Patents Assigned to The Andersons
  • 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: 8617285
    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: October 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignees: Synagro Technologies, Inc., The Andersons, Inc.
    Inventors: Larry Culp, Joseph David Hodges, Kenneth L. Wetherington, Jr., Terry Lee Wiseman
  • Patent number: 8609145
    Abstract: A water-dispersible particle is provided that includes struvite in an amount ranging from 5% to 99.9% by weight of the total dry weight of the particle. A binder component is present in an amount from 1% to 95% by weight. The struvite and the binder component on that contact with water causes particle dispersion into more than 100 pieces. A process for making a water-dispersible particle includes mechanical aggregation of a struvite into a pellet. A binder component is present in the particle in an amount ranging from 1% to 95% by weight. The struvite and the binder component are present in a form such that contact with water causes particle dispersion into more than 100 pieces. The particle is then dried and ready to be applied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: The Andersons, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles W. Anderson, Timothy D. Birthisel
  • Patent number: 8591928
    Abstract: A pesticide granule is provided that includes a base carrier particle. A liquid pesticide coating is applied to the particle surface. The coating may contain adjuvants. The coating has sufficient tack to adhere a second powdered pesticide to the carrier particle. The usage of tackifying agents to render the particle surface tacky enough to adhere powdered pesticide is reduced or eliminated. The powdered pesticide is sized to a mean diameter of less than 10% of the carrier diameter to promote adhesion. The synergistic rapid acting pesticide delivery associated with the granule results in the usage of less pesticide to control a given pest with reduced environmental impact. Bifenthrin is a representative of the liquid pesticide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: The Andersons, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy D. Birthisel, James R. Lynch, Matthew G. Johnston
  • Patent number: 8574631
    Abstract: Water-dispersible particles are provided that disperse into more than 100 pieces upon contact with water. Particles include from 5% to 99.9% of a nitrogen-containing ingredient bioavailable to a targeted desirable organism and 1% to 95% of a bentonite binder component. Additionally provided is a process for making a water-dispersible particle, the process including the steps of mechanically aggregating particle components into a pellet. Particle components include a bioavailable nitrogen-containing ingredient and a binder, the components being such that a product particle is dispersed into more than 100 pieces upon contact with water. In a further step of a process for making a water-dispersible particle, the pellet is dried to form a particle. Following administration of a described particle, water is allowed to contact the particle, dispersing it into pieces and thereby delivering a nutrient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: The Andersons, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles W. Anderson, Kenneth Tornberg, Timothy D. Birthisel, James R. Lynch
  • Patent number: 8568774
    Abstract: A homogeneous gas-evolving composition is provided that includes an acid, a gas-evolving acid neutralizing agent, and at least one of an inorganic carbonate, inorganic bicarbonate, alkaline peroxide, or alkaline azide. A water-soluble desiccant is homogeneously intermixed with the acid and the gas-evolving acid neutralizing agent. The desiccant is present in an amount able to absorb ambient moisture equivalent to at least 0.01 total weight percent of the composition before gas evolution of more than 50% of the theoretical gas evolution available from the composition. To confer storage stability, the acid, the gas-evolving acid neutralizing agent, and water-soluble desiccant cumulatively have a water content of less than 1 total weight percent water. Through appropriate selection of a desiccant or inclusion of a surfactant foaming agent, the composition foams upon drenching with water. The composition is particularly well suited for consistent usage of glyphosate herbicide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: The Andersons, Inc.
    Inventors: James R. Lynch, Timothy D. Birthisel, Jeffrey J. Fesko
  • Publication number: 20130259582
    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: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2013
    Publication date: October 3, 2013
    Applicant: The Andersons, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy D. Birthisel, Joseph Schalk, Joseph Schanski
  • Publication number: 20130220228
    Abstract: An animal litter is provided for simultaneously delivering urine-absorbent and mental-stimulating properties of the litter. The litter includes in combination a plurality of urine-absorbent particles forming a litter particulate component and a plurality of unfoldable polymeric cylinders constituting a polymeric cylinder component and intermixed with the urine-absorbent particles. The polymeric cylinders have a mean cylinder height of between 1 and 30 millimeters, a ratio of cylinder height to cylinder diameter of 1:1 to 12:1, and a strip length to cylinder height ratio of greater than 10:1. The litter particulate component is present relative to the cylinders in a volume ratio of 1:1 to 25:1. A process is further provided to mental stimulation and boredom reduction of a caged animal. The process includes providing the animal with the above inventive litter and allowing sufficient time for the animal to unfold a portion of the polymeric cylinders.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2013
    Publication date: August 29, 2013
    Applicant: The Andersons, Inc.
    Inventor: The Andersons, Inc.
  • Publication number: 20130213102
    Abstract: A water-dispersible particle for delivery of fertilizer to a plant is disclosed. After delivery wetting of the particles causes particle dispersion so as to prevent secondary pick up to the particles. Methods for making and using the water-dispersible particle are described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2013
    Publication date: August 22, 2013
    Applicant: The Andersons, Inc.
    Inventor: The Andersons, Inc.
  • Patent number: 8491692
    Abstract: A water-dispersible particle is provided that includes organic origin potash in an amount ranging from 5% to 99.9% by weight of the total dry weight of the particle. A binder component is present in an amount from 1% to 95% by weight. The organic origin potash and the binder component on that contact with water causes particle dispersion into more than 100 pieces. A process for making a water-dispersible particle includes mechanical aggregation of the potash into a pellet. A binder component is present in the particle in an amount ranging from 1% to 95% by weight. The potash and the binder component are present in a form such that contact with water causes particle dispersion into more than 100 pieces. The pellet is then dried and ready to be applied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: The Andersons, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles W. Anderson, Timothy D. Birthisel
  • Patent number: 8486430
    Abstract: A vegetation culture active agent delivery medium is provided that includes dense mineral granules, comparatively less dense cellulosic granules, and an active agent in simultaneous contact with the mineral granules and the cellulosic granules, the active agent present from 1×10?5 to 10 total weight percent of the medium. A formulation of an active agent is applied to one type of granule as a mixture thereof. Through control of the relative amounts of mineral and cellulosic granules, a controlled medium density is readily adjusted between 35 and 60 pounds per cubic foot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: The Andersons, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew G. Johnston, James R. Lynch, Timothy D. Birthisel
  • Publication number: 20130123103
    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: March 14, 2011
    Publication date: May 16, 2013
    Applicant: The Andersons, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles W. Anderson, Timothy D. Birthisel
  • Publication number: 20130116122
    Abstract: A homogeneous gas-evolving composition is provided that includes an acid, a gas-evolving acid neutralizing agent, and at least one of an inorganic carbonate, inorganic bicarbonate, alkaline peroxide, or alkaline azide. A water-soluble desiccant is homogeneously intermixed with the acid and the gas-evolving acid neutralizing agent. The desiccant is present in an amount able to absorb ambient moisture equivalent to at least 0.01 total weight percent of the composition before gas evolution of more than 50% of the theoretical gas evolution available from the composition. To confer storage stability, the acid, the gas-evolving acid neutralizing agent, and water-soluble desiccant cumulatively have a water content of less than 1 total weight percent water. Through appropriate selection of a desiccant or inclusion of a surfactant foaming agent, the composition foams upon drenching with water. The composition is particularly well suited for consistent usage of glyphosate herbicide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2011
    Publication date: May 9, 2013
    Applicant: The Andersons, Inc.
    Inventors: James R. Lynch, Timothy D. Birthisel, Jeffrey J. Fesko
  • Patent number: 8435321
    Abstract: A water-dispersible particle for delivery of fertilizer to a plant is disclosed. After delivery wetting of the particles causes particle dispersion so as to prevent secondary pick up to the particles. Methods for making and using the water-dispersible particle are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2013
    Assignee: The Andersons, Inc.
    Inventors: James R. Lynch, Timothy D. Birthisel
  • Publication number: 20130092748
    Abstract: A hose attachment particulate spreader device is provided that includes a housing having a particulate egress aperture. A first funnel channel is provided for conveying dry flowable particulate. A selector controls a first gate in communication with the first funnel channel. The first gate meters dry flowable particulate within the first funnel channel. A water inlet is also provided for engaging a water supply hose. A water trigger is included for simultaneously opening a second gate in communication with the first gate and the egress aperture, as well as applying a water spray to exhaust a content from the funnel hose out the egress aperture. A process for field spreading is provided that includes attaching a bottle to such a device, the bottle containing a content of a dry flowable particulate or a slurry.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2012
    Publication date: April 18, 2013
    Applicant: The Andersons, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Waggoner, Mario Restive, Tom Remms, Mark Graham, Steve Domik
  • Patent number: 8404259
    Abstract: An inert dispersible granular substrate is suitable for use as a carrier for chemical agents. The granular substrate is comprised of one or more mineral components, the one or more mineral components having a bulk density of greater than about 70 pounds per cubic foot, one or more dispersibility additives; and one or more water soluble binders. The granular substrate has a bulk density of from greater than 55 pounds pcf to about 70 pcf, a water dispersibility of less than 5 minutes, a pH of from 6 to 8, and sufficient strength to survive formulation processing after 3 days of continuous exposure to a temperature of approximately 75° F. and a relative humidity of approximately 95%. Preferably, an active pesticide is applied to the dispersible granular substrate. The water dispersible granular substrates may be produced by forming a granular substrate admixture, pelletizing the admixture to form granular substrates, and drying the granular substrates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignees: The National Lime and Stone Co., The Andersons, Inc.
    Inventors: James W. Welshimer, Timothy D. Birthisel
  • Patent number: 8388722
    Abstract: A water-dispersible particle for delivery of fertilizer to a plant is disclosed. After delivery wetting of the particles causes particle dispersion so as to prevent secondary pick up to the particles. Methods for making and using the water-dispersible particle are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: The Andersons, Inc.
    Inventors: James R. Lynch, Timothy D. Birthisel
  • Publication number: 20120260859
    Abstract: An animal litter is provided for simultaneously delivering urine-absorbent and mental-stimulating properties of the litter. The litter includes in combination a plurality of urine-absorbent particles forming a litter particulate component and a plurality of unfoldable polymeric cylinders constituting a polymeric cylinder component and intermixed with the urine-absorbent particles. The polymeric cylinders have a mean cylinder height of between 1 and 30 millimeters, a ratio of cylinder height to cylinder diameter of 1:1 to 12:1, and a strip length to cylinder height ratio of greater than 10:1. The litter particulate component is present relative to the cylinders in a volume ratio of 1:1 to 25:1. A process is further provided to mental stimulation and boredom reduction of a caged animal. The process includes providing the animal with the above inventive litter and allowing sufficient time for the animal to unfold a portion of the polymeric cylinders.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2012
    Publication date: October 18, 2012
    Applicant: The Andersons, Inc.
    Inventors: Dale R. Theis, Ted A. Weaver
  • Publication number: 20120186315
    Abstract: A water-dispersible particle for delivery of fertilizer to a plant is disclosed. After delivery wetting of the particles causes particle dispersion so as to prevent secondary pick up to the particles. Methods for making and using the water-dispersible particle are described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2012
    Publication date: July 26, 2012
    Applicant: The Andersons, Inc.
    Inventors: James R. Lynch, Timothy D. Birthisel
  • Patent number: 8205576
    Abstract: An animal litter is provided for simultaneously delivering urine-absorbent and mental-stimulating properties of the litter. The litter includes in combination a plurality of urine-absorbent particles forming a litter particulate component and a plurality of unfoldable polymeric cylinders constituting a polymeric cylinder component and intermixed with the urine-absorbent particles. The polymeric cylinders have a mean cylinder height of between 1 and 30 millimeters, a ratio of cylinder height to cylinder diameter of 1:1 to 12:1, and a strip length to cylinder height ratio of greater than 10:1. The litter particulate component is present relative to the cylinders in a volume ratio of 1:1 to 25:1. The litter provides mental stimulation and boredom reduction of a caged animal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2012
    Assignee: The Andersons, Inc.
    Inventors: Dale R. Theis, Ted A. Weaver