Patents Assigned to Ecolab
  • Patent number: 6812194
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to cleaning compositions for metal surfaces, including both concentrates and ready-to-use solutions. These compositions include a source of calcium ion, a source of alkalinity, a chelating agent, and a surfactant. In some embodiments, a water-soluble or water-dispersible acid-substituted polymer is also included. Additionally, in some embodiments, specific surfactants or chelating agents are used to enhance the performance of the composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2004
    Assignee: Ecolab, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard O. Ruhr, Mark D. Levitt, Edward H. Richardson, Victor F. Man
  • Patent number: 6812202
    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 starchy soils. The blend of nonionic surfactants preferably includes an alkyl polyglycoside surfactant and a silicon surfactant having a hydrophobic silicon group and a pendant hydrophilic group. Preferably, the blend of nonionic surfactants includes a surfactant having a hydrophobic group and an ethylene oxide residue containing group and a polymer additive. A method for removing soil from an article is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2004
    Assignee: Ecolab Inc.
    Inventors: Victor F. Man, Terrence P. Everson, Steven E. Lentsch
  • Patent number: 6809068
    Abstract: The invention relates to the use of at least one polysiloxane in lubricant formulations for reducing friction between conveyor belts and the articles transported thereon. The invention also relates to lubricants containing other additives besides polysiloxane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2004
    Assignee: Ecolab Inc.
    Inventors: Stefan Küpper, Michael Schneider, Walter Grosse Böwing, Alfred Laufenberg, Harald Kluschanzoff
  • Patent number: 6806240
    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 in 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: June 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2004
    Assignee: Ecolab Inc.
    Inventors: Kimberly L. P. Hei, Minyu Li, Keith Darrell Lokkesmoe, Joy G. Herdt, Guang-Jong Jason Wei, Michael E. Besse
  • Publication number: 20040200511
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for applying a detergent use solution to a washing surface of a motor vehicle, including the steps of: (a) providing a liquid detergent concentrate that includes an active ingredient level from about 0.1 wt. % to about 15 wt. %; (b) introducing the liquid detergent concentrate into a water stream to provide a detergent use solution that includes an active ingredient level from about 0.03 wt. % and 1 wt. %; and (c) applying the detergent use solution to a washing surface of a motor vehicle. In addition, the present invention also relates to a method for washing a washing surface of a vehicle, wherein the method includes: (a) providing a liquid detergent concentrate having an active ingredients level from about 0.1 wt. % to about 15 wt.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2004
    Publication date: October 14, 2004
    Applicant: Ecolab Inc.
    Inventors: Terry James Klos, Scott A. Johansen, Paul J. Mattia, Michael Edward Besse, Kenneth W. Shaw, Thomas M. Pederson
  • Publication number: 20040204335
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a molded detergent composition is provided. The method includes a step of mixing a hydrated component and a hydratable component to provide a mixture, and molding the mixture to provide a molded detergent composition having a melting point greater than about 30° C. The hydrated component has a melting point below about 100° C. and includes a transhydration product of anhydrous material and water of hydration. The anhydrous material has a melting point greater than about 300° C. The hydratable component includes water, if present at all, at a level of less than about 2 wt. % based on the weight of the hydratable component. The hydratable component of the water of a molded detergent composition is provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2004
    Publication date: October 14, 2004
    Applicant: Ecolab Inc.
    Inventors: Kim R. Smith, Victor Fuk-Pong Man, Wendy Wiseth, Richard Stardig
  • Patent number: 6800600
    Abstract: A paste-form to solid detergent composition is provided consisting of a) 21 to 70 percent by weight of an aqueous lye solution having a concentration of 42 to 55 percent by weight of lye; b) 0.5 to 40 percent by weight of one or more alcoholates of ethanol, propanol, isopropanol, glycerol or butyleneglycol, and c) 10 to 35 percent by weight of water. The detergent is a high alkaline detergent, useful for cleaning hard surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2004
    Assignee: Ecolab GmbH & Co. oHG
    Inventors: Werner Strothoff, Dieter Hemm, Guenter Hellmann
  • Patent number: 6800353
    Abstract: A jobsite-applied radiation curable floor finish containing inorganic particles can be applied to a multipiece flooring material whose pieces have a top surface, a side surface or surfaces and gaps between pieces. The top surface is coated and at least the uppermost portion of the gaps are filled with a layer or layers of cured finish composition comprising radiation cured polymer and sufficient inorganic filler particles to impart increased scratch resistance to the cured finish. The finish can also be applied as a strip agent-permeable coating atop a strippable intermediate coating atop a substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2004
    Assignee: Ecolab Inc.
    Inventors: Bryan Michael Anderson, Keith Edward Olson, Helmut J. Kammerer, Thomas W. Richardson
  • Patent number: 6799585
    Abstract: A process is presented for cleaning fermentation or storage tanks with an enzyme-containing formulation containing one or more laccases, peroxidases, oxireductases, transferases, isomerases, lyases, and ligases or a mixture thereof. The process provides improved cleaning results, water consumption, and waste water pollution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2004
    Assignee: Ecolab GmbH Co. oHG
    Inventors: Marion Lengling, Harald Kluschanzoff
  • Patent number: 6799916
    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: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2004
    Assignee: Ecolab GmbH & Co. oHG
    Inventors: Hans-Leo Fernschild, Heiko Faubel, Karl-Heinz Rogmann, Ulrike Scheuvens
  • Publication number: 20040187377
    Abstract: A glueboard (10, 110) includes a base member (11, 111) and a quantity of rodent arresting adhesive (12, 112). A first quantity of securing adhesive (15, 115) is operatively connected to the bottom surface of the base member (11, 111), wherein the glueboard (10, 110) is attachable to a contact surface (201, 301).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2003
    Publication date: September 30, 2004
    Applicant: Ecolab Inc.
    Inventor: James P. Gardner
  • Publication number: 20040191399
    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: April 12, 2004
    Publication date: September 30, 2004
    Applicant: Ecolab Inc.
    Inventors: John D. Hilgren, Timothy A. Gutzmann, Robert D. P. Hei
  • Publication number: 20040183050
    Abstract: A composition for the generation of chlorine dioxide including at least one non-iodo interhalide, polyhalide or salt thereof having the formula
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2003
    Publication date: September 23, 2004
    Applicant: Ecolab Inc.
    Inventors: Robert D.P. Hei, David Daniel McSherry, Kim Smith
  • Publication number: 20040182425
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method of low temperature cleaning and applying an antimicrobial treatment to food and beverage plant equipment. In addition, the method includes carbon dioxide compatible chemistry. The method may be achieved through a multi-step method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2003
    Publication date: September 23, 2004
    Applicant: Ecolab Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph I. Kravitz, Francis L. Richter, Duane J. Reinhardt, Gerald K. Wichmann
  • Patent number: 6789708
    Abstract: A dispenser (100) for diluting and dispensing a product concentrate into a container includes an actuation switch (108) and an actuator (115). The actuation switch (108) may either be manually activated in a first direction or it may be activated by pushing a container against the actuator (115) in a second direction which in turn pushes the actuation switch in the first direction to dispense a use solution. Therefore, the dispenser (100) readily accommodates any type of container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2004
    Assignee: Ecolab Inc.
    Inventor: Jeremy J. Hansen
  • Patent number: 6790817
    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: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2004
    Assignee: Ecolab Inc.
    Inventors: Elizabeth J. Gladfelter, Tina O. Outlaw, James L. Copeland, Rhonda K. Schulz, Daniel K. Boche, Jeff W. Peterson
  • Publication number: 20040167044
    Abstract: A lubricant concentrate comprising an effective lubricating amount of at least one ether carboxylate and at least one foam destabilizer, and methods of using the same. The lubricant concentrate may be diluted with water prior to use.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2004
    Publication date: August 26, 2004
    Applicant: Ecolab Inc.
    Inventors: Richard O. Ruhr, Gerald Wichmann, Megan Malvey, Richard D. Johnson, David Halsrud
  • Patent number: 6780254
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for lubricating and cleaning and/or disinfecting filling facilities for containers receiving beverages or foodstuffs, wherein the containers are conveyed on transport devices which are brought into contact with an aqueous solution of a conveyor lubricant during operation for the purpose of lubrication, wherein said aqueous solution is produced by diluting a product concentrate with water at a first dilution factor. The transport devices and/or the devices connected thereto are cleaned and/or disinfected during preselected time intervals and without interrupting the filling and transport operation by using the product concentrate for cleaning and/or disinfecting the transport devices and/or the devices connected thereto once said product concentrate has been diluted with water at a second dilution factor that is smaller than the first dilution factor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2004
    Assignee: Ecolab GmbH & Co. OHG
    Inventors: Karl-Heinz Schmitz, Harald Kluschanzoff, Thomas Wershofen
  • Patent number: 6780823
    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: July 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2004
    Assignee: Ecolab Inc.
    Inventors: Minyu Li, Keight Darrell Lokkesmoe, Guang-Jong Jason Wei
  • Patent number: 6779740
    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: April 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2004
    Assignee: Ecolab Inc.
    Inventors: Steven E. Lentsch, Gregory G. Griese, Stephan M. Hubig, John E. Thomas, Terry J. Klos, Brian A. Chute, Kathryn A. Netschke, Jamie W. Lerbs