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).
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Patent number: 8919233Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: December 30, 2010Date of Patent: December 30, 2014Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.Inventors: Richard Paul Lewis, Paul Francis Tramontina
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Patent number: 8371474Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: December 1, 2009Date of Patent: February 12, 2013Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.Inventors: Paul Francis Tramontina, Richard Paul Lewis
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Publication number: 20120167739Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: December 30, 2010Publication date: July 5, 2012Inventors: Richard Paul Lewis, Paul Francis Tramontina
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Publication number: 20120138723Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: August 26, 2011Publication date: June 7, 2012Inventors: Richard Paul Lewis, Daniel Raymond DeCriscio, JR., Paul Francis Tramontina
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Patent number: 8113389Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: December 8, 2008Date of Patent: February 14, 2012Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.Inventors: Richard Paul Lewis, Malcolm C. Halls, Paul Francis Tramontina, Huoxian Xie, Yutai Guo, Charles Agnew Osborne, Jr.
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Patent number: 7987756Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: December 3, 2007Date of Patent: August 2, 2011Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide Inc.Inventors: Richard Paul Lewis, Paul Francis Tramontina, Kiran Reddy
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Publication number: 20110127291Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: December 1, 2009Publication date: June 2, 2011Inventors: Paul Francis Tramontina, Richard Paul Lewis
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Patent number: 7783380Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: December 17, 2004Date of Patent: August 24, 2010Assignee: 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
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Publication number: 20100170979Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: February 3, 2010Publication date: July 8, 2010Applicant: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.Inventors: Richard Paul Lewis, Paul Francis Tramontina, David W. Kapiloff, Stephen L. Phelps, Darrell R. Johnson, Gerald L. Clark
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Publication number: 20100140300Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: December 8, 2008Publication date: June 10, 2010Inventors: Richard Paul Lewis, Malcolm C. Halls, Paul Francis Tramontina, Huoxian Xie, Yutai Guo, Charles Agnew Osporne, JR.
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Patent number: 7726599Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: December 31, 2003Date of Patent: June 1, 2010Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.Inventors: Richard Paul Lewis, Paul Francis Tramontina, David W. Kapiloff, Stephen L. Phelps, Darrell R. Johnson, Gerald L. Clark
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Patent number: 7591396Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 24, 2006Date of Patent: September 22, 2009Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.Inventors: Paul Francis Tramontina, Richard Paul Lewis, Guy William Provenzano
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Publication number: 20090140001Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: December 3, 2007Publication date: June 4, 2009Inventors: Richard Paul Lewis, Paul Francis Tramontina, Kiran Reddy
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Patent number: 7530460Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: June 30, 2004Date of Patent: May 12, 2009Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.Inventors: Richard Paul Lewis, Paul Francis Tramontina
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Patent number: 7428978Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 27, 2005Date of Patent: September 30, 2008Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.Inventors: Richard Paul Lewis, Paul Francis Tramontina
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Patent number: 7347134Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 29, 2004Date of Patent: March 25, 2008Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.Inventors: Richard Paul Lewis, Paul Francis Tramontina
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Publication number: 20070289997Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: December 15, 2006Publication date: December 20, 2007Inventors: Richard Paul Lewis, Paul Francis Tramontina, Victor Scott Shoaf
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Patent number: 7275708Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: June 30, 2004Date of Patent: October 2, 2007Inventors: Richard Paul Lewis, Paul Francis Tramontina
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Patent number: 7219852Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: August 18, 2004Date of Patent: May 22, 2007Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.Inventors: Paul Francis Tramontina, Richard Paul Lewis
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Patent number: D666035Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 2011Date of Patent: August 28, 2012Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.Inventors: Herb Flores Velázquez, Richard Paul Lewis