Patents Assigned to Ecolab
  • Patent number: 6911069
    Abstract: Iodine or iodophor stain resistance is imparted to a surface by applying a hardenable coating composition containing an effective amount of a reducing agent having a redox potential sufficient to decolorize an iodine or iodophor stain. The reducing agent reacts with triiodide anion in the stain to change the stain coloration from a yellowish hue (e.g., yellow-white, yellow or brown) towards a lighter hue (e.g., pale yellow, white or transparent). This decolorization reaction takes place over a period of minutes, hours or days, and preferably can eventually cause the stain to disappear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2005
    Assignee: Ecolab Inc.
    Inventors: Kim R. Smith, Scott I. DeFields, Keith E. Olson
  • Patent number: 6910641
    Abstract: A product dispenser and carrier (10, 110, 210, 310, 410, 510) 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: February 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2005
    Assignee: Ecolab Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory G. Griese, Stephan M. Hubig, Terry J. Klos
  • Patent number: 6910640
    Abstract: A product dispenser (10, 110, 210, 310, 410, 510, 610, 710, 720, 730, 740, 750, 760, 780, 800, 810, 820, 830, 840, 850, and 860) for attachment to a surface such as an inner surface of a dryer releasably attaches a product (31, 131, 431, 531, 713, 733, 743, 753, 763, 787, 804, 815, 825, 834, 844, 854, 862) to the surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2005
    Assignee: Ecolab Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory G. Griese, Eric R. Balz, Steven E. Lentsch, Stephan M. Hubig, John E. Thomas, Terry J. Klos, Ronald B. Howes, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20050137107
    Abstract: An acidic detergent composition can be used for removing soils on articles in a dish machine. The acidic detergent composition may be inserted into a dish machine dispenser and a use solution may be formed that contacts a soil on an article and removes the soil on the article. The composition comprises an acid and a surfactant. The composition may be a solid, liquid, gel, paste or pellet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2004
    Publication date: June 23, 2005
    Applicant: ECOLAB INC.
    Inventors: Gregory Griese, Eddie Sowle, Karen Peterson, Christopher Morgan
  • Patent number: 6908891
    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: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2005
    Assignee: Ecolab GmbH & Co. oGH
    Inventors: Holger Biering, Rudolf Glasmacher, Hubert Schwidden, Jorg Sorns
  • Patent number: 6908041
    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: May 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2005
    Assignee: Ecolab Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory G. Griese, Steven E. Lentsch, Stephan M. Hubig, John E. Thomas, Terry J. Klos, Brian A. Chute, Kathryn A. Netschke, Jamie W. Lerbs
  • Patent number: 6903062
    Abstract: Methods include, providing a liquid composition having a first viscosity that includes a polymeric thickener, a non-aqueous solvent, and water. The non-aqueous solvent and water may form a theta solvent. A solvent with a second viscosity is provided. A portion of the liquid composition is diluted with the solvent forming a use solution with a third predetermined viscosity; where the third predetermined viscosity is greater than the second viscosity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2005
    Assignee: Ecolab, Inc.
    Inventors: Greg G. Griese, Victor Fuk-Pong Man
  • Publication number: 20050118940
    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: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2004
    Publication date: June 2, 2005
    Applicant: ECOLAB INC.
    Inventors: John Hilgren, Timothy Gutzmann, Robert Hei, Roger Tippett
  • Publication number: 20050119149
    Abstract: The dimensionally stable alkaline solid block warewashing detergent uses an E-form binder forming a solid comprising a sodium carbonate source of alkalinity, a sequestrant, a surfactant package and other optional material. The solid block is dimensionally stable and highly effective in removing soil from the surfaces of dishware in the institutional and industrial environment. The E-form hydrate comprises an organic phosphonate and a hydrated carbonate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2004
    Publication date: June 2, 2005
    Applicant: ECOLAB INC.
    Inventors: Steven Lentsch, Keith Olson, G. Wei
  • Patent number: 6900167
    Abstract: Methods of the invention include: (a) providing a solid composition that includes; a rheology modifier, a solidifying agent, and a surfactant; (b) providing a solvent with a first viscosity; and dissolving a portion of the solid composition with the solvent forming a use solution with a second predetermined viscosity, wherein the second predetermined viscosity is greater than the first viscosity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2005
    Assignee: Ecolab, Inc.
    Inventors: Greg Griese, Mark Levitt
  • Patent number: 6899281
    Abstract: A product dispenser and carrier (10, 110, 210, 310, 410, 510, 610) includes a product (31, 131, 431, 531) operatively connected to a product carrier (21, 121, 221, 321, 421, 521). The product dispenser and carrier (10, 110, 210, 310, 410, 510, 610) releasably attaches to a surface such as an inner surface of a dryer to releasably operatively connect the product (31, 131, 431, 531) thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2005
    Assignee: Ecolab Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory G. Griese, Steven E. Lentsch, Brian A. Chute
  • Patent number: 6897188
    Abstract: A liquid detergent concentrate is provided. The liquid detergent concentrate includes about 1 wt. % to about 40 wt. % combination anionic surfactant component and nonionic surfactant component containing about 0.5 wt. % to about 30 wt. % anionic surfactant and about 0.5 wt. % to about 30 wt. % nonionic surfactant, about 5 wt. % to about 60 wt. % of a water conditioning agent, and about 40 wt. % to about 95 wt. % water. The liquid detergent concentrate can be diluted with water to provide a liquid detergent use solution containing greater than 95 wt. % water. A method for washing textiles is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2005
    Assignee: Ecolab, Inc.
    Inventors: David W. Gohl, Paul J. Mattia, Robert D. Hei, John W. Birckbichler, Richard D. Stardig
  • Patent number: 6895307
    Abstract: A data processing system is used to manage and track use of chemical product in a washing machine. A detergent dispenser distributes the chemical products (e.g., detergent, rinse agent, and bleach) to the washing machine. The dispenser includes a monitor that detects dispenser data based on distribution of the chemical product by the dispenser. A database is coupled to the dispenser and stores an account identifier and an alignment identifier in association with the dispenser data of the dispenser. The database further stores corporate data in association with the dispenser data, the account identifier, and the alignment identifier. An analysis application analyzes the dispenser data in relation with the corporate data to characterize use of the chemical product in the chemical application system and provide a feedback loop. The analysis application can limit its analysis to data associated with a given account identifier or a given alignment identifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2005
    Assignee: Ecolab Inc.
    Inventor: James P. Gardner, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6892739
    Abstract: The invention relates to the use of tenside agents containing selected non-ionic tensides, for use in cleaning and/or disinfecting processes and/or cleaning and/or disinfecting preparations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2005
    Assignee: Ecolab GmbH & Co. oHG
    Inventors: Thomas Merz, Bernhard Meyer, Khalil Shamayeli
  • Publication number: 20050101506
    Abstract: Solid block alkaline detergent compositions are disclosed comprising a source of alkalinity, and other detergent additives including sequestrants. The solid block detergents of the invention used a mixed inorganic and organic sequestrant composition that successfully softens service water used in manufacturing aqueous detergents from the composition, but also obtains substantially improved organic soil removal on dishware or flatware. The solid block detergents of the invention comprise large masses of the chemical ingredients having a weight of greater than about 500 grams in a solid block product format that is typically dispensed using a spray on water dispenser that creates an aqueous concentrate that is used in a washing machine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2004
    Publication date: May 12, 2005
    Applicant: Ecolab Inc.
    Inventors: Steven Lentsch, Keith Olson
  • Publication number: 20050102059
    Abstract: A data processing system is used to manage and track use of chemical product in a washing machine. A detergent dispenser distributes the chemical products (e.g., detergent, rinse agent, and bleach) to the washing machine. The dispenser includes a monitor that detects dispenser data based on distribution of the chemical product by the dispenser. A database is coupled to the dispenser and stores an account identifier and an alignment identifier in association with the dispenser data of the dispenser. The database further stores corporate data in association with the dispenser data, the account identifier, and the alignment identifier. An analysis application analyzes the dispenser data in relation with the corporate data to characterize use of the chemical product in the chemical application system and provide a feedback loop. The analysis application can limit its analysis to data associated with a given account identifier or a given alignment identifier.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2004
    Publication date: May 12, 2005
    Applicant: Ecolab Inc.
    Inventor: James Gardner
  • Patent number: 6892143
    Abstract: A system and method is disclosed for controlling chemical dispense operations based on a conductivity offset determined for a chemical solution. The chemical dispense operations are performed by or in conjunction with operation of a utility device, such as a warewashing machine. The chemical solution is formed in a solution tank device by combining water with at least one component chemical product. The conductivity offset, which is the conductivity of the water, is used to normalize the conductivity estimated for the chemical solution relative to the component chemical product in the solution. During various points in time during operation of the utility device, the normalized conductivity is compared to a conductivity setpoint, and if the normalized conductivity falls below the conductivity setpoint, a specified volume of the component chemical product is supplied to the solution tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2005
    Assignee: Ecolab Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald Bruce Howes, Jr., Robert Eugene May, Jeff W. Peterson
  • Publication number: 20050096245
    Abstract: The present invention relates to two solvent antimicrobial compositions and methods employing these two solvent compositions. The two solvent compositions typically contain a second solvent that is not or is only sparingly soluble in a diluting solvent. The two solvent composition can form a clear single-phase solution. The two solvent antimicrobial compositions can reduce the population of microbes on various surfaces such as facilities, containers, or equipment found in food, beverage, or pharmaceutical industries at temperatures between about ?70° C. to about 100° C.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2004
    Publication date: May 5, 2005
    Applicant: Ecolab Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Hei, Brandon Herdt, Lawrence Grab
  • Patent number: 6887841
    Abstract: An apparatus for treating fabrics in a tumble dryer including a holder having at least one securement device for retaining a dryer sheet. The holder is inherently form-retaining and of such shape as to be readily tumbled with laundry in a tumble dryer, or it can be mounted to the inside surface of said tumble dryer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2005
    Assignee: Ecolab Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Mattia, Kim R. Smith
  • Patent number: 6883723
    Abstract: A product dispenser and carrier (10, 110, 210, 310, 410, 510) 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: April 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2005
    Assignee: Ecolab Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory G. Griese, John E. Thomas, Brian A. Chute, Stephan M. Hubig, Terry J. Klos, Jamie W. Lerbs