Patents Assigned to Ecolab Inc.
  • Binding agent for solid block functional material
    Publication number: 20080287338
    Abstract: A solid functional material comprises a functional agent such as a cleaning composition, a sanitizing agent, where a rinse agent, etc. in a solid block format. The solid block is formed by a binding agent that forms the active ingredients into a solid block. The binding agent comprises a phosphonate or amino acetate sequestrant, a carbonate salt and water in an E-Form hydrate. These materials at a specific mole ratio form a novel binding agent that can form functional materials into a solid matrix form.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2007
    Publication date: November 20, 2008
    Applicant: Ecolab Inc.
    Inventors: G. Jason Wei, Steven E. Lentsch, Keith E. Olson, Victor F. Man
  • Fragrance dispenser for a dryer and a method for dispensing fragrance onto fabric in a dryer
    Patent number: 7452855
    Abstract: A fragrance dispenser is provided according to the invention. A fragrance dispenser is provided for use in a dryer for dispensing a fragrance onto fabric or laundry dried in the dryer. The fragrance dispenser includes a mixture of a carrier component and a fragrance component so that the fragrance dispenser is provided in a solid form. The carrier component and the fragrance component are selected so that, when the fragrance dispenser is placed in a dryer and contacts fabric being dried during a drying cycle at a temperature of up to about 170° F., the carrier component does not flow onto the fabric and the fragrance component dispenses in an amount sufficient to impart a residual fragrance to the fabric. A method for dispensing fragrance onto fabric in a dryer is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Assignee: Ecolab Inc.
    Inventors: Stephan M. Hubig, Jaclyn Joy Steep
  • Warewashing composition comprising zinc and aluminum ions for use in automatic dishwashing machines
    Patent number: 7452853
    Abstract: A warewashing detergent composition is provided according to the invention. The warewashing detergent composition includes a cleaning agent, an alkaline source, and a corrosion inhibitor. The cleaning agent comprises a detersive amount of a surfactant. The alkaline source is provided in an amount effective to provide a use composition having a pH of at least about 8. The corrosion inhibitor includes a source of aluminum ion and a source of zinc ion. The relative amounts of the source of zinc ion and the source of aluminum ion can be controlled to reduce visible filming when the warewashing detergent composition is used in the presence of hard water. Methods for using and manufacturing a warewashing detergent composition are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Assignee: Ecolab Inc.
    Inventors: Kim R. Smith, Keith E. Olson, Howie Kestell, Michael J. Bartelme, Steven E. Lentsch, Victor F. Man, Burton M. Baum, Terence P. Everson
  • Fast Dissolving Solid Detergent
    Publication number: 20080280806
    Abstract: A solid block or unit dosed detergent composition as described which can be utilized in a variety of applications for cleaning surfaces and objects, removing suspending soils, and rinsing easily. The detergent composition, when exposed to an aqueous solution such as water, dissolves quickly and completely to create the use solution.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2007
    Publication date: November 13, 2008
    Applicant: ECOLAB INC.
    Inventors: Michael Bartelme, Julie Marquardt, Steve E. Lentsch, Victor F. Man, Brian Robert Leafblad
  • Detergent component for preventing precipitation of water hardness and providing soil removal properties
    Publication number: 20080276973
    Abstract: A cleaning composition for removing soils includes an alkyl vinyl ether-maleic acid copolymer and at least one component selected from the group consisting of sodium carbonate and sodium hydroxide. The composition contains less than about 10% by weight of at least one component selected from the group consisting of phosphorous-containing components and aminocarboxylates.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2007
    Publication date: November 13, 2008
    Applicant: Ecolab, Inc.
    Inventors: Altony Miralles, Michael E. Besse
  • CLEANING COMPOSITIONS CONTAINING WATER SOLUBLE MAGNESIUM COMPOUNDS AND METHODS OF USING THEM
    Publication number: 20080276967
    Abstract: The present invention relates to cleaning compositions and methods employing a water soluble magnesium compound. Such compositions can be used for reducing scale, rinsing, hard surface cleaning, ware washing, and corrosion inhibition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2008
    Publication date: November 13, 2008
    Applicant: ECOLAB INC.
    Inventors: Kim R. Smith, Michael E. Besse, Brenda L. Tjelta, Lisa M. Sanders, Keith E. Olson
  • CLEANING COMPOSITIONS WITH WATER INSOLUBLE CONVERSION AGENTS AND METHODS OF MAKING AND USING THEM
    Publication number: 20080280800
    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: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2008
    Publication date: November 13, 2008
    Applicant: ECOLAB INC.
    Inventors: Kim R. Smith, Keith E. Olson, Kristen A. Mills, Lee J. Monsrud, Michael Rischmiller
  • Solidification matrix
    Publication number: 20080274940
    Abstract: A solid cleaning composition includes methacrylate, water, defoamer, carboxylate, sodium carbonate, metasilicate, and surfactant. The solid cleaning composition includes between about 1% and about 10% methacrylate by weight, less than about 5% water by weight, between about 1% and about 5% defoamer by weight, between about 10% and about 30% carboxylate by weight, between about 15% and about 80% sodium carbonate by weight, between about 1% and about 5% metasilicate by weight, and between about 1% and about 5% surfactant by weight. The solidification system may be used, for example, in a solid detergent composition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2007
    Publication date: November 6, 2008
    Applicant: Ecolab, Inc.
    Inventors: Brenda Lynn Tjelta, Lisa Maureen Sanders, Michael Edward Besse
  • WAREWASHING COMPOSITION FOR USE IN AUTOMATIC DISHWASHING MACHINES, AND METHOD FOR USING
    Publication number: 20080274930
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2008
    Publication date: November 6, 2008
    Applicant: ECOLAB INC.
    Inventors: Kim R. Smith, Keith E. Olson, Michael E. Besse, Michael J. Bartelme
  • Interchangeable load cell assemblies
    Publication number: 20080271928
    Abstract: A mass-based dispensing system includes a set of interchangeable load cell assemblies. The load cell assemblies are sized to be interchangeably received into a mass-based product dispenser. Each of the interchangeable load cell assemblies has a maximum rated load that is different from the maximum rated load of the other load cell assemblies. The interchangeable load cell assemblies are substantially modular (i.e., have substantially similar external geometries), thus enabling the product dispenser to interchangeably receive the load cells. The interchangeable load cell assemblies enable a single product dispenser to accommodate a broad range of differently weighted products and/or product containers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2007
    Publication date: November 6, 2008
    Applicant: Ecolab Inc.
    Inventors: Richard J. Mehus, Henry J. McCarrick, Bruce W. Weber, Ben J. Wiltsie
  • WATER SOLUBLE MAGNESIUM COMPOUNDS AS CLEANING AGENTS AND METHODS OF USING THEM
    Publication number: 20080274928
    Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions and methods employing a water soluble magnesium compound. In certain embodiments, the composition includes water and water soluble magnesium compound, but lacks other materials commonly used in cleaning compositions. The methods and compositions can provide magnesium ion at predefined ratios to calcium ion in water, such as magnesium ion in a molar amount equal to or in excess over a molar amount of calcium ion. A water soluble magnesium salt including an anion of a water soluble calcium salt is more effective than a magnesium salt with an anion of a water insoluble calcium salt. These compositions can be used for reducing lime scale or precipitate formation from hard water, removing soap scum, or the like.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2008
    Publication date: November 6, 2008
    Applicant: ECOLAB INC.
    Inventors: Kim R. Smith, Michael E. Besse, Brenda L. Tjelta, Lisa M. Sanders, Keith E. Olson
  • SOLIDIFICATION MATRIX
    Publication number: 20080274942
    Abstract: A solidification matrix includes methacrylate, sodium carbonate, and water. The methacrylate, sodium carbonate, and water interact to form a hydrate solid having a growth exponent of less than about 3%.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2008
    Publication date: November 6, 2008
    Applicant: ECOLAB INC.
    Inventors: Brenda L. Tjelta, Lisa M. Sanders, Michael E. Besse
  • MG++ CHEMISTRY AND METHOD FOR FOULING INHIBITION IN HEAT PROCESSING OF LIQUID FOODS AND INDUSTRIAL PROCESSES
    Publication number: 20080274933
    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: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2008
    Publication date: November 6, 2008
    Applicant: ECOLAB INC.
    Inventors: Peter J. Fernholz, John W. Bolduc, Paul F. Schacht, Michael E. Besse, Anthony W. Erickson
  • COMPOSITION FOR IN SITU MANUFACTURE OF INSOLUBLE HYDROXIDE WHEN CLEANING HARD SURFACES AND FOR USE IN AUTOMATIC WAREWASHING MACHINES AND METHODS FOR MANUFACTURING AND USING
    Publication number: 20080274932
    Abstract: A composition useful in hard surface treatment and particularly useful in automatic warewashing is provided according to the invention. The composition may comprise a pretreatment composition, a detersive composition, a rinse agent composition or a combination thereof. The composition includes water-soluble cation and a source of alkalinity. The anionic alkaline source is selected from at least one of hydroxide anion or carbonate anion or a combination thereof. The cation is selected from magnesium, titanium, and aluminum, or combinations thereof. The source of alkalinity is provided in an amount effective to provide a use composition having a pH of greater than about 7. The cation is present in sufficient amount to form an in situ conversion agent. A conversion agent is a water-insoluble hydroxide precipitate that causes calcium in hard water to precipitate as aragonite thereby softening the water.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2008
    Publication date: November 6, 2008
    Applicant: ECOLAB INC.
    Inventors: Kim R. Smith, Keith E. Olson, Lee J. Monsrud, Kristen A. Mills, Michael Rischmiller
  • ANTIMICROBIAL COMPOSITIONS AND METHODS FOR TREATING PACKAGED FOOD PRODUCTS
    Publication number: 20080274242
    Abstract: A method of using an antimicrobial composition on a food product is described where the antimicrobial composition is applied to a food product, the food product is packaged and sealed, and then optionally activation energy is applied to the sealed food product.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2007
    Publication date: November 6, 2008
    Applicant: ECOLAB INC.
    Inventors: Timothy A. Gutzmann, Scott L. Burnett, Teresa C. Podtburg, Peter W. Bodnaruk, Joy G. Herdt, Jocelyn H. Chopskie
  • WATER TREATMENT SYSTEM AND DOWNSTREAM CLEANING METHODS
    Publication number: 20080274939
    Abstract: The present invention provides methods for treating an aqueous system comprising contacting the aqueous system with a composition comprising a conversion agent. The methods of the present invention reduce the solubilized water hardness and/or reduce or inhibit scale formation in an aqueous system. Further, the methods of the present invention impact the chemistries needed in downstream cleaning processes employing water treated in accordance with the methods of the present invention.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2008
    Publication date: November 6, 2008
    Applicant: ECOLAB INC.
    Inventors: Lee J. Monsrud, Keith E. Olson, Kim R. Smith, Kristen A. Mills
  • SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR TREATING FLOORS
    Publication number: 20080264445
    Abstract: The invention pertains to a system and method for treating floors with an antimicrobial composition, where the floor finish applied to a floor is resistant to degradation by the antimicrobial composition and in particular quaternary ammonium compound.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2007
    Publication date: October 30, 2008
    Applicant: ECOLAB INC.
    Inventors: Mark D. Levitt, Minyu Li, Lauren K. Carlson
  • Mopping device for mopping surfaces to be cleaned
    Patent number: 7441301
    Abstract: The invention relates to a mopping device for mopping surfaces to be cleaned. The mopping device is characterized in that the mop covering holder (1) has a reservoir (6) for holding a large quantity of cleaning liquid which can flow via at least one discharge opening (7) inside the mop covering holder (1) to the mop covering (5) attached to the mop covering holder (1). In addition, the mop covering holder (1) has at least one ventilation opening (8), via which air can escape from the reservoir (6) when filling the reservoir (6) with cleaning liquid, and air can flow into the reservoir (6) when cleaning liquid is discharged from said reservoir (6). The mop covering holder (1) itself serves as a conveying element to the cleaning liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2008
    Assignee: Ecolab Inc.
    Inventors: Franz Kresse, Heiko Faubel
  • Binding agent for solidification matrix comprising MGDA
    Patent number: 7442679
    Abstract: Material, composition, and manufacturing method alternatives for a solidification matrix that may be used, for example, in solid cleaning compositions, or other technologies. In at least some embodiments, the solidification matrix includes a binding agent that is formed by the use of MGDA, or a salt or derivative thereof, and water to produce a solid binding agent. In some embodiments, the MGDA and water combines and can solidify to act as a binder material or binding agent dispersed throughout a solid composition that may contain other functional ingredients that provide the desired properties and/or functionality to the solid composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2008
    Assignee: Ecolab Inc.
    Inventors: Roger L. Stolte, Ross Michael Skadsberg, Scott Philip Lyon
  • HETEROGENEOUS CLEANING COMPOSITION AND METHODS
    Publication number: 20080255021
    Abstract: The present invention relates to heterogeneous cleaning compositions, methods employing them, and methods of making them.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2008
    Publication date: October 16, 2008
    Applicant: ECOLAB INC.
    Inventors: David A. Fine, Terry J. Klos, Gretchen L. King, Richard D. Stardig