Delivery system for pesticides and crop-yield enhancement products using micro-encapsulated active ingredients in extruded granules

• US 6,797,277 B2
• Filed: 05/29/2002
• Issued: 09/28/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 06/01/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Wilbur Ellis Company
• Original Assignee: Wilbur Ellis Company
• Inventors: Schulteis, David T., Heier, John L.
• Primary Examiner(s): LEVY, NEIL S
• Application Number:
  US10/159,213
• Publication Number:
  US 20030224031A1
• Time in Patent Office: 853 Days
• Field of Search: 504/101, 504/140, 504/271, 71/640.2, 71/640.5, 424/400, 424/405, 424/408, 424/409, 424/417-421, 514/380
• US Class Current: 424/408
• CPC Class Codes: A01N 2300/00 Combinations or mixtures of active ingredients covered by classes A01N27/00 - A01N65/48 with other active or formulation relevant ingredients, e.g. specific carrier materials or surfactants, covered by classes A01N25/00 - A01N65/48
• CPC Class Codes: A01N 25/08 containing solids as carriers or diluents
• CPC Class Codes: A01N 25/14 wettable
• CPC Class Codes: A01N 25/28 Microcapsules or nanocapsules
• CPC Class Codes: A01N 43/80 five-membered rings with one nitrogen atom and either one oxygen atom or one sulfur atom in positions 1,2
• CPC Class Codes: C05D 9/00 Other inorganic fertilisers
• CPC Class Codes: C05G 5/12 Granules or flakes
• CPC Class Codes: C05G 5/30 Layered or coated, e.g. dust-preventing coatings
• CPC Class Codes: C05G 5/35 Capsules, e.g. core-shell
• CPC Class Codes: C05G 5/37 layered or coated with a polymer

Abstract

Water-dispersible, extruded granules for delivering agricultural chemicals, such as pesticides or non-pesticidal materials, to a crop. The granules are extrusion-formed from a blended composition including at least one active chemical ingredient, a solid carrier, and a binder. The active chemical ingredient may or may not be micro-encapsulated. The binder may be added directly to the composition or applied as a coating to the granules after the extrusion process. The binder reduces attrition, chemical volatility, and phytotoxicity. The granules are applied to a crop field by aerial means. The dense granules display good vertical drop characteristics, with little drift. If the crop field has standing water, the water-dispersible granules sink and break up, effecting dispersion of the chemical ingredient. When applied to a dry field, the subsequent exposure to water to the granules effects the same dispersal of chemical ingredient.

Claims

1. A process for making an extruded granule for delivering an agricultural chemical to a crop, comprising the steps of:

a. blending micro-encapsulated CLOMAZONE with a solid carrier, forming a blended composition;

b. extruding said blended composition through a die, forming extruded granules;

c. coating said extruded granules with a solution containing a binder; and

,

d. dehydrating the coated granules to a relative moisture content of 1%-0%.

2. A process as in claim 1 further including the step of blending at least one additional micro-encapsulated active ingredient with said blended composition, said additional active ingredient selected from the group including an herbicide, an insecticide, a fungicide, a plant growth regulator, an insect growth regulator, a micronutrient, a fertilizer.

3. A process for making an extruded granule for delivering an agricultural chemical to a crop, comprising the steps of:

a. blending micro-encapsulated CLOMAZONE with a solid carrier, forming a blended composition;

b. extruding said blended composition through a die, forming extruded granules;

c. coating said extruded granules with a solution containing a binder and a dispersant; and

,

d. dehydrating the coated granules to a relative moisture content of 1%-10%.

4. A process claim 3 further including the step of blending at least one additional micro-encapsulated active ingredient with said blended composition, said additional active ingredient selected from the group including an herbicide, an insecticide, a fungicide, a plant growth regulator, an insect growth regulator, a micronutrient, a fertilizer.

5. A process for making an extruded granule for delivering an agricultural chemical to a crop, comprising the steps of:

a. blending micro-encapsulated CLOMAZONE with a solid carrier and a binder, forming a blended composition;

b. extruding said blended composition through a die, forming extruded granules; and

,

c. dehydrating said extruded granules to a relative moisture content of 1%-10%.

6. A process as in claim 5, further including the step of blending at least one additional micro-encapsulated active ingredient with said blended composition, said additional active ingredient selected from the group including an herbicide, an insecticide, a fungicide, a plant growth regulator, an insect growth regulator, a micronutrient, a fertilizer.

7. A process for making an extruded granule for delivering an agricultural chemical to a crop, comprising the steps of:

a. blending micro-encapsulated CLOMAZONE with a solid carrier, a binder, and a dispersant, forming a blended composition;

b. extruding said blended composition through a die, forming extruded granules; and

,

c. dehydrating said extruded granules to a relative moisture content of 1%-10%.

8. A process as in claim 7, further including the step of blending at least one additional micro-encapsulated active ingredient with said blended composition, said additional active ingredient selected from the group including an herbicide, an insecticide, a fungicide, a plant growth regulator, an insect growth regulator, a micronutrient, a fertilizer.