Patents Represented by Attorney Andrew D. Sorensen
  • Patent number: 7922828
    Abstract: The present invention relates to cleaning compositions and methods employing a water soluble magnesium compound. Such compositions can be used for reducing scale, rinsing, hard surface cleaning, ware washing, and corrosion inhibition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: Ecolab USA Inc.
    Inventors: Kim R. Smith, Brenda L. Tjelta, Lisa M. Sanders, Keith E. Olson
  • Patent number: 7923427
    Abstract: Material, composition, and manufacturing method alternatives for a solidification matrix that may be used, for example, in solid cleaning compositions, or other technologies. In at least some embodiments, the solidification matrix includes a binding agent that is formed by the use of MGDA, or a salt or derivative thereof, and water to produce a solid binding agent. In some embodiments, the MGDA and water combines and can solidify to act as a binder material or binding agent dispersed throughout a solid composition that may contain other functional ingredients that provide the desired properties and/or functionality to the solid composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: Ecolab USA Inc.
    Inventors: Roger L. Stolte, Ross M. Skadsberg, Scott P. Lyon
  • Patent number: 7922827
    Abstract: The present invention relates to cleaning compositions and methods employing a water soluble magnesium compound. Such compositions can be used for reducing scale, rinsing, hard surface cleaning, ware washing, and corrosion inhibition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: Ecolab USA Inc.
    Inventors: Kim R. Smith, Michael E. Besse, Brenda L. Tjelta, Lisa M. Sanders, Keith E. Olson
  • Patent number: 7919448
    Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions including a water soluble magnesium salt, water soluble calcium salt, and gluconate, which have a beneficial effect on corrosion during cleaning. The present compositions can reduce corrosion of glass, aluminum, or steel. The present invention also relates to methods employing these compositions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2011
    Assignee: Ecolab USA Inc.
    Inventors: Kim R. Smith, Michael E. Besse, Michael Bartelme, Michel M. Lawrence
  • Patent number: 7903957
    Abstract: A liquid warming device for heating sterile fluids in a removable basin is described with emphasis on the properties of the basin interaction with the liquid warming device and with a drape that works with the basin to maintain a sterile field above the drape and the top of the basin. The interactions between a temperature sensor and a temperature well integrated in the removable basin are disclosed. Also disclosed are various desirable aspects for a control system for a liquid warming device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2011
    Assignee: C Change Surgical LLC
    Inventors: Patrick Kammer, Kevin Joseph Rackers
  • Patent number: 7896195
    Abstract: A preferred embodiment dispenser for dispensing product tablets includes a first disk member, a second disk member, and a third disk member. The first disk member is rotatable and includes a first aperture extending longitudinally through the first disk member. The second disk member is stationary and includes a second aperture extending longitudinally through the second disk member. The third disk member is rotatable and includes a third aperture extending longitudinally through the third disk member. The second aperture is intermittently aligned with the first aperture and the third aperture, the first aperture and the third aperture being positioned at different locations with respect to the second aperture thereby aligning with the second aperture at separate times resulting in an interrupted flow path for the product tablets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignee: Ecolab Inc.
    Inventors: Scott R. Limback, Louis M. Holzman
  • Patent number: 7887641
    Abstract: The present invention relates to medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid compositions of neutral or alkaline pH, to methods of making these compositions, and to methods employing these compositions. The methods include methods of cleaning. The compositions include cleaning compositions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2011
    Assignee: Ecolab USA Inc.
    Inventors: Victor Fuk-Pong Man, Gina Marie Fasching, Nathan Daniel Peitersen, Mark Raymond Altier
  • Patent number: 7883584
    Abstract: The present invention is a solid rinse aid composition and methods of making and using the same. The solid rinse aid composition generally includes sodium sulfate and urea as solidification agents and an effective amount of an alcohol ethoxylate compound sheeting agent component and an effective amount of defoamer component. The solid rinse aid composition may also incorporate a preservative system including sodium bisulfate. The solid rinse aid composition may be phosphate-free, aminocarboxylate-free, and GRAS if desired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2011
    Assignee: Ecolab USA Inc.
    Inventors: Janel M. Kieffer, Michael Bartelme, Kent Brittain, Matthew F. Zurbey, Yvonne M. Killeen
  • Patent number: 7875584
    Abstract: A detergent resistant car polish composition includes an alkoxy aminofunctional dialkylpolysiloxane, a long chain silicone quaternary blend, a silicone fatty amino quaternary polydimethylsiloxane, a carboxylic acid, a surfactant, a cosurfactant, and water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2011
    Assignee: Ecolab USA Inc.
    Inventors: Altony Miralles, Jerry Hoyt, Rob Ryther
  • Patent number: 7871975
    Abstract: A fabric treatment composition is provided. The fabric treatment composition includes a fabric treatment agent and a carrier component for containing the fabric treatment agent in a solid form during operation conditions in a dryer. The fabric treatment composition is constructed for transferring the composition to wet fabric as a result of solubilizing the fabric treatment composition by contacting the fabric treatment composition with the wet fabric during a drying operation in a dryer. A method for treating fabric is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2011
    Assignee: Ecolab USA Inc.
    Inventors: Monica P. Tindel-Koukal, Robert D. Hei, Steven E. Lentsch, Stephan M. Hubig
  • Patent number: 7870822
    Abstract: A system providing for on-site reclamation and re-use of reclaimed antimicrobial solution includes a dispenser, at least one receptacle, piping, and at least one pump. The dispenser sprays antimicrobial solution toward moving raw food products. Unspent antimicrobial solution that did not contact the moving raw food products and rebound antimicrobial solution that did contact the raw food products combine to form a reclaimed antimicrobial solution. The reclaimed antimicrobial solution is collected in the receptacle and is pumped through the piping to a location for reuse.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2011
    Assignee: Ecolab USA Inc.
    Inventors: Chandler Adams, Claudie Cayce Warf, Jr., Roger Tippett
  • Patent number: 7858574
    Abstract: A warewashing detergent composition is provided according to the invention. The warewashing detergent composition includes a cleaning agent, an alkaline source, and a corrosion inhibitor. The cleaning agent comprises a detersive amount of a surfactant. The alkaline source is provided in an amount effective to provide a use composition having a pH of at least about 8. The corrosion inhibitor includes a source of aluminum ion and at least one of a source of calcium ion or a source of magnesium ion. The amounts of calcium ion or magnesium ion can be selected depending upon the hardness of the water of dilution. Methods for using a warewashing detergent composition are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2010
    Assignee: Ecolab USA Inc.
    Inventors: Kim R. Smith, Michael J. Bartelme, Keith E. Olson
  • Patent number: 7858029
    Abstract: The liquid composition is based on surfactants and enzymes, and is particularly useful for manual cleaning of instruments. In manual and ultrasonic application the composition in use concentration shows low foaming and gives a cleaning solution which is not cloudy at least at a temperature in the range from 16° C. to 40° C. In addition, the composition has good cleaning efficacy over a broad temperature range (20 to 55° C.) and shows good material compatibility.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2010
    Assignee: Ecolab USA Inc.
    Inventors: Laurence Geret, Carola Stingl, Silke Denzin
  • Patent number: 7854387
    Abstract: A series of implementations of open access sleeves for holding one or more closed containers of sterile fluid for use in medical procedures are disclosed. The open access sleeves may be adapted to provide heat to maintain the containers of sterile fluid above the ambient air temperature of the room. The provision of heat may be controlled by a control system. The control system may use a temperature measurement device to obtain a temperature representative of the container of sterile fluid and of the sterile fluid in the container. The access sleeve may be included in a device for maintaining an open volume of sterile fluid within a range of a target temperature to maintain the closed containers of sterile fluid at a temperature near target temperature for open volume of sterile fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2010
    Assignee: C Change Surgical LLC
    Inventors: Patrick Kammer, Kevin Joseph Rackers, Mark Martel, Todd Cassidy
  • Patent number: 7850772
    Abstract: The present invention provides a beverage surfactant composition that includes a surfactant, a phosphonium compound, and a carrier; wherein the beverage surfactant composition exhibits stability as a solution or as a dispersion at a temperature of about 0 EC to about 8 EC. The present invention also provides a container or a conveyor for a container having a surface that is at least partially coated with the composition. The present invention also provides a process for lubricating a container that includes contacting at least a portion of a surface of the container and the composition together. The present invention also provides a process for lubricating a conveyor that includes contacting at least a portion of a surface of the conveyor and the composition together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2010
    Assignee: Ecolab Inc.
    Inventors: Minyu Li, Kim Person Hei, Joy G. Herdt, Amy Haupert
  • Patent number: 7850602
    Abstract: According to one embodiment of the invention, a system for removing a cover from a medical instrument includes a flexible cover configured to cover at least a portion of a medical instrument, an insertion element coupled proximate a first end of the flexible cover, a pair of substantially parallel perforations formed in the insertion element, a pair of substantially parallel score lines formed in the cover and aligned with the pair of substantially parallel perforations. A portion of the insertion element between the pair of substantially parallel perforations is removable from the insertion element and a portion of the flexible cover between the pair of substantially parallel score lines is removable from the flexible cover when a force is applied to the portion of the insertion element between the pair of substantially parallel perforations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2010
    Assignee: Ecolab USA Inc.
    Inventors: Robin Charles Humble, Alexander S. Withers, Kathy W. Zachry, Mark S. Dillon, Michael A. Gil
  • Patent number: 7841131
    Abstract: Several embodiments of an insect trap using attractant light displayed on a projection surface are disclosed. The insect trap can be mounted on a vertical surface such as a wall or on a horizontal surface such as a ceiling. The trap has a light source configured to direct substantially all light from the source to the projection surface. Insects attracted by the light pattern on the projection surface are immobilized on an adhesive surface. A method of trapping insects is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2010
    Assignee: Ecolab Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas D. Nelson
  • Patent number: 7838484
    Abstract: Cleaner concentrates, associated cleaners, and associated methods are disclosed. The cleaner concentrates are capable for use in making cleaners that are capable of removing from surfaces fresh, greasy soils and polymerized soils more recently encountered in the food service industry originating from non-trans-fat oils. The cleaner concentrates include one or more alkalinity sources, one or more chelants, one or more surfactants, and as a remainder, water. The one or more alkalinity sources may be present in an amount sufficient to provide a free alkalinity (expressible as Na2O) of greater than about 3.6 wt % and a total alkalinity (expressible as Na2O) of greater than about 6.1 wt %, based on the total weight of the cleaner concentrate. The one or more chelants may be present in an amount sufficient to permit a use of a water having a hardness number up to about 600 ppm (600 mg/L) or more.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2010
    Assignee: Ecolab Inc.
    Inventors: Danielle Elise Underwood, Tami Jo Tadrowski, Karen Odom Rigley
  • Patent number: 7832360
    Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions including peroxyacetic acid and peroxyoctanoic acid and methods for reducing microbial contamination on poultry. The methods include the step of applying a mixed peroxycarboxylic acid composition to poultry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: Ecolab USA Inc.
    Inventors: John D. Hilgren, Timothy A. Gutzmann, Robert D. Hei
  • Patent number: 7829516
    Abstract: A warewashing detergent composition is provided according to the invention. The warewashing detergent composition includes a cleaning agent, an alkaline source, and a corrosion inhibitor. The cleaning agent comprises a detersive amount of a surfactant. The alkaline source is provided in an amount effective to provide a use composition having a pH of at least about 8. The corrosion inhibitor includes a source of aluminum ion and a source of zinc ion. The relative amounts of the source of zinc ion and the source of aluminum ion can be controlled to reduce visible filming when the warewashing detergent composition is used in the presence of hard water. Methods for using and manufacturing a warewashing detergent composition are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2010
    Assignee: Ecolab USA Inc.
    Inventors: Kim R. Smith, Keith E. Olson, Howie Kestell, Michael J. Bartelme, Steven E. Lentsch, Victor F. Man, Burton M. Baum, Terence P. Everson