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: 7185842Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for dispensing rolled sheet material, the apparatus including a housing that defines an interior adapted to rotatably support rolled sheet material and having a dispensing opening sized to allow sheet material to be dispensed therefrom. The apparatus further includes a floating nip within the housing such as, for example, may be formed by first and second rollers. The floating nip minimizes variation in the force required to remove sheet material from the dispenser that may result from a user changing the angle at which sheet material is removed.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 2004Date of Patent: March 6, 2007Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.Inventors: Richard Paul Lewis, Paul Francis Tramontina
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Patent number: 7131609Abstract: A dispenser adapted to dispense sheet material therefrom is provided and includes a housing including a base and a cover. The base includes a platform configured to support sheet material. The platform includes a dispensing disk and the platform has an outer perimeter intersected by a slot thereby providing an opening into the platform and dispensing disk. The housing is formed to include an exit port spaced apart from the platform and dispensing disk. The cover includes a rotatable disk having a plurality of user interchangeable dispensing slots of differing diameters intersecting an outer periphery of the rotatable disk. Sheet material positioned on the platform flows through the dispensing opening of the dispensing disk and through a selected one of the plurality of dispensing slots. The selected one of the plurality of dispensing slots is aligned with the exit port.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 2005Date of Patent: November 7, 2006Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.Inventors: Richard Paul Lewis, Paul Francis Tramontina, Randy LeCates
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Patent number: 7114639Abstract: A self-contained viscous liquid dispenser having an improved vent valve is provided. The vent valve includes a plug member having a sealing ridge at its perimeter. The vent valve is activated at reduced pressure differentials between the inside and outside of the dispenser. The vent valve also provides redundant sealing capability.Type: GrantFiled: December 23, 2003Date of Patent: October 3, 2006Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.Inventors: Richard Paul Lewis, Randall Marc Bachtel
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Patent number: 7051903Abstract: 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 pump mechanism including a pump cylinder with a dispensing channel therethrough 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 dispensing orifice is defined at one end of the dispensing cylinder. A check valve mechanism is disposed in the opening. During shipment or storage, the pump cylinder is locked in pressurized position. When locked in pressurized position, the dispensing channel engages the check valve to seal the opening and also prevent flow from the pump chamber to the dispensing channel.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 2003Date of Patent: May 30, 2006Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.Inventors: Richard Paul Lewis, Randall Marc Bachtel
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Patent number: 7040568Abstract: A dispenser adapted to dispense sheet material is provided and includes a housing including a platform configured to support a sheet material thereon. The platform includes a slot, and an adjustable orifice configured to alter a size of the slot is provided as well. The housing is formed to include an exit port which is spaced-apart from the platform. When sheet material is disposed in the dispenser, it flows on a generally serpentine path from the platform and through the exit port.Type: GrantFiled: April 2, 2004Date of Patent: May 9, 2006Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.Inventors: Richard Paul Lewis, Paul Francis Tramontina
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Patent number: 7040567Abstract: A disposable dispenser adapted to dispense sheet material is provided. The dispenser includes a housing configured to provide a shipping carton for a roll of sheet material as well as a dispenser housing for dispensing sheets of material therefrom. The housing includes a tray configured to support sheet material thereon. The tray includes a dispensing opening. The housing is formed to include an exit port spaced apart from the tray. Sheet material disposed in the dispenser follows a circuitous path between the opening in the tray and through the exit port in a substantially flat configuration. A system for providing a disposable dispenser and a roll of sheet material.Type: GrantFiled: December 29, 2004Date of Patent: May 9, 2006Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.Inventors: Richard Paul Lewis, Paul Francis Tramontina
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Patent number: 6964395Abstract: A dispenser adapted to dispense sheet material therefrom is provided and includes a housing having an exit port configured to support a centerflow roll of sheet material therein. The dispenser also includes a first tubular member and a second tubular member, and the sheet of material flows over at least a portion of both the first and second tubular members on a circuitous path to the exit port.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 2004Date of Patent: November 15, 2005Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.Inventors: Richard Paul Lewis, Paul Francis Tramontina
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Patent number: 6877634Abstract: A disposable dispensing carton for paper and nonwoven sheet materials is provided that can be made from paperboard blanks and includes a set or ridges, integral with the dispensing carton, that extend into the interior area of the dispensing carton adjacent the dispensing opening located in the bottom of the carton. The ridges off-set the weight of the overlying sheets to a degree that allows the dispensing carton to employ heights in excess of about 40 cm as well as hold and dispense stacked paper products having sheet counts between about 250 and about 1000 sheets.Type: GrantFiled: December 31, 2002Date of Patent: April 12, 2005Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.Inventors: Paul Francis Tramontina, Richard Paul Lewis
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Publication number: 20040124207Abstract: A disposable dispensing carton for paper and nonwoven sheet materials is provided that can be made from paperboard blanks and includes a set or ridges, integral with the dispensing carton, that extend into the interior area of the dispensing carton adjacent the dispensing opening located in the bottom of the carton. The ridges off-set the weight of the overlying sheets to a degree that allows the dispensing carton to employ heights in excess of about 40 cm as well as hold and dispense stacked paper products having sheet counts between about 250 and about 1000 sheets.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 31, 2002Publication date: July 1, 2004Inventors: Paul Francis Tramontina, Richard Paul Lewis
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Patent number: 6684751Abstract: A roll web guide system for defining a web travel path in a dispenser is provided. The web guide system includes a drive roller that is rotatably mounted within the dispenser. The drive roller defines at least one annular groove. A guide roller is also present. The guide roller is urged toward the drive roller to form a nip with the drive roller. The guide roller defines at least one annular groove therein. A plurality of stripper guides are partially disposed within the annular grooves of the guide roller and drive roller. The stripper guides prevent the web from wrapping around the guide roller and the drive roller.Type: GrantFiled: December 13, 2001Date of Patent: February 3, 2004Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.Inventors: David Wayne Kapiloff, Richard Paul Lewis, Paul Francis Tramontina
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Patent number: 6592001Abstract: A dispenser adapted to dispense sheet material therefrom is provided and includes a housing configured to support a sheet material product therein which has an exit port. The dispenser also includes at least an iris diaphragm for controlling the movement of sheet material from the housing through the exit port.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 2001Date of Patent: July 15, 2003Assignee: Kimberly-Clark WorldwideInventors: Richard Paul Lewis, Cleary Efton Mahaffey, Paul Francis Tramontina
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Publication number: 20030110915Abstract: A roll web guide system for defining a web travel path in a dispenser is provided. The web guide system includes a drive roller that is rotatably mounted within the dispenser. The drive roller defines at least one annular groove. A guide roller is also present. The guide roller is urged toward the drive roller to form a nip with the drive roller. The guide roller defines at least one annular groove therein. A plurality of stripper guides are partially disposed within the annular grooves of the guide roller and drive roller. The stripper guides prevent the web from wrapping around the guide roller and the drive roller.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 13, 2001Publication date: June 19, 2003Inventors: David Wayne Kapiloff, Richard Paul Lewis, Paul Francis Tramontina
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Publication number: 20030111480Abstract: A dispenser adapted to dispense sheet material therefrom is provided and includes a housing configured to support a sheet material product therein which has an exit port. The dispenser also includes at least an iris diaphragm for controlling the movement of sheet material from the housing through the exit port.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 18, 2001Publication date: June 19, 2003Inventors: Richard Paul Lewis, Cleary Efton Mahaffey, Paul Francis Tramontina
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Patent number: 6578731Abstract: A system for dispensing wipes includes: (1) a continuous web of material joined at perforations and configured into a center feed roll; and (2) a flexible, moisture impervious pouch for containing and dispensing discrete lengths of web from the roll. The pouch includes a resealable opening for accessing and staging a leading edge of the roll of material and is adapted to dispense discrete lengths of web separated from the roll at the perforations. The pouch is constructed such that its shape closely conforms to the shape of the roll of web material and may be configured with a gusset to enable it to stand without external support.Type: GrantFiled: November 21, 2000Date of Patent: June 17, 2003Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.Inventors: Richard Paul Lewis, Craig Farrell Thomaschefsky
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Patent number: 6575397Abstract: A dispenser for dispensing sheet material includes a housing having a chamber configured to hold sheet material and an access door configured to provide both access to the chamber and closure to the chamber. The housing includes a dispensing member supported by the access door. The dispensing member has a first panel and a second panel. At least one panel moves so that the opening in the first panel and the exit port in the second panel align to permit sheet material to be threaded therethrough for loading, and at least one panel moves so that the opening and exit port are moved out of alignment for dispensing the sheet material. A method of installing sheet material in a dispenser.Type: GrantFiled: April 25, 2002Date of Patent: June 10, 2003Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.Inventors: Paul Francis Tramontina, Richard Paul Lewis
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Patent number: 6386479Abstract: A carriage unit adapter for solid or coreless rolls of paper material that are dispensed in a roll dispenser having slots defined on inner surfaces of side wall members thereof for receipt of said adapter and a back wall positioned a distance from the slots that Is sightly greater than the radius of a solid or coreless roll. The carriage unit adapter includes: a pair of spaced apart arms joined by a connecting member having a front surface and a back surface, each arm having an outboard surface and an inboard surface including: (i) an outboard pin disposed on the outboard surface, the outboard pin configured to slidably engage a slot on an inner surface of a side Wall member of the dispenser; and (ii) an inboard pin attached to the inboard surface, the inboard pin configured to engage a coreless roll of material.Type: GrantFiled: June 22, 2001Date of Patent: May 14, 2002Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.Inventors: Richard Paul Lewis, Stephen Lawrence Phelps
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Patent number: 6382553Abstract: A carriage unit adapter for solid or coreless rolls of paper material that are dispensed in a roll dispenser having slots defined on inner surfaces of side wall members thereof for receipt of said adapter and a back wall positioned a distance from the slots that is slightly greater than the radius of a solid or coreless roll. The carriage unit adapter includes: a pair of spaced apart arms joined by a connecting member having a front surface and a back surface, each arm having an outboard surface and an inboard surface including: (i) an outboard pin disposed on the outboard surface, the outboard pin configured to slidably engage a slot on an inner surface of a side wall member of the dispenser; and (ii) an inboard pin attached to the inboard surface, the inboard pin configured to engage a coreless roll of material.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 2000Date of Patent: May 7, 2002Assignee: Kimberly Clark Worldwide, Inc.Inventors: Richard Paul Lewis, Stephen Lawrence Phelps, Antwain Demone Taylor
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Patent number: 6247621Abstract: A fluid dispensing system is disclosed herein, the system including a container adapted to hold a material, the container having a first recess positioned on an outer surface of the container and a passageway extending into the container, the passageway positioned within the recess of the container. A pump assembly is provided which is adapted to dispense fluid from the container. The pump assembly is further adapted to engage the passageway of the container and having a storage position wherein the pump assembly is disposed substantially within the recess. In selected embodiments, a mounting bracket is provided which is adapted to support the container. The mounting bracket may include a base, a column extending upwardly from the base, and an upper member which may be pivotably mounted to the column. In some embodiments, a boss and detent may be provided so that the boss engages the detent upon placement of the container within the mounting bracket.Type: GrantFiled: July 16, 1999Date of Patent: June 19, 2001Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.Inventor: Richard Paul Lewis
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Patent number: 6230929Abstract: An adapter for dispensing a plurality of vertically stacked, interfolded sheets is disclosed herein, the adapter being configured to fit within a standard vertically-stacked dual roll dispenser. The adapter includes a housing having an interior adapted to receive a plurality of vertically stacked, interfolded sheets. Each sheet may include a leading edge and a trailing edge separated by spaced-apart side edges. The housing may include a front wall, a back wall spaced apart from the front wall, and two spaced-apart side walls, each side wall extending between the back wall and the front wall. The housing may further include a bottom wall including a boss that extends upwardly into the interior of the housing. An opening having a width dimension is formed in the front wall, the opening adapted to dispense vertically stacked interfolded sheets from the interior of the housing. The side edges of the sheets are urged inwardly by the width dimension of the opening as the sheets pass through the opening.Type: GrantFiled: April 30, 1999Date of Patent: May 15, 2001Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.Inventors: Stephen Lawrence Phelps, Richard Paul Lewis, Paul Francis Tramontina
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Patent number: 6161795Abstract: A dispenser for dispensing a jumbo roll of material having an axis of rotation, the dispenser including a housing adapted to receive a jumbo roll of material. A first drive assembly is provided, the first drive assembly including a first belt. A second drive assembly is also provided, the second drive assembly including a second belt. The first drive assembly and the second drive assembly are positioned with respect to each other so that a surface of the first belt is proximate to a surface of the second belt, thereby forming a channel through which the material from the jumbo roll must pass to be dispensed from the dispenser. The channel additionally assists in retaining the material in a dispensing position.Type: GrantFiled: August 30, 1999Date of Patent: December 19, 2000Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.Inventors: John Richard Skerrett, Richard Paul Lewis, Stephen Lawrence Phelps, Paul Francis Tramontina