Patents Assigned to Ecolab
  • Publication number: 20100242997
    Abstract: A warewashing detergent composition is provided according to the invention. The warewashing detergent composition includes a cleaning agent, an alkaline source, and a corrosion inhibitor. The cleaning agent comprises a detersive amount of a surfactant. The alkaline source is provided in an amount effective to provide a use composition having a pH of at least about 8. The corrosion inhibitor includes a source of aluminum ion and at least one of a source of calcium ion or a source of magnesium ion. The amounts of calcium ion or magnesium ion can be selected depending upon the hardness of the water of dilution. Methods for using a warewashing detergent composition are provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2010
    Publication date: September 30, 2010
    Applicant: ECOLAB USA INC.
    Inventors: KIM R. SMITH, MICHAEL J. BARTELME, KEITH E. OLSON
  • 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: 20100240765
    Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions including surfactant peroxycarboxylic acid, methods for making these compositions, and methods for reducing the population of a microorganism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2010
    Publication date: September 23, 2010
    Applicant: ECOLAB USA INC.
    Inventors: Steven J. Lange, Junzhong Li
  • Publication number: 20100236581
    Abstract: A method of cleaning equipment such as heat exchangers, evaporators, tanks and other industrial equipment using clean-in-place procedures and a pre-treatment solution prior to the conventional CIP cleaning process. The pre-treatment step improves the degree of softening of the soil, and thus facilitates its removal. The pre-treatment solution can be a strong acidic solution, a strong alkaline solution, or comprise a penetrant. A preferred strong acidic solution is an acid peroxide solution. In some embodiments, the pre-treatment may include no strong alkali or acid ingredient; rather, the penetrant provides acceptable levels of pre-treatment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2010
    Publication date: September 23, 2010
    Applicant: ECOLAB USA INC.
    Inventors: Peter J. Fernholz, Brandon L. Herdt
  • 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: 20100234475
    Abstract: Foaming alcohol compositions with selected dimethicone surfactants are disclosed. The dimethicone surfactants are PEG-8 to PEG-12 linear dimethicone surfactants and in particular PEG-10 linear dimethicone surfactant. The compositions are useful as antimicrobial products and in particular handcare or skincare products.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2010
    Publication date: September 16, 2010
    Applicant: ECOLAB USA INC
    Inventors: JOSEPH R. WEGNER, CHERYL A. LITTAU
  • 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: 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: 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: 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: 7786069
    Abstract: A fabric treatment composition is provided. The fabric treatment composition includes a fabric treatment agent and a carrier component for containing the fabric treatment agent in a solid form during operation conditions in a dryer. The fabric treatment composition is constructed for transferring the composition to wet fabric as a result of solubilizing the fabric treatment composition by contacting the fabric treatment composition with the wet fabric during a drying operation in a dryer. A method for treating fabric is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Assignee: Ecolab Inc.
    Inventors: Monica P. Tindel-Koukal, Robert D. Hei, Steven E. Lentsch, Stephan M. Hubig
  • Patent number: 7776158
    Abstract: Aqueous floor cleaning and/or care composition, containing, based on the total composition, at least 3% by weight of a nonionic surfactant of formula I: wherein R1 represents hydrogen or an alkyl radical having 1 to 18 C atoms, and R2, independently of R1, represents hydrogen or an alkyl radical having 1 to 18 C atoms, and the sum of the C atoms present overall in R1 and R2 is between 6 and 18, and R3 represents an alkyl radical having 4 to 18 C atoms, and R4 hydrogen or an alkyl radical having 1 to 6 C atoms and n is a number from 1 to 30 and m a number from 0 to 5.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2010
    Assignee: Ecolab USA Inc.
    Inventors: Karl-Heinz Rogmann, Nicola Kriens, Heiko Faubel
  • Publication number: 20100204078
    Abstract: A method for foaming a cleaning composition is provided. The method includes mixing a cleaning composition and air in a mechanical foaming head to generate a foam without the use of a non-air containing propellant. The cleaning composition includes about 0.01 wt. % to about 10 wt. % total amount of surfactant, at least about 80 wt. % water and a glycol ether solvent. The glycol ether solvent includes one or more glycol ethers, each having a HLB value of at least about 6.9 and an OHLB value of between about 12 and about 20. The weight ratio of the glycol ether solvent to the total amount of surfactant is at least about 1:100.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2010
    Publication date: August 12, 2010
    Applicant: Ecolab Inc.
    Inventors: Kim R. Smith, Keith E. Olson
  • Publication number: 20100202172
    Abstract: An H-bridge control circuit comprises an input stage, comparator stage, inverter stage. The operation of the H-bridge can be controlled by a single analog input signal provided by a feedback stage. Shoot-through protection is provided for the H-bridge circuit through the inclusion of a dead gap determined by inputs to the comparator stage. The dead gap can be adjusted, allowing for adjustment of the precision operation of the load. The H-bridge can be used to drive a bi-directional load such as, for example, a Peltier conditioner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2009
    Publication date: August 12, 2010
    Applicant: ECOLAB INC.
    Inventors: Anatoly Skirda, Eugene Tokhtuev, Christopher Owen, Viktor Slobodyan
  • 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