Patents Assigned to Ecolab
  • High molecular weight polyacrylates for aluminum protection in warewash applications
    Patent number: 9567552
    Abstract: A warewashing detergent composition is provided for use for in cleaning of alkaline sensitive metals such as aluminum or aluminum containing alloys. The compositions include alternatives to sodium tripolyphosphate and/or other phosphorous containing raw materials, while retaining cleaning performance and corrosion prevention. According to the invention, high molecular weight polyacrylates (polyacrylic acid homopolymers) with a molecular weight of at least about 5000 are used as corrosion inhibitors and can be included for aluminum protection in a number of different detergent compositions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2017
    Assignee: Ecolab USA Inc.
    Inventors: Erik C. Olson, Devon Beau Hammel
  • Solid rinse aid composition and method of making same
    Patent number: 9567551
    Abstract: The invention includes a solid rinse aid that is particularly designed for pressed or extrusion solid formation and which is effective for spotless surfaces after rinsing, especially rinsing metals without corrosion. According to the invention, a solid acid is combined with a short-chain alkylbenzene and alkyl naphthalene sulfonate. The short-chain alkylbenzene and alkyl naphthalene sulfonate act as a solidification agent as well as a hydrotrope, and total dissolved solid (TDS) active and are combined with at least one nonionic low foaming surfactant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2017
    Assignee: Ecolab USA Inc.
    Inventors: Xin Sun, Derrick Anderson, Kelsey West, Janel Marie Kieffer, Victor Fuk-Pong Man, Melissa Hunter
  • Low dosage polymeric naphthenate inhibitors
    Patent number: 9567509
    Abstract: Polymeric naphthenate inhibitors are delivered into production fluids to contact mixtures of oil and water, such as in a hydrocarbon producing formation, production equipment, or processing systems. These polymeric naphthenate inhibitors exhibit surface-active properties causing the inhibitors to self-associate at oil-water interfaces and inhibit interactions between organic acids in the oil and cations or cation complexes in water. The large surface area makes these polymers persistent and effective at low concentrations. These compounds also inhibit aggregation of organic acid carboxylate salts that form when pH and pressure conditions are amenable to organic acid ionization. Preferred inhibitors do not form emulsions due to the formation of unstable mixed interface structures that result in coalescence of dispersed droplets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2017
    Assignee: Ecolab USA Inc.
    Inventors: Jan P. Vijn, Peter in't Veld
  • Wet end chemicals for dry end strength in paper
    Patent number: 9567708
    Abstract: The invention provides methods and compositions for increasing the dry strength of paper. The invention utilizes a tailored strength agent whose size and shape is tailored to fit into the junction points between flocs of a paper sheet. The strength agents is in contact with the slurry for just enough time to collect at the junction points but not so much that it can migrate away from there.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2017
    Assignee: ECOLAB USA INC.
    Inventors: Weiguo Cheng, Mei Liu, Gary S. Furman, Robert M. Lowe
  • Aldehyde-Functionalized Polymers for Paper Strength and Dewatering
    Publication number: 20170037574
    Abstract: Disclosed are compositions and methods useful in applications relating to papermaking. The compositions and methods of the present invention comprise aldehyde-functionalized polymers designed to impart high paper strength and enhance water removal during the papermaking process. The aldehyde-functionalized polymers are of relatively low molecular weight, and comprise amino and/or amide groups mono-reacted and di-reacted at a ratio of at least about 1.5 to 1. The low molecular weight polymers of the present invention have the same strength and dewatering performance as corresponding high molecular weight polymers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2016
    Publication date: February 9, 2017
    Applicant: Ecolab USA Inc.
    Inventors: Herman Mark Grimm, Mei Liu, Robert M. Lowe
  • Methods of Inhibiting Fouling in Liquid Systems
    Publication number: 20170036928
    Abstract: Provided are methods of inhibiting microbial fouling and improving efficiency in biocide dosing in an industrial process containing an aqueous liquid having a biocide demand. In exemplary embodiments, the methods comprise treating an aqueous liquid having a biocide demand with a biocide, monitoring the biocide demand of the aqueous liquid, and filtering a stream of the aqueous liquid. The filtering may be performed in a full-flow or side stream manner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2016
    Publication date: February 9, 2017
    Applicant: Ecolab USA Inc.
    Inventors: Walter Kozlowski, Amit Gupta
  • Metal-Catalyzed Oxidative Coupling of Thiols
    Publication number: 20170036998
    Abstract: Disclosed are methods for preparing disulfide compounds through oxidative coupling of thiol compounds. Thiols are oxidized to the corresponding disulfide compound in high yield in presence of a base and a metal salt. The method uses low catalyst loadings and provides organic disulfide compounds with little to no byproducts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2016
    Publication date: February 9, 2017
    Applicant: Ecolab USA Inc.
    Inventors: Prakasa Rao Anantaneni, Ryan M. Harrington, Boyd Laurent
  • Treatment of animal carcasses
    Patent number: 9560874
    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 C2-C4 peroxycarboxylic acid and a C8-C12 peroxycarboxylic acid. Also described is a novel antimicrobial composition adapted for sanitizing animal carcasses 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: August 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2017
    Assignee: Ecolab USA Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy A. Gutzmann, Brian J. Anderson, Pamela J. Reed, Bruce R. Cords, Lawrence A. Grab, Edward H. Richardson
  • Dry lubricant for conveying containers
    Patent number: 9562209
    Abstract: The passage of a container along a conveyor is lubricated by applying to the container or conveyor a mixture of a water-miscible silicone material and a water-miscible lubricant. The mixture can be applied in relatively low amounts, to provide thin, substantially non-dripping lubricating films. In contrast to dilute aqueous lubricants, the lubricants of the invention provide drier lubrication of the conveyors and containers, a cleaner conveyor line and reduced lubricant usage, thereby reducing waste, cleanup and disposal problems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2017
    Assignee: Ecolab USA Inc.
    Inventors: Arturo S. Valencia Sil, Lawrence A. Grab, Bruce E. Schmidt, David A. Halsrud, Guang-Jong Jason Wei, Eric D. Morrison, Hector R. Dibenedetto
  • Treatment of animal carcasses
    Patent number: 9560875
    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 C2-C4 peroxycarboxylic acid and a C8-C12 peroxycarboxylic acid. Also described is a novel antimicrobial composition adapted for sanitizing animal carcasses 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: August 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2017
    Assignee: Ecolab USA Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy A. Gutzmann, Brian J. Anderson, Pamela J. Reed, Bruce R. Cords, Lawrence A. Grab, Edward H. Richardson
  • Antimicrobial compositions and methods for treating packaged food products
    Patent number: 9560873
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of using an antimicrobial composition on a food product where the antimicrobial composition is applied to a food product, the food product is packaged and sealed, and then activation energy is applied to the sealed food product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2017
    Assignee: Ecolab USA Inc.
    Inventors: Scott L. Burnett, Jocelyn H. Chopskie, Joy G. Herdt, Teresa C. Podtburg, Timothy A. Gutzmann, Daniel G. Brown, Richard J. Christianson, Harriet L. E. Ulland
  • Composition in form of a gel for the virucidal disinfection of mammalian skin
    Patent number: 9554994
    Abstract: The present invention describes a composition in form of a gel for the virucidal disinfection of mammalian skin comprising 71 to 95 weight percent of a C1 to C3 monoalcohol, 0.01 to 1 weight percent thickener and wherein the composition has a viscosity range of from 3000 to 19000 mPas measured at 20° C. with spindle LV3 at a speed of 2.5 rpm. Furthermore, the invention describes a method for virucidal disinfection of skin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: Ecolab USA Inc.
    Inventors: Laurence Geret, Bernhard Meyer, Stefan Jäger
  • Treating hard water using an acid salt-regenerated ion exchange resin
    Patent number: 9556043
    Abstract: Methods and systems for acid regeneration of ion exchange resins are disclosed. Acid resins designed for use in a variety of cleaning application using a water source use a treated, softened, acidic water source according to the invention. Various methods of using the softened acidic water generated by acid regenerate-able ion exchange resins are disclosed to beneficially reduce spotting, filming and scale buildup on treated surfaces, reduce and/or eliminate the need for polymers, threshold reagents and/or rinse aids, and using protons generated in the acidic water effluent for triggering events useful in various cleaning applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: Ecolab USA Inc.
    Inventors: Terrence P. Everson, Li Wen, Lylien Tan, Peter Voss, Mark Toetschinger
  • Multi-channel fluorometric sensor and method of using same
    Patent number: 9557270
    Abstract: An optical sensor can include first and second optical emitters configured to emit light into a fluid sample via an optical pathway. Light from the emitters can cause fluorescence from the sample and/or scatter off of the sample. Scattered and fluoresced light can be received by an optical detector in the sensor via the optical pathway, and used to determine at least one characteristic of the fluid sample. A second optical detector can provide reference measurements of the amount of light emitted to the sample. The second optical emitter and second optical detector can be included in an optical emitter assembly removably disposed in the optical pathway of the optical sensor such that the second optical emitter emits light into the optical pathway toward a fluid sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: Ecolab USA Inc.
    Inventors: Eugene Tokhtuev, Anatoly Skirda, William M. Christensen
  • Methods of Conditioning Membranes
    Publication number: 20170021309
    Abstract: Methods of conditioning a membrane utilized for water purification are provided. The methods monitor membrane performance during water purification or membrane conditioning via fluorometric measurement. The monitoring allows for the detection of removal efficiency of the fluorescing substance. A conditioner is introduced in the feed stream to increase the detected removal efficiency of a fluorescing substance by the membrane. The conditioner generally extends the useful life of the membrane being conditioned.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2016
    Publication date: January 26, 2017
    Applicant: Ecolab USA Inc.
    Inventor: Seong-Hoon Yoon
  • Head and Apparatus for Ion Exchange Service
    Publication number: 20170022074
    Abstract: Deionization equipment and methods of using such deionization equipment are provided. The deionization equipment allows for improved efficiency in removing spent deionization resin from deionization apparatuses, and also recharging functional deionization resin into deionization apparatuses. Embodiments of the deionization equipment include a resin transfer passage that includes an upper opening, a lower opening and an intermediate opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2016
    Publication date: January 26, 2017
    Applicant: Ecolab USA Inc.
    Inventor: Raymond H. Perdue
  • Controlled dissolution solid product dispenser
    Patent number: 9550154
    Abstract: A method, apparatus, and system for obtaining a solution from a solid product are disclosed. A solid product is housed in a dispenser. A liquid is introduced into the housing of the dispenser to interact with the solid product to form a solution. To control the concentration of the formed solution, the turbulence of the liquid introduced to the dispenser is controlled and adjusted either manually or on a real time basis to account for varying characteristics of either or both of the solid product and the liquid. The dispenser will adjust the turbulence based on the characteristics to maintain a formed solution within an acceptable range of concentration. The concentrated solution can then be discharged from the dispenser to an end use application.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: Ecolab USA Inc.
    Inventors: Richard R. Carroll, John D. Morey, Andrew Schultz, Ryan Drake, John E. Thomas, Troy A. Anderson, Joshua J. Lanz
  • Dish rack for oversized containers
    Patent number: 9549659
    Abstract: The invention is a dish rack for accommodating oversized containers in an automated dish machine. The rack includes a generally porous base surrounded by upstanding sidewalls and at least a pair of notches in one sidewall or opposing sidewalls configured for receiving an edge of the an oversized container. One form of the invention includes a wire framework having a base and one or more stanchions that extend generally upwardly from the base. The notches and wire framework are configured for supporting an oversized container at an angled position within an automated dish machine to inhibit spray from being directed out of the dish machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: Ecolab USA Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew Michael Jensen, Wesley Mark Nelson, Bryan John Henneman
  • APE-free laundry emulsifier
    Patent number: 9550963
    Abstract: A detergent emulsifier for laundry and other hard surface cleaning using an APE-free surfactant blend is disclosed. The emulsifier system is efficacious for removal of oily soils and greasy food removal. The compositions according to the invention include linear and branched fatty alcohol ethoxylates and ethoxylate propoxylate block copolymers. Methods of using the same are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: Ecolab USA Inc.
    Inventors: Sukhwan Soontravanich, Stephan Hubig, Yang Zhang
  • Chemical Additives to Improve Oil Separation in Stillage Process Operations
    Publication number: 20170015938
    Abstract: The invention provides methods and compositions for recovering oil from stillage. The method comprises the addition of a surfactant and a microparticle comprising hydrophilic silica to a grain to ethanol stillage. The methods and compositions of the present invention release oil trapped in solid aggregates, increasing the total amount of oil extracted from the stillage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2016
    Publication date: January 19, 2017
    Applicant: Ecolab USA Inc.
    Inventors: Lan Xiao, Xiaodong Huang, Xuejun Wang, Philip Eastin, Jason Van't Hul