Patents Represented by Attorney Andrew D. Sorensen
  • Patent number: 8034759
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to stabilized peracid compositions. Stabilizing compositions including a metal salt and a chelating agent are added to compositions including peracids. The results stabilized peracid compositions have increased shelf life and storage stability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2011
    Assignee: Ecolab USA Inc.
    Inventors: Victor F. Man, Keith G. LaScotte, Yvonne M. Killeen, Steven E. Lentsch
  • Patent number: 8020520
    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: October 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2011
    Assignee: Ecolab USA Inc.
    Inventors: John D. Hilgren, Timothy A. Gutzmann, Robert D. Hei
  • Patent number: 8020578
    Abstract: A dispenser (10) uses first and second flow controls (70, 73). The flow controls maintain first and second flow ranges independent of diluent pressure within a pressure range, wherein the use solution's concentration is maintained over the pressure range. A third flow control (75) may also be utilized in a third diluent passageway for maintaining a third flow range independent of the diluent pressure within the pressure range. A bypass valve assembly (41) is operatively connected to the third incoming diluent passageway. The bypass valve has a temperature control valve. The temperature control valve having a bypass passageway, wherein additional diluent is added to the use solution, thereby controlling the use solution's concentration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2011
    Assignee: Ecolab USA Inc.
    Inventors: John E. Thomas, Robert J. Plantikow, Thomas P. Berg, Thomas J. Batcher, Daniel F. Brady, Scott T. Russell, Terrence P. Everson
  • Patent number: 8021694
    Abstract: A two-part disinfecting systems, as well as disinfecting compositions and methods for making and using the same. The two-part disinfecting system contains a first part and a second part adapted to be mixed to yield an aqueous disinfecting composition, wherein the first part comprises a chlorite and the second part comprises an acid, and wherein the first part, the second part, or both the first and second parts comprise an olefin compound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2011
    Assignee: Ecolab USA Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph P. Morelli, Karla LaPorte, Junzhong Li
  • Patent number: 8020552
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a helmet suitable for use in an operating room setting, an emergency room setting, a hospital setting, or a lab. The helmet of the present invention provides one or more of the following features: (i) superior barrier protection to a surgeon (or other operating room personnel) during a surgical procedure, (ii) a desired degree of air flow through the helmet so as to minimize the potential for carbon dioxide buildup within the helmet, and (iii) an integrated battery pack positioned within the helmet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2011
    Assignee: Microtek Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark S. Dillon, Youzhen Ding
  • Patent number: 8020561
    Abstract: According to one embodiment of the invention, an apparatus used for collecting fluids during a medical procedure includes a fluid collection pouch having an open end, an inflatable bladder substantially surrounding a perimeter of the open end, and a pump coupled to the inflatable bladder. The pump is operable to inflate the inflatable bladder. According to another embodiment of the invention, an apparatus used for collecting fluids during a medical procedure includes a fluid collection pouch having an open end with a perimeter, a channel surrounding approximately one half of the perimeter of the open end, an inflatable bladder disposed within the channel, and a pump disposed within the channel and coupled to the inflatable bladder. The pump is operable to inflate the inflatable bladder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2011
    Assignee: Microtek Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: Dan R. Lee, Michael A. Gil, Lewis D. Cox, Lloyd G. B. Cooper
  • Patent number: 8021493
    Abstract: A warewashing composition includes a cleaning agent having a detersive amount of a surfactant, an alkaline source in an amount effective to provide a use composition having a pH of at least about 8 when the use composition is measured at a solids concentration of about 0.5 wt %, and a corrosion inhibitor in an amount sufficient for reducing corrosion of glass when the warewashing composition is combined with water of dilution at a dilution ratio of at least about 20:1 water of dilution to detergent composition o form a use composition. The corrosion inhibitor includes a salt of calcium, magnesium, or a mixture of calcium and magnesium. The salt has a water solubility of less than about 0.5 wt % in water at about 20° C. and atmospheric pressure so that the salt precipitates to form a protective layer on a substrate in contact with the use composition. A method of reducing corrosion using the warewashing composition is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2011
    Assignee: Ecolab USA Inc.
    Inventors: Kim R. Smith, Keith E. Olson, Michael E. Besse, Michael J. Bartelme
  • Patent number: 8017082
    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 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: Ecolab USA Inc.
    Inventors: David D. McSherry, Richard K. Staub, Dan N. Tallman, Junzhong Li, Keith D. Lokkesmoe
  • Patent number: 7998406
    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: November 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Assignee: Ecolab USA Inc.
    Inventors: Laurence Geret, Carola Stingl, Silke Denzin
  • Patent number: 7992568
    Abstract: Disposable operating room surgical draping systems are disclosed. Methods of using disposable operating room surgical draping systems are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: Microtek Medical, Inc.
    Inventor: Deborah M. Wooley
  • Patent number: 7977299
    Abstract: A treated oxidizing agent is provided according to the invention. The treated oxidizing agent includes an oxidizing agent that is solid at room temperature and atmospheric pressure, and a chemical barrier composition provided on the oxidizing agent. The chemical barrier composition includes a hydrocarbon component having about 10 to about 85 carbon atoms, and wherein the chemical barrier composition is provided as a liquid at 25° C. A solid detergent composition is provided including the treated oxidizing agent. Methods for manufacturing are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignee: Ecolab USA Inc.
    Inventors: Jerry D. Hoyt, Brenda L. Tjelta, Michael E. Besse, Kent Richard Brittain
  • Patent number: 7967958
    Abstract: In an apparatus for producing acidic electrolyzed water, the use of a protection membrane having slits or other discontinuities allows the protection of a permeable membrane, such as an anion-permeable or anion-selective membrane, from chlorine generated by the electrolysis. The protection membrane further preserves the electrical conductivity of the membrane and electrode assembly, because of a venting action of trapped gas and fluid through the slits. The protection membrane is useful both in three chambered electrolyzers and in two chambered electrolyzers. The preferred protection membrane has slits formed by overlapping strips of fabric or the like. The preferred fabric is a non-woven fabric.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2011
    Assignee: Ecolab Inc.
    Inventor: Yoichi Sano
  • Patent number: 7964547
    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: October 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2011
    Assignee: Ecolab USA Inc.
    Inventors: Danielle E. Underwood, Tami J. Tadrowski, Karen O. Rigley
  • Patent number: 7964544
    Abstract: A cleaning composition concentrate includes about 0.05 wt. % to about 90 wt. % of a surfactant component, about 0.01 wt. % to about 20 wt. % of a dispersant component, and about 0.001 wt. % to about 15 wt. % of a sheeting agent component, wherein the composition comprises less than about 0.1 wt. % volatile organic compound exhibiting a vapor pressure of less than 0.1 mm Hg at 20° C. The cleaning composition can be provided as a use composition as a result of diluting the cleaning composition concentrate with water of dilution at a dilution ratio of cleaning composition concentrate to water of dilution of about 1:1. A method for preparing a cleaning composition is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2011
    Assignee: Ecolab USA Inc.
    Inventors: Kim R. Smith, Keith E. Olson, Tami J. Tadrowski
  • Patent number: 7960333
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to rinse aid compositions and methods for making and using the rinse aid compositions. The compositions of the invention include a sheeting agent, a defoaming agent, and an association disruption agent. The rinse aid compositions of the present invention result in a faster draining/drying time on most substrates compared to conventional rinse aids. The rinse aid compositions of the present invention are especially suitable for use on plastic substrates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: Ecolab USA Inc.
    Inventors: Janel M. Kieffer, Victor F. Man, Steven E. Lentsch
  • Patent number: 7960329
    Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions including a water soluble magnesium salt, water soluble calcium salt, and silicate or carbonate, which have a beneficial effect on corrosion during cleaning. The present compositions can reduce corrosion of glass or aluminum. The present invention also relates to methods employing these compositions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: Ecolab USA Inc.
    Inventors: Kim R. Smith, Michael E. Besse, Michael Bartelme, Michel M. Lawrence
  • Patent number: 7951245
    Abstract: A concentrate and a ready-to-use or diluted formulation for an aqueous vehicle cleaner can remove a wide range of different types of traffic film using either low pressure application, hand pressure application, water jet spray apparatus, clean-in-place systems or other manual or mechanical washing systems. The compositions may comprise, for example, one or more solutions that each or collectively contain or comprises: a) at least one anionic surfactant; b) at least one poly[oxyalkylene] ammonium cationic surfactant; and c) an alkaline agent. Optional additional ingredients may comprise at least one polycarboxylic acid chelating agent (preferably an aminocarboxylic acid chelating agent), at least one non-ionic or amphoteric surfactant, at least one hydrotrope, inorganic and/or organic acids and at least one silicate. The alkaline agent may provide a pH (when the finished product is diluted to 0.5 to 5% by weight in water) will be between about 9 to 13.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Assignee: Ecolab USA Inc.
    Inventors: Mark D. Levitt, Terry J. Klos, Michael E. Besse, Robert D. Hei, Jerry D. Hoyt, Cathleen O'Connor, Victor Fuk-Pong Man
  • Patent number: 7951767
    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: August 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Assignee: Ecolab USA Inc.
    Inventors: Katherine J. Molinaro, Daniel E. Pedersen, Joshua P. Magnuson, Michael E. Besse, Jaclyn J. Steep, Victor F. Man
  • Patent number: 7942980
    Abstract: Starch is removed from the surface of an article using a multi-step method that includes presoaking the article in an acidic solution to remove the starch from the surface of the article and washing the article in an alkaline solution to clean the article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2011
    Assignee: Ecolab USA Inc.
    Inventors: Helmut Maier, Tomoaki Nakasone
  • Patent number: 7937775
    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: August 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2011
    Assignee: Microtek Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: Salvatore Manzella, Jr., David K. Platt, Michael C. Shaughnessy, Kevin T. Pullen, Keith A. Larson, Alison J. Sanders