Patents Assigned to Ecolab
  • Patent number: 6105638
    Abstract: A dispensing system and method of dispensing utilize a container housing a concentrated product which is filled with a diluent to form a use dilution, then is subsequently installed into a dispenser having means for automatically opening the container to (give the dispenser access to the use dilution. The container includes a cap disposed thereon with a pierceable member that permits access to the interior cavity of the container when pierced. The cap is removable to permit the container to be filled with a diluent prior to installation in the dispenser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2000
    Assignee: Ecolab Inc.
    Inventors: Maitland R. Edwards, Dale W. Groth, Eric R. Balz
  • Patent number: 6103286
    Abstract: Described is a method of sanitizing animal carcasses using aqueous streams having an antimicrobial composition added to the stream. Preferably, the 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 C.sub.2 -C.sub.4 peroxycarboxylic acid and a C.sub.8 -C.sub.12 peroxycarboxylic acid. Also described is a novel antimicrobial composition adapted for sanitizing animal carcasses containing a mixture of one or more C.sub.2 -C.sub.4 peroxycarboxylic acids and one or more C.sub.8 -C.sub.12 peroxycarboxylic acids and an alpha-hydroxy mono- or dicarboxylic acid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2000
    Assignee: Ecolab Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy A. Gutzmann, Brian J. Anderson, Pamela J. Reed, Bruce R. Cords, Lawrence A. Grab, Edward H. Richardson
  • Patent number: 6098646
    Abstract: A dispensing system for dispensing chemical products to a plurality of utilization points utilizes a multi-port valve to selectively deliver use dilutions from a mixing apparatus to selected utilization points. The multi-port valve utilizes a position sensor to provide positive proof-of-delivery by detecting the angular position of a rotor relative to a stator in the valve. The position sensor includes opposing annular arrangements of detectable elements and proximity detectors which rotate relative to one another about a common axis in response to rotation of the rotor such that detectable elements are oriented in proximity to a unique combination of proximity detectors at each of a plurality of predetermined angular positions. As a result, unique codes are output from the proximity detectors to positively identify positioning of the rotor at the predetermined angular positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2000
    Assignee: Ecolab Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas L. Hennemann, Daniel F. Brady
  • Patent number: 6079595
    Abstract: A liquid dispenser 10 includes a container 20 mounted on a wire rack 40 which is mounted to a wall 60 or the like. An aspirator 80 is mounted on the wire rack and the container covers/conceals the aspirator from view and acts as both a container and cover or shroud.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2000
    Assignee: Ecolab Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher A. Meyer, Dennis R. Breining, Tammy A. Bailey, Todd W. Heeringa, James R. Johnson
  • Patent number: 6059147
    Abstract: Many water based agriculture chemicals such as dairy chemicals, including teat washes and teat dips, are supplied in concentrated form in containers or bottles. The concentrated liquid is typically diluted with water at a ratio of about 1 to 5 ounces concentrate per gallon of water to form a treatment solution. The present invention involves a device that can both meter and dispense a precise amount of concentrate from a storage container for dilution purposes. The device of the present invention includes a dispenser that is connected to a container of liquid concentrate, typically a plastic bottle containing 1 to 3 gallons of the concentrate liquid, that is held by a retainer. A precise amount of liquid is obtained by rotating a handle of the dispenser from a first position to a second position, preferably about 180.degree. to 360.degree..
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2000
    Assignee: Ecolab, Inc.
    Inventors: Kaye Kit-Han Yuen, Oliver Murphy, III, John Joseph Mitlyng, Arlen Dean Jacobsma
  • Patent number: 6060444
    Abstract: A process for preparing a homogeneous, solid cleaning composition that comprises a cleaning agent, and optionally an additive agent and a hardening agent. 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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2000
    Assignee: Ecolab Inc.
    Inventors: Rhonda Kay Schulz, Helmut K. Maier
  • Patent number: 6056512
    Abstract: A device for metering out a paste-like material includes a connector for connecting the mouth of a flexible container to a positive-displacement pump, means for compressing, over a limited area, a bag filled with the paste so that the paste is acted on at this point by shear forces and at the same time squeezed towards the mouth of the bag. A suction pump is located behind the positive-displacement pump. The devices makes it possible to meter highly viscous pastes from flexible bags simply and without interruption, even when the paste includes trapped air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2000
    Assignee: Henkel-Ecolab GmbH & Co. OHG
    Inventors: Guenther Amberg, Wolfgang Huber
  • Patent number: 6056012
    Abstract: A container (10) has a valve (20) to control flow of liquid out of the container (10). The valve (20) has an inline check valve (30) positioned in the inlet section (22) of the valve (20). The inlet section (22) of the valve (20) is in turn positioned in the discharge port (13) of the container (10), thereby positioning the check valve (30) on the inlet side of the valve (20) and in the container (10) so as to be tamper-resistant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2000
    Assignee: Ecolab Inc.
    Inventors: Kaye Kit-Han Yuen, Ronald Dennis Jungmann, Scott Randall Olson
  • Patent number: 6042818
    Abstract: A composition and process for protection against infection wherein the composition containsa) 10 to 100 g/l of polyvinyl alcohol polymers or copolymers having molecular weights from 18,000 to 200,000 as the film forming component,b) 0.2 to 3 g/l of iodine in the form of polyvinyl pyrrolidone iodine and/or 5 to 50 g/l of chlorhexidine as the disinfecting agent, andc) 2 to 50 g/l of ether carboxylic acids corresponding to formula R--(OC.sub.2 H.sub.4).sub.n --OCH.sub.2 --COOH, where R is an alkyl group containing 4 to 10 carbon atoms and n is a number of 2 to 8.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2000
    Assignee: Henkel Ecolab GmbH & Co. OHG
    Inventors: Siegfried Bragulla, Gilbert Bardoneschi, Juergen Beckmann-Toussaint
  • Patent number: 6028104
    Abstract: A method of preventing growth of hairy warts and preventing hairy wart disease in dairy cattle by applying to a potentially infected area of the cattle, e.g. hooves, a solution comprising a peroxycarboxylic acid, e.g. of C.sub.2 -C.sub.18 carbon atoms or mixtures thereof, particularly peracetic acid, is described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2000
    Assignee: Ecolab Inc.
    Inventors: William Schmidt, Deborah Anastasia Ihns
  • Patent number: 6024986
    Abstract: The direct introduction or injection of peroxy compounds into a transpiration layer in a plant structure found inside the protective layer, bark or husk of a growing plant is described as an effective method in treating plant disease and can achieve levels of protection unavailable in the simple application of the materials to the leaf, stem, root or plant environment including air or soil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2000
    Assignee: Ecolab Inc.
    Inventor: Robert D.P. Hei
  • Patent number: 6017872
    Abstract: Hard surfaces such as tile, metal, glass, etc. typically in hospitality locations can be cleaned to a bright, shiny, residue-free appearance using a process comprising cleaning the surface with a first cleaning composition and removing the resulting cleaner residue with a finish cleaner composition. The finish cleaner composition removes all trace of soil and cleaner from the first step and dries to a bright, shiny, spot-free, streak-free, and film-free appearance without a need for a final wipe step.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2000
    Assignee: Ecolab Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel E. Pedersen, Keith G. LaScotte
  • Patent number: 6017864
    Abstract: We have found that long standing problems relating to the stability of organic materials in alkaline detergents, including the reversion or hydrolysis of condensed phosphate sequestrants in alkaline solid detergent compositions can be alleviated by the use of an organic composition having vicinal hydroxyls. Such a solid block detergent can be manufactured by a process in which a source of alkalinity, a functional material including a condensed phosphate sequestering agent, an organic compound having two vicinal hydroxyl groups, are combined in a pourable composition or liquid. Such a liquid can be introduced into a plastic capsule and solidified. During manufacture and solidification, we have found that the vicinal hydroxyl compound prevents substantial hydrolysis or reversion of the condensed phosphate maintaining effective hardness ion sequestration during the use of the detergent. The stabilizer can also stabilizes color, chlorine content and dispensing properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2000
    Assignee: Ecolab Inc.
    Inventors: Kent R. Brittain, Bernard J. Heile, Helmut K. Maier, Charles A. Hodge, G. Jason Wei
  • Patent number: 6017163
    Abstract: A liquid floor finish application applicator comprising a mobile unit and a wand unit. The mobile unit comprises a handle and wheels. In the cart is positioned one or more sources of floor finish, and a pump for delivering the floor finish to a length of liquid conduit. The wand comprises a distribution head typically a mop installation. The wand also comprises a spray head that can deliver the liquid floor finish to the floor. The conduit is in liquid communication with the wand. The spray head is configured to avoid dripping between finish application. The drip free head results from the aperture size of the spray aperture surface. The lengthy conduit between the cart and the wand permits ease of application by a two man team. A first man operates the cart while a second man operates the wand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2000
    Assignee: Ecolab, Inc.
    Inventors: Roger W. Keppers, James L. Copeland, James R. Johnson, James D. Decker
  • Patent number: D423743
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2000
    Assignee: Ecolab Inc.
    Inventors: Mary M. Dawson, Mark J. Toetschinger
  • Patent number: D423933
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2000
    Assignee: Ecolab Inc.
    Inventors: Barbara L. Fritz, James D. Decker
  • Patent number: D424167
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2000
    Assignee: Ecolab, Inc.
    Inventors: Kaye Kit-Han Yuen, Oliver Murphy, III
  • Patent number: D425965
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2000
    Assignee: Ecolab, Inc.
    Inventors: Kaye Kit-Han Yuen, Oliver Murphy, III
  • Patent number: D426162
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2000
    Assignee: Ecolab Inc.
    Inventor: Scott R. Olson
  • Patent number: D427912
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2000
    Assignee: Ecolab Inc.
    Inventors: Keith Douglas Johnson, Steven Edward Craig, William John Feil, III