Patents Assigned to Ecolab
  • Patent number: 6387864
    Abstract: A laundry detergent composition comprising about 1 to about 75 parts by weight of at least one caustic compound, about 0.5 to about 50 parts by weight of at least one nonionic surfactant, about 1 to about 35 parts by weight of at least one primary amine compound having the following general formula: NH2—CH2—(CHR)n—OH where each R is independently hydrogen, C1 to C30 alkyl, aryl, etheral, amino, hydroxy, alkoxy, or ester and n is 0 to 12, and about 1 to about 60 parts by weight of at least one builder, filler, or mixture thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2002
    Assignee: Ecolab Inc.
    Inventor: Michael James Bartelme
  • Patent number: 6387870
    Abstract: A solid block detergent composition is described which can be dispensed with a water spray to form an aqueous detergent for cutting and removing grease, removing and suspending soils and rinsing easily leaving cleaned ware. The aqueous detergent concentrate can be used in a cleaning liquid having exceptional soil, particularly grease removing properties with stable foam properties. The solid block detergent contains a package of surfactants including a neutralized anionic surfactant with either one or a mixture of an alkali and alkaline earth metal salt thereof and an alkylpolyglycoside. The active ingredients and polyethylene glycol as a hardening agent are dispersed in a matrix which hardens to form a solid block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2002
    Assignee: Ecolab Inc.
    Inventors: Karen G. Klaers, Helen B. Bailly
  • Patent number: 6384006
    Abstract: A system for forming and releasing an aqueous peracid solution is disclosed. The system includes a container and a peracid forming composition provided within the container. The container is permeable to the passage of water and aqueous peracid solution. The peracid forming composition includes a peracid precursor and a peroxygen source. Preferably, the peracid forming composition includes a chemical heater capable of releasing heat upon hydration. When placed in water, water enters the container and interacts with the peracid forming composition provided within the container. The water combines with the peracid precursor and peroxygen source to provide an aqueous peracid composition. The presence of a chemical heater within the container provides for the generation of heat within the container which enhances the rate of peracid formation. The peracid solution leaves the container and forms an effective sanitizing amount of sanitizer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2002
    Assignee: Ecolab Inc.
    Inventors: G. Jason Wei, David D. McSherry
  • Patent number: 6382136
    Abstract: A method is provided for treating the foot or hooves of animals used for breeding that are kept in sheds, especially cattle and particularly dairy cattle. The method is characterized in that in a first phase, the feet or hooves of the animals are cleaned with water or a detergent containing soap or tensides, using an automatic spray system in order to remove all traces of excrement, especially manure or other dirt, for example straw, and then in a second phase, the previously cleaned feet or hooves are treated with a disinfectant by wetting or spraying.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2002
    Assignee: Henkel Ecolab GmbH & Co. oHG
    Inventors: Siegfried Bragulla, Gilbert Bardoneschi, Alain Collin, Hubert De Roquefeuille
  • Patent number: 6379685
    Abstract: The mastitis control teat dip composition of the invention provides a softening, soothing, smoothing, relaxing property, a rapid initial kill, a useful highly pseudoplastic rheology, a barrier/film-forming capacity, a unique antimicrobial composition that is stable over an extended period of time, and unexpected long term microbial control when compared to the prior art materials disclosed in patents and used in the marketplace. The compositions of the invention are made by combining an aqueous thickened liquid composition containing the organic components which can be combined with a simple aqueous solution of a salt of chlorous acid, preferably an alkali metal chlorite. The materials can be combined, blended into a smooth viscous material containing an emollient package and can be immediately contacted with the target animals. The compositions of the invention provide rapid initial kill, consistent long term kill and chemical and rheological stability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2002
    Assignee: Ecolab Inc.
    Inventors: Francis L. Richter, Cathy M. Paquette, Richard K. Staub, Donald R. Vegoe
  • Patent number: 6377868
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2002
    Assignee: Ecolab Inc.
    Inventor: James P. Gardner, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6370813
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a bait station comprising a base, a reservoir, a cover, and a latch. The base may be used in two different orientations and includes a first section and a second section. The first section has climbing assisting members and a cavity with a reservoir receiving area, and the second section has side climbing assisting members. The climbing assisting members and side climbing assisting members of the base provide a textured surface that enables insects to crawl into and out of the bait station more easily. The reservoir contains poisonous bait and may be placed in two different positions within the reservoir receiving area to accommodate the two different orientations in which the base may be used. The reservoir includes tapered sides with climbing assisting members. The climbing assisting members provide a textured surface that enables insects to crawl into and out of the reservoir more easily.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2002
    Assignee: Ecolab Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas D. Nelson, Keith D. Johnson
  • Patent number: 6372698
    Abstract: Chain conveyor lubricants, especially for the food industry, which form clear solutions in water and which contain in combination a) at least one compound corresponding to formula (I):  in which R1 is a saturated or mono- or polyunsaturated, linear or branched alkyl group containing 6 to 22 carbon atoms, which may optionally be substituted by an —OH, —NH2, —NH—, —CO—, halogen or a carboxyl group, R2 is a carboxyl group containing 2 to 7 carbon atoms, M is hydrogen, alkali metal, ammonium, an alkyl group containing 1 to 4 carbon atoms or a benzyl group, and n is an integer of 1 to 6; b) at least one organic carboxylic acid selected from monobasic or polybasic, saturated or mono- or polyunsaturated carboxylic acids containing 2 to 22 carbon atoms; and, optionally, c) at least one of water, additives, and auxiliaries.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2002
    Assignee: Henkel-Ecolab GmbH & Co. OHG
    Inventors: Werner Strothoff, Birgit Winkelmann
  • Patent number: 6369021
    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: May 7, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2002
    Assignee: Ecolab Inc.
    Inventors: Victor F. Man, Terrence P. Everson, Steven E. Lentsch
  • Patent number: 6365568
    Abstract: The invention includes a process for manufacturing an improved solid cast alkaline composition, that includes (a) reacting an alkali metal silicate with an alkali metal hydroxide of the formula MOH, where M is an alkali metal, in an aqueous environment to form a reaction product; and (b) solidifying the reaction product in a mold where the reaction product is formed and solidified at room temperature without the addition of externally supplied heat and the reaction product solidifies without the use of external cooling; and where the relative amount of alkali metal silicate, alkali metal hydroxide and water incorporated into the composition are effective for producing a reaction product having about 20 to 50 parts water per 100 parts of a combination of the alkali metal silicate, the alkali metal hydroxide and water in the cast solid composition and an M2O:SiO2 ratio of about 2.5:1 to 4.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2002
    Assignee: Ecolab Inc.
    Inventors: Keith Edward Olson, Tom R. Oakes, Dan N. Tallman, Bill George Mizuno
  • Patent number: 6360917
    Abstract: The invention relates to a canister comprising a first container (concentrate chamber) holding a concentrate, and a second container (solution chamber) holding a ready-to-use solution constituted by mixing a concentrate and a diluting fluid. According to the invention, the two containers of the canister are configured as chambers of the canister, connected to each other by a fluid jet pump, and can be operated from one side. Both the filling device of the concentrate chamber and the dispensing device of the chamber holding the ready-to-use solution are fitted with coded access control devices. The chambers are arranged partially above each other. The concentrate filling device and the fluid jet pump include a suction pipe and mixture outlet arranged in a canister lid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2002
    Assignee: Henkel-Ecolab GmbH & Co. OHG
    Inventors: Gerold Carlhoff, Thomas Cosler, Horst Pruehs, Robert Scheurl, Jim Copeland, Stephan Muench
  • Patent number: 6361826
    Abstract: Continuous coatings are prepared using novel two part compositions and methods. The two part compositions of the invention comprise, in separate containers, a powder polymer composition and a coalescing agent. The powder composition has preferred particle size distribution and composition for use in the compositions or methods of the invention. The coalescing agents of the invention cooperate with the powder part to result in a excellent finish having the appropriate drying hardness, durability, etc. The novel method of the invention involves contacting a coalescing agent with polymer particles in a variety of coating methods. The particles and the coalescing agent interact to form a continuous coating layer or finish layer. The basic coating formation methods of the invention can be embodied in a number of methods or protocols including applying a solid polymer to the liquid coalescing agent, applying the agent to the polymer particulate or applying the liquid and polymer simultaneously.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2002
    Assignee: Ecolab Inc.
    Inventors: Keith E. Olson, Bryan M. Anderson, Robert D. P. Hei
  • Patent number: 6362149
    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: August 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2002
    Assignee: Ecolab Inc.
    Inventors: Victor F. Man, Karen G. Klaers
  • Publication number: 20020032980
    Abstract: Several embodiments of an insect trap using attractant light displayed on a projection surface are disclosed. The insect trap can be mounted on a vertical surface such as a wall or on a horizontal surface such as a ceiling. The trap has a light source configured to direct substantially all light from the source to the projection surface. Insects attracted by the light pattern on the projection surface are immobilized on an adhesive surface. A method of trapping insects is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2001
    Publication date: March 21, 2002
    Applicant: Ecolab Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas D. Nelson
  • Publication number: 20020028751
    Abstract: A lubricant composition is provided. The lubricant composition includes a machinery lubricant and an antimicrobially effective amount of an antimicrobial agent. The antimicrobial agent exhibits a partition coefficient between water and the machinery lubricant of between about 0.01 and about 1,000, and the lubricant composition provides at least a two log reduction in bacteria in water in about two weeks or at least a two log reduction in mold and yeast in water in about one month from a concentration of bacteria of between 105 and 106 CFU/ml and a mold and yeast concentration of between about 105 and 106 CFU/ml. Methods for manufacturing and using a lubricant composition are provided. A method for manufacturing a lubricant composition is provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2001
    Publication date: March 7, 2002
    Applicant: Ecolab Inc.
    Inventors: Keith D. Lokkesmoe, Joel James Schilling, Robert D. P. Hei
  • Patent number: 6349440
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for controlling the dosing of detergent in multiple stage washing machines having at least one separate detergent tank per washing stage. The entry of water into a detergent tank of the washing machine releases, without intervention in the washing control system, the single dosing of a predetermined amount of detergent into the detergent tank, the release of further dosages being prevented until a renewed activation. Furthermore, the invention relates to a control device for dosing detergents in washing machines in accordance with one of the above methods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2002
    Assignee: Henkel Ecolab GmbH & Co., OHG
    Inventors: Guenther Amberg, Hubert Kamml
  • Patent number: 6350725
    Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions useful in the removal of road film and dirt from vehicles such as cars, trucks, motorcycles, snowmobiles, and the like. These compositions contain propoxylated quaternary ammonium cationic surfactants. Alternatively, the solution can contain quaternary surfactants containing both an ethoxylated group and a propoxylated group. These solutions contain at least one anionic surfactant such as a linear alkyl benzyl sulfonate, alpha olefin sulfonates, alkyl sulfates and secondary alkane sulfonates. The pH of the composition can be adjusted with either an alkaline or an acidulating agent such as metal hydroxides, sodium hydroxide, aminopolycarboxylic acids, and the like. The pH of the solution is between 2.0 and 13, preferably between 8.0 and 13.0. An example solution contains zeolite, citric acid, linear dodecyl benzene sulfonate, sodium lauryl ether sulfate, nonylphenol ethoxylate, quaternary cationic surfactant (as described above), and a glycol ether.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2002
    Assignee: Ecolab, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark D. Levitt, Terry J. Klos, Michael E. Besse, Robert D. Hei, Jerry D. Hoyt, Cathleen Norland, Victor Fuk-Pong Man
  • Patent number: 6339054
    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: December 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2002
    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: 20020004468
    Abstract: A hand soap concentrate and a hand soap use solution are provided. The hand soap concentrate is provided with a viscosity of less than about 200 cps. The hand soap concentrate can be mixed with an aqueous solution to provide a use solution having a viscosity of greater than about 1,000 cps. A method for modifying a hand soap concentrate to provide a higher viscosity hand soap use solution is provided. The hand soap concentrate includes a surfactant component for removal of soil, and a component for increasing viscosity with mixing with an aqueous solution.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2001
    Publication date: January 10, 2002
    Applicant: Ecolab Inc.
    Inventors: Charles A. Hodge, Christopher J. Uecker
  • Patent number: 6335004
    Abstract: Reduced odor or odorless antimicrobial phenolic compositions containing collagen amino acids and methods of use are disclosed. The compositions can be formulated for use as a soap, emollient or hard surface cleaner. In one particularly advantageous embodiment, a composition of the invention is formulated as an antimicribial cleaner including an amount of collagen amino acids sufficient to decrease the odor of the phenolic compound below its initial levels and an amount of at least one of a soap or hard surface cleaner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2002
    Assignee: Ecolab Inc.
    Inventor: Kim R. Smith