Umted States Patent
`
`[19]
`
`[11] Patent Number:
`
`5,683,957
`
`Huang et al.
`
`[45] Date of Patent:
`
`Nov. 4, 1997
`
`USOO5683957A
`
`3,911,183 10/1975 I-Iinkes ...................................... 428/l5
`4,045,204
`3/1977 Matsunaga et al.
`....... .. 71/11
`4,911,952
`3/1990 Doane et a1.
`427/213.31
`5,125,770
`6/1992 Hesseling et al.
`405/263
`5,130,290
`7/1992 Tanimoto ... .......
`..... 503001
`5,185,024
`2/1993 Siemer et a1.
`.......................... 504/116
`
`
`
`.
`
`Primary Examiner—S. Mark Clardy
`Attomey Agent, or Firm—Michae1 S. Shenill
`[57]
`ABSTRACT
`
`An inexpensive composition eifective for forming a long
`lasting, erosion controlling, germination promoting. pliable
`film over bare soil. The composition may be formulated in
`dry or liquid form and applied as either 3 dry Powdcr or
`liquid dispersion. The composition includes at least a major
`proportion of gelatinized starch and a plasticizer. The com-
`position may further include a fungicide. a bactericide. a
`mjcronufiicng and 3
`The
`fog-m
`also jncludc
`suflicient solvent—typically water—and may further
`include a thickener and an emulsifier for purposes of con-
`trolling settling of the components and mamtaimng a um-
`form dispersion.
`
`[54] FILM FORMING COMPOSITION
`EFFECTIVE FOR PROMOTING SEED
`GERMINA'I‘ION AND CONTROLLING SEED
`MIGRATION
`
`[75]
`
`Inventors: Emil A. Huang. Fridley; Peter C.
`Lytle, Wayzata. both of Minn.
`
`['73] Assignee:
`
`IntAgm, Inc., Minneapolis, Minn.
`
`21 A 1.N .: 721 75
`[
`1
`pp
`0
`-4
`[22] Filed:
`Sep. 27, 1996
`
`Reliltiid U-S- APP1i08fi011 Data
`
`[63] Continuation of Ser. No. 350,955, Dec. 7, 1994, abandoned.
`[51]
`Int. CL‘ ............................ A01N 25/00; AOIN 25/26
`[52] U.S. Cl.
`504/100; 504/101; 504/116;
`71/DIG- 1: 47/DIG 9; 47/DIG 10
`Of Search .....................................
`504/1163 71/DIG‘ 1~ 54-139 405/2543 47/DIG- 10»
`DIG‘ 9
`
`[56]
`
`References Cited
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`2,957,834
`
`10/1960 Miilleretal.
`
`........................ 260/170.2
`
`27 Claims, No Drawings
`
`SCOTTS EX. 1004
`
`SCOTTS EX. 1004
`
`

`
`5,683,957
`
`1
`FILM FORMING COMPOSITION
`EFFECTIVE FOR PROMOTING SEED
`GERMINATION AND CONTROLLING SEED
`MIGRATION
`
`This is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.
`08/350,955. filed Dec. 7. 1994, abandoned.
`
`FIELD OF THE INVENTION
`
`The invention relates to compositions and procedures
`used to control seed migration and promote seed gerrnina-
`tion.
`
`BACKGROUND
`
`Erosion of soil from tilled farmland and construction sites
`is an enormous problem Erosion washes away valuable top
`soil and changes the contour of the land by cutting channels
`into sloped areas and depositing sediment into low—lying
`areas. Erosion is panicularly destructive when it occurs after
`planting as the planted seeds are washed away with the soil
`and must be resown at considerable expense.
`Because of the enormous financial and enviromnental cost
`
`associated with erosion, considerable research and develop-
`ment effort has been expended in an efion to control erosion.
`The most ditficult aspect of developing a commercially
`viable erosion control scheme is balancing the need for
`effective erosion control with the cost of application. Many
`schemes have been developed, but few have found com-
`mercial success due to an inadequate cost/benefit ratio.
`Moller (U.S. Pat. No. 2,957,834) discloses that the struc-
`ture of soil can be temporarily improved by incorporating a
`gelatinized starch based soil conditioner into the soil.
`the
`Milloch (U.S. Pat. No. 3.224.867) discloses that
`stability and water retention properties of soil can be tem-
`porarily improved by incorporation of a starch phosphate
`based soil conditioner into the soil.
`
`Hesseling et al. (U.S. Pat. No. 5,125,770) discloses that
`sofl erosion can be limited by applying a dry or liquid
`mixture of pre-gelatinized starch and a specific surfactant.
`While the compositions disclosed by Moller, Milloch and
`Hesseling et al. are generally effective for controlling
`erosion. application of the mixtures must be carefully con-
`trolled as the nature of the resultant coating subjects the
`coating to cracking and erosion when the film is too thin
`while hindering the sprouting of plants when the film is too
`thick.
`
`Accordingly, a substantial need exists for an etfective. low
`cost system for controlling seed migration effected by soil
`erosion. Ftnther advantages sought for such systems is the
`ability to promote the germination of seeds by reducing
`average germination time, and assisting in the uniform
`application of seeds over the area to be treated.
`
`SUMMARY
`
`We have discovered an inexpensive composition which is
`effective for forming a long lasting pliable film over soil
`which is eifective for controlling soil erosion. limiting seed
`migrafion. reducing the evaporation of water and other
`functional components fiom the soil. and promoting seed
`germination. The composition may be formulated in dry or
`liquid form and applied as either a dry powder or liquid
`dispersion. The liquid fonn of the composition includes a
`film forming polymer. The powdered form of the composi-
`tion includes a synergistic combination of a film forming
`polymer and a hygroscopic fiber. The compositions may
`
`10
`
`25
`
`45
`
`55
`
`65
`
`2
`further include plasticizer, fungicide, bactericide.
`micronutrient. thickener, emulsifier, sugar, fertilizer. water-
`activated chromogen. and filler.
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE
`INVENTION INCLUDING A BEST MODE
`Definitions
`
`As utilized herein, including the claims. the phrase “cold
`water swellable starch” includes any starch form capable of
`swelling when wetted with cold water including starch
`which has been pre-gelatinized.
`As utilized herein. including the claims. the term “fiber”
`refers to those hygroscopic materials comprised substan-
`tially of substances which are not digestible by the human
`digestive tract. Typical fibers include cellulose.
`hemicellulose, lignin and pectic material.
`As utilized herein. including the claims. the term “starc "
`includes starches, grain flours. bean flours, individual starch
`components and modified starch products.
`As utilized herein, including the claims. “wt %” is based
`upon the total weight of the composition, including water
`and any other liquid carriers, unless otherwise specified.
`Composition
`
`Starch
`
`The critical component of the composition is a polymer
`capable of readily forming a protective weather resistant
`film over soil. Suitable polymers include water swellable
`starch and corn protein, both of which are capable of
`forming a protective film under typical environmental con-
`ditions when wetted with water. Starch is the polymer of
`choice due to its low cost and ready availability.
`Starches which are soluble or swellable in cold water (i.e.,
`cold swelling starch) possess the desired film-forrning char-
`acteristic. Minor amounts of starches which do not contrib-
`ute to the film-forming characteristic of the composition
`may also be incorporated in the composition but are not
`included when calculating the wt % of film-forrning starch.
`The starch may be derived from any of the typical starch
`sources including corn, rice, wheat. potatoes, casava.
`tapioca, maize, beans, etc. The starch may be chemically,
`enzymatically or physically modified so long as the film-
`forming characteristic of the starch is not deleteriously
`affected.
`
`Gelatinization may be elfected by the lmown procedure of
`simply heating the starch above its gelafinization tempera-
`ture until the starch granules form a smooth viscous mass.
`Generally, a compositional concentration of about 1 to 20
`wt % film-forming polymer, based upon the solids content of
`the composition. is etfective for imparting the desired film
`forming characteristic to the composition. The liquid form of
`the composition preferably includes about l to 10 wt %
`film-forming polymer, based upon the solids content of the
`composition. The powdered form of the composition pref-
`erably includes about 3 to 20 wt % film-forrning polymer.
`based upon the solids content of the composition.
`Liquid compositional concentrations of greater than about
`10 wt % film-forming polymer significantly increases the
`cost of the composition and tends to produce a highly
`viscose mass which cannot be applied with conventional
`spray equipment, while a compositional concentration of
`less than about 1 wt % film forming polymer requires the
`application of an excessive amount of other components in
`order to achieve an application level of film forming poly-
`mer effective for producing a protective film having the
`desired properties and characteristics.
`
`

`
`5,683,957
`
`3
`Plasticizer
`
`Incorporation of a plasticizer into the composition makes
`a resultant film formed by the composition soft and pliable
`rather than hard and britfle. Pliable films formed from
`
`compositions which include a plasticizer tend to remain 5
`intact and functional longer than films formed from com-
`positions which do not include a plasticizer.
`Suitable plasticizers include vegetable oils, such as corn
`oil; glycols, such as propylene glycol; concentrated sugar
`syrups, such as high fructose corn syrup; glycerol and
`sorbitans.
`
`10
`
`Generally, a compositional concentration of about 10 to
`50 wt % plasticizer, based upon the solids content of the
`composition, is effective for imparting the desired pliability
`to the composition. Compositional concentrations of greater
`than about 50 wt % plasticizu significantly increases the
`cost of the composition without an accompanying increase
`in performance and begins to interfere with other desired
`attributes. while compositional concentrations of less than
`about 10 wt % plasticizer do not provide the desired level of
`pliability. Generally. a starch to plasticizer ratio of about 1:2
`to 1:5 is etfective from providing the desired film pliability
`without interfering with the other desired attributes of the
`composition.
`
`Preservative
`
`A preservative may be incorporated into the composition
`in order to prevent degradation of the manufactured com-
`position during storage and delay degradation of the applied
`composition by the various microorganisms present in soil.
`Of the various independent constituents of the composition,
`starch is the most susceptible to premature degradation and
`therefore is of foremost concern when selecting a preserva-
`tive. While the liquid form of the composition is most
`susceptible to degradation, preservatives can be usefully
`incorporated into both the liquid and powdaed forms of the
`composition.
`The preservative should be fully compatible with the
`other constituents present in the composition, environmen-
`tally fiiendly, and innocuous to germination and growth of
`a broad spectrum of seeds. Substantially any of the well
`known broad spectrum preservatives for starch products
`may be employed in the present
`invention including
`chlorine, chlorine salts, hypochlorides, zinc chloride, chlo-
`rinated phenols, benzoyl peroxide, hydrogen peroxide, cal-
`cium peroxide. alcohol. copper sulphate, and various anti-
`biotics.
`
`The concentration of preservative necessary to achieve
`effective preservafion of the composition during storage and
`application depends significantly upon the specific type or
`types of preservatives used. but generally requires a com-
`positional concentration of about 10 to 200 ppm preserva-
`tive.
`
`Ftmgicide
`‘
`The composition preferably includes an environmentally
`friendly fungicide capable of controlling fungal growth in
`the composition during storage. Suitable fungicides include
`potassium sorbate, sodium benzoate, propylene oxide,
`diethyl pyrocarbonate, benzoic acid, dihydroacetic acid,
`propionic acid. sodium nitrate, propylene glycol, copper
`naphthalate. pentachlorophenol. phenyl mercurial
`compounds. oxyquinoline sulfate, etc.
`Bactericide
`
`The composition also preferably includes an environmen-
`tally friendly bactericide effective for controlling the growth
`
`20
`
`25
`
`35
`
`45
`
`50
`
`55
`
`65
`
`4
`of bacteria in the composition during storage such as those
`listed previously as preservatives.
`
`Micronuuient
`
`The composition may optionally include a source of
`available micronutrient for promoting growth of sown seeds.
`The trace minerals typically required for healthy growth and
`development of plants include aluminum, barium, boron,
`cadmium, calcium, cobalt, copper,
`iron, magnesium.
`manganese. molybdenum, phosphorus, potassium, silicon,
`sodium, sulfur,
`titanium, and Zinc. A liquid extract of
`leonardite clay is known to contain appreciable quantities of
`these trace minerals and is available from Material Science
`Co. of Santa Barbara, Calif. under the trademark HUMA-
`BLEND B. The trace minerals present in the leonardire
`extract are naturally chelated and readily available for
`assimilation and use by plants.
`Generally, a compositional concentration of at least about
`50 ppm Inicronutrient, based upon the micronutrient content
`of the micronutrient source and the solids content of the
`composition, provides an effective growth stimulating con-
`centration of micronutrient. Compositional concentrations
`of less than about 50 ppm micronutrient simply does not
`provide an effective growth stimulating concentration of
`trace minerals.
`
`Fertilizer
`
`The composition may optionally include a fertilizer for
`promoting rapid and healthy growth of the germinated
`seeds. The fertilizer may be any of the commercially avail-
`able slow release types which have been formulated for use
`with newly sown seeds.
`Generally, a compositional concentration of up to about
`15 wt %, based upon the solids content of the composition,
`slow release fertilizer provides an elfective growth stimu-
`lating concentration of phosphorous, potassium and nitro-
`gen. Compositional concentrations of greater than about 15
`wt % fertilizer tend to retard seed germination.
`
`'I‘hickener
`
`A thickener can be incorporated into the liquid form of the
`composition for controlling settling of the individual con-
`stituents and assisting in maintenance of the desired emul-
`sion. We have surprisingly discovered that the presence of a
`thickener in the composition also tends to improve the
`physical stability of the resultant film when the thickener
`and starch components are finely divided and well blended
`prior to application. Because of this synergistic film-forming
`elfect, the thickener may be beneficially incorporated into
`both the liquid and powdered forms of the composition.
`Suitable thickeners include agar, carboxymethylcellulose,
`carrageenin, chitin, fucoidan, ghatti, gum arabic, karaya,
`laminaran, locust bean gum. pectin. psyllium seed, quince
`seed, alginate, sodium alginate, guar guru and tragacanth.
`The gums are generally preferred because of their low cost,
`ready availability and superior ability to enhance the physi-
`cal characteristics of the resultant film.
`
`Generally, a compositional concentration of about 0.5 to
`2 wt % thickener is elfective for thickening the liquid
`sufficiently to prevent settling of components during normal
`shipping, handling and storage periods. Compositional con-
`centrations of greater than about 2 wt % thickener increases
`the cost of the composition without an accompanying
`increase in performance and results in a viscose product
`which is difiicult to use. while compositional concentrations
`
`

`
`5
`
`6
`
`5,683,957
`
`of less than about 0.5 wt % thickener are generally ineffec-
`tive for maintaining prolonged uniform dispersion of the
`composition or enhancing the physical characteristics of the
`resultant film.
`
`Emulsifier
`
`Maintenance of a uniform oil-in-water dispersion (i.e.,
`aqueous vegetable oil emulsion) can be assisted by incor-
`porating a compatible emulsifier in the liquid form of the
`composition. Substantially any of the well known emulsi-
`fiers can be incorporated into the composition so long as
`they are compatible with the other components. Examples of
`suitable emulsifiers include specifically, but not exclusively,
`lecithin, monoglycerides, diglycerides, the family of alkoxy-
`lated sorbitan fatty acids sold under the trademark
`TWEENTM by ICI Americas Inc., and mixtures thereof. The
`food g1'ade emulsifiers, such as lecithin, are generally pre-
`ferred.
`
`10
`
`facilitating initial watering of the composition after appli-
`cation to the soil. The powdered form of the composition
`produces the desired protective film when hydrated with the
`proper amount of water. Excessive water will wash away the
`composition before the film can be formed while inadequate
`water prevents the composition from fully hydrating form-
`ing a fully integrated film. The water-activated chromogen
`allows the user to visually establish where suflicient water
`has been applied (e.g., those areas having spotted coloration
`required additional water to fully soak the entire surface area
`of the composition). Suitable chromogens include any of the
`well known food and dye coloring agents.
`While dependent upon the specific type of chromogen
`employed. a compositional concentration of about 0.1 to 1
`wt % water-activated chromogen is generally effective for
`providing a visually perceptible tint to the composition.
`Compositional concentrations of greater than about 1 wt %
`chromogen increase the cost of the composition without an
`accompanying increase in visual perceptibility of the
`composition, while compositional concentrations of less
`than about 0.1 wt % chromogen are generally ineffecfive for
`providing a visually perceptible coloration to the moistened
`composition.
`Both the liquid and powdered forms of the composition
`may be colored with a chromogen which provides the
`composition with a distinctive, conuasting color prior to
`application. Such coloration of the composition promotes
`customer identification of the product and facilitates appli-
`cation of the product by allowing the user to visually
`establish where the product has been applied.
`Method of Manufacture
`
`Diluted liquid
`
`A dilute liquid form of the composition may be conve-
`niently formulated by (i) mixing the starch with enough cold
`water to disperse the starch and form a starch concentrate,
`(ii) adding additional water to the starch concentrate to
`achieve the desired solids content. (iii) heating the aqueous
`starch dispersion to a temperature suficient to gelatinize the
`starch without boiling the water—typically about 80° to 95°
`C.—, (iv) cooling the gelatinized starch to less than about
`50° C., (v) blending in the various adjuvants of fungicide,
`bactericide, micronutrient, thickener, emulsifier. and filler
`until the adjuvants are uniformly dispersed throughout the
`composition, and (vi) packaging the composition.
`
`Concentrated Liquid
`
`A concentrated liquid form of the composition may be
`conveniently formulated by (i) mixing the starch with
`enough cold water to disperse the starch and form a gelati-
`nizable smooth paste, (ii) blending plasticizer into the paste
`until uniformly dispersed, (iii) heating the plasticized paste
`to a temperature suflicient to gelatinize the starch—typically
`about 80° to 95° C.—, (iv) cooling the gelatinized starch to
`less than about 50° C., (V) blending in the various adjuvants
`of fungicide, bactericide, micronutrient,
`thickener,
`emulsifier, and filler until the adjuvants are uniformly dis-
`persed throughout the composition. and (vi) packaging the
`composition.
`
`Concentrated Powder
`
`25
`
`30
`
`35
`
`45
`
`50
`
`55
`
`Generally. a compositional concentration of about 0.1 to
`3 wt % emulsifier is effective to prevent separation of the oil
`and water phases during normal shipping, handling and
`storage periods. Compositional concentrations of greater
`than about 3 wt % emulsifier significantly increase the cost
`of the composition without an accompanying increase in
`performance, while compositional concentrations of less
`than about 0.1 wt % emulsifier are generally ineffective for
`maintaining prolonged emulsification of the oil within the
`water.
`
`Sugar
`
`A sugar may be incorporated into both liquid and pow-
`dered forms of the composition for purposes of neutralizing
`the pH of highly acidic soil and providing newly germinated
`plants with a readily available nutrient source for boosting
`early growth and development. Suitable sugars include the
`inexpensive monosaccharides, such as glucose and fructose,
`and disaccharides, such as sucrose and lactose.
`
`Filler
`
`A compatible filler may added to the composition for
`purposes of facilitating uniform application of the compo-
`sition at the desired loading. Preferred fillers are seleaed
`from the various inexpensive, biodegradable, hygroscopic
`organic byproducts available from a number of sources.
`Suitable byproducts include: vegetable pulp, such as
`obtained from the processing of sugar beets; fruit pulp and
`peel, such as obtained from the processing of oranges and
`grapefruit; and the shells and husks of nuts, berries, grains
`and beans, such as cashew shells, and the husks from wheat
`and soybeans. Preferred fillers are fibrous byproducts of the
`type disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 2,661,297.
`Other types of fillers can also be beneficially employed in
`the composition including soil, sand, compost, clay, fly ash,
`saw dust, etc.
`
`Generally, a compositional concentration of up to about
`95 wt % filler. based upon the solids content of the
`composition, may be used. Compositional concentrations of
`greater than about 95 wt % filler increase the cost of the
`composition without an accompanying increase in perfor-
`mance and results in an unacceptable reduction in the
`concentration of the active components.
`
`Chromogen
`
`A water-activated chromogen may be incorporated into
`the powdered form of the composition for purposes of
`
`65
`
`Apowered form of the composition may be conveniently
`fonnulated using cold water swellable or instant gelling type
`starch by (i) mixing the starch and plasticizer, (ii) blending
`in the various adjuvants of fungicide. bactericide,
`micronutrient. chromogen, sugars, enzymes and filler, and
`(iii) packaging the composition.
`
`

`
`5,683,957
`
`7
`When seeds are to be added to the composition. they are
`preferably added along with the other adjuvants. Seeds may
`also be added to the liquid form of the composition but
`should not be dispersed in the composition until immedi-
`ately prior to application.
`Method of Use
`
`The composition may be used wherever the desired
`attributes of temporary erosion control andlor promotion of
`seed germination are desired including. erosion control at
`construction sites. reclamation of cultivated fields. seeding
`of construction sites and lawns. etc.
`The composition may be applied as a surface coating to
`soil in dry or liquid form. The dry form is preferred for
`smaller application areas where the moisture content of the
`sofl
`is suflicient to hydrate the composition and permit
`formation of the desired protective film. The dry form may
`conveniently include any seeds to be sown into the soil. The
`liquid form is preferred for larger application areas because
`of its ease of application and those instances where the
`moisture content of the soil is insuflicient to hydrate the
`composition. The dry form may be applied using any of the
`readily available broadcast spreaders, such as those com-
`monly used to apply granular fertilizers. The liquid form
`may readily be applied using typical spray type equipment,
`such as the spray booms commonly used to apply commer-
`cial fertilizers onto cultivated fields. The dry form may also
`be applied in liquid form by dispersing the power in water
`just prior to application.
`The amount of composition which must be applied per
`surface area of soil to achieve the desired protective and
`nurturing efiect depends upon the exact formulation of the
`composition and the nature of the soil. Generally, applica-
`tion of suflicient composition to produce a film about ‘/16 to
`‘/4 inch thick is elfective for providing prolonged erosion
`control and promoting early germination of seeds sown
`undaneath the treated surface.
`
`The composition may be used alone or in conjunction
`with soil conditioners and stabilizers which have been
`worked into the soil. such as those disclosed in U.S. Pat.
`Nos. 2,661,297;
`
` AL
`
`A chromogenic. seed—containing powdered form of the
`composition was produced by blending (i) 36.03 wt % grass
`seed, (ii) 31.86 wt % Instant Clear Gelm starch purchased
`from National Starch and Chemical Company, (iii) 67.27 wt
`% Hyperfiberm vegetable fiber purchased from Humanetics
`Corporation. and (iv) 0.24 wt % of a water-activated green
`chromogenic mixture of equal parts powdered Food Dye and
`Color Blue #1 and powdered Food Dye & Color Yellow #5.
`Experiment 2
`Powdered
`A plasticized. soil-based, seed—containing powdered form
`of the composition was produced by blending (i) 46.88 wt %
`grass seed. (ii) 3.91 wt % Instant Clear Gel“! starch pur-
`chased from National Starch and Chemical Company, (iii)
`19.53 wt % Hyperfiberm vegetable fiber purchased from
`Humanetics Corporation. (iv) 23.40 wt % potting soil. and
`(v) 6.25 wt % partially hydrogenated corn oil.
`Experiment 3
`Powdered
`
`35
`
`45
`
`50
`
`55
`
`A micronutrient-containing, soil-based. seed-containing
`powdered form of the composition was produced by blend-
`ing (i) 5.0 Wt % grass seed. (ii) 3.4 wt % Instant Clear Gel
`starch purchased from National Starch and Chemical
`
`65
`
`8
`Company, (iii) 30.0 wt % I-Iyperfibern‘ vegetable fiber
`purchased from Humanetics Corporation. (iv) 40.0 wt % wet
`top soil. (v) 1.5 wt % sucrose. and (vi) 0.01 wt % Stearn’s
`Miracle Grow” micronutrient source.
`Experiment 4
`Powdered
`A micronutrient-containing. seed-containing powdered
`form of the composition was produced by blending (i) 5.0 wt
`% grass seed. (ii) 35.0 wt % Instant Clear Geln‘ starch
`purchased from National Starch and Chemical Company.
`(iii) 34.9 wt % Hyperfiberm vegetable fiber purchased from
`Humanetics Corporation, (iv) 3.0 wt % powdered activated
`carbon purchased from. (v) 2.0 wt % Aqualonm mixture of
`hydrocolloids purchased from Marine Colloid, Inc.. (vi) 15.0
`wt % XL sweet whey purchased from Land O’Lakes
`Corporation, (vii) 5.0 wt % sucrose, and (viii) 0.01 wt %
`Stearn’s Miracle Grown‘ micronutrient source.
`
`Experiment 5
`Powdered
`
`A plasticized. rnicronutrient-containing. seed—containing
`powdered form of the composition was produced by blend-
`ing (i) 5.0 wt % grass seed, (ii) 35.0 wt % Instant Clear
`Gelm starch purchased from National Starch and Chemical
`Company, (iii) 19.9 wt % Hyperfiberm vegetable fiber
`purchased from Hurnanetics Corporation, (iv) 2.0 wt %
`powdered activated carbon purchased from, (v) 2.0 wt %
`Aqualonm mixture of hydrocolloids purchased from Marine
`Colloid, Inc., (vi) 30.0 wt % partially hydrogenated veg-
`etable oil (vii) 1.0 wt % XL sweet whey purchased fiom
`Land O’Lakes Corporation, (viii) 5.0 wt % sucrose, and (ix)
`0.01 wt % Stearn’s Miracle Grown‘ micronutrient source.
`Experiment 6
`Powdered
`
`A plasticized, micronutrient-containing, soil-based, seed-
`containing powdered form of the composition was produced
`by blending (i) 4.76 wt % grass seed, (ii) 29.76 wt % Instant
`Clear Gelm starch purchased from National Starch and
`Chemical Company, (iii) 19.84 wt % I-lyperfiberm veg-
`etable fiber purchased from l-Iurnanetics Corporation, (iv)
`19.84 wt % dry top soil, (v) 9.92 wt % partially hydroge-
`nated vegetable oil, (vi) 0.99 wt % lecithin purchased from
`Central Soy, (vii) 11.90 wt % XL sweet whey purchased
`from Land O’Lakes Corporation. (viii) 2.98 wt % sucrose,
`and (ix) 4.86 wt % Stearn’s Miracle Grown‘ micronutrient
`source.
`
`Experiment 7
`Powdered
`
`A chromogenic, seed-containing powdered form of the
`composition was produced by blending (i) 5.00 wt % grass
`seed, (ii) 44.85 wt % Instant Clear Gel” starch purchased
`from National Starch and Chemical Company, (iii) 45.00 wt
`% I-lyperfiberm vegetable fiber purchased from I-lumanelics
`Corporation, (iv) 5.00 wt % sucrose, (v) 0.10 wt % Stearn’s
`Miracle Grow” Vegetable and Gardern fertilizer. and (vi)
`0.05 wt % of a water-activated green chromogenic mixture
`of 1 part powdered Food Dye and Color Blue #1 and 4 parts
`powdered Food Dye & Color Yellow #5.
`Experiment 8
`Powdered
`A chromogenic, plasticized, seed—containing powdered
`form of the composition was produced by blending (i) 5.00
`wt % grass seed, (ii) 45.00 wt % Instant Clear Gelm starch
`purchased from National Starch and Chemical Company,
`(iii) 29.75 wt % Hyperfiberm vegetable fibre‘ purchased
`from Humanetics Corporation, (iv) 5.00 wt % sucrose. (v)
`15.00 wt % partially hydrogenated vegetable oil. (vi) 0.10 wt
`% lecithin purchased from Central Soy, (vii) 0.10 wt %
`
`

`
`5,683,957
`
`9
`Stearn’s Miracle Growm Vegetable and Garden fertilizer,
`and (viii) 0.05 wt % of a water-activated green chromogenic
`mixture of 1 part powdered Food Dye and Color Blue #1 and
`4 parts powdered Food Dye & Color Yellow #5.
`Experiment 9
`Powdered
`
`A chromogenic, plasticized, seed-containing powdered
`form of the composition was produced by blending (i) 5.00
`wt % grass seed, (ii) 37.70 wt % Instant Clear Gelm starch
`purchased from National Starch and Chemical Company.
`(iii) 37.15 wt % Hyperfiberm vegetable fiber purchased
`from Humanetics Corporation. (iv) 5.00 wt % sucrose, (v)
`15.00 wt % plasticizer blend containing equal parts propy-
`lene glycol and partially hydrogenated vegetable oil, (vi)
`0.10 wt % Stearn’s Miracle Grown‘ Vegetable and Garden
`fertilizer, and (vii) 0.05 wt % of a water—activated green
`chromogcnic mixture of 1 part powdered Food Dye and
`Color Blue #1 and 4 parts powdered Food Dye & Color
`Yellow #5.
`Experiment 10
`Powdered
`
`A chromogenic, high-fiber-content powdered form of the
`composition was produced by blending (i) 21.05 wt % Stir’n
`Spurm modified food starch purchased from A. E. Staley.
`(ii) 76.30 wt % course Dietfiberm corn fiber purchased from
`Lauroif. Inc., (iii) 2.10 wt % sucrose, (iv) 0.02 wt % Stearn's
`Miracle Growm Vegetable and Garden fertilizer, and (v)
`0.52 wt % of a water-activated g;reen ehromogenie mixture
`of 1 part powdered Food Dye and Color Blue #1 and 8 parts
`powdered Food Dye & Color Yellow #5.
`Experiment 11
`Powdered
`
`A chromogenic, seed-containing powdered form of the
`composition was produced by blending (i) 23.70 wt % grass
`seed, (ii) 8.03 wt % modified corn starch purchased from
`National Starch. (iii) 67.27 wt % vegetable fiber purchased
`from Delta Fiber. (iv) 0.08 wt % sucrose, and (V) 0.20 wt %
`of a water-activated green chromogenic mixture of 2 parts
`Food Dye and Color Blue #1 and 15 parts Food Dye & Color
`Yellow #5.
`Experiment 12
`Liquid
`A liquid form of the composition was produced by (i)
`dispersing 8 grams of locust bean gum purchased from
`Hercules Chemicals into 500 grams of warm water using a
`mechanical blender to form a smooth gum slurry, (ii) dis-
`persing 100 grams of unmodified corn starch purchased
`from A. E. Staley into 500 grams of cold water using a
`mechanical blender to form a smooth starch slurry, (iii)
`boiling 2.768 grams of water, (iv) sequentially adding the
`gum slurry and the starch slurry to the boiled water under
`constant agitation so as to ensure that the gum and starch are
`completely dispersed and heated to the starch gelatinizing
`temperature of 200° F.; (v) allowing the heated slurry to cool
`to room temperature, and (vi) blending 0.5 grams potassium
`sorbate. 2.5 grams Dexol Sprout-Up 4-7-5” fertilizer. and
`0.5 grams Sanitizem BK powder purchased from Ecolab
`Inc. into the cooled slurry.
`Experiment 13
`Liquid
`A liquid form of the composition was produced by (i) dry
`blending 0.02 grams potassium sorbate, 0.05 grams Dexol
`Sprout-Up 4-7-5”‘ fertilizer. and 0.02 grams Sanitizem BK
`powder purchased from Ecolab Inc.. to form a dry adjuvant
`mixture; (ii) dispersing 2 grams of umnodified corn starch
`purchased from National Starch and Chemical Company and
`1 gram Stir’n Spurn‘. modified food starch purchased from
`
`10
`A. E. Staley. into 10 grams of cold water and hand mixing
`to form a smooth starch slurry; (iii) boiling 90 grams of
`water; (iv) gradually add the starch slurry to the boiled water
`under constant agitation so as to ensure that the starch was
`completely dispersed and heated to the starch gelatinizing
`temperature of 200° E; (V) allowing the heated slurry to cool
`to at less than 150° F.; and (vi) blending the dry adjuvant
`mixture into the cooled slurry.
`Experiment 14
`Liquid
`A liquid form of the composition was produced by (i) dry
`blending 0.73 grams potassium sorbate, 0.92 grams Stearn’s
`Miracle Growm Vegetable and Garden fertilizer. and 0.40
`grams Sanitizem BK powder purchased from Ecolab Inc. to
`form a dry adjuvant mixture; (ii) dispersing 74.00 grams of
`pure umnodified food grade corn starch and 37 gram Stir’n
`Spur“ modified food starch. both purchased from A. E.
`Staley. into 500 grams of cold water using a mechanical
`blender to form a smooth starch slurry; (iii) boiling 3300
`grams of water; (iv) gradually adding the starch slurry to the
`boiling water under constant agitation so as to ensure that the
`starch was completely dispersed and heated to the starch
`gelatinizing temperature of 200° E; (V) al