Patents Assigned to Ecolab
  • Patent number: 4908381
    Abstract: The present invention provides a liquid composition that yields an abrasion resistant polymeric film on a surface that provides extended protection from microbial growth through slow release of a potent antimicrobial agent. The active ingredient of the liquid composition has the following general formula: ##STR1## wherein R=H, (C.sub.1 -C.sub.3)alkyl, --COOH, --CH.sub.2 --COOH, --C.sub.6 H.sub.11, or -phenyl;R'=H, (C.sub.1 -C.sub.3)alkyl, --CH.sub.2 --COOH, --C.sub.6 H.sub.11, or -phenyl;R"=H, or (C.sub.1 -C.sub.5)alkyl; andX=a single bond; ##STR2## where m=2-4; andZ=H or (C.sub.1 -C.sub.3)alkyl; as well as homopolymers, copolymers, or terpolymers comprising said active ingredient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 1988
    Date of Patent: March 13, 1990
    Assignee: Ecolab Inc.
    Inventors: Richard B. Greenwald, Isaac S. Y. Sze
  • Patent number: 4883828
    Abstract: Liquid disinfectant compositions are disclosed which can be used to surface-coat substrates with polymeric films which are adherent, water-resistant and which can impart prolonged germicidal properties to the treated surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 1989
    Date of Patent: November 28, 1989
    Assignee: Ecolab Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas R. Oakes, Daniel E. Pedersen, Donna M. Majewski
  • Patent number: 4874540
    Abstract: A composition having a high chelation value may be made by blending about 50 to 80 wt-% of a polyether such as polyethylene glycol, about 20 to 50 wt-% of a polycarboxylate such as polyacrylate moiety or an acrylate monomer, and about 0.1 to 0.5 mole-%, based upon the polyacrylate moiety or the monomer, of an organic peroxy catalyst such as t-butyl perbenzoate at a temperature below about 110.degree. C. but sufficient to liquefy the blend and cause grafting of a polyether on the polycarboxylate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 1987
    Date of Patent: October 17, 1989
    Assignee: Ecolab Inc.
    Inventors: Richard B. Greenwald, Chung-Tsing Liu, James A. McDonell
  • Patent number: 4867341
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method and apparatus (10) for dispensing powdered pesticide (13). A housing (11) is separated into an upper chamber (12) and lower chamber (51) by a porous media layer (19). The powdered pesticide (13) is contained within the upper chamber (13) and is fluidized when compressed air enters the dispenser from air inlet line (18). The fluidized pesticide is dispensed through outlet line (34) and nozzle (36) when a control valve (50) is activated. Only particles having a size smaller than a predetermined size are dispensed; the remaining, relative large pesticide particles remain in the upper chamber until physically removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 1987
    Date of Patent: September 19, 1989
    Assignee: Ecolab, Inc.
    Inventor: John E. Thomas
  • Patent number: 4861518
    Abstract: A solid cleaning concentrate composition for aqueous dilution to form a non-filming floor cleaner, said concentrate comprising a major portion of a carrier for inertly containing the active ingredients of said concentrate in a solid cast mass prior to dilution, said active ingredients comprising an effective amount of a surfactant component for imparting wettability and lypophilic solubilizing character to said non-filming floor cleaner an effective amount of a solubilizer for solvating fatty oils and grease on the surface of application, and an effective amount of alkali for maintaining said non-filming floor cleaner above a pH of 9.0 upon dilution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 1988
    Date of Patent: August 29, 1989
    Assignee: Ecolab Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen A. Morganson, John L. Beecher
  • Patent number: 4858449
    Abstract: An automatic dispenser for dispensing solid chemicals used in cleaning processes which includes (i) means for initiating dispensing of a concentrated chemical solution, (ii) means for forming a concentrated chemical solution, (iii) means for directing the concentrated chemical solution to its utilization point, (iv) means for measuring the conductivity and temperature of the concentrated chemical solution dispensed, (v) means for calculating the amount of chemical dispensed based upon the conductivity and temperature of the concentrated chemical solution dispensed, and (vi) means for terminating formation of the concentrated chemical solution when a predetermined amount of chemical has been dispensed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 1986
    Date of Patent: August 22, 1989
    Assignee: Ecolab Inc.
    Inventor: Chris F. Lehn
  • Patent number: 4846989
    Abstract: A solid cast warewashing detergent composition that can be formed, cast and distributed within a container or capsule. The cast composition which has improved cleaning, bleaching and dissolution properties, can be made by forming a hydration mass of an alkali metal metasilicate, an alkali metal phosphate, an alkali metal hypochlorite, chlorinated alkali metal phosphate, and sufficient water of hydration to harden the mass. Such cast detergent compositions can be attached to dispensing mechanisms in warewashing machines and can generate, as a result of the action of a stream of water on the cast material, a high performance warewashing solution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 1988
    Date of Patent: July 11, 1989
    Assignee: Ecolab Inc.
    Inventor: Marlene C. Killa
  • Patent number: 4846993
    Abstract: A warewashing detergent composition with an improved builder system having zero phosphate that conditions service water by holding or suspending divalent or trivalent hardness ions in solution and by preventing precipitation of the hardness ions beyond their stoichiometric concentration. The composition comprises a source of alkalinity, a water-conditioning vinyl polymer with pendant --CO.sub.2 H groups, a soil-dispersing phosphinopolycarboxylic acid, and a water-conditioning organic phosphonate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 1988
    Date of Patent: July 11, 1989
    Assignee: Ecolab Inc.
    Inventors: Steven E. Lentsch, Thomas R. Oakes
  • Patent number: 4845965
    Abstract: A dispenser suitable for dispensing multiple solutions to, preferably, multiple utilization points. A laundry washing system (18) according to the invention includes a dispenser (20) which dispenses a plurality of cleaning solution to a plurality of washing machines (72) through a single common conduit (25). Conduit (25) is flushed after dispensing one solution but before dispensing a second chemically incompatible solution. A preferred dispenser (20) is capable of servicing multiple laundry machines (72) using a first-in first-out approach wherein the machines request service from a control system (74) which temporarily disables any "late-comers" until the appropriate solution can be dispensed to the machine (72) making the first, or highest priority, request.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1986
    Date of Patent: July 11, 1989
    Assignee: Ecolab Inc.
    Inventors: James L. Copeland, Daniel F. Brady
  • Patent number: 4836420
    Abstract: Disclosed is a cleaning-in-place valve actuator (23) for cleaning a soft serve shake machine (10). The valve actuator (23) is mounted upon the front of the soft serve shake machine (10), and a motor (20) moves a series of mechanical linkages (15, 11) so that a shifting fork (8) pivotally and reciprocally rotates. The forked ends (64) of the shifting fork (8) attach to levers (42) on the soft serve shake machine (10) and cause the lever (42) to move back and forth. The movement of the lever (42) opens and closes a draw valve (40) which controls flow to the machine's outlet nozzle (31), so that the cleaning solution can flow to all parts of the soft serve shake machine (10) for thorough cleaning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 1987
    Date of Patent: June 6, 1989
    Assignee: Ecolab Inc.
    Inventor: Edward P. Kromrey
  • Patent number: 4836229
    Abstract: A dishwashing apparatus designed in such a manner as to have one incoming waterline and self cleaning filters. Solid additive sources are situated in containers mounted on top of the dishwashing apparatus and fed with water by means of a pump. A flip-top solid detergent dispenser comprising a base having a funnel-shaped interior, a nozzle positioned within the interior of the base, and a detergent container support connected by a hinge to the base can be mounted on the dishwashing apparatus. The detergent container support is designed to hold only a particular shaped detergent container and to prevent dripping of detergent solution upon the user. A circular metallic ring having a plurality of holes is situated around the funnel-shaped interior of the base. Water is flushed through the holes of the circular metallic ring at designated times to purge one of the filters of air and to insure that the detergent is rinsed down through the funnel-shaped interior of the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1988
    Date of Patent: June 6, 1989
    Assignee: Ecolab Inc.
    Inventors: Haresh C. Lakhan, Lawrence W. Switala
  • Patent number: 4832864
    Abstract: Aqueous processes and compositions of the invention for obtaining a "stone-washed", distressed or "used and abused" look in clothing, particularly in the panels and seams of denim jeans and jackets involve compositions that are stone-free that avoid mechanical abrasion of the fabric. In particular, the process and composition of the invention used to obtain the distressed, "stone-washed" or "acid washed look" are free of common pumice or pumice-bleach compositions, used in large institutional-size laundry machines, and rely solely on the chemical action of aqueous treatment compositions. The aqueous treatments can be made from liquid or solid concentrates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 1987
    Date of Patent: May 23, 1989
    Assignee: Ecolab Inc.
    Inventor: Lynne A. Olson
  • Patent number: 4830773
    Abstract: Stable encapsulated bleach comprising a core of bleaching agent such as an alkaline metal salt of chloroisocyanurate, an inner coating of a chemically compatable separating compound such as sodium sulfate, sodium tripolyphosphate and mixtures thereof, and an outer coating of a water soluble cellulose ether such as hydroxyethyl and hydroxypropyl celluloses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 1987
    Date of Patent: May 16, 1989
    Assignee: Ecolab Inc.
    Inventor: Keith E. Olson
  • Patent number: 4826822
    Abstract: A process and composition for controlling slime in industrial waters by the control of slime-forming fungi in the waters. The process comprises the step of adding an effective amount of a polyene antibiotic, such as nystatin, to the waters. The composition is a polyene antibiotic suspension comprising (i) a polyene antibiotic such as nystatin, (ii) a suspension medium such as a glycol, (iii) a sufficient amount of a pH buffer such as an alkali metal phosphate to achieve and maintain the suspension at a pH of about 6-8, (iv) a viscosity modifier such as a heteropolysaccharide, and optionally (v) a surfactant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 1986
    Date of Patent: May 2, 1989
    Assignee: Ecolab Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas G. Anderson, Daniel E. Pedersen
  • Patent number: 4826661
    Abstract: A dispenser for and method of dispensing a concentrated cleaning solution from a solid block of a cleaning composition wherein the concentrated cleaning solution is dispensed at a substantially constant concentration during the entire useful life of the solid block of cleaning composition. The dispenser comprises (i) a spray nozzle for directing a uniform dissolving spray onto an exposed surface of the solid block of cleaning composition; and (ii) a spring or hydraulic piston coupled to the nozzle for biasing the nozzle towards the solid block and thereby maintaining a substantially constant distance between the nozzle and the exposed surface of the solid block of cleaning composition even though the exposed surface recedes due to dissolution by the dissolving spray.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 1986
    Date of Patent: May 2, 1989
    Assignee: Ecolab, Inc.
    Inventors: James L. Copeland, David L. Nystuen, Lambertus P. van Dijk, deceased, by Father Peter, administrator Snyder
  • Patent number: 4802630
    Abstract: An aspirating foamer having a water inlet path to admit water into the nozzle assembly, two diametrically opposed foaming material inlet paths perpendicular to the water inlet path, and a conical conduit wherein the pressurized water and foaming materials mix and are allowed to expand; and an air inlet valve at the exiting end of the conical conduit for admitting air; and an exiting path for the foam. In one foamer (2) the conical conduit has an outwardly tapered angle of approximately 5 degrees (from centerline) initially with an immediate increase to an outwardly tapered angle of about 7 degrees in the second half of the conical conduit. In another embodiment foamer (102) according to the invention the conical conduit has an initial taper of 21/2 degrees followed by a 15 degree diffusion angle and then a 7 degree angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 1986
    Date of Patent: February 7, 1989
    Assignee: Ecolab Inc.
    Inventors: Edward P. Kromrey, Richard J. Mehus
  • Patent number: 4793942
    Abstract: Detersive systems that can be used to remove soil from fabrics, dishware, flatware, hard surfaces, clean-in-place installations, and other common household, institutional or industrial locations can contain a detergent capable of removing soil and a softening agent dispersed in the detergent comprising droplets having an exterior organic phase containing a complexing agent and an inner aqueous phase comprising an acid. The softening agent can adequately remove hardness ions from the detersive system made from the compositions of the invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 1987
    Date of Patent: December 27, 1988
    Assignee: Ecolab Inc.
    Inventors: Keith D. Lokkesmoe, Keith E. Olson
  • Patent number: RE32818
    Abstract: Solid cast detergent-containing articles are produced for use in automatic washing machines. A liquid detergent composition is cast into a mold where it is allowed to solidify. The solid cast detergent, surrounded on all but its upper surface by the mold, is used in automatic washing machines having a dispensing device designed to dispense a liquid aqueous detergent formed from the solid cast detergent using an impinging liquid spray. The liquid aqueous detergent flows out of the dispensing device generally simultaneously with its formation in the dispenser. The cast detergent composition includes an alkaline hydratable chemical and optionally further includes one or more preformed cores or plugs comprising an available chlorine source, a defoamer, or the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 1986
    Date of Patent: January 3, 1989
    Assignee: Ecolab Inc.
    Inventors: Peter J. Fernholz, James L. Copeland, Richard C. Penttila
  • Patent number: D304102
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 1987
    Date of Patent: October 17, 1989
    Assignee: Ecolab Inc.
    Inventors: Haresh C. Lakhan, Lawrence W. Switala, Kim J. Ashton
  • Patent number: D306224
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 1987
    Date of Patent: February 20, 1990
    Assignee: Ecolab Inc.
    Inventor: David L. Nystuen