Patents Assigned to Ecolab
  • Patent number: 6846788
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to compositions for removing silver soil from the surface of objects. These compositions contain a reducing agent, and an alkaline source, and may optionally contain various other components including a chelating agent, cleaning agent, filler, an anti-corrosion agent, a defoaming agent, an odorant, a dye, an antioxidant, or a bleaching agent. Methods of using the compositions are also disclosed, wherein the object to be cleaned is contacted with the composition and the object is then washed with an aqueous solution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2005
    Assignee: Ecolab Inc.
    Inventors: Terrence P Everson, Bryan Anderson
  • Patent number: 6840390
    Abstract: A container racking system for a plurality of refillable containers. A crate has a bottom and side walls arranged to secure the plurality of refillable containers in a position when the plurality of refillable containers are placed into the crate. The bottom of the crate has at least one opening positioned below at least one of the plurality of refillable containers. A rack holds the crate when it is desired to have the plurality of refillable containers available for refilling. The rack is capable of supporting the crate when the crate is placed on the rack. At least one member is positioned within the rack such that the at least one member protrudes through the at least one opening of the bottom of the crate when the crate is placed on the rack. In this way, at least one of the plurality of refillable containers is raised up from the bottom of the crate when the crate is placed on the rack making the at least one of the plurality of refillable containers readily available for refilling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2005
    Assignee: Ecolab Inc.
    Inventor: John E. Thomas
  • Patent number: 6838422
    Abstract: A plastics compatible detergent composition is provided by the invention. The plastics compatible detergent composition includes about 0.01 wt. % to about 10 wt. % anionic surfactant; about 0.01 wt. % to about 10 wt. % cationic surfactant; about 0.01 wt. % to about 10 wt. % of at least one of reverse polyoxyalkylene block copolymer surfactant, alcohol alkoxylate surfactant having polyoxypropylene and/or polyoxybutylene end groups, and mixtures thereof; about 0.01 wt. % to about 10 wt. % alkylpolyglycoside surfactant; and about 0.01 wt. % to about 20 wt. % silicone surfactant. A method for washing an article having a plastic surface is provided by the invention. The method includes a step of applying the detergent composition to the plastic surface, and rinsing the detergent composition from the article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2005
    Assignee: Ecolab Inc.
    Inventors: Victor F. Man, Karen G. Klaers
  • Patent number: 6835702
    Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions and methods for mitigating corrosion of applied color designs on a bottle, or on another glass or ceramic item. More specifically the composition or method of the present invention can mitigate corrosion even in the presence of a known corrosive agent. The composition and methods of the invention employ one or more phosphates and one or more phosphonates at a ratio that reduces or minimizes corrosion of an applied color design.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2004
    Assignee: Ecolab Inc.
    Inventors: Brandon Leon Herdt, Gerald Kurt Wichmann, David Arnold Halsrud, Michel Marie Lawrence, Richard Eugene Steindorf
  • Patent number: 6835706
    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: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2004
    Assignee: Ecolab Inc.
    Inventors: Steven E. Lentsch, Keith E. Olson, Victor F. Man
  • Publication number: 20040259757
    Abstract: The invention is a solid chemical concentrate system of at least two cooperative shapes. The first shape is an inwardly curved bar having an inner opening. The second shape is an insert which is capable of interlocking with the bar by insertion into the bar inner opening. The solid chemical concentrate provides chemical systems having active constituents which may be the same, different but compatible or functionally and chemically incompatible combined within one matrix to provide at least one substantially continuous surface. The system may also comprise an aqueous soluble or dispersible polymeric film cover.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2004
    Publication date: December 23, 2004
    Applicant: Ecolab Inc.
    Inventors: Elizabeth J. Gladfelter, Tina O. Outlaw, James L. Copeland, Rhonda K. Schulz, Daniel K. Boche, Jeff W. Peterson
  • Publication number: 20040253155
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus and method suitable for dispensing heterogeneous compositions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2004
    Publication date: December 16, 2004
    Applicant: Ecolab Inc.
    Inventors: David A. Fine, Terry James Klos, Brian Chute, Brandon Carlson, Quang Dao
  • Publication number: 20040254090
    Abstract: The invention relates to a highly alkaline or mildly alkaline detergent composition having enhanced cleaning properties. The detergent combines a source of alkalinity and a blend of nonionic surfactants that enhances cleaning waxy-fatty soils.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2004
    Publication date: December 16, 2004
    Applicant: Ecolab Inc.
    Inventors: Steven E. Lentsch, Victor F. Man, Deborah A. Ihns, Helmut K. Maier, Rhonda K. Schulz
  • Patent number: 6831054
    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: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2004
    Assignee: Ecolab Inc.
    Inventors: Steven E. Lentsch, Keith E. Olson, G. Jason Wei
  • Patent number: 6828296
    Abstract: A UV cured floor finish can be removed from a floor by applying to the cured finish an inhomogeneous stripper composition containing at least one polar solvent, allowing the stripper composition to contact the finish for sufficient time to soften the finish, and removing the softened finish from the floor by mopping, vacuuming, mild abrasion or other measures that do not remove substantial portions of the floor. Preferably the polar solvent is denser than water and preferably the stripper composition has a diffusion rate through the cured finish greater than about 7×10−7 g/cm2/sec. Strippable floor finish kits can be manufactured by combining a UV curable floor finish composition and an inhomogeneous stripper composition containing at least one polar solvent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2004
    Assignee: Ecolab Inc.
    Inventors: Keith E. Olson, Bryan M. Anderson, Kim R. Smith
  • Publication number: 20040242442
    Abstract: The present invention relates to heterogeneous cleaning compositions, methods employing them, and methods of making them.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2004
    Publication date: December 2, 2004
    Applicant: Ecolab Inc
    Inventors: David A. Fine, Terry James Klos, Gretchen Louise King, Richard D. Stardig
  • Patent number: 6825159
    Abstract: A cleaning composition including a less than fully ionized source of alkalinity within the cleaning composition, a source of chlorine, and a polar carrier. In at least some embodiments, it has been found that chlorine has an increased level of stability within the cleaning composition relative to a second composition having similar components and a similar level of titratable alkalinity, but that includes a fully ionized source of alkalinity as a sole source of alkalinity. Some other embodiments relate to methods of making, and methods of using such cleaning compositions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2004
    Assignee: Ecolab, Inc.
    Inventors: Victor Fuk-Pong Man, Steven Eugene Lentsch, Janel Marie Kieffer
  • Publication number: 20040235680
    Abstract: A lubricant composition which protects polymeric articles, and which also inhibits corrosion of metal, the composition including at least one oxyalkylated alcohol carboxylatic acid or salt thereof, and methods of using the same. The composition is advantageous where hydrogen peroxide is also present.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2004
    Publication date: November 25, 2004
    Applicant: Ecolab Inc.
    Inventors: Michel Lawrence, Gerald Wichmann
  • Patent number: 6821351
    Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions, kits and processes for the brightening of metal surfaces by the application of the chemical compositions. These compositions act to release hydrofluoric acid as a brightening agent. The solutions are preferably mixed during application of the brightening composition to a metal surface by mixing the solutions immediately prior to or even during application of the solution. This can be readily accomplished by mixing two solutions, one having a fluoride source and the other having a strong acid to release hydrofluoric acid from the fluoride source, the mixing occurring immediately before spray application, during spraying, or immediately after spraying of the two solutions. Mixing may be done on-site, which means that mixing is performed at the site of use, usually on the same day of use or even within a few (less than 10) minutes of use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2004
    Assignee: Ecolab Inc.
    Inventors: Guang-jong Jason Wei, David Daniel McSherry, Mark D. Levitt
  • Patent number: 6822030
    Abstract: Continuous coatings including floor finishes can be prepared using novel two part compositions and methods. The two part compositions comprise a solid particulate polymer part and a liquid coalescing agent part. A novel method of the invention involves contacting the coalescing agent with the polymer in a variety of coating methods including applying the polymer to the coalescing agent, applying the coalescing agent to the polymer or applying the coalescing agent and polymer simultaneously. The polymer and coalescing agent interact to form a continuous coating layer or finish layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2004
    Assignee: Ecolab Inc.
    Inventors: Keith E. Olson, Bryan M. Anderson, Robert D. P. Hei
  • Patent number: 6821568
    Abstract: The interface between a moving conveyor belt and a work piece can be lubricated using an air driven stream of finely divided droplets of a lubricant composition. Droplets of a preferred size are directed by the air stream onto the conveyor with little waste of lubricant off the conveyor. The lubricant provides a very low coefficient of friction and little or no stress cracking in the containers. Using a low pressure and low flow rate air stream in conjunction with a low flow rate liquid lubricant attains the useful particle size in the lubricant add on spray. The liquid lubricant is sheared by the effect of the air flow creating the desirable droplet size and pattern of lubricant on the conveyor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2004
    Assignee: Ecolab Inc.
    Inventors: Scott Bennett, Kim Person Hei, Minyu Li, Amy Haupert, Keith D. Lokkesmoe
  • Patent number: 6822063
    Abstract: A waterborne radiation curable coating composition containing at least one acrylate functional oligomer having a functionality greater than 3 and at least one vinyl ether oligomer having a functionality greater than 1 provides a cured coating resists deep scratches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2004
    Assignee: Ecolab Inc.
    Inventors: Keith E. Olson, Bryan M. Anderson
  • Patent number: 6819977
    Abstract: A dispenser for dispensing and a method of dispensing an ingredient for a machine. An ingredient feed mechanism dispenses the ingredient to the machine. A controller is capable of controlling an amount of the ingredient delivered to the machine by varying an amount of time the ingredient feed mechanism is active. The controller has a demand mode which varies the amount of time the ingredient feed mechanism is active as a function of a parameter obtained from the machine. The controller compares the amount of time the ingredient feed mechanism is active with a reference value and switches to a timed mode if the amount of time deviates from the reference value. The controller may have an initial training mode which measures the amount of time the ingredient feed mechanism is active establishes the reference value based upon the amount of time the ingredient feed mechanism is active.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2004
    Assignee: Ecolab Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald Bruce Howes, Jr., Robert Eugene May, David Robert Howland
  • Publication number: 20040220844
    Abstract: A method and system for routing a delivery vehicle to a chemical usage facility is disclosed. The chemical usage facility includes one or more chemical dispense systems that dispense one or more chemical product. The quantity of each chemical product remaining is measured and communicated to a central management facility. The central management facility analyzes a trend in product usage to predict when the product quantity will reach a threshold depletion point. The chemical usage facility is scheduled on the route according to the predicted time associated with the threshold depletion point.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2003
    Publication date: November 4, 2004
    Applicant: Ecolab Inc.
    Inventors: Katherine Sanville, David Robert Johnson, Ronald Bruce Howes
  • Patent number: D498286
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2004
    Assignee: Ecolab Inc.
    Inventors: Martijn F. Loerakker, Paul A. Pilosi, Micah T. Somers