Herbicidal Composition Stability Through Crystal Growth Inhibition

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current herbicide combinations face issues with physical instability during manufacture and application, leading to Ostwald ripening, gelling, caking, and settling, which affect shelf life and efficacy, and do not effectively control resistant weeds without causing phytotoxicity to crops.

Innovation Solution

A stable herbicidal composition comprising a triazolone herbicide, a triazinone herbicide, a crystal growth inhibitor, and specific surfactants and dispersants, formulated as a suspension concentrate to prevent crystal growth and maintain stability during storage and application.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If herbicides are combined to control broader spectrum of weeds, then weed control effectiveness is improved, but physical stability of the composition deteriorates due to Ostwald ripening, gelling, caking, and settling

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveweed control effectivenessVSAvoidphysical stability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a non-ionic surfactant as an intermediary substance to mediate between the triazolone herbicide and triazinone herbicide. This surfactant prevents Ostwald ripening and maintains physical stability of the suspension concentrate formulation, allowing the herbicide combination to remain stable during storage and application while maintaining broad-spectrum weed control effectiveness

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite formulation system combining triazolone herbicide, triazinone herbicide, and non-ionic surfactant in specific ratios. This composite material approach ensures both the herbicidal effectiveness against broad spectrum weeds and the physical stability of the composition by leveraging the synergistic properties of the combined components

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Ease of operation

If suspension concentrate formulation is used, then ease of use and effectiveness are improved, but crystal growth and instability occur during storage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of useVSAvoidstorage stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The non-ionic surfactant acts as a mediating agent that prevents crystal growth of the herbicides in the suspension concentrate formulation during storage. It maintains the suspended state of the active ingredients without allowing Ostwald ripening to occur, thus preserving both the ease of application and storage stability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent optimizes the concentration parameters of the non-ionic surfactant and the ratio of herbicides to achieve a stable suspension concentrate formulation. By adjusting these parameters within specific ranges, the formulation maintains physical stability during storage while retaining the operational advantages of suspension concentrate formulations

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If herbicide combination is used to control resistant weeds, then weed control spectrum is improved, but phytotoxicity to crops increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveweed control spectrumVSAvoidphytotoxicity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent optimizes the concentration ratios of triazolone herbicide to triazinone herbicide in the formulation. By controlling these parameters within specific ranges and using the non-ionic surfactant, the composition achieves effective control of resistant weeds while minimizing phytotoxicity to crops through reduced chemical stress

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The formulation achieves effective weed control with reduced phytotoxicity to crops and improved stability, ensuring even distribution and prolonged shelf life.

Implementation Method 1

A major drawback of formulating a slightly water-soluble ingredient as an aqueous SC is Ostwald ripening, which refers to instances in which the larger crystals of the ingredient grow while the smaller crystals dissolve.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectOstwald ripening: Ostwald Ripening

Implementation Method 2

The composition comprises a crystal growth inhibitor in an amount ranging from 1% w/w to 20% w/w of the total weight of the formulation

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCrystal growth inhibition: Crystallisation

Implementation Method 3

The composition comprises a non-ionic surfactant in an amount ranging from 1% w/w to 10% w/w of the total weight of the formulation

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSurfactant action: Surfactant

Implementation Method 4

Selection of appropriate partners/constituents constituting the suspension concentrate plays a critical role towards stability of the composition

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDispersion: Dispersion (of waves)

Data Source

PatentUS20250248402A1Herbicidal compositions and methods for controlling weeds
Publication Date: 2025.08.07 UPL MAURITIUS LTD

AI summary

An herbicidal composition comprising a triazolone herbicide, a triazinone herbicide and at least an agriculturally acceptable excipient is disclosed in this application. In addition, the application described a composition comprising a triazolone herbicide, a triazinone herbicide, a crystal growth inhibitor, and at least an agriculturally acceptable excipient. Further, the application disclose methods of controlling undesirable vegetation comprising applying the composition.