Patents Assigned to Ecolab
  • Patent number: 8008080
    Abstract: A lab on a valve analytical system includes a rotary sample preparation assembly having a stator and a rotor. The rotor includes a plurality of integral syringe pumps which can be aligned with passages formed within the stator. The stator passages can be connected with fluid inlet connector which connect the sample preparation assembly with fluid sources, and fluid outlet connectors which connect the sample preparation assembly with one or more wet chemical analytical devices. Some embodiments can include a mixer and optical sensor connected with the fluid outlets. One or more drive motors can be used to control simultaneous actuation of one or more of the syringe pumps, thereby providing for simultaneous delivery of metered volumes of fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Assignee: Ecolab USA Inc.
    Inventors: Eugene Tokhtuev, Christopher Owen, William Christensen
  • Publication number: 20110207649
    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: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2011
    Publication date: August 25, 2011
    Applicant: ECOLAB USA INC.
    Inventors: Katherine J. Molinaro, Daniel E. Pedersen, Joshua P. Magnuson, Michael E. Besse, Jaclyn J. Steep, Victor F. Man
  • Publication number: 20110207652
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to rinse aid compositions and methods for making and using the rinse aid compositions. The compositions of the invention include a sheeting agent, a defoaming agent, and an association disruption agent. The rinse aid compositions of the present invention result in a faster draining/drying time on most substrates compared to conventional rinse aids. The rinse aid compositions of the present invention are especially suitable for use on plastic substrates.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2011
    Publication date: August 25, 2011
    Applicant: ECOLAB USA INC.
    Inventors: Janel M. Kieffer, Victor F. Man, Steven E. Lentsch
  • Patent number: 8004683
    Abstract: An optical detection sensor detects presence or absence of a product within a fluid delivery medium. An emitter directs radiation into the fluid delivery medium. Each of a plurality of detectors detects light within an associated one of a plurality of wavelength ranges transmitted through the fluid delivery medium. The output of each detector is further associated with at least one out-of-product threshold. A controller may further combine detector outputs, such as by multiplication, summation, or other mathematical operation, to produce additional measures of product presence or absence. Each combination output is also associated with at least one out-of-product threshold. The controller compares the output of each detector with the associated out-of-product threshold(s) and compares each combination output with the associated out-of-product threshold(s) to determine presence or absence of product within the fluid delivery medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Assignee: Ecolab USA Inc.
    Inventors: Eugene Tokhtuev, Christopher J. Owen, Anatoly Skirda, Viktor Slobodyan, William M. Christensen, Paul Schilling, Joseph P. Erickson
  • Publication number: 20110198974
    Abstract: The present invention refers to a cleaning trolley comprising a base plate supported by rolling members; at least four upright hollow profiles for fixing cross walls arranged on the base plate, wherein each cross wall consists of two separate wall elements removably arranged back-to-back to each other and fixed by said upright hollow profiles; and an upper frame for securing the at least four upright hollow profiles. Further, the invention provides a cleaning trolley comprising a primary section and a secondary section, each section having a base plate supported by rolling members, wherein the primary section and the secondary section are removably connected by a connection mechanism, which connection mechanism contains a pedal pivotably attached to the bottom side of the base plate of the secondary section, and its actuation releases claws which in connection position are engaged with the primary section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2008
    Publication date: August 18, 2011
    Applicant: ECOLAB USA INC.
    Inventors: Matthias Menzel, Stefan Rutschmann, Enzo Dario Sforza, Stephan Uhl, Klaus-Günter Hub, Martin Stuetzel
  • Publication number: 20110197465
    Abstract: A water removal composition and methods for using the same to remove excess water from a surface. The composition comprises a silicone polymer, quaternary ammonium emulsifier, co-emulsifier and an HLB stabilizing agent that modifies a treated surface to form a continuous hydrophobic layer enhancing water removal from the surface. The novel water removal compositions and methods for using the same result in a significant reduction of energy expenditure to remove excess water through air blowers and/or mechanical removal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2010
    Publication date: August 18, 2011
    Applicant: ECOLAB USA INC.
    Inventors: LUCIA JIENSUK BYRNE, JERRY DEAN HOYT, STEPHEN JAMES ENGEL, DARREN MICHAEL JAHNKE
  • Publication number: 20110201693
    Abstract: The invention pertains to an alcohol based antimicrobial skincare composition. The invention also pertains to an alcohol based antimicrobial skincare composition with skin health benefits including moisturization and skin barrier maintenance effects. The invention further pertains to an alcohol based antimicrobial skincare composition that is a stable emulsion that has a certain viscosity to it that provides containment, for example on a user's hands. Finally, the invention pertains to an alcohol based antimicrobial skincare composition that may be used in the healthcare industry, for example as a surgical scrub, healthcare personnel handwash, or patient pre-operative site preparation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2011
    Publication date: August 18, 2011
    Applicant: Ecolab USA Inc.
    Inventors: Cheryl A. Littau, Mai T. Le
  • Publication number: 20110198194
    Abstract: Methods for initiating one or more maintenance procedures on a conveyer system employ a load cell assembly that is supported by a link of a conveyor chain of the system in order to collect tension measurements. According to preferred methods, one or more threshold values for a rate of change in tension along particular portions of a circuit, around which the chain is driven, and/or for a variation in tension profile, from one cycle to another around the circuit, are established for comparison with tension measurements that are collected and/or processed by the load cell assembly, in order to detect operating issues and initiate the appropriate maintenance procedure(s). According to some methods, plots of the rate of change of tension versus time are generated and displayed for an operator to view.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2010
    Publication date: August 18, 2011
    Applicant: ECOLAB INC.
    Inventors: Eugene Tokhtuev, Joseph P. Erickson, Christopher J. Owen, Paul S. Schilling
  • Patent number: 7998406
    Abstract: The liquid composition is based on surfactants and enzymes, and is particularly useful for manual cleaning of instruments. In manual and ultrasonic application the composition in use concentration shows low foaming and gives a cleaning solution which is not cloudy at least at a temperature in the range from 16° C. to 40° C. In addition, the composition has good cleaning efficacy over a broad temperature range (20 to 55° C.) and shows good material compatibility.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Assignee: Ecolab USA Inc.
    Inventors: Laurence Geret, Carola Stingl, Silke Denzin
  • Patent number: 7998278
    Abstract: The present invention refers to a concentrate for use in a cleaning and/or washing process comprising a) an alkyl glycoside having the general formula R1OGn whereby G is a saccharide residue and n is 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 and R1 is an alkyl group or alkylene group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms, and b) a nonionic alkylene oxide adduct, wherein the concentrate has a pH value of less than 6.5, as well as to a solution obtained by diluting the concentrate and to a process of cleaning objects using the concentrate and/or solution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Assignee: Ecolab USA Inc.
    Inventors: Tanja Hackenberger, Claudia Caussin De Schneck, Annett Lossack
  • Patent number: 7994251
    Abstract: A coating system for floors, containing a) one or more agents in which, together or separately, a polymer or polymer/wax dispersion and aziridine and, where desired, a flatting component are present, for application on the floor in order to form a crosslinked base film that is not capable of being removed by wet chemical means, as well as b) an aziridine-free agent containing conventional floor-maintenance components, in particular a polymer or polymer/wax dispersion, for the purpose of generating a sacrificial film on said base film that is capable of being removed by wet chemical means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: Ecolab USA Inc.
    Inventors: Karl-Heinz Rogmann, Ulrike Scheuvens, Heiko Faubel, Michael Decker
  • Patent number: 7993579
    Abstract: A method of dispensing a first solid product and a second solid product with a solid product dispenser includes placing the first solid product in a product housing of the dispenser and placing the second solid product in the product housing on top of the first solid product, the first and second solid products being different products. A portion of the first solid product is dispensed during each cycle of the dispenser until the first solid product has been partially depleted to a size small enough to allow the second solid product to also be dispensed, then a portion of the first solid product and a portion of the second solid product are dispensed during each cycle of the dispenser until the first solid product has been completely depleted, and then a portion of the second solid product is dispensed during each cycle of the dispenser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: Ecolab USA Inc.
    Inventors: Kristine J. Williams, Thomas P. Berg, Karen O. Rigley
  • Publication number: 20110185514
    Abstract: The invention relates to methods and compositions for treating non-trans fats, fatty acids and sunscreen stains with a chelating agent. The invention also relates to methods for reducing the frequency of laundry fires with a chelating agent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2010
    Publication date: August 4, 2011
    Applicant: Ecolab USA Inc.
    Inventors: Victor F. Man, Yvonne M. Killeen
  • Publication number: 20110186406
    Abstract: A conveyor maintenance system and method determines when a conveyor requires cleaning by determining when the conveyor is soiled beyond a predetermined threshold level. The system comprises a detector that collects optical data indicative of the amount of soil on a conveyor, a memory that stores reference data indicative of a clean conveyor, and a controller that compares the optical data indicative of the amount of soil on the conveyor to the reference data and determines whether the conveyor requires cleaning based on the comparison.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2010
    Publication date: August 4, 2011
    Applicant: Ecolab USA Inc.
    Inventors: Paul R. Kraus, Stefan Seemeyer
  • Patent number: 7988929
    Abstract: A solid product dispenser includes a housing and a product holder. The housing includes a concentrated solution outlet, a diluent outlet, and an outlet tube in which concentrated solution from the concentrated solution outlet and diluent from the diluent outlet are mixed to form a use solution. Proximate the housing and the product holder is an overflow outlet from which a vacuum breaker is at least 3.50 inches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2011
    Assignee: Ecolab USA Inc.
    Inventors: Scott R Limback, Thomas P. Berg, Kristine J. Williams, Brian P Carlson
  • Patent number: 7989780
    Abstract: An ultraviolet (UV) fluorometric sensor measures a chemical concentration in a sample based on the measured fluorescence of the sample. The sensor includes a controller, at least one UV light source, and at least one UV detector. The sensor emits UV light in a wavelength range of 245-265 nm from the light source through the sample in an analytical area. The UV detector measures the fluorescence emission from the sample. The controller transforms output signals from the UV detector into fluorescence values or optical densities for one or more wavelengths in the wavelength range of 265-340 nm. The controller calculates the chemical concentration of the chemical in the sample based on the measured fluorescence emissions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2011
    Assignee: Ecolab Inc.
    Inventors: Eugene Tokhtuev, Christopher J. Owen, Viktor Slobodyan, Anatoly Skirda, Paul Schilling, Anna Pilipchenko, Paul R. Kraus, Katherine M. Sanville, Joseph Phillip Erickson
  • Publication number: 20110180112
    Abstract: A method and composition is provided for removing protein soil and preventing redeposition of soils onto a surface. The method includes introducing a protein-removing/anti-redeposition agent during a washing step of a wash cycle, introducing a cleaning composition during the washing step of the wash cycle, washing the surface of the substrate with the protein-removing/anti-redeposition agent and the cleaning composition during the wash cycle, and subsequently rinsing the surface of the substrate with a rinse aid. The protein-removing/anti-redeposition agent includes a poly sugar and the cleaning composition includes an alkalinity source and a surfactant component. The composition is substantially free of phosphorus-containing compounds and includes less than about 0.05% by weight alkali earth metal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2010
    Publication date: July 28, 2011
    Applicant: Ecolab USA
    Inventors: Carter Silvernail, Altony Miralles, Erik Olson, Devon Beau Hammel
  • Publication number: 20110180115
    Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for cleaning articles within a chamber of a warewash machine. The warewash machine has a rinse sump for collecting a rinse agent dispensed into the chamber and a wash sump for collecting a wash agent dispensed into the chamber. The method includes a wash phase during which the wash agent is dispensed into the chamber during and an auxiliary rinse phase during which the rinse agent is dispensed into the chamber. The wash machine includes a controllable deflector for directing the wash agent to the wash sump during the wash phase and the rinse agent to the rinse sump during the auxiliary rinse phase. The method also includes a final rinse phase during which water from an external source is dispensed into the chamber. The controllable deflector direct the water dispensed during the final rinse phase to the rinse sump such that the water combines with the rinse agent therein. The rinse agent is re-used during at least one subsequent auxiliary rinse phase.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2011
    Publication date: July 28, 2011
    Applicant: Ecolab USA Inc.
    Inventors: Louis M. Holzman, Adrian Hartz, Eddie D. Sowle, Lee J. Monsrud
  • Publication number: 20110179583
    Abstract: The invention relates to methods and compositions for treating non-trans fats, fatty acids and sunscreen stains with a chelating agent. The invention also relates to methods for reducing the frequency of laundry fires with a chelating agent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2010
    Publication date: July 28, 2011
    Applicant: Ecolab USA Inc.
    Inventors: Victor F. Man, Yvonne M. Killeen, Stephen B. Christensen, Joanna A. Pham
  • Publication number: 20110174340
    Abstract: An enzymatic system includes a first pH neutral composition and a second pH neutral composition. The first pH neutral composition includes a low temperature enzyme effective at removing blood and hemoglobin. The second pH neutral composition includes a high temperature enzyme effective at removing mucous, fibrin and fat. In one embodiment, the low temperature enzyme has an activation temperature of about 50 degrees to about 120 degrees Fahrenheit and the high temperature enzyme has an activation temperature of about 140 to about 180 degrees Fahrenheit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2010
    Publication date: July 21, 2011
    Applicant: Ecolab USA
    Inventors: Barbara G. Choczaj, Mark Peterson, Bruce White, Beth Benson, Eric Willman