Patents Assigned to Ecolab Inc.
  • Patent number: 7838484
    Abstract: Cleaner concentrates, associated cleaners, and associated methods are disclosed. The cleaner concentrates are capable for use in making cleaners that are capable of removing from surfaces fresh, greasy soils and polymerized soils more recently encountered in the food service industry originating from non-trans-fat oils. The cleaner concentrates include one or more alkalinity sources, one or more chelants, one or more surfactants, and as a remainder, water. The one or more alkalinity sources may be present in an amount sufficient to provide a free alkalinity (expressible as Na2O) of greater than about 3.6 wt % and a total alkalinity (expressible as Na2O) of greater than about 6.1 wt %, based on the total weight of the cleaner concentrate. The one or more chelants may be present in an amount sufficient to permit a use of a water having a hardness number up to about 600 ppm (600 mg/L) or more.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2010
    Assignee: Ecolab Inc.
    Inventors: Danielle Elise Underwood, Tami Jo Tadrowski, Karen Odom Rigley
  • Publication number: 20100286005
    Abstract: The passage of a container along a conveyor is lubricated by applying to the container or conveyor a mixture of a water-miscible silicone material and a water-miscible lubricant. The mixture can be applied in relatively low amounts, to provide thin, substantially non-dripping lubricating films. In contrast to dilute aqueous lubricants, the lubricants of the invention provide drier lubrication of the conveyors and containers, a cleaner conveyor line and reduced lubricant usage, thereby reducing waste, cleanup and disposal problems.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2010
    Publication date: November 11, 2010
    Applicant: Ecolab Inc.
    Inventors: Arturo S. Valencia Sil, Lawrence A. Grab, Bruce E. Schmidt, David A. Halsrud, Guang-Jong Jason Wei, Eric D. Morrison, Hector R. Dibenedetto
  • Publication number: 20100286006
    Abstract: The passage of a container along a conveyor is lubricated by applying to the container or conveyor a lubricant composition comprising a water-miscible silicone material having a silicone emulsion wherein the silicone emulsion contains less than 500 ppm of a triethanolamine salts of alkyl benzene sulfonic acid compounds.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2010
    Publication date: November 11, 2010
    Applicant: Ecolab Inc.
    Inventors: Arturo S. Valencia Sil, Lawrence A. Grab, Bruce E. Schmidt, David A. Halsrud, Guang-Jong Jason Wei, Eric D. Morrison, Hector R. Dibenedetto, Jessica L. Anacker, Richard D. Johnson, Megan W. Malvey, Scott P. Bennett, Stefan Seemeyer
  • Patent number: 7828907
    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: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2010
    Assignee: Ecolab Inc.
    Inventors: Altony Miralles, Michael E. Besse
  • Patent number: 7828905
    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: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2010
    Assignee: Ecolab Inc.
    Inventors: Kim R. Smith, Brenda L. Tjelta, Lisa M. Sanders, Keith E. Olson
  • Publication number: 20100272916
    Abstract: A tire dressing system includes an imaging device that captures an image of a vehicle tire or portion thereof and at least one application device that applies tire dressing to the tire based on the captured image. The system determines one or more tire parameters based on the captured image. The tire dressing system configures the at least one application device based on the tire parameter(s) such that the application device substantially restricts application of tire dressing to within the boundaries of the tire sidewalls. By determining the tire parameters, the tire dressing system may apply the tire dressing to the tire sidewalls while reducing or minimizing application of tire dressing to the body or rims of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2009
    Publication date: October 28, 2010
    Applicant: Ecolab Inc.
    Inventors: David J. Falbaum, Darren M. Jahnke, Paul R. Kraus, Paul S. Schilling, Mark Lorenz
  • Patent number: 7816555
    Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions of peroxycarboxylic acid that have reduced odor compared to conventional peroxycarboxylic acid compositions, methods employing these reduced-odor compositions, and methods of making these compositions. Typically, the reduced-odor compositions include an amine oxide surfactant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Assignee: Ecolab Inc.
    Inventors: Kim R. Smith, Robert D. Hei
  • Publication number: 20100257676
    Abstract: The invention relates to a liquid detergent concentrate 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 C8 to C10 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 x is from 3 to 7 and y is from 3 to 7. 0.01-10 wt-% of one or more crosslinked or partly crosslinked polyacrylic acid Q or polymethacrylic acid or mixtures thereof and the rest up to 100 wt-% is water.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2007
    Publication date: October 14, 2010
    Applicant: ECOLAB INC.
    Inventors: Khalil Shamayeli, Thomas Merz
  • Patent number: 7803321
    Abstract: A system and method for formulating a chemical solution using both volumetric and weight based measurements of components of the chemical solution is disclosed. The components of the chemical solution include water and at least one other component, which may take any form, such as, without limitation, liquid, solid, powder or gaseous form. Formulation of the chemical solution is administered by combining water with the one or more other components at an output port, from which this combination is dispensed to a solution storage tank. In response to a user's request to formulate a specified amount of the chemical solution, the volume of water provided to the output port is monitored by a flow meter and the weight of the other component(s) provided to the output port is monitored by one or more load cells. Based on such monitoring, appropriate amounts of water and the other component(s) are combined together to formulate the specified amount of the chemical solution in the solution storage tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2010
    Assignee: Ecolab Inc.
    Inventors: Larry Mitchell Lark, Darren Jahnke, Eric Willman, Warren Pannkuk
  • Publication number: 20100240562
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to an enzyme stabilization system, compositions with the enzyme stabilization system, and methods of using the enzyme composition. Preferred ratios of acid to amine are effective at stabilizing enzyme. Optional nonionic surfactants and solvents also positively contribute to enzyme stability. The compositions are useful in cleaning applications.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2010
    Publication date: September 23, 2010
    Applicant: Ecolab Inc.
    Inventors: Brandon L. Herdt, Werner Strothoff, Alice Siegmann
  • Publication number: 20100229897
    Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions including threshold agents, and methods of use thereof. The threshold agents can include hydroxycarboxylate compounds present at an amount sufficient to control water hardness. The threshold agents are present in the wash solution at a molar amount less than the molar amount of water hardness ions present.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2009
    Publication date: September 16, 2010
    Applicant: ECOLAB INC.
    Inventors: Altony J. Miralles, Carter M. Silvernail
  • Publication number: 20100234262
    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 24, 2010
    Publication date: September 16, 2010
    Applicant: ECOLAB INC.
    Inventors: Kim R. Smith, Michael E. Besse, Brenda L. Tjelta, Lisa M. Sanders, Keith E. Olson
  • Patent number: 7795000
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a composition including a microbial component and a foaming component, wherein the composition can be used to prevent the proliferation, or otherwise competitively exclude the continued growth of, undesirable microbes. The present invention also includes a method of using this composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2010
    Assignee: Ecolab Inc.
    Inventors: Teresa C. Podtburg, Bruce Schmidt, Bruce Cords, Lawrence A. Grab, David A. Halsrud
  • Patent number: 7795199
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a stable antimicrobial and cleaning compositions including an amine antimicrobial agent; a borate salt; and spores (bacterial or fungal), vegetative bacteria, fungi, or enzyme, and to methods of using the composition. The composition can also include a polyol.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2010
    Assignee: Ecolab Inc.
    Inventors: Katherine J. Molinaro, Daniel E. Pedersen, Joshua P. Magnuson, Michael E. Besse, Jaclyn Steep, Victor F. Man
  • Patent number: 7794165
    Abstract: The present invention includes a system for applying floor finish. The system can include a back or other pack configured to hold one or more containers of liquid floor finish, a wand applicator, and metering valve. The wand applicator can include handle and conduit. The conduit can provide fluid communication of floor finish from the container to a floor. The metering valve can be configured to controllably provide fluid communication of floor finish through the conduit and to release floor finish onto the floor. In an embodiment the system also includes a cleanout coupler. In an embodiment the system also includes a filter configured to filter the floor finish. In an embodiment, the backpack includes a grip configured for carrying the backpack. In an embodiment, the backpack includes positioning portion or surface configured to support portions of the container. In an embodiment, the backpack includes padded attachment apparatus configured to support the backpack on a wearer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2010
    Assignee: Ecolab Inc.
    Inventors: Eric Balz, Wesley Nelson, Brian Carlson, Darren Jahnke, James P. Gardner, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7788845
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2010
    Assignee: Ecolab Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas D. Nelson, Oliver A. Ossanna, Douglas G. Anderson
  • Patent number: D624269
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2010
    Assignee: Ecolab Inc.
    Inventors: Stephan Uhl, Matthias Menzel, Stefan Rutschmann, Dario Enzo Sforza, Klaus-Günter Hub, Martin Stützel
  • Patent number: D624270
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2010
    Assignee: Ecolab Inc.
    Inventors: Stephan Uhl, Matthias Menzel, Stefan Rutschmann, Dario Enzo Sforza, Klaus-Günter Hub, Martin Stützel
  • Patent number: D624271
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2010
    Assignee: Ecolab Inc.
    Inventors: Stephan Uhl, Matthias Menzel, Stefan Rutschmann, Dario Sforza, Klaus-Günter Hub, Martin Stützel
  • Patent number: D624724
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2010
    Assignee: Ecolab Inc.
    Inventors: Stephan Uhl, Matthias Menzel, Stefan Rutschmann, Dario Enzo Sforza, Klaus-Günter Hub, Martin Stützel