Methods and compositions for retarding and eradicating infestation in trees and tree derived products

Abstract

The present invention relates to compositions and their methods of manufacture and use which are effective for delivering a homogeneous distribution of a boron containing active ingredient to a tree or tree derived substrate for the purpose of preventing or eradicating an infestation and/or for imparting flame retardency thereto.

1 . An environmentally safe composition for treating trees and tree derived products comprising: 
 at least one short chain polyalkyleneglycol having an average molecular weight of between about 200 and 400;    at least one short chain alkylene glycol; and    a glycol soluble boron containing compound in an amount effective to prevent or eradicate infestation.    
     
     
         2 . The composition of  claim 1  wherein said at least one short chain polyalkylene glycol is polyethylene glycol and is present in an amount of between about 4% and about 23% by weight; said at least one short chain alkylene glycol is ethylene glycol and is present in amount of between about 27% and about 76% by weight and said glycol soluble boron containing compound is disodium octaborate tetrahydrate and is present in an amount of between about 20% and about 50% by weight.  
     
     
         3 . The composition of  claim 2  wherein said polyethylene glycol has an average molecular weight of about 200 and is present in an amount of between about 8% and 15% by weight, said ethylene glycol is present in an amount of between about 35% and about 62% by weight and said disodium octaborate tetrahydrate is present in an amount of between about 30% and about 50% by weight.  
     
     
         4 . The composition of  claim 3  wherein said polyethylene glycol is present in an amount of between about 10% and 13% by weight, said ethylene glycol is present in an amount of between about 45% and about 54% by weight and said disodium octaborate is present in an amount of between about 36% and about 45% by weight.  
     
     
         5 . The composition of  claim 4  wherein said polyethylene glycol is present in an amount of about 11.9% by weight, said thylene glycol is present in an amount of about 47.5% by weight and said disodium octaborate tetrahydrate is present in an amount of about 40.6% by weight.  
     
     
         6 . The composition of  claim 1  further comprising water.  
     
     
         7 . The composition of  claim 6  wherein said water is present in an amount up to about 10 times the volume of the combination of said at least one short chain polyalkylene glycol, said at least one short chain alkylene glycol and said glycol soluble boron containing compound.  
     
     
         8 . The composition of  claim 7  wherein said water is present in an amount of between about 0.5 and about 5 times the combined volume of said other three ingredients.  
     
     
         9 . The composition of  claim 3  further comprising water.  
     
     
         10 . The composition of  claim 9 , wherein said water is present in an amount of up to about 10 times the volume of the combination of said short claim polyethylene glycol, ethylene glycol, and said disodium octaborate tetrahydrate.  
     
     
         11 . The composition of  claim 10 , wherein said water is present in an amount of between about 0.5 and about 5 times the combined volume of said other three ingredients.  
     
     
         12 . The composition of  claim 4 , further comprising water.  
     
     
         13 . The composition of  claim 12 , wherein said water is present in an amount of up to about 10 times the volume of the combination of said short claim polyethylene glycol, ethylene glycol, and said disodium octaborate tetrahydrate.  
     
     
         14 . The composition of  claim 13 , wherein said water is present in an amount of between about 0.5 and about 5 times the combined volume of said other three ingredients.  
     
     
         15 . The composition of  claim 14 , wherein said water is present in an amount of between about 1 and about 4 times the combined volume of said other three ingredients.  
     
     
         16 . The composition of  claim 5 , further comprising water.  
     
     
         17 . The composition of  claim 16 , wherein said water is present in an amount of up to about 10 times the volume of the combination of said short claim polyethylene glycol, ethylene glycol, and said disodium octaborate tetrahydrate.  
     
     
         18 . The composition of  claim 17 , wherein said water is present in an amount of between about 0.5 and about 5 times the combined volume of said other three ingredients.  
     
     
         19 . The composition of  claim 18 , wherein said water is present in an amount of between about 1 and about 4 times the combined volume of said other three ingredients.  
     
     
         20 . The composition of  claim 19 , wherein said polyethylene glycol is present in an amount of about 6.90% by weight, said ethylene glycol is present in an amount of about 27.54% by weight, said disodium octaborate tetrahydrate is present in an amount of 23.54% by weight, and said water is present in an amount of about 42.01% by weight, based on the total weight of the composition.  
     
     
         21 . An environmentally safe composition for treating trees and tree derived products comprising: 
 a mixed glycol including at least one short chain polyalkylene glycol having an average molecular weight of between about 200 and about 400, and at least one short chain alkylene glycol; and    boron provided as a glycol soluble boron containing composition in an amount effective to prevent or eradicate infestation.    
     
     
         22 . The composition of  claim 21  wherein said boron and said mix d glycols are present in an amount of between about 1 part boron to about 5 parts mixed glycol to about 1 part boron to about 20 parts mixed glycol, and said mixed glycol includes from about 1 part of said polyalkylene glycol to about 1 part of said alkylene glycol to about 1 part of said polyalkylene glycol to about 20 parts of said alkylene glycol.  
     
     
         23 . The composition of  claim 22  wherein said short chain polyalkylene glycol is polyethylene glycol, said short chain alkylene glycol is ethylene glycol, and said boron provided as a glycol soluble boron containing compound is selected from the group consisting of disodium octaborate tetrahydrate, borax, boric acid, potassium, ammonium, and sodium salts of boric acid, and boric oxide.  
     
     
         24 . The composition of  claim 23  wherein said polyethylen glycol has an average molecular weight of about 200 and said boron and said mixed glycols are present in an amount of between about 1 part boron to about 6.5 parts mixed glycol to about 1 part boron to about 10 parts mixed glycol.  
     
     
         25 . The composition of  claim 24  wherein the amount of said boron is about 1 part per 7.12 parts of said mixed glycol and the ratio of said polyethylene glycol and said ethylene glycol is about 1:4.  
     
     
         26 . The composition of  claim 24  wherein said glycol soluble boron containing compound is disodium octaborate tetrahydrate.  
     
     
         27 . The composition of  claim 21  further comprising water.  
     
     
         28 . The composition of  claim 27  wherein said water is provided in an amount of up to 85.5 parts per part of boron.  
     
     
         29 . The composition of  claim 23  further comprising water in an amount of up to about 85.5 parts per part of boron.  
     
     
         30 . The composition of  claim 26  further comprising water in an amount of between about 8.8 parts per part boron to about 85.5 parts per part boron.  
     
     
         31 . The composition of  claim 30  wherein said water is present in an amount of between and about 8.8 parts per part boron to about 34.2 parts per part boron.  
     
     
         32 . A method for manufacturing an environmentally safe composition useful for preventing and eradicating infestation in a tree or tree derived product comprising the steps of 
 charging at least one short chain polyalkylene glycol having an average molecular weight of between about 200 and about 400 and at least one short chain alkylene glycol to a sealable vessel;    agitating said glycols; adding to said glycols an amount of glycol soluble boron containing compound effective to prevent or eradicate infestation;    agitating said glycols and said boron containing compound to produce a homogeneous mixture; elevating the temperature of said mixture to between about 160° F. and 180° F.; and filtering the resulting solution.    
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 32  further comprising the step of heating said solution prior to the addition of said glycol soluble boron containing compound and during agitation.  
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 32  wherein said short chain polyalkylene glycol having an average molecular weight of between about 200 and about 400 is a polyethylene glycol having an average molecular weight of about 200, said short chain alkylene glycol is ethylene glycol and said glycol soluble boron containing compound is selected from the group consisting of disodium octaborate tetrahydrate, borax, boric acid, potassium, ammonium, and sodium salts of boric acid, and boric oxide.  
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 34  wherein said polyethylene glycol has an average molecular weight of about 200 and is present in an amount of between about 8 and 15% by weight, said ethylene glycol is present in an amount of between about 35% and about 62% by weight and said glycol soluble boron containing compound is disodium octaborate tetrahydrate and is present in an amount of between about 30% and about 50% by weight.  
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 35  wherein said polyethylene glycol is present in an amount of between about 10% and about 13% by weight, said ethylene glycol is present in an amount of between about 45% and about 54% by weight and said disodium octaborate is present in an amount of between about 36% and about 45% by weight.  
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 36  wherein said polyethylene glycol is present in an amount of about 11.9% by weight, said ethylene glycol is present in an amount of about 47.5% by weight said disodium octaborate tetrahydrate is present in an amount of about 40.6% by weight.  
     
     
         38 . The method of  claim 32  further comprising the step of adding a measured amount of water to said filtered mixture; and mixing said solution to provide uniformity and eliminate cloudiness therein.  
     
     
         39 . The method of  claim 38  including heating said water to a temperature of between about 60° F. and about 110° F.  
     
     
         40 . The method of  claim 38  wherein said short chain polyalkylene glycol having an average molecular weight of between about 200 and about 400 is polyethylene glycol having an average molecular weight of about 200 present in an amount of between about 8 and about 15% by weight, said alkylene glycol is ethylene glycol and is present in an amount of between about 35% and about 62% by weight, said glycol soluble boron containing compound is disodium octaborate tetrahydrate and is present in an amount of between about 30% and about 50%, and said water is present in an amount of up to about 10 times the volume of the other three ingredients.  
     
     
         41 . The method of  claim 40  wherein said polyethylene glycol is present in an amount of between about 10% and about 13% by weight, said ethylene glycol is present in an amount of between about 45% and about 54% by weight, and said disodium octaborate tetrahydrate is present in an amount of between about 36% and about 45% by weight.  
     
     
         42 . The method of  claim 41  wherein said polyethylene glycol is present in an amount of about 11.9% by weight; said ethylene glycoi is present in an amount of about 47.5% by weight, said disodium octaborate tetrahydrate is present in an amount of about 40.6% by weight and said water is present in an amount of between about 1 and about 4 times the volume of the combination of the other three ingredients.  
     
     
         43 . A method of preventing or eradicating an infestation in a tree derived product comprising the steps of: 
 providing an environmentally safe composition comprising at least one short chain polyalkylene glycol having an average molecular weight of between about 200 and 400; at least one short chain alkylene glycol; and a glycol soluble boron containing compound in an amount effective to prevent or eradicate infestation;    diluting said composition with water in amount of between about 0.50 and about 10.0 times the volume of the combination of the other three ingredients;    mixing the resulting solution to provide uniformity and eliminate cloudiness; and    applying said mixture to a surface of said tree derived product.    
     
     
         44 . The method of  claim 43  wherein said step of applying said mixture is accomplished by a process selected from the group consisting of low pressure spraying, high pressure spraying, brushing, misting, immersion, injection, spreading, insertion, and pressure treatment.  
     
     
         45 . The method of  claim 44  wherein said environmentally safe composition comprises polyethylene glycol having an average molecular weight of about 200, ethylene glycol, and a glycol soluble boron containing compound selected from the group consisting of disodium octaborate tetrahydrate, borax, boric acid, potassium, ammonium, and sodium salts of boric acid and boric oxide.  
     
     
         46 . The method of  claim 45  wherein said polyethylene glycol is present in an amount of between about 8 and 15% by weight of the undiluted composition, said ethylene glycol is present in an amount of between about 35% and about 62% by weight of the undiluted composition and said glycol soluble boron containing compound is disodium octaborate tetrahydrate and is present in an amount of between about 30% and about 50% by weight of the undiluted composition.  
     
     
         47 . The method of  claim 46  wherein said polyethylene glycol is present in an amount of between and about 10% and about 13% by weight of the undiluted composition, said ethylene glycol is present in an amount of between about 45% and about 54% by weight of the undiluted composition, and said disodium cotaborate tetrahydrate is present in an amount of between about 36% and 45% by weight of the undiluted composition.  
     
     
         48 . The method of  claim 47  wherein said polyethylene glycol is present in an amount of about 11.9% by weight of the undiluted composition, said ethylene glycol is present in an amount of about 47.5% by weight of the undiluted composition and, said disodium octaborate tetrahydrate is present in an amount of about 40.6% by weight of the undiluted composition.  
     
     
         49 . The method of  claim 44  wherein said water is present in an amount of from about 0.5 to about 5 times the volume of the three other ingredients.  
     
     
         50 . The method of  claim 49  wherein said water is present in an amount of between about 1 and about 4 times the volume of the other three ingredients.  
     
     
         51 . A method of preventing or eradicating an infestation in a tree derived product comprising the steps of: providing an environmentally safe composition including a mixed glycol including at least one short chain polyalkylene glycol having an average molecular weight of between about 200 and about 400, and at least one short chain alkylene glycol; and boron provided as a glycol soluble boron containing composition in an amount effective to prevent or erradicate infestation; diluting said composition with water in an amount of between about 1 part boron to about 8.8 parts water to about 1 part boron to about 85.5 parts water; mixing the resulting solution to provide uniformity and eliminate cloudiness; and applying said mixture to a surface of a tree derived product.  
     
     
         52 . The method of  claim 51  wherein said step of applying said mixture is accomplished by a process selected from the group consisting of low pressure spraying, high pressure spraying, brushing, misting, immersion, injection, spreading, insertion, and pressure treatment.  
     
     
         53 . The method of  claim 52  wherein said short chain polyalkylene glycol having an average molecular weight of between about 200 and about 400 is polyethylene glycol having an average molecular weight of about 200, said alkylene glycol is ethylene glycol and said boron provided as a glycol soluble boron containing compound is selected from the group consisting of disodium octaborate tetrahydrate, borax, boric acid, potassium, ammonium, and sodium salts of boric acid and boric oxide.  
     
     
         54 . The composition of  claim 53  wherein said boron and said mixed glycols are present in an amount of between about 1 part boron to about 5 parts mixed glycol to about 1 part boron to about 20 parts mixed glycol and said mixed glycols include from about 1 part of said polyethylene glycol to about 1 part of said alkalyne ethylene glycol to about 1 part of said polyethylene glycol to about 20 parts of said ethylene glycol.  
     
     
         55 . The method of  claim 54  wherein said boron and said mixed glycols are present in an amount of between about 1 part boron to about 6.5 parts mixed glycol to about 1 part boron to about 10 parts mixed glycol and wherein said water is present in an amount of between about 8.8 parts per part boron to about 34.2 parts per part boron.  
     
     
         56 . The method of  claim 55  wherein said boron is present in an amount of about 1 part per 7.12 parts of said mixed glycol and the ratio of said polethylene glycol and said ethylene glycol is about 1:4 and said water is present in an amount of about 8.8 parts water to about 1 part boron.  
     
     
         57 . A method of treating a living tree to prevent or eradicate infestation comprising the steps of: 
 drilling a hole in the trunk of a tree to be treated;    inserting into said hole adaptive means for accommodating the introduction of a solution; and    administering an environmentally safe composition comprising at least one short chain polyalkylene glycol having an average molecular weight of between about 200 and about 400; at least one short chain alkylene glycol; and a glycol soluble boron containing compound in an amount effective to prevent or eradicate infestation to said tree through said adaptive means.    
     
     
         58 . The method of  claim 57  further comprising the steps of removing said adaptive means from the trunk of said tree and patching said hole.  
     
     
         59 . The method of  claim 57  wherein said hole is approximately 0.25″ to about 2.5″ wide and approximately as deep as the radius of said tree.  
     
     
         60 . The method of  claim 57  wherein said short chain polyalkylene glycol having an average molecular weight of between about 200 and about 400 is polyethylene glycol and is present in an amount of between about 8% and 15% by weight, said short chain alkylene glycol is ethylene glycol and is present in an amount of between about 35% and about 62% by weight and said glycol soluble boron containing compound is disodium octaborate tetrahydrate and is present in an amount of between about 30% and about 50% by weight.  
     
     
         61 . The method of  claim 60  wherein said polethylene glycol has an average molecular weight of about 200, and is present in an amount of about 10% to about 13% by weight, said ethylene glycol is present in an amount of between about 45% and 54% by weight and said disodium octaborate tetrahydrate is present in an amount of between about 36% and about 45% by weight.  
     
     
         62 . The method of  claim 61  wherein said polyethylene glycol is present in an amount of about 11.9% by weight, said ethylene glycol is present in an amount of about 47.5% by weight said disodium octaborate tetrahydrate is present in an amount of about 40.6% by weight.  
     
     
         63 . The method of  claim 57  further comprising water in an amount of less than about 50% of the volume of the combination of the other three ingredients.  
     
     
         64 . A tree treated in accordance with the method of  claim 57 .  
     
     
         65 . A tree treated in accordance with the method of  claim 61 .  
     
     
         66 . A tree treated in accordance with the method of  claim 63 .  
     
     
         67 . A composition of matter comprising at least one short chain alkylene glycol, at least one glycol soluble boron containing composition and water in an amount of at least about 50% by weight based on the weight of the other two ingredients.  
     
     
         68 . The composition of  claim 67  wherein the ratio of said alkylene glycol to said boron containing composition is from about 10:1 to about 1.5:1.  
     
     
         69 . The composition of  claim 68  wherein said alkylene glycol is ethylene glycol and is present in an amount of about 60% by weight, based upon the undiluted weight of the composition, said boron containing composition is disodium octaborate tetrahydrate and is present in an amount of about 40% by weight based on the weight of the other two ingredients.  
     
     
         70 . A composition of matter capable of providing protection against infestation and weathering comprising: a homogenous solution of at least one water emulsifiable polymer based weather sealant suitable for application to the surface of a tree derived product, in an amount of about 80% to about 90% by weight; and 
 an environmentally safe composition for treating tree derived products which includes at least one short chain polyalkylene glycol having an average molecular weight of between about 200 and 400, at least one short chain alkylene glycol, and a glycol soluble boron containing compound present in an amount effective to prevent or eradicate infestation, wherein said environmentally safe composite is provided in an amount of between about 10% and 20% by weight.    
     
     
         71 . The composition of  claim 70  wherein said at least one short chain polyakylene glycol is polyethylene glycol and is present in an amount of between about 4% and about 23% by weight; said at least one short chain alkylene glycol is ethylene glycol and is present in amount of between about 27 and about 76% by weight and said glycol soluble boron containing compound is disodium octaborate tetrahydrate and is present in an amount of between about 20% and about 50% by weight.  
     
     
         72 . The composition of calim  71  wherein said polyethylene glycol has an average molecular weight of about 200 and is present in an amount of between about 8% and 15% by weight, said ethylene glycol is present in an amount of between about 35% and about 62% by weight and said disodium octaborate tetrahydrate is present in an amount of between about 30% and about 50% by weight.  
     
     
         73 . The composition of  claim 72  wherein said polyethylene glycol is present in an amount of between about 10% and 13% by weight, said ethylene glycol is present in an amount of between about 45% and about 54% by weight and said disodium octaborate is present in an amount of between about 36% and about 45% weight.  
     
     
         74 . The composition of  claim 73  wherein said polyethylene glycol is present in an amount of about 11.9% by weight, said ethylene glycol is present in an amount of about 47.5% by weight and said disodium octaborate tetrahydrate is present in an amount of about 40.6% by weight.  
     
     
         75 . An environmentally safe composition for treating trees and tree derived products comprising: 
 boron provided as glycerine soluble boron containing composition in an amount effective to prevent or eradicate infestation; and glycerine in an amount effective to solubilize all of said boron.    
     
     
         76 . The composition of  claim 75  wherein said glycerine is present in an amount of from about 5 to about 20 parts per part boron.  
     
     
         77 . The composition of  claim 76  wherein said boron provided as a glycerine soluble boron containing composition is selected from the group consisting of disodium octaborate tetrahydrate, borax, boric acid, potassium, ammonium and sodium salts of boric acid and boric oxide.  
     
     
         78 . The composition of  claim 77  wherein said boron is disodium octaborate tetrahydrate provided in an amount of about 40.6% by weight with the balance being said glycerine.  
     
     
         79 . The composition of  claim 75  further comprising water in an amount of up to about 85.5 parts per part of boron.  
     
     
         80 . The composition of  claim 78  further comprising water in an amount of up to about 85.5 parts per part of boron.  
     
     
         81 . The composition of  claim 80  wherein said water is provided in an amount of between about 8.8 and about 34.2 part per part of boron.  
     
     
         82 . An environmentally safe composition for treating trees and tree derived products comprising boron provided as a glycerine and glycol soluble boron containing compound; provided in an amount effective to prevent or eradicate infestation; and a mixture of glycerine and at least one short chain alkylene glycol, said mixture present in an amount effective to solubilize all of said boron.  
     
     
         83 . The composition of  claim 82  wherein said mixture of said glycerine and said glycol is present in an amount of frog about 6.5 to about 10 parts per part boron.  
     
     
         84 . The composition of  claim 83  wherein the ratio of said glycol to said glycerine is from :about 4:1 to about 1:4.  
     
     
         85 . The composition of  claim 84  wherein said glycol is ethylene glycol and said boron provided as a glycerine and glycol soluble boron containing compound is selected from the group consisting of disodium octaborate tetrahydrate, borax, boric acid, potassium, ammonium and sodium salts of boric acid, and boric oxide.  
     
     
         86 . The composition of  claim 85  wherein said boron provided as a glycerine and glycol soluble boron containing compound is disodium octaborate tetrahydrate present in an amount of about 40.6% by weight, said ethylene glycol is present in an amount of about 47.5% by weight and said glycerine is present in an amount of about 11.9% by weight.  
     
     
         87 . The composition of  claim 82  further comprising water in an amount of up to about 85.5 parts per part boron.  
     
     
         88 . The composition of  claim 86  further comprising water in an amount of up to about 85.5 parts per part boron.  
     
     
         89 . The composition of  claim 88  wherein said water is provided-in an amount of between about 8.8 and about 34.2 parts per part of boron.  
     
     
         90 . The composition of  claim 86  diluted 1:1 with water.  
     
     
         91 . A method of treating a live tree to prevent or eradicate infestation comprising the steps of: drilling a hole in the trunk of a tree to be treated; inserting into said hole adaptive means for accommodating the introduction of a solution; 
 administering an environmental safe composition comprising boron provided as a glycerine soluble boron containing composition in an amount effective to prevent or eradicate infestation and glycerine in an amount effective to solubilize all of said boron.    
     
     
         92 . The method of  claim 91  wherein said glycerine is present in an amount of from about 5 to about 20 parts per part boron.  
     
     
         93 . The method of  claim 92  wherein said boron provided as a glycerine soluble boron containing composition is selected from a group consisting of disodium octaborate tetrahydrate borax, boric acid, potassium, ammonium and sodium salts of boric acid and boric oxide.  
     
     
         94 . The method of  claim 93  wherein said boron is disodium octaborate tetrahydrate provided in an amount of about 40.6% by weight with the balance being said glycerine.  
     
     
         95 . A method of treating a living tree to prevent or eradicate infestation comprising the steps of: drilling a hole in the trunk of a tree to be treated; inserting into said hole adaptive means for accommodating the introduction of a solution; and administering an environmentally safe composition comprising boron provided as a glycerine and glycol soluble boron containing compound; provided in an amount effective to prevent or eradicate infestation and a mixture of glycerine and at least one short chain is alyklyne glycol said mixture present in an amount effective to solubilize all of said boron.  
     
     
         96 . The method of  claim 95  wherein said mixture of said glycerine and said glycol are present in an amount of from about 6.5 to about 10 parts per part boron.  
     
     
         97 . The composition of  claim 96  wherein the ratio of said glycol to said glycerine is from about 4:1 to about 1:4.  
     
     
         98 . The method of  claim 97  wherein said glycol is ethylene glycol and said boron provided as a glycerine and glycol soluble boron containing compound is selected from the group consisting of disodium octaborate tetrahydrate, borax, boric acid, potassium, ammonium and sodium salts of boric acid, and boric oxide.  
     
     
         99 . The method of  claim 98  wherein said boron provided as a glycerine and glycol soluble boron containing compound is disodium octaborate tetrahydrate present in an amount of about 40.6% by weight, said ethylene glycol is present in an amount of about 47.5% by weight and said glycerine is present in an amount of about 11.9% by weight.