Patents by Inventor Paul R. Kraus
Paul R. Kraus 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).
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Publication number: 20240122437Abstract: An automated cleaning machine may include one or more short cleaning cycles in which the duration of a cleaning cycle is shortened relative to the duration of a default cleaning cycle. During a short cleaning cycle, other cleaning cycle parameters may also be adjusted to ensure that the articles subjected to the short cleaning cycle are adequately cleaned and sanitized. For example, the wash temperature, rinse temperature, and/or cleaning product amounts or concentrations, may be adjusted to account for the shortened duration of the cleaning cycle. The automated cleaning machine may further include one or more short cycle mode(s) during which short cleaning cycle parameters are used and one or more default cycle mode(s) during which default cleaning cycle parameters are used.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 28, 2023Publication date: April 18, 2024Inventors: Rachel Marie McGinness, Jonathan Charles Butwinick, Paul R. Kraus, Alissa R. Ellingson, Conor Sylvester Smith, Paul Dominic Christian
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Patent number: 11959644Abstract: A system for controlling the initiation of a cleaning process for an interior of an appliance may include a detection sensor and a processor in communication with the detection sensor. The detection sensor may be configured to generate detection sensor data based on a sensed condition in a field of detection of the detection sensor which may comprise one or more pre-determined locations. The processor may control the initiation of an appliance cleaning process. The appliance cleaning process may comprise receiving detection sensor data representative of a first time and a second time, generating an initial condition based on the received detection sensor data representative of the first time, and generating a new condition based on the received detection sensor data representative of the second time. The processor may be additionally configured to compare the initial condition and the new condition and determine if cleaning product is present.Type: GrantFiled: September 22, 2020Date of Patent: April 16, 2024Assignee: Ecolab USA Inc.Inventors: Paul R. Kraus, Frank Anthony Bocci, Joseph C. Plante, Devon Beau Hammel
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Publication number: 20240050609Abstract: A lighting array including one or more antimicrobial light segments, each light segments including one or more antimicrobial light sources, is configured to emit light sufficient to inactivate one or more microorganisms on a touch screen display surface. The lighting array may individually control activation of the one or more antimicrobial light segments based on user presence information, time of day information, and/or touch screen display usage information. A touch screen display assembly includes a housing, a touch screen display and a lighting array including one or more antimicrobial light segments.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 25, 2023Publication date: February 15, 2024Inventors: Paul R. Kraus, Amani Babekir, Gina McDowell, Teresa C. Podtburg
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Patent number: 11889963Abstract: An automated cleaning machine may include one or more short cleaning cycles in which the duration of a cleaning cycle is shortened relative to the duration of a default cleaning cycle. During a short cleaning cycle, other cleaning cycle parameters may also be adjusted to ensure that the articles subjected to the short cleaning cycle are adequately cleaned and sanitized. For example, the wash temperature, rinse temperature, and/or cleaning product amounts or concentrations, may be adjusted to account for the shortened duration of the cleaning cycle. The automated cleaning machine may further include one or more short cycle mode(s) during which short cleaning cycle parameters are used and one or more default cycle mode(s) during which default cleaning cycle parameters are used.Type: GrantFiled: March 5, 2021Date of Patent: February 6, 2024Assignee: Ecolab USA Inc.Inventors: Rachel Marie McGinness, Jonathan Charles Butwinick, Paul R. Kraus, Alissa R. Ellingson, Conor Sylvester Smith, Paul Dominic Christian
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Publication number: 20240009714Abstract: A soil-based coupon having an electronically readable verification code printed thereon is used for verification of soil removal by a cleaning process. The coupon includes a soil overlay covering the verification code. The verification code is at least partially revealed by removal of all or part of the soil overlay during the cleaning process. If the data encoded in the verification code can be correctly decoded after completion of the cleaning process, the cleaning process can be verified. The soil overlay can be designed to match the application. The coupons may be used in a cleaning process verification procedure in which one or more computing devices analyze images of the verification codes to determine whether or not cleaning processes can be verified.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 18, 2023Publication date: January 11, 2024Inventors: Paul R. Kraus, Rachel Marie McGinness
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Patent number: 11819581Abstract: A lighting array including one or more antimicrobial light segments, each light segments including one or more antimicrobial light sources, is configured to emit light sufficient to inactivate one or more microorganisms on a touch screen display surface. The lighting array may individually control activation of the one or more antimicrobial light segments based on user presence information, time of day information, and/or touch screen display usage information. A touch screen display assembly includes a housing, a touch screen display and a lighting array including one or more antimicrobial light segments.Type: GrantFiled: July 1, 2020Date of Patent: November 21, 2023Assignee: Ecolab USA Inc.Inventors: Paul R. Kraus, Amani Babekir, Gina McDowell, Teresa C Podtburg
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Publication number: 20230337891Abstract: Systems and/or methods for the monitoring and/or control of thermal sanitization in automated cleaning machines are described. A cleaning machine controller may predict a number of heat unit equivalents that will be delivered during a cleaning process based on a sump temperature difference (i.e., a change in the temperature of the cleaning solution in the sump) experienced at or near the beginning of the cleaning process. One or more cleaning process parameters may be adjusted and/or controlled based on the sump temperature difference in order to ensure that a target number of heat unit equivalents are delivered in order to achieve thermal sanitization of the wares subjected to the cleaning process.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 26, 2023Publication date: October 26, 2023Inventors: Elizabeth Minhee Han, Conor Sylvester Smith, Paul R. Kraus, Paul Dominic Christian, Rachel Marie McGinness
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Publication number: 20230337667Abstract: Methods of generating performic acid by contacting aqueous oxidizing agent and aqueous formic acid source in liquid phase are disclosed. A system and apparatus for the in situ production of the performic acid chemistries is further disclosed. In particular, a continuous flow reactor is provided to generate performic acid at variable rates. Methods of employing the oxidizing biocide for various disinfection applications are also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 30, 2023Publication date: October 26, 2023Inventors: Paul R. Kraus, Benjamin Crew, Junzhong Li, David D. McSherry, Ramakrishnan Balasubramanian, Richard Staub, Ariel Chatman Kleczewski, Minh Tran, Catherine Hanson, Irwan Yunus, Jeffery D. Breshears, Brian Paul Brunner
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Patent number: 11794216Abstract: A soil-based coupon having an electronically readable verification code printed thereon is used for verification of soil removal by a cleaning process. The coupon includes a soil overlay covering the verification code. The verification code is at least partially revealed by removal of all or part of the soil overlay during the cleaning process. If the data encoded in the verification code can be correctly decoded after completion of the cleaning process, the cleaning process can be verified. The soil overlay can be designed to match the application. The coupons may be used in a cleaning process verification procedure in which one or more computing devices analyze images of the verification codes to determine whether or not cleaning processes can be verified.Type: GrantFiled: November 9, 2022Date of Patent: October 24, 2023Assignee: Ecolab USA Inc.Inventors: Paul R. Kraus, Rachel Marie McGinness
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Publication number: 20230276800Abstract: Methods and systems for temperature-controlled, on-site generation of peracids, namely peroxycarboxylic acids and peroxycarboxylic acid forming compositions are disclosed. In particular, methods for using an adjustable biocide formulator or generator system overcome the limitations of temperature on the kinetics of the peracid generation and/or peracid decomposition inside an adjustable biocide formulator or generator system. The methods include the controlling of the temperature of at least one raw starting material, namely water, to improve upon methods of on-site generation of peracids. The methods allow for the generation of user-selected chemistry without regard to the ambient temperatures of the raw starting materials and/or the biocide formulator or generator system.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 8, 2023Publication date: September 7, 2023Inventors: Brandon Herdt, Richard Staub, Thomas C. Rustad, Junzhong Li, David D. McSherry, Paul R. Kraus, Richard Walsh
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Patent number: 11737460Abstract: Methods of generating performic acid by contacting aqueous oxidizing agent and aqueous formic acid source in liquid phase are disclosed. A system and apparatus for the in situ production of the performic acid chemistries is further disclosed. In particular, a continuous flow reactor is provided to generate performic acid at variable rates. Methods of employing the oxidizing biocide for various disinfection applications are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: June 25, 2020Date of Patent: August 29, 2023Assignee: Ecolab USA Inc.Inventors: Paul R. Kraus, Benjamin Crew, Junzhong Li, David D. McSherry, Ramakrishnan Balasubramanian, Richard Staub, Ariel Chatman Kleczewski, Minh Tran, Catherine Hanson, Irwan Yunus, Jeffery D. Breshears, Brian Paul Brunner
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Publication number: 20230218137Abstract: Image classification is used to dynamically control one or more wash parameters in an automated cleaning machine. An imaging device installed in the wash chamber of the cleaning machine captures one or more image(s) of articles to be cleaned at various times throughout a cleaning process. A computing device analyzes the captured image(s) to classify the images as to an article type and a rack volume. Based on the article type classification and the rack volume, the computing device dynamically controls one or more parameters of the cleaning process to achieve a satisfactory cleaning and/or sanitizing result.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 16, 2023Publication date: July 13, 2023Inventors: Conor Sylvester Smith, Paul Dominic Christian, Elizabeth Minhee Han, Paul R. Kraus, Rachel Marie McGinness
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Patent number: 11678664Abstract: Methods and systems for temperature-controlled, on-site generation of peracids, namely peroxycarboxylic acids and peroxycarboxylic acid forming compositions are disclosed. In particular, methods for using an adjustable biocide formulator or generator system overcome the limitations of temperature on the kinetics of the peracid generation and/or peracid decomposition inside an adjustable biocide formulator or generator system. The methods include the controlling of the temperature of at least one raw starting material, namely water, to improve upon methods of on-site generation of peracids. The methods allow for the generation of user-selected chemistry without regard to the ambient temperatures of the raw starting materials and/or the biocide formulator or generator system.Type: GrantFiled: April 13, 2022Date of Patent: June 20, 2023Assignee: ECOLAB USA INC.Inventors: Brandon Herdt, Richard Staub, Thomas C. Rustad, Junzhong Li, David D. McSherry, Paul R. Kraus, Richard Walsh
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Patent number: 11666198Abstract: Systems and/or methods for the monitoring and/or control of thermal sanitization in automated cleaning machines are described. A cleaning machine controller may predict a number of heat unit equivalents that will be delivered during a cleaning process based on a sump temperature difference (i.e., a change in the temperature of the cleaning solution in the sump) experienced at or near the beginning of the cleaning process. One or more cleaning process parameters may be adjusted and/or controlled based on the sump temperature difference in order to ensure that a target number of heat unit equivalents are delivered in order to achieve thermal sanitization of the wares subjected to the cleaning process.Type: GrantFiled: March 5, 2021Date of Patent: June 6, 2023Assignee: Ecolab USA Inc.Inventors: Elizabeth Minhee Han, Conor Sylvester Smith, Paul R. Kraus, Paul Dominic Christian, Rachel Marie McGinness
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Patent number: 11627861Abstract: Image classification is used to dynamically control one or more wash parameters in an automated cleaning machine. An imaging device installed in the wash chamber of the cleaning machine captures one or more image(s) of articles to be cleaned at various times throughout a cleaning process. A computing device analyzes the captured image(s) to classify the images as to an article type and a rack volume. Based on the article type classification and the rack volume, the computing device dynamically controls one or more parameters of the cleaning process to achieve a satisfactory cleaning and/or sanitizing result.Type: GrantFiled: September 11, 2020Date of Patent: April 18, 2023Assignee: Ecolab USA Inc.Inventors: Conor Sylvester Smith, Paul Dominic Christian, Elizabeth Minhee Han, Paul R. Kraus, Rachel Marie McGinness
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Publication number: 20230091952Abstract: A soil-based coupon having an electronically readable verification code printed thereon is used for verification of soil removal by a cleaning process. The coupon includes a soil overlay covering the verification code. The verification code is at least partially revealed by removal of all or part of the soil overlay during the cleaning process. If the data encoded in the verification code can be correctly decoded after completion of the cleaning process, the cleaning process can be verified. The soil overlay can be designed to match the application. The coupons may be used in a cleaning process verification procedure in which one or more computing devices analyze images of the verification codes to determine whether or not cleaning processes can be verified.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 9, 2022Publication date: March 23, 2023Inventors: Paul R. Kraus, Rachel Marie McGinness
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Patent number: 11583597Abstract: A lighting array including one or more antimicrobial light segments configured to emit light sufficient to inactivate one or more microorganisms at a target surface may be installed within identified contamination zones of food or beverage preparation, processing, storing or packaging equipment or machinery. In an ice machine, for example, an array controller is configured for communication with an ice machine controller to receive ice machine status information signals. The status information signals are usable by the array controller to determine cycle, state, and/or usage information associated with the ice machine. The array controller may individually control activation of the one or more antimicrobial light segments based on the status information signals received from the machine controller to achieve inactivation of one or more microorganisms on target surfaces within the machine.Type: GrantFiled: March 13, 2020Date of Patent: February 21, 2023Assignee: Ecolab USA Inc.Inventors: Paul Dominic Christian, Paul R. Kraus, Gina McDowell, Amani Babekir, Anna Starobin
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Patent number: 11498099Abstract: A soil-based coupon having an electronically readable verification code printed thereon is used for verification of soil removal by a cleaning process. The coupon includes a soil overlay covering the verification code. The verification code is at least partially revealed by removal of all or part of the soil overlay during the cleaning process. If the data encoded in the verification code can be correctly decoded after completion of the cleaning process, the cleaning process can be verified. The soil overlay can be designed to match the application. The coupons may be used in a cleaning process verification procedure in which one or more computing devices analyze images of the verification codes to determine whether or not cleaning processes can be verified.Type: GrantFiled: October 10, 2019Date of Patent: November 15, 2022Assignee: Ecolab USA Inc.Inventors: Paul R. Kraus, Rachel Marie Rahn
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Patent number: 11454619Abstract: Systems for quantifying one or more target analyte concentrations in a process solution are provided and can be used, for example, in methods for quantifying a target analyte concentration. These systems and methods include continuous and batchwise automated titration methods that use titration chemistries to measure the target analyte concentration in the process solution using a multiwavelength detector. The methods provide for efficient and robust automated titration methods for a variety of target analytes and can include methods that analyze more than one analyte and that provide for a dynamic range for measurement of more than one target analyte concentration.Type: GrantFiled: April 9, 2019Date of Patent: September 27, 2022Assignee: Ecolab USA Inc.Inventors: Paul R. Kraus, John Wilhelm Bolduc, Robert J. Ryther
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Publication number: 20220232827Abstract: Methods and systems for temperature-controlled, on-site generation of peracids, namely peroxycarboxylic acids and peroxycarboxylic acid forming compositions are disclosed. In particular, methods for using an adjustable biocide formulator or generator system overcome the limitations of temperature on the kinetics of the peracid generation and/or peracid decomposition inside an adjustable biocide formulator or generator system. The methods include the controlling of the temperature of at least one raw starting material, namely water, to improve upon methods of on-site generation of peracids. The methods allow for the generation of user-selected chemistry without regard to the ambient temperatures of the raw starting materials and/or the biocide formulator or generator system.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 13, 2022Publication date: July 28, 2022Inventors: Brandon Herdt, Richard Staub, Thomas C. Rustad, Junzhong Li, David D. McSherry, Paul R. Kraus, Richard Walsh