Patents by Inventor Cleary E. Mahaffey

Cleary E. Mahaffey 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).

  • Publication number: 20180310780
    Abstract: Methods, systems and apparatus for determining product use by acoustically sensing actuations of product dispensers to determine how much product remains, and, optionally, alert a provider when low product states exist.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2015
    Publication date: November 1, 2018
    Inventors: Cleary E. Mahaffey, Stephen Becker
  • Patent number: 8016155
    Abstract: A dispenser is disclosed which is capable of dispensing articles from two locations. The dispenser includes first and second members pivotally connected together by a first hinge to form a first entrance into the dispenser. The first and second members are capable of housing a plurality of wet or dry, sheet-like articles. The first entrance provides reach-in access wherein multiple sheet-like articles can be withdrawn at one time. The second member also has a second entrance formed therein from which the sheet-like articles can be individually withdrawn. The dispenser further includes a third member secured to the first member by a hinge that is coaxially aligned with the first hinge. The third member is capable of pivoting on its hinge to cover the second entrance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Vincent Decker, Christopher Michael Bechyne, Stephen Robert Kehn, Cleary E. Mahaffey, Herb Flores Velazquez, John Martin Wydeven
  • Patent number: 7275658
    Abstract: A dispenser is disclosed which is capable of dispensing articles from two locations. The dispenser includes first and second members pivotally connected together by a first hinge to form a first entrance into the dispenser. The first and second members are capable of housing a plurality of wet or dry, sheet-like articles. The first entrance provides reach-in access wherein multiple sheet-like articles can be withdrawn at one time. The second member also has a second entrance formed therein from which the sheet-like articles can be individually withdrawn. The dispenser further includes a third member secured to the first member by a hinge that is coaxially aligned with the first hinge. The third member is capable of pivoting on its hinge to cover the second entrance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2007
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Vincent Decker, Christopher Michael Bechyne, Stephen Robert Kehn, Cleary E. Mahaffey, Herb Flores Velazquez, John Martin Wydeven
  • Patent number: 7232040
    Abstract: A dispenser is disclosed which is capable of dispensing articles from two locations. The dispenser includes first and second members pivotally connected together by a first hinge to form a first entrance into the dispenser. The first and second members are capable of housing a plurality of wet or dry, sheet-like articles. The first entrance provides reach-in access wherein multiple sheet-like articles can be withdrawn at one time. The second member also has a second entrance formed therein from which the sheet-like articles can be individually withdrawn. The dispenser further includes a third member secured to the second member at a first location and has a second hinge spaced apart from the first location. The first and second hinges are situated on opposite sides of the dispenser. The third member is capable of pivoting on the second hinge to cover the second entrance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2007
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Vincent Decker, Stephen Robert Kehn, Cleary E. Mahaffey, Herb Flores Velazquez, John Martin Wydeven
  • Patent number: 7073684
    Abstract: A dispenser is disclosed which can house a plurality of folded wet wipes, each having a width. The dispenser includes first and second members pivotally connected together to form an enclosed dispenser having a transverse axis. The first and second members are formed from a semi-rigid material. The dispenser has a height of about 2.5 inches or less and has a top wall with an entrance formed therein. The entrance has a surface area of from between about 15 cm2 to about 95 cm2. The folded wet wipes having a normalized separation force between two adjacent sheets of less than about 65 g/cm. The entrance also has a dimension measured along the transverse axis that when divided by the width of one of the folded wet wipes is at least about 0.7.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2006
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Wordwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Vincent Decker, Christopher Michael Bechyne, Stephen Robert Kehn, Cleary E. Mahaffey, Herb Flores Velazquez, John Martin Wydeven, Yung Hsiang Huang
  • Patent number: 7066355
    Abstract: A self contained viscous liquid dispenser with a foaming pump mechanism includes a housing defining an internal liquid reservoir. A foaming pump mechanism is configured with the housing and includes a horizontally disposed pump chamber fitted through an opening in the housing to extend into the reservoir. A pump cylinder is slidably disposed and retained in the chamber. Actuation of the pump cylinder results in a liquid/air mixture within the pump chamber being pressurized and dispensed from the chamber as a foam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2006
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard P. Lewis, Victor S. Shoaf, Cleary E. Mahaffey
  • Patent number: 6729502
    Abstract: A self-contained viscous liquid dispenser includes a housing defining an internal liquid reservoir, and an opening defined through a front surface of the housing. An insert member is fitted through the opening, extends into the reservoir, and defines an internal pump chamber having a back end open to the reservoir and a front end open to the outside of the housing. A pump cylinder is slidably disposed and retained in the chamber. The pump cylinder is movable within the pump chamber from a rest position to a pressurizing position to pressurize and dispense liquid within the pump chamber through a delivery channel and out a dispensing orifice in the pump cylinder. The pump cylinder may be a multiple component device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2004
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard P. Lewis, Cleary E. Mahaffey, Pamela J. Mayberry, Paul F. Tramontina, David J. Powling, Mark A. Bennett, Randall M. Bachtel
  • Patent number: 6648179
    Abstract: A viscous liquid dispenser includes a housing that defines an internal liquid reservoir. A dispensing pump mechanism is disposed in communication with the reservoir and has a delivery end extending from the housing for manual operation by a user. A mounting mechanism is configured as an integral component of the housing and provides the dispenser with the ability to be detachably connected to complimentary mounting structure on a wall surface. The configuration of the dispenser allows for a significantly increased capacity (volume) without a corresponding increase in the weight of the dispenser materials as compared to conventional dispensers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2003
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard P. Lewis, Cleary E. Mahaffey, Pamela J. Mayberry, Paul F. Tramontina, David J. Powling, Mark A. Bennett, Randall M. Bachtel
  • Patent number: 6575334
    Abstract: A viscous liquid dispenser includes a housing that defines an internal liquid reservoir. A dispensing pump mechanism is disposed in communication with the reservoir and has a delivery end extending from the housing for manual operation by a user. A mounting mechanism is configured as an integral component of the housing and provides the dispenser with the ability to be detachably connected to complimentary mounting structure on a wall surface. The configuration of the dispenser allows for a significantly increased capacity (volume) without a corresponding increase in the weight of the dispenser materials as compared to conventional dispensers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2003
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard P. Lewis, Cleary E. Mahaffey, Pamela J. Mayberry, Paul F. Tramontina, David J. Powling, Mark A. Bennett, Randall M. Bachtel
  • Patent number: 6575335
    Abstract: A viscous liquid dispenser includes a housing that defines an internal liquid reservoir. A dispensing pump mechanism is disposed in communication with the reservoir and has a delivery end extending from the housing for manual operation by a user. A mounting mechanism is configured as an integral component of the housing and provides the dispenser with the ability to be detachably connected to complimentary mounting structure on a wall surface. The configuration of the dispenser allows for a significantly increased capacity (volume) without a corresponding increase in the weight of the dispenser materials as compared to conventional dispensers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2003
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark WorldWide, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard P. Lewis, Cleary E. Mahaffey, Pamela J. Mayberry, Paul F. Tramontina, David J. Powling, Mark A. Bennett, Randall M. Bachtel
  • Patent number: 6543651
    Abstract: A viscous liquid dispenser includes a housing that defines an internal liquid reservoir. A dispensing pump mechanism is disposed at least partially within the reservoir and has a delivery end extending out of the reservoir. A mounting mechanism is configured as an integral component of the housing and provides the dispenser with the ability to be detachable connected to complimentary mounting structure on a wall surface. A unique dispensing pump mechanism is also provided for use with any manner of viscous liquid dispenser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2003
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard P. Lewis, Cleary E. Mahaffey, Pamela J. Mayberry, Paul F. Tramontina, David J. Powling, Mark A. Bennett, Randall M. Bachtel
  • Patent number: 6533145
    Abstract: A viscous liquid dispenser includes a housing that defines an internal liquid reservoir. A dispensing pump mechanism is disposed in communication with the reservoir and has a delivery end extending from the housing for manual operation by a user. A mounting mechanism is configured as an integral component of the housing and provides the dispenser with the ability to be detachably connected to complimentary mounting structure on a wall surface. A unique vent is disposed in the top wall of the housing to vent the reservoir upon actuation of the pump mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2003
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard P. Lewis, Cleary E. Mahaffey, Pamela J. Mayberry, Paul F. Tramontina, David J. Powling, Mark A. Bennett, Randall M. Bachtel
  • Patent number: 6516976
    Abstract: A dispenser for dispensing metered amounts of a viscous liquid includes a liquid reservoir and a pump chamber having an opening in communication with the reservoir. A dispensing orifice is defined in the pump chamber. A pump mechanism is configured with the pump chamber and is movable from a rest to a pressurizing position upon actuation thereof to pressurize liquid within the pump chamber. A check valve mechanism is disposed in the opening. A restriction device is disposed in the dispensing orifice and maintains a closed configuration to prevent leakage of liquid from the dispensing orifice. The restriction device opens upon sufficient liquid pressure build-up within the pump chamber upon actuation of the pump mechanism. The restriction device also may vent the pump chamber upon release of the pump mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2003
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard P. Lewis, Cleary E. Mahaffey
  • Publication number: 20020084288
    Abstract: A viscous liquid dispenser includes a housing that defines an internal liquid reservoir. A dispensing pump mechanism is disposed in communication with the reservoir and has a delivery end extending from the housing for manual operation by a user. A mounting mechanism is configured as an integral component of the housing and provides the dispenser with the ability to be detachably connected to complimentary mounting structure on a wall surface. The configuration of the dispenser allows for a significantly increased capacity (volume) without a corresponding increase in the weight of the dispenser materials as compared to conventional dispensers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2001
    Publication date: July 4, 2002
    Applicant: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard P. Lewis, Cleary E. Mahaffey, Pamela J. Mayberry, Paul F. Tramontina, David J. Powling, Mark A. Bennett, Randall M. Bachtel
  • Publication number: 20020084286
    Abstract: A viscous liquid dispenser includes a housing that defines an internal liquid reservoir. A dispensing pump mechanism is disposed in communication with the reservoir and has a delivery end extending from the housing for manual operation by a user. A mounting mechanism is configured as an integral component of the housing and provides the dispenser with the ability to be detachably connected to complimentary mounting structure on a wall surface. The configuration of the dispenser allows for a significantly increased capacity (volume) without a corresponding increase in the weight of the dispenser materials as compared to conventional dispensers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2001
    Publication date: July 4, 2002
    Applicant: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard P. Lewis, Cleary E. Mahaffey, Pamela J. Mayberry, Paul F. Tramontina, David J. Powling, Mark A. Bennett, Randall M. Bachtel
  • Publication number: 20020079331
    Abstract: A viscous liquid dispenser includes a housing that defines an internal liquid reservoir. A dispensing pump mechanism is disposed in communication with the reservoir and has a delivery end extending from the housing for manual operation by a user. A mounting mechanism is configured as an integral component of the housing and provides the dispenser with the ability to be detachably connected to complimentary mounting structure on a wall surface. The configuration of the dispenser allows for a significantly increased capacity (volume) without a corresponding increase in the weight of the dispenser materials as compared to conventional dispensers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2001
    Publication date: June 27, 2002
    Applicant: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard P. Lewis, Cleary E. Mahaffey, Pamela J. Mayberry, Paul F. Tramontina, David J. Powling, Mark A. Bennett, Randall M. Bachtel
  • Publication number: 20020074353
    Abstract: A viscous liquid dispenser includes a housing that defines an internal liquid reservoir. A dispensing pump mechanism is disposed at least partially within the reservoir and has a delivery end extending out of the reservoir. A mounting mechanism is configured as an integral component of the housing and provides the dispenser with the ability to be detachable connected to complimentary mounting structure on a wall surface. A unique dispensing pump mechanism is also provided for use with any manner of viscous liquid dispenser.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2000
    Publication date: June 20, 2002
    Inventors: Richard P. Lewis, Cleary E. Mahaffey, Pamela J. Mayberry, Paul F. Tramontina, David J. Powling, Mark A. Bennett, Randall M. Bachtel
  • Publication number: 20020074354
    Abstract: A self-contained viscous liquid dispenser includes a housing defining an internal liquid reservoir, and an opening defined through a front surface of the housing. An insert member is fitted through the opening, extends into the reservoir, and defines an internal pump chamber having a back end open to the reservoir and a front end open to the outside of the housing. A pump cylinder is slidably disposed and retained in the chamber. The pump cylinder is movable within the pump chamber from a rest position to a pressurizing position to pressurize and dispense liquid within the pump chamber through a delivery channel and out a dispensing orifice in the pump cylinder. The pump cylinder may be a multiple component device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 28, 2001
    Publication date: June 20, 2002
    Applicant: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard P. Lewis, Cleary E. Mahaffey, Pamela J. Mayberry, Paul F. Tramontina, David J. Powling, Mark A. Bennett, Randall M. Bachtel
  • Publication number: 20020074355
    Abstract: A dispenser for dispensing metered amounts of a viscous liquid includes a liquid reservoir and a pump chamber having an opening in communication with the reservoir. A dispensing orifice is defined in the pump chamber. A pump mechanism is configured with the pump chamber and is movable from a rest to a pressurizing position upon actuation thereof to pressurize liquid within the pump chamber. A check valve mechanism is disposed in the opening. A restriction device is disposed in the dispensing orifice and maintains a closed configuration to prevent leakage of liquid from the dispensing orifice. The restriction device opens upon sufficient liquid pressure build-up within the pump chamber upon actuation of the pump mechanism. The restriction device also may vent the pump chamber upon release of the pump mechanism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2000
    Publication date: June 20, 2002
    Inventors: Richard P. Lewis, Cleary E. Mahaffey
  • Patent number: D465953
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2002
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard P. Lewis, D. Scott Rowley, Stephen L. Phelps, Cleary E. Mahaffey, Pamela J. Mayberry, Mark A. Bennett, Randall M. Bachtel