Patents Represented by Attorney Andrew D. Sorensen
  • Patent number: 8211849
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a stable antimicrobial and cleaning compositions including an amine antimicrobial agent; a borate salt; and spores (bacterial or fungal), vegetative bacteria, fungi, or enzyme, and to methods of using the composition. The composition can also include a polyol.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: Ecolabb USA Inc.
    Inventors: Katherine J. Molinaro, Daniel E. Pedersen, Joshua P. Magnuson, Michael E. Besse, Jaclyn J. Steep, Victor F. Man
  • Patent number: 8207102
    Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions including a mixture of hardness ions (e.g., magnesium and calcium ions) in an amount greater than the amount of threshold agent, which have a beneficial effect on etch or corrosion during cleaning. The present compositions can reduce corrosion or etch of glass and aluminum. The present invention also relates to methods employing these compositions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2012
    Assignee: Ecolab USA Inc.
    Inventor: Kim R. Smith
  • Patent number: 8206511
    Abstract: A method of cleaning an uncoated surface includes providing a composition having a pH of between about 7 and about 11 and applying the composition to the uncoated surface. The composition includes a fatty acid salt constituting between about 5% and about 40% by weight of the composition, a gloss-enhancing agent constituting between about 0.1% and 20% by weight of the composition, an anti-slip agent constituting between about 0.5% and about 10% by weight of the composition, and water constituting between about 20% and about 94.6% by weight of the composition. The composition can be applied at least three times a week.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2012
    Assignee: Ecolab USA Inc.
    Inventors: Melissa Collazo-Martinez, Minyu Li, Robert D. Hei
  • Patent number: 8202830
    Abstract: A cleaning composition for removing soils includes an aluminum salt, a hydroxydicarboxylate, an alkalinity source and optionally, a surfactant system. The cleaning composition has a pH of between about 9 and about 14.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2012
    Assignee: Ecolab USA Inc.
    Inventors: Altony Miralles, Gina Fasching Danielson, Richard D. Johnson, Michel Lawrence, Jocelyn Heltemes Chopskie
  • Patent number: 8196224
    Abstract: A surgical protective assembly having an air movement device and a head gear assembly carrying the air movement device. The head gear assembly includes an outer wall, an inner wall, a front end, a back end and a middle portion between the front end and the back end. The outer wall has an upper opening, the inner wall has an array of openings, and the inner and outer wall define a front opening at the front end. The head gear assembly has a passageway that fluidly connects together, the upper opening, the array and the front opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: Ecolab USA Inc.
    Inventors: Salvatore Manzella, Jr., David K. Platt, Michael C. Shaughnessy, Kevin T. Pullen, Keith A. Larson, Alison J. Sanders
  • Patent number: 8198228
    Abstract: A solidification matrix includes a biodegradable aminocarboxylate, sodium carbonate, and water. The biodegradable aminocarboxylate, sodium carbonate, and water interact to form a hydrate solid. The solidification matrix may be used, for example, in a solid detergent composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: Ecolab USA Inc.
    Inventors: Brenda L. Tjelta, Lisa M. Sanders, Michael E. Besse
  • Patent number: 8192553
    Abstract: A soaking composition including an alkalinity source, a metal protector, a surfactant, water, a threshold agent, a binding agent, and a polymer blend that functions as a binding agent and a hard water modifier. The polymer blend includes a polymaleic acid, a polycarboxylic acid and a sodium polyacrylate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Assignee: Ecolab USA Inc.
    Inventors: Edward J. Snodgrass, Jaclyn J. Steep
  • Patent number: 8187652
    Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for reducing microbial contamination on carcass, meat, or meat product; or on surfaces used in processing the carcass, meat, or meat product; employing compositions including medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid, and to the compositions. The methods include applying a medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid composition to carcass, meat, meat product or surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: Ecolab USA Inc.
    Inventors: Victor F. Man, Joshua P. Magnuson
  • Patent number: 8172953
    Abstract: A cleaning composition includes an alkyl polyglucoside, an ethoxylated, propoxylated extended chain surfactant having between 6 and 10 carbon atoms and a cloud point of about 42° C. or less, a water conditioning agent and water. In one embodiment, the cleaning composition is substantially free of alkyl phenol ethoxylates. The cleaning composition is capable of removing soils including up to 20% proteins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: Ecolab USA Inc.
    Inventors: Charles A. Hodge, Amanda R. Blattner, Altony J. Miralles
  • Patent number: 8153573
    Abstract: A cleaning composition for removing soils includes an aluminum salt, a hydroxycarboxylate, an alkalinity source and optionally, a surfactant system. The cleaning composition has a pH of between about 9 and about 14.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: Ecolab USA Inc.
    Inventors: Altony Miralles, Gina F. Danielson, Richard Dana Johnson, Michel Lawrence, Jocelyn H. Chopskie
  • Patent number: 8143204
    Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for removing or preventing scale formation in a liquid food processing operation. Aqueous antiscalant solutions comprising soluble magnesium salts are used to prevent the precipitation of insoluble calcium salts and/or to increase the solubility of insoluble calcium salts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: Ecolab USA Inc.
    Inventors: Peter J. Fernholz, John W. Bolduc, Paul F. Schacht, Michael E. Besse, Anthony W. Erickson
  • Patent number: 8138454
    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. Also disclosed are various desirable aspects for a control system for a liquid warming device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignee: C Change Surgical LLC
    Inventors: Patrick Kammer, Kevin Joseph Rackers
  • Patent number: 8128998
    Abstract: Ultrafine zinc oxide can initiate hardening of polyurethane coatings and decrease the coating tack-free time. The decreased tack-free times facilitate earlier application of additional polyurethane layers and earlier return of a coated article to service, and can provide improved floor finishes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Ecolab USA Inc.
    Inventors: Minyu Li, Robert D. P. Hei, Mark D. Levitt, Lauren K. Carlson
  • Patent number: 8128976
    Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for reducing microbial contamination on poultry, or on surfaces used in processing poultry, employing compositions including medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid, and to the compositions. The methods include applying a medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid composition to poultry or to the surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Ecolab USA Inc.
    Inventors: Victor F. Man, Joshua P. Magnuson, John D. Hilgren
  • Patent number: 8124132
    Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions including peroxyacetic acid and peroxyoctanoic acid and methods for preventing microbial growth in aqueous streams including the step of applying a composition of the invention to the stream. The compositions and methods can control microbial growth in aqueous streams used for transporting or processing food products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Assignee: Ecolab USA Inc.
    Inventors: John Dennis Hilgren, Francis Lawrence Richter, Joy Ann Salverda, Heidi Margarete Hanson, Paul Frazer Schacht, Timothy A. Gutzmann
  • Patent number: 8114222
    Abstract: A method of cleaning equipment such as heat exchangers, evaporators, tanks and other industrial equipment using clean-in-place procedures and a pre-treatment solution prior to the conventional CIP cleaning process. The pre-treatment step improves the degree of softening of the soil, and thus facilitates its removal. The pre-treatment solution can be a strong acidic solution, a strong alkaline solution, or comprise a penetrant. A preferred strong acidic solution is an acid peroxide solution. In some embodiments, the pre-treatment may include no strong alkali or acid ingredient; rather, the penetrant provides acceptable levels of pre-treatment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: Ecolab USA Inc.
    Inventors: Peter J. Fernholz, Brandon L. Herdt
  • Patent number: 8075857
    Abstract: The present invention relates to apparatus and methods for making a peroxycarboxylic acid. The apparatus includes a reaction catalyst and a guard column for pretreating one or more reagents, which can increase the life, activity, and/or safety of the reaction catalyst. The peroxycarboxylic acid compositions made by the method and apparatus can include one or more peroxycarboxylic acids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2011
    Assignee: Ecolab USA Inc.
    Inventors: David D. McSherry, Richard K. Staub, Dan Tallman, Junzhong Li, Keith D. Lokkesmoe
  • Patent number: 8071528
    Abstract: The present invention relates to cleaning compositions comprising conversion agents and methods of using them. The conversion agents of the present invention comprise water insoluble compounds such as metal oxides, metal hydroxides, and combinations thereof. The compositions can be substantially free of a builder, e.g., a chelating agent, sequestrant, and/or threshold agent, while still achieving effective soil removal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: Ecolab USA Inc.
    Inventors: Kim R. Smith, Keith E. Olson, Kristen A. Mills, Lee J. Monsrud, Michael Rischmiller
  • Patent number: 8071520
    Abstract: A cleaning composition including a sulfonated functionalized alkyl polyglucoside, a co-surfactant, a water conditioning agent and water. The sulfonated functionalized alkyl polyglucoside is one of a C12 sulfonated functionalized alkyl polyglucoside, a C10-C12 blend of a sulfonated functionalized alkyl polyglucoside or a C10 sulfonated functionalized alkyl polyglucoside. The co-surfactant comprises a C6-C12 alcohol ethoxylate having between 3 and 10 moles of EO. In one embodiment, the cleaning composition is substantially free of alkyl phenol ethoxylates. The cleaning composition is capable of removing soils including up to 20% proteins and has a neutral pH.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: Ecolab USA Inc.
    Inventors: Charles A. Hodge, Amanda R. Blattner
  • Patent number: 8056703
    Abstract: A process for lubricating a container, such as a beverage container, or a conveyor for containers, by applying to the container or conveyor, a thin continuous, substantially non-dripping layer of a liquid lubricant. The process provides many advantages compared to the use of a conventional dilute aqueous lubricant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: Ecolab USA Inc.
    Inventors: Minyu Li, Keith D. Lokkesmoe, Guang-Jong Jason Wei