Patents by Inventor Kirsten M. Weeks

Kirsten M. Weeks 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: 9670438
    Abstract: A composition having a pH of less than 7 and including one or more surfactants, one or more chelating agents, and one or more acid in an aqueous solvents is used to treat stains on a textile caused by sunscreen lotion. Sunscreen stains in textiles can be reduced to a ?b* of 5 or less as compared to the textile before staining. The method includes preparing a use solution having a pH of less than 7 by applying to the wash solution a solid composition comprising about 15 to about 60 wt-% of surfactants; about 4 to about 18 wt-% chelating agents; and about 10 to about 40 wt-% of an acid or a salt thereof, and washing the textile in the wash solution, where the method is capable or reducing the stain in the textile to a ?b* of 7 or less as compared to the textile before staining.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2017
    Assignee: Ecolab USA Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen B. Christensen, Jessica R. Bull, Kirsten M. Weeks, Dawn N. Lock, Joanna Ai Pham
  • Publication number: 20160222329
    Abstract: A composition having a pH of less than 7 and including one or more surfactants, one or more chelating agents, and one or more acid in an aqueous solvents is used to treat stains on a textile caused by sunscreen lotion. Sunscreen stains in textiles can be reduced to a ?b* of 5 or less as compared to the textile before staining. The method includes preparing a use solution having a pH of less than 7 by applying to the wash solution a solid composition comprising about 15 to about 60 wt-% of surfactants; about 4 to about 18 wt-% chelating agents; and about 10 to about 40 wt-% of an acid or a salt thereof, and washing the textile in the wash solution, where the method is capable or reducing the stain in the textile to a ?b* of 7 or less as compared to the textile before staining.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2016
    Publication date: August 4, 2016
    Inventors: Stephen B. Christensen, Jessica R. Bull, Kirsten M. Weeks, Dawn N. Lock, Joanna Ai Pham
  • Publication number: 20140053611
    Abstract: Systems and methods for laundry applications employ ingredient water having a defined specification. The ingredient water specification may include a maximum total dissolved solids (TDS) and/or a maximum TDS from water hardness ions. Use of ingredient water having a defined specification may allow for more effective laundering using less water and at lower water temperatures. Use of ingredient water may also allow for improved detergency at lower wash temperatures, which may further result in the potential for shorter wash cycles and less chemistry to achieve equivalent results.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2012
    Publication date: February 27, 2014
    Applicant: ECOLAB USA INC.
    Inventors: Terry J. Klos, Brandon M. Carlson, Leonard J. Kadlec, Patrick H. Kilawee, Kirsten M. Weeks