Patents by Inventor Paul James Ruthven

Paul James Ruthven 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: 10863875
    Abstract: A sheet product dispenser for dispensing sheet product from a roll of sheet product having a sealed tail is provided. The sheet product dispenser includes a roll interface configured to engage and at least partially support the roll of sheet product, the roll interface including a separating member configured to engage and unseal the sealed tail; a feed roller assembly configured to dispense sheet product from the roll of sheet product, the feed roller assembly including a feed roller configured to engage and at least partially support the roll of sheet product; and a controller operable to initiate driving of the feed roller and rotation of the roll of sheet product such that the sealed tail is unsealed by engaging the separating member. A related method of automatically loading a roll of sheet product having a sealed tail in a sheet product dispenser also is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2020
    Assignee: GPCP IP Holdings LLC
    Inventors: Ryan Anthony Goltz, Mark Edwin Peters, Alan Joseph Johnson, Justin Matthew Oliphant, Paul James Ruthven
  • Patent number: 10660485
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatuses regarding an improved sheet product dispenser are provided herein. Example sheet product dispensers include a rotatable carriage that holds two full size product rolls. Upon substantial depletion of one of the product rolls, the sheet product dispenser is configured to enable the carriage to rotate to present the depleted product roll to the janitor for easy and intuitive replacement. For example, a carriage with a depleted product roll may be configured to automatically rotate upon opening of the cover. Additional features for intuitive and reliable installation of the product roll are also provided herein, such as roll holder slot guides and a retention mechanism that maintains installation of a product roll during rotation of the carriage. Such example sheet product dispensers help to eliminate product waste, reduce confusion while loading, and reduce the time and effort required to load the sheet product dispenser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2020
    Assignee: GPCP IP HOLDINGS LLC
    Inventors: Alan Joseph Johnson, Brian Scott Borke, John Patrick Laitala, Nickolas Everett Madsen, Paul James Ruthven
  • Publication number: 20190350415
    Abstract: A method of reducing sheet product waste generated during use of a sheet product dispenser in a particular location and over a broad range of usage rates includes designing a dispenser. The design includes determining a desired housing size to obtain a top to bottom height for sheet product roll storage within the housing, dividing the height by two to obtain a maximum roll diameter, locating two roll holders in the housing so that each holder may accept a roll having the maximum roll diameter, positioning a first roll of the maximum roll diameter in a first one of the two roll holders, and positioning a second roll of the maximum roll diameter in a second one of the two roll holders so that two rolls of equivalent length are configured to be dispensed sequentially from the dispenser. The installation and use of two rolls of maximum roll diameter reduces waste. Dispensers formed according to this method are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2019
    Publication date: November 21, 2019
    Inventors: Paul James Ruthven, Lisa Hedden
  • Patent number: 10368702
    Abstract: A method of reducing sheet product waste generated during use of a sheet product dispenser in a particular location and over a broad range of usage rates includes designing a dispenser. The design includes determining a desired housing size to obtain a top to bottom height for sheet product roll storage within the housing, dividing the height by two to obtain a maximum roll diameter, locating two roll holders in the housing so that each holder may accept a roll having the maximum roll diameter, positioning a first roll of the maximum roll diameter in a first one of the two roll holders, and positioning a second roll of the maximum roll diameter in a second one of the two roll holders so that two rolls of equivalent length are configured to be dispensed sequentially from the dispenser. The installation and use of two rolls of maximum roll diameter reduces waste. Dispensers formed according to this method are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2019
    Assignee: GPCP IP HOLDINGS LLC
    Inventors: Paul James Ruthven, Lisa Hedden
  • Patent number: 10285545
    Abstract: A method of reducing sheet product waste generated during use of a sheet product dispenser in a particular location and over a broad range of usage rates includes designing a dispenser. The design includes determining a desired housing size to obtain a top to bottom height for sheet product roll storage within the housing, dividing the height by two to obtain a maximum roll diameter, locating two roll holders in the housing so that each holder may accept a roll having the maximum roll diameter, positioning a first roll of the maximum roll diameter in a first one of the two roll holders, and positioning a second roll of the maximum roll diameter in a second one of the two roll holders so that two rolls of equivalent length are configured to be dispensed sequentially from the dispenser. The installation and use of two rolls of maximum roll diameter reduces waste. Dispensers formed according to this method are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2019
    Assignee: GPCP IP HOLDINGS LLC.
    Inventors: Paul James Ruthven, Lisa Hedden
  • Publication number: 20190104895
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatuses regarding an improved sheet product dispenser are provided herein. Example sheet product dispensers include a rotatable carriage that holds two full size product rolls. Upon substantial depletion of one of the product rolls, the sheet product dispenser is configured to enable the carriage to rotate to present the depleted product roll to the janitor for easy and intuitive replacement. For example, a carriage with a depleted product roll may be configured to automatically rotate upon opening of the cover. Additional features for intuitive and reliable installation of the product roll are also provided herein, such as roll holder slot guides and a retention mechanism that maintains installation of a product roll during rotation of the carriage. Such example sheet product dispensers help to eliminate product waste, reduce confusion while loading, and reduce the time and effort required to load the sheet product dispenser.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2017
    Publication date: April 11, 2019
    Inventors: Alan Joseph Johnson, Brian Scott Borke, John Patrick Laitala, Nickolas Everett Madsen, Paul James Ruthven
  • Publication number: 20190059661
    Abstract: A sheet product dispenser for dispensing sheet product from a roll of sheet product having a sealed tail is provided. The sheet product dispenser includes a roll interface configured to engage and at least partially support the roll of sheet product, the roll interface including a separating member configured to engage and unseal the sealed tail; a feed roller assembly configured to dispense sheet product from the roll of sheet product, the feed roller assembly including a feed roller configured to engage and at least partially support the roll of sheet product; and a controller operable to initiate driving of the feed roller and rotation of the roll of sheet product such that the sealed tail is unsealed by engaging the separating member. A related method of automatically loading a roll of sheet product having a sealed tail in a sheet product dispenser also is provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2018
    Publication date: February 28, 2019
    Inventors: Ryan Anthony Goltz, Mark Edwin Peters, Alan Joseph Johnson, Justin Matthew Oliphant, Paul James Ruthven
  • Publication number: 20190021555
    Abstract: A method of reducing sheet product waste generated during use of a sheet product dispenser in a particular location and over a broad range of usage rates includes designing a dispenser. The design includes determining a desired housing size to obtain a top to bottom height for sheet product roll storage within the housing, dividing the height by two to obtain a maximum roll diameter, locating two roll holders in the housing so that each holder may accept a roll having the maximum roll diameter, positioning a first roll of the maximum roll diameter in a first one of the two roll holders, and positioning a second roll of the maximum roll diameter in a second one of the two roll holders so that two rolls of equivalent length are configured to be dispensed sequentially from the dispenser. The installation and use of two rolls of maximum roll diameter reduces waste. Dispensers formed according to this method are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2018
    Publication date: January 24, 2019
    Inventors: Paul James Ruthven, Lisa Hedden
  • Publication number: 20190021556
    Abstract: A method of reducing sheet product waste generated during use of a sheet product dispenser in a particular location and over a broad range of usage rates includes designing a dispenser. The design includes determining a desired housing size to obtain a top to bottom height for sheet product roll storage within the housing, dividing the height by two to obtain a maximum roll diameter, locating two roll holders in the housing so that each holder may accept a roll having the maximum roll diameter, positioning a first roll of the maximum roll diameter in a first one of the two roll holders, and positioning a second roll of the maximum roll diameter in a second one of the two roll holders so that two rolls of equivalent length are configured to be dispensed sequentially from the dispenser. The installation and use of two rolls of maximum roll diameter reduces waste. Dispensers formed according to this method are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2018
    Publication date: January 24, 2019
    Inventors: Paul James Ruthven, Lisa Hedden
  • Patent number: 10149579
    Abstract: A sheet product dispenser for dispensing sheet product from a roll of sheet product having a sealed tail is provided. The sheet product dispenser includes a roll interface configured to engage and at least partially support the roll of sheet product, the roll interface including a separating member configured to engage and unseal the sealed tail; a feed roller assembly configured to dispense sheet product from the roll of sheet product, the feed roller assembly including a feed roller configured to engage and at least partially support the roll of sheet product; and a controller operable to initiate driving of the feed roller and rotation of the roll of sheet product such that the sealed tail is unsealed by engaging the separating member. A related method of automatically loading a roll of sheet product having a sealed tail in a sheet product dispenser also is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2018
    Assignee: GPCP IP Holdings LLC
    Inventors: Ryan Anthony Goltz, Mark Edwin Peters, Alan Joseph Johnson, Justin Matthew Oliphant, Paul James Ruthven
  • Patent number: 10123666
    Abstract: A method of reducing sheet product waste generated during use of a sheet product dispenser in a particular location and over a broad range of usage rates includes designing a dispenser. The design includes determining a desired housing size to obtain a top to bottom height for sheet product roll storage within the housing, dividing the height by two to obtain a maximum roll diameter, locating two roll holders in the housing so that each holder may accept a roll having the maximum roll diameter, positioning a first roll of the maximum roll diameter in a first one of the two roll holders, and positioning a second roll of the maximum roll diameter in a second one of the two roll holders so that two rolls of equivalent length are configured to be dispensed sequentially from the dispenser. The installation and use of two rolls of maximum roll diameter reduces waste. Dispensers formed according to this method are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: GPCP IP HOLDINGS LLC
    Inventors: Paul James Ruthven, Lisa Hedden
  • Publication number: 20170112336
    Abstract: A method of reducing sheet product waste generated during use of a sheet product dispenser in a particular location and over a broad range of usage rates includes designing a dispenser. The design includes determining a desired housing size to obtain a top to bottom height for sheet product roll storage within the housing, dividing the height by two to obtain a maximum roll diameter, locating two roll holders in the housing so that each holder may accept a roll having the maximum roll diameter, positioning a first roll of the maximum roll diameter in a first one of the two roll holders, and positioning a second roll of the maximum roll diameter in a second one of the two roll holders so that two rolls of equivalent length are configured to be dispensed sequentially from the dispenser. The installation and use of two rolls of maximum roll diameter reduces waste. Dispensers formed according to this method are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 5, 2017
    Publication date: April 27, 2017
    Inventors: Paul James Ruthven, Lisa Hedden
  • Publication number: 20150196176
    Abstract: Folded sheet product cartridges and dispensing assemblies, systems, and methods of dispense therefor are provided. A dispensing assembly includes a housing for vertically stacked cartridges. The housing defines a load opening in a side panel or top end and a dispensing slot in a side panel or bottom end. A sheet product cartridge includes a plurality of folded sheet products for dispense through a dispensing opening and a plurality of flexible material panels containing the sheet products. One of the material panels includes a detachable area that is detachable to form the dispensing opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2015
    Publication date: July 16, 2015
    Inventors: Jared Steven Felix, Paul James Ruthven
  • Publication number: 20150196174
    Abstract: A sheet product dispenser for dispensing sheet product from a roll of sheet product having a sealed tail is provided. The sheet product dispenser includes a roll interface configured to engage and at least partially support the roll of sheet product, the roll interface including a separating member configured to engage and unseal the sealed tail; a feed roller assembly configured to dispense sheet product from the roll of sheet product, the feed roller assembly including a feed roller configured to engage and at least partially support the roll of sheet product; and a controller operable to initiate driving of the feed roller and rotation of the roll of sheet product such that the sealed tail is unsealed by engaging the separating member. A related method of automatically loading a roll of sheet product having a sealed tail in a sheet product dispenser also is provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2015
    Publication date: July 16, 2015
    Inventors: Ryan Anthony Goltz, Mark Edwin Peters, Alan Joseph Johnson, Justin Matthew Oliphant, Paul James Ruthven
  • Publication number: 20150196175
    Abstract: Folded sheet product cartridges and dispensing assemblies, systems, and methods of dispense therefor are provided. A dispensing assembly includes a housing for vertically stacked cartridges. The housing defines a load opening in a side panel or top end and a dispensing slot in a side panel or bottom end. A sheet product cartridge includes a plurality of folded sheet products for dispense through a dispensing opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2015
    Publication date: July 16, 2015
    Inventors: Paul James Ruthven, Brian Scott Borke, Kang-Chang Yeh, Latasha Poindexter