# US 10,869,473 B2 · Systems and methods for solvent-free delivery of volatile compounds > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,869,473 B2 - Document ID: US10869473B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/928,900 - Filed: 2018-03-22 - Published: 2018-07-26 - Granted: 2020-12-22 - Earliest claimed: 2013-09-25 - Assignees: Agrofresh Inc. - Applicants: Agrofresh Inc. - Inventors: Tirthankar Ghosh - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10869473B2 ## CPC - A01N 27/00: Biocides, pest repellants or attractants, or plant growth regulators containing hydrocarbons - A23B 7/144: in the form of gases, e.g. fumigation; Compositions or apparatus therefor - A23B 9/18: in the form of gases, e.g. fumigation; Compositions or apparatus therefor - A01N: PRESERVATION OF BODIES OF HUMANS OR ANIMALS OR PLANTS OR PARTS THEREOF (preservation of food or foodstuff A23); BIOCIDES, e.g. AS DISINFECTANTS, AS PESTICIDES OR AS HERBICIDES (preparations for medical, dental or toiletry purposes which kill or prevent the growth or proliferation of unwanted organisms A61K); PEST REPELLANTS OR ATTRACTANTS; PLANT GROWTH REGULATORS - A23B: PRESERVATION OF FOODS, FOODSTUFFS OR NON-ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES; CHEMICAL RIPENING OF FRUIT OR VEGETABLES ## Abstract Provided are systems and methods for solvent-free delivery of volatile compounds, where an energy source is used to release the volatile compounds. The systems and methods provided herein have at least one advantage of (1) no solvent (for example water) is required; (2) immediate release of volatile compounds (for example 1-MCP can be released from HAIP within milliseconds or seconds instead of minutes or hours of the existing method using water); and/or (3) instantly starting and stopping the delivery of the volatile compound. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A solvent-free system for delivery of 1-methyl cyclopropene (1-MCP), comprising 1-MCP in a solid form; an inlet in fluid communication with an outlet; and a treatment compartment located between the inlet and the outlet, the treatment compartment comprising a block and a sample cup located on the block; wherein the sample cup is heated to volatilize the 1-MCP in a solid form so that a gas that enters the treatment compartment through the inlet carries the 1-MCP out of the treatment compartment through the outlet. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the 1-MCP in a solid form is cyclopropene molecular complex is an inclusion complex. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The system of claim 2, wherein the inclusion complex forms a cavity. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The system of claim 3, wherein the 1-MCP is located within the cavity. ### Claim 5 (depends on 2) The system of claim 2, wherein the inclusion complex comprises an agent selected from the group consisting of substituted cyclodextrins, unsubstituted cyclodextrins, crown ethers, zeolites, and combinations thereof. ### Claim 6 (depends on 2) The system of claim 2, wherein the inclusion complex comprises a cyclodextrin. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The system of claim 6, wherein the cyclodextrin is selected from the group consisting of alpha-cyclodextrin, beta-cyclodextrin, gamma-cyclodextrin, and combinations thereof. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the 1-MCP molecular complex comprises a molecular encapsulating agent. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The system of claim 8, wherein the molecular encapsulating agent contains the 1-MCP or a portion of the 1-MCP. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The system of claim 9, wherein van der Waals forces, hydrophobic interactions, or both cause the 1-MCP or portion thereof to remain within a cavity of the molecular encapsulating agent. ### Claim 11 (depends on 8) The system of claim 8, wherein a ratio of moles of the molecular encapsulating agent to moles of the 1-MCP is 0.1 or larger. ### Claim 12 (depends on 8) The system of claim 8, wherein a ratio of moles of the molecular encapsulating agent to moles of the 1-MCP is 1.5 or lower. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the treatment compartment is selected from the group consisting of a thermal desorption tube, a glass bottle, a bag, an aluminum cup, and combinations thereof. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the block heats the sample cup by conduction. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The system of claim 14, wherein the block heats the 1-MCP in solid form to a temperature between 100° C. and 300° C. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The system of claim 15, wherein the sample cup is aluminum. ### Claim 17 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the gas that enters the treatment compartment through the inlet is nitrogen. ### Claim 18 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the gas that enters the treatment compartment through the inlet is at a temperature between 100° C. and 300° C. ### Claim 19 (depends on 17) The system of claim 17, wherein the gas is inert. ### Claim 20 (depends on 18) The system of claim 18, wherein the gas is helium.