Patents by Inventor Earl Pickering

Earl Pickering 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).

  • Publication number: 20190256726
    Abstract: A mess-free coloring system comprising a coloring medium and optionally one or more coloring utensils is disclosed. The coloring medium can include a substrate with or without decorative effects and one or more coating layers on a surface of the substrate. In various examples, the one or more coating layers include a color-triggering developer, e.g., in the form of a substantially clear resin, and an opaque pigment. Decorative effects integrated with or disposed on the substrate, while initially obscured by the one or more coating layers, can be revealed when the coating layers are mixed with at least one color precursor stored and dispensed from a coloring utensil. The opaque pigment is selected and configured such that, upon receipt of at least one color precursor by the one or more coating layers, a change in the pigment's reflective index occurs as the pigment dissolves into the clear resin developer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2018
    Publication date: August 22, 2019
    Inventors: Nabil F. Nasser, Jodi A. Schwendimann, Earl Pickering
  • Patent number: 10179864
    Abstract: A mess-free coloring system comprising a coloring medium and optionally one or more coloring utensils is disclosed. The coloring medium can include a substrate with or without decorative effects and one or more coating layers on a surface of the substrate. In various examples, the one or more coating layers include a color-triggering developer, e.g., in the form of a substantially clear resin, and an opaque pigment. Decorative effects integrated with or disposed on the substrate, while initially obscured by the one or more coating layers, can be revealed when the coating layers are mixed with at least one color precursor stored and dispensed from a coloring utensil. The opaque pigment is selected and configured such that, upon receipt of at least one color precursor by the one or more coating layers, a change in the pigment's reflective index occurs as the pigment dissolves into the clear resin developer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2019
    Assignee: NuCoat, Inc.
    Inventors: Nabil F. Nasser, Jodi A. Schwendimann, Earl Pickering
  • Publication number: 20170145237
    Abstract: A mess-free coloring system comprising a coloring medium and optionally one or more coloring utensils is disclosed. The coloring medium can include a substrate with or without decorative effects and one or more coating layers on a surface of the substrate. In various examples, the one or more coating layers include a color-triggering developer, e.g., in the form of a substantially clear resin, and an opaque pigment. Decorative effects integrated with or disposed on the substrate, while initially obscured by the one or more coating layers, can be revealed when the coating layers are mixed with at least one color precursor stored and dispensed from a coloring utensil. The opaque pigment is selected and configured such that, upon receipt of at least one color precursor by the one or more coating layers, a change in the pigment's reflective index occurs as the pigment dissolves into the clear resin developer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2017
    Publication date: May 25, 2017
    Inventors: Nabil F. Nasser, Jodi A. Schwendimann, Earl Pickering
  • Patent number: 9573403
    Abstract: A mess-free coloring system comprising a coloring medium and optionally one or more coloring utensils is disclosed. The coloring medium can include a substrate with or without decorative effects and one or more coating layers on a surface of the substrate. In various examples, the one or more coating layers include a color-triggering developer, e.g., in the form of a substantially clear resin, and an opaque pigment. Decorative effects integrated with or disposed on the substrate, while initially obscured by the one or more coating layers, can be revealed when the coating layers are mixed with at least one color precursor stored and dispensed from a coloring utensil. The opaque pigment is selected and configured such that, upon receipt of at least one color precursor by the one or more coating layers, a change in the pigment's reflective index occurs as the pigment dissolves into the clear resin developer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: NuCoat, Inc.
    Inventors: Nabil F. Nasser, Jodi A. Schwendimann, Earl Pickering
  • Publication number: 20160221304
    Abstract: Image transfer articles, sheets and methods are disclosed. The image transfer articles and sheets can include or be configured to receive an image. The image can be capture on one or more ink or other marking receptive layers of the image transfer articles or sheets. In various examples, the image transfer articles provide decorative features in addition to the image. Such decorative features can include article portions bearing elements such as, but not limited to, metallic flakes, metallic-like flakes, glitter materials, sparkle materials, luminescent materials (e.g., having a glow-in-the-dark effect), pearlescent materials, reflective materials, or combinations thereof. In some examples, the image transfer articles include a vanishing layer configured to hold or sustain the image on a receptor element until the receptor element is washed a predetermined number of times.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2016
    Publication date: August 4, 2016
    Inventors: Jodi A. Schwendimann, Nabil F. Nasser, Earl Pickering
  • Patent number: 9371148
    Abstract: Image transfer articles, sheets and methods are disclosed. The image transfer articles and sheets can include or be configured to receive an image. The image can be capture on one or more ink or other marking receptive layers of the image transfer articles or sheets. In various examples, the image transfer articles provide decorative features in addition to the image. Such decorative features can include article portions bearing elements such as, but not limited to, metallic flakes, metallic-like flakes, glitter materials, sparkle materials, luminescent materials (e.g., having a glow-in-the-dark effect), pearlescent materials, reflective materials, or combinations thereof. In some examples, the image transfer articles include a vanishing layer configured to hold or sustain the image on a receptor element until the receptor element is washed a predetermined number of times.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: NuCoat, Inc.
    Inventors: Jodi A. Schwendimann, Nabil F. Nasser, Earl Pickering
  • Patent number: 9079681
    Abstract: Image transfer articles, sheets and methods are disclosed. The image transfer articles and sheets can include or be configured to receive an image. The image can be capture on one or more ink or other marking receptive layers of the image transfer articles or sheets. In various examples, the image transfer articles provide decorative features in addition to the image. Such decorative features can include article portions bearing elements such as, but not limited to, metallic flakes, metallic-like flakes, glitter materials, sparkle materials, luminescent materials (e.g., having a glow-in-the-dark effect), pearlescent materials, reflective materials, or combinations thereof. In some examples, the image transfer articles include a vanishing layer configured to hold or sustain the image on a receptor element until the receptor element is washed a predetermined number of times.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2015
    Assignee: NuCoat, Inc.
    Inventors: Jodi A. Schwendimann, Nabil F. Nasser, Earl Pickering
  • Patent number: 8114485
    Abstract: The present subject matter includes apparatus and methods for a heat shrinkable water resistant image medium. The method can include providing a shrinkable coating comprising a polyurethane dispersion and applying the coating to a shrinkable substrate. The shrinkable substrate and the shrinkable coating are configured to accept ink, shrink when exposed to heat and, after shrinking, retain the ink when the substrate and coating are exposed to moisture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: NuCoat, Inc.
    Inventors: Jodi A. Schwendimann, Nabil F. Nasser, Earl Pickering