Patents Assigned to Ecolab
  • Publication number: 20140217033
    Abstract: A surface active compound is supplied into contact with an oilfield production fluid that comprises a mixture of water and oil including water soluble organics. The surface active compound comprises at least one alkoxylate chain and at least one end group attached to each of the at least one alkoxylate chain. The surface active compound is supplied into the oilfield production fluid at a dosage rate that is effective to self-associate at interfaces between the water and oil and inhibit the water soluble organics in the oil from entering the water when the oilfield production fluid is depressurized.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2013
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Applicant: Ecolab Inc.
    Inventors: Rebecca M. Lucente-Schultz, Ronald O. Bosch, Manojkumar Bhandari, Robert Perry
  • Publication number: 20140221267
    Abstract: The invention discloses synergistic combinations of surfactants blends and cleaning composition. In certain embodiments a surfactant system is disclosed which includes extended anionic surfactants, linker surfactants, and a multiply charged cation component. This system forms emulsions with, and can remove greasy and oily stains, even those comprised of non-trans fats. The compositions may be used alone, as a pre-spotter or other pre-treatment or as a part of a soft surface or hard surface cleaning composition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 7, 2014
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Applicant: ECOLAB USA INC.
    Inventors: Victor Fuk-Pong Man, Michael Charles DeNoma, Susan Maloney Viall, Steven E. Lentsch, Yvonne Marie Killeen
  • Publication number: 20140213668
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are alkoxylated sorbitan ester compounds and compositions useful in emulsion breaking applications relating to the production, transportation, storage, and separation of crude oil and natural gas. Also disclosed herein are methods of using the compounds and compositions as emulsion breakers, particularly in applications relating to the production, transportation, storage, and separation of crude oil and natural gas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2013
    Publication date: July 31, 2014
    Applicant: Ecolab USA Inc.
    Inventor: G. Richard Meyer
  • Publication number: 20140209304
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are water-soluble polymers comprising hydrolyzable cross-linked monomer units, and methods for recovering hydrocarbon fluids from a subterranean formation using the water-soluble polymers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2014
    Publication date: July 31, 2014
    Applicant: ECOLAB USA INC.
    Inventors: Peter E. Reed, William J. Andrews, Mingli Wei, Xiaojin Harry Li
  • Publication number: 20140209510
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are scavenging compounds and compositions useful in applications relating to the production, transportation, storage, and separation of crude oil and natural gas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2014
    Publication date: July 31, 2014
    Applicant: ECOLAB USA INC.
    Inventors: Ryan Matthew Harrington, Prakasa Rao Anantaneni, Lawrence J. Karas, Kekeli Ekoue-Kovi
  • Patent number: 8789243
    Abstract: The invention is a disposable cover handle cover for a surgical light head, and more particularly to a single-piece, integrally-formed disposable handle cover for a surgical light head and the like. The disposable cover includes a single-piece hollow member having a first open end adapted to receive the positioning handle of the surgical light head housing a camera and a second open end generally opposite the first end. The second end is closed off by a lens disposed within and integral with the hollow body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: Ecolab USA Inc.
    Inventor: Wayne Douglas Denmark
  • Publication number: 20140202500
    Abstract: Methods of acidic warewashing are disclosed. The compositions can include other materials including surfactants and chelating agents, and are preferably phosphorous free. Methods of using the acidic compositions in combination with alkaline compositions are also disclosed. Exemplary methods include using the acidic compositions together with other compositions, including alkaline compositions and rinse aids employed in an alternating alkaline/acid/alkaline manner. The methods also include acidic compositions that serve multiple roles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2014
    Publication date: July 24, 2014
    Applicant: Ecolab USA Inc.
    Inventors: Lee J. Monsrud, Michael S. Rischmiller, Daniel Osterberg, John Mansergh
  • Publication number: 20140202929
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems and methods for automated real-time monitoring and controlling desalting in a crude distillation unit. Crude oil and wash water are mixed by a pressure drop across a mix valve, thereby forming a crude oil/water phase stream. The crude oil/water phase stream is supplied into a desalter vessel, whereupon an emulsion forms at an interface between the crude oil and the water phase. The crude oil/water phase stream is contacted with a dosage of an emulsion breaker in an applied electric field. At least one property associated with the emulsion is measured using an emulsion level indicator. A total chlorine and a water percentage of the crude oil are measured. At least one of the pressure drop and the dosage of the emulsion breaker is adjusted substantially in real time in response to at least one of the measured properties, total chlorine, and water percentage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2013
    Publication date: July 24, 2014
    Applicant: ECOLAB USA INC.
    Inventors: Brad Mason, Sam Lordo, Michael Braden, Jeffrey Hubbard
  • Patent number: 8785363
    Abstract: The invention discloses synergistic combinations of surfactants blends and cleaning composition. In certain embodiments a surfactant system is disclosed which includes extended anionic surfactants, linker surfactants, and a multiply charged cation component. This system forms emulsions with, and can remove greasy and oily stains, even those comprised of non-trans fats. In another embodiment anionic surfactants are combined with a solvent, and amine oxide to remove sunscreen stains. The compositions may be used alone, as a pre-spotter or other pre-treatment or as a part of a soft surface or hard surface cleaning composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Ecolab USA Inc.
    Inventors: Victor Fuk-Pong Man, Michael Charles DeNoma, Yvonne Marie Killeen, Steven E. Lentsch
  • Patent number: 8782922
    Abstract: A dryer monitoring system receives dryer information from one or more sensors concerning operation of one or more dryers, such as clothes dryers. For example, the dryer monitoring system may receive temperature, humidity, and/or dryer on/off information concerning the dryers. The dryer monitoring system may analyze the dryer information and generate reports communicating the dryer information, identify possible maintenance issues with the dryers, identify ambient environmental conditions that may lead to inefficient drying, identify possible operator errors, and/or diagnose other dryer conditions that may be determined based on the dryer information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Ecolab USA Inc.
    Inventors: Robert E. May, Julio R. Panama, Nicholas D. Parent, Mihnea A. Popa, Bruce W. Weber
  • Patent number: 8785573
    Abstract: The invention provides a method and apparatus for continuously feeding wet gel polymers into a drying step of a dry polymer synthesis operation. A number of pistons are arranged having inner chambers through which monomers and other reagents are fed and polymerized into wet gel polymers. Each piston operates according to a coordinated schedule so that as one piston finishes extruding polymer into the drying step, a second piston has completed polymerizing more polymer and continues to feed more polymer without interruption. The then finished is re-fed more reagents so as to be ready again when needed next. As a result, cost effective continuous feeding can be achieved without the contamination and impurity problems that have plagued previous attempts to accomplish this.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Ecolab USA Inc
    Inventor: Jeffrey R. Cramm
  • Publication number: 20140196220
    Abstract: Synergistic combinations of extended chain surfactants and co-surfactants, emulsions or microemulsions and cleaning compositions incorporating the same are provided. In certain embodiments a surfactant system is disclosed which includes extended nonionic surfactants, and a linker surfactant. This system forms stable emulsions or microemulsions with oils, including non-trans fats and fatty acids and these emulsions or microemulsions are stable, irreversible and can be created at low temperature. The cleaning compositions may include the surfactant system alone, a stable emulsion or microemulsion with oil and the surfactant system, a pre-spotter or other pre-treatment or soft surface and hard surface cleaning compositions comprising the surfactant combination.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2014
    Publication date: July 17, 2014
    Applicant: ECOLAB USA INC.
    Inventors: Victor Fuk-Pong Man, Yvonne Marie Killeen, Steven E. Lentsch, Michael Charles Denoma
  • Publication number: 20140190526
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to compositions and methods for cleaning medical and dental instruments. The disclosed compositions are preferably non-foaming or generate low foam to allow visual inspection of the cleaning process as well as safe handling of the instruments. The disclosed compositions preferably employ select proteases, a carbonate and a nonionic surfactant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2013
    Publication date: July 10, 2014
    Applicant: ECOLAB USA INC.
    Inventors: Nathan R. Ortmann, Katherine Vetter, Thomas R. Mohs, Tony Erickson
  • Patent number: 8772215
    Abstract: The present invention relates to high alkaline-solvent cleaners, cleaning systems and methods for removing polymerized zero trans fat soils. The high alkaline-solvent cleaner of the present invention generally includes one or more soil wetting and cleaning solvent(s) and one or more alkaline wetting and saponifying agent(s) that wets and saponifies the soil. In various embodiments, the cleaners may include, at least one cleaning agent comprising a surfactant or surfactant system and/or a at least one chelating/sequestering/threshold agent. In some embodiments, the cleaners may include one or more components to modify the composition form and/or the application method. All components described above can also be optimized optionally, to provide emulsification of a composition (both as a usable product or a concentrate that can be diluted to form a usable product).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Ecolab USA Inc.
    Inventors: Robert J. Ryther, Walter D. Cummings
  • Patent number: 8772221
    Abstract: Stability enhancement agents for use in a solidification matrices and solid detergent compositions are described. Stability enhancement is provided by a hydratable salt, water and phosphonocarboxylic acid copolymers or phosphonopolyacrylic acid homopolymers binding agents forming a dimensionally stable composition. Preferred phosphonocarboxylic acid copolymers or phosphonopolyacrylic acid homopolymers have phosphono end groups and a molecular weight of between about 1,000 and about 30,000 grams/mole. The stability enhancement composition for use in a solid detergent and solid detergent compositions are preferably biodegradable and substantially free of phosphorus and NTA-free.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Ecolab USA Inc.
    Inventors: Carter Martin Silvernail, Kerrie Walters, Brenda Lynn Tjelta, Lisa M. Sanders, Michael E. Besse
  • Patent number: 8765648
    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: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Ecolab USA 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: 20140174467
    Abstract: A hard surface cleaning composition, namely a bathroom cleaning composition, using partially neutralized citric acid salts and/or fully neutralized ethanolamine citrate salts are disclosed. The cleaning composition is unexpectedly safe to use, environmentally-friendly and efficacious for removal of soap scum and water hardness stains at mildly acidic and/or alkaline pHs. Methods of using the same are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2012
    Publication date: June 26, 2014
    Applicant: ECOLAB USA INC.
    Inventors: Dale Curtis Larson, III, Mark Dennis Levitt
  • Publication number: 20140174480
    Abstract: A hard surface cleaning composition, namely a bathroom cleaning composition, using fully neutralized ethanolamine citrate salts is disclosed. The cleaning composition is unexpectedly safe to use, environmentally-friendly and efficacious for removal of soap scum and water hardness stains at mildly acidic and/or alkaline pHs. Methods of using the same are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2013
    Publication date: June 26, 2014
    Applicant: ECOLAB USA INC.
    Inventors: Dale Curtis Larson, III, Mark Dennis Levitt
  • Patent number: 8759263
    Abstract: The invention relates to the use of an O/W emulsion, in particular a PIT emulsion, for lubricating conveyor belt systems in food industries as well as a lubricant concentrate based on an O/W emulsion, in particular a PIT emulsion, of wax esters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Ecolab USA Inc.
    Inventors: Stefan Küpper, Christina Kohlstedde, Michael Schneider
  • Patent number: D708456
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Ecolab USA Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Alberto Gil Gomez, Michelle R. Wilson, Matthew S. Heinrich, Shelly Brackett