Patents by Inventor Richard Paul Lewis

Richard Paul Lewis 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: 8919233
    Abstract: The present invention provides a dispenser for dispensing pre-cut sheets from a roll or a web material to a user in need of the web material. The dispenser contains a product identification sensor in communication with a control circuit. This product identification sensor detects and identifies information about the roll of the web material placed in the holder and relays this information to the control circuit. The control circuit adjusts dispensing parameters for the actuator roller in dispensing a sheet of the web material from the dispenser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Paul Lewis, Paul Francis Tramontina
  • Patent number: 8371474
    Abstract: The invention is a method of dispensing a fluid and a dispenser which will dispense an appropriate amount of fluid to effectively clean a user's hand, even if the dispenser is inactive for a period of time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Francis Tramontina, Richard Paul Lewis
  • Publication number: 20120167739
    Abstract: The present invention provides a dispenser for dispensing pre-cut sheets from a roll or a web material to a user in need of the web material. The dispenser contains a product identification sensor in communication with a control circuit. This product identification sensor detects and identifies information about the roll of the web material placed in the holder and relays this information to the control circuit. The control circuit adjusts dispensing parameters for the actuator roller in dispensing a sheet of the web material from the dispenser.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2010
    Publication date: July 5, 2012
    Inventors: Richard Paul Lewis, Paul Francis Tramontina
  • Publication number: 20120138723
    Abstract: The disclosure herein provides a roll support system for a rolled web material dispenser which ensures that the proper rolled web material is installed in the dispenser and that the rolled web material is properly aligned in the dispenser. The system limits the size of the core or core plug that can be supported by the support in a towel dispenser. Also disclosed is a system to provide different sized roll caps and supports to ensure that the dispenser is dispensing web material which the dispenser as designed to dispense.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2011
    Publication date: June 7, 2012
    Inventors: Richard Paul Lewis, Daniel Raymond DeCriscio, JR., Paul Francis Tramontina
  • Patent number: 8113389
    Abstract: The present invention provides a dispenser for dispensing a fluid which has an anti-drip feature. To achieve this anti-drip feature, the dispenser is provided with a suck back mechanism which is separate and independent from a pump in the dispenser. The suck back mechanism uses a resilient member capable of storing fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Paul Lewis, Malcolm C. Halls, Paul Francis Tramontina, Huoxian Xie, Yutai Guo, Charles Agnew Osborne, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7987756
    Abstract: Disclosed is a sanitary or no-touch dispenser which dispenses sheets of a web material, such as a paper towel. The disclosed dispenser provides the web material to a user by using both manual and electronic means to dispense the sheet. This is accomplished by having a motor engagably connected to an actuator roller. The motor is activated by a motor activation means, such as a switch. The motion of the actuator roller, which is started by the user grabbing and pulling a tail of the web material extending from the dispenser, causes the motor activation means to activate the motor which in turn drives the actuator roller to continue it its rotation motion to dispense the sheet from the dispenser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2011
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Paul Lewis, Paul Francis Tramontina, Kiran Reddy
  • Publication number: 20110127291
    Abstract: The present invention provides an easy to maintain dispenser which will dispense an appropriate amount of fluid to effectively clean a user's hand, even if the dispenser is inactive for a period of time. Also disclosed is a method of dispensing a fluid from the dispenser.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2009
    Publication date: June 2, 2011
    Inventors: Paul Francis Tramontina, Richard Paul Lewis
  • Patent number: 7783380
    Abstract: An apparatus for the dispensing of product is provided. The apparatus may include a dispenser sensor unit in communication with a dispenser that is configured for the dispensing of product. The dispenser sensor unit may be configured for detecting information about the product and for varying a dispensing parameter of the dispenser. A data communications unit in communication with the dispenser sensor unit may also be provided and may be configured for receiving information from the dispenser sensor unit. A washroom monitoring station in communication with the data communications unit may also be present and may be configured for receiving information from the data communications unit. The dispenser sensor unit may be configured for receiving a communication so as to vary a dispensing parameter of the dispenser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2010
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Cheryl Lynn York, Joseph Mitchell, Richard Paul Lewis, Paul Francis Tramontina, Ronald Raymond Padak, James Joseph Detamore, John Robert Oyler, James Alexander Winder
  • Publication number: 20100170979
    Abstract: A sheet material dispenser includes a controller for automatically controlling the lengths of sheet materials dispensed from a continuous roll by identifying the type of sheet materials on the roll and dispensing suitable lengths of the identified sheet material. The dispenser desirably has a support for rotatably supporting a roll of sheet material carrying identification relating to the type of sheet material on the roll, and an identifier positioned in or adjacent the dispenser for identifying the type of sheet material on the roll. A processor receives data from the identifier, processes the data and generates an output command, and a controller controls the lengths of sheet material dispensed from the roll in response to the output command. In this way, more absorbent products may be dispensed in shorter lengths and less absorbent products may be dispensed in longer lengths.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2010
    Publication date: July 8, 2010
    Applicant: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Paul Lewis, Paul Francis Tramontina, David W. Kapiloff, Stephen L. Phelps, Darrell R. Johnson, Gerald L. Clark
  • Publication number: 20100140300
    Abstract: The present invention provides a dispenser for dispensing a fluid which has an anti-drip feature. To achieve this anti-drip feature, the dispenser is provided with a suck back mechanism which is separate and independent from a pump in the dispenser. The suck back mechanism uses a resilient member capable of storing fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2008
    Publication date: June 10, 2010
    Inventors: Richard Paul Lewis, Malcolm C. Halls, Paul Francis Tramontina, Huoxian Xie, Yutai Guo, Charles Agnew Osporne, JR.
  • Patent number: 7726599
    Abstract: A sheet material dispenser includes a controller for automatically controlling the lengths of sheet materials dispensed from a continuous roll by identifying the type of sheet materials on the roll and dispensing suitable lengths of the identified sheet material. The dispenser desirably has a support for rotatably supporting a roll of sheet material carrying identification relating to the type of sheet material on the roll, and an identifier positioned in or adjacent the dispenser for identifying the type of sheet material on the roll. A processor receives data from the identifier, processes the data and generates an output command, and a controller controls the lengths of sheet material dispensed from the roll in response to the output command. In this way, more absorbent products may be dispensed in shorter lengths and less absorbent products may be dispensed in longer lengths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Paul Lewis, Paul Francis Tramontina, David W. Kapiloff, Stephen L. Phelps, Darrell R. Johnson, Gerald L. Clark
  • Patent number: 7591396
    Abstract: A restrictor and dispensing system for dispensing sheet material is provided. The restrictor includes a restrictor body positioned on a top sheet of a stack of sheet materials which are positioned in a dispenser. The restrictor assists in one at a time dispensing from a dispensing assembly. The dispensing assembly includes the dispenser, which has a housing including a container and a lid, and the housing is configured to hold and dispense sheet material. The dispenser also includes a sheet mover mounted to the housing. The sheet mover is configured to move over at least a portion of a sheet material away from additional sheet materials for dispensing. The restrictor cooperates with the housing and sheet mover to dispense one sheet material at a time. The restrictor may be provided with the dispenser, or separately. Alternatively, the restrictor may be provided in a cartridge filled with a stack of sheet materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2009
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Francis Tramontina, Richard Paul Lewis, Guy William Provenzano
  • Publication number: 20090140001
    Abstract: Disclosed is a sanitary or no-touch dispenser which dispenses sheets of a web material, such as a paper towel. The disclosed dispenser provides the web material to a user by using both manual and electronic means to dispense the sheet. This is accomplished by having a motor engagably connected to an actuator roller. The motor is activated by a motor activation means, such as a switch. The motion of the actuator roller, which is started by the user grabbing and pulling a tail of the web material extending from the dispenser, causes the motor activation means to activate the motor which in turn drives the actuator roller to continue it its rotation motion to dispense the sheet from the dispenser.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2007
    Publication date: June 4, 2009
    Inventors: Richard Paul Lewis, Paul Francis Tramontina, Kiran Reddy
  • Patent number: 7530460
    Abstract: A single use disposable dispenser adapted to dispense sheet material therefrom is provided and includes a housing configured to provide a shipping carton and a dispenser housing for a roll of sheet material. The housing includes a base having a central area and an opening therein. The base is configured to support a roll of sheet material above at least a portion of the central area. The housing includes an exit port positioned a distance from the opening in the base. Sheet material disposed in the dispenser flows through the opening in the base and the exit port in a circuitous path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2009
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Paul Lewis, Paul Francis Tramontina
  • Patent number: 7428978
    Abstract: A dispenser and system for dispensing sheet material is provided. The dispenser includes a housing including a container and a lid. The container and lid cooperate to provide an inner surface formed to include an internal compartment configured to hold sheet material. The housing includes an exit port for withdrawal of sheet material therefrom. The dispenser also includes a sheet mover mounted to the housing. A portion of the sheet mover is configured to move over at least a portion of a sheet material positioned in the housing such that at least the portion of the sheet material is moved away from additional sheet materials positioned adjacent thereto by the sheet mover. The portion moved away is positioned to be easily withdrawn through the exit port by a user. The system includes the dispenser having a sheet mover and a plurality of sheet materials disposed in the dispenser. A disposable, one-use dispensing system is provided as well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2008
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Paul Lewis, Paul Francis Tramontina
  • Patent number: 7347134
    Abstract: A dispenser for dispensing and advancing sheet material is provided. The dispenser includes a frame and a drive roller rotationally mounted to the frame. The drive roller is configured for engagement with sheet material so that rotation of the drive roller causes movement of the sheet material. A segmented gear with first and second drive segments is mounted to the frame and is in communication with the drive roller. A spring is included and is in communication with the segmented gear. The spring is configured so that rotation of the segmented gear causes the spring to store potential energy. Release of potential energy in the spring causes the segmented gear to rotate. A cutting blade is provided and is configured for cutting the sheet material in order to release potential energy. The dispenser allows for a piece of sheet material to be dispensed therefrom and subsequently presents the user with a new piece of sheet material for future removal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2008
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Paul Lewis, Paul Francis Tramontina
  • Publication number: 20070289997
    Abstract: A dispenser which may include a housing holding a soap cartridge for foamed soap and a grit solution cartridge. The housing includes a push button and an exit port. The dispenser also includes a pair of pumps in liquid communication with the soap and grit solution. In addition, the dispenser may alternatively comprise a cartridge having two chambers: one chamber for soap and another for a grit solution. In this instance a pump is positioned in each chamber, and a portion of the pump is positioned adjacent a nozzle having a push button. When the push button is pushed by a user, foamed soap and grit solution are dispensed separately but simultaneously such that the foamed soap surrounds the grit solution as both as deposited simultaneously into a user's palm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2006
    Publication date: December 20, 2007
    Inventors: Richard Paul Lewis, Paul Francis Tramontina, Victor Scott Shoaf
  • Patent number: 7275708
    Abstract: In one embodiment, the apparatus for dispensing rolled sheet material comprises: a roll of sheet material oriented around a roll axis, and a disposable member disposed around the roll. The disposable member comprises a front wall disposed adjacent an end of the roll, a sidewall adjoining the front wall and disposed at a side of the roll, and a connecting member for engaging a wall bracket. A line of weakness is disposed in the sidewall such that a portion of the sidewall can be removed to form an aperture for dispensing the sheet material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2007
    Inventors: Richard Paul Lewis, Paul Francis Tramontina
  • Patent number: 7219852
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a dispenser for dispensing rolls of sheet material is provided. The dispenser includes a housing configured to rotationally support a primary roll of sheet material and a backup roll of sheet material inside the housing. The housing also includes an exit port. The dispenser further includes a dispensing control member moveably positioned substantially within and partially blocking the exit port. The dispensing control member is configured to substantially restrict rotation of the backup roll of sheet material prior to substantial depletion of the primary roll of sheet material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2007
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Francis Tramontina, Richard Paul Lewis
  • Patent number: D666035
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Herb Flores Velázquez, Richard Paul Lewis