US4055974A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Disintegratable fertilizer tablet
Assignee: Easy Gardener Products Ltd
•
Filing: 1976-03-05
•
Granted: 1977-11-01
•
Expires: 1996-03-05
Abstract
Abstract A substantially dry fertilizer tablet which is adapted to absorb water and disintegrate comprises particles of fertilizer source materials and particles of a water insoluble, water swellable, hydrophilic polymeric gel pressed together into a dense tablet bonded together by a cured water insoluble thermoset resinous binder such as urea formaldehyde.
Inventors
- 👤 Laban P. Jackson, Jr.
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 09:51
CPC Classifications
C; C05; C05G; C05G5/00; C05G5/10; C05G5/14
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
41 words
A hygroscopic plant fertilizer tablet comprising particles of plant fertilizer source materials said source materials comprising nitrogen, phosphorus or potassium or mixtures thereof mixed with particles of a water swellable, water insoluble hydrophilic polymeric gel compressed into a hard, dense tablet.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
41 words
A hygroscopic plant fertilizer tablet comprising particles of plant fertilizer source materials said source materials comprising nitrogen, phosphorus or potassium or mixtures thereof mixed with particles of a water swellable, water insoluble hydrophilic polymeric gel compressed into a hard, dense tablet.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
11 words
The fertilizer tablet of claim 1 containing inert, inorganic filler particles.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
36 words
The fertilizer tablet of claim 1 containing about 5 to 30% slowly soluble nitrogen, phosphorous equivalent to about 0 to 40% P 2 O 5 and potash equivalent to about 0 to 40% K 2 O.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
9 words
The fertilizer tablet of claim 1 containing a binder.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
13 words
The fertilizer tablet of claim 4 wherein the binder is a cured resin.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
The fertilizer tablet of claim 4 containing about 0.1 to about 2 parts by weight hydrophilic polymeric gel per 100 parts mixture including the binder.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
16 words
The fertilizer tablet of claim 1 wherein the hydrophilic polymeric gel is a poly(alkylene oxide) polymer.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
15 words
The fertilizer tablet of claim 6 wherein the poly(alkylene oxide) polymer is poly(ethylene oxide) polymer.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
19 words
The fertilizer tablet of claim 1 wherein the particles of hydrophilic polymeric gel are mixed with an inert filler.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
53 words
A method for improving the disintegration of a unitary plant fertilizer product when exposed to moisture which comprises mixing with fertilizer source materials said source materials comprising nitrogen, phosphorus, or potassium or mixtures thereof a water swellable, water insoluble, hydrophilic polymeric gel and compressing the resulting mixture into a hard, dense unitary product.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
53 words
A method for improving the disintegration of a unitary plant fertilizer product when exposed to moisture which comprises mixing with fertilizer source materials said source materials comprising nitrogen, phosphorus, or potassium or mixtures thereof a water swellable, water insoluble, hydrophilic polymeric gel and compressing the resulting mixture into a hard, dense unitary product.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 10 wherein a binder is included in the mixture which is compressed to form the unitary product.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
49 words
A method for making a unitary fertilizer product which when exposed to moisture will disintegrate and release plant food into the surrounding soil which comprises mixing fertilizer source materials and a water swellable, water insoluble hydrophilic polymer gel and compressing the resulting mixture into a hard, dense unitary product.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
49 words
A method for making a unitary fertilizer product which when exposed to moisture will disintegrate and release plant food into the surrounding soil which comprises mixing fertilizer source materials and a water swellable, water insoluble hydrophilic polymer gel and compressing the resulting mixture into a hard, dense unitary product.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
33 words
A method for fertilizing a plant which comprises associating with the plant's roots a unitary fertilizer product containing a mixture of fertilizer source materials and a water swellable, water insoluble, hydrophilic polymeric gel.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
33 words
A method for fertilizing a plant which comprises associating with the plant's roots a unitary fertilizer product containing a mixture of fertilizer source materials and a water swellable, water insoluble, hydrophilic polymeric gel.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 11 wherein from about 0.1 to about 2 parts by weight hydrophilic polymeric gel per 100 parts mixture are mixed with the fertilizer source materials and binder.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
41 words
The method of claim 12 wherein a binder is mixed with the fertilizer source materials and from about 0.1 to about 2 parts by weight hydrophilic polymeric gel per 100 parts mixture are mixed with the fertilizer source materials and binder.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 13 wherein the unitary fertilizer product contains a binder and from about 0.1 to about 2 parts by weight of the hydrophilic polymeric gel per 100 parts mixture.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
82 words
A hygroscopic plant fertilizer tablet comprising particles of fertilizer source materials said source materials comprising nitrogen, phosphorus, or potassium or mixtures thereof, mixed with particles of a water swellable, water insoluble hydrophilic polymeric gel compressed into a hard, dense tablet, whereby said tablet when disposed in soil and exposed to moisture absorbs water with swelling of the hydrophilic polymeric gel and disintegration of the tablet into particles which present a greater surface area for release of fertilizer source materials into the soil.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
82 words
A hygroscopic plant fertilizer tablet comprising particles of fertilizer source materials said source materials comprising nitrogen, phosphorus, or potassium or mixtures thereof, mixed with particles of a water swellable, water insoluble hydrophilic polymeric gel compressed into a hard, dense tablet, whereby said tablet when disposed in soil and exposed to moisture absorbs water with swelling of the hydrophilic polymeric gel and disintegration of the tablet into particles which present a greater surface area for release of fertilizer source materials into the soil.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1980-10-31 | 1981-05-02 | 1981-11-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-10-31 | 1985-05-02 | 1985-11-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-10-31 | 1989-05-02 | 1989-11-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |