Patents Assigned to Ecolab
  • Patent number: 5683975
    Abstract: A composition for cleaning and caring of floors wherein the composition contains synthetic anionic surfactant and a floor-care substance selected from the group consisting of waxes, film-forming polymers, soap and mixtures thereof and wherein at least 20% by weight of the surfactant and soap are present in the form of lithium salts. The composition is diluted with water, wiped on the floor with an absorbent article and allowed to dry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 4, 1997
    Assignee: Henkel Ecolab GmbH & Co OHG
    Inventors: Birgit Skodell, Rainer Osberghaus, Karl-Heinz Rogmann
  • Patent number: 5683724
    Abstract: The invention is a process for preventing microbial growth in aqueous streams by applying a C.sub.2 -C.sub.12 percarboxylic acid or mixture of such acids to the aqueous stream and to an automated dispensing system for the percarboxylic acids based on a correlation between oxidation-reduction-potential and anti-microbial levels of the aqueous stream. Generally, the process of the invention is applicable to aqueous streams used in any number of applications such as the application of streams for the transport of food products, e.g. fruits or vegetables, into the processing environment and through the various steps of processing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 4, 1997
    Assignee: Ecolab Inc.
    Inventors: Robert D. P. Hei, Timothy A. Gutzmann, Keith D. Lokkesmoe, Scott P. Bennett, Kimberly L. Person Hei
  • Patent number: 5680667
    Abstract: A floor-cleaning mop head includes an oblong textile base fabric with, attached to the top at both ends, slide-in pockets for the head-holder and, attached underneath, material designed to collect moisture and dirt in the form of hair tufts, fringes, loops, foam-rubber strips, and so forth. The oblong base fabric consists, at least in the zone of the slide-in pockets, of a material which is more highly heat-shrinking than the textile material of which the pockets are made, in order to ensure that the pockets on top of mop remain open even after repeated washing of the mop head, without effecting other useful characteristics of the mop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 28, 1997
    Assignee: Henkel-Ecolab GmbH & Co. OHG
    Inventors: Franz Kresse, Rainer Osberghaus, Hans-Leo Fernschild, Gerhard Ostwald
  • Patent number: 5681400
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for programming a controller to vary the concentration set-point of an additive as a function of time. The present invention insures that the additive is injected to the machine at proper times to allow for optimum efficiency and lowest cost. To vary the set-point according to the input parameters, the invention combines the features of a data entry device, a microprocessor, a clock, a controller, and sensors into one unit. The user may enter a time setting and set point into the controller, along with control parameters which allow the machine to control the additive injection based on different user-defined scenarios. The microprocessor then reads the settings and outputs an appropriate set-point value from the microprocessor to the controller. Thus, the user can manually or automatically change the response function if and when conditions change.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 28, 1997
    Assignee: Ecolab Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel F. Brady, John E. McCall, Jr., Clyde A. Bailey, James L. Copeland
  • Patent number: 5674831
    Abstract: The invention provides a process for preparing a homogeneous, urea-based, solid cleaning composition, without the application of heat from an external source to melt the urea. Cleaning compositions for use in warewashing and cleaning hard surfaces, rinsing, sanitizing, deodorizing, and the like, made by the method are also provided. Preferably, the ingredients are processed in an extruder, and the mixture is extruded directly into a mold or other packaging system for dispensing the detergent. The consistency of the composition ranges from that of a fused solid block to a malleable article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 7, 1997
    Assignee: Ecolab Inc.
    Inventors: Rhonda Kay Schulz, Roger C. Zillmer, Helen B. Bailly
  • Patent number: 5674538
    Abstract: The invention is a process for preventing microbial growth in aqueous streams by applying a C.sub.2 -C.sub.12 percarboxylic acid such as, for example, peracetic, perpropionic, perbutyric, peroctanoic, perglycolic, perlactic, percitric; and the like to the aqueous stream. Generally, the process of the invention is applicable to aqueous streams used in any number of applications such as the application of streams for the transport of food products, e.g. fruits or vegetables, into the processing environment and through the various steps of processing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 7, 1997
    Assignee: Ecolab Inc.
    Inventors: Keith D. Lokkesmoe, Keith E. Olson
  • Patent number: 5655563
    Abstract: A dispensing for dispensing a chemical product mixed with water is connected to a water supply through a line pressure diverter which relieves pressure in downstream of the water supply when the dispensing apparatus is not activated. Pressure is diverted by diverting the flow of water from a water supply to a second outlet port on the diverter. The line pressure diverter permits a dispensing apparatus to be installed on conventional water supply faucets without substantial modification thereto, and without causing damage to any pre-existing backflow prevention devices installed on the water supply.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 12, 1997
    Assignee: Ecolab Inc.
    Inventor: Robert E. Johnson
  • Patent number: 5651398
    Abstract: A method for dispensing and handling chemical solutions by using a dispensing station. The dispensing station includes a cabinet having a fill compartment and at least one concentrate bottle compartment. The cabinet's top wall has a funnel for supporting a dilution gun. The gun is in fluid communication with a water source and has a removable insert containing an aspirator. The insert's outlet tube fits within the cabinet's funnel. A pickup tube extends from the concentrated chemical solution to the gun. A use container such as a spray bottle is sized and configured to fit within the fill compartment. In the preferred embodiment, the concentrate container has a plurality of grooves which are sized and configured to correspond with a plurality of ribs within the concentrate compartments. Additionally, the concentrate compartment's lower portion forms a track to accommodate a bottom portion of the concentrate container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 29, 1997
    Assignee: Ecolab Inc.
    Inventors: James D. Decker, James L. Copeland
  • Patent number: 5646105
    Abstract: A clear aqueous disinfectant compositon containing the reaction product of (a) an N-substituted propylenediamine corresponding to formula I:R.sub.1,--NH--CH.sub.2 --CH.sub.2 --CH.sub.2 --NH.sub.2 (I)in which R.sub.1 is a linear alkyl radical containing 12 to 14 carbon atoms, and (b) a compound corresponding to formula II:R.sub.2 --O--CO--CH.sub.2 --CH.sub.2 --CH(NH.sub.2)--COOH (II)in which R.sub.2 is a hydrogen atom or an alkyl radical containing 1 to 4 carbon atoms, in a molar ration of(a) to (b) of from about 1:1 to about 1:2, respectively, and further containing (c) a solubilizer selected from the group consisting of benzyl alcohol, 2-phenoxyethanol, 1-phenoxypropanol, and mixtures thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 8, 1997
    Assignee: Henkel Ecolab GmbH & Co.
    Inventors: Klaus Hachmann, Carsten Friese
  • Patent number: 5627150
    Abstract: Disclosed is a container 10, 25 for dispensing of detergents and other solid chemicals, and a method for manufacturing the container 10, 25. The container 10, 25 has a paperboard housing 11, 26 which contains a plastic bladder 21, 27. The exposed surface of the solid chemical is covered by a cap 12, 32. A handle 16, 37 is provided. The container 10, 25 is suitable for use in a dispensing device 40.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 6, 1997
    Assignee: Ecolab Inc.
    Inventors: Jeff W. Peterson, Tina O. Outlaw, Debra A. Crea
  • Patent number: 5622708
    Abstract: The invention is an erodible antimicrobial caulk composition having a sanitizer and a hardener which controls the consistency and the dissolution rate of the composition once subjected to an aqueous flow. Also disclosed is a method of preparing the erodible caulk composition. These caulks are useful in institutional food preparation and food serving environments including restaurants, hospitals, day care facilities, nursing homes, and the like as well as institutional food harvesting and processing environments including food and beverage processing plants, dairy farms and dairy plant operations, red meat, poultry and fish preparation and processing environments, and the like, including post process food transport and distribution channel environments such as trucks and grocery or foodstuff retailers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 22, 1997
    Assignee: Ecolab Inc.
    Inventors: Francis L. Richter, Duane J. Reinhardt, Paula J. D. Carlson
  • Patent number: 5609174
    Abstract: A wash arm hub for a dishwasher includes a sealed bearing rotatably coupling first and second mounting hub members. The sealed bearing, as well as the first and second hub members, define an interior fluid passageway or chamber to permit fluid to flow through the hub assembly. The sealed bearing and the design of the hub members prevents fluid leakage out of the hub, thereby providing a low friction support for a wash arm and a sealed connection between a fluid supply and the wash arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 11, 1997
    Assignee: Ecolab Inc.
    Inventor: Mark A. Ferguson
  • Patent number: D379310
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 20, 1997
    Assignee: Ecolab Inc.
    Inventor: Eric R. Balz
  • Patent number: D380822
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 8, 1997
    Assignee: Ecolab Inc.
    Inventors: James D. Decker, Scott R. Olson
  • Patent number: D381141
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 15, 1997
    Assignee: Ecolab Inc.
    Inventor: Eric Balz
  • Patent number: D383264
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 2, 1997
    Assignee: Ecolab Inc.
    Inventor: Eric Balz
  • Patent number: D384533
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 7, 1997
    Assignee: Ecolab Inc.
    Inventors: James D. Decker, James L. Copeland
  • Patent number: D385494
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 28, 1997
    Assignee: Ecolab Inc.
    Inventors: Eric Richard Balz, Bruce Henry
  • Patent number: D385496
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 28, 1997
    Assignee: Ecolab Inc.
    Inventors: Eric Richard Balz, Bruce Henry
  • Patent number: D385611
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 28, 1997
    Assignee: Ecolab Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Douglas Prince, Stanley Todd Gresens