# US 8,541,194 B2 · Detecting micro-organisms in an electrocoating process

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- Number: US 8,541,194 B2
- Document ID: US8541194B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 10/792,937
- Filed: 2004-03-04
- Published: 2004-11-25
- Granted: 2013-09-24
- Earliest claimed: 2003-03-04
- Assignees: Valspar Sourcing, Inc.
- Applicants: Lonnie L. Pillar; Michael J. Bourdeau; Michael A. Contos; Robert A. Sailer
- Inventors: Lonnie L. Pillar; Michael J. Bourdeau; Michael A. Contos; Robert A. Sailer
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8541194B2

## CPC

- C12Q 1/04: Determining presence or kind of microorganism; Use of selective media for testing antibiotics or bacteriocides; Compositions containing a chemical indicator therefor {(C12Q1/6897 takes precedence)}
- C12Q: MEASURING OR TESTING PROCESSES INVOLVING ENZYMES, NUCLEIC ACIDS OR MICROORGANISMS (immunoassay G01N33/53); COMPOSITIONS OR TEST PAPERS THEREFOR; PROCESSES OF PREPARING SUCH COMPOSITIONS; CONDITION-RESPONSIVE CONTROL IN MICROBIOLOGICAL OR ENZYMOLOGICAL PROCESSES

## Abstract

Use of a micro-organism detection device to rapidly evaluate the presence of microorganisms in an electrocoating process.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A method, comprising:
providing a continuous electrocoating operation, wherein the electrocoating operation comprises a plurality of process areas comprising an electrocoat material, wherein the process areas comprise a first process area and at least one other process area, and wherein the at least one process areas is adjacently situated to the first process area;
taking a first sample of electrocoat material from the first process area and determining with a luminometer a level of microorganisms in the first process area, wherein the luminometer measures illumination emitted from ATP in a population of microorganisms in the first sample, and wherein the level of microorganisms in the first sample is determined in less than 1 hour;
taking at least one second sample of electrocoat material from the at least one other process area and determining with a luminometer a level of microorganisms in the at least one other process area, wherein the luminometer measures illumination emitted from ATP in a population of microorganisms in the second sample, and wherein the level of microorganisms in the second sample is determined in less than 1 hour;
comparing the level of microorganisms in the first sample to the level of microorganisms in the second sample(s) until a source of microorganism growth in the electrocoating operation is identified; and
treating the source of microorganism growth,

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The method according to claim 1, wherein the level of microorganisms in the sample is determined in less than 5 minutes.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The method according to claim 1, wherein the samples are obtained from at least one of a liquid stream source within the process area and a surface in the process area.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The method according to claim 1, wherein the samples comprise solid matter having an average density of about 1 g/cm3 to about 4 g/cm3.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The method according to claim 1, wherein the sample comprises less than about 10 wt % solids.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The method according to claim 1, wherein the sample comprises less than about 4 wt % solids.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The method according to claim 1, wherein the sample comprises less than about 2 wt % solids.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The method according to claim 1, wherein the luminometer is integrated with a computer-based monitoring system to communicate at least one output therefrom.