Patents Assigned to Ecolab Inc.
  • Method for dispensing moisture-sensitive unit dose packages
    Patent number: 5249737
    Abstract: A unit dose package dispenser (1) including a drawer (13) and ramp (7) such that unit dose packages are urged through an aperture (10) and into the drawer (13). The ramp (7) is elevated from the bottom region (6) of the container (1) so as to isolate the contents of the container from moisture. A cover (14) formed integrally with the container front wall (4) tends to protect the contents of the drawer (13) from moisture in the surrounding environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 1991
    Date of Patent: October 5, 1993
    Assignee: Ecolab Inc.
    Inventors: Barbara L. Fritz, Elizabeth J. Gladfelter, Tina O. Outlaw
  • Liquid dispenser with collapsible reservoir holder
    Patent number: 5248066
    Abstract: A dispenser (10) for use particularly with viscous liquids which has a housing (11) having positioned therein a reservoir holder (31) demountably attached to the housing (11), a collapsible reservoir (26) disposed in the holder (31), a dispensing tube (27) extending from the reservoir (26), and a front push bar member (35) which when pushed, causes a block member (22) inside of the housing (11) to contact the dispensing tube (27) and thereby dispense a predetermined controlled amount of liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 1992
    Date of Patent: September 28, 1993
    Assignee: Ecolab Inc.
    Inventors: John T. Olson, Gerald L. Burns, Stanley R. Weller
  • Antimicrobial lubricant compositions including a fatty acid and a quaternary
    Patent number: 5244589
    Abstract: Stable concentrated liquid and solid antimicrobial lubricating compositions can be formulated which include (-) 5 to 40 wt % of a C.sub.6-24 fatty acid, (-) 10 to 40 wt % of a quaternary ammonium salt, (-) an amount of an alkaline source sufficient to increase the pH of the composition to at least 8, and optionally (-) about 0.1 to 10 wt % of an amine. The balance of the liquid form of the composition constitutes water. The lubricating compositions are particularly useful on the load bearing surfaces of conveyor belts used in food preparation where a combination of effective lubricity and efficacious antimicrobial activity are necessary.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 1991
    Date of Patent: September 14, 1993
    Assignee: Ecolab Inc.
    Inventors: Chung-Tsing Liu, Joseph C. Dirksen
  • Food additive sanitizing compositions
    Patent number: 5234719
    Abstract: A food additive microbicidal composition consisting essentially of a major portion of carrier and an effective sanitizing amount of octanoic acid. Optionally, the invention may also consist essentially of any variety of formulatory ingredient options or application adjuvants. The invention comprises concentrate compositions and methods of sanitizing and disinfecting using the antimicrobial composition of the invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 10, 1993
    Assignee: Ecolab Inc.
    Inventors: Francis L. Richter, Daniel E. Pedersen, Dale L. Fredell, Duane J. Reinhardt
  • Article comprising a water soluble bag containing a multiple use amount of a pelletized functional material and methods of its use
    Patent number: 5234615
    Abstract: An article comprising a water soluble container containing a multiple use amount of a pelletized functional composition such as a fabric treatment composition, a warewashing composition, a laundry composition, a pot and pan presoak composition, a silverware presoak composition, a floor cleaner composition, a rinse additive composition, a disinfectant composition, a sanitizer composition, a general purpose cleaner composition, etc. The article may be optionally enclosed in a water impervious outerwrap.A method for using the article by placing the article inside a dispenser wherein the article is contacted with water having a sufficient temperature and pressure to dissolve the water soluble bag and the pelletized functional material contained therein in order to form a solution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 10, 1993
    Assignee: Ecolab Inc.
    Inventors: Elizabeth J. Gladfelter, Sheryl D. Slocumb
  • Air freshener device cartridge
    Patent number: 5234162
    Abstract: An air freshener device (10) having a cartridge (14) and a cartridge housing (16) is disclosed. The housing (16) has a sealed first cavity (18) and a sealed second cavity (20) having a first fragrance (22) and a second fragrance (24), respectively. First and second cavities (18) and (20) have first and second opening (34) and (54) respectively. The device (10) includes a housing (12) having air passage openings (70), (76), (78), a fan (82) and power means (80) and also supports cartridge (14).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 1991
    Date of Patent: August 10, 1993
    Assignee: Ecolab Inc.
    Inventor: William E. Sullivan
  • Flying insect attractant composition
    Patent number: 5229126
    Abstract: A formulated attractant for household flying pests and the optimal release rates have been found providing improved attractiveness when compared to prior art attractants including the use of fermented materials or hydrolyzed or other decomposed proteins. The attractant is pleasant and nontoxic to humans when used correctly, and is easily manufactured, stored and transported.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 1992
    Date of Patent: July 20, 1993
    Assignee: Ecolab Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas G. Anderson, Thomas D. Nelson
  • Encapsulated halogen bleaches and methods of preparation and use
    Patent number: 5213705
    Abstract: An active-halogen bleach such as dichloroisocyanurate dihydrate encapsulated in a coating of a synthetic detergent such as sodium octyl sulfonate. The capsule may further comprise an initial coating of a soluble inorganic detergent builder or filler. The capsule is table in highly alkaline environments such as detergent composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 1991
    Date of Patent: May 25, 1993
    Assignee: Ecolab Inc.
    Inventor: Keith E. Olson
  • Compositions and methods that introduce variations in color density into cellulosic fabrics, particularly indigo dyed denim
    Patent number: 5213581
    Abstract: Aqueous processes and compositions of the invention for obtaining a "stone-washed", distressed or "used and abused" look in clothing, particularly in the panels and seams of denim jeans and jackets involve compositions that are stone-free that avoid mechanical abrasion of the fabric. In particular, the process and composition of the invention used to obtain the distressed, "stone-washed" or "acid washed look" are free of common pumice or pumice-bleach compositions, used in large institutional-size laundry machines, and rely solely on the chemical action of aqueous treatment compositions. The aqueous treatments can be made from liquid or solid concentrates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 25, 1993
    Assignee: Ecolab Inc.
    Inventors: Lynne A. Olson, Patricia M. Stanley
  • Apparatus and method for mixing and dispensing chemical concentrates at point of use
    Patent number: 5203366
    Abstract: A modular apparatus (10) for preparing dilute chemical compositions at the point of use, e.g., a customer's plant, is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 1992
    Date of Patent: April 20, 1993
    Assignee: Ecolab Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen J. Czeck, Douglas S. Hoerning, Richard J. Mehus, Timothy A. Gutzmann, Richard O. Ruhr
  • Peroxyacid antimicrobial composition
    Patent number: 5200189
    Abstract: A peroxyacid antimicrobial concentrate and use composition is provided comprising a C.sub.1 to C.sub.4 peroxycarboxylic acid, and a C.sub.6 to C.sub.18 peroxyacid. The combination of these acids produces a synergistic effect, providing a much more potent biocide than can be obtained by using these components separately. Other components can be added to the composition such as hydrotrope coupling agents, stabilizers, etc. An effective antimicrobial use solution is formed at low concentrations when the concentrate composition is diluted with water to a pH in the range of about 2 to 8. Sanitizing of substantially fixed, "in-place" processing lines in dairies, breweries, and other food processing operations is one utility of the composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 1991
    Date of Patent: April 6, 1993
    Assignee: Ecolab Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas R. Oakes, Patricia M. Stanley, Jerome D. Keller
  • Article comprising a water soluble bag containing a multiple use amount of a pelletized functional material and methods of its use
    Patent number: 5198198
    Abstract: An article comprising a water soluble container containing a multiple use amount of a pelletized functional composition such as a fabric treatment composition, a warewashing composition, a laundry composition, a pot and pan presoak composition, a silverware presoak composition, a floor cleaner composition, a rinse additive composition, a disinfectant composition, a sanitizer composition, a general purpose cleaner composition, etc. The article may be optionally enclosed in a water impervious outerwrap. A method for using the article by placing the article inside a dispenser wherein the article is contracted with water having a sufficient temperature and pressure to dissolve the water soluble bag and the pelletized functional material contained therein in order to form a solution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 1989
    Date of Patent: March 30, 1993
    Assignee: Ecolab Inc.
    Inventors: Elizabeth J. Gladfelter, Sheryl D. Slocumb
  • Chemical detergent block
    Patent number: D334227
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 23, 1993
    Assignee: Ecolab Inc.
    Inventors: Elizabeth J. Gladfelter, Tina O. Outlaw, James L. Copeland, Rhonda K. Schulz, Daniel K. Boche, Jeff W. Peterson
  • Chemical detergent block
    Patent number: D334420
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 30, 1993
    Assignee: Ecolab Inc.
    Inventors: Elizabeth J. Gladfelter, Tina O. Outlaw, James L. Copeland, Rhonda K. Schulz, Daniel K. Boche, Jeff W. Peterson
  • Chemical detergent block
    Patent number: D334421
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 30, 1993
    Assignee: Ecolab Inc.
    Inventors: Elizabeth J. Gladfelter, Tina O. Outlaw, James L. Copeland, Rhonda K. Schulz, Daniel K. Boche, Jeff W. Peterson
  • Chemical detergent block
    Patent number: D334968
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 1991
    Date of Patent: April 20, 1993
    Assignee: Ecolab Inc.
    Inventors: Elizabeth J. Gladfelter, Tina O. Outlaw, James L. Copeland, Rhonda K. Schulz, Daniel K. Boche, Jeff W. Peterson
  • Chemical detergent block
    Patent number: D335330
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 1991
    Date of Patent: May 4, 1993
    Assignee: Ecolab Inc.
    Inventors: Elizabeth J. Gladfelter, Tina O. Outlaw, James L. Copeland, Rhonda K. Schulz, Daniel K. Boche, Jeff W. Peterson
  • Cart for dispenser assembly
    Patent number: D335566
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 1991
    Date of Patent: May 11, 1993
    Assignee: Ecolab, Inc.
    Inventors: John R. Spriggs, James D. Decker, James L. Copeland, Daniel K. Boche
  • Chemical detergent block
    Patent number: D335699
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 1991
    Date of Patent: May 18, 1993
    Assignee: Ecolab Inc.
    Inventors: Elizabeth J. Gladfelter, Tina O. Outlaw, James L. Copeland, Rhonda K. Schulz, Daniel K. Boche, Jeff W. Peterson
  • Spray gun for dispensing diluted chemical concentrates
    Patent number: D337370
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 1991
    Date of Patent: July 13, 1993
    Assignee: Ecolab Inc.
    Inventors: John R. Spriggs, James D. Decker, James L. Copeland, Allan L. Schuman