Patents Assigned to The Andersons
  • Publication number: 20250143251
    Abstract: Organic material pellets that are highly absorbent and have natural odor suppressing ability for use as an environmentally friendly animal litter or bedding requiring less frequent changes and disposal, relative to conventional litters and bedding. The organic material pellets include a plurality of feedstock pieces of at least two of a paper material, a wood material, an agricultural waste material, and a cellulosic material combined together and formed into a plurality of the organic material pellets. The feedstock pieces of the organic material pellets are a majority by weight of recycled materials or waste materials, making the organic material pellets an upcycled product and thereby reducing the need for new production from virgin resources.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2024
    Publication date: May 8, 2025
    Applicant: The Andersons Inc.
    Inventors: Edward Sharek, Norman Peiffer
  • Publication number: 20240383818
    Abstract: A water-dispersible particle is provided to disperse additive agents and substances that repel specific species such as round worms or fish, function in bioremediation, or a combination thereof. The dispersible particles are used to treat soil or bodies of water. Exemplary uses include turf management, soil reclamation, and aquaculture. A water-dispersible particle for delivery of granulated seed meal is provided. In exemplary form, granulated camellia seed is delivered in the form of dispersible particles. A method for making and using the water-dispersible particle is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2024
    Publication date: November 21, 2024
    Applicant: The Andersons Inc.
    Inventors: Anthony Lee Goldsby, Michael Rainey-Smithback
  • Patent number: 11802094
    Abstract: A particle is provided for delivery of humics, and biochar that is water-dispersible into constituent granules. The resulting particles are amenable to broadcast application, for example via rotary or drop spreader. As a result, a dust-free particle is formed that simultaneously addresses the prior art problems of the friable nature of humics and the sooty dusting property of biochar to facilitate ease of handling, broadcast field spreading, and gain the synergistic effects of dosing soil with both humics and biochar. The particle provides improved storage capabilities for materials improving the quality of the delivered material and decreasing negative storage consequences such as odor emanation or degradation. The resulting particles upon dispersion have a pH of between 3.3 and 8.1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2023
    Assignee: The Andersons Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph Schumski, Anthony Goldsby, Robert Eichenberg
  • Publication number: 20230121165
    Abstract: A granule defined by a shape and a size, including a mass formed of a plurality of soluble fertilizer particles and a plurality of humic particles and an extended-release polymer coating surrounding an exterior surface of the mass. A process for forming the granule includes providing a mass of a plurality of soluble fertilizer particles and a plurality of humic particles and applying an extended-release coating to an exterior surface of the mass. The granule is used in a method for enhancing root growth of a target plant, such as turf grass, by applying a plurality of the granules to the target plant and allowing sufficient time for extended release of nutrients and humics from the plurality of granules.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2022
    Publication date: April 20, 2023
    Applicant: The Andersons Inc.
    Inventor: Joseph Shumski
  • Publication number: 20220227681
    Abstract: A particle is provided that includes 5 wt % to 90 wt % of agricultural biomass, combustion residues, biosolids, or a combination thereof. A binder intermixed with the agricultural biomass, combustion residues, biosolids, or a combination thereof retains the mixture in the form of a particle. The resultant particle creates a use for existing waste streams while also improving soil quality. A process of stabilizing agricultural biomass, combustion residues, biosolids, or a combination thereof particles is also provided that includes combining agricultural biomass, combustion residues, biosolids, or a combination thereof with mineral and/or synthetic chemical fragments having a bulk density of greater than about 40 pounds per cubic foot and a sizing of about 100% passing through a 30 mesh screen and about 50% or more passing through a 200 mesh screen. By adding binder, a particle is formed that is deodorized and/or stabilized.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2022
    Publication date: July 21, 2022
    Applicant: The Andersons Inc.
    Inventors: Charles W. Anderson, Timothy D. Birthisel
  • Publication number: 20220162137
    Abstract: A fertilizer is provided to promote plant growth that provides needed nutrients to a crop at planting that has a depressed freezing temperature relative to conventional liquid fertilizers. The fertilizer has a first fertilizer product including a bio-available nitrogen source, a bio-available phosphorus source, and a bio-available potassium source that is blended with a second fertilizer product including an amount of ammonium acetate. The first and second fertilizer products being present in synergistically effective amounts, such that the coordinated amounts of the first and second fertilizer products give crop yields greater than a mere additive effect obtainable through the use of the respective first and second fertilizer products alone in the same amounts. The synergistically effective amounts of the first and second fertilizer products are directed to particular crops, and depend upon the crop in question, soil conditions, ambient weather, and other factors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2021
    Publication date: May 26, 2022
    Applicant: The Andersons Inc.
    Inventors: Terry Frank Robinson, Barry Fanning, David Dyson
  • Publication number: 20220151196
    Abstract: An animal litter or bedding is provided that includes pieces adapted to be poured from a bag, that are in the form of a granule, shavings, shredded paper, or monolithic particles. A cannabidiol (CBD) oil coating or CBD containing plant tissue is provided in, or on a portion of the pieces. A method of treating hyperactivity or stress in a subject, such as a domesticated animal include contacting the subject to an animal litter or bedding and allowing sufficient time for the hyperactivity or stress to subside through the effect of the CBD oil on the subject.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2021
    Publication date: May 19, 2022
    Applicant: The Andersons Inc.
    Inventors: Norman A. Peiffer, Edward L. Sharek, Kevin L. McElfresh, Steven G. Myers, Jack T. Kimura
  • Publication number: 20210355044
    Abstract: A particle is provided for delivery of humics, and biochar that is water-dispersible into constituent granules. The resulting particles are amenable to broadcast application, for example via rotary or drop spreader. As a result, a dust-free particle is formed that simultaneously addresses the prior art problems of the friable nature of humics and the sooty dusting property of biochar to facilitate ease of handling, broadcast field spreading, and gain the synergistic effects of dosing soil with both humics and biochar. The particle provides improved storage capabilities for materials improving the quality of the delivered material and decreasing negative storage consequences such as odor emanation or degradation. The resulting particles upon dispersion have a pH of between 3.3 and 8.1.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2021
    Publication date: November 18, 2021
    Applicant: The Andersons Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph Schumski, Anthony Goldsby, Robert Eichenberg
  • Patent number: 11097989
    Abstract: A combined fertilizer and humics soluble granule is provided that includes at least soluble fertilizer particles admixed with a plurality of humic particles without a binder. A combined fertilizer and humics soluble granule is also provided that includes at least one soluble fertilizer-rich domain fused to at least one humic-rich domain. A process of forming a combined fertilizer and humics soluble granule is provided that includes forming a mixture of particles of soluble fertilizer and humics, the particles of urea each having a urea particle surface. The soluble fertilizer particle surface is tackified in contact with the particles of humics to create adherence between the soluble fertilizer particle surface and the particle of humics to form a granule without resort to a binder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2021
    Assignee: The Andersons Inc.
    Inventor: Joseph Schumski
  • Patent number: 10051834
    Abstract: A cementitious clumping material is provided and in particular to an animal litter formed therefrom. The cementitious clumping material includes a mixture of particulate, cement, and a cellulosic material. The cementitious clumping material in some embodiments contains a dust control agent, a polyol, or combinations thereof. The cementitious clumping material is pourable into a litter box and agglomerates into a clump upon contact with urine or other liquid forming a clump having a percentage of maximal strength greater than 95% upon clump formation, and having a clump strength of greater than greater than 250 kg/cm2. The clump is further capable of removal with a perforated scoop after as little as one minute of formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: The Andersons, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph Schumski, Norman A. Peiffer
  • Patent number: 10029954
    Abstract: A liquid fertilizer adjuvant composition is provided that includes a fertilizer, a pH buffering agent, a surfactant, and one or more color indicator that produce a first color change that indicates when an pre-selected first level of field treatment has been achieved. The composition is provided as a single solution. A second color change occurs when a pre-selected second, higher level of field treatment is required. The color change indicative of a pre-selected pH, water hardness, or a combination of both. The composition is particular well suited for inclusion of a urea fertilizer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: The Andersons, Inc.
    Inventor: Barry Fanning
  • Patent number: 9850179
    Abstract: A granularized sulfonated humate powder material is provided that includes a sulfonated cationic humate composed of at least one of humic acid, fulvic acid, or a combination thereof in the form of granules of from 0.1 to 6 millimeters in size. The humate powder material is water soluble with limited dusting and the ability to form a concentrated solution for application. A process of formulating the sulfonated potassium humate powder in granular form includes a lignin or lignosulfonate being metered into a powder of sulfonated potassium humate to allow for granulation without a solubilizing the powder by matching a lignin particle size to a particle sizing of said powder. The lignin or lignosulfonate and the powder are mixed into the granular form with a granule size of 0.1 to 6 millimeters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: The Andersons, Inc.
    Inventors: John Uliveto, Chris Taylor, Eric Dearth
  • Patent number: 9573854
    Abstract: A dry, flowable fertilizer is provided that includes multiple dry, flowable biosolids pellets. Each of the pellets has a pellet surface. Potassium salt grains are adhered to the pellet surfaces and a dust control agent coating is applied to retain the grains on the pellet surfaces. The resultant dry, flowable fertilizer has higher potassium loadings to the potassium salt grains than previous biosolids based fertilizers. A process of forming a fertilizer is also provided that includes tumbling dry, flowable biosolids pellets with powdered potassium salt grains to form a mixture. An aqueous spray is added to adhere the salt grains to the pellet surfaces. With the application of a dust control agent, the salt grains are retained. Potassium levels in NPK units of from 1 to 15 are routinely achieved with greater than 90 elemental % of the potassium is from the surface decorating potassium salt grains.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignees: The Andersons, Inc., Synagro Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Larry Culp, Joseph David Hodges, Kenneth L. Wetherington, Terry Lee Wiseman
  • Patent number: 9398757
    Abstract: A puck formed from compressed paper strips is provided that has utility as an animal entertainment device and nest building material. The paper strips include at least one ply of fibrous material, and may be treated with adjuvants illustratively including flavorants, fragrances, dyes, and odor suppressants. The unfolding and deconstruction of the puck into constituent paper strips by an animal provides the animal with a degree of mental stimulation and nest construction for thermal regulation, and it is noted that animal food consumption and health are generally improved by alleviating behaviors associated with cage confinement. The pre-measured quantum of material in an inventive puck affords a benefit to the caregiver in that the product is simply placed in the cage without resort to measuring and thereby saving time and precluding spillage of separated materials. The puck is particularly beneficial to rodents and especially mice.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2016
    Assignee: The Andersons, Inc.
    Inventor: Jerel G. Reynolds
  • Patent number: 9115307
    Abstract: A soil adherent pellet is detailed that includes a soluble calcium ion source, a magnesium ion source, or both present in an amount ranging from 15% to 99.9% by weight of a total dry weight of the pellet and a binder present in an amount ranging from 85% to 0.1% by weight of the total dry weight of the pellet. The pellet having a mean pellet domain size and a pellet surface. The soil adherent pellet is well suited for flocculating clay within the soil and delivery of an active ingredient with reduced runoff compared to prior art broadcast particles. A soil adherent pellet is also provided having a soluble calcium and/or magnesium ion source that is polycrystalline and carries therewith an active ingredient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2015
    Assignee: The Andersons, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy D. Birthisel, Joseph Schalk, Joseph Schanski
  • Patent number: 8969250
    Abstract: A process for treating foliage by retaining an active agent in contact with the foliage is provided that includes the application of a biologically active ingredient carrier granule. The granule includes a mineral component, a cellulosic component, and a binder flowing upon wetting intermixed with the mineral component and the cellulosic components. A biologically active ingredient is added to the granule to treat the foliage. The foliage in either a dry or pre-wetted state. The contact of the granule with water causes the granule to flow to form a coherent film bound by the binder on the foliage with the active agent retained in the film in contact with the foliage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: The Andersons, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy D. Birthisel, Joe Schumski, IV
  • Publication number: 20150013615
    Abstract: A puck formed from compressed paper strips is provided that has utility as an animal entertainment device and nest building material. The paper strips include at least one ply of fibrous material, and may be treated with adjuvants illustratively including flavorants, fragrances, dyes, and odor suppressants. The unfolding and deconstruction of the puck into constituent paper strips by an animal provides the animal with a degree of mental stimulation and nest construction for thermal regulation, and it is noted that animal food consumption and health are generally improved by alleviating behaviors associated with cage confinement. The pre-measured quantum of material in an inventive puck affords a benefit to the caregiver in that the product is simply placed in the cage without resort to measuring and thereby saving time and precluding spillage of separated materials. The puck is particularly beneficial to rodents and especially mice.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2013
    Publication date: January 15, 2015
    Applicant: The Anderson, Inc.
    Inventor: Jerel G. Reynolds
  • Publication number: 20140106970
    Abstract: A dry, flowable fertilizer is provided that includes multiple dry, flowable biosolids pellets. Each of the pellets has a pellet surface. Potassium salt grains are adhered to the pellet surfaces and a dust control agent coating is applied to retain the grains on the pellet surfaces. The resultant dry, flowable fertilizer has higher potassium loadings to the potassium salt grains than previous biosolids based fertilizers. A process of forming a fertilizer is also provided that includes tumbling dry, flowable biosolids pellets with powdered potassium salt grains to form a mixture. An aqueous spray is added to adhere the salt grains to the pellet surfaces. With the application of a dust control agent, the salt grains are retained. Potassium levels in NPK units of from 1 to 15 are routinely achieved with greater than 90 elemental % of the potassium is from the surface decorating potassium salt grains.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 26, 2013
    Publication date: April 17, 2014
    Applicants: The Andersons, Inc., Synagro Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Larry Culp, Joseph David Hodges, Kenneth L. Wetherington, Terry Lee Wiseman
  • Publication number: 20140000525
    Abstract: A clumping agent composition is provided that includes a pre-gelled starch divided to a starch size with at least 70% by weight of said starch being ?200 mesh. An polyoxygenated moiety is present and includes at least one of borax, bicarbonate, or aluminate. The starch and the polyoxygenated moiety combined to form the clumping agent composition with a rapid build of viscosity when wet. A litter is formed when the clumping agent composition is present from 1 to 10 total weight percent decorating the surface of a particulate. Divided carboxymethylcellulose is included in some embodiments along with the starch and the oxygenated moiety.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2013
    Publication date: January 2, 2014
    Applicant: The Andersons, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph Schumski, Frank Butwin
  • Patent number: D700756
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: The Andersons, Inc.
    Inventor: Norman A. Peiffer