provide benefits to
agricultural applicators. Furthermore, we have discovered
alternatives to nitrogenous fertilizers that when combined with
non-derivatized guar gum, cationic guar gum, and non-cationic guar
gum, and mixtures, thereof, provide beneficial spray
characteristics. Also, we have discovered that other deposition
agents can be added to fertilizers to enhance their efficiency. The
use of defoamers is helpful, but not required. We have also
discovered a way to deliver the benefits of natural gums in liquid
oil-based compositions. In many cases, the oil provides the same
benefits as the fertilizer; i.e. increased pesticide efficacy and
easier use of the deposition and drift control agent.
[0011] The nitrogenous fertilizers of the present invention
include, but are not limited to:
[0012] Ammonia salts; including but not limited to:
[0013] Ammonium sulfate,
[0014] Ammonium bisulfate,
[0015] Ammonium salts of carboxylic acids,
[0016] Ammonium chloride,
[0017] Ammonium carbonate,
[0018] Ammonium phosphate,
[0019] Ammonium nitrate,
[0020] Ammonium thiosulfate and
[0021] Ammonium hydroxide,
[0022] Urea-Ammonia nitrate solutions,
[0023] Urea;
[0024] Urea phosphate;
[0025] Potassium nitrate and
[0026] Urea-formaldehyde polymers.
[0027] Others included are described from the AAPFCO guide, 1998,
(Association of American Plant Food Control Officials, Official
Publication Number 51) which is incorporated by reference in it's
entirety for all useful purposes.
[0028] The non-nitrogenous fertilizers of the present invention
include, but are not limited to:
[0029] Potash sources, including but not limited to
[0030] Potassium phosphate (mono- or di-),
[0031] Potassium carbonate,
[0032] Potassium chloride,
[0033] Potassium sulfate,
[0034] Potassium salts of carboxylic acids,
[0035] Potassium phosphite,
[0036] Others included are described AAPFCO guide, 1998 again,
which is incorporated by reference in it's entirety for all useful
purposes.
[0037] Phosphate sources, including but not limited to
[0038] Phosphoric acid,
[0039] Phosphorous acid,
[0040] Others included which are incorporated by reference in its
entirety from the AAPFCO guide, 1998.
[0041] Micronutrients and secondary nutrients, including, but not
limited to:
[0042] Compounds containing more than 1% by dry weight of the
following micronutrients and secondary nutrients:
[0043] Zinc,
[0044] Manganese,
[0045] Magnesium,
[0046] Iron,
[0047] Calcium,
[0048] Sulfur,
[0049] Boron,
[0050] Cobalt,
[0051] Chlorine,
[0052] Copper,
[0053] Molybdenum,
[0054] Sodium,
[0055] Others included which are incorporated by reference in its
entirety from the AAPFCO guide, 1998.
[0056] The deposition agents of the present invention include, but
are not limited to:
[0057] Polymeric deposition agents, including but not limited
to
[0058] polyarcylamides or their copolymers or derivatives,
[0059] polymers and copolymers of acrylic acid and methacrylic acid
or their salts,
[0060] polymethacrylamides or their copolymers or derivatives,
[0061] polyacrylonitriles, their hydrolysis products, copolymers,
or derivatives polyvinyl polymers, copolymers, or derivatives,
[0062] Natural gums, including but not limited to
[0063] Non-derivatized guar gum, cationic guar gum, and
non-cationic guar gum, and mixtures, thereof,
[0064] Xantham gum,
[0065] Gum acacia,
[0066] Gum Tragacanth,
[0067] Gum Arabic.
[0068] The Oil or oil substitutes include but are not limited
to:
[0069] Alkylated fatty acid esters, include but are not limited
to:
[0070] Methylated fatty acids, including but not limited to:
[0071] Methylated C6-19 fatty acids,
[0072] Methylated Tall oil fatty acids,
[0073] Methylated Oleic acid,
[0074] Methylated Linoleic acid,
[0075] Methylated Linolenic acid,
[0076] Methylated Stearic acid,
[0077] Methylated Palmitic acid,
[0078] And blends thereof;
[0079] Ethylated fatty acids, include but are not limited to:
[0080] Ethylated C6-19 fatty acids,
[0081] Ethylated Tall oil fatty acids,
[0082] Ethylated Oleic acid,
[0083] Ethylated Linoleic acid,
[0084] Ethylated Linolenic acid,
[0085] Ethylated Stearic acid,
[0086] Ethylated Palmitic acid,
[0087] And blends thereof;
[0088] Butylated fatty acids, include but are not limited to:
[0089] Butylated C6-19 fatty acids,
[0090] Butylated Tall oil fatty acids,
[0091] Butylated Oleic acid,
[0092] Butylated Linoleic acid
[0093] Butylated Linolenic acid,
[0094] Butylated Stearic acid,
[0095] Butylated Palmitic acid,
[0096] And blends thereof;
[0097] Alkylated natural oils, include but are not limited to:
[0098] Alkylated soybean oil, including, but limited to:
[0099] Methylated soybean oil,
[0100] Ethylated soybean oil,
[0101] Butylated soybean oil,
[0102] And blends thereof;
[0103] Alkylated canola oil, include but are not limited to:
[0104] Methylated canola oil,
[0105] Ethylated canola oil,
[0106] Butylated canola oil,
[0107] And blends thereof;
[0108] Alkylated coconut oil, include but are not limited to:
[0109] Methylated coconut oil,
[0110] Ethylated coconut oil,
[0111] Butylated coconut oil,
[0112] And blends thereof;
[0113] Alkylated sunflower oil, include but are not limited to:
[0114] Methylated sunflower oil,
[0115] Ethylated sunflower oil,
[0116] Butylated sunflower oil,
[0117] And blend thereof;
[0118] Hydrocarbon oils include but are not limited to:
[0119] Mineral Oils, including but are not limited to:
[0120] Paraffinic mineral oils,
[0121] Naphthenic mineral oils,
[0122] Aromatic mineral oils,
[0123] And blends thereof;
[0124] Vegetable oils, include but are not limited to:
[0125] Soybean oil,
[0126] Canola oil,
[0127] Cottonseed oil,
[0128] And blends thereof;
[0129] Fatty acids, include but are not limited to:
[0130] C6-19 fatty acids,
[0131] Tall oil fatty acids,
[0132] Oleic acid,
[0133] Linoleic acid,
[0134] Linolenic acid,
[0135] Stearic acid,
[0136] Palmitic acid,
[0137] And blends thereof;
[0138] Polybutenes
[0139] Epoxified seed oils include but are not limited to:
[0140] Epoxified soybean oil and
[0141] Other oils or oil substitutes
[0142] The oil can contain at least one of the above oils or its
equivalent. The oil can also be a blend of at least two oils. When
an oil is used, a surfactant or emulsifier must also be used if the
composition is intended for aqueous based sprays. Oil based
compositions of this invention may optionally contain thickening
agents to improve formulation stability. These thickening agents
include but are not limited to:
[0143] Silicon containing thickeners, such as:
[0144] Precipitated silicas or
[0145] Precipitated silicates.
[0146] Oil based compositions of this invention may contain water,
but this is generally not required until the end user adds the
concentrate to water for final use. The defoamers of the present
invention include, but are not limited to:
[0147] Silicone based defoamers which are described in U.S. Pat.
No. 5,964,917, which is incorporated by reference in its entirety
herein for all useful purposes. This invention can be practiced
with or without the use of silicone defoamers.
[0148] The present invention allows for a wide range of
compositions under the following limitations:
[0149] The composition contains
[0150] 1-99% by weight of at least one water soluble or water
insoluble fertilizer.
[0151] preferably less than 87.5% of a nitrogenous fertilizer or
10-99% of a non-nitrogenous fertilizer
[0152] more preferably 15-85% of a nitrogenous fertilizer or 15-95%
of a non-nitrogenous fertilizer
[0153] most preferably 35-75% of a nitrogenous fertilizer or 25-95%
of a non-nitrogenous fertilizer.
[0154] 0.5-99% by weight of a deposition agent
[0155] preferably 0.5-50% of a deposition agent
[0156] most preferably 12.5-40% of a deposition.
[0157] where said deposition agent is preferably non-derivatized
guar gum, cationic guar gum, or non-cationic guar gum, or mixtures,
thereof, or polyacrylamide or polyvinyl polymers. If the fertilizer
contains nitrogenous fertilizer, non-derivatized guar gum, cationic
guar gum, and non-cationic guar gum, and mixtures, thereof, gum,
and a silicone defoamer, the amount of nitrogenous fertilizer must
be less than 87.5% of the total product weight, preferably less
than 85%. The formulation can be liquid or dry, most preferably
dry. If dry, the powdered ingredients are either dry-blended or
ground to a fine powder that will pass through a 30 mesh screen.
(This corresponds to a particle that is less than 0.59 millimeters
in diameter).
[0158] The composition optionally contains one or several of the
following
[0159] Additional agricultural adjuvants,
[0160] Defoaming agents,
[0161] Pesticides,
[0162] Buffering agents,
[0163] Surfactants and
[0164] Sequestrants.
[0165] If a defoaming agent is used, it is preferably a silicone
defoamer used at greater than 12.50%. Most preferably, this
silicone defoamer would be used at 12.5-20.%. If a non-silicone
defoamer is used, it is preferably used at 0.1-10.0%. Most
preferably, a non-silicone defoamer is used at 1.0-5.0%. It is also
possible that mixtures of these defoamers can be used.
[0166] The following patents and reference, which include several
ingredients that can be used according to this invention, are
incorporated by reference in its entirety for all useful
purposes:
[0167] U.S. Pat. No. 5,741,502 Homogeneous, essentially nonaqueous
adjuvant compositions with buffering capability
[0168] U.S. Pat. No. 5,725,630 Dry granular fertilizer blend and a
method of fertilizing plants
[0169] U.S. Pat. No. 5,580,567 Homogeneous, essentially nonaqueous
adjuvant compositions with buffering capability
[0170] U.S. Pat. No. 5,393,791 Homogeneous, essentially nonaqueous
adjuvant compositions with buffering capability
[0171] U.S. Pat. No. 5,234,919 Water soluble, highly active
dimethoate formulations in an alcohol/ester solvent system
[0172] U.S. Pat. No. 5,178,795 Homogeneous, essentially nonaqueous
adjuvant compositions with buffering capability
[0173] U.S. Pat. No. 5,906,961 Alkanolamide spreader-sticker
surfactant combination
[0174] U.S. Pat. No. 5,877,112 Agricultural formulation AAPFCO
guide, 1998, (Association of American Plant Food Control Officials,
Official Publication Number 51)
[0175] Pesticides can also be used in this invention. Pesticides,
include but are not limited to:
[0176] Water insoluble pesticides include but are not limited
to:
[0177] Water insoluble Herbicides,
[0178] Water insoluble Insecticides,
[0179] Water insoluble Fungicides,
[0180] Water insoluble Bactericides and
[0181] Water insoluble rodenticides.
[0182] Water soluble pesticides, include but are not limited
to:
[0183] Water soluble Herbicides,
[0184] Water soluble Insecticides,
[0185] Water soluble Fungicides,
[0186] Water soluble Bactericides and
[0187] Water soluble rodenticides.
[0188] Some examples of the composition include
EXAMPLE 1
[0189]
1 Ingredients: % by weight Ammonia sulfate 50.0% Agrho DR-2000
37.5% Silicone defoamers 1.0% Buffering agents 11.5%
[0190] The composition in example 1 was made by dry blending the
materials. No change is anticipated in the utility of this
composition based on manufacturing temperature, pressure, or
grinding.
[0191] The buffering agent in Example 1 is citric acid and the
Agrho DR-2000 is a modified guar gum. Agrho DR-2000 functions as a
drift control agent and deposition agent. This formulation also
contains a silicone based defoamer. This formulation is used in an
aqueous based spray at the rate of 0.5-2.0 pounds per 100 gallons
of total spray volume.
[0192] Because of the lower use rates of this product as compared
with formulations produced under U.S. Pat. No. 5,964,917, formulas
made like example 1 are easier to use. The time required for
dissolution of this new formulation is about 1/2 of the time
required for that of the prior art. The buffering agents also
enhance the pesticide activity of many herbicides and insecticides.
The pH of the prior art formulations was about neutral, while
Example 1 gives a pH of 3.0 at 0.5% in water.
EXAMPLE 2
[0193]
2 Ingredients: % by weight Mono-Potassium phosphate 93.0% Agrho
DR-2000 6.0% Silicone defoamer 1.0%
[0194] In example 2, the ammonia salts have been completely
replaced by mono-potassium phosphate (MKP). MKP has shown not only
buffering ability, but the ability to tie up metal cations as well
or better than ammonia sulfate. This is an important point for many
herbicides, such as glyphosate, which can be tied up by cations in
spray water. The use rate of Example 2 is 6-20 pounds per 100
gallons of total spray solution and is intended for aqueous based
sprays.
EXAMPLE 3
[0195]
3 Ingredients: % by weight Ammonia sulfate 93.0% Gum acacia 6.0%
Silicone defoamer 1.0%
[0196] In example 3, the guar gum used in prior art formulations
has been replaced by gum acacia. This alternate gum is often less
expensive than guar gum and yet behaves in essentially the same
way. Here is no buffering agent added or any real buffering ability
afforded by the use of ammonia sulfate. The use rate of Example 3
is 6-20 pounds per 100 gallons of total spray solution and is
intended for aqueous based sprays.
EXAMPLE 4
[0197]
4 Ingredients: % by weight Water 50.0% Ammonia sulfate 49.0% Agrho
DR-2000 1.0%
[0198] In example 4, the formulation is put into liquid form. This
greatly improves the ease of use of the composition.
EXAMPLE 5
[0199]
5 Ingredients: % by weight Water 50.0% Mono-potassium phosphate
48.0% Agrho DR-2000 1.0% Silicone defoamer 1.0%
[0200] In example 5, the components of example 2 are dissolved into
water. Again, this greatly improves the ease of use of the
formulation.
EXAMPLE 6
[0201]
6 Ingredients: % by weight 2,4-D Amine Tech 65.0% Polyacrylamide
polymers 2.0% Monopotassium phosphate 10.0% Water 23.0%
EXAMPLE 7
[0202]
7 Ingredients % by weight Isopropylamine salt of glyphosate 65.0%
Polyacrylamide polymers 3.0% Monopotassium phosphate 15.0% Water
17.0%
[0203] In examples 6 and 7, the polyacrylamide polymers act as a
drift reduction agent and deposition agent. 2,4-D amine and
glyphosate are water-soluble herbicides.
EXAMPLE 8
[0204]
8 Ingredients % by weight Mineral oil 86.0% Aghro DR-2000 5.0%
Emulsifier 5.0% Aerosil R-972 4.0%
[0205] In example 8, the formulation is also in liquid form. In
this case, oil has replaced the fertilizers in prior formulations.
Oil based products are well known to enhance the effectiveness of
many pesticides. Aerosil R-972 is a silicon-based thickening agent
specifically designed for use in hydrophobic formulations. The
emulsifier is a surfactant and helps the formulation readily
disperse in aqueous based spray solutions. The use rate of Example
8 is 0.25-2.0% volume to volume. It is designed to be used in
aqueous based sprays.
[0206] All the references discussed in this application are
incorporated by reference in their entirety for all useful
purposes.
[0207] While there is shown and described certain specific
structures embodying the invention, it will be manifest to those
skilled in the art that various modifications and rearrangements of
the parts may be made without departing form the spirit and scope
of the underlying inventive concept and that the same is not
limited to the particular forms herein shown and described.
* * * * *