111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111
`US008474183B2
`
`c12) United States Patent
`Krysiak et al.
`
`(10) Patent No.:
`(45) Date of Patent:
`
`US 8,474,183 B2
`Jul. 2, 2013
`
`(54) COLOREDORFRAGRANCED
`HORTICULTURAL/AGRICULTURAL
`PRODUCTS
`
`(75)
`
`Inventors: Michael D. Krysiak, Green Bay, WI
`(US); Bryan A. Fish, Green Bay, WI
`(US); Daniel P. Madigen, Green Bay,
`WI (US)
`
`(73) Assignee: EN CAP, LLC., Green Bay, WI (US)
`
`( *) Notice:
`
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by 0 days.
`
`(21) Appl. No.: 09/769,076
`
`(22) Filed:
`
`Jan.25,2001
`
`(65)
`
`Prior Publication Data
`
`US 2001/0022047 Al
`
`Sep. 20, 2001
`
`Related U.S. Application Data
`
`(63) Continuation-in-part of application No. 09/544,878,
`filed on Apr. 7, 2000, which is a continuation-in-part of
`application No. 09/113,254, filed on Jul. 10, 1998, now
`Pat. No. 6,209,259, and a continuation-in-part of
`application No. 09/510,782, filed on Feb. 23, 2000.
`
`(51)
`
`(2006.01)
`
`Int. Cl.
`AOJG 7100
`(52) U.S. Cl.
`USPC .......................... 49/9; 47/58.1 R; 47/DIG. 10
`(58) Field of Classification Search
`USPC .................... 47/9, 48.5; 111/144, 102; 71/23,
`71111
`See application file for complete search history.
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`2,526,938 A * 10/1950 Davis et. a!. .................... 436/41
`3,216,802 A * 1111965 Smith, Jr. ........................ 436/41
`3,252,785 A *
`5/1966 Hoblit
`3,645,714 A *
`2/1972 Heming eta!. ................... 71123
`3,702,755 A * 1111972 Palmer .......................... 422/412
`3,876,411 A *
`4/1975 Fowler .............................. 71111
`4,067,140 A *
`111978 Thomas .............................. 47/9
`4,126,417 A * 1111978 Edwards ......................... 422/56
`4,232,480 A
`1111980 Videen
`4,297,810 A * 1111981 Hansford ............................ 47/9
`4,327,731 A *
`5/1982 Powell .......................... 604/361
`4,339,890 A
`7/1982 Koenig eta!.
`4,368,591 A
`111983 Barke et al.
`8/1988 Szegii eta!.
`4,761,423 A
`4,853,429 A
`8/1989 Sannan et al.
`1111989 Sannan et al.
`4,881,343 A
`4,932,156 A *
`6/1990 Underwood ........................ 47/9
`5,087,475 A
`2/1992 Bazinet a!.
`5,105,577 A *
`4/1992 Hedges ............................... 47/9
`(Continued)
`
`DE
`GB
`JP
`JP
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`4017334 A1 * 12/1990
`2170795 A * 8/1986
`01262735 A * 10/1989
`06-245654
`* 9/1994
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
`English Translation, JP01262735A, Hisaya Yamada, Method for
`Adjusting the Concentration of a Hydroponic Solution, Oct. 1989, 10
`pages + title page.*
`
`Primary Examiner- Andrea Valenti
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm- Philip M. Weiss; Weiss &
`Weiss
`
`ABSTRACT
`(57)
`The present invention relates to horticultural products and a
`method for making gardening products which have a dye or
`fragrance added to the products.
`
`15 Claims, 7 Drawing Sheets
`
`lfO
`)
`
`'\
`lfl
`
`SCOTTS EXHIBIT 1001
`
`

`

`US 8,474,183 B2
`Page 2
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`5,143,023 A * 9/1992 Kuhns.
`119/173
`5,192,587 A
`3/1993 Rondy
`5,235,781 A * 8/1993 Holley .............................. 47/56
`5,308,653 A
`5/1994 Rondy
`5,387,745 A * 2/1995 Brendle ........................ 504/358
`5,543,321 A
`8/1996 Guri
`5,585,150 A
`12/1996 Sheehan
`5,697,984 A * 12/1997 Swatzina et a!. .................. 8/527
`5,734,167 A * 3/1998 Skelly ........................ 250/458.1
`5,766,312 A * 6/1998 Furhmann eta!. .............. 95/117
`
`5,853,541 A
`6,019,062 A *
`6,021,598 A *
`6,029,394 A *
`6,058,647 A *
`6,076,299 A *
`6,202,344 B1 *
`6,324,781 B1 *
`2003/0056710 A1 *
`* cited by examiner
`
`12/1998
`212000
`212000
`212000
`5/2000
`6/2000
`3/2001
`12/2001
`3/2003
`
`Monroe eta!.
`119/172
`Lombard et al.
`Holton ................................ 47/9
`Kanan en et a!. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 7 I 1.1
`Emalfarb
`47/1.01 R
`Spittle eta!. ........................ 47/9
`Clarke et a!. ........................ 47/9
`Stevens ............................... 47/9
`Radmacher eta!.
`116/206
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jul. 2, 2013
`
`Sheet 1 of7
`
`US 8,474,183 B2
`
`l2
`
`Figure 1
`
`j-------=L=----------~...1
`
`·~--Air
`
`10
`\
`
`ll
`
`r=·~-==== i ' -
`\ ' .
`
`Substrate
`
`Figure 2
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jul. 2, 2013
`
`Sheet 2 of7
`
`US 8,474,183 B2
`
`Figure 3
`
`,---------.- Paper Sludge
`Waste
`- POTW Sludge
`- Scrubber Sludge
`Product
`-Fly Ash
`.------. - NPK
`,---------._Grass
`-MAP
`- Vegetables
`- Dical
`'---....,...-----1- Flowers
`'------r----1 - Urea
`
`- Pan Pelletizer
`- Rotary Drum
`'-----,,------1 - Paddle Mixer
`
`.-----__,-Time Release
`Growth
`Agent
`Enhancer -Environmental
`Conditioner
`
`~~~~~~~--;==~---,- Lignin Sulphonates
`....__ _ ___. -Molasses
`
`- Sodium Silicate
`.--------. - Wax
`-MAP
`-Urea
`,__..::.......----1 - PVA
`
`Unders
`
`Overs
`
`

`

`r - - - - - - - - - - Recovered Coating Material ----------,
`
`Figure 4
`
`Substrate
`Seed Feed
`
`t--11
`Pre-Treater r--
`
`Coating
`Material __,
`Feed
`
`Coating
`Material
`Pump
`
`1 -
`
`/10
`
`Coating Drum
`
`!
`!
`!
`~ !
`~!!!
`
`!
`
`+--Air
`
`! 1:14
`
`L_,
`
`Sizing
`Apparatus
`
`1-- Air
`
`Liquid____.
`Binder
`
`Binder
`Pump
`
`~+------Undersize Seed Capsules------'
`
`Product
`
`Recovere=l
`Fracture, Screen
`Seed
`I
`' - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -1 Oversize Seed Capsules
`
`~
`00
`•
`~
`~
`~
`
`~ = ~
`
`2' :-
`
`N
`
`~
`
`N
`
`0 ....
`
`(.H
`
`rFJ =(cid:173)
`.....
`
`('D
`('D
`
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`
`0 .....
`-....l
`
`d
`rJl
`00
`~
`-....l
`'"~
`
`""""' 00 w = N
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jul. 2, 2013
`
`Sheet 4 of7
`
`US 8,474,183 B2
`
`·-u..
`
`-
`
`-:;::: Fil(cid:173)
`lLJ
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jul. 2, 2013
`
`Sheet 5 of7
`
`US 8,474,183 B2
`
`Figure 6A
`
`468
`
`4/JC
`
`Figure 68
`
`Figure 6C
`
`.¢0/)
`
`/J6P
`
`Figure 60
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jul. 2, 2013
`
`Sheet 6 of7
`
`US 8,474,183 B2
`
`tfD
`)
`
`\
`tfl
`
`.
`. . . ~ . . . . . . .
`
`.
`
`.
`. , . .
`
`Figure 7
`
`lf4
`
`46C
`
`Figure 8
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jul. 2, 2013
`
`Sheet 7 of7
`
`US 8,474,183 B2
`
`FIGURE9
`
`

`

`US 8,474,183 B2
`
`1
`COLORED OR FRAGRANCED
`HORTICULTURAL/AGRICULTURAL
`PRODUCTS
`
`RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS
`
`The application is a continuation-in-part of Ser. No.
`09/544,878 filed Apr. 17, 2000, which is a continuation-in(cid:173)
`part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/113,254 filed Jul.
`10, 1998. The application is also a continuation-in-part ofSer.
`No. 09/510,782 filed Feb. 23, 2000.
`
`FIELD OF THE INVENTION
`
`The present invention relates to horticultural products and
`a method for making gardening products which have a dye or
`fragrance added to the products.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`Mulches are commonly applied over grass seed beds.
`Mulches help to increase seed germination and decrease soil
`erosion allowing seeds to become firmly established in the
`seeded area. Mulches typically consist of straw, wood shav(cid:173)
`ings, or paper. In the prior art, mulches are mixed with water
`and agitated in a holding tank, and then sprayed onto a seed
`bed. Some mulches are woven into blankets that are designed
`to be laid down over seed beds. Some mulches are chemically
`bonded natural fiber spray-applied mulches. These mulches
`use a vegetable gum binder such as guar gum to bind together
`natural fibers.
`Most mulches are loose configurations ofunbonded fibers
`that easily wash away. Paper-based mulches tend to bond into
`a paper mache-like mat that inhibits oxygen and sunlight
`transfer, and the ability of seedlings to emerge through the 35
`mulch, affecting vegetation establishment. Chemically(cid:173)
`bonded mulch forms an almost impenetrable layer over the
`seed bed that is poor at passing oxygen and water through to
`the seed bed.
`Horticultural/Agricultural growers, gardeners, landscape
`operators, flower growers, and the like produce a wide variety
`of cultivated plants. Many such crops are grown from seed.
`The sizes, shapes, and physical characteristics of the various
`kinds of seeds are as varied as the number of crops produced
`therefrom.
`Producers of such cultivated crops encounter a variety of
`challenges in handling and distributing such seed, as well as
`with sowing of such seed in suitable growing media. Certain
`seed may desirably be sowed by a broadcast method if the
`seed were compatible with broadcast application. For
`example, grass seed for lawns is desirably broadcast, but the
`low density and generally non-aerodynamic shape of some
`grass seed can limit the range of such broadcast, and make
`such seed susceptible to being blown about by wind, or
`washed away by surface water, even if initially well placed in
`a good seeding application.
`Another difficulty encountered in sowing seed is that the
`seed may be so small as to be difficult to handle, thereby to
`place properly-spaced seeds at a desired spacing as to make
`cost-effective use of the seed, thereby to produce a crop of the
`related plants without using any more seed than necessary,
`thus to gain maximum benefit from the amount of seed used.
`While small seed may be efficiently handled by industrial
`equipment especially designed for handling such seed, typi(cid:173)
`cally the user of such seed also handles various other types of 65
`seed; and may be unable to justifY the cost of such specialty
`seed-handling equipment. Rather, the seed user typically has
`
`2
`a limited range of seed handling equipment which must be
`capable of being used and/or adapted to handle and apply all
`the types of seeds being used by that user. Where the seed
`itself can be adapted to the equipment, specialty seed can be
`handled without need for any specialized equipment.
`Even where the seed may be sown by hand, such as seed(cid:173)
`ling or bedding trays or pots, some seeds are so small as to be
`difficult for the sower/user to effectively manipulate and con(cid:173)
`trol by hand. Typical of such difficult to handle seeds are seeds
`10 of lettuce, carrots, the cabbage family, ground cherries, and
`alfalfa. Many flower seeds are equally small and/or difficult to
`handle and/or manipulate, for example poppy seed.
`A properly conditioned soil has advantageous soil chem(cid:173)
`istry in combination with advantageous soil texture. Thus, in
`15 addition to providing specific plant nutrients, soil users also
`use products that modify basic soil chemistry, and soil tex(cid:173)
`ture.
`Basic soil chemistry is modified by adding to the soil, for
`example, calcium products to provide pH control, and flyash
`20 or like products to provide pH control as well as micronutri(cid:173)
`ents.
`U.S. Pat. No. 4,761,423 relates to a seed dressing applied to
`winter wheat, bean, pea or sorghum seed to protect the seed
`from insect or fungal damage. The seed dressing comprises
`25 animal, vegetable or mineral oil, an emulsifier, dyestuff and
`water.
`U.S. Pat. No. 4,368,591 relates to seeds with an active
`ingredient and between 0.035 and 1.80 g of titanium dioxide
`per kg of seed in either the rutile or anatase form. The titanium
`30 dioxide serves, in conjunction with a coloring agent, to pro(cid:173)
`vide a bright, opaque coating to the seed.
`U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,881,343 and 4,853,429 relate to a seed
`colorant useful especially in coloring seeds to distinguish
`same from the seeds to be used for foods is formed of an
`aqueous medium such as water, a dye and/or pigment of a
`desired hue, and a binder resin composed of the salt of chi(cid:173)
`to san and an organic acid. The seed colorant may additionally
`contain spherical resin particles.
`U.S. Pat. No. 5,087,475 relates to a process for the film-
`40 coating of seed materials. A batch of seed materials is film
`coated with a gas and water permeable, thin, adherent, uni(cid:173)
`form non-phytotoxic continuous liquid surface film of a poly(cid:173)
`meric film former.
`U.S. Pat. No. 5,543,321 relates to a sterilized plant culture
`45 medium comprising a dye in an amount which imparts a
`visible color to the culture medium and which permits seed
`germination is provided which is useful for attracting chil(cid:173)
`dren, for observing and studying seed germination, root and
`shoot formation and whole plant development, and for color-
`50 coding plant cultures.
`U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,308,653 and 5,192,587 relate to a commi(cid:173)
`nuted wood that is converted to a colored wood product useful
`as a mulch. The product is produced by feeding a comminuted
`wood into a screw conveyer. The comminuted wood is con-
`55 tacted in the lower end of the conveyor by a liquid color(cid:173)
`imparting agent, preferably an aqueous solution containing
`iron oxide pigment, carbon black pigment or a mixture of
`both pigments. After contacting, rotation of the auger draws
`the moist colored wood product towards the upper end, per-
`60 mitting runoff of excess liquid agent, which returns by gravity
`to the basin for further contacting with newly-fed commi(cid:173)
`nuted wood. Colored wood product discharges through a
`chute at the upper end of the conveyor for further drying, if
`necessary.
`U.S. Pat. No. 5,235,781 relates to a compacted agglomer(cid:173)
`ate in the form of a pillow-shaped briquette. It contains finely
`pulverized paper and a fertilizer in the form of a granular
`
`

`

`US 8,474,183 B2
`
`3
`powder or liquid. The pulverized paper may be paper dust. A
`dye may also be added to provide a more colorful product.
`U.S. Pat. No. 6,076,299 relates to mulching pellets made
`from finely divided paper and wood, a clay binder, a highly
`water absorbent natural polymer, and a surfactant. The pellets
`absorb at least four times their weight in water. The pellets
`substantially reduce water run-off and soil erosion as com(cid:173)
`pared to other mulch pellets.
`U.S. Pat. No. 6,021,598 relates to a pourable, granular
`paper mulch product. A dye or a combination of dyes are used
`which will impart to the mulch product a color which
`resembles that of actual grass, a green color.
`U.S. Pat. No. 5,853,541 relates to a degradable agricultural
`mulch, mat or ground cover including cotton linters fibers,
`hardwood kraft pulp fibers, softwood kraft pulp fibers, and a
`water holdout material which is strong enough to be laid 15
`mechanically and is 100% photo- or biodegradable.
`U.S. Pat. No. 5,585,150 relates to a biodegradable mulch
`product comprising sheets or finely divided particles of cel(cid:173)
`lulosic fibrous material bonded together with a bonding agent
`comprising a water-based bonding adhesive and compressed 20
`to form a laminar layer, said compressed laminar layer being
`cut into mulch-size pieces that simulate natural tree mulches
`in appearance, density and rate biodegradation.
`U.S. Pat. No. 4,932,156 relates to a method for controlling
`the color of mulch for retarding the fading of the color of the 25
`mulch and/or restoring the color of mulch that has faded due
`to prolonged exposure to actinic light and ambient weather
`conditions be applying a brown color-control solution to the
`surface of the mulch.
`U.S. Pat. No. 4,232,480 relates to a viscous liquid contain(cid:173)
`ing dye and possibly further additives is added to a package of
`hydraulic mulch material for hydraulic mulching. The vis(cid:173)
`cous liquid and its additive are suitable to be later uniformly
`mixed through the hydraulic mulch during subsequent mix(cid:173)
`ing and agitation with water prior to application, thereby
`eliminating the need for precoloring of the mulch material.
`U.S. Pat. No. 4,067,140 relates to a mulch having finely
`divided fibers of paper coated with a wetting agent and pref(cid:173)
`erably dyed a pleasing color such as green. To produce the
`mulch, finely divided fibers of paper are coated with a mixture
`of a solvent or carrier such as water, wetting agent and a dye.
`The finely divided fibers of paper are contacted with the
`mixture such as by tumbling the fibers of paper while spray(cid:173)
`ing the mixture into the drum.
`U.S. Pat. No. 6,021,598 relates to a pourable, granular
`paper mulch product including a granular solid comprising at
`least about 85% paper by weight and at least 6% water by
`weight, and having a settled density of at least about 15
`pounds per cubic foot is prepared by comminuting paper,
`mixing the comminuting paper with water to form a pulp,
`extruding the pulp through a die orifice, chopping the extru(cid:173)
`date to a length of less than about lfs inch to form granules,
`and drying the granules to achieve a final moisture content of
`from about 6% to about 13% by weight.
`U.S. Pat. No. 4,339,890 relates to a dry seeding mulch
`having finely shredded or ground particles of waste paper
`mixed with a dry powdered chemical wetting agent and
`injected, after bagging, with a concentrated dye mixture
`which imparts color to the entire bag of mulch when mixed
`with water by the ultimate user. The dye is added to the finely
`shredded paper and the dye crystallizes and changes color.
`The prior art does not teach a horticultural product, such as
`a seed or mulch that has a fragrance added to it. The prior art
`does not teach adding a dye to a coating of a seed.
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`The present invention relates to a product and method for
`colored and fragranced horticultural/agricultural products.
`
`10
`
`4
`The present invention relates to a colored seed comprising a
`seed, a binder, a coating surrounding the seed, and a dye
`and/or pigment within and/or on said coating. It is an object of
`the present invention for the dye to be capable of changing
`colors based on the acidity of soil. It is a further object of the
`present invention to provide a dye being capable of changing
`colors in response to the moisture content added to the soil. It
`is a further object of the invention to provide a dye being
`capable of changing colors depending on the chemical con(cid:173)
`tent of the soil. It is a further object of the invention to provide
`a dye being capable of deterring animals from eating the seed.
`It is an object of the present invention for the dye to be
`selected from a group consisting of acid, basic and/or direct
`dye concentrates. It is an object of the present invention for
`the dye to be florescent. It is an object of the present invention
`for the dye to be an environmentally friendly chemical com(cid:173)
`position. It is an object of the present invention where the dye
`comprises glycerin or water and a colorant. It is an object of
`the present invention for the coating surrounding the seed to
`comprise a solid material. It is an object of the present inven(cid:173)
`tion for the coating made of solid material to be pre-dyed. It is
`an object of the present invention for the colored seed to be
`seen during application of the seed. It is an object of the
`present invention for the colored seed to be located after
`application of the seed. It is an object of the present invention
`for the colored seed to be of the similar or same color of the
`actual plant, flower, fruit or vegetable. It is a further object of
`the invention for the colored seed to assist the seed in absorb-
`ing heat. It is an object of the present invention for the colored
`30 seed to assist the seed in reflecting light.
`The present invention relates to a fragranced seed compris(cid:173)
`ing; a seed and a fragrance. It is an object of the invention for
`the fragrance to assist a user in determining the acidity of soil.
`It is an object of the invention for the fragrance to assist a user
`35 in determining moisture content of soil. It is an object of the
`invention for the fragrance to assist a user in determining
`chemical content of soil. It is an object of the invention for the
`fragrance to deter animals from eating said seeds. It is an
`object of the invention for the fragrance to be selected from a
`40 group consisting of a floral fragrance, a natural fragrance or
`cocoa. It is an object of the invention for the fragrance to be
`approved for use in products directly applied to the skin. It is
`an object of the invention for the fragrance to provide a scent
`which can take on a scent similar to a scent of a product
`45 applied. It is an object of the invention for the fragrance to
`assist a user in locating the seed after application of the seed.
`The present invention relates to a colored mulch product
`consisting essentially of; a material comprising a fiber, cellu(cid:173)
`lose, clay, loam, sand, and/or a combination of same; a bind-
`50 ing agent; and a dye and/or pigment. It is an object of the
`invention for the colored mulch to further comprise NPK
`fortifiers. It is an object of the invention for the dye of the
`colored mulch assists a user in determining the acidity of soil.
`It is an object of the invention for the dye of the colored mulch
`55 to assist a user in determining moisture content of soil. It is an
`object of the invention for the dye of the colored mulch to
`assist a user in determining chemical content of soil. It is an
`object of the invention for the dye to be selected from a group
`consisting of acid, basic or direct dye concentrates. It is an
`60 object of the invention for the dye to be florescent. It is an
`object of the invention for the dye to be an environmentally
`friendly chemical composition. It is an object of the invention
`for the dye to comprise glycerin or water and a colorant. It is
`an object of the invention for the dye of the colored mulch to
`65 deter animals from eating a seed. It is an object of the inven(cid:173)
`tion for the mulch to assist the seed in absorbing heat. It is an
`object of the invention for the colored mulch to reflect light. It
`
`

`

`US 8,474,183 B2
`
`5
`is an object of the invention for the mulch to have the color of
`the actual plant, flower, fruit or vegetable of a seed planted
`with said mulch.
`The present invention relates to a fragranced mulch com(cid:173)
`prising; a mulch product; and a fragrance. It is an object of the
`invention for the fragranced mulch to assist a user in deter(cid:173)
`mining the acidity of soil. It is an object of the invention for
`the fragranced mulch to assist a user in determining moisture
`content of soil. It is an object of the invention for the fragrance
`to assist a user in determining chemical content of soil. It is an 10
`object of the invention for the fragrance to be selected from a
`group consisting of a floral fragrance, a natural fragrance or
`cocoa. It is an object of the invention for the fragrance to be
`approved for use in products directly applied to the skin. It is
`an object of the invention for the fragrance to provide a scent, 15
`which can take on a scent similar to a scent of a product
`applied.
`The present invention relates to a process for coloring
`seeds comprising; coating a seed with a slurry, paste, or solid
`coating, adding a binding agent and adding a dye to the 20
`coating either prior to the coating being added to the seed,
`during the coating, or after the coating is added to the seed.
`The present invention relates to a colored mulch product
`comprising; a material comprising a fiber, cellulose, clay,
`loam or sand and/or a combination of same, a binding agent; 25
`and a dye and/or pigment. The colored mulch product is
`produced by an agglomeration operation.
`The present invention relates to a colored seed product
`comprising; a seed, a binder, a coating; and a dye and/or
`pigment within and/or on the coating. The colored seed prod- 30
`uct is produced by an agglomeration operation.
`The present invention relates to a colored seed product
`wherein the color fades or disappears in response to a lack of
`fertilizer. The present invention relates to a colored mulch
`product wherein the color fades or disappears in response to 35
`a lack of nutrient or fertilizer in the mulch.
`It is an object of the present invention to provide dyes to
`seeds and mulches for color accents and for ease in determin(cid:173)
`ing where the products are located. It is an object of the
`present invention to provide a scent to a seed or mulch to assist 40
`a user in determining where the products are located. It is a
`further object of the invention to provide a scent to seeds and
`mulches which can take on a scent similar to the scent of the
`product applied (floral, grass, natural), or one that is of gen(cid:173)
`eral appeal to applicators (Cocoa, etc.).
`It is an object of the present invention to provide the dye to
`a coating that is applied to a seed. It is an object of the present
`invention to use both liquid dyes and dry pigments.
`The present invention relates to a method for adding a color
`to a gardening product. Dyes are added to a gardening prod(cid:173)
`uct, such as, a mulch by homogeneously blending the colo(cid:173)
`rant either before or at an agglomeration step. It can also be
`surface applied (wet or dry) after the agglomeration step.
`One such example of this agglomeration is a lifting and
`tumbling agglomeration. A moist fiber based product, which
`can be impregnated with fortifiers such as NPK, is placed in
`a mixer. The mixer performs the work that results in an
`agglomerated (or granulated) product. This product is then
`dried to a desired level of moisture and screened as necessary.
`A binding agent can be added at the mixer to enhance the 60
`agglomeration/granulation process. If a binding agent is
`added the fiber based product, the product need not be moist.
`The same methodology can be used for adding fragrances.
`When dyes or fragrances are added to seeds, they can be
`added by blending them before or at the agglomeration step. 65
`They can be applied along with or mixed with binders in the
`same agglomeration step. It can also be surface applied (wet
`
`6
`or dry) after the agglomeration step. Dyes can also be added
`to the seed by using pre-dyed solid material as the coating
`material.
`It is an object of the present invention to provide a dye or
`fragrance to a seed or mulch, which assists a user in deter(cid:173)
`mining the chemical content of the soil, such as whether there
`is enough nitrogen.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`FIG. 1 is a transverse cross-sectional view of a coating
`drum suitable for spray-coating substrate seed according to
`the present invention.
`FIG. 2 is a partially cut away view showing a length of the
`drum of FIG. 1.
`FIG. 3 is a schematic representative flow diagram illustrat(cid:173)
`ing a first manufacturing process for producing combination
`seed capsule product of the invention.
`FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a second manufac(cid:173)
`turing process for producing combination seed capsule prod(cid:173)
`uct of the invention.
`FIG. 5 is a schematic representative flow diagram illustrat(cid:173)
`ing a third manufacturing process for producing combination
`seed capsule product of the invention.
`FIGS. 6A, 6B, 6C, and 6D show cross sections of seed
`capsules of the invention.
`FIG. 7 illustrates a cross-section of the soil root zone, and
`a representative population of seed capsules at the top surface
`of the soil.
`FIG. 8 illustrates a single seed capsule on the soil surface,
`and the microenvironment developing about the seed capsule.
`FIG. 9 is an embodiment of the mulch of the present inven(cid:173)
`tion.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
`
`The present invention relates to a product and method for
`colored and fragranced gardening products. The present
`invention provides dyes to seeds and mulches for color
`accents and for ease in determining where the products are
`located. The present invention provides a scent to a seed or
`mulch, which assists a user in determining where the products
`are located. For example, if a user is planting multiple seeds,
`45 but the seeds have a similar appearance, the use of a color or
`fragranced seed can assist in user in determining the seeds
`they are planting.
`The present invention uses a wide range of colorants for
`coloring the gardening product. Both liquid dyes and dry
`50 pigments can be used. Concentrated solid colorants include,
`acid, basic and direct dye concentrates. Fluorescent and glow
`in the dark concentrates exhibited favorable results used
`alone or added to other pigments and dyes. Water-soluble
`dyes such as direct liquid dyes; basic liquid dyes; acid liquid
`55 dyes; and food drug and cosmetic colorants can be employed.
`Color is not a limiting factor. All pigments and shades tested
`with the present invention colored the mulch product. Numer(cid:173)
`ous variations in color concentration were tested. Color inten-
`sity increased with an increase in colorant.
`In a preferred embodiment, food, drug and cosmetic colo(cid:173)
`rants were chosen for their environmentally friendly chemical
`composition. Liquid dyes were chosen, for water is already
`added to the current system. The most uniform and rapid
`mixing of the constituent was achieved with a liquid colorant.
`The use of a liquid colorant also kept the equipment costs
`relatively low. A dye including glycerin, water, and colorant
`created the best adsorption and vivid color. In a preferred
`
`

`

`US 8,474,183 B2
`
`7
`embodiment, the dye is concentrated so that 50-7 5 pounds per
`hour of dye is incorporated into the system during full oper(cid:173)
`ating capacity.
`A varied sample of industrial and cosmetic fragrances was
`tested to determine the ability to create scented fortified
`mulch and seeds. Cosmetic earthy scents such as: rose, lilac,
`bluebonnet, gardenia, grass heather, cedar wood, sage and
`harmony was sampled. These samples are IFRA (Interna(cid:173)
`tional Fragrance Association) approved for use in products
`directly applied to the skin. All samples tested were success- 10
`ful in absorbing the scent into the product.
`Gardenia (8476) was the chosen fragrance. The fragrance
`was chosen because of its scent and cost. Gardenia (8476) is
`a commonly used fragrance in cosmetics such as soaps and 15
`lotions, and has an environmentally friendly chemical com(cid:173)
`position. In a preferred embodiment, an application rate of
`0.002 pounds for a five pound container was used.
`In a further embodiment, the present invention provides a
`scent which can take on a scent similar to the scent of the 20
`product applied (floral, grass, natural), or one that is of gen(cid:173)
`eral appeal to applicators (Cocoa, etc.).
`The present invention further relates to a method for adding
`a color to a gardening product. Dyes are added to a gardening
`product, such as, a mulch by blending homogeneously if
`desired, the colorant with the mulch. In one embodiment, the
`mulch can be blended with the colorant either before or at an
`agglomeration step. In a further embodiment, the dye can also
`be surface applied (wet or dry) after the agglomeration step.
`The same methodology can be used for adding fragrances.
`When dyes or fragrances are added to seeds, they can be
`added by homogeneously blending the seeds with the dyes or
`fragrances. In a further embodiment, the dyes or fragrances
`can be blended with the seeds before or at the agglomeration
`step. In a further embodiment, the dyes or fragrances can be
`applied to the seeds along with or mixed with binders in the
`same agglomeration step. In a further embodiment, the dyes
`or fragrances can also be surface applied (wet or dry) to the
`seeds after the agglomeration step. Dyes can also be added to
`the seed by using pre-dyed solid material as the coating mate(cid:173)
`rial. In a preferred embodiment, the dyes or fragrances are
`added to a coating that is added to the seed.
`In a preferred embodiment, the agglomeration performed
`under the invention, is done by mechanical agitation, tum(cid:173)
`bling and mixer agglomeration, thermal processes, spray
`methods and liquid systems, spray coating, fluid bed dryer
`and spray dryer technology. Compaction or pressure agglom(cid:173)
`eration is a less preferred technique under the present inven(cid:173)
`tion.
`In a further embodiment of the invention a dye or fragrance 50
`is provided to a seed or mulch which can assist a user in
`determining the acidity of the soil. In the case of a dye, the dye
`can change color and or becomes visible in response to the
`acidity of the soil. Therefore, a user can adjust the pH of the
`soil in response to the color of the seed or mulch.
`In a further embodiment, the present invention provides a
`dye or fragrance to a seed or mulch, which can assist a user in
`determining the moisture levels added to the soil. In the case
`of a dye, the dye can change color or become visible in
`response to the moisture levels added to the soil. Therefore, a 60
`user can adjust the moisture level of the soil in response to the
`color of the seed or mulch.
`In a further embodiment, the present invention provides a
`dye or fragrance to a seed or mulch, which can assist a user in
`determining the chemical content of the