CONTAINER FOR WATER-SOLUBLE UNIT
Patent Information
- Application Number
- MX2022006445
- Authority / Receiving Office
- MX · MX
- Patent Type
- Patents
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Priority Date
- 2019-11-29
- Filing Date
- 2022-05-27
- Publication Date
- 2026-02-25
- Estimated Expiration
- 2040-11-29
AI Technical Summary
Existing agrochemical compositions packaged in bottles and bags require manual measurement and dilution, leading to inaccurate dosing, which can result in overdose or insufficient active ingredient, promoting resistance and reducing effectiveness, and dissolvable packaging lacks stability due to environmental conditions and agrochemical properties.
A sealed bag containing a water-soluble unit with agricultural material is vacuum sealed to maintain stability and shelf life, ensuring accurate dosing by packaging the unit in a sealed bag that is substantially free of air.
The vacuum-sealed packaging stabilizes the water-soluble unit, enhancing shelf life and stability, reducing changes in dissolution time, sieve residue, and volume, thereby improving the effectiveness and accuracy of agrochemical delivery.
Abstract
Description
CONTAINER FOR WATER-SOLUBLE UNIT This application claims the benefit of United States Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 941,901 filed on November 29, 2019, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. Throughout this application, reference is made to several publications. The disclosures contained in these documents are incorporated herein by reference in order to more fully describe the prior art to which the invention belongs. TECHNICAL FIELD The invention relates to a container for at least one water-soluble unit comprising at least one agricultural material, a method for stabilizing a water-soluble unit comprising at least one agricultural material, and a method for preparing the same. BACKGROUND Agrochemical compositions, liquids and solids are known to be packaged in bottles and bags. The composition, whether in bags and / or bottles, requires manual measurement of the composition, followed by dilution and / or dissolving in water. Often, the dilution and / or dissolving is done in a large volume using hard and / or cold water. Pre-dilution measurements are often inaccurate, which can lead to overdosing or underdosing of the active ingredient. Furthermore, inaccurate dosing increases the development of plant, fungal, and / or insect resistance to pesticides and can reduce their effectiveness. In the state of the art, different measured hands-free containers are known, comprising a primary and outer container, as described in WO 2018 / 116117. The soluble packaging of agricultural materials has several disadvantages. One of them is the lack of stability of the unit caused by environmental conditions and / or the agrochemical itself. There is a need to develop a method for stabilizing soluble packaging units comprising agrochemicals, and to develop a stable water-soluble unit comprising at least one agricultural material. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides a sealed bag comprising at least one water-soluble unit, wherein the water-soluble unit comprises at least one agricultural material and wherein the sealed bag is vacuum-sealed. The present invention provides a water-soluble unit comprising at least one agricultural material, wherein the unit is packaged in an outer sealed bag and the sealed bag is vacuum sealed. The present invention provides a sealed bag comprising at least one water-soluble unit, wherein the water-soluble unit comprises at least one agricultural material and wherein the sealed bag is substantially air-free. The present invention provides a water-soluble unit comprising at least one agricultural material, wherein the unit is packaged in an outer sealed bag and the sealed bag is substantially free of air. The present invention provides a method for increasing the stability of a water-soluble unit comprising at least one agricultural material, the method comprising (1) placing the water-soluble unit comprising at least one agricultural material in a sealed bag and (2) vacuum-sealing the bag. The present invention provides a method for increasing the shelf life of a water-soluble unit comprising at least one agricultural material. The method comprises (1) placing the water-soluble unit comprising at least one agricultural material in a sealed bag and (2) vacuum-sealing the bag. The present invention provides a method for increasing the stability of a water-soluble unit comprising at least one agricultural material. The method comprises (1) placing the water-soluble unit comprising at least one agricultural material in a sealed bag and (2) sealing the bag so that the sealed bag is substantially free of air. The present invention provides a method for increasing the service life of a water-soluble unit comprising at least one agricultural material. The method comprises (1) placing the water-soluble unit comprising at least one agricultural material in a sealed bag and (2) sealing the bag so that the sealed bag is substantially free of air. The present invention provides a container for at least one water-soluble unit comprising at least one agricultural material, comprising a sealed bag, wherein the sealed bag is vacuum sealed. The present invention provides a container for delivering at least one water-soluble unit comprising at least one agricultural material, comprising a sealed bag where the sealed bag is vacuum sealed. The present invention provides a container for increasing the shelf life of at least one water-soluble unit comprising at least one agricultural material, comprising a sealed bag where the sealed bag is vacuum sealed. The present invention provides a container for at least one water-soluble unit comprising at least one agricultural material, comprising a sealed bag where the sealed bag is substantially free of air. The present invention provides a container for delivering at least one water-soluble unit comprising at least one agricultural material, comprising a sealed bag where the sealed bag is substantially free of air. The present invention provides a container for increasing the shelf life of at least one water-soluble unit comprising at least one agricultural material, comprising a sealed bag where the sealed bag is substantially free of air. The present invention contemplates the use of a vacuum-sealed container for the stabilization of a water-soluble unit comprising at least one agricultural material. The present invention provides for the use of vacuum to stabilize a water-soluble unit comprising at least one agricultural material. The present invention provides a method for packaging a water-soluble unit comprising at least one agricultural material, the method comprising (1) placing at least one water-soluble unit comprising at least one agricultural material in a sealed bag and (2) vacuum-sealing the bag. The present invention provides a method for packaging a water-soluble unit, the method comprising (1) preparing at least one water-soluble unit comprising at least one agricultural material, (2) placing the water-soluble unit from step (1) into a sealed bag, and (3) vacuum-sealing the bag. The present invention provides a method for packaging a water-soluble unit comprising at least one agricultural material, the method comprising (1) placing at least one water-soluble unit comprising at least one agricultural material into a sealed bag and (2) sealing the bag so that the sealed bag is substantially free of air. The present invention provides a method for packaging a water-soluble unit, the method comprising (1) preparing at least one water-soluble unit comprising at least one agricultural material, (2) placing the water-soluble unit from step (1) into a sealed bag, and (3) sealing the bag so that the sealed bag is substantially free of air. The present invention provides for the use of the container, sealed bag and / or water-soluble unit described herein to prepare a diluted agricultural composition for pest control. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figures 1A and 1B refer to the water-soluble unit (example 2) that was kept in a sealed bag, where the sealed bag was not vacuum sealed but under ambient pressure. Figures 2A and 2B refer to the water-soluble unit (example 1) that was kept in a sealed bag, where the sealed bag was vacuum sealed. DESCRIPTION OF THE SPECIFIC EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION Definitions Before describing the object of the present invention in detail, it may be useful to provide definitions of certain terms used herein. Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning commonly understood by a person skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains. The following definitions are provided for clarity. The term “a” or “an”, as used in this description, includes both singular and plural forms, unless specifically stated otherwise. Therefore, the terms “a”, “an”, or “at least one” or “at least one” may be used interchangeably in this application. As used herein, the term “approximately” in relation to a numerical value includes ±10% of the stated value. Furthermore, all ranges pertaining to the same component or property herein include the extremes, are independently combinable, and include all intermediate points and ranges. It is understood that when a range of parameters is provided, all whole numbers within that range, as well as their decimals, are also provided by the invention. For example, “0.1–80%” includes 0.1%, 0.2%, 0.3%, etc., up to 80%. As used in this description, the term “propagation material” means an ingredient used in agricultural practice, including soil cultivation for crop growth. However, the use of agricultural materials is not limited to application to crops. Agricultural materials are also used in non-cultivation applications and may be applied to any surface for the purpose of cleaning or assisting or inhibiting the growth of a living organism. Other non-agricultural applications include, but are not limited to, application to an animal, e.g., livestock, application to turf and ornamental plants, and application to weeds growing on railway tracks. Agricultural material may be used in conjunction with materials used as additives, such as adjuvants (e.g., rain-resistant agents) and protectants. Examples of agricultural materials, agrochemicals, pesticides, hormones, biostimulants, adjuvants, protectants and plant growth agents. As used here, the term “agrochemical” refers to a chemical active ingredient used in agricultural practices, including soil cultivation for crop growth. However, the use of agrochemicals is not limited to application to crops. Agrochemicals can be applied to any surface, e.g., for cleaning purposes or to help inhibit the growth of a living organism. Examples of agrochemicals include pesticides, hormones, biostimulants, and plant growth promoters. As used herein, the term “pesticide,” “pesticide compound,” or “pesticide compound” means a compound capable of killing or inhibiting the growth or proliferation of a pest, whether for plant protection or for non-agricultural applications. As used in this document, all terms “pesticide,” “pesticide compound,” or “pesticide compound” fall within “agricultural material.” The term “pesticide,” “pesticide compound,” or “pesticide compound” includes, without limitation, insecticides, nematicides, herbicides, fungicides, algaecides, animal repellents, and acaricides. As used herein, the term “pest” includes, without limitation, insects, nematodes, weeds, fungi, algae, mites, ticks, and animals. As used herein, the term “weed” refers to any unwanted vegetation. As used herein, the term “water-soluble unit” refers to at least one chamber prepared from a water-soluble film. In particular, the term “water-soluble unit” refers to at least one chamber prepared from a water-soluble polymer. As used herein, the term “camera film” refers to the camera wall. As used herein, the term “stable / stability / stabilization” when used in relation to camera film properties refers to non-significant changes in camera film properties after at least 1 year of storage at temperatures up to 30°C or after an accelerated storage stability test (e.g., after 8 weeks of storage at a temperature of 40 ± 2 °C, after 12 months of storage at a temperature of 35 ± 2 °C, or after 18 weeks of storage at a temperature of 30 ± 2 °C). As used herein, the term “changes” when used in relation to chamber film properties refers to a change in the dissolution time of the water-soluble unit, change in the sieve residue of the water-soluble unit, change in the solubility of the water-soluble unit, change in the chamber film elasticity of the water-soluble unit, change in the volume of the water-soluble unit, and / or slump level and / or slump rate of the water-soluble unit comprising at least one agricultural material in the spray tank. Dissolution time refers to the time to initiate dissolution of the chamber film and / or the time to complete dissolution of the chamber film. The significant change in dissolution time is more than 10% of the change in time. A significant change in sieve residue is more than a 1% change in the amount of sieve residue. The significant change in the volume of the water-soluble unit is more than 5% of the increase in the volume of the water-soluble unit. Water-soluble unit dissolution time refers to the time to initiate dissolution of the camera film and / or the time to complete dissolution of the camera film. In particular, when the term “stable / stability” is used in relation to laboratory conditions, stability is tested based on standards established by the International Council for Collaborative Pesticide Analysis (ICPAC) (e.g., MT176). ICPAC is an international organization that promotes international agreements on methods for pesticide analysis and psychochemical testing methods for formulations. The methods adopted by ICPAC are published in the ICPAC Manuals, available online at www.cipac.org / index.php / methods-publications; the full text of each method is incorporated herein by reference. Specifically, when using the term “stable / stability” in relation to simulated filling / spray tank conditions, stability is tested with respect to changes in the non-vacuum water-soluble unit compared to the vacuum water-soluble unit. The stability test is performed under identical conditions (e.g., same water-soluble unit comprising at least one agricultural material, water temperature, water hardness, water flow). cbhQnn / zznz / B / YiAi As used herein, the term “vacuum water-soluble unit” refers to a water-soluble unit that is placed in a sealed bag, and the sealed bag is vacuum-sealed and stored. The sealed bag is substantially free of air. As used herein, the term “non-vacuum water-soluble unit” refers to a water-soluble unit that is not stored under vacuum. Non-vacuum storage is (1) storing the water-soluble unit comprising at least one agricultural material without an external sealed bag or (2) storing the water-soluble unit comprising at least one agricultural material in a sealed bag without vacuum in the sealed bag, (e.g. ambient pressure). As used herein, “substantially free” means that the sealed bag contains an amount of air that does not significantly affect the stability of the unit. In some embodiments, the amount of air in the sealed bag is less than 5% by volume based on the total volume of the sealed bag. In preferred embodiments, the amount of air in the sealed bag is less than 0.3% by volume based on the total volume of the sealed bag. STABILIZATION OF A WATER-SOLUBLE UNIT. The stabilization of soluble units comprising at least one agricultural material is essential for its effective use. Several parameters affect the short-term and / or long-term stability of a water-soluble unit comprising at least one agricultural material in terms of delivery and shelf life. It was found that the stability of a water-soluble unit comprising at least one agricultural material is improved by vacuum packaging and sealing of the water-soluble unit comprising at least one agricultural material. Vacuum refers, without limitation, to controlling moisture transfer between the agricultural material and the chamber film of the water-soluble unit. Moisture transfer affects the elongation and / or elasticity of the chamber film. In some realizations, the agricultural material is an agricultural composition. The present invention provides a method for increasing the stability of a water-soluble unit comprising at least one agricultural material, the method comprising (1) placing the water-soluble unit comprising at least one agricultural material in a sealed bag and (2) vacuum-sealing the bag. The present invention provides a method for increasing the shelf life of a water-soluble unit comprising at least one agricultural material. The method comprises (1) placing the water-soluble unit comprising at least one agricultural material in a sealed bag and (2) vacuum-sealing the bag. The present invention provides a method for increasing the stability of a water-soluble unit comprising at least one agricultural material. The method comprises (1) placing the water-soluble unit comprising at least one agricultural material in a sealed bag and (2) sealing the bag so that the sealed bag is substantially free of air. The present invention provides a method for increasing the service life of a water-soluble unit comprising at least one agricultural material. The method comprises (1) placing the water-soluble unit comprising at least one agricultural material in a sealed bag and (2) sealing the bag so that the sealed bag is substantially free of air. In some embodiments, the vacuum is equal to or less than 600 mmHg. In some embodiments, the water-soluble unit comprising at least one agricultural material is placed in the sealed bag with additional components. CONTAINER FOR THE WATER-SOLUBLE UNIT The present invention provides a sealed bag comprising at least one water-soluble unit, wherein the water-soluble unit comprises at least one agricultural material and wherein the sealed bag is vacuum-sealed. The present invention provides a water-soluble unit comprising at least one agricultural material, wherein the unit is packaged in an outer sealed bag and the sealed bag is vacuum sealed. The present invention provides a sealed bag comprising at least one water-soluble unit, wherein the water-soluble unit comprises at least one agricultural material and wherein the sealed bag is substantially air-free. The present invention provides a water-soluble unit comprising at least one agricultural material, wherein the unit is packaged in an outer sealed bag and the sealed bag is substantially free of air. The present invention provides a container for at least one water-soluble unit comprising at least one agricultural material, comprising a sealed bag where the sealed bag is vacuum sealed. The present invention provides a container for delivering at least one water-soluble unit comprising at least one agricultural material, comprising a sealed bag where the sealed bag is vacuum sealed. The present invention provides a container for increasing the shelf life of at least one water-soluble unit comprising at least one agricultural material, comprising a sealed bag where the sealed bag is vacuum sealed. The present invention provides a container for at least one water-soluble unit comprising at least one agricultural material, comprising a sealed bag where the sealed bag is substantially free of air. The present invention provides a container for delivering at least one water-soluble unit comprising at least one agricultural material, comprising a sealed bag where the sealed bag is substantially free of air. The present invention provides a container for increasing the shelf life of at least one water-soluble unit comprising at least one agricultural material, comprising a sealed bag where the sealed bag is substantially free of air. The present invention provides for the use of vacuum packaging for the stabilization of a water-soluble unit comprising at least one agricultural material. The present invention provides for the use of vacuum to stabilize a water-soluble unit comprising at least one agricultural material. In some embodiments, the packaging comprises a sealed bag. In some embodiments, the sealed bag comprises a water-soluble unit comprising at least one agricultural material. In some embodiments, the vacuum is equal to or less than 600 mmHg. STABILITY PARAMETERS Stabilizing a water-soluble unit comprising at least one agricultural material refers, without limitation, to increasing the unit's lifespan. The increase in stability can be measured, although without limitation, by changes in the dissolution time of the soluble unit, change in the sieve residue of the soluble unit, change in the elasticity of the chamber film of the water-soluble unit, change in the volume of the water-soluble unit and / or the level of subsidence and / or the rate of subsidence of the water-soluble unit in the spray tank. Dissolution time refers to the time to initiate dissolution of the chamber film and / or the time to complete dissolution of the chamber film. Shelf life refers to the period during which the water-soluble unit comprising at least one agricultural material maintains its properties in terms of chamber film dissolution time, chamber film sieve residue, chamber film elasticity of the water-soluble unit comprising at least one agricultural material, volume of the water-soluble unit comprising at least one agricultural material, and / or the subsidence level of the water-soluble unit comprising at least one agricultural material in a spray tank. Increasing the service life of the water-soluble unit comprising at least one agricultural material refers, without limitation, to at least 1 month, 6 months or 12 months longer than the service life of a non-vacuum water-soluble unit comprising at least one agricultural material, The packaging disclosed in the present invention increases the shelf life of the water-soluble unit comprising at least one agricultural material by at least 1 month, 6 months, or 12 months. In some embodiments, stability is measured by dissolution time. In some embodiments, the dissolution time of the non-vacuum water-soluble unit comprising at least one agricultural material is increased by at least 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, or 90% compared to the vacuum water-soluble unit comprising at least one agricultural material. In some cases, the elasticity of the camera film is measured. In some realizations, elasticity refers, without limitation, to the level of fragility. In some embodiments, the brittleness level is tested using a tensile testing device in accordance with ISO 527, ASTM D638. In some implementations, the level of fragility is measured by testing the physical properties of the camera film, such as weight comparison. In some embodiments, the level of fragility is tested by means of a drop test in accordance with the UN requirements for specific product samples from the “Orange Book”. The UN requirements for specific product samples from the “Orange Book” such as the UN Recommendation on the Transport of Dangerous Goods, Part 6 (17th Edition, 2011) (Orange Book), the ICAO Technical Instructions for the Safe Transport of Dangerous Goods by Air, 2011-2012 Edition, IMO IMDG CODE, 2010, Amendment 35-10. In some embodiments, stability is measured by the brittleness level of the camera film. In some embodiments, the brittleness level of the non-vacuum water-soluble unit comprising at least one agricultural material is at least 1%, 5%, 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, or 90% higher than that of the vacuum water-soluble unit comprising at least one agricultural material. In some embodiments, stability is measured by the level of swelling. In some embodiments, the level of swelling of the vacuum water-soluble unit comprising at least one agricultural material is at least 5%, 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, or 90% less compared to the non-vacuum water-soluble unit comprising at least one agricultural material. In some embodiments, bulging level refers, without limitation, to the change in volume of the water-soluble unit comprising at least one agricultural material. In some embodiments, the bulking level of the water-soluble unit comprising at least one agricultural material is measured by the change in volume of the water-soluble unit comprising at least one agricultural material. The packaging of the invention reduces the change in volume of the vacuum water-soluble unit comprising at least one agricultural material by at least 5%, 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, or 90% less compared to the change in volume of the non-vacuum water-soluble unit comprising at least one agricultural material. In some embodiments, stability is measured by shelf life. In some embodiments, the shelf life of the vacuum water-soluble unit comprising at least one agricultural material is increased by at least 5%, 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, or 90% compared to the non-vacuum water-soluble unit comprising at least one agricultural material. In some embodiments, at least one agricultural material is folpet and / or captan. In some embodiments, at least one agricultural material is tau fluvalinate. In some embodiments, the water-soluble unit comprises a pesticide composition. In some implementations, the pesticide is a fungicide, insecticide. In some embodiments, the fungicide is folpet and / or captan. In some realizations, the agricultural material is a composition of captan. VACUUM PROPERTIES The invention relates to a container for a water-soluble unit comprising at least one vacuum-sealed agricultural material. Vacuum packaging refers to the pressure in the sealed bag. The vacuum in the sealed bag is essential for the stability of the water-soluble unit comprising at least one agricultural material. The vacuum in the sealed bag is equal to or less than 600 mmHg. In some embodiments, the vacuum in the sealed bag is equal to or less than 600 mmHg, 500 mmHg, 400 mmHg, 300 mmHg or 200 mmHg. In some embodiments, the water-soluble unit comprising at least one agricultural material is placed in a sealed bag prepared by a known preparation method. Known method refers, without limitation, to vertical form filling and sealing (Vertical Form FUI and Seal, VFFS). PREPARATION AND CONTAINER MATERIAL - SEALED BAG The material used to package the water-soluble unit comprising at least one vacuum-sealed agricultural material includes any material that retains the vacuum for at least 6 months. In some embodiments, the vacuum is preserved for at least 12 months, 18 months, or 24 months. In some embodiments, the sealed bag is made from non-biodegradable material. In some embodiments, the sealed bag is made from biodegradable material. In some embodiments, the sealed bag is made from recycled material. In some embodiments, the sealed bag is prepared from a polyethylene-based polymer. In some embodiments, the polyethylene-based polymer is a cross-linked polyethylene-based polymer. In some embodiments, the sealed bag is prepared from a cross-linked polyethylene-based polymer. In some embodiments, the sealed bag is based on aluminum foil. In some embodiments, the sealed bag is based on a sheet of paper. In some embodiments the sealed bag is a water-soluble paper. In some embodiments, the sealed bag is prepared from a multi-layered material. In some embodiments, the sealed bag is a single layer, double layer, triple layer and / or ternary layers. In some embodiments, the sealed bag is prepared from an aluminum film-based material. In some embodiments, the sealed bag is a 3-layer PE / AL / PET film. In some embodiments, the sealed bag is a laminated double-layer PE / PET film. In some implementations, a biodegradable sealed bag is made from corn starch. In some embodiments, the sealed bag is prepared using a known preparation method. Known method refers, without limitation, to vertical form filling and sealing (Vertical Form FUI and Seal, VFFS). WATER-SOLUBLE UNIT COMPRISING AT LEAST ONE AGRICULTURAL MATERIAL - CAMERA FILM In some embodiments, the water-soluble unit comprising at least one agricultural material is prepared from a water-soluble film. In some embodiments, the water-soluble film is prepared using a water-soluble polymer. In some embodiments, the water-soluble unit comprising at least one agricultural material is prepared from a water-soluble polymer. In some embodiments, the water-soluble film is a polyvinyl alcohol-based polymer. In some embodiments, the water-soluble film is polyvinyl alcohol. In some embodiments, the water-soluble polymer is a polyvinyl alcohol-based polymer. In some embodiments, the water-soluble polymer is polyvinyl alcohol. In some implementations, the camera film is a polyvinyl alcohol-based polymer. In some productions, the camera film is polyvinyl alcohol. In some embodiments, the polyvinyl alcohol-based polymer is a modified polymer. In some embodiments, the polyvinyl alcohol-based polymer is manufactured by Aicello. In some embodiments the polyvinyl alcohol polymer is Aicello PT 40, Aicello PT 80 (manufactured by Aicello). In some formulations the sealed bag is prepared from Aicello PT 40. In some embodiments, the water-soluble unit can be prepared by methods such as vacuum forming, vertical filling and sealing (VFFS), horizontal filling and sealing (HFFS), or any other type of FFS, or Flow Pack. In some embodiments, the water-soluble unit can be prepared by methods such as impulse welding, ultrasonic welding, and waterproof sealing. CHARACTERIZATION / PROPERTIES OF THE WATER-SOLUBLE UNIT The water-soluble unit comprising at least one chamber and at least one agricultural material, where the unit is prepared from a soluble film and an agricultural material is included within the chamber, has critical parameters of effectiveness in the field. Critical parameters include, for example, the thickness of the camera, the elasticity of the camera, and the dissolution time of the camera film. In some embodiments, dissolution time refers to the time required for complete dissolution of the camera film at 5°C water temperature, which is about 10 minutes under simulated fill / spray tank conditions. In some embodiments, dissolution time refers to the time required for complete dissolution of the camera film at 5°C water temperature, which is less than 120, less than 60, less than 30, less than 20, less than 10 minutes under simulated fill / spray tank conditions. In some embodiments, dissolution time refers to the time to initiate dissolution of the camera film at a water temperature of 10°C, which is less than 1 minute, less than 40 seconds, less than 30 seconds, or less than 15 seconds under simulated fill / spray tank conditions. In some embodiments, dissolution time refers to the time to initiate dissolution of the camera film at 5°C water temperature, which is less than 60 seconds, less than 30 seconds, or less than 15 seconds under simulated fill / spray tank conditions. In some embodiments, the thickness of the camera film comprising an agricultural composition is between 30-100 microns. In some embodiments, the volume of the water-soluble unit is between 1 ml and 10 liters. In some formulations, the weight of the pesticide composition is between 15 grams and 5000 grams. In some embodiments, the weight of the water-soluble unit comprising at least one agricultural material is between 15 grams and 5000 grams. AGRICULTURAL EQUIPMENT Agricultural material can refer to agricultural composition. In some embodiments, the agricultural material may refer to an agrochemical composition. In some embodiments, the agricultural composition is a solid and / or liquid composition. In some embodiments, the agrochemical composition is a solid and / or liquid composition. In some embodiments, the agrochemical composition is a concentrated composition. In some embodiments, the agrochemical composition refers to the composition of the water-soluble unit before wetting the water-soluble unit with water. Solid composition refers, without limitation, to soluble granules, water-dispersible granules, and powder. Liquid composition refers, without limitation, to oil dispersion (OD) composition and emulsifiable concentrate (EC). In some embodiments, the agricultural composition comprises at least one agrochemical. In some embodiments, the composition comprises at least two agrochemicals. In some embodiments, the agricultural composition comprises at least one disintegrating agent. In some embodiments, the disintegrating agent is a blooming agent, an effervescence system, or a combination of these. In some embodiments, the effervescence system comprises a mixture of an acid and a base, preferably a weak acid and a weak base. However, the effervescent system that can be used with the composition is not limited to the combination of an acid and a base. The chemical reaction between an acid and a base can result in the rapid spontaneous evolution of CO2 gas when the effervescent system is combined and moistened with water. In situ gas formation enhances the disintegration of solids and / or the dispersion of particles. Acids may include, without limitation, organic and inorganic acids. An inorganic acid may be a weak acid. Organic acids may include, but are not limited to, carboxylic acids such as citric acid, fumaric acid, italic acid, maleic acid, melic acid, oxalic acid, adipic acid, glutaric acid, 2-methylglutaric acid, succinic acid, and tartaric acid, and / or any combination thereof. Bases may include, without limitation, organic and inorganic bases. An inorganic base may be a weak base. An inorganic base may include, without limitation, an alkali metal carbonate or bicarbonate such as lithium carbonate, sodium carbonate, sodium bicarbonate, potassium carbonate, potassium bicarbonate, or any combination thereof. Agricultural material refers, without limitation, to agrochemical material, biological material, natural material, adjuvants and protectants. Agrochemical refers to, without limitation, pesticide, biostimulant, growth regulator, fertilizer / nutrients. In some applications, the agrochemical is a pesticide. In some embodiments, the pesticide is an insecticide. In some embodiments, the pesticide is a fungicide. In some embodiments, the pesticide is an acaricide. In some embodiments, the pesticide is a nematicide. In some embodiments, the pesticide is a herbicide. Examples of insecticides and acaricides may include, without limitation, chlorantraniliprole, abamedectin, pyriproxyfen, acetamiprid, bifenthrin, cyfluthrin, pymetrozine, novaluron, etiprol, fipronil, and lambda-cyhalothrin, acetamiprid, imidacloprid, and any combination thereof. Examples of fungicides may include, without limitation, steral biosynthesis inhibitors such as prothioconazole, epoxiconazole, cyproconazole, myclobutanil, prochloraz, metconazole, difenoconazole, tebuconazole, tetraconazole, fenbuconazole, propiconazole, fluquinconazole, flusilazole, flutriafol, fenpropimorph, fenpropidine, ipconazole, triticonazole, spiroxamine, fenhexamide, and fenpyrazamine; succinate dehydrogenase inhibitors such as benzovindiflupyr, penthiopyrad, isopirazam, fluxapyroxad, boscalid, fluopoiram, bixafen, and penflufen; strobilurin fungicides such as azoxystrobin, pyraclostrobin, picoxystrobin, fluoxastrobin, trifloxystrobin, kresoxim-methyl, dimoxystrobin, and orisastrobin; and inhibitors multisite agents such as mancozeb, chlorothalonil, folpet, captan, metiram, maneb, propineb, copper hydroxide, copper octanoate, copper oxychloride, copper sulfate (tribasic), mancobre, copper-oxine, copper bis(3-phenyl salicylate), copper zinc chromate, cuprous oxide,copper hydrazinium sulfate, cuprobam, and any combination thereof. Examples of nematicides may include, without limitation, fluensulfone. Examples of herbicides may include, without limitation, clethodim, 2,4-D, metolachlor, S-metolachlor, atrazine, pinoxaden, mesosulfuron, mefenpyr, clomazon, penoxsulam, DCPA, nicosulfuron, fluorochloridone, pyroxasulfone, pretilachlor, metamitron, triflusulfuron, lenacil, pinoxaden, glyphosate, glufosinate, dicamba, chloroacetamide, and any combination thereof. In some embodiments, the agricultural material is an agrochemical composition comprising captan. In some embodiments, the agricultural material is an agrochemical composition comprising folpet. In some embodiments, the agricultural material is an agrochemical composition comprising tau fluvalinate. In some embodiments, the agrochemical composition is a composition comprising a pesticide selected from the group consisting of captan, folpet, acephate, acetamiprid, bifenthrin, midaclopride, chlorothalonil, and prothioconazole. In some embodiments, the agrochemical is captan. In some embodiments, the agrochemical is folpet. In some embodiments, the pesticide is captan. In some embodiments, the pesticide is folpet. PROCESS FOR PREPARING THE INVENTION The present invention provides a method for packaging a water-soluble unit comprising at least one agricultural material, the method comprising (1) placing at least one water-soluble unit comprising at least one agricultural material in a sealed bag and (2) vacuum-sealing the bag. The present invention provides a method for packaging a water-soluble unit, the method comprising (1) preparing at least one water-soluble unit comprising at least one agricultural material, (2) placing the water-soluble unit from step (1) into a sealed bag and (3) vacuum-sealing the bag. The present invention provides a method for packaging a water-soluble unit comprising at least one agricultural material, the method comprising (1) placing at least one water-soluble unit comprising at least one agricultural material into a sealed bag and (2) sealing the bag so that the sealed bag is substantially free of air. The present invention provides a method for packaging a water-soluble unit, the method comprising (1) preparing at least one water-soluble unit comprising at least one agricultural material, (2) placing the water-soluble unit from step (1) into a sealed bag, and (3) sealing the bag so that the sealed bag is substantially free of air. The method for sealing the sealed bag may be, without limitation, hot bar welding, impulse welding, ultrasonic welding, and waterproof sealing. In some embodiments, sealing the sealed bag in the method for packaging the water-soluble unit comprising at least one agricultural material is achieved by pumping air into the sealed bag after placing the water-soluble unit comprising at least one agricultural material inside the sealed bag. Pump at a pressure of 0.25 to -0.7 bar for 1 to 90 seconds. COMPOSITION The present invention provides a water-diluted agricultural composition comprising any one of the water-soluble unit described herein and water. In some embodiments, the water-soluble unit becomes moist after removing the sealed bag. In some embodiments, the sealed bag is removed before moistening the water-soluble unit with water. METHOD OF USE The present invention also provides a method for controlling and preventing a pest, comprising: (1) preparing a water-diluted agricultural composition from any one of the containers, sealed bags, and / or water-soluble units described herein, and (2) applying the water-diluted agricultural composition to a locus where pest control or prevention is desired. The present invention also provides a method for controlling and preventing a pest comprising: (1) prepare a water-diluted agricultural composition from any one of the container, sealed bag and / or water-soluble unit described herein, and (2) apply the water-diluted agricultural composition to at least one of a plant, an area adjacent to a plant, soil adapted to promote the growth of a plant, a root of a plant, foliage of a plant, and / or a seed adapted to produce a plant. The present invention also provides a method for controlling and preventing a pest comprising: (1) prepare a water-diluted agricultural composition from any one of the container, sealed bag and / or water-soluble unit described herein, and (2) apply the water-diluted agricultural composition from any one of the container, sealed bag and / or water-soluble unit described herein to an area infested with an unwanted pest to thereby control the unwanted pest. The present invention also provides a method for controlling and preventing a pest comprising: (1) prepare a water-diluted agricultural composition from any one of the containers, sealed bags and / or water-soluble units described herein, and (2) bring a plant, a locus thereof or propagation material thereof into contact with a water-diluted agricultural composition from any one of the containers, sealed bags and / or water-soluble units described herein to thereby control the plant disease. In some embodiments, the agricultural composition prepared from any one of the container, sealed bag and / or water-soluble unit described herein is prepared by moistening the water-soluble unit with water. In some embodiments, the wetting occurs after removing the sealed bag. In some embodiments, wetting is done by adding the water-soluble unit to the water after removing the sealed bag. In some embodiments, wetting is done by placing the water-soluble unit, after removing the sealed bag, in the upper sieve of the spray tank and adding water over the unit. In some embodiments, the water-diluted agricultural composition prepared from any one of the container, sealed bag and / or water-soluble unit described herein is prepared by adding water to the water-soluble unit after removing the sealed bag. In some embodiments, the water-diluted agricultural composition prepared from any one of the containers, the sealed bag and / or the water-soluble unit described herein is prepared by placing the water-soluble unit, after removing the sealed bag, over the upper sieve of the spray tank and adding water over the unit. The present invention provides for the use of the container, sealed bag and / or water-soluble unit described herein to prepare a diluted agricultural composition for pest control. In some embodiments, the diluted agricultural composition is agricultural composition diluted in water. In one realization, the pest is an insect. In one realization, the pest is a fungus. In one realization, the pest is a nematode. In one realization, the pest is a weed. In one embodiment, the locus is a plant, an area adjacent to a plant, soil adapted to promote the growth of a plant, a root of a plant, foliage of a plant, and / or a seed adapted to produce a plant. In one embodiment, the locus is a wall, a floor, or a surface of a piece of furniture or fixture. In one embodiment, the locus is a kitchen surface or a bathroom surface. In one realization, the locus is the skin of an animal or the area surrounding an animal. In another realization, the locus is a railway or the area surrounding a railway. The agricultural composition diluted in water, prepared from any one of the containers, sealed bags, and / or water-soluble units described herein, may be applied to a healthy or diseased plant. In some embodiments, the agricultural composition diluted in water, prepared from any one of the containers, sealed bags, and / or water-soluble units described herein, is applied to various plants, including, without limitation, crops, seeds, bulbs, propagation material, turf, or ornamental species. Each embodiment disclosed herein is considered applicable to each of the other embodiments. Therefore, all combinations of the various elements described herein are within the scope of the invention. The invention is illustrated by, but not limited to, the following examples. EXPERIMENTS Preparation of the water-soluble unit comprising captan (unit A) The water-soluble units comprise a chamber containing captan (captan 80 WDG, Merpan). They were prepared using a vertical FFS machine that forms the PVA sachet (Aicello PT 40) and fills it with a measured amount of captan (Merpan). The water-soluble unit comprising captan was vacuum-sealed using hot stick welding or impulse welding. EXAMPLE01, Water-soluble unit packaged in a vacuum-sealed bag. Unit A was placed in a sealed bag, (3-layer laminated PE / AL / PET film (PlastoSac)). The sealed bag was vacuum sealed for 30 seconds using impulse welding. The vacuum inside the sealed bag is less than 600 mmHg. EXAMPLE 2- Water-soluble unit packaged in a sealed bag, the sealed bag is sealed by ambient pressure. Unit A was placed in a cross-linked PE Ziploc bag. The bag was sealed using a Ziploc. The pressure is ambient pressure. There is no vacuum in the sealed bag. Stability tests: Examples 1 and 2 were stored at 40°C for 8 weeks and parameters such as (1) dissolution rate (start and complete dissolution), (2) sieve residues (filter nozzle and upper sieve filter) and bulging were checked. Test 1, Dissolution time test under laboratory conditions, based on CIPAC MT 176 A 10 cm² strip of PVA film (taken from Examples 1 and 2, as well as from a new, unstored PVA film) was hung on a metal hook attached to a plastic cover. 2. The strips were then immersed in a beaker containing 100 ml of standard hard water (500 ppm hardness, pH 7.0–8.0, Ca++:Mg++ = 4:1) in which captan 80 WDG was dispersed. The water temperature was maintained at 20°C or below. 3. The film strips were kept in the captan dispersion for 10 minutes without stirring, followed by 10 minutes with stirring using a magnetic stir bar at 1500 RPM. 4. The dispersion was poured through a 150 µm sieve, and the residue was observed. 5. The time to initial dissolution of the film strip was measured. cbhQnn / zznz / B / YiAi EXAMPLE 1 - vacuum sealed EXAMPLE 2 - sealed at ambient pressure New PVA film Dissolution time Time to start of dissolution of the chamber film 30 seconds 4 minutes 30 seconds Residue at the end of the test Some < 1mm pieces of film Several 2-3mm pieces of film No residue The results showed that the unit stored under vacuum (EXAMPLE 1) was more stable than the unit not stored under vacuum (EXAMPLE 2). The time required to initiate dissolution of the chamber wall film in Example 1 was the same as for the new PVA strip tested under the same conditions. Furthermore, the amount of residue on the sieve in Example 1 was less than in Example 2, demonstrating that the overall dissolution time for Example 1 is shorter than for Example 2. Test 2, Field simulation test: Materials: The 1000-liter commercial spray tank (50% volume) contains water at a cold temperature of 5°C and commercial fertilizer, Calcium Chloride (180 g) and Magnesium Chloride Hexahydrate (80 g), with a water hardness of at least 342 ppm and a molar ratio of Ca to Mg of 4:1. (pH of 7.9) The essay: Step 1. The units from Example 1 and 2 were placed in the upper sieve of the spray tank. Step 2. Cold running water (5°C) was applied at a pressure of 4 Bar to the water-soluble units placed on the upper sieve. Throughout step 2, the time in seconds and the volume of water in liters were measured for each unit of solution. In addition, the internal mixing nozzles and filters were in operating mode and jet agitation was maintained for 10 minutes. Step 3. The spray solution obtained from step 2 was applied using an arm sprayer with a T-jet ceramic spray nozzle with a nozzle filter with 50 and 80 mesh. Once step 3 was completed, the sieve residue in the nozzles, nozzle filters and pump filter as well as the top sieve filter were checked by a visual inspection. The results are shown in Table 2. EXAMPLE 1 - Vacuum Sealing EXAMPLE 2 - Ambient Pressure Sealing Dissolution Time Time to start dissolving of the camera film 7 seconds 15 seconds Total dissolution 2 minutes 5 minutes Sieve on top of sprayer Clean Residue Main filter observation Clean Clean Nozzle filter observation Clean Clean The results showed that the unit that was stored in a vacuum (EXAMPLE 1) was more stable than the unit that was not kept in a vacuum (EXAMPLE 2). Test 3. Volume of the water-soluble unit comprising the swell after storage for 8 weeks at 40°C. The chamber bulge is an additional test that reflects the stability of the water-soluble unit. The bulging of the camera was recorded as a visual observation. The results are shown in Figures 1A-1B and 2A-2B. The results showed that the volume of the water-soluble unit that was not kept under vacuum (example 2) (figure 1A-1B) increased by at least 30%. Conclusion: The packaging of the invention for a water-soluble unit comprising at least one agricultural material, wherein the water-soluble unit comprising at least one agricultural material is kept in a vacuum-sealed bag, demonstrated less change in chamber film dissolution time, sieve residue, and chamber bulge compared to the water-soluble unit comprising at least one agricultural material, which was kept in a sealed bag at ambient pressure (not vacuum). Furthermore, the priority documents of this application are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.
Claims
1. A sealed bag comprising at least one water-soluble unit, wherein the water-soluble unit comprises at least one agricultural material and wherein the sealed bag is vacuum-sealed.
2. A water-soluble unit comprising at least one agricultural material, wherein the unit is packaged in an outer sealed bag and the sealed bag is vacuum sealed.
3. The sealed bag of claim 1, wherein (1) the vacuum is equal to or less than 600 mmHg, (2) the sealed bag is prepared from a polyethylene-based polymer, (3) the sealed bag is prepared from multi-layer-based material, (4) the sealed bag is prepared from aluminum film-based material, (5) the sealed bag is prepared from a laminated 3-layer PE / AL / PE sheet, (6) the water-soluble unit is prepared from a polyvinyl alcohol-based polymer, (7) the water-soluble unit is prepared from Aicello PT 40, and / or (8) the agricultural material is a captan composition.
4. The water-soluble unit of claim 2, wherein (1) the vacuum is equal to or less than 600 mmHg, (2) the sealed bag is prepared from a polyethylene-based polymer, (3) the sealed bag is prepared from multi-layer-based material, (4) the sealed bag is prepared from aluminum film-based material, (5) the sealed bag is prepared from a laminated 3-layer PE / AL / PE sheet, (6) the water-soluble unit is prepared from a polyvinyl alcohol-based polymer, (7) the water-soluble unit is prepared from Aicello PT 40, and / or (8) the agricultural material is a captan composition.
5. A method for increasing the stability of a water-soluble unit comprising at least one agricultural material, the method comprising (1) placing the water-soluble unit comprising at least one agricultural material in a sealed bag and (2) vacuum-sealing the bag.
6. A method for increasing the shelf life of a water-soluble unit comprising at least one agricultural material, the method comprising (1) placing the water-soluble unit comprising at least one agricultural material in a sealed bag and (2) vacuum-sealing the bag.
7. The method of any one of claim 5 or 6, wherein (1) the vacuum is equal to or less than 600 mmHg, (2) the sealed bag is prepared from a polyethylene-based polymer, (3) the sealed bag is prepared from multi-layer-based material, (4) the sealed bag is prepared from aluminum film-based material, (5) the sealed bag is prepared from a laminated 3-layer PE / AL / PE sheet, (6) the water-soluble unit is prepared from a polyvinyl alcohol-based polymer, (7) the water-soluble unit is prepared from Aicello PT 40, and / or (8) the agricultural material is a captan composition.
8. A method for increasing the stability of a water-soluble unit comprising at least one agricultural material, the method comprising (1) placing the water-soluble unit comprising at least one agricultural material in a sealed bag and (2) sealing the bag so that the sealed bag is substantially free of air.
9. A method for increasing the service life of a water-soluble unit comprising at least one agricultural material, the method comprising (1) placing the water-soluble unit comprising at least one agricultural material in a sealed bag and (2) sealing the bag so that the sealed bag is substantially free of air.
10. The method of any one of claims 8-9, wherein (1) the sealed bag is prepared from a polyethylene-based polymer, (2) the sealed bag is prepared from multi-layer-based material, (3) the sealed bag is prepared from aluminum film-based material, (4) the sealed bag is prepared from a laminated 3-layer PE / AL / PE sheet, (5) the water-soluble unit is prepared from a polyvinyl alcohol-based polymer, (6) the water-soluble unit is prepared from Aicello PT 40, and / or (7) the agricultural material is a captan composition.
11. A container for at least one water-soluble unit comprising at least one agricultural material, comprising a sealed bag wherein the sealed bag is vacuum-sealed.
12. A container for delivering at least one water-soluble unit comprising at least one agricultural material, comprising a sealed bag wherein the sealed bag is vacuum-sealed.
13. A container for increasing the shelf life of at least one water-soluble unit comprising at least one agricultural material, comprising a sealed bag wherein the sealed bag is vacuum-sealed.
14. The container of any one of claims 11-13, wherein (1) the vacuum is equal to or less than 600 mmHg, (2) the sealed bag is prepared from a polyethylene-based polymer, (3) the sealed bag is prepared from multi-layer-based material, (4) the sealed bag is prepared from aluminum film-based material, (5) the sealed bag is prepared from a laminated 3-layer PE / AL / PE sheet, (6) the water-soluble unit is prepared from a polyvinyl alcohol-based polymer, (7) the water-soluble unit is prepared from Aicello PT 40, and / or (8) the agricultural material is a captan composition.
15. A container for at least one water-soluble unit comprising at least one agricultural material, comprising a sealed bag where the sealed bag is substantially free of air.
16. A container for delivering at least one water-soluble unit comprising at least one agricultural material, comprising a sealed bag where the sealed bag is substantially free of air.
17. A container for increasing the shelf life of at least one water-soluble unit comprising at least one agricultural material, comprising a sealed bag where the sealed bag is substantially free of air.
18. The container of any one of claims 15-17, wherein (1) the sealed bag is prepared from a polyethylene-based polymer, (2) the sealed bag is prepared from multi-layer-based material, (3) the sealed bag is prepared from aluminum film-based material, (4) the sealed bag is prepared from a laminated 3-layer PE / AL / PE sheet, (5) the water-soluble unit is prepared from a polyvinyl alcohol-based polymer, (6) the water-soluble unit is prepared from Aicello PT 40, and / or (7) the agricultural material is a captan composition.
19. Use of vacuum packaging for the stabilization of a water-soluble unit comprising at least one agricultural material.
20. Use of vacuum to stabilize a water-soluble unit comprising at least one agricultural material.
21. The use of claim 19, wherein the vacuum packaging is equal to or less than 600 mmHg.
22. The use of claim 20, wherein the vacuum is equal to or less than 600 mmHg.
23. A method for packaging a water-soluble unit comprising at least one agricultural material, the method comprising (1) placing at least one water-soluble unit comprising at least one agricultural material in a sealed bag and (2) vacuum-sealing the bag.
24. A method for packaging a water-soluble unit, the method comprising (1) preparing at least one water-soluble unit comprising at least one agricultural material, (2) placing the water-soluble unit from step (1) into a sealed bag, and (3) vacuum-sealing the bag.
25. The method of any one of claims 23-24, wherein (1) the vacuum is equal to or less than 600 mmHg, (2) the sealed bag is prepared from a polyethylene-based polymer, (3) the sealed bag is prepared from multi-layer-based material, (4) the sealed bag is prepared from aluminum film-based material, (5) the sealed bag is prepared from a laminated 3-layer PE / AL / PE sheet, (6) the water-soluble unit is prepared from a polyvinyl alcohol-based polymer, (7) the water-soluble unit is prepared from Alcello PT 40, and / or (8) the agricultural material is a captan composition.
26. A sealed bag comprising at least one water-soluble unit, wherein the water-soluble unit comprises at least one agricultural material and wherein the sealed bag is substantially free of air.
27. The sealed bag of claim 26, wherein (1) the sealed bag is prepared from a polyethylene-based polymer, (2) the sealed bag is prepared from multi-layer-based material, (3) the sealed bag is prepared from aluminum film-based material, (4) the sealed bag is prepared from a laminated 3-layer PE / AL / PE sheet, (5) the water-soluble unit is prepared from a polyvinyl alcohol-based polymer, (6) the water-soluble unit is prepared from Alcello PT 40, and / or (7) the agricultural material is a captan composition.
28. A water-soluble unit comprising at least one agricultural material, wherein the unit is packaged in an outer sealed bag and the sealed bag is substantially free of air.
29. The water-soluble unit of claim 28, wherein (1) the sealed bag is prepared from a polyethylene-based polymer, (2) the sealed bag is prepared from multi-layer-based material, (3) the sealed bag is prepared from aluminum film-based material, (4) the sealed bag is prepared from a laminated 3-layer PE / AL / PE sheet, (5) the water-soluble unit is prepared from a polyvinyl alcohol-based polymer, (6) the water-soluble unit is prepared from Aicello PT 40, and / or (7) the agricultural material is a captan composition.