AP280A

AP280A - Gel formulations.

Info

Publication number: AP280A
Application number: APAP/P/1991/000299A
Authority: AP
Inventors: Leonard E Hodakowski; Richy W Couch; Samuel Terry Gouge; Robert C Ligon
Original assignee: Rhone Poulenc Agrochimie
Priority date: 1990-07-18
Filing date: 1991-07-18
Publication date: 1993-08-03
Also published as: FI921142A0; IL98803A; TR26458A; MY106548A; PL170085B1; FI921142A7; PL294076A1; ATE184749T1; JP2520811B2; IE912507A1; RO110754B1; PT98354A; MA22220A1; RU2104643C1; DE69131644D1; WO1992001377A1; CS221891A3; OA09568A; IL98803A0; AP9100299A0

Abstract

A water dispersible organic gel formed by mixing

Description

The invention relates to new water dispersible organic gels and containerisation systems containing them. The containerisation systems are suitable for containing hazardous products rendering them safe to handle and not hazardous to the environment.

At present, most hazardous liquids are stored in metal drums or, where smaller quantities are required, in plastic containers.

Hazardous compounds, especially agrochemical compounds are formulated in various compositions. Liquid compositions are most convenient for farmers because of the relative ease with which they can be handled. There are, nevertheless, difficulties in handling such liquid coapositions. There is a danger of spillage or leakage if there are holes in previously used containers or if they are dropped. Although secure containers resistant to shock can be used, in the event of an accident, for exaaple during transportation, the risk remains of spillage or leakage with rapid loss of liguid, for example, leakage onto the ground.

It has been difficult to provide a formulation and a containerization system (i.e., container) which safeguards those handling it, including farmers and transporters, and protects the environment.

It is known to provide agrochemicals in soluble bags or sachets, but that does not completely avoid the possibility of the bag cracking and breaking and the liquid creating a contamination problem. More specifically, when water soluble bags are used, the solvent from the solvent-based agrochemicals tends to more or less extract the adjuvant or additives from the film and render the wall (ill·) of the bag sore brittle (especially at low temperatures and more specifically at temperatures belov 0*C). This reduces the life time of the bao.

The present invention seeks to provide formulations and containerization systems to contain agrochemicals, vhich systems are safe for everybody, especially farmers and other persons who handle the agrochemicals.

The present invention also seeks to provide formulations for agrochemicals vhich are easy to put into a containerization system and vhich are easy for the farmer to manipulate.

The present invention also seeks to provide formulations and containerization systems for agrochemicals vhich are readily, rapidly and easily soluble and/or dispersible in water, preferably in less than ten minutes, more preferably in less than five minutes under normal agitation. This is a problem which is especially difficult to overcome because an increase of viscosity is often connected with increased difficulty in forming the water dispersions. ,

The invention also seeks to provide a formulations for agrochemicals which are condensed as such as possible, thus requiring the least amount of space.

“ « . ·

The present invention also seeks to provide formulations and containerization systems for hazardous compounds (e.g., agrochemicals) vhich diminish the risks of pollution.

The present invention also seeks to provide formulations and containerization systems for smelly or stinking compounds so as to reduce or cancel the odours.

The invention also seeks to avoid breakage of containers which contain agrochemical formulations. When the containers are rigid, there is substantial possibility of simple breakage. With a liquid in a bag this possibility is somewhat reduced, but the liquid still transmits the shocks and

AP Ο Ο Ο 2 8 Ο

- 3 there is a problem of a hydraulic hammer effect. The invention also seeks to avoid, or at least to partially reduce, this hydraulic hammer effect.

The invention also seeks to provide formulations for hazardous compounds which dissipate, ae much as possible, the energy of a shock to a container from outside providing shock absorbing formulae and containerisation systems for agrochemicals, e.g. pesticides, plant protection, plant growth regulators.

The invention also seeks to provide a , n«v formulation system for agrochsmicsls which reduce·, tbs risks of elog^ine tha spray noaxlss or tha filters cf spray tanks.

The present invention provides a water-dispersible organic gel which comprises (a) a hazardous product (b) a water-soluble or water dispersible eurfactant (c) an acrylic acid polymer or copolymer, optionally in the form of a salt and optionally crosslinked and (d) from 0.05 to 5% by weight water.

The gels of the present invention are especially suitable for containment in water-soluble or water dispersible bags. The water-dispersible organic gel may be a continuous system. The water-dispersible organic gels comprise a hazardous product (e.g., an agrochenical, preferably a Pesticide, a plant protection agent, or a plant growth regulator) as the active ingredient; a water-soluble or water dispersible surfactant; a polyacrylic acid polyeer, optionally in the fora of a salt or a copolymer and optionally cross-linked (eg. partially cross-linked) and from 0.05 to 5%, preferably from, 0.5 to 2.5% of water.

As used herein, surfactant* aeans an organic aaterial which is able to substantially reduce surface tension of vater.

Surfactants useful herein may be non-ionic, anionic, cationic or zwitterionic. One surfactant, or a mixture of surfactants may be used. Amphoteric surfactants may be used. Preferably, the surfactant is able to form, at aboveh?0^eC or preferably at above<^0^eC, a liquid mixture, ./ - -A Z

-ice·, a liquid phase with the hazardous product and organic solvent if present. This liquid mixture may be a single continuous phase or in the form of an emulsion. Preferably, at least 10% of the surfactant contains hydroxy and/or alkoxy groups, such as polyethoxylated or polyproxylated derivatives, especially the derivatives of fatty amines or fatty acids or fatty alcohols or aryl phenols.

The polyacrylic acid polymers which may be used herein are preferably compounds which are water-soluble or waterAP Ο Ο Ο 2 8 Ο dispersible and have molecular weights from 5000 to 5,000,000, preferably from 100,000 to 3,000,000. Acrylic acid may be copolyaerized with aany other coaonoaers, for example with aethacrylic acid, alkyl acrylates or methacrylates, H,Ndialkylacrylamides. Copolymerization with aonomers such as ethylene, vinyl acetate, styrene and vinyl chloride is also possible. The aaount of coaonomer is generally less than 50%, preferably less than 30%. Soae cross-linking say be present, especially to modify the aolecular weight.

It was known to use gel formulations for pharmaceuticals or cosmetics, but there is practically no risk of pollution or environmental contamination when handling such products, in contrast to pesticides and agrochemicals.

Furthermore, the gels used for pharmaceutical or cosmetic purposes are generally water-based, so that it vas unobvious to obtain gels which are convenient for inclusion in water-soluble sachets or bags and useful for shock absorption purposes in such bags.

Furthermore, even vhen non aqueous liquids are contained in water-soluble bags, the liquids may have a low (i.e., not zero) vater content which may cause the bags to break upon freezing. The present invention provides formulations for agrochemicals which quickly dissolve vhen put into vater and which are not damaged by normal freezing.

The hereinbefore defined gel may optionally contain an organic solvent or a mixture of organic solvents in which the active ingredient is soluble (eg completely soluble) at 5 room temperature; a dispersant; a secondary thickener such as fumed silica, hydroxyethyl cellulose, carboxymethyl cellulose, organically modified attapulgite or montmorilIonite clay, hardened castor oil, cetyl and stearyl alcohols or esters, polyethylene glycols, glyceryl hydroxystearate, polyvinylalcohols (of low molecular weight), dloctyl sodium sulfosuccinate and sodium benzoate, alkyl benzene sulfonates, xanthum gum, polyvinylpyrrolidone, polyvinyl acetate, and the like; and other additives such as antifoam agents, stabilizers, buffers, and antifreeze agents.

Among the gels of the present invention, as hereinbefore defined, some particular gels are preferred, especially those comprising 5 to 95%, preferably 10 to 90%, more preferably 25 to 80%, of the active ingredient; 1 to 50%, more preferably 2 to 20%, of the surfactant; 0.1 to 50%, more preferably 0.5 to 5%, of the polyacrylic acid; 0 to 80% of a solvent, more preferably 3 to 50%; 0 to 20% of other additives, preferably 0.1 to 10%; and optionally 1 to 25%, preferably 2 to 8%, of a dispersant.

, According to a particular feature of the invention, the components of the compositions are chosen in such a way that one or more of the following feature are present:

(i) the resulting gels form a continuous system;

(ii) the resulting gels have a viscosity of 500 to 50,000 centipoises, more preferably of 1000 to 12,000 centipoises;

(iii) the gel has a phase difference phi between the controlled shear stress and the resulting shear strain such that ttg(phi) is less than or equal to 1-5, preferably less than or equal to 1.2;

(iv) the gels preferably have a specific gravity greater than 1, preferably greater than 1.05, more preferably greater than 1.1; and/or

AP Ο Ο Ο 2 8 Ο (ν) the gels have a spontaneity (as hereafter defined) of less than 75, preferably less than 25.

The above viscosities are Brookfield viscosities measured with a viscometer in the form of a flat palate rotating at 20 rounds per minute.

Tg(phi) is the tangent of the angle phi (or phase difference). The measurement of phi is made by means of a rheometer having e flat fixed plate and a rotating cone above this plate such that the angle between them ie less than 10*, preferably 4*. The cone is caused to rotate by means of a controlled speed motor. The rotation is a sinusoidal one, i.e., the torque and the angular displacement change as a sine function with time. This angular displacement corresponds to the hereabove mentioned shear strain. The torque of the controlled speed motor (which causes the angular displacement) corresponds to the hereabove mentioned controlled shear stress.

As used herein, continuous system means a material which ie visually homogenous, i.e., which has the visual appearance of having only one physical phase. This does not exclude the possibility of having small solid particles dispersed therein, provided these particles are small enough not to constitute a visible separate physical phase.

It ie known that a gel is generally a colloid in which the dispersed phase has combined with the continuous phase to produce a viscous, jelly-like product; it ls also a dispersed system consisting typically of a high molecular weight compound or aggregate of small particles in very close association with a liquid.

As used herein, hazardous product means a product which may damage the environment or injure the person handling it. According to on· main and preferred feature of the invention, the hazardous product is an active ingredient vhich is an agrochemical, more precisely a pesticide or a plant protection agent (including plant grovth regulators or plant nutrients).

The invention is not limited to specific agrochemicals. A list of the many agrochemicals vhich can be used in the invention include the following:

fungicides such as Triadimefon, Tebuconazole, Prochloraz, Triforins, Tridemorph, Propiconazols, Pirimacarb, Zprodione, Metalaxyl, Bitertanol, Iprobenfos, Flusilazol,

Fosetyl, Propyzaoide, Chlorothalonil, Dichlone, Mancozeb, Anthraquinone, Kaneb, Vinclozolin, Fenarimol, Bendiocarb, Captafol, Benalaxyl, Thiram, and the like;

herbicides (or defoliants) such as quizalofop and its derivatives, Acetochlor, Metolachlor, Imazapur and Imazapyr, Glyphosate and Gluphosinate, Butachlor, Acifluorfen, Oxyfluorfen, Butralin, Flauzifop-butyl, Bifenox, Bromoxynil, Ioxynil,

Diflufencian, Phenmedipham, Desmedipham, Oxadiazon, Mecopropo, MCPA, MCPB, MCPP, Linuron, Isoproturon, Flamprop and its derivatives, Ethofumesate, Diallate, Carbetaaids, Alachlor, Metsulfuron, Chlorsulfuron, Chlorpyralid, 2,4-d-Tribufos, Triclopyr, Diclofop-methyl, Sethoxydim, Pendimethalin, Trifluralin, Ametryn, Chloramben, Amitrole, Asulam, Dicamba, Bentazone, Atrazine, Cyanazine, Thiobencarb, Prometryn, 2-(2chlorobenzyl)-4,4-dimethyl-l,2-oxazolidin-3-one, Fluoaeturon, Napropamide, Paraquat, Bentazole, Molinate, Propachlor,

Imazaquin, Metribuzin, Tebuthiuron, Oryzalln, and the like;

insecticides or nematicides such as Ebufos,

Carbosulfan, Amitraz, Vamidothion, Ethion, Triazophos, Propoxur, Phosalone, Permethrin, Cypermethrin, Parathion, Methylparathion,

ΑΡ η η Ο 2 8 Ο

Diazinon, Methoayl, Malathion, Lindane, Fenvalerate, Ethoprophos,

Endrin, Endosulfan, Diaethoate, Dieldrin, Dicrotophos,

Dichlorprop, Dichlorvos, Azlnptaos and its derivatives, Aldrin,

Cyfluthrin, Deltaoethrin, Disulfoton, Chlordiaefora,

Chlorpyrifos, Carbaryl, Dicofol, Thiodicarb, Propargite, Deaeton, Phosalone, and the like;

plant growth regulators such as gibberellic acid, ethrel or ethephone, cycocel, Chloraequat, Ethephone, Mepiquat, and the like.

Aaong the aany agrocheaicals, the following are of particular interest: the organophosphorous insecticides and hydroxybenzonitrile herbicides such as broaoxynil or ioxynil either in the fora of a salt or an ester. .

The present invention also provides a containerisation system (i.e. a container) which comprises a water-soluble or water-dispersible bag containing a gel of the present invention.

¹ The chealcal nature of the enveloping fila constituting i

the bags, which may contain the gel foraulation of the invention, can vary quite widely. Suitable aaterial are water-soluble or water-dispersible aaterials which are insoluble in the organic solvents used to dissolve or disperse the agrocheaical active ingredient. Specific suitable aaterials include polyethylene oxide, such as polyethylene glycol; starch and aodified starch; alkyl and hydroxyalkylcellulose, such as hydroxywethylcellulose, hydroxyethylcellulose, hydroxypropylcellulose;

carboxyaethylcellulose; polyvinyl ethers such as polymethyvinyl ether or poly(2-methoxy or ethoxy ethylene); poly(2,4-dimethyl-6triazinylethylene; poly (3-aorpholinylethylene); poly (N-1,2,4triazolylethylene); poly(vinylsulfonic acid); polyanhydrides; low molecular weight urea-formaldehyde resin·; low molecular weight melamine-formaldehyde resins; poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate); polyacrylic acid and its homologs. Preferably, the enveloping film comprises or is made from polyvinylalcohol (PVA). The PVA is generally partially or fully alcoholyzed or hydrolyzed, e.g., 40-1001, preferably 80-991, alcoholyzed or hydrolyzed polyvinyl acetate film. Preferred materials for the bags are polyethylene oxide, methyl cellulose, or polyvinyl alcohol. When polyvinylalcohol is used, it is advantageously a 40-100%, preferably 80-99%, alcoholyzed or hydrolyzed polyvinyl acetate film.

Preferred materials for the bags are polyethylene oxide, methyl cellulose, polyvinyl alcohol. When polyvinyl alcohol is used, it is advantageously a 40-100%, preferably 8099% alcoholyzed or hydrolyzed polyvinyl acetate film.

Surfactants which are particularly suitable for the invention are defined by the following test. According to this test, the liquid active ingredient, in the organic solvent if present in the gel, (50g in total) and surface-active adjuvant (i.e., eurfactant) (5g) are added to an amount of water, at 50*C, which is sufficient to bring the volume of the mixture to 100 ml. The mixture is agitated sufficiently to form a homogenous emulsion. The emulsion is allowed to stand for 30 minutes at 50*C in a graduated cylinder. The amount of oily layer which may have separated out (and thus formed a distinct liquid phase) must be less than 20 ml.

In order to assess whether a surface-active adjuvant possesses dispersing properties and may be a dispersant according to the invention, the following test is carried out.

An aqueous suspension (100 ml) containing kaolin or atrazine (50

g) , in the form of solid particles having a particle size between

AP Ο Ο Ο 2 8 Ο and 10 microns, and the surface-active adjuvant (5g) is allowed to stand at 20*C for 30 minutes in a graduated cylinder. Xaolin is used when the dispersing agent is able to disperse a hydrophilic solid. Atrazine is used when the dispersing agent is able to disperse a hydrophobic solid. Aftar standing, 9/lOths (nine-tenths) of tha volume of the suspension, situated in tha upper part of tha suspension, is removed, without agitation, and the solids content (residue after evaporation of the water) of the remaining tenth is measured. This solids content must not exceed 12* by weight of the solids content of 100 al of tho suspension on which the test is carried out.

The spontaneity is assessed by the following method. A mixture of 1 ml of gel with 99 al of water are put into a 150 nl glass tube which is stoppered and inverted through l80*C (i.e., turned upside down). The number of times required to completely disperse the gel is called the spontaneity.

A thickener is a compound which increases the viscosity of a gel or a liquid.

The surfactants which may be used in the invention may be selected from among the following: salts of lignosulfonic acids; salts of phenyl sulphonic or napthalsno sulphonic acids;

poly condensates of ethylene oxide with fatty alcohols, fatty

I

I acids, fatty esters, or fatty amines, or substituted phenols j (particularly alkylphenols or arylphenols); salts of : sulfosuccinic acid esters; taurine derivatives (particularly ! alkyltaurates); phosphoric esters of alcohols or of

I 'polycondensates of ethylene oxide with phenols; esters of fatty acids with polyols; sulfate, sulphonate and phosphate functional derivatives of the above compounds; and the like.

The dispersants vhich may be used in the invention may be selected fro· among the folloving: condensed naphthalene sulfonic acid; polyacrylic acid; sodiua sulfosuccinate; calcium 1ignosuifonate; glyceryl stearate; ethylene glycols; and the like.

The gels of the inventions are generally very easy to make, simply by mixing the components, and most of the time no grinding or milling is necessary. Furthermore, they maintain their rheological properties for a very long time.

In order to make a bag, the film is shaped (and possibly partially sealed) and then filled vith the gel. Generally the gels are flovable, even if it is at a slov rate due to their high viscosity. A container vhich is used to contain the gels cannot be easily emptied due to this high gel viscosity (which is the reason why the gels were not used previously in the agriculture) . When filled, the bag is finally sealed, generally heat sealed.

Further information may be found in the folloving copending applications, the disclosures of vhich are incorporated herein by reference: application of Leonard E. Hodakovski, ChiYu R. Chen, Samuel T. Gouge, Paul J. Weber for Gel Formulations for Use in Toxic or Hazardous Product Containerization Systems filed April 4, 1991; application of David Edvards and William McCarthy for Laminated Bags for Containerization of Toxic or Hazardous Materials filed April 4, 1991; application of Samuel T. Gouge, Leonard E. Hodakovski, Chi-Yu R. Chen, and Paul J.

Weber for Gel Formulations for Hazardous Products filed April 4, 1991; application of Leonard E. Hodakovski, Chi-Yu R. Chen, Samuel T. Gouge, and Paul J. Weber for Water Dispersible Gel Formulations filed April 4, 1991; and application of Samuel T.

ΑΡ Ο Ο Ο 2 e ο

Gouge, David Ρ. Downing, Spencer B. Cohen, Allan J. Luke, Robert D. McLaughlin and James E. Shut for Bag In A Bag For Containerization of Toxic or Hazardous Material filed April 4, 1991.

The following exaaples are given for illustrative purposes and should not ba understood as restricting the invention. In these exaaples, the tg(phi) is less than l.S and the gels are made by nixing the agrocheaieal, the surfactant and the solvent, adding the polyacrylic acid polyaer while stirring at room temperature, and finally adding the water and continuing the stirring for about a half an hour. The nixture is allowed to set overnight.

Example 1

The components are 72.6% ethoprop, 20% xylene, 5% polyethoxylated nonyl phenol in fora of the phosphate ester, 1.4% polyacrylic acid polyaer (1,250,000 molecular weight), and 1 % water. The gel which is obtained has a continuous phase, is clear and transparent, and has a Brookfield viscosity of 11000 centipoises. It thickens upon agitation. The spontaneity is 20 and the density is 1.03.

Exanpi ¢-2

The components are 27.9 % broaoxynil octanoata, 34.1 % broaoxynil heptanoate, 20 % xylene, 14.8 % polyethoxylated nonyl phenol in the fora of the phosphate ester, l.l % polyacrylic acid polyaer (1,250,000 molecular veight), 1 % of a mixture of dioctylsodiua sulfosuccinate and sodium benzoate, and 1.1% vater. The gel which is obtained has a continuous phase, is translucent, and has a Brookfield viscosity of 40,000 centipoises. It maintains its rheological properties between +50*C and -20*C.

The spontaneity is 40.

ExaaplC-3

The components are 45¾ ethoprop, 23 % disyston, 20.5¾ xylene, 5¾ polyethoxylated nonyl phenol in the form of the phosphate ester, 2¾ polyacrylic acid polymer (1,250,000 molecular weight), 2¾ of a mixture of dioctylsodium sulfosuccinate and sodium benzoate, and 1.5¾ vater. The gel vhich is obtained has a continuous phase and is translucent. The spontaneity is 40.

Exagplg-i

The components are 73.5¾ ethoprop, 19¾ xylene, 4.5¾ polyethoxylated nonyl phenol in the form of the phosphate ester, 2¾ polyacrylic acid copolymer (1,250,000 molecular weights), and 1¾ vater. The gel vhich is obtained has a continuous phase and is clear and transparent. The spontaneity is 30. It is stable for 5 months at -20*C.

The components are 27.9¾ of bromoxynil octanoate,

34.1 I bromoxynil heptanoate, 22.6¾ xylene, 13 ¾ polyethoxylated nonyl phenol in the form of the phosphate ester, 0.9¾ polyacrylic acid polymer (1,250,000 molecular weight), 0.5¾ of alkyl benzene sulfonate, and 1¾ vater. The gel vhich is obtained has a continuous phase, is translucent, and has a Brookfield viscosity of 5000 centipoises. It maintains its rheological properties between +50*C and -20*C. The spontaneity is 20. It is stable for 3 months at -20*C.

EX?PPl8-$

The components are 31.5¾ bromoxynil octanoate, 31.5¾ bromoxynil heptanoate, 21.2 ¾ xylene, 13¾ polyethoxylated nonyl phenol in the form of the phosphate ester, 0.9¾ polyacrylic acid

AP Ο Ο Ο 2 8 β polymer (1,250,000 molecular weight), 0.9 % of a mixture of di octyl sodium sulfoeuccinate and sodium benzoate, and 1 % water. The gel which ie obtained has a continuous phase, is translucent, has a Brookfield viscosity of 3000 centipoises

Example 7

The components are 33% of bromoxynil octanoate, 33% bromoxynil heptanoate, 21.6% xylene, 11 % of the sodium salt of polyethoxylated nonyl phenol in the form of the phosphate ester (this salt contains 10 % water end thus it is added as the last component during the nixing), end 1.4% polyacrylic acid polymer (1,250,000 molecular weight). The gel which ie obtained has a continuous phase and is translucent.

The gels according to the examples 1 to 7 are used in the following way. λ total of 1100 g of the gel is put in a 1 liter bag made of a film of PVA (88% hydrolyzed polyvinyl acetate which is cold water-soluble and has a thickness of 55 microns).

The bag, which is almost full (about 95% v/v), is heat sealed. The bag is then dropped 10 times upon the ground from a height of 1.2 m. No breaking or leakage is observed.

The bag is put in a tank containing water under gentle agitation (that is to say such as that obtained with pump recycling). It is well dispersed within a short time. There is no clogging in the filter which is a 100 mesh screen.

Claims

1. A water-dispersible organic gel which comprises (a) a hazardous product (b) a water-soluble or water dispersible surfactant (c) an acrylic acid polymer or« copolymer, optionally in the form of a salt and optionally crosslinked and (d) from 0.05 to 5% by weight water.

2. A gel according to claim 1 wherein the hazardous product is an agrochemical.

3. A gel according to claim 1 or 2 wherein the hazardous product is a pesticide, a plant protection agent, a plant growth regulator, or a plant nutrient.

4. A gel according to claim 1, 2 or 3 which comprises by weight:

10 to 90% of hazardous product;

1 to 50% surfactant; and

0.1 to 50% acrylic acid polymer or copolymer.

5. A gel according to claim 4 in which comprises by weight:

25 to 80% of hazardous product;

2 to 20% surfactant;

0.5 to 5% of acrylic acid polymer of copolymer; and

0.5 to 2.5% of water.

6. A gel according*to any one of the preceding claims further comprising one or more of the following:

an organic solvent or a mixture of organic solvents

BAD ORIGINAL &

AP Ο Ο Ο 2 8 Ο

i c 1 4 , i-ι Ci e 1 9 C - or d mg t o C !ai<n 1 2 , ···(-, e r e ι n the .·' t sc ·:·; ι t- s 1 . C 0 ϋ t o 1 2 . ϋ .j y c e n t . ρ ο ι s e s . 15. A ye’. 9.CC or d ι n g t o a n > ori e o + the preceding c 1 a , m s • h ere ι r the phase d • f fer ence ‘'phi¹ be twe en the c on t r- c 1 ' e d s h e 9. r sires =· a n d t h e resulting shear strain is such that tg ρ η ι ;> ί = ) e s a t h an cr equal to 1 . 5 .

; : . Age, 9C C ΟΓ d I Γι Q t Ο C 1 9. i ΓΓι 15 wh e Γ e i Γι the p h 9. =?

d ι * + e r -e r, r y (phi between the c on t r··□ ’ J e d shear stress and the

resulting shear- s t^r a. ι η ι =. =. ij r h t h a t t g < ρ h i .> ι s. ’ e = a t h a η o r-

ecus’ to 1.2

1 . · -i Q ·? ι «Ιο- ending to any one o + the preceding claims ί a ·-,· ι n g a ξ c n t a n e- ι t. '·- less than 75. ί . μ ΰ ! J C C t c r d i ri g : :, 21 a i m 1 wh e n e ι n the

- ” · ,“3 C C Γι t 7 * ' ?r ' sat ι on s-y s tem ccmpr- ι s-1 ng a ge 1 as claimed ’ n a n... ο n e : jt ttie preceding claims in a .-.ιa ter- - so 1 u b 1 e or i.u =. · C e r - d ι =pe^ ·= i b 1 e bag . 21’ . - c ο n t a. n < ίr ι sat i on sy stem according tc· claim 1* iter e ι n the bag ccrr; >r ses a pol .- e th .· 1 ene emdej an u rimed ' - ι e d or mod , - ed starch: an a : * · 1 — , h y dr-c· - a ’ k> ’ - < or- c ar bo.. y ¹ a 1 k -' -c e 1 1 u 1 ose ; a ρo 1 :· ·.· ι rι y 1 e trier ; so’ / ·: 2,4-d ι me t h - ’ - t r , a c o 1 1 e t n /1 e n e > j ρ o 1 .-- Ί u . rι y 1 -a u ' r ο n 1 c acid) ; a ρ o) --- ann . or : de ; a ’ 0,/.1 mol ecu, a.r we i on t ur e a.-+’or Tie ’ deh de r-s - a ; n ; a 1 ow mo 1 ecu! ar we ¹ or t

BAD ORIGINAL $ stabiliser, a buffer, or^an antifreeze agent.

5. A gel according ^Oclaia 4, further comprising by weight up to BOA of solyent and up to 20% of a thickener and other additives/Zs_z defined in claim 4. /

5 6. A gel according to claim 5/domprising, by weight 3 to 50% of solvent and 0.1 10% of thickener and other additives.

7. A gel according to claim 4, 5 or 6 further comprising 1 to 25% by weight of a dispersant.

8. A gel according to claim 7 comprising 2 to 8% by weight of a dispersant.

9. A gel according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the hazardous product is an agrochemical.

5

10. A gel according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the hazardous product is a pesticide, a plant protection agent, a plant growth regulator, or a plant nutrient.

11. A gel according to any one of the preceding 10 claims wherein the acrylic acid polymer or copolymer is water-soluble or water-dispersible and has a molecular weight from 5,000 to 5,000,000.

12. A gel according to claim 11, wherein the acrylic acid polymer or copolymer has a molecular weight of

15 from 100,000 to 300,000,^- /L

13. A gel according to any one of the preceding claims which has a viscosity of 500 to 50,000 centipoises, a~phaee~dif£erence—<phx)—between Llie controlled shear—stress_

BAD ORIGINAL

AP Ο Ο Ο 2 8 Ο

-1 9L.

me ! am ι ne-formal dehyde resin; a polyacrylate , a ρο 1ymethacry1 ate, a polyacryl ic acid or a homologue thereof .

21. A containerisation system according tc claim 1?

wherein the bay comprises a polyethylene oxide which is pci ye thy 1ene glycol; a hydrox>alky1ce11u1ose which is hydroxymethy 1 - , hydrcxyethy 1 - or hydroxypropy1-ceI 1u1ose; a carboxyalkyl-ce11u1ose which is carboxymethyl cellulose; a polyvinyl ether which is pelymethy 1vinyl ether; or a polymethy 1acrylate which is poly-2-hydroxyethylmethacry1 ate .

22. A containerisation which comprises pci ye thy 1ene pci yv i ny1 alcohol.

system according to claim 20 oxide, methyl cellulose or

23 .

where i n

5 to 100

A containerisation system according to claim the bag comprises a polyvinyl alcohol which is per cent alcohol ised or hydrolysed polyvinyl

40 tc* ace tate.

24. A wherein the a 1 c oh c* 1 y se d containerisation system according to claim polyviny1 a1coho 1 *s 80 to 99 per cent or hydrolysed polyvinyl acetate.