Patents Assigned to Ecolab Inc.
  • Patent number: 6153181
    Abstract: Disclosed is a substantially water-free insecticidal granular bait suitable for controlling crawling insects such as cockroaches and ants. The bait includes an insecticide, several feeding stimulants which are typically carbohydrates and proteins, and a lipid. These bait compositions are in granular form, which are useful for application in hard-to-reach areas and are particularly useful in wet conditions, as well as hot, dry areas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2000
    Assignee: Ecolab Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas D. Nelson, Douglas G. Anderson, S. John Barcay
  • Patent number: 6150324
    Abstract: Solid block alkaline detergent compositions are disclosed comprising a source of alkalinity, and other detergent additives including sequestrants. The solid block detergents of the invention used a mixed inorganic and organic sequestrant composition that successfully softens service water used in manufacturing aqueous detergents from the composition, but also obtains substantially improved organic soil removal on dishware or flatware. The solid block detergents of the invention comprise large masses of the chemical ingredients having a weight of greater than about 500 grams in a solid block product format that is typically dispensed using a spray on water dispenser that creates an aqueous concentrate that is used in a washing machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2000
    Assignee: Ecolab, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven E. Lentsch, Keith E. Olson
  • Patent number: 6146522
    Abstract: Odors can arise from an enclosed waste processing system designed to convert solid waste into an aqueous pulp and extract a solid phase and an aqueous phase from the waste. The odors are the result of anaerobic portions of the system in which anaerobic microorganisms convert waste including fatty soils into volatile odor components including low molecular weight carboxylic acids. The action of these microorganisms can be controlled by maintaining the pH, of the aqueous phase common to all portions of the system, at above a pre-selected alkaline pH. Such a pH can be maintained by dosing the aqueous phase in the system with an appropriate amount of one or more alkalinity sources on a timely basis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2000
    Assignee: Ecolab Inc.
    Inventors: Peter J. Fernholz, Keith L. Ware
  • Patent number: 6147120
    Abstract: A synergistic composition and a synergistic system for use in treating the skin and hair of people and animals comprises separate treatment compositions (solution, dispersions, emulsions, suspensions or other liquid or liquefiable materials). One treatment with a first composition that may comprise at least 0.1% by weight of antimicrobially active aliphatic phenol derivative and treatment with another composition being selected from the group consisting of:a) a solution comprising an antimicrobially active cationic species;b) a comprising antimicrobially active aliphatic phenol derivative, preferably in a different weight percentage of antimicrobially active aliphatic phenol derivative than said one composition, comprising greater than 0.3% antimicrobially active aliphatic phenol derivative;c) a solution comprising an alcohol provides a synergistic antimicrobial action.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2000
    Assignee: Ecolab Inc.
    Inventors: Sally K. Swart, John Hilgren, William Feil, Mary Bennett
  • Patent number: 6143257
    Abstract: A dispenser 100 for dispensing a chemical product that is dissolved by diluent. The dispenser includes a package 170 having a diaphragm, or fingered collar 180 attached to its opening. The diaphragm 180 has a plurality of flexible members or flexible fingers 185. The dispenser may utilize an injection manifold 109 that is sized and configured to be positioned on a washing machine top proximate the gap between the washing machine's top and lid. Still further, the invention includes a low level chemical product indicator. The indicator includes a focused light source 98a and 98a. The focused light source is a high intensity light emitting diode having a viewing angle of less than 6.degree. and an intensity of above 10,000 mcd. The dispenser also includes an apparatus and method in which a dispensing time of a dispenser is dynamically varied in response to diluent temperature during operation of the dispenser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2000
    Assignee: Ecolab Inc.
    Inventors: John Ross Spriggs, Loleta T. Tolliver-Rogers, Daniel K. Boche, Ronald Bruce Howes, Douglas Sherwin Hoerning
  • Patent number: 6131774
    Abstract: A flowable material dispensing system that will dispense a flowable material into a container and stop dispensing when the proper level is reached in the container. The container has an actuating device that is used to open the valve on the container. As the flowable material flows into the container and reaches the top, flow stops.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2000
    Assignee: Ecolab Inc.
    Inventors: John E. Thomas, James L. Copeland, Jamie W. Lerbs, Roy F. Johnson
  • Patent number: 6124250
    Abstract: The invention provides a process for preparing a highly alkaline, solid cleaning composition in a batch or continuous mixing system, at or below the melting temperature of the alkaline ingredients, and products produced by the process. Preferably, the ingredients are processed in an extruder, and the mixture is extruded directly into a mold or other packaging system for dispensing the cleaning composition. The consistency of the product ranges from that of a fused block solid to a malleable product. The highly alkaline cleaning compositions are useful for warewashing and cleaning hard surfaces, rinsing, sanitizing, deodorizing, laundry detergents, and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2000
    Assignee: Ecolab Inc.
    Inventors: Keith E. Olson, James Thorson, Diane K. Johnson
  • Patent number: 6124794
    Abstract: The alarm mechanism of the invention signals the absence of a liquid from a source of aqueous liquid. The alarm mechanism comprises an alarm body having an inlet port and an outlet port; the inlet port in liquid communication with a source of liquid, the outlet port in liquid communication with a use locus. The alarm mechanism additionally comprises a float chamber placed in liquid parallel communication with the inlet port and the outlet port. The float chamber contains a float operably connected to a mechanical alarm. The float, as the chamber is emptied of liquid, reaches a position wherein a "low or empty product" signal is generated. The apparatus operates by passing liquid through the body. As liquid in the source of liquid is depleted and is no longer available for passage through the body, the body becomes emptied of liquid as the source of pressure removes liquid from the body and particularly from the chamber causing the float to reach a position generating a signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2000
    Assignee: Ecolab Inc.
    Inventors: John Furber, Mark Toetschinger, Jim Decker, Roger Keppers, Lee J. Monsrud
  • Patent number: 6121219
    Abstract: The invention relates to compositions and methods for cleaning typically organic beverage and food soils. The cleaning composition is formulated to remove carbohydrate and proteinaceous soils from hard surfaces. The formulations of the invention are directed to remove carbohydrate and proteinaceous soils from beverage manufacturing locations such as soils arising in the manufacture of malt beverages, fruit juices, dairy products, etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2000
    Assignee: Ecolab Inc.
    Inventors: Brandon L. Herdt, David A. Halsrud
  • Patent number: 6113963
    Abstract: Described is a method of sanitizing meat product using aqueous streams having an antimicrobial composition added to the stream. Preferably, the antimicrobial composition includes a mixture of one or more carboxylic acids having up to 18 carbon atoms and one or more peroxycarboxylic acids having up to 12 carbon atoms, preferably a mixture of a C.sub.2-4 peroxycarboxylic acid and a C.sub.8-12 peroxycarboxylic acid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2000
    Assignee: Ecolab Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy A. Gutzmann, Brian J. Anderson, Bruce R. Cords, Lawrence A. Grab, Edward H. Richardson, Pamela Reed McKay
  • Patent number: 6109480
    Abstract: A dispensing apparatus 10 includes a container 11 and docking station 20. A needle 35 positioned in a probe 40 which is located on a movable member 45 is guided into a container insert 60 which is positioned in the outlet 12 of the container 11.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2000
    Assignee: Ecolab Inc.
    Inventors: Lee J. Monsrud, Scott R. Olson, John P. Furber, Troy A. Anderson
  • Patent number: 6105638
    Abstract: A dispensing system and method of dispensing utilize a container housing a concentrated product which is filled with a diluent to form a use dilution, then is subsequently installed into a dispenser having means for automatically opening the container to (give the dispenser access to the use dilution. The container includes a cap disposed thereon with a pierceable member that permits access to the interior cavity of the container when pierced. The cap is removable to permit the container to be filled with a diluent prior to installation in the dispenser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2000
    Assignee: Ecolab Inc.
    Inventors: Maitland R. Edwards, Dale W. Groth, Eric R. Balz
  • Patent number: 6105633
    Abstract: A dispensing apparatus (200) dilutes a liquid concentrate to form a dilute use solution for dispensing into a bottle having first and second lockout sections. The dispenser (200) includes an aspirator (222) and a valve (210) operatively connected to the aspirator (222) to control flow of liquid diluent. A base member is positioned under the aspirator (222) and has first and second sides (206 and 207). Each side has an inwardly protruding lockout member (249 and 250). The bottle (201) has elongate lockouts (245 and 246) and vertical lockouts (247 and 248). The lockouts provide for a lockout to prevent the wrong bottle from entering the dispenser (200) and also provides for alignment of the bottle (201) as it is moved vertically towards the aspirator (222).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2000
    Assignee: Ecolab Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel E. Pedersen, Mark J. Toetschinger
  • Patent number: 6103286
    Abstract: Described is a method of sanitizing animal carcasses using aqueous streams having an antimicrobial composition added to the stream. Preferably, the antimicrobial composition includes a mixture of one or more carboxylic acids having up to 18 carbon atoms and one or more peroxycarboxylic acids having up to 12 carbon atoms, preferably a mixture of a C.sub.2 -C.sub.4 peroxycarboxylic acid and a C.sub.8 -C.sub.12 peroxycarboxylic acid. Also described is a novel antimicrobial composition adapted for sanitizing animal carcasses containing a mixture of one or more C.sub.2 -C.sub.4 peroxycarboxylic acids and one or more C.sub.8 -C.sub.12 peroxycarboxylic acids and an alpha-hydroxy mono- or dicarboxylic acid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2000
    Assignee: Ecolab Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy A. Gutzmann, Brian J. Anderson, Pamela J. Reed, Bruce R. Cords, Lawrence A. Grab, Edward H. Richardson
  • Patent number: 6098646
    Abstract: A dispensing system for dispensing chemical products to a plurality of utilization points utilizes a multi-port valve to selectively deliver use dilutions from a mixing apparatus to selected utilization points. The multi-port valve utilizes a position sensor to provide positive proof-of-delivery by detecting the angular position of a rotor relative to a stator in the valve. The position sensor includes opposing annular arrangements of detectable elements and proximity detectors which rotate relative to one another about a common axis in response to rotation of the rotor such that detectable elements are oriented in proximity to a unique combination of proximity detectors at each of a plurality of predetermined angular positions. As a result, unique codes are output from the proximity detectors to positively identify positioning of the rotor at the predetermined angular positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2000
    Assignee: Ecolab Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas L. Hennemann, Daniel F. Brady
  • Patent number: 6079595
    Abstract: A liquid dispenser 10 includes a container 20 mounted on a wire rack 40 which is mounted to a wall 60 or the like. An aspirator 80 is mounted on the wire rack and the container covers/conceals the aspirator from view and acts as both a container and cover or shroud.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2000
    Assignee: Ecolab Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher A. Meyer, Dennis R. Breining, Tammy A. Bailey, Todd W. Heeringa, James R. Johnson
  • Patent number: 6059147
    Abstract: Many water based agriculture chemicals such as dairy chemicals, including teat washes and teat dips, are supplied in concentrated form in containers or bottles. The concentrated liquid is typically diluted with water at a ratio of about 1 to 5 ounces concentrate per gallon of water to form a treatment solution. The present invention involves a device that can both meter and dispense a precise amount of concentrate from a storage container for dilution purposes. The device of the present invention includes a dispenser that is connected to a container of liquid concentrate, typically a plastic bottle containing 1 to 3 gallons of the concentrate liquid, that is held by a retainer. A precise amount of liquid is obtained by rotating a handle of the dispenser from a first position to a second position, preferably about 180.degree. to 360.degree..
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2000
    Assignee: Ecolab, Inc.
    Inventors: Kaye Kit-Han Yuen, Oliver Murphy, III, John Joseph Mitlyng, Arlen Dean Jacobsma
  • Patent number: D425965
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2000
    Assignee: Ecolab, Inc.
    Inventors: Kaye Kit-Han Yuen, Oliver Murphy, III
  • Patent number: D426162
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2000
    Assignee: Ecolab Inc.
    Inventor: Scott R. Olson
  • Patent number: D427912
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2000
    Assignee: Ecolab Inc.
    Inventors: Keith Douglas Johnson, Steven Edward Craig, William John Feil, III