Abstract: A surfactant-modified polymer and method of making the same. The surfactant-modified polymer has a polycarboxylate backbone with non-ionic surfactant chemically associated therewith and is formed by the reaction of a reactant compound selected from the group consisting of carboxylic acids, polycarboxylic acids and mixtures thereof in an aqueous media in the presence of a nonionic surfactant.

Abstract: A dispenser for filling with liquid a container of a predetermined profile comprising a support for the container to be filled, a plurality of sources of different liquids, valves for regulating the flow of liquid from the sources into the container, a series of keys on the support, each key being movable between at least two positions, switches actuated by the respective keys, and a control connected between the switches and the valves. On mounting of a particular container on the support, the keys are moved a predetermined way by the container's predetermined profile and the control in response to the keys being moved fills the correct liquid into the container.

Abstract: A sensing arrangement for sensing the addition of reactants to a solution within a tank which includes a first inlet, a second inlet, and a reactant supply controller for controlling the addition of reactants into the tank through the first and second inlets. The first inlet is configured to supply a first reactant to the tank and the second inlet is configured to supply a second reactant to the tank. The sensing arrangement comprises a detector, such as a conductivity detector or an ion concentration detector, having a probe for measuring the presence of the reactants in the solution within the tank. The probe is positioned substantially adjacent the second inlet. The detector provides a mechanism for measuring the presence of and concentration of the first reactant in the solution while the first reactant is added to and mixed with the solution.

Abstract: A two-part enzyme-based cleaning system useful in clean-in-place operations to remove proteinaceous soils from dairy equipment is described. The system comprises two liquid concentrates stored in separate containers, the concentrates being diluted and mixed for use.A. The first concentrate consists of:i) 2.5 to 7.5 percent by weight of a source of alkalinity selected from the sources of hydroxide based alkaline composition;ii) 1 to 16 percent by weight of a water conditioner selected from the group consisting of polyacrylic acids and polyphosphates; andiii) balance water.B. The second concentrate consists of:i) 35 to 45 percent by weight of a blend of an alkali salt of a (C.sub.6 to C.sub.12) fatty acid and a linear (C.sub.8 -C.sub.18) polyoxyalkylene;ii) 0.2 to 1.6 percent of a proteolytic enzyme; andiii) balance water.

Abstract: Inter alia, an iodophor preparation composition comprising, in addition to a carrier, an iodide source, an oxidant and an acid source, characterised in that at least one of the iodide source, the oxidant and the acid source is only available for reaction with the other components when dissolved in an aqueous medium at the point-of-use is disclosed.

Abstract: Detergent compositions are formed into tablets for dispensing. These tablets can be retained in a flexible plastic bag having a rigid opening and tapered midsection. The rigidity of the tablets enables the bag to retain its shape and prevent hydratable detergents from clogging up the dispenser. A preferred detergent formulation is a high-caustic detergent composition which includes a combination of sodium tripolyphosphate and sodium tripolyphosphate hexahydrate, defoaming surfactant, polycarboxylate and a processing and dissolution aid such as propylene glycol. This detergent composition, when tableted, provides an extremely uniform dissolution rate minimizing any temperature peaks that can occur in dispensing high-caustic detergent.

Abstract: A method of laundering oily items comprises laundering said items in a wash solution which includes a surfactant system and a source of alkalinity. The source of alkalinity is an alkali metal aluminate preferably sodium aluminate at a concentration effective to have at least about 25 ppm of the alkali aluminate present in the wash solution measured as alumina. The wash solution is then separated from the laundered items and its pH reduced to about 9 or less. A destabilizing polymer such as diallyldimethyl ammonium chloride can be added. This combination causes the oil and grease to separate from the wash solution and float to the surface along with the sodium aluminate. If the concentration of the sodium aluminate is above about 100 ppm preferably about 250 ppm, there is no need to add the destabilizing polymer. This does not affect the overall efficiency of the detergent, yet significantly improves the ability to separate the oil and grease from the waste wash solution.

Abstract: The present invention is an improved flow-metered pumping system using an air-backed diaphragm pump with load compensation. A variable motor speed controller is used to compensate for flow rate reduction caused by pressure effects. When the output pressure on the pump increases to a point where the load on the pump motor exceeds a specified threshold, the motor speed controller increases the speed of the motor to compensate for pressure induced diaphragm distortion losses and to achieve a substantially constant flow rate across a range of pump output pressures.

Abstract: Alkaline diamine track lubricants for use with glass, aluminum and two-piece PET containers and other articles of manufacture are prepared from an admixture of an alkyl diamine and a water-soluble hydrotrope. The diamine lubricants are prepared without the neutralization thereof and have a corrosion inhibitor which is, preferably, a reducing agent and a biocide incorporated thereinto. A source of alkalinity may be employed, as well, to maintain the pH above 8.

Abstract: A detergent dispenser controller for use with a washing device, such as a dishwasher, that measures detergent concentration in a water tank by measuring the conductivity of the detergent solution in the water tank. The detergent controller automatically learns the feed rate of the detergent dispenser used, regardless of the type of detergent dispenser being used. For each detergent feed cycle, the controller computes a Feed Factor equal to the amount of detergent feed on time required for each unit increase in the detergent concentration, which is the inverse of the detergent feed rate. The controller stores the computed Feed Factor for the last N feed cycles in a non-volatile memory, and computes a running average of the N feed factors stored in the non-volatile memory. Whenever the detergent dispenser is powered on, it determines the difference between the measured wash tank detergent concentration and a specified detergent concentration set point value.

Abstract: A liquid chemical dispensing system for dispensing a plurality of liquid chemicals into a dishwasher includes at least a detergent pump and a rinse agent pump, a first switch indicating whether the dishwasher is a door type or a conveyor type dishwasher, a second switch indicating whether the controller is in training mode or in run mode, a non-volatile memory and a data processor. The liquid chemical dispensing system is powered on whenever the dishwasher is spraying rinse water. In the training mode, the data processor enables a user to set values for a rinse run time parameter, a detergent run time parameter, and a rinse delay time, and stores those parameters in the non-volatile memory.

Abstract: A detergent dispenser having a support for the dispenser may be filled with liquid from a suitable source. A switch controls the flow of liquid into the dispenser. The support, which may be a cradle from which the dispenser hangs or a platform on top of which the dispenser sits, holds the dispenser in conjunction with a resilient urging mechanism. The switch is activated by an empty dispenser urging against the switch. The switch is deactivated by the weight of the dispenser being filled, thus overcoming the urging mechanism.

Abstract: A liquid chemical dispensing system for dispensing a plurality of liquid chemicals into a dishwasher includes at least a detergent pump and a rinse agent pump, a first switch indicating whether the dishwasher is a door type or a conveyor type dishwasher, a second switch indicating whether said controller is in training mode or in run mode, a non-volatile memory and a data processor. The liquid chemical dispensing system is powered on whenever the dishwasher is spraying rinse water. In the training mode, the data processor enables a user to set values for a rinse run time parameter, a detergent run time parameter, and a rinse delay time, and stores those parameters in the non-volatile memory.

Abstract: A sporicidal composition characterized in that it comprises iodine bromide in aqueous solution at a pH of less than 7.

Abstract: Water in a process water system, such as a cooling tower or pulp and paper processing plant, is treated to destroy biological microorganisms by diverting the portion of the water flowing through the system to a side stream. In the side stream, chemicals are added such as halide ions or sodium chlorite. The water is then passed through an electrolysis unit or a UV radiation unit to oxidize the precursor to form an active oxidant. Advantageously, the pH of the side stream can be lowered to significantly improve the oxidization of the halide ions. When a very small portion of the flow rate is passing through the side stream, the acid added does not significantly alter the pH of the entire system. In a preferred embodiment, the acid added is phosphonic acid which acts as an antiscalant. Also included in the present invention is a method to inject oxidant precursors into a process water system through an oxidant generation station.

Abstract: Non-chlorinated, low alkalinity, high retention liquid hard surface cleaner concentrate and use solutions containing an amine oxide surfactant, an anionic surfactant, a hydrophobically modified polymer surfactant, a thinner, and alkali are provided, which form viscous solutions upon dilution and which in cleaning operations, are capable of producing gel-like foams. The composition synergistically exhibits exceptional cleaning performance without the need of chlorine or high levels of caustic.

Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing liquid chemicals into a laundry machine is described. An operator interface with a small number of programming/execution buttons is provided. The programming/execution buttons are pressed to define a liquid dispensing program which is stored as a compact set of instructions which can be executed with minimal computing power. Each step of the liquid dispensing program is defined by either delay information or chemical volume dispensing information, and a synchronization flag. When enabled, the synchronization flag in a program step causes the apparatus to wait for a synchronization signal before executing the program step. Synchronization signals are produced by a sensor that identifies water flows either into or from the laundry machine.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming pellets in which a medium to be pelletized is delivered to a distribution box, the distribution box intermittently expelling discrete portions of the medium outwardly to form droplets. A conveyor moves the droplets away from the distribution box, the droplets solidifying into pellets as they travel along the conveyor.

Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing solid or semi-solid detergents includes a hollow elongated opening or chute and an arcuate plate that extends from the side wall of the apparatus to beneath the chute. This plate provides a planar support for a detergent bar placed within the chute. Water is sprayed down the arcuate plate and projects against the detergent supported on the planar support causing it to dissolve and flow down a drain. The chute has a unique geometric design which is suitable to receive only one uniquely shaped elongated detergent bar. In a kitchen having several detergent dispensers, each detergent dispenser will have a uniquely defined chute so that only the appropriate detergent can be used in the appropriate dispenser.