Patents by Inventor Stephen B. Christensen

Stephen B. Christensen 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: 10415004
    Abstract: A solid fabric softening composition is disclosed which includes a quaternary ammonium fabric softening compound which is stabilized to form a solid with a mixture of a water soluble organic salt and a medium to long chain carboxylic acid. This stabilizing combination has been shown to effectively form a solid quaternary ammonium based fabric softening composition with up to as much as 70% by weight of quaternary ammonium compound. The formulations are stable at typical storage temperatures of up to 110° F. and provide fabric softening similar to and even superior to other traditional liquid formulations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: Ecolab USA Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen B. Christensen, Joanna A. Pham, Jessica Bull
  • Publication number: 20180230402
    Abstract: A solid fabric softening composition is disclosed which includes a quaternary ammonium fabric softening compound which is stabilized to form a solid with a mixture of a water soluble organic salt and a medium to long chain carboxylic acid. This stabilizing combination has been shown to effectively form a solid quaternary ammonium based fabric softening composition with up to as much as 70% by weight of quaternary ammonium compound. The formulations are stable at typical storage temperatures of up to 110° F. and provide fabric softening similar to and even superior to other traditional liquid formulations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2018
    Publication date: August 16, 2018
    Inventors: STEPHEN B. CHRISTENSEN, JOANNA A. PHAM, JESSICA BULL
  • Patent number: 9969957
    Abstract: A solid fabric softening composition is disclosed which includes a quaternary ammonium fabric softening compound which is stabilized to form a solid with a mixture of a water soluble organic salt and a medium to long chain carboxylic acid. This stabilizing combination has been shown to effectively form a solid quaternary ammonium based fabric softening composition with up to as much as 70% by weight of quaternary ammonium compound. The formulations are stable at typical storage temperatures of up to 110° F. and provide fabric softening similar to and even superior to other traditional liquid formulations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: Ecolab USA Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen B. Christensen, Joanna A. Pham, Jessica Bull
  • 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: 20160298058
    Abstract: A solid fabric softening composition is disclosed which includes a quaternary ammonium fabric softening compound which is stabilized to form a solid with a mixture of a water soluble organic salt and a medium to long chain carboxylic acid. This stabilizing combination has been shown to effectively form a solid quaternary ammonium based fabric softening composition with up to as much as 70% by weight of quaternary ammonium compound. The formulations are stable at typical storage temperatures of up to 110° F. and provide fabric softening similar to and even superior to other traditional liquid formulations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2016
    Publication date: October 13, 2016
    Inventors: Stephen B. Christensen, Joanna A. Pham, Jessica Bull
  • 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
  • Patent number: 9388366
    Abstract: A solid fabric softening composition is disclosed which includes a quaternary ammonium fabric softening compound which is stabilized to form a solid with a mixture of a water soluble organic salt and a medium to long chain carboxylic acid. This stabilizing combination has been shown to effectively form a solid quaternary ammonium based fabric softening composition with up to as much as 70% by weight of quaternary ammonium compound. The formulations are stable at typical storage temperatures of up to 110° F. and provide fabric softening similar to and even superior to other traditional liquid formulations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: Ecolab USA Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen B. Christensen, Joanna A. Pham, Jessica Bull
  • Patent number: 8759272
    Abstract: The invention relates to methods and compositions for treating non-trans fats, fatty acids and sunscreen stains with a chelating agent. The invention also relates to methods for reducing the frequency of laundry fires with a chelating agent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Ecolab USA Inc.
    Inventors: Victor F. Man, Yvonne M. Killeen, Stephen B. Christensen, Joanna A. Pham, Dawn Lock
  • Publication number: 20140115794
    Abstract: A solid fabric softening composition is disclosed which includes a quaternary ammonium fabric softening compound which is stabilized to form a solid with a mixture of a water soluble organic salt and a medium to long chain carboxylic acid. This stabilizing combination has been shown to effectively form a solid quaternary ammonium based fabric softening composition with up to as much as 70% by weight of quaternary ammonium compound. The formulations are stable at typical storage temperatures of up to 110° F. and provide fabric softening similar to and even superior to other traditional liquid formulations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2014
    Publication date: May 1, 2014
    Applicant: ECOLAB USA INC
    Inventors: Stephen B. Christensen, Joanna A. Pham, Jessica Rose Carlson
  • Patent number: 8673838
    Abstract: A solid fabric softening composition is disclosed which includes a quaternary ammonium fabric softening compound which is stabilized to form a solid with a mixture of a water soluble organic salt and a medium to long chain carboxylic acid. This stabilizing combination has been shown to effectively form a solid quaternary ammonium based fabric softening composition with up to as much as 70% by weight of quaternary ammonium compound. The formulations are stable at typical storage temperatures of up to 110° F. and provide fabric softening similar to and even superior to other traditional liquid formulations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: Ecolab USA Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen B. Christensen, Joanna A. Pham, Jessica Rose Carlson
  • Patent number: 8367601
    Abstract: Disclosed are concentrated liquid rinse cycle fabric softener compositions comprising a quaternary ammonium cation and benzylated alcohol solvent having between 50% to 90% weight active ingredients. Benzyl alcohol is disclosed as a preferred solvent to produce a clear liquid solution formulation rather than emulsion. The concentrated liquid rinse cycle fabric softener compositions of the present invention possess desirable stability, sustainability and fabric-softening properties. Methods of use are further described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Assignee: Ecolab USA Inc.
    Inventors: Jessica Carlson, Stephen B. Christensen, Robert D. P. Hei
  • Patent number: 8361950
    Abstract: The invention relates to methods and compositions for treating non-trans fats, fatty acids and sunscreen stains with a chelating agent. The invention also relates to methods for reducing the frequency of laundry fires with a chelating agent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: Ecolab USA Inc.
    Inventors: Victor F. Man, Yvonne M. Killeen, Stephen B. Christensen, Joanna A. Pham, Dawn Lock
  • Publication number: 20120324652
    Abstract: A solid fabric softening composition is disclosed which includes a quaternary ammonium fabric softening compound which is stabilized to form a solid with a mixture of a water soluble organic salt and a medium to long chain carboxylic acid. This stabilizing combination has been shown to effectively form a solid quaternary ammonium based fabric softening composition with up to as much as 70% by weight of quaternary ammonium compound. The formulations are stable at typical storage temperatures of up to 110° F. and provide fabric softening similar to and even superior to other traditional liquid formulations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2011
    Publication date: December 27, 2012
    Applicant: ECOLAB USA INC.
    Inventors: Stephen B. Christensen, Joanna A. Pham, Jessica Rose Carlson
  • Patent number: 8314057
    Abstract: The invention discloses synergistic combinations of surfactants blends and cleaning composition. In certain embodiments a surfactant system is disclosed which includes extended anionic surfactants, linker surfactants, and a multiply charged cation component. This system forms emulsions with, and can remove greasy and oily stains, even those comprised of non-trans fats. In another embodiment anionic surfactants are combined with a solvent, and amine oxide to remove sunscreen stains. The compositions may be used alone, as a pre-spotter or other pre-treatment or as a part of a soft surface or hard surface cleaning composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2012
    Assignee: Ecolab USA Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen B. Christensen, Joanna A. Pham, Victor Fuk-Pong Man, Michael Charles DeNoma, Yvonne Marie Killeen, Steven Eugene Lentsch, Dawn Lock
  • Publication number: 20120071384
    Abstract: The invention discloses synergistic combinations of surfactants blends and cleaning composition. In certain embodiments a surfactant system is disclosed which includes extended anionic surfactants, linker surfactants, and a multiply charged cation component. This system forms emulsions with, and can remove greasy and oily stains, even those comprised of non-trans fats. In another embodiment anionic surfactants are combined with a solvent, and amine oxide to remove sunscreen stains. The compositions may be used alone, as a pre-spotter or other pre-treatment or as a part of a soft surface or hard surface cleaning composition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2010
    Publication date: March 22, 2012
    Applicant: ECOLAB USA INC.
    Inventors: STEPHEN B. CHRISTENSEN, JOANNA A. PHAM, VICTOR FUK-PONG MAN, MICHAEL CHARLES DeNOMA, YVONNE MARIE KILLEEN, STEVEN EUGENE LENTSCH
  • Publication number: 20110179583
    Abstract: The invention relates to methods and compositions for treating non-trans fats, fatty acids and sunscreen stains with a chelating agent. The invention also relates to methods for reducing the frequency of laundry fires with a chelating agent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2010
    Publication date: July 28, 2011
    Applicant: Ecolab USA Inc.
    Inventors: Victor F. Man, Yvonne M. Killeen, Stephen B. Christensen, Joanna A. Pham
  • Patent number: 5629377
    Abstract: A water-absorbent resin particles that exhibits a centrifuged absorption capacity of 26 g/g or greater, an absorption under load of 24 g/g or greater at 0.6 psi load. Other aspects of the invention are processes for the preparation of such water-absorbent resin particles which comprise the inclusion of chlorine or bromine containing oxidizing agent followed by the heat-treatment to produce particles with superior centrifuged absorption capacity in combination with high absorption under load at high load, and acceptable levels of residuals. These water-absorbent resin particles provide superior performance when incorporated into absorbent structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 13, 1997
    Assignee: The Dow Chemical Company
    Inventors: Josef H. Burgert, Stephen B. Christensen, Herbert A. Gartner, Fredric L. Buchholz, Thomas C. Johnson, Andrew T. Graham
  • Patent number: 5194286
    Abstract: This invention relates to digestively hydrolyzable low calorie edible oil substitutes. These compounds have the organoleptic properties of normal triglycerides fats, but are lower in available calories. Specifically, the invention is directed to a composition of matter. The compositions are in one embodiment amides of dimer acids or trimer acids made from glycinates. The compounds are in part directed to amides based on the amino acid esters of the amino acid glycine. The utility of these compounds is in a low caloric edible oil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 16, 1993
    Assignee: The Dow Chemical Company
    Inventors: Stephen B. Christensen, Attila G. Relenyi, Robert G. LaBarge, Bassam S. Nader
  • Patent number: 4988807
    Abstract: A method of removing undesirable material from water-soluble polysaccharide ethers, such as water-soluble cellulose ethers, via contact of an aqueous solution of the water-soluble polysaccharide ether with an anion exchange resin. Anion exchange resins that are useful in the invention are derived from epoxy resin polymers, acrylic based copolymers or a copolymer of styrene-divinylbenzene. The method significantly reduces the amount of colored bodies in the polysaccharide ether.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 1990
    Date of Patent: January 29, 1991
    Assignee: The Dow Chemical Company
    Inventors: Stephen B. Christensen, Gary J. Schulz, Susan Kling
  • Patent number: 4980191
    Abstract: Reduced calorie food compositions are produced by replacing at least a portion of the fat content of a conventional food with an improved low calorie edible oil substitute that does not have a laxative effect. This substitute is an esterified form of polymerized C.sub.18 unsaturated fatty acids that has the property of being at least partly hydrolyzed by the processes of intestinal digestion into simple alcohols and polybasic acids. These polybasic acids are of sufficient molecular weight that they are substantially not absorbed by the intestine, and are thus non-caloric. Since only the alcohol portion contributes calories, the ester as a whole has reduced caloric availability as compared to triglyceride oils. Additionally, the edible oil substitute of this invention has the property of being altered in physical form by said intestinal digestion from an oil of low viscosity into either an oil of high vicosity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 1989
    Date of Patent: December 25, 1990
    Assignee: The Dow Chemical Company
    Inventor: Stephen B. Christensen