Abstract:
A method and apparatus for dispensing a solid particulate product, and powders, pellets, granules, and micro-solids in particular, is disclosed. The dispenser includes a housing ( 12 ) and a metering device. The dispenser dispenses the solid particulate product while protecting the solid particulate product from environmental conditions such as humidity.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     The invention relates generally to dispensers and more particular to a method and apparatus for dispensing a solid particulate product where the solid particulate product is a powder, pellet, granule, or micro-solid.  
       BACKGROUND  
       [0002]     Solid particulate compositions such as powders, pellets, granules, and micro-solids are a preferred form of many compositions because they are easy to formulate and do not require additional processing whereas liquid and solid compositions typically require additional processing to make them into the desired physical form. Such products may be used for a variety of reasons including as detergents, rinse aids, fabric softeners, bleaches, optical brightening chemicals, starching chemicals, cleaners and sanitizers in general, and as pesticides, for example for flies. However, powders, pellets, granules, and micro-solids are difficult to handle, messy, and susceptible to environmental conditions such as humidity that can cause the composition to clump and disrupt the dispensing. Also, powders, pellets, granules, and micro-solids are difficult to dispense evenly when they contain a mixture of particles having different particle sizes. During dispensing, the particles can segregate resulting in particles of a certain size being dispensed instead of a mixture of particle sizes. Finally, powders, pellets, granules, and micro-solids are difficult to dispense using gravity feed dispensers because oftentimes the dispenser is not designed for optimal flow properties, allowing the product to build up on the edge of the dispenser, causing bridging or arching and sometimes forming ratholes. These phenomena will cause the dispenser to jam, cause irregular flow patterns, and prevent all of the product in the dispenser from being dispensed. Therefore, a need exists for a dispenser that can dispense powders, pellets, granules, and micro-solids while protecting the composition from environmental conditions and making the composition easy to dispense.  
       SUMMARY  
       [0003]     The present invention relates to a dispenser for solid particulate products, including powders, pellets, granules, and micro-solids.  
         [0004]     In one embodiment, the invention relates to a dispenser for dispensing solid particulate products, the dispenser having a housing for product coupled to a metering device. The housing includes an outlet.  
         [0005]     In another embodiment, the invention relates to a dispensing system for dispensing solid particulate products. The dispensing system includes a dispenser having a housing for product coupled to a metering device. The housing includes an outlet.  
         [0006]     In another embodiment, the invention relates to a method of dispensing a solid particulate product. The method includes dispensing a solid particulate product from a dispenser, the dispenser having a housing for product coupled to a metering device. The housing includes an outlet.  
         [0007]     In another embodiment, the invention relates to a dispenser for insect or rodent particulate bait for use around a dumpster or garbage area. The dispenser includes a housing and a metering device. The metering device may be a rotary drum. The dispenser optionally includes a drop tube and a scattering device. The dispenser also optionally includes a control device and a power supply.  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0008]      FIG. 1  shows the hidden lines of an assembled view of an embodiment of the dispenser of the present invention with a rotary valve;  
         [0009]      FIG. 2  is an exploded view of a rotary valve metering device, an embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0010]      FIG. 3  is an exploded view of a rotary valve metering device, an embodiment of the present invention showing the hidden lines;  
         [0011]      FIG. 4  is an exploded view showing the hidden lines of an embodiment of the dispenser of the present invention with a rotary valve;  
         [0012]      FIG. 5  is an assembled view showing the hidden lines of the actuated plunger metering device, an embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0013]      FIG. 6  shows the hidden lines of a horizontal dosing metering device in the filling position, an embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0014]      FIG. 7  shows the hidden lines of a horizontal dosing metering device in the dispensing position, an embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0015]      FIG. 8  shows the hidden lines of a vertical dosing metering device in the filling position, an embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0016]      FIG. 9  shows the hidden lines of a vertical dosing metering device in the dispensing position, an embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0017]      FIG. 10  shows the assembled view of the sleeve/plunger metering device in the filling position, an embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0018]      FIG. 11  shows the assembled view of the sleeve/plunger metering device in the closed position, an embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0019]      FIG. 12  shows the assembled view of the sleeve/plunger metering device in the dispensing position, an embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0020]      FIG. 13  shows the hidden lines of a rotary valve metering device having four dispensing chambers, an embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0000]     Definitions  
         [0021]     For the following defined terms, these definitions shall be applied, unless a different definition is given in the claims or elsewhere in this specification.  
         [0022]     All numeric values are herein assumed to be modified by the term “about,” whether or not explicitly indicated. The term “about” generally refers to a range of numbers that one of skill in the art would consider equivalent to the recited value (i.e., having the same function or result). In many instances, the term “about” may include numbers that are rounded to the nearest significant figure.  
         [0023]     The recitation of numerical ranges by endpoints includes all numbers subsumed within that range (e.g. 1 to 5 includes 1, 1.5, 2, 2.75, 3, 3.80, 4 and 5).  
         [0024]     As used in this specification and the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural referents unless the content clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to a composition containing “a compound” includes a mixture of two or more compounds. As used in this specification and the appended claims, the term “or” is generally employed in its sense including “and/or” unless the content clearly dictates otherwise.  
         [0000]     The Dispenser  
         [0025]     Referring to the drawings, wherein like numerals represent like parts throughout the several views, there is generally disclosed at  10  a dispenser for a solid particulate product. Solid particulate is understood to mean a product relating to or existing as minute separate particles. The dispenser  10  may be mounted to a wall or other structure, may be hung from a structure, or may be free standing. The dispenser  10  includes a housing  12 . The housing  12  may be made out of plastic, metal, wood, fiberglass, carbon fiber composites, or mixtures thereof. The housing  12  is preferably made out of plastic or metal. The housing  12  optionally has an inlet  24  where the solid particulate product may enter the housing  12 . The housing  12  has an outlet  26  where the solid particulate product exits the housing  12 . The inlet may be in a lid  20 . Lid  20  may be permanently fixed to the housing  12  or lid  20  may be removable. The housing  12  may be a cylinder, a funnel, a mass flow funnel, the product&#39;s packaging itself, or any container having an outlet  26 . Where the housing  12  is the product packaging, the housing  12  would not necessarily include an inlet. The term mass flow funnel is understood to mean a funnel designed according to mass flow properties of particulates. A mass flow funnel typically has steep walls such that the particulates flow along the sides of the funnel at substantially similar rates as product flows through the center of the funnel. Mass flow funnels are known to prevent ratholes from forming, reduce bridging and arching, limit segregation, and provide a uniform flow rate. A rathole is the phenomenon associated with particulate flow in a cylindrical or conical chamber where product dispenses from the center of the chamber and not from the sides leaving a hole in the center of the product. Arching or bridging refers to the phenomena associated with particulate flow in a cylindrical or conical chamber where the product forms a bridge or arch at the exit of the chamber thereby preventing additional product from flowing out of the exit. The housing  12  is preferably a mass flow funnel because of these benefits. When dispensing particulate products, limiting segregation allows a more uniform blend of particulate sizes to be dispensed. Additionally, the prevention of ratholes, bridges and arches prevents the dispenser from jamming. Finally, a uniform flow rate is of importance, especially when the metering device selected is based on time, for example, the length of time a plug is open allowing a certain amount of product to flow. While the mass flow funnel is the preferred funnel, it is understood that any container having an outlet  26  may be selected for the housing  12 .  
         [0026]     The housing preferably assists in keeping out environmental conditions such as humidity. Humidity will cause the particulate product to clump or stick together, making it difficult to uniformly dispense the product and causing the metering device to clog and render the apparatus ineffective. The housing may assist to keep out humidity in a number of ways. In certain embodiments, the housing may be air tight to prevent humidity from entering the housing when it is closed. In certain embodiments, the housing may include a desiccant to absorb any humidity present in the housing. In certain embodiments, the housing may include an additional chamber inside the housing. This chamber may be air tight. The chamber may include a desiccant. In certain embodiments, the housing may only be opened when necessary to service the dispenser and provide additional product to the housing. For example, in certain embodiments, the housing may only be opened once every 30 days in order to service the dispenser and provide additional product to the housing. In between the servicing, the housing would preferably remain closed to prevent additional humidity from entering into the housing. In certain embodiments, the housing is filled with product during low humidity, for example at night, and/or when it is not precipitating in order to assist in keeping humidity out of the housing. The housing is designed such that when the bait is loaded when humidity is less that 80% RH, the housing will not allow the relative humidity inside of the housing to increase above 80% RH. In other words, the housing is designed to keep the humidity inside the housing to the relative humidity at the time when the bait is loaded if the outside relative humidity increases after the housing is closed. In certain embodiments, it may be preferable to fill up the housing completely when adding additional product to the housing. It is believed that filling up the housing completely with product allows the product to displace any humidity that is present in the housing and therefore bring the relative humidity (RH) level down. In certain embodiments, it is preferred that the housing be capable of keeping the relative humidity level below a certain percentage as measured by a Hotpack Environmental Chamber (Model Number 417532), commercially available from Hotpack Corp. (Philadelphia, Pa.). For example, in an embodiment, the housing is capable of keeping the humidity level of the air inside the housing to less than 80% RH when the air temperature outside the housing is 33° C./90° F. In an embodiment, the housing is capable of keeping the humidity level of the air inside the housing to less than 70% RH when the air temperature outside the housing is 33° C./90° F. In an embodiment, the housing is capable of keeping the humidity level of the air inside the housing to less than 60% RH when the air temperature outside the housing is 33° C./90° F.  
         [0027]     The housing  12  is coupled to a metering device. In  FIG. 1 , the metering device is a rotary valve, general disclosed at  14 . The metering device may be any metering device including but not limited to a rotary valve, an actuated plunger, a dosing device having a void space of fixed volume, a sleeve/plunger combination, and others. The purpose of the metering device is to measure out a quantity or dosage of solid particulate product to be dispensed. The metering device may be volumetric or time based. The dosage may be fixed or may be adjustable.  
         [0028]     The rotary valve metering device embodiment  14  is shown in  FIGS. 1-3 . The rotary valve  14  has a rotary drum  30 . Rotary drum  30  rotates inside the rotary drum housing  34 . The rotary drum housing has two apertures,  36  and  40 . Aperture  40  receives the solid particulate product from the housing  12  when the rotary drum  30  is in the filling position. The solid particulate product exits out aperture  36  when the rotary drum  30  is in the dispensing position. The rotary drum housing  34  also has mounting holes for the motor  50  that connect the rotary drum housing  34  to the motor (not shown). The rotary drum housing cover  32  is placed over the rotary drum  30  on the rotary drum housing  34 . The rotary drum housing cover  32  and the rotary drum housing  34  have apertures for fasteners  44 . The fasteners (not shown) may be screws, nails, or other fastening device, and hold the rotary drum housing cover  32  in rigid communication with the rotary drum housing  34 . Rotary drum  30  has two axles,  46  and  48 , that allow the rotary drum to rotate inside the rotary drum housing  34 . Axle  48  is a slotted axle that couples to a motor or other device for rotating rotary drum  30 . Rotary drum  30  also has a chamber  38 . The rotary drum  30  may optionally include a plurality of chambers as shown in  FIG. 21 . A fixed volume of solid particulate product exits housing  12  through the outlet  26 , passes through aperture  40 , and enters chamber  38  when rotary drum  30  is in the filling position. Rotary drum  30  then rotates to the dispensing position and empties the fixed volume of solid particulate product out aperture  36 . Rotary drum  30  then rotates back to the filling position and the cycle may be repeated. Tight tolerances between the rotary drum  30 , the rotary drum housing  34 , and the rotary drum housing cover  32  protect the solid particulate product in the housing  12  and chamber  38  from environmental conditions such as humidity.  
         [0029]     In an embodiment, the rotary drum may be removable in order to facilitate servicing or replacement. In this embodiment, removable fasteners can be used to secure the rotary housing cover  32  to the rotary drum housing  34 . In an embodiment, axel  46  can incorporate a removal device to facilitate removal of the rotary drum  30 . In one embodiment the removal device can be a coupling such as a threaded port to which an extraction device can be coupled to. In one embodiment, the removal device can be a tab that can be grasped by a hand or tool to release the rotary system.  
         [0030]     When the rotary drum  30  is the metering device, the housing  12  is connected to rotary drum  30  by a frame  22 . Frame  22  has an aperture  42 . The housing  12  is placed in the aperture  42  such that outlet  26  is in communication with aperture  40  and chamber  38  when rotary drum  30  is in the filling position.  
         [0031]     Another embodiment is the actuated plunger metering device  56  shown in  FIG. 5 . For the actuated plunger metering device the housing  12  contains a plunger shaft  54 . At the end of the plunger shaft  54  is a plunger plug  52 . Plunger plug  52  seals the housing  12  at aperture  26  from environmental conditions. The plunger plug  52  may be made of a variety of materials including but not limited to plastic, metal, and rubber. The plunger shaft  54  is actuated by an actuating device (not shown). The actuating device may be a motor driven cam, a solenoid, or other actuation means. Upon actuation the plunger shaft  54  is moved along its axis such that when activated the plunger plug  52  moves away from aperture  26  allowing the solid particulate product to be dispensed. With this design, the open time of the dispenser is adjusted to modify the quantity of the product dispensed.  
         [0032]     Yet another embodiment is the horizontal dosing metering device  58  shown in  FIGS. 6 and 7 . For the horizontal dosing metering device  58 , the housing  12  is coupled to a shaft  62 . Shaft  62  has two apertures,  64  and  66 . Aperture  64  is connected to aperture  26  in housing  12 . Shaft  62  has piston  60  that moves along a horizontal axis from a filling position to a dispensing position.  FIG. 6  shows the filling position.  FIG. 7  shows the dispensing position. Piston  60  has a chamber  68 . In the filling position, chamber  68  is aligned with aperture  64  of shaft  62 . During the filling position, a fixed volume of solid particulate product is dispensed from the housing  12 , through apertures  26  and  64 , and enters chamber  68 . Piston  60  then moves along a horizontal axis from the filling position to the dispensing position. In the dispensing position, the fixed volume of solid particulate product is dispensed from chamber  68  through aperture  66 .  
         [0033]     Still another embodiment is the vertical dosing metering device  70  shown in  FIGS. 8 and 9 . For the vertical dosing metering device  70 , the housing  12  is coupled to a shaft  62 . Shaft  62  has piston  60  that moves along a vertical axis from a filling position to a dispensing position.  FIG. 8  shows the filling position.  FIG. 9  shows the dispensing position. Piston  60  has a chamber  68 . In the filling position, chamber  68  is inside housing  12 . During the filling position, a fixed volume of solid particulate product is dispensed into chamber  68 . Piston  60  then moves along a vertical axis from the filling position to the dispensing position. In the dispensing position, the fixed volume of solid particulate product is dispensed from chamber  68 .  
         [0034]     Still a further embodiment is the sleeve/plunger metering device  72  shown in  FIGS. 10-12 . For the sleeve/plunger metering device  72 , a sleeve  74  is located inside housing  12 . Inside sleeve  74  is a plunger shaft  54 . Plunger shaft  54  has springs  76  located between discs  78 . At the end of plunger shaft  54  is a plunger plug  52  and a chamber  68 . Plunger plug  52  seals the end of housing  12  at aperture  26  from environmental conditions. The sleeve/plunger metering device  72  has three positions: a filling position ( FIG. 10 ), a closed position ( FIG. 11 ), and a dispensing position ( FIG. 12 ). During the filling position, sleeve  74  is spaced apart from housing  12 , allowing a fixed amount of solid particulate product to fill chamber  68 . During the closed position, plunger shaft  54  is moved along its axis to come into contact with the housing  12 . In the closed position, solid particulate product cannot enter chamber  68 , but plunger plug  52  is still sealed against aperture  26 . In the dispensing position, the plunger shaft  54  is moved further along its axis such that the plunger plug  52  is moved away from aperture  26  and the solid particulate product is dispensed out aperture  26  from chamber  68 . Plunger shaft  54  is actuated by an actuating device (not shown). The actuating device may be a motor driven cam, a solenoid, or other actuation means.  
         [0035]     The dispenser  10  of the present invention may optionally include a drop tube  16 . Drop tube  16  may be coupled to either the housing  12  at aperture  26  or the metering device where the solid particulate product is dispensed. The purpose of drop tube  16  is to carry the solid particulate product a distance without the solid particulate product being blown away. The drop tube  16  may be any length necessary. The drop tube  16  may be made of plastic, metal, wood, fiberglass, carbon fiber composites or any material.  
         [0036]     The solid particulate product may be dispensed directly from the housing  12 , the metering device, or the drop tube  16 . Alternatively, the dispenser  10  of the present invention may optionally include a scattering device for dispersing the product over a desired area. The scattering device may scatter the solid particulate product in a variety of ways. For example, in one embodiment, the scattering device may have a deflection plate  18  such that upon hitting the defection plate, the solid particulate product is scattered. When used in conjunction with deflection plate  18 , drop tube  16  protects the product from wind, air currents, etc. and directs the product towards the deflection plate  18  as the product falls some vertical distance. While falling, the product increases in velocity under the force of gravity. This vertical motion vector of the falling product is partially translated into a horizontal motion vector when the product strikes the deflection plate  18 , thereby causing the product to be scattered. The defection plate  18  may have a variety of shapes including conical, flat, curved, or “cyclonic funnel.” In another embodiment, the scattering device may also be a rotating disk such that when the solid particulate product is dispensed, it is dispensed onto the rotating disk and scattered. In yet another embodiment, the scattering device may also be a flat plate having an arm such that when the solid particulate product is dispensed onto the scattering device, the arm swings to scatter the solid particulate product over the desired area. Preferably, in this embodiment, one end of the arm rotates about a point and the other end of the arm is preferably held in position as rotation of the arm begins such that potential energy is stored in the arm in the form of elastic deflection of the arm. Once the held end of the arm is released, the potential energy is converted to kinetic energy allowing the arm to “spring” forward and scatter the solid particulate product. In still another embodiment, the scattering device  18  may be a shaker plate. The scattering device  18  may be connected to the drop tube  16 , the housing  12  or the metering device by a connector  28 . The connector  28  holds the scattering device  18  in rigid communication with the rest of the dispenser  10 .  
         [0037]     The dispenser  10  of the present invention may optionally be contained in a secondary cabinet (not shown). The secondary cabinet may optionally include a locking device to lock the dispenser  10  inside the secondary cabinet. The purpose of the secondary cabinet is to prevent unauthorized access to the solid particulate product, for example by children. Also, the secondary cabinet may be used to mount or hang the dispenser  10  either on a wall or other structure. The secondary cabinet may also be free standing.  
         [0038]     The metering device may optionally be coupled to a power supply (not shown). Some non-limiting examples of power supplies include a battery, a rechargeable battery, manual power, solar power, stored mechanical energy, spring, a standard electrical outlet, and potential energy.  
         [0039]     The metering device may optionally be coupled to a control device (not shown) that controls the dispensing of the solid particulate product. Some non-limiting examples of control devices include a timer, a limit switch, a photo sensor, an impact weigher, a load cell, a microprocessor, a manual control, a push button, a laundry machine wash cycle, a warewashing machine wash cycle.  
         [0040]     The dispenser  10  may be used to dispense solid particulate products such as detergents in laundry and warewashing machines, and pesticides. The pesticide may include incesticides, rodenticides, and the like. Some non-limiting examples of suitable pesticides include the following: ECO2000-GR insecticidal bait granules (0.4 mm to 2 mm), commercially available from Ecolab Inc.; Stimukil insecticidal bait granules (˜3 mm), commercially available from Troy Bioscience; Max Force fly bait (5 mm×1 mm), commercially available from Bayer; Ecolab Rat &amp; Mouse Exterminator rodenticidal pellet bait (10 mm×5 mm), commercially available from Ecolab Inc.; and Maki Rat &amp; Mouse Bait, rodenticidal bait pellet (10 mm×5 mm), commercially available from LiphaTech). The pesticide may be provided in areas where scattering of the pesticide or bait is desired such as around a garbage dumpster.  
         [0041]     For a more complete understanding of the invention, the following examples are given to illustrate some embodiment. These examples and experiments are to be understood as illustrative and not limiting.  
       EXAMPLES  
     Example 1  
       [0042]     Example 1 shows the ability of various dispensers to dispense a given dosage of fly bait consistently. Four metering devices were tested, the rotary drum, the horizontal dosing, the actuated plunger, and the sleeve/plunger. The test was conducted at ambient temperature. Dispenses were triggered in succession using a manual switch. The difference in weight in a cup was recorded.  
                                                           TABLE 1                           Ounces Dispensed Using Different Metering Devices                Rotary   Horizontal   Actuated   Sleeve/       Dispense   Drum   Dosing   Plunger   Plunger                    1   0.525523   0.405605   0.36   0.052905       2   0.514237   0.405605   0.28   0.088175       3   0.508241   0.42324   0.18   0.123445       4   0.513531   0.42324   0.3   0.084648       5   0.511415   0.42324   0.3   0.14108       6   0.509652   0.42324   0.28   0.063486       7   0.505419   0.38797   0.34   0.081121       8   0.504008   0.42324   0.4   0.07054       9   0.500834   0.42324   0.14   0.049378       10   0.510004   0.405605   0.42   0.091702       11   0.502597   0.440875   0.38   0.102283       12   0.504714   0.405605   0.44   0.077594       13   0.506124   0.440875   0.3   0.052905       14   0.51071   0.42324   0.42   0.017635       15   0.513179   0.42324   0.32   0.067013       16   0.506477   0.405605   0.38   0.14108       17   0.509299   0.440875   0.4   0.134026       18   0.501892   0.42324   0.44   0.102283       19   0.501187   0.42324   0.36   0.123445       Average   0.508371   0.419527   0.338947   0.087618       Standard   0.005924   0.013885   0.08232   0.034241       Deviation                  
 
 In Table 1, the rotary drum metering device was the most consistent over twenty dispenses because it had the lowest standard deviation. The next most consistent was the horizontal dosing metering device, followed by the sleeve/plunger, and then the actuated plunger. 
 
       Example 2  
       [0043]     Example 2 shows the impact of humidity on two known insecticides, Stimukil a granular fly bait, commercially available from Troy Bioscience, and MaxForce, a granular fly bait, commercially available from Bayer. For this example, a Hotpack Environmental Chamber (Model Number 417532), commercially available from Hotpack Corp. (Philadelphia, Pa.) was preset to a desired temperature and relative humidity (RH). Ten grams of the insecticide was placed in the Hotpack Environmental Chamber. After one day, a probe was used to touch the insecticide to determine if the insecticide was stuck together. Also, the color of the insecticide was noted.  
                                                                                       TABLE 2                           Impact of Humidity on Insecticide                Day 1   Day 2   Day 3   Day 4                        Humidity   60% RH   70% RH   80% RH   90% RH       Temperature   33° C./90° F.   33° C./90° F.   33° C./   33° C./                   90° F.   90° F.            Insecticide            Stimukil   No color   No color   No color   Dark blue.           change.   change.   change.   Partially                       dissolved.           Does not stick   Does not stick   Does not   Stuck           together.   together.   stick   together.                   together.       MaxForce   No color   No color   No color   Dark red.           change.   change.   change.   Partially                       dissolved.           Does not Stick   Does not Stick   Starting to   Stuck           together.   together   stick   together.                   together.                  
 
         [0044]                                                                                            TABLE 3                           Impact of Humidity on Insecticide                Day 1   Day 2   Day 3   Day 4                        Humidity   60% RH   60% RH   60% RH   60% RH       Temperature   33° C./90° F.   33° C./90° F.   33° C./   33° C./                   90° F.   90° F.            Insecticide            Stimukil   No color   No color   No color   No color           change.   change.   change.   change.           Does not stick   Does not stick   Does not   Does not           together.   together.   stick   stick                   together.   together.       MaxForce   No color   No color   No color   No color           change.   change.   change.   change.           Does not Stick   Does not Stick   Does not   Does not           together.   together   Stick   stick                   together.   together.                    
 Table 2 shows that the Stimukil insecticide did not start sticking together until the relative humidity was above 80%. The MaxForce insecticide did not start sticking together until the relative humidity was above 70% and was not stuck together until the relative humidity was above 80%. Table 3 shows the impact of time on the consistency of the insecticides. In Table 3, the relative humidity was kept constant over four days instead of increased as in Table 2. Neither the Stimukil nor the MaxForce stuck together after four days when the relative humidity was kept at a constant 60%. Table 2 and Table 3 show that it was the increased relative humidity, and not time, that cause the two insecticides to be stuck together after four days. 
 
         [0045]     The foregoing summary, detailed description, and examples provide a sound basis for understanding the invention, and some specific example embodiments of the invention. Since the invention can comprise a variety of embodiments, the above information is not intended to be limiting. The invention resides in the claims.