Patents by Inventor Michael L. Spera

Michael L. Spera 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: 12139584
    Abstract: A non- or low-boron putty base includes a crosslinked reaction product of at least one polydiorganosiloxane that has at least two reactive functional groups and at least one crosslinker capable of reacting with the reactive functional groups to form the crosslinked reaction product. The putty base is dilatant and may include 0 to 0.1 weight percent of a boron-containing compound. Dilatant putties made from the putty base and fillers are also provided. A method of making a dilatant putty includes: providing at least one polydiorganosiloxane including at least two reactive functional groups; providing an additive; providing at least one crosslinker capable of reacting with the reactive functional groups; and combining the polydiorganosiloxane, the filler, and the crosslinker to form the dilatant putty having less than 0.1 wt % boron.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2023
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2024
    Assignee: Crayola LLC
    Inventor: Michael L. Spera
  • Publication number: 20240158579
    Abstract: A non- or low-boron putty base includes a crosslinked reaction product of at least one polydiorganosiloxane that has at least two reactive functional groups and at least one crosslinker capable of reacting with the reactive functional groups to form the crosslinked reaction product. The putty base is dilatant and may include 0 to 0.1 weight percent of a boron-containing compound. Dilatant putties made from the putty base and fillers are also provided. A method of making a dilatant putty includes: providing at least one polydiorganosiloxane including at least two reactive functional groups; providing an additive; providing at least one crosslinker capable of reacting with the reactive functional groups; and combining the polydiorganosiloxane, the filler, and the crosslinker to form the dilatant putty having less than 0.1 wt % boron.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2023
    Publication date: May 16, 2024
    Applicant: Crayola LLC
    Inventor: Michael L. Spera
  • Patent number: 11891484
    Abstract: A non- or low-boron putty base includes a crosslinked reaction product of at least one polydiorganosiloxane that has at least two reactive functional groups and at least one crosslinker capable of reacting with the reactive functional groups to form the crosslinked reaction product. The putty base is dilatant and comprises 0 to 0.1 weight percent of a boron-containing compound. Dilatant putties made from the putty base and fillers are also provided. A method of making a dilatant putty includes: providing at least one polydiorganosiloxane comprising at least two reactive functional groups; providing an additive; providing at least one crosslinker capable of reacting with the reactive functional groups; and combining the polydiorganosiloxane, the filler, and the crosslinker to form the dilatant putty having less than 0.1 wt % boron.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: Crayola LLC
    Inventor: Michael L. Spera
  • Patent number: 11084924
    Abstract: The present invention provides moldable compositions that are capable of resisting slumping and cracking when allowed to dry and harden. Embodiments of the moldable composition comprise water, fillers including arrowroot and kaolin clay, at least one polar polymeric resin (e.g., polyvinyl alcohol), at least one thickening agent (e.g., ammonium pentaborate tetrahydrate), one or more pH adjusters (e.g., triethanolamine, sodium bicarbonate), a humectant (e.g., propylene glycol, glycerin), optionally at least one releasing agent (e.g., mineral oil), and optionally at least one additive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2021
    Assignee: Crayola LLC
    Inventors: Michael G. Moskal, Anthony C. Drago, III, David E. Rowan, Michael L. Spera, Eric Alexander Boschi
  • Publication number: 20210079168
    Abstract: A non- or low-boron putty base includes a crosslinked reaction product of at least one polydiorganosiloxane that has at least two reactive functional groups and at least one crosslinker capable of reacting with the reactive functional groups to form the crosslinked reaction product. The putty base is dilatant and comprises 0 to 0.1 weight percent of a boron-containing compound. Dilatant putties made from the putty base and fillers are also provided. A method of making a dilatant putty includes: providing at least one polydiorganosiloxane comprising at least two reactive functional groups; providing an additive; providing at least one crosslinker capable of reacting with the reactive functional groups; and combining the polydiorganosiloxane, the filler, and the crosslinker to form the dilatant putty having less than 0.1 wt % boron.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2020
    Publication date: March 18, 2021
    Applicant: Crayola LLC
    Inventor: Michael L. Spera
  • Publication number: 20190077175
    Abstract: Writing compositions capable of undergoing a color development when brought into contact with a specific substrate including a color change-inducing compound are provided. Writing instruments comprising such writing compositions are also provided. Application of the writing compositions to surfaces other than the intended substrate will avoid color development and prevent staining of the unintended surfaces. The writing compositions include at least one mineral filler, at least one leuco dye, one or more lipids including one or more waxes, one or more fatty acids, or one or more fatty acid esters or fatty amides, titanium dioxide, and optionally at least one additive.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2018
    Publication date: March 14, 2019
    Applicant: Crayola LLC
    Inventors: Keith J. Allison, Victor Hugo Bedoya, Michael L. Spera
  • Publication number: 20190016877
    Abstract: The present invention provides moldable compositions that are capable of resisting slumping and cracking when allowed to dry and harden. Embodiments of the moldable composition comprise water, fillers including arrowroot and kaolin clay, at least one polar polymeric resin (e.g., polyvinyl alcohol), at least one thickening agent (e.g., ammonium pentaborate tetrahydrate), one or more pH adjusters (e.g., triethanolamine, sodium bicarbonate), a humectant (e.g., propylene glycol, glycerin), optionally at least one releasing agent (e.g., mineral oil), and optionally at least one additive.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2018
    Publication date: January 17, 2019
    Applicant: Crayola LLC
    Inventors: Michael G. Moskal, Anthony C. Drago, III, David E. Rowan, Michael L. Spera
  • Patent number: 10138358
    Abstract: The present invention provides moldable compositions that are capable of drying and hardening if left in open air at room temperature for a period of time. Embodiments of the moldable compositions comprise water, at least one polar polymeric resin (e.g., polyvinyl alcohol), at least one thickening agent (e.g., boric acid, borate salt, or hydrate of a borate salt), at least one humectant (e.g., glycerin, propylene glycol, etc.), at least one filler (e.g., corn starch, tapioca, or arrowroot), optionally at least one releasing agent (e.g., mineral oil) and optionally at least one additive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2018
    Assignee: CRAYOLA LLC
    Inventors: Cindy Nguyen, Michael G. Moskal, David Rowan, Michael L. Spera, James Broe Fitzpatrick
  • Publication number: 20170058109
    Abstract: The present invention provides moldable compositions that are capable of drying and hardening if left in open air at room temperature for a period of time. Embodiments of the moldable compositions comprise water, at least one polar polymeric resin (e.g., polyvinyl alcohol), at least one thickening agent (e.g., boric acid, borate salt, or hydrate of a borate salt), at least one humectant (e.g., glycerin, propylene glycol, etc.), at least one filler (e.g., corn starch, tapioca, or arrowroot), optionally at least one releasing agent (e.g., mineral oil) and optionally at least one additive.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2016
    Publication date: March 2, 2017
    Applicant: Crayola LLC
    Inventors: Cindy NGUYEN, Michael G. MOSKAL, David ROWAN, Michael L. SPERA, James Broe FITZPATRICK
  • Patent number: 7364795
    Abstract: The present invention provides smooth and even ultraviolet (UV) cured powder coatings for wood comprising one, two or three layers of one or more waterborne stains, or clear or tinted waterborne basecoat coatings and one or more topcoat layers of clear or tinted clear powder coatings made from one or more than one free radical UV curing resin, one or more than one photoinitiator, and one or more than one post-blend dry flow additive, such as fumed alumina. The coatings of the present invention have a natural wood appearance, are foam free and fully coat substrates at powder coating thicknesses ranging from 0.5 mil (12.7 ?m) to 2.0 mil (50.8 ?m). Accordingly, the coatings will fully and evenly coat uneven, beveled and/or routered substrate surfaces, including open grain natural wood substrates, such as oak.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Assignee: Rohm and Haas Company
    Inventors: Andrew T. Daly, Grant E. Schlegel, Michael L. Spera
  • Publication number: 20030232141
    Abstract: A method for improving the tarnish-resistance and adhesion characteristics of temperature-sensitive substrate metals is provided as well as composite materials including the improved substrates. The temperature-sensitive metal substrate is coated with an intermediate layer of a polyalkyleneimine, heated to polymerize the imine, and then coated with an epoxy containing powder coating.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2003
    Publication date: December 18, 2003
    Inventors: Karl R. Wursthorn, Andrew T. Daly, Eugene P. Reinheimer, Michael L. Spera
  • Publication number: 20030194560
    Abstract: Coating powders comprising a solid, particulate film-forming composition and encapsulated catalysts provide stable one-part compositions. The film-forming composition can be a low-temperature cure coating powder such as a carboxylic acid functional polymer/epoxy curative coating powder or a polyester resin/epoxy curative coating powder. The encapsulated catalyst can be a catalyst suitable for the coating powder used such as a substituted imidazole.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2003
    Publication date: October 16, 2003
    Inventors: Michael L. Spera, Joseph M. Fedeyko