Patents by Inventor Robert C. Oliver

Robert C. Oliver 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: 7398944
    Abstract: A hands-free towel dispenser for dispensing a measured sheet from a roll of towel material includes a housing having an internal volume so as to retain at least one roll of towel material therein. An electronically powered dispensing mechanism is contained within the housing for dispensing a measured sheet from the roll of towel material upon actuation of the dispensing mechanism. A sensor is contained within the housing to detect an object placed within a detection zone of the sensor. Control circuitry is configured with the sensor and dispensing mechanism to initiate a dispense cycle upon detection of an object by the sensor. The sensor is disposed relative to the housing such that the detection zone is defined substantially below a bottom surface of the housing requiring that an object must be placed at a location below the housing to be detected by the sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2008
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard P. Lewis, Paul F. Tramontina, Geoffrey M. Engelstein, Robert C. Oliver
  • Patent number: 4814869
    Abstract: A video surveillance system is disclosed in which modulated signals from a plurality of video cameras are multiplexed onto a single path capable of carrying for example up to 36 video channels. One or more such communication paths are provided to a signal splitter which provides the paths to one or more video screens and tuners. The tuners are operated under computer control so as to sequence the display of information from the different video cameras. Advantageously, structure is also provided for recording the video display on a VCR when a display includes matters of interest. The computer is also responsive to alarm inputs to display on one or more screens the signals from video cameras in the area adjacent the alarm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 1987
    Date of Patent: March 21, 1989
    Inventor: Robert C. Oliver, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4209585
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for the automatic sampling for microorganisms in a liquid product flowing in a processing line. A stream of the product is directed away from the processing line and automatically injected in sequence into a plurality of microorganism collection devices. The stream is injected into each of the collection devices for a predetermined time interval. The collection devices contain sterile membranes which filter microorganisms out of the stream. Subsequent incubation of the membranes on nutrient media permits growth and detection of microorganism colonies. The detection of microorganism colonies in one of the collection devices permits the isolation of suspect liquid product bottled during the time interval when the collection device filtered microorganisms from the stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 1978
    Date of Patent: June 24, 1980
    Inventors: Harold L. Lloyd, Richard A. Branscombe, Robert C. Oliver