Abstract: A validated healthcare facility cleaning and sanitizing system provides a comprehensive and systematic approach to cleaning and sanitizing practices at a hospital or other healthcare facility. The validated hospital cleaning system identifies hospital vectors of contamination; that is, sources through which hospital acquired infections (HAIs) may be spread. The validated system defines a plurality of modules within a healthcare facility, each having an associated cleaning process map designed to meet the particular cleaning and/or sanitizing needs and challenges faced by that module. Various stages of the cleaning process map include validation points, at which certain parameters designed to ensure proper cleaning and/or sanitizing of the module are verified.
Type:
Application
Filed:
April 29, 2009
Publication date:
November 5, 2009
Applicant:
Ecolab Inc.
Inventors:
Sally K. Swart, Ryan D. Meek, Kirsten M. Thompson, Kimberly Severin Johnston, Henry L. Carbone, II, Scott P. Lyon, John R. Bucholz
Abstract: The invention relates to methods and compositions for removing metal oxide soils from surfaces. The compositions include an anionic surfactant and a pH adjuster at an acidic pH. In one embodiment, the invention relates to a method of removing a metal oxide soil from a surface by (1) applying a use composition to the surface, the use composition having a pH adjuster in an amount sufficient to provide a use pH at or below 7, an anionic surfactant in an amount to remove a portion of the metal oxide soil, and a carrier, (2) removing the metal oxide soil from the surface with the use composition, and (3) rinsing the surface to remove the use composition and the metal oxide soil.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
November 30, 2004
Date of Patent:
November 3, 2009
Assignee:
Ecolab Inc.
Inventors:
Nathan D. Peitersen, Robert D. Hei, Richard K. Staub, Rick O. Ruhr
Abstract: A rescue underlay for mattresses (1), comprising a substantially rectangular underlay mat (4) consisting of a plastic flat material which has a high tensile strength, the dimensions of which approximately correspond with the dimensions of the mattress (1), pull loops (5) or the like, patient securing belts (6) and, optionally, mattress retaining bands (7) or the like, all attached to the underlay mat (4). This particular rescue underlay has an underlay mat 4 which has a flat material that itself is providing a spring travel. In a preferred embodiment the plastic flat material of the underlay mat 4 is a spacer woven fabric or, in particular, a spacer knitted fabric. A mattress can be separately combined with such rescue underlay or can even be integrated with a rescue underlay to form a rescue mattress.
Abstract: This invention pertains to polyalkylene glycol based polymers with enhanced high temperature stability. More particularly, the invention pertains to compositions with enhanced high temperature stability comprising a polyalkylene glycol based polymer and an anionic surfactant.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
December 22, 2004
Date of Patent:
November 3, 2009
Assignee:
Ecolab Inc.
Inventors:
Minyu Li, Kimberly Person Hei, Amy McBroom
Abstract: The present invention relates to specially selected catalase enzymes and their use in reducing hydrogen peroxide in applications, and particularly in aseptic packaging applications.
Type:
Application
Filed:
August 4, 2008
Publication date:
October 29, 2009
Applicant:
ECOLAB INC.
Inventors:
Brandon L. Herdt, Joshua P. Magnuson, David D. McSherry, Junzhong Li, Krista L. Owens
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 and detectors detect transmitted light at a plurality of wavelengths. The output of each detector and combinations of outputs of multiple detectors are associated with at least one out-of-product threshold. In addition, a color ratio is established. A controller compares the detector outputs and combination outputs with the associated out-of-product threshold(s). If any of the thresholds are satisfied, the controller compares the color ratio with an associated out-of-product threshold to verify an out-of-product event has occurred and reduce errors due to batch-to-batch variation of the product. The sensor is able to determine presence or absence of a variety of products having different color, transparency or turbidity.
Type:
Application
Filed:
April 23, 2009
Publication date:
October 22, 2009
Applicant:
Ecolab Inc.
Inventors:
Joseph Erickson, Eugene Tokhtuev, Christopher Owen
Abstract: A sanitizer generation system supplies power to a first and a second sanitizer generator. Each of the sanitizer generators is connected to a body of water by a circulation system. The system includes a power supply and a control system connected to the power supply and the sanitizer generators. The control system selectively delivers electric current from the power supply to the first and second sanitizer generators.
Type:
Application
Filed:
June 29, 2009
Publication date:
October 22, 2009
Applicant:
Ecolab Inc.
Inventors:
Patrick H. Kilawee, Clyde A. Bailey, Leonard J. Kadlec
Abstract: A cleaning composition including an acid component is provided, along with methods for using the composition to remove soil from hard surfaces. The concentrate cleaning composition includes between about 1 and about 70 wt % of methane sulfonic acid, about 0.1 to about 15 wt % of a surfactant component, up to about 90% of a solvent and other adjuvants.
Type:
Application
Filed:
April 6, 2009
Publication date:
October 22, 2009
Applicant:
ECOLAB INC.
Inventors:
Barbara G. Choczaj, Michael J. Bartelme, Steven E. Lentsch, Katherine O. Vetter, Marvin C. Trulsen, Erik C. Olson, Mark D. Levitt
Abstract: The present invention relates to specially selected catalase enzymes and their use in reducing hydrogen peroxide in applications, and particularly in aseptic packaging applications.
Type:
Application
Filed:
April 17, 2009
Publication date:
October 22, 2009
Applicant:
ECOLAB INC.
Inventors:
Brandon L. Herdt, Joshua P. Magnuson, David D. Mcsherry, Junzhong Li, Krista L. Owens
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.
Abstract: A device, for applying a flowable medium to a surface, includes a container, equipment to be worn on a back, a hose and a hose adapter, which can attach the hose to an outlet opening of the container, and which includes a ventilating element. The device further includes a handle having an end to which a wiping or applying device is mounted. The equipment includes a mounting plate attached to supporting straps to hold the container; and the container includes coupling elements for coupling the container to the mounting plate. A duct of the device extends from a first end of the hose, such that, when the hose is attached to the container, at the first end thereof, by the hose adapter, the duct conducts the flowable medium, from the container, to an outlet of the handle, which outlet is spaced apart from the wiping or applying device.
Abstract: A process for lubricating a container, such as a beverage container, or a conveyor for containers, by applying to the container or conveyor, a thin continuous, substantially non-dripping layer of a liquid lubricant. The process provides many advantages compared to the use of a conventional dilute aqueous lubricant.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
April 24, 2008
Date of Patent:
October 13, 2009
Assignee:
Ecolab Inc.
Inventors:
Minyu Li, Keith D. Lokkesmoe, Guang-Jong Jason Wei
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:
Grant
Filed:
September 16, 2008
Date of Patent:
October 6, 2009
Assignee:
Ecolab Inc.
Inventors:
Roger L. Stolte, Ross M. Skadsberg, Scott P. Lyon
Abstract: A dispenser (10) uses first and second flow controls (70, 73). The flow controls maintain first and second flow ranges independent of diluent pressure within a pressure range, wherein the use solution's concentration is maintained over the pressure range. A third flow control (75) may also be utilized in a third diluent passageway for maintaining a third flow range independent of the diluent pressure within the pressure range. A bypass valve assembly (41) is operatively connected to the third incoming diluent passageway. The bypass valve has a temperature control valve. The temperature control valve having a bypass passageway, wherein additional diluent is added to the use solution, thereby controlling the use solution's concentration.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
June 15, 2005
Date of Patent:
October 6, 2009
Assignee:
Ecolab Inc.
Inventors:
John E. Thomas, Robert J. Plantikow, Thomas P. Berg, Thomas Batcher, Daniel F. Brady, Scott T. Russell, Terrence P. Everson
Abstract: A system and method for reducing or preventing bacterial contamination in food includes application of a bacteriophage treatment to any type of food product at any stage of processing the food product. The bacteriophage treatment may also be applied to non-food surfaces and water systems, which may be susceptible to bacterial contamination and subsequent spread of bacteria. The bacteriophage treatment comprises at least one bacteriophage in a concentration sufficient to reduce or prevent bacterial contamination from pathogenic bacteria and/or spoilage bacteria. In some embodiments, the bacteriophage is able to reduce or eliminate bacteria introduced to a food product after the bacteriophage treatment was applied to the food product. In some embodiments, the bacteriophage treatment includes a buffering agent to maintain the bacteriophage at a pH level that sustains the bacteriophage. In some embodiments, the bacteriophage treatment includes a surfactant and/or a thickener to aid in applying the bacteriophage.
Type:
Application
Filed:
March 25, 2008
Publication date:
October 1, 2009
Applicant:
ECOLAB INC.
Inventors:
Scott L. Burnett, Timothy A. Gutzmann, Bruce R. Cords
Abstract: The invention relates to the use of agents, which contain at least one disinfection system based on selected organic peracids and combinations of peracids, in automatically functioning systems, in which fragile medical appliances, in particular, endoscopes, are cleaned and disinfected. According to the invention, the appliances are brought into contact with an aqueous disinfection agent solution after they have been treated and/or at the same time they are being treated with an aqueous cleaning solution. The invention also relates to cleaning and disinfection agents and methods which are all suited for carrying out this purpose.
Type:
Application
Filed:
June 1, 2009
Publication date:
September 24, 2009
Applicant:
ECOLAB INC.
Inventors:
Holger Biering, Rudolf Glasmacher, Hubert Schwidden, Jorg Sorns
Abstract: An insect monitoring and trapping device is provided according to the invention. The device includes a base and a lid for covering the base, and is constructed to provide a trap interior and an insect opening for insects to access the trap interior. The device includes a heating device provided within the trap interior for attracting insects, and an adhesive surface provided within the trap for trapping insects.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
August 28, 2006
Date of Patent:
September 22, 2009
Assignee:
Ecolab Inc.
Inventors:
Jason Gregory Lang, Joelle Francine Olson, Stephen John Barcay, Stephen X. Skaff
Abstract: A cleaning composition is provided. The cleaning composition includes an anionic surfactant and a water hardness anti-precipitant mixture. The water hardness anti-precipitant mixture includes a dispersant and at least one of a sheeting agent and a humectant. The weight ratio of the dispersant to the total amount of the sheeting agent and the humectant can be at least about 1:75 and less than about 75:1. Methods for providing and using a ready to use cleaning composition are provided.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
November 25, 2003
Date of Patent:
September 22, 2009
Assignee:
Ecolab Inc.
Inventors:
Kim R. Smith, Mark D. Levitt, Stephen Engel, David J. Falbaum, Jerry D. Hoyt