Patents by Inventor Robert D. P. Hei

Robert D. P. Hei 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: 7189685
    Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and compositions for removing hydrophobic soils from textiles. The methods include contacting a soiled textile with a penetrant composition and then washing the textile. The present compositions include penetrant compositions that can also include wetting agent and hydrotrope.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2007
    Assignee: Ecclab Inc.
    Inventors: Stephan Maria Hubig, Robert D. P. Hei, Terry J. Klos
  • Patent number: 7087190
    Abstract: A composition for the generation of chlorine dioxide including at least one non-iodo interhalide, polyhalide or salt thereof having the formula BrmClnFoXp wherein m=0–3, n=0–4, o=0–3, p=0–2, X is a cationic moiety and with the provisos that m+n+o cannot be zero; if m+n+p<2, or mixtures thereof, and at least one source of chlorite ions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2006
    Assignee: Ecolab Inc.
    Inventors: Robert D. P. Hei, David Daniel McSherry, Kim Smith
  • Patent number: 7067182
    Abstract: The passage of a container along a conveyor is lubricated by applying to the container or conveyor a lubricating coating that is thermally cured at less than 200° C. or radiation-cured. The mixture can be applied in relatively low amounts and with relatively low or no water content, to provide thin, substantially non-dripping, renewable lubricating films. In contrast to dilute aqueous lubricants, the lubricants of the invention provide dry lubrication of the conveyors and containers, a cleaner conveyor line and reduced lubricant usage, thereby reducing waste, cleanup and disposal problems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2006
    Assignee: Ecolab Inc.
    Inventors: Minyu Li, Robert D. P. Hei, Keith D. Lokkesmoe, Keith Edward Olson
  • Patent number: 7053037
    Abstract: A pseudo-stable phase-splitting solvent composition that forms a single liquid phase when subjected to mild agitation and retains that single phase while the composition is applied to a surface, but which forms two or more laminar liquid phases promptly after being applied. A concentrated solvent film forms on the surface, under a film containing the other phase. The solvent preferably is denser than water, and the composition preferably is diluted with water. This enables the solvent to attack the surface at near full strength, and provides a water seal over the solvent film. The solvent composition can be used full strength or in diluted form for cleaning, reducing the microbial population of, or degreasing a variety of surfaces, and for stripping a variety of difficult-to-remove coatings from surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2006
    Assignee: Ecolab Inc.
    Inventors: Kim R. Smith, Mark D. Levitt, Robert D. P. Hei, Keith E. Olson, Bryan M. Anderson
  • Patent number: 7008913
    Abstract: Disclosed is a process for the treatment of a plant gaseous stream containing odor compounds including hydrogen sulfide, an alkyl mercaptan or an alkyl thiol and mixtures thereof by contacting the plant stream with an oxidizing agent that reduces the odor but forms elemental sulfur. The elemental sulfur, and other inorganic, scales that form, or deposit, can be suppressed or removed using a specific aromatic substituted nonionic surfactant material. The use of such a process produces a significant improvement in odor quality while maintaining a clean process facility and low operating pressure drop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2006
    Assignee: Ecolab Inc.
    Inventors: Robert D. P. Hei, Michael E. Besse
  • Patent number: 6998369
    Abstract: A method for antimicrobial treatment comprising applying to microbes a composition containing a diluting solvent (e.g., water), an antimicrobially-active solvent having a density different from the density of the diluting solvent, and an optional cosolvent, surfactant, or additional antimicrobial agent, wherein the amount of antimicrobially-active solvent or additional antimicrobial agent is sufficiently high and the amount of cosolvent or surfactant is sufficiently low so that the composition will provide greater than a 1-log order reduction in the population of bacteria or spores of Bacillus cereus within 10 seconds at 60° C. Preferred methods of the invention employ compositions containing an additional antimicrobial agent such as peroxyacetic acid. Compositions for use in the method can be prepared as concentrates, and used full strength or in diluted form.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignee: Ecolab Inc.
    Inventors: Robert D. P. Hei, Guang-jong J. Wei, David A. Halsrud, Kim R. Smith, Teresa C. Podtburg
  • Patent number: 6994271
    Abstract: An automated chemical application system for automating the application of a chemical to a target. In a first embodiment, an automated chemical application system connects to and interacts with an individual's existing sprinkler system. The automated chemical application system may thereby deliver concentrations of agricultural chemicals to different zones of the lawn via the sprinkler system. In a second exemplary embodiment, an automated chemical application system automatically mixes a chemical with water to dispense a precise amount of the chemical to a target.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2006
    Assignee: Ecolab, Inc.
    Inventors: Jim Tarara, Robert D. P. Hei, Keith Lokkesmoe, Terry Klos, Mike Besse
  • Patent number: 6982241
    Abstract: A cleaning composition is provided according to the invention. The cleaning composition includes a product of mixing an acid component, a source of phosphoric acid component, and an oxidant component. The molar ratio of oxidant component to phosphoric acid component is preferably between about 2:1 and about 1:2, and the molar ratio of oxidant component to acid component is preferably between about 1:3 and about 1:5. A method of cleaning an aluminum surface is provided. The method includes a step of applying the cleaning composition to an aluminum surface, and rinsing the cleaning composition from the aluminum surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2006
    Assignee: Ecolab Inc.
    Inventors: Kim R Smith, Robert D P. Hei, Michael E Besse, Jerry D. Hoyt
  • Patent number: 6962714
    Abstract: The present invention relates to antimicrobial compositions including a critical, near critical, or supercritical (densified) fluid and an antimicrobial agent, to methods of forming these compositions, and to methods employing these compositions. An antimicrobial agent can be generated in the presence of a densified fluid, for example, by reacting an oxidizing agent with a precursor to the antimicrobial agent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2005
    Assignee: Ecolab, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert D. P. Hei, Keith E. Olson, Robert J. Ryther, Richard K. Staub
  • Patent number: 6927237
    Abstract: The present invention relates to two solvent antimicrobial compositions and methods employing these two solvent compositions. The two solvent compositions typically contain a second solvent that is not or is only sparingly soluble in a diluting solvent. The two solvent composition can form a clear single-phase solution. The two solvent antimicrobial compositions can reduce the population of microbes on various surfaces such as facilities, containers, or equipment found in food, beverage, or pharmaceutical industries at temperatures between about ?70° C. to about 100° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2005
    Assignee: Ecolab Inc.
    Inventors: Robert D. P. Hei, Brandon Herdt, Lawrence Grab
  • Patent number: 6855328
    Abstract: An improved antimicrobial composition is described as a liquid concentrate. The liquid concentrate includes a complex resulting from an in-situ reaction of a cation source, an oxidant, a halide source having at least one iodine atom, and a non-mineral acid, or a mixture of a non-mineral acid to about 50% of a hydrophilic solvent by volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2005
    Assignee: Ecolab Inc.
    Inventors: Robert D. P. Hei, Francis L. Richter, Duane Joseph Reinhardt, Brian R. Leafblad
  • Patent number: 6822030
    Abstract: Continuous coatings including floor finishes can be prepared using novel two part compositions and methods. The two part compositions comprise a solid particulate polymer part and a liquid coalescing agent part. A novel method of the invention involves contacting the coalescing agent with the polymer in a variety of coating methods including applying the polymer to the coalescing agent, applying the coalescing agent to the polymer or applying the coalescing agent and polymer simultaneously. The polymer and coalescing agent interact to form a continuous coating layer or finish layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2004
    Assignee: Ecolab Inc.
    Inventors: Keith E. Olson, Bryan M. Anderson, Robert D. P. Hei
  • Publication number: 20040191399
    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: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2004
    Publication date: September 30, 2004
    Applicant: Ecolab Inc.
    Inventors: John D. Hilgren, Timothy A. Gutzmann, Robert D. P. Hei
  • Publication number: 20040183050
    Abstract: A composition for the generation of chlorine dioxide including at least one non-iodo interhalide, polyhalide or salt thereof having the formula
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2003
    Publication date: September 23, 2004
    Applicant: Ecolab Inc.
    Inventors: Robert D.P. Hei, David Daniel McSherry, Kim Smith
  • Publication number: 20040143133
    Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions of peroxycarboxylic acid that have reduced odor compared to conventional peroxycarboxylic acid compositions, methods employing these reduced-odor compositions, and methods of making these compositions. Typically, the reduced-odor compositions include an amine oxide surfactant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2003
    Publication date: July 22, 2004
    Inventors: Kim R. Smith, Robert D.P. Hei
  • Publication number: 20040068008
    Abstract: A method of using peracid/acid compositions, where the mole ratio of acid to peracid is less than about 3:1, to treat field or greenhouse grown plant tissue, seeds, fruits, and growing media and containers is described. The peracid/acid system 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: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2003
    Publication date: April 8, 2004
    Applicant: Ecolab Inc.
    Inventors: Robert D. P. Hei, John Dennis Hilgren, Joy Ann Salverda, Brandon Leon Herdt
  • Publication number: 20040055965
    Abstract: Recreational or process water can be treated by uniformly dissolving in the water a singlet oxygen-generating photosensitizer selected from the group consisting of condensed aromatic compounds, acridine dyes, coumarin dyes, crystal violet, fluorene derivatives, porphyrin derivatives, chlorins, thiazine dyes, thioketones, xanthene dyes, or by uniformly dissolving in the water a singlet oxygen-generating photosensitizer having an absorption maximum less than 659 nm and sufficiently strong coloration so that the presence of the photosensitizer can be visually detected in the water. Exposure of the photosensitizer and ambient or added oxygen to sufficient light or other activating energy causes the generation of singlet oxygen and the destruction or control of microorganisms.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2003
    Publication date: March 25, 2004
    Inventors: Stephan M. Hubig, Matthew J. Finley, Robert D.P. Hei
  • Publication number: 20040033269
    Abstract: The present invention relates to antimicrobial compositions including a critical, near critical, or supercritical (densified) fluid and an antimicrobial agent, to methods of forming these compositions, and to methods employing these compositions. An antimicrobial agent can be generated in the presence of a densified fluid, for example, by reacting an oxidizing agent with a precursor to the antimicrobial agent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2002
    Publication date: February 19, 2004
    Applicant: Ecolab Inc.
    Inventors: Robert D.P. Hei, Keith E. Olson, Robert J. Ryther, Richard K. Staub
  • Patent number: 6663902
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a biocidal composition, designed for the generation of chlorine dioxide, comprising at least one iodo-compound having at least one iodine atom and a source of chlorite ions. The molar ration of chlorite ions to iodine atoms is 2 or greater. The composition finds use in a variety of applications including methods of cleaning, sanitizing, deodorizing, and disinfecting various surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2003
    Assignee: Ecolab Inc.
    Inventors: Robert D. P. Hei, David Daniel McSherry, Kim R. Smith, Keith E. Olson
  • Publication number: 20030228996
    Abstract: A method for antimicrobial treatment comprising applying to microbes a composition containing a diluting solvent (e.g., water), an antimicrobially-active solvent having a density different from the density of the diluting solvent, and an optional cosolvent, surfactant, or additional antimicrobial agent, wherein the amount of antimicrobially-active solvent or additional antimicrobial agent is sufficiently high and the amount of cosolvent or surfactant is sufficiently low so that the composition will provide greater than a 1-log order reduction in the population of bacteria or spores of Bacillus cereus within 10 seconds at 60° C. Preferred methods of the invention employ compositions containing an additional antimicrobial agent such as peroxyacetic acid. Compositions for use in the method can be prepared as concentrates, and used full strength or in diluted form.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2003
    Publication date: December 11, 2003
    Inventors: Robert D.P. Hei, Guang-Jong J. Wei, David A. Halsrud, Kim R. Smith, Teresa C. Podtburg