Abstract: An airbrush apparatus for use in generating a design on a desired object is disclosed. The apparatus and method of use are disclosed wherein the airbrush apparatus comprises a housing, boom, and sprayer head. A fluid to be applied is contained in individual cartridges and is drawn out by a vacuum effect caused by air that is being pumped from the housing across a feed tube which is in fluid communication with the cartridge.

Abstract: A method for making crayons is provided. The method employs an apparatus which includes a base that houses a heating component, a melt pan disposed to absorb heat from the heating component, a mold, and a cover. The melt pan receives crayon material and contains it as the heating component increases the temperature, causing the crayon material to liquefy. The liquefied crayon material can then be drained by the user of the device, into a mold with crayon-shaped cavities. A timer and a cover prevents access to the melt pan and the mold during particular operating conditions of the apparatus.

Abstract: A writing utensil configurable between retracted and extended configurations is provided. The writing utensil includes a body having an interior volume and an aperture. A reciprocally movable nib assembly is located in the body and includes a nib that, when in the extended configuration, traverses the aperture. To prevent the nib from drying when in the retracted configuration, a sealing element seals the aperture. In an embodiment, the sealing element is a resilient valve element that can be opened by a sleeve slidably engaging the nib assembly. After the sleeve opens the valve, the sleeve slides with respect to the nib assembly to expose the nib. In another embodiment, the sealing element can be a sliding door that is attached to the nib assembly and overlays the aperture. When the nib assembly is moved to the extended configuration, the sliding door slides in a manner that opens the aperture.

Abstract: A writing utensil configurable between retracted and extended configurations is provided. The writing utensil includes a body having an interior volume and an aperture. A reciprocally movable nib assembly is located in the body and includes a nib that, when in the extended configuration, traverses the aperture. To prevent the nib from drying when in the retracted configuration, a sealing element seals the aperture. In an embodiment, the sealing element is a resilient valve element that can be opened by a sleeve slidably engaging the nib assembly. After the sleeve opens the valve, the sleeve slides with respect to the nib assembly to expose the nib. In another embodiment, the sealing element can be a sliding door that is attached to the nib assembly and overlays the aperture. When the nib assembly is moved to the extended configuration, the sliding door slides in a manner that opens the aperture.

Abstract: An apparatus for making crayons is disclosed. The apparatus includes a base that houses a heating component, a melt pan disposed to absorb heat from the heating component, a mold, and a cover. The melt pan receives crayon material and contains it as the heating component increases the temperature, causing the crayon material to liquefy. The liquefied crayon material can then be drained by the user of the device, into a mold with crayon-shaped cavities. A cover prevents access to the melt pan and the mold during particular operating conditions of the apparatus.

Abstract: An apparatus for making crayons is provided. The apparatus includes a base that houses a heating component, a melt pan disposed to absorb heat from the heating component, a mold, and a cover. The melt pan receives crayon material and contains it as the heating component increases the temperature, causing the crayon material to liquefy. The liquefied crayon material can then be drained by the user of the device, into a mold with crayon-shaped cavities. A cover prevents access to the melt pan and the mold during particular operating conditions of the apparatus.

Abstract: The present invention provides a portable lap desk for writing or drawing upon that is especially suited for young children. The lap desk includes a generally planar desk element that provides a first surface and an opposing second surface. Releasably attached to the second surface is a stuffed toy cushion designed to imitate a real or fanciful animal or figure. To create the appearance of a real or fanciful animal or figure, the stuffed toy cushion may include a body portion and one or more appendages. When the lap desk is not being used to write or draw upon, the stuffed toy cushion can be detached from the desk element for a child to play with. In one embodiment, to provide storage for drawing utensils used in conjunction with the desk, the stuffed toy cushion can be formed with an inner cavity that is accessible through an opening.

Abstract: The portable easel includes a viewable storage compartment for enclosing and transporting artist supplies and drawing materials. The portable easel includes an upper housing portion hingedly attached to a lower housing portion so as to be movable between an opened position and a closed position. The storage compartment is formed into the lower housing portion. In the opened position, the upper housing portion is positioned at an inclined angle with respect to the lower housing portion thereby providing an inclined drawing surface. In the closed position, the upper housing portion overlays the lower housing portion so as to enclose the storage compartment formed therein. To facilitate viewing of the storage compartment when the upper housing portion is in the closed position, the upper housing portion or a section thereof is formed from transparent or translucent plastic.

Abstract: A writing utensil configurable between retracted and extended configurations is provided. The writing utensil includes a body having an interior volume and an aperture. A reciprocally movable nib assembly is located in the body and includes a nib that, when in the extended configuration, traverses the aperture. To prevent the nib from drying when in the retracted configuration, a sealing element seals the aperture. In an embodiment, the sealing element is a resilient valve element that can be opened by a sleeve slidably engaging the nib assembly. After the sleeve opens the valve, the sleeve slides with respect to the nib assembly to expose the nib. In another embodiment, the sealing element can be a sliding door that is attached to the nib assembly and overlays the aperture. When the nib assembly is moved to the extended configuration, the sliding door slides in a manner that opens the aperture.

Abstract: Disclosed is an erasable colored pencil lead composition comprising, in an embodiment, a colorant, one or more binder resins, an antioxidant, a fibrillatable or fibrillated material, and a filler. Also disclosed is a colored pencil lead composition which produces marks on paper, which are easily erased by ordinary pencil eraser. The mark made using the composition has a cohesive nature that assists in the removal from paper in sheet or film like sections by the use of an ordinary pencil eraser without smearing or leaving a residue. In a preferred embodiment, the composition is free or substantially free of low melting waxes or waxy materials. The colored pencil lead composition may further include a lubricant. Also disclosed is a method for using a colored pencil lead composition.

Abstract: A water-based, erasable marking composition comprising 1-86% by weight water, 0.3-38% by weight pigment, 13-45% by weight polyurethane, and 0-85% by weight glycerin, wherein said polyurethane has a viscosity which increases by at least a factor of 10 when said polyurethane is dried from a 30% dispersion of said polyurethane in water to a 65% polyurethane dispersion in water. The present invention also includes an application instrument comprising an outer body having a first end, an applicator at the first end of the outer body, a reservoir included within the outer body and in fluid communication with the applicator, and a water-based, erasable marking composition within the reservoir. The water-based, erasable marking composition comprises the composition of the invention.

Abstract: A coloring kit is disclosed which includes writing instruments for making marks in color, a storage container for the writing instruments, and a compact disc that has instructions for reproducing displays of interactive activities utilizing the writing instruments from a personal computer. The interactive activities may include a coloring book or similar such activities. The end user or customer may print physical copies of the displays from a personal computer coupled to a printer. In some embodiments, the storage container may also enclose and store the compact disc.

Abstract: The writing instrument includes a cap and a barrel. The cap includes threads which engage the threads on the barrel. In addition, the cap includes protrusions which engage protrusions on the barrel. The threads are designed so that the cap will engage the stop surface in approximately one third of a revolution. When the protrusions move past each other, the user perceives a tactile and/or audible indication. This indication advises the user that the cap has been fully attached to the barrel. In addition, the cap includes ribs on the exterior surface to assist the user in grasping the cap and in rotating the cap.

Abstract: An apparatus for making crayons is disclosed. The apparatus includes a base that houses a heating component, a melt pan disposed to absorb heat from the heating component, a mold, and a cover. The melt pan receives crayon material and contains it as the heating component increases the temperature, causing the crayon material to liquefy. The liquefied crayon material can then be drained by the user of the device, into a mold with crayon-shaped cavities. A cover prevents access to the melt pan and the mold during particular operating conditions of the apparatus.

Abstract: The marker may include a body, a cap, an end plug and an eraser. In one of the embodiments, the eraser is molded onto the end plug. The end plug may include an attachment portion and the eraser may have an attachment portion. The attachment portion on the end plug corresponds to the attachment portion on the eraser. The attachment portions may have different shapes and/or cross sections. In other embodiments the eraser may be attached to the end of the marker, to the barrel, or to the cap.