Plant treating composition

Dry foamable concentrates comprising a plant agent, a foaming agent, and an alcohol of limited solubility e.g., butanol, capable of spumescent constitution with water to provide a stable foam composition acting as a tracer in application.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
The increased popularity of home gardening, and the expense of commercial 
servicing has activated interest in homeowner application of plant agents. 
U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,713,404, 3,871,130 and 3,922,977 of Lavo et al. to the 
common assignee describe systems and methodology adapted to this interest, 
the texts of which are incorporated herein by reference. Disclosed is a 
method for the application of plant agents utilizing a garden hose coupled 
to a residential water supply providing a stream of water at a static 
pressure of about 15 to about 70 psig. wherein the stream of water is 
intorudced to a foam generation zone, a foam concentrate comprising a 
foaming agent and a plant agent is educted into the stream by a venturi 
arrangement, the mixture is mechanically agitated and the proportion of 
water and foam concentrate controlled to maintain a dilution of 15 to 90 
parts by volume of water to each part of concentrate, and the thus formed 
foam providing solution is then directed against a foraminous barrier 
through which a current of air is simultaneously and unidirectionally 
forced, whereupon the solution is spumed for application into a deformable 
foam. 
The foam concentrates heretofore employed in generating the aforesaid foams 
are conveniently provided in ready-to-use form as liquid concentrates 
containing the plant-treating agent often a fertilizer together with the 
foaming and stabilizing agents. Such concentrates have also included a 
water-soluble lower alkanol, typically, isopropanol, primarily to overcome 
the foam-inhibition by the organic fertilizer and high-salt content of the 
plant-treating composition, thus reducing the requirements of foam 
stabilizer and permitting tolerable viscosities of the liquid foam 
concentrate by controlling the fluidity. Such liquid fertilizer 
compositions are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,918,952. 
These compositions, however, suffer from a lack of stability upon long term 
storage with solid ingredients, usually organic nitrogen sources, such as 
urea-formaldehyde, separating in cake form which is difficult to 
redistribute through the liquid medium. Further, the ability of such 
concentrates to form spumescent foams diminishes with long term storage, 
in part due to an increase in viscosity of the concentrate. 
Thus, there is a need for dry, shelf-stable concentrates in ready-to-use 
form for the purpose of foam application particularly for use with foam 
generators employed in homeowner applications. 
The present invention provides foam concentrates of excellent storage 
stability and other improved properties embodied in the following 
description. 
GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
In accordance with the present invention, dry foam concentrates are 
provided which, under the conditions of forming a foam with a portable 
foam producer, yield light and fluffy foams even at low foam agent 
concentration. 
In a preferred form of the invention, there are provided foamable 
concentrates inclusive of particulate-containing systems, all capable of 
formulation in liquid systems notwithstanding extended storage. The base 
concentrates are devoid of significant liquid content i.e., are 
substantially `dry` or anhydrous but liquifiable in aqueous systems for 
dilution and foaming in use. 
An especially valuable characteristic of the present concentrated 
formulations is successful reconstitution to intermediate and high 
expansion foams, even after long term storage, notwithstanding significant 
particulate content and/or relativey high salt levels. 
The present new foam concentrates are comprised of an alcohol of limited 
water solubility, and include at least one plant treated agent and a 
foaming agent. Surprisingly, it has been discovered that alcohols of 
limited water solubility impart these desirable properties to foam 
concentrates. Thus, foams of acceptable character may be reproducibly 
reconstituted even after long term storage, since the level of foam agent 
required may be substantially reduced. Such dry concentrates in 
particulate form have realized shelf life in excess of one year under 
cyclic ambient conditions. 
In a preferred embodiment the concentrates comprise up to 20 to 25 percent 
by weight of insoluble or difficultly soluble material often of high salt 
content e.g., fertilizer which exhibits a tendency to clump or cake and 
resists dispersion. 
Aqueous liquid concentrates containing organic fertilizer, although of 
satisfactory short term stability e.g., four months, do not approach 
corresponding dry concentrates in storage stability, primarily due to the 
caking of the sediment which forms after varying periods of storage. After 
4 months of storage, the sediment usually does re-disperse and the 
concentrate does provide acceptable results as to the viscosity and ease 
of foaming but longer storage periods result in the sediment being almost 
impossible to re-disperse. 
The level of the limited solubility alcohols required to reconstitute 
intermediate and high expansion foams are substantially less than 
water-soluble alcohols, typically from 1/4 to 1/2 as much water-insoluble 
alcohol, to accomplish the same foam stabilizing and enhancing effect as 
the watersoluble alcohols. The present compositions may also provide more 
efficient foams for the purpose of the homeowner, where it is desired to 
produce a higher expansion ratio foam from liquid concentrate at normal 
foam agent levels. Conveniently, the alcohols of choice are also 
characterized by reduced volatility, adding to the shelf life potential. 
The present new compositions are also particularly well-suited for 
production of foams which are characterized by a disrupted or 
discontinuous form as projected or applied. The production of such foams 
and the apparatus therefor are more fully described in commonly assigned 
application Ser. Nos. 793,693 and 793,694 of Ravallo and Pitchon, Colton, 
Kemprowski and Schulman, respectively filed concurrently herewith and 
incorporated herein by reference. 
The alcohols of limited water solubility contemplated by the present 
invention are those which are soluble to the extent of about 15-20 parts 
per 100 parts of water or less. Typically, the higher alkanols containing 
at least 4 carbon atoms are exemplary of such alcohols e.g., of the 
butanols, isobutyl, n-butyl and sec-butyl alcohols, and the isometric 
amyl, hexyl and octyl alcohols; as well, the cycloalkanols, such as 
cyclohexanol and cycloheptanol, and aralkanols such as benzyl alcohol and 
phenylethanol are suitable. Generally, the contemplated alcohols 
preferably should have up to about 10 carbon atoms although alcohols of 
higher carbon content are operable but with less ease because they tend to 
be of lower fluidity and are less available commercially. C.sub.4 -C.sub.5 
alcohols are preferred. 
The most preferred of the contemplated alcohols are the aforementioned 
isomeric butanols, n-butyl, isobutyl and sec-butyl alcohols. These are 
preferred because they are readily available and in present experience 
give the best results. On direct comparison with water-soluble lower 
alkanols such as the commonly employed isopropanol, the said butyl 
alcohols showed remarkably superior results in foamable compositions 
prepared therefrom. Only about 1/4 and 1/2 as much butyl alcohol was 
required to accomplish the fluidity and foam enhancement of isopropanol, 
which provides an economical advantage to the present compositions. 
Further, the butyl alcohol foam concentrates provided a better foam in 
that at the same concentration of foam agent, the foam was fluffier and 
lighter than the isopropanol-containing foam concentrates. Foam 
concentrates prepared with butyl alcohols also show improved storage 
stability. In general, the butyl alcohol compositions on foaming gave 
higher expansion ratios at lower concentration than the isopropanol 
compositions. 
The foam-providing concentrates of the invention are comprised of at least 
one constituent, a foaming agent, that is spumable in aqueous dispersion 
and adapted in such form to provide the continuous phase which constitutes 
the walls of the cells or bubbles in the foam material derived thereon. In 
addition to being adaptable to being spumed into a three-dimentional foam 
structure, the foaming agent in aqueous dispersion is chemically 
unreactive with the plant chemical and/or biological agent, or other 
agents, which are dissolved or blended in the foam-providing concentrates. 
Solid, particulate foaming agents are preferred as contrasted with liquid 
materials, to reduce the liquid content of the dry concentrates. Exemplary 
dry surfactants are alkyl aryl sulfonates, higher alcohol surfacetate 
salts, such as sodium lauryl surfacetate, and condensates of alkylene 
oxides e.g., ethylene oxide, with hydrophilic bases made from propylene 
oxide and propylene glycol. 
The normally solid sulfonate foaming agents and particularly compositions 
principally comprising the higher alkyl e.g., C.sub.8 -C.sub.18 species of 
alkyl or alkylaryl sulfonates are preferred. Outstanding results have been 
achieved with alpha olefin sulfonates, wherein the olefin is essentially 
C.sub.14 -C.sub.16, such as Bio Terge AS-90F. 
Since the intended use of the spumed foam product is that of a vehicle for 
applying agents to plants and associated soils, the pH of the applied foam 
is established at a level which is compatible to plant life, and 
preferably that level which furthers healthy growth of the plant on which 
it is deposited. This criterion, in general requires the foam to have a pH 
value of above 6.0 and preferably to be in the range of 6.5 to 9.0. Those 
versed in the art of horticulture, however, will readily recognize that 
foams having a slightly lower pH value can be used on "acid loving" plants 
such as azaleas and foams having a high pH level are compatible with other 
types of plant life. 
The foam-providing concentrate of the invention is desirably spumable in an 
aqueous dispersion to a foam having a controllable degree of expansion 
when mechanically generated with a flow of tap water from a supply source 
with a relatively low pressure of 15 lbs. per sq. in. as well as with much 
higher pressures--typically up to 70 lbs. per sq. in. With respect to 
obtaining and controlling the degree of expansion of the generated foam 
under the limiting conditions of homeowner use it has been found 
convenient to employ certain "foam booster" chemical agents such as 
blended alkyl sulfates, alkyl sulfonates, alkylol ether sulfates, lauric 
acid monoethanolamide, stearic acid monoethanolamide, aluric acid 
isopropanolamide and mixtures of lauric acid and myristic acid 
monoethanolamide. Any such booster will of course be selected from solid 
materials to prepare the dry concentrate. 
In addition to the above, the spumable foam exhibits a degree of stability 
which precludes the foam from rapidly "breaking," but assures a suitable 
degree of cohesiveness, i.e., providing a visible three-dimensional foam 
structure on the ground for a period ranging upwards from 5-30 minutes 
after application. The stability of the foam products of the invention can 
be controlled where required by the addition of a small amount of certain 
compounds which are generally classed as humectants. Particularly, 
polyhydric alcohols such as glycerol, propylene glycol, and ethylene 
glycol, lauryl alcohol, myristyl alcohol, stearyl alcohol or mixtures 
thereof have been found to be effective. 
One of the important advantages of the invention is ease of manipulation 
during application of the plant agent-foam combination. In this respect 
the foam-providing mixture is highly concentrated in order to minimize 
weight and bulk and thereby be readily portable by the user. In view of 
its concentrated form and the fact it is intended to be educted into a 
stream of water for purposes of dilution and mechanical agitation, it is 
important that the fluidity of the concentrate be maintained during 
application. The alcohols of limited solubility adequately control the 
fludity of the concentrate at the anticipated usage temperature range of 
50.degree.-120.degree. F. and, most importantly, when formulated according 
to the procedures described in the illustrative examples herein, do not 
adversely effect the stability of the foam product when it is applied to 
the lawn or other plant life. 
Understandably, the invention encompasses combinations of different 
additives and differently selected ratios or quantities of additives for 
the purpose of tailoring foam-providing concentrates to yield foam 
products having specific desired characteristics for use on particular 
types of plants, plant foliages and soils. 
Those agents which can be applied by the methods of the invention, in 
addition to seeds, include but are not limited to, organic and inorganic 
fertilizers, herbicides, fungicides, insecticides, pesticides, sterilants, 
minerals, hormones and like materials commonly used in agriculture for the 
maintenance or nurture of plant life, or the control or eradication of 
pests or disease therein, or the presence of undesired species thereabout. 
In almost all instances, with the exception of plant seeds, the plant agent 
is either soluble in the aqueous concentrate or forms a relatively stable 
colloidal suspension. In those instances wherein the plant agent is oil 
soluble, micellar solubilization of the oil soluble plant agent is 
achieved provided the oil is present in amounts less than about 10 percent 
by volume of the concentrate. In those instances where the oil content is 
greater than about 10 percent, an augmenting emulsifier is employed, when 
necessary, to provide a stable foam-providing emulsion concentrate of the 
plant agent. Representative auxiliary emulsifiers for this purpose are 
sodium stearate, sodium laurate, and lauryl benzene sulfonate. 
In the preparation of the present concentrates it is advantageous to 
incorporate dispersants to prevent caking. Solid dispersants for this 
purpose are well-known and include for example, silicon dioxide, pyrogenic 
silicon dioxide, pyrogenic aluminum oxide, sodium silicoaluminate, and 
others. Usually such dispersants are employed at low levels, e.g., about 
0.5 to about 1.5% by weight of the concentrate. Cab-O-Sil M-5 is 
preferred. 
The amount of the alcohol of limited solubility used in the present 
concentrates can be varied appreciably to attain whatever results are 
desired. As hereinbefore indicated, the said alcohols influence the 
production of lighter, fluffier foams and the amount of alcohol employed 
is correlated to the type of foam produced. Generally, these alcohols can 
be used at levels ranging from about 1% to about 10% of the concentrate 
weight. Commonly, the level employed is from about 2% to about 5%, 
preferably about 2.5% to about 4%, so that the concentrate assumes a 
consistency between fluor and sand:like buckwheat pancake mix in 
appearance. 
Typically, fertilizer concentrates will comprise as much as 75 to 85 
percent by weight of nitrogeneous material, often urea based and commonly 
containing a proportion, 25 to 50 percent in some cases, of insoluble or 
difficultly soluble material. Controlled release fertilizers typified by 
low solubility or high particulate content include the urea-aldehyde 
condensation products, such as urea-formaldehyde, urea-isobutyraldehyde, 
urea-acetaldehyde, urea-furfural, urea-glyoxal, and urea-crotonaldehyde; 
ammoniated coal; urea-pyrolyzate; ammonium polyphosphates; salts such as 
metal ammonium phosphates and polyphosphate e.g., an alkali metal 
tripolyphosphate. 
An amount of surfactant/alcohol in the range of 5 to 10 percent by weight 
of the composition has proven suitable, in a weight proportion 
conveniently approximating 1:1.2 to 1.2:1. Fertilizer compositions 
prepared in accordance with the most preferred aspects of the invention 
may comprise 0.25 to 2.0 parts of Bio Terge AS-90F, and 0.35 to 1.5 parts 
isobutyl alcohol in combination with about 2 to 30 parts of controlled 
release fertilizer components. Most preferably, the fertilizer concentrate 
comprises 1.2 to 14.3 parts of Uramite (M), 0.85 to 10.2 parts of urea 
(agriculture grade, uncoated prills) and 2 to 2.6 parts of potassium 
tripolyphosphate as the controlled release composition. Commonly, 0.09 to 
0.9 parts of silicon dioxide (Cab-O-Sil) is added as a dispersing aid. 
The dry, particulate ingredients used for preparing the present new 
concentrates are preferably milled or comminuted into fine powder form 
using standard comminuting apparatus, e.g., a Fitz Mill Model D 
Comminuting Machine, using for example a 50-mesh screen. The comminuted 
ingredients are thoroughly blended with the foaming agent and the selected 
alcohol and the resulting uniform mix is then packaged. When water is 
included, the concentrate is, of course, a liquid and is stored in 
suitable containers. When the concentrate is dry, which is the preferred 
form of the invention, the mixture is packaged in dry, sealed containers. 
The dry concentrates are constituted with water to obtain liquid 
concentrates for use with standard foam-producing apparatus. The procedure 
merely requires mixing the dry concentrate with water, e.g., usually about 
3.5 pounds per liter of water, and thoroughly mixed for about 30 secs 
during which the ingredients disperse throughout the water. The liquid 
concentrate is then ready to be used with the foam producing apparatus. 
The diluent used to form the concentrate may comprise a liquid 
corresponding to the projecting stream e.g. water, or where the plant 
chemical is oil soluble, the formulation comprehends an emulsifiable 
concentrate. Whether the starting material is dry or premixed in aqueous 
or emulsifiable form, the concentrate comprising plant agent and foam 
generating constituents is ultimately disposed for use in a zone adjacent 
the point of eduction into the liquid stream, conveniently in a liquid 
receptacle or tank adapted to form or be carried in a back pack. 
In the operation of the system the rate of supply of the projecting fluid 
is established by an orifice of controllable dimension and the degree of 
dilution is similarly determined by the selection of concentrate control 
orifice. The premix or concentrate is educted through a venturi 
arrangement into the liquid stream established through the foam generation 
zone, at a suitable rate of dilution, and thus formed foam providing 
solution or dispersion is passed through an extended zone for further 
interaction between plant agent and diluent involving mixing, solvation, 
surface wetting or other phenomena. The stream is then formed into a 
projecting spray of incipient foam-forming character by passage through a 
spaced foraminous barrier and the foam applied to the surface being 
treated. 
The system can take the form of a back pack unit constituting a liquid 
receptacle for the concentrate connected by means of an eduction tube 
disposed in operation below the surface of the liquid to a separate foam 
generation zone defined within the pack, said zone being adapted to 
receive at the entry a common garden hose and connecting at the outlet 
side to an enclosed mixing zone formed of a short length of hosing which 
receives the diluted concentrate, introduced intermediate of the foam 
generation zone through the eduction tube by means of a venturi 
arrangement. The nozzle and foraminous barrier elements are contained in a 
lightweight arc shaped applicator equipped with a handle and suitable 
controls and the form is projected therefrom over and about the treated 
surface in a generally vertical spray i.e. the long dimension of the 
nozzle orifice and the screen are positioned fixedly relative to the 
handle such that normal application would dispose them vertically to the 
ground. The generally F-shaped spray may project 5 to 20 feet, with a 
relatively even distribution of foam balls formed therein being dispersed 
freely about the treated surface in a manner controlled by the sweep of 
the applicator. With some limited experience and information regarding 
dosage level required, the homeowner can readily direct the spray 
controllably, and if desired, utilize the foam balls as markers, a few 
inches or more apart. 
The `foams` of this invention are of restricted durability i.e. are 
resistant to immediate degradation and of sufficient cohesiveness to 
permit visual differentiation under normal conditions for periods of at 
least 5 to 20 minutes, but gradually degrade below the noticeable level 
over the short term i.e. within 1-2 hours. In other respects, the foams 
are deformable rather than stiff or resistant to the touch as would 
characterize a set, hardened or cured foam, and of sufficient surface 
stickiness to resist removal from the surface to which it is applied by 
light breezes. Reference to a disrupted foam herein is to be distinguished 
from the condition referred to as a broken foam, the latter denoting a 
degradation or breakdown of the ultimate foam structure rather than a 
stable static condition involving discrete foam formations intended by the 
former. The foam balls to which reference is made are believed to be made 
up of a multiplicity of individually foamed particles comprising the 
usually bubbled configuration cohesively structured into the three 
dimensional orbs i.e. spheres or domes seen upon projection and 
application. 
These foams may exhibit an expansion ratio of 2:1 up to 200:1 but 
preferably are of intermediate scale, being of the order of 8:1 up to 
80:1. The water powered foam generator will dilute the concentrate with 
about 15 to 90 preferably 20 to 50 parts by volume of water to one part of 
concentrate to provide (at 0.0002 to 0.003 parts by weight of foam agent 
as applied). Coverage for such a system will be about 2500 ft..sup.2 in 
less than 5 minutes at a water rate of 4.75 gpm. 
An acceptable expansion ratio may be determined visually with some 
experience, but initially may be ascertained by reference to the following 
test: A foam applicator, positioned about 48 inches from the substrate and 
elevated about a foot above the eduction point is utilized to project foam 
onto a measured surface (for convenience, one or more three liter beakers 
provide suitable means for capturing the foam in a measurable manner.) The 
measured quantity of foam (in case of beakers, filled to the top) is 
allowed to lie at rest for 5 to 10 minutes, the water drained or otherwise 
separated in a measured manner and the expansion ratio calculated as 
follows: 
##EQU1## 
Measurements are made with tap water between 50.degree. and 75.degree. F., 
at flow rates of 4.1 gal/min to 2.75 gal/min. 
The term plant is used in its normally broad sense as inclusive of bushes, 
flowers, shrubs, foliage, trees, grass etc. although it is understood that 
mechanical application in accordance herewith is of the short throw 
variety ordinarily connected with ground application.

The following Examples are offered by way of illustration of the various 
aspects of the present invention, without limitation. 
Each formulation is foamed using the preferred foam apparatus of 
concurrently filed application Ser. No. 793,694 (attached to an ordinary 
garden hose) having: 
a. Vee Jet nozzle to give rectangular, solid spray, 
b. 80.degree. angle for spray 
c. 6 mesh stainless steel screen with 0.035" wire diameter, 
d. 5" distance from nozzle to curved screen with the screen being 2" wide 
and having a 9" arc, and 
e. minimum contact time of about 1.1 seconds for concentrate and water 
prior to discharge from the nozzle, provided by a four foot hose between 
the point of eduction and discharge. 
The ratio of concentrate to water employed is one part concentrate to 17-49 
parts of water, depending on the water flow rate through the mixing zone. 
Expansion ratios of at least 18/1 are easily achieved, with excellent 
foaming. At a 4.85 gal/min. flow rate at 50.degree. F., the expansion 
ratios range from 27/1 to 39/1. Dilutions are suitably established at 3.75 
to 5.0 gpm with a water temperature ranging from 40.degree. to 95.degree. 
F. 
EXAMPLE I 
______________________________________ 
Dry Foam-providing Concentrate with Organic-Inorganic -Fertilizer 
Formulation Lbs. % 
______________________________________ 
Uramite M 7.14 47.92 
Urea (Agric. grade, uncoated 
prills) 5.11 34.29 
KTP* 1.32 8.86 
FeSO.sub.4 0.176 1.18 
Bio-Terge AS-90F 0.511 3.43 
Isobutyl alcohol 0.481 3.23 
Cab-O-Sil M-5 0.163 1.09 
14.90 
______________________________________ 
(*KTP is potassium tripolyphosphate)? 
The uramite M, urea, potassium tripolyphosphate acid and ferrous sulfate 
are milled through a Fitz Mill (Mode D) comminuting machine with a 50 mesh 
screen using hammer blades at blade speed of 4023 rpm and motor speed of 
1760 rpm. The Bio-Terge AS-90F and Cab-O-Sil M-5 is combined with the 
so-milled ingredients and tumbled in a large poly bag until completely 
blended. The isobutyl alcohol is then added to the poly bag and thoroughly 
mixed with a tumbling action. The resulting dry, uniform mix is then 
passed through a 16-mesh screen to remove any residual gross clumping and 
then packaged. 
EXAMPLE II 
______________________________________ 
Dry Foam-providing Concentrate of Fertilizer and Pre-Emergent 
______________________________________ 
- Crabgrass Killer 
Formulation Lbs. % 
______________________________________ 
Uramite (M) 7.14 43.88 
Urea (Agric. grade uncoated 
prills) 5.11 31.41 
KTP 1.32 8.11 
FeSO.sub.4 0.176 1.08 
Dacthal W-75 1.37 8.42 
Bio-Terge AS-90F 0.511 3.14 
Isobutyl Alcohol 0.481 2.96 
Cab-O-Sil M-5 0.163 1.00 
______________________________________ 
The same procedure as in Example I is used, with The Dacthal W-75 being 
added with the Bio-Terge and Cab-O-Sil. 
EXAMPLE III 
______________________________________ 
Dry Foam-providing Concentrate With Fertilizer and Broad- -leaf Weed 
Killer 
Formulation Lbs. % 
______________________________________ 
Uramite (M) 7.14 46.91 
Urea (agric. grade, uncoated prills) 
5.11 33.57 
KTP 1.32 8.67 
FeSO.sub.4 0.176 1.16 
2,4-D acid 0.16 1.05 
MCPP acid 0.16 1.05 
Bio-Terge AS-90F 0.511 3.36 
Isobutyl alcohol 0.481 3.16 
Cab-O-Sil 0.163 1.07 
______________________________________ 
The procedure of mixing of Example 1 is repeated except that the 2,4-D acid 
and MCPP acid were first dissolved in the isobutyl alcohol before it is 
combined with the other ingredients. 
EXAMPLE IV 
In a storage test, about 3.5 lbs. of a dry fertilizer containing 
composition, stored for 13 months, was reformulated into a liquified state 
by dispersion both 1030 cc of water. A dilution ratio of 4 gallons of 
water per 600-900 cc of concentrate was employed, together with a four 
foot hose to ensure adequate mixing after eduction of concentrate. Water 
temperature in this test was 96.degree. F., and water rate was measured at 
3.9 gpm, although lower temperatures and varying rates were applicable to 
other comparable tests conducted during the 13 months term using the same 
apparatus and concentrate. In each case, redispersion of the dry 
concentrate and subsequent broadcasting of foam was effected 
satisfactorily. 
The concentrates of Examples 1-4 are readily dispersed in water by 
handshaking at a moderate rate for about 30 seconds. On emptying the 
container, there is no evidence of undispersed solids at the bottom of the 
container and no lumps of solids in the liquid concentrate itself. 
EXAMPLE V 
The formulation of Example 1 is prepared using higher alcohols in lieu of 
butyl alcohol with similar results. These alcohols include amyl alcohol, 
2-ethylhexanol, cyclohexanol, phenylethanol and n-octyl alcohol. 
______________________________________ 
Identification of Commercial Names 
Component 
Identification Source 
______________________________________ 
Stepanol 92.5% active blend of 
Stepan Chemical Co. 
317 linear alkyl sulfonates 
Northfield, Illinois 
and linear/alcohol ether 
sulfonates 
Stepanol 40 active, sodium lauryl 
Stepan Chemical Co. 
360 sulfonate 
Uramite Urea-formaldehyde 
E.I. DuPont de 
Nemours Co., Inc. 
Wilmington, Delaware 
2,4-D 2,4-dichlorophenoxy 
Dow Chemical Co. 
acetic acid MIdland, Michigan 
MCPP Potassium salt of 2- 
Dow Chemical Co. 
(2-methyl-4-chloro- 
phenoxy propionic acid) 
Sevin Carbaryl (1-naphthyl-N- 
Union Carbide Corp. 
methylcarbamate) 
N.Y.C., New York 
Dacthal dimethyl ester of tetra- 
Diamond Shamrock 
chloro-terephthalic acid 
Corp. Cleveland, 
Ohio 
Bio-Terge 
Sodium alpha olefin 
Stepan Chemical Co. 
AS-90F sulfonate olefin 
comprising C.sub.14 and C.sub.16 
Fractions) 
Cab-O-Sil 
Silicon dioxide Calbot Chemical Co. 
M-5 
______________________________________ 
The `dry` concentrates of the present invention are essentially 
particulate, or granular in nature, and are flowable in the manner of sand 
or a flour base material. Although some moisture may be entrained or 
retained in other manner as by the hygroscopicity of the ingredients, the 
concentrates are in no sense liquidified, and remain pourable i.e. 
unclumped under closed storage conditions (sealed without special 
precaution in ambient air) over extended periods of at least one calender 
year. A certain liquid content as, for example, the alcohol of limited 
water solubility, is present but the aforementioned characteristics 
retained, as a further function of the selective use of this material. 
An acceptable expansion ratio may be determined visually with some 
experience, but initially may be ascertained by reference to the following 
test: A foam applicator, positioned about 48 inches from the substrate and 
elevated about a foot above the eduction point is utilized to project foam 
onto a measured surface (for convenience, one or more three liter beakers 
provide suitable means for capturing the foam in a measurable manner.) The 
measured quantity of foam (in case of beakers, filled to the top) is 
allowed to lie at rest for 5 to 10 minutes, the water drained or otherwise 
separated in a measured manner and the expansion ratio calculated as 
follows: 
##EQU2## 
Measurements are made with tap water between 50.degree. and 75.degree. F., 
at flow rates of 4.1 gal/min to 2.75 gal/min.