Encapsulated fertilizers and pesticides and process
AssigneeClemson University
InventorDavid N.-S. Hon
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A slow release fertilizer or pesticide composition and a method for making the same is provided. The composition is made by combining thermoplastic resin with cellulosic material and then adding a fertilizer or pesticide. The thermoplastic resin and the cellulosic material preferably come from the solid waste stream. The resulting composition can be molded into various articles or ground into a granular powder.
Claims23
A product for slowly releasing a fertilizer or pesticide composition therefrom, said product consisting essentially of:
- thermoplastic resin, an absorbent cellulosic material comprising a ground, shredded or cut paper, and a fertilizer or pesticide embedded within said thermoplastic resin, said cellulosic material further being embedded within said thermoplastic resin for allowing water to flow into the product when absorbed by the cellulosic material and for allowing water to act as a carrier for slowly releasing said fertilizer or pesticide as said water moves out of said product.
An article for slowly releasing a fertilizer or pesticide composition therefrom, said article consisting essentially of:
- a thermoplastic composite containing a fertilizer or pesticide embedded within said thermoplastic composite;
- and
- ground, shredded or cut newspaper further embedded within said composite, said newspaper being liquid absorbent for allowing liquids to flow into said composite and for allowing liquids to act as a carrier for slowly releasing said fertilizer or pesticide as said liquids flow out of said composite.
A method for slowly releasing a fertilizer or a pesticide into a plant growth medium such as soil comprising the steps of:
- (a) providing a polymeric product containing a fertilizer or a pesticide embedded thereon and further essentially containing ground, shredded or cut cellulosic fibers derived from paper embedded therein;
- (b) applying said product to said plant growth medium;
- (c) applying water to said plant growth medium so that said water flows into said polymeric product through absorption by said cellulosic fibers;
- and
- (d) allowing said fertilizer or pesticide to be released from said polymeric product into said plant growth medium by being carried by said water as said water moves out of said product.
A method defined for slowly releasing a fertilizer or a pesticide into a plant growth medium such as soil comprising the steps of:
- (a) providing a polymeric composite product, said product comprising thermoplastic resin, a fertilizer or pesticide embedded within said thermoplastic resin, and an absorbent cellulosic material derived from paper consisting essentially of ground, shredded or cut cellulosic fibers, said cellulosic material further being embedded within said thermoplastic resin;
- (b) applying said polymeric composite product to a plant growth medium;
- and
- (c) contacting said polymeric composite product with water for releasing said fertilizer or pesticide in a controlled manner, wherein said water is absorbed into said product by said cellulosic material, contacts said fertilizer or pesticide contained therein, and carries said fertilizer or pesticide out of said product over an extended period of time.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.