# US 2019/0313625 A1 · Spreading device, method and powder-like mixture composition for controlling or preventing forest pathogens on tree stumps > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2019/0313625 A1 - Document ID: US20190313625A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 16/276,827 - Filed: 2019-02-15 - Published: 2019-10-17 - Earliest claimed: 2018-02-15 - Assignees: Envion, LLC; Danstar Ferment AG - Applicants: EnviOn Oy; Danstar Ferment AG - Inventors: Lauri ESKOLA; Pekka SEISKARI - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20190313625A1 ## CPC - A01G 23/099: Auxiliary devices, e.g. felling wedges - A01G 7/06: Treatment of growing trees or plants, e.g. for preventing decay of wood, for tingeing flowers or wood, for prolonging the life of plants - A01M 9/0007: {Pneumatic dusters (electrostatic spraying apparatus B05B5/00; single-unit hand-held apparatus in which flow of contents is produced by the muscular force of the operator at the moment of use B05B11/00)} - A01M 9/0053: {Mechanical dusters} - A01N 25/08: containing solids as carriers or diluents - A01N 25/12: Powders or granules (A01N25/26 takes precedence) - A01N 63/30: Microbial fungi; Substances produced thereby or obtained therefrom - C12N 1/145: Fungi isolates - A01G: HORTICULTURE; CULTIVATION OF VEGETABLES, FLOWERS, RICE, FRUIT, VINES, HOPS OR SEAWEED; FORESTRY; WATERING (picking of fruits, vegetables, hops or the like A01D46/00; propagating unicellular algae C12N1/12) - A01M: CATCHING, TRAPPING OR SCARING OF ANIMALS (appliances for catching swarms or drone-catching A01K57/00; fishing A01K69/00 - {A01K99/00}; biocides, pest repellants or attractants A01N); APPARATUS FOR THE DESTRUCTION OF NOXIOUS ANIMALS OR NOXIOUS PLANTS - 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 - C12N: MICROORGANISMS OR ENZYMES; COMPOSITIONS THEREOF; PROPAGATING, PRESERVING, OR MAINTAINING MICROORGANISMS; MUTATION OR GENETIC ENGINEERING; CULTURE MEDIA (microbiological testing media C12Q1/00) ## Abstract A spreading device, a powder-like mixture composition and a method for spreading the composition for control or prevent forest pathogens on tree stumps are disclosed. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A spreading device (1) adapted to administer onto a tree stump (T) a composition which comprises microbial propagules to control or prevent the growth of a forest pathogen, which spreading device comprises: a spreading end (3) connected to a pipe-like frame (2), and administering means (4) for administering said composition, wherein said administering means (4) comprise a pressure accumulator (42) for loading pressurized air (I), said pressure accumulator (42) being connected to a first end of the pipe-like frame (2) via a supply pipe (413) and regulating means (41) which comprises at least one regulating valve (411) for regulating flow of the pressurized air (I) entering the frame (2) which regulating means (41) further comprises communication means (47) for providing to the at least one regulating valve (411) data about starting time of pressurized air (I) delivery and data about duration of said pressurized air (I) delivery, wherein said pressure of pressurized air depends on the diameter of the tree stump and which administering means (4) further comprises: a powder storage (45) which contains a powder-like mixture (S, K) comprising microbial propagule (S) and a solid fine carrier (K), which powder storage (45) is configured to be capable of being brought into a flow connection of the powder-like mixture with the frame (2), and a control apparatus (43) connected to a second end of the frame (2) for administering the powder-like mixture (S, K) inside the frame (2) and means for blowing the powder-like mixture (S, K) onto a tree stump, via a spreading head (3) connected to the frame (2). ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The spreading device according to claim 1, wherein the communication means (47) further enables providing a control apparatus (43) with the data relating to starting time and duration of the dosage of powder-like mixture (S, K) inside the frame (2). ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The spreading device according to claim 1, wherein the regulating means (41) comprises two regulating valves; a first regulating valve (411a) before the pressure accumulator (42) and a second regulating valve (411b) after the pressure accumulator in the flow direction of pressurized air (I). ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The spreading device according to claim 3, wherein at least one regulating valve (411) is electromagnetic valve, preferably the first and the second regulating valves (411) are electromagnetic valves, wherein the first electromagnetic valve (411a) which locates before the pressure accumulator (42) defines pressure level of pressurized air (I) in the pressure accumulator (42) and the second electromagnetic valve (411b) which locates after the pressure accumulator (42) defines the starting time of delivery of pressurized air into frame (2) of the spreading device. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The spreading device according to claim 1, wherein said communication means (47) operate automatically and receive data from a harvester control system, which data comprises control commands for starting time of delivery and the pressure of pressurized air (I) and/or starting time and duration of dosage of the powder-like mixture (S, K). ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The spreading device according to claim 5, wherein the control commands received from the harvester control system (100) comprises control commands relating to working hydraulics (105) of a harvester head which controls a hydraulic circuit (91, 97) connected to usage of a chain saw or/and usage of tree stump treatment device for liquid. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The spreading device according to claim 6, wherein control commands are arranged to be generated by or derived from valve(s) which open/close fluid pressure connection between a hydraulic pump and hydraulic actuators of a chain saw (5) or control commands are arranged to be generated by or derived from a pressure gauge in a pipe/tube of hydraulic circuit (91) of the chain saw (5). ### Claim 8 (depends on 5) The spreading device according to claim 5, wherein control commands from harvester control system (100) which relate to pressure level of delivered pressurized air and/or dosage of the powder-like mixture (S, K) depend on the trunk shape/diameter specifically depend on diameter of cut tree stump (T) diameter. ### Claim 9 (depends on 5) The spreading device according claim 5, wherein the pressure of the pressurized air (I) to be loaded into the pressure accumulator (42) depends on the dimension of the tree stump T and optionally also the duration of the delivery of pressurized air (I) and can be commenced automatically by action of the communication means. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The spreading device (1) according to claim 1, wherein said powder storage (45) further comprises a container (451) configured to receive a powder cartridge (452) comprising a powder-like mixture of microbial propagules, a culture medium (S) used for producing the microbial propagules and a fine solid carrier (K), preferably said microbial propagules are fungal spores, and preferably said solid fine carrier (K) has a volumetric weight of at least 0.50 g/cm3, or at least 0.60 g/cm3 or at least 1 g/cm3. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The spreading device (1) according to claim 10, wherein said powder cartridge (452) further contains a removable cap and said powder storage contains means (453) for bringing said powder-like mixture (S, K) in flow connection with the inside of the frame (2) after removing said cap. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The spreading device according to claim 11, wherein said powder cartridge (452) is a tube made of plastic, cardboard or thin metal. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) The spreading device (1) according to claim 11, wherein said container (451) is connected to flow connection of the powder-like mixture with inside of the frame (2) via a supply tube (453). ### Claim 14 (depends on 10) The spreading device (1) according to claim 10, wherein said fungal spores are spores of Phlebiopsis gigantea; preferably spores Phlebiopsis gigantea strain ATCC 90304, Phlebiopsis gigantea strain DSMZ 26191, Phlebiopsis gigantea strain DSMZ 26192 or Phlebiopsis gigantea strain DSMZ 16201, or a combination thereof. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The spreading device (1) according to claim 1, wherein said regulating valve (41) of the administering means (4) comprises a magnetic valve (411a) and/or a damper for altering the volumetric flow and/or pressure of pressurized air (I) entering the frame (2), and the magnetic valve is preferably an on/off-valve. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) The spreading device (1) according to claim 1, wherein said control apparatus (43) comprises a stepper motor (431) or a servo motor. ### Claim 17 (depends on 1) A powder cartridge (452) containing a powder-like mixture, which powder cartridge (452) is adapted to be used in the spreading device (1) of claim 1, wherein said powder-like mixture of the powder cartridge can be brought into the flow connection with the frame (2) of the spreading device (1) by the usage of a control apparatus (43), which powder-like mixture comprises microbial propagules, preferably fungal spores, and a solid fine carrier, wherein said solid fine carrier has volumetric weight of at least 0.50 g/cm3, or at least 0.60 g/g/cm3, or at least 1 g/cm3 and wherein the amount of said powder-like mixture to be administered on the tree stump is arranged to be depend on diameter of the tree stump (T) to be treated. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The powder cartridge (452) according to claim 17, wherein said powder cartridge comprises 5 to-50% w-% of fungal spores and 5 to-90 w-% of a solid fine carrier, preferably 10 to 30% w-% of fungal spores and 20 to 80% w-% of a solid fine carrier; and optionally 0.5 to 5% of a marker dye or 0.5 to 20% of a nutritional supplement, or a mixture thereof, preferably comprising lignin and lignin derivatives, such as lignosulphonate or lignohumate. ### Claim 19 (depends on 17) The powder cartridge (452) according to claim 17, wherein said fungal spores are in combination with a culture medium (S) used for producing the fungal spores, and the culture medium optionally comprises amorphous silica. ### Claim 20 (depends on 17) The powder cartridge (452) according to claim 17, wherein said fungal spores are spores of Phlebiopsis gigantea; preferably spores of Phlebiopsis gigantea strain ATCC 90304, Phlebiopsis gigantea strain DSMZ 26191, Phlebiopsis gigantea strain DSMZ 26192 or Phlebiopsis gigantea strain DSMZ 16201, or a combination thereof. ### Claim 21 (depends on 17) The powder cartridge (452) according to claim 17, wherein said solid fine carrier (S) is lime, calcium carbonate, kaolin, bentonite, talc, gypsum, chitosan, vermiculite, perlite, amorphous silica, granular clay, fine-grained cellulose powder, polysaccharides, chitin, chitosan, polyacrylamide, lignin derivatives, cereal flours, yeast extract, betaine or fine-grained composition made of cereal grains, bran, sawdust, peat or wood chips or a mixture thereof; preferably calcium carbonate. ### Claim 22 A composition in the form of a powder-like mixture (S, K), wherein said composition comprises microbial propagules and a solid fine carrier wherein said microbial propagules are fungal spores which control or prevent the growth of forest pathogens on a tree stump and wherein said solid fine carrier has a volumetric weight of at least 0.50 g/cm3, or at least 0.60 g/cm3, or at least 1 g/cm3. ### Claim 23 (depends on 22) The composition according to claim 22, wherein said composition comprises 5 to 50% w-% of fungal spores and 5 to 90 w-% of a solid fine carrier, preferably 10 to 30% w-% of fungal spores and 20 to 80% w-% of a solid fine carrier, and optionally 0.5 to 5% of a marker dye or 0.5 to 20% of a nutritional supplement, or a mixture thereof, preferably comprising lignin and lignin derivatives, such as lignosulphonate or lignohumate. ### Claim 24 (depends on 22) The composition of claim 22, wherein said fungal spores are in combination with a culture medium (S) used for producing the fungal spores, and the culture medium optionally comprising amorphous silica. ### Claim 25 (depends on 22) The composition according to claim 22, wherein said fungal spores are spores of Phlebiopsis gigantea; preferably spores of Phlebiopsis gigantea strain ATCC 90304, Phlebiopsis gigantea strain DSMZ 26191, Phlebiopsis gigantea strain DSMZ 26192 or Phlebiopsis gigantea strain DSMZ 16201, or a combination thereof. ### Claim 26 (depends on 22) The composition according to claim 22, wherein said solid fine carrier is lime, calcium carbonate, kaoline, bentonite, talc, gypsum, chitosan, vermiculite, perlite, amorphous silica, granular clay, fine-grained cellulose powder, polysaccharides, chitin, chitosan, polyacrylamide, lignin derivatives, cereal flours, yeast extract, betaine or fine-grained composition made of cereal grains, bran, sawdust, peat or wood chips or a mixture thereof, preferably calcium carbonate. ### Claim 27 (depends on 22) A method to control or prevent or control growth of Heterobasidon fungal pathogen on a tree stump, the method comprising the steps of: a) providing a composition according to claim 22; and b) spreading or dispersing of the composition in a powder-like mixture on said tree stump by machine or manually, wherein the spreading in step b) is at least 1 mg/cm2, or at least 2 mg/cm2, or at least 3 mg/cm2 of the powder-like mixture is spread onto the tree stumps of logging area. ### Claim 28 (depends on 27) The method of claim 27, wherein the composition in step a) comprises 5 to-50% w-% of fungal spores and 5-90 w-% of a solid fine carrier, preferably 10 to 30% w-% of fungal spores and 20 to 80% w-% of a solid fine carrier, and optionally 0.5 to 5% of a marker dye or 0.5 to 20% of a nutritional supplement, or a mixture thereof, preferably comprising lignin and lignin derivatives, such as lignosulphonate or lignohumate. ### Claim 29 (depends on 28) The method of claim 28, wherein aid fungal spores are spores of Phlebiopsis gigantea; preferably spores of Phlebiopsis gigantea strain ATCC 90304, Phlebiopsis gigantea strain DSMZ 26191, Phlebiopsis gigantea strain DSMZ 26192 or Phlebiopsis gigantea strain DSMZ 16201, or a combination thereof. ### Claim 30 A method for spreading or dispersing onto a tree stump a powder-like mixture comprising microbial propagules which control or prevent the growth of a forest pathogen and a solid fine carrier having a volumetric weight of at least 0.50 g/cm3, or at least 0.60 g/cm3 or at least 1 g/cm3, wherein said method comprises the following steps: receiving data about dosage of a powder-like mixture (S, K) by regulating means (41), dosing the powder-like mixture (S, K) to an amount which depends on the diameter of the tree stump, forming an aerosol (A) from pressurized gas and the powder-like mixture by delivering pressurized gas on adjusted rate and amount into the powder like-mixture (S, K), reading or dispersing the aerosol (A) onto a tree stump by means of pressurized gas flow, wherein said pressurized gas is preferably pressurized air (I). ### Claim 31 (depends on 1, 30) The method according to claim 30 for spreading or dispersing onto a tree stump a powder-like mixture comprising microbial propagules and a solid fine carrier, having a volumetric weight of at least 0.50 g/cm3, or at least 0.60 g/cm3 or at least 1 g/cm3, with the spreading device (1) of in claim 1, comprising in the powder storage (45) a powder cartridge (452), which contains a powder-like mixture, which comprises microbial propagules and a solid fine carrier, wherein said method comprises following steps: receiving data about amount or/and administering time and duration of the powder-line mixture (S, K) by the regulating means (41) which amount and/or administering time depends on the diameter of the tree stump, dosaging of powder-like mixture inside the frame (2) by means of the control apparatus (43), defining automatically pressure level of air to be loaded into pressure accumulator (42), loading pressurized air into pressure accumulator (42) when dosaging powder-like mixture inside the frame (2), forming an aerosol (A) from pressurized air (I) and the powder-like mixture, by delivering pressurized air (I) with and preferably automatically adjusted pressure level of a duration into the powder-like mixture present inside the frame (2), and spreading or dispersing the aerosol (A) to the tree stump by means of the pressurized air (I) flow. ### Claim 32 (depends on 31) The method according to claim 31, wherein said the method further comprises arranging pressurized air (I) to flow automatically inside the frame (2) and onward to the spreading end (3) from pressure accumulator (42) by means of at least one, preferably by means of two regulating valves (411). ### Claim 33 The method according to 31, wherein said method comprises receiving control commands relating to starting time and pressure level of delivered pressurized air and/or dosage of the powder-like mixture from the harvester control system preferably from the control commands of harvester control system comprises control commands relating to working hydraulics of the harvester head which controls the usage of the chain saw or/and usage of tree stump treatment device for liquid. ### Claim 34 (depends on 31) The method according to claim 31, wherein control commands of the usage of the chain saw or/and usage of tree stump treatment device for liquid are based on the hydraulic circuit which are connected to actuators controlling the actions of chain saw (5) of the harvester head (6). ### Claim 35 (depends on 34) The method according to claim 34, wherein control command defining the beginning of the loading of accumulator (42) and dosage of powder-like mixture (S, K) inside the frame (2) s derived or generated from the hydraulic circuit (91) which controls the actuators which employs the actions of chain saw (5) when the bar of the chain saw (5) reaches the starting point (P2) at its path (P) in cutting a tree stump (T) from a standing tree. ### Claim 36 (depends on 34) The method according to claim 34, wherein control commands defining the end of the loading of accumulator (42) and dosage of the powder-like mixture (S, K) inside frame is also derived or generated from the hydraulic circuit (91) which controls the actuators employing the chain saw (5), after the bar (5) of the chain saw (5) reaches the end point at its path (P) in cutting a tree stump (T) from a standing tree. ### Claim 37 (depends on 34) The method according to claim 34, wherein control command defining the delivery of the pressurized air (I) into the frame (2) and among the powder-like mixture (S,K) which has been dosaged therein before, is generated or derived from the hydraulic circuit (91) which controls the actuators employing the chain saw (5) after the chain saw (5) bar (51) reaches the starting (P2) at its path (P) in sawing a tree stump (T) from a standing tree. ### Claim 38 (depends on 34) The method according to claim 34, wherein said control commands from harvester control system (100) relate to pressure level of delivered pressurized air and/or dosage of the powder-like mixture (S, K) which control commands further depend on the trunk shape/diameter. ### Claim 39 (depends on 38) The method of claim 38, wherein the composition comprises 5 to-50% w-% of fungal spores and 5-90 w-% of a solid fine carrier, preferably 10 to 30% w-% of fungal spores and 20 to 80% w-% of a solid fine carrier, and optionally 0.5 to 5% of a marker dye or 0.5 to 20% of a nutritional supplement, or a mixture thereof. ### Claim 40 (depends on 38) The method of claim 38, wherein said fungal spores in said powder cartridge are in combination with a culture medium (S) used for producing the spores and said culture medium optionally comprises amorphous silica. ### Claim 41 (depends on 40) The method of claim 40, wherein said fungal spores are spores of Phlebiopsis gigantean, preferably spores of Phlebiopsis gigantea strain ATCC 90304, Phlebiopsis gigantea strain DSMZ 26191, Phlebiopsis gigantea strain DSMZ 26192 or Phlebiopsis gigantea strain DSMZ 16201, or a combination thereof. ### Claim 42 (depends on 41) The method according claim 41, wherein said solid fine carrier is lime, calcium carbonate, kaoline, bentonite, talc, gypsum, chitosan, vermiculite, perlite, amorphous silica, granular clay, fine-grained cellulose powder, polysaccharides, chitin, chitosan, polyacrylamide, lignin derivatives, cereal flours, yeast extract, betaine or fine-grained composition made of cereal grains, bran, sawdust, peat or wood chips or a mixture thereof, preferably calcium carbonate. ### Claim 43 (depends on 39) The method according to claim 39, wherein said nutritional supplement comprises lignin and lignin derivatives, such as lignosulphonate or lignohumate.