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Publication Number
US-12161112-B2
Publication Date
2024-12-10
Expiration Date
Abstract
Spray drift reductants for agrochemical formulations and methods for reducing spray drift in agrochemical formulations are disclosed. An agrochemical formulation may comprise at least one spray drift reductant comprising a fatty acid ester of a C3 to C8 polyol, or an oligomer thereof having from 2 to 5 repeat units. The formulation also comprises at least one agrochemical active and/or nutrient, and optionally, a clathrate compound. A sprayable agrochemical formulation may comprise 0.01 wt. % to 1.0 wt. % of a spray drift reductant that is non-ionic, non-self-emulsifiable, has a hydrophilic-lipophilic balance of less than 7, and is capable of reducing spray drift by at least 10%, and also comprises at least on agrochemical active and/or nutrient, and optionally, a clathrate compound.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to a sprayable agrochemical formulation that includes at least one spray drift reductant and at least one agrochemical active. The spray drift reductant is a mixture of mono- and di-oleate esters of diglyceride with defined esterification and monoester composition, together with a urea or thiourea clathrate compound and a non-ionic alkoxylate comprising lauryl alcohol (4 EO) ethoxylate. The formulation is characterized by reducing spray drift and by forming a solid, clathrated nutrient form.
The spray drift reductant is defined by the esterification level of the diglyceride and by the fraction of monoesters within the total esters. The clathrate compound contains the spray drift reductant and is admixed with a water-soluble or water-dispersible macronutrient and/or micronutrient that is solid at room temperature. The mixture comprising the spray drift reductant and the clathrate compound is in the form of particles, pastilles, or a granulated solid.
The formulation is further defined by performance requirements and measurable droplet-size effects. The spray drift reductant reduces spray drift by at least 10% compared to a formulation not comprising the spray drift reductant, increases D(v,0.5) value of spray droplets by at least 5% at 40 psi, and provides at least a 10% reduction in spray droplets having a size of less than 150 µm at 40 psi.
Claims Coverage
The independent claim set covers an agrochemical formulation with a defined diglyceride mono-/di-oleate spray drift reductant, an agrochemical active from a listed group, a urea or thiourea clathrate containing the reductant, and a non-ionic lauryl alcohol (4 EO) ethoxylate, with at least 10% spray drift reduction. Dependent claims further constrain droplet-size metrics at 40 psi, constrain reductant concentration, specify solid physical form, and add an application to vegetation.
Diglyceride mono-/di-oleate spray drift reductant with defined esterification and monoester fraction
The formulation comprises at least one spray drift reductant comprising a mixture of mono- and di-oleate esters of diglyceride, where 35 to 65% of the active hydrogen sites of the diglyceride are esterified and where the concentration of monoesters is at least 35% by weight based on the total concentration of esters.
Agrochemical active selected from a listed group
The formulation includes at least one agrochemical active selected from the group consisting of fungicides, herbicides, insecticides, algicides, moluscicides, rodenticides, germicides, antibiotics, antibacterials, antivirals, antifungals, antiprotozoals, and antiparasites.
Urea or thiourea clathrate compound containing spray drift reductant at minimum amount
The formulation includes a urea or thiourea clathrate compound, where the clathrate compound contains the spray drift reductant and is present in an amount of at least 40 wt % based on the total weight of the spray drift reductant and the clathrate.
Non-ionic lauryl alcohol (4 EO) ethoxylate
The formulation includes at least one non-ionic alkoxylate comprising lauryl alcohol (4 EO) ethoxylate.
Minimum spray drift reduction versus formulation without spray drift reductant
The formulation is such that the at least one spray drift reductant reduces spray drift by at least 10% when compared to a formulation not comprising the spray drift reductant.
Clathrate compound admixed with solid macronutrient and/or micronutrient
The formulation is such that the clathrate compound is admixed with a water-soluble or water-dispersible macronutrient and/or micronutrient that is in solid form at room temperature.
Droplet-size metric increase at specified spray pressure (D(v,0.5) at 40 psi)
The spray drift reductant increases the D(v,0.5) value of spray droplets by at least 5% at a spray pressure of 40 psi compared to a formulation not comprising the spray drift reductant.
Reduction of droplets <150 µm at specified spray pressure (10% at 40 psi)
The spray drift reductant provides a percentage reduction of spray droplets having a size of less than 150 µm of at least 10% at a spray pressure of 40 psi when compared to a formulation not comprising the spray drift reductant.
Spray drift reductant concentration constraint (0.01 wt % to 2 wt %)
The at least one spray drift reductant is present at a concentration of from 0.01 wt % to 2 wt %.
Clathrated reductant mixture in particle, pastille, or granulated solid form
The mixture comprising the spray drift reductant and the clathrate compound is in the form of particles, pastilles, or a granulated solid.
The coverage is anchored in a defined diglyceride mono-/di-oleate spray drift reductant, its incorporation into a urea or thiourea clathrate present at a minimum weight fraction, and the presence of a non-ionic lauryl alcohol (4 EO) ethoxylate. The claim set also requires at least 10% spray drift reduction and further specifies measurable droplet-size effects, concentration and physical-form constraints, and an application to vegetation.
Stated Advantages
Reduces spray drift by at least 10% compared to a formulation not comprising the spray drift reductant.
Increases D(v,0.5) value of spray droplets by at least 5% at 40 psi compared to a formulation not comprising the spray drift reductant.
Provides at least a 10% reduction in spray droplets having a size of less than 150 µm at 40 psi compared to a formulation not comprising the spray drift reductant.
Documented Applications
Reducing spray drift by applying the agrochemical formulation to vegetation.
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