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).
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Patent number: 8387777Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: October 6, 2009Date of Patent: March 5, 2013Assignee: Ecolab USA Inc.Inventors: Eugene Tokhtuev, Christopher Owen, William M. Christensen, Anatoly Skirda, Viktor Slobodyan, Richard O. Ruhr, Paul R. Kraus, Mark Lorenz
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Publication number: 20090288683Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: May 21, 2008Publication date: November 26, 2009Applicant: ECOLAB INC.Inventors: Walter D. Cummings, Robert J. Ryther, Richard O. Ruhr, Anthony W. Erickson, Peter J. Fernholz
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Patent number: 7041177Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: August 16, 2002Date of Patent: May 9, 2006Assignee: Ecolab Inc.Inventors: Richard O. Ruhr, Nathan Daniel Peitersen, Gerald Kurt Wichmann, Joseph I. Kravitz
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Patent number: 6812194Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 28, 2001Date of Patent: November 2, 2004Assignee: Ecolab, Inc.Inventors: Richard O. Ruhr, Mark D. Levitt, Edward H. Richardson, Victor F. Man
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Publication number: 20040167044Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: February 18, 2004Publication date: August 26, 2004Applicant: Ecolab Inc.Inventors: Richard O. Ruhr, Gerald Wichmann, Megan Malvey, Richard D. Johnson, David Halsrud
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Patent number: 6696394Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: November 14, 2002Date of Patent: February 24, 2004Assignee: Ecolab Inc.Inventors: Richard O. Ruhr, Gerald Wichman, Cathy Paquette, Tim Gutzman
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Patent number: 6686325Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 15, 2002Date of Patent: February 3, 2004Assignee: Ecolab Inc.Inventors: Jerry D. Hoyt, Michael E. Besse, Terry J. Klos, Mark Levitt, Richard O. Ruhr
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Patent number: 6630434Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 21, 2001Date of Patent: October 7, 2003Assignee: Ecolab Inc.Inventors: Michael E. Besse, Richard O. Ruhr, Gerald K. Wichmann, Timothy A. Gutzmann
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Publication number: 20030176305Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: March 15, 2002Publication date: September 18, 2003Inventors: Jerry D. Hoyt, Michael E. Besse, Terry J. Klos, Mark Levitt, Richard O. Ruhr
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Publication number: 20030109394Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: September 28, 2001Publication date: June 12, 2003Applicant: Ecolab, Inc.Inventors: Richard O. Ruhr, Mark D. Levitt, Edward H. Richardson, Victor F. Man
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Patent number: 6537960Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: August 27, 2001Date of Patent: March 25, 2003Assignee: Ecolab Inc.Inventors: Richard O. Ruhr, Nathan D. Peitersen
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Publication number: 20030015219Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: April 20, 2001Publication date: January 23, 2003Inventors: Joseph I. Kravitz, Richard O. Ruhr, Andrew T. Gioino
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Publication number: 20020082178Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: May 21, 2001Publication date: June 27, 2002Applicant: Ecolab Inc.Inventors: Michael E. Besse, Richard O. Ruhr, Gerald K. Wichmann, Timothy A. Gutzmann
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Patent number: 6268324Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: January 6, 1995Date of Patent: July 31, 2001Assignee: Ecolab Inc.Inventors: Michael E. Besse, Richard O. Ruhr, Gerald K. Wichmann, Timothy A. Gutzmann
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Patent number: 6218349Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 17, 2000Date of Patent: April 17, 2001Assignee: Ecolab, Inc.Inventors: Joseph I. Kravitz, Richard O. Ruhr, Michael E. Besse
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Patent number: 5203366Abstract: A modular apparatus (10) for preparing dilute chemical compositions at the point of use, e.g., a customer's plant, is disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: February 5, 1992Date of Patent: April 20, 1993Assignee: Ecolab Inc.Inventors: Stephen J. Czeck, Douglas S. Hoerning, Richard J. Mehus, Timothy A. Gutzmann, Richard O. Ruhr