Patents Assigned to Ecolab
  • Patent number: 7399316
    Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of using heterogeneous cleaning compositions, particularily for cleaning an article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2008
    Assignee: Ecolab Inc.
    Inventors: David A. Fine, Terry J. Klos, Gretchen L. King, Richard D. Stardig
  • Patent number: 7392811
    Abstract: A delivery head is provided that includes a delivery arm and a spray diverter constructed to divert a multiple phase treatment composition flowing through the delivery arm and diverted by the spray diverter to provide a target spray pattern. The delivery head includes an open area sufficient to provide the target spray pattern and to provide a back pressure of less than about 10 psig when a multiple phase treatment composition is flowing through the delivery head at a liquid flow rate of about 2 gal/min. to about 20 gal/min., and the volumetric ratio of the gas to liquid is between about 5:1 and about 75,000:1 at atmospheric pressure. A vessel including a delivery head and a method for treating a vessel interior surface are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2008
    Assignee: Ecolab Inc.
    Inventors: Richard K. Staub, Mark R. Altier, Paul F. Schacht, Robert D. P. Hei, Gabriel M. Miller, Thomas L. Harris, Peter J. Fernholz
  • Patent number: 7394389
    Abstract: A wall-mountable system of the present invention detects and suppresses pests. The system includes a housing, a pest detection device, and a line. The housing is mounted to a wall and penetrates into a remote area behind the wall. The housing also has an access hole. The pest detection device is positioned behind the wall. The line is connected to the housing at a first end and is connected to the pest detection device at a second end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2008
    Assignee: Ecolab Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas D. Nelson
  • Patent number: 7390467
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus and method suitable for dispensing heterogeneous compositions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2008
    Assignee: Ecolab Inc.
    Inventors: David A. Fine, Terry James Klos, Brian Chute, Quang Dao, Brandon Carlson
  • Publication number: 20080134567
    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: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2007
    Publication date: June 12, 2008
    Applicant: Ecolab Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas D. Nelson, Oliver A. Ossanna, Douglas G. Anderson
  • Patent number: 7384895
    Abstract: Thermally formed thermoplastic articles can be protected from stress cracking in the presence of stress cracking promoting compounds by forming a shaped article comprising a thermoplastic and a liquid hydrocarbon oil composition. We have found that the liquid hydrocarbon oil composition prevents the stress cracking promoting materials from interacting with the polymeric structure of the stressed container to prevent or inhibit stress cracking in such materials. The methods and compositions of the invention are particularly useful in preventing stress cracking in polyethylene terephthalate beverage containers during bottling operations during which the bottle is contacted with aqueous and non-aqueous materials such as cleaners and lubricants that can interact with the polyester to cause stress cracking particularly in the container base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2008
    Assignee: Ecolab Inc.
    Inventors: Kimberly L. Person Hei, Joy G. Herdt, Li Minyu, Keith Darrell Lokkesmoe, Quang-Jong Jason Wei, Michael E. Besse
  • Patent number: 7381439
    Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions including peroxyacetic acid and peroxyoctanoic acid and methods for reducing microbial contamination on poultry. The methods include the step of applying a mixed peroxycarboxylic acid composition to poultry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2008
    Assignee: Ecolab Inc.
    Inventors: John D. Hilgren, Timothy A. Gutzmann, Robert D. P. Hei
  • Patent number: 7381697
    Abstract: A fabric softener composition is provided by melt mixing a fabric softener component and a carrier component to provide a fabric softener composition exhibiting a melting point greater than 90° C. The weight ratio of the fabric softener component to the carrier component can be between about 1:19 and about 19:1. Methods for manufacturing the fabric softener composition and using the fabric softener composition to soften fabric while drying laundry in a dryer are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2008
    Assignee: Ecolab Inc.
    Inventors: Steven E. Lentsch, Victor F. Man, Jaclyn J. Tilleskjor
  • Publication number: 20080121250
    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: October 31, 2007
    Publication date: May 29, 2008
    Applicant: ECOLAB INC.
    Inventors: Peter J. Fernholz, Brandon L. Herdt
  • Patent number: 7371712
    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 and with relatively low or no water content, 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: November 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2008
    Assignee: Ecolab Inc.
    Inventors: Minyu Li, Keith Darrell Lokkesmoe
  • Patent number: 7371711
    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 and with relatively low or no water content, 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: November 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2008
    Assignee: Ecolab Inc.
    Inventors: Minyu Li, Keith Darrell Lokkesmoe
  • Patent number: 7372039
    Abstract: A UV absorption spectrometer includes a housing, a controller, and a sensor unit including an ultraviolet light source, an analytical area in an analytical cell or in running water or gaseous medium, and an UV wavelength separator including a UV detector. An ultraviolet light in a wavelength range of 200-320 nm emits from the light source through the analytical area to the wavelength separator, and the controller transforms output signals from the UV detector into absorbance values or optical densities for two or more wavelengths in the wavelength range, calculates differences of said absorbance values or optical densities, determines a concentration of a chemical in the solution with calibration constants found for a known concentration of the chemical and said differences of said absorbance values or optical densities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2008
    Assignee: Ecolab Inc.
    Inventors: Eugene Tokhtuev, Christopher J. Owen, Paul Schilling, Anna Pilipchenko, Paul R. Kraus, Katherine M. Sanville
  • Publication number: 20080105282
    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: October 31, 2007
    Publication date: May 8, 2008
    Applicant: ECOLAB INC.
    Inventors: Peter Fernholz, Brandon Herdt
  • Publication number: 20080105280
    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: October 31, 2007
    Publication date: May 8, 2008
    Applicant: ECOLAB INC.
    Inventors: Brandon Herdt, Peter Fernholz
  • Publication number: 20080105279
    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: October 31, 2007
    Publication date: May 8, 2008
    Applicant: ECOLAB INC.
    Inventors: Brandon Herdt, Peter Fernholz
  • Publication number: 20080108532
    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: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2007
    Publication date: May 8, 2008
    Applicant: ECOLAB Inc.
    Inventors: Stefan Kuepper Dr., Christina Kohlstedde, Michael Schneider
  • Publication number: 20080107576
    Abstract: The invention relates to a detergent dispenser for dosing a quantity of solid detergent by dissolving some of the solid detergent in a liquid solvent, in particular in water, to form a detergent solution, and feeding the detergent solution to a detergent outlet. The dispenser comprises a housing (1) with a chassis (2) for wallmounting or the like and a solid detergent reservoir (3). The solid detergent reservoir (3) comprises a detergent compartment (4) holding the solid detergent, a solvent application compartment (7), a liquid solvent dispensing means (9), a solvent supply conduit (10) leading to the solvent dispensing means (9), a detergent solution collector means (11), and a solution conduit (12) connected to the detergent solution collector means (11) to carry away the detergent solution towards a detergent outlet. The invention is particularly convenient, because the solid detergent reservoir (3) is constructed as a modular unit easily separable from the housing (1).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2004
    Publication date: May 8, 2008
    Applicant: ECOLAB INC.
    Inventors: Gunther Zettlitzer, Ralf Heiduczek
  • Patent number: 7364033
    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: August 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Assignee: Ecolab Inc.
    Inventors: Minyu Li, Keith Darrell Lokkesmoe, Guang-Jong Jason Wei
  • Patent number: 7365046
    Abstract: A method for stripping a floor using a concentrate prepared by mixing a substantially nonchlorinated concentrate containing a floor finish solvent and an at least partially unactivated water thickener. The concentrate is diluted merely with water at an intended use location to activate the water thickener and noticeably increase within ten minutes or less the viscosity of the resulting mixture, then applied to a hardened floor finish atop a floor and allowed to soften or dissolve the floor finish so that the finish may be removed from the floor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Assignee: Ecolab Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory G. Griese, Mark D. Levitt, Brian R. Leafblad, Minyu Li, Robert D. P. Hei
  • Patent number: 7360701
    Abstract: A system and method for tracking and managing maintenance of serviceable items based on unique identification labeling affixed to the items is disclosed. The serviceable items are described as filters within a common environment that require routine maintenance to adhere to certain expectations relative to the operability of the items. Such operability may relate to any type of filtering of contaminants from a liquid or gaseous substance that flows through the filters. A unique identifier (ID) label is affixed to each filter. The unique ID label represents a unique filter ID that uniquely identifies the filter relative to all other filters in the common environment. A handheld computing device communicatively connected to a local computer reads the unique ID label of each filter following maintenance of the filter to track maintenance of the filters over time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2008
    Assignee: Ecolab Inc.
    Inventors: Cemal Sagnak, Bernhard Meyer