Patents by Inventor Robert M. O'Brien

Robert M. O'Brien 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: 10358571
    Abstract: The present invention relates to strategies by which one or more phenolic resins are provided in aqueous phenolic dispersions in a manner so that the resultant aqueous phenolic dispersions are more easily combined with water-based latex compositions. The principles of the present invention make it much easier to formulate water-based latex compositions in which substantial phenolic resin content can be stably dispersed for long periods of time. In one aspect, the present invention relates to a method of making a coating composition, comprising a) providing an inverted aqueous dispersion comprising i) at least one polymer having one or more polar, hydrophilic groups; and ii) at least one phenolic resin; b) providing a latex composition; and c) blending the latex composition with the aqueous dispersion to form the coating composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2019
    Assignee: The Sherwin-Williams Company
    Inventors: Anthony C. Youlton, Robert M. O'Brien, Mary Jo Scandolari
  • Publication number: 20190210461
    Abstract: In an aspect, a self-balancing two-wheeled vehicle is provided, having a body, and first and second wheels rotatably coupled to the body. The second wheel has at least one lateral roller rotatable about an axis that is one of oblique and orthogonal to a rotation axis of the second wheel. At least one motor is coupled to the second wheel to control rotation of the second wheel and the at least one lateral roller. At least one sensor is coupled to the body to generate orientation data therefor. A control module is coupled to the at least one motor to control operation thereof at least partially based on the orientation data generated by the at least one sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2019
    Publication date: July 11, 2019
    Inventors: Ian Patterson, Robert M. O'Brien, Daryl R. Tearne
  • Patent number: 10336909
    Abstract: A coating composition for a food or beverage can that includes an emulsion polymerized latex polymer formed by combining an ethylenically unsaturated monomer component with an aqueous dispersion of a water-dispersible polymer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: The Sherwin-Williams Company
    Inventors: Robert M. O'Brien, Daniel E. Rardon, Rachael Ann Spynda, George K. Bartley, Richard H. Evans
  • Patent number: 10316211
    Abstract: Coating compositions that include a thermoplastic dispersion and an epoxy-functional stabilizer having polyhydric phenols that exhibit estrogenic activity less than bisphenol S.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: SWIMC LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey Niederst, Richard H. Evans, Robert M. O'Brien, Kevin Romagnoli, Mark S. Von Maier, Mary E. Tishey, Gregory M. Paulson
  • Patent number: 10294388
    Abstract: This invention provides a polymer, which is preferably a polyether polymer. The polymer may be uses in coating compositions. Containers and other articles comprising the polymer and methods of making such containers and other articles are also provided. The invention further provides compositions including the polymer (e.g., powder coatings), which have utility in a variety of coating end uses, including, for example, valve and pipe coatings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2019
    Assignee: SWIMC LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey Niederst, Richard H. Evans, Robert M. O'Brien, Kevin Romagnoli, Mark S. Von Maier
  • Patent number: 10273380
    Abstract: The present invention provides novel packaging articles, e.g., food and beverage cans. Preferred cans typically comprise a body portion and an end portion, wherein at least one of the body and end portions are aluminum and are coated on at least one major surface with a coating composition of the present invention. Suitable coating compositions of the present invention comprise: one or more polyester resins, wherein at least one of the polyester resins has a glass transition temperature (‘Tg’) less than about 50° C., and wherein the polyester resin is formed by the reaction of one or more polyacid molecules and one or more polyol molecules; and a crosslinker. Preferred compositions are substantially free of mobile BPA and aromatic glycidyl ether compounds, e.g., BADGE, BFDGE and epoxy novalacs (e.g., NOGE) and more preferred compositions are also substantially free of bound BPA and aromatic glycidyl ether compounds. In more preferred embodiments (e.g.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2019
    Assignee: The Sherwin-Williams Company
    Inventors: Girish G. Parekh, George K. Bartley, III, Greg M. Paulson, Paul E. Fuchs, Daniel E. Rardon, Robert M. O'Brien
  • Patent number: 10266455
    Abstract: A coating composition is provided that is suitable for use on a medicament-contact surface. The coating composition preferably includes one or more acrylic-containing polymer and a carrier. In preferred embodiments, the coating composition is an aqueous dispersion or solution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2019
    Assignee: The Sherwin-Williams Company
    Inventors: Grant Schutte, Robert M. O'Brien
  • Patent number: 10245952
    Abstract: In an aspect, a self-balancing two-wheeled vehicle is provided, having a body, and first and second wheels rotatably coupled to the body. The second wheel has at least one lateral roller rotatable about an axis that is one of oblique and orthogonal to a rotation axis of the second wheel. At least one motor is coupled to the second wheel to control rotation of the second wheel and the at least one lateral roller. At least one sensor is coupled to the body to generate orientation data therefor. A control module is coupled to the at least one motor to control operation thereof at least partially based on the orientation data generated by the at least one sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2019
    Assignee: SPIN MASTER LTD.
    Inventors: Ian Patterson, Robert M. O'Brien, Daryl R. Tearne
  • Publication number: 20190085170
    Abstract: An aqueous coating composition is provided that is preferably substantially free of styrene and structural units derived from styrene. The coating composition includes a resin system that preferably includes a water-dispersible polymer and an emulsion polymerized ethylenically unsaturated monomer component. The resin system is preferably formed using a process that includes emulsion polymerizing the ethylenically unsaturated monomer component in the presence of an aqueous dispersion including the water-dispersible polymer. In certain preferred embodiments, the water-dispersible polymer is a salt of an acid- or anhydride-functional aromatic polyether polymer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2018
    Publication date: March 21, 2019
    Applicant: SWIMC LLC
    Inventors: Robert M. O'Brien, Mark Stuetelberg
  • Publication number: 20190048126
    Abstract: This invention provides a polymer, which is preferably a polyether polymer. The polymer may be uses in coating compositions. Containers and other articles comprising the polymer and methods of making such containers and other articles are also provided. The invention further provides compositions including the polymer (e.g., powder coatings), which have utility in a variety of coating end uses, including, for example, valve and pipe coatings.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2018
    Publication date: February 14, 2019
    Applicant: SWIMC LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey Niederst, Robert M. O'Brien, Kevin Romagnoli, Mark S. Von Maier, Lan Deng, Richard H Evans, David J. Santure, Benoit Prouvost
  • Publication number: 20190031816
    Abstract: A liquid epoxy resin composition is provided. In preferred embodiments, the liquid epoxy resin composition is free of bisphenol A, bisphenol F, and bisphenol S, including epoxides thereof, and is useful in preparing a polyether polymer having utility in coating compositions, including, e.g., coating compositions for use on food or beverage containers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2016
    Publication date: January 31, 2019
    Inventors: Richard H. Evans, Benjamin J. Webster, Robert M. O'Brien, Jeffrey Niederst
  • Publication number: 20180346199
    Abstract: This invention provides a polymer, which is preferably a polyether polymer. The polymer may be used in coating compositions. Containers and other articles comprising the polymer and methods of making such containers and other articles are also provided. The invention further provides compositions including the polymer (e.g., powder coatings), which have utility in a variety of coating end uses, including, for example, valve and pipe coatings.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2018
    Publication date: December 6, 2018
    Inventors: Jeffrey Niederst, Richard H. Evans, Robert M. O'Brien, Kevin Romagnoli, Mark S. Von Maier
  • Patent number: 10113027
    Abstract: This invention provides a polymer, which is preferably a polyether polymer. The polymer may be uses in coating compositions. Containers and other articles comprising the polymer and methods of making such containers and other articles are also provided. The invention further provides compositions including the polymer (e.g., powder coatings), which have utility in a variety of coating end uses, including, for example, valve and pipe coatings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2018
    Assignee: SWIMC LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey Niederst, Robert M. O'Brien, Kevin Romagnoli, Mark S. Von Maier, Lan Deng, Richard H Evans, David J. Santure, Benoit Prouvost
  • Patent number: 10106252
    Abstract: A collapsible flying device is provided having a housing including first and second housing sections forming an enclosure, and a motorized assembly that includes a drive motor and a drive shaft driven by the drive motor. The drive shaft matingly receives the first housing section and is coupled to the second housing section, wherein operation of the drive motor drives the drive shaft to move the first housing section from a closed position adjacent the second housing section to an open position spaced from the second housing section. A rotor hub is rotatingly driven by the drive motor. At least two rotor blades are coupled thereto and positioned within the enclosure in a collapsed position when the first housing section is in the closed position, and extend beyond the enclosure in an expanded position when the first housing section is in the open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2018
    Assignee: SPIN MASTER LTD.
    Inventors: Daryl R. Tearne, Robert M. O'Brien, Charles Sink
  • Publication number: 20180258309
    Abstract: A coating composition for a food or beverage can that includes an emulsion polymerized latex polymer formed by combining an ethylenically unsaturated monomer component with an aqueous dispersion of a water-dispersible polymer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 5, 2018
    Publication date: September 13, 2018
    Applicant: The Sherwin-Williams Company
    Inventors: Robert M. O'Brien, Daniel E. Rardon, Rachael Ann Spynda, George K. Bartley, Richard H. Evans
  • Publication number: 20180112101
    Abstract: This invention provides a polymer that is useful in a variety of applications, including as a binder polymer of a coating composition, and especially a packaging coating composition. Packaging articles (e.g., containers) comprising the polymer and methods of making such packaging articles are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2017
    Publication date: April 26, 2018
    Inventors: Richard H. Evans, Jeffrey Niederst, Robert M. O'Brien, Benoit Prouvost, Kevin Romagnoli, Grant Schutte, Paul Stenson, Tom Van Kuren
  • Publication number: 20180112102
    Abstract: This invention provides a polymer that is useful in a variety of applications, including as a binder polymer of a coating composition, and especially a packaging coating composition. Packaging articles (e.g., containers) comprising the polymer and methods of making such packaging articles are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2017
    Publication date: April 26, 2018
    Inventors: Richard H. Evans, Jeffrey Niederst, Robert M. O'Brien, Benoit Prouvost, Kevin Romagnoli, Grant Schutte, Paul Stenson, Tom Van Kuren
  • Patent number: 9944749
    Abstract: Polycarbonates made from polyhydric phenols that preferably exhibit estrogenic activity less than bisphenol S exhibit properties such as high impact strengths, moderate to high glass transition temperatures, chemical resistance, and good color and clarity similar to conventional BPA-derived polycarbonates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: SWIMC, LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey Niederst, Richard H. Evans, Robert M. O'Brien, Kevin Romagnoli, T. Howard Killilea, Mark S. Von Maier, Dan G. Hartinger
  • Patent number: 9862854
    Abstract: A coating composition for a food or beverage can that includes an emulsion polymerized latex polymer formed by combining an ethylenically unsaturated monomer component with an aqueous dispersion of a water-dispersible polymer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignee: Valspar Sourcing, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert M. O'Brien, Daniel E. Rardon, Rachael Ann Spynda, George K. Bartley, Richard H. Evans
  • Publication number: 20170321082
    Abstract: The present invention provides novel packaging articles, e.g., food and beverage cans. Preferred cans typically comprise a body portion and an end portion, wherein at least one of the body and end portions are aluminum and are coated on at least one major surface with a coating composition of the present invention. Suitable coating compositions of the present invention comprise: one or more polyester resins, wherein at least one of the polyester resins has a glass transition temperature (“Tg”) less than about 50° C., and wherein the polyester resin is formed by the reaction of one or more polyacid molecules and one or more polyol molecules; and a crosslinker. Preferred compositions are substantially free of mobile BPA and aromatic glycidyl ether compounds, e.g., BADGE, BFDGE and epoxy novalacs (e.g., NOGE) and more preferred compositions are also substantially free of bound BPA and aromatic glycidyl ether compounds. In more preferred embodiments (e.g.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2017
    Publication date: November 9, 2017
    Applicant: Valspar Sourcing, Inc.
    Inventors: Girish G. Parekh, George K. Bartley, III, Greg M. Paulson, Paul E. Fuchs, Daniel E. Rardon, Robert M. O'Brien