The THINVERT Application System combines an innovative nozzle design and an effective spray fluid into a system which allows the effective application of herbicides, insecticides, fungicides, and plant growth regulators at low spray volumes. It maximizes spray effectiveness, while minimizing off-target movement by reducing spray drift and virtually eliminating spray evaporation.

Spray drift is reduced by the THINVERT nozzles which make small uniform droplets, and by the thin invert emulsion which reduces the number of small droplets formed. THINVERT forms a more stable droplet, which does not readily break up into finer droplets as water droplets do when released into the atmosphere. THINVERT carriers are usually only slightly more viscous than .typical oil carriers.

Spray evaporation is virtually eliminated, because each THINVERT spray droplet is coated with a thin film of oil which does not evaporate while falling through the air to the spray target. Water droplets of the size produced by the THINVERT nozzle will lose much of their diameter while falling from aerial application heights, making them more susceptible to off-target movement. This effect is magnified under low humidity conditions.

McWhorter's work at the USDA Applied Technology Research Unit at Stoneville, MS (see attachments) indicates that paraffinic oils are desirable carriers for many pesticide sprays. THINVERT technology utilizes the advantages of oil sprays, but uses water to fill the inside of the spray droplet, reducing the total amount of oil required but keeping the characteristics of an oil spray. Conventional emulsions have a continuous water phase on the outside of the droplet, which is subject to evaporation, while THINVERT sprays have a continuous oil phase on the outside of the spray droplet. In addition, water-miscible materials can be readily dispersed in the water phase of THINVERT, while oil-miscible products will remain in the THINVERT oil phase. Some compatibility problems of spray combinations may be reduced by using THINVERT technology.

THINVERT sprays are effective at low spray volumes because the droplets are small but uniform, and efficiently cover plant surfaces. Spray droplets from THINVERT aerial nozzles are in the size range of 300 to 500 micrometers, although larger or smaller droplets may be produced by altering the nozzle orifice size.

Current THINVERT commercial formulations use a non-phytotoxic paraffinic oil, which is colorless and odorless. However, vegetable oils, methylated vegetable oils, aliphatic oils, and other petroleum oils may be used.