Patents Represented by Attorney Gordon F. Arnold, White & Durkee Sieckmann
  • Patent number: 5614468
    Abstract: Solid N-phosphonomethylglycine or glyphosate acid is charged to a substantially closed system and then partially pre-dried as by continuously recirculating it through a hot air grinding/drying system. A cooled solution of ammonium hydroxide is then metered into and reacted with the partially dried glyphosate acid as it is being recirculated in a manner such that the moisture content of the reaction mass so formed is continuously decreased throughout the reaction. Following completion of the ammonium hydroxide addition, a powdered reaction mass/product having a moisture content of about 2 wt. % is formed. Significantly, at this stage, the ammonium glyphosate product is suitable for end use and it can be readily dissolved in water and immediately used as a herbicide or plant growth regulator. More importantly, however, this product is capable due to its highly sorptive character to be further formulated into a product exceptionally highly loaded with adjuvants and particularly surfactants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 25, 1997
    Assignee: Monsanto Company
    Inventors: Richard M. Kramer, Thomas M. Day, Ralph E. Lindemann, Jr., Jane L. Gillespie