Patents by Inventor Richard O. Ruhr

Richard O. Ruhr 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: 8387777
    Abstract: At least one single link of a conveyor chain is configured to support a tension load cell. A main body portion of the link includes a central cavity sized to contain the load cell, which has been inserted therein through an opening of the main body portion, and at least one auxiliary cavity to contain at least one battery cell and circuitry. A cap portion of the link closes off the opening into the cavity to enclose the load cell therein. One or both of the main body and cap portions may include a bore to receive a fastener for attaching to an end of the inserted load cell, and both portions include a bore oriented to receive a pin of a mating dual link of the conveyor chain. The cap portion may also include anti-rotation surfaces to mate with one or both of: the load cell and the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: Ecolab USA Inc.
    Inventors: Eugene Tokhtuev, Christopher Owen, William M. Christensen, Anatoly Skirda, Viktor Slobodyan, Richard O. Ruhr, Paul R. Kraus, Mark Lorenz
  • Publication number: 20090288683
    Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions and methods for removing soils, e.g., thermally degraded food soils, from surfaces. The cleaning compositions of the present invention can be activated using heat and/or an activator complex to generate oxygen gas in situ on and in the soil to be removed. Surfaces suitable for cleaning using the compositions and methods of the present invention include any surface that can be heated during use and/or cleaning, e.g., smokers, ovens, fryers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2008
    Publication date: November 26, 2009
    Applicant: ECOLAB INC.
    Inventors: Walter D. Cummings, Robert J. Ryther, Richard O. Ruhr, Anthony W. Erickson, Peter J. Fernholz
  • Patent number: 7041177
    Abstract: A method of removing soil an article including the steps of immersing said article in an alkaline composition having a concentration of at least one source of alkalinity about 0.25% or higher, dehydrating the soil and rehydrating the soil at a pH which is neutral. The method is particularly useful for removing proteinaceous soil from processing equipment for dairy products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2006
    Assignee: Ecolab Inc.
    Inventors: Richard O. Ruhr, Nathan Daniel Peitersen, Gerald Kurt Wichmann, Joseph I. Kravitz
  • Patent number: 6812194
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to cleaning compositions for metal surfaces, including both concentrates and ready-to-use solutions. These compositions include a source of calcium ion, a source of alkalinity, a chelating agent, and a surfactant. In some embodiments, a water-soluble or water-dispersible acid-substituted polymer is also included. Additionally, in some embodiments, specific surfactants or chelating agents are used to enhance the performance of the composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2004
    Assignee: Ecolab, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard O. Ruhr, Mark D. Levitt, Edward H. Richardson, Victor F. Man
  • Publication number: 20040167044
    Abstract: A lubricant concentrate comprising an effective lubricating amount of at least one ether carboxylate and at least one foam destabilizer, and methods of using the same. The lubricant concentrate may be diluted with water prior to use.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2004
    Publication date: August 26, 2004
    Applicant: Ecolab Inc.
    Inventors: Richard O. Ruhr, Gerald Wichmann, Megan Malvey, Richard D. Johnson, David Halsrud
  • Patent number: 6696394
    Abstract: A lubricant concentrate comprising an effective lubricating amount of at least one sulfo methyl ester, and methods of using the same. The lubricant concentrate may diluted with water prior to use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2004
    Assignee: Ecolab Inc.
    Inventors: Richard O. Ruhr, Gerald Wichman, Cathy Paquette, Tim Gutzman
  • Patent number: 6686325
    Abstract: An alkaline sensitive metal cleaning composition is provided. The alkaline sensitive metal cleaning composition contains an alkaline concentrate and a corrosion inhibitor concentrate. The alkaline concentrate includes a source of alkalinity in an amount sufficient to provide a use solution having a pH of at least 10.0, and a first chelant component that exhibits soil removal properties when used at a pH of at least 10.0. The corrosion inhibitor concentrate includes a corrosion inhibitor component for reducing corrosion of alkaline sensitive metals when used in a use solution having a pH of at least 10.0, a second chelant component for stabilizing the corrosion inhibitor in the corrosion inhibitor concentrate when the corrosion inhibitor concentrate is provided at a pH that is less than 8.0, and a surfactant component for providing cleaning properties when used at a pH of at least 10.0.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2004
    Assignee: Ecolab Inc.
    Inventors: Jerry D. Hoyt, Michael E. Besse, Terry J. Klos, Mark Levitt, Richard O. Ruhr
  • Patent number: 6630434
    Abstract: A low viscosity aqueous cleaning composition provides increasing viscosity upon dilution which provides a high viscosity diluted cleaning composition having solvents compatible with the rod micelle thickener and the cleaning system that clings for an extended period of time in a thickened form containing cleaning system ingredients that can penetrate and remove hard baked-on soils on vertical surfaces in cleaning units. The composition contains active cleaning ingredients (acid, alkaline and enzyme) that, in combination with thickening systems, provide the useful properties. The thickened materials can be applied on cold or hot surfaces and can successfully penetrate, soften and remove baked-on food soil on a variety of surfaces including oven walls, doors and grills, baking dishes, utensils, etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2003
    Assignee: Ecolab Inc.
    Inventors: Michael E. Besse, Richard O. Ruhr, Gerald K. Wichmann, Timothy A. Gutzmann
  • Publication number: 20030176305
    Abstract: An alkaline sensitive metal cleaning composition is provided. The alkaline sensitive metal cleaning composition contains an alkaline concentrate and a corrosion inhibitor concentrate. The alkaline concentrate includes a source of alkalinity in an amount sufficient to provide a use solution having a pH of at least 10.0, and a first chelant component that exhibits soil removal properties when used at a pH of at least 10.0. The corrosion inhibitor concentrate includes a corrosion inhibitor component for reducing corrosion of alkaline sensitive metals when used in a use solution having a pH of at least 10.0, a second chelant component for stabilizing the corrosion inhibitor in the corrosion inhibitor concentrate when the corrosion inhibitor concentrate is provided at a pH that is less than 8.0, and a surfactant component for providing cleaning properties when used at a pH of at least 10.0.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2002
    Publication date: September 18, 2003
    Inventors: Jerry D. Hoyt, Michael E. Besse, Terry J. Klos, Mark Levitt, Richard O. Ruhr
  • Publication number: 20030109394
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to cleaning compositions for metal surfaces, including both concentrates and ready-to-use solutions. These compositions include a source of calcium ion, a source of alkalinity, a chelating agent, and a surfactant. In some embodiments, a water-soluble or water-dispersible acid-substituted polymer is also included. Additionally, in some embodiments, specific surfactants or chelating agents are used to enhance the performance of the composition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2001
    Publication date: June 12, 2003
    Applicant: Ecolab, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard O. Ruhr, Mark D. Levitt, Edward H. Richardson, Victor F. Man
  • Patent number: 6537960
    Abstract: A low foaming surfactant blend for use in highly alkaline conditions including at least one C3 to C10 alkyl polyglucoside, at least one amine oxide, at least one polycarboxylated alcohol alkoxylate, and at least one alcohol alkoxylate. The blend may combined with other optional ingredients including a source of alkalinity, water conditioning agents, a source of chlorine, silicates, solvents, high foam amine oxides, other surfactants, and so forth to form a cleaning concentrate. The concentrate may be diluted to use solutions with water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Assignee: Ecolab Inc.
    Inventors: Richard O. Ruhr, Nathan D. Peitersen
  • Publication number: 20030015219
    Abstract: A method for removing gross soils from a substrate during a multi-step cleaning process comprising the step of flushing the substrate with a pre-rinse solution prior to application of a cleaning solution and/or second rinse solution. The pre-rinse solution comprises water and a partially neutralized anionic polymer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2001
    Publication date: January 23, 2003
    Inventors: Joseph I. Kravitz, Richard O. Ruhr, Andrew T. Gioino
  • Publication number: 20020082178
    Abstract: A low viscosity aqueous cleaning composition provides increasing viscosity upon dilution which provides a high viscosity diluted cleaning composition having solvents compatible with the rod micelle thickener and the cleaning system that clings for an extended period of time in a thickened form containing cleaning system ingredients that can penetrate and remove hard baked-on soils on vertical surfaces in cleaning units. The composition contains active cleaning ingredients (acid, alkaline and enzyme) that, in combination with thickening systems, provide the useful properties. The thickened materials can be applied on cold or hot surfaces and can successfully penetrate, soften and remove baked-on food soil on a variety of surfaces including oven walls, doors and grills, baking dishes, utensils, etc.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2001
    Publication date: June 27, 2002
    Applicant: Ecolab Inc.
    Inventors: Michael E. Besse, Richard O. Ruhr, Gerald K. Wichmann, Timothy A. Gutzmann
  • Patent number: 6268324
    Abstract: A low viscosity aqueous cleaning composition provides increasing viscosity upon dilution which provides a high viscosity diluted cleaning composition having solvents compatible with the rod micelle thickener and the cleaning system that clings for an extended period of time in a thickened form containing cleaning system ingredients that can penetrate and remove hard baked-on soils on vertical surfaces in cleaning units. The composition contains active cleaning ingredients (acid, alkaline and enzyme) that, in combination with thickening systems, provide the useful properties. The thickened materials can be applied on cold or hot surfaces and can successfully penetrate, soften and remove baked-on food soil on a variety of surfaces including oven walls, doors and grills, baking dishes, utensils, etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2001
    Assignee: Ecolab Inc.
    Inventors: Michael E. Besse, Richard O. Ruhr, Gerald K. Wichmann, Timothy A. Gutzmann
  • Patent number: 6218349
    Abstract: The present invention provides for a composition suitable for removing proteinaceous material comprising water, an emulsifier, a chelating agent, one or more mineral acids, and a surfactant; wherein: the emulsifier is a polyether nonionic emulsifier or an amine oxide; the chelating agent is an alkylaminophosphonic acid, a hydroxyalkylphosphonic acid, or an alkylphosphonic acid carboxylic acid; the one or more mineral acids are present in an mount such that the pH of the composition is less than about 4.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2001
    Assignee: Ecolab, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph I. Kravitz, Richard O. Ruhr, Michael E. Besse
  • Patent number: 5203366
    Abstract: A modular apparatus (10) for preparing dilute chemical compositions at the point of use, e.g., a customer's plant, is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 1992
    Date of Patent: April 20, 1993
    Assignee: Ecolab Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen J. Czeck, Douglas S. Hoerning, Richard J. Mehus, Timothy A. Gutzmann, Richard O. Ruhr