Patents Assigned to Ecolab
  • Patent number: 7348302
    Abstract: A cleaning composition including a metal bisulfate and metal inorganic salt acid package, and at least one surfactant. The cleaning composition can be a one-step wheel cleaner/brightener. The composition preferably contains no HF, no bifluoride, no oxalic acid, or other poisonous and highly toxic materials commonly found in both industrial and consumer wheel cleaners. Further, the wheel cleaner/brightener composition matches or exceeds the performance of those hazardous formulations and does not damage aluminum wheels even when applied to hot metal. The composition can be a foam composition, provided in a foam dispenser. The foam dispenser includes a container and a mechanical foaming head. The container includes a cleaning composition containing a metal bisulfate and metal sulfate acid package, and at least one surfactant, water, and a foam-boosting solvent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2008
    Assignee: Ecolab Inc.
    Inventor: Kim R. Smith
  • Patent number: 7349760
    Abstract: A system for measuring and controlling the concentration of a chemical agent in a solution has a reaction cell for receiving a sample, a titrant dropper for releasing one or more drops of titrant into the sample, a first photosensor for sensing disruptions of light for every drop of titrant released, and a controller that communicates with the photosensor and computes the concentration of the chemical agent based on the number of disruptions of light at the photosensor. The present invention also includes a method for sensing and controlling the concentration of a chemical agent in a solution. The method includes having a sample containing the chemical agent, triggering the release of a number of drops of titrant into the sample, detecting the number of drops released into the sample, and computing the concentration of the chemical agent in the sample based on the number of drops of titrant released into the sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2008
    Assignee: Ecolab Inc.
    Inventors: Guang-jong Jason Wei, Tim Gutzmann, Paul Schacht, Tom Batcher
  • Publication number: 20080063460
    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: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2007
    Publication date: March 13, 2008
    Applicant: Ecolab Inc.
    Inventors: Eric Balz, Wesley Nelson, Brian Carlson, Darren Jahnke, James Gardner
  • Patent number: 7341987
    Abstract: A solid functional material comprises a functional agent such as a cleaning composition, a sanitizing agent, where a rinse agent, etc. in a solid block format. The solid block is formed by a binding agent that forms the active ingredients into a solid block. The binding agent comprises a phosphonate or amino acetate sequestrant, a carbonate salt and water in an E-Form hydrate. These materials at a specific mole ratio form a novel binding agent that can form functional materials into a solid matrix form.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2008
    Assignee: Ecolab Inc.
    Inventors: G. Jason Wei, Steven E. Lentsch, Keith E. Olson, Victor F. Man
  • Patent number: 7341389
    Abstract: A system for the formation of a thick robust transparent floor finish layer from a high solids formulation with an applicator device utilizing micro fiber technology. A micro fiber applicator device can be configured to apply a sufficient amount of an aqueous high solids floor finish to obtain a thick robust finish layer in a single application. One system for applying the floor finish can comprise a source of aqueous floor finish and an applicator wand comprising an application nozzle and application surface. Application surface can comprise micro fiber technology in a pad structure comprising a reservoir foam and a micro fiber applicator surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2008
    Assignee: Ecolab Inc.
    Inventors: Jane A. Chase, Christopher J. Lancette, Scott R. Olson, Karl-Heinz Rogmann, Scott Defields
  • Patent number: 7341983
    Abstract: The present invention relates to antimicrobial compositions including carboxylic acids, such as fatty acid antimicrobial agents, and alkoxylated amines, and to methods using these compositions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2008
    Assignee: Ecolab Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel E. Pedersen, Steven E. Lentsch, Jessica S. Hammerberg, Brandon Herdt, Victor F. Man
  • Patent number: 7341982
    Abstract: A rinse agent composition is provided. The rinse agent composition includes a sheeting agent for promoting draining of sheets of water from a surface, and a humectant. The humectant is a component which retains at least 5 wt. % water when the humectant has been contained at an equilibrium of 50% relative humidity and room temperature. The sheeting agent and humectant are preferably provided at a ratio of between about 5:1 and about 1:3. A method for rinsing a substrate surface in the presence of high solids containing water is provided. High solids containing water is generally considered to be water having a total dissolved solids content in excess of 200 ppm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2008
    Assignee: Ecolab Inc.
    Inventors: Steven E. Lentsch, Victor F. Man, Yvonne M. Killeen
  • Publication number: 20080058771
    Abstract: The present invention provides methods for the multiple dosage of one or more liquid products or both liquid and solid products wherein the dosing amount of at least one liquid product is measured by a weight cell. Moreover, dosing apparatus and dosing systems for applying those methods are provided. Additionally, the present invention refers to a method for washing textiles comprising a dosing step in which at least one of the inventive dosing methods, and/or at least one of the inventive dosing apparatus or dosing systems, respectively, are used.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2004
    Publication date: March 6, 2008
    Applicant: ECOLAB INC.
    Inventor: Dirk De Brabanter
  • Publication number: 20080038422
    Abstract: An apparatus (10) for washing eviscerated poultry carcasses (12) has a housing (11), a conveyor (15a) for moving the shackled poultry carcasses through the housing. A guide bar (24) tilts the poultry carcasses (12) from a vertical position for spraying by a first set of nozzles (23). The first set of nozzles (23) delivers a cleaning solution (100) at a sufficient flow rate and line pressure, whereby a portion of the cleaning solution (100) is deflected back out the rear opening (12d) of the poultry carcass (12).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2007
    Publication date: February 14, 2008
    Applicant: Ecolab Center
    Inventors: John Hilgren, Scott Bennett, Gabriel Miller
  • Publication number: 20080030712
    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: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2007
    Publication date: February 7, 2008
    Applicant: Ecolab Inc.
    Inventors: Eugene Tokhtuev, Christopher Owen, Viktor Slobodyan, Anatoly Skirda, Paul Schilling, Anna Pilipchenko, Paul Kraus, Katherine Sanville, Joseph Erickson
  • Publication number: 20080029545
    Abstract: The invention generally relates to a foot activated dispenser and more particularly to a foot activated dispenser for dispensing a liquid product such as a skin care product (i.e. hand soap, hand sanitizer, surgical scrub, lotion, etc.). More specifically, the foot activated dispenser includes a bladder connected to tubing that is connected to a piston pump. The piston pump is located within a shroud that is removably attached to a wall bracket. The wall bracket includes a bottle retainer for holding a bottle having a pump.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2007
    Publication date: February 7, 2008
    Applicant: ECOLAB INC.
    Inventors: Darren Jahnke, Wesley Nelson, Joshua Lanz, Warren Pannkuk
  • Publication number: 20080020694
    Abstract: An apparatus (10) for washing eviscerated poultry carcasses (12) has a housing (11), a conveyor (15a) for moving the shackled poultry carcasses through the housing. A guide bar (24) tilts the poultry carcasses (12) from a vertical position for spraying by a first set of nozzles (23). The first set of nozzles (23) delivers a cleaning solution (100) at a sufficient flow rate and line pressure, whereby a portion of the cleaning solution (100) is deflected back out the rear opening (12d) of the poultry carcass (12).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2007
    Publication date: January 24, 2008
    Applicant: Ecolab Inc.
    Inventors: John Hilgren, Scott Bennett, Gabriel Miller
  • Publication number: 20080019865
    Abstract: A device and method for sanitizing and deodorizing including the selective transportation of a sanitizing composition by the capillary action of a wick to an acidic composition which may be held in a reservoir, or which also may be selectively transported through the capillary action of a wick to the reservoir.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2007
    Publication date: January 24, 2008
    Applicant: Ecolab, Inc.
    Inventors: Leonard Kadlec, Daniel Tallman, Patrick Kilawee
  • Publication number: 20080014284
    Abstract: The invention relates to a powdered disinfectant containing a peroxide, an acylating agent and nonionic surfactants and to the use of this disinfectant for disinfecting surfaces and instruments, particularly in the medical field.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2007
    Publication date: January 17, 2008
    Applicant: ECOLAB INC.
    Inventors: Bernhard Meyer, Michael Decker, Holger Biering
  • Patent number: 7316824
    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: September 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2008
    Assignee: Ecolab Inc.
    Inventors: John D. Hilgren, Timothy A. Gutzmann, Robert D. P. Hei, Roger J. A. Tippett
  • Publication number: 20070298981
    Abstract: The passage of a container along a conveyor is facilitated by applying to the container or conveyor aqueous compositions containing hardness ions. The compatibility of the aqueous compositions with PET bottles is improved when the ratio of hardness as CaCO3 to alkalinity as CaCO3 is greater than about 1 to 1.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2006
    Publication date: December 27, 2007
    Applicant: ECOLAB INC.
    Inventors: Eric D. Morrison, Megan W. Malvey, Richard D. Johnson, Jeffrey S. Hutchison
  • Patent number: 7311267
    Abstract: A product dispenser and carrier (10, 110, 210, 310, 410, 510, 610) for attachment to a surface such as a dryer fin includes a plate member (11, 111, 211, 311, 411, 511) and a product carrier (21, 121, 221, 321, 421, 521). The plate member (11, 111, 211, 311, 411, 511) attaches to the surface and the product carrier (21, 121, 221, 321, 421, 521) releasably attaches to the plate member (11, 111, 211, 311, 411, 511). Product (31, 131, 431, 531) is operatively connected to the product carrier (21, 121, 221, 321, 421, 521).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Assignee: Ecolab, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory G. Griese, Steven E. Lentsch
  • Patent number: 7311224
    Abstract: A system and method for cleaning the beverage-carrying components of a beverage dispensing system in order to clean these components for future use is disclosed. The cleaning system includes a controller, a plurality of junctions, a plurality of couplers and a multiplier. The controller controls the different phases of the cleaning process, which include a beverage conservation phase, a beverage lockout phase and a cleaning phase. Each of the plurality of junctions are fluidly connected to at least one coupler and each coupler is affixed to a beverage container, e.g., keg, for opening a beverage port thereto. The multiplier is communicatively coupled to each junction so as to provide electrical control signals thereto that dictate whether fluid is to communicated through a junction to the coupler(s) associated with that junction, and thereafter directed to dispensing unit(s) over beverage line(s).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Assignee: Ecolab Inc.
    Inventors: Joerg Emmendoerfer, Knut Richter
  • Patent number: RE40123
    Abstract: A water-driven jet or venturi extraction means is used to remove, capture and cool the hot, highly humid air created within commercial dishwashers during a wash rinse or sanitization cycle. A cold water spray is used to create a pressure reduction zone which serves to draw in hot, highly humid air from the dishwasher. Water vapor cools and condenses on contact with the cold water spray within the venturi. The invention also serves to help vent the dishwasher. Cool, fresh air is drawn into the dishwasher while the hot air is drawn into the venturi.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2008
    Assignee: Ecolab Inc.
    Inventors: Scott A. Johansen, Kent R. Brittain, Lee J. Monsrud, Glen W. Davidson
  • Patent number: D565271
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2008
    Assignee: Ecolab Inc.
    Inventor: David Falbaum