Abstract: An aqueous permanent coloring composition for a marking instrument includes a pigment, an alkali soluble acrylic resin, and a volatile pH regulant. The composition optionally includes a drying agent, an adhesion promoter, and/or a preservative. The composition is useful as a permanent ink or paint and has good fugitivity from skin.

Abstract: In one form, the invention is a washable dye-containing composition comprising an acid dye, a dye vehicle, and an organic sulfonate in an amount of at least about 10% by weight of the composition. More specifically, the invention is, in one preferred embodiment, a washable marker ink, comprising an acid dye, water, and an aromatic sulfonate in an amount of at least about 10% by weight of the composition. In another embodiment, the composition of the invention is in the form of a water-soluble tempera paint comprising an acid dye, water, fillers, thickeners, opacifiers, and an organic sulfonate in an amount of at least about 10% by weight of the composition. Other water-soluble dye-containing compositions having enhanced skin and fabric fugitivity are within the scope of the invention as well.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for injecting viscous materials. The apparatus includes a vertically adjustable manifold valve which receives a continuously circulating supply of pressurized viscous material. The manifold valve is positioned above a container or mold cavity to be filled with the viscous material. When the manifold valve is opened, the viscous material is injected into the containers or molds.

Abstract: The solid marking composition of the invention includes from about 15% up to about 50% by weight of a polyethylene resin component having a specific gravity in the range of from about 0.95 up to about 0.96. In addition, the composition of the invention includes from about 20% up to about 55% by weight of a compatible plasticizer, and from about 3% up to about 20% by weight active material of a pigment. Optionally, the composition may include a pigment dispersing agent, such as a fatty acid. Further additives which may advantageously employed include extenders or fillers, oxidation stabilizers, UV stabilizers, and mold release agents. The composition of the invention is fabricated into marking instruments having unexpectedly improved eraseability, ease of application, barrel breaking strength, and tip breaking strength, while eliminating bloom entirely.

Abstract: The invention provides a single, universal crayon sharpener capable of accommodating many different sizes of crayons or other similar marking instruments. The invention includes asymmetrical sharpening slots and cutting flanges which cooperate with an internal guide wal to ensure the proper placement and sharpening of a large range of crayon sizes. The use of asymmetrical sharpening slots and cutting flanges, and an internal guide wall, in addition, permits the efficient reinforcement of the sharpener to resist the forces and stresses generated during the sharpening process.

Abstract: The present invention is a solid marking composition which may be in the form of, for example, a crayon or a marking pencil lead which is washable from fabrics, wallpaper, and painted surfaces and which also has working properties which closely approximate those achieved in conventional crayons. The composition includes a polyethylene glycol resin having a molecular weight of at least about 7,000, a water soluble surfactant which is other than a liquid at room temperatue, and a pigment. Optionally, the composition of the invention may include one or more of a compatible viscosity modifier, a compatible plasticizer, an antifoam agent, and an inert filler.

Abstract: A cap for use with marking instruments having a barrel which carries at one end a marking nib. The cap comprises a generally cylindrical shell which is open at both ends. A conical shaped nib sealing element is disposed within the interior of the shell and spaced from each end thereof. The nib sealing element is adapted to fit over and seal the marking nib and is spaced from the cap shell to permit air to pass therebetween.

Abstract: A transformable stencil toy is provided which includes a main body plate, a sliding plate in limited slidable engagement with the main body plate, and one or more pivoting plates in limited pivotal engagement with the sliding plate and in limited slidable engagement with the main body plate. When the sliding plate moves to the first limit of its slidable engagement with respect to the main body portion, the pivoting plates move to a first predetermined position and the stencil toy assumes the configuration of a first traceable object. When the sliding plate moves to the second limit of its slidable engagement, the pivoting plates move to a second predetermined position and the stencil toy assumes the configuration of a second traceable object.

Abstract: A drawing instrument and locking apparatus therefor in which the locking apparatus can be made of polyethylene, polypropylene or the like and is not subject to fragmentation or permanent damage during normal use. A displaceable member of the locking apparatus is displaceable into a groove of a drawing board to lock the drawing instrument in position thereon. An outer ring member freely rotatable through 360 degrees around the displaceable member when the displaceable member is in its raised condition engages the displaceable member when the displaceable member is in its depressed condition upon rotation of the ring member to unlock the apparatus.

Abstract: A marker nib having a tapered tip portion, a substantially cylindrical barrel portion, and a trunk having a frusto-conical portion of smaller maximum diameter than the barrel portion and extending therefrom. The nib can be manufactured in a mold requiring simple tooling and having a parting line for the mold segments at the junction of the barrel portion with the trunk.

Abstract: A magazine for receiving a plurality of elongate, generally rod-shaped articles from a first or source location where such articles are arranged in parallel relation to one another and for transferring the articles in unscrambled parallel relation to a second or receiving location, is disclosed. The magazine comprises a partitioned housing defining a plurality of similar, open-bottomed chambers adjacent to, but isolated from, one another. Each of the chambers has a uniformly narrow dimension corresponding to the width of any of the aforementioned articles to provide loose lateral support for a selected number of the articles in a stacked array, with one such article upon the next. Each of the stacked arrays is releasably supported in its respective chamber by a respective elongate pin which can be laterally withdrawn from its corresponding chamber to allow the articles to fall as a batch and without losing their parallel disposition onto a receiving device, e.g., a hopper.

Abstract: Machine for making crayons or the like comprising means for supplying fluid material to a series of mold cavities in a horizontally rotatable mold table, means for controlling the temperatures of the cavities, means for ejecting the molding products from the cavities, means for receiving the ejected products and conveying them to one or more delivery points and means for removing excess material from the mold table and recycling it, with suitable controls for operating the several elements according to a desired program and with specific improvements in the apparatus and in the method of operation.

Abstract: Machine for making crayons or the like comprising means for supplying fluid material to a series of mold cavities in a horizontally rotatable mold table, means for controlling the temperatures of the cavities, means for ejecting the molded products from the cavities, means for receiving the ejected products and conveying them to one or more delivery points and means for removing excess material from the mold table and recycling it, with suitable controls for operating the several elements according to a desired program and with specific improvements in the apparatus and in the method of operation.