Patents Assigned to Ecolab
  • Patent number: 6885306
    Abstract: A monitor for monitoring presence or absence of a liquid product in a system for pumping the liquid product from a supply through tubing. A capacitive sensor is coupled to the outside of the tubing at a sensing location having an inlet and an outlet, the capacitive sensor being responsive to the presence or absence of the liquid product in the tubing. The tubing is selected from a material and having an inside diameter at the sensing location selected such that the tubing is substantially evacuated or substantially drains when the liquid product is substantially absent from the tubing preceding the sensing location but small enough so that the liquid product can be sensed by the capacitive sensor when the liquid product is substantially present in the supply.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2005
    Assignee: Ecolab Inc.
    Inventors: Louis M. Holzman, Thomas J. Batcher
  • Patent number: 6878681
    Abstract: Compositions and methods of the invention include: providing a wet fabric; contacting the wet fabric with a compound of formula (I): where X? is an anion, R, R1 and R2 are independently selected from (C1-C4)alkyl, or (C1-C4)alkoxy, R3 is a polyoxyalkylene chain of formula: where, n is 35-45; or a compound of formula (II): where R is a (C1-C25)alkyl, (C1-C25)alkoxy, (C1-C25)alkenyl, n is 1-50, m is 1-50; and removing water from the wet fabric.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2005
    Assignee: Ecolab, Inc.
    Inventors: David Gohl, Victor Fuk-Pong Man, Robert Hei, Brenda Tjelta, Paul Mattia
  • Patent number: 6877270
    Abstract: A pest control device (10), and a method of suppressing a pest, which can be discretely and easily placed, serviced and removed from the proximity of areas where pests, including rodents and insects, are likely to frequent, including the area near the floor-wall juncture (54) behind shelving (44) and/or products (52) or equipment. The pest control device (10) has a pest suppression device (18) having an ingress for the pest and an elongate arm (20?) with an overhanging structure (56) having a proximate end (24) and a distal end (26), the proximate end (24) of the elongate arm (20?) connected to the pest suppression device (20?) communicating with the ingress and facilitating a pathway for the pest from the distal end (26) of the elongate arm (20?) to the ingress. The pest suppression device (10) may be mounted on a platform (12 or 14) and the elongate arm (20?) mounted instead to the platform (12 or 14).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2005
    Assignee: Ecolab Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas D. Nelson, Vince R. Harris, Martijn Loerakker
  • Publication number: 20050070448
    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: September 11, 2002
    Publication date: March 31, 2005
    Applicant: ECOLAB INC.
    Inventors: Stefan Kupper, Christina Kohlstedde, Michael Schneider
  • Patent number: 6871674
    Abstract: An apparatus for creating a use solution of a concentrate diluted, with a dilution rate of not more than 1:130, into a diluent flowing under pressure in a line. A normally-closed, user activatable valve is operatively coupled in the line allowing the diluent to flow in the line upon user activation. A flow regulator is operatively coupled in the line downstream of the valve, configured to maintain a constant flow rate for the diluent in the line. A constant flow rate pump having an inlet and an outlet is operatively coupled to the valve. The inlet is adapted to be operatively fluidly coupled to the concentrate. The outlet is fluidly coupled to the line downstream of the flow regulator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2005
    Assignee: Ecolab Inc.
    Inventors: John E. Thomas, Thomas J. Batcher
  • Publication number: 20050065644
    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: September 30, 2004
    Publication date: March 24, 2005
    Applicant: Ecolab Inc.
    Inventor: James Gardner
  • Publication number: 20050063765
    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: Application
    Filed: November 11, 2004
    Publication date: March 24, 2005
    Applicant: ECOLAB INC.
    Inventors: Jane Chase, Christopher Lancette, Scott Olson, Karl-Heinz Rogmann, Scott Defields
  • Patent number: 6869518
    Abstract: A method of producing chlorine dioxide gas in an enclosed space including the steps of electrochemically generating chlorine dioxide gas in an electrochemical cell and transporting the chlorine dioxide gas to the enclosed space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2005
    Assignee: Ecolab Inc.
    Inventors: Leonard J. Kadlec, Patrick H. Kilawee
  • Publication number: 20050059564
    Abstract: A composition and method of lubricating conveyor tracks or belts is herein described wherein the lubricant composition contains a fatty acid, a neutralizing agent, a polyalkylene glycol polymer and a monomeric polyol; also described are methods of manufacture of such lubricant compositions. The compositions may also comprise additional functional ingredients.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2004
    Publication date: March 17, 2005
    Applicant: ECOLAB INC.
    Inventors: Minyu Li, Richard Johnson
  • Publication number: 20050054875
    Abstract: Disclosed is a process for the treatment of a plant gaseous stream containing odor compounds including hydrogen sulfide, an alkyl mercaptan or an alkyl thiol and mixtures thereof by contacting the plant stream with an oxidizing agent that reduces the odor but forms elemental sulfur. The elemental sulfur, and other inorganic, scales that form, or deposit, can be suppressed or removed using a specific aromatic substituted nonionic surfactant material. The use of such a process produces a significant improvement in odor quality while maintaining a clean process facility and low operating pressure drop.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2004
    Publication date: March 10, 2005
    Applicant: Ecolab Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Hei, Michael Besse
  • Publication number: 20050054545
    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: September 20, 2004
    Publication date: March 10, 2005
    Applicant: ECOLAB GMBH & CO. OHG
    Inventors: Holger Biering, Rudolf Glasmacher, Hubert Schwidden, Jorg Sorns
  • Patent number: 6864220
    Abstract: A concentrate and a ready-to-use or diluted formulation for an aqueous vehicle cleaner can remove a wide range of different types of traffic film using either low pressure application, hand pressure application, water jet spray apparatus, clean-in-place systems or other manual or mechanical washing systems. The compositions may comprise, for example, one or more solutions that each or collectively contain or comprises: a) at least one anionic surfactant; b) at least one poly[oxyalkylene] ammonium cationic surfactant; and c) an alkaline agent. Optional additional ingredients may comprise at least one polycarboxylic acid chelating agent (preferably an aminocarboxylic acid chelating agent), at least one non-ionic or amphoteric surfactant, at least one hydrotrope, inorganic and/or organic acids and at least one silicate. The alkaline agent may provide a pH (when the finished product is diluted to 0.5 to 5% by weight in water) will be between about 9 to 13.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2005
    Assignee: Ecolab Inc.
    Inventors: Mark D. Levitt, Terry J. Klos, Michael E. Besse, Robert D. Hei, Jerry D. Hoyt, Cathleen O'Connor, Victor Fuk-Pong Man
  • Publication number: 20050044649
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a wiping device for wiping surfaces that are to be cleaned, especially floor surfaces. Parts of the wiping device according to the invention are on the one hand a wiping element holder, and on the other hand the removable wiping element that is to be fixed to the wiping element holder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2004
    Publication date: March 3, 2005
    Applicant: ECOLAB INC.
    Inventors: Franz Kresse, Heiko Faubel
  • Patent number: 6861154
    Abstract: A coating composition includes a material adapted to form a coating; and a material that fluoresces when exposed to U.V. light or the material adapted to form a coating contains a U.V. blocker disposed on a U.V. indicator. A kit containing a U.V. indicator and material adapted to form a coating containing a U.V. blocker. Methods of coating a substrate with the coating compositions are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2005
    Assignee: Ecolab, Inc.
    Inventors: Keith Olson, Paul Mattia
  • Patent number: 6855328
    Abstract: An improved antimicrobial composition is described as a liquid concentrate. The liquid concentrate includes a complex resulting from an in-situ reaction of a cation source, an oxidant, a halide source having at least one iodine atom, and a non-mineral acid, or a mixture of a non-mineral acid to about 50% of a hydrophilic solvent by volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2005
    Assignee: Ecolab Inc.
    Inventors: Robert D. P. Hei, Francis L. Richter, Duane Joseph Reinhardt, Brian R. Leafblad
  • Patent number: 6855676
    Abstract: A method of lubricating conveyor tracks or belts is herein described wherein the lubricant composition contains a polyalkylene glycol polymer and a fatty acid; also described are methods of manufacture of such lubricant compositions in both concentrate and diluted form. The compositions may also comprise additional functional ingredients.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2005
    Assignee: Ecolab., Inc.
    Inventors: Minyu Li, Kim Person Hei, Amy Haupert
  • Patent number: 6848596
    Abstract: An upright product outlet bag evacuation packaging (100, 200) includes a flexible, collapsible bag (101, 201) and a spout (116, 216) that contains and dispenses a liquid (118, 218). The bag (101, 201) includes a first wall (102, 202) and a second wall (104, 204) that are operatively connected by a seam (106, 206). When the bag (101, 201) is filled with liquid (118, 218), the first wall (102, 202) and the second wall (104, 204) are pushed away from one another thereby pulling a first side (109, 209) inward and causing an indentation (114, 214) to form. The indentation (114, 214) hinders flush contact between the first wall (102, 202) and the second wall (104, 204) as the bag (101, 201) progressively collapses as the liquid (118, 218) is dispensed. A housing (300, 400) for use with a dispenser may be used to create and reinforce the indentation (114, 214). The housing (300, 400) includes a cavity (303, 403) configured and arranged to receive the bag (101, 201).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2005
    Assignee: Ecolab Inc.
    Inventors: Eric R. Balz, Thomas P. Berg, John E. Thomas
  • Publication number: 20050019085
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for applying flowing media to a surface. Said device comprises a container for the media with at least one opening which is located above the surface and can be deaerated and a mopping or applicator device which is attached to a handle. In addition, the device has a flow-regulating hose which can be shut off, for conveying the media form the container by force of gravity to an outlet on the mopping or applicator device. In addition, the device has a portable unit which is worn on the back, comprising supporting and fixing straps and a mounting plate which is fitted to said unit and which has a rapid-action coupling device. The container has a resealable exit opening at one end with a connecting sleeve and a resealable fill opening at the opposite end, in addition to a hose adapter which can be connected to the connecting sleeve of the exit opening. Said adapter has a shut-off device and a rapid-action coupling for the hose with a drip-protection unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2004
    Publication date: January 27, 2005
    Applicant: Ecolab GMBH & Co. OHG
    Inventors: Hans-Leo Fernschild, Heiko Faubel, Karl-Heinz Rogmann, Ulrike Scheuvens
  • Patent number: 6846793
    Abstract: Compositions of the invention include: a surfactant having an HLB value from 1 to 10; and a compound of formula (I): where; x is an integer from 2 to 6, y is an integer from 0 to 5, R is a bond or (C1-C4)alkylene, R1 is a hydrogen, halo, aryl, (C1-C4)alkyl, heteroaryl, cycloalkyl, or heterocycyl, R2 is independently selected from hydrogen, halo, (C1-C4)alkyl, (C1-C4)alkoxy, (C2-C4) alkenylene. Methods forming stable aqueous and non-aqueous solutions of the same are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2005
    Assignee: Ecolab, Inc.
    Inventor: Greg G. Griese
  • Patent number: D501225
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2005
    Assignee: Ecolab Inc.
    Inventor: J. Michael Milliorn