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 associating 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: Antimicrobial compositions containing a singlet oxygen-generating agent and a lubricant exhibit very effective antimicrobial activity against a variety of organisms, including Gram-positive bacteria, Gram-negative bacteria, fungi and yeast. The compositions have particular utility as beverage container lubricants. The passage of a container along a conveyor is antimicrobially lubricated by applying a lubricant to at least a portion of the container-contacting surface of the conveyor or to at least a portion of the conveyor-contacting surface of the container and generating singlet oxygen in situ. This method provides effective control of microbes on a beverage conveyor line, at rates comparable to purely chemical biocidal systems.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for cleaning, rinsing, and/or antimicrobial treatment of medical carts, medical cages, and other medical instruments, devices or equipment. The method for cleaning employs a solid alkaline, for example a solid carbonate, cleaning composition for cleaning the medical cart, cage, instrument, device, or equipment. The method for rinsing employs a solid neutral or neutralizing rinse composition for rinsing the medical cart, cage, instrument, device, or equipment. The method for antimicrobial treatment employs a solid, for example a solid quaternary ammonium or solid halogen, antimicrobial composition, for antimicrobial treatment of the medical cart, cage, instrument, device, or equipment.

Abstract: The present invention includes a method of reducing slippage between a mat having a flexible polymer back surface and a substrate surface contiguous to the back surface, the method comprising applying a liquid comprising an aqueous solution of poly(vinyl acetate) to the back surface and contacting the back surface with the liquid thereon to the substrate surface while the aqueous solution is still wet. The method is especially effective where the mat comprises a flexible polymeric back surface comprising a flexible polymer selected from the group consisting of natural rubber, synthetic rubber, natural elastomers and synthetic elastomers. The contacting may be performed before the aqueous solution is completely dried. The aqueous solution may be applied directly to the back surface by spraying said aqueous solution onto said surface. The aqueous solution may be applied directly to the substrate surface.

Abstract: A low viscosity aqueous cleaning composition provides increasing viscosity upon dilution which provides a high viscosity diluted cleaning composition having solvents compatible with the rod micelle thickener and the cleaning system that clings for an extended period of time in a thickened form containing cleaning system ingredients that can penetrate and remove hard baked-on soils on vertical surfaces in cleaning units. The composition contains active cleaning ingredients (acid, alkaline and enzyme) that, in combination with thickening systems, provide the useful properties. The thickened materials can be applied on cold or hot surfaces and can successfully penetrate, soften and remove baked-on food soil on a variety of surfaces including oven walls, doors and grills, baking dishes, utensils, etc.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for capacitively sensing one or more pests is disclosed. The detector may be employed as either a passive detector and/or as a part of a combined detector and trap. The sensor system includes at least two sensor electrodes and a capacitance sensing circuit. When a non-capacitive object, such as a pest, approaches the sensor electrodes, the capacitance of the sensor electrodes increases due to the object having a higher dielectric constant than air. A capacitance sensing circuit detects the increased capacitance and provides an output signal that a pest has entered the area being monitored. The capacitance sensing circuit may also be constructed to measure the change in the electrode in order to determine the size and/or type of pest based on a characteristic change.

Abstract: A non-corrosive, liquid, aqueous sterilant composition (as a concentrate or ready-to-use solution), which may be provided in two parts which are mixed prior to application, may comprise a peracid (in an equilibrium solution with an underlying carboxylic acid or mixtures of alkyl carboxylic acids and peroxide), inorganic buffering agent, and water. It has been found that the use of this simplified system, even in the absence of additional components which have been thought to be desirable for sterilants used on metal parts (e.g.

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.

Abstract: The invention relates to a pasty washing agent for use in commercial laundering which contains a non-ionic surfactant, an organic and/or inorganic builder, a bleaching agent based on peroxygen, and optionally contains other common constituents. The inventive pasty washing agent is characterized in that it contains 30 wt. % to 60 wt. % of non-ionic surfactant, 0.5 wt. % to 5 wt. % of a fatty acid and/or fatty acid alkaline-salt, 5 wt. % to 15 wt. % of citrate and/or citric acid and 15 wt. % to 35 wt. % of an inorganic peroxygen compound. In addition, the pasty washing agent does not contain alkali metasilicate nor a bleach activator. In addition to exhibiting a good cleaning efficiency, the inventive agent has a disinfecting action.

Abstract: The present invention relates to high concentration compositions of a monoester peroxy dicarboxylic acid, methods employing these high concentration compositions, and methods of making these compositions.

Abstract: Compositions having antimicrobial activity against a variety of microorganisms, including vegetative bacteria, bacterial spores, fungi, and fungal spores are particularly useful for microbiocidal treatments of a variety of substances. More specifically, compositions have antibmicrobial activity against microorganisms of the Bacillus cereus group such as Bacillus cereus, Bacillus mycoides, Bacillus anthracis, and Bacillus thuringiensis are particularly useful. Compositions including hydrogen peroxide, a carboxylic acid, and a peroxycarboxylic acid in which the weight ratio of the peroxycarboxylic acid to the hydrogen peroxide is at least 4:1 are effective against microorganisms, particularly bacterial spores. Such compositions include a reduced amount of hydrogen peroxide relative to the amount of peroxycarboxylic acid as compared to conventional compositions. Compositions can also include a quaternary ammonium compound, a stabilizing agent, a surfactant, a hydrotrope, or other additives.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a liquid enzyme cleaning composition in which the enzyme is stable at alkaline pH and in the presence of water at concentrations of at least about 50 to about 60 weight percent. In one embodiment, the composition of the invention stabilizes the enzyme with potassium borate.

Abstract: A system for measuring and controlling the concentration of a chemical agent in a solution has a reaction cell for receiving a sample, a titrant dropper for releasing one or more drops of titrant into the sample, a first photosensor for sensing disruptions of light for every drop of titrant released, and a controller that communicates with the photosensor and computes the concentration of the chemical agent based on the number of disruptions of light at the photosensor. The present invention also includes a method for sensing and controlling the concentration of a chemical agent in a solution. The method includes having a sample containing the chemical agent, triggering the release of a number of drops of titrant into the sample, detecting the number of drops released into the sample, and computing the concentration of the chemical agent in the sample based on the number of drops of titrant released into the sample.

Abstract: A preferred embodiment method for dispensing a product (121) such as cyanuric acid into an existing swimming pool circulation system includes providing a product (121) placed within a permeable bag (120). The permeable bag (120) containing the product (121) is placed into a cavity (104) of a flood feeder (100) having an inlet (105) and an outlet (108). The inlet (105) and the outlet (108) are in fluid communication with the cavity (104) of the feeder (100). A diluent is supplied to the inlet (105) and the diluent is allowed to flood the cavity (104) thereby contacting the permeable bag (120) and dissolving a portion of the product (121) to create a use solution within the cavity (104). The use solution is allowed to exit the cavity (104) through the outlet (108) and to flow into the swimming pool.

Abstract: A unitary container housing having a plurality of sealed compartments each containing a dry composition which will gradually release an antimicrobially active gas upon exposure to moist air, and each compartment being separately openable to expose its contents to the environment, and a method of using the same.

Abstract: A deliming and sanitizing process which includes injecting a liquid delimer composition into a pre-mix reservoir, and substantially simultaneously injecting a second liquid sanitizing composition into a pre-mix reservoir wherein the liquid delimer composition and the liquid sanitizing composition form a mixture which is then transported from the pre-mix reservoir into a water circulation system such as in an automatic ice machine for cleaning and sanitizing the system.

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.

Abstract: The present invention provides a composition that is suitable for lowering the alkalinity of a textile. The composition is also suitable for cleansing or treating a hard surface or a porous surface. The composition exhibits stability as a solution or as a dispersion at a temperature of about 0° C. to about 8° C. The composition includes a carrier, an acid, and a quaternary phosphonium compound, or a suitable salt or solvate thereof. The present invention also provides a method for cleansing or treating a surface. The method includes contacting the surface with an effective amount of a composition of the present invention to provide a treated or cleansed surface having a pH below about 7.5. The present invention also provides a method for preparing a composition of the present invention. The method includes combining the carrier, the acid, and the quaternary phosphonium compound, or a suitable salt or solvate thereof, in any order, to provide the composition.

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.

Abstract: We have found an alkaline warewashing detergent composition that can contain a critical amount of a nonionic rinse agent that when used in automatic warewashing machines permits the use of a potable water rinse without the addition of a separate rinse agent. Sufficient residual nonionic surfactant from the alkaline detergent remains on the surface ware and internal machine and rack surfaces after washing to promote adequate sheeting in the rinse cycle. The residual nonionic surfactant on internal surfaces dissolves in the rinse water to create an effective aqueous rinse agent. The nonionic rinse agents can be a single nonionic for both foam reduction cleaning and sheeting or can be a blend of nonionic materials providing these functions. The detergent can be in the form of a particulate, pelletized or block solid.