Abstract: A multiple product dispensing system includes a plurality of use solution dispensers and a controller for selecting one of the dispensers according to a preset regimen, e.g., selecting different dispensers on different days of the week. Each dispenser dispenses a controlled concentration of use solution using a diluent delivery apparatus that delivers a diluent to form a liquid concentrate from a solid chemical composition, and to form make-up diluent for diluting the liquid concentrate and forming a use solution of controlled concentration. A foam reducer reduces the kinetic energy of the make-up diluent prior to mixing with the liquid concentrate to reduce foaming. An unskilled operator may operate the dispensing system to dispense a use solution of carefully controlled concentration, and the controller will automatically select the proper dispenser according to the preset regimen, without any additional input on the part of the operator.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
November 29, 1995
Date of Patent:
March 4, 1997
Assignee:
Ecolab Inc.
Inventors:
John E. Thomas, John E. McCall, Daniel K. Boche, John J. Rolando, Terry J. Klos
Abstract: A method for cleaning plasticware wherein the rinse cycle employs a rinse aid composition requires lower concentration of conventional hydrocarbon surfactants, exhibits adequate sheeting on the plasticware and acceptable drying time which prior rinse aids have failed to provide without special handling. The compositions contain hydrocarbon surfactants and a combination of a fluorinated hydrocarbon surfactant and a polyalkylene oxide-modified polydimethylsiloxane surfactant. The composition may be formulated as a solid or liquid suitable for dilution to form an aqueous rinse used to contact the plasticware in a warewashing machine.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
September 12, 1994
Date of Patent:
February 18, 1997
Assignee:
Ecolab Inc.
Inventors:
Steven E. Lentsch, Victor F. Man, Matthew J. Sopha
Abstract: An apparatus for diluting liquid concentrate materials to liquid use solutions. Liquid concentrates comprise common household cleaning and sanitizing materials such as window cleaners, hard surface cleaners, floor cleaners, sink cleaners, tile cleaners, drain cleaners and openers, glass cleaners, food preparation units, sanitizers, disinfectants, floor finishes and other similar institutional or industrial aqueous or aqueous-alcoholic cleaning solutions. The aspirator system is adapted to receive a container of liquid concentrate in a reservoir. The reservoir contains device to open the liquid concentrate. Additionally the reservoir contains device to support the liquid concentrate during addition of concentrate to the reservoir. When empty, the liquid concentrate bottle can be placed in a receiver for the empty container. The receiver has filling device for the container that can deliver dilute use solution to the container.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
March 30, 1995
Date of Patent:
January 28, 1997
Assignee:
Ecolab Inc.
Inventors:
John E. Thomas, Daniel K. Boche, John E. McCall, Jr., Eric R. Balz, Elizabeth J. Gladfelter, Daniel E. Pedersen
Abstract: The invention is a foam stabilizing composition which is used in conjunction with alkaline detergent products to produce a foam which is capable of clinging to vertical surfaces for extended time periods without breakdown or drying and which ultimately rinses freely with water. The foam stabilizing composition generally comprises a vinyl polymer emulsion. The invention also comprises a method of cleaning hard surfaces using the combination of the alkaline detergent product and the disclosed foam stabilizing composition.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
November 15, 1994
Date of Patent:
January 28, 1997
Assignee:
Ecolab Inc.
Inventors:
Michael Besse, Timothy Gutzmann, Roger Keppers, Richard Ruhr
Abstract: Ethylene oxide/propylene oxide block copolymers having high cloud points, when compared to conventional rinse agent materials, have surprisingly been found to be useful in the manufacture of effective low foaming rinse aids. The rinse aids are prepared by combining the high cloud point copolymer with an effective defoamer and a water miscible diluent. The rinse aid composition can achieve adequate rinsing at common aqueous rinse temperatures at a concentration of the block copolymer in water less than 500 parts of the block copolymer per million parts of water. A liquid rinse agent concentrate can take the form of a low viscosity liquid, a thickened pourable or semi-pourable aqueous liquids. A solid rinse agent concentrate can be a cast solid material packaged within a soluble or disposable wrapper or capsule or other water soluble package. The rinse aids can be dispersed in a variety of ways by dilution with water to an aqueous final rinse composition.
Abstract: The invention is methods and compositions for removing bonding agents from the hard surfaces of machinery and, in its most preferred mode packaging equipment. The release composition comprises lecithin and a hydrophobic carrier. The method comprises the steps of applying a release composition to the surfaces of the packaging equipment. The packaging equipment is then used. Any bonding agent deposited on the treated areas of the packaging equipment may then be removed. The invention is applicable to any number of package and container manufacture environments including package assembly, package sealing, product sealing, and labeling.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
June 12, 1995
Date of Patent:
December 24, 1996
Assignee:
Ecolab Inc.
Inventors:
Michael E. Besse, Cynthia L. Ross, Helen A. Kleaver
Abstract: A solution storage and dispensing apparatus and method of operation therefor are disclosed. The solution storage and dispensing apparatus includes a selector valve and a control valve which selectively output a liquid such as water to one of a plurality of storage containers. Each container has an aspirator mounted therein which receives the water and a chemical concentrate to form a solution therein. A container is filled by selecting the container using the selector valve and actuating the control valve to dispense water to the selected container.
Abstract: A method of sanitizing and destaining ware, including silverware includes the steps of applying a sanitizing concentrate composition to silverware at a rate of 100 ppm to 2000 ppm, the sanitizing concentrate composition including from about 1 wt-% to 20 wt-% of peroxycarboxylic acid, from about 10 wt-% to 50 wt-% of carboxylic acid containing a mixture of acetic acid, and octanoic acid, the acetic acid and the octanoic acid present in a ratio ranging from about 10 to 1 to about 1 to 1, respectively, from about 3 wt-% to 35 wt-% of hydrogen peroxide, and a balance of carrier wherein said peroxycarboxylic acid is the reaction product of the acetic acid, octanoic acid, and hydrogen peroxide.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
April 19, 1994
Date of Patent:
November 26, 1996
Assignee:
Ecolab Inc.
Inventors:
Steven E. Lentsch, Dale W. Groth, Thomas R. Oakes, Burton M. Baum
Abstract: A cleaning and sanitizing method for soiled solid surfaces, especially clean-in-place process facilities, is described which involves contacting the surfaces first with an aqueous ozone cleaning composition having a pH greater than 7, wherein the ozone is generated by electrical discharge, then quenching the excess ozone and simultaneously sanitizing the surfaces by contact with an aqueous composition containing hydrogen peroxide, a C.sub.1 -C.sub.10 peroxyaliphatic carboxylic acid or a mixture thereof.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
September 22, 1995
Date of Patent:
October 22, 1996
Assignee:
Ecolab Inc.
Inventors:
Robert D. Hei, Guange-jong J. Wei, Bruce R. Cords, Keith D. Lokkesmoe
Abstract: A method of lubricating plastic conveyor tracks or belts is herein described wherein the lubricant composition contains a block copolymer of ethylene oxide and propylene oxide; also described are methods of manufacture of such lubricant compositions in both concentrate and diluted form. The compositions may also comprise an anionic and a nonionic surfactant as well as a neutralizing agent.
Abstract: An apparatus and method for programming a detergent controller to vary the detergent concentration set-point according to the time of day and to achieve detergent concentration levels quickly without incurring overshoot. Thus, the present invention insures that the warewashing machine is operated at optimum efficiency and cost. To vary the set-point according to the time of day, the invention combines the features of a microprocessor, a clock and a controller into one unit. The user enters the time setting and set point into the controller. The microprocessor then compares the real-time clock signal with the user time settings and outputs an appropriate set-point value from the microprocessor to the controller.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
January 12, 1995
Date of Patent:
September 17, 1996
Assignee:
Ecolab Inc.
Inventors:
Daniel F. Brady, John E. McCall, Jr., Clyde A. Bailey, James L. Copeland
Abstract: Uniform, microscopic perforated water soluble film is herein described, and its use in packaging solid, pelletized or particulate detersire compositions containing strong acids, strong bases or a source of halogen whereby the package provides air to pass through without leakage of its contents. Also described is a method of manufacture of a sealed, water soluble, detersire package with microscopic perforations and an apparatus for said manufacture.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
December 12, 1994
Date of Patent:
July 9, 1996
Assignee:
Ecolab Inc.
Inventors:
Helen Bailly, Arthur Luedtke, Paul Pankratz, Joy Allen, Tina O. Outlaw, Lance K. Fisher, Kelvin D. Sundeen
Abstract: Improved separation of emulsified hydrophobic organic soils can be obtained from aqueous effluents using an amphoteric dicarboxylate surfactant material in combination with cationic destabilizer or flocculent materials. Such a treatment in combination with an acidic pH adjustment causes the rapid separation of hydrophobic organic soils from the aqueous stream. The treated aqueous stream is environmentally compatible.Improved laundry detergents comprising an organic amphoteric carboxylate surfactant and selected nonionic surfactants provide both cleaning for fiber and fabric containing items soiled with substantial quantities of hydrophobic soil. The pH of an effluent generated in such cleaning processes can be adjusted to an acid pH and treated with a cationic material causing a break that permits rapid and substantially complete separation of the hydrophobic organic soils from the effluent. Residual concentrations of organic soil in effluent water can be less than 250 ppm and can be as low as 10 ppm.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
June 29, 1994
Date of Patent:
June 4, 1996
Assignee:
Ecolab Inc.
Inventors:
David J. Falbaum, Robert D. Hei, Helmut K. Maier, Paul J. Mattia
Abstract: An insect trap using attractant light, comprising a source of light and a housing can be mounted on a vertical surface or placed near a ceiling surface. The housing and the source of light cooperate to form an upwardly facing opening for the facilitated entry of flying insect pests and for the reflection of light onto the vertical surface. Insects that enter the trap are immobilized on a surface within the trap. Cooperation between direct radiant light, reflected light and an upwardly facing entrance for insects substantially increase capture rates.