Patents by Inventor James M. Zell

James M. Zell has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 6763860
    Abstract: A method and system for formulating and dispensing a chemical product to a dispense location is disclosed. The chemical product is formulated using one or more chemical concentrates. The chemical concentrates may be stored in concentrate containers and provided to a formulator by associated concentrate pumps. The concentrates are pulled from the containers through a manifold and to the formulator. The formulator discharges the chemical concentrates through a dispense hose having an outlet valve to the dispense location. The dispense location may be a jug or a drum. A flow meter connected between the formulator and the dispense hose. The flow meter monitors the component chemical concentrates flowing through the dispense hose and measures volumetric information associated with each component chemical concentrate. A flow controller analyzes the volumetric information generated by the flow meter and controls the volume of each component chemical concentrate dispensed to the dispense location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2004
    Assignee: Ecolab, Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald D. Jungmann, Bruce W. Weber, James M. Zell, Clyde A. Bailey, Jun Wu, Gregory B. Laughland
  • Patent number: 6575291
    Abstract: A method for automatically cleaning and lubricating conveyor belt systems is disclosed. A microprocessor controlled control unit senses the movement of the conveyor belt and the presence of items, for example bottles, on the conveyor. The control unit initiates the application of lubricant, detergent and rinse water onto the conveyor according to the speed of the conveyor, the presence of items and the time passed since the previous application. If the conveyor is stationary, that is, is not in motion, no lubricant or cleaning solution is applied. If the conveyor is moving but no items are on the belt, a reduced amount of lubricant is dispensed onto the conveyor system. The conveyor cleaning and lubricating process may be carried out during normal production operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2003
    Assignee: Ecolab Inc.
    Inventors: Scott P. Bennett, James M. Zell
  • Publication number: 20030012081
    Abstract: A method and system for formulating and dispensing a chemical product to a dispense location is disclosed. The chemical product is formulated using one or more chemical concentrates. The chemical concentrates may be stored in concentrate containers and provided to a formulator by associated concentrate pumps. The concentrates are pulled from the containers through a manifold and to the formulator. The formulator discharges the chemical concentrates through a dispense hose having an outlet valve to the dispense location. The dispense location may be a jug or a drum. A flow meter connected between the formulator and the dispense hose. The flow meter monitors the component chemical concentrates flowing through the dispense hose and measures volumetric information associated with each component chemical concentrate. A flow controller analyzes the volumetric information generated by the flow meter and controls the volume of each component chemical concentrate dispensed to the dispense location.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2002
    Publication date: January 16, 2003
    Applicant: Ecolab, Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald D. Jungmann, Bruce W. Weber, James M. Zell, Clyde A. Bailey, Jun Wu, Gregory B. Laughland
  • Publication number: 20010045343
    Abstract: A method for automatically cleaning and lubricating conveyor belt systems is disclosed. A microprocessor controlled control unit senses the movement of the conveyor belt and the presence of items, for example bottles, on the conveyor. The control unit initiates the application of lubricant, detergent and rinse water onto the conveyor according to the speed of the conveyor, the presence of items and the time passed since the previous application. If the conveyor is stationary, that is, is not in motion, no lubricant or cleaning solution is applied. If the conveyor is moving but no items are on the belt, a reduced amount of lubricant is dispensed onto the conveyor system. The conveyor cleaning and lubricating process may be carried out during normal production operations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2001
    Publication date: November 29, 2001
    Applicant: Ecolab Inc.
    Inventors: Scott P. Bennett, James M. Zell
  • Patent number: 6302263
    Abstract: A method for automatically cleaning and lubricating conveyor belt systems is disclosed. A microprocessor controlled control unit senses the movement of the conveyor belt and the presence of items, for example bottles, on the conveyor. The control unit initiates the application of lubricant, detergent and rinse water onto the conveyor according to the speed of the conveyor, the presence of items and the time passed since the previous application. If the conveyor is stationary, that is, is not in motion, no lubricant or cleaning solution is applied. If the conveyor is moving but no items are on the belt, a reduced amount of lubricant is dispensed onto the conveyor system. The conveyor cleaning and lubricating process may be carried out during normal production operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2001
    Assignee: Ecolab, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott P. Bennett, James M. Zell