Abstract: An apparatus for maintaining an effective concentration of alkaline detergent in an aqueous medium in a warewashing machine, which apparatus comprises a batch-fill warewashing machine having an aqueous rinse system, an alkaline detergent dispenser and a sump sized for a predetermined volume of an aqueous solution of the alkaline detergent in the aqueous medium; a source of the aqueous medium fluidly connected to the rinse system; means for controlling the flow of the aqueous medium through the rinse system; diverting means for obtaining a predetermined portion of the aqueous flow from the rinse system and for directing the diverted portion through a metering cap and volume control to the alkaline detergent dispenser, thereby to dissolve the alkaline detergent; and means for directing the dissolved alkaline detergent to the sump; wherein the detergent is dispensed only in a rinse cycle and an effective concentration of alkaline detergent is maintained in the warewashing machine sump.

Abstract: An insect trap using attractant light, comprising a source of insect attractant light and a housing that can be mounted on a generally planar or flat mounting surface. The housing and the source of light cooperate to form a bidirectional or a multidirectional (overlapping or non-overlapping) pattern of insect attractant light. The housing comprises one, two or more openings for the insect attractant light that is reflected and radiated onto the flat mounting surface. The housing and the source of insect attractant light can cooperate to form a light pattern directed in a continuous display pattern that can surround the housing. The housing openings further facilitate the entry of flying insect pests into the trap. As the insects enter the trap, they are immobilized on an insect immobilization surface mounted within the trap.

Abstract: A low viscosity aqueous cleaning composition provides increasing viscosity upon dilution which provides a high viscosity diluted cleaning composition having solvents compatible with the rod micelle thickener and the cleaning system that clings for an extended period of time in a thickened form containing cleaning system ingredients that can penetrate and remove hard baked-on soils on vertical surfaces in cleaning units. The composition contains active cleaning ingredients (acid, alkaline and enzyme) that, in combination with thickening systems, provide the useful properties. The thickened materials can be applied on cold or hot surfaces and can successfully penetrate, soften and remove baked-on food soil on a variety of surfaces including oven walls, doors and grills, baking dishes, utensils, etc.

Abstract: The dimensionally stable alkaline solid block warewashing detergent uses an E-form binder forming a solid comprising a sodium carbonate source of alkalinity, a metal corrosion protecting alkali metal silicate composition, a sequestrant, a surfactant package and other optional material. The solid block is dimensionally stable and highly effective in removing soil from the surfaces of dishware in the institutional and industrial environment. The E-form hydrate comprises an organic phosphonate and a hydrated carbonate.

Abstract: The invention relates to microemulsion compositions containing water, a mixture of nonionic surfactants, and oil. The microemulsion provides for the removal of hydrophobic particularly oily soils from a variety of substrates. The compositions can be used for hard surface, laundry cleaning, hand washing, and car washing. Typical hydrophobic soils are oily based soils derived from petroleum oils or natural fats and oils also containing a significant proportion of particulate soils such as carbon, common dirt and other non-water soluble typically hydrophobic soil particulate. The microemulsion composition can include a splitting agent such as an amphoteric surfactant for controlling the conditions under which the microemulsion will split.

Abstract: A device which measures individual employee usage of a liquid product or hand soap dispenser as part of an overall hygiene compliance program. The dispenser consists of a self-contained keypad/display module which is attached to a standard hand soap dispenser. An employee enters a unique personal ID code and then activates the dispenser. The dispenser counts all inputs to the dispenser in order to generate meaningful data for management. Alternatively, the dispenser may only track and report total usage and not account for individual employee usage.

Abstract: The ability of aqueous laundry compositions to remove organic hydrophobic soils, such as oily, greasy or particulate soils, from a laundry item is substantially improved by pre-spotting or pre-treating such a soiled item with a treatment composition having a surfactant comprising a unique hydrophillic ethoxylate surfactant with less than two moles of ethylene oxide or a or blend of at least two surfactant compositions with a blended HLB value of about 7-12. The blend of surfactants with this HLB value penetrates soils and renders the soil more easily removed from the item using aqueous laundry detergent. The treatment composition can be used in a liquid or solid form and can be applied to individual laundry items in the form of a solid stick or liquid spray prior to introduction to the laundry machine. Laundry items can also be contacted in the laundry machine with the pre-spot or pre-treatment composition in the form of an aqueous presoak, preflush, prewash, or other step prior to the cleaning step.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and to a device for sensing low levels of iodine in an aqueous solution by using an extraction procedure whereby iodine from the aqueous solution is extracted into a substantially water-insoluble organic phase, and testing measuring the concentration of iodine in the organic phase using optical absorption techniques. The measured concentration of iodine can then be equated with concentration of iodine or iodine in the aqueous solution.

Abstract: A liquid composition of phenolic compounds can be formed in the substantial absence of a solvent and a surfactant. This composition includes at least one substituted phenol and a halo-substituted phenol. In one embodiment, the composition includes benzylchlorophenol and at least one of phenylphenol and tert-pentylphenol. In another embodiment, the composition includes benzylchlorophenol, phenylphenol, and tert-pentylphenol. The composition may be useful for preparing an antimicrobial material. A liquid phenolic composition can be prepared by forming a composition having at least one substituted phenol and a halo-substituted phenol in the substantial absence of a solvent and surfactant and mixing the composition until a liquid phenolic composition is formed.

Abstract: A solid block detergent composition is described which can be dispensed with a water spray to form an aqueous detergent for cutting and removing grease, removing and suspending soils and rinsing easily leaving cleaned ware. The aqueous detergent concentrate can be used in a cleaning liquid having exceptional soil, particularly grease removing properties with stable foam properties. The solid block detergent contains a package of surfactants including a neutralized anionic surfactant with either one or a mixture of an alkali and alkaline earth metal salt thereof and an alkylpolyglycoside. The active ingredients and polyethylene glycol as a hardening agent are dispersed in a matrix which hardens to form a solid block.

Abstract: A laundry detergent composition comprising about 1 to about 75 parts by weight of at least one caustic compound, about 0.5 to about 50 parts by weight of at least one nonionic surfactant, about 1 to about 35 parts by weight of at least one primary amine compound having the following general formula: NH2—CH2—(CHR)n—OH where each R is independently hydrogen, C1 to C30 alkyl, aryl, etheral, amino, hydroxy, alkoxy, or ester and n is 0 to 12, and about 1 to about 60 parts by weight of at least one builder, filler, or mixture thereof.

Abstract: A system for forming and releasing an aqueous peracid solution is disclosed. The system includes a container and a peracid forming composition provided within the container. The container is permeable to the passage of water and aqueous peracid solution. The peracid forming composition includes a peracid precursor and a peroxygen source. Preferably, the peracid forming composition includes a chemical heater capable of releasing heat upon hydration. When placed in water, water enters the container and interacts with the peracid forming composition provided within the container. The water combines with the peracid precursor and peroxygen source to provide an aqueous peracid composition. The presence of a chemical heater within the container provides for the generation of heat within the container which enhances the rate of peracid formation. The peracid solution leaves the container and forms an effective sanitizing amount of sanitizer.

Abstract: The mastitis control teat dip composition of the invention provides a softening, soothing, smoothing, relaxing property, a rapid initial kill, a useful highly pseudoplastic rheology, a barrier/film-forming capacity, a unique antimicrobial composition that is stable over an extended period of time, and unexpected long term microbial control when compared to the prior art materials disclosed in patents and used in the marketplace. The compositions of the invention are made by combining an aqueous thickened liquid composition containing the organic components which can be combined with a simple aqueous solution of a salt of chlorous acid, preferably an alkali metal chlorite. The materials can be combined, blended into a smooth viscous material containing an emollient package and can be immediately contacted with the target animals. The compositions of the invention provide rapid initial kill, consistent long term kill and chemical and rheological stability.

Abstract: A data processing system is used to manage and track use of chemical product in a washing machine. A detergent dispenser distributes the chemical products (e.g., detergent, rinse agent, and bleach) to the washing machine. The dispenser includes a monitor that detects dispenser data based on distribution of the chemical product by the dispenser. A database is coupled to the dispenser and stores an account identifier and an alignment identifier in association with the dispenser data of the dispenser. The database further stores corporate data in associating with the dispenser data, the account identifier, and the alignment identifier. An analysis application analyzes the dispenser data in relation with the corporate data to characterize use of the chemical product in the chemical application system and provide a feedback loop. The analysis application can limit its analysis to data associated with a given account identifier or a given alignment identifier.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a bait station comprising a base, a reservoir, a cover, and a latch. The base may be used in two different orientations and includes a first section and a second section. The first section has climbing assisting members and a cavity with a reservoir receiving area, and the second section has side climbing assisting members. The climbing assisting members and side climbing assisting members of the base provide a textured surface that enables insects to crawl into and out of the bait station more easily. The reservoir contains poisonous bait and may be placed in two different positions within the reservoir receiving area to accommodate the two different orientations in which the base may be used. The reservoir includes tapered sides with climbing assisting members. The climbing assisting members provide a textured surface that enables insects to crawl into and out of the reservoir more easily.

Abstract: The invention relates to a highly alkaline or mildly alkaline detergent composition having enhanced cleaning properties. The detergent combines a source of alkalinity and a blend of nonionic surfactants that enhances cleaning starchy soils. The blend of nonionic surfactants preferably includes an alkyl polyglycoside surfactant and a silicon surfactant having a hydrophobic silicon group and a pendant hydrophilic group. Preferably, the blend of nonionic surfactants includes a surfactant having a hydrophobic group and an ethylene oxide residue containing group and a polymer additive. A method for removing soil from an article is provided.

Abstract: The invention includes a process for manufacturing an improved solid cast alkaline composition, that includes (a) reacting an alkali metal silicate with an alkali metal hydroxide of the formula MOH, where M is an alkali metal, in an aqueous environment to form a reaction product; and (b) solidifying the reaction product in a mold where the reaction product is formed and solidified at room temperature without the addition of externally supplied heat and the reaction product solidifies without the use of external cooling; and where the relative amount of alkali metal silicate, alkali metal hydroxide and water incorporated into the composition are effective for producing a reaction product having about 20 to 50 parts water per 100 parts of a combination of the alkali metal silicate, the alkali metal hydroxide and water in the cast solid composition and an M2O:SiO2 ratio of about 2.5:1 to 4.

Abstract: Continuous coatings are prepared using novel two part compositions and methods. The two part compositions of the invention comprise, in separate containers, a powder polymer composition and a coalescing agent. The powder composition has preferred particle size distribution and composition for use in the compositions or methods of the invention. The coalescing agents of the invention cooperate with the powder part to result in a excellent finish having the appropriate drying hardness, durability, etc. The novel method of the invention involves contacting a coalescing agent with polymer particles in a variety of coating methods. The particles and the coalescing agent interact to form a continuous coating layer or finish layer. The basic coating formation methods of the invention can be embodied in a number of methods or protocols including applying a solid polymer to the liquid coalescing agent, applying the agent to the polymer particulate or applying the liquid and polymer simultaneously.

Abstract: A plastics compatible detergent composition is provided by the invention. The plastics compatible detergent composition includes about 0.01 wt. % to about 10 wt. % anionic surfactant; about 0.01 wt. % to about 10 wt. % cationic surfactant; about 0.01 wt. % to about 10 wt. % of at least one of reverse polyoxyalkylene block copolymer surfactant, alcohol alkoxylate surfactant having polyoxypropylene and/or polyoxybutylene end groups, and mixtures thereof; about 0.01 wt. % to about 10 wt. % alkylpolyglycoside surfactant; and about 0.01 wt. % to about 20 wt. % silicone surfactant. A method for washing an article having a plastic surface is provided by the invention. The method includes a step of applying the detergent composition to the plastic surface, and rinsing the detergent composition from the article.

Abstract: Several embodiments of an insect trap using attractant light displayed on a projection surface are disclosed. The insect trap can be mounted on a vertical surface such as a wall or on a horizontal surface such as a ceiling. The trap has a light source configured to direct substantially all light from the source to the projection surface. Insects attracted by the light pattern on the projection surface are immobilized on an adhesive surface. A method of trapping insects is also disclosed.