Patents by Inventor Ronald B. Howes
Ronald B. Howes 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: 20200401088Abstract: A controlling and monitoring control application associated with one or more work operations of one or more utility devices is disclosed. The controller is programmed for controlling one or more external work operations associated with one or more utility devices. An I/O board is connected in communication with the primary controller having a module with a plurality of device-specific control applications associated with one or more device-specific work operations. The housing of the controller includes one or more cable access points for plugging a cable into the controller. The cable access points are sealed to prevent water from entering into the housing. A mounting bracket assembly provides flexibility for mounting the controller at various orientations and/or positions. The controller also includes a DC control circuit for controlling backlight luminance over the entire dimming ratio.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 10, 2020Publication date: December 24, 2020Inventors: CHRISTOPHER D. DILLER, LOUIS M. HOLZMAN, RONALD B. HOWES, STEPHEN X. SKAFF, QUANG V. DAO, CHRISTOPHER A. BUCK, BRIAN PHILIP CARLSON, RYAN A. CHERNIK, ARON D. DAHLGREN, WESLEY M. NELSON
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Patent number: 10795324Abstract: A controlling and monitoring control application associated with one or more work operations of one or more utility devices is disclosed. The controller is programmed for controlling one or more external work operations associated with one or more utility devices. An I/O board is connected in communication with the primary controller having a module with a plurality of device-specific control applications associated with one or more device-specific work operations. The housing of the controller includes one or more cable access points for plugging a cable into the controller. The cable access points are sealed to prevent water from entering into the housing. A mounting bracket assembly provides flexibility for mounting the controller at various orientations and/or positions. The controller also includes a DC control circuit for controlling backlight luminance over the entire dimming ratio.Type: GrantFiled: January 7, 2016Date of Patent: October 6, 2020Assignee: Ecolab USA Inc.Inventors: Christopher D. Diller, Louis M. Holzman, Ronald B. Howes, Stephen X. Skaff, Quang Van Dao, Christopher A. Buck
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Publication number: 20160223996Abstract: A controlling and monitoring control application associated with one or more work operations of one or more utility devices is disclosed. The controller is programmed for controlling one or more external work operations associated with one or more utility devices. An I/O board is connected in communication with the primary controller having a module with a plurality of device-specific control applications associated with one or more device-specific work operations. The housing of the controller includes one or more cable access points for plugging a cable into the controller. The cable access points are sealed to prevent water from entering into the housing. A mounting bracket assembly provides flexibility for mounting the controller at various orientations and/or positions. The controller also includes a DC control circuit for controlling backlight luminance over the entire dimming ratio.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 7, 2016Publication date: August 4, 2016Inventors: Christopher D. Diller, Louis M. Holzman, Ronald B. Howes, JR., Stephen X. Skaff, Quang Van Dao, Christopher A. Buck
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Patent number: 9261866Abstract: A controlling and monitoring control application associated with one or more work operations of one or more utility devices is disclosed. The controller is programmed for controlling one or more external work operations associated with one or more utility devices. An I/O board is connected in communication with the primary controller having a module with a plurality of device-specific control applications associated with one or more device-specific work operations. The housing of the controller includes one or more cable access points for plugging a cable into the controller. The cable access points are sealed to prevent water from entering into the housing. A mounting bracket assembly provides flexibility for mounting the controller at various orientations and/or positions. The controller also includes a DC control circuit for controlling backlight luminance over the entire dimming ratio.Type: GrantFiled: May 18, 2012Date of Patent: February 16, 2016Assignee: Ecolab USA Inc.Inventors: Chris D. Diller, Louis M. Holzman, Ronald B. Howes, Jr., Stephen X. Skaff, Quang Van Dao, Christopher A. Buck
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Patent number: 8702015Abstract: A product dispenser (10, 110, 210, 310, 410, 510, 610, 710, 720, 730, 740, 750, 760, 780, 800, 810, 820, 830, 840, 850, and 860) for attachment to a surface such as an inner surface of a dryer releasably attaches a product (31, 131, 431, 531, 713, 733, 743, 753, 763, 787, 804, 815, 825, 834, 844, 854, 862) to the surface.Type: GrantFiled: October 20, 2010Date of Patent: April 22, 2014Assignee: Ecolab USA Inc.Inventors: Gregory G. Griese, John E. Thomas, Jamie W. Lerbs, Steven E. Lentsch, Stephan M. Hubig, Terry J. Klos, Ronald B. Howes, Jr., Eric R. Balz
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Publication number: 20120296447Abstract: A controlling and monitoring control application associated with one or more work operations of one or more utility devices is disclosed. The controller is programmed for controlling one or more external work operations associated with one or more utility devices. An I/O board is connected in communication with the primary controller having a module with a plurality of device-specific control applications associated with one or more device-specific work operations. The housing of the controller includes one or more cable access points for plugging a cable into the controller. The cable access points are sealed to prevent water from entering into the housing. A mounting bracket assembly provides flexibility for mounting the controller at various orientations and/or positions. The controller also includes a DC control circuit for controlling backlight luminance over the entire dimming ratio.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 18, 2012Publication date: November 22, 2012Applicant: ECOLAB USA INC.Inventors: CHRIS D. DILLER, LOUIS M. HOLZMAN, RONALD B. HOWES, JR., STEPHEN X. SKAFF, QUANG VAN DAO, CHRISTOPHER A. BUCK
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Patent number: 8082764Abstract: A system and method is disclosed for indicating satisfactory times for titrating a chemical solution, e.g., cleaning product, used by a utility device to clean and/or sanitize various types of articles. The utility device is described in an exemplary embodiment as being a warewashing machine that applies the chemical solution to articles provided to the machine on racks. The chemical solution is formed in a solution tank from a combination of at least one chemical product and at least one rinse agent. Whereas the chemical product is described as a detergent, the rinse agent is described as water. Over a time period including multiple wash cycles, the chemical product and the rinse agent are added to the solution tank, thereby changing conductivity of the chemical solution.Type: GrantFiled: July 21, 2009Date of Patent: December 27, 2011Assignee: Ecolab Inc.Inventors: Ronald B. Howes, Jr., Robert E. May, David Howland
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Publication number: 20110031330Abstract: A product dispenser (10, 110, 210, 310, 410, 510, 610, 710, 720, 730, 740, 750, 760, 780, 800, 810, 820, 830, 840, 850, and 860) for attachment to a surface such as an inner surface of a dryer releasably attaches a product (31, 131, 431, 531, 713, 733, 743, 753, 763, 787, 804, 815, 825, 834, 844, 854, 862) to the surface.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 20, 2010Publication date: February 10, 2011Inventors: Gregory G. Griese, John E. Thomas, Jamie W. Lerbs, Steven E. Lentsch, Stephan M. Hubig, Terry J. Klos, Ronald B. Howes, JR., Eric R. Balz
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Patent number: 7874501Abstract: A product dispenser (10, 110, 210, 310, 410, 510, 610, 710, 720, 730, 740, 750, 760, 780, 800, 810, 820, 830, 840, 850, and 860) for attachment to a surface such as an inner surface of a dryer releasably attaches a product (31, 131, 431, 531, 713, 733, 743, 753, 763, 787, 804, 815, 825, 834, 844, 854, 862) to the surface.Type: GrantFiled: December 17, 2007Date of Patent: January 25, 2011Assignee: Ecolab USA Inc.Inventors: Gregory G. Griese, John E. Thomas, Jamie W. Lerbs, Steven E. Lentsch, Stephan M. Hubig, Terry J. Klos, Ronald B. Howes, Jr., Eric R. Balz
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Publication number: 20090001192Abstract: A product dispenser (10, 110, 210, 310, 410, 510, 610, 710, 720, 730, 740, 750, 760, 780, 800, 810, 820, 830, 840, 850, and 860) for attachment to a surface such as an inner surface of a dryer releasably attaches a product (31, 131, 431, 531, 713, 733, 743, 753, 763, 787, 804, 815, 825, 834, 844, 854, 862) to the surface.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 17, 2007Publication date: January 1, 2009Inventors: Gregory G. Griese, John E. Thomas, Jamie W. Lerbs, Steven E. Lentsch, Stephan M. Hubig, Terry J. Klos, Ronald B. Howes, JR., Eric R. Balz
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Patent number: 6910640Abstract: A product dispenser (10, 110, 210, 310, 410, 510, 610, 710, 720, 730, 740, 750, 760, 780, 800, 810, 820, 830, 840, 850, and 860) for attachment to a surface such as an inner surface of a dryer releasably attaches a product (31, 131, 431, 531, 713, 733, 743, 753, 763, 787, 804, 815, 825, 834, 844, 854, 862) to the surface.Type: GrantFiled: September 4, 2003Date of Patent: June 28, 2005Assignee: Ecolab Inc.Inventors: Gregory G. Griese, Eric R. Balz, Steven E. Lentsch, Stephan M. Hubig, John E. Thomas, Terry J. Klos, Ronald B. Howes, Jr.
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Publication number: 20040089731Abstract: A product dispenser (10, 110, 210, 310, 410, 510, 610, 710, 720, 730, 740, 750, 760, 780, 800, 810, 820, 830, 840, 850, and 860) for attachment to a surface such as an inner surface of a dryer releasably attaches a product (31, 131, 431, 531, 713, 733, 743, 753, 763, 787, 804, 815, 825, 834, 844, 854, 862) to the surface.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 4, 2003Publication date: May 13, 2004Inventors: Gregory G. Griese, Eric R. Balz, Steven E. Lentsch, Stephan M. Hubig, John E. Thomas, Terry J. Klos, Ronald B. Howes
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Patent number: 6707873Abstract: A device which measures individual employee usage of a liquid product or hand soap dispenser as part of an overall hygiene compliance program. The dispenser consists of a self-contained keypad/display module which is attached to a standard hand soap dispenser. An employee enters a unique personal ID code and then activates the dispenser. The dispenser counts all inputs to the dispenser in order to generate meaningful data for management. Alternatively, the dispenser may only track and report total usage and not account for individual employee usage.Type: GrantFiled: June 5, 2002Date of Patent: March 16, 2004Assignee: Ecolab Inc.Inventors: Luke P. Thompson, James L. Copeland, Ronald B. Howes, Jr.
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Publication number: 20020150198Abstract: A device which measures individual employee usage of a liquid product or hand soap dispenser as part of an overall hygiene compliance program. The dispenser consists of a self-contained keypad/display module which is attached to a standard hand soap dispenser. An employee enters a unique personal ID code and then activates the dispenser. The dispenser counts all inputs to the dispenser in order to generate meaningful data for management. Alternatively, the dispenser may only track and report total usage and not account for individual employee usage.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 5, 2002Publication date: October 17, 2002Applicant: Ecolab Inc.Inventors: Luke P. Thompson, James L. Copeland, Ronald B. Howes
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Patent number: 6404837Abstract: A device which measures individual employee usage of a liquid product or hand soap dispenser as part of an overall hygiene compliance program. The dispenser consists of a self-contained keypad/display module which is attached to a standard hand soap dispenser. An employee enters a unique personal ID code and then activates the dispenser. The dispenser counts all inputs to the dispenser in order to generate meaningful data for management. Alternatively, the dispenser may only track and report total usage and not account for individual employee usage.Type: GrantFiled: June 11, 1998Date of Patent: June 11, 2002Assignee: Ecolab, Inc.Inventors: Luke P. Thompson, James L. Copeland, Ronald B. Howes, Jr.
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Patent number: 5588763Abstract: A magnetically encoded plastic card production system is provided which includes a supply mechanism for supplying a series of blank plastic cards. An encoder is operatively coupled to the supply mechanism which encodes a magnetic strip on each card. A separating mechanism is operatively coupled following the encoder which has a roller surface for adhesively attracting loose particles from a surface of each card. A design placing mechanism is operatively coupled immediately following the separating mechanism which places a graphic design on each card. In this arrangement, the loose particles are separated from each card subsequent to encoding the magnetic strip on each card and prior to placing the graphic design on each card. A collecting mechanism is operatively coupled to the design placing mechanism which collects each card after each card has passed through the encoder, separating mechanism, and design placing mechanism. A method for producing magnetically encoded plastic cards is also provided.Type: GrantFiled: October 18, 1994Date of Patent: December 31, 1996Assignee: Datacard CorporationInventors: Richard C. Nubson, Glenn R. Carney, Luc DeBleeckere, Ronald B. Howes, Milo B. Squires, David E. Wickstrom, Dennis J. Warwick, Benjamin H. Sannel, Gretchen J. Moeller, Paul R. Caron, Harold D. Schofield
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Patent number: 5453821Abstract: A method and apparatus for a two-pulse solenoid embossing system implementing an amplitude feedback circuit, i.e., current monitor (48), to provide precise amplitude and timing control over two current pulses (4, 5), and thereby provide precision control over the position and velocity of the embossing system's print elements (64a, 64b). To maintain the current amplitude during the second current pulse (5), the method and apparatus alternatively switches the power on and off to the solenoid coils (55) with a frequency such that a substantially constant current amplitude is maintained in the solenoid coils (55). The embossing system provides an improved solenoid body assembly (61) including a first stack of steel laminations (93), a center block (82) and a second stack of steel laminations (81). A plunger (62) is slidably connected to the solenoid body assembly (61) by shaft (63). Cavities (79) receive dowel pins (71) which are attached to plunger (62).Type: GrantFiled: December 10, 1992Date of Patent: September 26, 1995Assignee: DataCard CorporationInventors: Ronald B. Howes, Jr., Thomas R. Emmons, Dennis J. Warwick
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Patent number: 5401111Abstract: An apparatus and method are described for removing particulate matter from one or more surfaces of a workpiece, such as a credit card blank, prior to printing a graphic design thereon. The apparatus includes a pair of cleaning rollers which engage both sides of the card, the cleaning rollers having an adhesive coating for removing loose particulate matter from the surfaces of the card. The apparatus also includes a stripper system for stripping collected particulate matter away from the cleaning rollers after a predetermined number of cards have been cleaned.Type: GrantFiled: February 17, 1993Date of Patent: March 28, 1995Assignee: DataCard CorporationInventors: Richard C. Nubson, Glenn R. Carney, Luc DeBleeckere, Ronald B. Howes, Milo B. Squires, David E. Wickstrom, Dennis J. Warwick, Benjamin H. Sannel, Gretchen J. Moeller, Paul R. Caron, Harold D. Schofield
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Patent number: 5320435Abstract: An apparatus for embossing sheet material by applying pressure to punch and die members positioned on both sides of the sheet material using force developed by one or more solenoids to force the punch and die members together to apply an imprinting force. In order to reduce the impact force, noise and wear on the mechanical parts, the solenoid may be energized in two separate steps, the first to move the punch and die members into contact with the surface of the card and the second to apply the embossing force to the punch and die members. Both rotary and linear solenoids may be used with differing coupling linkages in various embodiments of the embossing mechanism.Type: GrantFiled: September 22, 1992Date of Patent: June 14, 1994Assignee: DataCard CorporationInventors: Dennis J. Warwick, Ronald B. Howes, Jr.
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Patent number: 5204802Abstract: A method and apparatus for a two-pulse solenoid embossing system implementing an amplitude feedback circuit, i.e., current monitor (48), to provide precise amplitude and timing control over two current pulses (4, 5), and thereby provide precision control over the position and velocity of the embossing system's print elements (64a, 64b). To maintain the current amplitude during the second current pulse (5), the method and apparatus alternatively switches the power on and off to the solenoid coils (55) with a frequency such that a substantially constant current amplitude is maintained in the solenoid coils (55). The embossing system provides an improved solenoid body assembly (61) including a first stack of steel laminations (93), a center block (82) and a second stack of steel laminations (81). A plunger (62) is slidably connected to the solenoid body assembly (61) by shaft (63). Cavities (79) receive dowel pins (71) which are attached to plunger (62).Type: GrantFiled: August 19, 1991Date of Patent: April 20, 1993Assignee: DataCard CorporationInventors: Ronald B. Howes, Jr., Thomas R. Emmons, Dennis J. Warwick