Patents Assigned to Ecolab
  • Patent number: 8970829
    Abstract: The invention refers to a fouling detection setup (I) and method for determining the amount of fouling (5) of surfaces (3) of fluid (6) treating devices (2) and/or internal functional components (4) of such devices, which are exposed to said fluid and are subjected to fouling. Fouling detection setups and methods are useful for monitoring the amount of fouling of surfaces, e.g. heat-transfer surfaces and also for monitoring the cleaning procedure of such fluid treating devices and/or internal functional components of such devices. According to the invention the detection setup (I) comprises at least one first sensor (7), with means (9) for measuring the optical transparency T and/or electrical conductive conductivity Q of said fluid (6). The Sensor includes at least one sensitive area (8) that is located nearby and/or within said surfaces (3) and wherein said area is at least temporarily exposed to said fluid (6).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Ecolab USA Inc.
    Inventors: Claudia Caussin De Schneck, Hartmut Forster, Karl Helminger, Ralf Krack, Robert Najman
  • Publication number: 20150052689
    Abstract: The invention is directed to adhesive remover compositions and methods of their use. The adhesive remover compositions generally comprise a glycol ether solvent system comprising an aliphatic glycol ether, an aromatic glycol ether, a hydrophobic glycol ether, and a hydrophilic glycol ether, and a surfactant system. In further embodiment of the invention, the surfactant system may comprise three surfactants. In another aspect of the invention, the composition effectively removes medical adhesives from healthcare textiles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2013
    Publication date: February 26, 2015
    Applicants: Dow Global Technologies LLC, Ecolab USA Inc.
    Inventors: Carrie Armstrong, Eddie D. Sowle, Molly Busby
  • Publication number: 20150056679
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for the inactivation of enzymes with a composition comprising a sulfonated peroxycarboxylic acid according to formula (I) wherein: R1 is hydrogen, or a substituted or unsubstituted Cm alkyl group; R2 is a substituted or unsubstituted Cn alkyl group; X is a hydrogen atom, a cationic group, or an ester forming moiety; Y is a hydrogen atom, a cationic group, or an ester forming moiety; n is 1 to 10; m is 1 to 10; and n+m is less than or equal to 18, wherein the composition is contacted with the enzyme.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2012
    Publication date: February 26, 2015
    Applicant: ECOLAB USA INC.
    Inventors: Anja Patten, Christof Nolde, Petra Vogt
  • Patent number: 8962738
    Abstract: A coating composition comprising a hardenable film-former and at least 0.5 weight percent of an oxidizing agent sufficient to decolorize a stain on the film-former is disclosed, wherein the oxidizing agent comprises hydrogen peroxide, hypochlorite, and organo-chlorine bleaches and will at least partially decolorize a plurality of stains when applied to the hardened coating, allowed to stand for one hour at room temperature, and evaluated by visual observation of the stain under average overhead fluorescent illumination. The oxidizing agent is not consumed as a catalyst or initiator to polymerize or otherwise cause a reaction in the floor coating before it is applied and before it has hardened. A composition of the invention may include from about 0.8 to about 5 weight percent oxidizing agent and the film-former forms a hardened film resistant to rinsing with tap water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Ecolab USA Inc.
    Inventors: Kim R. Smith, Erik C. Olson
  • Patent number: 8962544
    Abstract: A detergent composition as described which can be utilized in a variety of applications for cleaning surfaces and objects, removing suspended soils, and rinsing easily. The detergent composition is particularly effective at removing soils caused by raw fish soil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Ecolab USA Inc.
    Inventors: Jenna M. Johnson, Victor F. Man, Kim R. Smith, Tomoko Nakabayashi
  • Patent number: 8961821
    Abstract: A process of treating a gas stream containing mercury and acid gas pollutants is disclosed. The process includes applying a sorbent composition into a gas stream in order to adsorb mercury containing compounds and acid gas pollutants. The sorbent composition includes a compound having the formula (SiO2)x(OH)yMzSaF.B. The combination of basic inorganic solids for the adsorption of acid gases, and metal sulfide-doped silica for the adsorption of mercury provides dual sorbent functionality, along with additional benefits for each individual sorbent: silica for moisture retention on the surface of the basic inorganic particle and adsorption of acid gas, which will improve metal sulfide performance at higher operating temperatures. The use of a hygroscopic solid effectively dries the metal sulfide-doped silica slurry without the use of filtration of drying equipment, providing significant economic benefit for the manufacture of metal sulfide-doped silica material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Ecolab USA Inc.
    Inventors: Nicholas S. Ergang, Ian Saratovsky, Tommy Chen
  • Patent number: 8955168
    Abstract: A surgical protective assembly having an air movement device and a head gear assembly carrying the air movement device. The head gear assembly includes an outer wall, an inner wall, a front end, a back end and a middle portion between the front end and the back end. The outer wall has an upper opening, the inner wall has an array of openings, and the inner and outer wall define a front opening at the front end. The head gear assembly has a passageway that fluidly connects together, the upper opening, the array and the front opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: Ecolab USA Inc.
    Inventors: Salvatore Manzella, Jr., David K. Platt, Michael C. Shaughnessy, Kevin T. Pullen, Keith A. Larson, Alison J. Sanders
  • Patent number: 8957246
    Abstract: The present invention relates to apparatus and methods for making a peroxycarboxylic acid. The apparatus includes a reaction catalyst and a guard column for pretreating one or more reagents, which can increase the life, activity, and/or safety of the reaction catalyst. The peroxycarboxylic acid compositions made by the method and apparatus can include one or more peroxycarboxylic acids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: Ecolab USA, Inc.
    Inventors: David D. McSherry, Richard K. Staub, Dan N. Tallman, Junzhong Li, Keith E. Lokkesmeo
  • Patent number: 8956875
    Abstract: Provided are automated methods for measuring soluble magnesium concentration in water using fluorescence. The methods employ the use of a pH-buffered liquid and a magnesium coordinating fluorescing reagent. In certain embodiments, the methods may further employ measuring total hardness concentration of the water by displacing any soluble calcium with soluble magnesium and then re-measuring the soluble magnesium concentration. Optionally, the soluble calcium concentration can be determined by subtracting the measured soluble magnesium concentration from the measured total hardness concentration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: Ecolab USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Arthur J. Kahaian, Alexandra Knoth, Hui Li, Rodney H. Banks, Joe L. Schwartz, Sascha J. Welz
  • Patent number: 8957011
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to rinse aid compositions and methods for making and using the rinse aid compositions. The compositions of the invention include a sheeting agent, a defoaming agent, and an association disruption agent. The rinse aid compositions of the present invention result in a faster draining/drying time on most substrates compared to conventional rinse aids. The rinse aid compositions of the present invention are especially suitable for use on plastic substrates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: Ecolab USA Inc.
    Inventors: Janel Marie Kieffer, Victor Fuk-Pong Man, Steven E. Lentsch
  • Publication number: 20150041091
    Abstract: The invention provides methods and compositions for improving the characteristics of paper substrates. The method involves adding to a paper substrate an NCC-polymer. NCC-polymers have unique chemical properties which result in improvements in wet strength, dry strength and drainage retention properties of the paper substrates.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2013
    Publication date: February 12, 2015
    Applicant: Ecolab USA Inc.
    Inventors: David J. Castro, Rangarani Karnati, Shawnee M. Wilson, Weiguo Cheng, Mei Liu, Zhiyi Zhang
  • Publication number: 20150041088
    Abstract: The invention provides methods and compositions for improving the characteristics of paper substrates. The method involves adding to a paper substrate an NCC-polymer. NCC-polymers have unique chemical properties which result in improvements in wet strength, dry strength and drainage retention properties of the paper substrates.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2013
    Publication date: February 12, 2015
    Applicant: Ecolab USA Inc.
    Inventors: David A. Castro, Rangarani Karnati, Shawnee M. Wilson, Weiguo Cheng, Mei Liu, Zhiyi Zhang
  • Publication number: 20150041089
    Abstract: The invention provides methods and compositions for improving the characteristics of paper substrates. The method involves adding to a paper substrate an NCC-polymer. NCC polymers have unique chemical properties which result in improvements in wet strength, dry strength and drainage retention properties of the paper substrates.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2013
    Publication date: February 12, 2015
    Applicant: Ecolab USA Inc.
    Inventors: David A. Castro, Rangarani Karnati, Shawnee M. Wilson, Weiguo Cheng, Mei Liu, Zhiyi Zhang
  • Publication number: 20150041406
    Abstract: The invention provides methods and compositions for utilizing encapsulated tracer dyes in difficult liquids such as wastewater or with highly reactive treatment chemicals such as aluminum-based coagulants. In difficult liquids or highly reactive treatment chemicals even so-called “inert” tracers end up reacting and their fluorescence changes. As a result they are inconsistent and cannot be used to measure the amount of treatment chemical present. But by encapsulating the tracer dyes, even non inert tracer dyes become inert and they can reliably be used to measure the amount of treatment chemical present even if highly reactive or in a difficult liquid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2013
    Publication date: February 12, 2015
    Applicant: Ecolab USA Inc.
    Inventors: Lan Xiao, Yanjiao Xie
  • Patent number: 8951956
    Abstract: A solidification matrix includes sodium hydroxide, sodium carbonate, a water charge, an anhydrous metasilicate, a polycarboxylic acid polymer or salt or derivative thereof, and additional functional ingredients. The sodium hydroxide, sodium carbonate, a water charge, an anhydrous metasilicate, a polycarboxylic acid polymer, and additional functional ingredients interact to form a hydrate solid. The solidification matrix may be used, for example, in a solid detergent composition. Methods of making solid detergent compositions are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: Ecolab USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Caleb Jones, Katherine Molinaro, Darryl Bowling, Karen Rigley, Brenda L. Tjelta, Lisa M. Sanders, Michael E. Besse
  • Publication number: 20150034563
    Abstract: Dewatering agents and methods of dewatering wastewater slurries are provided. Also disclosed are methods for improving the separation of solids from water. The water may be produced water, raw water, or wastewater, for example. The dewatering agents can be in solutions and the dewatering agent solutions may include flocculants, soy based components, and surfactants. The soy based components can include, for example, soy flour and soy protein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2013
    Publication date: February 5, 2015
    Applicant: ECOLAB USA INC.
    Inventors: Prasad Duggirala, Weiguo Cheng, Darlington Mlambo
  • Publication number: 20150038390
    Abstract: A solid controlled release composition according to the present invention includes at least one cellulosic material, water, at least one active ingredient, and optionally at least one of a saccharide, sugar alcohol or salt. The active ingredient can be a polycarboxylic acid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2014
    Publication date: February 5, 2015
    Applicant: ECOLAB USA INC.
    Inventors: Carter M. Silvernail, Erik C. Olson, Michael E. Besse
  • Patent number: 8945314
    Abstract: A solid composition includes a polysaccharide hybrid polymer composition and a hydratable salt. In one embodiment, the polysaccharide hybrid polymer composition includes a polysaccharide residue present in an amount from approximately 5% to 90% by weight of the polysaccharide hybrid polymer composition and a residue of at least one ethylenically unsaturated monomer present in an amount from approximately 10% to 75% by weight of the polysaccharide hybrid polymer composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Ecolab USA Inc.
    Inventors: Kerrie E. Walters, Carter Silvernail
  • Patent number: 8946140
    Abstract: The invention discloses compositions, methods and systems for generating alkalinity in situ. The compositions, methods and systems relate to the use of a silver decomposition agent to catalyze the decomposition of a dilute peroxygen source providing highly alkaline cleaning compositions in situ. Methods of cleaning are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Ecolab USA Inc.
    Inventors: Kim R. Smith, Thomas R. Mohs, Erik C. Olson, Gregory G. Griese, Eric R. Balz, Joy G. Herdt, Keith E. Olson, Anthony W. Erickson
  • Patent number: 8943901
    Abstract: Systems and methods for determining a flow rate or volume of fluid. The system includes a positive displacement meter including a plurality of non-contact sensors and gears configured to rotate in response to fluid flow through the meter. The gears may include detectable areas that may be sensed by the plurality of non-contact sensors to determine a rotational direction of the gears. The plurality of non-contact sensors may also be configured to generate respective detection signals indicative of a rotation state of the gears. The controller may be configured to receive the detection signals, determine a current rotation state, and increment a rotational count based on the changes in the current rotation state. The controller may use the rotational count to determine a flow rate or volume of fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Ecolab USA Inc.
    Inventors: Eugene Tokhtuev, Anatoly Skirda, Christopher J. Owen, William M. Christensen, Paul S. Schilling