Patent US2321903A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
Patent US4561995A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4561995A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Material for drying cut plants and methods of facilitating such drying
Assignee: Fenn and Co
•
Filing: 1982-04-05
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Granted: 1985-12-31
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Expires: 2002-04-05
Abstract
Abstract Drying agents for cut plants provide a basic pH in a solution between approximately 12.4 and 13.2 when the drying is to be provided primarily on the stems of the cut plants. The drying agents include a first material which provides a pH of at least 12.4 in the solution. The first drying agent may constitute an alkaline metasilicate such as sodium metasilicate. The drying agents may also include a second material such as an alkaline carbonate. Sodium or potassium carbonate are preferable. The second drying agent constitutes a buffer to limit the pH in the solution to a value of approximately 13.2. The metasilicate is in the form of a colloid of silicon dioxide and this colloid tends to act primarily on the waxes on the stems to saponify the waxes on the surfaces of the stems. The drying agents form a chemical complex which serves as a protective coating to prevent water from entering into the stems of the plants. Because of the chemical complex which protects the surfaces of the plants against the entry of water, the drying agents may also be used at a reduced pH to protect the leaves of plants. For example, the drying agents may be used at a pH between approximately 10 and 11 to protect the leaves of the plants. The drying agents may also be used at a suitable pH such as between approximately 10 and 11 to protect other materials such as grains.
Inventors
- 👤 George S. Fenn
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 23:05
CPC Classifications
A; A23; A23B; A23B2/00; A23B2/90; A23B2/91; A23B7/00; A23B7/02; A23B7/022; A23K; A23K30/00; A23K30/10; A23K30/12; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S426/00; Y10S426/807; Y10S47/00; Y10S47/11
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 45
Claim 1
Independent Claim
69 words
A material for use in a solution for drying cut plants, the material consisting of: a first drying agent providing a pH in the solution in the range of at least 12.4, and a second drying agent providing a buffering action in the solution with the first drying agent to limit the pH of the first drying agent in the solution to the range of approximately 12.4 to 13.2.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
69 words
A material for use in a solution for drying cut plants, the material consisting of: a first drying agent providing a pH in the solution in the range of at least 12.4, and a second drying agent providing a buffering action in the solution with the first drying agent to limit the pH of the first drying agent in the solution to the range of approximately 12.4 to 13.2.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
The material set forth in claim 1 wherein the first drying agent is a silicate and the second drying agent is a carbonate.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
39 words
The material set forth in claim 2 wherein the metasilicate has approximately one (1) to three (3) parts by weight in the material and the carbonate has approximately five (5) to two (2) parts by weight in the material.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
36 words
The material set forth in claim 1 wherein the first drying agent is sodium metasilicate and the second drying agent is a carbonate of a positive ion selected from a group consisting of sodium and potassium.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
27 words
The material set forth in claim 4 wherein the sodium metasilicate and the sodium carbonate or potassium carbonate have substantially equal concentrations by weight in the material.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
92 words
In combination for use in a solution for drying cut plants, a material consisting of: a first drying agent providing a pH in the solution in the range of at least 12.4, and a second drying agent providing a buffering action in the solution with the first drying agent to limit the pH of the first drying agent to the range of approximately 12.4 to 13.2, a mold inhibiting agent having properties of becoming active at a pH below approximately 6 to inhibit the formation of molds in the dired cut plants.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
92 words
In combination for use in a solution for drying cut plants, a material consisting of: a first drying agent providing a pH in the solution in the range of at least 12.4, and a second drying agent providing a buffering action in the solution with the first drying agent to limit the pH of the first drying agent to the range of approximately 12.4 to 13.2, a mold inhibiting agent having properties of becoming active at a pH below approximately 6 to inhibit the formation of molds in the dired cut plants.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
106 words
A material for use in a solution for drying cut plants, the material consisting of: a first drying agent providing a pH in the solution in the range of at least 12.4, and a second drying agent providing a buffering action in the solution with the first drying agent to limit the pH of the first drying agent to the range of approximately 12.4 to 13.2, a surface active agent for facilitating the penetration of the solution to the leaves and a waterproofing agent for providing for a passage of moisture vapor between the leaves and the atmosphere while preventing water drops from affecting the leaves.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
106 words
A material for use in a solution for drying cut plants, the material consisting of: a first drying agent providing a pH in the solution in the range of at least 12.4, and a second drying agent providing a buffering action in the solution with the first drying agent to limit the pH of the first drying agent to the range of approximately 12.4 to 13.2, a surface active agent for facilitating the penetration of the solution to the leaves and a waterproofing agent for providing for a passage of moisture vapor between the leaves and the atmosphere while preventing water drops from affecting the leaves.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
85 words
A material for use in a solution for drying cut plants, the material consisting of: a first drying agent having a basic pH and providing a colloidal suspension in the solution, and a second drying agent having a basis pH and providing a buffering action with the first drying agent in the solution to limit the basic pH of the solution to a particular value and cooperating with the first drying agent to provide a protective coating on the plants when applied to the plants.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
85 words
A material for use in a solution for drying cut plants, the material consisting of: a first drying agent having a basic pH and providing a colloidal suspension in the solution, and a second drying agent having a basis pH and providing a buffering action with the first drying agent in the solution to limit the basic pH of the solution to a particular value and cooperating with the first drying agent to provide a protective coating on the plants when applied to the plants.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
33 words
The material set forth in claim 8, the first drying agent providing a pH of at least 12.4 and the second drying agent limiting the pH to a maximum value of approximately 13.2.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
31 words
The material set forth in claim 8 wherein the first and second drying agents react to form a complex which provides a protective coating on particular portions of the cut plants.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
53 words
The material set forth in claim 10 wherein the protective complex produced on the cut plants is in the form of a gel and wherein the first and second drying agents are applied primarily to the stems of the plants to produce the protective complex primarily on the stems of the cut plants.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
23 words
The material set forth in claim 11 wherein the first drying agent is a silicate and the second drying agent is a carbonate.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
53 words
The material set forth in claim 12 wherein the first and second drying agents provide a pH in the solution of approximately 10 to 11 and wherein a mold-inhibiting agent is included in the solution and is provided with characteristics of becoming active when the plants ferment to produce a pH below 6.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
60 words
The material set forth in claim 12 wherein the silicate is a metasilicate and the first and second drying agents provide a pH between approximately 12.4 and 13.2 in the solution and wherein a mold-inhibiting agent is included in the solution and is provided with characteristics of becoming active when the plants ferment to produce a pH below approximately 6.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
139 words
A material for use in a solution for drying cut plants, the material consisting of: a first drying agent having properties of providing a basic pH and a colloidal suspension in an aqueous solution, and a second drying agent having properties of providing a basic pH and a buffering action with the first drying agent in the solution to limit the pH of the solution to a particular value and of cooperating with the first drying agent to provide a protective coating on the plants when applied to the plants, a surface active agent having properties of facilitating the penetration of the solution in the space occupied by the leaves, and waterproofing agent having properties of providing for the passage of water vapor between the leaves and the atmosphere while inhibiting the passage of water drops to the leaves.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
139 words
A material for use in a solution for drying cut plants, the material consisting of: a first drying agent having properties of providing a basic pH and a colloidal suspension in an aqueous solution, and a second drying agent having properties of providing a basic pH and a buffering action with the first drying agent in the solution to limit the pH of the solution to a particular value and of cooperating with the first drying agent to provide a protective coating on the plants when applied to the plants, a surface active agent having properties of facilitating the penetration of the solution in the space occupied by the leaves, and waterproofing agent having properties of providing for the passage of water vapor between the leaves and the atmosphere while inhibiting the passage of water drops to the leaves.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
51 words
The material set forth in claim 15 wherein the first drying agent is a metasilicate and has approximately one (1) to three (3) parts by weight in the material and the second drying agent is a carbonate and has approximately five (5) to two (2) parts by weight in the material.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
79 words
A material for use in a solution for drying cut plants, the material consisting of: a first drying agent having a basic pH in the solution and having properties of saponifying the surfaces of the stems on the cut plants, and a second drying agent having a basic pH in the solution and having properties of reacting with the first drying agent in the solution to produce a complex on the surface of the stems for protecting the plants.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
79 words
A material for use in a solution for drying cut plants, the material consisting of: a first drying agent having a basic pH in the solution and having properties of saponifying the surfaces of the stems on the cut plants, and a second drying agent having a basic pH in the solution and having properties of reacting with the first drying agent in the solution to produce a complex on the surface of the stems for protecting the plants.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
37 words
The material set forth in claim 17 wherein the first drying agent and the second drying agent provide a pH in the solution of approximately 10 to 11 for application primarily to the leaves of the plants.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
30 words
The material set forth in claim 18 wherein the first drying agent is a silicate and the second drying agent is selected from a group consisting of carbonates and phosphates.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
54 words
The material set forth in claim 17 wherein the first drying agent provides a pH of at least 12.4 and the second drying agent constitutes a buffer for limiting the pH of the first drying agent to a maximum of approximately 13.2 when the first and second drying agents are disposed in a solution.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
23 words
The material set forth in claim 17 wherein the first drying agent is a silicate and the second drying agent is a carbonate.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
24 words
The material set forth in claim 21 wherein the first drying agent and the second drying agent have approximately equal weights in the material.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
77 words
A composition for use in a solution for drying cut plants where the cut plants have wax on the plants, consisting of: drying agents providing a colloidal suspension in the solution and providing basic properties to the solution and providing a buffering action in the solution to limit the pH of the solution to a particular value and providing a saponification of the wax on the cut plants and providing a protective coating on the cut plants.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
77 words
A composition for use in a solution for drying cut plants where the cut plants have wax on the plants, consisting of: drying agents providing a colloidal suspension in the solution and providing basic properties to the solution and providing a buffering action in the solution to limit the pH of the solution to a particular value and providing a saponification of the wax on the cut plants and providing a protective coating on the cut plants.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
32 words
A composition as set forth in claim 23 wherein the drying agents provide a pH in the solution of at least 12.4 and less than 13.2 when applied to the cut plants.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
29 words
A composition as set forth in claim 23 wherein the drying agents provide a PH in the solution between approximately 10 and 11 when applied to the cut plants
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
33 words
A composition as set forth in claim 23 wherein the drying agents provide a pH between approximately 12.4 and 13.2 in the solution for application primarily to the stems of the cut plants.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
30 words
A composition as set forth in claim 23 wherein the drying agents provide a pH between approximately 10 and 11 for application primarily to the leaves of the cut plants.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
138 words
A composition for use in a solution for drying cut plants where the cut plants have wax on the plants, including: drying agents providing a colloidal suspension in the solution and providing basic properties to the solution and providing a buffering action in the solution to limit the pH of the solution to a particular value and providing a saponification of the wax on the cut plants and providing a protective coating on the cut plants, and a mold inhibiting agent mixed with the drying agent and having properties of remaining inactive for different basic pH conditions in the solution until the occurrence in the solution of particular acidic conditions inducing molding of the plants and having properties of reacting with moisture under such particular acidic conditions in the solution to inhibit the molding of the cut plants.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
138 words
A composition for use in a solution for drying cut plants where the cut plants have wax on the plants, including: drying agents providing a colloidal suspension in the solution and providing basic properties to the solution and providing a buffering action in the solution to limit the pH of the solution to a particular value and providing a saponification of the wax on the cut plants and providing a protective coating on the cut plants, and a mold inhibiting agent mixed with the drying agent and having properties of remaining inactive for different basic pH conditions in the solution until the occurrence in the solution of particular acidic conditions inducing molding of the plants and having properties of reacting with moisture under such particular acidic conditions in the solution to inhibit the molding of the cut plants.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
40 words
A composition as set forth in claim 28, including, waterproofing agent having properties in the solution of providing for the passage of moisture through the cut plants but inhibiting water drops and droplets from being re-absorbed on the cut plants.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
28 words
A composition as set forth in claim 28, including, a surface active agent for facilitating the penetration of the drying agent in the solution into the cut plants.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
41 words
A composition as set forth in claim 30, including, a waterproofing agent having properties in the solution of providing for the passage of moisture through the cut plants but inhibiting water drops and droplets from being re-absorbed on the cut plants.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
18 words
A composition as set forth in claim 28 wherein the drying agents constitute a silicate and a carbonate.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
20 words
A composition as set forth in claim 32 wherein a siliconate is included in the composition as a waterproofing agent.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
109 words
a composition for use in a solution for drying cut plants where the cut plants have wax on the plants, consisting of: drying agents providing a colloidal suspension in the solution and providing basic properties to the solution and providing a buffering action in the solution to limit the pH of the solution to a particular value and providing a saponification of the wax on the cut plants and providing a protective coating on the cut plants, a waterproofing agent having properities in the solution of providing for the passage of moisture through the cut plants but inhibiting water drops and droplets from being re-absorbed on the cut plants.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
109 words
a composition for use in a solution for drying cut plants where the cut plants have wax on the plants, consisting of: drying agents providing a colloidal suspension in the solution and providing basic properties to the solution and providing a buffering action in the solution to limit the pH of the solution to a particular value and providing a saponification of the wax on the cut plants and providing a protective coating on the cut plants, a waterproofing agent having properities in the solution of providing for the passage of moisture through the cut plants but inhibiting water drops and droplets from being re-absorbed on the cut plants.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
96 words
A composition for use in a solution for drying cut plants where the cut plants have wax on the plants, consisting of: drying agents providing a colloidal suspension in the solution and providing basic properaties to the solution and providing a buffering action in the solution to limit the pH of the solution to a particular value and providing a saponification of the wax on the cut plants and providing a protective coating on the cut plants, a surface active agent for facilitating the penetration of the drying agents in the solution into the cut plants.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
96 words
A composition for use in a solution for drying cut plants where the cut plants have wax on the plants, consisting of: drying agents providing a colloidal suspension in the solution and providing basic properaties to the solution and providing a buffering action in the solution to limit the pH of the solution to a particular value and providing a saponification of the wax on the cut plants and providing a protective coating on the cut plants, a surface active agent for facilitating the penetration of the drying agents in the solution into the cut plants.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
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| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1988-12-30 | 1989-07-01 | 1989-12-31 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1992-12-30 | 1993-07-01 | 1993-12-31 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1996-12-30 | 1997-07-01 | 1997-12-31 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |