Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
WO 2021/106002
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PACKAGING FOR WATER-SOLUBLE UNIT
RELATED APPLICATION
This application claims the benefit of US Provisional Patent Application No.
62/941,901
filed on 29 November 2019, the contents of which are incorporated herein by
reference in their
entirety.
Throughout this application various publications are referenced. The
disclosures of these
documents in their entireties are hereby incorporated by reference into this
application in order to
more fully describe the state of the art to which this invention pertains.
TECHNICAL FIELD
The invention refers to a packaging for at least one water-soluble unit which
comprises at
least one agricultural material, a method for stabilizing a water-soluble unit
comprising least one
agricultural material and method of preparation thereof
BACKGROUND
Agrochemical compositions, liquids and solids are well known as being packaged
in bottles
and bags.
The composition either in bags and/ or bottles requires a manual measuring of
the
composition, followed by dilution and/or dissolving in water. Often the
dilution and/or dissolving
is in a large volume using hard and/or cold water.
Measuring the composition before dilution and/or dissolving is often not
conducted in a
precise manner which may lead to overdosing or insufficient amount of the
active ingredient. In
addition, imprecise dosage increases resistance development of plant, fungus
and/or insect toward
pesticides and may lead to reduction in their efficacy.
In the art, different hands-free, measured packages comprising primary and
external
package are known as described in WO 2018/116117.
Soluble packaging of agricultural material has several disadvantages. One is
the lack of
stability of the unit caused by environmental conditions and/or the
agrochemical itself.
There is a need to develop a method for stabilizing soluble package units
comprising
agrochemicals. To develop a stable water-soluble unit comprising at least one
agricultural material.
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SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a sealing bag comprising at least one water-
soluble unit,
wherein the water-soluble unit comprises at least one agricultural material
and wherein the sealing
bag is sealed at vacuum.
The present invention provides a water-soluble unit comprising at least one
agricultural
material, wherein the unit is packaged in an external sealing bag and the
sealing bag is sealed under
vacuum.
The present invention provides a sealing bag comprising at least one water-
soluble unit,
wherein the water-soluble unit comprises at least one agricultural material
and wherein the sealing
bag is substantially free of air.
The present invention provides a water-soluble unit comprising at least one
agricultural
material, wherein the unit is packaged in an external sealing bag and the
sealing bag is substantially
free of air.
The present invention provides a method for increasing stability of a water-
soluble unit
which comprises at least one agricultural material, the method comprising (1)
placing the water-
soluble unit comprising at least one agricultural material in a sealing bag
and (2) sealing the bag
under vacuum.
The present invention provides a method for increasing shelf life of a water-
soluble unit
which comprises at least one agricultural material, the method comprising (1)
placing the water-
soluble unit comprising at least one agricultural material in a sealing bag
and (2) sealing the bag
under vacuum.
The present invention provides a method for increasing stability of a water-
soluble unit
which comprises at least one agricultural material, the method comprising (1)
placing the water-
soluble unit comprising at least one agricultural material in a sealing bag
and (2) sealing the bag
so that the sealing bag is substantially free of air.
The present invention provides a method for increasing shelf life of a water-
soluble unit
which comprises at least one agricultural material, the method comprising (1)
placing the water-
soluble unit comprising at least one agricultural material in a sealing bag
and (2) sealing the bag
so that the sealing bag is substantially free of air.
The present invention provides a packaging for at least one water-soluble unit
which
comprises at least one agricultural material, comprising a sealing bag wherein
the sealing bag is
sealed at vacuum.
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The present invention provides a packaging for delivery of at least one water-
soluble unit
which comprises at least one agricultural material, comprising a sealing bag
wherein the sealing
bag is sealed at vacuum.
The present invention provides a packaging for increasing shelf life of at
least one water-
soluble unit which comprises at least one agricultural material, comprising a
sealing bag wherein
the sealing bag is sealed at vacuum.
The present invention provides a packaging for at least one water-soluble unit
which
comprises at least one agricultural material, comprising a sealing bag wherein
the sealing bag is
substantially free of air
The present invention provides a packaging for delivery of at least one water-
soluble unit
which comprises at least one agricultural material, comprising a sealing bag
wherein the sealing
bag is substantially free of air.
The present invention provides a packaging for increasing shelf life of at
least one water-
soluble unit which comprises at least one agricultural material, comprising a
sealing bag wherein
the sealing bag is substantially free of air.
The present invention provides the use of vacuumed packaging for stabilization
of a water-
soluble unit which comprises at least one agricultural material.
The present invention provides the use of vacuum for stabilizing a water-
soluble unit which
comprises at least one agricultural material.
The present invention provides a method for packaging a water-soluble unit
which
comprises at least one agricultural material, the method comprising (1)
placing at least one water-
soluble unit comprising at least one agricultural material in a sealing bag
and (2) sealing the bag
at vacuum.
The present invention provides a method for packaging a water-soluble unit,
the method
comprising (1) preparing at least one water-soluble unit which comprises at
least one agricultural
material (2) placing the water-soluble unit of step (1) in a sealing bag and
(3) sealing the bag at
vacuum.
The present invention provides a method for packaging a water-soluble unit
which
comprises at least one agricultural material, the method comprising (1)
placing at least one water-
soluble unit comprising at least one agricultural material in a sealing bag
and (2) sealing the bag
so that the sealing bag is substantially free of air.
The present invention provides a method for packaging a water-soluble unit,
the method
comprising (1) preparing at least one water-soluble unit which comprises at
least one agricultural
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material (2) placing the water-soluble unit of step (1) in a sealing bag and
(3) sealing the bag so
that the sealing bag is substantially free of air.
The present invention provides the use of the packaging, sealing bag and/or
water-soluble
unit described herein for preparing a diluted agricultural composition for
controlling pests.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF TI-IC SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
Figure 1. A and B refer to water-soluble unit (example 2) which was kept in
sealing bag,
where the sealing bag was not sealed under vacuum but under ambient pressure.
Figure 2. A and B refer to water-soluble unit (example 1) which was kept in a
sealing bag,
where the sealing bag was sealed under vacuum.
DESCRIPTION OF SPECIFIC EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION
Definitions
Prior to setting forth the present subject matter in detail, it may be helpful
to provide
definitions of certain terms to be used herein. Unless defined otherwise, all
technical and scientific
terms used herein have the same meaning as is commonly understood by one of
skill in the art to
which this subject matter pertains. The following definitions are provided for
clarity.
The term "a" or "an" as used herein includes the singular and the plural,
unless specifically
stated otherwise. Therefore, the terms "a," "an," or "at least one" can be
used interchangeably in
this application.
As used herein, the term "about" when used in connection with a numerical
value includes
10% from the indicated value. In addition, all ranges directed to the same
component or property
herein are inclusive of the endpoints, are independently combinable, and
include all intermediate
points and ranges. It is understood that where a parameter range is provided,
all integers within
that range, and tenths thereof, are also provided by the invention. For
example, "0.1-80%" includes
0.1%, 0.2%, 0.3%, etc. up to 80%.
As used herein, the term "agricultural material" means an ingredient used in
the practice
of farming, including cultivation of the soil for the growing of crops.
However, the use of
agricultural materials is not limited to application to crops. Agricultural
materials is also used in
the practice of non-crop uses, it may be applied to any surface, e.g., for the
purpose of cleaning or
aiding or inhibiting growth of a living organism. Other non-crop applications
include, but are not
limited to, application to an animal, e.g. livestock, application to turf and
ornamentals, and
application to railroad weed. Agricultural material can be used in connection
with material which
is used as additive such as adjuvants (e.g. rainfastness agent) and safeners.
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Examples of agricultural materials, agrochemicals, pesticides, hormones, bio-
stimulants,
adjuvant, safener and plant growth agents.
As used herein, the term "agrochemical" is a chemical active ingredient used
in the practice
of farming, including cultivation of the soil for the growing of crops.
However, the use of
5 agrochemicals is not limited to application to crops. Agrochemicals may
be applied to any surface,
e.g., for the purpose of cleaning or aiding or inhibiting growth of a living
organism. Examples of
agrochemical, pesticides, hormones, No-stimulants, and plant growth agents.
As used herein, the term "pesticide", "pesticide compound" or "pesticidal
compound"
means a compound capable of killing or inhibiting growth or proliferation of a
pest, whether for
plant protection or for non-crop application. As used herein, all terms
"pesticide", "pesticide
compound" or "pesticidal compound" fall within "agricultural material". The
term "pesticide",
"pesticide compound" or "pesticidal compound" includes, but is not limited to,
insecticide,
nematicide, herbicide, fungicide, algicides, animal repellents, and
acaricides.
As used herein, the term "pest" includes, but is not limited to, insect,
nematode, weed,
fungi, algae, mite, tick, and animal. As used herein, the term "weed" refers
to any unwanted
vegetation.
As used herein, the term "water-soluble unit" refers to at least one chamber
prepared from
a water-soluble film.
In particular, the term "water-soluble unit" refers to at least one chamber
prepared from a water-
soluble polymer.
As used herein, the term "chamber film" refers to the chamber wall.
As used herein, the term "stable/stability/stabilization" when used in
connection with the
chamber film properties refers to no significant changes of the chamber film
properties after at
least 1 year of storage at temperature up to 30 C or after any standard
accelerated storage stability
test (e.g. after 8 weeks of storage at a temperature of 40 2 t, after 12
weeks of storage at a
temperature of 35 2 C, or after 18 weeks of storage at a temperature of 30
2 'V).
As used herein, the term "changes" when used in connection with the chamber
film
properties refers to change in the dissolution time of the water soluble unit,
change in the sieve
residual of the water-soluble unit, change in the solubility of the water-
soluble unit, change in the
elasticity of the chamber film of the water-soluble unit, change in the volume
of the water-soluble
unit and/or sinking level and/or sinking speed of water-soluble unit which
comprises at least one
agricultural material in the tank sprayer. Dissolution time refers to time to
initiate the dissolution
of the chamber film and/or time for complete dissolution of the chamber film.
Significant change in dissolution time is more than 10% of change in the time.
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Significant change in sieve residual is more than 1% of change in the sieve
residual amount.
Significant change in the volume of the water-soluble unit is more than 5% of
increasing
in the volume of the water-soluble unit.
Dissolution time of the water-soluble unit refers to time to initiate the
dissolution of the
chamber film and/or time for complete dissolution of the chamber film.
In particular, when the term "stable/stability" is used in connection with lab
conditions,
stability is tested based on standards set forth by the Collaborative
International Pesticides
Analytical Council (C1PAC).(e.g. MT176). The CIPAC is an international,
organization that
promotes international agreements on methods for the analysis of pesticides
and physico-chemical
test methods for formulations. Methods adopted by the CIPAC are published in
the CIPAC
Handbooks, available online at www(dot)cipac(dot)org/index(dot)php/methods-
publications, the
entire content of each method is hereby incorporated by reference into the
subject application.
In particular, when the term "stable/stability" is used in connection with
filed/tank sprayer
simulation conditions, stability is tested for changes in non-vacuumed water-
soluble unit compared
to vacuumed water-soluble unit. Testing for stability is done in identical
conditions (e.g same
water-soluble unit comprising at least one agricultural material, water
temperature, water hardness,
water stream).
As used herein, the term "vacuumed water-soluble unit" refers to a water-
soluble unit
which is placed in a sealing bag and the sealing bag is sealed and stored
under vacuum. The sealing
bag is substantially free of air.
As used herein, the term "non-vacuumed water-soluble unit" refers to a water-
soluble unit
which is not stored under vacuum.
Storage not under vacuum is (1) storage the water-soluble unit which comprises
at least
one agricultural material without external sealing bag or (2) storage the
water-soluble unit which
comprises at least one agricultural material in a sealing bag without vacuum
in the sealing bag.
(e.g. ambient pressure).
As used herein "substantially free" means that the sealing bag contains an
amount of air
that does not significantly affect the stability of the unit. In some
embodiments, the air amount in
the sealing bag is less than 5% by volume based on the total volume of the
sealing bag. In preferred
embodiments, the air amount in the sealing bag is less than 0.3% by volume
based on the total
volume of the sealing bag.
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STABILIZATION OF A WATER-SOLUBLE UNIT.
Stabilization of soluble units which comprises at least one agricultural
material is critical
for efficient use thereof.
Many parameters affect the short term and/or the long term stability of a
water-soluble unit
which comprises at least one agricultural material in terms of delivery and
shelf life.
It was found that the stability of water-soluble unit which comprises at least
one
agricultural material is improved by packaging and sealing the water-soluble
unit which comprises
at least one agricultural material under vacuum.
Vacuum refers but is not limited to controlling the moisture transfer between
the
agricultural material and the chamber film of the water-soluble unit. The
moisture transfer effects
may affect the elongation and/or elasticity of the chamber film.
In some embodiments, agricultural material is an agricultural composition.
The present invention provides a method for increasing stability of a water-
soluble unit
which comprises at least one agricultural material, the method comprising (1)
placing the water-
soluble unit comprising at least one agricultural material in a sealing bag
and (2) sealing the bag
under vacuum.
The present invention provides a method for increasing shelf life of a water-
soluble unit
which comprises at least one agricultural material, the method comprising (1)
placing the water-
soluble unit comprising at least one agricultural material in a sealing bag
and (2) sealing the bag
under vacuum.
The present invention provides a method for increasing stability of a water-
soluble unit
which comprises at least one agricultural material, the method comprising (1)
placing the water-
soluble unit comprising at least one agricultural material in a sealing bag
and (2) sealing the bag
so that the sealing bag is substantially free of air.
The present invention provides a method for increasing shelf life of a water-
soluble unit
which comprises at least one agricultural material, the method comprising (1)
placing the water-
soluble unit comprising at least one agricultural material in a sealing bag
and (2) sealing the bag
so that the sealing bag is substantially free of air.
In some embodiments, vacuum is equal to or less than 600 mmHg.
In some embodiments, the water-soluble unit which comprises at least one
agricultural
material is placed in the sealing bag with additional components.
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PACKAGING FOR WATER-SOLUBLE UNIT
The present invention provides a sealing bag comprising at least one water-
soluble unit,
wherein the water-soluble unit comprises at least one agricultural material
and wherein the sealing
bag is sealed at vacuum.
The present invention provides a water-soluble unit comprising at least one
agricultural
material, wherein the unit is packaged in an external sealing bag and the
sealing bag is sealed at
vacuum.
The present invention provides a sealing bag comprising at least one water-
soluble unit,
wherein the water-soluble unit comprises at least one agricultural material
and wherein the sealing
bag is substantially free of air.
The present invention provides a water-soluble unit comprising at least one
agricultural
material, wherein the unit is packaged in an external sealing bag and the
sealing bag is substantially
free of air.
The present invention provides a packaging for at least one water-soluble unit
which
comprises at least one agricultural material, comprising a sealing bag wherein
the sealing bag is
sealed under vacuum.
The present invention provides a packaging for delivery of at least one water-
soluble unit
which comprises at least one agricultural material, comprising a sealing bag
wherein the sealing
bag is sealed at vacuum.
The present invention provides a packaging for increasing shelf life of at
least one water-
soluble unit which comprises at least one agricultural material, comprising a
sealing bag wherein
the sealing bag is sealed at vacuum.
The present invention provides a packaging for at least one water-soluble unit
which
comprises at least one agricultural material, comprising a sealing bag wherein
the sealing bag is
substantially free of air.
The present invention provides a packaging for delivery of at least one water-
soluble unit
which comprises at least one agricultural material, comprising a sealing bag
wherein the sealing
bag is substantially free of air.
The present invention provides a packaging for increasing shelf life of at
least one water-
soluble unit which comprises at least one agricultural material, comprising a
sealing bag wherein
the sealing bag is substantially free of air.
The present invention provides the use of vacuumed packaging for stabilization
of a water-
soluble unit which comprises at least one agricultural material.
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The present invention provides the use of vacuum for stabilizing a water-
soluble unit which
comprises at least one agricultural material.
In some embodiments, the packaging comprises a sealing bag.
In some embodiments, the sealing bag comprises a water-soluble unit which
comprises at
least one agricultural material.
In some embodiments, vacuum is equal to or less than 600 mmHg.
STABILITY PARAMETERS
Stabilizing a water-soluble unit which comprises at least one agricultural
material, refers
but is not limited to increasing shelf life of unit.
Increasing of stability may be measured by, but not limited to, changes of the
dissolution
time of the soluble unit, change of sieve residual of the soluble unit, change
of elasticity of the
chamber film of the water-soluble unit, change in the volume of the water-
soluble unit ancUor
sinking level and/or sinking speed of water-soluble unit in the tank sprayer.
Dissolution time refers to time to initiate the dissolution of the chamber
film and/or time
for complete dissolution of the chamber film. Shelf life refers to the period
where the water-soluble
unit which comprises at least one agricultural material, maintains its
properties in term of the
dissolution time of the chamber film, of sieve residual of the chamber film,
elasticity of the
chamber film of the water-soluble unit which comprises at least one
agricultural materialõ the
volume of the water-soluble unit which comprises at least one agricultural
material, and/or the
sinking level of water-soluble unit which comprises at least one agricultural
material, in a tank
sprayer.
Increasing shelf life of water-soluble unit which comprises at least one
agricultural material
refers but is not limited to at least 1 month, 6 months, or 12 months longer
than shelf life of a non-
vacuumed water-soluble unit which comprises at least one agricultural
material.
The packaging disclosed in the present invention, increases the shelf life of
the water-
soluble unit which comprises at least one agricultural material by at least 1
month, 6 months, 12
months.
In some embodiments, stability is measured by dissolution time.. In some
embodiments,
dissolution time of non-vacuumed water-soluble unit which comprises at least
one agricultural
material, is increased by at least 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, or
90% compared
to vacuumed water-soluble unit which comprises at least one agricultural
material.
In some embodiments, the elasticity of the chamber film is measured.
In some embodiments, elasticity refers but is not limited to brittle level.
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In some embodiments, the brittle level is tested by a tensile test device
according to ISO
527, ASTM D638.
In some embodiments, brittle level is measured by testing the physical
properties of the
chamber film, such as weight comparison.
5
In some embodiments, the brittle
level is tested by drop-test according to the UN demands
for specific specimens of products from the "Orange Book".
UN demands for specific specimens of products from the "Orange Book" such as
UN
recommendation on the transport of dangerous goods, part 6 (edition 17, 2011)
(orange book),
ICAO Technical Instructions for the safe transport of Dangerous goods by air,
edition 2011-2012,
10 IMO livIDG CODE, 2010, amendment 35-10.
In some embodiments, stability is measured by brittle level of the chamber
film. In some
embodiments, brittle level of non-vacuumed water-soluble unit which comprises
at least one
agricultural material is higher by at least 1%, 5%, 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%,
60%, 70%, 80%,
or 90% compared to the vacuumed water-soluble unit which comprises at least
one agricultural
material.
In some embodiments, stability is measured by bulging level. In some
embodiments,
bulging level of vacuumed water-soluble unit which comprises at least one
agricultural material is
at least, 5%, 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, or 90% less compared to
the non-
vacuumed water-soluble unit which comprises at least one agricultural
material.
In some embodiments, bulging level refers to but is not limited to the change
in the volume
of the water-soluble unit which comprises at least one agricultural material.
In some embodiments, the bulging level of the water-soluble unit which
comprises at least
one agricultural material, is measured in change in the volume of the water-
soluble unit which
comprises at least one agricultural material.
The invention packaging decreases the change in the volume of the vacuumed
water-
soluble unit which comprises at least one agricultural material by at least
5%, 10%, 20%, 30%,
40%, 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, or 90% less compared to the change in volume of the
non-vacuumed
water-soluble unit, which comprises at least one agricultural material.
In some embodiments, stability is measured by shelf life. In some embodiments,
shelf life
of vacuumed water-soluble unit which comprises at least one agricultural
material is increased by
at least 5%, 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, or 90% compared to the
non-vacuumed
water-soluble unit which comprises at least one agricultural metrical.
In some embodiments, the at least one agricultural material is folpet and/or
captan.
In some embodiments, the at least one agricultural material is tau
fluvalinate.
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In some embodiments, the water-soluble unit comprises a pesticide composition.
In some embodiments, the pesticide is fungicide, insecticide.
In some embodiments, fungicide is folpet and/or captan.
In some embodiments, the agricultural material is composition of captan.
VACUUM PROPERTIES
The invention refers to packaging for water soluble unit which comprises at
least one
agricultural material at vacuum.
Packaging at vacuum refers to the pressure in the sealing bag_
The vacuum in the sealing bag is critical for stability of the water-soluble
unit which
comprises at least one agricultural material.
The vacuum in the sealing bag is equal to or less than 600 mmHg.
In some embodiments, the vacuum in the sealing bag is equal to or less than
600 nunHg,
500 mmHg, 400 mmHg, 300 mmHg or 200 mmHg.
In some embodiments, the water-soluble unit which comprises at least one
agricultural
material is placed in a sealing bag prepared by a known method for
preparation.
Known method refers but is not limited to Vertical Form Fill and Seal (VFFS).
PACKAGING- SEALING BAG PREPARATION AND MATERIAL
The material which is used for packaging the water-soluble unit which
comprises at least
one agricultural material under vacuum includes any material which preserves
the vacuum for at
least 6 months.
In some embodiments, the vacuum is preserved for at least 12 months, 18
months, or 24
months.
In some embodiments, the sealing bag is prepared from a non-biodegradable
material. In
some embodiments, the sealing bag is prepared from a biodegradable material.
In some
embodiments, the sealing bag is prepared from a recycled material.
In some embodiments, the sealing bag is prepared from a poly ethylene based
polymer.
In some embodiments, the poly ethylene based polymer is a cross linked poly
ethylene
based polymer.
In some embodiments, the sealing bag is prepared from a cross linked poly
ethylene based
polymer
In some embodiments, the sealing bag is based on aluminium foil.
In some embodiments, the sealing bag is based on paper foil.
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In some embodiments the sealing bag is a water-soluble paper.
In some embodiments, the sealing bag is prepared from a multi-layer based
material.
In some embodiments, the sealing bag is single layer, double layer, triple
layer and/or
ternary layers.
In some embodiments, the sealing bag is prepared from an aluminum foil based
material.
In some embodiments, the sealing bag is a Laminated 3 layers foil PE/AL/PET.
In some embodiments, the sealing bag is a Laminated double layer foil PE/PET.
In some embodiments, a Bio-degradable sealing bag is corn starch based.
In some embodiments, the sealing bag is prepared by a known method for
preparation.
Known method refers but is not limited to Vertical Form Fill and Seal (VFFS).
WATER-SOLUBLE UNIT WHICH COMPRISES AT LEAST ONE AGRICULTURAL
MATERIAL - CHAMBER FILM
In some embodiments, the water-soluble unit which comprises at least one
agricultural
material is prepared from a water-soluble film.
In some embodiments, the water-soluble film is prepared using a water-soluble
polymer.
In some embodiments, the water-soluble unit which comprises at least one
agricultural
material is prepared from water-soluble polymer.
In some embodiments, the water-soluble film is polyvinyl alcohol based
polymer.
In some embodiments, the water-soluble film is polyvinyl alcohol.
In some embodiments, the water-soluble polymer is polyvinyl alcohol based
polymer.
In some embodiments, the water-soluble polymer is polyvinyl alcohol.
In some embodiments, the chamber film is polyvinyl alcohol based polymer.
In some embodiments, the chamber film is polyvinyl alcohol.
In some embodiments, poly vinyl alcohol based polymer is a modified polymer.
In some embodiments, the poly vinyl alcohol based polymer is manufactured by
Aicello.
In some embodiments the polyvinyl alcohol polymer is Aicello PT 40, Aicello PT
80
(manufactured by Aicello).
In some embodiments the sealing bag is prepared from Aicello PT 40.
In some embodiments, the water-soluble unit can be prepared by methods such as
vacuum
forming, Vertical Form Fill & Seal (VFFS), Horizontal Form Fill & Seal (HFFS)
or any other type
of FFS, or Flow Pack.
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In some embodiments, the water-soluble unit can be prepared by methods such as
impulse
welding, ultrasonic welding, water sealing.
WATER-SOLUBLE UNIT CHARACTERIZATION/PROPERTIES
The water-soluble unit which comprises at least one chamber and at least one
agricultural
material wherein the unit is prepared from a soluble film and an agricultural
material is enclosed
within the chamber that unit has critical parameters for efficiency in the
field.
Critical parameters such as thickness of the chamber, elasticity of the
chamber, and
chamber film dissolution time.
In some embodiments, dissolution time refers to the time needed for full
dissolution of the
chamber film at 5 C water temperature which is about 10 minutes in filed/tank
sprayer simulation
conditions.
In some embodiments, dissolution time refers to the time needed for full
dissolution of the
chamber film at 5 C water temperature which is less than 120, less than 60,
less than 30, less than
20, less than 10 minutes in filed/tank sprayer simulation conditions.
In some embodiments, dissolution time refers to time for initiating the
dissolution of the
chamber film at 10 C water temperature which is less than 1 minutes, less than
40 seconds, less
than 30 seconds, less than 15 seconds in filed/tank sprayer simulation
conditions.
In some embodiments, dissolution time refers to time for initiating the
dissolution of the
chamber film at 5 C water temperature which is less than 60 seconds, less than
30 seconds, less
than 15 seconds filed/tank sprayer simulation conditions.
In some embodiments, the thickness of the chamber film comprising an
agricultural
composition is between30 -100 microns.
In some embodiments, the volume of the water-soluble unit is between 1 ml to
10 liters.
In some embodiments, the weight of the pesticide composition is between 15 gr
to 5000
grams.
In some embodiments, the weight of the water -soluble unit which comprises at
least one
agricultural material is between 15 gr to 5000 grams.
AGRICULTURAL MATERIAL
Agriculture material may refer to agricultural composition.
In some embodiments, agriculture material may refer to agrichemical
composition. In some
embodiments, the agriculture composition is solid composition and /or liquid
composition. In some
embodiments, the agrichemical composition is solid composition and /or liquid
composition. In
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some embodiments, the agricultural composition is a concentrated composition.
In some
embodiments, concentrated composition refers to the composition in the water -
soluble unit before
wetting the water -soluble unit with water.
Solid composition refers but is not limited to soluble granules, water
dispersible granules
and powder.
Liquid composition refers but is not limited to oil dispersion (OD)
composition and
emulsifiable concentrate (EC).
In some embodiments, the agriculture composition comprises at least one
agrochemical.
In some embodiments, the composition comprises at least two agrochemicals. In
some
embodiments, the agricultural composition comprises at least one
disintegration agent.
In some embodiments, the disintegration agent is a blooming agent, an
effervescence
system or a combination thereof.
In some embodiments, the effervescent system comprises a mixture of an acid
and a base,
preferably a weak acid and a weak base. However, the effervescent system that
may be used with
the composition is not limited to the combination of an acid and a base.
Chemical reaction between an acid and a base can result in a rapid spontaneous
evolution
of CO2 gas when the effervescent system is combined with and wetted by water.
In-situ formation
of gas enhances solid disintegration and/or particles dispersion.
Acids may include, but are not limited to, organic and inorganic acids. The
inorganic acid
may be a weak acid. Organic acids may include but are not limited to
carboxylic acids such as
citric acid, fumaric acid, phthalic acid, maleic acid, malic acid, oxalic
acid, adipic acid, glutaric
acid, 2-methyl glutaric acid, succinic acid and tartaric acid or any
combination thereof.
Bases may include, but are not limited to, organic and inorganic bases. The
inorganic base
may be a weak base. Inorganic base may include but are not limited to an
alkali metal carbonate
or bicarbonate such as lithium carbonate, sodium carbonate, sodium
bicarbonate, potassium
carbonate, potassium bicarbonate or any combination thereof.
Agriculture material refers but is not limited to agrochemical, biological
material, natural
material, adjuvants and safener.
Agrochemical refers but is not limited to pesticide, bin stimulant, growth
regulator,
fertilizer/nutrients.
In some embodiments, the agrochemical is a pesticide.
In some embodiments, the pesticide is an insecticide. In some embodiments, the
pesticide
is a fungicide. In some embodiments, the pesticide is an acaricide. In some
embodiments, the
pesticide is a nematicide. In some embodiments, the pesticide is an herbicide.
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Examples of insecticides and acaricides may include, but are not limited to,
chlorantraniliprole, abamectin, pyriproxyfen, acetamiprid, bifenthrin,
cyfluthrin, pymetrozine,
novaluron, ethiprole, fipronil, tau fluvalinate and lambda-cyhalothrin
acetamiprid, imidacloprid
and any combinations thereof.
5 Examples of fungicides may include, but are not limited to,
sterol biosynthesis inhibitors
such as prothioconazole, epoxiconazole, cyproconazole, myclobutanil,
prochloraz, metconazole,
difenoconazole, tebuconazole, tetraconazole, fenbuconazole, propiconazole,
fluquinconazole,
flusilazole, flutriafol, fenpropimorph, fenpropidin, ipconazole,
triticonazole, spiroxamine,
fenhexamid, and fenpyrazamine, succinate dehydrogenase inhibitors such as
benzovindiflupyr,
10 penthiopyrad, isopyrazam, fluxapyroxad, boscalid, fluopyrarn, bixafen,
and penflufen, strobilurin
fungicides such as azoxystrobin, pyraclostrobin, picoxystrobin, fluoxastrobin,
trifloxystrobin,
lcresoxim-methyl, dimoxystrobin, and orysastrobin, multisite inhibitors such
as mancozeb,
chlorothalonil, folpet, captan, metiram, maneb, propineb, copper hydroxide,
copper octanoate,
copper oxychloride, copper sulfate, copper sulfate (tribasic), mancopper,
oxine-copper, copper
15 bis(3-phenlsalicylate), copper zinc chromate, cuprous oxide, cupric
hydrazinium sulfate,
cuprobam and any combinations thereof
Examples of nematicide may include but are not limited to fluensulfone.
Examples of herbicides may include but are not limited to clethodim, 2,4 D.
metolachlor,
S-metolachlor, atrazine, pinoxaden, mesosulfuron, mefenpyr, clomazone,
penoxsulam, DCPA,
nicosulfuronflurochloridone, pyrioxasulfone, pretilachlor, metarniVon,
triflusulfuron, lenacil,
pinoxaden, glyphosate, glufosinate, dicamba, chloroacetarnide and any
combination thereof.
In some embodiments, the agriculture material is agrochemical composition
comprising
captan.
In some embodiments, the agriculture material is agrochemical composition
comprising
folpet.
In some embodiments, the agriculture material is agrochemical composition
comprising
tau fluvalinate.
In some embodiments, the agrochemical composition is a composition comprising
a
pesticide selected from a group consisting of captan, folpet, acephate,
acetamiprid, bifenthrin,
irnidaclopride, chlorothalonil and prothioconazole.
In some embodiments, the agrochemical is captan. In some embodiments, the
agrochemical
is folpet.
In some embodiments, the pesticide is captan. In some embodiments, the
pesticide is folpet.
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PROCESS FOR PREPARING THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a method for packaging a water-soluble unit
which
comprises at least one agricultural material, the method comprising (1)
placing at least one water-
soluble unit comprising at least one agricultural material in a sealing bag
and (2) sealing the bag
at vacuum.
The present invention provides a method for packaging a water-soluble unit,
the method
comprising (1) preparing at least one water-soluble unit which comprises at
least one agricultural
material (2) placing the water-soluble unit of step (1) in a sealing bag and
(3) sealing the bag under
vacuum.
The present invention provides a method for packaging a water-soluble unit
which
comprises at least one agricultural material, the method comprising (1)
placing at least one water-
soluble unit comprising at least one agricultural material in a sealing bag
and (2) sealing the bag
so that the sealing bag is substantially free of air.
The present invention provides a method for packaging a water-soluble unit,
the method
comprising (1) preparing at least one water-soluble unit which comprises at
least one agricultural
material (2) placing the water-soluble unit of step (1) in a sealing bag and
(3) sealing the bag so
that the sealing bag is substantially free of air.
Method for sealing the sealing bag maybe, but is not limited to, hot bar
welding, impulse
welding, ultrasonic welding and water sealing.
In some embodiments the sealing of the sealing bag in the method for packaging
the water-
soluble unit which comprises at least one agricultural material is achieved by
pumping the air in
the sealing bag after placing the water-soluble unit which comprises at least
one agricultural
material, inside the sealing bag. Pumping at potency/strength of 0.25 to -0.7
Bar for a duration of
1 to 90 seconds.
COMPOSITION
The present invention provides a water diluted agricultural composition
comprising any
one of the water-soluble unit described herein and water.
In some embodiments, the water -soluble unit is wetted after removing the
sealing bag.
In some embodiments, the sealing bag is removed prior to the wetting of the
water-
soluble unit with water.
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METHOD OF USE
The present invention also provides a method of controlling and preventing
pest comprising:
(1) preparing a water diluted agricultural composition from any one of the -
packaging, sealing
bag and/or water-soluble unit described herein and
(2) applying the water diluted agricultural composition to a locus where the
pest is to be
controlled and prevented.
The present invention also provides a method of controlling and preventing
pest comprising:
(1) preparing a water diluted agricultural composition from any one of the
packaging, sealing
bag and/or water-soluble unit described herein and
(2) applying the water diluted agricultural composition to at least one of a
plant, an area
adjacent to a plant, soil adapted to support growth of a plant, a root of a
plant, foliage of a
plant, and/or a seed adapted to produce a plant.
The present invention also provides a method of controlling and preventing
pest comprising:
(1) preparing a water diluted agricultural composition from any one of the
packaging, sealing
bag and/or water-soluble unit described herein and
(2) applying the water diluted agricultural composition of any one of the
packaging, sealing
bag and/or water-soluble unit described herein to an area infested with the
unwanted pest
so as to thereby control the unwanted pest.
The present invention also provides a method of controlling and preventing
pest comprising:
(1) preparing a water diluted agricultural composition from any one of the
packaging, sealing
bag and/or water-soluble unit described herein and
(2) contacting a plant, a locus thereof or propagation material thereof with
water diluted
agricultural composition of any one of the packaging, sealing bag and/or water-
soluble unit
described herein so as to thereby control the plant disease.
In some embodiments, the water diluted agricultural composition prepared from
any one
of the packaging, sealing bag and/or water-soluble unit described herein is
prepared by wetting the
water-soluble unit with water.
In some embodiments, wetting is after removing the sealing bag.
In some embodiments, wetting is by adding to water, the water-soluble unit
after removing
the sealing bag.
In some embodiments, wetting is by placing the water-soluble unit after
removing the
sealing bag, on the spray tank top sieve and adding water on over the unit.
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In some embodiments, the water diluted agricultural composition prepared from
any one
of the packaging, sealing bag and/or water-soluble unit described herein is
prepared by adding to
water the water-soluble unit after removing the sealing bag.
In some embodiments, the water diluted agricultural composition prepared from
any one
of the packaging, sealing bag and/or water-soluble unit described herein is
prepared by placing the
water-soluble unit after removing the sealing bag, on the spray tank top sieve
and adding water on
over the unit.
The present invention provides the use of the packaging, sealing bag and/or
water-soluble
unit described herein for preparing a diluted agricultural composition for
controlling pests_
In some embodiments, diluted agricultural composition is water diluted
agricultural
composition.
In one embodiment, the pest is insect. In one embodiment, the pest is fungi.
In one
embodiment, the pest is nematode. In one embodiment, the pest is weed.
In one embodiment, the locus is a plant, an area adjacent to a plant, soil
adapted to support
growth of a plant, a root of a plant, foliage of a plant, and/or a seed
adapted to produce a plant.
In one embodiment, the locus is a wall, a floor, or a surface of a furniture
or fixture. In one
embodiment, the locus is a kitchen surface or bathroom surface.
In one embodiment, the locus is skin of an animal or surrounding of an animal.
In one
embodiment, the locus is a railway or an area surrounding a railway.
The water diluted agricultural composition prepared from any one of the
packaging, sealing
bag and/or water-soluble unit described herein may be applied to healthy or
diseased plant. In
some embodiments, the water diluted agricultural composition prepared from any
one of the
packaging, sealing bag and/or water-soluble unit described herein is applied
to various plants
including but not limited to crops, seeds, bulbs, propagation material, turf,
or ornamental species.
Each embodiment disclosed herein is contemplated as being applicable to each
of the other
disclosed embodiments. Thus, all combinations of the various elements
described herein are within
the scope of the invention.
The invention is illustrated by the following examples without limiting it
thereby.
EXPERIMENTS SECTION
Preparation of the water-soluble unit which comprise captan (unit A)
Water-soluble units comprise a chamber that encloses captan composition
(captan 80
WDG, Merpan) within, were prepared by using a vertical FFS machine that forms
the PVA sachet
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(Aicello PT 40) and fills a measured quantity of the captan (Merpan). The
water-soluble unit which
comprising captan was sealed at vacuum using heat bar welding or Impulse
welding.
EXAMPLE 1. Water-soluble unit packaged in a sealing bau under vacuum.
Unit A was placed in a sealing bag, (Laminated 3 layers foil PE/AL/PET
(PlastoSac)).
The sealing bag was sealed at vacuum for 30 seconds, using Impulse welding.
The vacuum in the
sealing bag is less than 600 mmHg.
EXAMPLE 2- Water-soluble unit packaged in a sealing bat the sealing bag is
sealed in
ambient pressure.
Unit A was placed in a cross linked PE ziploc bag.
The bag was sealed using the ziploc. The pressure is ambient pressure. No
vacuum in the sealing
bag.
Stability tests:
Examples 1 and 2 which were stored at 40 C temperature for 8 weeks and
parameters such
as (1) dissolution rate (initiate and full dissolution), (2) sieves residual
(filter nozzle and top sieve
filter) and bulging were checked.
Test 1, Dissolution time test under lab condition, based on ClPAC MT 176
A 10cm2 PVA film strip (taken from example 1 and 2, as well as from a fresh
PVA film
that didn't undergo storage) were hung on a metal hook attached to a plastic
cover. 2. The strips
were then lowered into a beaker containing 100m1 of standard hard water
(500ppm hardness, pH
7.0-8.0, Ca++:Mg++ = 4:1) in which the captan 80 WDG, was dispersed. The water
temperature
was kept at 20 C or lower. 3. The film strips were kept inside the dispersion
of captan for 10
minutes without agitation, followed by 10 minutes with stirring with a
magnetic bar at a speed of
1500 RPM. 4. The dispersion was poured onto a 150 pm sieve and any residuals
were noted. 5.
The time until the film strip initial dissolution was measured.
EXAMPLE 1¨ EXAMPLE
2¨ Fresh PVA film
sealed under sealed
in ambient
vacuum pressure
Dissolution time - 30 seconds 4
minutes 30 seconds
time for initiating the
chamber film
dissolution
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Residuals at end of Some <1mm pieces Many 2-3nun
No residuals
test of film pieces
of film
Results showed that the unit which was stored under vacuum (EXAMPLE 1) was
more
stable than the unit which was not kept under vacuum (EXAMPLE 2). The time for
initiating the
dissolution of the chamber wall film for the example 1, was same as for a
fresh PVA strip that was
5 tested in the same conditions, in addition the amount of the sieve
residual is of example 1 compared
to example 2 was lower, which shows that the dissolution time in general for
example 1 is lower
than example 2.
Test 2, Field Simulation test:
10 Material:
1000 liter commercial tank sprayer contains (50% volume) water at cold
temperature 5 C and
commercial fertilizer, Calcium Chloride (180 gr) and Magnesium Chloride
Hexahydrate (80
gram), hardness of water at least 342 ppm, molar ratio of Ca to Mg is 4:1. (PH
of 7.9)
15 The test
Step 1. Units of Example 1 and 2 were put on the spray tank top sieve.
Step 2. Cold stream water (5 C) at 4 Bar pressure, was applied over the water-
soluble units
which were placed on top sieve.
Throughout step 2, time in seconds and water volume in liters were measured
for each
20 dissolving unit
In addition, the internal mixing jets and filters were in operation mode and
the jet agitation
was kept for 10 minutes.
Step 3. The obtained spray solution of step 2, was applied using boom sprayer
with T-jet
ceramic spray nozzle with nozzle filter with 50 and 80 mesh.
After step 3 was completed, sieves residual in the nozzles, nozzle filters and
head pump
filter as well as the top sieve filter were checked by a visual inspection.
Results are shown in table 2.
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EXAMPLE 1¨ EXAMPLE
2 ¨
sealed under sealed
in ambient
vacuum pressure
Dissolution time - 7 seconds 15
seconds
time for initiating the
chamber film
dissolution
Full dissolution 2 minutes 5
minutes
Sieve on top of the Clean Residual
sprayer
Observation of main Clean Clean
filter
Observation of Clean Clean
nozzles filter
Results showed that the unit which was stored under vacuum (EXAMPLE 1) was
more
stable than the unit which was not kept under vacuum (EXAMPLE 2).
Test 3, Volume of the water-soluble unit comprising captan (bulging) after
storage for 8 weeks at
40 C.
Chamber bulging is an additional test which reflects the stability of the
water-soluble unit.
Chamber bulging was recorded as a visual observation.
Results are shown in figures 1 and 2.
Results showed that the volume of the water-soluble unit which was not kept
under vacuum
(example 2) (figure 1), increased by at least 30%.
Conclusion:
The invention packaging for a water-soluble unit which comprises at least one
agricultural
material, wherein the water soluble unit which comprises at least one
agricultural material is kept
in a sealing bag at vacuum showed less changes in dissolution time of the
chamber film, sieve
residual and chamber bulging compared to the water soluble unit which
comprises at least one
agricultural material, which was kept in sealing bag in ambient pressure. (not
at vacuum).
In addition, any priority document(s) of this application is/are hereby
incorporated herein
by reference in its/their entirety.
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