Patents by Inventor Ralf Krack

Ralf Krack 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: 20140274857
    Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of membrane separation processes and clean in place compositions for cleaning such membranes. The cleaning compositions can remove proteins, fats, and other food, beverage, and brewery based soils and offer an environmentally friendly alternative surfactant system to NPE. According to the invention, surfactants and polymers useful for this process are unpredictable and specific surfactants, polymers, and combinations of the same are disclosed for use alone, as part of a cleaning composition. Methods of use of the same are also included.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: ECOLAB USA INC.
    Inventors: Paul Schacht, Jeffrey Weilage, Eric Schmidt, Joseph P. Curran, Ralf Krack, Victor Fuk-Pong Man, Charles Allen Hodge
  • Publication number: 20130303422
    Abstract: According to the invention, the compositions and methods provide for the complete removal of synthetic glues or adhesives from a plurality of surfaces through the use of organic solvents and/or amine solvents in combination with surfactants, chelants, acidulants and/or additional bottle wash additives. Beneficially, the compositions and methods are suitable for use at lower temperatures and pH conditions that conventional caustic-based adhesive removal compositions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2013
    Publication date: November 14, 2013
    Applicant: ECOLAB USA INC.
    Inventors: Clinton Hunt, JR., Ralf Krack, Duc Nguyen, Terrence P. Everson
  • Publication number: 20130003048
    Abstract: The invention refers to a fouling detection setup (I) and method for determining the amount of fouling (5) of surfaces (3) of fluid (6) treating devices (2) and/or internal functional components (4) of such devices, which are exposed to said fluid and are subjected to fouling. Fouling detection setups and methods are useful for monitoring the amount of fouling of surfaces, e.g. heat-transfer surfaces and also for monitoring the cleaning procedure of such fluid treating devices and/or internal functional components of such devices. According to the invention the detection setup (I) comprises at least one first sensor (7), with means (9) for measuring the optical transparency T and/or electrical conductive conductivity Q of said fluid (6). The Sensor includes at least one sensitive area (8) that is located nearby and/or within said surfaces (3) and wherein said area is at least temporarily exposed to said fluid (6).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2009
    Publication date: January 3, 2013
    Applicant: ECOLAB USA INC.
    Inventors: Claudia Caussin De Schneck, Hartmut Forster, Karl Helminger, Ralf Krack, Robert Najman
  • Publication number: 20090200234
    Abstract: The present invention provides methods for cleaning surfaces that are sensitive to high temperatures and/or that have pH limitations. Exemplary surfaces to be cleaned using the methods of the present invention include membranes. The methods of the present invention include applying an active oxygen use solution including an active oxygen source to the surface. An activator complex and an alkaline override use solution are applied to the surface, either in combination, or in a stepwise manner, before, after or simultaneously with the active oxygen use solution.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2009
    Publication date: August 13, 2009
    Applicant: ECOLAB INC.
    Inventors: Paul F. Schacht, Peter J. Fernholz, Nathan D. Peitersen, Joseph P. Curran, Ralf Krack, Mark R. Altier, Gina F. Danielson, Victor F. Man, Joshua P. Magnuson, John W. Bolduc, Keith G. Lascotte, Jeffrey S. Hutchison, Steven E. Lentsch
  • Patent number: 7220358
    Abstract: A method for treating a separation facility is provided according to the invention. The separation facility includes a plurality of membranes for providing separation of a feed product. The method includes steps of providing liquid flow through a plurality of membranes; treating the plurality of membranes with a multiple phase treatment composition comprising a gaseous phase and a liquid phase at a volumetric ratio of the gaseous phase to the liquid phase of at least about 5:1; and providing a liquid flow through the plurality of membranes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2007
    Assignee: Ecolab Inc.
    Inventors: Paul F. Schacht, Amy B. McBroom, Robert D. P. Hei, Richard K. Staub, Ralf Krack, Peter J. Fernholz, Srinivas Somayajula
  • Publication number: 20060116306
    Abstract: The invention relates to acidic cleaning compositions in the form of solid blocks which contain citric acid and one or more acids selected from adipic, succinic and glutaric acid as acidic components and to their production and use.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2003
    Publication date: June 1, 2006
    Inventors: Anja Patien, Dietmar Rossner, Ralf Krack
  • Patent number: 6998049
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for improving the performance of filtration devices by adding P- and/or N-containing compounds to the medium to be filtered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignee: Henkel Ecolab GmbH & Co. OHG
    Inventors: Bernhard Meyer, Ralf Krack, Alfred Laufenberg
  • Publication number: 20050184008
    Abstract: A method for treating a separation facility is provided according to the invention. The separation facility includes a plurality of membranes for providing separation of a feed product. The method includes steps of providing liquid flow through a plurality of membranes; treating the plurality of membranes with a multiple phase treatment composition comprising a gaseous phase and a liquid phase at a volumetric ratio of the gaseous phase to the liquid phase of at least about 5:1; and providing a liquid flow through the plurality of membranes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2004
    Publication date: August 25, 2005
    Inventors: Paul Schacht, Amy McBroom, Robert Hei, Richard Staub, Ralf Krack, Peter Fernholz, Srinivas Somayajula
  • Patent number: 6287347
    Abstract: A method of washing textiles in an institutional washing machine wherein soil-containing wastewater is regenerated through a nanofiltration membrane and recycled to the washing process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2001
    Assignee: Henkel Ecolab GmbH & Co OHG
    Inventors: Ralf Krack, Alfred Laufenberg, Joerg Brockhaus, Christine Schnepf, Thomas Merz, Dietmar Rossner
  • Patent number: 6204231
    Abstract: An aqueous alkaline composition for cleaning equipment used in the food industry wherein the composition contains potassium hydroxide or a mixture of potassium hydroxide and sodium hydroxide and wherein the potassium hydroxide is present in an amount of at least 20% by weight, based on the weight of hydroxide present in the composition. A process for regenerating the cleaning solution is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2001
    Assignee: Henkel Kommandigesellschaft Auf Aktien
    Inventors: Anja Patten, Ralf Krack, Dietmar Rossner
  • Patent number: 5888311
    Abstract: A process for cleaning processing equipment for beverages or foods including the steps of(a) pumping a cleaning solution from its holding tank through the processing equipment in the absence of a pre-rinsing step,(b) collecting a first portion of the cleaning solution returning from the processing equipment into a recycling tank,(c) returning to the holding tank for the cleaning solution the main portion of the cleaning solution flowing through the processing equipment,(d) subjecting the first portion of the cleaning solution collected into the recycling tank to a separation process to provide a soil-rich concentrate and a low soil content regenerate,(e) transferring the regenerate to the holding tank for the cleaning solution, and(f) disposing of the soil-rich concentrate as waste.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 30, 1999
    Assignee: Henkel-Ecolab GmbH & Co. OHG
    Inventors: Alfred Laufenberg, Dietmar Rossner, Ralf Krack