Patent ID: 8497229

Claim:
A granular composition comprising: a granular core material comprising a water soluble material and having a diameter of about 0.35 to about 6 mm; a first coating layer on the surface of the core material, wherein: said first coating layer comprises a wax material and a biologically active ingredient incorporated in the wax material, wherein the wax material comprises a higher alkene wax, a stearamide wax, a polyolefin wax, a styrene-based polymer wax, a block copolymer of a polyolefin wax, a polyester wax, a block copolymer of polyester wax, a polyether wax, a block copolymer of a polyether wax, a vinyl resin wax, an acrylic polymer wax, a polyamine wax, or a combination thereof; and a second coating layer on the surface of the first coating layer, wherein the second coating layer comprises a polymeric composition comprising a polyester, an epoxy resin, a urethane resin, or an aminoplastic; wherein: the ratio of the core material to the active ingredient ranges from 200:1 to 10:1; the core material is adapted to generate sufficient osmotic pressure within the granular composition to cause the biologically active ingredient in the first coating layer to be released therefrom when the composition is contacted with moisture; the second coating layer is structured to withstand the osmotic pressure generated by the core material; and said composition is adapted to release the biologically active ingredient at a controlled rate over a period of greater than 30 days from a date of initial exposure of the composition to moisture whereby greater than 90% of the biologically active ingredient incorporated in the wax material of the first coating layer is released at a controlled rate of release from the granular composition over a period of time greater than 30 days and before the granular core material is completely released from the granular composition.