US5019564A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Non-clay agricultural granule
Assignee: LOWE H EDWARD CASSOPOLIS
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Filing: 1987-10-19
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Granted: 1991-05-28
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Expires: 2007-10-19
Abstract
Abstract An agricultural granule capable of carrying and releasing incorporated biocidal or nutritional agricultural chemicals. The granule is formed by the agitative agglomeration of a plant fiber slurry and resembles a clay granule in all respects except for its chemical inertness.
Inventors
- 👤 H. Edward Lowe
- 👤 Ricky L. Yoder
- 👤 Clayton C. Nelson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 19:53
CPC Classifications
A; A01; A01N; A01N25/00; A01N25/12; A01K; A01K1/00; A01K1/015; A01K1/0152; A01K1/0155; A01N25/08; C; C05; C05F; C05F11/00; C05G; C05G5/00; C05G5/10; C05G5/12; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S71/00; Y10S71/904
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 21
Claim 1
Independent Claim
49 words
An agricultural granule adapted for carrying an incorporated chemical, said granule comprising 10-100% plant fiber and from 0-90% of a mineral filler, said granule being substantially inert with regard to said incorporated chemical, said plant fibers forming interlocking bonds to form said granule without requiring a separate chemical binder.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
49 words
An agricultural granule adapted for carrying an incorporated chemical, said granule comprising 10-100% plant fiber and from 0-90% of a mineral filler, said granule being substantially inert with regard to said incorporated chemical, said plant fibers forming interlocking bonds to form said granule without requiring a separate chemical binder.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
32 words
The filler material of claim 1 wherein said granulated plant fiber is one of the group of materials which consists of citrus pulp, sugar cane, sugar beets, potatoes, grain and paper sludge.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
The agricultural granule of claim 2 wherein said plant fiber is primary de-inked paper sludge having from 40%-90% fiber by weight.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
The filler material of claim 1 and an incorporated biocide for controlling bacteria and fungi in said granulated plant fiber.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
The filler material of claim 1 wherein said filler material is of a granular composition ranging from 12 to 48 mesh size.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
88 words
A method of producing a granule capable of carrying agricultural chemicals comprising the steps of: a) providing a quantity of plant fiber slurry wherein the slurry includes at least 10% by weight of the plant fiber; b) adjusting the moisture content of said slurry to allow fiber size reduction; c) reducing the fiber size of said slurry; d) agitating said slurry in the absence of separate chemical binders whereupon said plant fibers interlock and bond to form granules which are substantially chemically inert; and e) drying said granules.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
88 words
A method of producing a granule capable of carrying agricultural chemicals comprising the steps of: a) providing a quantity of plant fiber slurry wherein the slurry includes at least 10% by weight of the plant fiber; b) adjusting the moisture content of said slurry to allow fiber size reduction; c) reducing the fiber size of said slurry; d) agitating said slurry in the absence of separate chemical binders whereupon said plant fibers interlock and bond to form granules which are substantially chemically inert; and e) drying said granules.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 6 wherein step a) includes providing a quantity of paper sludge having 40%-90% fiber content by weight.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 6 and a step g) of adding a dye to adjust the color of said mixture.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 8 and a step h) of adding a biocide to said mixture.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 9 and an additional step i) of packaging said granules.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 10 and a step j) of incorporating an agricultural chemical into said granules.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 11 wherein step j) includes incorporating an organophosphate pesticide into said granules.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 6 wherein step a) includes providing a quantity of primary de-inked paper sludge having 40%-90% fiber content by weight.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 6 wherein step e) includes agglomerating said mixture in a disk pelletizer.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 6 wherein step e) includes agglomerating said mixture in a pinmill.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 6 wherein step d) includes reducing the fiber size of said mixture to a range of 1 mm-10 mm in length.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 6 wherein step d) includes shredding said mixture in a high intensity mixer.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 6 wherein step j) includes incorporating a carbamate pesticide into said granules.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 6 wherein step d) includes agitating said slurry in the absence of a chemical binder.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US888148A
Cited
US3672945A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1994-05-27 | 1994-11-26 | 1995-05-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1998-05-27 | 1998-11-26 | 1999-05-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2002-05-27 | 2002-11-26 | 2003-05-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |