Patents by Inventor Bruce R. Cords

Bruce R. Cords has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 6247478
    Abstract: A method for cleaning polyethylene terephthalate containers including contacting the PET container with an alkaline wash solution having a temperature ranging of less than about 60° C. is disclosed. The alkaline wash solution is formulated from a first concentrate, a second concentrate, an alkalinity source, and a balance of water. The first concentrate preferably has a first nonionic surfactant, a first builder, and acid in an amount effect to provide a phase stable solution. The second concentrate preferably has a second nonionic surfactant and a second builder. The first and second concentrate are present in the wash solution in a concentration ranging from about 0.3 wt. % to 2.0 wt. %. Preferably, the first nonionic surfactant has a cloud point ranging from about 5° C. to 60° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2001
    Assignee: Ecolab Inc.
    Inventors: Bruce R. Cords, Gerald K. Wichmann, Guang-Jong Jason Wei, David D. McSherry, Brandon L. Herdt, Arturo Valencia
  • Patent number: 6238685
    Abstract: Both a process and a method of using peracid compositions, especially mixed peracid systems, to treat field or greenhouse grown plant tissue, seeds, fruits, and growing media and containers. The peracid can lower the natural, plant pathogen and human pathogenic microbial load resulting in less waste to molding, spoilage, and destruction because of pathogenic poisons.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2001
    Assignee: Ecolab Inc.
    Inventors: Robert D. P. Hei, Leanne J. Adkins, Keith D. Lokkesmoe, Heidi M. Hanson, Bruce R. Cords
  • Patent number: 6214777
    Abstract: A lubricant composition comprising a lubricating agent and a quaternary phosphonium compound is useful as a conveyor, container or beverage lubricant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2001
    Assignee: Ecolab, Inc.
    Inventors: Minyu Li, Kim L. Person-Hei, Bruce R. Cords, Keith D. Lokkesmoe, Joy G. Herdt
  • Patent number: 6197739
    Abstract: Compositions for use as soil removing agents in the food processing industry are disclosed. Food soiled surfaces in food manufacturing and preparation areas can be cleaned. The compositions are manufactured in the form of a concentrate which is diluted with water and used. The cleaning materials are made in a two part system which are diluted with a diluent source and mixed prior to use. The products contain high quality cleaning compositions and use a variety of active ingredients. The preferred materials, in a two part system contain detergent compositions, enzymes that degrade food compositions, surfactants, low alkaline builders, water conditioning (softening) agents, and optionally a variety of formulary adjuvants depending on product form.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: Ecolab Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas R. Oakes, Kristine K. Wick, Bruce R. Cords, Sandra L. Bull, Francis L. Richter
  • Patent number: 6183807
    Abstract: An antimicrobial composition includes a mixture of one or more carboxylic acids having up to 18 carbon atoms and one or more peroxycarboxylic acids having up to 12 carbon atoms, preferably a mixture of a C2-C4 peroxycarboxylic acid and a C8-C12 peroxycarboxylic acid. Also described is a novel antimicrobial composition adapted for sanitizing meat product containing a mixture of one or more C2-C4 peroxycarboxylic acids and one or more C8-C12 peroxycarboxylic acids and an alpha-hydroxy mono- or dicarboxylic acid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2001
    Assignee: Ecolab Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy A. Gutzmann, Brian J. Anderson, Bruce R. Cords, Lawrence A. Grab, Edward H. Richardson, Pamela Reed McKay
  • Patent number: 6165483
    Abstract: Both a process and a method of using peracid compositions, especially mixed peracid systems, to treat field or greenhouse grown plant tissue, seeds, fruits, and growing media and containers. The peracid can lower the natural, plant pathogen and human pathogenic microbial load resulting in less waste to molding, spoilage, and destruction because of pathogenic poisons.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2000
    Assignee: Ecolab Inc.
    Inventors: Robert D. P. Hei, Leanne J. Adkins, Keith D. Lokkesmoe, Heidi M. Hanson, Bruce R. Cords
  • Patent number: 6113963
    Abstract: Described is a method of sanitizing meat product using aqueous streams having an antimicrobial composition added to the stream. Preferably, the antimicrobial composition includes a mixture of one or more carboxylic acids having up to 18 carbon atoms and one or more peroxycarboxylic acids having up to 12 carbon atoms, preferably a mixture of a C.sub.2-4 peroxycarboxylic acid and a C.sub.8-12 peroxycarboxylic acid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2000
    Assignee: Ecolab Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy A. Gutzmann, Brian J. Anderson, Bruce R. Cords, Lawrence A. Grab, Edward H. Richardson, Pamela Reed McKay
  • Patent number: 6103286
    Abstract: Described is a method of sanitizing animal carcasses using aqueous streams having an antimicrobial composition added to the stream. Preferably, the antimicrobial composition includes a mixture of one or more carboxylic acids having up to 18 carbon atoms and one or more peroxycarboxylic acids having up to 12 carbon atoms, preferably a mixture of a C.sub.2 -C.sub.4 peroxycarboxylic acid and a C.sub.8 -C.sub.12 peroxycarboxylic acid. Also described is a novel antimicrobial composition adapted for sanitizing animal carcasses containing a mixture of one or more C.sub.2 -C.sub.4 peroxycarboxylic acids and one or more C.sub.8 -C.sub.12 peroxycarboxylic acids and an alpha-hydroxy mono- or dicarboxylic acid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2000
    Assignee: Ecolab Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy A. Gutzmann, Brian J. Anderson, Pamela J. Reed, Bruce R. Cords, Lawrence A. Grab, Edward H. Richardson
  • Patent number: 6010729
    Abstract: Described is a method of sanitizing animal carcasses using an antimicrobial composition. Preferably, the antimicrobial composition includes a mixture of one or more carboxylic acids having up to 18 carbon atoms and one or more peroxycarboxylic acids having up to 12 carbon atoms, preferably a mixture of a C.sub.2 -C.sub.4 peroxycarboxylic acid and a C.sub.8 -C.sub.12 peroxycarboxylic acid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2000
    Assignee: Ecolab Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy A. Gutzmann, Brian J. Anderson, Pamela J. Reed, Bruce R. Cords, Lawrence A. Grab, Edward H. Richardson
  • Patent number: 5858117
    Abstract: Compositions for use as soil removing agents in the food processing industry are disclosed. Food soiled surfaces in food manufacturing and preparation areas can be cleaned. The compositions are manufactured in the form of a concentrate which is diluted with water and used. The cleaning materials are made in a two part system which are diluted with a diluent source and mixed prior to use. The products contain high quality cleaning compositions and use a variety of active ingredients. The preferred materials, in a two part system contain detergent compositions, enzymes that degrade food compositions, surfactants, low alkaline builders, water conditioning (softening) agents, and optionally a variety of formulary adjuvants depending on product form.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 12, 1999
    Assignee: Ecolab Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas R. Oakes, Kristine K. Wick, Bruce R. Cords, Sandra L. Bull, Francis L. Richter
  • Patent number: 5858443
    Abstract: The invention relates to treatment of aqueous streams and aqueous systems with ozone. The aqueous stream comprises a closed loop system providing transport from a production locus to a processing locus for a variety of products. The aqueous stream can contain a challenge soil load and a microbial load. A treatment zone is defined through which the aqueous stream passes. The treatment zone is contacted with a sufficient concentration of ozone to substantially reduce the microbial population and to substantially reduce the number of microorganisms that can generate slime on the interior of the system. An amount of ozone is added to the aqueous stream in the treatment zone such that once the microbial populations are reduced to a safe level, the ozone concentration is also reduced to a level substantially safe for contact with operating personnel and product. Typically, such concentration is less than one part by weight of ozone per million parts by weight of aqueous system, preferably less than 0.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 12, 1999
    Assignee: Ecolab, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert D. Hei, Keith D. Lokkesmoe, Guang-jong J. Wei, Bruce R. Cords
  • Patent number: 5567444
    Abstract: A cleaning and sanitizing method for soiled solid surfaces, especially clean-in-place process facilities, is described which involves contacting the surfaces first with an aqueous ozone cleaning composition having a pH greater than 7, wherein the ozone is generated by electrical discharge, then quenching the excess ozone and simultaneously sanitizing the surfaces by contact with an aqueous composition containing hydrogen peroxide, a C.sub.1 -C.sub.10 peroxyaliphatic carboxylic acid or a mixture thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 22, 1996
    Assignee: Ecolab Inc.
    Inventors: Robert D. Hei, Guange-jong J. Wei, Bruce R. Cords, Keith D. Lokkesmoe