Patents Assigned to Ecolab
  • Patent number: 12290071
    Abstract: Peroxyformic acid compositions for removal of biofilm growth and other contaminants and impurities from industrial processing hard surfaces are disclosed. In particular, peroxyformic acid compositions may be dosed on site and/or generated in situ for the reduction and prevention of biofilms on the hard surfaces. Methods of employing the peroxyformic acid compositions for removal of biofilm growth and other impurities such as aldehydes and alcohols from industrial CO2 effluent are also disclosed which beneficially provide ambient biofilm control and break down more rapidly than other peracids, allowing for extended runs between CIP cleaning, including a reduction and/or elimination of cleaning of the scrubbers and other industrial surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2023
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2025
    Assignee: ECOLAB USA INC.
    Inventors: John Bolduc, Chris Nagel, Junzhong Li, Catherine Hanson, Peter Fernholz
  • Publication number: 20250137143
    Abstract: Compositions and methods for inhibiting the corrosion of metals in contact with an aqueous system are provided. For example, the corrosion inhibitor composition of the present embodiments can include an oxyanion of an amphoteric material, a silicate, and an additional component. The corrosion inhibitor can be substantially phosphate free or free of phosphorus. The additional component can include, for example, a hydroxycarboxylic acid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2024
    Publication date: May 1, 2025
    Applicant: ECOLAB USA Inc.
    Inventors: Bingzhi CHEN, Mo LI, Malgorzata Anna KRAWCZYK, Xuejun WANG, Xiaojin Harry LI
  • Patent number: 12287283
    Abstract: An optical sensor may be used to measure the concentration of calcium in a water sample, such as a water sample obtained from industrial process water system like a cooling tower system, a boiler water system, or a waste water system. To measure the concentration of calcium, an indicator or reagent may be added to the water sample to form a complex that absorbs light. The absorbance profile of the complex may be non-linear over a range of calcium concentrations. However, the absorbance profile can be linearized to provide calibration coefficients that are subsequently used to determine the concentration of calcium in samples having unknown calcium concentrations. The linearization of the absorbance profile can allow the optical sensor to be calibrated using two solutions. This can reduce the complexity and cost of calibrating the optical sensor, which may otherwise require at least three calibration solutions to capture the non-linear profile of the absorbance curve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2025
    Assignee: Ecolab USA Inc.
    Inventors: Hui Li, Bingzhi Chen, Brandon Davis
  • Patent number: 12279723
    Abstract: A wipe dispenser for use in metering out consistent doses of a composition onto a disposable wipe includes a mixing and dispensing assembly. The assembly has a vessel holding a first liquid for the composition and a first pump to convey the first liquid. A bottle having a second pump to convey a second liquid of the composition is stored within the bottle. A funnel arrangement is in downstream communication with the first pump and second pump. The funnel arrangement includes a mixing chamber for mixing the first and second liquids and a dispensing funnel in communication with and downstream of the mixing chamber. A wipe can be pulled through the dispensing funnel and wetted with a mixture of the first liquid and second liquid from the mixing chamber. A push bar attached to the funnel arrangement can selectively apply the force to actuate the first pump and second pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2025
    Assignee: ECOLAB USA INC.
    Inventors: Kenneth Thomas Dobizl, Joseph Steven Bons, Sarah Elise Johnson, Ariel Brier Chatman Kleczewski
  • Patent number: 12281280
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to transfer plate lubricant compositions and methods of transporting open containers across stationary transfer plates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2025
    Assignee: ECOLAB USA INC.
    Inventors: Eric D. Morrison, Chad A. Thompson
  • Patent number: 12281286
    Abstract: Alkaline sprayable aqueous compositions for cleaning, sanitizing and disinfecting are disclosed. In particular, the sprayable compositions include an alkali soluble emulsion polymer, an alkalinity source, a foaming agent, and water. Beneficially, the sprayable cleaning compoistions have reduced misting and are environmentally safe for users to apply. Further the compositions exhibit less running on non-horizontal surfaces than acrylamide-based compositions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2025
    Assignee: ECOLAB USA INC.
    Inventors: Hilina Emiru, Victor Fuk-Pong Man
  • Patent number: 12274263
    Abstract: Methods and systems for on-site, continuous generation of peracid chemistry, namely peroxycarboxylic acids and peroxycarboxylic acid forming compositions, are disclosed. In particular, an adjustable biocide formulator or generator system is designed for on-site generation of peroxycarboxylic acids and peroxycarboxylic acid forming compositions from sugar esters. Methods of using the in situ generated peroxycarboxylic acids and peroxycarboxylic acid forming compositions are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2025
    Assignee: ECOLAB USA INC.
    Inventors: Paul R. Kraus, Thomas C. Rustad
  • Patent number: 12274799
    Abstract: An antimicrobial lighting system includes an antimicrobial lighting array that emits antimicrobial light within one or more antimicrobial wavelength ranges to inactivate one or more microorganisms on common touch surfaces. The common touch surfaces may include, for example, restaurant menus, airline safety instructions, pamphlets, instruction cards, or other common touch objects having a generally flat form factor, or that can be reduced to a flat form factor. Application of the antimicrobial light to the common touch surfaces may improve hygiene of such common touch surfaces and may help maintain microbial growth below acceptable levels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2025
    Assignee: Ecolab USA Inc.
    Inventors: Steven Randall Hatch, Paul Dominic Christian, Paul R. Kraus
  • Patent number: 12275922
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to compositions and methods of using the compositions for treating a floor surface. The disclosed compositions clean the floor surface, repair damage, or maintain the original look of the floor. The disclosed compositions also do not provide a permanent finish on the floor, are temporary coatings, or do not significantly change the gloss of the floor after application.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2025
    Assignee: ECOLAB USA INC.
    Inventors: Brian Robert Leafblad, Grant Daniel Lindh, Avila M. Hoffman, Traci Lynn Gioino, Dale Curtis Larson
  • Publication number: 20250115811
    Abstract: The disclosure provides compositions and methods for reducing fouling of a surface in contact with a medium during a natural gas processing procedure. Methods may include adding a composition to the medium, wherein the medium includes an inorganic particle, an organic particle, and/or an inorganic-organic particle, and the composition includes a surfactant. The surfactant may encapsulate the particle. The surfactant may include, for example, a phthalate ester, a naphthalate ester, a tall oil fatty acid, a soya oil fatty acid, sunflower oil fatty acid, canola oil fatty acid, coconut oil fatty acid, cyrene, a trigylceride, or any combination thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2024
    Publication date: April 10, 2025
    Applicant: ECOLAB USA Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan MASERE, Abuzar SYED, Ashish DHAWAN
  • Patent number: 12270011
    Abstract: The present invention relates to mildly alkaline bathroom and/or hard surface cleaners providing improved foam performance. In particular, a concentrated, preferably disinfecting, high performance foaming cleaning composition is disclosed which can reduce or eliminate the need for scrubbing on bathroom and other hard surfaces. Methods of use are further disclosed for bathroom and/or other hard surface cleaning. The foam has increased stability for a period of time, followed by dissipation with an audible “crackling” sound and easy rinsability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2025
    Assignee: ECOLAB USA INC.
    Inventor: Dale Larson
  • Patent number: 12268210
    Abstract: Methods of generating performic acid by contacting aqueous oxidizing agent and aqueous formic acid source in liquid phase are disclosed. A system and apparatus for the in situ production of the performic acid chemistries is further disclosed. In particular, a continuous flow reactor is provided to generate performic acid at variable rates. Methods of employing the oxidizing biocide for various disinfection applications are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2025
    Assignee: ECOLAB USA INC.
    Inventors: Paul R. Kraus, Benjamin Crew, Junzhong Li, David D. McSherry, Ramakrishnan Balasubramanian, Richard Staub, Ariel Chatman Kleczewski, Minh Tran, Catherine Hanson, Irwan Yunus, Jeffery D. Breshears, Brian Paul Brunner
  • Patent number: 12269941
    Abstract: Stable solid compositions employing a water conditioning agent, including hygroscopic species or non-hygroscopic species. In particular, solid compositions combining an ionic surfactant or an amphoteric surfactant with a water conditioning agent, preferably a polyacrylate water conditioning agent, are disclosed. The ionic surfactant or amphoteric surfactant beneficially stabilize the polymer and/or chelant water conditioning agent, preferably a polyacrylate water conditioning agent, to permit formulation into a solid composition and provide stability under harsh conditions, including humid environments. Applications of using the stable solid compositions are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2025
    Assignee: ECOLAB USA INC.
    Inventors: Emily Chen, Derrick Anderson, David Dotzauer, Erik C. Olson
  • Patent number: 12264302
    Abstract: Provided is a method of processing stillage from an ethanol production process. The method comprises treating stillage comprising oil, protein, and water upstream of a separation, concentration or evaporation step with at least one organic coagulant and at least one flocculant, thereby forming treated thin stillage comprising solids which include at least a portion of the oil and protein; and clarifying the treated stillage via a solid/liquid separation process thereby forming clarified stillage and a separated solids phase comprising at least a portion of the protein from the stillage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2025
    Assignee: Ecolab USA Inc.
    Inventor: Lan Xiao
  • Patent number: 12264298
    Abstract: Stabilized use solutions of low phosphorus, alkali metal carbonate detergents employing enzymes for cleaning compositions are disclosed. In particular, the present invention is a composition for, and method of, removing soils, preventing redeposition of protein soils and reducing foam, using stabilized enzyme cleaning compositions, namely use solutions of the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2024
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2025
    Assignee: ECOLAB USA INC.
    Inventors: Wendy Chan, Jennifer Stokes, Lyndal Jensen, Carter M. Silvernail, Terrence P. Everson, Graig Legatt, Nathan Richard Ortmann, Devon Beau Hammel
  • Patent number: 12258260
    Abstract: A connection apparatus is used to fluidly connect a storage container and another fluidic device. The connection apparatus utilizes a probe that is inserted into the container to extract fluid from inside the container. A connection piece can be used to connect to the other fluidic device. A support is mounted on the container, and includes a spatial coding that is interlocked with a counter-coding structure. The spatial coding is used to ensure that the correct support is used with the container containing a fluid. A ring element codes the system to indicate the fluid or fluid type.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2025
    Assignee: ECOLAB USA INC.
    Inventors: Guenter Zettlitzer, Gerold Carlhoff
  • Patent number: 12258310
    Abstract: Peroxyhydroxycarboxylic acid forming compositions and methods for forming peroxyhydroxycarboxylic acids, preferably in situ, using the peroxyhydroxycarboxylic acid forming compositions are disclosed. Methods of using the peroxyhydroxycarboxylic acids, including for treating a surface or a target in need of antimicrobial or sanitizing treatment are also disclosed. Particular applications of using odor-free, low volatility peroxyhydroxycarboxylic acid sanitizers for direct food contact are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2023
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2025
    Assignee: ECOLAB USA INC.
    Inventors: Junzhong Li, Allison Prideaux, Richard Staub
  • Patent number: 12254759
    Abstract: A wearable computing device may be used to track the efficacy of one or more cleaning actions performed. The device can include one or more sensors that detect and measure motion associated with a cleaning event. In different examples, the movement data generated by the device can be compared to reference movement data to determine if the individual has cleaned all the objects they were expected to clean and/or if the individual has cleaned a given object sufficiently well. As another example, the movement data generated by the device can be analyzed to distinguish cleaning and non-cleaning movement actions as well as to distinguish different types of cleaning actions during cleaning movement. The quality of each cleaning action can be evaluated. In any configuration, the device may perform an operation in response to determining that ineffective cleaning is being performed, causing corrected cleaning action to be performed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2023
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2025
    Assignee: Ecolab USA Inc.
    Inventors: Albert Goldfain, Gregory Bryant Hayes, Emily Gaynor, Pedro Van Hoecke, Ilona Furman Weart, Joseph Wegner
  • Patent number: 12252666
    Abstract: Hard surface rinse aid compositions incorporating surfactant systems compatible with plastics and plastics containing metals, such as aluminum, are disclosed. The hard surface rinse aid compositions are particularly well suited for use in high concentrations at low temperatures without causing foaming and/or debris or film on the treated surface. In particular, the plastic and aluminum-compatible hard surface rinse aid compositions containing a surfactant system combining nonionic alcohol alkoxylates and a polymer surfactant can be used in treating hard surfaces requiring good sheeting, wetting and drying properties. The methods are particularly well suited for rinsing automotive parts, including those needing painting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2023
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2025
    Assignee: ECOLAB USA INC.
    Inventors: Alissa Ellingson, Janel Marie Kieffer
  • Patent number: 12253501
    Abstract: A composition, method and kit for quantifying the concentration of one peracid or the total concentration of two or more peracids in a water source are disclosed. In particular, an oxidation sensitive or peroxycarboxylic acid selective leuco dye is used to react only with one or more peroxycarboxylic acids in a water source but not with peroxide usually co-existing in the water source. Not only does the oxidation sensitive or peroxycarboxylic acid selective leuco dye react with peracid(s) but also the reaction generates a color species that can be used visually or through absorbance measurement to quantify the peracid concentration. The method disclosed here is not a titration method, it involves a simple mixing step. The kit or composition disclosed here does not utilize a catalyst, such as iodine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2023
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2025
    Assignee: ECOLAB USA INC.
    Inventors: Ramakrishnan Balasubramanian, Junzhong Li