Abstract: The invention relates to a dosing apparatus for pastelike substances and mixtures thereof with a solvent by means of an injector, comprising an integrated shutoff device. The apparatus contains a detection device which detects the amount of paste according to conductimetry. The shutoff device is a dual piston valve closing an opening between the paste supply tube and an injector suction chamber as well as an opening between the solvent supply tube and an injector pre-chamber. The invention also relates to a method for dosing pastelike substances and the mixtures thereof with a solvent by means of such a device. By opening a shut-off device in a supply tube for a pressurized solvent, a dual piston valve moves against an opposing force. This releases a connection between a paste supply tube and an injection suction chamber, followed by a connection between the solvent supply tube and the injector pre-chamber.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
May 10, 1999
Date of Patent:
June 5, 2001
Assignee:
Henkel-Ecolab GmbH & Co. OHG
Inventors:
Guenther Amberg, Wolfgang Huber, Klaus Rutz
Abstract: Both a process and a method of using peracid compositions, especially mixed peracid systems, to treat field or greenhouse grown plant tissue, seeds, fruits, and growing media and containers. The peracid can lower the natural, plant pathogen and human pathogenic microbial load resulting in less waste to molding, spoilage, and destruction because of pathogenic poisons.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
June 28, 2000
Date of Patent:
May 29, 2001
Assignee:
Ecolab Inc.
Inventors:
Robert D. P. Hei, Leanne J. Adkins, Keith D. Lokkesmoe, Heidi M. Hanson, Bruce R. Cords
Abstract: The invention relates to a dosing apparatus with a container having a charging hole for a refill bag with a liquid in the top part, and an outlet in the bottom part. An opening device for the refill bag is fitted above the outlet. A connector leads from the outlet to a downstream pump. A chamber with a level sensor is arranged underneath the reservoir. The reservoir and the chamber are configured so as to be liquid tight, for supplying the liquid without a refill bag. A dosing pump is integrated within the dosing apparatus. A dosing conduit leads from the pump to a point of usage outside the dosing apparatus, and a return conduit leads to the integrated container.
Abstract: The invention concerns a flat floor-mop-type covering for cleaning floors, with a cover sheet which, on the upper surface, comprises pockets for securing it to a mounting and, in the central region of the lower surface, loops or strands. Strands are disposed on both sides of a seam of a peripheral strand strip. In this respect, the inner strands are short enough to insure that when they swell owing to the effect of moisture, they bend through approximately 90° in the direction of the surface to be wiped and form a type of brush ring.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
May 4, 1999
Date of Patent:
May 22, 2001
Assignee:
Henkel-Ecolab GmbH & Co. OHG
Inventors:
Franz Kresse, Klaus-Peter Bansemir, Heiko Faubel
Abstract: The invention relates to a paste container with a follower plate tightly sealing the open side of the container. A multiblade mixing propeller is fitted to the follower plate in such a way that it can be rotated, a short distance beneath the follower plate, around an axle (5) which juts through the middle of the plate. The paste container includes a removal device with an external drive mechanism with which paste can be removed from the container through an opening in the follower plate. The agitator blades and the removal device have the same drive mechanism. The paste container is used in particular for receiving thixotropic pastes.
Abstract: The present invention provides for a composition suitable for removing proteinaceous material comprising water, an emulsifier, a chelating agent, one or more mineral acids, and a surfactant; wherein: the emulsifier is a polyether nonionic emulsifier or an amine oxide; the chelating agent is an alkylaminophosphonic acid, a hydroxyalkylphosphonic acid, or an alkylphosphonic acid carboxylic acid; the one or more mineral acids are present in an mount such that the pH of the composition is less than about 4.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
March 17, 2000
Date of Patent:
April 17, 2001
Assignee:
Ecolab, Inc.
Inventors:
Joseph I. Kravitz, Richard O. Ruhr, Michael E. Besse
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.
Abstract: A lubricant composition comprising a lubricating agent and a quaternary phosphonium compound is useful as a conveyor, container or beverage lubricant.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
September 24, 1999
Date of Patent:
April 10, 2001
Assignee:
Ecolab, Inc.
Inventors:
Minyu Li, Kim L. Person-Hei, Bruce R. Cords, Keith D. Lokkesmoe, Joy G. Herdt
Abstract: Disclosed is a dispenser 10 for liquid soap having a cartridge 13 with a groove 32. A housing 12 encloses the cartridge 13 and mounting bracket 15. The dispenser's mounting bracket 15 has a rib 34 which corresponds with the groove 32 on the cartridge 13. Depression of a push plate 14 activates a pump 65 to expel liquid soap 41 from the cartridge 13.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
July 21, 1999
Date of Patent:
April 3, 2001
Assignee:
Ecolab Inc.
Inventors:
James L. Copeland, Jeff W. Peterson, Paul Anthony Pilosi
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:
June 4, 1993
Date of Patent:
April 3, 2001
Assignee:
Ecolab Inc.
Inventors:
Elizabeth J. Gladfelter, Tina O. Outlaw, James L. Copeland, Rhonda K. Schulz, Daniel K. Boche, Jeff W. Peterson
Abstract: The passage of a container along a conveyor is lubricated by applying to the container or conveyor a phase-separating mixture of a hydrophilic lubricating material and an oleophilic lubricating material whose specific gravity is less than or equal to the specific gravity of the hydrophilic lubricating material. Prior to being applied to the container or conveyor, the mixture is agitated or otherwise maintained in a mixed but unstable state. Following application, the hydrophilic lubricating material and oleophilic lubricating material tend to undergo phase-separation, with the oleophilic lubricating material typically forming a film atop the hydrophilic lubricating material, thereby providing a water-repelling lubricating layer having reduced water sensitivity. The mixture can be applied in relatively low amounts and with relatively low or no water content, to provide thin, substantially non-dripping lubricating films.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
June 19, 2000
Date of Patent:
March 27, 2001
Assignee:
Ecolab
Inventors:
Minyu Li, Keith Darrell Lokkesmoe, Michael Edward Besse
Abstract: An institutional textile washing process comprising a washing step preceded by a pretreatment step comprising a soaking step or a prewash step, wherein the textile is treated in the pretreatment step in the presence of water with a soil release polymer comprising a copolyester of a dicarboxylic acid and a diol or a polydiol.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
May 13, 1999
Date of Patent:
March 13, 2001
Assignee:
Henkel-Ecolab GmbH & Co. OHG
Inventors:
Chris Schleinig, Edgar Koeppelmann, Thomas Merz
Abstract: A drain sanitizing article (9) for reducing microbiological activity in drain runoff areas having a housing (10), the housing having an inner wall (16) defining an inner opening (18) in the housing, an outer wall (12), and a bottom wall (14) defining a central cavity (15) in the housing (10), a tear strip (20) for destructibly removing the housing outer wall and a portion of the bottom wall (14), a handle (30) spanning the inner opening (18) of the housing (10) and joined to the inner wall (16) of said housing (10); and a chemical sanitizing agent (40).
Type:
Grant
Filed:
March 10, 1994
Date of Patent:
March 6, 2001
Assignee:
Ecolab, Inc.
Inventors:
Francis L. Richter, James Wilson, Daniel E. Pedersen
Abstract: Compositions for use as soil removing agents in the food processing industry are disclosed. Food soiled surfaces in food manufacturing and preparation areas can be cleaned. The compositions are manufactured in the form of a concentrate which is diluted with water and used. The cleaning materials are made in a two part system which are diluted with a diluent source and mixed prior to use. The products contain high quality cleaning compositions and use a variety of active ingredients. The preferred materials, in a two part system contain detergent compositions, enzymes that degrade food compositions, surfactants, low alkaline builders, water conditioning (softening) agents, and optionally a variety of formulary adjuvants depending on product form.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
August 19, 1997
Date of Patent:
March 6, 2001
Assignee:
Ecolab Inc.
Inventors:
Thomas R. Oakes, Kristine K. Wick, Bruce R. Cords, Sandra L. Bull, Francis L. Richter
Abstract: Disclosed is a geometric lockout coupler assembly comprising a probe capable of reversibly moving between an open position and a closed position, the open position permitting fluid to pass through the probe; and a bung cup sized and configured to accept the probe. The probe further comprises a geometric configuration which cooperates with the complementarily shaped bung cup to allow fluid to flow through the probe while not permitting other probes to cooperate with the bung cup.
Abstract: An alkaline emulsion detergent composition with improved phase stability, useful viscosity and excellent soil removal properties can comprise in an aqueous phase, an emulsion comprising a source of alkalinity, a nonionic surfactant blend, a water conditioning agent and an alkyl polyglucoside. The improved stable emulsions can be used in laundry applications or other soil removal processes. The compositions are typically prepared by forming an alkaline nonionic blend combining the blend with a water conditioning agent and the alkyl polyglucoside and shearing the resulting aqueous mixture to form an emulsion characterized by a preferred particle size and viscosity.
Abstract: An antimicrobial composition includes a mixture of one or more carboxylic acids having up to 18 carbon atoms and one or more peroxycarboxylic acids having up to 12 carbon atoms, preferably a mixture of a C2-C4 peroxycarboxylic acid and a C8-C12 peroxycarboxylic acid. Also described is a novel antimicrobial composition adapted for sanitizing meat product containing a mixture of one or more C2-C4 peroxycarboxylic acids and one or more C8-C12 peroxycarboxylic acids and an alpha-hydroxy mono- or dicarboxylic acid.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
June 9, 2000
Date of Patent:
February 6, 2001
Assignee:
Ecolab Inc.
Inventors:
Timothy A. Gutzmann, Brian J. Anderson, Bruce R. Cords, Lawrence A. Grab, Edward H. Richardson, Pamela Reed McKay
Abstract: Disclosed is a process for the pretreatment of a plant fluid effluent containing odor compounds including an alkyl mercaptan or an alkyl thiol, an amine compound, ammonia, hydrogen sulfide and mixtures thereof by contacting the plant effluent with an atomized aqueous solution comprising a peroxy acid compound. When contacted with the peroxy acid, odor compounds in the effluent are oxidized and converted from the gaseous phase into a chemically modified highly aqueous soluble phase in the aqueous treatment. The use of such a process produces a significant improvement in odor quality index as measured by a conventional process using an expert panel when compared to conventional treatment methods.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
July 10, 1998
Date of Patent:
February 6, 2001
Assignee:
Ecolab Inc.
Inventors:
Robert D. P. Hei, Scott P. Bennett, Jay H. McLaren, Guang-jong Jason Wei, Keith D. Lokkesmoe
Abstract: With the advent of disposable items made from or bonded by polyvinylalcohol polymers, particularly highly hydrolyzed polyvinylalcohol of limited water solubility, the disposal of used contaminated items has become a significant problem. These disposable products are typically used once and then discarded. During use, the items often come into contact with infective biological liquids and solids that can contain bacteria, viral particles, fecal matter, blood, mucus, etc. This large volume of disposable and often contaminated materials poses a significant problem to the hospitality and healthcare industries. Previously, such disposables are often sterilized using autoclave (high temperature steam) digestion to render the pathogen content substantially harmless. Such a process is time consuming due to the large volume of disposable materials and can be energy wastefull.