Volumizing agents

Abstract

The present composition is capable of forming a particle film and comprises: (a) less than 99.65% by weight of at least one particle; (b) at least one volumizing agent selected from the group consisting of: (i) cellulose selected from the group consisting of ethyl hydroxy ethyl cellulose, hydroxy ethyl cellulose, hydroxy propyl cellulose, hydroxy ethyl methyl cellulose, hydroxy propyl methyl cellulose, methyl cellulose, ethyl cellulose, and ethyl methyl cellulose and present in an amount greater than 0.35% by weight; and (ii) non-cellulosic component or cellulose other than said cellulose (i) present in an amount of at least 0.05% by weight; and optionally (c) at least one spreader. The composition may be used to form agricultural films.

1 - 12 . (canceled) 
     
     
         13 . A method of treating plants comprising:
 applying an amount of a slurry to a plant surface, said slurry containing water and a composition, wherein the slurry when dried forms a volumized high opacity particle film having a thickness of about 3 μm to about 3,000 μm on said plant surface, said composition comprising:   (a) between about 70% to about 99.9% by weight of mineral particles having a median individual particle size of about 3 μm or less; and   (b) 0.35% by weight or more of at least one volumizing agent, wherein the volumizing agent is present in an amount sufficient to increase the opacity of the high opacity particle film compared to the opacity of a film formed by the same amount of an identical composition except not having the volumizing agent.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13  wherein the mineral particles consist essentially of one or more of water processed kaolin; air processed kaolin; hydrous kaolin; calcites, and dolomites. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14  wherein the composition comprises about 0.5% to about 5% by weight of a volumizing agent. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 14  wherein the volumizing agents comprises a polyacrylamide, a cellulose polymer, or both. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 13  wherein the mineral comprises water processed kaolin, air processed kaolin, or hydrous kaolin, and the volumizing agent comprises a polyacrylamide. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 13  wherein the mineral comprises water processed kaolin, air processed kaolin, or hydrous kaolin, and the volumizing agent comprises a cellulose polymer. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 13  wherein the mineral consists essentially of beneficiated limestone, calcite, dolomite, or mixture thereof, and the volumizing agent comprises a polyacrylamide, a cellulose polymer, or both. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 13  wherein the mineral comprises beneficiated limestone, calcite, dolomite, or mixture thereof, and the volumizing agent comprises a polyacrylamide. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 13  wherein the mineral comprises beneficiated limestone, calcite, dolomite, or mixture thereof, and the volumizing agent comprises a polyacrylate. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 13  wherein the mineral comprises beneficiated limestone, calcite, dolomite, or mixture thereof, and the volumizing agent comprises a cellulose polymer. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 14  wherein the composition further comprises a spreader. 
     
     
         24 . A method of treating plants comprising:
 applying an amount of a slurry to a plant surface, said slurry containing water and a composition, wherein the slurry when dried forms a structured particle film having a thickness of about 1 μm to about 750 μm on said plant surface, said composition comprising:   (a) between about 70% to less than 99.65% by weight of mineral particles having a median individual particle size of about 3 μm or less; and   (b) 0.35% by weight or more of at least one volumizing agent, wherein the volumizing agent is present in an amount sufficient to cause individual particles to form structures resulting in the film to be volumized upon drying, having a substantially greater structured volume compared to the volume of a film formed by the same amount of an identical composition except not having the volumizing agent.   
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 24  wherein the mineral particles consist essentially of one or more of water processed kaolin; air processed kaolin; hydrous kaolin; calcites, and dolomites. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 25  wherein the composition comprises about 0.5% to about 5% by weight of a volumizing agent. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 24  wherein the volumizing agents comprises a polyacrylamide and a cellulose polymer. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 24  wherein the volumizing agents comprises a polyacrylamide. 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 24  wherein the mineral comprises water processed kaolin, air processed kaolin, or hydrous kaolin, and the volumizing agent comprises a polyacrylamide. 
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 26  wherein the mineral comprises water processed kaolin, air processed kaolin, or hydrous kaolin, and the volumizing agent comprises a cellulose polymer and a polyacrylamide. 
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 24  wherein the mineral consists essentially of beneficiated limestone, calcite, dolomite, or mixture thereof, and the volumizing agent comprises a polyacrylamide, a cellulose polymer, or both. 
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 24  wherein the mineral comprises beneficiated limestone, calcite, dolomite, or mixture thereof, and the volumizing agent comprises a polyacrylamide, the composition further comprising an anionic sulfonate surfactant spreader. 
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 24  wherein the mineral comprises beneficiated limestone, calcite, dolomite, or mixture thereof, and the volumizing agent comprises a polyacrylamide, the composition further comprising alkylene glycol methacrylates, ethylene glycol dimethacrylate, or both.