COMPOSITIONS AND METHODS FOR CONTROLLING PLANT AND FLOWER MOISTURE TRANSPIRATION RATES

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions for controlling plant and flower moisture transpiration and thereby extending the period of time in which cut flowers can be displayed before senescence produces a flower which has exceeded its aesthetic value. The compositions of the present invention comprise: a) from about 0.1 % to about 20 % by weight, of a homopolymer or copolymer comprising monomers having formula (I) wherein each R1 is independently hydrogen, C1-C12 alkyl, C1-C12 alkoxy, phenyl, substituted phenyl, benzyl, substituted benzyl, carbocyclic, heterocyclic, and mixtures thereof; R2 is hydrogen, halogen, C1-C12 alkyl, C1-C12 alkoxy, phenyl, substituted phenyl, benzyl, substituted benzyl, carbocyclic, heterocyclic, and mixtures thereof; X is hydrogen, hydroxyl, halogen, -(CH2)mCH2OH, -(CH2)mCOR, -(CH2)mCH2OCOR', wherein R is -OR', -N(R')2, -(CH2)nN(R")2, and mixtures thereof; each R' is independently hydrogen, C1-C8 alkyl, C2-C8 hydroxyalkyl, -(CH2)nN(R")2, and mixtures thereof; wherein R" is independently hydrogen, C1-C4 alkyl, and mixtures thereof; the index m is from 0 to 6, the index n is from 2 to 6; b) from about 0.01 % to about 5 % by weight, of a surfactant; andc) the balance carriers and adjunct ingredients.

Description: COMPOSITIONS AND METHODS FOR CONTROLLING PLANT AND FLOWER MOISTURE TRANSPIRATION RATES This Application claims pπoπty to United States Provisional Patent Application Seπal Number 60/176,276 filed January 14. 2000 FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to compositions for controlling plant and flower moisture transpiration rates and thereby providing a means for extendmg the time in which plants and cut flowers can be utilized n aesthetic displays or floral arrangements BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Flowers have been mextncably linked to human culture since antiquity Flowers have come to represent various aspects of life and to represent various facets of the human condition As symbols of our society they speak directly Flowers are never out of place regardless of the circumstances, inter aha. births, funerals, weddings, memoπals Humans have cultivated and propagated flowers solely for their aesthetic value smce most flowers are inedible fncunabula describe various techniques for cutting and preserving flowers, inter aha. oπental flower varnishing, dipping blossoms mto waxes or wax-like solutions Contemporary practices mclude fashiomng artificial flowers and blossoms from synthetic material, most notably polymers However, all of these methods for preserving flowers, or attempts at flower mutation, fails to reproduce or replace the freshness of newly cut flowers The prior art has attempted to provide methods of preserving cut flowers in a fresh state but the means are inadequate to provide flowers in a nearly original state for an enhanced period of time, for example, two to five times the expected period of use There is. therefore, a long felt need to provide the consumer or the grower of flowers which are to be cut and displayed for aesthetic purposes, with a system with significantly extends the duration in which the cut flowers maintam their original appearance SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention meets the aforementioned needs m that it has been surprisingly discovered that cut flowers can be preserved in a nearly original state for an extended period of time, m fact, m some instances a period which eclipses their aesthetic utility It has been surprismgly discovered that by controllmg the plant and flower moisture transpiration rates flowers can be cut and displayed without the pejorative effects of natural demise (senescence), inter aha, wilting (epinasty) or loss of petals, browning or discoloration of flower parts This post-harvest viability can be suitably established by effectively applying a moisture vapor barrier which itself does not contπbute to diminished plant aesthetic value. 1 e , petal burning or browning Flowers are ubiquitous in that they can adapt to environmental or ecological stresses For example, during times of drought or other circumstances of water deprivation, flowers regulate their growth thereby attenuatmg the effects which moisture depπvation stress has on their viability This ability to self regulate their growth cycle ameliorates many of the pejorative consequences of water depπvation on flower survival Once flowers are cut during harvesting, the natural regulatory systems, inter aha. respiration, water regulation, are abated It has been surprismgly discovered that an artificial level of viability can be mamtained by applymg a composition which controls the loss of plant tissue moisture via transpiration/evaporation The first aspect of the present invention relates to a composition for controlling plant and flower moisture transpiration, said composition compπsmg a) from about 0 1 % to about 20% by weight, of a homopolymer of copolymer comprising monomers having the formula wherein each R is independently hvdrogen, Ci-Cn alkyl. Cj-Cn alkoxy, phenol substituted phenyl, benzyl, substituted benzyl, carbocychc, heterocyclic. and mixtures thereof, R 2 is hydrogen, halogen, Cι-C ]2 alkyl. Cι- 2 alkoxy, phenyl. substituted phenyl, benzyl, substituted benzyl, carbocychc. heterocyclic. and mixtures thereof, X is hydrogen, hydroxyl. halogen, -(CH 2 ) m CH 2 OH, - (CH 2 ) m COR, -(CH 2 ) m CH 2 OCOR\ wherein R is -OR', -N(R') 2 , -(CH 2 ) n N(R") 2 and mixtures thereof, each R' is independently hydrogen. Cι-C 8 alkyl, C 2 -C 3 hydroxyalkyl. -(CH 2 ) n N(R") 2 , and mixtures thereof, wherein R" is independently hydrogen, Cj-C alkyl, and mixtures thereof, the index m is from 0 to 6, the mdex b) from about 0 01 % to about 5% by weight, of a surfactant, and c) the balance carriers and adjunct ingredients The compositions of the present invention can be applied to the surface of cut plants or flowers by any means appropriate, for example, the flowers may be dipped mto a solution, or the composition may be delivered via spray The presence or the lack of a propellant to deliver said composition has no effect on the ability of the compositions to effectively and evenly coat the surface of the plant regardless of plant morphology These and other objects, features, and advantages will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art from a readmg of the following detailed description and the appended claims All percentages, ratios and proportions herein are by weight, unless otherwise specified All temperatures are m degrees Celsius (° C) unless otherwise specified All documents cited are m relevant part, incorporated herem by reference DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to compositions for controllmg plant and flower moisture transpiration rates and thereby providmg a system for extendmg the time in which plants and cut flowers can be utilized in aesthetic displays or floral arrangements The present invention is achieved by controlling the rate at which water is lost from the plant or cut flower via evaporation Without wishing to be limited by theory it has been found that control of the evaporation of w ater from cut flowers enhances the duration in which flowers appear m their pre-harvested, natural state It has also been surpnsingly discovered that a certain class of surfactant acts to evenly apply the moisture vapor bamer material (copolymer as described herein below) and does so without rupturing the plant cells thereby leading to browning of leaves and other aesthetic negatives For the purposes of the present invention the term "aesthetic utility" is defined herem as ""the duration m which a flower retains its aesthetic appeal" The end of aesthetic appeal may differ between species of plant or flower, however, non-limiting examples of a property which may contribute wholly or severally to a loss of aesthetic appeal include browning of petals, loss of petals, droopmg or down turn of blossoms, wilting, and shrinkage of plant mass together with collapse of plant tissue In some instances, one manifestation of senescence may abate the usefulness of the flower, for example, the "browning" of petals may preclude the further use of a flower regardless of the lack of other conditions which tend to detract from the aesthetic quality of the cut flower The compositions of the present invention can be delivered to the exposed surface of the flower or plant by any suitable means Non-l mitmg examples of delivery of the compositions mclude, spraying by means of aerosol, or pump, direct immersion, and vaπations which combine elements of immersion and spraying Moisture Transpiration Controlling Polymer The first component of the present invention comprises a homopolymer or copolymer which when applied to the air-exposed surface of a cut plant or flower produces a barrier having a water vapor transfer rate capable of establishing a moisture equilibrium which attenuates the onset of senescence and extends the duration of aesthetic utility for said cut plant or flower For the purposes of the present mvention the term "polymer" is herem defined as "an ohgomer. homo-polymer, co-polymer, or mixtures thereof which satisfy the herein described requirements for establishing a moisture equilibrium in the cut flower or plant" The polymers of the present invention may comprise any polymeric material which satisfactorily regulates the water vapor transfer rate of the plant or flower to which it is applied In one embodiment of the present invention, the polymers are co-polymers which are formed from one or more " vinyl monomers " having the formula wherein each R ! is independently hydrogen. C1-C 12 alkyl. Ci-Cπ alkoxy. phenyl. substituted phenyl. benzyl, substituted benzyl. carboc\ chc. heterocyclic. and mixtures thereof. R 2 is hydrogen, halogen, preferably chloπne or fluorine. Cj-Cn alkyl. Cι-C ]2 alkoxy, phenyl. substituted phenyl. benzyl, substituted benzyl, carbocychc. heterocyclic. and mixtures thereof. X is hydrogen, hydroxyl. halogen, -(CH 2 ) m CH 2 OH. -(CH 2 ) m COR. (CH 2 ) m CH 2 OCOR' wherein R is -OR'. -N(R') 2 . -(CH 2 ) n N(R") 2 . and mixtures thereof, each R " is independently hydrogen, Cj-C 8 alkyl, C 2 -C 8 hydroxyalkyl, -(CH 2 ) n N(R' ' ) 2 . and mixtures thereof, wherein R " is independently hydrogen. Cj-C 4 alkyl, and mixtures thereof, the mdex m is from 0 to 6. the index n is from 2 to 6 Non-limiting examples of preferred vinyl monomers include, ethylene. propylene. butylene. styrene, vmyl alcohol, crotyl alcohol, acrylic acid, styrylacetic acid, methacryhc acid, crotomc acid, 3,3- dimethyl-acryhc acid. meth\l acrylate, ethyl acrylate. n-propyl acrylate. isopropyl acrylate. butyl acrylate. methyl methacrylate. ethyl methacrylate. n-propyl methacrylate. isopropyl methacrylate, butyl methacrylate. methyl 3.3-dimethyl-acrylate. ethyl 3.3-dιmethyl-acrylate, n-propyl 3.3- dimethyl-acrylate, isopropyl 3,3-dιmethyl-acrylate, butyl 3,3-dιmethyl-acrylate. acrylamide. N- methyl acrylamide, N,N-drmethyl acrylamide. N-(ammoethyl) methyl acrylamide. vinyl acetate, and mixtures thereof In another embodiment of the present invention, the polymers are homopolymers which are formed from one or more "vmyl monomers" having the formula wherein R 1 , R 2 , and X are defined herein above In another embodiment of the present invention, a mixture of homopolymers anc copolymers are used One embodiment compnses polymers havi a water vapor transfer rate of less than 10 g- mm/m 2 -day. while other embodiments required a rate of 5 g-mm/m 2 -day However, formulators may restrict the water vapor transfer rate to 2 g-mm/m 2 -day in preparing other suitable embodiments Suitable means for determining water vapor transmission rates of polymers is by ASTM D1653 for a 0 02 mch (20 mill) film. ASTM E-96-66, Procedure E at 90% relative humidity and 100 °F for a 1 mm or 2 mm film, or TAPPI T 464 os-79 for a 2 mm film Copolymers of the present invention further have a glass transition temperature. T g , greater than about 30 °C. but other embodiments have T g values greater than about 40 °C, yet other embodiments will have polymers with T g greater than about 60 °C The glass transition temperature, T g . of a particular co-polymer can be approximated beforehand by the Fox formula (T G Fox, Bull Am Phys Soc , vol 1 123 (1956) included herein by reference) 1 _ W W 2 W n Tco Tι T 2 T n wherein Wj represents the weight portion of monomer 1, W 2 represents the weight portion of monomer 2, Ti the glass transition temperature of the polymerized monomer 1 m °K. T 2 the glass transition temperature of the polymerized monomer 2 in °K, T Co - the glass transition temperature of the copolymer m °K The formulator can readily establish whether a copolymer will satisfy the requirements of vapor transfer rate and glass transition temperature as set forth herein above A plot of the glass transition temperature, T g , expressed in °C of the copolymer along the x axis (ordmate) versus the water vapor transfer rate expressed in g-mm/m 2 -day (measured or calculated) along the y axis (abscissa) preferably falls to the left of the line defined by the equation y = -0 068443x + 10 Pomts which fall to the πght of said equation will have a permeability ineffective in establishing a suitable moisture barner at a desirable glass transition temperature Pomts which fall to the πght of said equation may also produce films having no ability to form an aesthetically suitable surface For example, too high of a glass transition temperature leads to hard and/or brittle films which may detract from the aesthetic qualities which are desirable When formulating certain embodiments of the present invention, the water vapor transfer rate and glass transition temperature are adjusted such that the applied polymer produces a clear, colorless, translucent, and transparent film Another embodiment of the present invention relates to "crosslmkable vmyl monomers" having the formula R \ / R3 C=C χ R 3 X wherein X is the same as defined herein above, R 3 is R 1 , -(CH 2 ) m CH 2 OH. -(CH 2 ) m C0 2 R' wherein each R' is independently hydrogen. Cj-Cg alkyl, and mixtures thereof, the index m is from 0 to 6 Non-limiting examples of "crossl nkable vinyl monomers" include maleic acid, fumaπc acid, ltacomc acid, citracomc acid, hydromuconic acid, and mixtures thereof The following are examples of non-limiting embodiments of the present invention a) a composition comprising from about 0 1 % by weight, of a polymer, b) a composition comprising from about 1% by weight, of a polymer, c) a composition comprising from about 2% by weight, of a polymer, d) a composition comprising from about 2 5% by weight, of a polymer. e) a composition compπsmg up to about 5%, by weight, of a polymer. f) a composition comprising up to about 7%, by weight, of a polymer, g) a composition comprising up to about 10%, by weight, of a polymer, h) a composition compπsmg up to about 20%, by weight, of a polymer The polymer can be obtained for use in any form, for example, as a dispersion in the reaction (polymerization) solvent, or the polymer can be provided as a solid In one variation of the present invention some of carboxyhc acid residues, acrylic acid, inter aha, which comprise the polymers of the present invention will be neutralized For example, the following are non-limiting examples of the embodiments which relate to neutralization of the acid groups a) a composition wherein from about 1 % of said carboxyhc acid residues are neutralized in said polymer, a) a composition wherem from about 5% of said carboxyhc acid residues are neutralized in said polymer. a) a composition wherein from about 10% of said carboxyhc acid residues are neutralized m said polymer, a) a composition wherem to about 100% of said carboxyhc acid residues are neutralized in said polymer. a) a composition wherein to about 50% of said carboxyhc acid residues are neutralized m said polymer, a) a composition wherem from about 20% of said carboxyhc acid residues are neutralized m said polymer, a) a composition wherem from about 15% of said carboxyhc acid residues are neutralized in said polymer, Suitable means for neutralization includes the use of bases, non-limiting examples of which include alkaline metal hydroxides, inter aha. sodium hydroxide, alkaline earth metal hydroxides, inter aha, calcium hydroxide, ammonia, and mixtures thereof The degree of neutralization typically depends upon the selected monomers which comprise the polymer and which properties must be adjusted to insure the application of an homogeneous film which achieves the required glass transition temperatures and vapor transmission rates described herem The first compositions comprise a polymer, in another embodiment a copolymer. which is solubhzed in a carrier As descπbed herem below, the typical and most convenient earner is water or in another embodiment water together with one or more alcohol co-solvents Some polymers which comprise one or more carboxyhc acid monomers can be made water soluble or water dispersible by converting all or some of the carboxyhc acid residues to carboxyhc acid salts by treatment with base It will be appreciated by the formulator that the water vapor transfer rates of the polymers will by related to the hydrophihcity of the polymers, the more hydrophihc a polymer the higher the water vapor transfer rate Some formulators, for aesthetic purposes, may desire the polymers of the present invention, when applied to the plant surface, to form a clear, colorless, translucent, and transparent membrane Therefore, it is preferable that the polymers of the present mvention when utilizing this embodiment are delivered via the carrier solution such that evaporation of the carrier solution leads to formation of a homogeneous polymer layer rather than ''clumping" due to differential spreading along the flower surface An example of a suitable copolymer compnses the reaction product obtamed when polymerizing 1) from about 20% to about 60% by weight, of methyl methacrylate, u) from about 20% to about 60% by weight, of butyl acrylate. and m) from about 0 5% to about 20% by weight, of acrylic acid Another copolymer comprises the reaction product obtained when reactmg l) from about 40% to about 50% by weight, of methyl methacrylate, u) from about 40% to about 50% by weight, of butyl acrylate. and m) from about 5% to about 15% by weight, of acrylic acid A further example of a copolymer suitable for use in the present mvention comprises I) about 43% by weight, of methyl methacrylate, n) about 47% by weight, of butyl acrylate, and m) about 10% by weight, of acrylic acid Each of the above embodiments, neutralization of the acrylic acid residues can be achieved with a suitable base, for example, at least 5%. or in another case 10% of the acrylic acid residues An} suitable process can be used to form the compositions according to the present invention However, it has been surprismgly discovered that the following process allows for the efficient formation of the polymeπc solutions without phase separation The process of the present mvention comprises the steps of a) dissolving a solid polymeπc material free from solvents m the alcohol portion of the carrier. b) neutralizing acid residues to the desired level by adding dropwise an aqueous solution of base, preferably sodium hydroxide, more preferably 30% by weight sodium hydroxide, c) adding at a rate of from 0 1% of the water which comprises the balance of the carrier to 10% of the water which comprises the balance of the carrier per minute, and d) adding the surfactant The process of the present invention, starting from a latex, comprises the steps of a) addmg to an aqueous latex of a polymer comprising from about 25% to about 70% solids, an alcohol or other co-solvent to form a diluted latex, b) neutralizing acid residues of the polymer which compnses said polymer to the desired level by addmg dropwise an aqueous solution of base, preferably sodium hydroxide, more preferably 30% by weight sodium hydroxide, c) addmg at a rate of from 0 1% of the water which compnses the balance of the earner to 10% of the water which comprises the balance of the earner per minute, and d) adding the surfactant Surfactant The compositions of the present mvention comprise a surfactant The amount of said surfactant is predicated on the desired properties of the final delivery which is modrfyable by the formulator In a broad embodiment the compositions of the present invention comprise from about 0 01% by weight of surfactant, however, other embodiments will compπse from about 0 05%, or from about 0 1% The formulator may choose the upper limit of surfactant to be about 5%, but about 2%. and even about 0 5% by weight, of a surfactant is suitable in executmg the desirable compositions and embodiments of the present invention This range of from about 0 01 % to about 5% gives the formulator an opportunity to adjust the final compositions Amounts of surfactant below 0 01% and above 5% by weight, are outside the scope of the present invention The suitable surfactants of the present mvention are surfactants which are capable of evenly wetting the surface of plants and which do not cause browning or other adverse reactions to the plant surface One class of surfactants suitable for use in the present invention have the formula R 4 R 5 — NH(CH 2 ) 5 N(CH 2 ) y O— R 4 wherein R 4 is -(CH 2 ) z C0 2 M. -(CH 2 ) z S0 3 M, -(CH 2 ) z OS0 3 M, -(CH 2 ) z P0 3 M, and mixtures thereof, preferably -(CH 2 ) z C0 2 M. and mixtures thereof The mdex z is from 1 to 10. preferably 2 to 4, more preferably 2 or 3 M is hydrogen or a salt forming cation, preferably sodium or potassium, more preferably sodium The indices x and y are each independently an integer from 2 to 6, preferably 2 or 3 more preferably 2 In a preferred embodiment the mdices x and y are equal to each other R 5 is an acyl unit havmg the formula O CH 3 (CHR 6 ) (R 7 0),(CHRVC — wherein R 6 and R 8 are each mdependently hydrogen. Cj-C 4 alkyl. and mixtures thereof. R 7 is C 2 - C 12 alkylene, t is from 0 to 10, the mdices w' and w" are each mdependently from 0 to 14, w' + w" = at least 6 In one embodiment R 5 has the formula O R 4 CH 2 (CH 2 ) CNHCH 2 CH 2 N(CH 2 ) y O— R 4 wherem R 4 is -(CH 2 ) z C0 2 M, and mixtures thereof, the y is equal to 2 or 3, the mdex y is equal to the index z The dex w' is at least 6. in another embodiment from 8, more in still other embodiments from 10 to 14. and up to 12 A non-limiting example of a surfactant according to the present mvention is disodium lauroampho diacetate having the formula O CH 2 C0 2 Na II I CH 2 (CH 2 ) 10 CNHCH 2 CH 2 N(CH 2 ) 2 OCH 2 CO 2 Na available ex Rhodia as Miranol Ultra 32 The surfactants suitable for use in the present invention are surfactants which do not cause browning of flower petals A 0 01 % by weight, aqueous solution of a linear alkyl benzene sulphonate (LAS) is sprayed onto a control flower Preferably white carnations are selected as the control and test flower The amount of flower brownmg which is present after 48 hours is taken as a set pomt Brownmg of this amount will render a surfactant unsuitable for use as a surfactant accordmg to the present mvention Preferably surfactants which provide no change m flower petal morphology or color are selected for use in the present compositions Carπers and Adiunct Ingredients The polymers which comprise the first component of the present invention are suitably dissolved m a carrier which is effective in delivering the polymer as a homogeneous layer to the flower or plant surface Non- mitmg examples of earners according to the present mvention mclude water and an alcohol selected from the group consisting of methanol, ethanol, lsopropanol, n-propanol, ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, and mixtures thereof, preferably a carrier comprising both water and an alcohol wherem the ratio of water to said alcohol is from about 99 1 to about 1 99 The first component of the present invention may further comprise one or more adjunct mgredients Preferred adjunct ingredients are selected from the group consisting of surfactants, fragrance raw matenals, pro-fragrances, pro-accords, dye, colorants, and mixtures thereof Suitable pro-fragrances and pro-accords are descnbed m U S 5,919,752 Morelli et al . issued July 6. 1999. U S 5,756,827 Sivik, issued May 26, 1998, U S 5,744,435 Hartman et al , issued Apnl 25, 1998, and U S 5,965,767 Sivik et al . issued October 12, 1999 all of which are incorporated herein by reference The compositions of the present invention are not restricted to preserving cut flowers and plants but are also useful in extending the life of harvested fir trees, inter aha, for use as Christmas trees, or the cuttings taken from branches for use as adornment Coniferous trees, typically, firs which are placed in the home as adornments durmg Chnstmas are subject to dehydration and are, therefore, prone to droppmg their needles and becoming a fire hazard The compositions of the present invention can be used to extend the life of fir trees which are harvested for holiday decorations Palm fronds as well as ferns may also have their aesthetic life extended by the compositions of the present mvention The following are non-limmg examples of the compositions which compπse the present invention TABLE I weight % 1 Reaction product of I) about 43% by weight, of methyl methacrylate, n) about 47% by weight, of butyl acrylate, and m) about 10% by weight, of acrylic acid 2 Reaction product of I) about 40% by weight, of methyl methacrylate. n) about 47% by weight, of butyl acrylate, and m) about 13% by weight, of acrylic acid Reaction product of l) about 43% by weight, of methyl methacrylate, n) about 45% by weight, of butyl acrylate. and m) about 12% by weight, of acrylic acid Reaction product of I) about 43% by weight, of methyl methacrylate, n) about 43% by weight, of butyl acrylate, and in) about 14% by weight, of acrylic acid Disodium lauroampho diacetate available ex Rhodia as Miranol ® Ultra 32 Kathon ICP/CG II 80% distilled water, 20% SD-3A alcohol ex J T Baker

Claims: What is claimed is 1 A composition for controllmg plant and flower moisture transpiration, said composition comprising a) from 0 1% to 20% by weight, of a homopolymer or copolymer compnsmg monomers havmg the formula wherem each R 1 is mdependently hydrogen, -Cπ alkyl. C1-C 12 alkoxy, phenyl, substituted phenyl. benzyl, substituted benzyl, carbocychc. heterocyclic, and mixtures thereof, R 2 is hydrogen, halogen, Ci-Cn alkyl. Cι-Cι 2 alkoxy. phenyl, substituted phenyl, benzyl, substituted benzyl, carbocychc. heterocyclic, and mixtures thereof, X is hydrogen, hydroxyl, halogen, -(CH 2 ) m CH 2 OH, - (CH 2 ) m COR, -(CH 2 ) m CH 2 OCOR', wherem R is -OR', -N(R') 2 , -(CH 2 ) n N(R") 2 . and mixtures thereof, each R' is independently hydrogen. Cι-C 8 alkyl, C 2 -C 8 hydroxyalkyl. -(CH 2 ) n N(R") , and mixtures thereof, wherem R" is mdependently hydrogen. Cj-C alkyl, and mixtures thereof, the mdex m is from 0 to 6. the mdex b) from 0 01 % to 5 % by weight, of a surfactant, and c) the balance carriers and adjunct mgredients 2 A composition according to Claim 1 wherein said homopolymer or copolymer comprises monomers selected from the group consisting of ethylene, propylene, butylene, styrene, vinyl alcohol, crotyl alcohol, acrylic acid, styrylacetic acid, methacrylic acid, crotonic acid. 3,3-drmethyl-acryhc acid, methyl acrylate, ethyl acrylate, acrylate, isopropyl acrylate, butyl acrylate, methyl methacrylate, ethyl methacrylate. n-propyl methacrylate, isopropyl methacrylate, butyl methacrylate, methyl 3, 3 -dimethyl-acrylate. ethyl 3,3- dimethyl-acrylate, n-propyl 3,3-dimethylacrylate, isopropyl 3, 3 -dimethyl-acrylate, butyl 3, 3 -dimethyl-acrylate, acrylamide, N-methyl acrylamide, N,N-dιmethyl acrylamide, N- (aminoethyl) methyl acrylamide, and mixtures thereof A composition accordmg to either Claim 1 or 2 wherem said copolymer is selected from the group consistmg of a) a co-polymer comprising l) from 20% to 60% by weight, of methyl methacrylate, n) from 20% to 60% by weight, of butyl acrylate, m) from 0 5% to 20% by weight, of acrylic acid, and b) a copolymer compnsmg. l) from 40% to 50% by weight, of methyl methacrylate, n) from 40% to 50% by weight, of butyl acrylate, and m) from 5% to 15% by weight, of acrylic acid A composition accordmg to any of Claims 1-3 wherem from 5% to 20% of said acrylic acid umts are neutralized A composition accordmg to any of Claims 1 -4 wherem said surfactant has the formula R 4 R 5 — NH(CH 2 )^(CH 2 ) y O— R 4 wherem R 4 is -(CH 2 ) z C0 2 M, -(CH 2 ) z S0 3 M, -(CH 2 ) z OS0 3 M, -(CH 2 ) z P0 3 M, and mixtures thereof. M is hydrogen or a salt forming cation, x and y are each independently an mteger from 2 to 6, z is from 1 to 10, R 5 is an acyl unit having the formula O CH 3 (CHR 6 MR 7 0),(CHRVC — wherem R 6 and R 8 are each independently hydrogen, Cj-C alkyl. and mixtures thereof, R 7 is C 2 -C 12 alkylene. t is from 0 to 10, the indices w' and w' " are each mdependently from 0 to 14, w' + w" = at least 6 A composition accordmg to any of Claims 1-5 wherein said surfactant has the formula O CH 2 C0 2 M I I I CH 2 (CH 2 ) 10 CNHCH 2 CH 2 N(CH 2 ) 2 OCH 2 CO 2 M A composition accordmg to any of Claims 1 -6 comprising from 0 05% to 2% by weight, of said surfactant A composition accordmg to any of Claims 1 -7 wherem said carrier compnses l) from 50% to 90% by weight, of water, and n) from 50% to 10% by weight, of one or more alcohols selected from methanol, ethanol, or isopropanol A composition for controlling plant and flower moisture transpiration, said system comprising a) from 2% to 3% by weight, of a copolymer. said copolymer compπsmg I) from 40% to 50% by weight, of methyl methacrylate, n) from 40% to 50% by weight, of butyl acrylate, and in) from 5% to 15% by weight, of acrylic acid, wherem at least 1 % of said acrylic acid is neutralized, b) from 0 05 % to 2% by weight, of a surfactant having the formula O R 4 II I CH 2 (CH 2 ) CNHCH 2 CH 2 N(CH 2 ) y O— R 4 wherem R 4 is -(CH 2 ) z C0 2 M, -(CH 2 ) z S0 3 M. -(CH 2 ) z OS0 3 M, -(CH 2 ) z P0 3 M, and mixtures thereof, M is hydrogen or a salt forming cation, w' is an integer from 6 to 14, y is an integer from 2 to 6, z is from 1 to 10, and c) the balance a earner compnsmg I) from 50% to 90% by weight, of water, and n) from 50% to 10% by weight, of one or more alcohols selected from methanol, ethanol. or isopropanol A method for enhancing the longevity of cut flowers compnsmg the step of applying to cut flowers an amount of a solution sufficient to cover the surface of said cut flowers, said solution compπsmg a) from 0 1 % to 20% by weight, of a homopolymer or copolymer compnsmg monomers having the formula Rl R 2 \ κ C=C R lX X wherem each R 1 is independently hydrogen, Cι-Cι alkyl. C 1 -C 12 alkoxy, phenyl. substituted phenyl, benzyl, substituted benzyl, carbocychc. heterocyclic, and mixtures thereof, R 2 is hydrogen, halogen, C 1 -C 12 alkyl, C 1 - 2 alkoxy, phenyl, substituted phenyl, benzyl, substituted benzyl, carbocychc. heterocyclic, and mixtures thereof, X is hydrogen, hydroxyl, halogen, -(CH 2 ) m CH 2 OH, - (CH 2 ) m COR, -(CH 2 ) m CH 2 OCOR\ wherem R is -OR', -N(R') 2 , -(CH 2 ) n N(R") 2 , and mixtures thereof, each R ' is independently hydrogen, Cι-C 8 alkyl, C 2 -C 8 hydroxyalkyl, -(CH 2 ) n N(R " ) 2 . and mixtures thereof, wherem R" is independently hydrogen, C 1 -C 4 alkyl, and mixtures thereof, the mdex m is from 0 to 6, the mdex n is from 2 to 6, b) from 0 01 % to 5% by weight, of a surfactant, and c) the balance carriers and adjunct mgredients

Inventors: HAMERSKY MARK WILLIAM, SMITH STEVEN DARYL, HAMERSKY, MARK, WILLIAM, SMITH, STEVEN, DARYL
Applicants: PROCTER & GAMBLE, THE PROCTER & GAMBLE COMPANY
Application year: 2001
Main classification: A01N3
IPC codes: A01N3, A01N25, A01N37