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.

Abstract: A method of removing soil an article including the steps of immersing said article in an alkaline composition having a concentration of at least one source of alkalinity about 0.25% or higher, dehydrating the soil and rehydrating the soil at a pH which is neutral. The method is particularly useful for removing proteinaceous soil from processing equipment for dairy products.

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.

Abstract: The present invention relates to antimicrobial compositions including a critical, near critical, or supercritical (densified) fluid and an antimicrobial agent, to methods of forming these compositions, and to methods employing these compositions. An antimicrobial agent can be generated in the presence of a densified fluid, for example, by reacting an oxidizing agent with a precursor to the antimicrobial agent.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods and agents for washing textiles while disinfecting them and treating the same with care, whereby a combination consisting of peracid and particular additional constituents is used as the disinfection constituent.

Abstract: A hand dishwashing detergent composition as provided according to the invention. The hand dishwashing detergent composition includes an anionic surfactant blend, a betaine surfactant, and water. The anionic surfactant blend includes a first anionic surfactant component and a second anionic surfactant component. The first anionic surfactant component can include at least one of an alkyl aryl sulfonate wherein the alkyl group contains 10 to about 18 carbon atoms and the aryl group comprises at least one of benzene, toluene, xylene, and a secondary alkane sulfonate wherein the alkane group includes about 10 to about 18 carbon atoms.

Abstract: A bed of particulate solids including some hydrated materials can be converted by controlled irradiation with subinfrared electromagnetic radiation into a unitary porous solid that is mechanically strong enough for easy handling. When the particulate solids include typical mildly acid to alkaline cleaner materials, a block or tablet especially suitable for automatic cleaning machinery, with a very fast dissolution rate in water, can readily be obtained.

Abstract: A conveyor and lubricating apparatus includes a conveyor and a dispensing device. The conveyor includes a conveyor surface and is provided for transporting items on the conveyor surface. Exemplary items that can be transported include plastic bottles, glass bottles, cans, and cartons. The dispensing device provides a spray pattern of a lubricant composition onto the conveyor surface. The dispensing device includes a nozzle that generates the spray pattern, a lubricant dispensing line that supplies the lubricant composition to the nozzle, a nozzle valve that opens and closes in response to the pressure conditions within the lubricant dispensing line to control flow of the lubricant composition to the nozzle, and a spray valve constructed to move between a first position and a second position, wherein the first position causes pressurization of the lubricant dispensing line and the second position provides depressurization of the lubricant dispensing line.

Abstract: An alkaline sensitive metal cleaning composition is provided. The alkaline sensitive metal cleaning composition contains an alkaline concentrate and a corrosion inhibitor concentrate. The alkaline concentrate includes a source of alkalinity in an amount sufficient to provide a use solution having a pH of at least 10.0, and a first chelant component that exhibits soil removal properties when used at a pH of at least 10.0. The corrosion inhibitor concentrate includes a corrosion inhibitor component for reducing corrosion of alkaline sensitive metals when used in a use solution having a pH of at least 10.0, a second chelant component for stabilizing the corrosion inhibitor in the corrosion inhibitor concentrate when the corrosion inhibitor concentrate is provided at a pH that is less than 8.0, and a surfactant component for providing cleaning properties when used at a pH of at least 10.0.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of peracid esters for improving surface wetting during the disinfection of surfaces and to synergistic antimicrobial combinations of peracid esters with further components.

Abstract: A system for controlling and monitoring operations of a chemical dispense system from a remote location is disclosed. The chemical dispense system includes a formulator for preparing a chemical product using one or more component chemical concentrates. The chemical dispense system also includes an allocator for managing the distribution of formulated chemical products to a point-of-use such that the formulated products are distributed to the point-of-use by a specified plan or sequence. The allocator may also be used to manage the formulation of chemical products such that the chemical products are formulated based on a plan or sequence. The chemical dispense system includes a communications system that enables system operators to control and monitor allocation and/or formulation operations from a remote location. A method for remotely monitoring and controlling operations of the chemical dispense system is also disclosed.

Abstract: A fill probe with an in-line mixer accelerates and facilitates automation of a fill and mix procedure required in formulating certain chemical products. In some formulas, the concentrated chemical components that combine to form the resulting formula (e.g., teat dip) have a wide range of viscosities. The in-line positioning of the mixing attachment with the fill probe on the outside of the fill probe creates a dual action mixing operation that mixes the components as they are deliver to a mixing container and continues to mix them after they are combined with other chemicals within the mixing container. By using a combination fill probe and in-line mixer of the claimed design, a user can automate the fill and mix process, decrease the required mix time, and reduce foaming and spillage of chemicals.

Abstract: The invention relates to process for reducing the friction between new and/or freshly washed transport containers and conveyors, in which a composition containing at least one component with lubricating properties is applied to at least part of the surface of the container before it is placed on the conveyor, to containers of which at least part of the outer surface is finished with a film or a coating which contains lubricating components to reduce friction during transport on conveyors and to installations which are intended, and may advantageously be designed, for the transport of such containers.

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.

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 is 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.

Abstract: A process for preparing a homogeneous, solid cleaning composition that comprises a cleaning agent, and optionally an additive agent and a hardening agent is provided. The compositions are processed in a continuous mixing system at high shear, at or below the melting temperature of the ingredients. Preferably, the ingredients are processed in an extruder, and the mixture is extruded directly into a mold or other packaging system for dispensing the cleaning composition. The consistency of the composition ranges from that of a fused block solid to a malleable article. The cleaning compositions are useful for warewashing and cleaning hard surfaces, rinsing, sanitizing, deodorizing, laundry detergents, conveyor lubricants, and the like.

Abstract: Lubricating solutions are used on conveying systems in the beverage industry during the filling of containers with dairy products or other beverages. Lubricating compositions of the present invention, especially those designed for use in heavy load bearing conveyors such as those in the dairy industry conveying systems for contained beverages, comprise at least the following components: a) an alkyl alkoxylated (e.g., ethoxylated or propoxylated, preferably ethoxylated) phosphate ester, b) a secondary alcohol alkoxylate, (with an optional aryl [e.g., aromatic, such as phenol] alkoxylated [e.g., ethoxylated or propoxylated] phosphate ester), c) an aromatic or linear quaternary ammonium antimicrobial agent, and d) a liquid carrier, such as water. These lubricating solutions are capable of providing good lubricity and antimicrobial activity over a prolonged time and under high stress and heavy loads.

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.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a biocidal composition, designed for the generation of chlorine dioxide, comprising at least one iodo-compound having at least one iodine atom and a source of chlorite ions. The molar ration of chlorite ions to iodine atoms is 2 or greater. The composition finds use in a variety of applications including methods of cleaning, sanitizing, deodorizing, and disinfecting various surfaces.

Abstract: The invention relates to agents and methods for washing articles containing foaming components.