Patents by Inventor Robert D. Hei

Robert D. Hei 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: 10458938
    Abstract: A floor monitoring device monitors the condition of various flooring substrates. The floor monitoring device may traverse a route through an environment and collect data concerning the condition of the floor. The device may also communicate the floor condition data to another computing device. In some examples, the floor monitoring device may analyze the floor condition data and identify any notable floor conditions within the monitored environment. Alternatively or in addition, the computing device may analyze the floor condition data and identify and/or address notable floor conditions within the monitored environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2019
    Assignee: Ecolab USA Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew S. Wold, Robert D. Hei, Catherine F. Hanson, Ryan J. Drake, Ramakrishnan Balsubramanian
  • Publication number: 20140278252
    Abstract: A floor monitoring device monitors the condition of various flooring substrates. The floor monitoring device may traverse a route through an environment and collect data concerning the condition of the floor. The device may also communicate the floor condition data to another computing device. In some examples, the floor monitoring device may analyze the floor condition data and identify any notable floor conditions within the monitored environment. Alternatively or in addition, the computing device may analyze the floor condition data and identify and/or address notable floor conditions within the monitored environment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: Ecolab USA Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew S. Wold, Robert D. Hei, Catherine F. Hanson, Ryan J. Drake, Ramakrishnan Balsubramanian
  • Patent number: 8585829
    Abstract: A cleaning composition includes a fatty acid salt constituting up to about 50% by weight of the composition, an anti-slip agent constituting up to about 20% by weight of the composition, a soil resistant agent constituting up to about 20% by weight of the composition and water. Methods of cleaning coated and uncoated surfaces, and particularly stone surfaces, are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: Ecolab USA Inc.
    Inventors: Minyu Li, Catherine Hanson, Kim R. Smith, Robert D. Hei, Robert Crowley, Traci Gioino, Andrew Steven Wold, Mark D. Levitt
  • Patent number: 8424493
    Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions including peroxyacetic acid and peroxyoctanoic acid and methods for reducing microbial contamination on poultry. The methods include the step of applying a mixed peroxycarboxylic acid composition to poultry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: Ecolab USA Inc.
    Inventors: John D. Hilgren, Timothy A. Gutzmann, Robert D. Hei
  • Publication number: 20120201963
    Abstract: VOC-compliant aqueous polyurethane floor coating compositions and components are provided. Embodiments include at least one organic solvent having a vapor pressure of less than 0.1 mm Hg under ambient conditions and a viscosity of less than 60 cps for at least three hours after being formed. The coating compositions exhibit application characteristics of acrylic floor coatings and durability characteristics of polyurethane floor coatings.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2012
    Publication date: August 9, 2012
    Applicant: Ecolab USA Inc.
    Inventors: Minyu Li, Nathan D. Peitersen, Mark D. Levitt, Lauren K. Carlson, Robert D. Hei, Anita Thomasser, Catherine Hanson, Traci Gioino
  • Patent number: 8206511
    Abstract: A method of cleaning an uncoated surface includes providing a composition having a pH of between about 7 and about 11 and applying the composition to the uncoated surface. The composition includes a fatty acid salt constituting between about 5% and about 40% by weight of the composition, a gloss-enhancing agent constituting between about 0.1% and 20% by weight of the composition, an anti-slip agent constituting between about 0.5% and about 10% by weight of the composition, and water constituting between about 20% and about 94.6% by weight of the composition. The composition can be applied at least three times a week.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2012
    Assignee: Ecolab USA Inc.
    Inventors: Melissa Collazo-Martinez, Minyu Li, Robert D. Hei
  • Publication number: 20120149623
    Abstract: A cleaning composition includes a fatty acid salt constituting up to about 50% by weight of the composition, an anti-slip agent constituting up to about 20% by weight of the composition, a soil resistant agent constituting up to about 20% by weight of the composition and water. Methods of cleaning coated and uncoated surfaces, and particularly stone surfaces, are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 28, 2011
    Publication date: June 14, 2012
    Applicant: Ecolab USA Inc.
    Inventors: Minyu Li, Catherine Hanson, Kim R. Smith, Robert D. Hei, Robert Crowley, Traci Gioino, Andrew Steven Wold, Mark D. Levitt
  • Publication number: 20120107508
    Abstract: VOC-compliant aqueous polyurethane floor coating compositions and components are provided. Embodiments include at least one organic solvent having a vapor pressure of less than 0.1 mm Hg under ambient conditions and a viscosity of less than 60 cps for at least three hours after being formed. The coating compositions exhibit application characteristics of acrylic floor coatings and durability characteristics of polyurethane floor coatings.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2011
    Publication date: May 3, 2012
    Applicant: ECOLAB USA INC.
    Inventors: Minyu Li, Nathan D. Peitersen, Mark D. Levitt, Lauren K. Carlson, Robert D. Hei, Anita Thomasser, Catherine Hanson
  • Publication number: 20110294408
    Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions including peroxyacetic acid and peroxyoctanoic acid and methods for reducing microbial contamination on poultry. The methods include the step of applying a mixed peroxycarboxylic acid composition to poultry.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2011
    Publication date: December 1, 2011
    Applicant: ECOLAB USA INC.
    Inventors: John D. Hilgren, Timothy A. Gutzmann, Robert D. Hei
  • Patent number: 8020520
    Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions including peroxyacetic acid and peroxyoctanoic acid and methods for reducing microbial contamination on poultry. The methods include the step of applying a mixed peroxycarboxylic acid composition to poultry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2011
    Assignee: Ecolab USA Inc.
    Inventors: John D. Hilgren, Timothy A. Gutzmann, Robert D. Hei
  • Patent number: 7951245
    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: January 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Assignee: Ecolab USA Inc.
    Inventors: Mark D. Levitt, Terry J. Klos, Michael E. Besse, Robert D. Hei, Jerry D. Hoyt, Cathleen O'Connor, Victor Fuk-Pong Man
  • Publication number: 20110079246
    Abstract: A method of cleaning an uncoated surface includes providing a composition having a pH of between about 7 and about 11 and applying the composition to the uncoated surface. The composition includes a fatty acid salt constituting between about 5% and about 40% by weight of the composition, a gloss-enhancing agent constituting between about 0.1% and 20% by weight of the composition, an anti-slip agent constituting between about 0.5% and about 10% by weight of the composition, and water constituting between about 20% and about 94.6% by weight of the composition. The composition can be applied at least three times a week.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2009
    Publication date: April 7, 2011
    Applicant: Ecolab Inc.
    Inventors: Melissa Collazo-Martinez, Minyu Li, Robert D. Hei
  • Publication number: 20110027383
    Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions including peroxyacetic acid and peroxyoctanoic acid and methods for reducing microbial contamination on poultry. The methods include the step of applying a mixed peroxycarboxylic acid composition to poultry.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2010
    Publication date: February 3, 2011
    Applicant: ECOLAB USA INC.
    Inventors: John D. Hilgren, Timothy A. Gutzmann, Robert D. Hei
  • Patent number: 7871975
    Abstract: A fabric treatment composition is provided. The fabric treatment composition includes a fabric treatment agent and a carrier component for containing the fabric treatment agent in a solid form during operation conditions in a dryer. The fabric treatment composition is constructed for transferring the composition to wet fabric as a result of solubilizing the fabric treatment composition by contacting the fabric treatment composition with the wet fabric during a drying operation in a dryer. A method for treating fabric is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2011
    Assignee: Ecolab USA Inc.
    Inventors: Monica P. Tindel-Koukal, Robert D. Hei, Steven E. Lentsch, Stephan M. Hubig
  • Publication number: 20100293809
    Abstract: A fabric treatment composition is provided. The fabric treatment composition includes a fabric treatment agent and a carrier component for containing the fabric treatment agent in a solid form during operation conditions in a dryer. The fabric treatment composition is constructed for transferring the composition to wet fabric as a result of solubilizing the fabric treatment composition by contacting the fabric treatment composition with the wet fabric during a drying operation in a dryer. A method for treating fabric is provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2010
    Publication date: November 25, 2010
    Applicant: ECOLAB USA INC.
    Inventors: Monica P. Tindel-Koukal, Robert D. Hei, Steven E. Lentsch, Stephan M. Hubig
  • Patent number: 7832360
    Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions including peroxyacetic acid and peroxyoctanoic acid and methods for reducing microbial contamination on poultry. The methods include the step of applying a mixed peroxycarboxylic acid composition to poultry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: Ecolab USA Inc.
    Inventors: John D. Hilgren, Timothy A. Gutzmann, Robert D. Hei
  • Patent number: 7816555
    Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions of peroxycarboxylic acid that have reduced odor compared to conventional peroxycarboxylic acid compositions, methods employing these reduced-odor compositions, and methods of making these compositions. Typically, the reduced-odor compositions include an amine oxide surfactant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Assignee: Ecolab Inc.
    Inventors: Kim R. Smith, Robert D. Hei
  • Patent number: 7786069
    Abstract: A fabric treatment composition is provided. The fabric treatment composition includes a fabric treatment agent and a carrier component for containing the fabric treatment agent in a solid form during operation conditions in a dryer. The fabric treatment composition is constructed for transferring the composition to wet fabric as a result of solubilizing the fabric treatment composition by contacting the fabric treatment composition with the wet fabric during a drying operation in a dryer. A method for treating fabric is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Assignee: Ecolab Inc.
    Inventors: Monica P. Tindel-Koukal, Robert D. Hei, Steven E. Lentsch, Stephan M. Hubig
  • Patent number: 7727941
    Abstract: The passage of a container along a conveyor is lubricated by applying to the container or conveyor a composition comprising a water-miscible silicone material wherein the composition comprises a stoichiometric amount of an organic acid. The compatibility of the lubricating composition with polyethylene terephthalate is increased because of the presence of a stoichiometric amount of acid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Ecolab Inc.
    Inventors: Eric D. Morrison, Richard D. Johnson, Robert D. Hei
  • Patent number: 7611588
    Abstract: The invention relates to methods and compositions for removing metal oxide soils from surfaces. The compositions include an anionic surfactant and a pH adjuster at an acidic pH. In one embodiment, the invention relates to a method of removing a metal oxide soil from a surface by (1) applying a use composition to the surface, the use composition having a pH adjuster in an amount sufficient to provide a use pH at or below 7, an anionic surfactant in an amount to remove a portion of the metal oxide soil, and a carrier, (2) removing the metal oxide soil from the surface with the use composition, and (3) rinsing the surface to remove the use composition and the metal oxide soil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2009
    Assignee: Ecolab Inc.
    Inventors: Nathan D. Peitersen, Robert D. Hei, Richard K. Staub, Rick O. Ruhr