Patents by Inventor Steven L. Sweeton

Steven L. Sweeton 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: 8672189
    Abstract: A trigger sprayer may include a rotatable nozzle to facilitate the discharge of liquid from the nozzle in any desired direction and may also include a locking mechanism for preventing activation of the trigger sprayer. The trigger sprayer may also fit within the footprint of a container to which the trigger sprayer is attached.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: MeadWestvaco Calmar, Inc.
    Inventors: Alejandro Espinoza, George R. Hildebrand, Steven L. Sweeton
  • Publication number: 20140061253
    Abstract: According to certain embodiments of the invention, a dispensing device may include a pump system having a large, angled spout allowing the downward dispensing of a product into a wash basin or other delivery area. The dispensing device may also include a bottle or container handle having an angle on an interior of the bottle or container such that a dip tube used with the pump system may be forced into a particular portion or location within the bottle or container. The dispensing device may also include a wide, ergonomic actuator which may be actuated by the palm of a hand or a thumb as a user grips a bottle or container to which a pump system is attached and to which the actuator is in communication for actuating the pump system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2012
    Publication date: March 6, 2014
    Applicant: MEADWESTVACO CALMAR, INC.
    Inventor: Steven L. Sweeton
  • Publication number: 20140061252
    Abstract: Fluid dispensing devices having a pump system connected to a container wherein the dispensing device may be operated with one hand using either a container having a griping surface or opening or a handle integrated with an actuator to facilitate one-handed use.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2012
    Publication date: March 6, 2014
    Applicant: Meadwestvaco Calmar, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven L. Sweeton, George R. Hildebrand
  • Patent number: 8517221
    Abstract: A trigger sprayer having six parts: (i) a dip tube, (ii) a valve, (iii) a flexible pump diaphragm having a circumferential valve lip, (iv) a shroud having a trigger, an element which engages the diaphragm, and front and rear mating elements, (v) a body having a closure for a container, an inlet coupled to the dip tube, a valve seat for the valve, an element which engages the valve lip, a discharge barrel having a proximal opening into which the valve lip seats, a vent chamber, a vent barrel coupled to the vent chamber, a rear mating structure coupling to the rear mating element of the shroud so that the shroud can pivot, and a forward mating element, and (vi) a combination nozzle and door assembly with a nozzle which couples to the fluid discharge barrel of the molded body, and has a trigger locking element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: MeadWestvaco Corporation
    Inventors: Steven L. Sweeton, George R. Hildebrand, David L. Dejong, Phillip J. Dimaggio
  • Publication number: 20130056499
    Abstract: A valve system for a trigger sprayer including a valve forming an air spring with a portion of the trigger sprayer and being made of a flexible or elastomeric material. The trigger sprayer may include an air-spring valve system wherein the air-spring valve system provides precompression during a pump stroke. The precompression forces developed in the valve system during a pump stroke may originate from an air valve or air pocket trapped between a portion of a valve body and a part of the valve system. For example, a valve may be inserted in a tube retainer which is connected to a valve body of a trigger sprayer. Air trapped in a chamber or space between a portion of the valve and the tube retainer may provide a force against the valve such that a certain force must be applied to the valve before it allows product to be released.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2011
    Publication date: March 7, 2013
    Applicant: MEADWESTVACO CALMAR, INC.
    Inventor: Steven L. Sweeton
  • Publication number: 20120261438
    Abstract: A trigger sprayer having a valve body configured to accept a discharge valve for a pre-compression configuration or a valve and plug combination for a non-pre-compression configuration where the discharge valve may include a frame and valve which may be bi-injected or assembled to provide a pre-compression valve for the trigger sprayer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2012
    Publication date: October 18, 2012
    Applicant: MEADWESTVACO CALMAR, INC.
    Inventors: David L. DEJONG, Steven L. SWEETON, Joseph K. DODD
  • Publication number: 20120234871
    Abstract: A pump system may include a blown-in dip tube connected to a valve body and having a connection which may include an improved blown-in dip tube connector having one or more of a lip for sealing with a blown-in dip tube, a seal ring configured to mate with a blown-in dip tube and seal therewith, a dip tube lock for mating with a blown-in dip tube, or an o-ring for providing an improved seal with a blown-in dip tube.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2011
    Publication date: September 20, 2012
    Applicant: MEADWESTVACO CALMAR, INC.
    Inventors: Robert J. GOOD, Dennis KELLY, Joseph K. DODD, Joseph R. KRESTINE, David L. DEJONG, Steven L. SWEETON, Eric SCHEIER, Lluis COSTA QUINTAS, Alejandro ESPINOZA
  • Publication number: 20120032004
    Abstract: A trigger sprayer (100) may include a tube retainer (110) fitted in a valve body (120), a piston (140) fitted in the valve body and an integrated trigger (150) and biasing member (154) connected to the piston and the valve body and biased in part by the attachment of a shroud (130) to the trigger sprayer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2010
    Publication date: February 9, 2012
    Applicant: MEADWESTVACO CALMAR, INC.
    Inventors: David L. Dejong, Steven L. Sweeton, Joseph K. Dodd
  • Publication number: 20110108583
    Abstract: An aerosol actuation system may include an aerosol actuator formed of a first molded component including a housing, a manifold connected to the housing and a button in communication with the manifold, and a molded cap. The aerosol actuator may be assembled with an aerosol container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2009
    Publication date: May 12, 2011
    Applicant: MEADWESTVACO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Steven A. Sell, Steven L. Sweeton
  • Publication number: 20100276454
    Abstract: A trigger sprayer may include a rotatable nozzle to facilitate the discharge of liquid from the nozzle in any desired direction and may also include a locking mechanism for preventing activation of the trigger sprayer. The trigger sprayer may also fit within the footprint of a container to which the trigger sprayer is attached.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2009
    Publication date: November 4, 2010
    Applicant: MEADWESTVACO CALMAR, INC.
    Inventors: Alejandro Espinoza, George R. Hildebrand, Steven L. Sweeton
  • Publication number: 20100140299
    Abstract: A trigger sprayer having six parts: (i) a dip tube, (ii) a valve, (iii) a flexible pump diaphragm having a circumferential valve lip, (iv) a shroud having a trigger, an element which engages the diaphragm, and front and rear mating elements, (v) a body having a closure for a container, an inlet coupled to the dip tube, a valve seat for the valve, an element which engages the valve lip, a discharge barrel having a proximal opening into which the valve lip seats, a vent chamber, a vent barrel coupled to the vent chamber, a rear mating structure coupling to the rear mating element of the shroud so that the shroud can pivot, and a forward mating element, and (vi) a combination nozzle and door assembly with a nozzle which couples to the fluid discharge barrel of the molded body, and has a trigger locking element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2007
    Publication date: June 10, 2010
    Inventors: Steven L. Sweeton, George R. Hildebrand, David L. Dejong, Phillip J. Dimaggio
  • Patent number: D600119
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2009
    Assignee: MeadWestvaco Calmar, Inc.
    Inventor: Steven L. Sweeton
  • Patent number: D623071
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2010
    Assignee: S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc.
    Inventors: William L. Driskell, Matthew J. Forst, Judith A. Rath, Steven A. Sell, David A. Smith, Cynthia A. Stevens, Steven L. Sweeton, Matthew N. Thurin, Steven A. Zach
  • Patent number: D645745
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2011
    Assignee: S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc.
    Inventors: William L. Driskell, Matthew J. Forst, Judith A. Rath, Steven A. Sell, David A. Smith, Cynthia A. Stevens, Steven L. Sweeton, Matthew N. Thurin, Steven A. Zach
  • Patent number: D653110
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: MeadWestvaco Calmar, Inc.
    Inventor: Steven L. Sweeton
  • Patent number: D653540
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignee: MeadWestvaco Calmar, Inc.
    Inventor: Steven L. Sweeton
  • Patent number: D665260
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc.
    Inventors: William L. Driskell, Matthew J. Forst, Judith A. Rath, Steven A. Sell, David A. Smith, Cynthia A. Stevens, Steven L. Sweeton, Matthew N. Thurin, Steven A. Zach
  • Patent number: D691488
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc.
    Inventors: Nancy L. Broen, Daria Costantini, William L. Driskell, Matthew J. Forst, Judith A. Rath, Steven A. Sell, David A. Smith, Cynthia A. Stevens, Steven L. Sweeton, Matthew N. Thurin, Steve A. Zach
  • Patent number: D700052
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: MeadWestvaco Calmar, Inc.
    Inventor: Steven L. Sweeton
  • Patent number: D702123
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: MeadWestvaco Calmar, Inc.
    Inventor: Steven L. Sweeton