U.S. patent application number 15/409266 was filed with the patent office on 2017-05-04 for methods and compositions for reducing or inhibiting spray drift and driftable fines.
This patent application is currently assigned to Adjuvants Unlimited, LLC. The applicant listed for this patent is Adjuvants Unlimited, LLC. Invention is credited to Jennifer Bear, Mickey R. Brigance, Kevin E. Crosby, Richard W. Fraley, Gregory M. McManic.
Application Number | 20170118979 15/409266 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 49914470 |
Filed Date | 2017-05-04 |
United States Patent
Application |
20170118979 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Crosby; Kevin E. ; et
al. |
May 4, 2017 |
Methods And Compositions For Reducing Or Inhibiting Spray Drift And
Driftable Fines
Abstract
Disclosed herein are methods and compositions for reducing or
inhibiting spray drift and driftable fines.
Inventors: |
Crosby; Kevin E.;
(Germantown, TN) ; Fraley; Richard W.; (Hernando,
MS) ; McManic; Gregory M.; (Germantown, TN) ;
Brigance; Mickey R.; (Germantown, TN) ; Bear;
Jennifer; (Cordova, TN) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Adjuvants Unlimited, LLC |
Memphis |
TN |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
Adjuvants Unlimited, LLC
Memphis
TN
|
Family ID: |
49914470 |
Appl. No.: |
15/409266 |
Filed: |
January 18, 2017 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
13940898 |
Jul 12, 2013 |
9578874 |
|
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15409266 |
|
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61670703 |
Jul 12, 2012 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A01N 25/02 20130101;
A01N 57/20 20130101; A01N 57/20 20130101; A01N 43/50 20130101; A01N
25/04 20130101; A01N 25/24 20130101; A01N 25/04 20130101; A01N
57/20 20130101; A01N 37/40 20130101; A01N 39/04 20130101; A01N
51/00 20130101; A01N 37/40 20130101; A01N 57/20 20130101; A01N
2300/00 20130101; A01N 51/00 20130101; A01N 39/04 20130101; A01N
37/40 20130101; A01N 25/10 20130101; A01N 39/04 20130101; A01N
25/02 20130101; A01N 37/40 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A01N 25/24 20060101
A01N025/24; A01N 57/20 20060101 A01N057/20; A01N 43/50 20060101
A01N043/50; A01N 37/40 20060101 A01N037/40 |
Claims
1. A method for reducing or inhibiting spray drift and/or drillable
fines of a composition when sprayed onto a surface or increasing
the amount of particles of the composition deposited onto the
surface which comprises adding a formulation comprising at least
one resin to the composition before spraying the composition,
wherein the at least one resin is selected from the group
consisting of phenolic resins, polyalkoxylated polyols, vinyl
polymers, vinyl copolymers, glycidyl ethers, polyurethanes,
polyurethane alkoxylates, hyperbranched polymers (such as
polyethyleneimines), polyamides, polyamidoamines, rosin esters,
hydrogenated rosins, hydrogenated rosins methyl esters, ester gums,
alpha methyl styrene resins, terpene phenolic resins, and mixtures
thereof.
2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the amount of the at
least one resin in the composition to be sprayed is about
0.01%-2.0% by weight of the total composition.
3. (canceled)
4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the resin is a phenolic
resin, a rosin ester, or a mixture thereof.
5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the composition to be
sprayed comprises at least one agrochemical.
6. The method according to claim 1, wherein the composition to be
sprayed further comprises at least one of the following
emulsifiers, surfactants, fatty acids, pH modifiers, water
conditioning agents, wetting agents, dispersants, solvents,
preservatives, humectants, coupling agents, defoamers, and mixtures
thereof.
7. A composition having reduced driftable fines which comprises at
least one agrochemical and a formulation comprising at least one
resin, wherein the resin is selected from the group consisting of
phenolic resins, polyalkoxylated polyols, vinyl polymers, vinyl
copolymers, glycidyl ethers, polyurethanes, polyurethane
alkoxylates, hyperbranched polymers (such as polyethyleneimines),
polyamides, polyamidoamines, rosin esters, hydrogenated rosins,
hydrogenated rosin methyl esters, ester gums, alpha methyl styrene
resins, terpene phenolic resins, and mixtures thereof.
8. The composition according to claim 7, wherein the resin is a
phenolic resin, a rosin ester, or a mixture thereof.
9. (canceled)
10. The composition according to claim 7, wherein the agrochemical
is a pesticide, a fungicide, a herbicide, an insecticide, or a
fertilizer.
11. The composition according to claim 10, wherein the agrochemical
is present in an amount of about 0.001% to about 99% by weight of
the composition.
12. The composition according to claim 7, wherein the composition
comprises about 1% to about 50% of the at least one resin.
13. A method for treating an agricultural target which comprises
spraying the composition according to claim 7 onto the surface of
the agricultural target using a spray nozzle.
14. The method according to claim 13, wherein the composition
comprises about 0.001% to about 2% of the at least one resin.
15. A concentrate for reducing driftable fines of at least one
agrochemical or adjuvant which comprises a concentrated amount of
at least one resin and a concentrated amount of the at least one
agochemical or adjuvant, wherein the concentrated amount of the at
least one resin is an amount that results in about 0.001% to about
2% when the concentrate is diluted to give a concentration of the
at least one agrochemical or adjuvant suitable for spraying on an
agricultural target, and wherein the at least one resin is selected
from the group consisting of phenolic resins, polyalkoxylated
polyols, vinyl polymers, vinyl copolymers, glycidyl ethers,
polyurethanes, polyurethane alkoxylates, hyperbranched polymers
(such as polyethyleneimines), polyamides, polyamidoamines, rosin
esters, hydrogenated rosins, hydrogenated rosins methyl esters,
ester gums, alpha methyl styrene resins, terpene phenolic resins,
and mixtures thereof.
16. The method of claim 2, wherein the amount of the at least one
resin in the composition is about 0.01% to about 0.10% by weight of
the total composition.
17. The composition of claim 7, wherein the amount of the at least
one resin in the composition is about 0.01% to about 0.10% by
weight of the total composition.
18. The concentrate of claim 15, wherein the concentrated amount of
the at least one resin is an amount that results in about 0.01% to
about 0.10% by weight of the concentrate.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Application No. 61/670,703, filed 12 Jul. 2012, which is herein
incorporated by reference in its entirety.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to agricultural compositions
and tank mix adjuvants, which exhibit reduce amounts of fine
particles when sprayed through spray nozzles used in agriculture to
disseminate agrochemicals.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] In the agricultural arts, various agrochemicals are applied
to growing areas by spraying. The growing areas may be crop areas
in the field, which can be very large, or smaller growing areas
such as those in greenhouses. The agrochemicals applied as sprays
include fertilizers, herbicides, fungicides, insecticides,
pesticides, miticides, micronutrients, and the like. These
materials can be applied to the target surfaces including the
plants, seeds, crops, acid or the soil. The agrocheraicals must be
applied via a carrier and reach the target surfaces to exert their
desired biological effects. As the term is used herein, "pesticide"
includes herbicides, insecticides, fungicides, miticides, and plant
growth regulators. Fertilizers include macronutrients (containing
Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Potassium, Sulfur, Calcium, Magnesium), and
micronutrients.
[0006] Certain pesticides (particularly those containing 2,4 D,
dicamba and glyphosate salts, esters, and acids) are known to cause
adverse effects if these pesticides inadvertently come in contact
with non-target plants. When agricultural chemicals are sprayed, a
distribution of spray particle sizes is formed and this
distribution depends on the nature of the spray mix, type of nozzle
used, spray system pressure and other variable factors such ground
speed of the applying system, natural wind speed, temperature, and
humidity. One possible side effect of the spraying process is an
undesirable effect commonly called spray or pesticide drift.
Controlling spray drift of these pesticides is especially important
as genetically modified crop plants resistant to these pesticides
are commercialized.
[0007] The importance of drift control is well recognized by the
agricultural industry as a number of technologies have been
developed based on the following technologies: 1) polyacrylamide
polymers, 2) invert emulsion technology, 3) Guar gums, and 4)
Lecithin. Each of these technologies is used in practice, but each
technology has limitations on their use. Furthermore, the
importance of drift control is such that regulatory agencies such
as the United States Environmental Protection Agency have
promulgated rules to minimize such drift. As a consequence,
pesticide products often have labels detailing use restrictions so
as to reduce drift potential of a pesticide spray.
[0008] Therefore, a need exists for methods and compositions for
controlling spray drift of pesticides and other compositions to
adjacent crops.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] In some embodiments, the present invention is a composition
which has a reduced amount of driftable fines or is capable of
reducing the amount of driftable fines of an agrochemical when
mixed therein (e.g., as a tank mix adjuvant) as compared to a
control. In some embodiments, where the composition is ready to
use, i.e., is not to be mixed with other compositions before
spraying, the composition comprises at least 0.01% by weight,
preferably about 0.01%-2.0% by weight, and more preferably about
0.02%-0.12% by weight, of a resin. In some embodiments, the resin
is a phenolic resin, a rosin ester, or a polyterpene. In some
embodiments where the composition of the present invention is a
concentrate that is to be used as an additive, e.g., a tank mix
adjuvant, that is added to an agrochemical before the agrochemical
is sprayed, the concentrate comprises a concentrated amount of the
resin which results in at least 0.01% by weight, preferably about
0.01%-2.0% by weight, and more preferably about 0.02%-0.12% by
weight, of the resin in the final mixture comprising the
agrochemical that is sprayed. In some embodiments, the concentrate
comprises at least 1% by weight, preferably about 5%-50% by weight,
more preferably about 15%-25% by weight, and most preferably about
20% by weight, of a resin. According to the present invention, the
compositions and final mixtures to be sprayed have an enhanced
ability to stick to plant surfaces and are compatible for use with
agrochemicals, e.g., the compositions and final mixtures to be
sprayed do not have a detrimental effect on the activity and/or
function of agrochemicals. The concentrates of the present
invention may be incorporated into pesticide formulations ("in
can") or added to spray tank mixtures ("tank mix additives"). In
some embodiments, the concentrates of the present invention are
adjuvants that can be mixed with an agrochemical, e.g., one, two,
or three or more pesticides, into the spray mixture without causing
mixing issues such as flocking, thickening of the spray mixture,
and pesticide actives precipitation. The concentrates according to
the present invention may be homogenous compositions.
[0010] In some embodiments, the present invention provides methods
of reducing, inhibiting, or preventing driftable fines (mean
particle size<150 microns) from forming when spraying an
agrochemical using conventional spraying techniques and spraying
apparatuses used in the agrochemical arts. In these embodiments,
the methods comprise adding at least one resin, e.g., a phenolic
resin, a rosin ester, or a polyterpene, to the agrochemical before
spraying. In some embodiments, the amount of the resin added to the
agrochemical is one that results in at least 0.01% by weight,
preferably about 0.01%-2.0% by weight, and more preferably about
0.02%-0.12% by weight, of the resin in the total composition to be
sprayed. In some embodiments, the methods of the present invention
results in an improved deposition of an agrochemical onto plant
foliage or soil by increasing the percent of total spray droplets
of the agrochemical that is deposited on the target substrate and
do not drift.
[0011] Both the foregoing general description and the following
detailed description arc exemplary and explanatory only and are
intended to provide further explanation of the invention as
claimed. The accompanying drawings are included to provide a
further understanding of the invention and are incorporated in and
constitute part of this specification, illustrate several
embodiments of the invention, and together with the description
serve to explain the principles of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0012] The present invention is directed to compositions,
concentrates, and methods for controlling spray drift. Compositions
according to the present invention that are ready to be sprayed "as
is" comprise at least 0.01% by weight, preferably about 0.01%-2.0%
by weight, and more preferably about 0.02%-0.12% by weight, of at
least one resin, and at least one agrochemical and/or at least one
adjuvant. The compositions of the present invention have a reduced
amount of driftable fines when sprayed as compared to a control,
i.e., composition that does not contain the resin. As used herein,
"driftable fines" are droplets of the spray that are less than 150
microns in diameter. The amount of driftable fines is a parameter
that influences pesticide drift. The larger the amount of driftable
fines, the greater the amount of pesticide drift.
[0013] In some embodiments, the concentrates of the present
invention reduce, inhibit, and/or prevent the spray drift of a
second composition when added thereto as compared to the spray
drift of the second composition without having the concentrate
mixed therein. In some embodiments, concentrates according to the
present invention comprise a concentrated amount of at least one
resin which results in at least 0.01% by weight, preferably about
0.01%-2.0% by weight, and more preferably about 0.02%-0.12% by
weight, of the at least one resin when mixed with the second
composition. In some embodiments, the concentrate comprises at
least 1% by weight, preferably about 5%-50% by weight, more
preferably about 15%-25% by weight, and most preferably about 20%
by weight, of a resin. In some embodiments, the concentrates may
comprise at least one agrochemical and/or at least one adjuvant. In
some embodiments, the concentrates of the present invention reduce,
inhibit, and/or prevent the amount of driftable fines of a second
composition when added thereto and sprayed as compared to the
amount of driftable fines of the second composition when sprayed
without having the concentrate mixed therein. In some embodiments,
the concentrates of the present invention may be readily mixed with
agrochemicals such as fertilizers, pesticides, adjuvants (which may
be concentrated), and/or water and then applied to a target area
using a spraying apparatus, e.g., a spray nozzle,
[0014] As used herein, an "agrochemical" refers to pesticides
(insecticides, herbicides, miticides, fungicides), plant growth
regulators, fertilizers, and micronutrients, and the like. As used
herein, an "adjuvant" refers to a material added to a tank mix to
aid or modify the action of an agrochemical, or the physical
properties of the mixture (see ASTM Standard E1519-10, 2010,
"Standard Terminology Relating to Agricultural Tank Mix Adjuvants",
ASTM International, West Conshohocken, Pa., 2010, which is herein
incorporated by reference). Adjuvants may be in the form of a
liquid, a dry powder, or a granule. Adjuvants are available to both
the agricultural and nonagricultural markets. Adjuvant types
include crop oil concentrates, nonionic surfactant blends, drift
control agents, compatibility agents, water conditioning agents,
and the like.
[0015] Resins suitable for use according to the present invention
include those that are known in the art and are sold, for example,
by Akzo Nobel Inc. as WITBREAK RESINS, Arizona Chemical as SYLVARES
and SYLVATAC resins, Pinova Corp as PICOLYTE resins, and Eastman
Chemical. Particularly preferred resins according to the present
invention include phenolic resins, rosin esters, and polyterpenes.
Phenolic resins include those that are reaction products of
formaldehyde and phenols. An example of a phenolic resin is
WITBREAK DRC 167, which is a polymer of formaldehyde, polymer with
methyloxirane and 4-nonyphenol. Rosin esters include those that are
the reaction products of rosin and an alcohol. Polyterpenes are
polymers of isoprene or polyisoprene.
[0016] The compositions and concentrates of the present invention
may be in the form of an aqueous solution (AS), an essentially non
aqueous solution containing less that 10% water (NAS), a
concentrated emulsion (CE), a suspo-emulsion (SE), a dispersion, a
reverse phase emulsion (RPE), an emulsifiable concentrate (EC), a
micro-emulsifiable, concentrate (MEC), and the like.
[0017] The compositions and concentrates of the present invention
may contain nonionic surfactants, anionic surfactants, cationic
surfactants, organosilicones, quaternary compounds, dispersants,
and/or other surface-active agents. The compositions and
concentrates of the present invention may contain plant nutrients
such as nitrogen compounds, phosphorous compounds, potassium
compounds, and minor elemental compounds of zinc, iron, manganese,
magnesium, boron, and the like. The compositions and concentrates
of the present invention may contain other functional agents
including defoamers, petroleum distillates, vegetable derived oils,
fatty alcohols, polyhydric alcohols, glycol ethers, humectants,
polymers, and the like. The concentrates according to the present
invention may be diluted, with water for example, before for
spraying and/or mixing with an agrochemical.
[0018] In some embodiments, the compositions and concentrates of
the present invention do not interfere with and/or reduce the
activity of agrochemicals, e.g. pesticides, when mixed therewith.
Thus, the present invention provides drift control agents and
compositions that are compatible with different types of
agrochemical formulations (e.g., aqueous and oil based
formulations).
[0019] In some embodiments, the present invention is directed to
methods of reducing, inhibiting, or preventing the amount of spray
drift and/or drillable fines of an agrochemical when sprayed which
comprises adding an amount of at least one resin to result in at
least 0.01% by weight, preferably about 0.01%-2.0% by weight, and
more preferably about 0.02%-0.12% by weight, of the at least one
resin in the final mixture to be sprayed.
[0020] In some embodiments, the present invention results in at
least about a 0.5% reduction, preferably at least about a 1%
reduction, more preferably at least about a 3-5% reduction in the
amount of particles that are less than 150 microns in diameter. In
some embodiments, the present invention results in about a 1-10%
reduction in the amount of particles that are less than 150 microns
in diameter.
FORMULATION (CONCENTRATE) EXAMPLES
TABLE-US-00001 [0021] TABLE 1 Formulation Number Ingredient 1 2 3 4
5 6 7 8 9 Ethoxylated triglyceride 20 20 20 -- 20 20 -- 25 25
Agnique SBO 10, BASF, Florham Park, NJ Fatty acid blend 10 10 10 10
10 10 6 -- XTOL 0621, Georgia Pacific, Decatur, GA Petroleum resin
1* 16 -- -- -- -- -- -- -- Witbreak DRC 167, Akzo Nobel, Chicago,
IL Petroleum resin 2* -- 16 16 -- -- 39 15 15 Witbreak DRC 164,
Akzo Nobel, Chicago IL Paraffinic oil Calpar 70, 15 15 15 15 15 --
13 -- Calumet Specialties, Indianapolis, IN Ethoxylated sorbitan 35
35 15 35 35 35 -- -- monooleate Agnique SMO-20-u, BASF, Florham
Park, NJ Polyterpene, Sylvares -- -- -- -- -- 20 -- -- -- TR A25,
Arizona Chemical, Jacksonville, FL Rosin ester, Sylvatac -- -- --
-- 20 -- -- -- -- RE25, Arizona Chemical, Jacksonville, FL
Nonylphenol ethoxylate -- -- -- -- -- -- 22 25 -- POE 9, Tergitol
NP-9, Dow Chemical, Midland, MI Nonylphenol ethoxylate -- -- -- --
-- -- 20 -- -- POE 6 Tergitol NP-6, Dow Chemical, Midland, MI
2-ethylhexanol -- -- 20 -- -- -- -- -- 25 ethoxylate POE 6, Ecosurf
EH-6, Dow Chemical, Midland, MI C12-C18 methyl ester -- -- -- 20 --
-- -- -- -- ethoxylate POE 5, Agnique ME1218-5, BASF, Florham Park,
NJ Diethylene glycol, 25 25 Diethylene glycol, Dow Chemical,
Midland, MI Solvent naptha heavy 4 4 4 aromatic, Aromatic 150
ExxonMobil Houston, Water 10 10 *Chemical name: formaldehyde,
polymer with 2-methyloxirane and 4-nonylphenol
[0022] In the table above the amounts are percent by weight of the
numbered formulations (concentrates).
[0023] The formulations of Table 1 were added to a solution of
water and pesticide in the concentration noted. In the Examples,
the amount of the given formulation added is provided as the
percent volume of the total volume of the composition to be
sprayed, e.g., in Example 1, the amount of Formulation 2 is 0.25%
volume of the total volume of the composition (Water+Formulation
2).
[0024] It should be noted that one of ordinary skill in the art can
readily calculate the amount of resin required in a concentrate in
order to provide, when diluted to a given dilution, the desired
amount of the resin in the composition to be sprayed. For example,
where 1 quart of a concentrate having 16% by weight of resin is to
be added to 100 gallons of water, in order to obtain about 0.04% by
weight of the resin in the composition to be sprayed, one can
calculate as follows: 1 gallon of water=8.34 lbs, 100 gallons=834
lbs, 1 qt formulated product=2.085 lbs, but only 16% resin=0.3336
lbs resin, 0.3336/834=0.0004.times.100=0.04% actual resin.
[0025] The water used in all tests contained a total of 342 ppm of
total water hardness. When sprayed, the drift control standard used
was a commercial formulation of polyacrylamide (PAM) which was
Magnafloc 351 from BASF Corporation, Florham Park, N.J. The
following data shows the effect on particle size distribution as
determined by a Malvern Spraytec or a Helos Sympatec laser
diffractometer particle size analyzer. All studies were done with
either an XR8002 or XR11002 fiat fan nozzle at 40 psi spray
pressure. All additives are added at a volume:volume ratio (noted
in each data table) in a total spray volume of 10 gallons per acre.
Pesticide amounts are noted in each table.
Example 1
TABLE-US-00002 [0026] Sample % droplets < 150 microns Water only
50.8 Water + Formulation 2 (0.25% v:v) 34.2 Water + standard PAM
37.7
[0027] These results show that both the standard polyacrylamide and
Formulation 2 can reduce % fine particles when water alone is
sprayed. However, Formulation 2 results in a 3.5% decrease in
driftable lines over PAM.
Example 2
TABLE-US-00003 [0028] Sample % droplets < 150 microns Water 46.7
Water + glyphosate (K salt, 1.7%) 40.8 Water + glyphosate (K salt,
1.7%) + 31.1 Formulation 1 (1% v:v)
[0029] These results show that Formulation 1 reduces the amount of
drillable fines of a spray mixture by about 9.7%.
Example 3
TABLE-US-00004 [0030] Sample % droplets < 150 microns Water 47.4
Water + imidicloprid SC 44.0 Water + imidicloprid SC + Formulation
2 34.0 (1% v:v)
[0031] These results show that Formulation 2 reduces the amount of
drillable fines by about 10%. Also, Formulation 2 reduces fine
particles of a spray of a suspension concentrate as compared to
Example 3 which uses a water soluble formulation of glyphosate.
Example 4
TABLE-US-00005 [0032] Sample % droplets < 150 microns Water 41.5
Water + glyphosate (K salt, 1.7%) + 39.6 dicamba (dimethylamine
salt, 1.25%) Water + glyphosate (K salt, 1.7%) + 30.0 dicamba
(dimethylamine salt, 1.25%) + Formulation 5 (0.5% v:v) Water +
glyphosate (K salt, 1.7%) + 32.0 dicamba (dimethylamine salt,
1.25%) + Formulation 2 (0.5% v; v)
[0033] These results show that Formulations 2 and 5 reduce the
amount of driftable fines by about 7.6% to about 9.6%.
[0034] In another example, a mixture of glyphosate and 2,4-D salts
(Mix) was sprayed at 4.38% total herbicide concentration and
effects of concentrates according to the present invention were
assessed for reducing the amount of driftable fines. The results
are shown in Examples 5 and 6.
Example 5
TABLE-US-00006 [0035] Sample % droplets < 150 microns Mix alone
21.7 Mix + Formulation 3 (0.5% v:v) 18.2 Mix + Formulation 4 (0.5%
v:v) 20.6 Mix + Formulation 2 (0.5% v:v) 20.8 Standard
polyacrylamide (0.5% v:v) 38.0
[0036] These results show that different surfactants can be present
in the compositions and concentrates according to the present
invention without changing their ability to reduce or inhibit spray
drift. Surprisingly, in these mixtures, the standard polyacrylamide
increased fines in comparison to the control (Mix alone).
Formulations 2, 3, and 4 provided a modest decrease in the amount
of drillable fines as compared to Mix alone, however, the modest
decrease is significant when compared to the driftable finds of the
standard polyacrylamide mixture
Example 6
TABLE-US-00007 [0037] Sample % droplets < 150 microns Mix alone
18.2 Mix + Formulation 8 (0.5% v:v) 16.3 Mix + Formulation 9 (0.5%
v:v) 15.8 Standard polyacrylamide (0.5% v:v) 41.7
[0038] Like Example 5, Formulations 8 and 9 provided only a modest
decrease in the amount of driftable fines in the special herbicide
formulation. As with Example 5, however, the standard
polyacrylamide more than doubled the amount of driftable fines.
Therefore, the compositions and concentrates of the present
invention may be used with agrochemicals in order to reduce or
inhibit the amount of driftable fines and/or spray drift.
[0039] Because of the reduced amount of driftable fines and spray
drift, more droplets will be deposited on the surfaces of an
agricultural target (e.g., soil, water, plant foliage, insects,
mites, fungal spores, fungal biomass, etc.). (Therefore, the
compositions, concentrates, and methods of the present invention
also provides increased deposition of one or more agrochemicals
and/or adjuvants on surfaces of agricultural targets.
[0040] The compositions that are ready to spray according to the
present invention comprise at least about 0.01% by weight,
preferably about 0.01%-2.0% by weight, and more preferably about
0.02%-0.12% by weight, of at least one resin, and concentrates
according to the present invention comprise a concentrated amount
of at least one resin which results in at least about 0.01% by
weight, preferably about 0.01%-2.0% by weight, and more preferably
about 0.02%-0.12% by weight, of the at least one resin when mixed
with the second composition. For example, in some embodiments, a
concentrate according to the present invention comprises a
concentrated amount of at least one resin and a concentrated amount
of at least one agrochemical or adjuvant, wherein the concentrated
amount of the at least one resin is an amount that results in at
least 0.01% by weight, preferably about 0.01%-2.0% by weight, and
more preferably about 0.02%-0.12% by weight of the resin in the
composition to be sprayed when the concentrate is diluted to give a
concentration of the at least one agrochemical or adjuvant suitable
for spraying on an agricultural target. In some embodiments,
concentrates according to the present invention comprise at least
about 1% by weight, preferably about 5%-50% by weight, more
preferably about 15%-25% by weight, and most preferably about 20%
by weight, of the at least one resin.
[0041] The compositions and concentrates according to the present
invention may comprise one or more additional ingredients, such as
those commonly used in agricultural compositions and formulations,
including emulsifiers, surfactants, dispersants, adjuvants,
humectants, preservatives, polymers, solvents, and the like. The
compositions and concentrates of the present invention may have any
suitable pH (one that is suitable for the intended result and
compatible with the agrochemical being applied). In some
embodiments, the pH is from 2 to 12.
[0042] The compositions and concentrates of the present invention
may further comprise an oil component, and/or surfactants
(nonionic, anionic surfactants, cationic surfactants) and/or a
fertilizer. The fertilizer can be present in an amount of 0.0001 to
99% by weight of the final spray mixture. Suitable oil components
included those selected from the group consisting of fatty
carboxylic acid esters, seed oils, petroleum oils, mono, di or
tricarboxylic acids, fatty alcohols, fatty ethers, fatty amides,
synthetic oils, and mixtures thereof.
[0043] The compositions and concentrates of the present invention
may further comprise one or more monocaboyxlic acid esters.
Suitable monocarboxylic acid esters include those having the
following general formula: R.sub.2COOC.sub.nH.sub.2n+1, wherein
R.sub.2 is an alkyl radical having from about 4 to about 22 carbon
atoms, and n is a number from-4.
[0044] Suitable fatty acid esters include methyl and ethyl esters
derived from the esterification of unsaturated carboxylic acids
having from about 18 to 22 carbon atoms. Some preferred methyl
esters include methyl oleate, methyl laurate, and methyl soyate.
Some preferred ethyl esters include ethyl oleate, and ethyl
canolate. Suitable fatty acids from which the fatty acid esters may
be derived include coconut and other vegetable oils, tallow, etc.
Di and tricarboxylic acids can also be used to form esters.
[0045] The compositions and concentrates of the present invention
may further comprise alkoxylated carboxylic acid esters such as
fatty acid esters including those listed above which are
alkoxylated with ethylene oxide, propylene oxide, and combinations
thereof.
[0046] The compositions and concentrates of the present invention
may further comprise alcohols, including saturated or unsaturated
alcohols and branch or linear alcohols. In some embodiments, the
alcohols are C.sub.8-C.sub.20 alcohols.
[0047] The compositions and concentrates of the present invention
may further comprise carboxylic acids including those having of a
chain of alkyl groups containing from 4 to 22 carbon atoms, and
characterized by a terminal carboxyl group. The carboxylic acids
may be saturated such as, for example, butyric, lauric, palmitic,
and stearic or unsaturated such as, oleic, linoleic, and
linolenic.
[0048] The compositions and concentrates of the present invention
may further comprise fatty ethers, which include those generally
derived from fatty alcohols, such as those listed above, by the
elimination of water. Fatty ethers are generally characterized by
the formula ROR wherein R is an alkyl group containing from 4 to 22
carbon atoms.
[0049] The compositions and concentrates of the present invention
may further comprise fatty amides including those of the general
formula R.dbd.CONH.sub.2 wherein R is an alkyl group having from 4
to 22 carbon atoms.
[0050] The compositions and concentrates of the present invention
may further comprise seed oils are those derived from seeds and
nuts and include castor, coconut, soybean, and the like. In some
embodiments, the seed oil is or comprises soybean oil.
[0051] The compositions and concentrates of the present invention
may further comprise petroleum oil which includes petroleum,
petroleum-derived oils, and synthetic oils.
[0052] The compositions and concentrates of the present invention
may further comprise a glyceride such as those derived from
glycerol and C.sub.6-C.sub.22 fatty acids. In some embodiments, the
glyceride is glycerol mono- and/or di-oleate.
[0053] The compositions and concentrates of the present invention
may further comprise nonionic surfactants. Suitable nonionic
surfactants include sugar surfactants, alkoxylated fatty alcohols,
alkoxylated fatty acids, alkoxylated fatty acids, alkoxylated fatty
ethers, alkoxylated fatty amides, ethoxylated seed oils,
ethoxylated mineral oils, nonylphenol ethoxylates, alkoxylated
alkyl phenols, ethoxylated glycerides, castor oil ethoxylates, and
mixtures thereof.
[0054] Alkoxylated fatty alcohols include fatty alcohols such as
those listed above which are alkoxylated with ethylene oxide,
propylene oxide, and combinations thereof.
[0055] Alkoxylated fatty acids include fatty acids such as those
listed above which are alkoxylated with ethylene oxide, propylene
oxide, and combinations thereof.
[0056] Alkoxylated fatty ethers include fatty ethers such as that
list above, which are alkoxylated with ethylene oxide, propylene
oxide, and combinations thereof.
[0057] Alkoxylated fatty amides include fatty amides such as those
listed above which are alkoxylated with ethylene oxide, propylene
oxide, and combinations thereof.
[0058] Suitable alcohols ethoxylates included C.sub.8-C.sub.18
alcohols ethoxylated with from about 2 to about 30 moles of
ethylene oxide.
[0059] Suitable ethoxylated seed oils include those containing from
about 1 to about 200 moles of ethylene oxide.
[0060] Suitable nonylphenol ethoxylates include those ethoxylated
with about 4 to about 70 moles of ethylene oxide. A particularly
preferred nonylphenol ethoxylated is a combination of a NP-9 with
an NP-6.
[0061] Other surfactants that may be included in the compositions
and concentrates of the present invention include quaternary
ammonium surfactants, ether amine surfactants, alkoxylated amine
surfactants, secondary or tertiary alcohol surfactants, sorbitan
fatty acid ester and amine, organosilicone surfactants, phosphate
esters, and alkyl polyglycosides.
[0062] In some embodiments, the compositions and concentrates of
the present invention comprise a fatty alkanolamide of the
formula
##STR00001##
wherein R is an alkyl group having from about 6 to about 25 carbon
atoms; R and R'' are the same or different and are independently
selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, --CH.sub.2
CH.sub.2OH, and
##STR00002##
[0063] In some embodiments, the compositions and concentrates of
the present invention comprise a PEG ester of the formula
##STR00003##
wherein R.sup.2 is C.sub.2-C.sub.25 alkyl, R.sup.3 is alkyl having
from about 2 to about 25 carbon atoms or hydrogen and m is a number
from 1 to about 100.
[0064] In some embodiments, the compositions and concentrates of
the present invention comprise a silicone surfactant of the
formula
##STR00004##
wherein x is a number from 0 to about 5, y is a number from 1 to
about 5, a is a number from about 3 to about 25, b is a number from
0 to about 25, n is a number from about 2 to about 4 and R.sup.6 is
hydrogen, an alkyl group having 1 to about 4 carbon atoms or an
alkyl ester group having 1 to about 4 carbon atoms.
[0065] In some embodiments, the compositions and concentrates of
the present invention comprise an ethoxylated carboxylic acid of
the formula
##STR00005##
wherein R.sup.7 is an alkyl group having from about 6 to about 25
carbon atoms, p is a number from 1 to about 100.
[0066] In some embodiments, the compositions and concentrates of
the present invention comprise an alkyl ethoxylates of the
formula
R.sup.8O(CH.sub.2CH.sub.2O).sub.qH
wherein R is an alkyl group having from 1 to about 50 carbon atoms
and q is a number from 1 to about 100.
[0067] In some embodiments, the compositions and concentrates of
the present invention comprise an alkylphenol ethoxylate of the
formula
##STR00006##
wherein R.sup.9 is hydrogen or an alkyl having from about 1 to
about 20 carbons atoms, R.sup.10 is hydrogen or an alkyl having
from about 1 to about 20 carbon atoms and n is a number from 1 to
about 100.
[0068] In some embodiments, the compositions and concentrates of
the present invention comprise a polypropylene glycol of the
formula
##STR00007##
wherein t is a number from 1 to about 100.
[0069] In some embodiments, the compositions and concentrates of
the present invention comprise an amine ethoxylate of the
formula
##STR00008##
wherein g and h independently of one another are numbers from 1 to
about 100 and R'' is an alkyl having from 1 to about 25 carbon
atoms.
[0070] In some embodiments, the compositions and concentrates of
the present invention comprise a tristyrylphenol alkoxylate.
[0071] To the extent necessary to understand or complete the
disclosure of the present invention, all publications, patents, and
patent applications mentioned herein are expressly incorporated by
reference therein to the same extent as though each were
individually so incorporated.
[0072] Having thus described exemplary embodiments of the present
invention, it should be noted by those skilled in the art that the
within disclosures are exemplary only and that various other
alternatives, adaptations, and modifications may be made within the
scope of the present invention. Accordingly, the present invention
is not limited to the specific embodiments as illustrated herein,
but is only limited by the following claims.
* * * * *