Drug – bio-affecting and body treating compositions – Plant material or plant extract of undetermined constitution...
Reexamination Certificate
2001-10-30
2004-02-10
Tate, Christopher R. (Department: 1651)
Drug, bio-affecting and body treating compositions
Plant material or plant extract of undetermined constitution...
C424S084000, C424S405000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06689395
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates, in general, to pesticidal compositions containing plant essential oils and/or derivatives thereof against mites. In one aspect, the present invention relates to pesticidal compositions containing one or more plant essential oils and/or derivatives thereof to be used as a contact pesticide in containers or cartons where food products are stored. In another aspect, the present invention relates to pesticidal compositions containing one or more plant essential oils and/or derivatives thereof to be used as a fumigant pesticide in containers or cartons where food products are stored. In a further aspect, the present invention relates to a method for controlling stored product pests by the application of pesticidally effective amounts of the pesticidal compositions to the container or carton in which food products are stored.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Pests (invertebrates, insects, arachnids, larvae thereof, etc.) are annoying to humans for a myriad of reasons. They have annually cost humans billions of dollars in crop losses and in the expense of keeping them under control. For example, the losses caused by pests in agricultural environments include decreased crop yield, reduced crop quality, and increased harvesting costs.
Over the years, synthetic chemical pesticides have provided an effective means of pest control. For example, one approach teaches the use of complex, organic insecticides, such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,376,784 and 4,308,279. Other approaches employ absorbent organic polymers for widespread dehydration of the insects. See, U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,985,251; 4,983,390; 4,818,534; and 4,983,389. Use of inorganic salts as components of pesticides has also been tried, as disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,423,284 and 4,948,013, European Patent Application No. 462 347, Chemical Abstracts 119(5):43357q (1993) and Farm Chemicals Handbook, page c102 (1987).
However, it has become increasingly apparent that the widespread use of synthetic chemical pesticides has caused detrimental environmental effects that are harmful to humans and other animals. For instance, the public has become concerned about the amount of residual chemicals that persist in food, ground water and the environment, and that are toxic, carcinogenic or otherwise incompatible to humans, domestic animals and/or fish. Moreover, some target pests have even shown an ability to develop immunity to many commonly used synthetic chemical pesticides. In recent times, regulatory guidelines have encouraged a search for potentially less dangerous pesticidal compositions via stringent restrictions on the use of certain synthetic pesticides. As a result, elimination of effective pesticides from the market has limited economical and effective options for controlling pests. As an alternative, botanical pesticides are of great interest because they are natural pesticides, i.e., toxicants derived from plants that are safe to humans and the environment.
With respect to protecting stored food products from insects, this safety issue is even more important. Some of the major stored food products affected by mites include, but are not limited to, flour, grain, wheat, barley, corn, pasta, cereal, pet food, and others. Since the pesticides will come in contact with the stored food products to some extent, it is essential that the pesticides be safe for mammals and do not persist for very long, but rather break down very easily. Stored food products have long been suspect to mites, including mold mites, cheese mites, grain mites, and clover mites, which contaminate foodstuffs, sometimes making it unfit for consumption, causing certain reactions in mammals that may result in terrible discomfort, and in general can prove to be a terrible nuisance.
Mites can access stored food products in one of two ways. First, the mites may be in the food which is processed and packaged, then lay eggs and create problems as discussed above. Secondly, the mites may penetrate the package after the stored food products have been processed, by literally eating their way into the containers or cartons.
Accordingly, there is a great need for novel pesticidal compositions, containing no pyrethrum, synthetic pyrethroids, chlorinated hydrocarbons, organo phosphates, carbamates and the like, to be used inside the containers or cartons for stored food products as both a contact and fumigant pesticide against mites. In addition, there is a need for a method of treating the containers or cartons to kill and repel mites, thereby preserving the stored food products inside.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A primary object of the present invention is to provide novel pesticidal compositions for containers or cartons in which food products are stored.
Another object of the invention is to provide novel pesticidal compositions containing one or more plant essential oils and/or derivatives thereof, natural or synthetic, as a contact pesticide in containers or cartons against mites.
A further object of the present invention is to provide novel pesticidal compositions that contain one or more plant essential oils and/or derivatives thereof, natural or synthetic, as a fumigant pesticide in containers or cartons against mites.
It is also an object of the present invention to provide a method of treating the containers or cartons of stored food products to kill and repel mites.
It is also an object of the present invention to provide a pesticidal composition and method for mechanically, physiologically and/or neurally controlling mites.
It is a further object to provide a safe, non-toxic pesticidal composition and method that will not harm mammals or the environment.
It is still another object to provide a pesticidal composition and method that has a pleasant scent or is unscented, and that can be applied without burdensome safety precautions.
It is still another object to provide a pesticidal composition and method as described above which can be inexpensively produced or employed.
It is yet another object of the invention to provide a pesticidal composition and method to which pests cannot build immunity and/or resistance.
The above and other objects are accomplished by the present invention which is directed to pesticidal compositions comprising plant essential oils and/or derivatives thereof, natural or synthetic, in admixture with suitable carriers. In addition, the present invention is directed to a method for controlling mites by applying a pesticidally-effective amount of the above pesticidal compositions to the container or carton in which food products are stored.
Additional objects and attendant advantages of the present invention will be set forth, in part, in the description that follows, or may be learned from practicing or using the present invention. The objects and advantages may be realized and attained by means of the instrumentalities and combinations particularly recited in the appended claims. It is to be understood that the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not to be viewed as being restrictive of the invention, as claimed.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
All patents, patent applications and literatures cited in this description are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. In the case of inconsistencies, the present disclosure, including definitions, will prevail.
In one embodiment, the present invention provides a pesticidal composition comprising, in admixture with a suitable carrier and optionally with a suitable surface active agent, comprising one or more plant essential oil compounds and derivatives thereof, natural or syntetic, including racemic mixtures, enantiomers, diastereomers, hydrates, salts, solvates and metabolites, etc.
Each plant essential oil or derivative thereof, comprises a monocyclic, carbocyclic ring structure having six-members and substituted by at least one oxygenated or hydroxyl functional moiety. Examples of plant essential oils encompassed within the present invention, inclu
Ecosmart Technologies, Inc.
Flood Michele C.
Gadiano William F.
Nixon & Vanderhye P.C.
Tate Christopher R.
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