Abstract: The invention is a process for preventing microbial growth in aqueous streams by applying a C.sub.2 -C.sub.12 percarboxylic acid such as, for example, peracetic, perpropionic, perbutyric, peroctanoic, perglycolic, perlactic, percitric; and the like to the aqueous stream. Generally, the process of the invention is applicable to aqueous streams used in any number of applications such as the application of streams for the transport of food products, e.g. fruits or vegetables, into the processing environment and through the various steps of processing.

Abstract: A dispensing for dispensing a chemical product mixed with water is connected to a water supply through a line pressure diverter which relieves pressure in downstream of the water supply when the dispensing apparatus is not activated. Pressure is diverted by diverting the flow of water from a water supply to a second outlet port on the diverter. The line pressure diverter permits a dispensing apparatus to be installed on conventional water supply faucets without substantial modification thereto, and without causing damage to any pre-existing backflow prevention devices installed on the water supply.

Abstract: A method for dispensing and handling chemical solutions by using a dispensing station. The dispensing station includes a cabinet having a fill compartment and at least one concentrate bottle compartment. The cabinet's top wall has a funnel for supporting a dilution gun. The gun is in fluid communication with a water source and has a removable insert containing an aspirator. The insert's outlet tube fits within the cabinet's funnel. A pickup tube extends from the concentrated chemical solution to the gun. A use container such as a spray bottle is sized and configured to fit within the fill compartment. In the preferred embodiment, the concentrate container has a plurality of grooves which are sized and configured to correspond with a plurality of ribs within the concentrate compartments. Additionally, the concentrate compartment's lower portion forms a track to accommodate a bottom portion of the concentrate container.

Abstract: Disclosed is a container 10, 25 for dispensing of detergents and other solid chemicals, and a method for manufacturing the container 10, 25. The container 10, 25 has a paperboard housing 11, 26 which contains a plastic bladder 21, 27. The exposed surface of the solid chemical is covered by a cap 12, 32. A handle 16, 37 is provided. The container 10, 25 is suitable for use in a dispensing device 40.

Abstract: The invention is an erodible antimicrobial caulk composition having a sanitizer and a hardener which controls the consistency and the dissolution rate of the composition once subjected to an aqueous flow. Also disclosed is a method of preparing the erodible caulk composition. These caulks are useful in institutional food preparation and food serving environments including restaurants, hospitals, day care facilities, nursing homes, and the like as well as institutional food harvesting and processing environments including food and beverage processing plants, dairy farms and dairy plant operations, red meat, poultry and fish preparation and processing environments, and the like, including post process food transport and distribution channel environments such as trucks and grocery or foodstuff retailers.

Abstract: A wash arm hub for a dishwasher includes a sealed bearing rotatably coupling first and second mounting hub members. The sealed bearing, as well as the first and second hub members, define an interior fluid passageway or chamber to permit fluid to flow through the hub assembly. The sealed bearing and the design of the hub members prevents fluid leakage out of the hub, thereby providing a low friction support for a wash arm and a sealed connection between a fluid supply and the wash arm.

Abstract: A multiple product dispensing system includes a plurality of use solution dispensers and a controller for selecting one of the dispensers according to a preset regimen, e.g., selecting different dispensers on different days of the week. Each dispenser dispenses a controlled concentration of use solution using a diluent delivery apparatus that delivers a diluent to form a liquid concentrate from a solid chemical composition, and to form make-up diluent for diluting the liquid concentrate and forming a use solution of controlled concentration. A foam reducer reduces the kinetic energy of the make-up diluent prior to mixing with the liquid concentrate to reduce foaming. An unskilled operator may operate the dispensing system to dispense a use solution of carefully controlled concentration, and the controller will automatically select the proper dispenser according to the preset regimen, without any additional input on the part of the operator.

Abstract: A method for cleaning plasticware wherein the rinse cycle employs a rinse aid composition requires lower concentration of conventional hydrocarbon surfactants, exhibits adequate sheeting on the plasticware and acceptable drying time which prior rinse aids have failed to provide without special handling. The compositions contain hydrocarbon surfactants and a combination of a fluorinated hydrocarbon surfactant and a polyalkylene oxide-modified polydimethylsiloxane surfactant. The composition may be formulated as a solid or liquid suitable for dilution to form an aqueous rinse used to contact the plasticware in a warewashing machine.

Abstract: An apparatus for diluting liquid concentrate materials to liquid use solutions. Liquid concentrates comprise common household cleaning and sanitizing materials such as window cleaners, hard surface cleaners, floor cleaners, sink cleaners, tile cleaners, drain cleaners and openers, glass cleaners, food preparation units, sanitizers, disinfectants, floor finishes and other similar institutional or industrial aqueous or aqueous-alcoholic cleaning solutions. The aspirator system is adapted to receive a container of liquid concentrate in a reservoir. The reservoir contains device to open the liquid concentrate. Additionally the reservoir contains device to support the liquid concentrate during addition of concentrate to the reservoir. When empty, the liquid concentrate bottle can be placed in a receiver for the empty container. The receiver has filling device for the container that can deliver dilute use solution to the container.

Abstract: The invention is a foam stabilizing composition which is used in conjunction with alkaline detergent products to produce a foam which is capable of clinging to vertical surfaces for extended time periods without breakdown or drying and which ultimately rinses freely with water. The foam stabilizing composition generally comprises a vinyl polymer emulsion. The invention also comprises a method of cleaning hard surfaces using the combination of the alkaline detergent product and the disclosed foam stabilizing composition.

Abstract: Ethylene oxide/propylene oxide block copolymers having high cloud points, when compared to conventional rinse agent materials, have surprisingly been found to be useful in the manufacture of effective low foaming rinse aids. The rinse aids are prepared by combining the high cloud point copolymer with an effective defoamer and a water miscible diluent. The rinse aid composition can achieve adequate rinsing at common aqueous rinse temperatures at a concentration of the block copolymer in water less than 500 parts of the block copolymer per million parts of water. A liquid rinse agent concentrate can take the form of a low viscosity liquid, a thickened pourable or semi-pourable aqueous liquids. A solid rinse agent concentrate can be a cast solid material packaged within a soluble or disposable wrapper or capsule or other water soluble package. The rinse aids can be dispersed in a variety of ways by dilution with water to an aqueous final rinse composition.

Abstract: The invention is methods and compositions for removing bonding agents from the hard surfaces of machinery and, in its most preferred mode packaging equipment. The release composition comprises lecithin and a hydrophobic carrier. The method comprises the steps of applying a release composition to the surfaces of the packaging equipment. The packaging equipment is then used. Any bonding agent deposited on the treated areas of the packaging equipment may then be removed. The invention is applicable to any number of package and container manufacture environments including package assembly, package sealing, product sealing, and labeling.

Abstract: A solution storage and dispensing apparatus and method of operation therefor are disclosed. The solution storage and dispensing apparatus includes a selector valve and a control valve which selectively output a liquid such as water to one of a plurality of storage containers. Each container has an aspirator mounted therein which receives the water and a chemical concentrate to form a solution therein. A container is filled by selecting the container using the selector valve and actuating the control valve to dispense water to the selected container.

Abstract: A method of sanitizing and destaining ware, including silverware includes the steps of applying a sanitizing concentrate composition to silverware at a rate of 100 ppm to 2000 ppm, the sanitizing concentrate composition including from about 1 wt-% to 20 wt-% of peroxycarboxylic acid, from about 10 wt-% to 50 wt-% of carboxylic acid containing a mixture of acetic acid, and octanoic acid, the acetic acid and the octanoic acid present in a ratio ranging from about 10 to 1 to about 1 to 1, respectively, from about 3 wt-% to 35 wt-% of hydrogen peroxide, and a balance of carrier wherein said peroxycarboxylic acid is the reaction product of the acetic acid, octanoic acid, and hydrogen peroxide.