Patents by Inventor Mark D. Levitt

Mark D. Levitt 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).

  • Publication number: 20040065346
    Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions, kits and processes for the brightening of metal surfaces by the application of the chemical compositions. These compositions act to release hydrofluoric acid as a brightening agent. The solutions are preferably mixed during application of the brightening composition to a metal surface by mixing the solutions immediately prior to or even during application of the solution. This can be readily accomplished by mixing two solutions, one having a fluoride source and the other having a strong acid to release hydrofluoric acid from the fluoride source, the mixing occurring immediately before spray application, during spraying, or immediately after spraying of the two solutions. Mixing may be done on-site, which means that mixing is performed at the site of use, usually on the same day of use or even within a few (less than 10) minutes of use.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2003
    Publication date: April 8, 2004
    Applicant: Ecolab Inc.
    Inventors: Guang-Jong Jason Wei, David Daniel McSherry, Mark D. Levitt
  • Publication number: 20040029757
    Abstract: A hand dishwashing detergent composition as provided according to the invention. The hand dishwashing detergent composition includes an anionic surfactant blend, a betaine surfactant, and water. The anionic surfactant blend includes a first anionic surfactant component and a second anionic surfactant component. The first anionic surfactant component can include at least one of an alkyl aryl sulfonate wherein the alkyl group contains 10 to about 18 carbon atoms and the aryl group comprises at least one of benzene, toluene, xylene, and a secondary alkane sulfonate wherein the alkane group includes about 10 to about 18 carbon atoms.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2002
    Publication date: February 12, 2004
    Applicant: Ecolab Inc.
    Inventors: Mark D. Levitt, Keith E. Olson, Lisa M. Sanders, Charles A. Hodge
  • Publication number: 20030207782
    Abstract: Hard floor finishes and other stubborn soils can be removed using an aqueous dispersion of an alkylene glycol phenyl ether solvent combined with an ether alcohol solvent/coupler. Each component is used at a concentration that result in the creation of a visible dispersed appearance of the aqueous dilute use solutions. We have found that the alkylene glycol phenyl ether, in combination with at least one ether alcohol coupler or solvent, interacts with the aqueous medium to surprisingly provide enhanced cleaning performances. Hard to remove soils such as highly crosslinked urethanes and acrylic materials can be solubilized and removed by the alcohol solvent dispersions of the invention. We have found that the alkylene phenyl ether solvent requires a specific coupler cosolvent for activity. Such activity can be enhanced by the presence of a second coupler cosolvent and the use of a specific class of nonionic surfactant materials.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2003
    Publication date: November 6, 2003
    Applicant: Ecolab Inc.
    Inventors: Wendy M. Wiseth, Kim R. Smith, Victor F. Man, Scott I. De Fields, Reid Rabon, Mark D. Levitt
  • Publication number: 20030148911
    Abstract: A pseudo-stable phase-splitting solvent composition that forms a single liquid phase when subjected to mild agitation and retains that single phase while the composition is applied to a surface, but which forms two or more laminar liquid phases promptly after being applied. A concentrated solvent film forms on the surface, under a film containing the other phase. The solvent preferably is denser than water, and the composition preferably is diluted with water. This enables the solvent to attack the surface at near full strength, and provides a water seal over the solvent film.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2003
    Publication date: August 7, 2003
    Inventors: Kim R. Smith, Mark D. Levitt, Robert D. P. Hei, Keith E. Olson, Bryan M. Anderson
  • Patent number: 6602350
    Abstract: Compositions and methods useful in the removal of road film and dirt from vehicles are provided. The compositions can be provided in the form of a concentrate and a ready-to-use or a diluted formulation and can be used to remove a wide range of different types of traffic film. The compositions can contain at least one anionic surfactant, at least one polyoxyalkylene ammonium cationic surfactant and at least one of an alkaline agent and an acidulating agent. Additional components that can be included are a chelating agent, a nonionic surfactant, an amphoteric surfactant, a hydrotrope, and a silicate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2003
    Assignee: Ecolab Inc.
    Inventors: Mark D. Levitt, Terry J. Klos, Michael E. Besse, Robert D. Hei, Jerry D. Hoyt, Cathleen Norland, Victor Fuk-Pong Man
  • Patent number: 6583101
    Abstract: Hard floor finishes and other stubborn soils can be removed using an aqueous dispersion of an alkylene glycol phenyl ether solvent combined with an ether alcohol solvent/coupler. Each component is used at a concentration that result in the creation of a visible dispersed appearance of the aqueous dilute use solutions. We have found that the alkylene glycol phenyl ether, in combination with at least one ether alcohol coupler or solvent, interacts with the aqueous medium to surprisingly provide enhanced cleaning performances. Hard to remove soils such as highly crosslinked urethanes and acrylic materials can be solubilized and removed by the alcohol solvent dispersions of the invention. We have found that the alkylene phenyl ether solvent requires a specific coupler cosolvent for activity. Such activity can be enhanced by the presence of a second coupler cosolvent and the use of a specific class of nonionic surfactant materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2003
    Assignee: Ecolab Inc.
    Inventors: Wendy M. Wiseth, Kim R. Smith, Victor F. Man, Scott I. De Fields, Reid Rabon, Mark D. Levitt
  • Patent number: 6579377
    Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions, kits and processes for the brightening of metal surfaces by the application of the chemical compositions. These compositions act to release hydrofluoric acid as a brightening agent. The solutions are preferably mixed during application of the brightening composition to a metal surface by mixing the solutions immediately prior to or even during application of the solution. This can be readily accomplished by mixing two solutions, one having a fluoride source and the other having a strong acid to release hydrofluoric acid from the fluoride source, the mixing occurring immediately before spray application, during spraying, or immediately after spraying of the two solutions. Mixing may be done on-site, which means that mixing is performed at the site of use, usually on the same day of use or even within a few (less than 10) minutes of use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2003
    Assignee: Ecolab Inc.
    Inventors: Guang-jong Jason Wei, David Daniel McSherry, Mark D. Levitt
  • Publication number: 20030109394
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to cleaning compositions for metal surfaces, including both concentrates and ready-to-use solutions. These compositions include a source of calcium ion, a source of alkalinity, a chelating agent, and a surfactant. In some embodiments, a water-soluble or water-dispersible acid-substituted polymer is also included. Additionally, in some embodiments, specific surfactants or chelating agents are used to enhance the performance of the composition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2001
    Publication date: June 12, 2003
    Applicant: Ecolab, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard O. Ruhr, Mark D. Levitt, Edward H. Richardson, Victor F. Man
  • Patent number: 6544942
    Abstract: A pseudo-stable phase-splitting solvent composition that forms a single liquid phase when subjected to mild agitation and retains that single phase while the composition is applied to a surface, but which forms two or more laminar liquid phases promptly after being applied. A concentrated solvent film forms on the surface, under a film containing the other phase. The solvent preferably is denser than water, and the composition preferably is diluted with water. This enables the solvent to attack the surface at near full strength, and provides a water seal over the solvent film. The solvent composition can be used full strength or in diluted form for cleaning, reducing the microbial population of, or degreasing a variety of surfaces, and for stripping a variety of difficult-to-remove coatings from surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2003
    Assignee: Ecolab Inc.
    Inventors: Kim R. Smith, Mark D. Levitt, Robert D. P. Hei
  • Publication number: 20030015221
    Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions, kits and processes for the brightening of metal surfaces by the application of the chemical compositions. These compositions act to release hydrofluoric acid as a brightening agent. The solutions are preferably mixed during application of the brightening composition to a metal surface by mixing the solutions immediately prior to or even during application of the solution. This can be readily accomplished by mixing two solutions, one having a fluoride source and the other having a strong acid to release hydrofluoric acid from the fluoride source, the mixing occurring immediately before spray application, during spraying, or immediately after spraying of the two solutions. Mixing may be done on-site, which means that mixing is performed at the site of use, usually on the same day of use or even within a few (less than 10) minutes of use.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2002
    Publication date: January 23, 2003
    Applicant: Ecolab Inc.
    Inventors: Guang-jong Jason Wei, David Daniel McSherry, Mark D. Levitt
  • Publication number: 20020173438
    Abstract: Compositions and methods useful in the removal of road film and dirt from vehicles are provided. The compositions can be provided in the form of a concentrate and a ready-to-use or a diluted formulation and can be used to remove a wide range of different types of traffic film. The compositions can contain at least one anionic surfactant, at least one polyoxyalkylene ammonium cationic surfactant and at least one of an alkaline agent and an acidulating agent. Additional components that can be included are a chelating agent, a nonionic surfactant, an amphoteric surfactant, a hydrotrope, and a silicate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2001
    Publication date: November 21, 2002
    Applicant: Ecolab Inc.
    Inventors: Mark D. Levitt, Terry J. Klos, Michael E. Besse, Robert D. Hei, Jerry D. Hoyt, Cathleen Norland, Victor Fuk-Pong Man
  • Publication number: 20020128169
    Abstract: A concentrate and a ready-to-use or diluted formulation for an aqueous vehicle cleaner can remove a wide range of different types of traffic film using either low pressure application, hand pressure application, water jet spray apparatus, clean-in-place systems or other manual or mechanical washing systems.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2001
    Publication date: September 12, 2002
    Applicant: ECOLAB, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark D. Levitt, Terry J. Klos, Michael E. Besse, Robert D. Hei, Jerry D. Hoyt, Cathleen O'Connor, Victor Fuk-Pong Man
  • Patent number: 6440224
    Abstract: A method of treating a surface of a metal is provided. A source of fluoride ion is mixed with a source of acid to form hydrofluoric acid and, when applied to a metal surface to be treated, the hydrofluoric acid acts as a brightening agent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2002
    Assignee: Ecolab Inc.
    Inventors: Guang-jong Jason Wei, David Daniel McSherry, Mark D. Levitt
  • Publication number: 20020028621
    Abstract: A coated substrate comprises a strippable intermediate coating atop the substrate and a strip agent-permeable waterborne overcoat adhered to the intermediate coating, wherein the dried overcoat is less strippable and more wear-resistant than the dried intermediate coating. When the overcoat eventually becomes worn and must be renewed, a strip agent (e.g., chemical strip agent) can be applied to the overcoat. The strip agent penetrates the overcoat and attacks the intermediate coating, thereby enabling removal of the intermediate coating and overcoat without aggressive removal techniques such as sanding.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2001
    Publication date: March 7, 2002
    Inventors: Mark D. Levitt, Bryan Michael Anderson, Keith Edward Olson, Kim R. Smith
  • Patent number: 6350725
    Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions useful in the removal of road film and dirt from vehicles such as cars, trucks, motorcycles, snowmobiles, and the like. These compositions contain propoxylated quaternary ammonium cationic surfactants. Alternatively, the solution can contain quaternary surfactants containing both an ethoxylated group and a propoxylated group. These solutions contain at least one anionic surfactant such as a linear alkyl benzyl sulfonate, alpha olefin sulfonates, alkyl sulfates and secondary alkane sulfonates. The pH of the composition can be adjusted with either an alkaline or an acidulating agent such as metal hydroxides, sodium hydroxide, aminopolycarboxylic acids, and the like. The pH of the solution is between 2.0 and 13, preferably between 8.0 and 13.0. An example solution contains zeolite, citric acid, linear dodecyl benzene sulfonate, sodium lauryl ether sulfate, nonylphenol ethoxylate, quaternary cationic surfactant (as described above), and a glycol ether.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2002
    Assignee: Ecolab, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark D. Levitt, Terry J. Klos, Michael E. Besse, Robert D. Hei, Jerry D. Hoyt, Cathleen Norland, Victor Fuk-Pong Man
  • Patent number: 6339054
    Abstract: A concentrate and a ready-to-use or diluted formulation for an aqueous vehicle cleaner can remove a wide range of different types of traffic film using either low pressure application, hand pressure application, water jet spray apparatus, clean-in-place systems or other manual or mechanical washing systems. The compositions may comprise, for example, one or more solutions that each or collectively contain or comprises: a) at least one anionic surfactant; b) at least one poly[oxyalkylene] ammonium cationic surfactant; and c) an alkaline agent. Optional additional ingredients may comprise at least one polycarboxylic acid chelating agent (preferably an aminocarboxylic acid chelating agent), at least one non-ionic or amphoteric surfactant, at least one hydrotrope, inorganic and/or organic acids and at least one silicate. The alkaline agent may provide a pH (when the finished product is diluted to 0.5 to 5% by weight in water) will be between about 9 to 13.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2002
    Assignee: Ecolab, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark D. Levitt, Terry J. Klos, Michael E. Besse, Robert D. Hei, Jerry D. Hoyt, Cathleen O'Connor, Victor Fuk-Pong Man