Advanced Herbicidal Composition: Stability & Performance

Publication ID: 24-11856949_0006_PTD

Published: October 26, 2025

Category:Direct Improvements & Enhancements

Legal Citation

pr1or.art Inc., “Advanced Herbicidal Composition: Stability & Performance,” Published Technical Disclosure No. 24-11856949_0006_PTD, Published October 26, 2025, available at https://archive.pr1or.art/24-11856949_0006_PTD

This technical disclosure describes improvements that would be readily apparent to a Person Having Ordinary Skill In The Art (PHOSITA) when considered in combination with the foundational architecture disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 11,856,949.

Background and Problem Solved

Concentrated herbicidal formulations have been sought for their numerous advantages, but they often suffer from phase separation, reduced biological activity, and excessive foaming. The original patent disclosed a method for preparing a liquid herbicidal composition, but it did not provide adequate solutions to these inherent limitations. The present invention addresses these issues by introducing specific mixing orders, additional surfactants, anti-foaming agents, and real-time monitoring systems.

Novelty and Inventive Step

The present invention's novelty lies in the specific mixing orders, additional surfactants, anti-foaming agents, and real-time monitoring systems, which provide a non-obvious solution to the limitations of existing concentrated herbicidal formulations. The inventive step resides in the combination of these features, which synergistically improve the stability, biological activity, and usability of the herbicidal compositions.

Alternative Embodiments and Variations

Alternative embodiments of the invention could include varying the type and amount of surfactants, anti-foaming agents, and other additives to optimize the composition's performance. The real-time monitoring system could be replaced with other sensing technologies or manual sampling methods. Additionally, the invention could be adapted for use with different herbicidal active ingredients or in various agricultural settings.

Potential Commercial Applications and Market

The enhanced herbicidal compositions of the present invention have significant commercial potential in the agricultural industry, particularly in the development of more efficient and effective crop protection products. The invention's improved stability, biological activity, and reduced foaming make it an attractive solution for farmers, agricultural companies, and manufacturers of herbicidal formulations.

CPC Classifications

Section	Class	Group
A	A01	A01N25/22
A	A01	A01N25/02
A	A01	A01N25/30
A	A01	A01N57/12
A	A01	A01N57/20

Section 103 Obviousness Analysis (PHOSITA)

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Field of Art

Agricultural chemical formulations, specifically herbicidal compositions with focus on concentrated aqueous solutions containing glufosinate-ammonium and surfactant systems

Person of Ordinary Skill (PHOSITA) Profile

A formulation chemist with expertise in agrochemical preparation, familiar with surfactant interactions, phase stability, and herbicide concentration techniques, typically holding a MS/PhD in chemistry or chemical engineering

Obviousness Rationale

A PHOSITA would recognize that the PTD's variations represent predictable engineering modifications to the source patent's herbicidal composition framework. The disclosed techniques of mixing order, additional surfactants, and real-time monitoring represent standard optimization strategies within herbicide formulation development. These variations would be considered routine experimentation by a skilled practitioner seeking to improve concentration stability and biological performance.

Obvious Combinations & Variations

Source Patent Element

Mixing method for herbicidal composition with specific surfactants and organic solvents

PTD Variation

Introducing specific mixing order and temperature range control to minimize phase separation

Obviousness Reasoning

Controlling mixing parameters is a known technique for improving formulation stability, representing a predictable solution to potential phase separation issues

Source Patent Element

Basic surfactant system using alkyl ether sulfate and alkyl polyglucoside

PTD Variation

Adding supplemental surfactant with specific HLB value to enhance biological activity

Obviousness Reasoning

Modifying surfactant systems to improve herbicide uptake is a standard formulation optimization approach with finite, predictable design choices

Source Patent Element

Liquid herbicidal composition with water-soluble herbicidal ingredient

PTD Variation

Incorporating anti-foaming agents to reduce processing complications

Obviousness Reasoning

Addressing foam generation during chemical processing is a well-known engineering challenge with established mitigation strategies

Source Patent Element

Concentrated herbicidal composition preparation method

PTD Variation

Implementing real-time monitoring system to track glufosinate-ammonium concentration

Obviousness Reasoning

Process control through inline sensing represents a standard quality management technique in chemical manufacturing

35 U.S.C. § 103 Summary: Based on the teachings of US Patent 11856949, the variations disclosed herein would be considered obvious to a person having ordinary skill in agricultural chemical formulation. The incremental modifications to mixing parameters, surfactant systems, and process monitoring represent predictable engineering solutions that do not rise to the level of non-obvious innovation, thus rendering potential derivative claims obvious under 35 U.S.C. Section 103.

Original Patent Information

Patent Number	US 11,856,949
Title	Stable, concentrated herbicidal compositions
Assignee(s)	BASF SE