Abstract: A novel life-saving device comprising a buoyant disk having a top side, a bottom side, a leading edge and a cavity on the bottom side along and adjacent to the leading edge, the cavity having an inner side generally parallel to the leading edge the inner side having an upper edge and a lower edge and a length of line affixed through and about the center of the buoyant disk generally parallel to the leading edge and disposed around the inner side of the cavity.

Abstract: A flotation device for rescue of individuals in distress in static or swift water or under icy conditions. A preferred embodiment includes a throwable disk having an annular groove wherein the disk is divisible into a pair of separate, positively buoyant subassemblies. A web-like harness is stowed in a recess within each subassembly and a line is fixed at one end to the harness. In the nondeployed condition, the line is wrapped, spool-like, about an annular groove in the disk, thereby holding the subassemblies together. In use, a rescuer holds the free end of the line in one hand and, with the other, throws the disk in the direction of the person to be rescued. During flight, the line unwinds from the disk. Desirably, the disk is thrown beyond the person in distress to be subsequently drawn by the rescuer toward that person. When the line has been unwound from the disk, the subassemblies separate and the harness is pulled out of the storage recesses in the subassemblies.

Abstract: An environmentally compatible herbicidal composition comprises a fatty acid active ingredient, and a surfactant component. In one embodiment the composition comprises a ready-to-use microemulsion having a fatty acid active ingredient, one or more quaternary ammonium salt surfactants and water. Another embodiment comprises a concentrated herbicidal formulation having a fatty acid active ingredient and one or more surfactants. The concentrate may subsequently be diluted with water to yield a ready-to-use formulation. Each of these compositions is a foliar applied herbicide which effectively controls a variety of unwanted weed and grass species.The fatty acid component of these herbicidal compositions comprises pelargonic acid which may be used alone or as the predominant component of a mixture of fatty acids including caprylic, pelargonic, capric, undecanoic, and lauric.

Abstract: An environmentally compatible herbicidal composition comprises a fatty acid active ingredient, an oil component and an emulsifier component. The composition is a foliar applied herbicide which effectively controls a variety of unwanted weed and grass species.The fatty acid component of the herbicidal composition comprises pelargonic acid which may be used alone or as the predominant component of a mixture of fatty acids including caprylic, pelargonic, capric, undecanoic, and lauric acids. The oil component comprises a triglyceride (e.g., various vegetable oils), a terpenoid-based oil or a paraffinic mineral oil. The emulsifier component comprises one or more anionic or non-ionic emulsifiers.

Abstract: An environmentally compatible herbicidal composition comprises a fatty acid active ingredient, and a surfactant component. In one embodiment the composition comprises a ready-to-use microemulsion having a fatty acid active ingredient, one or more quaternary ammonium salt surfactant and water. Another embodiment comprises a concentrated herbicidal formulation having a fatty acid active ingredient and one or more surfactants. The concentrate may subsequently be diluted with water to yield a ready-to-use formulation. Each of these compositions is a foliar applied herbicide which effectively controls a variety of unwanted weed and grass species.The fatty acid component of these herbicidal compositions comprises pelargonic acid which may be used alone or as the predominant component of a mixture of fatty acids including caprylic, pelargonic, capric, undecanoic, and lauric.

Abstract: Disclosed are environmentally compatible pesticidal compositions comprising fungicidally or arthropodicidally effective alpha mono carboxylic acids and their salts having reduced phytotoxicity. The reductions in phytotoxicity are achieved by including in the composition a seaweed extract and/or a lecithin.

Abstract: An environmetally safe, broad spectrum insecticidal composition is disclosed. The composition combines a mixture of monocarboxylic acids (such as oleic and linoleic) and their alkali metal salts, and a pyrethroid compound. In a concentrated form of the composition, the monocarboxylic acid mixture comprises about 50 percent by weight monocarboxylic acids and their salts, at least 70 percent of which comprise oleic acid and at least 6 percent comprise linoleic acid. The pyrethroid compound is present in the concentrate at about 0.2 to 2.0 percent by weight.

Abstract: An effective, environmentally compatible anti-fungal composition for protecting lumber from infestation by wood-staining and wood-rotting fungi comprises, as an active ingredient, an alkyl sulfosuccinate compound. A preferred alkyl sulfosuccinate is dioctyl sodium sulfosuccinate. The anti-fungal composition may further comprise water and an adjuvant such as sodium benzoate or a lower alcohol or diol (e.g., ethanol, isopropanol, ethylene glycol or propylene glycol). The composition may also comprise an oil component such as a paraffinic mineral oil, a triglyceride or a terpenoid based oil. The concentration of active ingredient present in the composition ranges between 0.5 and 10.0% by weight.

Abstract: An aqueous pesticidal composition is provided which includes a pesticidally active ingredient in admixture with a polyacrylamide supersorbent material, which may be cross-linked. The pesticidally active ingredient, which may be virtually any commonly used insecticide, herbicide, or fungicide, may be present in the formulation at or below the recommended dosage of the pesticide if used alone. The supersorbent material is present at a concentration in the range of about 0.01 to 0.5 parts by weight per part by weight of formulation. The pesticidal composition of this invention displays synergistic characteristics as the supersorbent, which has no independent pesticidal properties, greatly improves the pesticidal effectiveness of the active pesticidal ingredient with which it is used.

Abstract: An effective, environmentally compatible anti-fungal composition for protecting lumber from infestation by wood-staining and wood-rotting fungi comprises, as an active ingredient, an alkyl sulfosuccinate compound. A preferred alkyl sulfosuccinate is dioctyl sodium sulfosuccinate. The anti-fungal composition may further comprise water and an adjuvant such as sodium benzoate or a lower alcohol or diol (e.g., ethanol, isopropanol, ethylene glycol or propylene glycol). The composition may also comprise an oil component such as a paraffinic mineral oil, a triglyceride or a terpenoid based oil. The concentration of active ingredient present in the composition ranges between 0.5 and 10.0% by weight.

Abstract: An environmentally compatible herbicidal composition comprises a fatty acid active ingredient, an oil component and an emulsifier component. The composition is a foliar applied herbicide which effectively controls a variety of unwanted weed and grass species.The fatty acid component of the herbicidal composition comprises pelargonic acid which may be used alone or as the predomiannt component of a mixture of fatty acids including caprylic, pelargonic, capric, undecanoic, and lauric acids. The oil component comprises a triglyceride (e.g., various vegetable oils), a terpenoid-based oil or a paraffinic mineral oil. The emulsifier component comprises one or more anionic or non-ionic emulsifiers.

Abstract: Disclosed are arthropodicidal solutions for application to plants comprising, as an active ingredient, arthropodicidally active mono alpha carboxylic acids, of hydrocarbons having 8 to 20 carbon atoms, and/or monovalent metal salts thereof. The arthropodicidal activity of these fatty acids is potentiated by including in the solution an agent capable of sequestering metal ions such as one or a mixture of chelateing agents, sequestering agents, and surfactants.

Abstract: An environmentally compatible herbicidal composition comprises a fatty acid active ingredient, and a surfactant component. In one embodiment the composition comprises a ready-to-use microemulsion having a fatty acid active ingredient, one or more quaternary ammonium salt surfactants and water. Another embodiment comprises a concentrated herbicidal formulation having a fatty acid active ingredient and one or more surfactants. The concentrate may subsequently be diluted with water to yield a ready-to-use formulation. Each of these compositions is a foliar applied herbicide which effectively controls a variety of unwanted weed and grass species.The fatty acid component of these herbicidal compositions comprises pelargonic acid which may be used alone or as the predominant component of a mixture of fatty acids including caprylic, pelargonic, capric, undecanoic, and lauric.

Abstract: A composition and method for killing or controlling mites by contacting them with a mixture of certain organo-tin compounds, preferably tri-(2-methyl-2-phenylpropyl) tin hydroxide, and a salt of a fatty acid, primarily sodium or potassium fatty acid soaps. The components of the composition interact to yield a miticidal activity greater than the activities of the components used separately. The composition has fewer long-term environmental effects than occur with the organo-tin compound used alone.

Abstract: Mixtures of organic insecticides of the organophosphate types or of the carbamate type, with certain fatty acids or their salts, have been found to have enhanced insecticidal activity. The fatty acids found operative are the unsaturated 18-carbon atom ones. The mixtures are toxic to both sucking insects and defoliators. The weight ratio of organophosphate or carbamate to fatty acid can range from about 1:1 to about 1:200 respectively. The amounts of the organophosphate or carbamate required for substantial effectiveness can be reduced significantly by concurrent use of the fatty acid. The fatty acid is more environmentally acceptable than the other types of insecticides mentioned. This unique composition can be used to protect against a broader range of insects.

Abstract: There is disclosed a fungicidal composition comprising (A) a fungicidal compound selected from the group consisting of (i) benzimidazole compounds of the formula ##STR1## wherein W is H, or alkyl carbamoyl; Y is thiazolyl, dihydrothiazolyl, tetrahydrothiazolyl or furyl; Z is H, halogen or alkyl and (ii) benzimidazole related compounds of the formula ##STR2## wherein R.sub.3 is C.sub.1-2 alkyl, and Z is as defined above, and (B) a synergist alkyl pyridinium salt of the formula ##STR3## wherein R is an alkyl containing 8 to 20 carbon atoms; and X is a monovalent anion.

Abstract: The activity of the microbial insecticide, Bacillus thuringiensis (B.t.) Berliner has been found to be synergistically enhanced by the addition of unsaturated 18-carbon fatty acid salts. A synergistic effect with respect to increased larval mortality of the western spruce budworm, Choristoncura occidentalis Freeman was obtained in the C.sub.18 unsaturated fatty acid/B.t. treatments. Enhanced mortality was also observed in C.sub.18 fatty acid/B.t. treatments of the larval form of the silverspotted tiger moth, Halisidota argentata Packard. The increased insecticidal activity of the entomogenous bacteria, Bacillus thuringiensis (B.t.) Berliner by the addition of unsaturated 18-carbon fatty acids represents a significant breakthrough for the expanded use of this microbial insecticide.

Abstract: Mixtures of organic insecticides of the organophosphate types or of the carbamate type, with certain fatty acids or their salts, have been found to have enhanced insecticidal activity. The fatty acids found operative are the unsaturated 18-carbon atom ones. The mixtures are toxic to both sucking insects and defoliators. The weight ratio of organophosphate or carbamate to fatty acid can range from about 1:1 to about 1:200 respectively. The amounts of the organophosphate or carbamate required for substantial effectiveness can be reduced significantly by concurrent use of the fatty acid. The fatty acid is more environmentally acceptable than the other types of insecticides mentioned. This unique composition can be used to protect against a broader range of insects.