Patents Assigned to Ecolab
  • Patent number: 7980023
    Abstract: A versatile pest station for use with interchangeable inserts includes a housing, a lock mechanism, a first insert, and a second insert. The housing includes a base, a lid, and an opening. The base and the lid form a cavity, and the opening provides access to the cavity. The base has a bottom surface and is configured and arranged to be securely mounted to a surface. The lock mechanism interlocks the base and the lid. The first insert is configured and arranged to fit within the cavity, and the first insert includes an entrance mechanism. The second insert is configured and arranged to fit within the cavity, and the second insert includes a snap trap. The first insert and the second insert are interchangeable for individual use with the housing, and the first insert and the second insert are elevated relative to the bottom surface of the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Assignee: Ecolab Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas D. Nelson, William J. Pattison, Joshua James Lanz, Bryan John Henneman, James J. Tarara
  • Publication number: 20110168567
    Abstract: A threshold agent composition and methods of using the same to produce hypochlorite and other effluent streams from an electrochemical cell without the detrimental effects of hard water scaling are disclosed. The invention further discloses use of chemistries to prevent hard water scale formation in various electrochemical cells to enhance cell longevity without decreasing chlorine, hypochlorite or other effluent production.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2011
    Publication date: July 14, 2011
    Applicant: ECOLAB USA INC.
    Inventors: Kim R. Smith, Jenna M. Johnson, Erik C. Olson, Patrick H. Kilawee
  • Publication number: 20110172307
    Abstract: The present invention relates to antimicrobial compositions, and specifically antimicrobial compositions that are useful at sanitizing food products. The compositions of the present invention include octanoic acid, an acidulant, a coupling agent, an optional buffer, and water. The compositions of the present invention are composed of GRAS or food additive raw materials.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2011
    Publication date: July 14, 2011
    Applicant: Ecolab Inc.
    Inventors: Joy G. Herdt, Jocelyn H. Chopskie, Scott L. Burnett, Teresa C. Podtburg, Timothy A. Gutzmann
  • Patent number: 7977299
    Abstract: A treated oxidizing agent is provided according to the invention. The treated oxidizing agent includes an oxidizing agent that is solid at room temperature and atmospheric pressure, and a chemical barrier composition provided on the oxidizing agent. The chemical barrier composition includes a hydrocarbon component having about 10 to about 85 carbon atoms, and wherein the chemical barrier composition is provided as a liquid at 25° C. A solid detergent composition is provided including the treated oxidizing agent. Methods for manufacturing are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignee: Ecolab USA Inc.
    Inventors: Jerry D. Hoyt, Brenda L. Tjelta, Michael E. Besse, Kent Richard Brittain
  • Publication number: 20110165034
    Abstract: A chemical product dispenser that controls dispensation of a chemical product based on a change in weight of the chemical product remaining in the dispenser includes an isolation mechanism. The dispenser includes a weight measurement instrument, such as one or more load cells, that measure the weight of the chemical product remaining the dispenser. The isolation mechanism is configured to lift the chemical product from a lowered position in which the weight of the chemical product is fully supported by the load cell(s) to a raised position in which the weight of the chemical product is fully supported by the isolation mechanism. When in the raised position, the dispenser may be loaded with a supply of chemical product with a reduced risk of damage to the weight measurement instrument.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2010
    Publication date: July 7, 2011
    Applicant: Ecolab USA
    Inventors: Brian P. Carlson, Scott R. Limback, Joshua J. Lanz
  • Publication number: 20110160117
    Abstract: Material, composition, and manufacturing method alternatives for a solidification matrix that may be used, for example, in solid cleaning compositions, or other technologies. In at least some embodiments, the solidification matrix includes a binding agent that is formed by the use of MGDA, or a salt or derivative thereof, and water to produce a solid binding agent. In some embodiments, the MGDA and water combines and can solidify to act as a binder material or binding agent dispersed throughout a solid composition that may contain other functional ingredients that provide the desired properties and/or functionality to the solid composition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 3, 2011
    Publication date: June 30, 2011
    Applicant: ECOLAB USA INC.
    Inventors: Roger L. Stolte, Ross M. Skadsberg, Scott P. Lyon
  • Publication number: 20110160114
    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: March 3, 2011
    Publication date: June 30, 2011
    Applicant: ECOLAB USA INC.
    Inventors: Kim R. Smith, Michael E. Besse, Brenda L. Tjelta, Lisa M. Sanders, Keith E. Olson
  • Patent number: 7967958
    Abstract: In an apparatus for producing acidic electrolyzed water, the use of a protection membrane having slits or other discontinuities allows the protection of a permeable membrane, such as an anion-permeable or anion-selective membrane, from chlorine generated by the electrolysis. The protection membrane further preserves the electrical conductivity of the membrane and electrode assembly, because of a venting action of trapped gas and fluid through the slits. The protection membrane is useful both in three chambered electrolyzers and in two chambered electrolyzers. The preferred protection membrane has slits formed by overlapping strips of fabric or the like. The preferred fabric is a non-woven fabric.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2011
    Assignee: Ecolab Inc.
    Inventor: Yoichi Sano
  • Publication number: 20110146000
    Abstract: A method of reducing the occurrence of spontaneous combustion of oil-stained articles is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of providing an article previously contacted with oil, the oil comprising at least one cis-configured double bond in the fatty acid, providing a solution comprising lipoxygenase, applying the solution to the article for sufficient time to treat the oil wherein treating comprises allowing the lipoxygenase to alter the cis-configured double bonds in the oil.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2010
    Publication date: June 23, 2011
    Applicant: ECOLAB USA INC.
    Inventors: Gregory G. Griese, Richard J. Walsh
  • Patent number: 7964547
    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: October 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2011
    Assignee: Ecolab USA Inc.
    Inventors: Danielle E. Underwood, Tami J. Tadrowski, Karen O. Rigley
  • Patent number: 7964228
    Abstract: The present invention relates to adhesive labels for use in food safety labeling systems and methods of using the adhesive labels to enhance food safety and food rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2011
    Assignee: Ecolab USA Inc.
    Inventor: J. Michael Milliorn
  • Patent number: 7964544
    Abstract: A cleaning composition concentrate includes about 0.05 wt. % to about 90 wt. % of a surfactant component, about 0.01 wt. % to about 20 wt. % of a dispersant component, and about 0.001 wt. % to about 15 wt. % of a sheeting agent component, wherein the composition comprises less than about 0.1 wt. % volatile organic compound exhibiting a vapor pressure of less than 0.1 mm Hg at 20° C. The cleaning composition can be provided as a use composition as a result of diluting the cleaning composition concentrate with water of dilution at a dilution ratio of cleaning composition concentrate to water of dilution of about 1:1. A method for preparing a cleaning composition is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2011
    Assignee: Ecolab USA Inc.
    Inventors: Kim R. Smith, Keith E. Olson, Tami J. Tadrowski
  • Patent number: 7964548
    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: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2011
    Assignee: Ecolab USA Inc.
    Inventors: Brandon L. Herdt, Werner Strothoff, Alice Siegmann
  • Publication number: 20110143978
    Abstract: The passage of a container along a conveyor is lubricated by applying to the container or conveyor a composition comprising a water-miscible silicone material wherein the composition has good wetting to polyethylene terephthalate surfaces. The compatibility of the lubricating composition with polyethylene terephthalate is increased because the wetting of the composition to polyethylene terephthalate is improved.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2011
    Publication date: June 16, 2011
    Applicant: Ecolab
    Inventors: Eric D. Morrison, Richard D. Johnson, Michael E. Besse, Victor Fuk-Pong Mann
  • Patent number: 7960333
    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: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: Ecolab USA Inc.
    Inventors: Janel M. Kieffer, Victor F. Man, Steven E. Lentsch
  • Patent number: 7960329
    Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions including a water soluble magnesium salt, water soluble calcium salt, and silicate or carbonate, which have a beneficial effect on corrosion during cleaning. The present compositions can reduce corrosion of glass or aluminum. The present invention also relates to methods employing these compositions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: Ecolab USA Inc.
    Inventors: Kim R. Smith, Michael E. Besse, Michael Bartelme, Michel M. Lawrence
  • Patent number: 7959091
    Abstract: A mobile foam producing unit (10) includes a first hose and hose assembly (110) and a second hose assembly (120). Water is provided to the mobile foam producing unit (10) by a supply hose (100). A foam gun (140) provides for the dispensing of a foam. A sanitizer gun (160) provides for a sanitizing solution being dispensed with water as well as, in another mode, a rinse mode wherein only water is dispensed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: Ecolab USA Inc.
    Inventors: Joe D. Slone, Nicolas A. Granucci, David E. Sugg
  • Patent number: 7954668
    Abstract: A system and method detect when a product container from which a product is dispensed is empty or nearly empty, and provides a notification of the product status. The system includes a load cell that deflects at a first rate of distance per unit load when a load less than a critical load is positioned to be weighed by the load cell, and a load cell bracket positioned such that the free end of the load cell contacts the load cell bracket when a load substantially equal to or greater than the critical load is positioned to be weighed by the load cell. The load cell bracket may prevent the load cell from further deflection, or it may permit deflection of the load cell at a second rate of distance per unit load when the load cell is in contact with the load cell bracket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2011
    Assignee: Ecolab Inc.
    Inventors: Richard J. Mehus, Bruce W. Weber, Ben J. Wiltsie
  • Patent number: 7951767
    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: August 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Assignee: Ecolab USA Inc.
    Inventors: Katherine J. Molinaro, Daniel E. Pedersen, Joshua P. Magnuson, Michael E. Besse, Jaclyn J. Steep, Victor F. Man
  • Patent number: 7951245
    Abstract: A concentrate and a ready-to-use or diluted formulation for an aqueous vehicle cleaner can remove a wide range of different types of traffic film using either low pressure application, hand pressure application, water jet spray apparatus, clean-in-place systems or other manual or mechanical washing systems. The compositions may comprise, for example, one or more solutions that each or collectively contain or comprises: a) at least one anionic surfactant; b) at least one poly[oxyalkylene] ammonium cationic surfactant; and c) an alkaline agent. Optional additional ingredients may comprise at least one polycarboxylic acid chelating agent (preferably an aminocarboxylic acid chelating agent), at least one non-ionic or amphoteric surfactant, at least one hydrotrope, inorganic and/or organic acids and at least one silicate. The alkaline agent may provide a pH (when the finished product is diluted to 0.5 to 5% by weight in water) will be between about 9 to 13.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Assignee: Ecolab USA Inc.
    Inventors: Mark D. Levitt, Terry J. Klos, Michael E. Besse, Robert D. Hei, Jerry D. Hoyt, Cathleen O'Connor, Victor Fuk-Pong Man