US4229544A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Living organism packaging
Assignee: Payfer Laboratories Inc
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Filing: 1978-08-08
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Granted: 1980-10-21
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Expires: 1998-08-08
Abstract
Abstract A method of packaging, and the package so produced, for maintaining living organisms viable for a long period of time. The living organisms, such as bacteria, fungi, algae, etc., are mixed with a carrier, such as peat. The organism-carrier mixture is then disposed in a package, such as a heat-sealable plastic envelope, and a gaseous atmosphere is provided in the package effective to induce and maintain substantial nonvegatative state formation of the organisms. Some organisms will form cysts, others spores, but whatever nonvegetative state is assumed, the organisms will be much less susceptible to heat, cold, starvation, and other adverse environmental factors. Suitable gaseous atmospheres include nitrogen, helium, and argon gases. The package is then sealed to prevent contamination of the atmosphere therein.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert W. Haynes
- 👤 William H. Rasmussen
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-22 23:43
CPC Classifications
C; C12; C12M; C12M45/00; C12M45/22; C12N; C12N1/00; C12N1/04; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S435/00; Y10S435/81; Y10S435/8215; Y10S435/822; Y10S435/824; Y10S435/831; Y10S435/832; Y10S435/842; Y10S435/853; Y10S435/874; Y10S435/878; Y10S435/911; Y10S435/945
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 27
Claim 1
Independent Claim
86 words
A method of packaging living organisms consisting essentially of the steps of mixing the living organisms with a carrier comprising substantially granular material suitable for maintaining the organisms in a viable condition over a long period of time, disposing the organism-carrier mixture in a package, providing a gaseous atmosphere in the package effective to induce and maintain substantial nonvegetative state formation of the organisms, and sealing the package to prevent contamination of the atmosphere therein until breakage of the seal just before use of the organisms.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
86 words
A method of packaging living organisms consisting essentially of the steps of mixing the living organisms with a carrier comprising substantially granular material suitable for maintaining the organisms in a viable condition over a long period of time, disposing the organism-carrier mixture in a package, providing a gaseous atmosphere in the package effective to induce and maintain substantial nonvegetative state formation of the organisms, and sealing the package to prevent contamination of the atmosphere therein until breakage of the seal just before use of the organisms.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method as recited in claim 1 wherein the package comprises heat-sealable flexible sheet material, and wherein said sealing step is practiced by heat-sealing the package.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method as recited in claim 1 wherein said atmosphere providing step is accomplished by providing an atmosphere selected from the group consisting essentially of nitrogen, helium, and argon gases.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
35 words
A method as recited in claim 1 wherein the living organisms are selected from the group consisting of the genera Azotobacter, Achromobacter, Beijerinckia, Clostridium, Pseudomonas, Bacillus, Rhizobium, Trichoderma, Anabaena, Cylindrospermum, Nostoc, Volvox, Oscillaria, and Lactobacillus.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method as recited in claim 4 wherein the living organisms selected from the genus Azotobacter are selected from the group consisting of the species vinelandii, agile, and chroococcum.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
32 words
A method as recited in claim 4 wherein the living organisms selected from the genus Rhizobium are selected from the group consisting of the species leguminosarum, phaseoli, trifoli, meliloti, lupini, and juponicum.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method as recited in claim 1 wherein the carrier is selected from the group consisting essentially of peat and whey.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
37 words
A method as recited in claim 1 comprising the further steps of breaking the seal of and opening the package after an extended storage period, and applying the organisms with the carrier to plant roots or seeds.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
76 words
A package of living organisms consisting essentially of living organisms mixed with a carrier comprising a substantially granular material suitable for maintaining the organisms in a viable condition over a long period of time, gaseous atmosphere means for inducing and maintaining substantial nonvegetative state formation of the organisms, and a sealed envelope surrounding said carrier, organisms, and atmosphere for preventing contamination of said atmosphere until breakage of the envelope seal just before use of the organism.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
76 words
A package of living organisms consisting essentially of living organisms mixed with a carrier comprising a substantially granular material suitable for maintaining the organisms in a viable condition over a long period of time, gaseous atmosphere means for inducing and maintaining substantial nonvegetative state formation of the organisms, and a sealed envelope surrounding said carrier, organisms, and atmosphere for preventing contamination of said atmosphere until breakage of the envelope seal just before use of the organism.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
26 words
A package as recited in claim 9 wherein said atmosphere means comprises a gas selected from the group consisting essentially of nitrogen, helium and argon gases.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
18 words
A package as recited in claim 9 wherein said envelope comprises a member formed of flexible sheet material.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
15 words
A package as recited in claim 9 or claim 11 wherein said envelope is opaque.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
18 words
A package as recited in claim 11 wherein said envelope flexible sheet material is formed of heat-sealable material.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
35 words
A package as recited in claim 9 wherein the living organisms are selected from the group consisting of the genera Azotobacter, Achromobacter, Beijerinckia, Clostridium, Pseudomonas, Bacillus, Rhizobium, Trichoderma, Anabaena, Cylindrospermum, Nostoc, Volvox, Oscillaria, and Lactobacillus.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
29 words
A package as recited in claim 14 wherein the living organisms selected from the genus Azotobacter are selected from the group consisting of the species vinelandii, agile, and chroococcum.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
32 words
A package as recited in claim 14 wherein the living organisms selected from the genus Rhizobium are selected from the group consisting of the species leguminosarum, phaseoli, trifoli, meliloti, lupini, and juponicum.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
21 words
A package as recited in claim 9 wherein said carrier is selected from the group consisting essentially of peat, and whey.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
17 words
A package as recited in claim 9 wherein said carrier comprises peat with a pH controlling substance.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
15 words
A package as recited in claim 20 wherein the pH controlling substance is calcium carbonate.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
74 words
A package of living organisms of the genus Azotobacter, a carrier for the organisms comprising a substantially granular material suitable for maintaining the organisms in a viable condition over a long period of time and effecting utilization of the organisms for application to plants, seed, and the like, an inert gas atmosphere in the package effective to induce and maintain substantial nonvegetative state formation, and a gas-tight envelope containing the organism-carrier mixture and atmosphere.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
74 words
A package of living organisms of the genus Azotobacter, a carrier for the organisms comprising a substantially granular material suitable for maintaining the organisms in a viable condition over a long period of time and effecting utilization of the organisms for application to plants, seed, and the like, an inert gas atmosphere in the package effective to induce and maintain substantial nonvegetative state formation, and a gas-tight envelope containing the organism-carrier mixture and atmosphere.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
17 words
A package as recited in claim 22 wherein the carrier is peat and the gas is nitrogen.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method as recited in claim 1 wherein the carrier is peat and comprising the further step of providing a pH controlling substance with the peat.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method as recited in claim 22 wherein the pH controlling substance is calcium carbonate.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
31 words
A package as recited in claim 9 wherein said carrier further comprises a material suitable for effecting application of the organisms in the carrier to plant roots, seeds, and the like.
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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) | 1983-10-21 | 1984-04-21 | 1984-10-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1987-10-21 | 1988-04-21 | 1988-10-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1991-10-21 | 1992-04-21 | 1992-10-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |