Abstract: A system and method detect when a product container from which a product is dispensed is empty or nearly empty, and provides a notification of the product status. The system includes a load cell that deflects at a first rate of distance per unit load when a load less than a critical load is positioned to be weighed by the load cell, and a load cell bracket positioned such that the free end of the load cell contacts the load cell bracket when a load substantially equal to or greater than the critical load is positioned to be weighed by the load cell. The load cell bracket may prevent the load cell from further deflection, or it may permit deflection of the load cell at a second rate of distance per unit load when the load cell is in contact with the load cell bracket.

Abstract: A solidification matrix includes a sulfonated/carboxylated polymer, sodium carbonate, and water. The sulfonated/carboxylated polymer, sodium carbonate, and water interact to form a hydrate solid. The solidification matrix may be used, for example, in a solid detergent composition.

Abstract: A solidification matrix includes a maleic-containing terpolymer, sodium carbonate, and water. The maleic-containing terpolymer, sodium carbonate, and water interact to form a hydrate solid. The solidification matrix may be used, for example, in a solid detergent composition.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for cleaning articles within a chamber of a warewash machine. The warewash machine has a rinse sump for collecting a rinse agent dispensed into the chamber and a wash sump for collecting a wash agent dispensed into the chamber. The method includes a wash phase during which the wash agent is dispensed into the chamber during and an auxiliary rinse phase during which the rinse agent is dispensed into the chamber. The wash machine includes a controllable deflector for directing the wash agent to the wash sump during the wash phase and the rinse agent to the rinse sump during the auxiliary rinse phase. The method also includes a final rinse phase during which water from an external source is dispensed into the chamber. The controllable deflector direct the water dispensed during the final rinse phase to the rinse sump such that the water combines with the rinse agent therein. The rinse agent is re-used during at least one subsequent auxiliary rinse phase.

Abstract: The invention is a composition and method for removing soils containing polymerized non-trans fats from surfaces. The composition comprises a polymer and sequentrant, wherein the polymer is oleophobic and hydrophilic. Optionally, the composition may also include a wetting agent. The composition may be used by applying it to a clean surface as a pretreatment so that when said surface is soiled or contaminated with polymerized non-trans fats it may be easily removed with water.

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.

Abstract: A cleaning composition including a C12 phosphate functionalized alkyl polyglucoside, 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.

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.

Abstract: A solid detergent composition includes an ethoxylated and propoxylated surfactant, an alkalinity source, a solidification agent and a chelating agent. The ethoxylated and propoxylated surfactant can include a surfactant blend of naturally sourced ethoxylated and propoxylated surfactants.

Abstract: The invention relates to a hydrous, paste-like cleaning or detergent composition comprising an emulsion having an aqueous phase and an oil phase, the composition comprises based on the whole concentrate 1 to 50 wt-% of one or more alkalinity source, 1 to 60 wt-% of a guerbet alcohol ethoxylate of the formula R1—(OC2H4)n—OH, wherein R1 is a branched C9 to C20 alkyl group and n is from 2 to 10, 1 to 30 wt-% of a linear alkoxylated fatty alcohol of the formula R2—(OC2H4)x—(OC3H6)y—OH, wherein R2 is a linear C10 to C16 group and n is from 3 to 7 and m is from 3 to 7, 0.01-10 wt-% of one or more crosslinked or partly crosslinked polyacrylic acid or polymethacrylic acid or mixtures thereof, 1-10 wt-% of a thickener system comprising the following components: 1-5 wt-% of a polyacrylate, 0-5 wt-% of a swellable phyllosilicate, 0-2 wt-% of a polyethylene glycol with the provision that the thickener system comprises at least two of these components, and the rest up to 100 wt-% is water.

Abstract: A system for regulating a reverse osmosis system to obtain zero wastewater. A reverse osmosis apparatus filters water from the fresh water supply into a concentrate rinse stream and a permeate rinse stream. A concentrate storage tank and a permeate storage tank are downstream of the reverse osmosis apparatus and receive the concentrate rinse stream and the permeate rinse stream, respectively. A concentrate solenoid valve and a permeate solenoid valve control the flow of the concentrate rinse stream and the permeate rinse stream from their respective storage tank. An institutional dishmachine receives the concentrate rinse stream and the permeate rinse stream during a rinse cycle of the institutional dishmachine. A control system is operatively connected to the concentrate solenoid valve and the permeate solenoid valve and control flow of the rinse streams into the institutional dishmachine.

Abstract: At least one single link of a conveyor chain is configured to support a tension load cell. A main body portion of the link includes a central cavity sized to contain the load cell, which has been inserted therein through an opening of the main body portion, and at least one auxiliary cavity to contain at least one battery cell and circuitry. A cap portion of the link closes off the opening into the cavity to enclose the load cell therein. One or both of the main body and cap portions may include a bore to receive a fastener for attaching to an end of the inserted load cell, and both portions include a bore oriented to receive a pin of a mating dual link of the conveyor chain. The cap portion may also include anti-rotation surfaces to mate with one or both of: the load cell and the opening.

Abstract: Automatic calibration of dispense parameters of a product dispense system is accomplished via electronic communication of product information. A chemical product includes an electronically readable tag or label that stores and communicates chemical product data concerning the chemical product to a chemical product dispenser. The chemical product data may include, for example, the name of the chemical product, the type or class of the chemical product, manufacturing information regarding the chemical product (e.g., manufacturing date, location, serial number, lot number, etc.), concentration of active ingredient(s), weight, volume, viscosity, density, hardness, specific gravity, shape, color, and/or other data concerning the chemical product. A controller within the dispenser automatically calibrates the dispense parameters based on the chemical product data.

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.

Abstract: A chemical product dispenser dispenses a chemical product having at least one active ingredient during a primary dispense cycle based on time or some other factor. After the chemical product has been dispensed, the dispenser determines the amount of chemical product that was dispensed. The dispenser then determines whether the dispensed amount of chemical product is within a defined threshold of a desired amount. If not, the dispenser proceeds to dispense additional chemical product during one or more make-up dispense cycles until the threshold is satisfied.

Abstract: The present invention relates to antimicrobial compositions, and specifically antimicrobial compositions that are useful at sanitizing food products. The compositions of the present invention include octanoic acid, an acidulant, a coupling agent, an optional buffer, and water. The compositions of the present invention are composed of GRAS or food additive raw materials.

Abstract: A lab on a valve analytical system includes a rotary sample preparation assembly having a stator and a rotor. The rotor includes a plurality of integral syringe pumps which can be aligned with passages formed within the stator. The stator passages can be connected with fluid inlet connector which connect the sample preparation assembly with fluid sources, and fluid outlet connectors which connect the sample preparation assembly with one or more wet chemical analytical devices. Some embodiments can include a mixer and optical sensor connected with the fluid outlets. One or more drive motors can be used to control simultaneous actuation of one or more of the syringe pumps, thereby providing for simultaneous delivery of metered volumes of fluid.

Abstract: Solid cleaning products suitable for use as a floor cleaner are disclosed. Methods of making and using solid cleaning products are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method and composition is provided for removing protein soil and preventing redeposition of soils onto a surface. The composition includes between about 1% and about 90% by weight sugar, between about 1% and about 80% by weight alkalinity source and between about 1% and about 10% by weight surfactant component. The sugar may be a saccharide or a non-saccharide based sugar. The composition is substantially free of phosphorus-containing compounds and includes less than about 0.05% by weight alkali earth metal.

Abstract: A preferred embodiment dispenser for dispensing product tablets includes a first disk member, a second disk member, and a third disk member. The first disk member is rotatable and includes a first aperture extending longitudinally through the first disk member. The second disk member is stationary and includes a second aperture extending longitudinally through the second disk member. The third disk member is rotatable and includes a third aperture extending longitudinally through the third disk member. The second aperture is intermittently aligned with the first aperture and the third aperture, the first aperture and the third aperture being positioned at different locations with respect to the second aperture thereby aligning with the second aperture at separate times resulting in an interrupted flow path for the product tablets.